Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 1)

CHAPTER II J I The Formulae of the Elemental Weapons. Before discussing magical formulae in detail, one may observe that most rituals are composite, and contain many formulae which must be harmonized into one. The fîrst formula is that of the wand. In the sphere of the principle which the magician wishes to invoke, he rises from point to point in a perpendicular line, and then descends 5 or else, beginning at the top, he cornes directly down, invoking fîrst the god of that sphere by devout supplication 1 that Fie may deign to send the appropriate Archangel. He then beseeches the Àrchangel to send the Angel or Angels of that sphere to his aid; he conjures this Angel or Angels to send the intelligence in question, and this intelligence he will conjure with authority to compel the obedience of the spirit and his manifestation. To this spirit he issues commands. It will be seen that this is a formula rather of évocation than of invocation, and for the latter the procedure, though apparently the same, should be conceived of in a difiFerent manner, which brings it under another formula, that of Tetragrammaton. The essence of the force invoked is one, but the “God” represents the germ or beginning of the force, the “Archangel” its development; and so on, until, with the “Spirit”, we hâve the completion and perfection of that force. I. Beware, O brother, lest thou bend the knee! Liber CCXX teaches the proper attitude. See also Liber CCCLXX. Infra, furthermore, there is spécial instruction : Chapter XV and elsewhere. 16