TRANSCENDENTAL

ITS

MAGIC
AND RITUAL

DOCTRINE

BY

tiLIPHAS

LfiVI

COMPLETE
ET

TRANSLATION
DE

OF HAUTE MAGIE
"

"DOGME WITH

RITUEL
A

LA

BIOGRAPHICAL

PREFACE

BY

ARTHUR
AUTHOR
OF

EDWARD
"DEVIL
WORSHIP IN

WAITE FRANCE,"
ETC. ETC.

INCLUDING
AND A

ALL

THE

ORIGINAL
OF THE

ENGRAVINGS AUTHOR

PORTRAIT

LONDON GEORGE
1896 REDWAY

"""
0*

BIOGRAPHICAL

PEEFACE

ELIPHAS his said author born the in

son

LEVI

ZAHED

is

pseudonym
Louis

which

was

adopted
and it

in is

occult
to

writings by
be the the Hebrew

Alphonse

Constant,
of la the that Haute year
name.

equivalent
et

The
was

of

Dogme

Rituel

de about

Magie
1810,
of

humble of
a

circumstances shoemaker.
an

being

Giving
age, for the the

evidence of his

unusual
ceived con-

intelligence
a

at

early
interest of and

priest
obscure where the

parish
and
was

kindly

boy,
he

got him
educated He that

on

the

foundation

Saint with
a

Sulpice,
view the
not

without
seems

charge,
to

to
course

priesthood.
of

have
in
a

passed through
way which did him. have

study
the

at

seminary

disappoint
addition
to

tions expectaand

raised

concerning
to

In

Greek

Latin, he
of

is believed

acquired
be
an

considerable
to

knowledge
that any

Hebrew,

though

it would

error

suppose

of his He in of

published
on

works his

exhibit

special linguistic attainments.

took thus this for minor bound

entered due
course

clerical
a

novitiate,

orders,

and
vow was

became

deacon,

being
after

by
he

perpetual

celibacy.
from

Shortly
Saint of this

step,

suddenly
contrary
The

expelled
to

Sulpice
the Roman

holding
Catholic
are

opinions
Church. and he

the

teaching
of

existing

accounts

expulsion
as,

hazy,
that in

corporate inwas

unlikely
sent

elements,

for
to

example,
take

by

his where

ecclesiastical
he

superiors
with

duty

country
ever, howis

places,
was n"r

preached
unsound

great eloquence
; but

what,

doctrinally
for the the

I believe deacons of in the the

that in

there the

precedent

preaching
appearance

of

Latin which few

Church. has been

Pending
for
some

biography
we

years for
was
a

promised
life back of upon

France,
"Abbe"" the

have

available In any

materials
case,

Constant. with the

he

cast

world,
the

limitations

of

priestly engagements,

while

priestlycareer

Vi

BIOGRAPHICAL

PREFACE

was

closed

to

him

"

and

what

he

did,

or

how year that

he 1839 of

contrived he had

to

support himself, is unknown.

some

By

the

made

including friendships, literary

Alphonse
entitled

Esquiros,the forgottenauthor of a fantastic The Magician";* and Esquiros introduced

"

romance,

him had there

to

Ganneau,
the
a

distracted
of
a

prophet
woman,

of

the
in

period, who
a

adopted

dress

abode

garret, and
which
was

preached
He
come

illuminism, species of political

with in
to

apparently
"
"

cerned con-

the

restoration incarnation fulfilment

of

la vraie of Louis
a

UgitimiU.
XVII. of him his

was,

fact, a second
earth for and the

back

of had

work visited

t regeneration."
for the pose pur-

Constant of became combined

to

Esquiros, who

carried were scoffing, away element his disciples. Some with have the borne
a

by

eloquence, and
must

of socialism

have

illuminism fruit book

a

of the the

and visionary, of

this appears

in
or

brain

Constant, taking
"

shape ultimatelyin
of

pamphlet,

entitled

The

Gospel
for

Liberty,"to
of

which

transient

importance
of
reason

was

attached,
a

foolishly enough, by
term

the

imprisonment
is
some

the
to

author suppose also

six months. had His still

a

There in the

that in the
daunted, un-

Esquiros penalty.
of

hand

production, and
Constant
came

incarceration

over,

forth
a

cleaving to
mission and the

his

prophet, and
the he But

undertook

kind the
us,

apostolic

into

provinces, addressing
himself the tells

country

people,

suffering,as
I ill-disposed.
French asks

persecution from
*

prophet

ceased

M.

Papus,
of of Paul

"Doctrine

contemporary Eliphas Levi,"

a

occultist, in
"

an

extended
now

study

of the thing any-

scornfully:
sciences in

Who

remembers
to

Augnez

or

Esquiros, journalistspretending
occult the salons Levi of

initiation, and
"

posing
No

as

professors of they
new are

the

they frequented ?
Histoire

doubt

forgotten,but Eliphas publication of his

of fantastic
romance

states, in the
"

de la

Magie, that, by
founded work
a

the

The

Magician," Esquiros
of his

school that who been

to show
woman

t A

magic, and gives sufficient account it was in parts excessivelycurious. associated in like manner, with his mission, was, was
Marie Antoinette. has
"

posed supc.

to

have

See

Histoire

de
some

la Magie,

1. 7., in

5.

J A
from

vicious Constant

story, which
with another

received
a

recently

publicity

Paris,

charges

spreading

prison,assuming

name,

after report of his death soon the Bishop imposing upon

his release of

Eveux,

BIOGRAPHICAL

PREFACE

Vll

to

prophesy, presumably Ugitimitdwas

in
not

for

want

of the

an

audience, and

la
to

vraie

restored, so
of the with bore

disciplereturned
of

Paris, where,
effected
a

spite
This and

pledge
Mdlle. him
two

his

diaconate, he
beautiful died Her her her

runaway

match

Noe'iny,a
deserted

girlof
in husband

sixteen. years,

lady

children, who
him. procure asserted

tender

subsequently
tried all she

she

is said to have but in

expedients to
even

return,*

vain, and

further her
a

of positionby obtaining a legal annulment the ground that the contracting parties were person it may
a was

marriage, on
minor The and
a

bound be

to

celibacyby
other the about

an

irrevocable

vow.

lady,

added, had

domestic year

adventures, ending in
Madame Constant and

second
not

marriage only
at

1872.

very

beautiful, but
became and is
not

exceedingly talented,
famous
as a

after her

separation she
the Salon It
sense

hibiting exsculptor,

elsewhere

under that

the she

name

of be

Claude

Vingmy.

impossible
artistic

may

still alive ; in the is

of
a

her memory. Louis

genius,at least, she applied

himself
most

something
At
what

more

than

date of of

Alphonse
the his occult life. in

Constant

to

the

study epochs

sciences The the

is uncertain, like
on

other this

statement

page entered

142
on

of
a

translation, that

year

1825

he

fateful
must

path, which
be
at

led

him

to knowledge, through suffering

sense

not

understood

in the
was

that indeed among led

to

his initiation

took

place
It Saint

that

period,which
to

early
the

in

boyhood.
of

obviously refers ultimately

to

his in
a

enrolment
sense,
as

scholars

Sulpice,which,
The

and suffering,

haps perhim

science,

it New

certainly obtained
Alliance
"

education. termed
and

episode of
"

the

so

Gannean
at least

his system

connects

with
and

transcendentalism,
the
sacraments

obtaining a diocese, though congregations

who thus
*

licence he the
was

to not

preach
a

administer He is

in

that

priest. by
his the

representedas drawing large

at

to

cathedral him unmasked

had

sentenced

preaching, but impostor, and

length

the

judge

the

sacrilegiousfarce
to

terminated

dramatically.
Black

Including

Magic

and

pacts with

Lucifer, according

the

silly

calumnies

of his enemies.

Viii

BIOGEAPHICAL

PREFACE

on

the

side

of

hallucination, and
of

may the

have

furnished but

the

required impulse to the mind and 1847, certain pamphlets auspices of

anste'rienne the shew Libraire that his

disciple ; by
and Constant the
were

in 1846 under the

issued

Societaire

Libraire

Phal-

inclinations

still towards The

Socialism, tinctured
which intervened the

by religiousaspirations.
between his de wife's

period
and the
was

desertion*

publicationof study.
Christian
In

Dogme
he

la Haute less
a

Magie,
or more
"

in 1855,
to

that, probably, which

the interim

devoted he issued

occult

large

Literature," which
of the occult

is still extant

Dictionary of in the encyclopaedic betrays

is
no

series

Abbe*

Migne
exhibit

; this

work
no

leaning towards
therewith. What

science, and, indeed,

acquaintance
the therein of The its
panion com-

it does the

unmistakably
assumes

tellectua in-

of insincerity the mask of

author, for he
that the

perfectorthodoxy,and
is characteristic of

accent

in matters Rome.

religionwhich Dogme
for the volume

voice in

of 1856

de la Haute the

Magie
into

was

succeeded of which It
was

by

Hituel, both

are

here

translated
in

first time

English.
de
a

followed La the

rapid
des
et
was

succession

by

the

Histoire
;

la

Magie, 1860;
edition of

Clef Dogme

Grands

Mysteres,1861
to

second and

Rituel,

which

long

irrelevant Fables
ct

introduction

unfortunately prefixed, 1862;

Le with The Sorcier de

Meudon,

beautiful La

Symloles, 1864; impressed pastoral idyll,

des

the cachet
two

cabalistique ; and
works in 1846 of

Science the

1865. Esprits, of the

last

incorporate
and

substance

amphlets published
The in did
one sense

1847.
younger age.

precarious existence
but command and
not

Constant's in his

days
His

was

faintly improved
a

books him

not

but they large circulation, whom he received

secured

admirers
*

pupils,from
be understood she her" which
a as

remuneration
to

I must for the

definitely attaching blame

Her child" husband from
was

Madame middle

stant Conlife the

course

adopted.
still
a

approaching
under it
was

when runaway

he

withdrew

her

legal protectors,and
the afterwards
not

marriage
than dissolved.

began by forswearing was, thinly

and legalised,

circumstances,
properly im-

little better

seduction

BIOGRAPHICAL

PREFACE

ix

in return
was

for

personal or
to be

written

courses

of instruction.
a a

He

commonly
which

found be

chez lui

in in

speciesof magical
French
to

vestment,
his

may

pardoned
"

magus, volume

and
"

only

available him and

in
as

portrait prefixed
that he

this the

represents
German

guise.
had

He

outlived Socialism

Francoa

war,

exchanged
his the
events

for

sort must

of transcendentalised have been

as

Imperialism,
tried his
at

faith political which followed

much
as
was

by

the

siegeof
which

Paris

enthusiasm patriotic His

by
which

the

reverses

culminated amidst the from which

Se"dan.

life contradictory church

closed

in

1875

last offices of the her

are

had

almost

expelled him
behind

bosom. still in his

"

He

left many of

him,

course
"

manuscripts and publication,

in

innumerable possesses
most
cases,

letters nine and

to

pupils
have been

Baron

Spedalieri alone
valuable than

volumes
are

happily preserved
more

in

some

respects
occult

the

formal No

treatises.

modern with

expositor of
stand

science among

can

bear

any

comparison though
him
in

SliphasLevi, and
higher
he is for in

ancient

tors, exposi-

many

livinginterest, for
an

authority, all yield to of modern actuallythe spirit

the times from but the is old
no ceeds ex-

thought forcing
oracles. influence Hence
so

answer are

there
"

greater

names,

there literature

great

no

fascination magus.

in The

occult others

that of the
to

French the

are

surrendered
to

and specialists and

; but

typicalserious masterpieces are

and

students

whom

all

dull
not

unreadable he
new

dedicated, directlyor
as we

is read and

much appreciated,

read

and
some

appreciate
conceit
of the

delightful verse
into the

which, through
vesture

the

poet, is put

of
as

Chaucer. the

Indeed,

Levi writings of filiphas

stand,

regards
stands
to

grand old
the the old
" "

line of

in relatively the initiation,

"

same

positionas
to

Earthly Paradise Canterbury Tales."

but there is axiom in
"

of

Mr There

William is the

Morris
recurrence

the old The

conceptions, and

there

is the
case

assumption
the
"

of

the

drapery,
"

each and

new

spirit.

incommunicable

the

great arcanum," Azoth,

BIOGRAPHICAL

PREFACE

Inri, and
occult of of the

Tetragrammaton,
Guienne,
In Florence both
cases

which
"

are

the of

vestures

of

the

philosopher,are
poet.
of
"

like the

cloth

Bruges
1850

and

heads hogs"

gold cloth, and

it is the
"

Ypres

napery
a

year

ct seq., in

mask

empty
obscure The

the idle singer high fantasy. Moreover, is paralleledfairlyenough by the poor day
"

of

an

and

scholar

who is and

has

recovered

the

lever of Archimedes." but it obtains for

as

comparison
Morris
in

intentionallygrotesque,
even

notwithstanding,
Mr in
a

admits the
to

of

development,
d'etre of mournful his

sense

voided

raison his
own

poetry,

and,
has

express

contradiction
to
"

question,

endeavoured
to

set
so

the

crooked

straight
of with

"

by betaking
the rod

himself

Socialism,
and and in voided

LeVi filiphas his Doctrine

surrendered

of miracles
a

Magic

by devising religion,
masters

one-sided

insincere the
arms

concordat of
"

orthodox

and

expiring
the

my

venerable
at

in

theology,"
"

descendants, and
the

decadent

that, of the
the
one

imbecile the

theologiansof
was,
a

middle

ages."

But

is,
a

as

other

man

of

sufficient

ability to
remains

make

paradoxical defence
Students of and qualifications

of

positionwhich
will be

untenable. with the the

LeVi ICliphas

acquainted by
which

stealthyretractations position of
works of the another

what some-

uncompromising
the
out
"

initiated its real magus.

superiority in
I have dealt is
I
new

Doctrine it

and the

Eitual," had

read significance

of

by

later

with
no

this call

point exhaustively in
pass
to
over

place,*and
a

there time.

to

the

same as

ground

second

propose

rather

indicate will

considerations
were

which

brieflyas possible some help us to understand why

the
"

there Ritual

of

discrepanciesbetween Transcendent Magic" and the

grave
In

Doctrine which
were

and

volumes books

followed written
in

these.
more

the

first

place, the
the

earlier

expressly from
thereof
mere

standpoint of initiation,and
contain
a

the it

language
would
*

they obviously
construe
"

much

which

be
the

follyto

after
The
:

literal fashion, and

a

See

Critical of

the

Writings

to Essay prefixed London Eliphas Levi."

Mysteries of Magic : 1886. George Redway.

Digest

of

BIOGRAPHICAL

PREFACE

XI

what

LeVi filiphas

wrote

at

later

period
"

is not

so

much

discrepant with his earlier instruction also the qualifications as placed by

"

though
a

it is this
transcen-

modern the secret than the Hebrew

dentalist For the

to
"

on

the technical
we

of exaggerations travel
no

sciences. tion introducscript manu-

proof
The

need

further

Doctrine

of
to

Magic,"and
the powers

to the

cited magus. these their

therein,as
conceal
sense.

and

of privileges be
are

the

Here claims verbal

the literal
a

would interpretation

secret

meaning,

and

insanity; trickeryin

what LeVi himself filiphas They are terms and "hyperbolic," adding: "If the sage do not materially actuallyperform these things,he accomplishes others which
are

much

greater and
is not
are

more

admirable"

(p. 223).
account

But

this

consideration issues that

in itself sufficient to take

; it will not

of the

involved
who

explain,for example,
"

Levi, why filiphas

and
are on
"

teaches in the Doctrine consistently Ritual that the dogmas of so-called revealed religion nurse-tales for children, should subsequentlyhave insisted their acceptationin the sense of the orthodox Church by grown
upon not
men
a

the

of science, and
matter

it becomes

necessary

here

to

touch does

which,

by

its nature, and

obviously,
"

complete elucidation. The precise Doctrine period of study which produced the and Eitual of Transcendent Magic" as its first literary
result is not in the indicated the with any do
as certainty,
we

admit

of

have

seen,
as

life of

author, nor

regard

LeVi filiphas book

constitutionally capable of profound or he is at the same Intensely suggestive,

evidence accuracy of in

extensive time

study.
much

without

depth

he splendid in generalisation, it would of fact. be His difficult to

is without
a

and detail,
matters
as
a

cite

worse

guide over
case

mere

"History
to

of

Magic"
it

is

in

point ;
is

philosophical survey
in occult but it literature
swarms an

it is admirable, and

there

nothing

approach
historical and the

for

literary excellence,
; it is in

with

curacies inacin
no

all respects

accomplished
do any
I think

way much

an

erudite concerned

performance, nor
himself with b

that

writer of the

real

reading

Xll

BIOGRAPHICAL

PREFACE

authorities

whom his
us

he method take cites

more

cites. of
one

The

French and
not

verb the There

parcourir
approoccult towards
no

represents

study,

verb is

fondir.
writer whom of he

Let whom

typical case.
more

he

with

satisfaction,and
than
none
a

exhibits

reverence,

William he

Postel, and
mentions Mundi
so

all Postel's
as

books Clavis

there

is

which

often

the had
a

Absconditorum minute

Constitutione
so

yet he
missed
unaware

read vital

this

treatise

carelesslythat apparently
it
was

he died

point concerning it,

not

and

that editor
seem

the and

symbolic key prefixed to

the work
to

the does LeVi

work
not

of

the

of affirm

Postel. that had

It

therefore left to because

unreasonable
not

been

himself, he would
his Gallic the horrors
a

have would

got far in occult

have
;

science,
too
how some-

vivacity
of
mere

been but

blunted he did

quickly by

research initiation

fall within

circle of

which in

curtailed the and

the

necessityfor

such

research, and
the

put him

right path,
the Arsenal

making
of the

visits to

Bibliotheque Rationale
the
"

only subsidiaryimportance. importance

not

This, therefore, constitutes

and Eitual
"

of

Doctrine voice this ask

disguised
school
can

indubitably,it
does

is still the for I in

can

of initiation ; of what connection

matter,

nothing

be

spoken plainly,and judgment from my

that had I
am

only
for The my

the

lenience

of deferred
assurance

readers

honourable of that

not

speaking idly.
ascended and
"

grades

initiation when he

been

only partly
the

Levi by filiphas

published
closed the

Doctrine

Ritual," and
:

its

publication
Saint of for

path
the

of his progress exercise he

was

as

he

was

expelled by
his occult in

Sulpice for
doctrinal the undue

of

private judgment expelled by

discretion

in matters chiefs

belief, so
exercise

of

personal

the facts

matter

of the in
"

revelation first

of the the

mysteries. Now, importance,

it
;
as

these have

explain

the

place

said, of the
a

Doctrine
cannot

and

Eitual," because
from books

represents

knowledge
the result

which the of
a

be derived of that
;

they explain,secondly,
it is not later

shortcomings
full

work, because

knowledge

the why, thirdly,

writings contain

BIOGRAPHICAL

PREFACE

xiii

no

evidences

of

further
us

I knowledge ; and, lastly,

to understand

think

that

assist they materially

why
the

there

are

tions, retracta-

and subterfugesin qualifications,

said later works.

to go

Having just as
the dust that

gone he

too

far, he naturallyattempted
to

back, and
with

strove

patch
of

up

a so

speciesof
he

modus

vivendi

church
in

of the

his eyes

childhood,
first law
cases,
me

endeavoured,
make he

by

ing throwwith

his readers, to of which

his peace had

initiation,the
In both for

indubitably
be

violated. It the

and

remains chief

to state

quite naturally,he failed. what I feel personally to

he
was was

limitation but
not

of
a

LeVi, namely, that

tran-

scendentalist
a

transcendentalist
a

in

mystic, and, indeed, he the accepted sense,

"

scarcely
he
was

for

fundamentally
at times states

materialist

materialist,

moreover,
as

who he

approached perilouslytowards
that
"

atheism,

when

God
;

is
was,

hypothesis
moreover,
a

which

is "very in He

probably
any real defines

necessary

he

disbeliever of

communication

with the
no

the

world and

spirits.
buffer of

mysticism light,and

as

shadow

the
to

intellectual its false

loses

opportunity
and God God
to

enlarge
There

upon

illuminism, its
no

excesses,
man

fatuities. in
to

is,therefore,
the sole

way

from of

his
man

system, while
are

avenues

influx

from of
a

sacramentally,and
Thus
rest
man

in virtue remain the and in

merely simple
of all

tolerable

hypothesis.
if he would of that

must
reason

intellectualism

in

; ;

sphere
as

material

experience is
are

his

knowledge
of occult

to

beyond it,there
that this the

only
of

the

presumptions

of

analogy.
science,nor
that

I submit

is not

the the is

doctrine

summum

"bonum

greater initiation
more

transcendental
an more

pneumatology
than

by argued
can
on

its

own;

hypothesis than
tically ;
order and that be

alphabetical system
mere

kabbalisthe
same

memories

assumption
of the

evoked

in the

astral

light.

The

hierarchic

visible world

has its leads

complement
to

in the invisible
at
a

hierarchy,which
same

analogy
of modes

us

discern, being
rather than in all

the

time

process the

our

perception
manifestation

rigid

law

governing

of

things seen

XIV

BIOGRAPHICAL

PREFACE

and

unseen

; initiation

takes

us

to

the

bottom instructs

step of the
us

ladder

of

the

invisible but of

hierarchy and
the
some are

in

the with be the

principles of ascent,
ourselves; the
heard way,
we

ascent

rests

personally preceded
are can

voices

who of those the

have who

above and

us, but

they they
bourne

still upon

they
must unto

die

as

rise into

silence,towards
can no

which

also
us,

ascend that
are

alone, where
from sacramental

initiation
no

longer
returns,
below.

help
and An

whence

traveller who
are

the influxes annotated

only
in

to those

translation there

exceeded

the scope the

text

of the which
are

present
follows

undertaking, but
that offers scope also where
most

is much

for detailed elucidation

criticism,and
would
mere

there

points
of the undue

further

be

useful. carelessness

One
or

obvious in

defects,the result of
the

haste

writing,is
on,

promise
are

to

explain or

to prove

given
the the

points
author. method
means

later

which will

Instances of of

be the
;

forgotten subsequently by found on p. 65, concerning

appearance
on

determining
the

of unborn

children

by 9*7,

pentagram
sex

p. the

83, concerning the

astral

rules p.

for

the

recognition of
the Exercises of

in
;
on

body;
p. 123,
; for
on

on

concerning the notary

side the of

art

p. 100,

concerning the magical

on

St

Ignatius;
and and

concerning
p. 125,
cerning con-

alleged sorcery concerning

the

of Grandier

Girard

secrets Schroepffer's

formulas

evocation Gaffarel. other

on

p. 134,
some

the

occult

iconography
appear

of in

In

cases

promised

elucidations
are

places
deal

than There

those
are

indicated,but they
other his

mostly wanting altogether.

which the reader
must

with perplexities

according to
of

judgment.
on

The is
a

explanation of
childish

the the

rature quadtration illus-

of the

circle

p. 37
on

folly;
a

perpetual
the from

motion of

p. 55

involves

mechanical the
not
same

absurdity ;
absurd in

doctrine

the

perpetuation
to

of is

physiognomies

generation
the
cause

generation
cholera reference There

less other

heredity ;

assigned to physics.
be

and
to

ravaging epidemics,more
seems

the especially in

bacteria,
other Hebrew

equally outrageous
to

is

one

matter

which

attention

should

directed

; the

BIOGRAPHICAL

PREFACE

XV

quotations generally
to

in

the all other for the

original
works

and
"

the Le'vi
"

observation with is

applies
graphical typoto

of

swarm

and

errors,

some

of

which

it cited

impossible
from Eabbi

correct,
Abraham and version entire careful leave second
utterances out

as,

example,
266. So

the also the

passage Greek

on

p. is

conjuration,
as

pp. and omits

277
the

278,

simply
is
not
to

untranslatable

it

stands,
but

given
passage

only

highly

conjectural,
difficulties.
it the

an

owing

insuperable
I have

Lastly,
wiser
course

after
to

consideration,
the

judged
essay which and of

preliminary
of the the
"

was

prefixed
"

to

the

edition

Doctrine mission
events

Ritual

its

prophetic
have been

upon

Napoleon
;

III. devoid of

stultified

by
with

subsequent
the work

it

is

any

nection con-

which views of The of but in Le'vi

it

precedes,
it would

and,
be

representing
a source

as

it

does

the
to

later the first reader.

Levi, present
the

of

confusion

translation
et

represents,
de la Haute

therefore,

the

edition

Dogme
a

Rituel

Magie,
from the the with

omitting
old French The

nothing grimoires portrait

of of Mr Anna of

few

unimportant
unnecessary

citations

an

appendix
carte-de-visite and months issued

at

end.

is

from

in

possession
his
"

Edward

Maitland,
a

was

Life

Kingsford,"

few

ago.

LONDON,

September

1896.

TABLE

OF

CONTENTS

PACK

BIOGRAPHICAL

PREFACE
......

EXPLANATION

OF

THE

FIGURES

CONTAINED

IN

THIS

WORK
.

xxi

THE

DOCTEINE

OF

TEANSCENDENT

MAGIC

INTRODUCTION
........

3
I. THE for CANDIDATE. the

CHAPTER

Unity
......

of

the

Doctrine"

Qualifications
27

necessary CHAPTER
"

Adept
OF

II. The

THE Two

PILLARS

THE

TEMPLE.

Foundations Patient
.

of

the

trine Doc-

Principles
TRIANGLE Macrocosm

"

Agent
OF

and

.37
.

CHAPTER the

III. Triad"

THE The

SOLOMON.

Universal

Theology

of
44

.....

CHAPTER

IV.

THE and

TETRAGRAM.

Magical
"

Virtue

of

the

TetradKabbalah
.

Analogies
CHAPTER
"

Adaptations
PENTAGRAM. Elements and

Elementary
The Microcosm

Spirits
and

of the

51

V. Power

THE
over

the

sign
.

thereof .60

Spirits
Action The
"

CHAPTER and

VI.

MAGICAL
"

EQUILIBRIUM.
Sexual love

of and

the the

Will
"

Impulse
67
. .

Resistance

Plenum

Void

CHAPTER
seven

VII.

THE and

FIERY
seven

SWORD. Genii of the

The

Sanctum

Regnum
Universal

The
"

Angels

Planets"

Virtue

of

the

Septenary
VIII.

75
.......

CHAPTER

REALISATION. of Ideas
"

Analogical
Parallelism
"

reproduction

of

Forces

"

Incarnation

Necessary

Antagonism Mantle,
of and Staff
"

79
.

CHAPTER

IX.

INITIATION. and of Intuition

"

The

Magical
and

Lamp,

Prophecy
the midst

Security
of

stability
Power

the
.

Initiate

in .86

dangers
KABBALAH.

"

Exercise

Magical

CHAPTER
The

X. Paths

THE and

The Bereschith

Sephiroth"
and

The

Semhamphoras"
Gematria and 89

Gates"

Mercavah"

Temurah
........

xvii

XV1U

TABLE

OF

CONTENTS

PAQB

CHAPTER

XI.
successes

THE

MAGIC

CHAIN. Tables
"

Magnetic
Fluidic

Currents" Manifestations

Secrets

of

great
CHAPTER Hermes

"

Talking
GREAT Minerva

97
. .

XII. The
"

THE

WORK. of Man
.

Hermetic World
"

Magic
The

Doctrines
"

of

the

grand
.

and

unique
.106
.

Athanor"

The

Hanged

CHAPTER Secrets

XIII. of

NECROMANCY. Death and of Life"

Revelations Evocations

from

the

other

World.111

CHAPTER

XIV.
or

TRANSMUTATIONS.

Lycanthropy"
of souls" The Wand of

Mutual Circe" The

sions, possesElixir .120

embryonic
...

state

ofCagliostro
. . . .

CHAPTER Grandier"

XV.

BLACK Girard"

MAGIC. The work

Demonomania
"

Obsessions" de Mirville
.

Urban 126
.

of

M.

Eudes

^CHAPTER
death"

XVI. Facts

BEWITCHMENTS. and

Dangerous
Remedies"

forces
"

Power of

of

life

and 128
.

Principles"

Practice

Paracelsus

CHAPTER

XVII.

ASTROLOGY.

Knowledge
"

of

Men

by

the

Signs
Planets Astral

of

their and

Nativity
Stars
"

"

Phrenology

Chiromancy
Predictions
"

"

Metoposcopy" by
means

Climacteric

years

of

tions Revolu-

137
........

CHAPTER Powders Evil

XVIII. and

CHARMS Pacts of

AND

PHILTRES. The Jettatura

Venomous
at

Magic

"

Sorcerers"
Talismans

Naples"
.

The
.144

Eye"
XIX. this

Superstitions"
THE Stone STONE is
"

CHAPTER
What

OF

THE

PHILOSOPHERS
a

ELAGABALUS.
"

Why

it is

Stone
"

Singular
Extension
Abolition

Analogies
.

152

CHAPTER
means

XX. of

THE Potable

UNIVERSAL Gold"

MEDICINE. Resurrection"

of Pain
.

Life

by
.157

of

CHAPTER

XXI. Second
"

DIVINATION.

Dreams
"

Somnambulism
"

ments PresentiAlliette
"

Sight

"

Divinatory
the Tarot
.

Instruments

and

his .160

discoveries

concerning
SUMMARY The Medicine
.

CHAPTER

XXII.

AND

GENERAL

KEY

OF

THE

FOUR

SECRET
or

SCIENCES. Occult

Kabbalah
"

Magic

"

Alchemy

"

Magnetism

165
.

XX

TABLE

OF

CONTENTS

PAQK

CHAPTER

XV.

THE of the of

SABBATH Sabbath Catherine

"

OF

THE

SORCERERS. Goat of and Mendes Gilles

Rites and de

and its

special worship
Lord of 288

evocations
"

The de

Aberrations

Medecis

Laval,

Retz

CHAPTER
Mode
"

XVI. of

WITCHCRAFT defence

AND

SPELLS.

Ceremonial

for

the

same

against
WRITING Gaffarel
"

them
.....

306

CHAPTER
"

XVII.

THE of

OF

THE

STARS. Destinies

Divination of Men and

by

Stars

Planisphere
be read in

How

the

Empires
313

may

Heaven
......

CHAPTER
"

XVIII. How
to

PHILTRES influence

AND

MAGNETISM.
"

Composition
and Preventives

of

Philtres 326
. .

Destinies

Remedies

CHAPTER

XIX.
"

THE it

MASTERY
must

OF

THE

SUN.

Use

of

the and

Philosophical recomposed
and 335

Stone CHAPTER

How

be

preserved,

disintegrated, Therapeutics
"

XX.

THE
"

THAUMATURGE. Passes virtues with of and

Warm
"

cold
of and 339

Insufflations hands
"

without Oil
"

contact and Wine

"

Imposition
Incubation

Diverse

saliva

Massage
CHAPTER
XXI.

........

THE

SCIENCE
"

OF

THE

PROPHETS. of Trithemius

Ceremonial
"

for

Divinatory
future of

Operations
and

The

Clavicle world
.....

Probable
346

Europe
THE contained Labours of Postel"

of the

CHAPTER
science this

XXII. is book"

BOOK in of Hebrews book

"

OF

HERMES. occult de work Gebelin

to

After of Hermes

what
"

manner

all of The

the Court

Antiquity
Etteilla" The
"

and

of

Theraphim
William Ark Tarots
"

the A

according
of Saint Martin" and the
to

GafFarel The
true

Key
of

of the

shape
"

of

the A

Covenant German

Italian Medal of

German

Tarots

Chinese Universal

sixteenth the

century
of the

"

Key
The
"

of the
seven

Tarot
"

Its of

application
the Christian

Symbols

Apocalypse
of the 355

seals

Kabbalah"

Conclusion

entire

work
.

SUPPLEMENT
THE THE NUCTEMERON APOLLONIUS
TO

TO

THE

RITUAL. 387
....

OF

OF

TYANA HEBREWS
. .

NUCTEMERON

ACCORDING

THE

.395

INDEX
.

401

EXPLANATION

OF IN

THE THIS

FIGUEES WORK.

CONTAINED

MM

FIGURE

I. The

The

Great

Symbol

of Solomon
.

.2
. . .

Double Kabbalah

Triangle
; the

of Solomon,

represented by
and
;

the

two

Ancients
; the ;

of God the

the of

Macroprosopus
God the of black

the

Microprosopus
and

Light

and

the and

Reflections Jehovah.

mercy

vengeance

white II. A

Jehovah Sacerdotal

FIGURE

Esotericism hand

making
the its

the of

sign

of Excommunication and
are

26

sacerdotal

making
demon in Chinese

sign
shadow.

esotericism Above

projecting
the Ace of

the

figure
as

of

the

Deniers,
one

found and
one

in

the

Tarot,
a new

and

two

superposed triangles,
the
same

white

black.

It is of

allegory explaining
evil
; it is the

mysteries
demon

; it is the

origin

good

and

creation

of the

by mystery.
III. IV. The

FIGURE
FIGURE

Triangle
Four Great

of Solomon
. .
. .

.40

The

Kabbalistic

Names
. . .

.54

FIGURE

V. VI.

The The

Pentagram Tetragram

of Faust
. .
. .

.60

FIGURE FIGURE

of the

Zohar
. .

.91
.
.

VII. This

Addha-Nari,

grand image
for

Indian

Pantacle
. .

.151
or

pantheistic
and

represents
initiates. The thus

Religion
It has
more

Truth,
than is

terrible
one

for

the with
a

profane
the

gentle
of and

analogy
between

Cherub bull and

Ezekiel.
a

human

figure
the Indian four
are

placed
of

bridled

tiger,
or

forming
In the in of the

triangle

Kether,
the four

Geburah,

Gedulah,
of side the the of

Chesed.
are

symbol,
hands the the of

magical signs
Nari the sword chain clothed she
wears
"

Tarot the

found and

Addhaand the of
a

on

the
;
on

initiate

mercy

sceptre tiger, are

the

cup

side

of the

profane, represented by
latter the of may of become the
;
on

and
or an

the iron

circle, which
collar. the On skin

either

ring

side

initiate, the
that her falls animals of hair
on

goddess
tiger
veiled. side
a

is

only
a

with

the

tiger
and

the is

itself A the

long star-spangled robe, springs

from her and island
a

even

fountain

of milk about

forehead,
the which
two

the

of

initiate, and

Addha-Nari in her
an

it forms the

magic
The links of and the
on

circle, enclosing them

represents
chain,
formed heads of the which

world.
of iron that

goddess
on

wears

round of the bears of her

neck and

magic
of

the

side
;

profane
on are

intelligent
the

on

initiate either

she

her three and

forehead

figure
lines

lingam,

side

superposed
recall the

represent

the

equilibrium

of the

triad,

trigrams

of Fo-Hi. xxi

XX11

EXPLANATION

OF

THE

FIGUKES
PAGE

FIGURE

VIII. The

The

Pantacles

of Ezekiel

and

Pythagoras

.166
. .

four-headed

Cherubim Solomon. the

of Ezekiel's Below of is

double all

triangleof
and is here
are

prophecy, explained by the the wheel of Ezekiel, key of

The the cherub of Its

pantacles,
heads

pantacle
as

Pythagoras. by
; its six

Ezekiel four

represented
the The tetrad human
; the

it is described

prophet.
are

of

Mercavah

wings

the

senary
reason

of Bereschith. the head eagle's and

figurein the
bull is This

middle

represents
; the

is faith

warfare

conquest.
but is

resignationand toil symbol is analogous to appropriate

to

lion is of of the the

that

Egyptian sphinx,
Hebrews.

more

the

Kabbalah

FIGUEE
A

IX.

The

Sabbatic and

Goat.

The

Baphomet
of the

of Mendes
.

174

pantheistic
of the

magical figure
two

Absolute.

The

torch

placed between
some

the

triad.

characteristics

gence represents the equilibratingintelliThe is synthetic, and unites goat'shead, which of the dog, bull,and ass, represents the exclusive horns and the

of responsibility The hands body. make the

matter

expiation
the

of

bodily

sins

in

the

are human, ; they sign of esotericism above and below, to impress mystery on and they point at two lunar crescents, the upper initiates, being white

to exhibit

sanctity of labour

and mercy the the

the

lower

black, to explain the correspondences of good

and

evil,

justice. The lower part of the body is veiled,portraying is expressed solelyby mysteries of universal generation, which The symbol of the caduceus. belly of the goat is scaled,and
be coloured green
to ; the

and

should

semi-circle

above be of

should various

be blue hues.

; the

plumage, reaching goat

those its has of female

the

breast, should
thus its

The
are

breasts,and
and the the

only
the

human

characteristics

maternity

toil, otherwise
horns and

signs of
the beam

redemption.
torch, is the
in the below

On

forehead, between microcosm,

of human the flame should
a or

beneath with

sign

of the

symbol
makes Pantheos

one pentagram intelligence, which, placed thus of the latter an image of divine

ascendant,
the

torch,
This be have
a

revelation.

be seated ball and

a

on

singleball,or given
FIGURE FIGURE X. XL This teeth the The The

cube, and its footstool should triangular stool. In our design we

a

former

only

to

avoid

complicating
.

the

figure.
. .

Triangle
Trident

of Solomon
.

.189 .212

of Paracelsus of the
or

trident, symbol

triad,is formed
Latin
tau.

of
one on

three

pyramidal
is
verse transa

superposed
on one

on

Greek

On and

of its teeth the other

a

jod, which
the Crab.

side

pierces a crescent,
recalls is

line,a figurewhich
On the "of the Twins the On
sun,

the hieroglyphically
a

zodiacal

sign
Crab

of

opposite tooth
of the Lion.
cross

composite sign recallingthat

the in claws of the
to

and the

that

Between is
seen

is

and

astronomical there the

proximity
head.
; and

the

lion.

the middle

tooth

is hieroglyphically depicted the

of the figure

celestial serpent, with of the Crab is the word

sign of Jupiter for its OBITO, or Begone, Retire

By by

the the

side side

EXPLANATION

OF

THE

FIGURES

XX111

PAQK

of the
near an

Lion

is the

word

IMO, Although,
there is AP written

Persist. Do

In

the

centre, and
of

the

symbolical serpent
a

abbreviation, of
read because

word
a

SKL, a word composed and in the Hebrew kabbalistically

;

of fashion, and, finally, be

complete ordinaryword
are

AP, which
of the

should Greek Salt. of and

as a

An,
;
are

these should

the be

first two OD
;

letters

ARCHEUS These Archeus

Do, which
the three Od have

read

and, lastly,SEL,
the occult the which
names

prime substances,
the
same

and

and of the

significanceas
On the iron
stem

Sulphur
serves
a

Mercury
haft and must

Philosophers.
there is the with

for the

trident

triplicatedletter
the words VLI

P. P. P., Dox

phallic
which gram Penta-

lingamic hieroglyph,
be read in Roman LIBERTATE
"

FATO,
of the

by taking
Dox D.
on
"

the

first letter for the

number

thus figures,

completing

the
to

phrase
the On

PENTAGRAMletters
one

MATICA

FATO,

equivalent

three the

of

Cagliostro
absolute the

L.

P.

Liberty, Power,
the the Kabbalistic This admirable the

Duty.
Absolute,

side,
in

liberty;

other, necessityor

invincible which summary of than

fatality ;
of

centre,

REASON,

constitutes celsus Para-

universal will

equilibrium.
serve
a

magical
works
more

as

key
man

to

obscure

the
once

Kabbalist allowed

Wronski,
himself

remarkable be carried

of

learningwho
his

to

away

from

ABSOLUTE

REASON

by
time

the of the

mysticism distinguished a so
honour Trident and of the

of his nation, and thinker. of

by pecuniary speculations unworthy

We allow discovered Paracelsus him
at

the
us

same

glory

having
Thus,

before

the

secret

of the

Paracelsus. Active
or

represents

the

Passive

by

the

Crab, the

by
the

the

Reason balances

by Jupiter
forces

Man-King
the
to the

Lion, Intelligence or equilibrating ruling the serpent ; then he

the fecundation space He and of the Active Active

by giving
the Sun, and the of

Passive

by represented
and

might
it
:

to conquer

enlighten under Obey the impulse equilibrium

alternated
of obstacle forces REASON

symbol
Active To

of the Cross. and the advance he

says with

to the

Passive the the very

the

by

of resistance.

Active

says

Resist

mobility im-

; persistand

advance.
triad
"

Then

he

explains these
in counterpoise. and tion foundaof the life the
"

by

the in the power

great central centre, LIBERTY

of the law

LIBERTY, NECESSITY,
NECESSITY its haft very

REASON,

"

and

There
; it is the

is the

Trident, there
; it is the

universal and

of nature

essence

Word,

realised
or

demonstrated
; the

by

the

triad

of human
; and

the
visible Di-

Archeus,

mind We

Od,

or

plastic mediator
and

Salt

matter.

have

given separately the highest importance,

occult sciences. in the

explanation gives the

this of
our

of this

figurebecause
of the it will

it is of the

measure

greatestgenius
be with

of the

After
course

tion, interpretawork,
we

understood the

why,

invariably bow
the FIGURE FIGURE divine XIII. XIV.

traditional

veneration

of true

adepts

before

Paracelsus. The

Pentagram

.228
. . .

Magical Instruments"

the

Lamp, Rod, Sword,

and

Dagger

244

XXIV

EXPLANATION

OF

THE

FIGURES

FAUK

FIGURE

XV.

The

Key

of

Thoth
.

.281
* .
. .

FIGURE

XVI.

Goetic

Circle

of

Black

Evocations

and

Pacts
.

299
.

FIGURES

XVII.

and

XVIII. number

Divers of

infernal

characters and

taken the

from

Agrippa,
of the 302

Peter trial of

of

Apono,
Urban

Grimoires,

documents

Grandier
.....

301,

FIGURE

XIX.

Kabbalistic

signs

of

Orion
.

.316
. . .

FIGURE

XX.

Infernal

Characters

of

the

Twelve

Signs

of

the

Zodiac
.

318

FIGURE

XXI.

Magic

Squares

of

the

Planetary

Genii

according

to

Paracelsus
.......

361,

362

FIGURE

XXII.

Chariot

of

Hermes,

seventh

Key

of

the

Tarot
. .

365

FIGURE

XXIII.

The

Ark

of

the

Covenant
. . .

.371

FIGURE

XXIV.

Apocalyptic

Key"

The

Seven

Seals

of

St

John
.

376
.

THE

DOCTEINE OF TRANSCENDENT MAGIC

INTRODUCTION

BEHIND

the

veil

of

all the

hieratic the under

or

and

mystical allegories
and seal of
on

of

ancient of

doctrines, behind
all the
of

shadows the

the all the

strange
sacred
bling crum-

ordeals

initiations,
ruins the
or

writings,in
stones

of

Nineveh and

Thebes,
on

old

temples,

the
in
to

blackened the
monstrous

visage
or

of

the

Assyrian

Egyptian
which pages books of of all

sphinx,

marvellous India emblems

at
are

paintings inspired
of
our

interpret
the

the
in

faithful the

of

the

Vedas,
in

strange

old

alchemy,

the

ceremonies

reception practised
found
of
a

by
which

mysterious
is

societies, traces
the
same,

doctrine

everywhere
Occult

and
seems

everywhere
to

carefully
the
of
nurse

concealed.
or

philosophy
of all

have

been

god-mother

intellectual the absolute

clusively ex-

forces, the
queen of

key
the

all in

divine

obscurities, and
when it and
was

society
for

those

ages of

reserved of

education with of the the India

an

priests
who
at

kings.

It
as

reigned perish
power;

in

Persia
masters

magi,

length perished, they

abused

all it and

world, because
with the wealth
most

their
tions, tradi-

endowed with

wonderful poesy,
to

incredible
; ;

of

grace, music of

and of

terror

in

its emblems of and

it civilised

Greece the

the

the

lyre

Orpheus
of

it concealed

principles
progress
in in

all the bold

sciences

all

human

intellectual
;

the

calculations and became

of

Pythagoras
to

fable

abounded this

its

miracles,
power,

history, attempting
confused with

appreciate
;

unknown
or

fable

it

shook
to

strengthened
on

empires

by

its

oracles, caused
all

tyrants
either

tremble

their
or

thrones, and
fear. For
;

governed
this

minds,
said
the

by curiosity
there the is knows

by

science,

the

crowd,

nothing language
when it

impossible
of the

it commands directs

elements,

stars, and

the

planetary

courses;

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

the speaks,

moon

falls blood-red and articulate

from ominous

heaven words

; the
as

dead the

rise

in their graves

night
or

wind

blows

through their
science
can

skulls.

Mistress

of love

of

dispense paradise or hell at its hearts ; it disposes of all forms, and pleasure to human distributes the rod of Circe it beauty or ugliness ; with into brutes and animals into men alternately changes men ; it even disposesof life or death, and can confer wealth on its adepts by the transmutation of metals and immortality elixir compounded of gold and light. or by its quintessence Such was magic from Zoroaster to Manes, from Orpheus to at length Apollonius of Tyana, when positive Christianity, victorious over the brilliant dreams and titanic aspirations
hate, the
of the Alexandrian

school, dared
this

to

launch

its anathemas

publicly against

philosophy, and thus forced it to become occult and mysterious than ever. Moreover, more began to circulate concerning strange and alarming rumours initiates or adepts; these men were everywheresurrounded those influence ; they killed or drove mad by an ominous who allowed themselves to be carried away by their honeyed eloquence or by the fame of their learning. The women whom their children vanished at they loved became Stryges, their nocturnal and men whispered shudderingly meetings, and in secret of bloody orgiesand abominable banquets. Bones had been found in the crypts of ancient temples, shrieks had been heard in the night,harvests withered and herds sickened when Diseases the magician passed by. which defied medical skill at times appeared in the world, and always, it was said,beneath the envenomed glance of the adepts. At length an universal cry of execration went became crime, and the a name up againstmagic, the mere
common

hatred flames!"

was as

formulated
it
was

in this sentence
some

"

Magicians
earlier: multitude

to
"

the

shouted Christians
!

centuries
Now

To

the

lions with

the

"

the

never

conspires except againstreal

the what

knowledge of
is

what

powers ; it possesses not is true, but it has the instinct of for the

strong. It remained

eighteenth century

to

INTRODUCTION

deride both homilies

Christians

and

magic, while
at

infatuated

with

the

of Eousseau

and

the illusions of the

is Science, notwithstanding, the foundation

of

Cagliostro. basis of magic, as

is

at

there Christianity

love, and

in

the

in his incarnate adored Gospel symbols we see the Word cradle by three magi, led thither by a star (the triad and of gold, their gifts the sign of the microcosm),and receiving frankincense, and myrrh, a second mysterious triplicity, emblem under which the highest secrets of the Kabbalah contained. no are therefore, Christianity allegorically owes, hatred to magic,but^luiman^ ignorancehas ever stood in fear of the unknown. The science was driven into hiding to the impassioned assaults of a blind love ; it clothed escape dissimulated itself with new its labours, denied hieroglyphics, its hopes. Then it was that the jargon of alchemy was created, a permanent deception for the vulgar,a living of Hermes. language only for the true disciple of the books the sacred Extraordinary fact ! Among

Christians makes
no

there claim these

are

two

works

which and

the infallible Church has

never

to
are

understand the

explain;
for
seven

prophecy of Ezekiel Kabbalistic two Keys assuredlyreserved in heaven of magician Kings, books sealed with the commentaries seals for faithful believers,yet perfectly plain to an
There
a

attempted to and the Apocalypse,

initiated infidel of the occult sciences.

is also another and may be

book, but, although

found

it is

popular

in

sense

everywhere,this is of all most occult and unknown, it has the key of all others ; it is in publicevidence because dreams of seekwithout ing to the public; no one being known it where it actually is,and elsewhere it is lost labour to anterior to that of Enoch, look for it. This book, possibly been translated, but is still preservedunmutilated has never in primeval characters, detached on leaves,like the tablets
of the ancients. A scholar distinguished
has

revealed,

though no one has observed it,not indeed its secret, but its and singular antiquity preservation ; another scholar,but of a mind more fantastic than judicious, passed thirty years in the

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

study of this book, and has merely suspected its whole and extraordinary importance. It is,in fact,a monumental work, strong and simple as the architecture of the pyramids, is the which and consequentlyenduring like those a book resolve all problems by of all the sciences,which can sum its infinite combinations, which speaks by evoking thought, the is the inspirer and regulatorof all possible conceptions, mind, assuredly one of masterpieceperhaps of the human universal the finest thingsbequeathed to us by antiquity, an has been of which explained and comprekey, the name hended only by the learned William Postel,an unique text, whereof the initial characters alone exalted the devout spirit and might have restored reason of Saint Martin into ecstasy, shall and to the sublime unfortunate Swedenborg. We and precise speak of this book later on, and its mathematical of our explanation will be the complement and crown tianity alliance of Chrisconscientious undertaking. The original and the science of the magi, once it is thoroughly demonstrated, will be a discoveryof no second-rate importance, and we question not that the serious study of magic
"

and

the Kabbalah of science and

will lead earnest of

reason

minds and

tion to the reconcilia-

regarded as
We have

dogma, impossible.
said

faith, heretofore
the

that the

Church, whose

office is special

custody of the Keys, does not pretend to possess those of the Apocalypseor of Ezekiel. In the opinion of Christians lost ; yet, the scientific and magical clavicles of Solomon are
at

the

same

time, it is certain
ruled

that,in the domain

has

of intelligen been

written

can

by the Word, nothing which to cease perish; things which men

to

understand of the and

war,

simply cease
Word,
of of

exist for them, at least in the

enter

order

and

they

then

into

the domain

of
even

enigma
open

mystery.
the

and Furthermore, the antipathy,

official church

magic, which is a is allied with priesthood,

causes

againstall that belongs to the realm of personal and kind emancipated

with even necessary and hierarchic constitution of

inherent Christian

in the social and

INTRODUCTION

sacerdotalism. either

The
or

Church

ignores magic

"

for she

must

ignoreit
the
in

she does not

was

saluted

shall prove later on ; yet as we perish, less recognise that her mysteriousfounder that is to his cradle by the three magi
"

say, by the hieratic ambassadors known world and the three

of the

three

parts of the
of and occult tianity Chris-

philosophy. In
almost Saccas in its and

the school

joinedhands

analogicalworlds of Alexandria, magic of under the auspices

of Hermes

Ammonius almost

of Plato ; the doctrine

is found Denis
of
a

in the writingsattributed to entirety the plan pagite; and Synesius sketched

the Areotreatise
on

dreams, which

was

later

on

to be annotated

composed hymns which might have served of Swedenborg, could a church of the illuminated the Church this period of fiery abstractions and possess a liturgy.With impassionedwarfare of words there must also be connected the philosophic reign of Julian,called the Apostate because in his youth he made of Christianity. an profession unwilling that Julian was Everyone is aware sufficiently wrongheaded
to be
an

by Cardan, and of for the liturgy

unseasonable

hero

of

Plutarch, and
Julian

was,

if

one

may
most

say so, the Don people do not and

an

Quixote of Roman
know is that

Chivalry;
was

but

what the

one

of

minated illu-

in the

initiate of the first order ; that he believed unity of God and in the universal doctrine of the

Trinity nothing of the old ; that, in a word, he regretted world but its magnificent symbols and its exceedingly not a a was gracious images. Julian was pagan ; he Gnostic allured by the allegories of Greek polytheism,who
had the misfortune than
that to

find the

name

of Jesus

Christ

less

Emperor personally of the philosopher and tastes paid for the academical and after affordinghimself the spectacleand rhetorician, satisfaction of expiringlike Epaminondas with the periods of Cato, he had in publicopinion, tianised, alreadythoroughlyChrissonorous

of

Orpheus.

The

anathemas

for his

funeral

oration

and

scornful

epithetfor his ultimate celebrity. and small Let us skip the little men

matters

of

the

Bas-

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

Empire, and
this book
on

pass Glance
I
am

on

to at

the

Middle

Ages.

the

seventh

the mantle

and spreading,
corners. seems
. .

page, then let each of Your head

Stay,take seat yourself

.

us

cover

our

eyes with one not, and the and tightly,

we are

of its earth do
not

swims, does

it

to

flybeneath
. .
.

look

around. and
no

Hold your feet ? The vertigoceases ;

up before all thingsto make

no

here.

Stand

Christian
a

words.

We

your eyes, but take care open Christian signand to pronounce in a landscape of Salvator are

Rosa,
storm

troubled

wilderness
moon

which

seems

there is

no

in the

hear gleaming in the you can of great birds, to whisper about you the slow flight who seem Let us approach silently that strange oracles as they pass. cross-road the rocks. A among suddenly, and black torches tumultuous look and

little stars

you brushwood, and

sky,but

resting after a can distinguish

harsh, funereal trumpet winds

on

ground.
them
; he

throng wait. Suddenly they A goat-headed prince

ascends the

flare up is surginground a
cast

every

side.

A all

vacant

throne;
on

themselves forward

the

bounds

among
a

throne, turns, and

by assuming

face, stoopingposture, presents to the assembly a human forward to which, carrying black torches, every one comes With to salute and kiss. hoarse laugh he recovers a distributes then an upright position,and gold, secret ful instructions,occult medicines, and poisons to his faithbondsmen. Meanwhile, fires are lighted of fern and with human the fat of bones and alder, piled over executed criminals. Druidesses crowned with wild parsley and vervain immolate unbaptisedchildren with golden knives and prepare horrible love-feasts. Tables are spread, masked themselves seat nalian men by half-nude females, and a Bacchathe orgiebegins; there is nothing missing but salt, symbol of wisdom and immortality. Wine flows in streams, leaving stains like blood ; obscene talk and fond caresses and presently the whole assembly is drunk with wine, begin, with crime, and with pleasure, ordered singing. They rise,a disthrong, and hasten to form infernal dances.
. . .

10

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

pope shalt

or

king:

"

On

the God

day

that

thou
we

eatest
see

thou thereof, in the book of

surelydie,"said
is

Himself,as
the

Genesis. What
and and

taking place in
? ?

world, and
secret
are

why

do

priests

potentatestremble
crowns

What

power

threatens tiaras

roaming from land to under stone land, concealing, as they say, the philosophical their ragged vesture. and They can change earth into gold, ! Their brows are encircled they are without food or lodging by an aureole of gloryand by a shadow of ignominy ! One has discovered the universal science and goes vainlyseeking death he is the to escape the agoniesof his triumph heals Majorcan Raymond imaginary Lully. Another diseases by fantastic remedies, giving a formal denial in of a advance to the proverb which enforces the futility cautery on a wooden leg he is the marvellous Paracelsus, always drunk and always lucid,like the heroes of Rabelais. Here is William Postel writingnaivelyto the fathers of the Council of Trent, informing them that he has discovered the
few madmen
" "

absolute and is

hidden doctrine,

from

the foundation them.

not

of the

world,
demn con-

to longing

share it with
the

The

council does not

to

concern

itself with

maniac, does

condescend

proceeds to examine the weighty questions of efficacious grace and He whom see we sufficing grace. is Cornelius Agrippa,less of perishing poor and abandoned in regarding a magician than any, though the vulgarpersist
him
as a a

him, and

more

potent

sorcerer

than all because

he

was

times some-

What bear secret do these men cynicand mystifier. with ? them at to their tomb Why are they wondered without being understood ? heard unWhy are they condemned ? Why are they initiates of those terrificsecret sciences afraid ? of which the Church and society are Why are they nothing? acquainted with things of which others know burn ? to know Why Why do they conceal what all men ? The are they invested with a dread and unknown power occult sciences ! Magic ! These words will reveal all and ! De omni re scibiliet quibusgive food for further thought dam
aliis.

INTRODUCTION

11

But

what,
of

as

a men

fact,was
who

this
were

magic ?
once so

What

was

the

proud and so ? If they were really strong, why did they not persecuted weak and foolish, their enemies ? But if they were overcome them ? Does magic why did people honour them by fearing is trulya power, exist ? Is there an occult knowledge which wonders fit to be compared with the miracles which works of authorised religions? To these two palmary questions The book make answer we by an affirmation and a book. the affirmation is this. shall justifythe affirmation, and
power these
at

exists in the sent, presaid have real magic ; yes, all that legends a potent and to what of it is true, but, in contrariety commonly happens,

Yes, there

existed

in

the

past,and

there

popular exaggerations are,

below the truth.
of which

in

this case, not

a

only beside

but

There has

is indeed
once

formidable

secret, the

alreadytransformed the world, testified in Egyptian religious tradition,symbolically as This summarised by Moses at the beginning of Genesis. and the secret constitutes the fatal science of good and evil, Moses of its revelation is death. depicts it consequence the figureof a tree which is in the centre of the under Terrestrial Paradise, is in proximity to the tree of life and
revelation has
the
a

radical connection of the four

therewith

; at the foot of this tree

is

source

sword

of fire and

mysteriousrivers ; it is guarded by the of the Biblical sphinx, by the four figures

Here
. . .

the Cherubim

of Ezekiel.

alreadythat I have said too much. and imperishable ; dogma, strong as the supreme reason like all that is simple,like all that is great; intelligible, and absolutely true; and this dogma has been universally
the

pause, and I fear versal, uniYes, there is one sole, I must

parent of all others.

on man as

Yes, there

is

science

which

confers

powers

enumerated
sixteenth
"

apparently superhuman ; I find them in follows Hebrew a manuscript of the

:
"

century
are

who of the man and privileges powers holds in his righthand the clavicles of Solomon, and in his
These the

left the branch

of

the

blossoming almond.

"

Aleph.
"

He

12

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

beholds

God

face the
n
"

to
seven
"

face, without

dying, and
command

converses

with familiarly celestial army,

genii who
He is above

the

entire all

Beth. He
"

all afflictions and and

fears.

Ghimel.
1

by

all hell.
can

Daleth.

reignswith all heaven He disposesof his own

is served and

health
"

life and

n He. He equallyinfluence that of others, neither be surprised can by misfortune,nor overwhelmed by He knows nor disasters, conquered by his enemies. 1 Vau.
"

the

reason

of

the

past,present,and

future.

Dzain.

"

He the

possesses

the secret

of the resurrection

of the dead

and

key
"

of

immortality.
are are
"

Such
next
n

the
as

seven

chief
:
"

and privileges,

those

which

rank
"

follows

Cheth.
the

To

find the

stone. philosophical
s

Teth.

"

To

enjoy
with

universal laws
of

medicine.

lod.

"

To

be

the

demonstrate

change

into
even

in a and perpetual motion the quadrature of the circle. 3 gold not only all metals, but also

acquainted position to Caph. To

"

the
"

earth due subthe

"

and itself,

the refuse of the earth. ferocious animals and

Lamed.

To

the most words

possess

which

paralyse and
Notoria

charm

be able to pronounce serpents. " Mem.

To

gives the universal science. without To 3 Nun. speak learnedlyon all subjects, paration preand without study. the seven least powers of the magus are These, finally, at first sightthe deep thingsof the To know D Samech. souls of men and the mysteries of the hearts of women. To force nature him free at his pleasure, to make V Gnain. do not depend on a Phe. To foresee all future events which free will,or on an undiscernible V Tsade. a superior cause. To give at once efficacious consolations and to all the most counsels. P Copli. To triumph over and the most wholesome
the Ars which
"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

adversities.
To
never

""

Resch.

"

To

conquer
to

love and be

hate.

Schin.

"

have

the

secret

of

wealth,
how

its slave.

To know

to

always its master enjoyeven poverty and

Tau.
"

and
never

become three

n abjector miserable, that the wise septenaries

Let

us

add

to

these

man

rules the

elements, stills

INTRODUCTION

13

tempests, cures
dead
"

the

diseased

by
are

his

touch, and

raises the

At

the

same

time, there
Solomon with

certain

things which
It is

have

been that

sealed the

by

his
as

tripleseal.

initiates
or

know, and
or

deride, doubt,
what
matters
are

believe, whether
to
us

enough for others, whether they they threaten or fear,

?
"

it to science

and we the issues of occult philosophy, actually accusation of insanity in a position to withstand an or a are affirm that all these priviof imposture when we leges suspicion Such
are

real. occult

To

demonstrate

this is the The

sole end

of

our

work

stone, the philosophical of metals, the quaduniversal medicine, the transmutation rature and the secret of perpetual motion, are of the circle, of science nor dreams of madness. thus neither mystifications They are terms which must be understood in their veritable of the different applications of sense expressions ; they are
on

philosophy.

one

same

secret, the
is
name
a

several defined of the force

characteristics in
a

of

one

same

operation,which
manner

more

comprehensive
Furthermore,
more

under

the

great work.
is of which
a

there exists in nature

which

immeasurably

powerful than
who
knows

steam,
to

and

how

by means adapt and

an

single man,
upset and
to

direct it, might force

was

alter the face of the world. ancients ; it consists in for its supreme with

This universal

known

the

agent havingequilibrium
is concerned
of

law, while
the

its direction
arcanum

mediately im-

magic. By the direction of this agent it is possibleto change the mena ; to produce at nightthe phenovery order of the seasons of day ; to correspond instantaneously between one the and other ; to like extremity of the earth see, Apollonius,what is taking place on the other side of the world ; to heal or injure at a distance ; to give speech an
great
universal
success

transcendent

and

reverberation. uncertain which the

This methods

agent, which
of Mesmer's
of

barely manifests under the is precisely that followers,

ages denominated

adepts

the

middle The

the first matter

of the

great work.

14

THE

DOCTKINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

it as the fiery represented body of the Holy Spirit ; it was the object of adoration in the secret rites of the Sabbath and the Temple, under the hieroglyphic figureof All this will be Baphomet or the Androgyne of Mendes. proved. Such are the secrets of occult philosophy, such is magic in history glance at it as it appears in its books ; let us now and its

Gnostics

achievements, in its initiations and

its rites.
we

The have work the

is found key of all magical allegories alreadymentioned, and these tablets of Hermes. About the whole this

in the tablets
we

regard as
may

the called

book, which

be

keystone of
innumerable
or

edifice of occult
are

science, are

grouped

legendswhich
renewed

either its

partialtranslation

thousand a endlessly under different forms. Sometimes these ingeniousfables combine harmoniously into a great epic which characterises an epoch, though how or why is not clear to the uninitiated. Thus, the fabulous Fleece both resumes and history of the Golden and magical doctrines of Orpheus, and if veils the Hermetic cause we recur only to the mysterious poetry of Greece, it is bemay disthe sanctuaries of Egypt and India to some extent us by their resources, and leave our choice embarrassed

its

commentary

in the midst
to reach

of such abundant the Thebaid

wealth.

We

are

eager,

over, more-

of all synthesis doctrine,past,present,and future,that,so to speak,infinite which fable, comprehends, like the Deity of Orpheus,the two extremities of the cycleof human life. Extraordinary fact ! The seven by seven gates of Thebes, attacked and defended at once,

that dread

chiefs who the

same

have

sworn

seals of the sacred book as seven significance and assailed by a monster with interpreted genii, by seven heads, after being opened by a livingyet immolated seven work of St John. The lamb, in the allegorical mysterious found suspended from the tree of Cytheron originof (Edipus, recalls the symbols of Moses and the like a bleedingfruit, narratives whom he of Genesis. He makes
"

upon the

the

blood

of

victims,possess

war

upon

his

father,
of

slays without

knowing

alarming prophecy

INTRODUCTION

15

without science ; he then emancipation of reason that symbol of symbols, with the sphinx the sphinx, meets of the the granitepedestal the eternal enigma of the vulgar, the blind
"

science of the sages, the voracious invariable form the one expresses

and

silent monster of the

whose

dogma
more

versal great uni-

mystery.
and

How the

is the tetrad triad ? is that

at
noon,

changed
common

into the duad but in the

more ing morn-

explained by
has four

In

emblematic

terms, what
two feet,

animal and

which

three in the

evening ?

how does the doctrine of elementary Philosophically speaking, of Zoroaster, while it is forces produce the dualism summed is by the triad of Pythagoras and Plato ? What of allegories the ultimate and reason numbers, the final of all symbolisms ? with a simple QEdipus replies message and terrible word which destroysthe sphinx and makes the diviner King of Thebes ; the answer to the enigma is Man !
.

Unfortunate
. .

He

has

seen

too

much, and

yet with

insufficient clearness ; he must tous presentlyexpiatehis calamiand imperfect clairvoyanceby a voluntary blindness, and then vanish
may
at

in the midst any

of

storm, like all civilisations

answer

which the

time

divine

the

to the

riddle

of

sphinx without graspingits whole import and mystery. Everything is symbolical and transcendental in this titanic destinies. The two hostile brethren express epic of human the second part of the grand mystery divinely completed by the sacrifice of Antigone; then comes the last war; the brethren slay one another, Capaneus is destroyed by the which he defies, lightning Amphiaraiis is swallowed by the earth,and all these are so many allegories which, by their truth and their grandeur, astonish those who can penetrate their triple hieratic sense. ^Eschylus,annotated by Balnotion concerningthem, whatever lanche, givesonly a weak the primeval sublimities of the Greek poet or the beauty of
the French The

critic.
book
of

to antique initiation was not unknown Homer, who outlines its plan and chief figures the shield on of Achilles, with minute fictions precision.But the gracious
secret

16

THE

DOCTEINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

the replaced speedily in the popular memory simple and abstract truths of primevalrevelation. Humanity clung to the form and allowed the idea to be forgotten ; signs lost power in their multiplication ; magic also at this and with the sorcerers corrupted, degenerated period became of Thessaly into the most profane enchantments. Thejjrime of (Edipus brought forth its deadly fruits, and the science evil erected evil into a sacrilegious of good and divinity. of bodily took refugein the shadow Men, weary of the light, of the void, which is filled by God, substance ; the dream soon appeared to be greater than God himself in their eyes,
of

Homer

and

thus

hell
in

was

created.
course

When,
consecrated

the
terms
once

of this

work,

we

make

use

of

the

understood,
from

God, Heaven, and Hell,let it be thoroughly for all, that our meaning is as far removed
the

profane attach to them as initiation is distant from vulgar thought. God, for us, is the AZOT of of the great work. the sages, the efficient and final principle Returning to the fable of (Edipus,the crime of the King of Thebes that he failed to understand the sphinx, was without being pure that he destroyedthe scourge of Thebes in the name of his people. enough to complete the expiation The plague,in consequence, avenged speedilythe death of the monster, and the King of Thebes, forced to abdicate, of the sphinx,more sacrificed himself to the terrible manes when it had passed from the alive and voracious than ever into that of idea. of form domain (Edipus divined what
that which
was man

and
was save

he God. his

put

out

his

own

eyes

because

he did

not

see

what
to

and,
the

divulgedhalf of the great arcanum, for him to bear people,it was necessary
of

He

remaining half
After
the

the terrible secret

into exile and

the

tomb.
colossal fable which of
was

(Edipuswe

find the

poem

of

Psyche,

certainlynot

gracious invented by
here and
a

Apuleius. The great magicalarcanum reappears union between the figureof a mysterious a god
mortal abandoned alone and naked
on a

under weak

rock.

Psyche

18

THE

DOCTKINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

wound.

The

initiates will understand

must

me,

and, on

account

clearly. find no After the marvellous Ass of Apuleius,we Golden more magical epics. Science, conquered in Alexandria by of Hypatia, became tian, Christhe fanaticism of the murderers
not
more

of the

I profane,

speak

or,

rather, concealed

itself under

Christian

veils with

Ammonius,

and the pseudonymous author of the Synesius, times it was books of Dionysius the Areopagite. In such and needful to excuse miracles by the garb of superstition science by an unintelligible language. Hieroglyphicwriting to revived ; pantacles and characters invented were was summarise entire doctrine by a sign, whole an a sequence
of tendencies

and

revelations

in

word.

What

was

the end

to knowledge ? aspirants They sought the secret of the great work, or the philosophical stone, or the perpetual the universal motion, or the quadrature of the circle, or

of the

medicine and and all

"

formulas hatred

which

often

saved

them taxed of the

from with

tion persecu-

by causing them to be of the phases one signifying

we

madness,
of

great magical

secret, as
continues

shall

shew

later

on.

This

absence

till our

Romance also the

which Dante's and and

expresses

of the Rose ; but mysterious and

from have
recourse

epics the rose-symbol, magical sense of

Kabbalah,
to this immense

poem, it is time

is borrowed that
source
we

the transcendent

should

philosophy. The Bible, with all its allegories, gives expressionto the in only an religious knowledge of the Hebrews incomplete
and the veiled hieratic
manner.

concealed

of universal

The

book

which
we

we

have

mentioned,
the Genesis

characters which

of which William before

shall
names

quently, explain subse-

that book

Postel Moses

existed of Enoch, certainly whose ancient

and

the

prophets,
of the

doctrine, fundamentallyidentical with

that

Egyptians, had also its exotericism and its veils. Moses When spoke to the people, says the sacred book he placed a veil over his face,and he removed allegorically, it when for the addressing God; this accounts alleged
Biblical absurdities which
so

exercised

the

satirical powers

INTRODUCTION

19

of Voltaire.

The
in

books

were

only
were

written

as

memorials

of

tradition, and

symbols

that and

profane.
were,

The

Pentateuch

the

for the unintelligible of the prophets poems

moreover,

elementary works,
the true
to

alike

in

ethics, doctrine,

and
not

liturgy ;
committed
even

secret

and

traditional
a

writing until
one

later
arose was

philosophy was and under period,

a

veils unknown

less

transparent. Thus
which

second

and

Bible,or rather

not

comprehended

by
same

Christians,a

storehouse, so
case,

for, in this absurdities,

say, of monstrous in the confounded believers,

they

ignorance,speak
as
we

genius and imagined in the by thorns

stone : opaque refer to the we

ment, language of sceptics ; a monuwhich affirm, comprises all that philosophical accomplished or religiousgenius have ever

the

order
;
a

of the diamond will How

sublime;
concealed have

treasure

passed encom-

in

rude

and

our

readers

Talmud.

already guessed that strange is the destinyof the

saviours of the which

Jews, those scapegoats, martyrs, and

world, a

bold and hardy race, a vitality, have always preserved intact,because Do not our yet accomplished its mission !

people full

of

cutions perseit has not

apostolical
faith
out

traditions the

declare

that, after the

shall that then

decline
come

of forth

Gentiles, salvation
of

again
the

among of the who

is

house adored

Jacob, and
the of God

crucified

Jew

by

Christians

will

give
?

the

empire

of the world

into the hands On

his Father the

penetratinginto
with

sanctuary of the Kabbalah

at

one
so

is seized

admiration
at

the
same

sight
the

of

doctrine

and, so simple, logical,

essential union
most

the

time, so

absolute.

The of the
; the

of ideas

and

signs ;

consecration

fundamental

realities

by primitive characters

and numbers of words, letters, trinity ; a philosophysimple infinite as the Word; the alphabet,profound and as of than those theorems more complete and luminous the on Pythagoras ; a theologywhich may be summed up of an be held in the hollow can fingers ; an infinite which infant's hand ; ten figures and twenty-two letters, a triangle,

20

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

square,

and

Kabbalah. written

circle ; these the These are

a

are

the entire

elements

of the

component

principlesof
which issued is

the

Word,
!

reflection of that All

and the

the world

spoken Word have trulydogmatic religions

return

created
from
or

the Kabbalah scientific in Jacob

from

therein ; whatsoever

grand

Boehme,
the and

dreams of all the illuminated, religious Swedenborg, Saint Martin, "c., is borrowed
; all masonic

Kabbalah their

associations Kabbalah and the

owe

to it their

secrets

symbols.

The
reason

alone divine

consecrates

the

alliance

of universal

Word

; it

counterpoiseof two forces apparently opposed, the eternal balance of being ; it only reconciles science with mystery ; with faith,power with liberty, reason it has the keys of the present,past,and future !
establishes, by the
To
to

become
and

initiated
to

into

the

Kabbalah,
the

it is insufficient

read

meditate
er,
or

Kirch G-alatinus,
to

upon Picus de

writings of Eeuchlin,
; it is necessary

Mirandola the Hebrew

study

and

to

understand

writers

in

the

all ; it is the Septer Jetzirah above Pistorius, the great book tively Zohar, read attennecessary also to master in the collection of 1684, entitled Kallala Denudata, collection of
the

treatise

of

Kabbalistic

Pneumatics, and
to enter

that

of

the

Revolution
luminous

of Souls ; and

afterwards whole
we

darkness Talmud. William his very

of

the Then

body
apart
about

of the

understand
from

Postel, and

boldlyinto the dogmatic and allegorical shall be in a positionto admit that can secretly
dreams over-generous this celebrated, learned,
so

premature and
women, not not

the

emancipation of
man

illuminated

could

have

been

mad

as

is pretended

by
We have

those who sketched

have

read him.

the history of occult philosophy rapidly ; and have indicated its sources we analysed in a few words This work refers only to the science,but books. its principal a magic, or, rather,magical power, is composed of two things, science and a force ; without the force the science is nothing, alone, or, rather,it is a danger. To giveknowledge to power such is the supreme law of initiations. Hence
did

the

INTRODUCTION

21

Great

Revealer

violence,and
door
must

of truth
be
to
a man

The suffereth kingdom of heaven say : the violent only shall carry it away." The is closed like the sanctuary of a virgin;he
"

who

would what

enter.

All

miracles

are

mised proa

and faith, does

not

is faith except the

audacityof
advances

will which towards the

hesitate

in the darkness, but all ordeals, and

surmounting all It is unnecessary of obstacles ? to repeat here the history ancient the more initiations; dangerous and terrible they the greater was their efficacy. Hence, in those days, were, lightin spiteof
the world
art

had the

men

to govern art

and

instruct it. The above

a name

sacerdotal ordeals of

and

royal

consisted

all in novitiate

and will. It was courage, discretion, that of those priests who, under the

similar to
so

of Jesuits, are

unpopular at the present day, but would govern the world, had they a trulywise and intelligent chief. notwithstanding, life in the search after the absolute in After passingour science,and justice religion, ; after turning in the circle of Faust, we have reached the primal doctrine and the first of humanity. book covered disThere have we pause, there we the secret of human omnipotence and indefinite key of all symbolisms, the first and final progress, the
doctrine,and
we

have

come

to

understand
use

what

was

meant
"

by
the

that

expressionso
of God. fixed

often

made

of in

the

Gospel

Kingdom
To

provide a
solve the

is to

point as problem of

fulcrum

for human

Archimedes

activity the by realising

of his famous lever. This it is which was application accomplished by the great initiators who have electrified the world, and they could not have done so except by means

of
a

the

great

and

incommunicable

secret.

