THE-BOOK-OF-LIES-Aliester-Crowley

God of Midnight, who bears the Sun through theUnderworld; but it is called the Stag-Beetle to emphasisehis horns. Horns are the universal hieroglyph of energy,particularly of Phallic energy.The 16th key of the Tarot is "The Blasted Tower".In this chapter death is regarded as a form of marriage.Modern Greek peasants, in many cases, cling to Paganbelief, and suppose that in death they are united to theDeity which they have cultivated during life. This is "aconsummation devoutly to be wished" (Shakespeare).In the last paragraph the Master urges his pupils topractise Samadhi every day.[43]17ΚΕΦΑΛΗ Iota-Zeta}THE SWAN(11)There is a Swan whose name is Ecstasy: it wingethfrom the Deserts of the North;it wingeth throughthe blue; it wingeth over the fields of rice; at itscoming they push forth the green.In all the Universe this Swan alone is motionless; itseems to move, as the Sun seems to move; suchis the weakness of our sight.O fool! criest thou?Amen. Motion is relative: there is Nothing that isstill.Against this Swan I shot an arrow; the white breastpoured forth blood. Men smote me; then, perceivingthat I was but a Pure Fool, they let mepass.Thus and not otherwise I came to the Temple of theGraal.[44]COMMENTARY ({Iota-Zeta})This Swan is Aum. The chapter is inspired byFrater P.'s memory of the wild swans he shot in theTali-Fu.In paragraphs 3 and 4 it is, however, recognised thateven Aum is impermanent. There is no meaning in the