0. Learn first - Oh thou who aspirest unto our ancient Order!
- that Equilibrium is the basis of the Work. If thou thyself
hast not a sure foundation, whereon wilt thou stand to direct
the forces of Nature?
Know then, that as man is born into this world amidst the
Darkness of Matter, and the strife of contending forces; so must
his first endeavor be to seek the Light through their reconciliation.
Thou then who hast trials and troubles, rejoice because of
them, for in them is Strength, and by their means is a pathway
opened unto that Light.
How should it be otherwise, O man, whose life is but a day
in Eternity, a drop in the Ocean of time; how, were thy trials
not many, couldst thou purge thy soul from the dross of earth?
Is it but now that the Higher Life is beset with dangers and
difficulties; hath it not ever been so with the Sages and Hierophants
of the past? They have been persecuted and reviled, they have
been tormented of men; yet through this also has their Glory
increased.
Rejoice therefore, O Initiate, for the greater thy trial
the greater thy Triumph. When men shall revile thee, and speak
against thee falsely, hath not the Master said, "Blessed
art thou!"?
Yet, oh aspirant, let thy victories bring thee not Vanity,
for with increase of Knowledge should come increase of Wisdom.
He who knoweth little, thinketh he knoweth much; but he who
knoweth much has learned his own ignorance. Seest thou a m an
wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool, than
of him.
Be not hasty to condemn others; how knowest thou that in
their
place, thou couldst have resisted the temptation? And even
were it so, why
shouldst thou despise one who is weaker than thyself?
Thou therefore who desirest Magical Gifts, be sure that thy
soul is firm and steadfast; for it is by flattering thy weaknesses
that the Weak Ones will gain power over thee. Humble thyself
before thy Self, yet fear neither man nor spirit. Fe ar is failure,
and the forerunner of failure: and courage is the beginning of
virtue.
Therefore fear not the Spirits, but be firm and courteous
with them; for thou hast no right to despise or revile them;
and this too may lead thee astray. Command and banish them,
curse them by the Great Names if need be; but neither mock or
revile them, for so assuredly wilt thou be led to error.
A man is what he maketh himself within the limits fixed by
his inherited destiny; he is a part of mankind; his actions affect
not only what he called himself, but also the whole universe.
Worship, and neglect not, the physical body which is thy
temporary connection with the outer and material world. Therefore
let thy mental Equilibrium be above disturbance by material events;
strengthen and control the animal passions, discip line the emotions
and the reason, nourish the Higher Aspirations.
Do good to others for its own sake, not for reward, not for
gratitude from them, not for sympathy. If thou art generous,
thou wilt not long for thine ears to be tickled by expressions
of gratitude.
Remember that unbalanced force is evil; that unbalanced severity
is but cruelty and oppression; but that also unbalanced mercy
is but weakness which would allow and abet Evil. Act passionately;
think rationally; be Thyself.
True ritual is as much action as word; it is Will.
Remember that this earth is but an atom in the universe,
and that thou thyself art but an atom thereon, and that even
couldst thou become the God of this earth whereon thou crawlest
and grovellest, that thou wouldst, even then, be but an atom
, and one amongst many.
Nevertheless have the greatest self-respect, and to that
end sin not against thyself. The sin which is unpardonable is
knowingly and wilfully to reject truth, to fear knowledge lest
that knowledge pander not to thy prejudices.
To obtain Magical Power, learn to control thought; admit
only those ideas that are in harmony with the end desired, and
not every stray and contradictory Idea that presents itself.
Fixed thought is a means to an end. Therefore pay attention
to the power of silent thought and meditation. The material
act is but the outward expression of thy thought, and therefore
hath it been said that "the thought of foolishness is si
n." Thought is the commencement of action, and if a chance
thought can produce much effect, what cannot fixed thought do?
Therefore as hath already been said, Establish thyself firmly
in the equilibrium of forces, in the centre of the Cross of the
Elements, that Cross from whoses centre the Creative Word issued
in the birth of the dawning Universe.
Be thou therefore prompt and active as the Sylphs, but avoid
frivolity and caprice; be energetic and strong like the Salamanders,
but avoid irritability and ferocity; be flexible and attentive
to images like the Undines, but avoid idleness and changeability;
be laborious and patient like the Gnomes, but avoid grossness
and avarice.
So shalt thou gradually develop the powers of thy soul, and
fit thyself to command the Spirits of the elements. For wert
thou to summon the Gnomes to pander thine avarice, thou wouldst
no longer command them, but they would command thee. Wo uldst
thou abuse the pure beings of the woods and mountains to fill
thy coffers and satisfy thy hunger of Gold? Wouldst thou debase
the Spirits of Living Fire to serve thy wrath and hatred? Wouldst
thou violate the purity of the Souls of the Waters to pander
thy lust of debauchery? Wouldst thou force the Spirits of the
Evening Breeze to minister thy folly and caprice? Know that
with such desires thou canst but attract the Weak, not the Strong,
and in that case the Weak will have power over thee.
21. In true religion there is no sect, therefore take
heed that thou blaspheme not the name by which another knoweth
his God; for if thou do this thing in Jupiter thou wilt blaspheme
YHVH and in Osiris YChShVCh. Ask and ye shall have! Seek, and
ye shall find! Knock, and it shall be opened unto you!
RESPONSORY
Wisdom says: be strong! Then canst thou bear more joy.
Be not animal; refine thy rapture!
--- There is no Rule, but that
of Balance..
The Problem is ever to bring the Appetite into right Relation
with the Will. Thus thou mayst fast or feast;