Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 1)

By thus avoiding those actions whiçli might excite the comment of our neighbours we avoid the graver dangers of falling into spiritual pride. We hâve understood the saying: “To the pure ail things are pure”, and we hâve learnt how to act up to it. We can analyse the mind far more acutely than could the ancients, and we can therefore distinguish the real and right feeling from its imitations. A man may eat méat from self-indulgence, or in order to avoid the dangers of asceticism. We must constantly examine our- selves, and assure ourselves that every action is really subservient to the One Purpose. It is ceremonially désirable to seal and affirm this mental purity by Ritual, and accordingly the first operation in any actual ceremony is bathing and robing, with appropriate words. The bath signifies the removal of ail things extraneous or antagonistic to the one thought. The putting on of the robe is the positive side of the same operation. It is the assumption of the frame of mind suitable to that one thought. A similar operation takes place in the préparation of every instrument, as has been seen in the Chapter devoted to that subject. In the préparation of the place of working, the same considérations apply. We first remove from that place ail objects; and we then put into it those objects, and only those Law.” “What is thy Will? ” “It is my will to eat and drink ” “To what end?” “That my body may be fortified thereby.” “To what end?” “That I may accomplish the Great Work.” “Love is the law, love under will.” “Fall to!” This may be adapted as a monologue. One may also add the inquiry “What is the Great Work?” and answer appropriately, when it seems useful to specify the nature of the Operation in progress at the time. The point is to seize every occasion of bringing every available force to bear upon the objective of the assault. It does not matter what the force is (by any standard of judgment) so long as it plays its proper part in securing the success of the general purpose. Thus, even laziness may be used to increase our indifférence to interfering impulses, or envy to counteract carelessness. See Liber CLXXV, Equinox I, VII, P. 37- This is especially true, since the forces are destroyed by the process. That is, one destroys a compiex which in itself is “evil” and puts its éléments to the one right use. 103