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I44
THE TREE OF LIFE
exaltation of the consciousnes~, exerting a subtle fascination on
the mind of the Magician. " The Magic of the ancient priests
consisted in those days," thought Madame Blavatsky, " in addressing
their gods in their own language. . . . It is composed of sounds, not
words ; of sounds, numbers and figures. He who knows how to
blend the three, will call forth the response of the superintending
Power. Thus this language is that of incantations or of Mantras as
they are called in India, sound being the most potent and effectual
magic agent, and the first of the keys which opens the door of
communication between Mortals and Immortals."
The rationale and explanation of the exaltation is not far removed
from general experience. It is not unique, nor does it confine itself
exclusively to ceremonial or Theurgical work. One very frequently
reads of poets becoming entranced, as it were, by the repetition of
rhythmic verse and names ; indeed many of the poems of Swinburne
are a splendid example of such poetry. One hears too of
precocious children being singularly affected by those readings from
the Bible in which occur long lists of weird Hebrew names and places.
Thomas Burke, the eminent novelist, once informed the writer that
when a young man the names of cities and countries in the South
American continent were to him as magical spells almost of enchantment,
occult in their power. Names such as Antofagasta, Tuerra
del Fuego, ~ntanonoiiva, and Venezuela are indeed barbarous
names to conjure with. I remember too reading at one time a poem
by William J. Turner, the music critic, in which he recounts that
as a boy, Mexican words and names exerted a fascinating charm :
Popocatapetl, Quexapetl, and Chimborozo, and the like. The names
themselves convey nothing to a fertile and developed imagination ;
the exaltation of consciousness is due almost entirely to rhythm
and its music, the witchery of the names entering into the realm
of the imagination, where it is seized upon to arouse a peculiar
frenzy or excitation. In any event little doubt can be entertained
that the numbers of barbaric, formidable, and almost fearfulappearing
words rolling and bellowing through so many of the
better invocations which have come down from antiquity should
have an exhilarating effect on the conscio~~sness, and exalt it to
the pitch required in Magic. The " Bornless " Invocation, whose
basic elements are found in some Gr~co-Egyptian fragments, and
which will be found reprinted in my last chapter, is perhaps the most
notable example. As a ritual it is considered by many to be one of