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Page 1 of 21929 · PDF PAGE 37
CHAPTER O The Magical Theory of the Universe. There are tliree main théories of tlie Universe: Dualism, Monism and Nihilism. It is impossible to enter into a discussion of their relative merits in a popular manual of this sort. They may be studied in Erdmann’s “History of Philosophy” and similar treatises. Ail are reconciled and unified in the theory which we shall now set forth. The basis of this Harrnony is given in Crowley’s “Berashith” — to which reference should be made. Infinité space is called the goddess NUIT, while the infini tely smal…
1929 · PDF PAGE 45
… the universe, but the universe is a magical mirror of his aura. In this chapter we are only able to give a very thin outline of magical theory — faint pencilling by weak and wavering fingers — for this subject may almost be said to be co-extensive with one’s whole knowledge. Fhe knowledge of exoteric science is comically limited by the fact that we hâve no access, except in the most indirect way, to any other celestial body than our own. In the last few years, the semi-educated hâve got an idea that they know a great deal about the universe, a…
1929 · PDF PAGE 41
…into the One. * The reader can now understand that the sketch given above of the magical Hierarchy is hardly even an outline of the real theory of the Universe. This theory may indeed be studied iii the article already referred to in No. V of the Equinox, and, môre deeply, in the Book of the Law and the Commentaries thereon: but the true understanding dépends entirely upon the work of the Magician himself. Without magical expérience it will be meaningless. In this there is nothing peculiar. It is so with ail scientific knowledge. A blind man mi…
1929 · PDF PAGE 83
…ature. 1. Thelemites agréé that manifested existence implies Imperfection. But they understand why Perfection devises this disguise. The Theory is developed fully in Liber Aleph, and in Part IV of this Book 4. See also Cap V Paragraph on F final of Fiaof. 2. The Vaishnava theory, superficially opposed to this, turns out on analysis to be practically identical. 47
1929 · PDF PAGE 145
…tter. The conception seems to be that of a schoolboy who asks his father to tell the butler to do something for him. In other words, the theory is grossly animistic. The savage tribes described by Frazer had a far more scientific theory. The same may be said of witches, who appear to hâve been wiser than the thaumaturgists who despised them. - They at least made waxen images — iden- tified by baptism — of the people they wished to control. They at least used appropriate bases for Magical manifestations, such as blood and other vehicles of anima…
1929 · PDF PAGE 144
…or whose history is familiar to everybody. I refer to Christian Science, and the cognate doctrines of “mental healing” and the like. The theory of such people, stripped of dogmatic furbelows, is perfectly good Magic of its kind, its negroid kind. The idea is correct enough: matter is an illusion created by Will through mind, and consequently susceptible of alteration at the behest of its creator. But the practice has been lacking. They hâve not developed a scientific technique for applying the Will. It is as if they expected the steam of Watts’…
1929 · PDF PAGE 56
…“The Augoeides”, or “Adi-Buddha”, or 61 other things —but He had discovered that these w'ere ali one, yet that each one represented some theory of the Universe which would ultimately be shattered by criticism — for He had already passed through the realm of Reason, and knew that every statement contained an absurdity. He therefore said: “Let me déclaré this Work under this title: 'The obtaining of the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian AngeP ”, because the theory implied in these words is so patently absurd that only simpletons wou…
1929 · PDF PAGE 129
… most necessary to study the business, whatever we may be going to do about it; for our ethics themselves will naturally dépend upon our theory of the universe. If we were quite certain, for example, that everybody went to heaven when he died, there could be no serious objection to murder or suicide, as it is generally conceded—by those who know neither — that earth is not such a pleasant place as heaven. However, there is a mystery concealed in this theory of the bloody sacrifice which is of great importance to the student, and we therefore ma…
1929 · PDF PAGE 95
… ourselves is composed of éléments \ and no element of it came out of nothing. Newton’s First Law applies to every plane of thought. The theory of évolution is omniform. There is a reason for one’s prédisposition to goût, or the shape of one’s ear, in the past. The symbolism may change ; the facts do not. In one form or another, everything that exists is derived from some previous manifestation. Hâve it, if you will, fhat the memories of other incarnations are dreamsj but dreams are determined by reality just as much as the events of the day. T…
1929 · PDF PAGE 115
…ided into the foliowing parts: 1. Attitudes. 2. Circumambulations (and similar movements). 3. Changes of position (This dépends upon the theory of the construction of the circle). 4. The Knocks or Knells. I Attitudes are of two Kinds: natural and artificial. Of the first kind, prostration is the obvious example. It cornes natural to man (poor créature!) to throw himself to the ground in the presence of the object of his adoration.1 Intermediate between this and the purely artificial form of gestures cornes a class which dépends on acquired habi…
