Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 1)

“Prove ail things; hold fast that which is good”. St. Paul. “Also the mantras and spells; the obeah and the wanga; the work of the wand and the work of the sword: these he shall learn and teach. “He must teach ; but he may make severe the ordeals. “The word of the Law is 0EAHMA.” LIBER AL vel xxxi: The Book of the Law. This book is for ALL: for every man, woman, and child. My former work has been misunderstood, and its scope limited, by my use of technical terms. It has attracted only too many dilettanti and eccentrics, weaklings seeking in “Magic” an escape from reality. I myself was first consciously drawn to the subject in this way. And it has repelled only too many scientific and practicai minds, such as I most designed to influence. But is for MAGICK ALL. I hâve written this book to help the Banker, the Pugilist, the Biologist, the Poet, the Navvy, the Grocer, the Factory Girl, the Mathematician, the Stenographer, the Golfer, the Wife, the Consul — and ail the rest — to fulfil themselves perfectly, each in his or her own proper function. Let me explain in a few words how it came about that I blazoned the word MAGICK upon the Banner that I hâve borne before me ail my life. Before I touched my teens, I was already aware that I was The Beast whose number is 666. I did not understand in the least — XV