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.