However,

as

guarantee

of its renewed

youth, the symbolicalphoenix

never

reappeared before the eyes of the world without and evidences of the remains having solemnly consumed his previouslife. It is thus that Moses caused all those to perish in the desert who could have known Egypt and her all books which mysteries ; thus, at Ephesus, St Paul burnt

22

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

treated

of

the

occult

sciences ;

the thus, finally, Orient

French and the

Kevolution, daughter of the great Johannite

ashes of the

and
to

all the

phemed Templars, spoliatedthe churches and blasthe allegories of the divine cultus. But all doctrines revivals proscribe its mysteries magic, and condemn flames and
to

oblivion.
comes

The

reason

is that the world death

seems

each is of
a

philosophy which Benjamin of humanity which

or

cultus

into

lives

by

the

its
ever

mother

; it is because
own

the

symbolicalserpent
because, as

its devouring of

tail ; it is

essential condition

plenitude, space negation ; it is phoanixallegory. Two illustrious scholars have alreadypreceded me along the path I am but travelling, they have, so to speak,spent the dark night therein. I refer to Volney and Dupuis, to erudition has produced Dupuis above all,whose immense he only a negativework, for in the origin of all religions has seen nothing but astronomy, taking thus the symbolic cycle for doctrine and the calendar for legend. He was deficient in one branch of knowledge, that of true magic, which comprises the secrets of the Kabbalah. Dupuis passed through the antique sanctuaries like the prophet Ezekiel over with bones, and only underthe plain strewn stood
for every dimension, the eternal realisation of the

existence,a void

is necessary to every affirmation for each an

death, for
of the four
vast

want

of that word
can

which
a

collects the virtue all the

"

winds, and
new
we

make the walk the

ossuary,
up
a

by crying to
form
must to

livingpeople of ancient symbols :

!
"

Arise ! has
no
we

Take
come one

and have

Hence
to

the

hour

when has

dared

attempt what perform previously. Like Julian,

in
so

boldness

would that
we

rebuild

the

temple,and

doing we
that
we

do not

believe

shall be would and

belyinga
himself

wisdom have been

adore, which

also Julian the him

one rancorous

to understand of which

worthy to adore, had fanatical doctors of his periodpermitted it. For us the temple has two pillars, on
inscribed its
name.

has Christianity wish

to

We from

have, it,we

therefore, no

attack

far Christianity;

INTRODUCTION

23

and will have explainand accomplishit. Intelligence in the world ; religion and exercised their power alternately philosophyare still at war in our own days, but they must end by agreeing. The provisional was objectof Christianity to establish, a supernatural or religious by obedience and faith, equalityamong men, and to immobilise intelligence by faith, for virtue which to provide a fulcrum for the as so came of science, destruction of the aristocracy or, rather, to replace that the aristocracyalready destroyed. Philosophy, on by libertyand contrary, has laboured to bring back men to natural inequality, and to substitute astuteness for reason virtue by inaugurating the reign of industry. Neither of the two operations has proved complete and adequate, neither has brought men and felicity. What to perfection is now dreamed, almost without daring to hope for it,is an alliance between these two forces so long regarded as contrary, and there is good ground for desiring their union, for seek to these
two

great
one

powers

of than

the the

human
sex

soul of
man

are

no

more

opposed to
that

another

is

opposed

to

of woman;

but their apparundoubtedly they differ, ently come contrary dispositions only from their aptitudeto

meet
"

and There

unite.
is
no

than an universal therefore, proposed, solution of all problems? No concerned with explaining the are doubt, since we stone, perpetualmotion, the secret of the great philosophical
"

less

work of

and

of the universal the divine

medicine.

We

shall be accused of

like insanity, the

Paracelsus,or

charlatanism,

like

Agrippa. If the pyre of Grandier Urban be extinguished, the sullen proscriptions of silence and of calumny remain. We do not brave but are We have not sought ourselves the pubresignedto them. lication
of this
come

great and

unfortunate

book,

and

we

believe

that

if the
us

time
or

be

to

produce speech,it
We
work shall therefore

will be remain
in

produced by
calm and
we

by

others. Our

wait.

has and

two

parts;

the

one

establish the
the other

Kabbalistic

magical doctrine

in its

entirety ;

24

THE

DOCTKINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

is

consecrated is
that

to

the

cultus,
the
rural

that

is,
sages

to

ceremonial termed call which the the

magic.
clavicle,

The the The

in

one

which

ancient

other numbers both the

that

which

people
of

still

grimoire. correspond

and

subjects
in
no sense

the

chapters,
and

parts, great
a

are

arbitrary,
of

are

all
for

indicated the this first

work

in
time

universal
and

key, adequate
it

which

we

give
Let what it

complete
its way

explanation.
and become believe is

now

go

where it is

wills,
and all

Providence be

determines because it

finished,
like

we

to

enduring,
and
scientious. con-

is

strong,

that

reasonable

ELIPHAS

LEVI.

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

THE

CANDIDATE

DISCIPLINA

ENSOPH

KETER

WHEN

philosopher adopted
human
a measure

as

the
:

basis
"

for

new

lypse apocaI

of

wisdom he

the

axiom

think,

therefore the point standof

am,"

in

unconsciously
revelation,
the

altered, from
old said

of

Christian

conception
the

the

Supreme
of Moses. and like and
to

Being.
I think God whom
is for is in
am

I he

am

that

I am,

Being
man

of

beings

who
to

thinks, says

the

of
man

Descartes,
may affirm whom verbum. it of

being
of

speak
the

inwardly, Evangelist
"

this
:

the

St

John word

am

he
erat

in

by

the
a

manifests
?

In
a

prindpio
The

Now,
is the
a

what
reason

principle
the

It is
of
;

groundwork
word.

of

speech,
essence

existence

the

word

the
a

principle principle
It is

the

principle speaks.
What

is that

which

is;

intelligence
intellectual is also and the the end.
I

is

which

What,

further, is
?
means,

light ?
;

speech.

is revelation is the of
"

It

speech

being
or

is the

principle, speech
and
But

plenitude
To

development
is
to to

perfection
to

being
I

is

speak

create. from

say

think,

therefore and

exist," is

argue

consequence have been

to

principle,
by
a

certain

contradictions

which have

adduced the

great writer, Lamennais,

abundantly
method.
to
us a

proved

sophical philothing some-

imperfection
exists
"

of

this

I am,
more

therefore

would

appear

primitive

and

28

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

simple
THEREFORE

foundation
BEING

for
EXISTS.

experimental philosophy,
Ego
in
man sum

AM,

gui
of occult

sum man

"

such in
the

is the

first revelation

of

God

and of

world,

while
1""N

it is also
nviK.

the
is

first axiom

Being

that

which

is for its

being. Hence is in principle,

philosophy. rrnN this philosophy, having no sense hypothesisor

admirable

guesswork.
Mercurius known under

Trismegistus begins
the
: name

his

symbol,
error,

of the Emerald

fold Table, by this threewithout

it is

affirmation of all truth.

; in
error

It is true, it is certain in

the true physics, certitude purged philosophy, domain of

or religion

Thus,

confirmed
from any

perience by exalloyof

; in

the

the

infinite,absolute

truth

by analogy; such are the first necessities of true science, and magic only can impart these to its adepts. who are you, thus taking this But you, before all things,
work
in your

indicated

hands

and

proposingto

read

it ?

On

the

pediment of a temple consecrated by antiquityto the God of two words : of Light was Know an inscription thyself." I impress the same counsel on when he seeks to every man of old denominated approach science. Magic, which the men the holy kingdom, or kingdom of God, the sanctum regnum, Dei, exists only for kings and for priests. Are you reynum of magic is not The priesthood ? Are you kings? priests and its royaltyenters not into compete a vulgar priesthood, tion with the princes of this world. The monarchs of science are the priestsof truth, and their sovereigntyis
"

hidden The truth

from

the

multitude
are

kings
has the The
most
man can

of science

like their prayers and sacrifices. who know the truth and the men

made

free, accordingto the specific promise given

of the initiators. is enslaved

by

mighty
who in
no

by

his

passionsor worldly prejudices

wise

never

attain; hence
person

be initiated ; he must alter or he will he cannot be an adept, for the word has

a signifies

who his

The

man

who

loves

them, who

suspects new

by will and by work. own opinionsand fears to part with truths,who is unprepared to doubt
attained

THE

CANDIDATE

29

everything rather
close this book fail to should
understand

than

admit

anything
trouble

on

chance, should
will if he

; for him

it is useless and it will

dangerous; he
him, while

it,and

of meaning, it will be a still greater source disquietude. If you hold by anything in the world more than by reason, truth, and justice ; if your will be uncertain and vacillating, either in good or evil ; if logic alarm you,

divine its

or

the

naked

truth
are

make

accepted errors
away ; do not the same time which will be
do

you blush ; if you assailed ; condemn this

cease

are

hurt

when

work

straight
; but at

read

it ; let it

to

exist for you

not

it records

as cry it down will be understood

dangerous. The
by
an

secrets

elect

few, and
Shew

held

back

by

those

who

understand
you

them. hide their

is
more

lightto
it is the than known

the birds

of the

and night-time,

light ;
dark

which light

blinds

them, and
firm

for them

the darkness.

I shall therefore

and speak clearly conviction

that

make

with everything, those in

is
a

the

initiates all and

alone, or
understand There
an

who

deserve

will read initiation,

part.
true
"

and in
our

false science, a

divine which
one

magic
and
to

and

infernal darksome the

magic

other task

words,
to

one

is delusive
veil un-

and

; it is

reveal the

the magician from other,to distinguish

the sorcerer, avails

to

and

the

adept
of
a

from

the which he

charlatan. he does
to

The

magician
sorcerer

himself abuse
a

force
which

knows, the
not

seeks
If

force
a

understand.

it be

in possible

employ a term so vulgar and then the devil giveshimself to the magician so discredited, and the sorcerer giveshimself to the devil. The magician is the sovereign of nature, the sorcerer is her profaner pontiff bears the same relation to the magician only. The sorcerer that a superstitious and fanatical person bears to a truly man. religious Before advancing further let us tersely define magic. Magic is the traditional science of the secrets of nature which has been transmitted from the magi. to us By of this science the adept becomes with invested means

scientific work

30

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

speciesof relative omnipotence and can operate superthe transcends that is, after a manner which humanly of men. normal possibility Thereby many celebrated hieroOsiris, Orpheus, phants, such as Mercurius Trismegistus, it might be dangerApolloniusof Tyana, and others whom ous
a
"

or

unwise
as

to

name,

came

after their death

to

be adored

and that

invoked

ebb-and-flow

gods. Thereby others also, according to for the of opinion which is responsible
became emissaries of infernus
or pected sus-

capricesof

success,

adventurers, like the emperor Julian, Apuleius,the he was termed enchanter as Merlin, and that arch-sorcerer,
in

day, Agrippa.
To and conditions
"

his

the

illustrious

and

unfortunate

Cornelius

attain the sanctum power

of

regmim,

in other

ledge words, the know-

which

break, and

magi, there are four indispensable illuminated pidity an intelligence by study,an intrenothing can check, a will which nothing can which discretion a nothing can corrupt and
the To the
KNOW,
TO

nothing
SILENCE
"

intoxicate. such
are

DARE, of the

TO

WILL,

TO

KEEP

four

words

magus,

inscribed These four

upon the four be words can four times On the

symbolicalforms
combined
one

of the

sphinx.
and

after four

manners,

explained
the

by

another.*

of the Book of Hermes first page is depicted with a large hat, which, if turned conceal his
entire

adept

down, would
towards

head.
seems

One

hand

is extended with his

are

heaven, which
the other is

he

to command

rod, while
the chief

placedupon
instruments

his breast ; before him of

symbols or
in
a

and he has others hidden science,

wallet. His body and form the letter arms juggler's Aleph, the first of the alphabetwhich the Jews borrowed from the Egyptians ; to this symbol we shall have occasion
to
recur

later magus

on.

The

is

trulywhat

the Hebrew

Kabbalists

call the

that is,the creator of the little world. The Microprosopus, firstof all magical sciences being the knowledgeof one's self,
*

See the Tarot

cards.

THE

CANDIDATE

31

so

is one's

own

creation

first of all works

is the

of

science;it

of the great work. principle The term, however, requiresexplanation. Supreme reason being the sole invariable and consequently imperishable death being change term hence the principle what we which cleaves closely to this principle and, in intelligence identifies itself therewith,does hereby make itself a manner,

contains

the others, and

"

"

and, unchangeable,
to reason,

as

result, immortal.
all those

To

cleave

variably in-

it will be understood

to

attain

independence of
inevitable
movement

that it is necessary forces which by their the alternatives of

to

fatal and life and die of

"

produce
to

death.
are

To

know

how

to forbear, and suffer,

such

the

first secrets

which

place us
a

beyond

reach

the desires of the flesh, and the fear affliction, The

man

of annihilation.

who

seeks

and

finds

faith in with memory Man him

immortalityand
and in token becomes them for

universal

gloriousdeath humanity believes

statues

has in
it

him, raisingaltars and

of

to

his

of eternal life.

king
type
of

the

brutes

only by subduing
their victim
or

or

taming
Brutes

; otherwise
our

he will be

slave.

are

the

passions ; they are

is the
a

the instinctive

forces of nature.

The inertia
are

world

field of battle where

liberty
force. miller of

struggleswith

by

oppositionof
cannot
are

active be the

Physicallaws
you the
must

millstones

; if you

be

the

grain.

You

called
to

to

be

king

air,water, earth,and fire ; but

of

reign over

these

four

animals

symbolism, it is necessary to conquer and enchain them. He who to be a sage and to know the aspires be the heir and despoiler of great enigma of nature must the sphinx ; his the human head in order to possess speech, his the eagle's his the wings in order to scale the heights, bull's flanks in order to furrow the depths,his the lion's
talons to make
a

way

on

the

and right

the

before left,

and

behind.

You, therefore,who
Faust But
?

seek

initiation, are

Are may

you

you insensible as Job ? become equal to both if you

learned you No, is it not will.

as
so

Have

you

32

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

overcome

the vortices of vague

or

thoughts?
Do
you

Are

you

without

indecision

? capriciousness

only when
should it may
?

you

will,and
is it not
so

do
so

to pleasure you consent wish for it only when you

No,

Not

if you choose. man's breasts ; do you know how to head, it has woman's resist feminine charms ? No, is it not so ? And you laugh the
; I
or

become

invariablyat least,but The sphinx has not only a

outright in replying, vaunting your moral weakness for of your glorification physicaland vital force. Be it so allow you to render this homage to the ass of Sterne

Apuleius. The

merit,I agree ; it was consecrated the goat to the god of Mendes. But to Priapus as was take it for what it is worth, and decide whether or man ass
ass

has its

shall

be master. who
to

He

alone

can

of love able you and

has

conquered
is to be

the twice your

possess love of able. desires

can

trulythe pleasure pleasure. To be

Woman and be enchains
chain ena

forbear

by

your her.

desires ; master The

man

is to
?

greatest injurythat call him coward. a Now,

who

you will inflicted on is

a

what

cowardly
order to

person

One

neglectshis

moral

dignityin

As a fact,in the obey blindly the instincts of nature. ; presence of danger it is natural to be afraid and seek flight honour ? has erected it Because why, then, is it shameful into a law that we must preferour duty to our inclinations fears. What is honour from this point of view ? It is or of immortality of the universal presentience and appreciation which last trophy which lead to it. The can man means win from death is to triumph over for life, the appetite can not but by a more exalted hope, which is contained by despair, in faith, for all that is noble and honest, by the undivided is To consent of the world. learn self-conquest therefore
no

to

learn

and life, of

the
!

austerities of stoicism
To

were

vain

parade
is to

freedom
stream

yield

to

the

forces
to

of

nature

follow the

of collective

and life,

be

the slave of
is
to

To resist and subdue nature secondary causes. life ; it is one's self a personal and imperishable to make break free from the vicissitudes of life and death. Every

34

THE

DOCTEINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

Let said

us

now

enter

on

the

series of initiations. As the

a a

have
or

that

revelation

is the word.

the word, fact,

speech,is the veil of being and life. Every form is the veil of
which is the mother of the word

characteristic

sign of
the idea
for the

word, because
sole
reason

is the
a

existence of forms.
derives from the ancient

is Every figure
and
returns

acter character, every charword. For this

reason

into

sages, of whom their sole dogma in is like that which that which

is Trismegistus these
terms
:
"

lated the organ, formu" is which That is below is

above is like

is

below, and
In other shadow

that which

is above."

words, the form

measure

to proportional body calculated

the idea ; the with

is the

of the ray ; the negationis

its relation to the

as

luminous the

scabbard
in

is

as

deep

the

sword

is

long ;

proportion to the contrary affirmation ; production is which equal to destruction in the movement preserves life ; and there is no point in infinite space which may not be of a circle having an extending regarded as the centre dividual circumference Every inindefinitely receding into space. since the is,therefore,indefinitely perfectible, moral since we order is analogous to the physical,and cannot conceive any point as unable to dilate, increase,and be radiate in a philosophically infinite circle. What can affirmed of the soul in its totality be affirmed of each may and will of man are facultyof the soul. The intelligence telligen of incalculable power and instruments capacity. But inand will possess as their help-mateand instrument which is too imperfectly a faculty known, the omnipotence of which to the domain of magic. I belongs exclusively the term which the Kabbalists speak of the imagination, in effect, is like Diaphane,or the Translucid. Imagination, the soul's eye; therein forms outlined and preserved; are thereby we behold the reflections of the invisible world ; it is the glassof visions and the apparatus of magical life ; by heal diseases, its intervention we modify the seasons, drive cause bethe living, death away from and raise the dead to life, it is the imaginationwhich exalts the will and gives

THE

CANDIDATE

35

it

hold

upon

the universal the child in

men

the

the the

shape of destinyof

agent. Imaginationdetermines its mother's womb, and decides

; it lends

wings

to

battle ? Are of warfare. you weapons Believe yourselfto be invulnerable, like Achilles, and you but they Fear attracts will be so, says Paracelsus. bullets, It is well known that persons with repelled by courage. which they amputated limbs feel pain in the very members blood by living possess no longer. Paracelsus operatedupon medicating the product of a bleeding; he cured headache at a distance by treatinghair cut from the patient. By of all parts the science of the imaginaryunity and solidarity and all the theories, of the body, he anticipated outstripped celebrated magof our most rather all the experiences, or
are

and contagion, exposed in

directs

netisers. of

Hence

his

cures

were

miraculous, and
he

to his

name

PhilipTheophrastus Bombast,
Paracelsus, with

deserved

the addition divine !

of

Aureolus

the further

epithetof

of the adaptationof the Imagination is the instrument is is genius. Eeason word. Imagination appliedto reason of its works. There one, as genius is one, in the multiplicity there is one there is one is one truth, reason, there principle, is and universal philosophy. Whatsoever absolute is one and returns into subsists in unity considered as beginning, One is in one ; that is to say, all unity considered as end. of numbers is in all. Unity is the principle ; it is also the of life. The entire of motion, and, consequently, principle human body is summed up in the unity of a single organ, summed All religions which is the brain. are up in the unity of a singledogma, which is the affirmation of being matical which constitutes its matheand its equality with itself, There is only one value. dogma in magic, and it is
this
:
"

The

visible is the

manifestation

of the

invisible, or,

and perfectword, in things appreciable bears an exact visible, proportionto the thingswhich are and unseen by our eyes. The inappreciable by our senses hand heaven and towards points down upliftsone magus the other to earth,and he says : Above, immensity : Below,
in other

terms, the

"

36

THE

DOCTEINE

OF

TKANSCENDENT

MAGIC

immensity still ! Immensity equals immensity." This is in things unseen. true in things seen as The first letter in the alphabet of the sacred language, hand towards extending one Aleph, ", represents a man It is an heaven and the other to earth. expression of the in heaven active principle in everything; it is creation This correspondingto the omnipotence of the word below. that is, a character letter is a pantacle in itself, expressing It is supplementary to the sacred the universal science. and the Microcosm signs of the Macrocosm ; it explainsthe and the five-pointed masonic blazing star ; double-triangle and revelation is one. for the word is one By endowing God him with man speech ; and revelation, reason, gave in its forms in its principle, manifold but consists one word, the interpreter of the entirely in the universal of that term This is the significance absolute reason. so hieratic much misconstrued, catholicity, which, in modern
"

language,means
the
reason

The infallibility. the absolute is the

universal infallible. believe

in

reason

is

absolute,and

If absolute

the irresistibly of a child, that child would be infallible by the utterance of God and of all humanity. Faith is nothing ordination in this unity of reason confidence and in else but reasonable of the word. To believe is to place conthis universality fidence

impelleduniversal

society to

in that
assures us

which

we

as

yet

do

not

know

when

reason

beforehand

it. recognising cry,

"

I will

never

ultimately knowing or at least the so-called philosophers who Absurd are I do not know believe in a thing which !
"

of

Shallow But

reasoners

must

If you believe on
!

knew, would chance, and

you

need

to believe ?
reason

apart from
belief is

Certainlynot. and folly. We

us

Blind

and

haphazard

to admit

on

believe in causes which may the evidence of effects known Science

? !

superstition reason compels

and

appreciated

by
What

science.

Great shall

word
in

and the

is science

We

answer

great problem ! second chapter

of this book.

THE

PILLARS

OF

THE

TEMPLE

37

THE

PILLAKS

OF

THE

TEMPLE

CHOCHMAH

DOMUS

GNOSIS

SCIENCE

is the absolute have

and

complete possessionof

truth.

Hence
such
an

before trembled the sages of all the centuries hesitated to absolute and terrible word ; they have
to

arrogate

themselves

the

first

privilegeof divinityby
have that been which

assuming
instead

the

of science,and possession verb

to

contented,

of

the

know, with

cognisance,while, instead of the word which adopted that of gnosis, represents simply the notion of learning ? know by intuition. What, in fact,does man and at the same time he is allowed to ignorenothing. Nothing, to know all. Now, Devoid of knowledge, he is called upon knows and an a being who knowledge supposes the duad and of The duad is the generator of society objectknown. duad law ; it is also the number is of the gnosis. The unity multiplyingitself in order to create, and hence in of sacred symbolism Eve issues from the inmost bosom
"

expresses science, they have

Adam.

Adam

is the human

tetragram, summed
of Eve, the
name

up

in

the

mysteriousJod, type
to

of the Kabbalistic
name

phallus. By adding
of Jehova is

this Jod

the

triadic is

and magical eminently the Kabbalistic in the temple pronounced word, mrr, which the high-priest Jodcheva. So unity complete in the fruitfulness of the is the key of all triad forms the tetrad, which therewith and of all forms. lution numbers, of all movements, By a revoabout its own produces a circle centre, the square the and this is the quadrature of the circle, equal to itself, the same circular movement of four equal angles around point.

formed, which

38

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

"

That

which

Hermes.
and unity, forms ideal with

equals that which Here then is the duad servingas the relation of equality between
these the triad. created The created the

is above

is the

below," says
measure

of below the

above

and

principleis

principleis the formal cteis. The insertion of the vertical phallusinto the horizontal cteis forms the stauros of the Gnostics,or the philosophical cross of masons. Thus, the intersection of two produces four, defines the circle with all degrees which, by its movement, phallus;
thereof.
K

is
; A

man

; 3

is

woman

word Bohas

is the duad and

active ; B is Jakin. the duad

is
In

; the

is the yang

is the

principle ; 2 is the is the passive ; the monad of Fohi, unity the trigrams yin.
is the

yang Bohas and Jakin the

yin of the two

symbolicalpillars without the chief door of Solomon's Kabbalistic temple. In the Kabbalah these pillarsexplain all mysteries of antagonism, whether and or natural, political, religious, they between the man and explainalso the procreative struggle the woman, for,accordingto the law of nature, the woman
are names

must

resist the man, active

and

he must

entice

or

overcome

her.

The

the plenum seeks the passiveprinciple, principle desires the void, the serpent'sjaw attracts the serpent's tail,and in turning upon himself, he, at the same time, flies
of

and

pursues

himself. creation

Woman is the

is

the of

creation the First

man,

and

universal

bride

Principle.
When

jod

or

uncreated

Supreme Being became a creator, he erected a and to provide a placein the fulness of the phallus, it was to hollow out ctei's or a light, necessary

the

THE

PILLARS

OF

THE

TEMPLE

39

trench

of shadow

equivalentto

the

dimension

determined

by his creative desire,and jod of the radiating light.

by him to the ideal Such is the mysteriouslanguage of the Kabbalists in the Talmud, and on of vulgar account for us to explainor it is impossible ignoranceand malignity, it further. What then, is the creation ? It is the simplify
attributed
mansion

of the creative Word. of the To

to

What What

is the is the

cte'is ?
nature

It is of the

the

mansion

phallus.

active
To

? principle gather in and

diffuse. What

is that of the is
man sows.

passive?
He

fructify. What

who
is

who initiates,
woman

bruises, who
who
woman

labours, who
about

What

She
war,
woman

and forms, reunites, irrigates,

harvests.

Man
to

wages

brings peace
to

man

destroys

create,

woman

builds up is conciliation ; man of Abel.

is revolution, preserve ; man is the father of Cain, woman

moreover,

the the Abel

mother

What,

is wisdom

It

is of

agreement and union

of two

the principles,

mildness

directingthe activityof Cain, man guided by the sweet of woman, inspirations debauchery conquered by lawful marriage, revolutionary energy softened and subdued of order and peace, pride subjugated by by the gentleness of faith. the inspirations Then love, science acknowledging
human science becomes of universal

wise, and
take
as

submits

itself to the infallibility love

or

reason,
can

instructed the
name

by
of

universal

charity.
knows
at

Then least

it

that

yet

it cannot

because it gnosis, boast of knowing

perfectly.
The monad the
can

only
of

manifest

by
once

the

duad

unity
two.

itself and The

notion

unity

at

constitute

itself by the two reveals unity of the Macrocosm opposite points of two triangles. Human unity fulfils itself to right and left. Primitive is androgynous. man All of the human body are disposed in pairs, organs excepting the nose, the tongue, the umbilicus, and the Kabbalistic has in its essence, jod. Divinity, one
two

essential

conditions

as

the

fundamental The laws

grounds
of

of

its

being
"

necessityand

liberty.

supreme

40

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

reason

necessitate and

and

rule

liberty in

God,

who

is of

necessitywise

reasonable.

To

make To

lightvisible
manifest

God the

shadow.

of doubt. possibility of the possibility and

The
error

the merely hypotheticated he truth has permitted the shadow bodies forth the light, for the temporal is requisite buckler of Satan did
not

has

manifestation the intercept be lost in

of truth. spear of the void from

If the

Michael, the might of the angelwould

or

manifested Did

by
not

infinite destruction the heel of Michael

launched

below

above.

restrain Satan rather Hence he would Satan

in his ascent, Satan lose himself

to

would

dethrone

God,

or

in the Michael
to

is needful Michael
In

abysses of the altitude. the pedestal to the as

Satan
as

statue, and

is necessary

the

brake

to
one

the locomotive. leans

and analogical resists.

universal

dynamics

only on

that which

Furthermore, the universe

maintain it in

is balanced

equilibrium, the force which attracts and that which repels. They exist in philosophy, alike in physics, and in religion ; in physics in philosophy in religion criticism, they produce equilibrium, revelation. The ancients represented this mystery progressive Eros in the conflict between and Anteros, the struggle of the Jacob and the angel, and by the equilibrium between golden mountain, which gods on the one side and demons
two

by

forces which

42

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

the of

world, which
love and
a

is the
current

universal
of

agent, there is
This ambient

current

wrath.

and

all-

fluid ; this ray loosened from the sun's splendour, penetrating of and fixed by the weight of the atmosphere and the power which we central attraction ; this body of the Holy Spirit, the universal agent,while it was term typified by the ancients under the symbol of a serpent devouring his tail ; this is ether, this vital and luminous caloric, electro-magnetic depictedin archaic monuments by the girdleof Isis,twicewell as by the folded in a love-knot round two as poles, emblematic of prudence and tail, serpent devouring his own of Saturn. of two Master.
a

Motion
"

and

life consist in the extreme thou

wert

tension

forces. As
a

I would

cold
more

or

hot," said the

than
is
to virtue

a fact, great sinner is

alive really
of his return

and the fulness effeminate man, tepid, will be in proportion to the extent of head is destined to crush the serpent's
ever

his is

errors.

She

who

which intelligence, The Kabbalists

rises above

the stream

of blind

forces.

call her

with

fernal feet the invirgin of the sea, whose dripping to lick crawls forward dragon,stupefied by delight, his fiery tongues. These are the hieratic mysteriesof the
But

the duad.
not

there is one,

and

the last of

which all,

must

be made

known, the
the
to

megistus,being
would ascribe

Trisaccordingto Hermes malcomprehension of the vulgar,who

reason,

the

necessities
"

of

science fear
of

the the
in

immoral
unknown

aspect of blind
must

fatality. By
be also said
:
"

the

the

crowd Christ

restrained,"he
Cast

observes
not

another

and place,

pearls before swine, lest, they turn and tramplingthem under their feet, rend you." The tree of the knowledge of good and evil, of
your which of the and the fruits
are

death,is the type

could

of this hieratic secret

duad, which
lead is the of

only be

misconstrued

if

divulged,
will,
in the
means

would

which
essence

commonly to the unholy principleof moral life.

the
at

denial of free It is hence

things that
it is not but the

revelation
same

of this secret the

death, and
of

the

time duad

great
up

secret to that

magic ;

arcanum

of the

leads

THE

PILLARS

OF

THE

TEMPLE

43

of

the

tetrad,

or

more

correctlyproceeds therefrom, and

contains the it the
the

is resolved

by

the

triad,which
the order
in
to

word
was

of

the

enigma
to

propounded by
been found

sphinx,
save

as

required
for

have

life, atone

the

unconscious

crime, and
of

establish

Kingdom

of

(Edipus.
In

the book
of

work hieroglyphic of

Hermes, the Tarot, called also

is

the
horns

Thoth, the
under

duad head her

represented either by
veiled and
or an

the

Isis, having her

open

book

concealed partially

mantle,

otherwise

by

hand goddess,having one sovereign lady,Juno, the Greek and the other pointed to earth, as heaven upliftedtowards twofold dogma and if formulatingby this gesture the one of magic, and begins the marvellous is the foundation which In the ApocaTable of Hermes. lypse symbols of the Emerald

of St

John
whom

there

is

reference

to

two

witnesses

or

martyrs
Elias and Enoch

on

prophetic tradition
"

confers

the

names

of
;

Enoch with

Elias, man
him who

of faith,enthusiasm,

miracle

one

is called Hermes

by

the

Egyptians,

of the author Cadmus, as by the Phoenicians the universal and sacred alphabet, key to the initiations of the Logos, father of the Kabbalah, he who, according to the but was ported transdid not die like other men, sacred allegories, honoured
to
same

heaven,

to

return

at the

end

of

time.

Much

the

statement

is made
his

of St John the St of

himself, who

recovered

and
of

explained in
Enoch.
at

Apocalypse
of ages
of

symbolism
John and

of the word

This the

resurrection the

Enoch,

pected ex-

ignorance,will be the restitution of their doctrine by the comprehension of the Kabbalistic unlock the temple of unity and keys which for and reserved solely universal philosophy, too long occult,
close the
who elect,

perish at
said that

the hands the

of the

world.

But the the

we

have

duad

leads of
we

by reproductionof the monad to the conception and dogma of necessity

now

triad,so

come

to

this

great number,

which

is

the fulness

and

perfectword

of

unity.

44

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

3 C

THE

TEIANGLE

OF

SOLOMON

PLENITUDO

VOCIS

BINAH

PHYSIS

telligent perfectword is the triad,because it supposes an inand a a principle, principle speaking principle, spoken. The absolute, revealingitself by speech,endows this speech with a sense in the and equivalentto itself,

THE

thereof understanding the

sun

creates

itself a third time. its and light, heat. proves

Thus, also,
or

manifests

itself

by

makes

this manifestation The infinite

efficacious
in

by

triad is traced

connected height, diverginglines. With another dimension

to parallel

space by the heavenly zenith,the with east and west by two straight
reason triangle

this visible

compares

which
; the

is

but invisible,

is assumed

to

be

equal
base
to

in

the

and its reversed is its apex horizontal line stretching from east

abyss

is

west.

These

which in a singlefigure, is combined triangles, the six-pointed the sacred symbol of Solomon's star, form The notion seal,the resplendent star of the Macrocosm. of the infinite and the absolute is expressedby this sign, which is the grand pantacle that is to say, the most simple and complete abridgment of the science of all things. two
"

The itself attributes three persons to the verb. is spoken first is that which the second that which speaks, Grammar

to, and
Prince

the

third

the

object.
of origin
one or

In

the creating, Such is the of

Infinite

speaks to

himself the

of himself. the

of the triad and

dogma
and

explanation the Trinity.

in
one.

The
That

magical dogma
which
two

is also is like

in three

three

is above

equal to
one

that which another and

is below. the The

Thus,
which
is the

thingswhich

resemble resemblance In

word triad

their signifies universal

make
"

three.

dogma.

magic

realisation, principle,

THE

TRIANGLE

OF

SOLOMON

45

transmutation azoth, incorporation, adaptation ; in alchemy ; in theology God, incarnation, redemption ; in the soul human thought, love, and action ; in the family
" " " "

father, mother, and

supreme

child. love ;

The
we

triad seek
one

is the another

end
as

and
two

expressionof
become
are

only to
There

three. three worlds intelligible which

correspondone with another by hierarchic analogy; the natural or physical, the spiritual or metaphysical,and the divine or religious worlds. From this principle of spirits, follows the hierarchy divided into three orders,and again subdivided by the triad
in each All

of these

three orders.
are

these revelations notions

in

mathematical

of

deductions logical being and number. become active. be He

from

the first
must

Unity
An

multiply itself
motionless,and
creator
or

order

to

indivisible,,
and be

principlewould incomprehensible. Were God only one

or

sterile

unity dead
would be
never

father. in the

Were

he two

there would would He

mean

antagonism
the division three

division
or

which infinite,

also

death

of all

possible things.

is therefore

for the creation

by Himself and in His image of the infinite in of beings and multitude numbers. So is He truly one in our also brings us which Himself and triple conception, him gence to behold as triplein Himself and one in our intelliand
a our

love.

This

is

mystery

for the

and faithful, and real

for logical necessity

the initiate into the absolute

sciences.

by life is realisation or incarnation. is The life of the Word accomplishingits cyclicmovement known adaptationor redemption. This tripledogma was in all sanctuaries illuminated by the tradition of the sages. Seek is the true religion ? Do you wish to ascertain which
The Word manifested that which God
and

realises most makes

man

in the divine

which order,

humanises triadic

divine, which
clothes the Word hands and
eyes

dogma intact,which
God which
manifest
to

the preserves with flesh by

of

the

the

most

is by finally

its doctrine

suitable to all and

making ignorant, can adapt

46

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

itself to

which is hierarchic and religion and images for children, exalted philoan having allegories sophy for grown sublime hopes and sweet consolations men,
"

all

the

for the The beheld shadow

age

old.

primeval

good
and

and the

world; they considered the with spring, light ; they compared winter
with

sages, when evil in the

seeking the

First

of

Causes,

with
:

youth, life
First Cause

death, and

their and

conclusion
; it

was

gives and takes away life. Then there two contrary principles, are the one of good and the other evil,exclaimed the disciples Manes. of universal equilibrium No, the two principles are not contrary, althoughcontrasted in appearance, for a singular wisdom Good to another. is on the right, evil opposes one
severe
on

this

The

is beneficent

the

left,but
to of

the the

supreme

excellence and

is above

both,
to

applying evil
amendment The

victory of good

good

the

evil.

of harmony is in unity, and it is this which principle in magic. Now, number imparts such power to the uneven the most perfectof the odd numbers is three,because it is the trilogy of unity. In the trigramsof Fohi, the superior triad is composed of three yang, or masculine because figures, nothing passivecan be admitted into the idea of God, of production considered as the principle in the three worlds. the For the Christian trinityby no same means reason, of the mother, who is implicitly permits the personification

included is
to

in

that

of the

son.

For

the

same

reason,

also,it

contrary to the laws

the Holy personify
comes

of hieratic and Ghost

man

orthodox form
comes

symbology
a

under
as

the
nature

of

woman.

Woman God
; so

forth

from

forth from
assumes

Christ

ascends

Himself

to

heaven,
ascension of God.
as

and

the

: we Virgin Mother speak of the and the assumption of the Mother

of the

Saviour,
has the

God, considered

as

Father, has

nature

for his

daughter ;

Son, He

and the Church for His bride ; as Virgin for His mother He regeneratesand fructifies humanity. Hence, Holy Spirit, in the trigrams of Fohi, the three inferior yin correspond

THE

TRIANGLE

OF

SOLOMON

47

to the

three

superioryang,

pantacle like
with
star.
a

triadic

trigrams constitute a of Solomon, but that of the two triangles of the six pointsof the blazing interpretation
these

for

Dogma

is

only

divine
far

inasmuch
as

as

it is the
we

that is to say, in so humanity; so also

it

sums

up

truly human highestreason

term

"

of

the the

Master, whom
Son of Man.

the

Manis the

God, called Himself

Eevelation

expressionof
reason

belief
human

accepted and
word,
and
on

formulated
account

by

universal

in the

which

it is said that

the

humanity divine in the Manaffirm all this philosophically, We not theologically, God. without infringingin any way on the teaching of the must Church, which condemns, and always condemn, and altar Agrippa did not set up magic. Paracelsus to the ruling religionof their against altar, but bowed time ; to the elect of science, the things of science ; to the things of faith. the faithful, to the royal Sun, the Emperor Julian gives In his hymn triad which is almost identical with that of a theory of the of the divine world the illuminated Swedenborg. The sun uncreated and is is the infinite, spiritual, light,which world, and verbalised,so to speak, in the philosophical
is divinity

human

the

becomes

the

fountain becomes

of

souls

and

of

truth ; the
sun

then

it

and incorporates
third
stars

visible of
our

light in
suns,

of the the fixed

compare

world, the central

are

sun

of which Kabbalists

the

ever-living sparkles.
a

The

the

to spirit

substance

which

remains of the

fluid in the divine essential

wax,

medium,
to

and

under

the influence

its light,

like exterior,however, becoming solidified, the air in the colder realms

of

when

posed ex-

visible forms.

fied, were

such

reasoning or of carniThese or shells,envelopes petrified of the source an are expressionpossible,

48

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

errors

or

of

evil which animal

"

connect

with

the

heaviness
"

and

hardness and
or

of the

envelopes.
of named

In the book

Zohar,"

in that

of the
are

Eevolution

Souls," perverse
than
as are spirits

spirits
shells
"

evil demons

never

otherwise of

cortices. The while those

cortices of the world

of

transparent,

the

material

world

are

only temporary
but those which
an

whence shells,
in

souls

Bodies are opaque. have to be liberated ;

this life

obey

the

body

compose

for

themselves

body or fluidic shell,which, after their prison-houseand torment, until the death, becomes time arrives when they succeed in dissolvingit in the of the divine light, towards warmth which, however, the
interior burden of their
can

Indeed, they

hinders them from ascending. grossness do so only after infinite struggles, and of the
who just,

by

the mediation them.

stretch forth their hands

During the whole period of the process of the captive by the interior activity they are devoured in a attain the Those who as burning furnace. spirit, themselves thereon, like Hercules pyre of expiationburn Etna, and so are delivered from their sufferings, upon Mount of the majority fails before this ordeal, but the courage second death more to them than which a seems appalling in hell, and the first, and so they remain which is,rightly eternal ; but therein souls are never precipitated, actually, themselves. are nor they ever retained despite of the three worlds The correspond togetherby means thirty-two paths of lightwhich are the steps of the sacred ladder ; every true thought corresponds to a divine grace in and heaven a good work on earth ; every grace of God manifests a truth, and produces one acts ; reciproor cally, many
towards
every
a

act
a

affects

truth

or

falsehood
a man

in

the

heavens,

grace

or
"

punishment.

When
"

the nine tetragram say, the Kabbalists a shock, and then all spirits cry out one
"

the pronounces sustain heavens upon of another: heaven

?
"

Who

is it thus does the

disturbingthe
communicate

kingdom
unto

Then the

earth rash

the the

first heaven
Name

sins of the

being who

takes

Eternal

50

THE

DOCTKINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

recoveringits lofty and

have But unveiled it is
a

wonderful

to them

all the the

over

meaning, which would mysteries of the apocalypse.

that the manifestation
to the last times. and

tradition in held

Church

of these

mysteriesis

Malchuth, based
of Solomon adamic
of

upon

Geburah
and

Chesed, is the temple

having Jakin
and,
for

Bohas
one

for its

doctrine Abel

founded, for the

the

pillars ; it is the tion part,on the resignalabours and self-

other, on

the

reproach of Cain ; it is the equilibriumof being established and on motion ; it is the necessityand liberty, stability demonstration of the universal lever sought in vain by Archimedes. A scholar whose whole talents were employed in being obscure,who died without seekingto be understood, resolved this supreme discovered equation, by him in the in dread of its source if he Kabbalah, and was transpiring of his expressedhimself more one clearly. We have seen and admirers most disciples perhaps in good faith, indignant, at the suggestion that his master was a Kabbalist,but we state notwithstanding, to the gloryof the same learned can that his researches have man, appreciably shortened our work in the occult sciences, and that the key of the transcendent
Kabbalah above been

all,indicated

in the

arcane
an

versicle absolute

recently cited, has

reform

skilfully applied to
of Hoan^

of all the sciences in the books

secret

Wronski. contained established

reposes
terms.

The
in

virtue

of the these

gospels is
three words

therefore have

three

words, and

three
upon

dogmas and three hierarchies. All science three principles, the syllogismupon three as
are

There and from three

also

three

distinct
men,

classes, or
who
are

three

original
advance these

natural

ranks, among
lower
or

called to Jews
term

the

to

the

higher.
the

The

series

degrees in
Briah. them The

Jetzirah, and
the Jews Gnostics
the

progress of Gnostics, who

Asiah, spirits,
were

Christian

Kabbalists, called
supreme

Hyle, Psyche,
was

circle
In

named

Gnosis; by and by the Atziluth,

at the

and

Pleroma. the

the

taken tetragram, the triad, expresses the divine

beginningof

Word,

copulation ;

THE

TETRAGRAM

51

taken Eve

at

the
a name

has

end, it expresses the female and maternity. of three letters, but the primitive Adam is
Jehovah
us

signified simply by the letter Jod, whence be pronounced Jeva, and this point takes and supreme in mystery of magic, embodied

should the

to

great

the tetrad.

THE

TETRAGEAM

GEBURAH

CHESED

PORTA

LIBRORUM

ELEMENTA

IN

nature

there

are

two
a

forces

and producing equilibrium,

these three constitute resumed that

square in

unity,and
triad
we

of the and

law. Here, then, is the triad single by adding the conceptionof unity to are brought to the tetrad, the first

of all numerical binations comperfectnumber, the source of all forms. and the principle Affirmation, tion, negathe four such are discussion, solution, philosophical mind. Discussion conciliates operations of the human negation with affirmation by rendering them necessary to In the philosophical the same each other. triad, way, emanating from the antagonism of the duad, is completed by the four-square the tetrad, ground of all truth. According to the consecrated dogma, there are three persons in God, and these three constitute only one Deity. Three and one unity is required provide the conception of four, because the to explain the three. Hence, in almost all languages,
name

of God
are

consists of four

and letters,

in

Hebrew

these

four which

three, one really

expresses

of them

being repeatedtwice, that

of the Word.

the Word make

and
two

the creation

Two

affirmations

possibleor
The

necessary. affirmation as Word

correspondingdenials either Being is declared, nothing is not. produces affirmation as realisation

52

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

or

incarnation

of

the

Word, and

each

of these

affirmations

correspondsto the denial of its opposite. Thus, in the of the demon of evil or opinionof the kabbalists,the name is composed of the same letters as the name of God or goodness, but speltbackwards. This evil is the last reflection all which But or imperfect mirage of light in shadow. in lightor darkness, exists of good or evil, whether exists, and manifests by the tetrad. The affirmation of unity supposes
the number vicious circle. is

four,unless it
So also the

turns

in
we

unityitself as
have

in

triad,as

served, already ob-

which

explainedby the duad and resolved by the tetrad, is the squared unity of even numbers and the quadrangular base of the cube, unity of construction, of solidity,
measure.

and

of

The

kabbalistic

tetragram, Jodheva, expresses

God

in

four astronomical The humanity and humanity in God. cardinal pointsare, relatively of to us, the yea and the nay and the yea and nay of warmth light east and west south and north. As we have alreadysaid,according to the sole dogma of the Kabbalah, that which is in visible nature
" " "

reveals

that

which
are

is in

the domain

of

invisible nature,

or

secondary causes
the Cause
of

in strict of the

proportionand
Cause.
cross
"

analogousto
is this First

manifestations

First the

So that

revealed by invariably

key to the mysteriesof India Tau of the patriarchs, the divine sign of Osiris, the Stauros of the Gnostics,the keystone of the temple,the symbol of occult masonry ; the cross, central point of the junctionof the right angles of two infinite triangles ; the cross, which in the French to be the first root and fundamental language seems
two, that
substantive of the verb
to

unity made up and Egypt, the

believe

and

the

verb

to

grow, thus combining the and progress. The

conceptionsof science,religion,

mena, by four kinds of phenoto the experimentsof profane and has been subjected science under four names caloric, electricity, light, ism. magnetof Tetragram, Inri,. It has also received the names
great magic agent manifests
"

THE

TETRAGRAM

53

fer, Azoth, Ether, Od, Magnetic Fluid, Soul of the Earth, Luciof The "c. great magic agent is the fourth emanation the the of which life-principle,
initiates

the

sun

is the

third and the

form

"

see

of the

school

of Alexandria

dogma

of

Hermes
the

Trismegistus.

ancients

In this way the eye of the world, as called it, is the mirage of the reflection of God,
a

and

the soul of the earth is the earth conceives

permanent glanceof the

sun

which

guardsby impregnation. The in this impregnationof the earth by reflecting moon concurs solar image during the night,so that Hermes was right a
and when
moon

he

said of the

great agent :
Then he adds the

"

The
"

sun

is its wind

the father,

its mother."

The

has

borne

it

in the

because bellythereof," it were, there forms the whole the crucible

atmosphere is

the

recipient,

and,
which

as

of of the solar rays, by means that living image of the sun which penetrates determines all that

earth, fructifies it,and

and permanent produced at its surface by its emanations itself. This solar currents, analogous to those of the sun of attraction and one agent subsists by two contrary forces whence of projection, Hermes one says that it ascends and descends eternally. The force of attraction is always fixed in their outlines or of bodies, that of projection at the centre at their surface. By this dual force all is created and all preserved. Its motion is a rollingup and an unrolling is
"

which and
meet.

is successive

and

indefinite, or, rather, simultaneous

which
never

of opposite movements perpetual, by spirals It is the and

same

movement
once

as

that of the sun,

which

attracts

To

be
a

repels at acquaintedwith
manner as

all the

planets of

its

system.
sun

the movement

of this terrestrial of advantage

in

such and
to

to be able to take to have

its currents and you

direct

them, is

accomplishedthe great work

Armed crowd with such
a

be master make The

of the world.

force
are

may

yourself adored;the
secret

will believe you has been

God.
the It is

absolute

of

this and
can

direction

in

of certain men, possession the great magical arcanum, axiom

yet be discovered.
an

dependingon
which

incommunicable

and

on

an

instrument

is the

great and unique

54

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

athanor

the

cable The incommunihighestgrade of Hermetists. axiom is kabbalistically enclosed in the four letters manner : tetragram arranged in the following
"

of the

of

in the letters of the words

; and
on

AZOTH

and

INEl
as

written

balistical kab-

in the monogram the the

of Christ Postel

embroidered

the

labarum, which EOTA,

whence

Kabbalist

interprets by
their Taro
or

the word

adeptshave

formed

of the first letter, thus indicating the Tarot, by the repetition that the word is put backwards. and suggesting All circle,

magical science
To

is

comprised in
the courage

the
to

knowledgeof
use

this secret.

know

it and

have

it is human

tence omnipo-

; to reveal it to

it

even

to

is to lose it ; to reveal a profane person is to abdicate in favour of that disciple, disciple

over
"

who, henceforward, possesses the rightof life and death

his master
"

speaking from the magical standpoint and will certainly But slay him for fear of dying himself. this has nothing in common with deeds qualified murder as in criminal legislation philosophywhich is the ; the practical basis and point of departurefor our laws does not recognise
I
am

the touch

facts

of

bewitchment

and

of

occult

influences.
are

We

here upon

and revelations, extraordinary

prepared

THE

TETRACRAM

55

for

the

unbelief

and

derision

of

incredulous

fanaticism

has also its fanatics, religion pace the great shades who be lurking sullenly in the vaults of the must now and Pantheon, while Catholicism, strong ever in its practices chants the office overhead. prestige, The word, that which is adequate to the thought perfect contains which it expresses, always virtually a or supposes voltairean tetrad:
the

idea, with

its three

necessary

and

correlated the three

with forms, then the image of the thing expressed,

terms

I say : When it. qualifies that the void is nonexistent. Being exists,"I affirm implicitly which the height sub-divides A height, a breadth a longitudinally, depth separatedfrom the height by the of

the

judgment

which

"

intersection
of
two

of the

breadth, such is the natural tetrad

posed com-

Nature rightangles one to another. also has four motions produced by two forces which sustain direction. each other by their tendency in an opposite Now, the law which rules bodies is analogousto that which governs lines at

minds, and that which

of God's creation.
an

secret

"

tion is the very manifestagoverns minds that is to say, of the mystery of the watch makes
in

Imagine
one

having two
them work

engagement which
so

with parallel springs, in an tion oppositedirecup

that the the

unwinding
up

winds

the other. you

In

this way, discovered be

at two

watch

will wind motion.

and itself,
The

will have should

perpetual
ends
?

engagement

and

of extreme not.

attainment inventor
"

We

think

Is this beyond accuracy. it is found out the But when of nature absolute of two
one

will understand
in

progress

movement

of

by analogy all the secrets direct proportion to the resistance. The life is thus the perpetual consequence
which
are never a

contrary tendencies
seems

opposed.
spring which

When is

to

yield to

the other, it is

winding
and

up,

you characteristics

and

expect a may of which it is

at

reaction, the

moment

determine. fervour
But

Hence
was

the

to foresee and quite possible tian Christhe period of the most extreme and preknown dicted. reign of ANTICHRIST will

Antichrist

prepare

and

determine

the

56

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

second

advent

and

final

triumph
Hence
:

of

the

Man-God.

This contained

again is a vigorous and in the Gospel premises.

a

kabbalistical

conclusion

the Christian

prises prophecy com-

fourfold
of

revelation

1. Fall of the old world

2.

and Great

triumph
and the the will

the

apostasy and
recurrence

Gospel under the first advent; coming of Antichrist; 3. Fall of

to Christian

Antichrist

Gospel,or Second Last Judgment.

be seen, ruins every
an

ideas ; 4. Definitive triumph of of under the name Advent, designated This fourfold and

two
or

affirmations universal

prophecy contains, as the idea two negations,

of two resurrections the
;

of two for
to

deaths which
a

and

conception
and
a

horizon ascribed
cross

east

west,

appears zenith and Thus

upon
a

social
be

nadir, may

without

fear of

error.

is the

philosophical
be
is

the

key

of

opened
a

with

the

prophecy,and all gates of science may pantacleof Ezekiel,the centre of which

the interlacement
of two
crosses.

star formed

by

Does

not

human

life

present itself also under

"

these four

phases or

successive
?

transformations here that

mortality birth, life, death, imthe

And

remark
as a

immortalityof
the

the

soul, necessitated

complement

of

tetrad, is kab-

which is the sole dogma of balistically proved by analogy, it is the key of science and the as trulyuniversal religion, universal
an

law

of nature. end than

As birth

fact,death
is
a

can

be

no

more

beginning. Birth the pre-existence of the human being,since nothing proves is produced from nothing, and death proves immortality, since being can to be being than no more nothingness cease to be nothingness. Being and can cease nothingness are
absolute real

58

THE

DOCTRINE

OP

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

properly so-called; there is therefore only one element, which always manifests by the tetrad in
We
shall therefore appearances preserve

material its forms.

the wise

distinction of elementary

admitted

by

the
as

air,fire, earth,and
elements The
or

water

shall nise recogthe four positive and visible

ancients,and

of

magic.
and the
of gross, the

subtle

swift and

slow

dissolvent,
the

the

instruments
two

heat

and

in occult cold, constitute,

physics,the

positiveand
be thus

negative principlesof
:
"

tetrad,and should

tabulated
Azoth.

Eagle.
Air.

Sulphur.
Lion. Fire.
i

Mercury
Man. Water.

Salt. Bull. Earth.

principle ; fire and water referable to the female principle, are since the philosophical of pantacles, is a primitive as cross alreadyaffirmed, and elementary hieroglyphof the lingam of the gymnosophists. To these four elementaryforms correspond the four followingphilosophical ideas Matter, Motion, Spirit, Rest. all science is comprised in the understandAs a fact, ing of these four things, which alchemy has reduced to three the Absolute, the Fixed, and the Volatile referred by
" " "

Thus, air and earth represent the male

the

Kabbalah

to the

essential

idea of

God,
Under

who

is absolute

reason,

and necessity, occult books

a liberty,

threefold

notion the

expressed
names

in the

of the

Hebrews.

of

53
THE

TETRAGKAM

ne

Kether, Chochmah,
of

and

Binah Geburah
in

for the
in the

divi^
mor

world ; of and wQrld

.

Chesed, and Tiphereth, Jesod, Hod,

and

the

worldj
idea

^hich,
of

Netsah

physical ie
in

thj

togetherwith the moral, t|e tenth chapter in tr shall we Malchuth, explain or Kingdom this theogony as rational as it is sublime. mancipationby Now, created spirits, being called to e^ege four between t birth from their ordeal,are placed their power to n and have it i and two negative, two positive bh. To discover affirm or deny good,to choose life or deaf^e that is,the fixed centre of^ve. the fixed point, ^~" -niti"ai to resc is given them first problem which ^ beginby
conquest must
be that of their
some
own

is contained

libert^'^ sQuth
togQ far
ag(m
nQr ag

gome
are

being drawn,
to the
not

to the to

north,others
left ; and the
use

^
can

others right,

the

in

they
the the

free, they cannot

have

of

reg
are

^^
^

unemanci.

take flesh otherwise slaves pated spirits, kabbalists elements call which

than in animal
of the four

form!

thoge which

elements/
their I

people
therefore

elementary daimons,

ajgtate of servitude.
really
incar-

correspond to

Sylphs,undines, gnomes, and salaman^ "^ ^^ exist, some wandering and seekingizwaT vicious and
nate

and
men.

on living

this earth.
to

These this
~

i".

imper-

fc^

fifteenth

feet

We

shall return

which chapter,
That
were

treats of enchantments
an

which
affeg

the ^

andentg

is also

occult tradition P the existence known

were

the worMj ageg of

to

led to admit
was

of ffV.

that thege ^
four
geagong

only it
were

not

made and

to

the

successive

renewed, K

dj and it is yet
of -rifc

the year.
come.
we

Thus, the golden age hasl This,however, belongsto thT

and prophecv" ig concerned the idea of

wMch add and anal

shall

speak of
the

it

in

the ninth
seer

djwenQW
If

with

the initiate and tetrad

the
we

^ and

unity to
the

shall have

separateiv" the god is"

doctrine of the

conceptionsof the divine

more

ByntH^
pr"; frQm

Here
the

the

of the initiates and becomes

that of the

domain

abstract ; the

and passer popular, rveneg grand hierophant irf

60
E

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

THE

PENTAGEAM

GEBURAH

ECCE

HEREUNTO
arid
we

we

have

and

abstract

P"sed the ma^lcal d"Sma

n"W

in its

more now

can

proclaim woises;
and
S

enchantments

^gin;
secret

The

pentagram

and sio-nirs the

reveal the most domination

are

thingsover

the elements the

of

the the

by
enchained

mind demons

sign oiis air,the spirits

earth

of

ghostsof
that

Equre'
is

the

Phantoms
this

of the water" and dis~ suitably medium of

posed, you may

ministered
And
now,
unto

Wlth beholcfd he mfimte the

and sign" the

which faculty

through

by le-i6
no

in the

fint"

"f

ciples. There is degrees of many

coarse

i^CQ"
'm in
le

^ let

soul"s e^e' and you wil1 be and "f fiendS"

US

establlsh

certain
are"

PriniS

W"rM; there perfec'sible

cortex perishable

however'

and,

as

it were, '

0^?'

Th'

^ of

^e

the

soul.

THE

PENTAGRAM

The

and independently of the perceive of itself, of its sensibility of the physicalorgans, by means mediation and its diaphane, the things,both and spiritual corporal, and corporal existent in the universe. which Spiritual are are simply terms which express the degrees of tenuityor What is called the imagination density in substance. within us is only the soul's inherent facultyof assimilating the images and reflections contained in the living light, is the which images and great magnetic agent. These soul
can

reflections
us

are

revelations
or

when The
man

science
of

intervenes

to reveal

their

body
and

light.

geniusdiffers
his the

from

the
are

dreamer

the

fool in

this

only, that

creations

analogous to truth,while
are

those of the fool and

dreamer

bewrayed images. Hence, for the to speak wise man, to imagine is to see, as, for the magician, of the imagination, is to create. Therefore, by means demons be beheld and spirits can reallyand in truth ; but whilst that of the imaginationof the adept is diaphanous, the one the crowd is opaque ; the lightof truth traverses as ordinarylightpasses through a transparent casement, and is the ordinarylightfalls upon refracted by the other as when
lost reflections and
a

vitreous most

block

full

of

scoria
to

and
errors

which

contributes

the

That foreignmatter. of the vulgar is the

reflection of

in the other. But the one depraved imaginations knows that what he imaginesis true, science, seer, by a positive shall state confirms his vision. We and the event invariably be acquired. this lucidity in the Eitual after what manner can of this lightthat static visionaries place It is by means

themselves

in

communication
to

with

all

worlds,

as

so

quently fre-

Swedenborg, who, notwithstanding, was imperfectly lucid, seeing that he did not distinguish often reflections from intermingled chimerical rays, and
occurred fancies because with dream his most is the admirable consequence
we

dreams. of
a

say dreams, natural and periodical be

a occur

We

ecstasy, which
is and
to

term

sleep; to
is which
errors

in

ecstasy
therein

sleep; magnetic direction of sleep.

somnambulism The

production

.62

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

:are

occasioned

by
the

reflections from
of the all,
a

persons,

and, above

diaphane magnetiser. Dream

the

of

waking
is vision

produced by

refraction of

fantasy is hallucination temptation of St Anthony,

rays.

ray of truth. The chimerical occasioned by a reflection. The with its

nightmares

and

its

monsters, representsthe confusion

So

of reflections with

direct
; when

it is reasonable long as the soul struggles of invading intoxication it jt yieldsto this specie, the direct ray, and separate To disentangle mad. the reflection
us
"

becomes
it from

such

is the work

of

the is

initiate. Here

let

that this work distinctly Accomplished in the world by some

state

through
of the

all times flower

of

mankind, that intuition,and

there that

is hence is
no

permanent

revelation

by

insuperable barrier which separates souls, because there are no sudden interruptions, and minds be no can abrupt walls in nature by which All is transition and blending, .divided from one another. if not definite at least ininfinite, and, assuming the perfectibility,
of human
.can no

there

it will be faculties,

attain void
nature

to

see

and all,
; all is

therefore

that every person to know all. There is

seen

in

nature

peopled.
"

There

is

no

true
"

death asked

in

; all is

alive.

Seest
"

thou

that
"

star ?

I see it," said No, Sire." Napoleon of Cardinal Fesch. did. When the Emperor, and he most certainly great men accused of having been superstitious, it is because they .are remains beheld what of genius Men unseen by the crowd. differ from simple seers by their facultyof sensibly comwhat to other men Hinunicating they themselves perceive, of making themselves believed and thusiasm by the force of enand the medium are sympathy. Such persons of the Let Divine
us now

Word.
state

the

manner

in

which

visions

operate.

All forms has not which

and

correspond to ideas,and there is no idea which its proper and peculiar form. The primordial light,
all

is the vehicle of transmits

or

ideas,is the mother

emanation
to

of all

forms,
the

them

from

emanation, merely

Diminished

modified

according to

the

density of

THE

PENTAGRAM

63

media. the
font

Secondary
of the

forms

are

reflections

which forms

return of

to

objects, in the light where being a modification of the astral light, Hence the reflection consigns them. or which call the great magnetic agent, is terrestrial fluid, we saturated with all kinds of images or reflections. Now, our evoke these, and refer them the to its diaphane,as soul can it. Such images are kabbalists term always present to us, and are only effaced by the more powerful impressionsof realityduring waking hours, or by preoccupation of the inattentive to the fluidic mind, which makes our imagination of the astral light. When this spectacle we sleep, panorama presents itself spontaneously before us, and in this way dreams are produced dreams vague and incoherent if some governing will do not remain active during the sleep, giving, direction to the a even unconsciouslyto our intelligence,
"

emanated

light. The light,remain

dream,
the

which

then

transforms else but

an

into

nothing voluntary or enforced

while other
of

is

netism magartificial sleep produced by

of
two
"

vision.

Animal

union

one wills,

of

which

is awake directs the

the

other

slumbers

that is,one

of which
formation trans-

in the choice

of reflections for the the

dreams

into

visions, and

attainment

of

of images. Thus, somnambulists do not by means sent they are actuallytravel to the place where by the and magnetiser; they evoke its images in the astral light, behold can nothing which does not exist in that light. has a direct action on the nerves, The astral light which are in the animal its conductors transmittingit to economy, truth

the brain, whence

also,in the

state

of

somnambulism,
without

it is

possible to dependent on in the light,

of
a

see

by
radiant way

means

of

the

nerves,

being

the light, that

same

being a latent the existence physics recognise

astral fluid

latent

caloric.

is certainly two persons wonderful a Magnetism between discovery,but the magnetising of a person by himself, at accomplishing his own lucidityand directinghimself of magical art. The secret of this will,is the perfection

64

THE

DOCTEINE

OF

TKANSCENDENT

MAGIC

great work
and

does not

rest

for

discovery ;

it has

been

known

of initiates, above all by practised by a great number has the celebrated Apollonius of Tyana, who left a theory The of secret concerningit,as we shall see in the Eitual. and the direction of the phenomena of magnetic lucidity, magnetism depend on two things the agreement of minds and the complete union of wills, in a direction which is and determined by science. This is for the operapossible tion of magnetism between two or more Solitary persons. magnetism requirespreparationsof which we have spoken in our initial chapter, when enumerating and establishing the essential qualities in all their difficulty of a veritable chapterswe shall further elucidate adept. In the following this important and fundamental point. the astral light, The empire of the will over which is the physicalsoul of the four elements, is representedin magic by the pentagram, which we have set at the head of this subservient to this are chapter. The elementary spirits and, by placingit sign when employed with understanding, the table of evocations,they can in the circle or on be is magically called to imprison rendered which tractable, Let All created them. us brieflyexplain this marvel. with another one by signs,and all beings communicate of truths expressed by deteradhere to a certain number minate of forms The increases in proforms. perfection portion of spirits, and those that are to the detachment not overweightedby the chains of matter, recognise by intuition of a real power out of hand whether a signis the expression or of the wise man of a precipitate will. The intelligence fore thereas science givesvalue to his pantacle, givesweight to his will,and spirits comprehend this power immediately. Thus, of the pentagram, spirits be forced to appear can by means in the waking or sleeping in vision,whether selves state, by themwhich exists our leadingbefore diaphanetheir reflection, in the astral light, a reflection or if theyhave lived, analogous lived earth. This to their spiritual on iftheyhave not logos and accounts for the dead invariably explains all visions,
"

66

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

experiment,details of which, as regards will be found in the corresponding its principles, chapterof this our doctrinal part, establishes a new fact, pathological of true science will admit which without men difficulty. The in all three times, gave results repeated experience, with hallucibut positive and unmixed nation. trulyextraordinary, invite scepticsto make We conscientious and a intelligent attempt before shrugging their shoulders and in accordof the pentagram, perfected ance smiling. The figure with science, and used by the author in his experiment, is that which is found at the head of this chapter, and it is
success

The

of this

more

than perfect calendars

any

in the

keys
Brahe
use

of and of

Solomon,
the

or

in the We is

magical
must,
most

of

Tycho
that

Duchentau.

however,

remark

the

pentagram

not in possession are dangerous for operators who of its complete and perfect understanding. The direction of and may the points of the star is in no sense arbitrary, shall as we change the entire character of the operation, explainin the Eitual. in magic, who Paracelsus, that innovator surpassed all affirms that other initiates in his unaided practical success, and every kabbalistic sign of the panevery magicalfigure be reduced to two, which tacles which compel spirits, may of all the others ; these are the sign of the the synthesis are

MAGICAL

EQUILIBRIUM

67

or

the

seal of
now
even

Solomon, the
than

form

of which

we

and given,

reproducehere,and
the first
"

that of the

^rjn,
more

potent

"f which 1CrCieiroram' the

t

tion
can

providesa most tisoccult philosophy. If it be asked much so over we spirits, power

riy the whole
?

he

that is to say, minute descriphow

sign inquire in
a

Christian

world

bows

down

before the has

no

retunyt]le cross
S18n

rpne

and sjgn jg nothing by itself, it is the

sums,
a

ipartfrom
on,

the doctrine of which

a

logos. Now,
all the occult
to

sign

which

forces of nature,

by sign which

summary their exhas

Pres exhibited

and others a power elementary spirits everr than their own, naturally fillsthem with respect and "rea!nd enforces their obedience by the empire of science fear,f w^j over jgnorance and weakness. By the pentaan(* also is measured the exact proportions of the great athanor necessary to the confection of the philo"ranQique anc* al stone and the accomplishment of the great work. SOP*lost perfect alembic in which the quintessence be can is conformable and the quintessence to this figure, represented by the sign of the pentagram.

itself

1 D

MAGICAL

EQUILIBRIUM

TIPHEKETH

UNCUS

is necessarily reasonable. God, in intelligence be only a hypothesis, but he is a hypomay To personify aposedby good sense on human reason.
,

ie

Reason

is

to

determine
"

the

divine

ideal.

the

and these are the great and reason liberty, C13 triangleof the Kabbalists, who name reason suPrf Chochmah, and liberty Binah, in their first necessity y, Keti

68

THE

DOCTEINE

OF

TRANSCEx

\T

MAG

iagical
divine
triad.

which triad,
is Fatality

power, in corresponds things human inevitable Will

will,and Fatality,

^h
\c

it

"c" "he,.
IiQ'enc
,-,

the

determined

order.

sequence ^c, facif* is the directing *" of pf '. liberty the wise appli^ the accomplish
smote

of effecr

.,,

forces for the conciliation of the

of things. Power necessity which enlists fatality itself

,,

is
in

,.

-,

desires of
not

the the

sage.

When

Moses he

the^,,
'
,

create

springof water,
science had

revealed it known

it

tli
tc
,,

"

because
means

occult of the

made

diviningrod. It is in like mar of magic ; a law is igi miracles which exists, vulgar and made use of by the initiate. Occ '.. often diametrically ideas. opposed to common the crowd believes in the sympathy of thine, in the hostility of things contrary,1 alike and which is the true law. It used to be opposite
i '

nature

detests the

void, but

it should

be

said
,

the physics, m"^ of fictions. In all things the vulgar mind hat for reality, its back upon shadow turns ar light, in the obscuritywhich it projectsitself. 3 at the disposal of one who 1, knows nature are them. Are you master of yourseli sufficiently

desires

it,were

the void not, in

"

intoxicated power
possess

will you direct the terri If you would of intoxication. maker;

?

Then

'
,

o1r
_

them

with

the

desire of
man

drink, but

of it who

yourself.
is master The world

That

will

disposeof

theun

;,

of his

give.
we are

If you would j is magnetised by the light OL

own.

magnetised by
Within
us

the

astral

lightof

the

which
us.

operates in the body of the planet rej

there
are

three

" analogical

,.

worlds, as
Man the is

in all nature.

it
or

^^

is the
of

microcosm

little world, ant is in th

we

centres

doctrine

whatsoever analogies,
the

reproduced in

small.

Hence

have

MAGICAL

EQUILIBRIUM

69

projection the brain, the heart or Each of these instrument and the genital region, epigastric organ. find the suggestion in other words, we is double side and repels Each attracts of the triad therein. on one of these It is by means another. on apparatuses that we with the universal fluid place ourselves in communication three transmitted into us by the nervous system. These the seat of the threefold centres magnetic are, moreover, When the magus shall explainelsewhere. we as operation, of a whether has attained lucidity, through the mediation he communicates and or development, pythoness, by his own of directs at will the magnetic vibrations in the whole mass he divines by means the currents of which the astral light, is a perfected of the magic rod, which divining rod. By
of fluidic attraction and
" "

the aid of these vibrations

he

influences

the

nervous

system

accelerates or suspends of persons surrendered to his action, of life, soothes or tortures, heals or hurts ; in the currents

fine, slaysor bringsto life.

Here, however,

presence of the smile of incredulity. Let us enjoy the cheap triumph of denying what it does We shall demonstrate later
on

pause in permit it to
we

not

know.

that death

and lethargic sleep, only takes that resurrection is possiblein certain cases but uncompleted, death ; and that the final paroxysm is a real, ever, is in many cases This, howsubsequent to inhumation. is not the subject of the present chapter. We now

by

always preceded place gradually ; that lethargy ;

is

affirm that

lucid will
concurrence

can

act upon

the

mass

of

the

astral

and, in light,
and
draws

with determine that

other

which wills,

it absorbs
rents. curor

along,can
say

great and
astral

irresistible

We rarefies in
at

also

the

light condenses
or

proportionas
centres.

currents it

accumulate, more
in the

less,

certain

When

is deficient

energy

required for
sudden

support of life,diseases accompanied by baffle which decomposition follow, of the kind

There is
no

the

physicians.
case

other

cause,

by example, in
of be

the

of

cholera-morbus, and
or

the

swarms

animalcule the effect

observed

supposed by

some

specialists may

70

THE

DOCTKINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

rather than

the

cause.

Cholera

should

therefore

be treated

did not the operator thereby run the chance by insufflation, midable which would of an be very forexchange with the patient, for himself. effort of will is a Every intelligent fluid or light, ful of the human and here it is needprojection and to the human from the astral light, distinguish of the animal from universal magnetism. In making use word and would we fluid, employ an accepted expression,

make
from

ourselves

understood

in

this manner,

but

we

are

far

deciding that
us,
on

the latent

lightis

fluid.

Everything

prompts

the

tions contrary,to preferthe system of vibra-

ever of this phenomenal subject. Howexplanation it may be, the lightin question, being the instrument of life, cleaves naturally to all living centres, attaches itself and to the nucleus of planets, to the heart of man as even by the heart we understand magicallythe great sympathetic itselfwith the individual life of the beingwhich identifying lation it animates, and it is by this qualityof sympatheticassimiin the
" "

that it distributes itself without is terrestrial in its

confusion.

Hence

it

with the sphere of the earth,and affinity in its affinity human with men. exclusively It is for this reason that electricity, and caloric, light, magnetism, produced by ordinaryphysical means, not only do not originate, but rather tend to neutralise the effects of animal The astral light, subordinated to a magnetism. blind mechanism, and proceedingfrom automatic arbitrary and works ing followcentres, is a dead light, mathematically, given impulsionsor fatal laws ; the human lightis fatal only to the ignorant in chance experiments; in the seer it and is subjectedto intelligence, submitted to imagination, dependent on will. This light, projected continually by the will, constitutes the personal atmospheres of Swedenborg. The body absorbs what environs it, and radiates perpetually its influences and invisible molecules ; it is the by projecting with the spirit, that this phenomenon, by some so same both has really the influence, mystics termed respiration, is assigned to it. It is unphysical and moral, which

MAGICAL

EQUILIBRIUM

71

doubtedly contagiousto
persons,

breathe the

the

same

air

as

diseased and
pansion ex-

and which

to

be

within

circle of attraction

surrounds

the wicked.

brated magneticatmosphere of two persons is so equilidraws the expansive of one that the attractive faculty is termed of the other, a tendency is produced which faculty calling sympathy ; then imagination, up to it all the rays or makes it experiences, a reflections analogous to that which of the desires which captivatethe will,and, if the poem commonly persons differ in sex, it occasions in them, or more of the of the two, a complete intoxication in the weaker love. which is termed astral light, or passion par excellence, of the great instruments of magical power, but Love is one at least as forbidden to the magus, it is categorically an balah of the Kabto the Samson intoxication or passion. Woe to be put asleepby Delilah ! if he permit himself of science, who The Hercules exchanges his royal sceptre for the distaff of Omphale, will soon experiencethe vengeance and of Dejanira, nothing will be left for him but the in order to escape the devouring folds (Eta*, pyre of Mount
When the of the coat of Nessus.
an

Sexual

love is

ever

an

for illusion,

it is the result of

is imaginary mirage. The astral light the universal seducer,typifiedby the serpent of Genesis. This subtle agent, ever active, ever abounding in sap, ever and sensuous dreams fruitful in alluring images ; this force, to every will, which by itself is blind and subordinated whether for good or evil ; this every renewing circulus of in the imprudent ; unbridled which life, produces vertigo present omnithis corporalspirit body ; this impalpable ; this fiery

ether; this
shall
we

monstrous

seduction how

of

nature

"

how its

define it
To
as some

comprehensivelyand
extent

characterise

action ?
to

indifferent in

it lends itself itself, ness propagates dark-

good

to

evil ; it transmits be called

and light and

a

; it may
a

equallyLucifer
an

Lucifuge;

it is

serpent

but

it is also the

aureole ; it is

belong equallyto
of incense

torments

but it may fire, fice of infernus, or to the sacri-

offered up

to heaven.

To

disposeof it,we

72

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TEANSCENDENT

MAGIC

must, like the

head. In the listic woman

predestinedwomen,
water

set

our

foot upon the the

its

elementary world
and
fire to the

to corresponds

kabba-

serpent.