1929 · PDF PAGE 28
…ence of MAGICK is simple enough in ail conscience. It is not otherwise with the art of government. The Aim is simply prosperity; but the theory is tangled, and the practice beset with briars. In the same wav MAGICK is merely to be and to do. I should add: ato suffer”. For Magick is the verbj and it is part of the Training to use the passive voice. This is, however, a matter of Initiation rather than of Magick in - XXVI
1929 · PDF PAGE 53
…ermes Tris- megistus that the magi employ three methods. The first, for the vulgar, is that of supplication. In this the crude objective theory is assumed as true. There is a god named A, whom you, B, proceed to pétition, in exactly the same sense as a boy might ask his father for pocket-mcney. The second method involves a little more subtlety, inasmuch as the magician endeavours to harmonize himself with the nature of the god, and to a certain extent exalts himself, in the course of the ceremony; but the third method is the only one worthy of …
1929 · PDF PAGE 79
…eas one against another. The formula of Horus has not yet been so fully worked out in details as to justify a treatise upon its exoteric theory and practice; but one may say that it is, to the formula of Osiris, what the turbine is to the reciprocating engine. III There are many other sacred words which enshrine formulæ of great efficacity in particular operations. For example, V.I.T.R.I.O.L gives a certain Regimen of the Planets useful in Alchemical work. Ararita is a formula of the macrocosm potent in certain very lofty Operations of the Magi…
1929 · PDF PAGE 107
…nt that any one disbelieves in the ostensibly prevailing cuit j they déploré Atheism — ail but universal in practice and implicit in the theory of practically ail intelligent people — as if it were the eccentricity of a few negligible or objectionable persons. This is the ordinary story of advertisement ; the sham has exactly the same chance as the real. Persistence is the only quality required for success. The opposite formula is that of secrecy. An idea is perpetuated because it must never be mentioned. A Freemason never forgets the secret wo…
1929 · PDF PAGE 117
…just as if a pre-occupied T-totaller found that he had strayed into a Temple of the Démon Rum! It is therefore impossible to neglect the theory of the Circle. 1. Equinox I, II, pp. 244-260. 2. Equinox I, VII, pp. 93 sqq. 3. The practical necessities of the work are likely to require certain movements. One should either exclude this symbolism altogether, or else think out everything beforehand, and make it significant. Do not let some actions be symbolic and others haphazard. — 8l —
1929 · PDF PAGE 89
… be derived from gratifying the sense of power, the power to compel every possible element of thought to contribute to the spasm. If the theory of reincarnation were generally accepted, the above considérations would make out a strong case. Frater Perdurabo was quite convinced in one part of his mind of this identity, long before he got any actual memories as such.1 II • « • * 1 * , . . Unless one has a groundwork of this sort to start with, one must get back to one’s life as best one can by the methods above indicated. 1. Long since writing …
1929 · PDF PAGE 125
…he Book of the Dead contains many chapters intended to enable the magical entity of a man who is dead, and so deprived (according to the theory of death then current) of the material vehicle for executing his will, to take on the form of certain animais, such as a golden hawk or a crocodile, and in such form to go about the earth “taking his pleasure among the living.” * 1 As a general rule, material was supplied out of which he could construct the party of the second part aforesaid, hereinafter referred to as the hawk. We need not, however, co…
1929 · PDF PAGE 70
Aeon of his. Matriarchal Age. The Great Work conceived as a straightforward simple affair. We find the theory reflected in the customs of Matriarchy. Parthenogenesis is supposed to be true. The Virgin (Yod-Virgo) contains in herself the Principle of Growth — the epicene Her- metic seed. It becornes the Babe in the Egg (A — Harpocrates) by virtue of the Spirit (A = Air, impregnating the Mother- Vulture) and this becomes the Sun or Son (F = the letter of Tiphareth, 6, even when spelt as Oméga, in Coptic. See 777). Aeon of Osiris. Patriarchal âge.…
1929 · PDF PAGE 42
…. * But discussions of the details of purely imaginary : qualifies are frivolous and may be deadly. For the great danger of this magical theory is that the student may mistake the alphabet for the things which the words represent. An excellent man of great intelligence, a iearned Qabalist, once amazed the Master Therion by stating that the Tree of Life was the framework of the Universe. It was as if some one had seriously maintained that a ait was a créature constructed by placing the letters C. A. T. in that order. It is no wonder that Magick …
1929 · PDF PAGE 81
… ail these formulæ. Before beginning any operation soever the magician must make a thorough Qabalistic study of it so as to work out its theory in symmetry of perfection. Preparedness in Magick is as important as it is in War. V It should be profitable to make a somewhat detailed study of the strange-looking word AUMGN, for its analysis affords an excellent illustration of the principles on which the Practicus may construct his own Sacred Words. This word has been uttered by the Master Therion himself, as a means of declaring his own personal w…