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THE TREE OF LIFE
from the contemplation of the end he has chosen, and a thousand
and one means of breaking the Oath in spirit without breaking it in
letter will be presented. And it will appear that the mind itself will
run wild, warning the Theurgist that it were better for him to omit,
for instance, a period devoted to invocation and do something
else, profane and pleasurable. Constantly will it seek to frighten
him with inordinate fears relating to health of body and the mind.
Against all of these madnesses-fatal if he so much as succumb
to one temptation-there is only one remedy, the discipline of the
Oath taken at the beginning ; to continue in the labour of invoking
for six months the Holy Guardian Angel. There is nothing to do
but to go through the ceremonies and invocations, now temporarily
meaningless and hideous, inasmuch as the spiritual sight is dark
and the inner eye is closed. It may be that with the third and last
period this " Dark Night of the Soul " will pass slowly and imperceptibly,
and then ivill arise the soft rose and pink grandeur of
tlie Dawn, to be followed by the bright daylight of the Knowledge
and Conversation, with the Beatific Vision and the Perfume so
sweet and sustaining to sense and soul, of the Holy Guardian
Angel.
With the advent of the last two months, it is advised that the
man who is his own master should leave all business alone, except
perhaps works of charity towards his neighbour. Care, however,
should be exercised even in the performance of so high a virtue as
this, for the concentration and aspiration towards the highest
mcst not be broken. " You shall shun all society except that of
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your wife and of your servants. . . . Every Sabbath eve shall ye
fast and wash your whole body, and change your garment." These
rules concern the mode of life and conduct. But the advice which
has reference to the magical aspect of the Operation is as follows :
" Morning and Noon ye shall wash your hands and face on entering
(that is, of course, before) the Oratory ; and first ye shall make
Confession of all your sins ; after this, with a very ardent prayer,
ye shall entreat the Lord to accord unto you this particular grace
which is, that you may enjoy and be able to endure the presence
and conversation of His Holy Angels and that He may deign by
their intermission to grant unto you the Secret Wisdom, SO that
you may be able to have dominion over the Spirits and over all
creatures."
This is the procedure recommended for the last two months, by