42 
MAGICK WITHOUT TEARS 
Or: A is a shorter cut to Nothing; A is less likely to create 
internal conflict. 
Will that serve? 
Offer a dog a juicy bone, and a bundle of hay; he will 
naturally take the bone, whereas a horse would choose the 
hay. So, while you happen to imagine yourself to be a Fair 
Lady seeking the Hidden Wisdom, you come to me; if you 
thought you were a Nigger Minstrel, you would play the 
banjo, and sing songs calculated to attract current coin of the 
Realm from a discerning Public! The two actions are 
ultimately identical-see AL, I: 22-and your perception of 
that fact would make you an Initiate of very high standing; 
but in the work-a-day world, you are "really" the Fair Lady, 
and leave the minstrel to grow infirm and old and hire an 
orphan boy to carry his banjo! 
Now then, what bothers me is this: Have I or have I not 
explained this matter of "Magick"-"Why should I (who have 
only just heard of it, at least as a serious subject of study) 
acquire a knowledge of its principles, and of the powers 
conferred by its mastery?" Must I bribe you with promises of 
health, wealth, power over others, knowledge, thaumaturgical 
skill, success in every worldly ambition-as 
I could quite 
honestly do? I hope there is no such need-and yet, shall I 
confess it? -it was only because all the "good things of life" 
were suddenly seen of me to be worthless, that I took the 
first steps towards the attainment of that Wisdom which, 
while enjoying to the full the "Feast of Life," guarantees me 
against surfeit, poison or interruption by the knowledge that 
it is all a Dream, and gives me the Power to tum that dream 
at will into any form that happens to appeal to my 
Inclination. 
Let me sum up, very succinctly; as usual, my enthusiasm 
has lured me into embroidering my sage discourse with Poets' 
Imagery! 
Why should you study and practice Magick? Because you 
can't help doing it, and you had better do it well than badly. 
You are on the links, whether you like it or not; why go on