Magick Without Tears

IMPROVISING A TEMPLE 169 but white will serve, or black. (A Masonic carpet is not at all bad.) The Circle itself should be as shown in Book 4, Part II; but as this volume is probably unavailable, ask me to show you the large painted diagram in my portfolio when next you visit me, and we can arrange for it to be copied. This should then be painted in the correct colours on the floor: the Kether square to the North, your "East." The Altar must fit exactly the square of Tiphareth; it is best made as a cupboard; of oak or acacia, by preference. It can then be used to hold reserves of incense and other requisites. Note that the height of the Altar has to suit your convenience. It is consequently in direct relation with your own stature; in proportion, it is a double cube. This then determines the size of your circle; in fact the entire apparatus and furniture is a geometrical function of yourself. Consider it all as a projection of yourself in terms of these conventional formulae. (A convention does really mean "that which is convenient ." How abject, then, to obey a self-styled convention which is actually as inconvenient as possible!) Next, the Lamp. This may be of silver, or silver-gilt, (to represent the Path of Gimel) and is to be hung from the ceiling exactly above the centre of the altar. There are plenty of old church lamps which serve very well. The light is to be from a wick in a floating cork in a glass of olive oil. (I hope you can get it!) It is really desirable to make this as near the "ever-burning Lamp of the Rosicrucians" as possible; it is not a drawback that this implies frequent attention. Now for the Weapons! The Wand. Let this be simple, straight and slim! Have you an Almond or Witch Hazel in your garden-or do I call it park? If so, cut (with the magic knife-I would lend you mine) a bough, as nearly straight as possible, about two feet long. Peel it, rub it constantly with Oil of Abramelin (this, and his incense, from Wallis and Co., 26 New Cavendish Street , W.l.) and keep wrapped in scarlet silk. Constantly, I