Israel Regardie - The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic.pdf

THE COMPLETE GOLDEN DAWN SYSTEM OF MAGIC
It is a mode of placing the cards based upon the scheme of the dominion of the Tarot
Symbols. The more rigidly correct and in harmony with the scheme of the Universe is any form
of Divination, so much the more is it likely to yield a correct and reliable answer to the enquirer.
For then and then only is there a firm link, and bond of union, established between it and the
Occult forces of Nature. The moment the correct correspondence of the Symbols employed
ceases to be observed, the link between them and the inner Occult forces is strained, and in some
cases broken. For this cause, therefore, is it that the same mode of Divination will sometimes
yield a true and sometimes false answer, and at other times a partly true and partly false; because
the correspondences are either not rigidly observed or else made use of by an ignorant and
uninitiated person.
Therefore the Diviner should enter upon the Divination with a mind clear and
unprejudiced, neither disturbed by anger, fear, nor love, and with a sound knowledge of the
correspondences of the symbols which he employs. Also he should be able to employ his
clairvoyant and intuitive faculties therein when necessary and should avoid as much as possible a
warped or strained decision. Also it is not well to divine repeatedly concerning the same matter;
and the Diviner should also recognise that even the material occult forces do not act as the
instruments of a blind fatality, but rather in accordance with the will of the more spiritual powers
which are behind them.
Also it may be well for the Diviner to put on his insignia, and make over the pack any
invoking hexagram or pentagram, either with the hand alone, or with convenient magical
instruments. And it may also be advisable in some instances to invoke an elemental force
consonant with the matter, to aid in the divination.
And let it not be forgotten that in working with the lesser magical implements all four
should be at hand, even though only one be actually employed. For if this be not done, it will
give undue force to the suit corresponding to the Element invoked, and instead of being an aid in
the matter, it will be a hindrance to correct reading.
THE OPENING OF THE KEY
The mode of performing the Divination called “The Opening of the Key” is by five
consecutive operations of laying out the cards, they having been previously well shuffled, and, in
addition in the first and fourth cases, having been cut as well, and in a certain manner. These five
operations answer respectively, the first to the Dominion of the Four Knaves under the
presidency of the Four Aces; the Second to that of the Kings, Queens and Knights, referred to the
Twelve Houses; the Third to that of the Twelve Keys attributed to the Signs; the Fourth to that of
the smaller cards answering to the 36 Decanates; and the Fifth and last to the rule of the
Sephiroth in the Celestial Heavens.
These are five distinct operations, consecutively executed from the mode of Operation
called the “Opening of the Key,” which, as has been before said, is especially applicable to the
daily events of life. The first of these methods shows the opening of the matter as it then stands.
The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, its consecutive development, and the 5th its termination.
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