The Equinox (Volume I, Number IX)

LIBER BATRACHOPHRENOBOOCOSMOMACHIA 3- These practices A and B accomplished, and his studies in astronomy completed, let him attempt this practice C. C. Let the Practicus form a mental picture of the Earth, in particular striving to realize the size of the earth in comparison with himself, and let him not be content until by assiduity he has well succeeded. Let him add the Moon, keeping well in mind the relative sizes of, and the distance between, the planet and its satellite. He will probably find the final trick of mind to be a constant disappearance of the image, and the appearance of the same upon a smaller scale. This trick he must outwit by constancy of endeavour. He will then add in turn Venus, Mars, Mercury and the Sun. It is permissible at this stage to change the point of view to the centre of the Sun, and to do so may add stability to the conception. The Practicus may then add the Asteroids, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The utmost attention to detail is now necessary, as the picture is highly com- plex, apart from the difficulty of appreciating relative size and distance. Let this picture be practised month after month until it is absolutely perfect. The tendency which may manifest itself to pass into Dhyana and Samadhi must be resolutely combated with the whole strength of the mind. Let the Practicus then re-commence the picture, starting from the Sun, and adding the planets one by 39