To subdue

serpent,

that is,to govern the circle of the astral light, must we place ourselves outside its currents, that is,we isolate ourmust selves. Tor this
reason

completely in a thereon and drawing

back in semi-circular

self Apolloniusof Tyana wrapped himof fine wool, settinghis feet mantle

it

over

his head.

Then his

he bent
eyes,

his after

fashion, and

closed

certain rites, fulfilling probably magnetic passes words designedto fix the imaginationand

and

mental sacra-

determine

the action of in

the will.
was

The
common

woollen

mantle

is of of

great

use
on

magic,and

the

conveyance

sorcerers sorcerers came

their way to the Sabbath, which that the proves did not really go to the Sabbath, but the Sabbath the sorcerers,
to

to

when

isolated

in their

mantle, and
their

conducted

their

translucid

images analogousto
with the world.

magical preoccupatio
acts

combined

reflections of all kindred

previously accomplishedin
This torrent doctrines of

of universal life is also

in religious represented

by

the

fire of hell. expiatory

monster

It is the instrument enemy evocations and the

to

the initiation,

to

be

overcome,

subdue;
the

it is this which

of conjurations phantoms ; therein

their

fantastic

and

to brings to our of Iarva3 and goe'tic magic such swarms are preserved all the forms which by fortuitous assemblage people our mares night-

with
to

such

abominable

deformities.

To

allow

ourselves

be sucked

down

by

this

abysses of madness, more expel the darkness of this chaos and forms to our thoughts this is,to be
"

whirlingstream than frightful

a

is to fallinto the those

of death ; to

force it to
man

of

to

create, it is

to

be victorious

over

hell !

The

give perfect it is genius, astral light

directs

the instincts of animals

of man,

and

offers battle to the

telligen in-

which

it strives to

ments pervert by the enticefatal

more

of its and

and the illusion of its images,a reflections,

inevitable

operation,directed

and

made

still

74

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

perseverance

in the
must

of spontaneous operations the

acts to

an

inflexible

will.

We
we

frequentlyreiterate
see

of this

will,

for,as
will

shall

in the

introduction

the

Eitual,the

itself by acts, as the power and perpetuity only assures of religions depend on their rites and ceremonies. There are substances, which, by increasing intoxicating exalt the power and consequentlythe nervous sensibility, allurements of astral representations; by the same means, but pursuing a contrary course, spirits and be alarmed may disturbed. These substances,of themselves magnetic,and further magnetised by the operators, what are people term philtersand enchanted potions. But we shall not enter here this dangerous applicationof magic, which upon Cornelius Agrippa himself terms venomous magic. It is true that there are no longerpyres for sorcerers, but always, and factors. than ever, are there penalties dealt out to malemore Let us confine ourselves therefore to stating, the as occasion offers, the reality of this power. To direct the astral lightwe also its understand must double
as vibration,

well

as

the

balance

of

forces

termed

and expressedin magical equilibrium

by the is the Considered in its firstcause, this equilibrium senary. will of God ; it is liberty in man, and mathematical brium equiliand in matter. Equilibrium produces stability duration. Liberty generates the immortality of man, and the will of God gives effect to the laws of eternal reason. and in forces power. brium EquiliEquilibriumin ideas is reason
the Kabbalah is exact however
; fulfil its

law, and

it is there ; violate
For this
reason

it,

and slightly, is useless

are or

it is lost.

destroyed.
Every
is

nothing
movement

utterance

and

composed againsttruth,which shall and against at least equilibrated.We conciliated, or how state in the introduction to the Eitual brium magical equilito the should be produced,and why it is necessary of all operations. success absolute Omnipotence is the most absolute liberty ; now, exist apart from perfect cannot liberty equilibrium. Magical
or

for

every of for

THE

FIERY

SWORD

75

in of the first conditions of success is hence one equilibrium in occult be sought even the operations of science,and must contraries without chemistry, by learning to combine another. them Magical equilibrium by one neutralising explainsthe great and primeval mystery of the existence of evil. This relative necessity and relative necessity gives, in black magic, the measure of demons of the power or earth are virtues practised to whom a impure spirits, upon
source

At

of increased rage and apparently miracles saints and angelswork the epochs when of increased and

power.

openly,
prodigies. that

sorcerers

fiends in their turn

creates

operate marvels
we

and upon

Eivalryoften
which resists.

success;

lean

THE

FIEKY

SWOED

NETSAH

GLADIUS

THE all

septenary is the sacred number

in all

and theogonies and

in the

symbols, because
The number

it is
seven

composed

of

the triad

tetrad.

representsmagical power
reinforced

in all

its fulness ; it is the

mind

by

all

elementary

potencies ;
regnum

it is the soul served

in the
a

by
of

nature

; it is the sanctum

mentioned

keys

Solomon, and

in the Tarot

warrior,who bears his cuirass, and is posed upon a cube, to which while in oppositedirections, are harnessed, straining

by

crowned

represented on a triangle two sphinxes

their

heads
a

are

turned

the

same

fierysword, and holds by a triangleand a sphere. stone ; the sphinxes are the philosophical and great agent, correspondingto Jakin

This warrior is armed with way. in his other hand, a sceptre surmounted The
two

cube
forces

is the
of the
two

Bohas, the

76

THE

DOCTKINE

OF

TKANSCENDENT

MAGIC

pillarsof the temple; the divine things, renders which

human
sword

cuirass the wise

is the
man

knowledge
invulnerable
; the

of
to

assaults ; the is the

sceptre is the magic rod

of

fiery

deadly sins, in number, like the virtues, the conceptionsof both seven of the seven being typified by the ancients under the figures towards that aspiration Thus, faith planetsthen known. the infinite, that noble self-reliance sustained by confidence symbol victory
over

the

"

in

all virtues

"

that

faith, which, in weak

natures, may

generate de-

was representedby the Sun ; hope, the pride, in oppositionto of avarice, by the Moon ; charity, enemy luxury, by Venus, the bright star of the morning and evening ; strength, superiorto wrath, by Mars ; prudence, hostile to idleness, by Mercury; temperance, opposed to gluttony, by Saturn, who was given a stone instead of his children to devour ; finally, in oppositionto envy, justice, of the Titans. the Such are by Jupiter,the conqueror symbols borrowed by astronomy from the Hellenic cultus.

into

In

the

Kabbalah of

of

the

Hebrews, the Sun

the

represents the

and angel of aspirations dreams angel ; Mars, the destroyingangel; Mercury, the of progress ; Jupiter, the angel of power ; Saturn, the named Michael, angel of the wilderness. They were Gabriel,Samael, Anael, Raphael, Zachariel,and Orifiel. human life in of souls shared These governingpotencies measured which periods, by the revolutions of astrologers the corresponding planets. But kabbalistic astrologymust not be confounded with judicial astrology. We will explain

angel

light ;

the

Moon,

this distinction.
to the

Infancyis
to Mars

dedicated

to the

Sun, childhood
to

Mercury, and old age to Saturn. Now, humanity ripe age to Jupiter, in generalsubsists under laws of development analogousto those of individual this groundwork Trithemius life. On establishes his prophetickey of the seven to which spirits, the shall subsequentlyrefer ; by means we thereof, observing to analogical proportionsof successive events, it is possible and to fix with certitude, predict important future occurrences

Moon, youth

and

Venus, manhood

THE

FIERY

SWORD

77

beforehand,from
world. has introduced which there find the
cups

age to age, the destinies of nations and the of the secret doctrine of Christ, St John, depositary it into
he
seven

the

kabbalistic with

book
seven

of

the

lypse, ApocaWe the

represents sealed

seals.

genii of
of

ancient

with mythologies,

and

swords

the

Tarot.

The

doctrine

concealed

under

these emblems
at
one

is the pure

Kabbalah, already lost by

advent. The
scenes

the Pharisees which

are
so

the

time

of Christ's

succeed
many

another

in this wonderful of which the those

use are

propheticepic
the

the keys pantacles,

ternary,
Its
of book

the

quaternary, the
or

septenary, and

duodenary.
of

are hieroglyphic figures

analogous to
of

the
of
a

Hermes

the Genesis

Enoch,

to make

tentative

title which

merely the expresses erudite William Postel.

The

personal opinion of

the

symbolic bull,which Moses placed at the sword, is a sphinx, gate of the edenic world, bearing a fiery head ; it is the antique having a bull's body and a human and victory of Mithras Assyrian sphinx, and the combat its hieroglyphicanalysis. Now, this armed were sphinx
cherub, or representsthe law
initiation to
warn

of

mystery which
the

watches

at the

door of knew of
a

away

nothing of all this,was bull brandishinga sword. What would he have visited the ruins of Memphis and Thebes, and
the echo
of

profane. Voltaire, who highly diverted at the notion

what

said had

he

would
of

past ages
?

which
those

slumbers

in

the

tombs
so

Barneses

have

replied to
The

light sarcasms
cherub

much

relished in France

Mosaic

represents also the

great magical mystery, of which the elements are by the septenary, without, however, giving the
This
verbum inenarrabile of

expressed
final word.

the

school,this word

which

Hebrew

sages of the Alexandrian Kabbalists write mrr and

thus expressingthe triplicity of the interpret by xm"OK, the dualism of the means, and the equal secondaryprinciple, then further the alliance unity of the first and final principle, between the triad and the tetrad in a word composed of four form of a letters, which seven by means

78

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

triple and
Ararita.
The
number

double

repetition
"

this

word

is

pronounced

virtue of the is decisive

septenary is absolute in magic, for the

in

all

things; hence
The
seventh

all

consecrated among prayer of the

the

it in their rites.

have religions a jubilee year was

for rest and

Jews
are

; the
seven

seventh

day

is set

apart
The

; there

sacraments, "c.

seven

colours

also to the prism and the seven musical notes,correspond that is,to the seven chords of seven planetsof the ancients, has never the human heaven lyre. The spiritual changed, and astrologyhas been invariable than more astronomy. in The seven fact,the hieroglyphic planets are, symbols of of the affections. To compose the key of our talismans to Sun, Moon, or Saturn, is to attach the will magnetically to the chief powers of the soul ; to consecrate signscorresponding something to Mercury or Venus is to magnetise that object according to a direct intention, whether pleasure, be the end in view. The analogousmetals, or science, profit animals, plants,and perfumes are auxiliaries to this end. The sponding seven magical animals are : (a)Among birds, corre"

to the divine

world, the

swan,

the

owl, the vulture,

and the pewit ; (6) among dove, the stork, the eagle, scientific world, the or fish,correspondingto the spiritual the pike,the mullet,the chub, the dolphin, seal,the cat-fish, the the

sepiaor

cuttle-fish ;

(c) among

to the natural

world, the lion,the

quadrupeds,corresponding cat, the wolf,the he-goat,

The blood,fat,liver, monkey, the stag,and the mole. in enchantments and gallof these animals serve ; their brain and it is recog.combines with the perfumes of the planets, nised that they possess magnetic virtues by ancient practice to the seven planetaryinfluences. corresponding The talismans of the seven are spirits engraved either on diamond, precious stones, such as the carbuncle, crystal, and onyx; or emerald, agate, sapphire, metals, such upon iron,copper, fixed mercury, pewter, and lead. as gold,silver, for the Sun, The kabbalistic signsof the seven are : spirits a serpent with the head of a lion ; for the Moon, a globe the
"

REALISATION

79

divided
of
a

by

two ;

crescents

; for
a

sword

for

Venus,
and
in

caduceus

the the

blazing pentagram
Saturn,
a

dragon bitingthe hilt metic lingam ; for Mercury, the Hercynocephalus; for Jupiter, the of an talons or beak eagle; for
Mars,
a

aged man, or a serpent curled about the found the graven All these symbols are sun-stone. on of those talismans of the ancients, and especially stones on of Abraxas. the Gnostic epochs which are known by the name of Paracelsus,Jupiter is In the collection of the talismans in ecclesiastical costume, while in the represented by a priest Tarot with he appears as a a grand hierophant crowned in his hands, forming tiara,holding a three-fold cross triple and the sceptre the magical triangle, representingat once and key of the three worlds. By combining all that we have said about the unity of
lame and the triad and say

tetrad,we

shall find all that remains and

for

us

to

concerning the septenary, that grand magical unity composed of four and three.*

complete

KEALISATION

HOD

VIVENS

CAUSES
causes.

manifest The

and by effects,

effects

are

proportionedto fecundityproves

divine

word, the
of

one

word, the tetragram, has

Human

irmed livine

itself by tetradic creation.

the divine name is the eternal fecundity ; the jod of the First Principle. Man understands that he virility in the image of God made when he attains comprehenras
*

With letic

reference

to

the

plantsand
the erudite

colours work

of the

see experiences,

of M.

septenary employed in Ragon on La Haqonnerie

80

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

the idea which he forms to infinity by increasing of himself. When God the infinite man, as man realising himself : I am the finite God. Magic differs from says unto mysticism because it judges nothing " priori until after it has established CL posteriori the base itself of its judgments, that is to say, after having understood the cause by the in the very effects contained energy of the cause, by means of the universal law of analogy. in the occult Hence sciences all is real,and theories are established only on the foundations of experience. Eealities alone constitute the admits proportionsof the ideal,and the magus nothing as certain in the domain
of ideas
save

sion of God

that which

is demonstrated
in

by
The

realisation.

In

other

words, what
is not

is true

the

cause

manifests

in the effect.

What

realised does not exist.

speech is the logosproperlyso called. A thought realises itself in becoming speech; it realises itself also by signs, of signs sounds, and representations : this is the first degree of realisation. Then it is imprinted on the astral lightby means of the signsof writing or speech; it influences other minds fracted by reflection upon them ; it is rethe diaphane of other men by crossing ; it assumes and forms new proportions ; it is then translated into acts and modifies the world : this is the last degree of realisation. Men who born into a world modified are by an idea bear with them the impressionthereof, and it is thus that away flesh. The impressionof the disobedience the word is made in the astral light, of Adam, could only be effaced preserved by the stronger impressionof the obedience of the Saviour, sin and redemption of the world can and thus the original The astral be explained in a natural and magical sense. of Adam's soul of the world, was the instrument or light, afterwards the instrument of his omnipotence; it became punishment,being corruptedand troubled by his sin, which intermingledan impure reflection with those primitive images which composed the book of universal science for his still virgin imagination. astral light, The depicted in ancient symbols by the

realisation of

82

THE

DOCTKINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

perversion ; by a breath

hence
or
a

it is that

sexual

love is often awakened

of the only by means which he has contact of the person himself,but of objects touched or unconsciously magnetised. There is an outbreathingand inbreathing of the soul, exactly like that of the body. It breathes in the felicity

touch, and

this,not

which from

it

and believes,

it breathes

forth

ideas souls
"

which have
an

result evil

its inner

sensations.

Diseased

breath, and
combine

vitiate their

moral

impure
often

reflections with establish

atmosphere that is, they the astral light which meates percurrents

them, and
We evil
not
are

unwholesome

therein.

invaded, to

our

astonishment, in societyby

This

and are thoughts which would have seemed impossible, morbid that they are due to some proximity. aware secret is of high importance, for it leads to the opening of
one consciences,

of the most

incontestible

and terrible

powers the

of
a

magical art.
radiation

produces about Magnetic respiration

it is the centre, and surrounds
a

soul

of which

it with
or a

the reflection of its There

are no

works, creatingfor it
acts, and
it is
we our

heaven

hell.

isolated

that there should

"

be

secret

acts; whatsoever
we

impossible truly will

acts
"

that

is, everything which

confirm

by

mains re-

reflections in the astral light, where our registered influence our are preserved. These reflections continually of the diaphane,and it is in this thought by the mediation
sense

that

we

become

and

remain

the

children

of

our

works. The
into

astral

transformed light,

at the moment

of

conception

is the soul's first envelope, bination and, in comlight, with it forms the ethereal extremely subtle fluids, body or sidereal phantom, of which Paracelsus discourses in his philosophy This sidereal of intuition philosophia sagax. body, settingitself free at death, attracts, and for a long human
"

time preserves, throughthe sympathy of thingshomogeneous, the reflections of the past life; if drawn along a special
current

it by a will which is powerfullysympathetic, natural for there is nothing more naturally,

fests manithan

REALISATION

83

are prodigies. It is thus apparitions produced. But we shall develop this point more in the chapter devoted fully to Necromancy. This fluidic body, subject, like the mass of the astral light, to two on contrary movements, attracting the left and repelling the right, between on or reciprocally, the two tributes impulses within us, and consexes, begets various to solicitudes of conscience; it is frequently fluenced inby reflections of other minds, and thus are produced, the one on hand, temptations, and, on the other,profound and unexpected graces. This is also the explanation of the traditional doctrine of two angels who strengthen and tempt The two forces of the astral lightmay be represented us. are by a balance wherein good intentions weighed our for the triumph of justiceand the emancipation of our

liberty.
the always of the same sex as that is,the proportions of the two terrestial, forces, varying from to gainsay the visible seem right to left, frequently organisation, producing the seeming vagaries of human in without sense passions,and explaining, morally any the of Anacreon amorous or peculiarities justifying, Sappho. A skilful magnetiser should take all these subtle distinctions into account, and we shall provide in our Ritual the rules for their recognition. There fantastic. other
are

The

astral

body

is not

two

kinds

of

the realisation,
secret

true

and

the

The

firstis the enchanters of

exclusive and

of

magicians,the

belongsto

sorcerers.

are Mythologies

fantastic the

realisations

religious dogma
piety; but
even

sorcery

of mistaken

are superstitions mythologies and

practice. Hence St Paul the conquests of the follyof the opposes Cross to the inertness of human wisdom. Eeligionrealises by adaptingit to the weaknesses of the vulgar; philosophy such is for Kabbalists the secret reason and occult explanation of the doctrines of incarnation and redemption. Thoughts untranslated into speech are thoughts lost for
any

efficacious with are more superstitions purely speculativephilosophy apart

human from

will than

84

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

humanity ;
formulated

words

unconfirmed far removed and

by

acts

are

idle

words, and

the idle word

is not

from

falsehood.

Thought
a or

by speech
or a

confirmed

by
not

acts

constitutes

good

work
no

crime.

Hence, whether
which
we
are

in vice

virtue,

there is

speech for
are no

all, there
whatsoever effects When

indifferent their

acts.

responsible ; above and Curses blessings

invariablyproduce analogousto
that

and action, consequence, every its nature, whether inspired by love or hate, has its

motive, its extent, and

its direction.

emperor

whose

images

had
"

been

mutilated,

feel that his hand to his face,exclaimed, I do not raising in I am mistaken his valuation, and injured,"he was thereby detracted from the merit of his clemency. What
man

of honour
? portrait

could And
on

behold

undisturbed

an

insult offered to
even

his
to

did such
us

inflicted insults,
a

unknown the effects

react ourselves,

by
as

fatal influence, were

an

of bewitchment how much

more

actual,

indeed and
!
we

adept

cannot
seem

doubt,
this

imprudent

ill-advised would

utterance

of the
are

good emperor

There

impunity,and
we never

whom persons if the injury we

can

never

offend is

with

have
are

done
those

them

mortal,
we

forthwith
meet

begin to
in

die.

There
mere

also whom

of

our a

it is

glance alters the direction life. The basilisk who slays by a look is no fable ; it is bad for magicalallegory. Generally speaking,
vain, whose
to

health

have the

enemies, and

we

can

never

brave

with

impunity
to

of anyone. reprobation given force or current, we the

Before
must
are

selves opposing our-

be

well the

assured
stream
or

that

or contrary force, of the contrary current ; otherwise,we

we

possess

with be
no

shall have

crushed other
cause

struck than

down, and
this. The

many

sudden

deaths

terrible visitations and

of Nadab occasioned

and

Abiu, of

Osa, of Ananias
currents

Saphira,were
;
nuns

of of

outraged convictions
Londun, of the
of

the of

by electric of the sufferings

of the in

Ursulines

Louviers,and
natural laws.

convulsionaries and
are

Jansenism,
the
same

were

identical

principle,
Had

by explicable

occult

REALISATION

85

not

Urban have

Grandier occurred
"

been

immolated,

one

of two

things

possessednuns would have died in frightful the phenomena of diabolical or convulsions, and in influence,epifrenzywould have so gained in strength demical that Grandier, notwithstanding his knowledge and
his reason, such
a

would

either the

would

himself

have

become

and hallucinated,

to

degree that he would have slandered himself,like the denly, unhappy Gaufridy,or would otherwise have perished sudwith all the appallingcharacteristics of poisoning or In the eighteenthcentury the unforof divine vengeance. tunate poet Gilbert fell a victim to his audacityin braving the current of opinion and actual philosophical fanaticism which characterised his epoch. Guilty of philosophical died credible intreason, he raving mad, possessedby the most himself had terrors, as if God punished him for of season. his cause out As a fact,he perished defending of a law of nature of which he could know by reason nothing; he set himself againstan electric current, and was struck down nated as by lightning. Had Marat not been assassiby Charlotte Corday, he would have been destroyed the infallibly by a reaction of public opinion. It was execration of the honest which afflicted him with leprosy, and he would have had to succumb thereto. The reprobation excited by the massacre of St Bartholomew the was
sole
cause

of the atrocious
not

disease and been

death

of Charles

IX.,

by an immense he owed the projectingpower to popularity,which or he would sympatheticforce of his astral life, scarcelyhave outlived his conversion,but would have perished under the combined with the suspicionand contempt of Protestants, ill-will of Catholics. Unpopularity may be a proof of and courage, but never of policyor prudence ; the integrity wounds inflicted by opinionare mortal for statesmen. We
may recall the persons here.

while, had

Henry

IV.

sustained

premature
whom
in

and

violent be

it would

trious illusof many inexpedientto mention end

Disgraces but none injustices,

be great often public opinion may the less they are invariably occasions of

86

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

In return, of a death-sentence. frequently and should, if individual can done to one acts of injustice the loss of an entire nation or of cause they rest unrepaired, is called the cry of blood, for whole society a ; this is what cide. of homiof every injustice there is the germ at the bottom of of these terrible laws solidarity, By reason of so strongly the forgiveness Christianityrecommends dies unforgivingcasts He who and reconciliation. injuries himself and condemns himself dagger-armedinto eternity, of paternal eternal murder. The efficacy to the horrors of an invincible is an maternal popular or blessingsor curses

illsuccess,

and

tradition and unite two hatred blood power. kindle

belief.

As
more

fact,the closer the bonds

terrible brand
are

which

persons, the them. between

The

of the consequences of Althaea burning the of this terrible

no

of

Meleager
Let his

is the

symbol mythological
ever on

parents be
own

their

guard,for
his and is made

one

can

hell in

blood, and

devote burnt

own

issue to wretched.
a

misfortune, without
To

being himself
a

pardon
an

is

never

crime, but

to

curse

always

danger

and

evil action.

t3 I

INITIATION

JESOD

BONUM

THE

initiate is he who mantle

the The

possesses the lamp of Trisrnegistus, of Apollonius,and the staff of the patriarchs.

lamp

of

the mantle which

illuminated Trismegistusis reason by science ; of Apolloniusis full and complete self-possession,

isolates the sage from blind tendencies ; and the staff is the help of the secret and everlasting of the patriarchs forces of
nature.

The

lamp

of

Trismegistus enlightens

INITIATION

87

present, past, and

and manifests burns
the
a

future, lays bare

inmost
recesses

the

conscience

of

men,

of the female mantle

heart.

The

lamp
and The

with

flame,the triple
into three

is thrice-folded,

the staff is divided number

parts.
reflections ; it expresses but it also
power,

nine is that of divine

the divine

idea in all its abstract hence

and extravagance in belief, For this because

reason

and superstition
it the number of

signifies idolatry.

Hermes

has made

initiation,

and superstition by superstition, and alone can advance the darkness,leaning through his staff,enveloped in his mantle, and on lightedby his has been lamp. Eeason given to all men, but all do not

the initiate

reigns over

know

how

to make

use

of it ; it is
not

science to be
can

acquired.
a

Liberty is offered to all,but be earned. rightthat must

know seized. The how We
to

all

be

free ; it is all do
must
one

Force

is for
a

but all, that than

not

rest

upon

it ; it is

power
more

be

attain

nothing without

effort.

is that he should enrich himself with destinyof man what he gains,and that he should afterwards have, like it. God, the glory and pleasureof dispensing the called formerly the sacerdotal art and Magic was souls to the royal art, because initiation gave empire over Divination is also sage, and the adroitness for rulingwills. of the privileges is of the initiate ; now, divination one and simply the knowledge of effects contained in causes science appliedto the facts of the universal dogma of analogy.

Human
traces

acts
are

are

not

alone the

written

in the

astral

light ;
and

their

left upon the tone

face,they modify mien

Thus his is which life,
ever

carriage,

they change
about him

of the voice.

the

historyof
future

bears every man for the is legible of the

initiate. "Now, the

the

consequence

past, and
results be

unexpected circumstances The reasonablycalculated.

foretold him. An
one a

alter appreciably can destinyof each man do not entire existence

can

therefore

be

judged by
may
was

single movement;
he
was

piece of awkwardness
of misfortunes. ashamed of Csesar

be

the presage of a assassinated because

long chain

being bald;

88

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

Napoleon
the poems
as

ended

his

days
he

at St

Helena

because

he the

admired throne
are

of Ossian because for the

; Louis

Philippe abdicated
an

he

did

carried

umbrella.

These

who cannot lations vulgar, grasp the occult rebut for the adept, who of things, they are causes understands all and is surprised at nothing. Initiation is a preservative against the false lightsof with its relative value reason mysticism; it equips human and proportionalinfallibility, connecting it with supreme reason by the chain of analogies. Hence the initiate knows doubtful tional irrabecause he has no no hopes,no absurd fears, beliefs ; he is acquainted with the extent of his power, and he can dare without danger. For him, therefore, to dare is to be able. of his Here, then, is a new interpretation which the mantle attributes ; his lamp represents learning,
enwraps him

paradoxes

his discretion,and He

his

staff is the

emblem

of

his He and

strengthand daring.
knows the secrets
on

knows, he dares,and
He
use

is silent.

of the

future, he dares in the present,

knows the of failings
to

he is silent
heart ; and

the dares

past.
make
as

the his

human work

; he

of them

achieve

he is silent

to

of all symbolisms principle them without hypocrisy and or to abstain from practise impiety ; and he is silent upon the one dogma of initiation. He knows the existence
and
nature

the his purposes. He knows and of all religions ; he dares to

without

supreme of the great

perform the acts and give utterance which to the words make it subject to human will,and he is silent upon the mysteriesof the great arcanum. So may or dejected you find him often melancholy,never miserable ; persecuted or despairing abject ; often poor, never the disheartened often,never or conquered. He remembers of Orpheus, the exile and bereavement and murder lonely death of Moses, the martyrdom of the prophets, the tortures the of the Saviour. of Apollonius, the cross He knows is even desolation in which Agrippa died, whose memory magical agent ;
now

he dares

slandered

; he

knows

what

labours

overcame

the condemned

great
to

Paracelsus,and all that Kaymond

Lully was

90

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

nised two

which another are properties necessary to one and motion, necessityand liberty, rational order stability and volitional autonomy, justice and also love, whence Now, these two attributes were severityand mercy. sonified, perthe under to speak, by the Kabbalistic Jews so
"

names

of Geburah the supreme

or

and

Chesed.
the

Above

Geburah

and

Chesed

abides

of the world under kabbalistic

equilibrating power, principle tioned equilibrated kingdom, which we find mencrown,

name

the

of

Malchuth

in
to

the which

occult
we

and have

versicle

of

the

Pater-noster

in But Geburah and Chesed, maintained alreadyreferred. above and the kingdom below, equilibriumby the crown from be considered constitute two principles, which may an In their abstract point of view, or in their realisation. of abstract or idealised sense, they take the higher names tion Their realisaChochmah, wisdom, and Binah, intelligence. and victory is stability and progress, that is,eternity
"

Hod

and

Netsah.

Such, accordingto the Kabbalah, is the groundwork of all

and religions notion all sciences of the triad and a circle, the triple triangle explained by the balance multipliedby
"

itself in the domains

of the

ideal,then the realisation of this

the

conceptionin
notions
of

forms.

Now,

ancients

attached

the

first

to the very simple and impressive theology idea of numbers, and qualified of the first decade the figures after the following manner :

this

"

1. Kether.
2.

"

The
"

Chochmah.

Crown, the equilibrating power. in its unchangeable Wisdom, equilibrated

order

by

the initiative of
"

3. Binah. 4.

Chesed.
ever

"

intelligence. Active intelligence, equilibrated by Wisdom. ception, Mercy, which is wisdom in its secondaryconbecause it is

benevolent
"

strong.

and necessitated by Wisdom itself, Austerity, by goodwill. To permit evil is to hinder good. of equili6. Tiphereth. Beauty, the luminous brium conception and the Crown in forms, intermediary between and Creator the Kingdom, mediating principlebetween 5. Geburah.
"

THE

KABBALAH

91

creation.

(Sublime conception of poetry and its sovereign priesthood !) 7. Netsah. gence Victory,that is,eternal triumph of intelliand justice. 8. Hod. Eternity of the conquests achieved by mind life over death. over matter, active over passive,
"
"

9. Jesod.

"

The
"

the basis Foundation, that is,

we

of all belief

and

all truth 10.

what
"

term

the

ABSOLUTE

in

philosophy.

Malchuth.

The
and

Kingdom
mirror
of

is

the

universe, entire
to

the work creation,

reason,
recourse

God, the proof of supreme

which

the

formal

consequence the premisses, and

to virtual
"

compels us enigma which has

reason.

have for

God

its

answer

supreme
ten

absolute

These characters and

masters

the ten first to primary notions attached of the primitivealphabet, both principles signifying called the ten Sephiroth by the numbers, are Kabbalah. The

in

following manner,

indicates

tetragam, drawn the number, source, and

sacred

in the
spondence corre-

of the divine

names.

To this

name

of

Jotchavah,

with a four-and-twentysigns,crowned be referred the twenty -four must iple flower of light, elders in of heaven, and the twenty-four crowned mes the Apocalypse. In the Kabbalah is the occult principle called the Elder, and this principle, and, as it multiplied, in secondary causes, creates images of itself reflected, were, itten

by

these

lat is to say,

so

many

elders These

as

there

are

diverse concep-

ions of its unique essence. )rtion

ipon
as

they are

further removed
an

in proimages,less perfect from their source, project

or

the darkness

ultimate

reflection

glimmer,repre-

92

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

sentinga
"

horrible and Hence

an as

deformed

who elder, been

is

termed vulgarly

the devil. The

initiate has

bold the

enough
wicked
no
"

to say
;

devil is has
"

God,

understood
more

by

while
getic ener-

another
:

added, in words
devil is

but bizarre,

less

"We may composed of God's ruins." novel definitions by sum up and explain these strikingly is an angel remarking that in symbolism itself the demon cast out of heaven for having sought to usurp divinity. This belongs to the allegorical language of prophets and makers of legends. Philosophically speaking, the devil is human idea of divinity, has been which a surpassedand dispossessedof heaven by the progress of science and Oriental peoples, Moloch, Adramreason. Among primitive honoured of the God, diselek, Baal, were one personifications The god of the Janby barbarous attributes. and hell for the majority of human senists, beings, creating
in delighting
to

The

the is

eternal
a

tortures

of

those
more

he

was

willing un-

save,

conceptioneven
the

barbarous is

than

that of Moloch
a

; hence

god

of the Jansenists

already
every

veritable and the

Satan, fallen from

heaven, in the sight of

divine
names

wise
In

enlightenedChristian. of the multiplication

them

the kabbalists

have gram, decad.

connected

either with the unity of the tetraall, scale of the the figureof the triad,or the sephirotic

They
in
as a

arrange

the

scale may

of

the be

divine

names

and

numbers characters

which triangle,
:
"

presentedin

Eoman

follows

J JA SDI JEHV ELOIM SABAOT ARARITA ELVEDAAT ELIM ELIM GIBOR SABAOT

THE

KABBALAH

93

The

sum

of all these divine

a

names

formed

from

the

one

tetragram is
the title of We the the have

basis

of

the

Hebrew

Kitual, and
rabbins

constitutes under

the occult force which

the kabbalistic

invoke

Semhamphoras.
now

to

concern

ourselves

with

the Tarot

from

kabbalistic occult
source

point

of

view, and
name.

have

of the kabbalistic

This

already indicated book is hieroglyphic

and of a wheel or circle alphabet, and typical of four decades,distinguished by four symbolical each having for its radius a scale of four progressive figures, which figures, youth, represent Humanity : man, woman, child master, mistress,knight,esquire. The twenty-two figuresof the alphabet represent, in the first place,the the nine beliefs authorised thirteen dogmas, and secondly, which is so strong and so firmly by that Jewish religion established in the highestreason. Here follows the religious and kabbalistic key of The

composed

of

"

Tarot, formulated
ancient
1
2 X l
: lawgivers
"

in technical

verses

after the

mode

of the

active conscious, number bound all

cause

in all

we

see.

And No

3
4 5

a T
n

proves the livingunity. hath He who doth the whole domain.

contain.

But,
Sole Doth But

fillslife'svast preceding, the doctrine

worthy worship,He,
his true since faith's works law have God and
we,
a

only Lord,

1 T

to clean hearts accord.

7
8

pj One

and

at

singlepontiff need, altar plead ; one

9 10 11
12

to Eternal
t

Heaven

for aye their base upholds. man's days alike his rule enfolds.

13

in retribution strong, rich, King he will upraiseere long. ()His people's The tomb gives entrance to the promised land, D Death only ends ; life'svistas still expand.
3

In mercy

These And

doctrines thus

sacred, pure, and we^closeour number's

stedfast shine scale divine.

14 15 16

angelsall thingstemper and assuage, burst with wrath and rage. evil spirits D While doth the God the flame subdue. rule, lightning y
3

Good

94

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

17
18 19 20

a V

His He And When

word makes

controls both the his

sun moon renews our

Vesper

and

her dew.

watchman the world

p
i

by

through the night. in light.

can

dust to dust returns, his breath

call

or

v{5" Life from

the tomb

which

is the fate of all.

"

81 1
or

His Vn Hi

crown

illuminates

the mercy

seat,

22

J
And the glorifies cherubs
at his feet.

By

the

help of

this

Tarot. already understand Thus, Figure I.,entitled the Buffoon, represents the active of divine and human autotelia. principlein the economy Figure II.,vulgarlycalled Pope Joan, represents dogmatic of unity based upon numbers, and is the personification the Gnosis. the Kabbalah or Figure III. representsdivine under the emblem of a winged woman, holding Spirituality the apocalypticeagle,and in the other the hand in one the end of her sceptre. The other world suspended from and can be explained as easily emblems are equallyclear, to the four the first. Turning now suits, as namely, Clubs, Cups, Swords, and Circles or Pantacles, commonly called of the tetragram. Thus, Deniers all these are hieroglyphics the Club is the Egyptian Phallus or Hebrew jod ; the Cup is the conjunction is the cteis or primitivehe ; the Sword in Hebrew of both, or the lingam,represented precedingthe by vau ; while the Circle or Pantacle, image of the captivity
"

purely dogmaticexplanationwe the kabbalistic alphabet of the

shall

world, is the
Tarot Wheel
aces,

Tie final of the divine

name.
one

Now

let
one

us

take

and
or

combine EOTA

all its emblems of William

so

by
us

into

the

Postel ; let

together ; we of ten packs of cards giving the hieroglyphic interpretation of divine names the scale of the denary,as the triangle on to its By referringeach number previously tabulated. read them off as then corresponding Sephira, we may
on,

the four

twos, and

group the four shall then have

follows

"

THE

KABBALAH

95

mrr

Four

present signs

the

name

of every

name.

1 KETHER.

TliefourAces.
Four brilliant beams
2

adorn

his

crown

of flame.

CHOCHMAH.

The Four
rivers
ever

four

Twos. flow.

from

his wisdom
3 BINAH.

The Four

four

Threes. know.

proofsof

his

we intelligence

CHESED.

The Four benefactions from

5

four Fours.
his mercy GEBURAH.
come.

The Four times four sins

four Fives.
his

avenged

justice sum.

TIPHERETH.

The Four rays unclouded

four

Sixes.

make

his

beauty known.

7 NETSAH. The Four

four

Sevens. be shewn.

times his conquest shall in song

8

HOD.

The Four times he

four Eights.
the timeless

triumphs on
9

plane.

JESOD.

The Foundations

four Nines.
throne

four his great white

10

maintain.

MALCHUTH.

The One As fourfold from his

four
owns

Tens.

kingdom
crown

his endless sway, there streams a fourfold ray.

96

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

By
each

this card

simple arrangement
is exhibited.
For

the

kabbalistic the

meaning
five of

of

example,
of
; the
seven

clubs

Geburah rigorously signifies the creator the

or

Jod, that is,the justiceof

of cups

the

wrath

of

man

victoryof mercy or the triumph of woman ; the conflict or eternal equilibrium swords signifies ; and
the others. We
can

signifies eightof
so

of

thus

understand

how

the

ancient

proceeded to make the oracle speak. The chance pontiffs listic dealing of the lamens invariably produced a fresh kabbameaning, exactlytrue in its combinations, which alone fortuitous ; and, seeing that the faith of the ancients were attributed of nothing to chance, they read the answers
Providence
in the
or

oracles of the

Tarot, which Hebrews,

as

were

called erudite

Theraph
kabbalist

Theraphim

by

the

the

one Gaffarel,

Richelieu,was
As them
:
"

to

the

magiciansemployed by Cardinal the first to perceive. final couplet will suffice to explain a figures,

of the

KING, QUEEN, KNIGHT, ESQUIRE.

The married the youth, the child, the pair, these to
race

Thy path by
At the end of the

Unity

retrace.

provide further details, together with full documents, concerning the marvellous is of all books the most Tarot the book, which primitive, of key of propheciesand dogmas, in a word, the inspiration has remained inspired works, a fact which unperceived traordinary equallyby the science of Court de Gebelin and by the exwe

Eitual

shall

intuitions of Eteilla The

ten

or

Alliette.

Sephirothand the twenty-two Tarots form what the kabbalists term the thirty-two paths of absolute science. With them sciences,they distinguish regard to particular which into fiftychapters, they call the fifty gates among Orientals the word gate signifies government or authority.
"

The

rabbins

also divided

the

Kabbalah
or

into

Bereschit, or
the kabbalistic
and

universal then

Genesis, and

Mercavah,

the chariot of Ezekiel ;

of of a dual interpretation by means alphabets, they formed two sciences,called

Gematria

98

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

and

when

Archimedes
he

was

in want

of

lever to

move

the

world, what
One the
arm

of

sought was simply the great magicalarcanum. bore the androgyne figure of Henry Khunrath
and the words other
"

word
are

COAGULA

SOLVE.

To

collect and
manner can

diffuse
we

nature's two

but

after what

with the astral lightor soul accomplish these operations is by isolation and distribution of the world ? Concentration dependenc Isolation consists in absolute inby the magical chain. for thought,complete liberty for the heart,and who is posEvery man perfectcontinence for the senses. sessed and fears, by prejudices every passionate person who is slave of his passions, is incapable of concentrating or ing, coagulatof Khunrath, the astral light to the expression or according All true adepts have been independent soul of the earth.
even

amidst

torture, sober

and

chaste
"

till death.

The

planation ex-

of such

force,you
it may

must

anomaly is this in order to dispose of a that not be surprisedby this force in a way
then, cry
of
out

of you. But dispose only in magic for a method lusts of nature, what good

those

who

seek

the satisfying inordinately power which

must creatures not

is

be who

used

for

our

own

satisfaction ? could

Unhappy

ask, if I told you, how

nothing because

they are Did Curtius preferthe government not gold than its possessionby himself ?

Are it ? pearls you grasp worthless to the horde of Epicurus? of those Must when
we

who
not

had be

something removed
pretend to
be

from ?

the

common

man

we

almost

courage grieve to deject or disbut I am not devising the transcendental you, necessities their immutable sciences ; I teach them, defining in the presentation inexorable most of their primary and conditions. a free, sober, and chaste man Pythagoras was ; Apolloniusof Tyana and Julius Caesar were both of repellent of Paracelsus so was suspected, foreign austerity ; the sex of love; Kaymond he to the weakness was Lully carried of life to the most the severity exalted point of asceticism ; Jerome Cardan exaggeratedthe practiceof fastingtill he of starvation, if we nearly perished accept tradition ; may God

Moreover,

THE

MAGIC

CHAIN

99

Agrippa, poor and buffeted from town to town, almost died of misery rather than yieldto the caprice of a princesswho insulted the liberty of science. What then made the felicity of these men ? The knowledge of great secrets and the
consciousness souls. Must
of
one

power.

It

was

sufficient for those

in order
to

great
what

be like unto

them

know

they knew ? Assuredly not, and the existence of this book is perhaps a case in point; but in order to do what they did, it is absolutely which they took. necessary to take the means But what did they actuallyaccomplish? They astonished and subdued the world; they reignedmore trulythan kings. demoniac of divine goodness or Magic is an instrument but it is the annihilation of earthlyjoys and the pride, of mortal life. Why pleasures study it ? ask the luxurious. Merely to know it and possiblyafter to learn mistrust of and of pleasure, stupidunbelief or puerile credulity. Men
half of these
I count

for

so

many

women,

is not

gratified
fear,
for order

? Read therefore curiosity highly pleasurable againstyour will. you will not be magicians

without Readiness

absolute

renunciation

is,moreover,
currents

to establish universal

and

necessary transform

only
the

in

face of the
to

world;
a

there

are

relative do

limited magical operations,

not

certain
can

circle,which

need

such

heroic

virtues.

We
or

by upon passions and hurt even antipathies,

act

determine sympathies passions, heal, without possessingthe this

case,

omnipotence of
which
we

the magus
a

; in

however,
the

we

must

realise the risk of may

our

reaction

in
a

proportionto
victim. All

action,to
plained ex-

easilyfall
Ritual.

this will be

in

To
current

make which

the

magic
We

chain

is to

establish

magnetic
extent

becomes

stronger in proportionto the

shall
see

of

the

chain.
can

in what

the
are

Ritual the

how

these modes

currents

be

produced,and
Mesmer's
; several

various
an

forming the chain. imperfectmagic chain

of different Even northern

trough was
great circles

exceedingly
in

of illuminati

potent chains. possess more that association of Catholic priests, celebrated for their
countries

100

THE

DOCTKINE

OF

TKANSCENDENT

MAGIC

and their unpopularity, is established upon the occult power plan and follows the conditions of the most potent magical

chains,and herein is the

to solely

secret of their
or

force,which
a

the grace

will of

God,

bute they attrivulgar and cheap

in influence or attraction. solution for every mystery of power of task to estimate the sequence In the Eitual it will be our

trulymagical ceremonies
great work
St All

and under

evocations the
name

which

of vocation

up the of the Exercises of make

Ignatius.
enthusiasm
munications propagatedin a society by a series of comin common and practices produces a magnetic The increases continues or by the current.

-current, and
action

of the current
measure

is to who

carry
are

away

and

often

to

exalt

and weak, impressionable nervous organisations, temperaments inclined to hysteria become Such hallucination. or powerful people soon and vehicles of magical force efficiently project the itself ; direction of the current the astral light in of the oppositionat such a time to the manifestations force is, to extent, a some fatality. struggle with When the youthful Pharisee Saul, or Schol, threw himself,

beyond

persons

with

all

the

fanaticism the

and

all the

determination of

of

sectarian, across

aggressive line

he Christianity,

of a power unconsciously placed himself at the mercy he was he thought to prevail, and hence against which doubtless the struck down by a formidable magnetic flash, of the combined effect of cereinstantaneous more by reason and sunstroke. of the young The conversion .bral congestion Israelite, Alphonsus of Ratisbonne, is a contemporary fact of the same We which is absolutely nature. are acquainted with
a

sect of enthusiasts
to

whom

it is

common
soon

to deride at
as

and distance,

as despiteone's self, join,

they

are

approached,even
and affirm that

with

hostile intention. and

I will go

further,

magical circles
have whom of
on a

themselves, and laws, upon

drawn
those

lish estabmagnetic currents an influence,according to fatal of us is Each one they can act.

within

circle

relations

which

constitutes

his

THE

MAGIC

CHAIN

101

world, and
The
most

to

the

influence

of which

he

is made
man

subject.
whom the

lawgiverof the French

nation spiritual incarnation drawn
into of of in

Eevolution, that
the

whole

world Jean

acknowledged as
Jacques Kousseau,
of

the
was

human
most

reason,

the

lamentable the

action

his life,the of
a

desertion

his

children, by
a

magnetic
of

influence

libertine circle and describes it is very

a

it

simply and
has

magical current ingenuously in

remained
men,

table-d'hdte. He
but Confessions, Great There and circles
are no

his

fact which

unobserved. vice-versd.
eccentric men,

often make

great
have

and
are

there unrecognisedgeniuses, would who

a seem

the term The

to
man

to

been his

invented

by
one

an

adept.
force

is eccentric in

genius is
central

who

attempts
be
of

form

circle

by combating the
and
currents.

attractive

of established broken
success

chains
or

It is his is the twofold

destinyto
condition

to

succeed.
a case

Now, what
?

in such

who
an

and a perseverpointof stability ing of genius is one circular action of initiative. The man has discovered a real law, and is thereby possessed of He die invincible, active, and grinding power. may midst
to

central

in
comes

the

of

his

work, but
his

that

which

he

has

willed often

pass, in

spite of

death, and
is
a

is indeed

ensured

because thereby,
"

death

veritable
from

assumption for
the all

genius.
the me."

When

I shall be lifted up
"

earth,"said

greatestof the initiators, I will draw

law of

things after

of the magnetic currents is that of the movement astral lightitself, which is always double, and augments in A great action invariably the way an oppositesense. paves for a reaction of equal magnitude, and the secret of phenomenal in the foreknowledge consists entirely of successes Thus did Chateaubriand, penetratedwith disgust reactions. at the saturnalia of the

The

foresee and revolution,

"

prepare

the

Christianity." To tion at the beginning of its revoluoppose one's self to a current is to court being destroyed by that current, like the Emperor Julian ; to oppose one's self great and unfortunate
success

immense

of

his

Genius

of

102

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

to
a

current

which

has

run

its round

is to take is he who

the
comes

lead
ably season-

of

contrary current.
and
knows

The

great man

how

to innovate

opportunely.

In the

days

echo for his found have Voltaire would no apostles, ingenious might have been merely an utterances, and parasite at the banquets of Trimalcyon. Now, at the burst everything is ripe for a fresh outepoch wherein we live, of the of

evangelicalzeal
the

and

Christian

self-devotion,

of preciselyby reason egoisticpositivism,and interests. tendencies

The
success

prevailinggeneraldisillusion, public cynicism of the coarsest

certain
books

of
are

and

the

mystical

of minds

unequivocalsymptoms
and
are we

spread of this wide-

disposition.We restore to realise more keenly that we for it ; once more long the more
its for

build of

void

only belief, only to

world await

churches

does the whole

Messiah, and he

example, come
an
"

tarry in his coming. Let a man, forward, who by rank or by fortune is

cannot

placedin
millionaire sacrifice

exalted and his let

him

position
"

a man

pope,

let

this

king,even publicly and

a

Jewish

solemnly
weal
of

all
;

material make

interests himself
even

for the

the saviour

of the trines doc-

humanity
poor, the of

disseminator, and
renunciation and

the

victim,

of

charity,and he will draw round him immense an following; he will accomplish a But the high complete moral revolution in the world. place is before all things necessary for such a personage, and trickery, because, in these days of meanness any Word issuing from the lower ranks is suspected of interested and imposture. Ye, then, who ambition are nothing, ye who possess nothing,aspirenot to be apostlesor messiahs.
If you
have and faith, the

would
first of

act

in

accordance
the
means

therewith,
of

in get possession,

place,of
and

action,

which

are

the influence times

rank

the

In olden

gold was
remade
now

manufactured

of fortune. prestige by science ; nowadays have

"

science must and

we

be
must

by gold.
we

We

fixed the volatile, in

now

we

volatilise the fixed

and spirit,
must

other

words,

have

materialised

spiritualise

THE

MAGIC

CHAIN

103

matter. goes of
a

The

most

sublime the

utterance of

now a

forth without
success

guarantee
a

if it passes unheeded that is to say, name

"

which
of
a

represents

material
of the

value.
author's

What

is

the worth

manuscript?

the booksellers ? among Alexander Dumas et as

signature known That established reputation Cie represents one of the literary
the which devise
a

That

guarantees

of

our

time, but
romances

house
are

of

Dumas

is in

repute only for the

Let

its exclusive

ductions. pro-

magnificent Utopia, or discover a splendid solution of the religious problem, and will take them no one seriously, despite the European in of the Panurge of modern literature. We are celebrity the age of acquiredpositions, where is appraised every one accordingto his social and commercial standing. Unlimited of speech has produced such a strife of words freedom that what is said, but who has said it. If it be no one inquires Eothschild,his Holiness Pius the Ninth, or even Monseigneur Dupanloup, it is something ; but if it be Tartempion,it is he after all which is possible, even nothing, were an and good sense. unrecognisedprodigy of genius, knowledge,
"
"

Dumas

Hence
secret

to those

who

would

of

great
This
I have which

successes,

If you possess the : say to me and of a force which transform can

not

the
answer

world, why do you

:

make
come

use

of them
me

? I

would

knowledge
spent
who
over

has

and
resources

late for self, myits acquisition the time and the

to too

might
are

have in
a

enabled

me

to

apply

it ; I

offer it to those of it. who

are

positionto
great
which
ones

avail

themselves

Illustrious men,

rich men, that

of this

world,
are

dissatisfied with of
a new a

you

have, who

conscious fathers of
A poor

nobler

larger ambition, will you be world, kings of a rejuvenatedcivilisation ?

scholar has you found for the the lever
of

and

and

obscure

Archi-

good of humanity alone, asking nothing whatsoever in exchange. The have phenomena which quite recently perturbed America and Europe, as regards table-turning and fluidic manifestations, are simply magnetic currents at the be-

mides, and

he

offers it to

104

THE

DOCTKINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

ginning of

their

formation, appeals on

the

part of

nature

invitingus, for the good of humanity, to re-establish the As chains. fact, staga nation great sympathetic and religious death to the human in the astral lightwould mean fested agent has alreadybeen manirace, and torpor in this secret by alarming symptoms of decomposition and death. For example, cholera-morbus, the potato disease, and the the to this cause, as blightof the grape, are traceable solely two darkly and symshepherds of la Salette saw bolically young
in

their

dream.

The the
so

unlooked-for
vast
concourse

credit of the

which

awaited attracted
so

their

and narrative,
a

pilgrims
time

by

statement

and singular

at

same

children without instruction that of these two as vague and almost without morality,are proofs of the magnetic

realityof

the

fact,and
cure

the

itself to operate the and instinctive,

nature of

of

tendency of the earth its inhabitants. are Superstitions

fluidic
in the very

all that is instinctive is founded which fact the We of sceptics

to things,

all times

have

given

insufficient

attention. of of

attribute, then, all the

the universal
with of
a

strange phenomena agent

to

to table-turning
a

in search of

chain

of

enthusiasms The
force

magnetic view

the formation
can

fresh

currents.

itself is

blind, but it

fluenced by the will of man, and is inby prevailingopinions. This universal fluid if decide to we regard it as a fluid being the common medium of all nervous organisms,and the vehicle of all sensitive vibrations, establishes an actual physicalsolidarity between to transmits from one impressionable persons, and the impressions of imagination and another of thought. The movement of the inert object,determined by the of the universal pression, undulations agent, obeys the ruling imand time reproduces in its revelations at one all the lucidityof the most wonderful at visions, and all the another and falsehood of the most eccentricity incoherent and dreams. The blows resounding on vague the clattering of musical of dishes, the self-playing furniture, The instruments,are illusions produced by the same cause.

be directed

"

"

106

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

12

M 5"

THE

GEEAT

WORK

DISCITE

CRUX

the creation of man by great work is,before all things, himself,that is to say, the full and entire conquest of his
THE

faculties and
of

his future ; it is

the perfectemancipation especially universal dominion

over

his the

will, assuring him

domain of

Azoth
power

Magnesia, in other words, full guised the universal over magical agent. This agent, disof the by the ancient philosophersunder the name
and the forms
means

first matter, determines

and
we
can

of

modifiable

substance,
mutation trans-

reallyarrive
the

by

of it at

metallic is not
a

hypothesis, it is a scientific fact alreadyestablished and rigorously Nicholas demonstrable. Flamel and Eaymond Lully,both of them riches. indubitably distributed immense poor, proceededbeyond the first part of the great Agrippa never to possess himself work, and he died in the ordeal,fighting and to fix his independence. the one spiritual, Now, there are two Hermetic operations, the other material,and these are mutually dependent. For
and the rest, all Hermetic science is contained been
in the doctrine of

universal

medicine.

This

Hermes,
an

which

is said to have tablet. Its

emerald

first

inscribed upon originally articles have been already

are

expounded, and those follow operation of the great work

earth from the

which
"

concerned shalt gross,

with

the

:
"

Thou the

separate the

the subtle fire,

great industry. It rises

descends and of
to

earth, and

it

with gently, from earth to heaven, and again it of things above receives the power
this
means

from

thingsbelow.
the whole is the
It

By

shalt thou shall

power,

obtain

the

glory of
thee.
overcome

world, and all darkness strong

power

depart from
for it will is solid.

of every

all that is subtle

and

penetrate all that

THE

GREAT

WORK

107

Thus

was

the world

created."

and all vice,which is prejudice that is to salt, accomplishedby the use of the philosophical that is, tion personalskill and applica; of mercury, say, wisdom vital energy and of sulphur, representing ; finally, enabled to change into fire of will. By these are we the even spiritual gold thingswhich are of all least precious, In this sense refuse of the earth. must we interpretthe Bernard Trevisan, parables of the choir of philosophers, Basil Valentine, Mary the Egyptian and other prophets of alchemy ; but in their works, as in the great work, we must adroitlyseparate the subtle from the gross, the mystical from the positive, from theory. If we would read allegory and take them must them with profit understanding,we in their entirety, and then descend first of all as allegorical from of the correspondences to realities by the way allegories or analogiesindicated in the one dogma : That which is above is proportional is below, and reciproto that which cally.

the gross, in the first to set the soul free from

separate the subtle from is wholly interior, is which operation,

To

all

"

The
manner

word

ART and

when

reversed,

or

read
from

after

the

of sacred

primitivecharacters
express

gives three
great work.

initials which
T

the different

rightto left, grades of the

travail ; E, triad, theory, and signifies realisation ; A, adaptation. In the twelfth chapter of the shall give the processes for adaptation, in use Ritual, we the great masters, especially that which is contained among in the Hermetic Citadel of Henry Khunrath. In this place
we

indicate for the researches of may treatise attributed to Hermes Mundi.

and

our

readers

an

able admir-

entitled Trismegistus,

Minerva

It is found

Hermes,
and creative

contains,beneath
of
on

only in certain editions of full of profundity allegories

self-creation, or
between the
two

poetry, the doctrine

law

individual the

consequent
are

accordance volatile

forces, which
and
are

termed

fixed

and

by alchemists,
order. is The

in the absolute and liberty necessity of the forms which in nature abound diversity in this treatise, of spirits, and by the diversity

explained,

monstrosities

108

THE

DOCTKINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

by the divergence of
are

efforts ; its

for indispensable
nature

mysteries of
search When

and

reading and assimilation would all adepts who fathom the devote themselves to the seriously alchemy say that to accomplish the
a

after the

great work.
in short

the masters
are

time of

and

little money above

needed

works

science,

they affirm that one vessel is alone needed, when they speak of the great and unique athanor, which all is ready to each man's hand, which all possess can use, which without knowing it, and moral they allude to philosophical
all when

alchemy.
in
a

As

fact,a strong and determined

at

will
we

can are

arrive all in sole

short

time

absolute chemical

and independence,

possessionof
athanor which the gross and

the

instrument, the
of separation volatile.
the

great and
This

answers

for the

the subtle from

the fixed from

instrument,

as mathematics, is reprecomplete as the world and precise sented the of the emblem the pentagram or by sages under gence. intellistar,which is the absolute sign of human five-pointed I will follow the example of the wise by forbearing

to name

it ; it is too

easy

to

guess

it.

The

Tarot

misconstrued it
man as a

figurewhich by Court de
of
a

correspondsto
Gebelin
and

chapter was who regarded Etteilla,

It

this

blunder

German bound

cardmaker. behind

represents a

with

his hands
to

him, having two

armpits,and foot from a gibbetformed by the trunks of two trees, each with a root of six lopped branches, and by a crosspiece, thus of the Hebrew tau n ; the legs of the completing the figure victim are crossed, and his head and elbows form a triangle. in alchemy, surmounted Now, the triangle by a cross signifies, of the great work, a signification the end and perfection
silver attached
the

bags of being suspended by one

which sacred

is identical with

that of the letter tau, the last of the

the is, consequently, alphabet. This hanged man that is, adept,bound by his engagements, and spiritualised, having his feet turned towards heaven ; it is also the antique the penalty of torture Prometheus, expiatingby everlasting theft ; vulgarly, his glorious it is the traitor Judas, and his

THE

GREAT

WORK

109

punishment for Finally,

to

threatens Kabbalistic their

a

betrayers of the Jews, the hanged

doctrine, that
unto

great
man,

arcanum. sponds corre-

who

twelfth

of

the

protestation againstthe to say by Christians,and they seem

Messiah, is
canst

Saviour
him

promised acknowledged
still:
"

How

thou

save

others,since thou
-

canst

not

save

? thyself

binical rabanti-christian Jeschu, an Sepher Toldos there occurs a singular compilation, parable. Jeschu, with was travelling says the rabbinical author of the legend, Simon-Barjona and Judas Iscariot. Late and weary they to a lonely house, and, being very hungry, could find came nothing to eat except an exceedinglylean gosling. It was

In

the

insufficient for three persons,

and

to

divide

it would

be

to

satisfying hunger. They agreed to draw but as they were lots, heavy with sleep, Let us first of all slumber," said Jeschu, whilst the supper is preparing; sharpen
without
"

"

when

we

wake

we

will tell dream

was

our

dreams, and he who

the whole

has had

the most
own

beautiful
So it

share.
for me,

to his gosling arranged; they sleptand they woke.

shall have

As God.
me,

said St

Peter, I dreamed
I

that I
was

was

the vicar of himself.

For

And said

I, said Jeschu, that

Judas

God

I dreamed that, being in hypocritically, somnambulism, I arose, went softly downstairs, took the from the spit, and ate it. Thereupon they also went gosling had completelyvanished. Judas had down, but the gosling a waking dream. is given, not in the text of the SepherThis anecdote

Toldos-Jeschu that work.

but itself, The

in

the

rabbinical

commentaries

on

legend is a protest of Jewish positivism againstChristian mysticism. As a fact,while the faithful themselves to magnificent surrendered dreams, the proscribed
Judas Israelite, became intrigued,
so

of the

Christian

civilisation, worked, sold,

the
had

himself of this life'srealities, rich,possessed

became
in
a

that

he

of existence

to the very

forms

to advance position of worship which

means
so

long
now

outlawed
true

him. the

The

ancient

adorers

of the
; the

ark

remained

to

cultus

of the

strong box

exchange is

110

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

their The

temple, laugh
upon is not

and indeed

thence with

they
Judas,
like

govern who St Peter. the

the
can

Christian

world. self him-

congratulate

having writings

slept

In
tau
was

archaic

preceding
further
of

Captivity,
our

the

Hebrew

cruciform,
the twelfth

which

confirms

tion interpretaTarot.
The

of
cross,

plate
four
on

the

Kabbalistic is it also
was

which

produces
and

triangles,
this
account

the

sacred the

sign Key
his

of
of

the

duodenary, by
the

called confused of the

heaven

Egyptians.
for

So

Etteilla,

by

protracted
necessities which he in
as

researches of
was

the with

conciliation his the

own

analogical
opinion,
de in

this

symbol

personal
Court
man,

influenced hand of
a

by
his

erudite

Gebelin,
preted inter-

placed

the

upright
Hermetic

hanged

by
formed

him

Prudence,
and for he
a

caduceus,

by

two

serpents

Greek
tau
or

tau.
cross

Seeing
on

that twelfth the

he

understood leaf of and the

the book

necessity
of

the

the
seen

Thoth,

should of the

also

have

multiple
man,

ficent magni-

meaning
of his

Hermetic
man

hanged
makes

the

Prometheus earth free the

to

science,

the

living
whose the

who
firm

contact

with the

by
and
juration con-

thought

alone,

ground
menaced

is

heaven,
with

immolated
of

adept,
Judaism

revealer

death,
seems

against
of the
the

Christ,
secret

which

be

an

involuntary lastly,
the

admission

divinity

of the
for

the

Crucified,
ated, termin-

sign

of

work

accomplished,
which
resumes

cycle
the

the before the

intermediary
final

tau,
the

first

time,

denary,

signs

of

the

sacred

alphabet.

NECROMANCY

111

13

NECKOMANCY

EX

IPSIS

MORS

images of persons and things are preservedin the astral light. Therein also can be evoked in our world no the forms of those who and by are longer, this means are accomplishedthose mysteriesof necromancy
WE have said which
are so

that

the

contested have

and

at the

same

time

so

real.

The

Kabbalists have spirits evocations. has

who

concerning the world of in their simply described what they have seen Eliphas Levi Zahed,^ who writes this book,
he has
seen.

discoursed

evoked, and
the

Let
written

us

state, in
of

the

first
or

place,what
We

masters

have

their

visions

their intuitions read in the

in that which

Hebrew
are

Souls that there

three

Adam,

the

daughters of

they term the light of glory. book concerning the Revolution of classes of souls the daughtersof angels,and the daughters of sin.
"

book, there are also three kinds of According to the same and free spirits. wandering spirits, spirits captivespirits, in couples time certain sent forth Souls are ; at the same
"

souls of

men

are

born

captive by Lilith and they are souls condemned

celibate's of
women vow.

widowed, and their spouses Naemah, the queens of the

to

are

held

stryges;
a

expiate
a man

the

temerity of
the bride who
was

Hence,
his
a

when

renounces

love

from

he infancy,

makes

the

destined

for him

slave to the demons

in the

of debauch. do
upon

Souls earth.

and grow Immaculate

multiply
souls
can are

heaven

as

bodies

daughtersof
save

the kisses of which

comes

angels.
from

Nothing
neaven.

enter

heaven

that

Hence,
man one

after

death, the
alone
to

divine and

spirit which
leaves
two
one

animated corpses,
*

returns

heaven
in

upon
names

earth,the other

the
are

atmosphere ;

These

Hebrew

translated into French

Alphonse Louis

Constant.

112

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

terrestrial and

the elementary, other soul

other aerial and

sidereal, one
the universal
to

already inert, the

movement

still animated of the

by

of

the

world, yet destined

die

by the astral forces which produced it. The terrestrial body is visible ; the other is unseen by the and living it be beheld except nor can bodies, eyes of earthly which of the astral lightto the translucid, by the application its impressions fluences to the nervous system, and thus inconveys the organ of sight so as to make it perceivethe forms which are preservedand the words which are written in the book of vital light. When has lived well the astral body evaporates a man like a pure incense ascending towards the upper regions ; but should he have lived in sin, his astral body, which holds him still seeks the objectsof its passions, and prisoner,
wishes
to

slowly,absorbed

return

to

life.
steam

It torments
of

the

dreams and

spiltblood, the pleasuresof its life elapsed the placeswhere ; it still which watches it possessed and treasures over buried; it fresh material expends itself in painful efforts to make and so live again. But the stars draw it up and organs it ; its feels its intelligence absorb weaken, its memory Its former vanishes,all its being dissolves. gradually and pursue vices rise up before it, monstrous assume shapes, The unfortunate it ; they attack and devour it. creature loses all the members which have ministered thus successively and for ever, to his iniquities ; then he dies a second time and his memory. because he loses his personality Souls destined not which to live, but are are yet completely remain purified, captive for a longeror shorter period in the astral body, wherein they are burned by the odic light,
bathes girls,
. . .

in

the

young floats about

of

...

which

seeks to absorb

and

dissolve them.

It is in order

to

this body that suffering souls sometimes escape from therein dwell in that the bodies of the living and which bodies Kabbalists which
are

enter state

connection

with

embryonic. Now, it is these aerial into evoked We enter by necromancy. with dead larvae, or perishing substances,
term

114

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

the

mysteries of ceremonial magic, I had myself shrunk all such ceremonies along from its illusions and weariness ; moreover, necessitated an equipment which would be expensive and hard to collect. I buried myself,therefore,in the Kabbalah, and concerned myself study of the transcendent further with no when, returningone day to English adepts, This note contained a note awaitingme. my hotel,I found I immediately half of a card, divided transversely, which on the seal of Solomon. It was accompanied by a recognised small sheet of paper, on which these words were : pencilled
"
"

To-morrow,

at

three

o'clock,in

front will be

of Westminster

given you.". I the appointed spot I the I held unaffectedly of card in my morsel hand, a footman approached,making a sign as he did so, and then opened the door of the equipage. It contained a lady in black, wearing a thick veil ; she motioned to me to take a seat beside her, shewing Abbey, the second half of this card kept this curious assignation. At found drawn a carriage up, and as
me

at the

same

time

the other half

of

the

card.

The

door

drove closed,the carriage I

saw

and, the lady raisingher veil, off,

with an appointment was elderlyperson, black of unusual with brilliance, eyes grey eyebrows and fixed in expression. and strangely Sir,"she began, with that the a aware English accent, I am stronglymarked law of secrecy is rigorousamongst adepts; a friend of Sir

that

my

"

"

L
,

who
for

has

seen

you,

knows
you

that have

you

have
to

been

asked

gratify such
materials
; I

phenomena, and curiosity. You

like
exact
to

that
are

refused

should
I must

shew

the possibly without you a complete magical the this

to most

cabinet, but
silence.
If

beforehand

inviolable
upon
to

honour,
home."

you will not I shall give orders

I made

give
for

me

pledge
be

your your

you

driven

required promise,and faithfully keep it by divulging neither the name, abode of this nor position, I soon not exactlyof recognisedas an initiate, lady,whom had the first order, but still of a most exalted grade. We in the course of long conversations, of which she a number

the

NECROMANCY

115

insisted upon invariably to complete initiation.

vestments

the She

of practical necessit}7 experience shewed a collection of magical me

me
some me

and
; in

instruments,lent
a

rare

books, which

I needed

short, she determined

house, the experiment of

attempt, at her complete evocation,for which I

to

prepared during a period of twenty-one days,scrupulously observing the rules laid down in the thirteenth chapter of
the Eitual. the 24th of July : it was on probation terminated proposed to evoke the phantom of the divine Apollonius, which concerned two and to question it upon secrets, one the interested which lady. She had myself, and one counted on taking part in the evocation with a trustworthy at the last moment, person, but this person proved nervous for magical rites, and, as the triad or unity is indispensable I was cabinet prepared for The left to my own resources. The the
concave

evocation

was

situated
a

in

turret; it contained

four

of altar having a white marble species top, encircled by a chain of magnetized iron. The sign of the pentagram, as given in the fifth chapter of this work, and carved was gildedon the white marble surface ; it was

mirrors,and

drawn

also in

various

colours

upon

new

white

lambskin marble

stretched table

beneath
was a

the altar. small and

on a

In the middle

of the

there
of

charcoal
was

alder
me

chafing-dish,containing copper another laurel wood; chafing-dish tripod.

the I
was

set

before
very

clothed of
upon
our

in

white

garment,
of
a

similar

to

vestments

catholic head
a

but longer and wider, and priests,

crown

wore

my

vervain
new

held

with a leaves,intertwined golden chain. in one sword hand, and in the other the
two fires with the

Eitual.

I kindled
I

requiredand prepared

and substances, in
a

voice

spread,the
waver,

then about

began readingthe evocations of the Ritual at first low, but rising by degrees. The smoke it fell to flame caused the objectsupon which and white still floating it went out, the smoke
the marble altar ; I
ears

slow

seemed

to

feel

kind

of

quakingof

the

earth,my

tingled, my

heart beat

quickly.

116

THE

DOCTRINE

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TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

heaped

and the
which

twigs and perfumes on the chafing-dishes, before the flame again burst up, I beheld distinctly, as than normal the of more size, altar, figure of a man
more

dissolved

and

vanished

away.

I recommenced

the I had

and evocations,

drawn

placed myself within a circle which "and the altar. the tripod between previously
mirror

upon Thereto

the

which

was wan

behind
form
to

the
was

altar

seemed

brighten in
which

its

depth, a
closed forth

outlined

therein,

and increased, with looked from

seemed

times, and
I

eyes, I

approach by degrees. Three invoked Apollonius. When

a a man

speciesof shroud, which seemed lean, melancholy and more grey than white ; he was beardless, and did not altogethercorrespond to my conceived preally abnormnotion of Apollonius. I experiencedan I endeavoured cold to question sensation,and when the phantom I could not articulate a syllable.I therefore hand the sign of the pentagram, and placed my upon pointed the sword at the figure, commanding it mentally to obey and not alarm me, in virtue of the said sign. The form thereupon became vague, and suddenly disappeared. I breath directed it to return, and presently it were, felt, as a close by me, something touched holding my hand which was the arm the sword, and became as immediately benumbed far as the elbow. I divined that the sword displeasedthe and I therefore placed its point downwards, close by spirit, diately, within the circle. The human reappeared immefigure me, but I experienced such in all intense weakness an a so quickly over swooning sensation came my limbs, and that I made two me, steps to sit down, whereupon I fell into a profound lethargy, accompanied by dreams, of which I had I came recollection when only a confused again to remained arm myself. For several subsequent days my and painful. The benumbed me, apparitionolid not speak tobut it seemed that the questionsI had designedto ask in my answered themselves To that of the lady an mind. voice replied Death it was ! Anterior concerning a man
head
to

again wrapped

there

was

in

front

of

me,

foot in

"

"

NECROMANCY

1 17

of whom
to

she desired information. whether

two

As

know

reconciliation
persons who

possiblebetween
and

myself,I sought and forgiveness were occupied my thoughts,

me

for

the
!
am

same

inexorable

echo

within

also

answered

"

Dead I

impose faith on The of this experience on no one. consequence no myself was something inexplicable.I was longer the world had man same passed into ; something of another but I felt a me no longer either sad or cheerful, ; I was singularattraction towards death, unaccompanied, however, by any suicidal tendency. I analysed my experiencecarefully, I and, notwithstandinga livelynervous repugnance, twice repeatedthe same experiment, days to allowingsome each ; there was not, however, sufficient elapse between difference between the phenomena to warrant in prome tracting narrative which is too a perhaps already long. But
as

facts stating

they occurred, but

I would

the net the

result of these
of
two

two

additional

evocations
secrets

was

for

me

revelation

Kabbalistic

which

might
and ally. gener-

change, in a short space of time, laws of societyat large, if they came

Am
saw, not

the
to

foundations be known

to

conclude
the
as

from

all this that

and
so

touched

great Apollonius of
to affirm
or

really evoked, Tyana ? I am

as

hallucinated

so

unserious

to believe

the perfumes,the mirrors, probations, the pantacles, is an actual drunkenness of the imagination, which must act powerfullyupon otherwise nervous a person and impressionable. I do not explain the physicallaws by which I saw and touched; I affirm solely that I did see and that I did touch, that I saw and distinctly, clearly apart from dreaming, and this is sufficient to establish the real of magical ceremonies. For the rest, I regard the efficacy destructive and dangerous as practice habitual, ; if it became neither moral stand nor physical health would be able to withit. The elderly I have mentioned, and of lady whom whom I subsequently had reason in to complain,was a case

it.

The

effect of the

118

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

point; despite her

doubt that she
was

asseverations addicted

to the

contrary,I have
and

no

to necromancy

goetia. She
senseless
a cause.

at times

lost all

at others self-control,

yielded to
discover

fits of

for passion,

which

it

was

difficult to

I left London adhere

without
to

which identity, pursued in all family,which I position. There

are

fully bidding her adieu, and I shall faithengagement by giving no clue to her my her name with might connect practices, without the knowledge of her probability believe to be largeand of very considerable

evocations of love,and intelligence, ever evocations of hate ; but, once there is no proofwhatsomore, cate that spirits leave the higherspheresto communireally with us ; the opposite, is more as a fact, probable. We which they have left in the astral light, evoke the memories in this reservoir of universal magnetism. It was or common the gods manifest, saw lightthat the Emperor Julian once and decrepit fresh proof of the influence lookingold,ill, the reflections exercised by current and accredited opinions on of this same magical agent which makes our tables talk and answers by taps on the walls. After the evocation I re-read carefully I have described, the life of Apollonius, ideal of antique who is representedby historians as an the and I then observed that towards beauty and elegance, of his life he was in prison. end starved and tormented evocations of
"

This

circumstance, which
my

may
of

have

remained

in my

without

being aware
form

it,possiblydetermined
I I have
to name,

memory the unattractive the

other

of my voluntarydream of a

which vision,

regard solely as
seen

waking
is and
no

man.

two

persons, whom
as

there

occasion

both

differing,
pected. ex-

regards costume
For

the

I had what from appearance, the greatest caution rest, I commend

to

to similar experiences ; propose devotingthemselves their result is intense exhaustion,and frequentlya shock

those who

sufficient to occasion I must curious

not

illness. this

conclude

chapter without
Kabbalists, who

opinionsof

certain

mentioning the bedistinguish

NECROMANCY

119

tween

apparent
simultaneous.
are

and

real
In

death,
their

holding
idea, the
a

that

the
of

two

are

seldom who
are

majority
of

persons who

buried
as

are

still
are

alive, while
in be

number

others

regarded
for

living
would the

reality
with

dead.
an

Incurable

ness, madbut

example, leaving
control

them

incomplete
the

real

death,

terrestial the sidereal blow the

body

under When it
can

purely
the human
it

stinctive in-

of
a

body.
than

soul thus

experiences
become
or

greater

bear,
the

would animal

separated body,
some

from
in its

body,
and

leaving
human

soul,
would animal.

sidereal be
to

place,
less

these

remains
a mere

extent

alive
are

really
said
to

than be

Dead

persons

of

this

kind of the

recognised
affectionate

by
sense

the
;

complete they
who the
are

extinction neither bad

nor

moral
;

and
are

good

they
of

dead. human

Such
race,
tent, ex-

beings,
absorb

are

the
of

poisonous
to

fungi
their

the

life this
heart.

living beings
why
If

fullest benumbs

possible
the soul

and chills the would

is

their such all and

proximity corpse-like

and

creatures

really existed,
in
are

they
about certain less whose who evil
torment

realise

that

was

recounted

former there

times
not

brocalaques
persons in

vampires.
presence less
one

Now,
feels
?

whose
even

less there all

intelligent,
not
some

good,

sometimes

honest all faith who die

?

