the book of ceremonial magic contents - Yankeeclassic.com
the book of ceremonial magic contents - Yankeeclassic.com
the book of ceremonial magic contents - Yankeeclassic.com
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sanctuaries to which I alluded far back in this work, and to which I must refer again for a<br />
moment in <strong>the</strong>se final words.<br />
As part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> root-matter out <strong>of</strong> which <strong>com</strong>es <strong>the</strong> lying art <strong>of</strong> spirits <strong>the</strong>re stands forth <strong>the</strong><br />
hypo<strong>the</strong>tical efficacy <strong>of</strong> adjuration, prayer and <strong>ceremonial</strong> acts <strong>of</strong> worship in connection<br />
<strong>the</strong>rewith. But in Magic that efficacy can be manifested only over things trivial or<br />
abominable, because it is obvious that for any higher purpose we should have recourse<br />
<strong>the</strong>reto through <strong>the</strong> ordinary channels <strong>of</strong> religion. If <strong>the</strong> hypo<strong>the</strong>sis <strong>of</strong> prayer is true,<br />
Magic is out <strong>of</strong> court on <strong>the</strong> side <strong>of</strong> holy things because <strong>the</strong>re is a more excellent way <strong>of</strong><br />
obtaining <strong>the</strong> great gifts, <strong>the</strong> good gifts and <strong>the</strong> gifts that do not pass away. But if it is not.<br />
true, Magic is out <strong>of</strong> court also because it depends from and <strong>com</strong>es down to <strong>the</strong> earth with<br />
that false assumption which is at its basis. As a matter <strong>of</strong> fact, Magic, White or Black, is<br />
<strong>the</strong> attempt to direct <strong>the</strong> admitted efficacy into evil channels--to <strong>com</strong>pel <strong>the</strong> infernal<br />
cohorts with <strong>the</strong> assistance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> blessed hierarchies, and to enlist <strong>the</strong> sympathies <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
latter on <strong>the</strong> warrant <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir appeasing invocation in foolish or discreditable transactions.<br />
I should add that I characterise as <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> essence <strong>of</strong> evil <strong>the</strong> desire after power which puts<br />
<strong>the</strong> owner at an advantage over those about him by interventions <strong>of</strong> an occult nature,<br />
against which it would be generally impossible to guard. I characterise <strong>the</strong> acquisition <strong>of</strong><br />
knowledge without learning in <strong>the</strong> same way and for <strong>the</strong> same reasons. The o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
ambitions, desires, greeds do not need express condemnation on my part, for <strong>the</strong>y speak<br />
too plainly on <strong>the</strong>ir own. Out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
p. 337<br />
mouth <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir proper hypo<strong>the</strong>ses, <strong>the</strong> pseudo-art or science is that <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> abyss. It<br />
remains, however, in most cases <strong>the</strong> abyss <strong>of</strong> evil intention, as <strong>the</strong> operator is left with his<br />
base, sordid, sorry or fatuous ambition and not with <strong>the</strong> fruition <strong>the</strong>re<strong>of</strong><br />
It may seem at first sight that I have been breaking laidly worms on larger wheels than<br />
would have been required for Gargantua, Behemoth or Leviathan; but I am concerned<br />
first <strong>of</strong> all with <strong>the</strong> preservation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Secret Tradition inviolate and with <strong>the</strong> separation<br />
<strong>of</strong> fungoids and diseased and monstrous growths which have <strong>com</strong>e to overlay it. The<br />
<strong>magic</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ceremonial Rituals is no part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> real tradition, it is not in any form that<br />
we know it <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> veils <strong>the</strong>re<strong>of</strong>, nor are <strong>the</strong>y even its debasement. At <strong>the</strong> same time--and<br />
as we have sufficiently seen--<strong>the</strong>y do represent at a very far distance a stream <strong>of</strong> averse<br />
tradition, and it is that <strong>of</strong> Jewry in <strong>the</strong> prescription and suspension <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> greater and agelong<br />
exile. There is no question that <strong>the</strong> mind <strong>of</strong> Israel which produced on <strong>the</strong> one hand<br />
<strong>the</strong> signal mystic testimony <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Zoharic literature did on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r betray <strong>the</strong> kind <strong>of</strong><br />
preoccupations which have given us Ceremonial Magic as <strong>the</strong>ir last evolution in <strong>the</strong> pit<br />
and pools <strong>of</strong> thought. And this is <strong>the</strong>ir side <strong>of</strong> importance. It is this only which has<br />
justified <strong>the</strong> present consideration and <strong>the</strong> length to which it has extended.