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THE TREE OF LIFE 257
ejecting all unwanted and disturbing influences. A simple form of
ceremony consecrating a special chamber for a magical purpose
may quite easily be devised by incorporating the Pentagram ritual
with several of the aphorisms of the Chaldaan Oracles, as for example
in the following ritual.
" Let the Magician face the East, and holding the Lotus wand by
the black part, say the following words :
HEKAS, HEKAS, EST1 BEBELOI !
"Then let the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram be
performed so that a Circle is formed embracing the area of the
entire Chamber, after which the Wand should be laid upon the
Altar.
" Purify the outer limits of the Circle with water, saying : ' So
therefore first the Priest who governeth the works of Fire must
sprinkle the water of the loud resounding sea.'
" Purify with fire, saying : ' And when after all the Phantoms
thou shalt see that Holy Formless Fire, that Fire which darts and
flashes through the hidden depths of the universe, Hear thou the
Voice of Fire.'
"Then take up again the Lotus wand by the white end, and repeat
the Adoration :
" ' Holy art Thou Lord of the Universe.
Holy art Thou Whom Nature hath not formed.
Holy art Thou the Vast and Mighty One,
Lord of Light and of the Darkness.' "
Immediately after the initial banishings have been performed,
and just before the Ceremony is to commence, an Invocation of the
Higher is advised. Just as the lower will aspires to that which is
above, so also is it conceived that the higher will aspires to union
with that which is below. To equilibrate the Ceremony, an invocation
to the Higher Will-whether conceived as the Augoeides or the
Lord of the Universe-is considered an indispensable part of any
operation. The prayer given below first appears in Tlze Secret
Symbols of the Rosicrucians, by Franz Hartman, and it is one of
the most eloquent and exalting anthems, suitable for the abovementioned
purpose, which has come to be written :
" Eternal and Universal Fountain of Love, Wisdom and Happiness;
Nature is the book in which Thy character is written, and