FASCINATIONS 
185 
(Personally, I have always used, or heard, it much less 
seriously: "attractive" hardly more.) Skeat, surprisingly, is 
almost dumb: p. part. of "to enchant" 
and "from L. 
fascinum, a spell. " 
Yes, surprisingly; for the word is one of the many that 
mean the Phallus. The implication is that there is some sexual 
element in the exciting and alluring quality, which lifts it 
altogether above mere "pleasing." 
To my mind the implication is that there is some quality 
inherent which is cognate to that too totally irrational 
quasimagnetic force which has been responsible not only for 
innumerable personal tragedies-and comedies-but 
for the 
fall of dynasties and even the wreck of Empires. 
"Christ" is reported as having said: "If I be lifted up from 
the earth, I will draw all men unto me." Interpret this in the 
light of the Cross as a Phallic emblem, and-how lurid a flash! 
Compare AL, II: 26: 
"I am the secret Serpent coiled about to spring; in my 
coiling there is joy. If I /ift up my head, I and my Nuit 
are one. If I droop down my head, and shoot forth venom, 
then is rapture of the earth, and I and the earth are one. " 
This versicle is deep, devilish deep; and it is chock-a-block 
with the mysteries of Fascination. Dig into this, dear sister! 
dig with your Qabalistic trowel; don't blame me if you don't 
get a Mandrake with the very first thrust! 
But most certainly I shall say nothing here. Yes, indeed, 
nothing was ever more sternly forbidden than prattle on 
subjects like this! Look! It goes right on: "There is great 
danger in me; for who doth not understand these runes shall 
make a great miss. He shall fall down into the pit called 
Because, and there he shall perish with the dogs of Reason." 
(v 27) The pit is of course the Abyss: see The Vision and the 
Voice, 10th Aethyr. A very sticky-or rather, unstuck! finish; 
so 'ware Hawk! 
To business! Fascination. No! Invisibility, is obviously 
penny. plain 
S.A. This is notably an affair of the 
subconscious; it often masters open dislike and distaste; it