Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 1)

One word of warning is perhaps necessary for the begirmer. The victim must be in perfect health — or its energy may be as it were poisoned. It must also not be too large: * 1 2 3 the amount of energy disengaged is almost unimaginably great, and out of ail anticipated proportion to the strength of the animal. Con- sequently, the Magician may easily be overwhelmed and obsessed by the force which he has let loose; it will then probably manifest itself in its lowest and most objectionable form. The most intense spirituality of purpose is absolutely essential to safety. In évocations the danger is not so great, as the Circle forms a protection j but the circle in such a case must be protected, not only by the names of God and the Invocations used at the same time, but by a long habit of successful defence.s If you are easily disturbed or alarmed, or if you hâve not yet overcome the ten- dency of the mind to wander, it is not advisable for you to perform vessel; and it issues in due season refreshed and modified, but still essen- tially itself. The idea is the transmission of life and wisdom from a vehicle which has fulfilled its formula to one capable of further extension. The development of a wild fruit by repeated plantings in suitable soil is an analogous operation. 1. The sacrifice (e.g.) of a bull is sufficient for a large number. of people; hence it is commonly made in public ceremonies, and in some initiations, e.g. that of a King, who needs force for his whole kingdom. Or again, in the Consécration of a Temple. See Lord Dunsany, “The Blessing of Pan” — a noble and most notable prophecy of Life’s fair future. 2. This is a matter of concentration, with no ethical implication. The danger is that one may get something which one does not want. This is “bad” by définition. Nothing is in itself good or evil. The shields of the Sabines which crushed Tarpeia were not murderous to them, but the contrary. Her criticism of them was simply that they were what she did not want in her Operation. 3. The habituai use of the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (say, thrice daily) for months and years and constant assumption of the God-form of Harpocrates (See Equinox, I, II and Liber 333, cap. XXV for both these) should make the real circle, i.e. the Aura of the Magus, impregnable. This Aura should be clean-cut, résilient, radiant, iridiscent, brilliant, glittering. “A soap-bubble of razor-steel, streaming with light from 99