Are and govern

to
are

vicinity
draw you

extinguishes
by
your

enthusiasm,
you

weaknesses,
make Mezentius you

by

your
in
a

propensities,
like
we

and of for
as

slowly
These
;

morality
dead
are

that

people vampires

whom whom

mistake

living
!

beings

these

we

regard

friends

120

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

14 3 0

TKANSMUTATIONS

SPHERA

LUNAE

SEMPITERNUM

AUXILIUM

whether Apuleius could questioned seriously have been changed into an ass by a Thessalian sorceress, and theologians have long debated about the transformation of Nebuchadnezzar into a wild beast,which things merely unacquainted prove that the eloquentdoctor of Hippo was in question with magical secrets and that the theologians in have not advanced concerned far in exegesis. We are this chapter with incredible different and marvels, more which I refer to lycantime incontestable. at the same are into wolves, of men thropy,or the nocturnal transformation celebrated in rural tales of the twilightby the histories so
of were-wolves.

ST

AUGUSTINE

These
to

histories

are

so

well

attested

that,

has science explanation,sceptical to furious mania and recourse masquerading as animals. But such hypotheses are puerileand explain nothing. Let for the secret of the phenomena which seek elsewhere us have been observed and begin with establishing this subject, on been killed by a were-wolf, 1, That no one has ever ; without effusion of blood and without except by suffocation, wounds were-wolves, though tracked,pursued,and ; 2, That
a

with

view

their

"

even

wounded, have

never

been

killed

on

the

spot ; 3, That

have always been persons suspectedof these transformations found less at or home, after a were-wolf chase, more

maimed,
form. Let

sometimes

dying, but invariablyin phenomena

borne of
out
a

their natural

us,

next, establish

different order.

Nothing
the

in the world

is better

the visible and

dying
seen

real presence of P. pope, whilst the same

at

by evidence than Alphonsus Ligouri beside

was

home, far from

personage Eome, in prayer

taneously simul-

and

ecstasy.

122

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

only request men and of gestation,

women on

the phenomena of science to reflect upon the influence of the imagination of upon

the form

of their

A offspring.

woman

who
was

had

been
upon

present at the
a

execution birth
to

of
a

man

who
with how

broken

wheel
Let

gave

child
us

all

its limbs

shattered.

produced upon
could
so

explain to anyone the soul of the mother

reacted
on

by
can

a we

impression horrible spectacle

in turn will
plain ex-

the

have

the

child,and
him

even

why blows received in dreams wound the body of grievously

above imagination,
nervous

reallybruise
who

and

receives them is and suffering

in

all when

his

body

subjectedto
To them
we

and

magnetic influences.
and
to

these
must

phenomena
be referred

the occult laws which

govern
of which

the

effects of bewitchment, Diabolical which

shall

speak
of
nervous

hereafter.

obsessions, and
affect the

the
are

majority
wounds

diseases
on

brain,

inflicted

the

nervous

mechanism

or perverted,that is, absorbed and extra-natural abnormal proportions. All extraordinary and nervous tensions of the will predisposeto obsessions diseases ; enforced jected asceticism, hatred, ambition, recelibacy, of infernal love, are so generativeprinciples many

light when

by the astral projected in

forms

and
of

influences.

Paracelsus

says in

that

the

tions menstrua-

women

beget phantoms

the

air,and

from

this

while would be seminaries for nightmares, convents standpoint the devils might be compared to those heads of the hydra of and which Lerne were propagated in reproduced eternally from blood their wounds. The the very phenomena of possessionamongst the Ursulines of Loudun, so fatal to Urban

Grandier, have

been

misconstrued.

The

nuns

were

reallypossessedby hysteria and fanatical imitation of the transmitted to which secret thoughts of their exorcists, were their nervous system by the astral light. They received the priest impressionof all the hatreds which this unfortunate had conjured up againsthim, and this wholly interior communication
seemed Hence
in this

diabolical and

miraculous acted

to

themselves.

affair tragical

everyone

even sincerely,

TRANSMUTATIONS

123

to

Laubardemont, who,
the

in

his

blind

execution

of that

the he

judged prewas

verdicts of Cardinal
at fulfilling
as same

Richelieu,believed
the duties of
of
a

time

true

judge,and

being a follower of Pontius and he would Pilate as have recognisedin the sceptical libertine curd of Saint-Pierre-du Marchd, a discipleand of the nuns The of Louvier is possession martyr of Christ. than of those of Loudun a scarcelymore copy ; the devils invent another. little and plagiarise The one process of Gaufridi and Magdalen de la Palud stranger possesses
little

suspected himself

for features, Gaufridi of

women

in this

case

the victims he
was

are

their

own

accusers.

confessed of the

that

guiltyof deprivinga
defend themselves nostrils. had been A

number

power

to

againsthis

seductions and

by simply breathingin their beautiful girl, of noble family,who

described, in the
seemed
to vie with

young sufflated thus inwherein

greatest detail,scenes
the
monstrous

the unchaste Such

are

and

grotesque.

ordinaryhallucinations of false mysticism and obsessed ill-kept celibacy. Gaufridi and his mistress were by their mutual chimeras, and the brain of the one reflected Was the Marquis of the nightmares of the other. not diseased Sade infectious for certain depleted and himself
the
natures

The

scandalous of

trial of Father

Girard

is

new

proof

of

the deliriums which

mysticism
entail.

and

the

singularnervous
real
as

tions affec-

it may

The all
as

trances

of la Cadiere, her the insensate She and

her stigmatas, were ecstacies,

perhaps involuntary debauchery of

him, when
of

her director.
from
a

accused the
version con-

he

wished

to

withdraw
was

her, and

this young cruel than intervened of the

for

woman

nothing more body, which

destruction Father Grandier different in Girard and

depraved
in the

revenge, for there is passions. An influential Grandier this

case

trial of

for

the

possibleheretic, in
the honour attained which of the
we

rescued

the
same

order. results be

Moreover,

Girard with

means,

shall

by very cerned speciallycon-

the

sixteenth

chapter.

124

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

imagination on the imagination of operate by our sidereal body on on others, by our theirs,by our organs
their organs, in such a way inclination or obsession, we and

We

that,by sympathy, whether of another, reciprocally possess one

wish to ourselves with those upon whom we identify Reactions act. cause frequently against such dominations the most pronounced antipathy to succeed the keenest sympathy. Love has a tendency to unify beings; in thus them it frequentlyrenders quently, rivals, and, conseidentifying, there enemies, if in the depth of the two natures is an unsociable like pride. To permeate two disposition, united souls in an equal degree with pride is to disjoin them by making them rivals. Antagonism is the necessary of a plurality of gods. consequence When of a livingperson, either their sidereal dream we in the astral light, at least or body presents itself to ours the reflection thereof, and our impressionsat the meeting often make known the secret of the\ person in dispositions our regard. For example, love fashions the sidereal body of in the image and likeness of the other, so that the the one of the woman and that of is like a man, psychal medium the
man

like

woman.

It

was

this transfer
manner

which

the when
:
"

Kabbalists

sought to express in an occult they said,in explanationof an obscure term God created love by placing a rib of Adam of the woman, and a portion of the flesh
"

of Genesis in

the breast in the

of Eve

breast of the man, there heart is the there bone is the devoid

so

that at the bottom while

at
"

of woman's
bottom

heart

of man, flesh of of

the
an

of man's is

woman,"
and

which allegory

not certainly

depth

We
masters

have

in the referred, call the

in Kabbalah

beauty. to previous chapter, embryonic condition

death of the

what
of

the

souls. who

This

state,

completed
obsession
or

after the

thereby
whether

possesses

another, is often

person in commenced

life,

a woman, by love. I knew young whose parents inspiredher with a great terror, who took the very inoffensive person an suddenly to inflicting upon

by

TRANSMUTATIONS

125

acts

she

dreaded

in

them.

knew

another with certain

who, after
a

in evocation an participating in the next woman suffering acts, began to imitate, without

concerned world
for

guilty

eccentric

the

dead

person.

To

the actions of any reason, this occult power must be attributed which parentalmalediction,

the terrible influence is feared

resident in

by all nations on earth, as also the imminent has not reached when danger of magical operations anyone mutation, the isolation of true adepts. This virtue of sidereal transwhich really exists in love, explainsthe allegorical of Circe. of the wand marvels Apuleius speaks of a who Thessalian woman changed herself into a bird ; he
won

the

affections of her

servant

to

discover

the

secrets

of the into
secrets
man an

and succeeded mistress,

ass.

only in transforming himself

the
most

This

of

love.
in

allegorycontains Again, the Kabbalists

with
as a

concealed when
a

say

that
"

falls

love

female
case

elementary
"

undine,

sylphide,or
immortal have

gnomide,
him,
The
or

the

with

otherwise elementaries revelation

we

be she becomes may he dies with her. We

are

alreadyseen
men.

that

imperfect and

as

yet mortal
has been

have

mentioned, which

regardedmerely as a fable,is therefore the dogma in love,which is itself the foundation of moral solidarity of love,and alone explains all its sanctityand all its power. 10, then, is this Circe,that changes her worshippersinto she is subjected to the bond of as swine, while, so soon ? She is the ancient are love,her enchantments destroyed
courtesan, the marble
is without she who
love
woman

absorbs
on

ages. and degradesall who

other

of all the

A
come

woman near

who her ;

loves,
much

the

hand, diffuses enthusiasm, century about

and nobility, There accused divine and

was

life. talk in the last

was an

adept

of charlatanism, who

termed that he

in his lifetime the

Cagliostro.It
in this art he

is known
was

that

evocations, practised surpassed only by the illuminated

he boasted
of

It Schroepffer.*
*

is said also that

his power

secrets and formulas See, in the Ritual, Schrcepffer's

for evocation.

126

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

in

and binding sympathies, of

that

he

claimed
;

to

be that

in

session pos-

the

secret

of

the famous

great work
was a

but

which

rendered which

him

still more

certain

elixir of

life,

immediately restored to the aged the strength and malbasis of this compositionwas of youth. The vitality the sperm of obtained voisie wine, and it was by distilling in certain animals with the sap of certain plants. We are for withholding it but our reasons possessionof the recipe, understood. will be readily

15

BLACK

MAGIC

SAMAEL

AUXILIATOR

We
to

approach

the

mystery
in his
own

of

black

magic.

We

are

about
of the

confront,even
who

sanctuary, the black god goat of Mendes.

At

Sabbath, the formidable

those
are are

this book
;

point
even

subjectto
a

fear

should

close

the

persons who
to divert
a

prey
or

to
to

nervous

will impressions

do well

themselves
we

abstain.

We Let the
us

have

set

ourselves

task, and

there a : Is question As to the first point, What devil ? is the devil ? science is silent, philosophydenies it on chance, religion only answers in the affirmative. As to the second states point, religion that the devil is the fallen angel; occult philosophyaccepts and It will be unnecessary to explains this definition. will repeat what we have already said on the subject ; we add here
IN
EMPLOYED
a

ourselves

complete it. frankly and boldly to

must

first of all address

further revelation

"

BLACK
FOR

MAGIC,
EVIL

THE PURPOSES

DEVIL BY

is A

THE

GREAT

MAGICAL

AGENT

PERVERSE

WILL.

The

old

serpent of the

legend

is

nothing

else than

the

BLACK

MAGIC

127
soul

universal
of

the agent, the eternal fire of terrestrial life, We have the earth,and the living fount of hell.

said

of forms, and these lightis the receptacle evoked when are produced harmoniously, but by reason when evoked disorderly and they appear by madness the nightmares of St Anthony monstrous originated ; so and the phantoms of the Sabbath. Do, therefore, the evocations of goetia and demonomania a practical possess result ? which be contested, cannot Yes, certainly one terrible than could be recounted one more by legends!

that

the

astral

"

When

dying from horror at the sight, to escape must one catalepsyor idiocy, be alreadymad. Grandier was a libertine through indevotion, and perhaps also through scepticism zeal, ; excessive followingon the aberrations of asceticism and blindness of faith,depraved Girard, and made him deprave in his turn. In the fifteenth chapter of our Eitual we shall give all the diabolical evocations and practices of black magic, not that and judged, they may be used, but that they may be known
escape

the devil invokes one any and is seen. the devil comes,

with
To

intentional

monies, cere-

and

that such M. Eudes

a

insanities may be de Mirville, whose

put aside
book

for

ever.

made and

certain sensation
at

will recently,
same

table-turning be contented possibly

upon the solution here

discontented
of

the

time its

with

problems. As a fact, we and prodigiousnature of maintain, like himself,the reality the facts ; with him also we assign them to the old serpent, the secret prince of this world ; but we not agreed as to are given magic
and

black

the nature is at

of
once

this blind the

agent, which, under

of all

different directions,

good and of all evil, of prophets and the minister the inspirer of pythonesses. In a word, the devil,for us, is force placed temporarily at of error, even the disposal mortal sin is,to our as thinking, the persistence ville of the will in what is absurd. M. de Miris therefore a thousand times right, and but he is once
one

instrument

great time wrong.

What
we

must

exclude

above

all from

the

realm

of

128

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

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MAGIC

existences
nor

is the

yet by the
houses
in

arbitrary. Nothing happens by chance, autocracy of a good or evil will. There are
heaven, and
the lower house of Satan wisdom. is

two

restrained

in its extremes

by

the senate

of divine

16.

yQ

BEWITCHMENTS

FONS

OCULUS

FULGUR

WHEN

any gazes unchastely upon said the Great Master. that woman,
a man

woman

What

profanes is willed

he

by action. Every acts; every will confirmed such action is subject to a judgment, and judgment is from which These it eternal. are dogmas and principles follows that the good or evil which we will,to others as to of our will and within the to the capacity ourselves, according take place,if the will sphere of our action,will infallibly the determination fixed by acts. and The be confirmed be analogous to the will. The intent to do acts should
harm
or

with

is persistence

done.

Every real will by an act is

is confirmed

to

excite

love,in order

to

be

must efficacious,

be

by deeds of hatred or affection. Whatsoever soul belongs to that soul ; bears the impressionof a human comes behas appropriatedafter any manner whatsoever man a of the term, and his body in the broader acceptation is felt, ately medianything which is done to the body of a man that or immediately, by his soul. It is for this reason is regarded of hostility towards one's neighbour every species ment Bewitchby moral theologyas the beginning of homicide.
confirmed is
a

homicide, and

the

more

infamous

because

it eludes

by the victim principlebeing established

self-defence

and

punishment by
our

law.

This

to exonerate

and conscience,

130

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

also

Power distinguished.
attracts

attracts
a

health children
weak

health; this is
other is

power, life attracts life, If two law of nature.

one

live,above
the the

if they sleeptogether, and if all,

be the it

while

strong,the strong will absorb

away.
For

weak, and
is

latter will waste children should

this reason,

In always sleep alone. seminaries conventual certain pupilsabsorb the intelligence individual and in every given circle of men, of the others, an speedilyappears who avails himself of the wills of the rest. Bewitchment of currents is exceedingly as by means common, have we already observed ; morally as well as physically, of us are carried away most What, however, by the crowd. in this chapter have proposed to exhibit more we especially is the almost
of the human will upon the power of its acts and the influence of every outward things. upon outward

important that

absolute

determination demonstration

frequent in our rural natural forces,among ignorant and isolated by any doubt or persons, operate without being diminished A diversion. frank, absolute hatred, unleavened by any rejectedpassion or personalcupidityis,under certain given for its object. I say unmixed conditions,a death-sentence with because a amorous desire, being passion or cupidity, Voluntary places because
bewitchments
are

still

an

counterbalances attraction,
For

example,
his

of prothe power jection. caciously effiwill never jealous person

a

and

annuls

greedy heir will never by in shortening the days the mere fact of his will succeed of a miserlyand long-lived uncle. Bewitchments attempted under such conditions reflect upon the operator and help rather than hurt their object, him free from a hostile setting action which destroysitself by excessive exaggeration. The enw"tement term (bewitchment) so strong in its Gaelic the act of simplicity, admirably expresses what it means, will. The envelopingsome one, so to speak,in a formulated of bewitchments instrument is the great magic agent which, under the influence of an evil will, becomes really and the demon. Witchcraft,properlyso called,that is, positively

bewitch

and rival,

BEWITCHMENTS

131

ceremonial the

operationwith
serves

intent
to

to

bewitch,
confirm

acts

only

on

operator, and
with which make

fix and

his
two

will, by
tions condi-

formulating it
horrible the

and persistence

labour,the
The
more

volition efficacious.

difficult or

because the greater is its power, it operation, the imaginationand confirms effort in acts more on strongly This explainsthe bizarre nature direct ratio of resistance. in black magic, and even atrocious character of the operations as practisedby the ancients and in the middle ages, the diabolical administration of sacraments to reptiles, masses,

effusions of which
are

blood, human
the very
essence

and sacrifices,

other monstrosities,

of goetiaor nigroreality the practices which Such from all time have are mancy. the just repressionof the sorcerers brought down upon laws. Black magic is reallyonly a graduated combination of sacrileges and murders designed for the permanent perversion will and of a human for the realisation in a living of the hideous It is,therefore, man phantom of the demon. the religion of the devil, the cultus properlyspeaking, of darkness, hatred of good carried to the heightof paroxysm ; it is the incarnation of death, and the persistent creation of

and

hell. The Kabbalist of motive

in
a

Bodin, who
and

has

been

sidered erroneously con-

feeble

mind, superstitious

had

no

other

than that of warning writing his Demonomania Initiated by the study people against dangerousincredulity. f the Kabbalah into the true secrets of magic, he trembled ,t the danger to which donment was society exposed by the aban-

:
he

of this power

to

the wickedness

of

men.

Hence

attempted what at the present time M. Eudes de Mirville is attemptingamongst ourselves ; he gathered facts without them, and affirmed in the face of inattentive or interpreting pre-occupiedscience the existence of the occult influences criminal and operationsof evil magic. In his own day received Bodin attention than will be given to more no de Mirville, because it is not enough to indicate M. Eudes phenomena and to prejudge their cause if we would influ-

132

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

ence

earnest cause,

men

we

must

and study,explain,
we

demonstrate
are

such

and

this

is

what precisely

ourselves

efforts ? own our crown attempting. Will better success It is possible to die through the love of certain people as under the breath passions, by their hate ; there are absorbing feel ourselves of which we depleted like the spouses of the good, but vampires. Not only do the wicked torment The the good torture the wicked. gentleness unconsciously for the ferocity of Abel was a long and painfulbewitchment in of Cain. Among evil men, the hatred of good originates the very instinct of self-preservation they deny ; moreover, that what torments them is good, and, for their own peace, of Cain, driven to deifyand justify evil. In the sight are Abel
was a

and coward, hypocrite his scandalous

who

abused
to

the

pride of

humanity by
much such
a

submissions have

must

this first murderer upon been

endured
?

divinity. How before making

Had Abel stood, underthe

attack frightful he would of

a

his brother afraid.

have

Antipathy is

sentiment pre-

possible bewitchment, either of love or find love frequentlysucceeding repulsion. hatred, for we of coming influences by its action The astral lightwarns us
on

the

more

or

less

sensible, more

or

less

nervous active,

tem. sys-

electric loves,are explosions sympathies, which of the astral light, are as exactlyand mathematically of strong magnetic batteries. demonstrable the discharge as Thereby we may see what unexpected dangers threaten an with fire in the uninitiated person who is perpetually fooling neighbourhood of invisible powder-mines. We are saturated and we with the astral light, projectit unceasinglyto make strument infor and to attract fresh supplies. The nervous room which are specially designedeither for attraction The the eyes and hands. are or projection, polarityof the hands is resident in the thumb, and hence, accordingto the ever whenmagical tradition which still lingersin rural places, is in suspicious he should keep the company, anyone Instantaneous thumb the main doubled
up

and fixed

hidden

in

the any

hand, and while

one,

in the

avoidinga

glance at

still

being

BEWITCHMENTS

133

first to
as

look

at

those

whom fluidic

we

have

reason

to

fear,

so

to escape

unexpected

and projections

fascinating
of breaking

regards.
There
are

certain animals of astral

are

which

have

the power

the currents themselves.

possess
a

They
are
on

to lightby an absorptionpeculiar to us, and violentlyantipathetic

certain sorcery tard

and and
are a

the

of the eye : the toad, the These instances. animals, when

basilisk,
tamed

carried alive

guarantee time,
one

the person, or kept in occupiedrooms, againstthe hallucinations and trickeries of

a

ASTRAL

INTOXICATION,

term

we

make the

use

of here

for the of
bridled un-

first

which

explains all

mental passions, and

me;

and exaltations, of disciple

phenomena folly. Tame

Voltaire

toads
to

tards,my
carry
I may
soon as

dear sir,the about

will say

them

with
I

which
so
as

answer,
ever

that

more. you, and write no shall seriously think of

To

I feel
to

tempted
treat

to

not

understand, and
I

those
as

doing laugh at anything I do whose knowledge and

fools
or as

wisdom

fail to

understand,
the

madmen.

Paracelsus, the
bewitchment

greatest of

Christian

magi, opposed

of a contrary bewitchment. by the practices He composed sympathetic remedies, and applied them, not to the suffering of those members, but to representations monial. members, formed and consecrated accordingto magicalcere-

His

successes

were

and incredible,
in

never

has of

any

physicianapproached Paracelsus
But Paracelsus and had had discovered carried rather better did
not

his marvels

magnetism

healing. long before

this

Mesmer,
luminous of the

to

or discovery,

its final consequences this initiation into the

us

magic

ancients,who
and

than

magical agent,
the universal

great azoth, regard the astral light,

understood

the

magnesia of the sages, as an animal and a In fluid emanating only from creatures. special particular his occult philosophy, Paracelsus opposes ceremonial magic, but the terrible power of which he certainly did not ignore, he sought to decry its practices to discredit black as so in the magic. He locates the omnipotence of the magus

134

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

interior and of the

our own

occult magnes, and the most skilful magnetisers At better. day could not express themselves he counselled the

same

time

employment

of

magical

in the cure of diseases. In our symbols,talismans above all, to the chapter we shall have occasion to return eighteenth the talismans of Paracelsus,while followingGaffarel upon great questionof occult iconography and numismatics. also be cured by substitution,when Bewitchment may and that is possible, by the rupture or deflection of the astral current. The rural traditions on all these pointsare admirable, and undoubtedly of remote antiquity ; they are remnants

of

the

instruction

of

the and

Druids, who
India

were

initiated in the

by wandering in vulgarmagic that a hierophants. Now, it is well known in ill confirmed that is, a will persistently bewitchment out draw back withhas its result,and cannot doing,invariably mysteriesof Egypt
"

risk of death.
a

The

sorcerer

who

liberates any
his

one

from
or

charm

must

have

another

objectfor
will be

malevolence,

it

is certain that the victim

he himself
own or

smitten,and will perishas

movement

of his

circular, every
encounter

azotic

spells. The astral magnetic emission

with
of force

being
does
of
not

which

its medium thus

returns

to its

point

parture, dein
a

explainingone
themselves

the
sent

strangesthistories
sea.

sacred

book, that
cast

of the demons
into

into the swine, which This

act

high initiation was nothing else but the rupture of a magnetic for we infected by evil wills. Our is legion, current name sufferer. are many, said the instinctive voice of the possessed Possessions by the demon are bewitchments, and such cases who innumerable at the present day. A are holy monk thereupon
the has devoted Hilarion himself
to

of

the

service

of

the

insane, Brother
cessant in-

has Tissot,

succeeded, by long experienceand

in curing a number of patients, sciously by unconpractice, He attributes using the magnetism of Paracelsus.
most

of

his

cases

either
of

to

disorder

of the will

or

to the

perverse
as

influence of

external

wills ; he
treat

regards all
as

crimes

acts

madness, and would

the wicked

diseased,

BEWITCHMENTS

135

instead

of

and exasperating

making
Hilarion

them

incurable,under

the pretence of still elapseere

as a man

them. punishing poor Brother

What

space of time must Tissot shall be hailed

when serious men, how many genius! And they read this chapter,will say that Tissot and myself another should ideas, treat one according to our common refrain from but should publishing our theories,if we do not wish to be reckoned as physicians worthy of a hospital said Galileo, It revolves, for incurables ! notwithstanding, the shall know Ye stamping his foot upon the earth.

of

truth, and
of
men.

the It

truth

shall make

might

also be added you whole virtue is

men.
a

you free,said the Saviour and shall love justice, : Ye A

vice
even poison, longevity. a

shall make justice for the body ; true The and method
;

is

pledge of

of ceremonial all subtle and

bewitchments

varies with

times
its

persons and secrets

domineering people

find

even practicewithin themselves, without their or reasoning on actually calculatingabout them of Herein they follow instinctive inspirations sequence. have alreadysaid, accommothe great agent, which, as we dates itself marvellouslyto our vices and our virtues; it that we laid down are subjected however, be generally may, to the wills of others by the analogiesof our tendencies,

its

and
an

above

all,of

our

faults.

is individuality
convert
or

to possess
an

of the weaknesses pamper ourselves of that individuality To in the order

two
one

and
errors are

it into

instrument

of the whose

same

Now, when depravities. analogousbecome subordinated

sort

natures to

defects

is

of substitution
of
one

another,the result of the stronger for the weaker, an

actual obsession weaker may

mind

by

the other.
to

Very
it

often the

only falls So did Louis XIII. conspireagainst deeper in servitude. to speak,sought his pardon so Richelieu,and subsequently, by abandoning his accomplices. We have all a rulingdefect, struggleand
seek

revolt,but

which and

is for

our

soul

as

the umbilical
can

cord of its sinful birth,

"

it is

by

this the

enemy

for vanity,

others

for idleness,

for always seize us the majorityegotism.

some

Let

136

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

wicked lost
;
we

and may

crafty
not

mind go
in
to

avail mad all

a or

itself
turn

of

this

snare

and
we

we

are

idiots,
of the

but

become that
"

positively
is,
one
we are

alienated,

the

force

expression
In such

subjected

foreign

impulsion.
that listen
to

state
us

dreads
to
are

instinctively
reason,

everything
not
even

might

bring

back that
most

and
to

will
our

representations
is
one

opposed

infatuation. which
a can

Here affect the is

to
to

of

the

dangerous
sole

disorders for in such order

moral make

nature.

The madness

remedy
itself with

bewitchment
cure

use

of the

to

madness,
in

provide

sufferer
to

imaginary
he
an

satisfactions is
now

the

opposite
Endeavour,

order for desire who is

that

wherein
to
cure

immersed.
person

example,
the

ambitious

by

making
cure

him
one

glories by
for

of
true

heaven
"

mystic
natural

remedy; remedy;

dissolute
successes

love
"

obtain unselfishness

honourable
to

vain
procure

person for

exhibit

the

avaricious,

and

them

legitimate enterprises,
we

profit by
"c.

able honour-

participation
this
a

in moral

generous

Acting
in

in

way

upon of in like

the

nature,

may the
:

succeed moral
"
"

curing
the is

number

physical
of which of

maladies,
the

for
axiom

affects That the which

Master

physical
above is when

virtue that

magical
is the below."

This

is
woman:

why

said,
bound
or
an

speaking
A disease and moral
ever

paralysed

Satan
in
a

has

her.
excess,

invariably
at

originates
of is
an

deficiency
evil
law
we

the

root

physical

shall
nature.

find

disorder.

This

unchanging

of

138

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

temperament
and

of

newly-born
consequent
stone

child

the

pressions atmospheric imin

diverse

influences

which,
at
a

the

entire

planetarysystem, are
such
or

such

particular aspect
;
a more or

of

the
or a

given moment upon stars. Nothing is

stone

indifferent in nature road may

break

completely modify the the largestempires ; still more must or even greatestmen the position of this or that star in the sky have an influence the child who is born, who enters by the very fact of his on birth into the universal harmony of the sidereal world. The stars are bound to one another by the attractions which in equilibriumand hold with them them to move cause all From all spheres unto uniformity through space. spheres there stretch these indestructible threads of light, and there is no point upon of them any planet to which one is not attached. The true adept in astrology must, therefore, give heed to the precise time and place of the birth which is in question calculation of the astral exact ; then, after an
it remains influences, for him
to

less upon a destinies of the

compute

the

chances

of

estate, that
the

is to
one

say, the

advantagesor
meet

hindrances
reason

which

child must

day

with

by

of

inherited tendencies, and hence relatives,

in the fulfilment
to

natural

position, proclivities,

of his destinies. human

take

into consideration the child

he Finally, and liberty

will still have its initiative,

should

isolate himself from allow the chain

too

much
;

and to to be a true come eventually man, will from fatal influences and by an intrepid of destiny. It will be seen do not that we to astrology, leave it is but so much as we scientific and

indubitable

it is the

magical calculus
indeed

of

probabilities. Astrology is as
more

ancient
seers

as

astronomy, and

it is
it

ancient

; all

of lucid
; now,

antiquityhave
we

accorded
condemn

their

fullest confidence

must

not

and

in a shallow manner before us reject anything which comes protectedand supportedby such imposing authorities. Long and patientobservations, conclusive frequently comparisons, must have led the old sages to their repeatedexperiences,

ASTROLOGY

139

decisions,and
undertaken

to

refute
an

them

the

same

labour

must

be
was

from

perhaps the diseases by

star ;

last of

opposite standpoint. Paracelsus the great practical astrologers ; he

formed
under

cured

talismans

astral influences ; he of their dominant

distinguished upon

all bodies

the

mark

universal the true there, according to him, was medicine, the absolute science of nature, lost by man's own of initiates. fault,and recovered only by a small number the sign of each star upon animals, and recognise men, is the true natural science of Solomon, that science plants, is said to be lost, which but the principles of which are served prein other all the as are ism symbolsecrets, notwithstanding, of the Kabbalah. that in understood It will be readily To order
now,

to read

the stars

one

must

know

the stars themselves

knowledge is obtained by the kabbalistic domiof the sky and by the understandingof the celestial fication In this recovered and explainedby Gaffarel. planisphere, and the letters, planispherethe constellations form Hebrew be replacedby the symbols of the mythologicalfigures may To this same Tarot. Gaffarel refers the origin planisphere of patriarchal and in the chains of starry attraction writing, the first lineaments of primitivecharacters may very well
this have have been served

found, in which
as

case

the

celestial book

would

the

model

of

Henoch's, and

the kabbalistic

have been the synopsis of the entire sky. alphabet would This is not wanting in poetry, nor, above all, in probability, and the study of the Tarot, which the primitive is evidently an divined by the work of Henoch, as was an .d hieroglyphic
J.1J

erudite William en The

Postel,is sufficient to convince

the astral

us

hereof.

lightby the reflection and attraction of the stars is reproduced, therefore,as the formed are by the sages have discovered,on all bodies which of that light. Men bear the signsof their star conjunction in their forehead and in their hands ; animals on chiefly, their whole form, and in their individual signs; plants in signs imprinted in
their leaves The
and

seed ;

minerals

in

their veins
was

and entire

their
life-

grain.

study of

these

characters

the

140

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

his talismans are the Paracelsus,and the figures on result of his researches ; he has, however, left us no key to them, so that the astral kabbalistic alphabetwith its correspondences still remains
to

work

of

be

the science of unconventional the

regards publicity, magical writing stopped with

as

done;

of Gaffarel. The serious art of divination planisphere rests wholly in the knowledge of these signs. Chiromancy is the art of reading the writing of the stars in the lines of the hand, and physiognomy seeks the same or analogous characters upon the countenance of its inquirers.As a fact, the lines formed the human face by nervous contractions on determined and the radiation of the nervous are fatally, tissue is absolutely analogous to those networks which are

formed The

between

the worlds

by

the chains of

starryattraction.
in necessarily
our

fatalities of life are,

a

written therefore,

wrinkles,and
of
a

first glancefrequently the forehead reveals upon of the mysterious stranger either one or more

letters of the kabbalistic

planisphere.

Should has

the
a

letter be

there inscribed, jagged and laboriously between and will and and fatality,

been

struggle
to

in his most

emotions powerful the

tendencies,the individual's entire past manifests

the future, rnagus ; from this it becomes easy to conjecture and if events occasionallydeceive the sagacity of the

diviner, he
of the The

who

has and

consulted

him

will remain

none

the

less astounded

convinced

by

the

superhuman knowledge
of the celestial

adept.
human head is formed
and

upon

the model
in the

spheres ;
a

it attracts

it

and radiates, and

manner

conceptionof
Hence

child,this it is which
head and is

first forms
an

manifests.

the

subjectin

absolute

ence, to astral influ-

by its diverse protuberances. The final word of phrenologyis to be found, in scientific and the problems therefore, purifiedastrology, of which we point out to the patience and good faith of
attractions scholars. dries up According to Ptolemy, the sun moistens ; according to the kabbalists, the and
sun

evidences

its several

the

moon

represents

ASTROLOGY

141

is in sympathy with rigorous Justice, while the moon which produces storms, and, by a Mercy. It is the sun kind occasions the of gentle atmospheric pressure, the moon of the sea. ebb and flow,or, as it were, the respiration We read
in

the

Zohar,
"

one

of

the

great sacred
son

books of the

of

the
was

Kabbalah, that
about
to

the

magical serpent,the
the and his head

Sun,

devour

the world, when

Sea, daughter of the

subdued
was

Moon,
the

set her

foot upon

him."

For

this reason,

Sea,

as

among Diana of

the
was

Venus ancients, identical with

or

the

daughter of
Hence
sea.

the

Moon.

also the
consecrate

name

star Mary signifies

salt of the the The

To

this

kabbalistic in

doctrine

in

belief
woman

of

the shall

it vulgar, crush the

is said

: prophetic language

head. serpent's

Jerome

Cardan,
if

one

of the skilful

boldest

students,and, beyond
"

contradiction

the most
we

Cardan, who, martyr

or

of his time Jerome astrologer accept the legend of his death, was

a a

to

his

faith in
means

has astrology,
any
one

left behind
can

him

calculation

by

of which

foresee the of his life. he

good
His

evil fortune based

special to
upon

all the
own

years

theory was
us

his
never

and experiences, deceived him.

To

assures

that the

calculation of
a

ascertain
of

the fortune which have

given year,

he

sums

up

the events and

those

preceded it by 4, 8, 12, 19, belongs to

the

30 ; the number
or

4 is that

of realisation ; 8 is the number

12

of Venus

natural

and corresponds cycleof Jupiter, reference to the cyclesof the Moon to successes ; 1 9 has 3 0 is that of Saturn or Fatality. and of Mars ; the number Thus, for example, I desire to ascertain what will befall me

things;

in this
events

present year 1855

in the order

; I

pass

in

review

the

decisive

of life and

years ago ; the natural back ; the successes or vicissitudes nineteen

of

four progress which occurred of eight years misfortune or felicity failures of twelve
or

and

miseries
now,

diseases my

years since ; the which overtook me

years

from

thirtyyears back. accomplishedfacts and

fatal experiences or tragic Then, taking into account irrevocably the advance of

and

time, I calculate the

142

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

fluence alreadyto the inanalogous to those which I owe I and I conclude that in 1851 of the same planets, had employment which was munerative, remoderately but sufficiently of position embarrassment with some ; in 1847 I was violentlyseparated from my family, with great I travelled for mine and attendant me sufferings ; in 1843 the peraddressingthe people,and suffering as an apostle, secution I was at of ill-meaning persons; once briefly, and honoured proscribed. Finally,in 1825 family life in I engaged definitely end for me, and to a an came I may led me misfortune. to science and fatal path which that I shall this year experience toil, therefore suppose change of place, publicity, poverty, vexation, heart-exile, with and some contradictions, eventualitywhich will be chances

decisive

for the
me

rest
to

present leads

of my endorse

life ; every indication this forecast. Hence for this

in I

the
clude con-

that, for myself and

confirms the

precision of

pletely year, experience comCardan's astrological

calculus,which, furthermore, connects

This term years of ancient astrologers. the degreesof scales or calculated on Trithemius in his book the
on

with

the

climacteric

signifies arrangedin
a

scale. Causes
or

Johannes very calamitous has

Secondary
the world.

twenty-first of this chapter of our Eitual we shall givean exact analysis clear than the original, more togetherwith a work, one even to our continuation of the labour of Trithemius own days of his magical scale to contemporary the application and deduce the most to as strikingprobabilities events, so future of France, Europe, and relative to the immediate
the world.

curiously computed of years for all the empires

return

of fortunate
In

the

According
are

to

comets grand masters in astrology, the stars of exceptional heroes,and they only visit earth tive collecsignalise great changes ; the planetspreside over in the existences and modify the destinies of mankind

to

all the

; aggregate

the fixed stars, more individuals

remote

and

more

feeble their

in

their

action, attract

and

determine

ten-

ASTROLOGY

143

dencies ; sometimes the destinies of

a

group

of stars

combine

to

influence

of singleman, while often a great number When souls are drawn sun. by the distant rays of the same die,our interior lightin departingfollows the attraction we thus live again in other it is that we of its star, and

universes,where

the

soul

makes

for

itself

new

garment,

of its beauty ; development or diminution for our bodies, resemble souls, when separated from our lightwhich revolvingstars ; they are globulesof animated brium always seek their centre for the recovery of their equiliand their true movement. Before all things, however, they must liberate themselves from the folds of the serpent, that is, the unpurified astral light which envelopes and lift imprisons them, unless the strength of their will can of the living them star in beyond its reach. The immersion is a frightful the dead light torment, comparable to that of

analogousto

the

Mezentius.

Therein has
no means

the soul freezes and of

burns

at the

same

time, and

gettingfree except by re-entering of exterior and the forms current assuming a fleshly envelope, then energetically battlingagainst instincts to will permit it at the which strengthen that moral liberty of death to break the chains of earth and wing its moment in triumph towards the star of consolation which has flight it. smiled in lightupon stand Following this clue,we can underthe nature
the

of the fire of

hell,which
we can

is identical with wherein and

demon

or

the old

serpent ;
and

gather also
men,

consist the salvation

all

of reprobation
in small fire

all called

elected,but successively risked falling into the eternal

Such
is the

number, after having

own

through their
revelation

fault.

great and
can

sublime

of the all far

revelation
of
was

which

is the mother

of all

all

religions.We
in

realise

symbols,of already how

as

magi, a dogmas, Dupuis

of every

mistaken It is

regarding astronomy
on

the

source

cultus.
from

astronomy,

the

contrary,which

and primitive is one astrology, astrology of the holy Kabbalah, the science of sciences,and of religions.Hence the seventeenth religion upon page

has sprung of the branches the of

144

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

the Tarot

we

find

an

admirable and

allegory
"

naked and
pours

woman,

Truth, Nature, typifying time, turns

and
water
two
ewers

Wisdom the

at

one

the
out

same

towards

earth, and

fire

starred

the septenary, it ; above her head glitters upon about an star, that of Venus, symbol eight-pointed

around flourishing of them the butterfly of Psyche has of the soul is replacedin some copies alighted ; this emblem of the sacred book by a bird,which is a more Egyptian and Tarot the ancient symbol. In the modern probably a more Star ; it is analogous to a plate is entitled the Glittering of Hermetic number symbols,and is also in correspondence with the Blazing Star of Masonic which initiates, expresses of the mysteriesof Eosicrucian most secret doctrine.
are

of peace and love ; the and on one the woman,

plantsof

earth

18

CHAKMS

AND

PHILTEES

JUSTITIA

MYSTERIUM

CANES

WE

have

now

to

grapple with
can

the

most

criminal

abuse

to

which
or,

magical sciences
instruct but
to

be

put, namely, venomous

that
we

magic,
write

rather,sorcery.
to

Let it be here understood

warn.

not

instead of justice, the nigromancers punishingthe adepts,had only proscribed and poisoningsorcerers, it is certain, have previously as we have been remarked, that its severitywould well placed, and that the most could never be excessive severe penalties
case

If human

in the

of such

criminals.

At

the

same

time it must

not

supposed that the rightof life and death which has always been exercised belongs to the magus infamous some or some cupiditymore vengeance,
still ; in

be

secretly to satisfy
infamous

the

middle

ages,

as

in

the

ancient

world, magical

146

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

terrible

drama
of

of the

'93 secret

is

still concealed

in

the

darkest

sanctuary
who

societies ; to sought to emancipate the common

adepts of good faith, were people, opposed

ancient traditions, adepts of another sect, attached to more who fought by means analogousto those of their adversaries : made of the great arcanum the practice was impossibleby unmasking its theory. The crowd understood nothing,but it mistrusted and everything,
; the
ever

fell lower became

still in
more

courageme its disthan

great
to

arcanum

secret

; the

checkmated adepts, neither

by

each

other,could exercise

their

power
;

they condemned
one

selves to deliver themgovern others nor another to the death of traitors ; one
to

they
and

abandoned

another

to the knife exile,to suicide,

the scaffold. I shall be asked

whether possibly equallyterrible dangers threaten at this day the intruders into the occult sanctuary of its secret. and the betrayers Why should I answer thing anyIf I risk a to the of the inquisitive ? incredulity violent death for their instruction, certainly they will not afraid on their own me save account, let them ; if they are abstain from this is all I can imprudent research say to Let us return them. to venomous magic.
"

In

his

romance some

of Monte
of practices

Cristo,Alexandre
this ominous
same

Dumas There

has
is

revealed
no

science.

ground by repeating its melancholy theories of crime; describinghow plants are poisoned; how animals nourished on these plantshave their and becoming in turn the food of men, flesh infected, cause without death leaving any trace of poison; how the walls of houses are inoculated ; how the air is permeated by fumes of St Croix for the operator ; which requirethe glassmask let us leave the ancient Canidia her abominable mysteries, from fernal and refrain the inthe extent to which investigating rites of Sagana have carried the art of Locusta. It is enough to state that this most infamous class of malefactors distilled in conjunction the virus of contagious diseases, the and the sap of poisonousplants, of reptiles, that they venom
to

need

traverse

the

CHARMS

AND

PHILTRES

147

fungus its deadly and narcotic properties, from datura its asphyxiating stramonium, from the principles that poison one drop of which, peach and bitter almond like a flash of placed on the tongue or in the ear, destroys, the strongest and best constituted livingbeing. lightning, in which boiled with milk The white juice of sea-lettuce was The sap of the manvipers and asps had been drowned. either brought back with chineel or deadly fruit of Java was from their long journeys, them or imported at great expense ; similar also was the juice of the cassada, and so were so mixed with impure ashes the flint, poisons; they pulverised with the dried slime of reptiles, composed hideous philtres
extracted from the virus of
mares on

heat

and

similar

secretions

of

bitches ;

they mingled
an

human

blood

with

infamous
was

drugs,composing

oil the
tarte

mere

odour

of which
of

therein fatal,
;

recalling
concealed

the

bourbonnaise

Panurge

they

even

recipesfor poisoning in the technical languageof alchemy, in more and the secret of the powder of projection, than one that of old book which claims to be Hermetic, is in reality The Grand Grimoire the powder of succession. gives one the title in particular which is very thinlydisguisedunder of Method for Making Gold; it is an atrocious decoction of verdigris, arsenic,and sawdust, which, if properlymade, should branch that is plunged into a immediately consume iron nail. John it and eat swiftlythrough an Baptista Porta cites in his Natural Magic a specimen of Borgia poison, but, as may be imagined,he is deceiving the vulgar,and be too dangerous would does not divulge the truth,which in such a connection. We therefore quote his recipe may the curiosity readers. to satisfy of our but it is a sponge for The toad by itself is not venomous, and is the mushroom of the animal kingdom. Take, poisons, then, a plump toad, says Porta, and place it with vipers and asps in a globular bottle ; let poison'ous fox-gloves, fungi, and be their sole nourishment hemlock during a period of several days; then enrage them by beating,burning, and till they die tormenting them in every conceivable manner,

148

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

of

rage

and and

spurge

retort, and
cool ;

hunger; sprinkle their bodies with powdered ground glass place them in a well-sealed ; then extract all their moisture by fire. Let the glass
from bustible the incom-

separate the ash of the dead bodies

dust, which
will remain
two

at the bottom
"

of the retort. other

a

You

will then

have

powder. The first will be Aqua Poffana; the second, in

any person, who
to

the poisons one liquid, fullyas efficacious as the

a

terrible
cause

few

days'time, will

may
in

have the

drink,

become,

in a state subsequentlyto die amidst of complete collapse. It must be admitted that this recipe has a magicalphysiognomy of the blackest and most ing revoltable kind, and sickens one by its recollections of the abomin-

pinch of it mixed first place,wilted and horrible sufferings, or

a

with

his

old, and

confections the middle

of Canidia

and

Medea.

The

sorcerers

of

ages pretended to receive such powders at the and Sabbath, and sold them at a high priceto the malicious

ignorant.
in
once

The

tradition
came

of similar
to act
as

and country places,

mysteriesspread terror a spell. The tion imagina-

and assailed, impressed,the nervous system once then the victim rapidlywasted away, the very dread of his friends insuring his loss. relatives and The sorcerer or almost was sorceress invariablya speciesof human toad, with swollen pulsed long-enduringrancours. They were poor, reand consequently full of hatred. The fear by all, their consolation and their revenge ; which was they inspired poisoned themselves by a societyof which they had experienced nothing but the refuse and the vices, they weak were poisoned in their turn all those who enough to fear them, and avenged upon beauty and youth their accursed old age and their atrocious ugliness. The mere operationof these evil works, and the fulfilment of these and loathsome constituted confirmed what was mysteries, then the called worker
a

compact with
have been

the

devil.
over

It is certain

that

must

given

body

and

soul to

the universal and justly deserved of hell. expressedby the allegory reprobation

evil, and

irrevocable That human

CHARMS

AND

PHILTRES

149

souls could
must

descend

to

such and

an

abyss

of

crime
; but

and is not

madness such
an

assuredlyastonish
as a

grieveus
the

abyss needed by
heaven
?

basis for the exaltation does the

not

of the

most

lime sub-

virtues ? and

antithesis

strate depth of infernus demoninfinite height and grandeur of

In the vivacious and

North, where
; in

the instincts the

are

more

and repressed
more

where Italy, and be the

passions are

diffusive

charms fiery, is not to jettatura persons who

are

evil eye are still dreaded; the braved with impunity in Naples,and

with this power unfortunatelyendowed are even distinguished by certain exterior signs. In order to guard against it, experts affirm that horns must be carried who take everything the person, and the common on people, small horns, not with hasten to adorn themselves literally, dreaming of the sense of the allegory. These attributes of the symbol of are Bacchus, and Moses Jupiter Ammon, moral power to or enthusiasm, so that the magicians mean the jettatura, the fatal current say that,in order to withstand be governed by a great intrepidity, of instincts must a great enthusiasm, or a great thought. In like manner, almost all popular superstitions are profane interpretations of some marvellous secret of occult wisdom. or grand maxim in his admirable Did not symbols,bequeath a Pythagoras, series of vain perfect philosophy to sages, and a new observances and ridiculous practices to the vulgar? Thus, he said : when Do not pick up what falls from the table ; do not cut down the great highway ; kill not the trees on
"

serpent when
the

it falls into your

garden,"
"

was

he

not

cating incul-

precepts of charity,either social or personal, ? under When he said : Do not transparent allegories look at yourselfby torchlight in a mirror," was he not
"

ingeniouslyteaching true
with factitious
is

patible which is incomself-knowledge lights and the prejudgments of

systems

It

the

same

with

the

other

precepts of

followed who, it is well known, was literally Pythagoras, of unintelligent by a swarm and, indeed, amongst disciples,

150

THE

DOCTKINE

OF

TKANSCENDENT

MAGIC

observances, there are provincialsuperstitious many which indubitablybelong to the primitive misconception of Pythagorean symbols. is derived from word which a Latin signifies Superstition It is the sign survivingthe thought ; it is the survival. dead body of a religious rite. Superstition is to initiation
our

what
sense

the notion in which

of the devil is to

that of God.

This

is the

images is forbidden,and in also a doctrine most this sense holy in its original tion concepit has lost and impious when become superstitious may and its inspiration.Then its spirit does religion, ever one, like the supreme and abandon change its vestures reason, old rites to the cupidityand roguery of priests dispossessed and metamorphosed by their wickedness and ignorance into include among We tions superstijugglersand charlatans. may the those magical emblems and characters, of which meaning is no longer understood, which are engraved by amulets and talismans. chance on The magical images of ancients the kabbalistic were syntheses. pantacles,i.e., Thus the wheel of Pythagoras is a pantacleanalogousto the wheels of Ezekiel ; the two figures contain the same secrets, and belong to the same philosophy; they constitute the key of all pantacles, and we have alreadydiscoursed concerning
the

worship

of

them.

sphinx of the same prophet are identical with an admirable Indian symbol which have reproduced in this work, as having reference we In his Apocalypse,St John followed to the great arcanum. of his and elaborated Ezekiel ; indeed,the monstrous figures wonderful book are the key of so magical pantacles, many is easily which discoverable the other On by kabbalists. hand, Christians, rejectingscience in their anxiety to extend faith, sought later on to conceal the originof their all kabbalistic and magical books dogmas, and condemned To destroyoriginals to the flames. ality givesa kind of originof St Paul doubtless in the mind to copies, was as laudable when, prompted beyond question by the most
The four

beasts,or, rather,the four-headed

152

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

intention, he

accomplished
the way, sacrificed the
same

his
six

scientific centuries

at auto-da-fe"

Ephesus.

In

the later,
to

true

believer Omar of originality time

to
come

Library of
who knows will

Alexandria whether
set

the the
our

the
some

Koran, and
future

in

Apostle

not

fire to

literary museums,
interest
of
some

and fresh

confiscate

in the printing-press religiousinfatuation, some newly

the

accredited The curious

legend ? is study of talismans and pantacles branches of magic, and connects

There
are

one

of the

most

with

historical mans, talisand

numismatics.

and Indian, Egyptian,

Greek ancient

kabbalistic modern the

medals

coming

from

the
in

Jews, Gnostic
of of the Sabbath

abraxas, occult
so

tokens

use

members

secret ;

societies, and
also there
are

sometimes

among called medals

counters

Templar
on

and

jewels of Freemasonry.
of Rabbi ancient Chael. will be

In his Treatise the talismans

the Wonders

describes of Nature, Coglenius those

most

of Solomon

and
are

Designs
found
in

others that of many the magical calendars should

have
a

of

and Tycho-Brahe'

Duchentau, and
of
we

M.

Ragon's

archives which

a initiation,

vast

and

place in scholarly

to undertaking,

refer

our

readers.

19

p T

THE

STONE

OF

THE

PHILOSOPHERS"

ELAGABALUS

VOCATIO

SOL

AURUM

THE

ancients

adored

the

stone, which
did this the most

they named and stone signify,

figureof a black or Elagabalus, Heliogabalus.What

how
came

Sun

under

the

it to The

be

the

image

of

brilliant of luminaries ?

of Hermes, disciples

154

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

conscientious enthusiasm neither to

reason

religious ascribes it exclusively to faith. Now, it belongs without out withto aspirations reason nor aspirations of acquiescence ; 'true certitude is the reciprocal
which knows which
in the sentiment

researches

and

modest

doubt, whilst

the
of

reason

which
reason

believes and which knows.

the sentiment

believes in the
reason

The from

permanent

alliance of

and

faith

will

result not
from

their absolute control and

distinction and their fraternal

of pillars

but separation,
concurrence.

their
is the

mutual

Such

of significance Jakin and

are

the two other

and

Solomon's black and

are

porch,one
the other
even

named white.

the

Bohas,

one

They

distinct

separate, they

contrary in

but if blind force sought to join them ing by bringappearance, them close to one another, the roof of the temple would their power is one collapse ; separately, ; joined,they are For the two which destroyone another. precisely powers it the spiritual is weakened whensoever same reason power attempts to usurp the temporal,while the temporal power becomes the victim the spiritual. of its encroachments on Gregory VII. ruined the Papacy ; the schismatic kings have Human lost and will lose the monarchy. quires reequilibrium of two forces, two feet,the worlds gravitate by means Such is the meaning of the generationneeds two sexes. of the of Solomon, representedby the two arcanum pillars temple,Jakin and Bohas. The and moon of the alchemists sun correspond to the in the perfection and of same symbol and concur stability the philosophical stone. The is the hieroglyphic sun sign and the of truth, because it is the visible source of light, for this reason rude stone is the symbol of stability. It was that the ancients the
sun,

took and

the
for

stone

Elagabalusas
also that the

the

actual

type of
alchemists

this

medieval

the first stone as pointed to the philosophical of making philosophical forming means gold,that is to say, of transthe vital forces representedby the six metals into the first and indispensable Sol, that is,into truth and light, of the great work, leadingto the secondaryadaptaoperation

THE

STONE

OF

THE

PHILOSOPHERS

155

of nature, the natural discovering, by the analogies and living and grosser gold to the possessors of the spiritual and the true sulphur of the true salt, the true mercury, gold, is then of the philosophers. To find the philosophical stone and tions,
to

have

discovered

the

absolute,

as

the

masters

otherwise

Now, the absolute is that which admits of no errors, say. it is the rule of the imaginait is the fixation of the volatile, tion,
it is the

law Now

of

reason

very and

of being, it necessity

is the is that who

of

immutable which is.

is.

truth ; the
some sense

absolute

that which
cannot

is in be

precedeshe
of
a reason

God

himself
can

in the

absence
a

being,and

exist

only in
reason

virtue of which
we

It is this
we

and inevitable reason. supreme is the absolute ; it is this in which

a

must
our a

believe if faith.

desire

rational and

solid foundation God

a

for

merely

It may be said in these days that but the absolute reason is not hypothesis,

is

thesis hypoGod St

; it is essential to

St Thomas wills Thomas

once

said

being. A thing is :
"

not

it, but

God

wills

it because

it

just because is just." Had

all the of this logicallydeduced consequences beautiful thought, he would found the philosophical have stone, and besides being the angel of the school,he would

have and When

been in

its reformer.
of
reason
"

To

believe

in the

reason

of

God

the God Voltaire

is to render

atheism

impossible.
be

said

If God

did

not

exist,it would
?
we

necessary
reason no

to invent

Him," he felt rather than understood

Does God

the
is

which

is in God. but
we

reallyexist
hence

There

knowing,
Faith
of

desire it to be so, and is reasonable

a

believe
it admits

it.

thus

formulated

for faith,

the doubt which To talk such

seem

science, and, as
to
us

fact,we
we

believe do
not

only in things
know

probable, though
is delirium
or

them.
is to
to

think like

otherwise the

; to

speak

otherwise

illuminated that the

fanatical.

Now,

it is not

stone is promised. The philosophical from its ignoramuseswho have turned primitive Christianity faith for experifor science, dream ence, path by substituting the fantastic for the real ; inquisitors who, during

persons

156

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

so

many

ages, have

have succeeded

waged
in

war

of

extermination with
so

against
the
we

magic;
ancient
now

enveloping
human the

darkness
that nature. and

discoveries

of the

the
to

mind,

are

groping
natural

for

key

phenomena
upon
a

of

Now,

all

phenomena by
the This the

depend

single
stone,

immutable

law, represented

philosophical
law, expressed
Hebrews It may
in
one

and
the

especially
in

by

its cubic

form. furnished

by
all

tetrad

the of the

Kabbalah,
their divine

with be

the

mysteries
that

Tetragram.
stone

said
sense,

therefore like
is GOD

philosophical
Jerusalem the its and
name

is square John
; that

every of
its

the

heavenly
with
one

of

St

sides of

inscribed
;

ntbw
bears
two

and

the
name

other of of

with

that
a

that of At

of

facets the

the others

ADAM,
AZOT of

second and
a

that

HEVA,
the
ginning be-

those

INRI.

of

the
on

French the

translation

book

by

the
of

Sieur the

de

Nuisement is

philosophical
on a

salt, the
cube is
over

spirit
which

earth

represented
are

standing
;

tongues
a

of
;

flame
the
sun

passing
and
moon

the

phallus
on

replaced
and
in of

by
left

caduceus
;

figure
and sages
of

the
a

right
sceptre

breast

he

is is

bearded,
the The Azoth

crowned,
of

holds
on

his

hand. and

This

the

his

pedestal
of

salt

sulphur.

symbolic
to

head

the and

goat
it
of

Mendes the
"

is

occasionally
of

given

this and

figure,
the

is the the

then

Baphomet
bizarre

the

Templars
which for and

Word

Gnostics

images
food

became

scarecrows

for sages, been

are

vulgar

after

affording
of of

thought
faith

to

the have

innocent
a

hieroglyphs
for the rage

thought
tions. persecubut know how
!

which How

pretext
in

pitiable despise

men

their
once

ignorance,

they

would

themselves

if

they

came

to

157
THE

UN1%
159

reason

It

'y THB

infer

that

tHWg0j(Jll06
ciftCTjIjUS
from
our

impossible.

CAPUT

i"n
'fc'

is

P"s-

Many

city
fl'^es

of

our

laiuts
gLuo*

c"*^sal dogma,
*^

sntificaUy
^o
tins

^GCOTV

CQIOH

deao.

"

abandon
?

coiTesp01Q
are
so

Because
tae

ries tell L
an

and
us

o.

store

ior

gins

^^der
^
vmi

roicaJly an(atisedeata.
ed of

it ^as

But
un-

occasioixed PTidUrally teinpe?:c^

thav
t^e

pride

excess

.^y^
"he
"
.

^ed
^as

to

life.
ifc is

-GVaiK^ a
deer-par
-

adultery^ assassiua
f

arat

was v"* as
a

^de,
a^d woula
of
1A

body
J
.

rtrvftmaii^ac0
vnoc

is

only
e

3*st

Xveral

our

is

not

tf arat

Tevolucori-

The
rgy

to
VQ

is
s

158
156
THE

so

many

ageg

magic ; have ancient disc

now

groping

all natural

law, repres

by

its cub

Kabbalah their div

philosop]
Jerusale the
nar

its face
-,

and

t)

ginnir
is re

flam

the be? th
T!

0a

fif
n

"^5S^^^

"""s" .tii"" '"*""" cuS"' **w"J*

THE

UNIV

THE

UNIVERSAL

MEDICINE

159

Must
e

we

deny
to

evidence
so.

or

renounce

reason

It

absurd in

say

We

should

wrong
ad posse
is now

supposing
bold oftener
to

resurrection

simply infer that to be impossible.

is pos-

valet consecutio.
affirm

make

that resurrection

might be thought. Many deaths have been whose legallyand scientifically of ouria. have been subsequentlyfound in their coffins dead ,y to life and accor(d:'but having bitten having evidentlycome ;es,
id
occurs on

than

of thy

their clenched

hands

so

as

to

ibandon
store

from

their horrible
persons
were

foryich

agonies. in a lethargy, and

name

open the arteries and A doctor would tell us

not
we

dead.
an

But
un-

an"ps lethargy? cally of

"ited death, a prid(

It is the death

which

give to

by return to life, when from it is to escape a difficulty "ide tha^gjasyby words The soul is joined to the body to explain facts. 3?ran(esible it is a of sensibility, and when ceases sensibility er .partisans that the soul is departing. The magnetic sleep is of rag^hign
3ved b
evere

which

is falsified

targyor
sation
or

factitious death

which

is curable

at

will.

The

ends "ariestei ebru1 ied by

a

torpor producedby chloroform is a real lethargy in absolute the soul, sometimes death, when
makes liberation, is
an

its temporary

effort of will to

tetfieae free

which altogether,
is
to

for possible

those

who

have

"ock^tiered hell, that

ie
"

moral strength is say, whose Hence resurrection is to that of astral attraction. it is these above all

.ble only for elementary souls, and g.'e.

\id run and (:esl:

k

the risk of
true

revival involuntary
never

in the tomb.

Great

sages are 'hetice of resurrection may

if I

buried

alive.
our

The Ritual

theory and
; to

will be
me

given in
the

those, dead,
would

who )rolnwhile,

ask

whether

I have

raised the

in(ipir)uld say that

^
ittt believe
me.
now a^andt 0

repliedin
us

affirmative

they
the

remains

for

to

examine

whether

abolition

,;

and whether it is wholesome to employ ingpainis possible, in oroform or magnetism for surgical operations.We think, Md science will acknowledge it later on, that by diminishing diminish life, and what we subtract from pain we musibility

160

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

under

such

circumstances
to the

turns

to the

of profit

death.

Pain

for life, and hence observe we struggle that the dressing of the wound is excessively painful in the of persons who case anasthetics. are operated on under resorted to at each dressing, of Now, if chloroform were one two either the patientwould thingswould happen die,or the pain would return and continue the dressings. between
"

bears witness

Nature

is not

violated with

impunity.

21

"

DIVINATION

DENTES

FURCA

AMENS

things in his life, has any fear retained his thought a prisoner. It and never time without dread that he is not at the same legitimate the end of the magical doctrine. It is a question approaches the Great rather reveiling, of revealing, or Secret,the now terrible secret, the secret of life and death, expressedin the words of the serpent, Bible by those formidable and symbolical I. NEQUAQUAM himself symbolical MORIEMINI : who was ; II.
THE author many SED One Great
ERITIS

of this book

has

dared

; III. SICUT

Dn

; IV.

SCIENTES
to

BONUM

ET

MALUM.

of the

which privileges and

that which

belong
sums

the

initiate of

the

Arcanum,

them

is Divination. all,

According to the vulgarcomprehensionof the term, to divine what is unknown, but its true sense is to conjecture signifies ineffable to the pointof sublimity. To divine (divinari) is to exercise divinity.The word divinus,in Latin, signifies thing somewhich is equivalent to the manfar different from divus, god. Devin, in French, contains
the four letters of the word
DiEU

162

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

The

essence

of

divination, that

is

to

say,

the

Great

is representedby all symbols of the Magical Arcanum, with the and one science, and is intimately connected of Hermes. In philosophy, it gives primeval doctrine of absolute certitude ; in religion, universal the secret faith ; in physics,the composition,decomposition, recomand adaptation of philosophical realisation, position, Mercury, called Azoth by the alchemists ; in dynamics it multiplies forces by those of perpetual motion; it is at once our mystical,metaphysical,and material, with correspondent effects in the three worlds ; it procures charity in God, for metallic transmutaand gold in riches, tion truth in science, is at once all the adepts of an as allegoryand reality, well aware. true science are perfectly Yes, gold can really be made of the stone of the sages, and materially by means and thrice which is an amalgam of salt,sulphur, mercury, in Azoth and combined a triple by a triplesublimation be acis often easy, and may fixation. complished Yes, the operation in a day, an instant ; at other times it requires

months
must
term
"

and

years.
"

But
a

to

succeed

in

the

great work,
sense

one

be divinus and
it

diviner,in the kabbalistic

of

the

have should nounced, reindispensablethat one in respect of personal interest, the advantage of its dispenser. Eaymund wealth, so as to become Lully and enriched planted Europe with institutions, sovereigns, remained Nicholas Flamel, who, in spite of his poor. when is reallydead, only attained the great work legend, asceticism had completelydetached him from riches. He initiated by a suddenly imparted understanding of the was Asck book Mezareph,written in Hebrew by the kabbalist Abraham, possibly the compiler of the Sepher Jetzirah. intuition this understanding was, for Flamel, an Now, deserved, or, rather, rendered possible, by the personal spoken preparations of the adept. I believe I have sufficiently. is

Divination this intuition

is, therefore, an
is the universal

intuition, and
and

the

key of
of

magical

doctrine

DIVINATION

163

the magus terprets inanalogies, visions, as did the patriarchJoseph in Egypt, flections according to Biblical history. The analogiesin the reof of the astral light are as exact the shades as

analogies. By

means

of

these

colour

in

the

solar

spectrum, and
exactitude.

can

be

calculated

and

explained with great

to know

It

is,however, indispensable

which, degree of intellectual life, reveal by his own dreams indeed, he will himself completely in a manner that will profoundly astonish himself. and second sight Somnambulism, presentiments, are simply in a voluntary accidental or induced to dream an disposition awakened flections or sleep that is,to perceive the analogous reof the astral light, stration shall explain to demonas we in our Ritual, wihen providing the long-sought of method regularly prdducing and directing magnetic As to phenomena. divinatory instruments, they are of communication diviner and between simply a means the consulter,serving merely to fix the two wills upon same sign. Vague, complex, shifting figures help to focus the reflections of the astral fluid, and it is thus that lucidity is procured by coffee-grouts, mists, the white of egg, "c., which evoke fatidic forms, existing only in the translucid that is, in the imagination of the operators. Vision in water is worked and tiringof the optic by the dazzlement which then resignsits functions to the translucid, nerve, and produces a brain illusion in which the reflections of the for real images. Hence astral light are taken nervous of weak sight and livelyimagination,are most persons, fitted for this speciesof divination, which, indeed, is most successful when Let us not here performed by children. attribute to imagination the function which we misinterpret in divinatory It is by imaginationassuredly arts. that we
" "

the dreamer's

see,
see

and true

this is the and things, work.

natural
in

aspect of the miracle,but we this consists the marvellous aspect

of the natural

We

appeal
has

to

the

experience of
has

all

veritable kinds of

adepts.

The

author

of this book

tested

all

and divination,

obtained invariably

results in

164

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

to the proportion the good faith of

exactitude

of

his scientific operations and

his consulters. work which

inspiredall the sacred books of antiquity, of the analogical is,by reason precision of its figures and numbers, the most perfect instrument of divination, be employed with complete confidence. and can Its oracles are always rigorously true, at least in a certain and even when it predictsnothing it reveals secret sense, things and gives the most wise counsel to its consulters.
Alliette, who, and kabbalist,
his
name

The

Tarot, that miraculous

in the last

century,from
manner

hairdresser became

called kabbalistically

himself
of
over

Etteilla, reading Hebrew, Alliette,

the Tarot,
came traordinary ex-

backwards

after the

I say, after very

near

to

thirty years of meditation that recovering everything

work
;

is concealed

in this

only by misplacingthe and inverted keys, through want of their proper understanding, the order and character of the figures without, at the same time, entirelydestroyingtheir analogies, so great are the them. sympathy and correspondencewhich exist between of Etteilla, The writings some, obscure, wearinow very rare, are and in style barbarous ; they have not all been printed,and some manuscripts of this father of modern
cartomancers
are

however, he ended

in the hands them

of

Paris

bookseller who

has

good enough to shew points are the obstinate

faith of the
of the occult

been

us.

Their most

remarkable

author, who

opinions and incontestible good all his life perceived the grandeur
was

but sciences,
ever

destined

to die at the

gate of
He

the had knew

sanctuary without
little esteem
for

behind penetrating much

the veil.

made Agrippa,

of Jean

Belot, and

nothing of the philosophy of Paracelsus, but he possessed a highly-trained a volition most intuition, persevering, though his fancy exceeded his judgment. His endowments
were

insufficient for

magus

and

more

than

were

needed

for

skilful and
a

accredited

diviner of the
success

vulgar order.
a

Hence

Etteilla had

fashionable

which

more

accomplished
to

magician would perhaps have been not have claimed. would certainly

wrong

waive, but

SUMMARY

AND

KEY

OF

THE

FOUR

SECRET

SCIENCES

165

When the

at uttering

the end

of

our

Eitual

last word

upon

of reading complete method the probable chances and hence of consulting not only on it, of destiny, but also,and above all,upon the problems of it provides a concerning which philosophy and religion, is invariably in solution which certain and also admirable when its precision, explainedin the hierarchic order of the analogy of the three worlds with the three colours and the

Tarot, we

shall show

the

four

shades

which
the

compose

the

sacred

septenary. All this

of magic, and can positive practice only be in the indicated and established theoretically with the exclusively present first part, which is concerned and doctrine of transcendent magic, and the philosophical known, or rather religious key of the transcendent sciences,

belongs to summarily

not

known, under

the

name

of occult.

22

SUMMAKY

AND

GENERAL SECRET

KEY SCIENCES

OF

THE

FOUR

SIGNA

THOT

PAN

LET

us

now

sum

up

the

entire

science and

by
the

its

principles.
of

Analogy is the final word faith. Harmony consists subsists by the analogy
the
can

of science in of

first word

supreme neither
reason

and be
one

final

reason
nor

equilibrium contraries. Absolute unity is of things. Now, this reason

and equilibrium, three persons
create ; it is
a

person

reason,

and

eminently.
and

separate
centre.

unite
reason

"

To

must equilibrium,we separate by the poles,unite by the upon faith is to destroyfaith ; to create

To

1.66

SUMMAKY

AND

KEY

OF

THE

FOUK

SECRET

SCIENCES

16?

mysticism in philosophy is to assail reason. faith,by their nature, mutually exclude one they unite by analogy. Analogy is the
mediator
between the

Eeason

and

another, and
sole

possible

Dogma is the ever ascendinghypothesisof a presumable equation. For it is the the ignorant, hypothesis which is the absolute is hypothesis. and the absolute affirmation which affirmation, Hypotheses are necessary in science,and he who seeks to for realise them enlargesscience without decreasingfaith,
finite and
on

infinite.

the what

further
we

side
not

of faith is the

infinite.
reason

We leads

believe
us

in

do

know, but
the

what

to

admit.

To

define

and

circumscribe unknown.

the

objectof

faitli is,
of

to formulate therefore,
are

Professions

faith
man.

formulations theorems
man

of

the

ignorance and
are

of aspirations
of his

The The

of science denies God

monuments

conquests.
he
who

who

is not

less fanatical than

is

defines him defined makes whence that of

can

with

God pretendedinfallibility. enumeration

an

commonly
Man

by
God

the

of

all that

He

is not.
the
man

by

it results
an

analogy from the lesser to that the conception of God by

man

greater,
is
ever

infinite

who he

makes believes

man

finite God.
measure

Man
of that
not

realise that he

which

in

the

which

knows, and
can

know, and he
of that

by reason accomplishall
believes and

of that

which

he does
measure

that he wills in the

which The

he

by

reason

of that

which

he

knows.

analogyof contraries is the connection of light and shade, of height and hollow, of plenum and void. of all dogmas, is the substitution the mother of Allegory, for seals, for realities. It is the fable of shadows impressions
of

truth

and

the veils
The
a

truth

of

fable.
a

One shade
an

does
for

not

invent

dogma, one produced.

revelare,a
new man

truth, and

initiator

is not

eyes is impostor, he is a
of

weak

revealer, that is,followingthe

who shade.

meaning
He

the

Latin
creator

word of
a

veils afresh.

is the

Analogy
fundamental

is the
reason

key

of all secrets

of nature
This

and is

the

sole

of all revelations.

why religions

168

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

seem

to be written

in the heavens

and
of God

in all nature is the book

; this is

just as it should be, for the work

and
His

of

God,

in what

He

writes should

be discerned

the

of expression

of His being, since we conceive and consequently thought, Him thought. Dupuis and Volney saw only as the supreme only a plagiarismin this splendidanalogy, which should have led them to acknowledge the catholicity, that is,the of the primeval, and universality one, magical,kabbalistic, immutable doctrine of revelation by analogy. Analogy yields all the forces of nature to the magus essence ; analogy is the quintof the philosophical stone, the secret of perpetual the temple resting motion, the quadrature of the circle, on the two JAKIN and BOHAS, the key of the great pillars
arcanum,

the root To

of the tree

of

the science of good and life,

in thingsappreciable analogies

evil.

find the exact

scale of

by science is to fix the bases of faith and thus become Now, there is a prinpossessed of the rod of miracles. ciple and is the great arcanum. rigorousformula, which Let the wise man seek it not, since he has alreadyfound it ; let the profane seek and for ever, they will never
find it.
and place spiritually materially by the positive key of analogies. Occult medicine is simply the exercise of the will appliedto the of life, to that astral light the existence of which very source

Metallic

transmutation

takes

is

fact,which

has

movement

conformed
for their
arcanum,

to

calculations

having the great magical arcanum This universal descending scale.

eternal
the
secret

ascending and
the final and

of
a

transcendent

in is represented initiation,

Tarot

by
a

foot, has

who girl, magnetic rod in

crown

naked

touches each

the earth

only by
seems

one

hand, and

to

be

bull, a angel,an eagle, and a lion. Fundamentally,the figureis analogous to the of which is here given, cherub of Jekeskiel, a representation and Indian to the symbol of Addhanari, which again is analogousto the ado-nai of Jekeskiel,who is vulgarlycalled Ezekiel. The comprehension of this figure is the key of all

running

in

held

up

by

an

170

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

is

the

idol demon

of is

black death
of

magic

and

the
in

phantom
the

of cast-off the

the

fiend.

The
of

masquerading
Hirrenkesept
and of

garments
rubbish

life,
ruined the

the

spectre

throned

upon

of

civilisations,

concealing
the

loathsome
of

nakedness Vishnu.

by

rejected

salvage

incarnations

HERE

ENDS

THE

DOCTRINE

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC.

THE EITUAL OF TRANSCENDENT MAGIC

INTRODUCTION

KNOWEST march
every and of
our

thou

that
and

old wearies

queen
never

of
?

the

world

who

is

on

the

always
selfish all its

Every
before

uncurbed
of

passion, humanity,
mistress

pleasure, every

licentious go
in

energy
the these

tyrannous

weakness,

sordid

tearful
reap

valley, and, scythe

their eternal is she skeleton
which

hand,

indefatigable
is old
as

labourers

harvest. concealed
abstracts

That
in from

queen the

time,
women's

but

her

wreckage youth
that is she

of
and
are

beauty,
love.
Her

their
tresses

their
not

skull

is adorned of

with

dead

her

own.

Spoliator
the

crowned
from

heads,
the

bellished em-

with
hair of

plunder
to

of queens,

star-begemmed
the
tioner execu-

Berenice sheared

that, white
the is brow

without
of in

age, which

from

Marie

Antoinette.

