Magick Without Tears

19 The Act of Truth Cara Soror, Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. It seems that last Wednesday I so far forgot myself as to refer to the "Act of Truth" in conversation, and never mentioned what it is when it's at home, or why anyone should perform it, or what happens when one does perform it! All right, I will remedy that; luckily, it is a very simple matter; very important, perfectly paradoxical, and devastatingly effective. Analysed, it is to make the assumption that something which seems very wrong is actually all right, that an eager wish is an accomplished fact, a reasonable anxiety, entirely unfounded-and to act accordingly. For instance, I'm in some desolate place, dependent for my food supply on a weekly messenger. If he is a day late, it is awkward; if two, it means hardship; if three, serious risk. One is naturally anxious as the day approaches; perhaps the weather, or some similar snag, makes it likely that he will be late. From one cause or another, I have rather exceeded my ration. There is nothing I can do about it, materially. The sensible course of action is to draw in my horns, live on the minimum necessary to life, which involves cutting the day's work down to almost nothing, and hope for the best, expecting the worst. But there is a Magical mode of procedure. You say to 152