Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 1)

and hé must hâve taken the vows with the fullest compréhension and expérience of their meaning. It is also extremely désirable that he should hâve attained an absolute degree of moral émancipation *, and that purity of spirit which resnlts from a perfect understanding both of the différences and harmonies of the planes upon the Tree of Life. For this reason Frater Perdurabo has never dared to use this formula in a fully cérémonial manner, save once only, on an occasion of tremendous import, when, indeed, it was not He that made the offering, but ONE in Him. For he perceived a grave defect in his moral character which he has been able to overcome on the intellectual plane, but not hitherto upon higher planes. Before the conclusion of writing this book he will hâve done so. * 1 2 3 The practical details of the Bloody Sacrifice may be studied in various ethnological manuals, but the general conclusions are summed up in Frazer’s “Golden Bough”, which is strongly recommended to the reader. Actual cérémonial details likewise may be left to experiment. The method of killing is practically uniform. The animal should be stabbed to the heart, or its throat severed, in either case by the knife. Ail other methods of killing are less efficacious; even in the case of Crucifixion death is given by stabbing.8 One may remark that warm-blooded animais only are used as victims: with two principal exceptions. The first is the serpent, which is only used in a very spécial Ritual ; 4 the second the magical beetles of Liber Legis. (See Part IV.) has taken irrevocable Oaths and been received formally, that he discovers what Fraternity he has joined. If he hâve taken false symbols for true, and find himself magically pledged to a gang of rascals, so much the worse for him! 1. This results from the full acceptance of the Law of THELEMA, persistently put into practice. 2. P. S. With the happiest results. P. 3. Yet one might devise methods of execution appropriate to the Weapons : Stabbing or clubbing for the Lance or Wand, Drowning or poîsoning for the Cup, Beheading for the Sword, Crushing for the Disk, Burning for the Lamp, and so forth. 4. The Serpent is not realîy killed; it is seethed in an appropriate 98