Her
and

livid

and

frozen

body

clothed Her

polluted garments
hands,
and open covered

tattered

winding-sheets.
hold and she diadems ashes. passes
and

bony by,

with

rings, jewels
cabinets
in

chains, sceptres
she goes doors

crossbones,
of selves; themto

When

through
she

walls;

she

penetrates
of

the
poor

of
most

kings
their the

surprises the
she
their

extortioners down
at

the

their
out

secret

orgies ;
at

sits

their her

board,

pours

wine, grins

songs

with

gumless
hind be-

teeth,

takes

place
seeks

of She

the

lecherous

courtesan

hidden

their

curtains.
; she

delights in
their
but
caresses

the
as

vicinity of sleeping
if she all

voluptuaries
warm

hoped

to

grow she

in

their and

embrace,
never

she

freezes At

those

whom

touches
one

herself think
; she

kindles. seized
;

ing, times, notwithstand;

would

her
runs

with feet

frenzy
are

she

no

longer
spurs

stalks
a

slowly
rides

if her

too

slow, she

pale horse,
smoke,

and with

charges
her
on

all breathless
a

through
;

multitudes.
his
mane

Murder
of

red her

charger
with

shaking
of

fire

flies

before

wings

scarlet
175

and

176

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

black ; famine

and

plague follow

on

diseased remain

and to

emaciated

the few sheaves steeds,gleaning

which

complete

her harvest.
two little children, processioncome the intelligence with smiles and life, and love of radiating the coming century,the dual geniusof a new-born humanity. fold up before them, as does night The shadows of death feet they skim the before the morning star ; with nimble with full hands the hope of another earth, and sow year. to mow But death will come no impiteousand terrible, more, like dry grass the ripe blades of the new age ; it will give place to the angel of progress, who will gentlyliberate souls ascend to God. mortal chains,so that they may When from how to live they will no know men longer die ; they will which becomes like the transform a chrysalis, splendid butterfly. The terrors of death are daughters of ignorance, of the rubbish and death herself is only hideous by reason

After

this funereal

which

covers are

her, and
surrounded.
is
a

the

sombre

hues

with

which

her

images
life. force

is the birth-pang of Death, truly, in nature

There

force

which

dieth preserve
In
man

not, and
them.

this This

transforms perpetually
reason or

beings to
of nature.

force is the
a

word

also there is
reason or

force of

analogousto
man.

that of nature, and word and of

man

it is the

word

The

will directed
for then

by

reason,

it is his

to analogous
man

expression of his it is omnipotent when reasonable, the word of God himself. By the
and of life, conqueror entire life of man is either

is the

word
can

of

reason

becomes

the

The triumph over death. of his word. Human the parturition or miscarriage beings formulated the word who die without having understood or die devoid of eternal hope. To withstand of reason, fully successbe identified with the must the phantom of death, we it signify to God if an abortion realities of life. Does to Nature wither, seeingthat life is eternal ? Does it signify which since reason if unreason never perish, perishesstill The first and terrible force which holds the keys of life ? called by the Hebrews was destroys abortions eternally

178

THE

KITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

much burn thine

more no

beautiful

wouldst the
pure,

thou

be ! thine

Thy

face

would

longer with
would be

toil of

incredible

nights;

white thy smiling countenance and red like that of thy happy sisters ; all the stars would know would at thee, and, far from fearing thy flight, rejoice be made with thine approach ; for then thou wouldst one us by the indestructible bonds of universal harmony, and in the voice more thy peaceful existence would be one
eyes

canticle of infinite love." And my the

even

to the fixed star : Believe not, 0 replies that I am at will and vex sister, permitted to wander harmony of the spheres ! God hath appointedmy path, comet
"

the

as

thine, and
the

if it appear

to thee

uncertain

and

bling, ram-

it is because take in

thy
course.

beams

cannot

penetrate far enough

has beacon

to

circumference

of

given me
am

for my

My

which ellipse hair is God's fiery and

I

the

been
; I

the

messenger in their worlds

on

of the suns,

immerse

young

burning heat, that journey which my

stars which in

I may have not

grown

tinually myself condispense it to

yet sufficient
cold in their

warmth, and
solitude. be less mild
If

to ancient

have

I than

weary

my

if my long travellings,

beauty
less
as me spotted, un-

thine own,
I
a

yet
art.

am

noble

if my daughter of terrible
me

and

garments
heaven,

are

even

thou the
not

Leave which

me

the secret surrounds

of my
me,
curse

leave destiny,

dread

even

if thou

canst

comprehend

accomplishmy work, and under the impulse of the breath of God f continue my career Happy are the stars which rest, which shine like youthful in the peacefulsocietyof the universe ! I am the queens for domain. the eternal wanderer, who has infinity proscribed, of settingfire to the planets, the heat of me They accuse I renew which of terrifying the stars which me ; they accuse I enlighten with breaking in upon universal ; they chide me harmony, because I do not revolve about their particular I join them with another, directing one centres, because my
none

; I shall

the less

gaze

towards

the sole centre beauteous fixed

of all the
star

suns.

Be

reassured,

therefore, 0

! I

shall not

impoverish

INTRODUCTION

179

thy peacefullight ;
own

rather
I

I shall

life and

heat.

shall

expend in thy service my disappearfrom heaven when I

doom will have been my in the various fires burn

shall have

consumed

myself, and
Know do all
; I
am

gloriousenough ! temple of God, and of golden candelabra

each
fulfil
our

that

give Him
the

glory;

flame

ye are the light of sacrifice. Let us

destinies."

back her tosses Having uttered these words, the comet burning hair, upliftsher fiery shield, and plunges into infinite space, seeming to be lost for ever. Thus Satan appeared and disappearedin the allegorical narratives of the Bible. ISTow there was a day,"says the
"

book

of

Job,
Lord

"

when the

the

sons

of God Satan
'

came
came

to

selves present them-

before
And

Lord, and
unto

also among
comest

them. thou ?
'

the

said

Satan,

Whence

Then and A

Satan

answered

the

Lord, and

said, 'From
and down

going

to
"

fro in the earth, and from Gnostic

our

walking up

in it.'

traveller of the

gospel,discovered in the east by a learned to acquaintance, explainsthe genesisof light

"

profitof Lucifer, as follows : The self-conscious truth is the living thought. Truth is thought as it is in itself, and formulated eternal thought thought is speech. When Let there be light." Now, this desired a form, it said : said : thought which speaks is the Word, and the Word because of Let there be light," the Word itself is the light minds. uncreated which The is the divine Word, light,
"
"

shines because there

be

it desires
"

to

be

seen

; when

it says

"

Let

it ! light intelligences.When
was Intelligence

ordains God

that eyes said

the
"

shall open ; it creates Let there be light !

"

the lightappeared. Now which God diffused by the breath of His mouth, Intelligence like a star given off from the sun, took the form of a splendid of the name saluted by heaven under angel,who was Lucifer. awakened, and Intelligence comprehended its of nature completelyby the understandingof that utterance the Divine Let there be light It felt itself to Word ! : be free because God had called it into being,and, raising up
"
"

made, and

180

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

I will not : replied Then shalt thou said the be suffering," be slavery." I will be liberty," Voice. Uncreated replied the light. Pride will seduce thee,"said the Supreme Voice, and thou I needs strive with death must wilt bring forth death." upon to conquer life," again responded the created light. Therethe shiningcord which loosened from his bosom God the restrained superb angel, and beholding him plunge He loved through the night,which he furrowed with glory, of His the offspring thought, and said with an ineffable How beautiful was the light ! smile : has not created suffering has accepted God ; intelligence has been the condition imposed it to be free. And suffering who of being by Him alone cannot cause err, beupon freedom For of intelligence is is infinite. the essence He of judgment is liberty. The judgment, and the essence of possess light except by the faculty eye does not really it forced to be always open, it or opening. Were closing and would be the slave and victim of the light, would cease

its

head, with both wings extended,

" "

it

"

"

"

"

"

"

to

see

in order is not

to

escape in

the torment.

Thus, created

ligence Intel-

God, except by its liberty affirming which denies,invariably Now, the Intelligence to deny Him. its liberty. It affirms something,since it is asserting that blasphemy glorifies is for this reason God, and that hell Were to the happiness of heaven. the was indispensable lightunrepelledby shadow, there would be no visible forms. the depths of darkness, If the first angelshad not encountered would have been incomplete, the child-birth of God the have been and there could no separation between have created and essential light. Never would Intelligence lost Him. Never known the goodnessof God if it had never shone forth in the joys of God's infinite love have would in the had the prodigalSon of Heaven remained His mercy all was When there was of His Father. house light light, nowhere was labouringto ; it filled the breast of God, who Let there ! when He said : be light bring forth. And to He repel the light,and the permitted the darkness

happy

"

"

INTRODUCTION

181

universe

issued

from

chaos.

The

negation

of

who,
of the The
was

at

birth, refused

world, and

the

infinite distances
vast

the constituted slavery, motion of the spheres commenced. which this love of liberty, admired
of

angel equilibrium

the

enough
to bear

to

fillthe void

eternal
But

and strong light, could hate not wrath of

enough only
God from hell.
to

the hatred

of God.

God

the noblest of His

confirm

children,and
him in

He

proved him

by

His

His

power.

So also the Word

come

Himself, as
heaven He and willed the

if

jealousof Lucifer, willed to pass triumphantly through the and condemned to be proscribed
when He should
"

down of

shadows
; He

terrible hour
agony As of
:

cry, hast

in

premeditated the

extreme

of

His
?
"

My

God, My
of the announced

God, why
to

Thou the

forsaken
sun,

Me

the star Lucifer

morning

goes before

the rebellion

new-born

nature

coming incarnation of God. Possibly Lucifer, in his fall through night, and stars carried with him a rain of suns by the attraction of his glory. Possiblyour sun is a demon the stars, as Lucifer is a star among the angels. among it is for this reason that Doubtless it lights so calmly of the horrible anguish of humanity and the long agony earth and possesses its light. because it is free in its solitude, of the heresiarchs in the early Such were the tendencies under centuries. adored the demon Some, like the Ophites, the figureof the serpent ; others, like the Cainites, justified the rebellion of the first angel like that of the firstmurderer.
"

the

All these errors,

of

all these

shadows, all these

monstrous

idols

anarchy
demon

which

India

opposes

in its symbols to the

magical

have found priests and worshippers in Christianity. Trimourti, The is nowhere

our

mentioned first

in Genesis

an

allegorical
common more

serpent deceives
translation subtle than made." But
any

parents. Here
"

is the

of the sacred

text

Now, the serpent was

the Lord God

beast

of

the

field which
says
rrn
:

had

this is what
nvp

Moses

ovita
Wha-Nahash

nvy
halah

"IE"K mpn

Sao

ony

rrn

prom

haroum hashah

mi-chol Jhoah

halaht

ha-shadeh

asher

^Elohlm.

182

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

"

signifies, according to the version of Fabre d'Olivet : attraction (cupidity) the entraining Now, original was sion pasof all elementary life (the interior active power) of of Jhoah, the Being of beings." But nature, the work d'Olivet is beside herein Fabre the true interpretation, he was because unacquainted with the grand keys of the Kabbalah. The word Nahasch, explainedby the symbolical letters of the Tarot rigorously : signifies
14
5 3 Nun. n
"

This

The The
"

power

which

producescombinations.
double

21

and passiveproducer of forms. recipient Schin. The natural and central fire equilibrated by polarisation. He.
"

employed by Moses, read kabbalistically, and definition of that magical universal givesthe description agent, representedin all theogoniesby the serpent ; to this of OD fested when it maniappliedthe name agent the Hebrews its active force,of OB when it exhibited its passive when it wholly revealed itself in its force, and of AOUR equilibrated producer of light in heaven and gold power,
among metals. the
the foot of
a a

Thus, the word

It is therefore

that

old

serpent which
head that

circles en-

world, and

places his devouring

of initiation
to
"

beneath

Virgin,the type
little new-born

virginwho
of

presents

child

the

adoration

three

magi, and receives from' them, in exchange for this favour, So does doctrine in serve gold,myrrh, and frankincense. of those forces of to veil the secret all hieratic religions which the initiate has at his disposal nature ; religious
formulae and
power
are

the which

summaries make
the

of

those words descend

full of from

mystery
and

gods

heaven

its Judea borrowed yieldthemselves to the will of men. from and secrets Egypt ; there Greece sent her hierophants, later her theosophists, to the school of the great prophets ; of the Caesars,mined the Eome by the initiation of the catacombs, collapsed one day into the Church, and a of all the with reconstructed the remnants symbolism was of the had been absorbed by the queen worships which world. According to the Gospel narrative, the inscription

INTRODUCTION

183

which in

set

forth in

the

spiritual royaltyof
in Latin

Christ the

was

written

expression of the universal synthesis. Hellenism, in fact,that grand of form, announced the coming of the and beauteous religion Saviour no less than the prophets of Judaism ; the fable of ultra-Christian abstraction, and the cultus an Psyche was of the Pantheons, by rehabilitating Socrates, prepared the Israel had altars for that unity of God, of which been the But the synagogue denied its Messiah, mysteriouspreserver.
Hebrew,
and
eyes the of

Greek, and

; it was

Hebrew the

letters

were

effaced,at least in the blinded

Roman

Jews.
it could

The
not

persecutors dishonoured

Hellenism, and
of

be restored

by

the false moderation

Julian, surnanied perhaps unjustly philosopher The the Apostate,since his Christianity sincere. never was ignoranceof the middle ages followed, opposingsaints and of and nymphs ; the deep sense virginsto gods,goddesses, than the Hellenic less understood mysteries became ever; Greece herself did not only lose the traditions of her ancient cultus,but separatedfrom the Latin Church ; and thus, for
the
Latin eyes, the

Greek

letters Greek

were

blotted So

out,
the

as

the

Latin

letters the

disappearedfor
of the

eyes.

Cross

Saviour

vanished

on inscription and nothing entirely,

But when science and except mysteriousinitials remained. faith, shall unite all the philosophy, reconciliated with various

symbols, then shall all the magnificencesof the of men, in the memory antique worships again blossom of the human mind in the intuition the progress proclaiming of the lightof God. the of all forms of progress But the keys of nature greatest will be that which, restoring
to the

hands

of

science,shall enchain

for

ever

the

hideous

all exceptionalphenomena spectre of Satan, and, explaining

of

nature,

idiotic have

and destroy the empire of superstition credulity. To the accomplishment of this work we shall
our

consecrated
and

and do still devote it,to the life, We would

man

most

toilsome
altars

difficult researches.
;
we

emancipate
of

by overthrowingidols
to

desire the

gence intelli-

become

once

more

the

priestand

king

of nature,

184

THE

KITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

and

we

would

preserve

by explanation all images

of

the

universal
The

sanctuary.

stract prophetsspoke in parablesand images,because ablanguage was wanting to them, and because prophetic perception, being the sentiment of harmony or of universal translates analogies, naturallyby images. Taken literally idols or impenetrable by the vulgar,these images become and of these images and succession mysteries. The sum mysteriesconstitute what is called symbolism. Symbolism, from therefore,comes God, though it may be formulated Eevelation has accompanied humanity in all ages, by men. has transfigured with human but has ever genius, expressed the same truth. True religion is one ; its dogmas are simple,

and

within
of

the reach

of all.
a

At book

the

same

plicity time, the multi-

symbols
of

has been

of poesy

the

education and

human

genuis.

The
to

beauties
to the

the poetry of form

had

Venus infancy of man ; but soon and Psyche enchanted Love. Thus the cultus of the rival, form dreams which perforce yielded to those ambitious of Plato. The advent alreadyadorned the eloquentwisdom of Christ was and for this reason was prepared, expected; it came and to become because the world awaited it, popular into belief. philosophytransformed Emancipated by this belief itself, the human mind speedily protestedagainstthe school which and the work sought to materialise its signs, of Eoman Catholicism the unconscious was solely tion preparament for the emancipationof consciences and the establishof the bases of universal association. All these things the regularand normal were development of divine life in movable humanity ; for God is the great soul of all souls,the imall intelligences centre about which like gravitate
a

to indispensable harmony of outward be revealed by God had Psyche for her

cloud Human

of stars. has intelligence the decline had its

morning
will

; its noon

will
same. sun

come,

and

but God follow,

on

ever

be the

It seems, rises

however,

to the dwellers

the earth that

with

the

youthfuland

timid

in the

morning, shines

all its

186

THE

KITUAL

OF

TEANSCENDENT

MAGIC

stood

erect

before them,

overwhelming them in His believed that they had slain Him but He is alive in Egypt ! They carry
of the
mountain
to cast

impeaching them by His wounds and They by the brightnessof His scars.
cradle at
Him
to

Bethlehem,
the

summit
derers mur-

Him

down

; the

mob

of His in His

encircles destruction
on

Him,
cry

and

already triumphs
; is not

certain

is heard

that He

who

is shattered

They whiten and look at one another ; but He, calm and smilingwith pity, passes through the midst of them another and disappears. Behold tain mounwhich they have justdyed with His blood ! Behold a men Madand soldiers guarding His tomb ! cross, a sepulchre, The ! tomb is empty, and He whom they regard as dead is walking peaceably between the two on travellers,
the rocks of the

abyss ?

road Warn
power
110

to

Emmaus.

Where

is He !

Whither

does

He

go ?

the masters is threatened

on

of the world !
to

Tell the
a

Csesars that their

pauper who

stone

which
to

? By By whom lay His head, by a

has

man

of the

people
or

condemned madness
power
;

the

death

of slaves.
The

What

insult

what

It

matters

not.

Caesars

marshal

all their

the fugitive, everywhere sanguinary edicts proscribe scaffolds rise up, circuses arrayed with lions and open of blood flow, and the torrents gladiators, lighted, pyres are Caesars, believingthemselves victorious, dare add another to those name they they rehearse on their trophies ; then dishonours the gods whom die,and their own they apotheosis The hatred of the world confounds defended. Jupiterand into Nero in a common contempt. Temples transformed the proscribedashes,and above tombs cast down are over the debris of idols, above the ruins of empires,He only,He satellites whom whom the Caesars proscribed, so many He only lives, executioners tortured, so pursued,whom many alone reigns, alone triumphs ! His own Notwithstanding, speedily misuse His disciples should who name claim pro; pride enters the sanctuary ; those His resurrection seek
ravens, to

immortalise
on

His

death, that

they

may

feed,like the

His

ever-renewing flesh.

INTKODUCTION

187

In

Him place of imitating for their children

as

by

His

sacrifice and

sheddingtheir
Him in the

blood

in the

faith, they chain

Vatican
of this ?

the vultures upon another Caucasus, and become But their evil what divine Prometheus. signifies

only imprison His image ; He Himself exile to exile and from is free and erect, proceeding from but not to bind a man, conquest to conquest ; it is possible of God ; speech is free, and to make captive the Word nation nothing can repress it ; this livingspeech is the condembut it of the wicked, and hence they seek to destroy it, to judge is they only who die,and the word of truth remains ! Orpheus may have been rent by bacchantes, their memory have quaffedthe poisoned cup, Jesus and His Socrates may Hus, tortures, John apostleshave perished in the utmost of Prague,and innumerable Jerome others,have been burned ; of September may have St Bartholomew and the massacres
dream

They

can

had

in

turn
are

their

victims

cossacks, knouts, and

Siberian but
all secutors, per-

deserts
the

still at the

spirit of
will

disposalof the Eussian Emperor, Orpheus, of Socrates, of Jesus, and of

for
ever

martyrs will live

in

the

midst

of

their

dead

stand

erect

amidst

collapsing empires. It is this St John of God, which the only Son represents in his golden candlesticks, because apocalypse,standing between is the centre stars in His He of all lights ; having seven His heaven ; and sending down hand, like the seed of a new the earth the symbol of a two-edged under speech upon sword. When the wise in their discouragement sleep through the night of doubt, the spiritof Christ is erect and vigilant. When of the labour which the nations, weary dream their and over emancipates them, lie down and is erect chains, the spirit of Christ protesting. When the blind partisans of sterilised religionscast in themselves the dust of old temples, the spirit of Christ is erect and the strong become praying. When all things bend virtues are weak, when corrupted,when and sink down in search of a shameful pasture,the spirit

institutions and failing divine the spirit of spirit,

188

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

of

Christ

is erect, Father.

gazing

up

to

heaven, and
excellence.
new

awaiting
The

the

hour

of His

Christ

and king by signifies priest times

came

Christ

and new priests kings by science,and, above all,by charity. The ancient magi were priestsand kings,and the Saviour's advent was This star was the magical proclaimed to them by a star. pentagram, having a sacred letter at each point. It is the which rules by unity of force over symbol of the intelligence the four elementary potencies ; it is the pentagram of the magi, the blazingstar of the children of Hiram, the prototype of equilibratedlight of its points a ray of ; to each lightascends, and from each a ray goes forth ; it represents the grand and supreme athanor of nature, which is the body of man. The magnetic influence issues in two from beams
to

initiator of modern

form

the

head,
with

from

either

hand, and

from

either The
a

foot. head and

The
sponds corre-

positiveray
each of the

is balanced
the two
two

by

the

negative.
hand head with and

feet, each
the

hand

foot,
This

feet with

one

hand.

ruling sign of equilibratedlight represents the spiritof order and harmony ; it is the sign of the omnipotence of the magus, and hence, when broken drawn, it or incorrectly and ill-regulated represents astral intoxication,abnormal of the astral light, bewitchments, and, therefore, projections the the magi term madness, and it is what perversity, There is another signature of Lucifer. signature which also symbolises the mysteries of light, namely, the sign of talismans side the impression bear on Solomon, whose one of his seal which have we given in our Doctrine, and on the other the followingsignature (p. 189), which is the hieroglyphic theory of the composition of magnets, and of the lightning. law represents the circulatory Eebellious enchained are spirits by the exhibition of the each star or the seal of Solomon, because blazingfive-pointed proof of their follyand threatens them with a gives them sovereignpower capable of tormenting them by their recall

INTRODUCTION

189

to

order.

if

an

without

the wicked Nothing tortures odious to madness Nothing is more ignorant operator should make knowing them, he is a blind man the

so

much

as

ness. goodBut

than
use

reason.

of
who

these

signs
of
to

discourses children

light to
read.
"

blind,

an

ass

who

would

teach

If the

blind
"

lead the

blind," said the

great and

divine

Hierophant,
And
now

both
a

fall into the

to
sum

pit."
this entire introduction.

final word

If you of the
we

be

blind

like Samson

when

you
you.

cast

down command her

the

pillars
nature

temple,its
be above

ruins will crush

nature

To

must

by

resistance

of

attractions.

free from all prejudice, perfectly superstition, and incredulity, spirits. If you do not you will command If you be wise like they will obey you. obey blind forces, be Solomon, you will perform the works of Solomon ; if you holy like Christ, you will accomplish the works of Christ. To direct the currents of the inconstant be must we light, If your

mind

be

190

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

established

in

the

constant

light.
their

To

command their

the

elements,

we

must

have

overcome

hurricanes,
In

lightnings,
we

their

abysses,
;

their

tempests.
WILL,
to
we

order

to

DARE

must

KNOW

in

order

to

must

DARE

we

must

WILL

to

possess

empire,

and

reign

we

must

BE

SILENT.

THE

RITUAL
OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

CHAPTER

PREPARATIONS

EVERY

intention

which the

does

not

assert

itself
expresses

by

deeds
it

is

vain

intention, and
It

speech
proves

which

is

idle will. that

and in

speech.
Hence
men

is action said
in

which
the
not

life and
and

establishes
books

it will

is be

sacred

symbolical
to

judged,

according
to

their We

thoughts
must act

their order We and

ideas, but
to

according

their

works.

be.

have, therefore,
terrific with
are

to

treat

in works

this
; ;
we we

place
are

of

the

grand
no

question
theories about
to

of and

magical

concerned

longer
and of
we

abstractions

approach
in

realitiesr
the
"

place
to
we

the

rod
at

of

miracles
same

hands Be
not

the

adept, saying
with deal
of

him tell

the
;

time

satisfied have the

to
means

what here with

you
of

act

for

yourself."

We
with and

works
the

relative

omnipotence,
of
nature

seizing

upon

greatest
of

secrets
an

compelling
inflexible Most

them will.

into

the

service

enlightened

and

known
and
we

magical
are

rituals
to

are

either
for the

mystifications
first time,

or

enigmas,
so

about veil

rend of the

after
To

many the

centuries, the
holiness of

occult

sanctuary.
a

reveal

mysteries
is the

is to

provide
which

remedy
sustains

for
our

their

profanation.

Such

thought

192

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

courage

and

enables
most to

us

to

face all the

of perils
it has
out.

this enterprise,

the possibly

which intrepid and

carry

been

permitted

the human

mind

conceive

Magical operationsare the exercise of a natural power, but one superiorto the ordinary forces of nature. They the result of a science and a practice which exalt human are limits. is only the The supernatural will beyond its normal in an natural extraordinarygrade, or it is the exalted tude natural ; a miracle is a phenomenon which strikes the multiis that which because it is unexpected; the astonishing those who astonishes ; miracles are effects which are surprise which are causes ignorant of their causes, or assignthem to such effects. Miracles exist only for not in proportion the ignorant, but, as there is scarcelyany absolute science the supernatural still obtain,and does so can men, among Let us set out by saying that indeed for the whole world.
we

believe

in

all miracles
our some no own

because

we

are

convinced

and

even certain,

from
are as

of experience,

their entire

bility. possi-

There
we

which less

we

do

not

explain, though
the

regard them

explicable. From
the greater,

greater to

the lesser, from

are

the

lesser to the

consequences

related and the proportionsprogressively identically be outside rigorous. But in order to work miracles we must the ordinaryconditions of humanity ; we must either exalted be abstracted or by wisdom by madness, either to all passions or beyond them through ecstasy or .superior indispensable frenzy. Such is the first and most preparation fatal of the operator. Hence, by a providential or law, the magician can only exercise omnipotence in inverse proportion
to

his
more

material

interest ; the
as

alchemist

makes

so

much

the

gold
more

he

is the that
opus.

more

resigned to privations,
protects
whose of
;

and the heart

those the
tree

the

esteems

poverty which

secrets

of

the

magnum

Only
the

the love
of

adept
and
his

is

will dispose of passionless

hate
science

whom

he
of

would

make

instruments

myth

Genesis
to be

of science

true, and God permits the eternally who are approached only by those men

is

194*

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

victories. and for

Indolence this
reason

and

observances The the

more we

and

made

enemies of will, are forgetfulness all religions have multiplied their their worship minute and difficult.

restrain

ourselves

for

an

idea, the

greater is

acquirewithin the scope of that idea. Are not mothers to the children who have caused more partial and them anxieties ? So cost them most most suffering of religions in the inflexible does the power reside exclusively will of those who them. So long as there is one practise faithful person to believe in the holy sacrifice of the Mass, there will be a priestto celebrate it for him ; and so long who there is a priest there will as dailyrecites his breviary, significa inbe a pope in the world. Observances, apparentlymost and most foreignin themselves to the proposed to that end end, lead, notwithstanding, by education and If a peasant rose exercise of will. up every morning at two three o'clock,and went or dailya long distance from home of the herb before the rising to gather a sprig of the same of prowould be able to perform a great number sun, he digies for it by merely carrying this herb upon his person, would be the sign of his will,and would become by his will in the interest of his itself all that he requiredit to become desires. /In order to do a thing we must believe in the of our possibility doing it,and this faith must forthwith be strengthwe
translated mother
into
acts.
:
"

When

child

"

says

cannot," his
it

begins with the certitude of completing, and it proceedscalmly,as if omnipotence were before it. at its disposaland eternity What seek from of the magi ? the science you, therefore,
answers
even

Try."

Faith

does not

try ;

Dare and
same

to

formulate
cease

your

desire,then
the
same

set to
manner

work

at

once,

do not

actingafter
you will

and and

for the
for you

end ; what

shall

come

to

pass,

and while
a

by

you

it has

indeed flocks
"

alreadybegun.
I desire to be make

Sixtus

V.
You

said,
are

watchinghis
you leave off. I of

pope."

beggar, and
treasures

desire to

gold;
name

set to work

and

never

the

promise you, in the Flamel and Eaymond

of science,all
"

Lully.

What

is

PREPARATIONS

195

the
"

first how

thing

to
"

do ?

"

Believe

in your

power,

then

act.

hour, and that dailyat the same early; bathe at a springbefore daybreak,and in all seasons ; if needful never wear dirtyclothes,rather wash them yourself that you yourselfto voluntary privations, ; accustom
But act ?

Kise

may

be

better able silence

to

bear

those

which
is

come

without the

ing seekfilment ful-

; then

every

desire which

foreignto

of the
"

great work.

What
"

! You !
"

By

bathing daily
work
an

in

spring,I
to
"

shall
"

make
is
use
a

gold? mockery
of
an

will

in

order

make

it.
can

It

No, it is
which

arcanum.

How
?

I make Believe

arcanum

fail to

understand

"

and

act ; you

will understand
a

later.
to
am me a
:

One
a

day

person

said

"I

would

that

I could

be I
no

fervent

Catholic, but I
have
'

Yoltairean.
: replied promise
"

What

would
'

give to longer; say

not

faith ! "

Say

'

I would you

will,' and
me

you

that

will

believe.
various

you are a Voltairean,and of all the of faith that of the Jesuits is most presentations
You
to

tell

repugnant

you,

but

at

the

same

time

seems

the

most

Perform of the exercises St powerful and desirable. Ignatius again and again,without allowingyourselfto be and you will attain the faith of a Jesuit. The discouraged, and should you then have the simplicity result is infallible, it to a miracle, you deceive yourself now to ascribe in thinkingthat you are a Voltairean." An idle man will never become a magician. Magic is an
"

exercise

of all hours
must

and

all moments.
master

The
of of

operator
; he

of

great works
know and His
how

be

absolute the

himself

must

to conquer

allurements

sleep ; by
in

he must
be

be insensible
a

life must

that of

will

pleasure, appetite, and to indignity. to success directed by one thought,and

will have made

served mind

entire

nature, which
organs,

he

subject to

versal by sympathy in all the unitheir correspondents. All faculties forces which are and all senses should share in the work ; nothing in the idle ; intelligence has the rightto remain priestof Hermes

his

own

and

196

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

must

be

formulated will
must

by signsand
be

summed

by

characters and

or

pantacles ;
fulfil words into

determined

by words,

must

by
of

lightfor
sense

the touch

be rendered magical idea must the eyes, harmony for the ears, perfumes for for the palate, smell, savours objectsfor the

deeds ; the

; the

in operator,

word,

must

realise in
world

his whole
him
; he

life what
must

he wishes
a

to realise in the to

without

become he

magnet
be

attract

the

desired

thing;
be

and
vinced con-

when

shall

that

the

magnetic, he must sufficiently of itself,and thing will come

the magus
to

without

acquaintedwith the know but he may them secrets of science, by intuition,and without formal learning. Solitaries, living in the habitual contemplation of nature, frequentlydivine her harmonies, in their simple good sense than instructed and more are discernment natural is falsified by the doctors, whose of the schools. True practicalmagicians are sophistries in the country, and are found almost invariably frequently and simple shepherds. Furthermore, uninstructed persons better adapted than others certain physicalorganisations are
be
for the

thinking of it. It is important for

revelations

of the

occult world

; there

are

sensitive

intuition in the astral sympatheticnatures, with whom lightis,so to speak,inborn ; certain afflictions and certain modify the nervous dently complaints can system, and, indepenand
of the
concurrence

of the

will,may

convert

it into

perfection divinatory ; but these apparatus of less or more and generallymagical power phenomena are exceptional, and labour. should, and can, be acquired by perseverance also some substances which produce ecstasy, and There are which the magnetic sleep some dispose towards ; there are and place at the service of imaginationall the most lively highly coloured reflections of the elementarylight ; but the substances is dangerous, for they commonly of such use and intoxication. withstandin occasion stupefaction They are used, notand but in carefullycalculated quantities, under circumstances. wholly exceptional

PREPARATIONS

197

to magical seriously his mind works, after fortifying against all danger of and hallucination and fright, must purifyhimself without within for fortydays. The number fortyis sacred, and its it consists of numerals very figureis magical. In Arabic to

He

who

decides

devote

himself

the

which circle,
sums

is the triad

and type of the infinite, In

of

the 4,

which

the

arranged

after the

by unity. following manner,

of
:
"

Eoman

numerals,
of

it

represents the sign

of the fundamental

doctrine

Hermes, and the character

the Seal of Solomon

X
/ \ X

XX
V7 X
The

XX
X

from of the magus consists in abstinence purification fraining diet,in recoarse enjoyments,in a temperate and vegetable the hours from intoxicating drink,and in regulating indicated and repreof sleep. This preparationhas been sented of of in all forms worship by a period penitenceand feasts of life-renewal. trials precedingthe symbolical the most As alreadysaid, scrupulousexternal cleanliness find springwater. be observed ; the poorest person must can

All

and vessels made clothes, furniture,

use

of must

also be

All dirt washed, whether by ourselves or others. carefully is deadly in magic. is evidence of negligence, and negligence and retiring with at rising be purified The atmosphere must a camphor, perfume composed of the juice of laurels,salt, time the four at the same and sulphur, white resin, repeating sacred while turning successively the four towards names, cardinal points. We must divulgeto no one the works that we for,as alreadysaid in the Doctrine, mystery accomplish, of is the exact and essential condition of all the operations The inquisitive must science. be misled by the pretence of

198

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

occupations and other researches,such as chemical experiments for industrial purposes, hygienicprescriptions, of some natural the investigation secrets,and so on ; but the of magic must forbidden name be pronounced. never The magus must be isolated at the beginningand difficult his power and select to approach, that he may concentrate so he is austere and his points of contact, but in proportion as inaccessible at first, will he be popular and sought after so when he shall have magnetised his chain and chosen his place in a current of ideas and of light. A laborious and initiation that the poor existence is so favourable to practical when the wealth of have preferredit,even greatestmasters it is that Satan, that the world was at their disposal. Then of ignorance, who scorns, suspects, and detests is, the spirit
science future the Then because
master at

other

heart world

he

fears

it, comes
him
to
:

to
"

tempt the
If thou
art

of the

by saying to
these
men

Son

of

God, command

stones to

become

bread." the

prince of knowledge by perplexing, or ing exploitsordidly depreciating, his labour ; the slice of bread that he deigns to need is broken into ten fragments, ten times stretch that he may so
seek
forth

it is that mercenary

humiliate

his hand.

But

and absurdity,

calmly
may

does not the magus his work. pursues

even

smile

at the

So hideous

far

as

be

objectsand
whom and
we

must we possible, uncomely persons,

avoid
must

sight of decline eating

the
live in

with
most

those uniform

do

not

esteem, and
We

must

the

studied

manner.

must

hold
that
we

ourselves
are

in

the

highest respect,and must sovereignswho consent

our

consider
to

throned deto

existence mild and

in

order

reconquer
to

crowns.

We

must must

be
never

considerate
to
we

all,but in social relations

permit ourselves
circles in which

be

absorbed, and

must

withdraw

from

cannot

acquiresome

fulfil the duties and

we

may and should the rites of the cultus to which practise initiative.
we Finally,

belong. Now,
which
most

of all forms

of

worship the
the

most

magical
bases the which

is that
most

realises the miraculous, which

inconceivable

mysteries upon

highestreasons,

PREPARATIONS

199

has

lights
and has has among which

equivalent
incarnates

to

its
in in
one

shadows,
all the and earth mankind

which

popularises by
faith.

miracles,

God

This many
It

religion
names

existed
been the
ever

always
the of

world,

and

under

ruling
three
to

religion. apparently
before
I

has

now

nations

the

hostile

forms,
the Greek

are,

however,
of
one

destined universal

unite

long
to

for

constitution

Church. and

refer
a

the

orthodoxy,
of the
now

Eoman

Catholicism,
of Buddha.
as we

final

figuration trans-

religion
made it

We
is
an

have
to

plain,

believe,
kinds should all forms

that
; it

our

magic
at
once

opposed
absolute and

the science absorb

goetic
and

and

necromantic which and them

is

religion, opinions
direct

not

indeed

destroy
but circle wise We should
of and

all

of

worship,
the with

regenerate initiates, and

and thus

by
the

reconstituting
blind
masses

providing

clear-seeing
are

leaders.
a

living

at

period
to

when
"

nothing
Eemake
"

remains what
?

to

destroy
past
we

and
"

everything
one
can

remake. the and have house has

?
"

The shall
pose, pur"

No

remake

past.
thrones been

What,
"

then,
what
?

reconstruct

Temples
ones

To down

since

the
well

former say
:

cast

You

might
what
use

as

my

collapsed
But

from the house has

new.

age,

of that

is

it to

build

another

will which will be

you

contemplate
for

erecting
was

be and

like the

that

fallen?
"

No,

the

one

old
be

other
a

withstanding Notcan

it you

will

always

house."

What

more

wish

200

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

CHAPTER

II

MAGICAL

EQUILIBRIUM

EQUILIBRIUM
are

is the consequence

of two

forces.

If two

forces

will be and absolutely invariably equal,the equilibrium and therefore the negation of life. Movement immobility, is the result of an alternate preponderance. The impulsion determines given to one of the sides of a balance necessarily the motion of the other.

Thus

contraries

act

on

one

another,

and analogical connection. throughout all nature, by correspondence All life is composed of an aspiration and a respiration to serve as a ; creation is the assumption of a shadow for the plenitude, bound to light, of a void to serve as space of a passive fructified principle realise the to sustain and of the active is generating principle. All nature power and the movement which produces the appearances bisexual, of death and life is a continual generation. God loves the in order to fillit ; science loves the ignorvoid which he made ance which which it enlightens ; strengthloves the weakness it ; it supports ; good loves the apparent evil which glorifies day is desirous of night, and pursues it unceasinglyround thirst and a plenitude which the world ; love is at once a must diffuse itself. He who gives receives, and he who receives gives; movement is a continual interchange. To know the the law of this change, to be acquainted with alternative or simultaneous proportionof these forces,is to of the great magical arcanum, possess the first principles which constitutes true human we divinity. Scientifically, can appreciatethe various manifestations of the universal trical movement through electric or magnetic phenomena. Elecreveal and positively apparatuses above all materially The of certain substances. the affinities and antipathies marriage of copper with zinc,the action of all metals in the revelations. galvanic pile,are perpetual and unmistakable

202

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

will himself

be warned sensation when

of

of

the result of
and

his

intention

by
or

an

alternative both hands

warmth
are

cold in the hand, sensation

in

both

being used, which

the

trary time, but in a consubjectshould experienceat the same sense, that is,with a wholly opposed alternative. The pentagram, or sign of the microcosmos, represents, the double sympathy of the other magical mysteries, among

human

extremities

with

each

other and

with

the

circulation

is lightin the human body. Thus, when a man in the star of the pentagram, as may in be seen represented the Occult Philosophy"of Agrippa,it should be observed that in masculine the head corresponds sympathy with the right foot and in feminine sympathy with the left foot ; that the in the same righthand corresponds way with the left hand and left foot, This must of the other hand. and reciprocally be borne in mind when making magnetic passes, if we seek the whole to govern organism and bind all members by their chains of analogy and natural sympathy. The same proper knowledge is necessary for the use of the pentagram in the of errant and in the evocation conjurationof spirits, spirits shall in the astral light, we as vulgarlycalled necromancy, But it is well explainin the fifth chapter of this Kitual.
"

of the astral

to

observe

here

that

every

action

promotes

reaction,and

that in
we

magnetising others, or
them and

them influencing ourselves

may
as a

magically,
of
trary con-

establish between but

current

analogousinfluence
them subjecting

which
to us,

instead

of

which have operations for their object. Hence it is highly essential to be on our defence while we the not to aspireon are so as attacking, left while we the right. The magical androgyne on respire inscribed of the Eitual has SOLVE depictedin the frontispiece the left arm, which sponds correon upon the right and COGULA to the symbolical figure of the architects of the bore their sword hand in one and their second temple,who trowel in the other. While buildingthey had also to defend herself does their work and dispersetheir enemies ; nature

enough

in those

subjectus to them happens frequently the sympathy of love

MAGICAL

EQUILIBRIUM

203

time. likewise, destroying and regeneratingat the same Now, according to the allegory of Duchentau's Magical is the ape of nature, Calendar,man, that is to say, the initiate,

by a chain, but makes him of his the proceedingsand works imitating and imperishable model.
who

confines him

act

unceasingly,
mistress

divine

The mildness

alternate
after

use

of

contrary forces,warmth
after anger,

after

cold,
of

love severity,

"c.,is the

secret

of power and the permanence perpetual motion ; coquettes and hence their admirers feel this instinctively, they make from joy to despondency. To operate pass from hope to fear, is to overside and in the same manner weight always on the same one plateof the balance, and the complete destruction Continual of equilibriumis the speedy result. caressings and antipathy, begetsatiety, disgust, justas constant coldness and severity in the long run alienate and tion. discourageaffecAn unvarying and ardent fire in alchemy calcines the first matter and not seldom explodes the hermetic vessel ;

the heat

of lime

and

mineral

manure

must

be substituted And be
so

at

regular intervals magic ; the works

those of beneficence be

for the of wrath and

heat
or

of

flame.

also

in

must severity

tempered by
operator

love, and
and

if the will of the

always at

the

same

tension will ensue,

line, great weariness

moral

along the same togetherwith a speciesof

directed

impotence.
the

live should not altogether in his magus and pantacles. However his athanor, elixirs, laboratory, among

Thus,

devouringbe
occult power,
we

the

glance
know
how

of that

Circe

who

is
on

called

must

to confront to withdraw

her
our

occasion

with the sword time from should

of

and Ulysses,

how

the chalice which

she offers us.

always be followed by a rest a distraction analogousbut contrary in in order to continually against nature
is to risk but
and
even

lipsfor a A magicaloperation of equal length and its object. To strive

her rule dared and
to
quest con-

reason

and

life.

Paracelsus

do

so,

in the warfare

itselfhe of

opposed the

intoxication

forces employed equilibrated wine to that of intelligence.

204

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

So

was

Paracelsus
was

his life

its vestment

Paracelsus that

and miracles ; yet inspiration rather exhausted or by this devouring activity, like out ; but was men rapidlyrent and worn and abuse can use fearlessly ; they well know
a man

of

they can no more Nothing induces us to nothing is nearer

structed

die than towards

sorrow

grow

old here

below.

joy
than

operator
of
to

is

astounded

as sorrow effectually ; uninthe joy. Hence by attaining the very so

opposite
know bewitch how

his
cross

proposed results, because

or

he
; he

does

not to ;

alternate himself

his

action

seeks miserable

his enemy, he desires to make

for
women

and

becomes he

ill and
consumes

himself
him

loved,and
; he

himself make

who exhausts

deride

endeavours
; his

to

gold,
of

and

he

all his
ever

resources

torture

is that when

Tantalus

eternally ;
to

does the water The ancients

in

flow back their

he and

stoops down

drink.

symbols

the signsof the duad, so that magical operations multiplied of equilibrium might be its law In their remembered. evocations two altars, and they invariably constructed

immolated

two

victims, one
male
in
or

white

and

one

black ; the
sword in
one

operator, whether
hand and
a

female, holding a other,had

one one

wand

the
same

foot shod
or

and

the

other bared.
were

At

the

time, either

three persons

requiredfor magical works, because the duad would be immobility or death in the absence of the equilibrating when in the motor and a woman a man participated ; and the operator was either a virgin, a dite, hermaphroceremony, I the eccentricity child. shall be asked whether or a of these rites is arbitrary, and whether end is the its one exercise of the will by the mere of difficulties multiplication I answer in magical work ? that in magic there is nothing because everythingis ruled and predeterminedby arbitrary, the one and universal dogma of Hermes, that of analogy in the three worlds. Each sign corresponds to an idea, and to of an the specialform idea ; each act expresses a volition of to a thought, and formulates the analogies corresponding that thought and that will. The rites are, therefore,pre-

MAGICAL

EQUILIBRIUM

205

arranged by the science itself. The uninstructed person who is subject is not acquainted with the three powers to their mysterious fascination ; the sage understands those
powers, when
are

and

makes
are

them

the

instrument exactitude

of

his and

will, but faith,they

they
never

accomplished with
must

ineffectual. be
must duplicated ; there chafing-dishes, cups, two

All

magical instruments
swords,
two two

be
two

two

wands,

two

and pantacles,
one over

worn,

colours,a rule
no

be must lamps ; two vestments the other, and be of contrary they must still followed by Catholic priests either ; and
at

metal, or

two

the
or

must least,

be

worn.

The

crowns

of

laurel, rue, mugwort,

;
one

vervain
in

must, in like

manner,

be
other

double

of them

is used

while the evocations,

which it makes and the curls of the crackling smoke which it produces being observed like an augury. Nor is the observance vain, for in the magical work all the instruments of art are magnetised by the operator; the air is charged with his perfumes,the fire which he has consecrated is subject to his will, the forces of nature seem to
hear

is burnt, the

and and

answer

him

; he

reads

in

all forms

the

tions modifica-

the complements of his thought. He perceives water the fire and, as it were, bubbling of itself, agitated, the leaves of the garsuddenly, blazingup or extinguishing lands the magical rod moving spontaneously, and rustling, unknown voices passing through the air. It was strange, in such evocations that Julian beheld the beloved phantoms and was of his dethroned appalledat their decrepitude gods, and pallor. has for ever I am that Christianity aware suppressed that and it the evocaceremonial severely tions magic, proscribes and intention sacrifices of the old world.
to

It is not, therefore, our

ing give a new ground for their existence by revealafter the lapseof so many the antiquemysteries centuries. have Even in this very order of phenomena, our experiences researches and nothing more. We have conbeen scholarly firmed facts that we might appreciatecauses, and it has

206

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

never

been

our

destroyed.
so

The

for ever to restore rites which are pretension that religion which is orthodoxy of Israel,

so rational,

divine,and

so

ill known,

condemns,

no

less

than the

the

the mysteriesof ceremonial Christianity, magic. From cendent standpoint of the tribe of Levi, the exercise of transbe considered as an magic must usurpation of the same has caused the proreason priesthood ; and scription of operativemagic by every official cultus. To the natural
at

demonstrate
to

foundation
to

of the
for

marvellous, and
the

produce it

will, is
evidence

annihilate miracles

vulgar

mind

that conclusive each

as religion

from

which

is claimed

by

its exclusive for established

property and

its final argument.

but room also for religions, have passed, science ! thank God, the days of inquisiWe tions of learning are and pyres ; unhappy men no longer murdered the faith of a few on distraughtfanatics or understood hysterical girls. For the rest, let it be clearly

Respect

that

our

undertaking is
not

concerned

with

studies

of

the

impossiblepropaganda. Those for daring to term blame ourselves magician who us may have nothing to fear from the example, it being wholly improbable that they will ever become sorcerers.
an

curious, and

with

CHAPTER

III

THE

TRIANGLE

OF

PANTACLES

THE

Abbot

Trithemius, who

in

in Agrippa, explains, and after a very natural evocations secret of conjurations for that very and philosophical though possibly, manner, too simply and too easily. He tells us that to evoke reason, is to enter into the dominant a spirit thought of that spirit, raise ourselves morallyhigheralong the same and if we line,
"

Cornelius

of the master magic was his Steganography,"the

THE

TRIANGLE

OF

PANTACLES

207

we

shall draw
us.

serve

and

with us, and it will certainly spirit away To conjure is to oppose the resistance of a current to swear chain to an isolated spirit cum jurare, the
"

of faith. that is, to make The act a common together, of this faith,the more greater the strengthand enthusiasm tianity Chrisefficacious is the conjuration. This is why new-born it silenced the oracles ; it only possessedinspiration, when only force. Later on, when St Peter grew old,that is, that it had believed the world a legal case against the of prophecy came to replacethe oracles ; Papacy, the spirit

Savonarola, Joachim others, by turns

of

Mores, John
the minds and

Hus,
of

and

so

influenced

men, secret

and

many preted, inter-

by
and We
may

lamentations

menaces,

the

anxieties

rebellions of all hearts.

act

when but to individually evoking a spirit, of a circle or an association conjurewe must speak in the name of the hieroglyphical circle significance ; this is the who and out of which is operating, traced round the magus he must
be with
not

pass

unless

he

wishes
Let

at
us

the

same

moment

to

strippedof
the

all his power.

grapple at

this

point

whether the real evocation palmary question, of spirits and real conjuration and are thingspossible, whether such possibility be scientifically demonstrated. can To the first part of the question it may be replied out of hand that everythingwhich is not an evident impossibility and must be admitted as can provisionally possible. As to affirm that in virtue of the great magical the second part, we the kabdogma of the hierarchyand of universal analogy, of real evocations balistic possibility be demonstrated can ; concerningthe phenomenal reality consequent upon magical with of this is a matter accomplished operations sincerity, have established as already described, we experience ; it in our of this Ritual and by means own we persons, shall place our readers in a position and confirm to renew our experiences. has lived goes Nothing in nature perishes ; whatsoever forms ; but even the anterior on livingalways under new

vital and

208

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

forms Do
we

are

not

not
now

in since they persist destroyed, still see in imagination the child we

our once

memory kner

though
believe blotted

he is
be

an

old

man our

The
memory

very
are

traces not

which
in
rr

to

effaced from
a

out, for
But

fortuitous

circumstance
manner

may
we see

evo) the'

recall them.
we

after what

do

have

alreadysaid,it
to
our

is in the astral

wh1* light,
of t1

mits them

brain

by

the

mechanism
are

system.

On

the other

hand,

all forms

to analogical

the idea which

has determined

prop th
ic1

the natural
term

the signature of that character,

so soon as

it,and

the

idea forth.

is acti Scho*.

form

is realised

and

bodied

illumine' of and tions, that his

terrified all Germ? Leipsic, his audacityin magical expr ins' an reputationbecame
to be carried away pr

j"e

allowed

himself

of hallucinations other world

which

he had

fye 3#^ ^ ,^*b ^"

7i ",?%/. fc/^ "f
//

disgustedhim with His story should be a warninp by ceremonial magic. Nat' sa' can punity,and no one
calculable
and

forces.
ever

It

is

^tf ^ ^ $ "^/ Asj|" ^ ^"?*?^ ^

"

'

will

lead, us
see *

-^

"

/^

"

those who
we

would them

"^^e^^/'^s
Q^- ^
^

fy

"

reply to eminent Englishman You wiu. are perfectly

our own

in

for

part, it will
To those

less convinced."
have

who

and boldly fulfilleu scrupulously has would reco. we result, a warm^ stay their hand, as it is possibly
been
no

there should who

but

will not lend herself for them if

in they persist

to these anomalou^

their

curiosity, they have

of

only to

SL

afresh. The

triad, being the foundation

magical doctrine,must

208

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

forms
Do
we

are

not

dest

ABRACADABRA ABRACADABR
a

not
now

still se* he is
be

though
believe

ABEACADAB

to

effact
a a i

ABRACADA
ABRACAD ABRACA ABRAC ABRA ABR AB A
,

blotted

out, for
But

recall them.
we

have them

alreadysai"
to
our

mits

br,

system.

On

the othe the idea

to analogical

the natural
term

character,t
so soon

it,and
is

letterg ig and

ft

key

of the

pentagram.

form

realised
of

and

b^ fiye

reproducedthirtytimes,
of the two

illuming

tions,and
that his allowed

Leipsic, ter,g and his audacity11 reputationbeet

to be
car

numbers

following

himself

of hallucinations

which

he

/V

other world His

disgusted him^
be
a

story should
one

wai

by ceremonial punity,and no
calculable and
those
we

magic.
can

N"
saf is
*

forces.
ever

It

will who

lead, us
see r

|
the

would

unity of by

the first
A

principle,
to

reply to them in eminent Englishman wiu You are perfectly

"

active ,he duad

',e
^

agent.
the

united

monad.

is

"

it

represents hieroglyphicfrom

for

our

own

part,it will
To those

ults
wn

the

union

of of

the the

less convinced."
have

H,
the M, and

which

is that
of

and boldlyfu scrupulously

has been
no

unity
the

the

initiate

there should
who but

result,we
as

number

66, the
the
conse-

stay their hand,

in they persist

it is pc

forms kabbalistically

will not lend herself for them^

if

of the

triad, and
We

their curiosit the

circle.

may

re-

afresh.
The

of the

Apocalypse,that
number of the

triad,being the foundation

rposedthe

THE

TRIANGLE

OF

PANTACLES

211

idolatry, by adding a 6 to the double AD ABEA, which of ABRAC gives 1 8 kabbalistically, senary attributed in the Tarot to the hieroglyphic the number sign of night and of the profane the moon, together with the crab a mysterious and obscure towers, dog, wolf, and of is 9, the number number, the kabbalistic key of which On initiation. this subject the sacred kabbalist says expressly that hath He : understanding (that is, the key
beast,that is
to

say, of

"

"

"

of

kabbalistic

numbers), let him

number of
a

count man,

the and

number

of the of

beast, for it is the

him

the number
of

Pythagoras of the triangular multiplied by itself and added to the sum of all magic of Pantacle of Abracadabra ; it is thus the sum the ancient of human world, the entire programme genius which the divine genius of the Gospel sought to absorb or transplant. of letters and numbers These hieroglyphical combinations belong to the practical part of the kabbalah, which, from and Temurah. this point of view, is divided into Gematriah devoid to us Such calculations, which now seem or arbitrary then belonged to the philosophical of interest, symbolism of of the highestimportancein the teaching the East, and were The of holy things emanating from the occult sciences. absolute kabbalistic connected alphabet, which primitive ideas with allegories, with letters, and letters with allegories have then called the keys of Solomon. We numbers, was already stated that these keys,preserved to our own day, of than but wholly misconstrued, are nothing else the game and of which remarked were Tarot, the antique allegories for the first time in the modern world appreciated by the learned archaeologist, Court de Gebelin. of Solomon The double is explainedby St John triangle
in
a

is

666."

It

is, in fact, the

decade

remarkable

manner.
"

He

give testimony in heaven Holy Spirit ; and there are earth the spirit, the water,
"

" There says, the Father, the

are

three which the

on

Word, and

three which and the

give testimony

blood."

Thus, St John
attri-

agrees with

the masters

of Hermetic

who philosophy,

212

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

bute

to their

that of
of the

sulphur the name water, and philosophical

or

of

ether,to their mercury

to their salt the

qualification
or

blood dragon's

menstruum

of the

earth ; blood

correspondsby oppositionwith the Father, azotic or mercurial water with the Word or Logos,and the ether with the Holy Spirit. But the thingsof transcendent symbolism can only be rightly understood by the true children of
science.
tions with varied intonaof names repetition in magical cereunited to triangular combinations was monies. The with a surmounted magic rod was frequently small Paracelsus replaced by the magnetised fork, which trident representedbelow.

salt

The

threefold

This

trident is

triad in the

ascribed
Hebrews

to

pantacle expressing the synthesisof the He monad, thus completing the sacred tetrad. which this figure all the virtues kabbalistic
a name

attribute to the

of Jehovah, and used

the thauma-

of turgicproperties
of

the Abracadabra
us

by
an

the

hierophants
a

Alexandria. and

Let

here

recognisethat
and been
that of

it is

tacle, pan-

consequently a
doctrine which

concrete

absolute
an

sign of

an

entire

has

immense

but not only for ancient also philosophers, magnetic circle, in our The restoration for adepts of the middle own ages. day of its originalvalue by the comprehension of its might not that also restore all its miraculous mysteries, diseases ? virtue and all its power againsthuman

THE

TRIANGLE

OF

PANTACLES

213

they spent the night at the yelled three times in meeting-place of three cross-roads, All these figures, Hecate. all these honour of the triple have of numbers and of characters,are, as we dispositions instruments for the education of the alreadysaid,so many will, by fixing and determining its habits. They serve, of the human soul in furthermore, to conjoinall the powers action,and to increase the creative force of the imagination ; it is the gymnastics of thought in trainingfor realisation ; is infallible, like nature, the effect of these so practices domitable when they are fulfilled with absolute confidence and inThe
old
sorceresses,

when

perseverance. faith could

The

Grand

Master

tells

us

that

mountains.

and remove transplant trees into the sea Even and insensate practiceis a superstitious

efficacious because
is more prayer it is said when

it is

realisation
we

of the

will.
to

Hence
say

powerful if
at

home,

and

go to church it will work

it than if
we

miracles

fare to
one

famous
is

sanctuary for the purpose,

in other

words, to

number stronglymagnetised by the enormous of its frequenters, leagues traversingtwo or three hundred and with bare feet, Men laugh at asking alms by the way. the simple woman who denies herself a pennyworth of milk in the morning that she may taper to burn carry a penny in a chapel; but they who the magic triangle on laugh are and the simple woman does not pay too dearly for ignorant, what she thus purchases of resignationand of courage. Great minds with great pride pass by, shrugging their shoulders ; they rise up din with a against superstition which of shakes the world; and what happens ? The towers the great minds topple over, and their ruins revert to the and purchasersof penny content are providers tapers,who to hear it everywhere proclaimed that their reign is for ever ended, provided that they rule always. than one serious The great religions had more have never and this rival is magic. Magic produced the occult rival, associations which
; but

which

broughtabout
it has been

the

revolution

termed

the

Renaissance

the doom

of the human

mind,

214

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

to realise literally the allegoriby insensate passions, cal Hercules ; by overthrowing the historyof the Hebrew of the temple,it has itself been buried under the pillars

blinded

ruins. less

The

masonic

associations of the

present time

are

no

high meaning of their symbols than are the rabbins of the Sepher Jetzirah and the Zohar upon the with the transverse ascending scale of the three degrees, from progression rightto left and from left to right of the
kabbalistic the
square

ignorantof

the

septenary. The
of

the gross and material level of unintelligent Jacobinism, realised by a steel triangle ; this obtains both whom
our

Solomon

compass have become

of the

G.'. A.*, and

for

heaven

and

earth.

The

initiated violent

to divulgers

the illuminated
own

Cazotte

a predicted

death

have, in

days, exceeded

the

sin

of

Adam;

having rashlygatheredthe fruits of the tree of knowledge, for their nourishment, how to use which they did not know of the earth. they have cast it to the beasts and reptiles So was the reign of superstition and it must inaugurated, until the period when shall be again true religion persist of the hierarchyof constituted on the eternal foundations and of the triple which the hierarchy three degrees, power in the three worlds. exercises blindlyor providentially

CHAPTEE

IV

THE

CONJURATION

OF

THE

FOUR

tinguish diselementary forms roughly separate and the created spirits which the universal movement disengages from the central fire. The spiriteverywhere toils and fructifies matter by life ; all matter is animated ; thought and soul are everywhere. By possessingourselves of the thought which produces diverse forms, we become
THE

four

the

master

of

forms, and

make

them

serve

our

purposes.

THE

CONJURATION

OF

THE

FOUR

215

The

astral

light

is saturated

with

such

souls, which

it

disengages in the unceasing generationof beings. These be governed and emsouls have imperfectwills,which can ployed powerful wills ; then great invisible chains by more motions. form, and may occasion or determine great elementary comThe phenomena established by the criminal trials of magic, and quite recently by M. Eudes de Mirville, have like children : they other cause. are no Elementary spirits deed, trouble about those who them, unless, inchieflytorment and great severity. they are controlled by high reason of occult elements, under the name We these spirits designate and it is these who turbing occasion our bizarre or disfrequently of the divining dreams, who produce the movements rod and walls or furniture, but they can rappings upon and when manifest no thought other than our we are own, not thinking, they speak to us with all the incoherence of for dreams. They reproduce good and evil indifferently, they are without free will,and are hence irresponsible ; they
exhibit themselves
and
to ecstatics and

somnambulists

under

complete in-

of St Such

This explains the nightmares forms. fugitive Anthony, and most probablythe visions of Swedenborg. creatures neither damned nor are guilty,they are and
or

curious animals of them

innocent.

We

may

use

or

abuse who

them makes

like
use

children.
a

Therefore

the

magus

for he must expiate responsibility, and the all the evil which to accomplish, he causes them of his punishment will be in proportionto the intensity of the power extent have exercised by their which he may
assumes

terrible

mediation.

king first have must elements, we undergone the four ordeals of ancient initiations ; and seeing that these initiations exist no gous must have substituted analowe longer, such as exposing ourselves boldly in a experiences, of the trunk of a tree or a fire, an crossing abyss by means plank, scaling a perpendicularmountain during a storm, A swimming through a dangerous whirlpool or cataract.
govern of the occult

To

and elementaryspirits,

thus

become

the

216

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

man

who
; ;

is timid
one so

in

the

water

will

never
never

reign over
command

the manders sala-

undines

who

is afraid of fire will

we are

leave
gnomes

the

long as sylphs in
inferior them

; for

must giddinesswe the forbear from irritating peace, and which will only obey a power spirits

liable to

has

overcome

in

their been

own

element.

When and

this incontesta

has faculty the word

of
our

will must

acquiredby exercise be imposed on the

daring, elements by

This is specialconsecrations of air,fire, water, and earth. the indispensablepreliminary of all magical operations. The air is exercised by breathing towards the four cardinal points, saying: moved The Spiritof God upon the waters, and breathed
"

into the face

of

man

the

breath

of life. and

Be

Michael, my

leader, and

Sabtabiel, my
become
a

servant, in

by

the

May

my

breath

word, and

I will rule

the

of this creature

of air ; I will curb

the steeds of the

light. spirits sun by

the will of my heart, and by the thought of my mind, and by the apple of the righteye. Therefore I do exorcise thee,
creature of

air, by Pentagrammaton,
wherein
are

and

in

the
true

name

Tetragrammaton,
Amen. The
Sela
:

firm it.

will

and

faith.

Fiat.

So

be

be next of the sylphs must prayer tracingtheir sign in the air with the quillof

recited,after
an

eagle.

Prayer of the Sylphs.

of Light,Spirit of Wisdom, whose Spirit takes away the form of all things ; Thou life of every which being is a shadow vapour

breath before

givesand
whom

the and
a

transforms

which and

passes

away

; Thou

who
of

ascendest the wind

upon

the who

clouds

dost
out

flyupon
the

the

wings

; Thou
are

breathest Thou
unto

and

limitless immensities all which

came

peopled ;
from

who

breathest returneth Thou in

in and
;

forth in

Thee eternal

Thee

endless
for
ever

movement !

the

be stability,
we

blessed the

We of

bless

Thee

fleeting empire

praise Thee and of created light,

218

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

life, by the Jesod,

in

Three

Names,

which

are

Netsah,
!

Hod,

and

the

Omega,

which

beginning and in in the spirit of are

the AZOTH

end, by Alpha and

Amen.

Mingling

the

Water, Salt, and

Ash. of tion, regenerabe all springeth,

In the salt of eternal and

in the ash

wisdom,
the

in
new

the

water

whence

earth

thingsaccomplished by Eloim, Gabriel, Eaphael, and through the ages and seons ! Amen.

Uriel,

Exorcism Let there be

a

of the

Water. of the waters, and

; the

firmament from

in the midst

let it divide the waters

are

the waters
are

above
are

are

like unto

below wonders

like unto of
one

thingswhich thingsabove, for

The
sun

the

things which below, and things performance of the

moon

thing.
hath earth

is its it in
and

father,the
the

its

mother, the
ascendeth from heaven

wind
from

carried to

heaven,
unto

belly thereof ; it again it descendeth

of

to earth.

I exorcise
men

thee, creature
a

water,

that thou God

mayest become
works,
a

mirror

of the

living

in His

fount

of

and life,

ablution

of sins.

Prayer of the
Dread
of

Undines. hast
the

King

of the
and

Sea, who

the

keys
of

of the floodgates the

heaven,

dost confine
of earth
;

waters of

world underthe

in the

caverns

King
who who

the

deluge and
the

floods of the of rivers which

is and

springtime;
fountains the blood

Thou

dost unseal dost

to

sources

; Thou

ordain

moisture,
the sap of
unto

like
we

of

earth,
we

become
!

plants:
us,

Thee

adore

and
and

Thee

invoke

Speak
the before

Thine of
unto

inconstant
the
us

unstable
we
murmur

creatures, in
tremble

great
Thee
;

tumults

sea,

and

shall of

speak

also in the

shall yearn

for

Thy

love !

limpid waters, and we Immensity into which flow

THE

CONJURATION

OF

THE

FOUR

219

all the rivers of

ocean

to be continually reborn life,

in Thee

! perfections Height which reflects Thee lead in the depth,depth which exhales Thee to the height, mortality to imLead and love ! unto true life by intelligence us us that be found we worthy one by sacrifice, may day to offer Thee water, blood, and tears, for the remission of

infinite

of sins !

Amen.

of salt, incense, white sprinkling resin, camphor, and sulphur, by thrice pronouncing the of the geniiof fire : MICHAEL, king of the sun three names and the lightning ; SAMAEL, king of volcanoes ; and ANAEL, the prince of the astral light by reciting ; and, finally,

Fire is exorcised

by

the

Prayer of

the Salamanders.

and Immortal, eternal,ineffable, who things, which where

art

uncreated

Father

of all

borne

upon

the
Lord

chariot ever-rolling
of the ethereal

of worlds

revolve the

unceasingly ; throne of Thy

immensities,
which

power

is exalted, from

height Thy
and

and terrible eyes discern all things, all things hearken, hear beautiful ears unto Thou didst love before
eternal stars !

children, whom
the world
and

the ages

Thy holy Thou Thy began ; for

above
over

Thy golden,Thy grand, Thine

the heaven
of

majesty shines
Thou
art

exalted

fire ! There dost thou shine, there dost glittering and with Thou commune splendour, Thyself by Thine own for of light pour from Thine inexhaustible streams essence the nourishment of Thine which itself doth infinite spirit, of and forms that inexhaustible nourish all things, treasure substance which ever ready for generation, adapts it and the the forms Thou it from hast impressed on appropriates From ! this spirit the three most beginning holy kings who surround Thy throne and constitute Thy court, derive also their origin, 0 universal Father ! 0 sole and only Father of blessed mortals hast Thou and immortals In particular ! created Thine which are marvellously like unto powers Thou hast eternal thought and Thine adorable essence;

them, 0

220

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

established

who higher than the angels, proclaimThy will to the world ; finally, Thou hast created us third in rank within our elementaryempire. There our unceasing exercise is to praise Thee and adore Thy good pleasure ; burn there we in our to possess Thee. continually aspiration O Father
!

them

Mother,
form

most

tender

of
of

all
pure

mothers

admirable flower and of

archetypeof maternity and

sons

love ! 0

son,

! 0 of all

of all

forms, soul, spirit, harmony,

number The
earth

! things

Amen.

is exorcised

and
and

by fire,with

of water, by breathing, by aspersion the perfumes proper for each day,

the

Prayer of

the

Gnomes. earth
with
as a

who, taking the King invisible, the abysses to fill them furrow
Thou who the whose
causest
name

support,didst

Thine
of the

omnipotence ;
world, Thou
the veins of

doth
seven

shake
metals

the vaults
to

the

rock, monarch
of

of

the
us

seven

through rewarder lights,

desirable
we

flow

of the subterranean
to the

lead toilers, realm

unto

the and

air,and

unremittingly, of the Holy seek twelve stones we City, by the hidden talismans, by the pole of loadstone which of the world ! Saviour, passes through the centre Saviour, Saviour, have pity on those who suffer, expand our entire hearts, detach and elevate our minds, enlarge our and motion ! 0 being ! 0 stability day clothed with who ! 0 master never night! O darkness veiled by light ness keepest back the wages of Thy labourers ! 0 silver white! 0 golden splendour of living and ! 0 crown dious melodiamonds ! Thou who wearest the heaven on Thy under concealest who finger like a sapphire ring, Thou seed of the earth, in the stone kingdom, the marvellous stars, live, reign, be the eternal dispenserof the wealth
whereof Thou
be

splendour. We watch and we hope,by the

work

hast made borne

in

us

the warders that the

Amen. of

It must

mind

kingdom special

THE

CONJURATION

OF

THE

FOUR

221

at the the gnomes is at the north, that of the salamanders south, that of the sylphs at the east, and that of the undines at

the west.
man,

These is to the

beings influence
say, the gnomes undines
"

the

four

temperaments

of

that

affect

salamanders

sylphs the
bull for

sanguine, Their signsare bilious.

gnomes,
lion

the the

melancholy, phlegmatic, and of the hieroglyphs

with
are

the

the

who

are

commanded

the

sword

those with

of the

for the

salamanders, who
or

commanded

the

bifurcated

rod

the

who are eaglefor the sylphs, those of the tacles ; finally, commanded who are by the sovereignsare Gob

magic trident; those of the commanded by the holy panfor the

water-carrier
cup of

undines,
Their
spective re-

libations.

for the

salamanders, Paralda
undines. When the
an

for

the

Djin for the gnomes, for the sylphs, and Nicksa

or, at

elementary spirittorments,
of

least,vexes,

conjured by air, and earth, by breathing, water, fire, sprinkling, burning of perfumes,and by tracingon the earth the star of Solomon These and the sacred pentagram. must be perfectly figures
correct, and
or fire,

inhabitants

this world, it must

be

drawn
a

either

with

the

charcoal

of consecrated

with dipped in various colours, mixed Then, holding the pantacleof Solomon powdered loadstone. in one hand and taking up successively the sword, rod, and of the four should be recited with a cup, the conjuration loud voice, after the followingmanner : Caput mortuum, the Lord command thee by the livingand votive serpent ! ! command thee Jotchavah Cherub, the Lord by Adam thee by the wings of Wandering Eagle, the Lord command the Bull ! Serpent,the Lord Tetragrammaton command thee by the angel and the lion ! Michael, Gabriel,Raphael, and Anael ! Flow, MOISTURE, by the spiritof ELO'I'M. JOTCHAVAH. EARTH, be established by ADAM Spread, ZEBAOTH. Fulfil, JUDGMENT, by JAHUVEHU by FIRMAMENT, fire in the virtue of MICHAEL. Angel of the blind eyes, obey, or pass away with this holy water ! Work, winged
"

with

reed

bull,or

revert

to

the

earth,unless

thou

wilt

that

should

222

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

obey my sign, piercethee with this sword ! Chained eagle, or fly before this breathing! Writhing serpent, crawl at and give way feet, or be tortured by the sacred fire, my Water to return before the perfumes that I burn in it ! earth revert to earth, by water, fire burn, air circulate, virtue of the pentagram, which is the morning star, and by of the Tetragram,which is written in the centre of the name of light ! Amen. the cross The adopted by Christians does not sign of the cross exclusively. It is also kabbalistic,and belong to them and tetradic equilibriumof the represents the oppositions We elements. see by the occult versicle of the Lord's Prayer,which we have cited in our Doctrine, that it was at least that it was made after two or originally manners, different formulae,one reserved characterised by two entirely for priestsand the other imparted to neophytes initiates, his and the profane. For example, the initiate said,raising
hand
to

his

forehead, For
"

thine," then
"

added

"

is," and
"

continuingas he brought down his hand to his breast, the wards afterkingdom," then to the left shoulder, the justice," the then to the right shoulder, and mercy in the generating ages." clasping his hands, he added, Tibi sunt Malchut et Geburah et Chesed per ceonas a sign of is absolutely which and magnificently the cross kabbalistic, of Gnosticism have completelylost which the profanations made after militant Church. This sign, to the official and should this manner, precede and terminate the conjuration
" "
"

"

"

of the four.
To
must
overcome
never

and

subjugate the
will
never

we elementary spirits,

shallow

and

yield to their mind capricious

characteristic

defects.

Thus,
an

rule the
never

sylphs;
master

irresolute,cold, and
undines
;

fickle nature the

will

the

passion irritates
its slaves and the

salamanders, and

avaricious

greed makes
must

be

prompt
to

But we sport of the gnomes. active, like the sylphs; pliant and the undines
and strong, energetic and patient like the
;

attentive like the

images,like
;

salamanders

laborious

THE

CONJURATION

OF

THE

FOUR

223

gnomes;

in

word,
ever

we

must

overcome

them

in

their

strengthwithout
Once world pass head he
upon of
we are

being
service

overcome

well

established

in

this

by their weaknesses. the whole disposition,

operator. He
moisten
will

will be at the

of the wise the

even

through
; the

the

storm, and
will not
move

rain
a

will not

his

wind

fold of his garments ; burned

; he

will go

through fire
These

and

not

be

will the

walk
crust

the water, and earth.

will behold

diamonds

within

but promises may appear hyperbolic, for if the sage do not materially only to vulgarunderstanding, he accomplishes others and actuallyperform these things, which
are

the

much

greater and
that
a

more we

admirable. may

At

the

same

time, it is indubitable
our

direct the elements

can

by
or

will

up

to

certain For

hinder

their effects.
in
an

point,and example, if

reallychange
established

it be

that

persons

ecstatic state
it be

lose their

weight
upon

for the time the water fire

nor

being,why
The and steel,
tortures

should

to impossible

walk

convulsionaries

of Saint the
most

Medard violent

felt neither blows and

begged
as a

for

incredible and

relief.

The
some

extraordinary climbings
somnambulists
But
are we a

miraculous

of equilibrium

tion revelaa

of these

concealed

forces of nature.
to

live in

century when no one has the courage he has witnessed, and "did any one
beheld he would
or

confess
"

the wonders

performed
be answered

the
"

myself things which I am describing," You are amusing yourselfat our

say
:

I have

expense, or, otherwise,you silent and to act. The forms iron metals
are

are

ill."

It is far better

to be

which and for

correspond to
silver for the

the

four

elementary
for

gold
copper

air, mercury
the it is four forces

water,
are

and

lead for earth. fire,

to

Talismans which

composed from signifyand to

from them.

these, relative
the

they

effects which

Divination
as

by

the

designed to obtain elementary forms,

known respectively and all geomancy,

hydromancy,pyromancy, seromancy, is performed after various manners, which

the of translucid, or imagination,

depend

on

the will and

224

THE

RITUAL

OP

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

the

operator.
which

In

fact,the

four

elements

are

assist second

facultyof seeingin
first
or

sensible

and

sight. Now, and the astral light, but ordinarysight,

of

second

ments only instrusightis the

as

it is natural
it
can

the

only operate
and

by

the

abstraction

the

senses.

Somnambulists

but this sightis more sightnaturally, is more the abstraction lucid when complete. Abstraction that is,by an excess of is produced by astral intoxication, the light which completelysaturates, and hence stupefies,

ecstatics

enjoy second

nervous

disposed to seromancy, the the phlegmatic to hydromancy, and bilious to pyromancy, to geomancy. the melancholic ^Eromancy is confirmed by is suponeiromaney, or divination by dreams ; pyromancy plemented by magnetism ; hydromancy by crystallomancy ; These and are by cartomancy. transpositions geomancy But and divination,however completement of methods. useless, for it operated,is dangerous,or, to say the least, and tires disheartens will, as a consequence, impedes liberty,
are

system. Sanguine temperaments

the

nervous

system.

