Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 1)

principles whose interplay învolves different orders of idea connected with each other in a way beyond our présent compréhension. (Illustration: We are able to light cities by rule-of-thumb methods. We do not know what consciousness is, or how it is connected with muscular action ; what electricity is or how it is connected with the machines that generate it; and our methods dépend on calculations involving mathematical ideas which hâve no correspondence in the Universe as we know it. *) (12) Man is ignorant of the nature of his own being and powers. Even his idea of his limitations is based on expérience of the past, and every step in his progress extends his empire. There is therefore no reason to assign theoretical limits 1 2 to what lie may be, or to what he may do. (Illustration: A génération ago it was supposed theoretically impossible that man should ever know the Chemical composition of the fixed stars. It is known that our senses are adapted to receive only an infinitésimal fraction of the possible rates of vibration. Modem instruments hâve enabled us to detect some of these supra- sensibles by indirect methods, and even to use their peculiar qualities in the service of man, as in the case of the rays of Hertz and Rôntgen. As Tyndall said, man might at any moment learn to perceive and utilise vibrations of ail conceivable and inconceivable kinds. The question of Magick is a question of discovering and employing hitherto unknown forces in nature. We know that they exist, and we cannot doubt the possibility of mental or physical instruments capable of bringing us into relation with them.) (13) Every man is more or less aware that his individu- ality comprises several orders of existence, even when he maintains that his subtler priciples are merely symptomatic of the changes in his gross vehicle. A similar order may be assumed to extend throughout nature. (Illustration: One does not confuse the pain of toothache with 1. For instance, “irrational”, “unreal”, and “infinité” expressions. 2. i.e., except — possibly — in the case of logically absurd questions, such as the Schoolmen discussed in connection with “God”. — XX —