Book 4 (Part II)

29 The Dagger is Mercury: it is used to calm too great heat, by the letting of blood; and it is this weapon which is plunged into the side or heart of the Magician to fill the Holy Cup. Those faculties which come between the appetites and the reason are thus dealt with. The Chain is Salt : it servestobind thewanderingthoughts; and for this reason is placed about the neck of the Magician, where Daath is situated. These instruments also remind us of pain, death, and bondage. Students of the gospel will recollect that in the martyrdom of Christ these three were used, the dagger being replaced by the nails.^ The Scourge should be made with a handle of iron ; the lash is com- posed of nine strands of fine copper wire, in each of which are twisted small pieces of lead. Iron represents severity, copper love, and lead austerity. The Dagger is made of steel inlaid with gold; and the hilt is also golden. The chain is made of soft iron. It has t,^^ links. ^ 1 This is true of all magical instruments. The Hill of Golgotha is the circle, and the Cross the Tau. Christ had robe, crown, sceptre, etc. ; this thesis should one day be fully worked out. " See The Equinox, No. V, " The Vision and the Voice '': Xth Aethyr.