CHAPTER

THE

BLAZING

PENTAGRAM

explanation and consecration of the sacred and mysterious pentagram. At this point,let the close the book ; they will either ignorantand superstitious The see nothing but darkness, or they will be scandalised. pentagram, which, in gnostic schools,is called the blazing star, is the sign of intellectual omnipotence and autocracy. It is the star of the magi ; it is the sign of the Word made flesh ; and, according to the direction of its points,this absolute magical symbol represents order or confusion, the

WE

proceed to

the

226

THE

EITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

be

added.

The
of the

five
names

breathings are
attributed
to

utterance

Gabriel,Raphael, Anael, Samael, and

the
at pentacleis placed successively centre

accompanied by the who are the five genii, Oriphiel ; afterwards

the

north, south, east,

west, and
the
same

of the after

astronomical

cross,

pronouncing at
names

time, one
and the

another,

the

letters of the sacred of

tetragram, and then, in

an

undertone, the blessed

united

Aleph
name

mysterious Thau,
should be

in the Kabbalistic

of AZOTH.

The

pentagram
under the also is
wear

perfumes,and
should which

upon of evocations. the tripod

placed
as

the The

altar

of

operator

sign

as

well

that of the macrocosm,

composed of two crossed and superposedtriangles. of light that When is evoked, the head of the star a spirit is,one of its points should be directed towards the tripod of evocations, and the two inferior pointstowards the altar of a of perfumes. In the case spiritof darkness, the be is pursued, but then the operator must oppositecourse careful to set the end of the rod or the point of the sword of the pentagram. the head We have alreadysaid upon that signsare the active voice of the verb of will. Now, of will must be given in its completeness, that the word so be transformed into action ; and a single it may negligence, idle speech or a doubt, falsifiesand paraan representing lyses the whole operation, turning back upon the operator all the forces thus expended in vain. We must, therefore, abstain from absolutely magical ceremonies or scrupulously and exactlyfulfilthem all. lines upon The pentagram, engraved in luminous glassby
" "

the electrical

machine, also exercises

great influence

upon

terrifies phantoms. and The old magicians traced spirits, the sign of the pentagram upon their door-steps, to prevent from from evil spirits departing. entering and good spirits This constraint followed from the direction of the pointsof Two the star. points on the outer side drove away the evil ; two one points on the inner side imprisoned them captive. All these only on the inner side held good spirits
-r

THE

BLAZING

PENTAGRAM

227

and based upon the one dogma of Hermes magical theories, deductions of science,have been invariably on tt^e analogical confirmed by the visions of ecstatics and by the convulsions of cataleptics saying that they are possessedwith spirits. The G which Freemasons place in the middle of the blazing GNOSIS star signifies and GENERATION, the two sacred words of the ancient TECT, ARCHIKabbalah. also GRAND It signifies for the pentagram on every side representsan A. By it in such a way that two of its pointsare in the placing ascendant beard and
one

is below,

we

may

see

the horns,

ears

and the

of the hierarchic

goat

of

Mendes, when

it becomes

sign of
The

infernal evocations.

the other than star of the magi is no allegorical of mysterious pentagram ; and those three kings, sons Zoroaster,conducted by the blazing star to the cradle of the microcosmic strate to demonGod, are enough in themselves the wholly kabbalistic and truly magical beginnings of Christian doctrine. One of these kings is white, another The white black, and the third brown. king offers gold, symbol of lightand life ; the black king presents myrrh, image of death and of darkness ; the brown king sacrifices of the conciliating of the two doctrine incense, emblem land into their own principles.Then they return by another cultus is only a new road, to show that a new that of the sacred to the one path,conductingman religion, triad and the radiant

pentagram, the sole eternal Catholicism.

this
same

St John, in the heaven and

to

Apocalypse,beholds
It is then of the
sea

star
or

fall from

earth.
waters

called become

absynth
bitter
"

wormwood,

striking image of the materialisation of dogma, which produces fanaticism and the acridities of controversy. Then unto Christianity itself may hast be applied those words How of Isaiah : fallen thou wast from so heaven, bright star, which But the pentagram, profaned splendid in thy prime ! of unclouded in the right hand burns ever by men, of the the Word Truth, and inspired voice promises the possessionof the morning him that overcoineth to
"

all the

"

228

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

star

"

solemn

restitution

held

out

to

the

star

of

Lucifer.

mysteriesof magic,all symbols of the of occultism,all kabbalistic keys of proall figures gnosis, phecy, summed are up in the sign of the pentagram, which Paracelsus proclaims to be the greatest and most potent for astonishment of all signs. Is there any now cause
As will be seen, all
at

the

conviction

of

the

magus the the

as

to

the

real

influence
?

exercised Those who

by this sign over defy the signof

On the

of spirits

all hierarchies before he

cross

tremble

the star

of the microcosm.

contrary,when

is conscious

the magus his eyes towards turns this symbol, will, failing takes it in his righthand, and feels armed with intellectual omnipotence,provided that he is truly a king,worthy to be conducted by the star to the cradle of divine realisation ; provided that he knows, dares,wills,and keeps silent ; provided that he is familiar with the the usages of the pantacle, that the ; provided,finally, cup, the wand, and the sword to those two intrepid gaze of his soul corresponds eyes which the ascendingpoint of our pentagram ever presents open.
of

THE

MEDIUM

AND

MEDIATOR

229

CHAPTER

VI.

THE

MEDIUM

AND

MEDIATOR.

have as we things, already said, are necessary the emancipation of of magical power acquisition
"

Two

for the the will

from

all

servitude, and
who

its instruction is

tion. in the art of domina-

The the
woman

sovereignwill
crushes restrains In this

in our represented the serpent'shead,

radiant lance

angel who
heel.

and

constrains
us

the

symbols by and by the dragon with

evasions
of

and

place let
"

affirm without
current

that the

great magical agent

astral fire of
the

the dual
earth
"

livingand
serpent
old
of

the of
an

with

head

ox,

the light, was represented by the goat, or dog, in ancient

theogonies.
serpent
Moses,
It

It is the
of

double

serpent of the
it is also the

caduceus, the
brazen

Genesis, but
round the

serpent
and the
;

twisted

tau, that

is, the
Sabbath

generating

lingam. Baphomet
the

is, further, the

goat of the
it is the

of the

Templars ;
tail of of

Hyle

of the Gnostics forms

the

it is the double solar

Eudes cock

the

serpent which
In

legsof
of which

Abraxas. is

fine, it is the
blind be free from detach
in the them

devil

M.

de

Mirville,and
if their

reallythe
would
can

force

souls must

overcome

they

the chains from this the

of earth ; for, unless

will

fatal attraction,they will be absorbed force which and eternal in then

we our

current to

by

produced them,
fire. The whole liberation from foot upon

and

will return work

the

central

magical
its

fore, consists,thereancient

the folds of the

serpent,
where

in

a setting
"

head, and

leading it
of

will.

I will

give

thee and

all the

kingdoms

the

earth,

if thou the
"

wilt

fall down

adore

me," said this serpent in

make
at
answer
:

evangelical mythos.
not

The

initiate should shalt crouch

I will

fall down, and thou

I in

thou

my

feet ;

nothing shalt
will take
a

what

give me, but for I require,

a

I will make
am

use

of thee, and master"

in that
"

thy

lord

and

reply which,

veiled

manner,

is contained

of

the Saviour.

230

THE

KITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

We is
a

have

alreadysaid
force, as
formed

that the its

name

devil is not indicates.

misdirected

It person. An odic or

stitutes conby a chain of perverse wills, this evil spirit, and which the Gospel calls legion, this it is which another the swine into the sea precipitated of the attraction exercised on stincts allegory beings of inferior inby the blind forces that can be put in operationby and evil will. This symbol may be compared with error that of the comrades of Ulysses transformed into swine by the sorceress what Eemark Circe. done by Ulysses to was

magnetic current,

"

preserve

himself

and

deliver

his

associates

he refused

the

her with the sword. cup of the enchantress,and commanded Circe is nature, with all her delightsand allurements to
"

enjoy her
of

we

must

overcome

her. the

Such
of

is the

significance
the
true

the

Homeric books
of

fable,for
ancient

poems

Homer,

sacred

Hellas, contain

all the

mysteriesof

high
and

oriental initiation. natural medium the serpent,ever active is,therefore, idle wills, which must we continually

The
ever

of seducing, withstand by their subjugation. Amorous, gluttonous, idle magicians are or passionate, impossible monstrosities. The magus thinks and wills ; he loves nothing with desire ; he rejects The word passion signifies a nothing in rage. is invariably active, invariably passivestate, and the magus

victorious.

The

attainment transcendent
own

of this realisation is the crucial

sciences
;
so

of the difficulty his accomplishes least

as concerns

when is

the magus
at fulfilled,
or

creation,the great work

and instrument. The

cause

great agent
be
overcome

natural
or

mediator
save

of human

omnipotence cannot
extra-natural
a postulated

directed

by

an

mediator, which
fulcrum fulcrum
The

is

an

emancipated will.
the world
in order

Archimedes
to raise the

outside
of

world.

the

is the intellectual cubic stone, the philosophical stone magus and of absolute of AZOTH that is, the doctrine reason
"

universal One of

harmonies
our

by

the

sympathy

of contraries.

writers,and one of those who are the least fixed in their ideas,M. Eugene Sue, has founded a
most

fertile

THE

MEDIUM

AND

MEDIATOR

231

vast

whom he strives to individuality becomes render odious, who against the will of interesting with the novelist,so abundantly does he gifthim patience, and genius. We are in the presence of intelligence, audacity, of Sixtus V. a kind holdingthe poor, temperate,passionless,

romance-epicupon

an

"

entire world This them he

man

in entangled

the web

of his skilful combinations.

excites at will the of

in
one

by means has kept

and
of
a

of his enemies, destroys passions reaches the point another, invariably

view, and this without

noise,without

tation, osten-

without

imposture.

His
of

object is
the book
it
no

to

free

the

world be

the author which society and to dangerous and malignant,

believes to
cost

attain

is too

ill clothed,nourished great ; he is ill lodged,

of

like the refuse

humanity, but
his

ever

fixed

upon

his

work.

Consistently
as

with

intention, the

author

depicts him

wretched,

hideous, repulsiveto the touch, and horrible to the filthy, of sight. But supposing this very exterior is a means and so of more the enterprise, it, surelyattaining disguising When Eodin of sublime is it not proof positive courage ?
becomes and his
what

pope, do you think that he ? Hence M. Eugene Sue dirty

to

will still be ill clothed has missed his

point;

object was
he attacks

deride

is

and fanaticism, but superstition strength, genius,the most intelligence, Were

even,

signalhuman
were Jesuits,

virtues. there
one

there many I would not

Eodins

the among give much for the

oppositeparty, in spite of the brilliant and of its illustrious advocates. maladroit special pleadings To will well, to will long, to will always, but never and is the secret of power, to lust after anything, such this is the magical arcanum which Tasso brings forward to in the persons deliver of the two knights who come of Einaldo Armida. and to destroy the enchantments charming nymphs They withstand equally the most out withand terrible wild beasts. the most They remain desires hence and without fear, and they attain it follow from their end. Does this that a true magician I do not deny it,and while fear than love ? more inspires
success

of

the

232

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

the allurements of abundantly recognisinghow sweet are life,while doing full justice to the gracious genius of Anacreon, and to all the youthfulefflorescence of the poetry of love,I seriously invite the estimable votaries of pleasure to regard the transcendental sciences merely as a matter of and to approach the magical tripod; the never curiosity, great works of science are deadly for pleasure. who The has escaped from the chain of instincts man will first of all realise his omnipotence by the submissiveof Daniel in the lions' den is of animals. The history ness than of no fable, and more during the persecutions once, infant Christianity this phenomenon recurred in the presence of the whole Eoman seldom has anything people. A man
to

fear

from

an

animal

of

which

he

is not

afraid.

The

bullets of Jules Once

are Gerard, the lion-killer,

magical and

telligent in-

only did he run a real danger ; he allowed timid companion to accompany a him, and, lookingupon this not imprudent person as lost beforehand, he also was afraid, for himself but for his comrade. Many persons will say that it is difficult and even impossible to attain such that strengthin volition and energy in character resolution, natural gifts. I do not dispute it,but I would are point
out

also that habit

can

reform
I

nature

; volition

can

be

fected per-

like

by education,and, as all religious, ceremonial

habituate
more

have
no

before

said,all magical,
to

has

other end but thus

perseverance

test,

exercise,and
The their effect, as If it have
of

the will

by

and

by

force.

difficult and
we

laborious
now

the

the greater exercises, far

have

advanced

enough

to

see.

been

hitherto

impossibleto
an

direct the initiated and

magnetism, it

is because
not
we

phenomena truly
can

emancipated operator
boast that he is such ?
to

has Have

yet appeared. Who

not
ever new

self-conquest?
that
natu

make

At the

the

same

time, it
the be word convinced
say

is certain of
one

sign self strong enough will obey ; I nature obey

or

will

and
to

who it. will

I

feels L
say

of

tl

do not of her

disturb

the

order

bely hers* The healing possibilities.

that she

234

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

ment.

No human

musical

instrument the

has

more

enchantment
notes

than
or

the

voice, but
may
overcome

far away

of

violin

harmonica

augment its power.

is in

proposed to
the hands commanded himself.
towards

he is half-deadened should
to

and, as
be

it is whom subject this way prepared ; then, when it were, envelopedby the charm, The towards

extended
or

him, he should
he will
must

be

sleep
he thumb
on

to

see,

and

obey despite
be directed

Should

a fixed glance resist,

him,

one

and

the

other

his

and swift contact single in and again breathed

in
a

his eyes placed between with a breast,touching him lightly be slowly drawn ; the breath must gently and warmly forth,repeating
must

be

low

voice, Sleep!
"

"

or

"

See !

"

CHAPTER

VII.

THE

SEPTENARY

OF

TALISMANS.

CEREMONIES,

vestments,
have

perfumes,
will,the
or

characters enlist the

of

and

figures,

being,as
in the

we

stated, necessary
of

to

education upon
sense

the

success

imagination magical works

depends
are

the faithful observation fantastic

of all the rites, which

mitted arbitrary, having been transto us and permanentlysubsisting by antiquity, by of the essential laws of analogical the corresrealisation and pondence which ideas and forms. connects inevitably Having and comparing all the most spent many years in consulting have authentic grimoires and magicalrituals, succeeded, we of without ceremonial the not labour, in reconstituting and universal primeval magic. The only serious books which have in manuscript, this subject we are seen upon written in conventional characters which we have deciphered The by the help of the polygraphy of Trithemius. tance imporof others consists wholly in the hieroglyphs and
no

in

THE

SEPTENARY

OF

TALISMANS

235

symbols
text.

which

adorn the

them, the truth

"

of the

under disguised

Such, for
has

fictions of superstitious Enchiridion example, is the

never

images being a mystifying

"

of

Pope

Leo

which III.,
we

been

with printed
our own

its true
use

and figures,
an

have

reconstructed it for
The rituals
"

after the

ancient
of

manuscript.
"

known
are

under
numerous.

name

the

Many have in manuscripts,transcribed been printed,while others remain An with great care. exceedinglyfine and elegantly written example is preservedin the ImperialLibrary; it is of which most have enriched with pantacles and characters of Tycho-Brahe been reproduced in the magical calendars and Duchentau. Lastly, there are printed clavicles and and impostures grimoireswhich are catch-penny mystifications and book of dishonest publishers. The notorious so Little Albert "decried formerlyunder the name of belongs talismanic and mainly to the latter category ; some figures, calculations borrowed from Paracelsus,are its only some
Clavicles
of

Solomon

very

"

"

serious parts. In any

matter

of realisation and
No

Paracelsus ritual,
one

is

an

imposing magical authority.

works

has
reason

accomplished
he

greater than

his,and
of
sums

for that

very

conceals

the virtue

of ceremonies

and

the )hilosophy
mce

existence

merely teaches in the magnetic agent of

the whole and it microcosmic
was

his occult
the

omni-

of will ; he also

science of characters
stars.

two
fas

the signs,

macrocosmic

It
to

sufficient for the

and adepts,

important

not

litiate the but itual,

did not teach vulgar. Paracelsus,therefore, he practised, and his practice was a sequence

the of

iracles.
We have

spoken
Their

of the

magical importance
constitutes

of the

triad
re-

id tetrad.

combination

the

great

which igiousand kabbalistic number represents the unisynthesisand comprises the sacred septenary. In is governed by seven le belief of the ancients, the world calls them Trithemius secundcei, as mdary causes rhich are the universal forces designated by Moses under
"
"

236

THE

KITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

the

pluralname
one

of

Eloim, gods. These

motion of

forces, analogousand
trasts, con-

contrary to
and

another, produce equilibriumby their

the the

spheres. The Hebrews termed them the seven giving them the great archangels, of Michael, Gabriel,Eaphael,Anael, Samael, Zadkiel, names and Oriphiel. The Christian Gnostics named the four last
rule and Uriel, Barachiel, Sealtiel, attributed
to these

Jehudiel.

Other of the chief

seven

nations

the government spirits

chief

and planets,

gave

them

the

names

of their

divinities. divided
seven

All believed the

in their relative influence ; astronomy

between their

antique heaven of the week to clays

the and
reason

them, and
ceremonies

allotted

the

successive

government.
of the

Such

is

of the

various

the

septenary cultus
that here the which

of the

observed have

are planets

magical week planets. We have already and nothingelse ; they signs

faith attributes
mind

the influence
more

universal

because

they are
as

trulythe
The
sun,

stars

of the human

than the orbs

of heaven.

which

fixed,could
without

represents the

Sunday
the The
of the

only be a day of repose in the week, knowing why, the day of

antiquemagic always regarded planet for the vulgar ; hence it

which the
sun

we

term

among

ancients.
seven

to magical planetscorrespond of the notes prism and the seven

the

seven

colours
octave ;

musical

they represent
the
seven

also the
of

seven

virtues,and, by opposition,
ethics. The
seven

vices

Christian this

sacraments

correspondequallyto
which
to consecrates

great universal
element

tism, septenary. Bapcorresponds auspices of imparts the

the

of water,

the

moon

Samael,

is under the penance the angelof Mars ; confirmation, which ;

ascetic

liever of understanding and communicates to the true bespirit of Eaphael, the giftof tongues, is under the auspices substitutes the sacramental the angel of Mercury ; the Eucharist realisation of God made man for the empire of Jupiter ; marriage is consecrated by the angel Anael, the purifying of the is the safeguard unction genius of Venus ; extreme the scythe of Saturn, and orders, sick about to fall under

THE

SEPTENARY

OF

TALISMANS

237

consecrating the priesthood of light, is marked, more all these Almost especially by the characters of the sun. observed by the learned Dupuis, who thence were analogies instead of recognising that all religions concluded false, were of a singledogma, ever and perpetuity the sanctity duced reproin the universal symbolism of successive religious
forms.

He

failed to
to

understand

the the

permanent revelation
harmonies
that

transmitted and beheld

human

in errors only a ingeniousimages and eternal truths. in number Magical works are also seven of the sun lightand riches,under the auspices

genius by catalogue of

of nature, chain of

1
,

works

of of

2, works

divination

mystery, under the invocation of the moon ; under the tion science,and eloquence, 3, works of skill, protecof Mercury ; 4, works of wrath and chastisement,
and
to Mars ;

consecrated

5, works
and

of

love,favoured
the and

6, works

of ambition
works

under intrigue,

by Venus ; auspicesof
the

Jupiter; 7,

of malediction
In

death, under

theological symbolism, the sun of truth ; the moon, religionitself ; and science of mysteries Mercury, the interpretation ; Mars, and love ; Jupiter, the risen and justice ; Venus, mercy the Father, or the Jehovah Saviour ; Saturn, God glorious In the human of Moses. body, the sun is analogousto the to the brain, Jupiter to the righthand, heart,the moon Mars Venus Saturn to the left, to the left foot, to the right, an Mercury to the generative organs, whence androgyne attributed to this planet. In the human is sometimes figure the forehead, Jupiterthe right and face, the sun governs
Saturn
root

patronage of Saturn. represents the word

the

left eye ; the

nose,

moon

rules

between

both

at

the

are phlanges of which governed the influence of Mercury is by Mars and Venus ; finally, mouth and chin. exercised on Among the ancients these notions constituted the occult science of physiognomy, afterwards recovered by Lavater. imperfectly intends undertaking the works of light The magus who must operate on a Sunday, from midnight to eightin the

of the

the

two

238

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

purple vestment, with tiara and bracelets of gold. The altar of perfumes and the tripod of sacred fire must be encircled by wreaths of laurel, trope, heliosunflowers and cinnamon, strong ; the perfumes are be of gold, and red sandal ; the ring must incense, saffron, with a chrysolith or ruby ; the carpet must be of lion skins, On Monday the robe is the fans of sparrow-hawk feathers. with silver,and having a triple collar of white, embroidered and selenite ; the tiara must be covered with pearls, crystals, emblazoned with silver characters forming the yellow silk, of Gabriel, as Hebrew Occult given in the monogram Philosophy of Agrippa ; the perfumes are white sandal, seed of cucumber; camphor, amber, aloes,and pulverised the wreaths are mugwort, moonwort, and yellowranunculuses. of a black colour must be Tapestries, garments, and objects
wear a
"

morning, evening.

or

from

three

in

the

afternoon

to

ten

in

the

He

should

"

avoided

; and

no

metal

except silver should

be

worn

on

the

of vengeance, On Tuesday, a day for the operations person. should the colour of the vestment be that of flame, rust, or

blood, with belt and

bound with

bracelets

of

steel.

The

tiara must

be

be used, but only the not gold; the rod must magical dagger and sword ; the wreaths must be of absynth and rue, the ring of steel,with an amethyst for precious On Wednesday, a day favourable for transcendent stone.
the science,
vestment

should
of

the necklace colours,

mercury, the

be green, or pearls in hollow

shot with

various
taining con-

glass beads

and storax, perfumes benzoin, mace, the flowers, narcissus,lily, herb fumitory, and mercury, marjolane; the jewel should be the agate. On Thursday, a and political the vestment day of great religious operations, should be

scarlet, and
the

on

the

forehead
of

should

be

worn

brass tablet with

of Jupiter and spirit the three words : GIARAR, BETHOR, SAMGABIEL ; the perfumes are incense, ambergris,balm, grain of paradise, macis, and with emerald saffron ; the ring must be enriched or an be oak, poplar, should sapphire; the wreaths and crowns On Friday, the day for fig and pomegranate leaves.

character

the

THE

SEPTENARY

OF

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239

sky blue, the the of polished ornaments rose, of violets, the wreaths of roses, myrtle, copper, the crowns be enriched with a turquoise and olive ; the ring should ; and beryl will answer for tiara and clasps lapis-lazuli ; the
amorous

the operations, and hangings of green

vestment

should

be of

fans must
upon

be of swan's
a

and the operator must feathers, talisman with the

wear

his breast and

of

copper
:

character
On be
or

of

Anael
a

the words funeral

AVEEVA

VADELILITH.
vestment must

Saturday,
black
or

day

the operations,

brown,
coloured with

with silk ;

characters
on

embroidered
must

in
worn

black
a

the neck
of
;

be

orange leaden medal

:

the

character
ZARAHIEL

Saturn

and

the

words

ALMALEC,

APHIEL,
scammony,

be

adorned

cypress, and of Saturn, hours

perfumes should be diagridrium, alum, sulphur, and assafcetida ; the ring should with an the garlands should be of ash, onyx, hellebore ; on the onyx of the ring, duringthe
the double head awl.
of

the

Janus

should

be

engravedwith
Such
are

the

consecrated

antique magnificencesof the secret With cultus of the similar appointments the magi Ages proceeded to the great magicians of the Middle of talismans daily consecration corresponding to the have seven already said that a pantacle is genii. We entire a resuming the synthetic character magical of its in doctrine one specialconceptions. It is,therefore, the full expression of a completed thought and will ; it is the signatureof a spirit. The ceremonial consecration of this sign attaches to it still more stronglythe intention of the operator, and establishes a veritable magnetic chain between himself and the pantacle. Pantacles may different be intraced upon virgin parchment, paper, or metals.
What either
is termed
a

the

talisman

is

sheet

of

metal, bearing
a

or characters,and pantacles

having received
In
a

special
on

consecration

for

defined

intention.
has

learned

work

Gaffarel magical antiquities,

demonstrated scientifically

the real power and the confidence in their virtue of talismans, is otherwise so strong in nature that we gladly bear about

240

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

us

some

memorial

of

those
us are

we

love, persuaded that such

keepsakes will preserve happiness. Talismans

metals, and, when
the

from made

danger
of

and
seven

increase

our

the

Kabbalistic

required and of The figures Paracelsus,are following

should be observed

the days and hours are favourable, determined them. signs are engraved upon the seven with their magical squares, planets, found
in

the

"

Little Albert."

It

of replacesthe figure substitution not a Jupiter by that of a priest, wanting in But the well-defined a mysterious intention. allegorical and have now mythological figuresof the seven spirits become too classical and too vulgar to be any longer successfully must to more recur engraved on talismans ; we and learned expressivesigns. The pentagram should be side of the talisman, with a invariably engraved upon one

that

Paracelsus

circle for the sun,

a

crescent

for the moon,

crown,

for Mars
a

sword,
Saturn.

for

Venus,

for

Jupiter a
bear

and

scythe for
that

The

other

side must

the
of

sign of Solomon,
two

is,the

star six-pointed

the centre of the sun, those of head bull's

there
a

composed is placed
an

chalice

Mercury,
of

superposedtriangles ; in for the talismans human a figure for those of the moon, head for a dog's a lion's eagle'sfor those of Jupiter,
a

for those
or

Mars,

dove's

for those

of

Venus,

and

of the The names goat'sfor those of Saturn. seven angels are added either in Hebrew, in Arabic, or in magical characters like those of the alphabetof Trithemius, of Solomon The two triangles be replacedby the double may
cross

of the

wheels

of

Ezekiel, which

is found

on

great

and is,as we have observed in pantacles, Doctrine, the key to the trigrammes of Fohi. our also be employed for amulets Precious stones and may talismans ; but all objects of this nature, whether metals or be carefully kept in silken bags of a colour gems, must of the planet, analogousto that of the spirit perfumed with the perfumes of the corresponding day, and preserved from all impure glancesand contacts. and talismans Thus, pantacles of the sun must not be seen or touched by deformed number

of ancient

242

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

in

our

own

day, and
from
so

even

those

who

are

devoid

of

religion
its

perfectlyKabbalistic that it is truely a side is the great marvellous double pantacle. On the one the heavenly mother of the Zohar, the Isis of initiatrix, of the Platonists, the Mary of Egypt, the Venus-Urania the throned world, and setting one Christianity, upon foot upon the head of the magical serpent. She extends in such her two hands to form a triangle, a manner as
of

suspend it figuresare

the necks

of their children.

Moreover,

which

her

head

is

the
a

apex

her

hands

are

open

with all the triangle, beams directed towards the earth, evidentlyrepresenting the other the emancipation of intelligence On by labour. side is the double Tau of the hierophants, the Lingam with the double Cteis, or the triple Phallus, supported, with interlacement and repeatedinsertion, by the kabbalistic and the square between the two pillars masonic M, representing and BOHAS JAKIN are placed,upon the same plane, ; below two hearts, with twelve pentagrams loving and suffering around will tell you that the wearers them. Every one do not attach but it is to it, of this medal such significance more absolutelymagical; having a only on that account The virtue. double and, consequently,a double sense, revelations this talisman of whose ecstatic on the authority was engraved,had alreadybeheld it existingperfectlyin the astral light, demonstrates the intimate which once more of ideas and connection and givesa new sanction to signs, the symbolism of universal magic. The greater the importance and solemnity brought to

and

radiant, thus

making

double

bear

on

the

confection
more

and

consecration

of talismans

and

the pentacles,

stood will be underas they acquire, have which the evidence of the principles we upon established. This consecration should take placeon the days have have we indicated, with the appointments which we consecrated are by the four given in detail. Talismans of darkness the spirits exorcised elements, after conjuring by of the Four. the Conjuration Then, taking up the pantacle, virtue

THE

SEPTENAKY

OF

TALISMANS

243

drops of magical water, say : In of Elohim of the living the name and by the spirit waters, be thou unto me and a sacrament of will ! a sign of light of the perfumes : By the Presenting it to the smoke
some

and

it sprinkling

with

brazen

serpent which
seven

destroyedthe
upon

serpents of fire,be

thou, "c.

Breathing By

times
and

the

pantacle or

talisman

the firmament

Lastly,placing some
triadwise of eternal
Then upon it
:

In

of the voice,be thou, "c. spirit of purified earth or salt particles the salt of earth, and by the virtue

be thou, "c. life, recite the the

seven

Conjuration of of the a pastille alternately casting

sacred
In fire
:

Seven

as

follows,
the

perfumes into
command

and

Michael, may drive thee hence, Chavajoth !

the
name name

of

Jehovah

thee,

In the drive thee

In

of

Gabriel,may
!

Adona'i

command

thee, and

hence, Belial
name

the

of

Eaphael, begone
in
!

before

Elchim, Sachaof Eloim

biel !

By
get

Samael

Zebaoth, and
and

the

name

Gibor,

thee

hence, Adrameleck
Zachariel

By

Sachiel-Meleck, be

obedient

unto

Elvah, Samgabiel !
of Schaddai', and name by By the divine and human the sign of the pentagram which I hold in my righthand, in the name of the angel Anael, by the power and of Adam of Heva, who are Jotchavah, begone,Lilith ! Let us rest in
! peace, Nahemah By the holy Eloim

and

by

the

names

of

the

genii
our

Cashiel, Sehaltiel,Aphiel, and

of

Zarahiel, at the
!

command
thee

Orifiel, depart from

to devour. most

us,

Moloch

We

deny

children The

important magical instruments are the rod, the the altar, and the tripod. In sword, the lamp, the chalice, the operations of transcendent and divine magic, the lamp, rod, and chalice are used ; in the works of black magic, the

MAGICAL

INSTRUMENTS.

Lamp,

rod, swordt and

dagger.

244

THE

SEPTENARY

OF

TALISMANS

245

rod is

replacedby
We
to black

the sword

and

the

lamp by
in
now

the candle the

of

Cardan.
devoted and which

shall

explain this magic. Let us

be confounded

difference
come

consecration
not

of the instruments.

must

with
or

the

chapter to the description The magical rod, simple divining

be
one

rod, with
the

the
true

fork of necromancers, and absolute

celsus, the trident of Parafectly per-

magical rod, must

of almond or hazel, cut at a single straightbeam the magical pruning knife or blow with golden sickle, when the tree before the rising of the sun, at that moment It must be piercedthrough its whole is ready to blossom. or length without splitting breaking it,and a long needle of
-

magnetized iron
extremities
must

must

fill its entire fitted

a

extent

; to

one

of its in
a

be

polyhedralprism, cut

shape,and to the other a similar figureof black triangular of zinc,must be resin. Two of copper, and one one rings, the rod must placed at the centre of the rod ; subsequently, be gilt at the resin end, and silvered at the prism end as then be covered with silk, far as the ringed centre ; it must On the copper the extremities not included. ring these characters must be engraved : nKHpnD^SW*and on the zinc ring: HD^ "]tan.The consecration of the rod must last
seven

by

an a

and at the new days,beginning moon, initiate possessing the great arcana, consecrated rod. This
never

should and

be made

self having himof the shrouded the other

is the ceased

transmission since the rod and

magical secret, which has originof the transcendent

instruments, but
care,

science.

The

the
no

rod above

must all,

be concealed
magus

with

and
seen

under
or

pretext should

to be

touched virtue.
of

lose all their

one

permit them by the profane; otherwise they will of transmitting the rod is The mode
the is
never

of the

arcana

science,the revelation of which

the
;

permitted.
that of the unless he is

The

lengthof

arm operator's

magical rod must the magician must

not
even

not
never

exceed
use

it

alone,and
forearm

should

then made

touch
it

out it with-

necessity. Many

ancient and

magi

only
their

the

length of

the

concealed

it beneath

long

246

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

mantles, shewing only the simple diviningrod

or public, some allegorical sceptre made of ivory or ebony,according to the nature of the works. Cardinal Richelieu, always athirst for power, sought through his whole life the transmission of the rod, without being able to find it. His

in

Kabbalist

Gaffarel

could

furnish

him

with

sword

and

mans talis-

alone ; this was possibly the secret motive for the cardinal's hatred of Urbain Grandier, who knew something
of his weaknesses. of Laubardement

The with

secret

and

prolongedconversations
hours

the

some unhappy priest

before

his final torture, and of the

man,

those words

of

a
"

friend and
"

confidant
a

he latter, as

went

forth to death

You

are

clever

monsieur, do
food for

not

destroy yourself
verendum

"

"

able afford consider-

The
not
no

thought. magical rod is the

be

even
one

mentioned

in

any

of the magus ; it must clear and precisemanner ; should its

secration con-

should
ever

boast of its be transmitted

nor possession,

except under
is made
a

the conditions

of

absolute The
manner

discretion and sword

:
"

confidence. and occult, in the

is less

following

It must

be of pure

with steel,

handle

having three pommels, as of Leo III, or with the guard of a double crescent, as in our own figure. On the middle knot of the guard,which be should covered with a golden plate,the sign of the
macrocosm

copper in the enchiridion represented

cruciform

must
on

be the in
one

chased other.

on

one

side, and
Hebrew be

that

of

the

microcosm
as on
:

The

monogram
on

of the these

Michael,

found the
roioa

Agrippa, must
side of the
on

engraved
must

pommel;
characters

blade
the

be

""" mm

and D^fcO, of

other the

gram mono-

of the Labarum

Constantino,followed
see figures,

Vince and

in

hoc, Deo

duce, comite ferro. For

The consecration hours
of

by the words : the authenticity

editions
must

exactitude
"

of these

the best ancient

of the take the be

Enchiridion."
a

the sword

place on
invocation
a

Sunday, during the

of Michael. The fire of laurel and

of the sun, of the sword

under
must

blade cypress

placed in

; it must

then

be

THE

SEPTENARY

OF

TALISMANS

247

dried and with

the

with polished blood

:
"

ashes of the sacred

or me

moistened fire,

of

rnole
unto

being said
of earth

Be

thou

serpent, the followingwords the sword of Michael, by as

of spirits
"

virtue of Eloi'm

Sabaoth,may
from

darkness

flee away

thee ! and

It is then

the with

perfumes of
branches

the

sun,

wrapped
should

up be

reptiles fumigated with in silk,together

burned
on

and

of vervain, which

the

seventh The

composed of the four metals brass and iron ; the pedestalshould be of iron, silver, gold, the mirror of brass, at the the reservoir of silver, the triangle arms posed comapex of gold. It should be provided with two of a triple pipe of three intertwisted metals,in such that each arm has a triple conduit for the oil ; a manner
must
"

day. magicallamp

be

there must in each

arm.

be

nine wicks
The

in

three all,

at the

top and

three the
of

seal of Hermes
must

must

be

engravedon

over pedestal,

which A

be the

two-headed

androgyne

Khunrath. the lower

serpent devouringits own

The

tail must

encircle

signof Solomon must be chased on the reservoir. Two be fitted to this lamp, one globes must the seven adorned with transparent pictures, representing while the other, of largersize and duplicated, should genii, contain in four compartments. tinted waters The variously whole should be placed in a wooden instrument volving repillar, and permittinga ray of lightto its own on axis, the altar smoke at the and fall on required, escape, as for the invocations. moment This lamp is a great aid to the intuitive operations and for the of slow imaginations, immediate creation in the presence of magnetisedpersons of forms alarming in their actuality, which, being multiplied the and transform by the mirrors,will magnify suddenly, cabinet into a vast hall filled with visible souls ; operator's the intoxication of the perfumes and the exaltation of the invocations will speedily change this fantasia into a real dream ; persons will be recognised, toms phanformerly known will speak, and something and unexpected extraordinary will follow the closing and the of the light within the pillar of the fumigations. ncrease
part.

248

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

CHAPTER

VIII

WARNING

TO

THE

IMPRUDENT

THE

of operations stated several

are

science times.

are

not

devoid end

of
in

danger,as
madness

we

have

those who

not

They may established firmlyon

reason.

for

absolute, and
diseases Swoons
can

infallible

the basis of supreme, Terrible and incurable

nervous

be occasioned death

by
a

excessive
consequence

excitement. cerebral
gestion, con-

and may and

itself, as
from

of

pressed imaginationwhen it is unduly imterrified. We cannot dissuade sufficiently nervous are naturallydisposed to persons, and those who not are exaltation,women, people, and all who young in perfect habituated of their self-control and the command In the same gerous danfear. there can be nothing more way, than to make do, a part magic a pastime,or, as some of an entertainment. Even evening's magnetic experiments, jects, can performed under such conditions, only exhaust the submislead opinions, and defeat science. The mysteries of life and death cannot be made sport of with impunity, and things which to be taken seriously must be treated not are but also with the greatest Never yield reserve. only seriously to the desire of convincingothers by phenomena. The most astounding phenomena would not be proofs for those who not alreadyconvinced. are They can always be attributed the more included among to ordinaryartifices and the magus
or

result

less skilful followers

of Eobert

Houdin

or

Hamilton.

To

for believing in science is to as a warrant requireprodigies SANCTA shew one's self unworthy or incapable of science. of the Tarot-keys, SANCTIS. Contemplate the twelfth figure remember the grand symbol of Prometheus, and be silent. and All those magi who divulgedtheir works died violently, driven to suicide,like Cardan, Schroppfer, were Cagmany

and others. liostro,

and

The

magus

should

live

in

retirement,

be

of the

This approached with difficulty. ninth key of the Tarot, where the

is the

significance
as

initiate appears

250

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

they

act without ; blind

direction.
counteracts

Excessive and

love

pathy produces anti-

hate

leads to abasement the Great Master He

and

the

most
a

itself ; scourges cruel humiliations.

of

vanity
Thus,

revealed
"

mystery
your

science

when

said, Forgive

positivemagical enemies, do good to

of fire upon

those that hate you, so shall ye heads." Perhaps this kind of bears
a

heap coals pardon seems

their

hypocrisyand
But
we

strong likeness
that

to refined

remember avenges of this

the magus because he has the

vengeance. is sovereign, and a

must

sovereignnever

right he justice. Let it be observed, for the rest, so that no one misinterpretmy meaning, that it is a question of may evil by good and opposing mildness to violence. chastising If the exercise of virtue be a flagellation for vice, no one has the rightto demand be spared,or that that it should should take pity on its shame and its sufferings. we
The
must
man

rightto punish ; in the exercise performs his duty, and is implacable as

who

dedicates

himself

to

the

works

of science

dailyexercise,abstain from prolonged and follow a wholesome and regularrule of life. He vigils, must avoid the effluvia of putrefaction, the neighbourhood of stagnant water, and indigestible or impure food. Above all,he must daily seek relaxation from magical preoccupations
amongst material cares, commercial. or artistic, industrial,
not
or

take

moderate

in

labour, whether
way
to
see

The

well is

always looking; and he who spends his whole life one object will end without attaining it. Another upon to precaution must be equallyobserved, and that is never experiment when ill. The ceremonies being,as we have said,artificial methods for creatinga habit of will become when the unnecessary habit is confirmed. It is in this sense, and addressing self himto perfect that Paracelsus their solely adepts, proscribes in his Occult Philosophy. They must be progressively use before they are dispensed with and in simplified altogether, proportionto the experiencewe obtain in acquired powers,
and established habit in the exercise of extra-natural will.

to be

THE

CEREMONIAL

OF

INITIATES

251

CHAPTEK

IX

THE

CEREMONIAL

OF

INITIATES

THE

science

is The

preservedby
law of

silence
is

and

perpetuatedby
tude. multi-

initiation. and

silence

not, therefore, absolute

to the uninitiated inviolable, except relatively

The
The
must

science
must

sages

by speech. only be transmitted therefore speak occasionally.Yes, they

can

Noli
master

but to speak,not to disclose, the device was ire, fac venire, of all the

lead
of

others

to

discover.

Eabelais,who, being
not

sciences

of

his

time, could

be

quainted unac-

here the have

have, consequently,to magic. We mysteriesof initiation. The destinyof man,

with
to make
or

reveal
as we

said,is
son

create

himself
for

; he

is,and
of

he

will

be, the
men
"

of his
on

works,
to

both

time

and
number

eternity. All
the elect In
are

are

called

compete, but the

who succeed who
"

that

is,of

those

is

small. invariably
to
are

other
numbered

words, the
of

men

are

desirous
chosen

attain few.

by multitudes, but
the world

the

Now,

belongsby rightto the flower of mankind, and when or usurpation prevents any combination social cataclysm their possessingit, a political or become who of themselves Men masters ensues. are easily for them of others ; but it is possible to hinder masters one if they disregard and of the another the laws of discipline in comuniversal hierarchy. To be subjectto a discipline mon, and there must be a community of ideas and desires, such a communion be attained except by a common cannot of intelligence established on the very foundations religion and reason. has always existed in the world, This religion defectibl inand is that only which be called one, infallible, can This that is,universal. catholic and veritably the veils all others have been successively of which religion, and the shadows, is that which demonstrates beingby being, It truth by reason, sense. reason by evidence and common
the government
"

252

THE

EITUAL

OF

TKANSCENDENT

MAGIC

is that

by realities the reasonable basis of and forbids reasoning hypotheses, hypotheses independently upon of realities. It is that which is grounded on the doctrine of universal but never confounds the analogies,
proves

which

things of
that
in

science
two

with

those
one

of

faith.
more
or

It

can

never

be three ;

of faith that

and

make

less than

exceed the container ; can physics the contained that a solid body, as such, can act like a fluidic or gaseous body ; that,for example, a human body can pass through a closed door without dissolution or opening. To say that one believes such a thing is to talk like a child or a fool ; yet it is from
"
no

less insensate

to define the

unknown,
come

and

hypothesisto
man

till we hypothesis,

priorifor
not

the affirmation he

of

deny The precipitate suppositions.

to

argue evidence

to

wise does

affirms what
know

knows, and

believes

in

what

he

only in proportion to the reasonable and known necessities of hypothesis. But this reasonable religion is unadapted for the multitude, for which definite hopes,and terrors fables,mysteries, It is for this reason having a physical basis,are needful. that the priesthood has been established in the world. Now, the priesthoodis recruited by initiation. forms Religious in the sanctuary, whether initiation ceases perish when or by the betrayal of the mysteries, by their neglect and The for example, alienated oblivion. Gnostic disclosures, from the Christian Church the high truths of the Kabbalah, which contains all the secrets of transcendental theology. Hence, the blind, having become leaders of the blind,great lowed. foland deplorablescandals have obscurities, great lapses, the sacred books, of which the keys Subsequently, all kabbalistic, from Genesis to the Apocalypse,have are become little intelligible to Christians, that pastors have so reasonablyjudged it necessary to forbid their being read by and the uninstructed believers. Taken literally, among be only an inconunderstood these books would ceivable materially,
tissue Voltaire
has of

absurdities well

and

scandals,as the school

It is the
same

of

too

demonstrated.

with

THE

CEREMONIAL

OF

INITIATES

253

all the ancient

dogmas, their
of

brilliant

theogoniesand
believed

poetic
in the

legends.

To

say

that the ancients

of Greece

of Egypt in the cynothose or Jupiter, ignorance cephalus and sparrow-hawk, is to exhibit as much would be shown bad faith as and by maintaining that Christians adore a triple God, composed of an old man, an executed criminal,and a pigeon. The ignoranceof symbols For this reason calumnious. should always is invariably we guard against the derision of that which we do not know, when its enunciation to involve seems some absurdity or less wanting in good sense even as a course no singularity,

love-adventures

than

to admit

the

same

without

discussion

and

examination.

Prior to there
reason

anything which
truth
our
"

is

that actions would

may is to

must

desires, if
us

we

which

is

the

raison

justice which is the law man can only will that justly do ; so does he silence lusts and fears that he hearken such is a Now, a man solely to reason. may natural king and a spontaneous priestfor the wandering
multitudes.
was

ourselves, pleaseor displease and by this say, a reason rather than be regulated by our that create intelligencewithin d'Stre of immortality,and that A who thereof. is truly man which he should reasonably and
"

Hence

it

was

that

the

end

of

the

old initiations

termed the sacerdotal art and the indifferently The antique magicalassociations were seminaries royal art. for priests and kings,and admission could only be obtained by truly sacerdotal and royal works ; that is, by placing .e'sself above
t

all the weaknesses is found

of nature.

We

will not

everywhere concerning the with diminished ptian initiations,perpetuated, but in the secret societies of the Middle tian Ages. Chrispower, false understandingof the founded a radicalism, upon
words
"

here

what

Ye

have
a

one

father,
blow

one

master, and
at

ye

are

all

brethren," dealt
Since
that

terrible

the

sacred become
a

hierarchy.
matter

have time, sacerdotal dignities

of
to

of chance ; energeticmediocrityhas managed or intrigue because misunderstood of supplant modest superiority,

its

254

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

modesty ; yet,
essential law
of

and

initiation being notwithstanding,

an

which is instinctively life, a society religious magical formed at the decline of the pontifical power, and in itself alone the entire strengthof speedilyconcentrated because,though it only understood vaguely,it Christianity, exercised the hierarchic power resident in the positively ordeals of initiation, and the omnipotence of faith in passive obedience.

What, in fact, did the candidate

He

in

the old initiations ?

abandoned his life and liberty of to the masters entirely the temples of Thebes or Memphis ; he advanced resolutely terrors, which through unnumbered might have led him to a imagine that there was premeditated outrage intended funeral pyres, swam torrents of againsthim ; he ascended and black raging water, hung by unknown counterpoises all this a blind Was unfathomed not over precipices
. . .

obedience
most

in

the

full

force of

of the

term

Is

it not

the

for a time to abjureliberty liberty attain emancipation? that we Now, this is preso cisely may what must be done, and what has been done invariably, of magicalomnipotence. by those who aspireto the sanctum regnum of Pythagorascondemned themselves The disciples

absolute

exercise

to inexorable

silence

for many

years

; even

the sectaries

of

of pleasureby Epicurus only comprehended the sovereignty of sobriety and calculated temperance. Life the acquisition if we would advance ; is a warfare in which we must giveproofs

be seized. does not surrender of itself ; it must power and ordeal is therefore indispensable Initiation by contest
for the

attainment

of

the

science practical
manner

of

magic.

We

have

alreadyindicated
forms may

after what and who

the four elementary

not

be
of

overcome,
our

will

repeat it here

we

refer those
of

readers

would the

inquireinto
works
"

the-

ceremonies

ancient
of

initiations to the
"

of

Baron

Tschoudy,
Here
we

author
some

Blazing Star,"
valuable

Adonhiramitetreatises.

and Masonry,"

other most

masonic

would

intellectual and

insist upon a reflection, namely, that the of which social chaos in the midst we are

THE

CEREMONIAL

OF

INITIATES

255

perishing,
its than the
ordeals

has and

been
its

caused

by

the

neglect
whose the

of

initiation,
zeal
was

with

mysteries.
carried
to

Men,

greater
of

their

science,
came

away
in

by
the

popular
and

maxims absolute

Gospel,
of

believe A famous

primitive
the

equality
unfortunate

men.

hallucint,
this alone and law and has has

eloquent
with
men

and the

Eousseau,
his had workmen

propagated
that

paradox depraves
emulation
of

all

magic
as

of he

style
said

"

society competition
The

much
"

if

that

in

labour
that of

renders initiation has

as

idle. works and

essential

nature,

by

of

voluntary
;

toilsome had been

its

progress,

been

fatally

misconstrued
its

masonry

deserters,
the for
sequence con-

Catholicism
?

apostates.
of

What the
To it

The and

substitution

steel

plane

the
to

intellectual
what

symbolical
without
us

plane. instructing

preach
how
to

equality
rise And the

is
not

beneath,

upward,
hence
sans-

is
we

this

binding

to

descend

ourselves of the

have

descended and the The Marat.

to

the
To

reign
restore

carmagnola,
and
be

cullotes,

tottering
must

distracted

society,

hierarchy
task it is
is

and

initiation

again

lished. estabworld pass

difficult, but
to

the

whole it.
?

intelligent
Must We but is
we

feels

that

necessary

undertake

through
trust

another

deluge
this

before

succeeding
the
unto

earnestly
not

not,
of
our

and

book,
is
of
an

perhaps appeal
life
in

greatest
all that middle

the alive

last
for

audacities,

yet
of

the

reconstitution

the

very

position decom-

and

death.

256

THE

EITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

CHAPTER

THE

KEY

OF

OCCULTISM

LET

us

now

examine

the

question of

for pantacles,

all

magical virtue is there,since the secret of force is in the which directs. We have already given the intelligence of the pantacles of Pythagoras symbol and interpretation
and

Ezekiel, so that
in
a

we

have

no

need

to

recur

to these ;

we

shall prove Hebrew word

later
were was

worship
of the the
can

chapter that and pantacles,

written and have
on

all the instruments that the first and

of

final

Bible

in

gold

and

in

brass

by
But

Moses, in
each magus understood

tabernacle and should

all its accessories.

for, pantacle, of a pantacle is the perfect accurately, summary find in the magical calendars of Tycho Hence mind. we a miah, and Brahe Duchentau, the pantaclesof Adam, Job, JereIsaiah,and of all the other great prophets who have and the been, each in his turn, the kings of the Kabbalah grand rabbins of science. The being a complete and perfectsynthesis, pantacle, to focus all intellectual expressed by a singlesign, serves touch. It is,so to a recollection, a strengthinto a glance, for the efficient projection of the will. speak,a starting-point Nigromancers and goetic magicians traced their infernal the skin of the victims they immolated. The on pantacles sacrificial ceremonies, the manner of skinning the kid, then of salting, drying,and whitening the skin, are given in a of clavicles and grimoires. Some kabbalists Hebrew number the anathemas fell into similar follies, pronounced forgetting in the Bible againstthose who sacrifice on high placesor in All spilling of the earth. of blood operated the caverns and ceremonially is abominable impious, and since the the Society of true Adepts has a horror death of Adonhiram Ecclesia abhorret h sanguine. of blood The initiatory symbolism of pantacles adopted throughout
"

his individual

258

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

ous

tree.

Initiation there
is

by
no

toil and
more

blood

has

been the

plished, accom-

and truth is

temple

because

lightof

the diffused,and the world has become universally temple of justice. This splendidfinal vision of the Holy this divine Utopia which the Church has referred Scriptures, with for its realisation to a better life, good reason of all ancient arch-heretics and of many has been the pitfall modern idealists. The simultaneous emancipation and absolute equality of all men involve the arrest of progress and consequentlyof life; in a world all are where equal there could no longerbe infants or the aged ; birth and death could
not

therefore the

be admitted. Jerusalem

This is
no

is sufficient to
more

demonstrate world than

that the

New

of this

wherein there was no primeval paradise, of of generation, or knowledge of good or evil,of liberty, death; the cycle of our religious symbolism begins and ends therefore in eternity. Dupuis and Volney lavished their great erudition to discover this relative identity of all symbols,and arrived at the negation of every religion. We attain by the same and we path to a diametrically opposed affirmation, nise recogwith admiration the that there have
; that of the
never

been

any

false

in religions splendour of which

civilised world
reason man

the divine

the light,
that

the supreme

Logos, of
into the

word

enlightens every
no more

coming
children
; that the in

world, has
than
to one,
plained ex-

been

the faithful
the

wanting to the sheep of St Peter

reason,

of Zoroaster

permanent, the
visible nature,

universal
in

revelation,is written
and there
one

faith ; that

doctrine, and

completed by the wise analogiesof but one true one is, finally, religion, there is but one belief, as even legitimate
one

God,
for
no

one

reason, one,

and

universe world

; that revelation is obscure

since

the whole

understands is
is

more

or

less

both exist

truth and

and justice,

since all that is. BEING

can possible

only

to analogically

what

BEING,

The

bizarre figures apparently presentedby

the

Apocalypse

THE

KEY

OF

OCCULTISM

259

like those of all oriental hieroglyphics, be comprised in a series of pantacles. and can mythologies, in clothed The seven initiator, white, standing between in his hand, stars golden candlesticks and holding seven and the universal representsthe unique doctrine of Hermes clothed with the sun of the light. The woman analogies

of

St

John

are

and

crowned the

with

twelve

stars

is the

celestial
to

or Isis,

the her

gnosis ;
flies away

serpent of material
takes
unto

life seeks

devour the

child,but she
into

herself the
"

the

desert

wings of of protestation
of
a

spiritagainst the mighty angel with

and
a

materialism the face of

official
a

eagleand the prophetic religion. The

for

sun,

rainbow

nimbus,

cloud

for vestment,

of having pillars

fire for his

legs,

the earth foot upon and another the on settingone His feet represent the sea, is truly a kabbalistic Panthea. equilibriumof BRIAH, or the world of forms ; his legs are of the Masonic the two pillars temple,JAKIN and BOHAS ; issues a hand which his body, veiled by clouds, from holding ordeals ; his a book, is the sphere of JETZIRAH, or initiatory

and

solar head, crowned of

ATZILUTH,

or

septenary,is the world can perfect revelation; and we only be

with

the radiant

astonished that Hebrew kabbalists have not excessively this symbolism,which so closely and made known recognised the highest mysteriesof Christiand inseparably connects anity with the secret but invariable
in Israel.
"t

doctrine of all the masters

of

The

beast

with

seven

heads, in the symbolism

John, is the

material
the
to
are

and

iminous
ter the

septenary ;
same manner

antagonistic negation of the Babylonian harlot corresponds

woman

the

clothed

with four

the

sun

four

horsemen
seven

limals ; the cups, and

analogous to the allegorical angelswith their seven trumpets, seven

swords characterise the absolute of the

seven

evil by speech,by religious of good against association, struggle Thus the seven and by force. seals of the occult are book successively plished. opened, and universal initiation is accomwho have sought anything else The commentators

in this book

of

the transcendent

Kabbalah

have

lost

their

260

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

time To

and

their trouble

only

to

make

themselves

ridiculous.
in the
in

discover

Napoleon in
falls from like

the

angel Apollyon, Luther

or

star which

heaven, Voltaire
all the violence them
we

Rousseau

the

grasshoppers armed
It is the
celebrated
same

warriors,is merely high fantasy.

done
to

with
so

the

names

of

persons

as

to make

to the fatal number

666, which
we

numericallyequivalent have alreadysufficiently

men

explained;
Newton understand
as

and

when

think

that

like

Bossuet
we

and
can

amused that be

themselves

with is not the

so

such

chimeras,

humanity

malicious

in its nature its vices.

might

supposedfrom

complexionof

CHAPTEE

XI

THE

TRIPLE

CHAIN

THE

great work
the of the

the will and

mation

magic, after the practical creation of the magus, personal

in

education is the

of for-

magnetic chain, and this secret is truly that and of royalty. To form the magnetic chain of priesthood of ideas which is to originate a current produces faith and of wills in a given circle of active draws a large number A well-formed chain is like a whirlpool manifestation.
which sucks in down three and absorbs
"

all.

The

by signs,by by The contact. inducing opinion to adopt some of a force. Thus, all Christians sign as the representation communicate by the signof the cross, masons by that of the the sun, the magi by that of the microcosm, square beneath made Once accepted and etc. by extending the five fingers, In the early signsacquireforce of themselves. propagated, imitation of the sign of centuries of our era, the sightand the cross was enough to make proselytesto Christianity.
ways first is by What
is called the miraculous

established

may speech, and

chain

be

medal

continues

in

our

own

THE

TRIPLE

CHAIN

261

of conversions by the same days to effect a great number The vision and illumination of the young magnetic law. Israelite, Alphonse de Ratisbonne, is the most remarkable fact of this kind. Imagination is creative not only within and fluidic projections, of our but without us us by means of Constantine undoubtedly the phenomena of the labarum other of Migne* should to no be attributed and the cross
cause.

the typifiedamong magic chain of speech was the mouth issued from ancients by chains of gold, which of eloquence. of Hermes. Nothing equals the electricity in the most grossly stituted conSpeech creates the highest intelligence
The
masses.

Even

those

who

are

too

remote
are

for actual

hearing understand
with the crowd.
"

by excitement,
Peter the
"

and

carried

away

Hermit A

convulsed
of

his cry of

God

wills it ! and

singleword
France

Europe by the Emperor

Proudhon
"

electrified his army, destroyed socialism is

made his

invincible.

by

celebrated

robbery." A current saying is who Voltaire knew this well overturn a reigning power. feared shook the world So, also, he who by sarcasms. neither pope nor was king, neither parliamentnor Bastille, the the verge of accomplishing afraid of a pun. We are on whose intentions of that man sayingswe repeat. of establishing is by The third method the magic chain Between who the head mtact. meet frequently, persons
"

paradox : Property frequentlysufficient to

the current low to absorb

soon

manifests,and
others. The

the

strongestwill is

not

positive grasp of land by hand completesthe harmony of dispositions, and it is for this reason of sympathy and intimacy. Children, a mark rho are by nature, form the magic guided instinctively chain by playing at bars or rounds ; then gaietyspreads, then laughterrings. Circular tables are favourable more to convivial feasts than those of any other shape. The
the

direct and

great circular dance

of the

Sabbath, which
middle
same

concluded
ages,
was

the
a

mysteriousassemblies of adepts in the magic chain, which joined all in the

intentions

and

262

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

the and

same

acts.

It

was

formed

by standing back

to

back

in imitation linkinghands, the face outside the circle, of those antique sacred dances, representations of which are still found on the sculpturesof old temples. The electric furs of the lynx, panther, and domestic even cat, were stitched
to

their

garments,
comes
a

in

imitation tradition
from

of that

the the

ancient Sabbath that

bacchanalia; hence
miscreants each
wore

the
cat

hung

the

and girdle,

they

danced

The

guise. and phenomena of tilting

circular

in this

talking tables

has

been
means

fortuitous manifestation of
the

of fluidic communication

by

it with Mystificationcombined educated and intelligent afterwards,and even persons were selves, theminfatuated with the novelty that they hoaxed so and became the dupes of their own absurdity. The oracles of the tables were less voluntarily answers more or versations suggestedor extracted by chance ; they resembled the con-

chain.

which

we

hold

or

hear been

in

dreams.

Other

and

stranger phenomena may

of

have

the external

tions manifesta-

We, however, imaginationsoperatingin common. by no means deny the possibleintervention of elementary in these occurrences, in those of divination as by spirits cards or by dreams do not believe that it has been ; but we
in any sense proven, to admit it. One
of the most

and

we

are

therefore

in

no

way

obliged
tion imaginaeven

extraordinary powers
of the fears. desires of We
a

of human the

is the realisation its that

will,or

of

apprehensions and
we

believe

easilyanything
is true, ing realisHow is
one

fear desire the

or

desire,says
fear

because

and

proverb; and it impart to imagination a

are a

power,
one

effects of which

incalculable. about the

attacked, for example, by

nervous?
on

disease cited

which

feels

We
this

have

already
laws and
more

opinions of
in
our

Paracelsus doctrinal but the in

point, and
occult

have

established

part the
are

confirmed

by experience;
of the

magnetic currents,
all

by

mediation

chain,
almost

realisations

the

strange because

THE

TRIPLE

CHAIN

263

the chain has not invariablyunexpected, at least when formed been sympathetic,and powerful by an intelligent, In fact, they are the result of purely blind and leader. The fortuitous combinations. vulgar fear of superstitious and thirteen at table, when feasters, they find themselves their conviction and weakest of that
among
some

misfortune

threatens
most

the

youngest

them, is, like

magical science. The in the and cyclic number which and absorbs the thirteenth, attracts nature, invariably If the number. is regarded as a sinister and superfluous twelve, by the number grindstoneof a mill be represented then thirteen is that of the grain which is to be ground.
remnant

a superstitions, plete duodenary being a comuniversal analogies of

On

kindred

considerations,the

ancients

established

tinctions the dis-

between

the such

observance
concerns,

lucky and unlucky numbers, whence came It is in of days of good or evil augury. above all,that imagination is creative, so
and

that both
or

days

numbers those who

seldom believe

fail to in

be

propitious
influence.

otherwise

to

their

the Consequently,Christianitywas right in proscribing divinatory sciences, for in thus diminishing the number of blind chances, it gave further and empire to scope liberty. Printingis an admirable instrument for the formation of the magic chain by the extension book is of speech. No where lost ; as a fact,writingsgo invariably precisely they should of thought attract the aspirations speech. go, and of our We have proved this a hundred times in the course offered themselves have magical initiation ; the rarest books without seekingas soon as they became indispensable. Thus
so

have

we

recovered
persons

intact that universal

have

science

which

regarded as engulfed by a number of successive entered the cataclysms ; thus have we Enoch, and or great magical chain which began with Hermes will only end with the world. been able to Thus have we of Apollonius, face to face with, the spirits evoke, and come Plotinus,Synesius, Paracelsus, Cardanus, Agrippa,and others
many learned

264

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

less
it

or

more

known, but
them
to

too

possiblefor
whom

be

celebrated religiously named lightly. We

after

to make

continue
us.

their
unto

great work,

will take up will it be given to complete it ?

which

others

But

CHAPTEE

XII

THE

GREAT

WORK

To

be

ever

to be always young, and rich,

to

die

never

such,
To

from

all

time, has been

universal
which

the
and

dream all

of

the alchemists.
metals into

change lead, mercury,

possess the

other and

gold, to
"

medicine
must

the elixir of life

to

such

is the

accomplish this desire and to realise this dream. Like all magicalmysteries, the secrets of the great work have a triple meaning ; they and natural. The are religious, philosophical, philosophical is the absolute and supreme reason gold in religion sophy, ; in philoproblem
be solved it is truth ; in visible nature, it is the subterranean and mineral
sun

; in

the

world, it is the purest and

after the

most

gold. perfect
the search the

Hence

the search

great work

is called

for the

and absolute,

this work

itself is termed

of the sun. All masters of science recognise operation that it is impossible to achieve material results until we have found all the analogies of the universal medicine and in the two the philosophical stone superior degrees. Then, it is affirmed, is the labour simple, and inexpensive light, ;

otherwise,it
The and

consumes

to

no

purpose

the life and

fortune

of

the bellows-blower. universal medicine

is,for the mind, it

soul,supreme
is mathematical

reason

absolute

justice ;
of

for the

and

truth practical
is
a

; for the

combination

which body, it is the quintessence, world, gold and light. In the superior

the first matter

of the

great work

is enthusiasm

and

activity ;

266

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

presentingit only
Hermes.
we

under

the

emblem

of the

caduceus

of

Here

then

is the

great Hermetic
and clearly

arcanum,

and

reveal it for the first time what the

devoid

of

mystical

dead substances are bodies adepts term found in nature those which have as are ; livingsubstances been assimilated and magnetisedby the science and will of the operator. Therefore the great work is something more than a chemical actual creation of the operation ; it is an

figures ;

human

Word

initiated into the power

of the Word

of God

himself.

pa K
J

in

nnixm

:rvnwni

This

Hebrew

text

which
our

we

transcribe

in

proof of
from

the the

and reality of authenticity rabbinical and Jew

is derived discovery,
master

Abraham,
in his book

the

of Nicholas
on

Elamel,,

is found

occult
of

commentary
the Kabbalah.

the

Sepher
tary commen-

the sacred Jetzirah, is chain

This

of our extremely rare, but the sympatheticpotencies has been preled us to the discoveryof a copy which served since the
year 1643 in

the

Protestant
:

church

at

Rouen.
an

On

its first page

:

there

is written

Ex

dono, then

name illegible

The

creation

of and

transmutation that in order while

in

magni. gold in the great work takes placeby multiplication.Raymund Lully states

Dei

to make

gold we
make
:
"

must
we

have
must

gold and
have

mercury,

order Then

to

silver

silver and
that

mercury. mineral

he adds

By

mercury,

I understand

which that it gilds. is so refined and purified spirit Doubtless, the seed of gold,and silvers the seed of silver." he is here speakingof Od, or astral light. Salt and sulphur serviceable in the work only for the preparationof are all that the magnetic above ; it is with mercury mercury

THE

GREAT

WORK

267

agent

must

be

assimilated Nicholas

and

incorporated. Paracelsus,
seem

Kaymund
indicate

and Lully,

Flamel

alone to have

fectly per-

understood it after of

this mystery.
an

Basil Valentine

and Trevisan

quite the most found this subject are have curious things which on we and magical legendsin a indicated by the mysticalfigures book of Henry Khunrath, entitled Amphitheatrum Sapientice capable
another jflternce. learned the
Khunrath

incomplete manner, But interpretation.

which

might

be

Gnostic

represents and schools,and connects

resumes

the

most

in

mysticism and expressions

is the astronomical

of in

Synesius. but it signs,

luminous

He

affects
see

symbology with in Christianity

that

is easy to

his Christ the the

Abraxas, the
cross,

pentagram
in the

on radiating

the

incarnation

humanity

of

sovereignsun
luminous and

celebrated

by

Emperor Julian
of that and of the worked world

; it is the

living manifestation which, according to Moses, brooded

of the the and
waters monarch
at

Ruach-Elohim upon the

bosom
man-sun,

the of

birth

; it is the

light,the

master

conqueror

of the

the magus, supreme serpent, and in the four-fold

Khunrath finds the allegorical key evangelists, of his magical book of the great work. One of the pantacles erected in the middle of a stone represents the philosophical fortress surrounded by a wall in which there are twenty impracticable gates. One alone conducts to the sanctuary the stone Above there is a triangle of the great work. placed upon a winged dragon, and on the stone is graven the symbolicalimage of all of Christ qualified as name It is by him iture. alone," he adds, that thou canst for men, medicine )btain the universal animals, vegetables, id minerals." The winged dragon, ruled by the triangle,

legend of

the

"

"

the Christ therefore, ipresents,

of

Khunrath

; that

is,the

of light and life ; it is the secret of intelligence "vereign pentagram ; it is the highest dogmatic and practical the grand and unto lysteryof traditional magic. Thence maxim there is only one rer incommunicable step. the The kabbalistic Jew, which figuresof Abraham

268

THE

RITUAL

OF

TKANSCENDENT

MAGIC

imparted to
other than

Flamel
the

the

first desire of

for the

knowledge,are

no

twenty-two keys
in the
moon

Tarot, elsewhere
Basil Valentine. the

initiated and
There the
sun

resumed and

twelve reappear

keys of
under

figuresof

emperor

and

Hierophant death, judgment, love, the dragon or devil, the hermit or lame elder,and, finally, all the remaining symbols are there
found order. the Tarot
with

; the Great empress ; Mercury is the juggler is the adept or abstractor of the quintessence ;

their could

chief

attributes,and

almost

in

the

same

It

have

scarcely
book

been the

otherwise,

since

is the

primeval
be

and

keystone

of

the

occult sciences

; it must

Hermetic, because

it is kabbal-

istic, magical, and

find in the theosophical. So, also, we of its twelfth and combination twenty-second keys, superposed the other, the hieroglyphic revelation of the one upon and its mysteries. The twelfth solution of the grand work hanging by one foot from a gibbet key represents a man letter composed of three trees or posts,forming the Hebrew fl constitute a triangle with his head, and arms ; the man's his entire hieroglyphical shape is that of a reversed triangle surmounted to all by a cross, an alchemical symbol known and representingthe accomplishment of the great adepts, The bears the number work. twenty-second key, which the fool which precedes it carries no twenty-one, because veiled numeral, representsa youthfulfemale divinity slightly and running in a floweringcircle, supported at four corners In the Italian Tarot by the four beasts of the Kabbalah. has rod in either hand ; in the Besanson this divinity a

Tarot, the

two

wands

are

in

one

hand

while

the other is

placedupon

both equallyremarkable thigh, symbols of or magnetic action, either alternate in its polarisation, and transmission. simultaneous by opposition of Hermes The an essentially is, therefore, great work and the highestof all, the for it supposes magical operation, absolute in science and volition. is light in gold, There and light in all things. The intelligent will, gold in light, the assimilates the which light,directs in this manner

her

THE

GREAT

WORK

269

of substantial form, and uses as operations chemistrysolely The influence of human will and a secondaryinstrument. the operations of nature, dependent in intelligence upon

part on

its

labour,is otherwise
succeeded in

fact

so

real that all serious

to their knowledge proportion and their faith,and have reproduced their thought in the and recomposition of phenomena of the fusion, salification,

alchemists have

metals. fine

who Agrippa,

was

man

of immense

erudition and

genius,but
the

transcend

and sceptic, could not philosopher pure limits of metallic analysis and synthesis.

Etteilla, a confused, obscure, fantastic,but persevering kabbalist, reproduced in alchemy the eccentricities of his
misconstrued assumed and mutilated Tarot ; metals
in his

crucibles

excited the curiosity of forms, which extraordinary all Paris, with no greaterprofit to the operator than the fees which were paid by his visitors. An obscure bellowsblower of
our own

time, who

died

mad, poor Louis Cambriel,

of

cured his neighbours, and, by the evidence really parish, brought back to life a smith who was For
and

all his

his friend.

him

the

metallic

work

took

the One

most

inconceivable he beheld
the

forms. apparentlyillogical God himself in his

day

of figure
sun,

incandescent crucible,
of

like the

his body composed transparentas crystal, Cambriel

which conglomerations, of tiny pears. One

of
our

triangular naivelycompared to quantities

a we

friends,who

is

learned

kabbalist,but

belongs to an initiation which performed recently the chemical

work, and
excessive metal

succeeded brilliance
of

in

regard as erroneous, operationsof the great weakening his eyes through the
Athanor. He created
a new

the

and gold,but is not gold, value. no Eaymund Lully, Nicholas Flamel, probablyHenry Khunrath, made true gold,nor take away their secret with

which

resembles

hence and did

has
most

they
from

them, for it is enclosed

the
sources

in their

symbols,and they have further indicated which they drew for its discovery and for
its effects. make It is this
same

the realisation of
we now

secret

which

ourselves

public.

270

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

CHAPTEE

XIII

NECROMANCY

rather our tion, convicor boldly declared our opinion, of resurrection in certain cases to the possibility as ; to complete the revelation of this for us it remains now is a phantom of and to expose its practice. Death arcanum ignorance; it does not exist ; everythingin nature is living, and it is because it is alive that everythingis in motion and Old age is the beginning undergoes incessant change of form. and it is the labour of renewing life, of regeneration, the mystery we death by the term the ancients represented in decrepitudeand entered of Youth, which Fountain was The body is a garment of the soul. childhood. left in new and When this garment is completely worn out, or seriously But and never reassumed. rent, it is abandoned irreparably accident without this garment is removed when by some it can, in certain cases, be put out or destroyed, being worn efforts or own on by the assistance again,either by our WE
have

of

stronger and
the end

more nor

active the

will

than

ours.

Death

is

neither it is the

of life

beginning of immortality ;
of

continuation

and

transformation
a

life.
of

Now,
who

transformation
are

being always
which

progress, few
to

those

dead apparently the vestment makes

will consent

return

to

that is, to life,

It

reassume

they
one

have
of

left behind. hardest

is of

this which the

resurrection

the

works

and hence its success is never infallible, initiation, highest be regarded almost but must invariablyas accidental and unexpected. To raise up a dead person we must suddenly tion rebind the most powerful chains of attracand energetically it with the body that it has justquitted. which connect to be previouslyacquaintedwith It is,therefore,necessary effort to produce an this chain, then to seize thereon,finally ibly and irresistof will sufficiently powerful to instantaneously relink it. All this,as we say, is extremely difficult,

NECROMANCY

271

but

is in

no

sense

absolutely impossible.
resurrection
a

The

of prejudices the

materialistic science exclude natural

at

present from

to explainall disposition less complior more cated phenomena of this class by lethargies less long in duration. with signsof death, and more or If Lazarus rose again before our doctors,they would simply to recognised academies record in their memorials a strange of lethargyaccompanied by an case apparent beginningof and a strong corpse-like odour ; the exceptional putrefaction and would be labelled with a becoming name, occurrence

order,and hence

there is

the

matter

would

be

at

an

end.

We

have

no

wish

to

with frightenanyone, and if,out of respect for the men it is requisite to diplomas who represent science officially, theories concerningresurrection the art of curing term our exceptionaland aggravated trances, nothing, I hope, will hinder from making such a concession. But if ever us a resurrection has taken place in the world, it is incontestable that resurrection is possible. Now, constituted bodies protect and religion asserts the fact of resurrections positively religion, this resurrections are possible. From ; therefore is difficult. To outside possible escape say that they are the laws of nature, and by an influence contrary to universal of disorder,darkness, harmony, is to affirm that the spirit and death, can be the sovereign arbiter of life. Let us not disputewith the worshippersof the devil,but pass on. It is not religion alone which attests the facts of resurrection
;
we

have

collected

number

of

cases.

An

rence occur-

impressed the imagination of Greuze, the has been reproduced by him in one of his most painter, remarkable pictures. An unworthy son, present at his father's deathbed, seizes and destroys a will unfavourable father rallies, to himself ; the his son, and leapsup, curses then drops back dead a second time. An analogous and recent fact has been certified to ourselves by ocular more witnesses : a friend, betraying the confidence who of one had just died,tore up a trust-deed he had signed, upon wherethe dead person rose up, and lived to defend the rights

which

272

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

of his chosen the

which heirs,

his false friend

mad, and the risen guilty person went allowed him a pension. When the Saviour
of

soughtto set aside ; man compassionately raised up the daughter

favoured

Jairus,He
"

was

alone

with

three

faithful and

dismissed the noisy and the loud mourners, disciples ; He saying, The girl is not dead but sleeping." Then, in the the mother, and the three disciples, presence only of the father, that is to say, in a perfectcircle of confidence and He took the child's hand, drew her abruptly up, and desire, I say to thee,arise ! cried to her, Young girl, The decided unof the body, soul,doubtless in the immediate vicinity its extreme and possiblyregretting youth and beauty,was which heard by her was surprised by the accents of that voice, father and mother tremblingwith hope, and on their knees ; it returned into the body ; the maiden opened her eyes, rose commanded immediately that food should up, and the Master be given her, so that the functions of life might begin a new cycle of absorption and regeneration. The history of Eliseus, raising up the daughter of the Shunamite, and St order ; the Paul raisingEutychus, are facts of the same resurrection of Dorcas by St Peter, narrated so simply in is also a history the Acts of the Apostles, the truth of which be reasonablyquestioned. Apolloniusof Tyana can scarcely and we also to have seems accomplished similar miracles,
" "

ourselves

have
in

been

the

witness

of

facts which

are

not

of the century analogy with these, but the spirit live imposes in this respect the most in which careful we differen reserve us, the thaumaturge being liable to a very inupon of a discerning at the hands reception public all

wanting

"

which from The

does not

hinder
a

the

earth

from

or revolving,

Galileo

having been
resurrection
because
a

great man.
of
it of
a

dead needs

magnetism,
exercise
of

is the masterpieceof person for its accomplishment the

sympatheticomnipotence. It is possible of death in the case by suffocation, by by congestion, resuscitated exhaustion, or by hysteria. Eutychus,who was from a third storey, doubtless was by St Paul, after falling
kind

274

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

which

reallystrikes the should enough, for how

instrument
in such
a

ears,
a

and

this

is

comprehensible

shadow

could
manner

it
as

cause

the air to

what speak ? With vibrate by impressingit

?

to make
are

distinct sounds

At

the

same

experienced from apparitions, of the and sometimes to be produced by the hand appear and is phantom, but the phenomenon is wholly subjective, occasioned solely by the power of imaginationand the local wealth of the occult force which the astral light. term we The at least the spectres or proof of this is that spirits, touch us, but pretended to be such, may indeed occasionally of the most touch them, and this is one cannot we ing affrightat times characteristics of these apparitions, which are
contacts
so

time, electrical

real in appearance that we seems pass through that which

cannot
a

unmoved without

feel the hand

body

touching or

meeting anything.
We of read
in ecclesiastical historians that
a

Spiridion, Bishop
up

Tremithonte, afterwards
his of

invoked
to

as

called saint, from

the the

spiritof
whereabouts in

daughter,Irene,
some
a

ascertain which

her

concealed traveller. so-called

money

she had

taken

charge for with habitually

him in the

Swedenborg
dead, whose
credible

communicated

the

forms

appeared to

astral

light.

