The Tree of Life : A Study in Magic - Global Grey

THE TREE OF LIFE
obligated to Theosophy. Many of the magical practices have their
basis in the Practical Qabalah of the Hebrew philosophers, and in
the sacerdotal Theurgy of the Egyptians. Fragments have been
culled from several sources, and to a great number of thinkers both
before me and in my time am I greatly indebted, and these I gladly
acknowledge.
As regards Theosophy, I think it only honest to confess-despite
derogatory remarks registered against the behaviour of individual
Theosophists-that for Blavatsky I have nothing but the highest
admiration and respect. Much of the philosophical superstructure
revealed in The Secret Doctrine commands but mute acquiescence and
cordial agreement. My own conception of the magical philosophy owes
what little of it which is consistent and clear to the developments in
comparative religion and philosophy with which Blavatsky has
provided me. Yet my attitude is one of eclecticism, choosing here,
rejecting there, and forming of the whole a coherent and consistent
synthesis pleasing to the mind and satisfying to the soul. The
entirety of Blavatsky's teaching is one which, in various of its rami-
fications, I feel I cannot accept. There is much with which I am
wholly in sympathy, which one would be proud and happy to
assimilate into personal philosophy, and at the same time there
is much which is displeasing and repugnant to the inner sense.
To the works of Arthur Edward Waite, with particular reference
to his summaries of Qabalistic teaching, I am also in no little degree
indebted. There is a considerable quantity of fine literature written
by this now aged contemporaly which is exceedingly graceful,
informative and sublime, singing at times with incomparable
eloquence. And it is this aspect of excellent scholarship and lyricism
which I think should not be forgotten, marred though it sometimes
may appear to be by the frequency of passages in his writing which
elicit justifiable censure. They are of abysmal turgidity and pomp-
osity, and exhibit an unnecessary tendency to destructive criticism.
But I, so far as personal feeling is concerned, have a warm place in
my inner heart for Mr. Waite, and owe him far more than mere
words can tell, and as a supplement to present study would enthusi-
astically recommend to every reader his Secret Doctrifie irz Israel
and The Holy Kaballah.
Although in the works of the eminent French Magus whose pseudo-
nym was Eliphas Levi Zahed, there is much meaningless drivel
bearing not the least relation to Magic, yet one perceives here and