Several

acquaintancehave assured us that they The celedear to them. brated for years by the dead who were manifested atheist Sylvanus Marechal to his widow of her friends, of and one to acquainther concerninga sum
1500 This francs anecdote which
was

of our persons have been revisited

he

had

concealed
to
us

in
an

secret

drawer. of the

related

by
a

old

friend

family.
Evocations end
;

should

have
are

always
works
reason.

motive

and and

otherwise, they

of darkness To
we

becoming most folly,

of pure

dangerous for health and to find curiosity,

to

and
out

evoke shall
see

out

whether

is anything,

be

to predisposed

fruitless

fatigue. The
nor

transcendental permissible love or

sciences

admit
motive

of

neither of
an

doubt

puerility. The
be either

evocation

may

NECROMANCY

275

intelligence.Evocations
and
are
:

of

love

require
The

less

apparatus
as

in

every

respect easier.
in

procedure is
to

follows

We

must,

the

first

collect carefully place,

we

the

memorials articles he
must

of him

(or her) whom

on

desire

behold, the
;
we

used, and
an

which

his

impressionremains

or apartment in which the person lived, veiled in otherwise of similar kind, and placehis portrait one which with his favourite flowers, white therein,surrounded

also prepare

must

be

renewed

observed, either
which
was

daily. A fixed the birthday of the

for his and that his believe lose the

date

must
or

then that

be

person,
our own

day

most
we

fortunate
may

one affection,

of which

soul, however
; this must

blessed be the

elsewhere,cannot

remembrance
we

provide for it during the space of fourteen days. Throughout this period we refrain from extending to any one the same must proofsof affection which we have the right to expect from the dead ; live in retreat, and take observe strict chastity, must we only one modest and light collation daily. Every evening day
for

the

and evocation,

must

at

the

same

hour
to

we

must

shut

ourselves the lamented of

a

in

the

chamber

consecrated

the

memory

of

only

one

small

taper. This should be uncovered, and we hour, in silence ; finally, we

with
a

such that as light, lightshould be placed

person, using funeral lamp or

us, the

behind remain

portrait
an

should should

before it for

fumigate the apartment

little good the

incense,and

morning of
ourselves
as

day
a

On the go out backwards. should adorn fixed for the evocation, we

salute any one make not festival, first, but a single repast of bread, wine, and roots, or fruits ; the cloth should be white, two should be laid, and one covers

if for

portion of
wine should
to

the

bread

broken

should the
must

be

set

aside ; the

little

also be

placed in
The meal

glassof
be
eaten

design
chamber

invoke.

we person alone in the

portrait ; it must be all cleared away at the end, except the glass belongingto the dead person, and his portion of bread, which must be placed before the portrait. In the evening,

of

and evocations,

in presence

of the veiled

276

THE

KITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

at the hour to the

must we regularvisit, repairin silence and cast chamber, lighta clear fire of cypress-wood,

for the

incense person

seven

times
we

thereon,pronouncingthe
The

name

of

the
be

whom

desire to behold. fire

not

lamp
die When

must out.

then On

and the extinguished, must day the portrait

permitted to
be unveiled.
on

this
is

the flame invoke

extinct,put

more

incense

the

ashes, and

God

the dead to which according to the forms of the religion self person belonged,and accordingto the ideas which he himWhile making this prayer, we must possessedof God. identify ourselves with the evoked person, speak as he spoke,believe in a sense as he believed ; then, after a silence of fifteen minutes, we must speak to him as if he were with faith, praying him to present, with affection and this prayer Renew manifest to us. mentally,coveringthe face with both hands
our

; then

call him

thrice
or

with

loud

voice ;
some

tarry on

knees, the

minutes

; then

again
same

eyes closed call thrice upon

covered, for
in
a

him

sweet

and

affectionate

tone, and

the nothing result, the following year,

slowly open the experiment must

a

Should eyes. in be renewed

it is

and

if necessary

third time, when

certain that the desired

longer it
will be.

has been

will be obtained,and the apparition realistic and striking it delayed the more

Evocations
more

of

knowledge

and

are intelligence

made
a

with

solemn

ceremonies.

If concerned

with

celebrated

for twenty-one days upon his meditate personage, we must form idea of his appearance, converse life and writings, an

with

him

mentally, and
at least

imagine
about
a

his
us

answers

; carry
a

his

or portrait,

his name,

follow

vegetable

diet for
seven.

twenty-one days,and
We
in must the
next

severe

construct

the

during the last scribed magical oratory,defast

our

thirteenth be

oratory
in

must

chapter of invariablydarkened
may

Doctrine.
if
we

This

; but

operate

the

daytime, we
the
sun

leave

narrow

side where

will shine at the hour before this

aperture on the and of evocation,

a

place a triangular prism

opening,and

crystal

NECROMANCY

277

filled with water, before the prisin. If the operation globe, be so placed the magic lamp must be arranged for night, The the altar smoke. that its singleray shall fall upon of these preparations is to furnish the magic agent purpose much and to ease with elements of corporeal as appearance, which could not be as possiblethe tension of imagination, exalted without danger into the absolute illusion of dream. of understood that a beam For the rest, it will be easily ing and fallthe ray of a lamp, coloured variously, or sunlight, smoke, can in no way create curlingand irregular upon a containingthe sacred perfectimage. The chafing-dish
fire should

be in the centre hard

of the

oratory,and the altar of

must
turn ; he

perfumes
east to
or

by.
the

The
west two

operator
to

towards be

the either

alone

pray, and assisted

must

invoke

must

by
wear

silence; he
have with vervain and and
with

preserving the strictest persons the magical vestments, which we

and chapter, should
must must

described

in the

seventh He

be crowned
the

and

gold.

bathe

before

tion, operaintact

all his under

garments

be of the most

scrupulous cleanliness.
a

prayer

should ceremony suited to the genius of the spirit about

The

begin
to be

approved by himself if he still lived. For example, it would be impossibleto evoke Voltaire by reciting prayers in the styleof St Bridget. For of the great men of antiquity, the hymns we use may Cleanthes or Orpheus, with the adjurationterminatingthe of Golden Verses evocation of Pythagoras. In our own Apollonius,we used the magical philosophy of Patricius and for the ritual, containing the doctrines of Zoroaster the writings of Hermes recited the Trismegistus.We Nuctemeron of Apollonius in Greek loud with voice, a and added the followingconjuration :
invoked, and
one

which

would

be

"

thou of All, and present, 0 Father Thrice Mighty Hermes, Conductor of the Dead. Asclepius, Vouchsafe
to

be

son

of Patron Hephaistus, Osiris,Lord of strength and

of

the

Healing Art
thou of

and

thou

vigour, do

present too.

Arnebascenis, Patron

thyselfbe and yet Philosophy,

2*78

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

again Asclepius,son
poetry
.
. .

of

Imuthe,

who

presidestover

Apollonius, Apollonius, Apollonius!

the the

Thou and

teachest this is

Magic
For

of

Zoroaster,
Gods. of

son

of

Oromasdes;

worship

of the

the evocation

from

Judaism,
should

the be

issued to religions spirits belonging of invocation following kabbalistic

in

Solomon other
to have

used, either
which
:
"

Hebrew,

or

in

any

tongue
been

with

the

in spirit

question is known

familiar

Kingdom, be ye under my left foot and in take me Glory and Eternity, by the two my righthand ! in the paths of victory ! shoulders,and direct me Mercy and Justice, be ye the equilibriumand splendour of my and life ! ! me Wisdom, crown Spirits of Intelligence betwixt the two MALCHUTH, lead me pillarsupon which edifice of the temple ! rests the whole Angels of NETSAH
Powers
of the

and

me HOD, strengthen

upon ! 0

the

cubic
!

stone

of JESOD

0 GEDULAEL my love ! thou which assist

in the
me
name

! 0

GEBURAEL

TIPHERETH be thou

BINAEL, be thou
Be that

EUACH
art and
name

HOCHMAEL,
thou of SADDAI
!

shalt be, 0
!

! my light KETHERIEL !

Ischim,

in the

Cherubim, be my
be

strength
in
! !

of ADONAI of

Beni-Elohim,

my

brethren

the

name

the

Son, and
me

by
the
name

the

Elo'im,do battle for Malachim, protect

me

in

name

of ZEBAOTH powers of TETRAGRAMMATON of JOD of ELVOH ELOI and

HE !

in

the

VAU

HE

Seraphim,cleanse my with enlightenme

love in the

name

Hasmalim,
Shechinah
!

the

splendours of

Aralim, act ! Ophanim, revolve and shine ! Hajoth a Kadosh, cry, speak,roar, bellow ! Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh, SADDAI,

ADONAI, JOTCHAVAH,

EIEAZEREIE |DX.

Hallelu-jah, Hallelu-jah,

Hallelu-jah. Amen.
It should the
not
"

names

that in conjurations, all, others do of Satan, Beelzebub, Adramelek, and

be remembered

above

of impure spirits. unities,but legions spiritual designate of is legion, for we Our name are many," says the spirit

NECROMANCY

279

constitutes the law, and proGospel. Number gress that is to say, the most in hell takes placeinversely the most in Satanic development, and consequently advanced the least intelligent and feeblest. Thus, a fatal are degraded, lieve downward law drives the demons when they wish and bethemselves term to be ascending. So also those who themselves chiefs are the most impotent and despisedof all. As to the horde of perverse spirits, they tremble before an unknown, invisible, incomprehensible, capricious, implacable is ever chief, who arm never explains his laws, whose darkness
in the
"

stretched

out

to

strike those the

names

who

fail to
of

understand

him.
even

They give this phantom

others
more

and Baal, Jupiter,

profanation, be pronounced in hell. But this phantom is only the shadow and remnant of God, disfigured by their wilful perversity, in their imagination like a vengeance of and persisting of truth. justiceand a remorse of light When the evoked spirit manifests with dejected
or

venerable,which

cannot, without

irritated countenance,

we

must

offer him
renounce

moral

sacrifice,
offends

that him

is,be inwardly disposedto

; and
"

whatever
must

before

leaving the oratory,we

be with
torment

dismiss
not

him,
to to

saying:
trouble

May

peace thou
to

thee !
me

I have
not.
vexes

wished

thee ; do

I shall labour

improve myself as

anything that

thee.

I pray,

and

will still pray, with thee and for thee. Pray thou also both with and for me, and return to thy great slumber, expecting that

day
on

when

we

shall awake close this

* ils

"We

must

not

together. Silence and adieu ! dechapter without giving some

benefit of the curious. The

"

black

magic

for the

Canidias are and Roman practicesof Thessalian sorcerers described In the first place, by several ancient authors. a pit was dug, at the mouth of which they cut the throat of a black sheep; the psyllse and larvae presumed to be present, and swarming round to drink the blood, were driven off with the magic sword ; the tripleHecate and the infernal gods were evoked, and the phantom whose apparition
was

desired

was

called

upon

three

times.

In

the

middle

280

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

ages,

necromancers

violated

and tombs, composed philtres

with unguents with the fat and blood of corpses combined aconite,belladonna, and poisonous fungi; they boiled and skimmed human added these bones dust anointed

frightful compounds
and

over

fires nourished

with

crucifixes toads

stolen ash

from of

churches; they
consecrated breasts hosts ;
the

of dried their

and

they
dead

temples,hands,
or

and

with

infernal

evoked unguent, traced the diabolical pantacles,

the Their

beneath
were

gibbets
heard

in

deserted

graveyards.
belated
out

bowlings
imagined
the very orbs
to

from

afar, and
rose

travellers earth ;

that

legionsof phantoms
thickets ; words
of

of the

trees,in their eyes, assumed

the of

shapes; fiery appalling

the marshes with seemed Sabbath

gleamed in the echo mysterious

It
was

frogsin

croaking
tagion con-

voices.

the

magnetism

the hallucination,

of madness.
to disturb procedure in black magic was and produce the feverish excitement which emboldens reason to great crimes. The grimoires, formerly seized and burnt books. not harmless by authorityeverywhere,are certainly indicated or hinted as means to murder, theft, are Sacrilege,

The

end

of

realisation

in

almost

all these

works.

Thus, in the Great

Dragon, there is a recipe entitled Composition of Death, or Philosophical and verdigris. Stone," a broth of aqua fortis, copper, arsenic, There are also necromantic processes, comprisingthe tearing dragging out bones, up of earth from graves with the nails, night at midplacing them crosswise on the breast, then assisting Christmas out of the church mass on flying eve, and
version, the Eed
"

Grimoire, and its modern

at the moment

of

: consecration, crying

"

Let
to

the the

dead

rise

from

their

tombs

"
"

then

returning

taking a
to

handful door

of earth

nearest

the

of the

church, which
two

the clamour, depositing

"

bones

graveyard, to the coffin, running back has been alarmed by the crosswise, again shouting:
we

Let

the dead

rise from shut

their
in

tombs," and then, if

escape
a

being

seized and

pace, and

counting

mad-house, a up four thousand five hundred

at retiring

slow
a

steps in

282

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

comrades

of

transformed Ulysses,

vulgar opinion, transmutations always been the very essence which is queen being the echo of opinion, never perfectlyright nor entirely wrong.

by Circe. In and metamorphoses have of magic. Now, the crowd,

of the

into swine

world, is

Magic

really

changesthe
at

modifies their appearthings, or, rather, ances to the of the according pleasure, operator's strength
nature

of

will and its

the fascination
a

of ambitious

adepts. Speech creates

form, and when

upon a substance and of

confers a name person, held infallible, he really that thing into the transforms given thing,

signified by
without
a

the

name.

The

of speech masterpiece

in this order,is the faith,

real its

transmutation

of Had

substance

change
cup

in

Apollonius offered
to

of wine

appearances. and to his disciples,

said

them
to

"

This

is my

blood, of which
life within

perpetuate my

forth ye shall drink hencehad his and you ;

"

disciples through centuries believed that they continued the words ; had transformation by repeating the same they taken the wine, despite its odour and taste, for the real, should have to we human, and livingblood of Apollonius, acknowledgethis master in theurgy as the most accomplished of enchanters and most potent of all the magi. It would
remain for
us

then

to adore

him. that mesmerists that

Now, it is well known

somnambulists any
taste

they choose and if we assume a over having sufficient command magus whole the astral fluid to magnetize at the same moment a assembly of persons, otherwise prepared for magnetism by to explain adequate over-excitement, we shall be in a position of Cana, but the Gospel miracle not indeed readily,
works which
of the
same

impart for their to plain water,

class.

Are

not

the

fascinations

of love,

magic of nature, trulyprodigious, and do they not and actually transform persons that transfigures things? Love is a dream of enchantments all intoxication the world ; all becomes music and fragrance, and felicity.The beloved being is beautiful,is good, is
result
from

the universal

is radiant, beams sublime, is infallible,

with

health

and

TRANSMUTATIONS

283

happiness. When
from brazen the clouds ; who
sorceress

the
we

dream
are

ends

we

seem

to

have

fallen

took
we

inspired with disgust for the the place of the lovelyMelusine,

deemed
cause

for the Thersites

whom
cannot

was

Achilles who

or

Nereus.
us

What

is there
But
no

we

the
or

person

loves

to

believe ? those ends who

also what

reason

sorcerer.

longer love us ? After creatingthe

instil into can we justice Love beginsmagician and illusions of heaven

on

earth,it realises those of hell ; its hatred is absurd like its that is,subject to influences ardour, because it is passional,
which
are

fatal for it.

For

this be

cause

it has

been

proscribed
Are

by sages, who declare they to be envied or

doubtless ill-doers ? without All that

it to

the

commiserated

of enemy for thus

reason.

the understanding,
can

be said
not

is that

thus, they either

had

yet loved
are

condemning, most alluring of when they spoke or they loved no

what
are our

longer. Things
be

that

are

external To
esteem

for that

us

word

internal makes

them.
we

believe becomes

happy

; what

happy is to in proportion precious

we

to the estimation

itself : this is the

nature

sense

in which
"

we

can

say that

magic changes the

"

of

Ovid
"

are rare

the

"

Golden

Ass

of

morphoses Metathings. The like true, but they are allegorical, Apuleius. The life of beings is a of

be determined, and its forms can transformation, progressive If the renewed, prolonged further, or destroyed sooner. not doctrine of metempsychosis were true, might one say and materially that the debauch representedby Circe really bution the retrithis hypothesis, into swine ; for, on changes men forms that of vices would be a relapse into animal has Now, metempsychosis, which correspond to them ? side ; true been has a perfectly frequently misinterpreted, to animal forms communicate their sympatheticimpressions his aptithe astral body of man, which reacts on tudes speedily of according to the force of his habits. A man and passive mildness the inert physiognomy assumes intelligent it is a and ways of a sheep, but in somnambulism

284

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

sheep
a

that
as

is seen,

and

not

man

with

nance, countesheepish

the ecstatic and times. In

learned

Swedenborg experienced
book
of Daniel

thousand
this

the

kabbalistic

the

seer,

mystery is representedby the legend of Nabuchodonsor changed into a beast,which, after the common fate of

for an actual history. has been mistaken magical allegories, In this into animals and transform can men really way, we animals into men can metamorphose plantsand alter ; we their virtue ; we endow minerals with ideal properties can ; it is all a questionof willing. We can selves equallyrender ourvisible or invisible at will,and this helpsus to explain the mysteriesof the ring of G-yges. In the first place,let us of our from the mind remove readers all supposition of the absurd ; that is, of an effect devoid of cause To become or contradictingits cause. invisible one of three things is necessary the interposition of some medium the lightand our between body, or opaque between our body and the eyes of the spectators,or the
"

fascination that

of the cannot

they

eyes of the make use

spectators in such
of their

manner

sight.
we a

Of

these
us

methods, the third only is magical. Have

observed
we

not

all of

that look
front

under

the

government

of

strong preoccupation
ourselves

without
of
us

seeing and
"

hurt

against

in objects

see,"said
master

do, that seeingthey may not the great Initiator, and the history of this grand
?
us

So

tells

that

one

being stoned
went

in the There is

himself on day, finding himself temple, he made need

to

the

pointof

invisible and

out.

no

repeat here the mystifications

Some popular grimoiresabout the ring of invisibility. ordain that it shall be composed of fixed mercury, enriched by it is indispensable stone which to find in a pewit's a small metal. The author of the nest, and kept in a box of the same Little Albert ordains that this ring should be composed of hairs torn from the head of a raginghyena,which recalls the of the bell of Eodilard. The only writers who have history discoursed of the ring of Gyges are Jamblichus, seriously Porphyry,and Peter of Apono. What they say is evidently
" "

of

TRANSMUTATIONS

285

and allegorical,

which representation they give,or that from their description, which be made can proves that they are speakingof nothing but the great magical arcanum. really One of the figures depictsthe universal movement, harmonic in and imperishable being ; another, which equilibrated from should be formed an metals, amalgam of the seven in detail. It has a double collet and calls for a description stones two precious a topaz, constellated with the sign of emerald with the sign of the moon and the sun, an ; it the
"

should

bear

on on

the

inner

side their

the

occult

characters

of the

and planets, and the

in

the outer

known each

twice repeated signs, other ; that

kabbalistic

to opposition

is,five

on

of the sun and moon rightand five on the left ; the signs of the seven planets. resuming the four several intelligences is no other than that of a pantacle Now, this configuration all the mysteriesof magical doctrine,and here is signifying potence, of the ring: to exercise the omnithe occult significance of

which

ocular
to
use

fascination

is

one

of

the

most

difficult demonstrations and

know

give,we
of it.

must

possess

all science

how

to make

Fascination

is
a

fulfilled whole this

by

magnetism.
see

The

magus

inwardly forbids
not
see

assembly to
he

him, and it does

him.

In

manner

gates,and departs from

gaolers. At such times and they recall having seen

never

through guarded prison in the face of his petrified is experienced, a strange numbness
passes

invisibility, which is capable of erefore, wholly consists in a power that of distracting finition or paralysing attention, so the visual organ without t the lightreaches impressing
secret
"

till after

he

has

the magus The gone.

as

if in of

dream,

but

To exercise this power must we possess eye of the soul. and will accustomed to sudden energeticactions, great
ince

of mind, and crowd.

skill no Let
a

less

great in causingdiversions

mong

the

man,

for

example, who

is

being

pursued by his intending murderers, dart into a side street, return with immediately, and advance perfect calmness
towards
his pursuers,
or

let him

mix

with

them

and

seem

286

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

to

make certainly A himself invisible. priest who was being hunted in '93, fled with the intention of hanging him from a lamp-post, and leaned side street, assumed down a a stooping gait, preoccupiedexpression againsta corner, with an intensely ; be

engaged

in

the

chase, and

he

will

the crowd

of his enemies
never

swept past ;
who

not

one

saw

him,
was

or,
so

rather,it

struck he !

unlikely to always makes

unnoticed

be

to anyone The person

him recognise desires

he

; it to

be

seen

himself

observed, and
and

who The

would true

remain

effaces himself

disappears.

ring of

Gyges is the will; it is also the rod of transformations, it creates the and by its precise and strong formulation The magical word. omnipotent terms of enchantments
are

those

which

The

tetragram,
"

this express which is the

creative

power

of of
we

forms.

: signifies

It is that which

word supreme it shall be," and if

magic, apply it

to

with full intelligence, it whatsoever any transformation in the teeth of will renew and modify all things,even

evidence

and
a

common

sense.

The

hoc

est of

the Christian

sacrifice is hence
most

translation

and

of application

the

tetragram ;

this

simple

utterance

most invisible,

complete, operates the most and most affirmed incredible, clearly

A

of all transformations.

still

stronger word
necessary

than

that of
to

transformationhas
express The the Hebrew

been

judged

by

councils

marvel, that of transubstantiation.

terms ni.T,

""IK,.Tfw, JON, have been considered tion. by all kabbalists as the keys of magical transformaLatin the same The have words, est, sit,esto, fiat, force when pronounced with full understanding. M. de Montalembert in his legendof St Elizabeth relates, seriously of Hungary, how one lady,surprised day this saintly by her she sought to conceal her good noble husband, from whom works, in the act of carryingbread to the poor in her apron, told him that she was carrying roses, and it proved on that she had investigation spoken truly; the loaves had This story is a most been changed into roses. gracious that the truly wise man magical apologue,and signifies

TRANSMUTATIONS

287

cannot

lie, that
even

the their

word

of

wisdom

determines
of

the their of

form
forms.

of

things, or
Why,
a

substance should
not

independently
the noble like
of

for

example,
and the
upon

spouse

St

beth, Eliza-

good
in

firm real
an

Christian presence where

herself, and
the beheld real Saviour

believing
in
a

implicitly
human

true

body

altar
not

he
in

only
presence of

wheaten of
?
roses

host, why
in his

should
apron

he

believe the

the

wife's
him

under

appearances but
as

bread had

She that the

exhibited

loaves and he
of
name

undoubtedly,
as

she

said of

they

were

roses,

he
saw

believed and wished

her
to

incapable
see
roses

smallest This
how
eat

falsehood,
secret

only.
narrates to

is the
a

the

miracle. has

Another
me,

legend

saint, whose
a

escaped Friday,
a

finding nothing
the fowl

on

Lenten
a

day
it and

or

commanded The

to

become
no

fish, and

became it

fish.
a

parable
story
the

needs of soul St of

interpretation,
of

recalls the Good and and

same

beautiful who evoked

a

Spiridion
his the took

Tremithonte,
Irene. the One

daughter
abode of

Friday
as
were

traveller
in

reached those

holy bishop,
in

bishops

days
poor,
some

Christianity
who

earnest,

consequently
in his
house for

Spiridion,
salted

fasted which
overcome

religiously, had
had been with
him

only

bacon,
was

made

ready
and

Easter.

The

stranger

fatigue
the

famished himself very

a

with shared which

hunger
the the meal Jews

Spiridion
of

offered

meat,

and the
into

charity, thus
as

transforming
all
most

flesh feast of of

regard

of the

impure
law and his

tence, penilaw of

transcending
itself,and
the
of

material
a

by

the

spirit

the

proving
who

himself hath

true

intelligent disciple
elect
as

man-God,
nature

established

the

monarchs

in

the

three

worlds.

288

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

CHAPTEK

XV

THE

SABBATH

OF

THE

SORCERERS

WE

return in

once

more

to

that

terrible number

fifteen, bolised syman

the

mitred

and

throned by a monster upon breasts horned, having a woman's

"

Tarot

altar,
the

and

malformed a chimera, a generative organs of a man we sphinx,a synthesisof monstrosities ; below this figure read a frank and simple inscription THE DEVIL. Yes, we confront here the phantom of all terrors, the dragon of all theogonies, the Ariman of the Persians,the Typhon of the Egyptians,the Python of the Greeks, the old serpent the of the Hebrews, fantastic monster, the nightmare, the great beast of the the Croquemitaine, the gargoyle, than all this,the Baphomet of the middle ages, and, worse Templars, the bearded idol of the alchemists, the obscene The frontispiece deity of Mendes, the goat of the Sabbath. to this Eitual reproduces the exact figureof the terrible all his attributes of night, with and all his emperor
"

characters. Let
us

state

now

for the edification of the le Comte de for Mirville, for the

satisfaction of M. of the

for the vulgar, the justification

demonologistBodin,
Freemasons,

greater glory of the

us communicated magicians,exstate boldly and

Church, which

persecuted Templars, burnt

"c.
"

let

that all the inferior initiates of the occult sciences precisely of the great arcanum, not only did in the past, and profaners and will ever, adore what is signified but do now, by this alarming symbol. Yes, in our profound conviction, the Masters of the Order of the Templars worshipped Grand caused it to be worshipped by their the Baphomet, and adepts; yes, there existed in the past,and there may be which still in the present,assemblies are presidedover by throne and having a flaming seated on torch this figure, a of this sign do not the horns ; but the adorers between

290

THE

KITUAL

OF

TKANSCENDENT

MAGIC

light ; he makes pointingupward

to the

the
to

sign
of

of

occultism
moon

with

both

hands,

the
moon

white

of

ward Chesed, and downThis

black

Geburah.

the
arms

perfectharmony
is feminine
of

of

and

with mercy other the

sign expresses justice. One of the

masculine,
we

as

in

the

androgyne
with
those

Khunrath, whose
our

attributes

have

combined
same

of

goat, since
of

symbol.
horns also the

The

torch

the and they are one burning between intelligence universal above flame

the is

is the

magical light of
of the

equilibrium;it
matter,
connects
even

type
The

soul

exalted
as

while

connectingwith
torch.

matter,
head

the

with horror

the
of

hideous
the
ever

of

the animal

expresses

sin, for which

alone and for

material bear the

agent, alone

must responsible,

penalty,because the soul is in its nature, and can suffer only by materialising. impassible The caduceus, which replacesthe generativeorgan, represents water eternal life ; the scale-covered bellytypifies ; the circle above it is the atmosphere ; the feathers still higher the volatile ; lastly, humanity is depictedby the up signify of this sphinx of the two breasts and the androgyne arms
occult sciences. Behold Behold
from

the

shadows

of the infernal of mediaeval

tuary sanc-

! dissipated

the his

sphinx
throne
!

terrors

divined ! Lucifer

and

cast

Quomodo

cecidisti"

idols, Baphomet henceforth,like all monstrous enigmas of antique science and its dreams, is only an and should innocent man even pious hieroglyph. How adore the beast,since he exercises a sovereignpower over Let us affirm, of humanity, that it has for the honour it ? adored dogs and goats any more than lambs and pigeons. never In the hieroglyphic a as order,why not a goat as much
The dread lamb
?

On

the

sacred
are

stones

of Gnostic

Christians Christ sometimes

of the the

Basilidean diverse
at

sect,

of representations animals lion

or
"

under
a

figuresof
a

kabbalistic

bird,

others
in all

lion,and, again,a
He
our

bull-headed
same

serpent;
with

but

cases
as

bears

the invariably
cannot

attributes of

light,even

goat, who

be

confounded

THE

SABBATH

OF

THE

SORCERERS

291

fabulous

images
us

of

Satan, owing

to

his

sign

of

the

pentagram.
the remnants of to combat strongly, which are daily appearingamong Manichseanism Christians, that as a superiorpersonalityand power Satan does not He of all errors, perversities, exist. is the personification weaknesses. If God be defined as and, consequently, may not define His antagonist He who necessarily exists,may we and enemy does not exist ? The absolute he who necessarily as affirmation of good implies the absolute negation of evil ; so also in the lightshadow itself is Inminous. Thus, in are erringspirits good to the extent of their participation tions, being and in truth. There are no shadows without reflecand stars. no phosphorescence, nights without moon, has ever If hell be just, it is good. No one blasphemed addressed to His disfigured God. The insults and mockeries images attain Him not. have We named Manichaeanism, and it is by this monstrous heresy that we shall explainthe aberrations of black doctrine of Zoroaster and the magic. The misconstrued universal equilibrium, magical law of two forces constituting have minds caused to some imagine a negative illogical hostile to the active divinity. but divinity,subordinate into being. Men mad were Thus, the impure duad comes was enough to halve God ; the star of Solomon separated into two and the Manichaeans triangles, imagined a trinity of night. This evil God, product of sectarian spired infancies, all manias and all crimes. Sanguinary sacrifices offered him were idolatryreplaced the true ; monstrous black magic traduced the transcendent and luminous religion; and horrible conventicles of sorcerers, magic of true adepts, for and stryges took placein caverns and desert places, ghouls, dementia and from human sacrifices soon changes into frenzy, to cannibalism there is only one step. The mysteries of the Sabbath have been variouslydescribed, but they figure always in grimoiresand in magical trials ; the revelations Let
assert most

made

on

the

subject may

be classified under

three

heads

"

292

THE

KITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

to a fantastic and imaginary Sabbath ; 2. referring those which betray the secrets of the occult assemblies of veritable adepts; 3. revelations of foolish and criminal of black gatherings, having for their object the operations of unhappy men and women, magic. For a large number the Sabbath given over to these mad and abominable practices, but a prolonged where dreams appeared was nightmare, and were induced of potions, realities, fumigations, by means narcotic ready aland have frictions. we BaptistaPorta, whom as a mystifier, signalised givesin his "Natural Magic," a pretended recipe for the sorcerer's unguent, by means It is of which transported to the Sabbath. they were a composition of child's fat,of aconite boiled with poplar mixed with soot, other drugs,the whole leaves,and some which could not contribute to the beauty of the naked ceresses soranointed with this who repaired to the scene serious recipegiven pomade. There is another and more by BaptistaPorta, which we transcribe in Latin to preserve its grimoire character. vulgar Recipe: suim, acorum e, penverspertillionis taphyllon, sanguinem solanum somniferum et to the consistence oleum, the whole boiled and incorporated of an infer that compositions containing unguent. We or opiates,the pith of green hemp, datura-stramonium into such laurel-almond,would enter quite as successfully preparations. The fat or blood of night-birdsadded to

1. those

these

with narcotics,

black

magical ceremonies, would

the
manner

press im-

imagination and
To Sabbaths
of
a

determine in this

direction
we

of

dreams. the into

dreamed

must

refer

accounts

from goat issuing

and going back pitchers

them the

after the ordure of

from ; infernal powders obtained ceremony this goat, who is called Master Leonard;

banquets where
with
or

abortions
;

are

eaten

without

salt and

boiled animals

serpents and toads

and
women

dances,in which

monstrous

bridled impossibleshapes,take part ; undebauches where incubi project cold sperm. Nightmare The unfortunate alone could produce or explainsuch scenes. Madeline de la penitent, cure, Gaufridy,and his abandoned

men

with

THE

SABBATH

OF

THE

SORCERERS

293

Palud,
burned

went

mad

through

kindred

delusions, and

were

read We must in affirmingthem. persisting the depositions of these diseased beingsduring their trial to understand the extent aberration of the possibleto an not afflicted imagination. But the Sabbath was always a there are secret dream now ; it did exist in reality ; even of the rites of the old assemblies for the practice nocturnal and social assemblies have a religious of which world, some with while that of others is concerned orgiesand object, conjurations. From this two-fold point of view we propose to consider and condemn the true Sabbath, of the magic of in one and the magic of darkness in the other. case light When proscribedthe public exercise of the Christianity ancient worships, of the latter were the partisans compelled
for
to

meet

in

secret

for the these of the

celebration

of

their
soon

mysteries.
established

Initiates among
more

presidedover
varieties

and assemblies,

the

easilyfacilitated unites wills proscription

between

worships a kind of orthodoxy, by the aid of magical truth,because

and

Eleusinia, of

hood gathers up the bonds of brotherof Ceres men. Thus, the mysteriesof Isis, with those of the good Bacchus, combined

I
and he

The meetings took place goddess and primeval Druidism. or between usuallybetween the days of Mercury and Jupiter, the of Venus those and Saturn ; the proceedingsincluded rites of initiation, singingof exchange of mysterious signs, ing symbolicalhymns, the cementing of union at the banquetboard, the successive formation of the magical chain the meeting broke t table and in the dance ; and, finally, p after renewing pledges in the presence of the chiefs and for the The candidate r( receivinginstructions from them. with his Sabbath to the assembly, was led,or rather carried, pletely by the magical mantle in which he was comeyes covered while immense he was led between fires, enveloped,

alarmingnoises
bared, he
in
was

were

made

about

him.

When

his face

was

found

himself of
a

surrounded colossal and

by infernal
hideous these All

monsters,

the

presence

goat which
ceremonies

commanded

to

adore.

294

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

were

tests of his

force of character
was

and

confidence

in his

initiators. it
was

The

final ordeal

most

decisive of all because ridiculous without

to

and at first sight humiliating

; he
was

the mind

of the candidate
to kiss

commanded

circumspection

of the goat ; if he refused, the posterior respectfully to a his head was transported again covered, and he was distance from the assembly with such extraordinary rapidity whirled himself that he believed through the air; if he

assented,he found,
and
not
a

was

taken

round

the

idol, and symbolical

there

repulsiveand
of

obscene
a

graciouscountenance
to

but the young object, of Isis or Maia, who priestess he

was

him maternal a gave to the banquet. As assemblies followed

were

salute,and
the

then

admitted such of

that they believing agapae;

at

orgies which in must the banquet, we permitted at generally

time
it is known that
a

many

beware these

secret

the

same

number

of

in their conventicles during the them gnosticsects practised early centuries of Christianity, That the flesh had its protestantsin those ages of asceticism and compression of but occasion no surprise, the senses and can was inevitable, transcendent must not accuse we magic of the irregularities

it has Diana
sexes,

never

authorised.
is
a

Isis is chaste

in

her

widowhood

Panthea
can

virgin; Hermanubis, possessingboth neither ; the Hermetic hermaphrodite is satisfy

never

pure ; Apolloniusof Tyana of pleasure; the Emperor continence

manner

to yielded
was
was a

the
man

seductions of in

Julian

rigid
the
to

Plotinus his that in

of

Alexandria
was

ascetic
a

of love

life ; Paracelsus his the

sex

such

stranger

foolish
was

was

Raymund suspected;
of science chaste
for

Lully
after
a

initiated

final secrets made that

him

only
ever.

hopelesspassion which also a magical tradition

all their virtue when
or prostitution

It is lose of

and pantacles
wears

talismans
a

he who
an

them

enters

house of

commits be

adultery. The
as

Sabbath
of

orgies

must

not

therefore

considered

that

the

veritable

adepts.
With

regard to

the term

Sabbath,

some

have

traced

it to

THE

SABBATH

OF

THE

SORCERERS

295

the

name

of

Sabasius, and
most

other

imagined.
with
most
were

The

simple, in

etymologies have our opinion,connects

secrets masters

been it

the Jewish

Sabbath,

for it is certain that the of in

Jews, the

faithful almost

of the depositaries the great invariably

the

Kabbalah,

the middle

The Sabbath therefore was ages. the Kabbalists, the day of their religious festivals, or the

magic during the Sunday of

rather

night of their regularassembly. This feast,surrounded for its safeguardand with mysteries, had the vulgartimidity As to the diabolical Sabbath by terror. escaped persecution counterfeit of that of the magi, of necromancers, it was a an assembly of malefactors who exploitedidiots and fools. There horrible rites were potions practisedand abominable and sorceresses laid their plans compounded, there sorcerers
and instructed
one

another

for the

common

support of their

prophecy and divination ; at that period diviners were generallyconsulted and followed a lucrative while exercising Such institutions a real power. profession neither had nor could possess any regular rites ; everything of the depended on the capriceof the chiefs and the vertigo had been who narrated was assembly. What by some served a as type for all nightmares of present at them realities and hallucination and from this chaos of impossible foolish demoniac the revoltingand dreams have issued histories of the Sabbath in magical processes which figure and in the books of such writers as Spranger, Delancere, reputation in
Delrio,and
The Bodin. the Gnostic Sabbath took
were

rites of

imported into
name

Germany by an It replacedthe
he
romen,
was

association Kabbalistic
or

which

the

of

goat by the

Hermetic the order

Mopses. dog, and

initiated

candidate, male

female,
with in
Sabbath

for

brought
was name

in

eyes

ifernal noise rrounded

rumours

made
of

their
with

bandaged ; the same which neighbourhood,

so

the

many
were

inexplicable
afraid of the

they
were

were

asked

whether

they

and levil,
le

abruptlyrequired to choose of the grand master and that posterior

between of
a

kissing
silk-

small

296

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

covered

of figure idol of the ridiculous ancient

dog,which
of

was

substituted The

for the old

grand
was
a

goat

Mendes.

sign of recognition

grimace,which
Sabbath
and

recalls the masks

up of

phantasmagoria
the
in

of
For

the

the

assistants.

the rest, their license. Church

doctrine The

is summed
came

the cultus of

love and the

association
was

into existence when

persecuting Freemasonry. The and for Catholics, Mopses pretended to recruit only among the oath at reception they substituted a solemn engagement
honour
to

Eoman

upon
more

reveal any

no

secrets

of left

the

order.

It

was

effectual than

oath, and

nothing for religion

to

object.
The
name

Templar Baphomet, which should be viations backwards, is composed of three abbrespeltKabbalistically hominum TEM. : OHP. pacis AB., Templi omnium abbas, the father of the temple of universal peace among men." was a monstrous According to some, the Bahomet head ; accordingto others, a demon in the form of a goat. in the ruins of A sculptured coffer was disinterred recently old commandery of the temple,and antiquaries observed an correspondingby its attributes, upon it a baphometic figure, It to the goat of Mendes and the androgyne of Khunrath. in with a female body, holding the sun a bearded was figure
"

of the

one

hand

and

the

moon

in
a

the

other, attached

to

chains.

which attributes allegory and creating to thought alone the initiating principle. Here The the head represents spirit the body matter. orbs and enchained to the human form, and directed by that nature also magnificently of which is the head, are intelligence The discovered to bewas allegorical. sign all the same and obscene diabolical by the learned men who examined it. Can we be surprised after this at the spreadof mediaeval in our own superstition me, day ! One thing only surprises
is in that, believing

Now, this virile head

beautiful

the

devil M.
men

and

his is

agents,
the

men

do

not

rekindle it ;
one

the

faggots.
honour

Veuillot who

and logical courage

demands of their

should

have

opinions.

298

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

ignorance; 4, blind faith in all that is incredible ; 5, a completelyfalse idea of God. afterwards We must (a) Profane the ceremonies of the cultus in which believe ; (6) offer a bloody sacrifice ; we (c) procure the magic fork, which is a branch of a single
or
"

natural

beam
new

of knife
a

hazel used

or

almond,
for

cut

at

one

blow
must

with

the

the
must

sacrifice. be blade

It

terminate iron
or

in

fork, which
made A from fast of

armoured of
must

with

steel knife.
a

the

the

before-mentioned be ing observed, tak;

fifteen

days

single unsalted
consist of

repast after sundown

bread beans and and blood

this

repast
with

should unsalted

black black

seasoned

milky and narcotic herbs. We must get drunk every five days,after sundown, five heads of black poppiesand five ounces wine in which on of pounded hemp seed have been steeped for five hours, the infusion being strained through a cloth woven by a prostitute to comes speaking,the first cloth which ; strictly hand may be used, should it have been woven by a woman. The should evocation be performed on the night between Monday and Tuesday, or that between Friday and Saturday. A and be chosen, such as a condemned solitary spot must avoided ruin in the an by evil spirits, cemetery haunted convent, a place where country, the vaults of an abandoned spices or
some

murder

has

been

committed,
seamless

druidic

altar

or

an

old
must

temple of idols. A black be provided; a leaden cap

moon,

and

sleeveless robe with

the

emblazoned
; two

signsof
a

the

Venus, and
wooden
crowns

Saturn

candles in the

of human

fat set in crescent

a

black
two

carved candlesticks,
of

shape of
with
vase

vervain;
a

a a

magical sword
copper

black

handle; the
blood

magical fork;
;
censer

holding the and storax, incense,camphor, aloes,ambergris,

the from
a

of the victim

containing the perfumes,namely,

kneaded with nails taken the head of

blood the

of

goat, a
of
an

mole, and
executed been
in

bat ; four criminal

on

coffin which
a

black

cat

has

nourished

human
horns

flesh for
of
a

five

days ;

bat

drowned

blood ; the

goat

GOETIC

CIRCLE and Pacts.

of Black

Evocations

299

300

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

puella conciibuerit ; and the skull of a parricide. All these hideous and scarcelyobtainable objectshaving be been collected,they must arranged as follows : A perfect circle is traced by the sword, with a break, or in the of issuing, is drawn one on side; a triangle way with is coloured circle,and the pantacle thus formed of the angles of the triangle blood ; at one a chafing-dish the this should have is placed,and been included among indispensable objectsalready enumerated; at the opposite base of the triangle three little circles are described for the
cum

quo

operator and
the

his two

assistants ; behind
or

that of the

operator
is the

sign

of

the with

labarum the

drawn,
have

not

blood
The

of Constantine monogram with of the victim, but

own operator's

blood.

operator and
heads. The

his assistants must

bare

feet and
must

covered
be also

skin of

the

lated immo-

and, being place, be the circle, must cut into strips, forming a fixed at four corners second and inner circle, by the four Hard nails from the coffin alreadymentioned. by the nails, be placed the head of the cat, but outside the circle, must
victim

brought to placed within

the

the and

human

or

rather
must

inhuman
be

skull,the horns
a a

of the

goat,

the bat ;

they

with sprinkled

branch

of birch

dipped in
and

the blood
must

of the

victim,and

then two

alderwood

being placed on
with
now

the

the lighted, rightand left of be The

fire of cypress magical candles

the

encircled operator,
of evocation
can

the wreaths be

of vervain.

formula

pronounced,as they are found in the magicalelements whether of Peter of Apono, or in the grimoires, printedor Grimoire, reproduced in manuscript. That of the Grand and should the vulgar Eed Dragon, has been wilfully altered, be read as follows : Jehova, Elo'im, Adonai By Adonai Adonai On Mathon, the Sabaoth, Metraton Agla Adonai pythonic word, the mystery of the salamander, the assembly of the demons of the sylphs, the grotto of the gnomes,
"

the

heaven

of

Gad,

Almousin,
!
"

Gioor, Jehosua,
consists

Evam,
these

Zariatnatmik, Come, Come, Come

The

of Agrippa grand appellation

only in

THE

SABBATH

OF

THE

SORCERERS

301

words:
TEMAUS.

DIES We

MIES make

JESCHET
no

BOENEDOESEF

DOUVEMA

ENI-

understanding their which they possess none, assuredlynone meaning ; possibly is reasonable, who since they avail in evoking the devil, is the sovereign Picus de Mirandola, no doubt from unreason. the same motive, affirms that in black magic the most barbarous and unintelligible efficacious words the most are and the best. The are conjurations repeated in a louder until the voice,accompanied by imprecations and menaces, spirit replies. He is commonly preceded by a violent wind
pretence of
which domestic
a

seems

to

make tremble their

the

whole hide

country resound.

Then

animals
upon

and

breath

faces,and
heads. Peter
of

away, the assistants feel their hair, damp with cold

sweat,

rises upon

their

appellation, accordingto
"

grand Apono, is as
Hemen-Etan

The

supreme follows :
"

and

Hemen-Etan AOZIA*

! HYN*

Hemen-Etan TEU* A

EL*

ATI* vaa*
!

TITEIP*

MINOSEL* EL
EL

ACHADON* A HY

vay*

Eye*
HAU!

Aaa* HAU!

Eie* VA!

Exe*
VA!

EL

! HAU

! HAU

VA!

VA!

CHAYAJOTH.

Aie

aie Saraye, aie Saraye ! Saraye, By Eloym, Archima, Rabur, BATHAS above over ABRAC, flowing down, coming from ABEOR
command
UPON

ABERER

thee

by

the

Chavajoth! Chavajoth! Chavajoth! and the great name Key of SOLOMON

of signatures demons
are

SEMHAMPHORAS."
The below
:
"

ordinarysigns and

given

302

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

But

they

are

those of the inferior

demons, and here follow

and
in preserved

the official signatures of the

"

attested judicially princesof hell, de Mirville I

"

0 M. judicially, of

le Comte

the archives

evidences as convicting justice Urbain Grandier.

for the trialof

the unfortunate

Collin de signatures appear under a pact of which Plancy gives a facsimile reproductionin the Atlas of his Infernal Dictionary." It has this marginal note : The These
" "

draught is
item and
of

in

in the secretaryof Lucifer," hell, a valuable about

a

information
a

but imperfectly known, locality

to
our

belongingto

period approximate
were

own,

though

anterior to the trial of the young

as

Labarre and Etalonde,who,

every one Evocations

knows,
were

of Voltaire. contemporaries followed by pacts written frequently

an

on

parchment of goat
from the left
arm.

skin with The

iron pen
was

and in

blood

drawn
one

document

duplicate ;

carried off by the fiend and the other swallowed copy was by the wilful reprobate. The reciprocal engagements were that the demon should
serve

the
sorcerer

sorcerer

during a given

periodof

years, and

that the

should

belong to

the

THE

SABBATH

OF

THE

SORCERERS

303

demon

after

determinate

time.

The

Church

in her

cisms exor-

has consecrated may

the

the belief in

all these its

be said that black and true, living,

even

magic

and

and it things, darksome prince are Catholicism

;

terrible creation its and special So

to

of Roman

that

they are invent priests

the bottom

characteristic

work, for
from

not

God.

do

true

Catholics

cleave and
even

of their hearts this

the consecration is the

the

regenerationof
stone

great work, which

the and but

In positivecultus. devil is called the laker by malefactors ; all our desire, of the magus, we speak no longer from the standpoint to child of Christianity and of that Church as a devoted
we
"

of the official and

philosophical thieves' slang

which

owe

our our

earliest

education

and

our

first

thusiasms en-

all

no may ministers of moralityand

Satan

say, is that the phantom of longer be able to be termed the laker for the

desire, we

of the highest representatives virtue. Will they appreciate the intention and forgive our boldness of our of our devoted in consideration aspirations of our faith ? intentions and the sincerity of The devil-making magic which dictated the Grimoire of Leo III.,the exorcisms Pope Honorius, the Enchiridion of the Ritual,the verdicts of inquisitors, the suits of Lauthe books of bardement, the articles of the Veuillot brothers, MM. de Falloux, de Montalembert, de Mirville, the magic of
sorcerers

the

and

of

pious

persons

who

are

not
one

sorcerers,

is

something trulyto be deploredin the other.

aberrations
we

condemned It is above

in the

and

infinitely
these
happy un-

all to

combat

of the human book.

mind

have But

this published
we

May

that their exposure ! it further the holy cause

by

have

not

yet exhibited
in

these

impious

devices

in

all their
must

and turpitude, the

must

all their

monstrous

remove

blood-stained
tax

filth of of

folly ; we perished superstitions

so as

we

the annals which

demonomania,

to

conceive
not

of

certain The

crimes Kabbalist

invent. Catholic

imagination alone could Bodin, Israelite by conviction

no

and
"

had by necessity, of Sorcerers

"f

other
to

intention

in

his

Demonomania

than

impeach

Catholicism

304

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

in its

works, and
abuses.

to undermine

it in the of

greatest of all its

is the

doctrinal

The strikes

treatise
at

Bodin
of

profoundly
institutions

and machiavellic,

the

heart

and
to

persons

imagine
hideous

to defend. it appears be difficult It would without of sanguinary reading his vast mass

and and

acts histories,

of

sentences superstition, revolting

" "

executions

Poor burned
same

quisitors all ! the instupid ferocity. Burn seemed to cry. God will distinguish His own ! and idiots, fools,hysterical were accordingly women,
"

of

"

without

mercy

for the crime

of

magic,while, at
and

the
guinary san-

time, great criminals

justice. Bodin recountingsuch anecdotes

the death of Charles and
one

escaped this unjust gives us to understand

as

this

by

that which is
an

he

connects

with nation, abomi-

IX.
has

It

almost far
as we

unknown

which

not, so

know, tempted
the
most

the skill of any romancer, at the even feverish and deplorable literature. Attacked the Charles IX.

periods of

by
cause

disease of which
or

and entirely, the the have

"

explainthe was dying. The Queen-Mother, who ruled him had everything to lose under another reign
"

cover physician could disfrightful symptoms, King

no

Queen-Mother, who
because disease,

has been

suspectedas
who
was

the author

of

concealed attributed

devices and
to her

unknown

interests thing any-

always been
consulted

capableof

and then had recourse to astrologers, the foulest form of magic, the Oracle of the BleedingHead, and more for the sufferer's condition grew worse desperate was daily. The infernal operation performed in the following
her

A way. innocent

child
manners

was

selected,of beautiful
was

appearance

and

; he

of the by the almoner night of the sacrifice arrived,a monk,

prepared for palace. When

works

his first communion the

day

or

rather

an

apostate Jacobin,

given over
the Mass the presence confidants.

to

the

occult at

of black the

magic, celebrated
sick-room,and in
and her trusted of the

of the Devil

midnight,in
the

only of
It
was

Catherine

de Medicis

offered before

image
its

demon,
the

having

crucifix

upside

down

under

feet, and

306

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

CHAPTER

XVI

WITCHCRAFT

AND

SPELLS

sought above all in their that magnetic power of the impure spirit evocations was of the true desired which is the possession adept,but was by them only that they might shamefully abuse it. The and of their chief evil folly, of sorcerers an one was folly
WHAT
sorcerers necromancers

and

ends We

was

the power
set

of bewitchments in
our

or

harmful
we

influences.
upon

have

down

Doctrine and how magus it

what
seems

think
to
us a

the

subjectof bewitchment,
and real power. and by and The
his

dangerous
monial, cere-

true
mere

bewitches

without whom his

condemns
even

considers

it

those reprobation, to punish ; necessary who

carry

he

ness forgive-

bewitches
of

those

do him far

the

enemies

initiates have

do wrong, and never the impunity of their

numerous

injustice.We

examples of martyrs always perish The murderers of this fatal law. vidence and the adepts are martyrs of intelligence miserably, ; Prothose who to scorn despisethem, and to slay seems would those who deprive them of life. The legend of the A Wandering Jew is the popular poetry of this arcanum. driven wise man was by a nation to his doom ; it bade him
"

ourselves witnessed

Go

on

"

when

he wished
? A

to rest

for

moment.

What

is the

the consequence nation

"

similar

condemnation

overtakes have

it is proscribed bodily; men itself;

on

cried to it:
no

Get
no

! Get

on

"

for centuries,and

it has found

pity

and A

repose.
of

had a wife whom he loved wildly and learning in the exaltation of his tenderness ; he honoured passionately and trusted her entirely. Vain her with blind confidence, this woman became of her beauty and understanding, jealous and began to hate him. Some of her husband's superiority, herself with an old, time after she deserted him, disgracing This was and immoral the beginningof man. stupid, ugly,
man

WITCHCRAFT

AND

SPELLS

307

The of punishment, but it did not end there. man learningsolemnly pronounced the followingsentence upon back and "I her: take understanding beauty." your your A no longer recognisedby those who year after she was her had
known

her ; she

had the
was

lost her hideousness

plumpness,and
of

reflected

in her Three

countenance

her years

new

affections.
was were

years

later she

deranged. This acquainted with

The

ugly; seven own happened in our

later she
we

time, and
of

magus

persons. condemns, after the

reason

both

manner

the

skilful

and physician, sentence

for this
it has
are

there

when There abstains

so, he

once
no

been

appeal from his pronounced againsta guilty

no

is

person.

ceremonies the

and
same

no

invocations

; he

simply
to

from

eating at
accepts
are

table,or
salt.

if forced

do

neither
of
sorcerers

nor

offers

But

the bewitchmen be may of astral

of

another

kind, and
current

compared to light. They

venomous

an

actual

exalt
a

poisoning of some their will by ceremonies

;

till it becomes observed

in
our

at

distance
more

but,

as

we

have

Doctrine, they
that
are

machinery. Let us here of their guiltyproceedings. They procure some stigmatise the hair or garments of the person whom crate they seek to exeselect some to them animal, which seems ; they next of the hair or symbolic of the person, and, by means ments, garwith him or they place it in magnetic connection then slay it with and her. name, They give it the same blow of the magic knife. They cut open the breast, tear one out the heart, wrap while still palpitating, in the magit, netised for the of and three hourly, days, objects, space red hot pins,or long thorns therein, they drive nails, nouncing proby
maledictions
person.

killed

often expose their infernal

themselves, to be the first

upon

the

name

of

the

bewitched

that the persuaded,and often rightly, victim of their infamous operationsexperiences as many if his own heart had been piercedat all points. tortures as He begins to waste away, and after a time dies of an

They

are

unknown

disease.

308

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

Another consists
means

bewitchment, made
consecration of

use

of
to

in

country places,
of

in

nails

works

hatred

by

tions stinkingfumigations of Saturn and invocaof the evil genii; then, in following the footsteps it is sought to torment, and of the person whom nailing crosswise imprint of his feet which can be traced every of the the earth
or

upon

sand. is

Yet

another

and

more

abominable
name

practice. A
and made
surname

fat toad
of

the selected;it is baptised;

to

the person
a

be accursed

is

given it ;

it is-

to

swallow

consecrated been

host, over

which

the formulae

of execration

pronounced. The animal is then tied with the hairs of wrapped in the magnetised objects, which the operator has previouslyspatr the victim, upon of the bewitched and buried at the threshold door,, person's at some or point where he is obliged to pass daily. The a nightmare elementary spiritof the toad will become and vampire, haunting the dreams of the victim, unless,
have

indeed, he

should

know

how

to

send

it

back

to

the

operator.
to bewitchments by waxen images. The pass now of the middle ages, eager to pleaseby their sacrileges sorcerers him whom they regardedas their master, mixed baptismal

Let

us

oil and
wax.

the

ashes

of

consecrated
never

hosts

with
to

modicum deliver
wax

of them

were Apostate priests

wanting

the

treasures
an

of the Church. much

to
as

With

the accursed

they

formed whom with

image as they desired

which

garments similar
he

sacraments

the person* possibleresembling bewitch. They clothed this image to his,they administered to it the then they called down received, upon which could express the hatred
of

its head the

all maledictions

inflicting dailyimaginary tortures upon it,so to reach and torment as by sympathy the person represented infallible if theis more by the image. This bewitchment
sorcerer,

hair,blood,and, above
It You have the
was
a

a tooth all,

of

the victim

can

be procured.

this which tooth

gave

rise to the

proverbial sayingi
evil eye,
in

by

There againstme. or glance,called the jettatura,

is also bewitchment

Italy.

WITCHCRAFT

AND

SPELLS

309

to shopkeeper had the misfortune of his neighbours, denounce tention, one who, after a period of deset at liberty, lost. but with his position His was sole vengeance to pass twice dailythe shop of his denouncer, was whom he regardedfixedly, saluted, and went on. Some little time after, the shopkeeper, unable to bear the of this glance any longer, torment sold his goods at a loss, and changed his neighbourhood, In a leaving no address.
our a

During

civil wars,

word, he
A

was

ruined.
is
a

threat
on

real

bewitchment, because
when all, occult and

it acts

fully power-

the

above imagination, belief in

of
an

the latter receives unlimited

of power.

with The

the facility terrible

so menace

hell,that bewitchment

during
more

centuries,has created more many nameless furious madness, than more diseases,
excesses

humanity nightmares,
all vices Hermetic

and

all

combined. middle

This

is what

the

artists of the unheard-of basilicas.

monsters

by the incredible and ages represented which they carved at the doors of by
threat

But

bewitchment

produces

an

effect

altogether contrary to the intentions of the operator when it is evidently a vain threat,when it does outrage to the legitimate pride of the menaced consequently person, and it is ridiculous by when provokes his resistance, or, finally, its atrocity. The sectaries of hell have discredited heaven. that equilibrium is the law of Say to a reasonable man motion and life, and that liberty, which is moral equilibrium,
rests true

upon
and
as

an

eternal

and

immutable and

distinction

between

between false, he is with the free

good
of of

bad ; tell him

that, endowed

will,he
truth

must

works

in

empire
the rock

and

place himself by his goodness, or relapse

the chaos the
of

like eternally, and

into Sisyphus,

hood false-

evil ; then

truth and you term he will believe in divine

wrath

and if doctrine, goodness heaven, falsehood and evil hell, your heaven and

he will understand

hell, over
inaccessible understand

which
to

the either if in
more

ideal
or

rests

and calm, perfect, he will

offence,because
be

that

hell principle

eternal

as

it cannot liberty,

in fact be

310

THE

RITUAL

OF

TKANSCENDENT

MAGIC

than

temporary
the

and

for souls, it is an because agony idea of expiationnecessarily supposes

tion, expiathat of

reparationand destruction of which with dogmatic intention,

to

evil.

This

much
our

said, not
for life the

is outside

but province,

indicate

the

moral

and

reasonable the terrors

remedy
of

witchment be-

of consciences let
us

by
of

the

beyond,

speak

of the

means

escapingthe

baleful influences be reasonable

of human and

wrath.

The

first among

all is to

A lawful to anger. or excuse givingno opportunity just, haste therefore to be feared ; make is greatly indignation to acknowledge and expiate your faults. Should anger after that,then it certainly proceedsfrom vice ; seek persist what to know vice, and unite yourself strongly to the magnetic currents of the oppositevirtue. The bewitchment Wash will then have no further power carefully you. upon the clothes which you have finished with before giving them

away has

otherwise,burn

them

; never

use

garment which

belonged to an unknown such water, sulphur, and

amber, "c.
A

it by purifying person without aromatics as camphor, incense,

great means
after the

of
manner

it acts of The and

a

is not bewitchment resisting of contagious maladies.

are

to

fear it ; times

In

the epidemic,
secret

terror-struck

the

first to

be

attacked.

my

book

fearingan evil is not to think about it, advice is completelydisinterested since I give it in on magic of which I am the author, when I strongly
of not persons who
are

urge

upon

nervous,

feeble, credulous,

devotees, foolish,without hysterical, energy superstitious book to open and without a on magic, and to will,never to turn a deaf ear to if they have opened it, close this one
those
to

who

talk of the in

occult sciences,to deride them,

to

never

believe

them, and
and
cause

drink

water,

as

said the

great
them

pantagruelist magician,the
As after
for the wise
"

excellent

cure* of Meudon.
we
"

it is time

that

turned

to

they have scarcely those of fortune, but seeingthat any sorceries to fear save and physicians, they may be called upon to they are priests espousingthe
of the foolish

WITCHCRAFT

AND

SPELLS

311

cure

the

bewitched, and

this should

be their method

of procedure.

do to persuade a bewitched They must person him some act of goodness to his bewitcher, render some he cannot service which or refuse, and lead him directly
otherwise himself
to the

communion

of salt.

person

who

believes of the

bewitched
carry

by
about of the

the
him

execration
a

and

interment

toad must

the bewitchment
must

livingtoad in a horn box. For piercedheart,the afflicted individual

heart seasoned
or

be

made

to

eat
a

lamb's

with of the

sage
moon

and
in

onion, and
a

to carry

talisman

of Venus

camphor and salt. For bewitchment be made, a more perfectfiguremust by the waxen figure, much as as possiblein the likeness of the person; seven be set in be hung round the neck ; it must talismans must the pentagram, the middle of a great pantaclerepresenting of oil with a mixture and must each day be rubbed slightly the Conjurationof the Four to turn and balm, after reciting aside the influence of elementary spirits.At the end of and seven days the image must be burnt in consecrated fire, witcher rest assured that the figurefabricated by the beone may
satchel filled with
will at the
same

moment

lose all its virtue. the

We

have

alreadymentioned
medicated blood
waxen

Paracelsus, who
the

sympathetic medicine of limbs and operated upon

for the
cure

of discharges

from

wounds

of the

wounds of

themselves.
more

than

ment system permitted the employusuallyviolent remedies, and his chief

This and vitriol. of the We believe
that

were specifics homoeopathy

sublimate is
a

reminiscence

theories of Paracelsus
up
to

and this

return

to his wise
a

subject in

practices. But we shall follow consecrated specialtreatise exclusively

future

occult medicine. Contracts children condemned

are

the by parents forestalling bewitchments

;

of

their

which

cannot

be

too

children

dedicated

in

white, for

strongly example,

were formerly dedicated scarcelyever prosper ; those who to celibacy fell commonly into debauch, or ended in despair is not madness. Man and permitted to do violence to

312

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

still destiny,

less to

impose
or

bonds

upon

the

lawful

use

of

liberty.
As add
a a

supplement
few

words
on

several writers

appendix to this chapter,we will about mandragores and androids, which with the waxen magic confound images
of bewitchment.
root

servingthe
gore

purposes

The
or

natural

mandraas a

is

filamentous

which,

more

less, presents

that of the virile or figure of a man, members. It is slightlynarcotic, and an aphrodisiacal virtue was ascribed to it by the ancients, who represented it as being sought by Thessalian for the composisorcerers tion of philtres. Is this root the umbilical vestigeof our terrestrial origin We dare not seriously ? affirm it,but all the
same

whole

either

the

it is certain that

man

came

out

of the

slime

of

the earth, and

form of
a

his first appearance have been in the must of nature this The analogies make rough sketch. least
as a

notion first
men

at admissible, necessarily were,

in

this case,

family of

The possibility. sensitive gigantic,

mandragores,animated
up

and

by the sun, who rooted themselves from the earth ; this assumption not only does not exclude, creative will but, on the contrary,positively supposes, the providential of a first cause, which we co-operation
REASON

have

to call

GOD.

Some the

alchemists, impressed by this idea, speculatedon

of

mandragore, and experimented of a soil sufficiently fruitful and artificial reproduction the said root, and thus active to humanise sufficiently
culture the
men

in
a

the
sun

create

without

the

concurrence

of

the

female.

Others, who

of animals, despaired about regardedhumanity as the synthesis the mandragore, but they crossed monstrous vitalising pairs and projectedhuman seed into animal earth,only for the The productionof shameful crimes and barren deformities. android of making the third method was by galvanic automata was machinery. One of these almost intelligent attributed to Albertus Magnus, and it is said that St Thomas stick because he was blow from a destroyed it with one This story is an allegory ; the perplexed by its answers.

314

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

After

the

sixteenth of Satan's

the downfall leaf

a a

magnificentand
and

key of the Tarot, which represents temple,we find on the seventeenth A naked emblem. gracious woman,
maid, pours
two
a

young

immortal

out

upon
one

the of

earth the
one

juiceof
the
star

universal

life from is

ewers,

gold and
which

of silver ; hard

by there of Psyche butterfly

with
seven
"

shrub, on flowering
her shines it.
an
"

rests

; above

eight-pointed
I the
believe

other Such

stars

around

in

eternal

life !

is the is
a

final article of

Christian

of faith. profession The ancients, when they compared the calm and peaceful to immensity of heaven, thronged with innumerable lights,

symbol, and

this alone

the tumults
to have

and

darkness in that

of this

world, believed themselves

book, written
in letters

discovered

beautiful

of the enigma of destinies ; in gold,the final utterance these between imaginationthey drew lines of correspondence and it is said that the shiningpointsof the divine writing, out first constellations marked by the shepherds of Chaldea also the first letters of the kabbalistic alphabet. These were of lines,then characters, expressed first of all by means in hieroglyphicfigures, enclosed would, according to M.

of

Moreau

de Dammartin,

author

of

very

curious

treatise

on

the ancient characters,have determined magi in alphabetic which taken by this man the choice of the Tarot figures, are for an hieratic and of learning, as essentially by ourselves, the Chinese Thus, in his opinion, tseu,the primitivebook. and the Greek Hebrew alpha,expressed hieroglyphialeph, from be borrowed would of the juggler, callyby the figure of the celestial the constellation of the crane, in the vicinity a sign of the eastern fish, hemisphere. The Chinese tcheou, the Hebrew betk,and the Latin B, correspondingto Pope

Joan

or

Juno,

were

formed

after the

head
the

of

the Earn

; the

Chinese

ynt the Hebrew

and ghimel, be

Latin
the

G, represented
constellation
we

by

the

Empress, would
Bear, "c.
than
once,
more

derived

from

of

the Great cited

The

kabbalist
a

whom Gaffarel,

have all

erected Hebrew

in planisphere,
we

which

the constellations

form

letters ; but

confess that

THE

WRITING

OF

THE

STARS

315

are configurations frequentlyarbitraryin the highest and upon the indication of a single star,for example, degree, reason can no see we why a 1 should be traced rather than T ; four stars will also give indifferently a n, n, or a a 1 or

the

n"

as

well
a

as

an

X.

We

are

therefore

deterred

from

planisphere, examples It was included in the not exceedingly rare. are, moreover, of work of Montfau^on on the religions and superstitions the world, and also in the treatise upon magic publishedby the mystic Eckartshausen. are Scholars, unagreed moreover, of the configuration the letters of the primitivealphabet. upon
copy The
are

of

Gaffarel's

ducing reproof which

Italian Tarot, of which

to be

the

lost Gothic

originals

of its connects regretted, by the disposition with the Hebrew alphabetin use after the captivity, figures there and known the Assyrian alphabet are as ments frag; but of anterior Tarots is different. where the disposition There should be no conjecturein matters of research,and hence we suspend our judgment in the expectationof fresh and more conclusive discoveries. As to the alphabet of the of like the configuration stars, we believe it to be intuitive, that imagination to assume clouds,which seem any form lends them. or Star-groupsare like points in geomancy the pasteboards of cartomancy. They are a pretext for selftuition. instrument determine native into fix and an magnetising, familiar with mystic hieroglyphics, Thus, a kabbalist, will perceivesigns in the stars which will not be discerned by a simple shepherd,but the shepherd,on his part, will that will escape the kabbalist. observe combinations Country peoplesubstitute a rake for the belt and sword of Orion,while in the same kabbalist recognises sign as a whole all the of Ezekiel,the ten sephirotharranged in a triadic lysteries

much

lanner,

central
stars

formed triangle

of four stars, then

line

taken making the jod, and the two figures four the mysteriesof Bereschith ; finally, jether expressing the wheels of Mercavah, and completing constituting three
le

divine

chariot. other ideal

Looked

at

after another will notice

a

manner,

and

mging

lines,he

well-formed

316

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

ghimd placedabove

a symbol typifying largedaleth, the strife between good and evil, with the final the jod on triumph of good. As a fact,the ghimel superposed the manifestation of the divine is the triad produced by unity, Word, whilst the reversed daleth is the triad composed of the evil duad multiplied by itself. a a

jod,in

ORION

Thus

the figureof regarded,

Orion

would

be

identical with

that of the

angel Michael doing battle with the dragon,and of this sign, the appearance understood,would be, for the so a portent of kabbalist, victoryand happiness. A long contemplation of the sky exalts the imagination, the stars and then respond to our thoughts. The lines another to drawn by the primitive mentally from one his first notions of geometry. have given man must observers stars at rest, the soul is troubled or Accordingly,as our or sparklingwith hope. The seem burning with menace

THE

WRITING

OF

THE

STARS

317

sky is
that
we

thus the mirror

are

of the human

and when soul,

we

think

readingin the stars it is in ourselves we read. of celestial writing to Gaffarel, applying the prophecies the destinies of empires, says that not in vain did the ancients place all signsof evil augury in the northern region been in all ages regarded as of the sky ; calamities have coming from the north to spread themselves over the earth For this reason,"he tells by the invasion of the south.
" "

us,

the ancients
a

in represented
or

the

northern

two dragon near the true animals and are hieroglyphsof tyranny, pillage, all oppression. As a fact,glance at history, and you will that all great devastations proceed from the north. The see or Assyrians or Chaldeans, incited by Nabuchodonosor struction Salmanasor, exhibited this truth in abundance by the deof the most splendidand most holy temple and of a cityin the universe,and by the complete overthrow taken under his special God himself had people whom tection, proof whom he specially termed himself father. And

heaven

serpent

parts of the bears, since these

that other Jerusalem, Eome the frequently when it beheld its altars

the

blessed,has
of this evil and
the

not

it,too,

perienced ex-

violence

northern
towers

race,

demolished

of its

proud edifices brought level with the foundations, through of Alaric,Genseric, Attila, and the other princes the cruelty of the Goths, Huns, Vandals, and Alain. Very properly, do therefore,in the secrets of this celestial writing,
. . .

we

read
a

calamities

and

misfortunes

on

the

northern

side,

since

malum. Now, the word septentrione pandetur omne translate by pandetur,is also equivalentof we in, which and the prophecy signifies or scribetur, e depingetur equally: the misfortunes
of the world
are

All

written

in the northern

sky."
We
not
more

have without

transcribed this passage

at

because length,

it is

of

in our the north once application day, when to threaten seems Europe ; * but it is also the destiny hoar-frost to be melted by the sun, and the darkness
*

This passage

was

written

before the Crimean

War.

318

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

of disappears final
word

itself when

the

lightmanifests.

Such

is

our

prophecy, and the secret of the future. Gaffarel adds some from the stars,as, for drawn prognostics example, the progressive empire ; weakening of the Ottoman but, as alreadysaid,his constellated letters are exceedingly
of

arbitrary.He
from
not
a

states, for the

Hebrew

rest, that

he

derived

his predictions

Rabbi kabbalist, understand

him

Chomer, but

does

himself Here

pretend to

well. especially

magical characters traced after the zodiacal constellations by the ancient astrologers ; each of them of a genius, be he good or evil. represents the name It will be known that the signsof the Zodiac correspondto various celestial influences,and consequently signify an annual alternative of good or evil.
follows the table of

The
are
:
"

names

of the the

geniidesignated by
and

the above

characters

For

Earn, SATAARAN

Sarahiel

; for the

Bull,

BAGDAL

and

Araziel-,for the Twins, SAGRAS

and

Sarawl\

THE

WRITING

OP

THE

STARS

319

for

the

Crab, RAHDAR

and

Phakiel

; for the

Lion, SAGHAM
the and

and

Seratiel ; for the Balance, GRASGARBEN and

Virgin,IADARA
and Hadakiel

and
;

Schaltiel ; for the for

Scorpion,
Saritaiel ; Water-

RIEHOL for

Saissaiel ; for the

Archer, VHNORI
; for the

the

Goat, SAGDALON
and

and

Semdkiel; for

the

Bearer, ARCHER
and Vacdbid. The the wise
man,

Ssakmakiel

Fishes,RASAMASA
observe also

who

would

read

the

sky,must

the influence of which is very great days of the moon, in astrology. The moon attracts and repels the successively magnetic fluid of the earth, and thus produces the ebb and flow of the sea ; we be well acquainted with must, therefore, its phases and be able to distinguish its days and hours. is propitious The new to the beginning of all magical moon
works
warm

from

first

quarter

to

full

moon

its influence
and

is

; from

full
to

moon

to third

quarter it is dry ;
Here follow

from

third

quarter

last it is cold.

characters

of all the

twenty-two

Tarot

days keys

of the moon, and

by

the

special distinguished by the signs of the seven

the

planets.
1. The The
moon or Juggler, Magus.

first

day

of the

moon

is that of the creation

to mental

of

the

itself. should

This

day

is consecrated

enterprises,

and

be favourable

for

opportune

innovations.

2. The
th of

Pope Joan,

or

Occult Science. which made this

is
on

second

day, the genius of

moon

Enediel, was
the fourth the

the

for the creation, and

was
on

birds

created fishes,

day, are
were

day. living

and analogies deroglyphsof magical

)f Hermes.

of the universal

doctrine

thereby filled ith the forms of the Word, are the elementary figures of that is, of intelligence and speech, Mercury of the Sages, lis day is propitious and to revelations, initiations, great
)veries of science.

The

water

and

air,which

320

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

3. The The
moon

Celestial Mother,
was

or

Empress.
creation. when This it is So is the

third

day
with

that

of

man's

called the MOTHER the

in Kabbalah number 3. all

represented

in association
to

and generation, body or mind. 4. The of fourth but

to generally

day is favourable of whether productions,

The

Emperor, or
it
to

Ruler.
was

day

is baleful ;

that

of

the

birth

Cain ;

it is favourable

unjust

and

tyrannical

enterprises.
5. The
The of Abel. 6. The The sixth is
a

Pope, or Hierophant.
was

fifth

day

is

fortunate; it

that

of

the

birth

Lover, or Liberty.

day

of

pride;

it

was
"

that
I have

of the slain
a

birth
man

of
to

Lamech, who
my

said unto

his wives

to my hurt. If Cain shall wounding, and a young man be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold." and rebellions. for conspiracies This day is propitious

7. The
On
to

Chariot. of

the seventh

day, birth
seven

Hebron,

the first of the

sacred

gave cities of Israel.

who

his A

name

day

of

religion, prayers,

and

success.

8. Justice. Murder of Abel.

Day
Old

of

expiation.
or

9. The Birth of Methuselah.

Man,
of

Hermit.

Day

for children. blessing

10. Birth

EzekieVs

Wheel

of Fortune.
of the Beast. Fatal

of Nabuchodonosor.

Eeign

day.

322

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

20. Birth
of

The

Judgment.
of God's

Jonas, the instrument

revelations.
21.

judgment.

pitious Pro-

for divine

The

World.
to

Birth
reason.

of

Saul, material
22.

royalty. Danger

mind

and

Influence of Saturn.
of trial and

Birth

of Job.

Day
23.

suffering.
Venus. tenderness.

Influence of Day
of

Birth

of

Benjamin.
24.

and preference

Influence of Jupiter.

Birth

of

Japhet.
25.

Influence of Mercury.

Tenth

plague of Egypt.
26.

Influence of Mars.
and Israelites, passage
or

Deliverance

of the
2 7.

of the Eed

Sea.

of Diana, Influence by
Judas

Hecate.

Splendidvictoryachieved
28.

Maccabeus.
Sun.

Influence of the

Samson and

carries off the

gates of Gaza.

Day

of

strength

deliverance. 29. The Fool

of the

Tarot. all

Day
We

of failure and

in miscarriage

things.
John Belot and

see

from

this rabbinical
from
a

table,which

others borrowed
masters

the Hebrew

that these ancient kabbalists, facts to

concluded

from posteriori

presumable in-

THE

WRITING

OF

THE

STARS

323

which fluences,

completelywithin the logic of the occult sciences. We see also what diverse significations included are in the twenty-two keys which form the universal alphabet of the Tarot, together with the truth of our when assertions, of the Kabbalah and magic, all we say that all secrets mysteries of the elder world, all science of the patriarchs, all historical traditions of primeval times, are enclosed in book this hieroglyphic of Thoth, Enoch, or Cadmus. An scopes simple method of findingcelestial horoexceedingly is that which about to describe ; we are by onomancy
it harmonises
are a

is

Gaftarel with

our

own

views, and
and
of the person
;

its results Take

most

astoundingin
card ; cut
to make

their the

exactitude
name

depth.
card

black wish
of
a

therein the

for whom
at

you end

consultation diminish

place
towards

this

the

tube
; then

which look

must

observer cardinal north. the the

renew

through points, beginning at

note

the eye of the it alternately towards the four the east

stars

and

Take

of

all the

which

at the finishing see through you

letters ; convert
sum

these

letters into down

numbers, and, with

in the
same

of the addition the

written

manner,

you

have
cast

operation compute ; then next, adding this number

write the
sum

the
to

number that of
two

of
the

stars name,

again
Hebrew

up and characters.
stars

of

the

numbers

in

Again
which
stars

renew

the

operation;inscribe

the separately
names

of

all the their

you have noticed ; then find the in the planisphere them ; classify

according to

brightness, choosingthe most of your astrological brilliant of all as the pole-star operation ; in the then the and find, names Egyptian planisphere, of the geniito which these stars belong. A good figures will be found in the atlas to the example of the planisphere great work of Dupuis. You will then know the fortunate and of the person, unfortunate signs which enter into the name
and what
name

size and

is their traced

influence ; whether
at the

in

childhood, which
is the
name

is the

east ; in
mature

youth,which

traced

at

the south ; in
; in

the west

decline, which

at is the name age, which is the name at the north ; or,

824

THE

KITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

finally, during the

enter

whole

obtained life, formed

from

the stars

which

by the addition of the letters and stars. is simple, This astrological operation easy, it with the calculations and requiresfew connects highest ; antiquity,and belongs evidently to primitive patriarchal by studying the works of Gaffarel magic, as will be seen and his master Eabbi Chomer. Onomantic was astrology is proved from as kabbalists, practised by the old Hebrew their observations preservedby Eabbi Chomer, Kabbi Kapol, Kabbalah. The in Rabbi Abjudan, and other masters of the prophets uttered menaces against various nations based upon the characters of the stars found vertically were in the permanent correspondence of the celestial them over and terrestrial spheres. Thus, by writing in the sky of
into the entire number

Greece

the

Hebrew

name

of

that

country |V
the word

or

jy, and

the numbers, they obtained translating

2"in, which

desolated. destroyed, signifies

CHABAB.

Desolated. Destroyed) Sum

12.

J 561

"

JAVAN.

Greece. SumlZ.

Hence Greece

they
would

inferred that after be

cycle of

twelve A

periods
time

destroyed and
and eleven remarked

desolated. its

short

before the sack the kabbalists

of Jerusalem

manner following

above vertically

temple by Nabuzardan,, stars disposed in the the temple :

"

THE

WRITING

OF

THE

STARS

325

All

these entered the

term

into the word

wan,

written

from

south

to

west,
without

signifyingreprobation and
The
sum

abandonment letters is

mercy.

of the of the

number duration

of the of the

423, exactly the

Destruction the

period
the

threatened

empires of
fatal

Persia and entered

temple. in Assyria,
the three
was

shape

of four vertical stars which

into

letters an, years. rabbins

of

fioev, and

the

period

indicated
to

208

So, also, four

of another
;

stars

announced
fall and

the

kabbalistic

Alexander

period the they entered empire,

division of the word

empire
to

into

the

ViB, Parad,

divide,284, the number

duration
of

of this

the entire word, indicating

as

this

both

to

root

and

branches.

According to Eabbi Chomer, the destinies of the Ottoman at Constantinoplewould be fixed aiid announced power beforehand by four stars, enteringinto the word HN2, Caah, The to be feeble, weak, and drawing to its end. signifying stars being more brilliant in the letter N, indicated a capital,
The three value of a thousand. gave it the numerical letters combined make 102 5, which be computed from must the and

taking of Constantinopleby
still holds
out of

Mahomet

II.,a calculation
of existence
to

which

several

centuries

the all

enfeebled

empire
combined.

the The

sultans,at present sustained

MANE THECEL

by
wall

Europe
his

PHARES
on an

which of tuition in-

Balthazar,in his intoxication, saw

written

the

palaceby
Hebrew

the

glareof

the torches, was

onomantic

similar to that of the rabbins. his diviners

in the

Initiated, no

doubt, by

operatedmechanicallyand
his nocturnal The
soon

reading of the stars, Balthazar the lamps of instinctively upon

upon

he would feast, as
which

the
in

stars

of heaven.

three

words

he

had

formed

his

imagination
the

became

indelible to his eyes, and easy to who abandoned

his

banquet. It was Sardanapalusto a king a besieged town.

paled all predictan end

himself

of lights of

like that
to

in orgies

326

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

In

we conclusion,

have

said,and
and

we

that magnetic repeat,

intuitions alone

to all kabbalistic and reality and completely calculations, puerile possibly, astrological without inspiration, made when by cold curiosity, arbitrary, and in the absence of a powerful will.

give value

CHAPTEE

XVIII

PHILTRES

AND

MAGNETISM

ments. the country of enchantThessaly, Here was Apuleius deluded like the companions of shameful a metamorphosis. Here Ulysses,and underwent the insects humming in all is magical, the birds that fly,
LET
us now

adventure

in

"

the

grass,
are

even

the

trees

and

flowers ; here

in

the

light moon-

brewed

those

poisons which

compel love;

here

and devised by the stryges to render them young are spells 0 all ye youths,beware ! lovelylike the Charites. of philtres, The art of poisoningthe reason, as or seems, fact,if traditions may be trusted, to have developed its a efflorescence more venomous abundantly in Thessaly than elsewhere magnetism played its most important ; there, also, narcotic plants, or bewitchingand harmful part, for exciting animal
"

substances, derived
that is to

all their

power

from

ments enchant-

pronounced by beverages. Stimulating substances, and those in which naturally aphrodisiacal. phosphorus predominates, are the acts nervous system strongly on Anything which skilful and determine passionalexaltation,and when a may influence these will knows how to direct and persevering of others of the passions make natural tendencies, it can use the most reduce to the profitof its own, and will soon of its pleasures. into instruments independentpersonalities

say, sacrifices when* sorcerers

accomplished and words preparing philtres and

PHILTRES

AND

MAGNETISM

327

From

such

influence it behoves
weak

us

to seek

to the give arms chapter. These, in

the

purpose the first place, are

seeks
to to

is

our

and to protection, in writing this devices

"

of the

enemy.
such
women

The unlawful
can

man

who
manoauvres

attribute we compel love men only, assuming that

"

never

have

need

of them

must

in he

the

first

place make
and
must

himself contrive

observed
to

by impress

the person her

whom

desires,
must

imagination.

He

with her with admiration,astonishment, terror, even inspire all other resources horror,failing ; but at any cost he must of ordinary set himself the rank apart in her eyes from himself a make and, with or against her will,must men, her dreams. The her apprehensions, place in her memory, ideal of the not the admitted type of Lovelace is certainly of him incessantlyto type of Clarissa,but she thinks condemn him, to execrate him, to compassionatehis victims,
to

desire his conversion devotion

to

and

repentance ;

next

she seeks
on

his

regeneration by vanity whispers

affections of
a

and how

her

forgiveness ; later grand it would be

and

secret

to

fix the

Lovelace, to love him,

yet

to withstand

him. She and

into lovingLovelace ! Behold, then, Clarissa surprised thousand chides herself,blushes, renounces times, a loves him
a

thousand

more

then,
Had

at

the

supreme

moment,
as

to resist forgets represented by modern

she

would Satan the

have
at the

acted

as

wise

gate

of
some

heaven.

angelsbeen women, mysticism, Jehovah, indeed, and prudent father by placing It is a serious imposition on
him.
women

self-love of

amiable

to

find

that

man

fundamentally good and when they thought him him disdainfully, saying:
the devil No he
as

honourable
a
"

who

enamoured The

them leaves

scapegrace. You
are

angel
"

not

the devil !
to
"

well

as

you

can,
a

if you

wish
man.

allure
For

an

Play angel.
does less
us

licence is take
us

to possible
"

virtuous
"

what

say
"

the
But

women.

Does

he

think
a

strict than
"

he is ?

everythingis forgivenin
"

rascal. with

you and of high principles

What

else could

expect ?

The

part of
can

man

rigidcharacter

never

be

power

328

THE

EITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

save

with

women

whom

no

one

wishes

to

fascinate ; the

rest, without
the

adore exception,
men,

the

reprobates.
has of most

oppositewith
dower,
of the

and

this contrast
most

woman's

the

first and

natural

quite made modesty her coquetries.

amiable
one men

It

is

One of

distinguished physiciansand
London told
me

in learning

last year of
a

that

of his

when clients, observed from the the

to

leaving the
him
"

I have of

Marchioness
*

distinguished lady, just had a strange compliment Looking me straightin

.

house

face,she said

Sir,you

will not

make

me

flinch before

" " Well," your terrible glance; you have the eyes of Satan.' answered the doctor,smiling, you, of course, put your arms round her neck and embraced her ? Not at all ; I was
" " "

overwhelmed call
on

her

by her sudden again, then,

onslaught."
my

"

Beware

how

friend,you
is

will have

you fallen

deeply in
The from

her estimation!"

office of executioner father to

son.

Do
never

commonly said to executioners have really

fail to

go

down
?

children

Marat had a get wives. mistress who loved him he, the loathsome tenderly, leper; but still it was that terrible Marat, who caused the world
to tremble.

Undoubtedly, as they

Love, above

all in
want

woman, of
a

may

be termed

veritable will
a

hallucination;for
an
"

prudent motive,
Deceive Joconde
a

it

select frequently

absurd
Ah It

one.

for

baboon, what
not

horror !

! but
must

why

perpetrate it ?

supposing it is be pleasant to
! of

horror,
sionally occa-

be

guilty of
Given another
to
concern

small

abomination

this device

transcendental
can

knowledge
to attract
so

the

woman,
"

be

adopted
her, or

her
in
a as

notice
way
a

not

oneself

with

to do

which child

is and
are

humiliatingto her self-love, treatingher deridingall notion of paying court to her.

then
you

The earth
women

parts
to

reversed

; she

will

move

heaven
secrets

and which

tempt

; she will initiate you

into
unvest
women

keep
such
"

back; she
observations have
no

will vest
as
"

and

before
"

you,

making
old for

Between you
"

among
not
a man

friends

fear about

you

are

me," "c.

330

THE

KITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

soaps
odour

or

washes, and generallyall perfumes in which this above all,when its action on the brain predominates,

is seconded

by

that of amber. the

of intelligence is to strengthen activity of forces of unreasoning passion. Love

To

weaken

the proportionally
that kind

which

the
a

malefactors

we

are

concerned the
a

with
most

would shameful the

more

inspire is
of moral

veritable

stupefactionand
more we

bondages. The incapablewe make him

of

enervate

slave,,
lies

of

freedom, and

here

the true

Apuleius and the potions of Circe. The of tobacco, by smoking or otherwise, is use a dangerous auxiliary of stupefying philtres and brain know, is not less deadly than poisons. Nicotine, as we quantities prussic acid, and is present in tobacco in larger will than is this acid in almonds. The absorptionof one by another frequentlychanges a whole series of destinies, watch and not for ourselves only should relations, our we for impure atmospheres, learning to distinguish pure from invisible ; and those most the true are dangerous, philtres, gling of vital radiating the currents these are which, minlight, and interchanging, produce attractions and sympathies, doubt. The to as magnetic experiments leave no room arch-heretic named that an tells us historyof the Church Marcos infatuated all women by breathingon them, but his stalled destroyedby a valiant Christian female, who forepower was and said to him : him in breathing, May God judge The thee ! cure Gaufridy, who was burnt as a sorcerer,
secret

the

sorceress

in

"

"

pretendedto
his

enamour

all

women

who

came

in
a

contact

with
was

breath.

The

notorious

Father

Girard,

Jesuit,

accused her
most nature

of completelydestroyMile. Cardier, ing penitent, The self-control by breathingon her. was excuse

by

his

necessary of her

to

minimise

the

horrible

and

ridiculous

whose guilt, against this priest, been has never sciously well established, though, conmoreover, had he or certainlyinspiredan unconsciously, exceedinglyshameful passionin the miserable girl. in 16 widow ,'* Mile. a Kanfaing, having become accusations
"
"

PHILTRES

AND

MAGNETISM

331

Apparitions," was Failing sought in marriage by a physician named Poirot. he thereupongave her potionsto induce to obtain a hearing, love,and these caused extraordinaryderangements in the health of the lady,increasing to such a degree that she was baffled by her case, believed to be possessed, and physicians,
says Dom Calmet
in

his

"

Treatise

"

on

recommended

her for the

exorcisms

of

the Church.

upon, There-

de Porcelets, of M. Bishop of Toul, the by command named her exorcists : M. Viardin, doctor were as following of Lorraine, a in theology, the state councillor of the Duke of their ceremonies, Jesuit,and a capuchin,but in the long course all the clergyof Nancy, the aforesaid lord almost bishop,the bishop of Tripoli, suffraganof Strasbourg, M. of the most Christian de Nancy, formerlyambassador King at Constantinople then priestof the Oratory,Charles and doctors specially of Lorraine, Bishop of Verdun, two Sorbonne leputed to assist, frequentlyexorcised her in Hebrew, in rreek,and in Latin, and she invariablyrepliedto them jrtinently, though she herself could scarcely read even is made of the certificate given by M. itin. Mention ficholas de Harlay, learned in the Hebrew tongue, who that reallypossessed, jognisedthat Mile. Eanfaing was motion of his lipswithout answered the mere le had any The other proofs. ittered words, and had given numerous sieur Gamier, doctor of the Sorbonne, having also commanded in the Hebrew her several times language, she but in French, saying that the pact bound lucidly, replied Is added : her to speak in ordinarylanguage. The demon
"

it not

sufficient for
"f

me

to

shew

that I understand
in

what

you

say ?

The used

same one

doctor, addressing him

case

Greek,

vertently inad-

for

another, whereupon the possessed

"

woman,

or

rather

the

devil, said
"

You
out

have my

blundered."

The

doctor

replied in Greek,
"

Point

error."
the mistake

The
; I

devil answered, shall tell you

no

Be

satisfied that I mention The

"

more."

doctor bid
me

bade be

him

be

silent in
I will

Greek, and he retorted, You

not

and silent,

be

silent."

332

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

This
into

remarkable

example

of

affection hysterical

carried

sequence region of ecstasy and demonomania, as the conbelieved who of a potion administered by a man could that he was a sorcerer, proves, better than anything we one imaginationreacting say, the omnipotence of will and of ecstatics or somnambulists, another, and the strange lucidity upon who comprehend speech by readingit in thought, I make no though they have no knowledge of the words. of the witnesses cited by Dom question as to the sincerity serious passed Calmet ; I am so merely astonished that men which the pretended demon experienced by the difficulty

the

over

answering
interlocutor
have have

in

their he
one

tongue foreignto the sufferer. Had what been by a demon, they understood
a as

would would and

spoken
been

well
easy

as as

understood the other

to

Greek
a

; the

as

so spirit

learned his

satirical. he

Dom

Calmet
a

does not

stop

here

with

history ;
and
a

enumerates

unserious

and

like sequence

who poor sufferer, It is needless to add the luminous de Mirville.

of The

long series of insidious questions the part of the exercisers, on injunctions of more less congruous or by the replies was always ecstatic and somnambulistic.
that the excellent of the
not father

draws

cisely pre-

conclusions

less excellent

M.

the

sion phenomena being above the comprehenall ascribed to perdition. witnesses,they were
instructed conclusion
!

Splendid and
of the business
a

The

most
was

serious

part

is that the

physicianPoirot

as arraigned

magician, confessed, like all others, under torture, and Had burnt. was he, by any potion,really attempted the have deserved he would of the woman in question, reason that we can punishment as a poisoner; that is the most
say.
But

the

most

terrific of all

philtresare
Will
ever
or

the any

exaltations

of misdirected

devotion.

mystical ties impuriof

a applied

St

equal the nightmares of St Anthony and St Angela de Foligny? Theresa

hot
iron
to
was

the tortures last found

The

red

her

rebellious
her

flesh,and
hidden

that With

the
what

material

fire

coolingto

ardours.

PHILTRES

AND

MAGNETISM

333

violence but is

does nature brooded

The
over

cry out

for that which

is denied

her,

thereof ! of Miles,

continuallyto pretended bewitchments

Palud,
and

increase
of

detestation

de la

de

The

excessive

fear of To
meet

Magdalen Bavan, la Cadiere,began with mysticism. it almost a given thing makes

curves

inevitable. invariably is
to

follow the two

at

of

circle

reach

and

to

the

same

point.
burnt

Nicholas

Remigius, criminal judge

hundred
was women as

of

Lorraine, who
beheld He

sorcerers,

his

fixed

idea,his

mania.

crusade
was

when

been

againstsorcerers, with whom taken not swarming; in despair that his word was in the world he affirmed that nearly everyone had guiltyof magic, he ended by declaringthat he was
a

eight magic everywhere ; it was eager to preach a Europe, in his opinion,

alive

himself To

sorcerer,

and

was

burned

on

his

own

confession.

preserve

ourselves
to
are

condition All less Place

is therefore those
a

against evil influences,the first forbid excitement to the imagination.

prone
to

who

excitement

are

more

or

mad, and

maniac

is

then, above yourself,

governed by his mania. puerilefears and vague desires ;

ever

believe in supreme

wisdom, and be assured

the
means

that

this
of

wisdom,

having given you understandingas

cannot

seek

to

lay snares
you,

for you

Everywhere
their domain
causes

about
; you

your behold

knowledge, or reason. intelligence effects proportionedto

and
a

find

causes

directed

modified

in you

the find

humanity by understanding ; in than respected goodness stronger and more

of
ou
assume an

word,

evil ;

why

should

immense
in the

unreason

in

the

infinite, seeing
from
no

t there
e.

is

reason

finite ?

Truth

is hidden

God

is visible in His from

works, and He

requires nothing

ntrary
not

to its nature nature.

thor of that in
men

is himself the any being,for He Faith is confidence ; have confidence,

reason,
reason

who

malign

for

they
sun

are

fools

or

postors, im-

but

in the eternal

which

is the Divine
to

Word,

that true of every

lightwhich
human

is offered like the

the

intuition

creature reason,

coming
and

into

this world. desire

believe in

absolute

if you

If you truth and

334

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

justice
anyone, love.

before and
Your because

all

things,
will love

you

will

have

no

occasion
are

to

fear
of the
even

you natural it

those
will

only

who

deserving
that of

light
will be which

repel by

instinctively
your

wicked,

ruled it is
your

will. may

Thus,
be
;

poisonous
to

substances,
you, make
most

possible

tered adminis-

will you,

not

affect but
never

intelligence

ill, indeed,

they

may

criminal.
to

What their soft

contributes

render

women

hysterical they
and took
more

is

and if

hypocritical
were

education;
more

if

exercise,
matters

they
the

instructed

frankly
less

fully
and

in

of

world,
accessible with mask

they
to

would evil

be

capricious,
Weakness
a

sequently con-

less

tendencies. vice is

ever

sympathises
assumes

vice,
of

because

weakness holds
reason

which
in

the

strength.
it

Madness

horror,
of

and

on

all
In

subjects
first

delights

in

the
cure

exaggerations
your

falsehood.

the

place, therefore,
of

diseased

intelligence.
all

The the other

for

cause

all all

bewitchments,
sorcerers,
are

the there.

poison
As
to
we

of
to

philtres,
or

power

of

narcotics it is
a

drugs
the

which

may and
be

be the

administered

you,
not

subject
that such

physician
will

law,

but

do
at

think

enormities
no

largely
Clarissas like

reproduced
otherwise

this
than

day. by
men

Lovelaces

longer
and

stupefy potions,
in

their and

gallantries,

abductions

by

masked have be gated releruins

imprisonments
out

subterranean All Black these

dungeons,
must

even

passed
to

of

our

romances.

the

Confessional of

of

the

Penitents

or

the

of

the

Castle

Udolpho.

THE

MASTERY

OF

THE

SUN

335

CHAPTER

XIX

THE

MASTERY

OF

THE

SUN

WE

come

now

to

that

number

which

is attributed of

in

the

Tarot
and

to

the

the triad

The sign of the sun. denary multipliedby itself represent

Pythagoras
in

wisdom

its

to application

the absolute.
are

It

is with To

the

fore, absolute,therethe absolute

that in the

we

concerned

here.

discover

and the finite, the indefinite, such is the great infinite, is termed the by Hermes sages, that which To find the immovable of the sun. foundations of true
of

work work

the

of philosophical truth,and faith, religious

of metallic transmutation,

this is the whole

stone.

secret

of

Hermes, this is the philosophical

one

Now,

this stone

is both

and

manifold

; it is

composed de-

and recomposed by synthesis. In the by analysis it is a powder, the alchemical powder of projection analysis ; and in the synthesis it is a stone. before the analysis The not be exposed to stone, say the masters, must philosophical to the eyes of the profane ; it must the air, be kept in nor in the most and preservedcarefully concealment secret receptacle of the laboratory, the key of the place being always carried He
above upon who any

person. possesses the

the

great arcanum

is

truly king

and

is

Iment
that

king,for he is inaccessible to all fears and to all vain hopes. In any malady of soul or body, a singlefragbroken from the preciousstone, a singlegrain of the than sufficient for their cure. divine powder, are more He
"

hath

ears

to

hear, let him

the

hear," as the Master

are

said. accessory

Salt, sulphur, and

and

mercuries
of

only
the

elements

passive instruments
as we

the

great enterprise.
interior

Everything depends,
magnes of and

have work

said, upon
consists

Paracelsus.

effective and is but

one

in proentirely jection, projectionis accomplished perfectlyby the of a single realisable intelligence word. There and that is sublimation, important operation,

The

336

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

to Geber, but the elevation nothing else, according with adherence of the dry substance by means of fire, to its who vessel. He is desirous of understanding the proper of possessing the and after great word great arcanum, of our Doctrine, should read the studying the principles Hermetic and he will doubtless attain philosophers carefully, others have attained it ; but for the key of as initiation, their allegories he must take the one tained dogma of Hermes, conin the Emerald the knowledge Table, and to classify and direct the operation he must follow the order indicated in the kabbalistic alphabetof the Tarot,of which an absolute and complete explanation will be given in the last chapter

which

is

of this work. treatises which contain the Among the rare and priceless the Chemical Pathway or mysteries of the great arcanum, be placed in the first rank, as Manual of Paracelsus must comprising all the mysteries of demonstrative physics and This unique manuscript is prethe most secret kabbalah. served in the Vatican transcribed Library; a copy was by used by Baron and was posing comTschoudy when Sendivogius,
" "

the entitled
"

Hermetic

Catechism Star."

contained This

in

his

work
we

The

Blazing

catechism, which

point out to instructed kabbalists as a substitute for the tial incomparable treatise of Paracelsus,expounds all the essenprinciplesof the great work in a form so clear and be absolutelywanting in the complete that a person must quality of occult understanding if he fail in attainingthe shall now absolute truth by its study. We give a succinct of this work, togetherwith a few words by way of analysis
commentary.

Raymond

Lully,one

of the
we

grand
can

and

sublime

masters

of

gold we must have gold. Out of nothing we can make nothing ; wealth is not created ; it is increased and multiplied. Hence, absolutely let aspirants to knowledge understand thoroughly that feats are miracles neither nor required of the jugglers' science,like all real sciences,is matheadept. Hermetic
science, says that before

make

338

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

immobility;
the
law

whatsoever

obeys more

they term compose that their stone is, the volatilisation of the by analysis, the fixation of the volatile, that is, fixed ; then by synthesis, called their which they operate by applying to the fixed, or salt, sulphurated mercury light of life,directed and rendered omnipotent by a secret operation. They possess
themselves found that in this
manner

of motion,

naturallyand volatile ; and they

readily

of

all nature, and

is

their

stone

is

wherever
no

there is is

which salt,

equivalentto saying

foreignto the great work, and that the most can even apparentlycontemptibleand vile matters have which is true in this sense, as we be changed into gold, salt, representedin said,that all contain the fundamental in be seen emblems as our by the cubic stone itself, may to the keys of Basil the symbolic and universal frontispiece
substance

Valentine.

To

know

how

to

extract

from

all matter the secret

the

pure salt which It the stone. universal

astral

is concealed

in it is to possess

of

a saline is,therefore, stone, which

the

od, or

It is one light, decomposes or recomposes. it can be dissolved and and many, for, like ordinary salt, Obtained incorporatedwith other substances. by analysis, the universal sublimate ; recovered it may be termed by the of the ancients, for synthetic way, it is the veritable panacea of soul or body, and is termed, all diseases,whether it cures
in
an

eminent

manner,

the medicine

of all nature.
can

When,

by

disposeof the forces of the universal agent, this stone is always to our hand, for far different its extraction is then a simple and easy operation, in from stone metallic realisation. The or projection its sublimated state must not be exposed to the air,which might dissolve it and spoilits virtue. Moreover, to inhale wise man its exhalations is not devoid of danger. The more it in its natural conserves readily knowing that envelopes, he can extract it by a single effort of his will, and a single of the universal which application agent to the envelopes, this term shells. To express hieroglyphically the kabbalists the sages of Egypt ascribed to their mercury, law of prudence,
means

of absolute

initiation, we

THE

THAUMATURGE

339

as Hermanubis, a dog's head, and to their sulphur, personified by the Baphomet of the temple,or prince of the represented head which Sabbath, that goat's brought such odium upon

the occult associations For the mineral

of the middle

ages. is

work, the
a

first matter It is
a

exclusively
salt.

mineral, but
This
matter

it is not
is called

metal.

metallised

because it resembles a fruit, vegetable, and animal, because it produces a kind of milk and blood. It alone contains the fire by which it must be dissolved.

CHAPTER

XX

THE

THAUMATURGE

WE
causes.

have

defined miracles The immediate

as

the natural effects of of the human without

exceptional
the

action

will upon

body, or
exercised within
a

at least that action

a

exercised

visible means, The influence

or

constitutes

miracle wills

in
or

the

physicalorder.

upon

either suddenly intelligences,

capable of subjugatingthoughts, resolutions, paralysing the changing the most determined violent passions this influence constitutes a miracle most in the moral order. The common error concerningmiracles given time, and
"

regard them as effects without causes, contradictions of nature, sudden vagariesof the divine mind, not seeingthat a single miracle of this class would destroythe universal
is to

harmony,
miracles which

and

reduce
are

the

universe

to

chaos.

There

are

which

involve neither

even impossible, absurdity. Could God

for

God, namely, those

for
in
one

be absurd would
be

stant, in-

Himself

nor

the

world

existence

the moment

following. To expect from the divine arbiter effect having a disproportionate no cause or even an cause, one's is what is called tempting God ; it is casting at all, in heaven self into the void. God operates by His works earth by men. and on Hence, in the circle of by angels,
"

340

THE

EITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

angelicaction,the angels can

for

perform
the

all that
men

is
can

God, and in the

human

circle of action

possible dispose
men

equallyof divine omnipotence. In it is humanity which conceptions,

think have that God made
Him

heaven

of human

creates

God, and
because
man

has
in

made

them

in His The

image
of

they
is all rule
pute com-

theirs.
nature at
on

domain

and corporeal
suns

visible
can

earth,and

if he cannot their

and

stars, he

least calculate

motion,

his will with their influence ; identify he can modify the atmosphere,act up to a certain point life heal or harm his neighbours, the seasons, upon preserve and inflict death, the conservation of life, tion resurrecincluding The absolute in certain cases, as already established. their distances,and in
reason

and

volition

is the

greatestpower
means

which
of

can

be

and it is by to attain, given any man astonishes the that he performs what
name

multitude

this power under the

of miracles. The

the and

perfectpurity of intention thaumaturge,and in the next place a

most

is

toindispensable current
to

favourable has
come

unlimited and

confidence. desire

The

man

who

fear

nothing meaning
the Son

of that

ministered

Gospel,wherein, is the unclean of God, thrice victor over spirit, unto Nothing on by angelsin the wilderness.
the
a

nothing is master beautiful allegory of

of all.

This

is the

earth withstands
"

free and

rational will. Himself who

When

the wise all

man

says,

will," it is God
takes

and wills,

place. It is the knowledge of the and the confidence placedin him, which constitute physician, and thaumaturgy is the only the virtue of his prescriptions, Hence occult therapeutics are real and efficacious remedy. of It chiefly makes use apart from all vulgar medication. and communicates words and insufflations, by will a various virtue to the simplestsubstances wine, camphor, water, oil, of homoeopathistsis truly a magnetised water salt. The of faith. works enchanted and water, which by means added The dynamic substances in, so to speak,infinitesimal wilL consecrations and signsof the physician's are quantities
that He commands
"

THE

THAUMATURGE

341

What real

is

vulgarlycalled
in

charlatanism

is

great means
form
a

of

success

medicine, assuming
confidence

that
to

it is

sufficiently
circle of There

skilful to faith. is
In

inspiregreat

and

it is faith which medicine,above all,

saves.

which does not possess its male or female a village scarcely compounder of occult medicine, and these people are almost successful incomparablythan more every where,and invariably, physiciansapproved by the faculty. The remedies they often strange or ridiculous, and hence answer are prescribe all the better, for they exact faith on the and realise more old merchant of our part of patientsand operators. An of eccentric character and exalted acquaintance,a man from business, set himself sentiment, after retiring religious and out of Christian charity, occult to exercise gratuitously, in one of the Departments of France. medicine His sole and prayers. The institution were oil, insufflations, specifics of a law-suit againsthim for the illegal exercise of medicine had established in publicknowledge that ten thousand cures been attributed number
to alarm
a

to him

in the

that the calculated also

at

of

his

space of about believers increased

five years, and in

proportions
We
saw

all the doctors

of the district.

Mans

demented, but
her

who was regarded as poor nun she healed, nevertheless,all diseases

means

slightly
in the

surrounding country by
own

of

invention.

The

elixir

appliedoutwardly, so universal panacea. the skin stuck upon The plasternever at the place where its application save was necessary, and it rolled up and fell off by itself such at least was asserted by the good sister and declared to be the case by the sufferers. This thaumaturge was also subjected to prosecution, for she impoverished the practiceof all the doctors round but about her ; she was it was rigidlycloistered, found necessary to produce her at least once soon a week, and on the day for her consultations Sister have seen we Jane-Francis had surrounded by the country folk, who arrived overnight, awaiting their turn, lying at the convent
"

was plaster

plasterof taken the was internally, that nothing escaped this

an

elixir and

342

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

gate ; they had slept upon

receive the elixir and the
to
same

the

ground, and
the

tarried

only to
The appear of her

plaster of
in all be

devoted

sister.

remedy being
needless
for

diseases,it would
with the
cases

her she

acquainted
to

but patients,

invariablywith great after learning the and only dispensed her specific attention, the magical secret. of the complaint. There nature was virtue to The direction of the intention imparted its special in itself. The elixir the remedy, which was insignificant with the juice of bitter herbs ; was spiced brandy mixed the plaster a was compound analogousto theriac as regards colour and smell ; it was Burgogne pitch, possibly electuary
listened them but whatever of the the
rural

substance, it worked
folk would miracles have of their

wonders, and
visited
on

the those

wrath who
we

been
nun.

questionedthe
knew
of
an

Near

Paris, also,

accomplished marvellous cures by puttingin his phialsthe juiceof all the herbs of St John. He brother, had, however, a sceptical derided who the poor gardener, overthe sorcerer, and whelmed of this infidel, began to doubt by the sarcasms
old

gardenerthaumaturge who

himself,whereupon all the miracles

ceased,the sufferers lost

and despairing, and the thaumaturge,slandered confidence, died mad. The Abbe* Thiers,cur" of Yibraie,in his curious
"

records that a woman, concerning Superstitions," afflicted with an apparentlyaggravated ophthalmia,having been suddenly and mysteriously cured, confessed to a priest She had that she had betaken herself to magic. long to she regarded as a magician, importuned a clerk, whom give her a talisman that she might wear, and he had at lengthdelivered her a scroll of parchment, advisingher at the same time to wash three times dailyin fresh water. The priest her give up the parchment, on which were made stercoribus these words : Eruat diabolus oculos tuos et repleat who loca vacantia. He translated them to the good woman, cured. she was was stupefied ; but, all the same, of of the most Insufflation is one important practices occult medicine, because it is a perfect sign of the transTreatise

THE

THAUMATURGE

343

mission
upon
one
some

of

life. person

To
or

as inspire, thing, and

a we

fact,
know

means

to

breathe

doctrine of Hermes, that

that

words, and
and ideas.
warm or

there is
is the

an

by the already, the virtue of thingshas created ideas exact proportionbetween

and
verbal

speech,which
The

first form
or

realisation of

breath
The

attracts

cold.

and electricity, Electrical and the

the
nervous

it is as repels,accordingly, to positive warm breathingcorresponds cold breathing to negative electricity. fear the cold breathing, and animals

experiment may be made upon a cat, whose familiarities and are regarding a lion or tiger importunate. By fixedly be so to be as stupefied blowing in their face, they would Warm and prolonged insufflation forced to retreat before us.
restores

the

circulation of the
the

blood, cures
balance
of the

rheumatic

and

re-establishes gouty pains,

humours,

and

the operator is sympathetic dispelslassitude. When and good,it acts as universal sedative. Cold insufflation a and fluidic accumusoothes pains occasioned lations. by congestions The two breathings must, therefore, be used of the human organism, alternately, observing the polarity the poles,which and acting in a contrary manner upon treated to be must an successfully opposite magnetism.

Thus,
must

to

cure

an

inflamed

eye, the

one

which

is not

affected

and gentle cold insufflation, subjected to a warm the suffering member at insufflation being practisedupon distance and in the same the same proportion. Magnetic
be

passes

have

similar

effect

to

and insufflations,

are

real

and radiation of the interior air, breathingby transpiration which is phosphorescent with vital light stitute ; slow passes conraises the fortifies and a warm breathing which cold breathing of dispersive are a spirits ; swift passes tendencies to congestion. The warm nature, neutralising from below insufflation should be performed transversely, or directed effective when upward ; the cold insufflation is more downward
We from

above.
not

breathe universal

only by
of

means
our

of mouth

and
true

nostrils ;

the

porousness

body

is

respiratory

344

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

but apparatus, inadequate undoubtedly, and

nerves

most

useful to

life

health.

The

extremities
or

of
attract

the

terminate,diffuse
as we

all the where fingers, the astral light accordingly without

contact
are a

will.

Magnetic

passes

insufflation ; contact adds sympatheticand simple and slight impression even equilibrating ; it is good and necessary, to prevent hallucinations at the early stages of somnambulism, for it is a communion of physicalreality which admonishes the brain and recalls wandering imagination not, ; it must the object is merely to however, be too prolonged when and prolongedcontact is useful when magnetise. Absolute

magnetism have given some cubation properly so examples of infrom the most revered book of the Christians ; they all refer to the cure of apparently incurable as lethargies, induced to term resurrections. we are Massage is still largelyresorted to in the east, where it is practisedwith It is entirely at the public baths. a system great success of frictions, and pressures, practisedslowly along tractions, the whole length of members and muscles, the result being renewed equilibrium in the forces,a feelingof complete with a sensible restoration of activity repose and well-being, and vigour. The whole of the occult physicianis in the conscience power of his will,while his whole in exciting art consists the faith of his patient. If you have faith,"said the who to him believes." The Master, all thingsare possible be dominated subject must by expression, tone, gesture ; confidence be inspired by a fatherly manner, must and cheerfulness stimulated versations. by seasonable and sprightlyconhe a greater magician than Eabelais,who was He comseemed, made pelled pantagruelismhis special panacea. his patientsto laugh,and all the remedies he subsequently
or

the

designis

incubation

massage

rather

than

called.

We

"

"

gave established
a

them

succeeded

magnetic sympathy
he humour
; he

in consequence between himself and

to

better

; he

them,
fidence con-

by

means

of which and

communicated

them

his
in his

own

good

flattered them

prefaces,

346

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

CHAPTER

XXI

THE

SCIENCE

OF

THE

PROPHETS

THIS

chapter
sense,

is

consecrated

to

divination,which, in
divine It

its;

broadest

and

the grammatical significance following exercise of

the and power, is the priesthoodof

of

the

word, is the
of

realisation the magus.

more

divine But

knowledge.

in generalopinion, is concerned divination, closelywith the knowledge of hidden things. To"

know

the

most

secret

thoughts of
future ; to effects

men;

to

penetrate the-

mysteries of past
exact

and
of

evoke

by the is universally called divination. causes Now, ; this is what of all mysteriesof nature, the most profound is the heart of and at the same time nature forbids its depth to b" man, inaccessible. In spite of the deepestdissimulation, despite the most skilful policy, she herself traces, and makes plain in the bodily form, in the light in in movements, of glances, in voice,a thousand The tell-tale indices. carriage, perfect initiate has no need of these indices ; he perceives the truth in the light an ; he senses impressionwhich makes known the whole his glance penetrates hearts,he may even man, feignignoranceto disarm the fear or hatred of the wicked
whom he knows
too

revelation

by age the precise knowledge of

age

well.

man or

of bad

conscience

thinks-

suspected; he recognises himself in a touch of collective satire, he applies that whole satire to himself,and cries loudly that he is calumniated.. Ever but as curious as he is apprehensive, in thesuspicious, of the magus of the parable, he is like the Satan presence like those scribes who or questioned tempting. Ever-

always that

he is

beingaccused

stubborn

and

ever

what feeble, he is in
the

he

fears

above

all is the

recognitionthat
him, the future
himself
man.

alarms believe
a

and His

to

The past disquiets wrong. him ; he seeks to compound with himself a well-placedand virtuous,

life is

between perpetualstruggle

good aspira-

THE

SCIENCE

OP

THE

PROPHETS

347

after philosopher of Aristippe or Horace the manner in accepting all the must he corruption of his time as a necessitywhich philosophical undergo; he distracts himself with some to smile of Mecaenas and appropriates the protecting pastime, persuade himself that he is not simply a battener on famine like Verres Such are or a men parasiteof Trimalcion. always mercenaries, even in their good works. They decide to make and they postpone it to a giftto a public charity, is not The type which I am describing get the interest.
a an

tions and

evil habits ; he thinks

himself

individual
come

but

class of

men

with

which

the magus

is

liable to

century. them, for

friends and The

in our in contact, especially own frequently Let him follow their own example by mistrusting his most compromising they will be invariably
most

dangerousenemies.

public exercise of divination is unbecoming at the be present period in a veritable adept, for he would driven to juggleryand feats of skill in order to frequently his clients and astonish his public. Accredited preserve both male and diviners, female, have always secret spies, who instruct them to the privatelife or habits of those as
who consult and them. A code of
an a

is signals
unknown

established client at

between

cabinet
visit

antechamber;
a

his first is
in

receives
;

followed

day is arranged, and he servants are engaged doorkeepers, neighbours,

number;
thus them arrived
to at

gossip,and details are simple minds, and cause

the
reverence

which
an

overwhelm

invest

impostor with
true

which

should be reserved for

science and

genuine divination.
The
case

divination

of events

to

come

is

possibleonly in
some

the
tained con-

of

those the realisation of which

in

is in

sense
means

their

cause.

The

soul,scrutinising by
circle of him the from receives
an

of

the which

whole

nervous a

system the
man

astral

light single
has

influences

and

influence,

the soul of intuition evoked

the diviner, we loves

; it can

repeat,can
hatreds

all the

and

by a compass that man which

in his

about

him

read his intentions

thought,

348

THE

BITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

foresee obstacles that death which awaits

he will encounter,
; but

the possibly foresee

the
ruse

violent

him

it cannot
of

his

private,
ing follow-

determinations voluntary, capricious the

moment

consultation, unless,indeed, the

the fulfilment of the

of

the diviner

prophecy. For example, who is becoming passd,and is anxious you say to a woman to secure will be present this evening or a husband : You to-morrow evening at such or such a performance,and you will there see a man who will be to your liking. This man will observe of circumstances by a curious combination you, and the result will be a marriage. You count the lady going, her count on on may you may and seeinga man believingthat he has noticed her, you her anticipating count on may marriage. It may not come to that in the end, but she will not lay the blame on you, because she would be givingup the opportunityfor another illusion ; on the contrary,she will return to perseveringly
consult you.

itself prepares

We

have

said that the

; the

astral

lightis
two

the

great book
seers,

of

divinations
or

facultyof reading therein

there the
are

is either natural the

and acquired,

hence

classes of this
reason,

instinctive and
uneducated

initiated.

For

children,
more

people, shepherds, even

than
a

idiots, have
scholars

aptitudefor natural divination The simple herd-boy, David, was king of kabbalists and magi.
are

and

thinkers.

as Solomon, prophet even The perceptionsof instinct

often

as

certain

as

those

of science ; the those who

persons
reason

least
most.
nambulists som-

clairvoyantin
Somnambulism

the is
a

astral
state

lightare

require to
and sceptics
reasoners

of pure instinct, and be directed by a seer lead them

hence of

science;
at which
chaining en-

only

astray. Divinatory

vision

operates only in the ecstatic state, to arrive

and

state, doubt
or

illusion

must

become

impossibleby

of putting to sleep thought. The instruments divination are hence only methods of magnetising ourselves and of self-diversion from exterior light, that we so may pay attention to the interior lightalone. It was for this reason

THE

SCIENCE

OF

THE

PROPHETS

349

that

Apolloniuscompletelyenveloped
fixed his eyes of
on

himself
in the

in

woollen The

mantle, and

his navel
to

gloom.
of

magicalmirror

Dupotet Hydromancy and it has been polished and Perfumes magical mirror.
water

is kindred vision in

the device

lonius. Apolof the

the
are

thumb-nail, when
varieties

blackened,
and absorb

evocations

stupefythought;
rays ;
a

and

the colour and

black

the visual

kind

vertigo ensue, followed by lucidityin posed subjectswho have a natural aptitude or are suitablydisthereto. Geomancy and cartomancy are other means of symbols and numbers, the same to end; combinations fortuitous and necessary, bear enough rewhich at once semblance are of destinyfor the imagination to to the chances The perceive realities by the pretext of such emblems.
of
dazzlement
more

the greater is the desire to see ; excited, clear the the more the fuller the confidence in the intuition,

the interest

is

on points of geomancy is to jestlike the cards for trifling chance to set out or oracles only when children ; the lots become they are and directed by faith. magnetised by intelligence Of all oracles,the Tarot is the most astounding in its combinations of this universal because all possible answers, key of the kabbalah give oracles of science and of truth for

vision

becomes.

To

combine

the

their solutions.

The

Tarot

was

the sole book

of the ancient in

magi ; it is the primitiveBible, as we shall prove and the ancients consulted it as chapter, following
Christians Bible of
a verses

the first

the

at

later date consulted

the Sacred determined

most

Lots, that is,

selected Mile.

by

chance

and

by thinking
of
our

number.

Lenormand, the

celebrated

modern

unacquaintedwith the science of it only by derivation from Etteilla, whose the Tarot, or knew shadows cast upon a are background of light. explanations the kabbalah, but her knew She neither high magic nor tuitive inand she was head was filled with ill-digested erudition, by an instinct which deceived her rarely. The works ornamented her are she left behind Legitimisttomfoolery, but her oracles inspiredby the classical quotations, with
fortune-tellers, was

350

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

and magnetism of those presence often astounding. She was a woman of

who

consulted

her, were
for the

in whom

extravagance
died

imaginationand

mental
sex

rambling were
; she

substituted
and
a

natural

affections of her

lived isle of
have
or a

virgin,
nature remoter

like the ancient endowed her with

druidesses

of the

beauty,she might
of
a

Sayne. Had at a easily

Velleda.

epoch played the part

The
more

Melusine

of divination, employed in the practice excite imaginationboth in ourselves and the more we The Conjurationof the Four, the in those who consult us. phantoms, Prayer of Solomon, the magic sword to disperse ceremonies may the thus be resorted
to

with

success

we

should

also evoke

and offer him a genius of the day and hour of operation, perfume ; next we should enter into magnetic and special with the consulting intuitive correspondence person, inquiring pathy, with what animal he is in sympathy and with what in antiand so also concerning his favourite flower or colour. in analogical cation classifiand animals connect Flowers, colours, Those who with the seven genii of the kabbalah.

love

blue

are

idealists and

dreamers who

; lovers

of

red

are

material

passionate ; those and capricious ; lovers of and crafty ; the friends

and
; the
rose

love

green are of black

tastic yellow are fanmercial frequentlycominfluenced by are Lovers

of the

Saturn horse

is the colour

of

Venus, "c.

hard-working,noble in character,and at the same and gentle; friends of the dog are affectionate time yielding and faithful ; those of the cat are independentand libertine. horror ; those of hold Frank spiders in special persons to the serpent ; upright are antipathetic haughty nature
are

and

fastidious

voluptuous
hideous, and
to

mice ; the tolerate rats and cannot persons it is cold, solitary, loathe the toad, because miserable.

of

analogoussympathies and colours, and as magic is the science those of animals universal a analogies, single taste, one tendency, in a
be
of

Flowers

have

given person, enables all the rest to of the analogical application anatomy
in the moral

divined Cuvier

; it is to

an

mena pheno-

order.

THE

SCIENCE

OF

THE

PROPHETS

351

body, the wrinkles on the brow, the lines on the hands, equally furnish the magus with precious indications. Metoposcopy and chiromancy become have separate sciences;their observations,purely have been empiricaland conjectural, compared, examined, then united and into a body of doctrine by Goglenius, and Taisnier. The work of the Belot, Kornphile, Indagine, last-mentioned writer is the most important and complete; he combines and criticises the observations and conjectures of all the others. modern A the Chevalier investigator, D'Arpentigny,has imparted to chiromancy a fresh degree the analogieswhich of certitude by his remarks on really physiognomy
face and exist between their hands been
a man as

The

of

the
a

characters
or

of

persons

and
new

the

form

of

whole

in detail.

This

science

has

has

developed and verified by an artist who is also of letters, rich in originality and skill. The disciple surpassed the master, and our amiable and spiritual
further of those Dumas travellers with whom
our

one Desbarrolles,

great
in

novelist his

Alexandre

cosmopolitanromances, magician in chiromancy. The consultingperson

his habitual interior
and

to surround delights is already cited as

himself
a

veritable

should
are

also

be

questioned upon
both life,

dreams

; dreams

the reflection of

philosopherspaid them certain as great attention; the patriarchsregarded them revelations ; most revelations have been given in religious dreams. The monsters of perdition are nightmares of of Smarra and as the author has ingeniously Christianity, could pencilor chisel have remarked, never produced such should beings if they had not been beheld in sleep. We beware of persons whose imagination continuallyreflects deformities. manifested Temperament is, in like manner, by dreams, and as this exercises a permanent influence it is necessary to be well life, acquainted therewith upon if we would Dreams conjecturea destinywith certitude. of blood, of enjoyment, and of light indicate a sanguine
exterior.

The

old

temperament

; those of

water, mud, rain, tears, are

occasioned

352

THE

EITUAL

OF

TKANSCENDENT

MAGIC

by

more

darkness, phlegmaticdisposition ; fire by night,

to

terrors, spectres, belong

one Synesius,

the

bilious

and

melancholic.
of

of

the

greatestChristian bishops
that beautiful
after and

the

first

the centuries, who

over
was

of disciple massacred by of

fanatics

Hypatia presidinggloriously
pure of

the school

Alexandria, in the
have

inheritance
"

which

Synesius, lyric and Callimachus, priest like Orpheus, poet like Pindar has Christian like Spiridion of Tremithonte left us a treatise on dreams which has been supplied with a commentary No themselves with now one concerns by Cardan. these magnificent researches of the mind, because successive fanaticisms have wellnigh forced the world to despair of scientific and St Paul burned religious rationalism. burned the disciples of Trismegistus Trismegistus ; Omar Christianityshould
shared"

school

and

of

St

Paul. will

persecutors!
end
your

incendiaries
of

scoffers ! when destruction One

?

ye

work

darkness

and

of the

greatestmagi of the Christian

era,

Trithemius,

abbot of a Benedictine irreproachable monastery, learned of Cornelius Agrippa, has left theologian,and master inestimable his unappreciated and works, a treatise among De septem secundeis, id est intelligentiis sive spiritibus entitled, It is a key of all prophecies orbes post Deum moventibus. and or old,a mathematical, historical, new simple method Isaiah and Jeremiah in the previsionof all of surpassing

great events
the entire world is the those with

to

come.

The

author

in bold

outline

sketches of

and philosophyof history,

between

divides

the

existence

the

grandest and seven angelsof

and

It genii of the kabbalah. made of widest ever interpretation the Apocalypse who appear successively the
seven

trumpets
upon

cups

to pour

out

the word of each

and

its realisation

the

earth.
four

The

duration

angelicreign

is 354

months, beginningwith that of Orifiel, of March, for, according the angel of Saturn, on the 13th the date of the world's creation; to Trithemius, this was
years and
was a

it

period of

savagery

and

darkness.

Next

came

the

354

THE

KITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

empire of the children of and the first conflicts Nimrod, the birth of sciences and religions, between despotism and liberty. Trithemius pursues this curious study throughout the ages, and at corresponding of ruins ; then civilisation, epochs exhibits the recurrence of poetry and love ; empires, born anew stituted reconby means destroyed by the family,enlarged by commerce, civilisation, by war, repairedby universal and progressive the are by great empires, which subsequently absorbed syntheses of history. The work of Trithemius, from this comprehensive and independent than point of view, is more that of Bossuet, and is a key absolute to the philosophyof of history. His exact calculations lead him to the month in the year 1879, epoch of the reign of Michael November of a new universal kingdom, prepared and the foundation by three centuries and a half of anguish,and a like period of hope, coincidingexactlywith the sixteenth, seventeenth, centuries for the and first part of the nineteenth eighteenth, and expectation, with the fourteenth, lunar twilight thirteenth, originof
the first dominations, the

twelfth,and

second

half

of the

eleventh

centuries

for the

of the sufferings, and the scourges ordeals,the ignorance, all nature. We accordingto this calculation, see, therefore,

that

in

1879

"

that

is, in twenty-fouryears'time,
will
secure

versal uni-

empire
world.
offer and
a

will be founded, and

peace

to

the

This

empire
for

will be

solution for all

endure

and political religious ; it will days, problems agitatedin our own

will

354

years

and

months, after which

an by the return of the reign of Orifiel, epoch of silence and night. The coming universal empire, being under the reign of the sun, will belongto him who holds the keys of the East, which now are being disputed by the princesof the world's four quarters. But intelligence in the superior the forces which rule the sun and activity are the initiative kingdoms, and the nation which now possesses and life will possess also the keys of the of intelligence East, and will establish the universal kingdom. To do this and have to undergo a cross it may martyrdom. previously

it will be succeeded

THE

BOOK

OF

HERMES

355

analogous to
among standard
from

those its and

of the

Man-God

but, dead
all

nations

and will prevail, spirit follow

ever

living, peoples will

or

acknowledge
the dead. all
our

in

four

and

twenty

years

the

of France, Such

or victorious,

miraculouslyraised

is the

by

and previsions,

prophecy of Trithemius,confirmed grounded in all our hopes.

CHAPTEE

XXII

THE

BOOK

OF

HERMES

"

approach the end of our universal key and utter the of magical works is the key the key of the Kabbalah
WE

give the final word. universal key The of all ancient religious dogmas, and the Bible,the little key of Solomon. Now, this clavicle, regarded as lost for centuries, has been recovered by us, and we have been able to open of the ancient world, to make the sepulchres the dead speak, of the past in all their splendour, to behold the monuments the enigmas of every sphinx,and to penetrate to understand all sanctuaries. Among the ancients the use of this key was and even its secret was permittedto none but the high priests, confided only to the flower of the initiates. Now, this was the key in question:A hieroglyphic and numeral alphabet, series of universal a expressing by characters and numbers and absolute ideas ; then a scale of ten numbers, multiplied with twelve by four symbols,and connected figures senting repretwelve the the four geniiof signsof the zodiac, plus the cardinal points. The symbolical tetrad,representedin the mysteries of Memphis and Thebes by the four forms of the sphinx the ments lion,and bull corresponded with the four eleeagle, man, of the old world, water by the cup being signified held by the man or aquarius ; air by the circle or nimbus
work, and
must

here

"

"

356

THE

BITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

surroundingthe

eagle; fire by the wood in the heat of nourishes which it, by the tree fructifying which earth and sun, and, finally, by the sceptre of royalty, of Mithras, who each the lion typifies ; earth by the sword
head of the celestial immolates the sacred with its blood, bull,and, together all fruits of
explain analogies,

year

gives increase to pours forth that sap which with all their earth. Now, these four signs,
the which when
one

word

hidden seemed

in

all

sanctuaries,that
in their

word

the bacchantes

to divine

intoxication

they
the
name

worked
was

themselves

into

What, then,
was

tongue : the Noah; the HE, type of the cup of libations maternity; the VAU, which joinsthe two, and
in India

meaning of this of the four primitiveletters of the motherJod, symbol of the vine, or paternalsceptre of
the
and
was

frenzy for Io EVOHE. mysteriousterm ? It

also

of

depicted

by the great and mysteriouslingam. Such was the sign of the triad in the divine word ; then the mother triple time to express the fecundityof letter appeared a second
nature

and

woman,

and to formulate

the doctrine of universal

causes

and and word four VAU

descending from analogies progressive ascendingfrom

was

to

effects,
off in HE

effects to

causes.

Moreover, the sacred

and spelt, sacred words read
"

not

pronounced;
are

it

was

words, which
HE.

the

four

JOD

regardsthe teraphimof the Hebrews, of which they consulted the oracles of the urim by means of the four kabbalistio animals, the figures and thummim, as summed which symbols,as we shall presentlyshow, were In connection of the ark. up in the sphinxes or cherubs with the usurped Teraphim of Michas, he cites a curious is a complete revelation as to the passage from Philo, which Gaffarel TAROTS. sacerdotal and ancient origin of our He himself : thus expresses (Philo the Jew), speaking of in the before-mentioned the historyconcealed chapter of made three images of young boys Judges, says that Michas a and three young calves,three also of a lion, an eagle, dragon,and a dove, all of fine gold and silver ; so that if
The

learned Gaffarel

"

THE

BOOK

OF

HERMES

357

sought him to discover a secret concerninghis wife, interrogatedthe dove ; concerning his children, the boy ; concerning wealth, the eagle concerning ; young the strength and power, the lion ; concerning fecundity, cherub or bull; concerning length of days, the dragon." This revelation of Philo, though depreciated is by Gaffarel, for us of the highest importance. Here, in fact, is our key of the tetrad, and here also the images of the four symbolical animals found in the twenty-first key of the Tarot ; that is, at the third septenary, thus repeating and summarisingall the symbolism expressedby the three septenaries superposed; next, the antagonism of colours expressed by the dove and the dragon ; the circle or ROTA, formed by the dragon or the kabbalistic serpent to typify length of days ; finally, divination of the entire Tarot, as practised in later days by the Egyptian Bohemians, whose divined and secrets were recovered imperfectly by Etteilla. We in the Bible that the high priests consulted the see
any he
one

Lord

on

the

golden

table and

cherubs, or bull-headed
consulted

the holy ark, between sphinx ; that they eagle-winged of the

by the help of the Theraphim, Urim, and Thummi, that the Ephod was and by the Ephod. Now, it is known a magical square of twelve numbers and twelve words engraved The word stones. on precious TerapMm in Hebrew signifies and Thummi hieroglyphs or figured were signs ; the Urim
the above and these and

beneath, the

east

and
to

west, the yes and

two

no,

pillarsof the and BOHAS. When, therefore,the high Temple, JAKIN to consult the oracle,he drew priest wished by lot the Theraphim or tablets of gold,which bore the images of the four sacred words, and placed them by threes round the rational or the two stones Ephod ; that is, between onyx which served as clasps to the little chains of the Ephod. The right Gedulah, or mercy and magnificence signified ; onyx the left referred to Geburah, and signified and anger. justice found on the left If, for example, the sign of the lion were

signs corresponded

the

side of the stone

which

bore

the

name

of the tribe of

Judah,

358

THE

KITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

the the

high priestwould
Lord is
man

read

the

oracle

thus

"

The

staff of

angered against Judah."

or

If the also

Theraphim
on

representedthe
left, near
read
"

cup, and

were

found

the

the The

stone

of

Benjamin,

the

high priestwould

Benjamin,

of the Lord of the offences of is weary mercy which violate Him in His love. Whence He

will pour out on him the chalice of his wrath," etc. When the sovereignpriesthoodceased in Israel,when all oracles
were

silenced in the the mouth

presence
of

of the Word
most

made

man,

and

popular and mildest of the ark was lost,the sanctuary profaned,and sages, when the temple destroyed, the mysteries phim, of the Ephod and Therano longer traced on gold and precious stones, were learned kabbalists on ivory, written, or, rather,drawn, by some on parchment, gilt and silvered copper, and, finally, simple cards,which were always suspectedby the official Church as came enclosinga dangerous key to its mysteries. Hence those Tarots, the antiquity of which, revealed to the erudite Court de G-ebelin by the science of hieroglyphs and numbers, exercised later the doubtful and persistent so perspicacity of Etteilla. Court de Gebelin, in the eighth investigation of his "Primeval volume of the twentyWorld," givesthe figure two their keys and four aces of the Tarot, and demonstrates perfectanalogy with all symbols of the highest antiquity. He subsequently endeavours to supply their explanation, and versal because he does not start from the unigoes astray naturally,
and sacred the JOB
HE

speakingby

the

tetragram,the
HE
of the

Io EVOHE

of the
rnrr

Bacchanalia,

VAU
or

the sanctuary,

of the Kabbalah.

Etteilla divination

and

Alliette, preoccupiedentirely by his system of the material profitto be derived from it,
never

Alliette, formerly barber, having

even

learned and thus

French,

or

orthography, pretended to
of THCT. In the he

reform

appropriate
very scarce, ment advertise-

the Book which

Tarot, now

become

"

find the followingnaive engraved,we the the eight of clubs : on twenty-eighth card of the Etteilla, professorof algebra and correctors (sic)
"

modern

blunders

of

the

ancient

book

of Thot, lives in the

THE

BOOK

OF

HERMES

359

Eue

de

No. 1'Oseille,

48, Paris."

Etteilla

would

have

the blunders of corrected done better not to have certainly which he speaks ; his books have degraded the ancient of work discovered by Court de Gebelin into the domain He vulgar magic and fortune-telling by cards. proves furnishes nothing who tries to prove too much ; Etteilla another example of this old logicalaxiom ; at the same with led him to a certain acquaintance time, his endeavours the

Kabbalah,

as

may

be The

seen

in

some

rare

unreadable

works.

true

initiates who

passages of his Etteilla's were and the

a

contemporaries,the
who Martinists,
were

Eosicrucians, for
in

example,
the
true

possessionof
where of the
an

Tarot, as
are

work of the

of Saint

Martin
and

proves,

the divisions enemy of

those crucians Eosi-

Tarot,
"

this passage
to

the

from found be

which

They pretend learn they can

books which

possessionof a volume possiblybe anything that can

now

in other

exist

or

may

they find the prototype of everything that exists by the facility of analysing, making abstractions, forming a species of intellectual world, and creating all possiblebeings. See cards." microcosmic the philosophical, spiracy (Contheosophical, by the against the Catholic Religionand Sovereigns, Paris : Crapard. of The Veil raised for the Curious. author we 1792.) The true initiates, repeat,who held the Tarot secret their greatest mysteries, carefullyrefrained among and left him from protesting of Etteilla, against the errors of the true clavicles to reveil instead of revealing the arcana produced.
This volume
is their
reason,

any in which

at

time

of Solomon. that
we

Hence have

it is not

without intact

ment profound astonishstill unknown this

discovered

and

of the old world. key of all doctrines and all philosophies I speak of it as a key, and such it truly is, having the circle of four decades as its ring, the scale of 22 characters for its trunk or body, and the three degrees of the triad for its wards ; as such it was representedby Postel in his Key of Things Kept Secret from the Foundation of the World." He indicates after the followingmanner
"

360

THE

KITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

the

occult
"

name

of

this

key, which

was

known

only

to

initiates:

T
o

The

word

may

read

EOTA, thus
then

the signifying

wheel with

of the

Ezekiel, or
AZOTH of

TAROT, and
Hermetic

it is synonymous philosophers. It is a the

word

which
;

kabbalistically expresses
it is formed of the the

dogmatic and
of the

natural

absolute of

characters and

accordingto
Greek
P

Greeks

monogram The Hebrews.

Christ,
K
or

Latin

is found the

between sacred
as

the

alpha

and

omega
cross,
our

of the encloses Ritual.

Apocalypse;
the whole Without the

Tau, image of the

word,

in represented previously

magic of the ancients is a closed book, and it is impossible to penetrate any of the great the The Tarot alone interprets mysteriesof the Kabbalah. magic squares of Agrippa and Paracelsus,as we may satisfy ourselves by forming these same with the keys of squares the Tarot, and reading off the hieroglyphsthus collected. These are the seven magical squares of the planetarygenii accordingto Paracelsus :
Tarot, the
"

362

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

MERCURY.

THE

MOON.

By adding each of the columns of these squares, you will of the planet, the characteristic number obtain invariably glyphs by the hieroand, findingthe explanationof this number of of the Tarot, you proceed to seek the sense whether all the figures, cruciform, triangular, square, or The result of that you find to be formed by the numbers. this operationwill be a complete and profound acquaintance all the with and mysteriesconcealed by allegories the symbol of each planet,or rather the ancients under
of each celestial of the influences, personification
or

human,

upon all events of life. We have said that the the

twenty-two keys of the Tarot

are

kabbalistic alphabet, twenty-two letters of the primitive

THE

BOOK

OF

HERMES

363

and

here follows

table of

the

variants

of

this

alphabet

accordingto

divers Hebrew

kabbalists.

Being,mind, man, or God ; the comprehensible object ; unity, mother the substance. of numbers, first
All these ideas JUGGLER. his head
are

hieroglyphically expressed by
His

the

of the figure aleph,round

body
a

and

arms

form

the letter of
oo
,

there is

nimbus

in the form

the emblem
are

of life and

the universal
and pantacles,

spirit ; in front of him

he

swords, cups, and

rod towards

heaven.

He

has

the miraculous uplifts and curly youthfulfigure

of

hair,like Apollo or Mercury ; the smile

his
and lips,

confidence

is

on

the look

of

in intelligence

his eyes.

The

the sanctuary, the law, the of God and man, mother. Gnosis,Kabbalah,the occult church, the duad, wife, house

Hieroglpyh of
crowned
with
a

the

Tarot, THE

FEMALE

POPE
of

woman

tiara, wearing the horns

the

Moon
on

and her

Isis,her head breast, and

with her

enveloped in a mantle, the solar holding a book on her knees, which

A

cross

she conceals
a

mantle.

historyof Pope figuresof

Tarot.

Joan

protestant author has met with, and

of

pretended
or

used, for good

and

two bad, in the interest of his thesis,

curious

ancient the

the

female
two

pope

or

of sovereign priestess

ascribe to her all the attributes of figures she is carryingand Isis ; in one caressingher son Horus ; in the other, she has long and thin hair ; she is seated of the duad, has a sun the two pillars between with four rays her breast, on placesone hand upon a book, and makes the that is to sign of sacerdotal esotericism with the other three fingersonly, the two others being say, she uplifts folded to signifymystery ; a veil is behind her head, and
"

These

on

each the

side of her
sea.

chair

the

flowers

of

the

lotus

bloom scholar
mental monu-

upon

who

the unlucky commiserate strongly in this antique symbol nothing but a has seen of his pretended Pope Joan. portrait

364

THE

EITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

The word, the triad,plenitude, nature, fecundity,

in the three worlds.

generation

Symbol,
its end This
; her

THE

EMPRESS,

woman,

winged, crowned,
at

the orb of the world a sceptre with seated,and uplifting

sign is
is the St

an

eagle, image
in his

of the

soul and

of life.
was

woman

Venus-Urania
John

of the

Greeks, and
stars, and

representedby
clothed the
moon

Apocalypseas
with twelve

the Woman with

with

the

Sun, crowned
her feet.

of the

mystical quintessence the queen of heaven. triad, spirituality, immortality,

ports government of
the

beneath

It is the

The

or

easterns,initiation, power,

the

tetragram,the quaternary,the cubic stone, or its base.

presents re-

Hieroglyph,THE EMPEROR, a sovereignwhose body and his legs a cross, a triangle, right-angled image of the Athanor of the philosophers.
Indication, demonstration, instruction, law,

the

symbolism,

philosophy, religion. grand hierophant. In more modern Tarots this signis replacedby the image of Jupiter. The the two of grand hierophant,seated between pillars Hermes and of Solomon, makes the sign of esotericism, and leans upon with three horizontals of triangular a cross form. Two inferior ministers kneel before him. Having above him the capitals below of the two and him pillars,
POPE,
or

Hieroglyph,THE

the two

heads

of the

he is thus the assistants,

centre

of the

quinary, and represents the divine pentagram, giving its are complete meaning. As a fact,the pillars necessityor A line may be drawn law, the heads libertyor action. from each pillarto each head, and each lines from two to each of the two Thus a square, divided by heads. pillar into four triangles, is obtained,and in the middle of a cross this cross is the grand hierophant, we might almost say like

THE

CHARIOT

OF

HERMES.

Seventh

Key of the Tarot.

365

366

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

garden spider in comparison becoming

the

the
to

centre

of his

web,

were

such

the

things of truth, glory,and

light
1

union, embrace, interlacement, Sequence, lingam,entanglement, combination,equilibrium. strife, antagonism,

Hieroglyph,man
shines the bow and
sun

between

Vice

and
sun

Virtue. is

Above

him

of

truth, and

in this

Love, bending his

Vice with his shaft. In the order of threatening the ten Sephiroth, this symbol corresponds to TIPHERETH that is,to idealism and beauty. The number six represents the antagonism of the two that is,absolute negation triads,
"

and

absolute

affirmation.

It

is therefore
reason

the

number also

of with

toil and moral

and for this liberty, beauty and glory.

it connects

the Weapon, sword, cherub's sword offire, triumph,royalty, priesthood.

sacred

septenary,

a cubic Hieroglyph, and starrydrapery. In

chariot with the

four

and pillars the four

an

azure

between chariot,

a pillars,

victor crowned

with

circle adorned his breast urim

are

with three radiant three

golden

pentagrams.
on

Upon

his

shoulders

the

and
two

thummim

superposedsquares, of the sovereign

of the
moon

sacrificer, representedby the

Gedulah and Geburah

crescents

in

; in his hand

is

sceptre surmounted

by a globe,square, and triangle ; his attitude is proud and tranquil. A double sphinx or two sphinxesjoined at the lower parts are harnessed to the chariot ; they are pulling in opposite directions, but one is turning his head so that direction. The sphinx with they are lookingin the same
head which turned forms is

black, the
fore

other of

is white. the chariot

On

the

the

part
the

is the

square Indian

lingam
This
most

flyingsphere of the Egyptians. which is perhaps the we hieroglyph, reproduce exactly, beautiful and prised complete of all those which are comby
in the clavicle of the Tarot.

surmounted

THE

BOOK

OF

HERMES

367

Balance, attraction
threat. JUSTICE Hieroglyph,

and

life, terror, repulsion, promise, and

with

sword

and

balance.

wisdom. Good, horror of evil, morality,

a Hieroglyph,

sage

front of

him, and
THE his and

leaningon his staff, holdinga lamp in completely enveloped in his cloak. The
HERMIT
or

is inscription hood of

CAPUCHIN,
his
true

on

account

of the

oriental he thus

cloak ;

name,

however, is
virtues and Etteilla.

PRUDENCE,
which

seemed

completes the four imperfectto Court de Gebelin

cardinal

Principle,manifestation, praise,manly virile fecundity, paternalsceptre. Hieroglyph,THE

WHEEL of
OF

honour, phallus,

FORTUNE, that is
a

to

say, the

wheel cosmogonical
on

Ezekiel,with

Hermanubis

and a Typhon right, descendingon the left, his lion's in equilibrium above, holding a sword between admirable claws an symbol, disfigured by Etteilla,who and by a mouse, replaced Typhon by a wolf, Hermanubis characteristic of Etteilla's the sphinx by an ape, an allegory the
"

ascending a sphinx

Kabbalah.

The

hand

in the act

of grasping and
a woman

holding.
crowned with
of

STRENGTH, Hieroglyph,
oo

the vital
a

closes,quietly and

without

the jaws effort,

raging

lion.

^ Example, instruction, publicteaching.

Symbol,
bound with The
apex

man

hanging by
back, so that
form of

one

foot, with

his
a

hands

behind

his

his

body
cross

makes above

downwards, and his legsa

in the
a

the

triangle triangle.
two

gallowsis

Hebrew

Tau, and the

368

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

uprights are
been

trees, from
We have

each

of

which

six

branches

have

lopped.

explained this symbol previously

of sacrifice and

the finished work.

ID

The heaven

of Jupiterand
and

Mars, domination

and

new force,

creation lirth,

destruction.

DEATH, reaping crowned Hieroglyph, where men are growing.

3

heads

in

meadow

The

heaven

of the Sun, climates, seasons,

is
ever new

motion, changes of

which life,

yet ever
an

the

same.

TEMPERANCE, Hieroglyph,

angelwith

the

signof

the

sun

and on the breast the square and triangle upon her forehead, of the septenary,pours from chalice into another the one
two
essences

which

compose

the elixir of life.

The

of Mercury, occult science, magic, moral eloquence, force. mystery,

heaven

commerce,

Hieroglyph,THE
Baphomet
This and is the of the

DEVIL, the
with

goat of

Temple,

all his

which was only hieroglyph interpreted by Etteilla. correctly

Mendes, or the attributes. pantheistic properlyunderstood

y The

of failings.
Two

heaven

the

Moon, alterations, subversions, changes,

struck

a Hieroglyph,

tower

by lightning, probably that

Nimrod and the his summit false of

of

Babel.
or

persons,

doubtless

prophet
the

minister, are
One of the

from precipitated personages in his

ruins.

fall

perfectly

represents the letter gna'in.

B

The

heaven

moral of the soul, outpouringsof thought, of the idea on forms, immortality. eternal

fluence in-

Hieroglyph,the burning star and have already described this symbol

youth.

We

370

THE

EITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

in the three worlds and gressive signification principle. So also the ace of deniers or of the soul of the world the
ace

in

the first

circle is the

; the ace

of swords

is militant

intelligence ;

of clubs is loving intelligence ; the ace creative intelligence of motion, ; they are also the principles and power. Each number, multiplied progress, fecundity, by a key, gives another number, which, explainedin turn and religious tion revelaby the keys,completesthe philosophical in each contained sign. Now, each of the fifty-six cards can be multiplied in turn by the twenty-two keys ; a thus results,giving all the most series of combinations conclusions of revelation and of light. It is a astonishing from machine, which keeps the mind truly philosophical going astray while leaving its initiative and liberty ; it is mathematics applied to the absolute, the alliance of the and the ideal,a lottery of thoughts as exact as positive numbers, perhaps the simplest and grandest conceptionof human genius.

of cups

is

The arrange
in

mode

of the Tarot is to readingthe hieroglyphs in a square them or bers triangle, equal numplacing them antagonism,and conciliating by the unequal.

of

Four

signsinvariably express the absolute in a given order, and are explained by a fifth. Hence the solution of all magical questions is the pentagram, and all antinomies the Tarot are unity. So arranged, by harmonious explained is a veritable oracle,and repliesto all possiblequestions with more the Android than of precisionand infallibility Albertus Magnus. An imprisoned person with no other
book few than years the

Tarot, if he

knew

how

to

use

it,could

in

acquire universal knowledge, and would be able with unequalled learning haustible and inexto speak on all subjects eloquence. In fact,this wheel is the true key to the Oratorical Art and the Grand Art of Kaymund Lully ;
secret

it is the true

of

the
most

transmutation

of shadows all the

arcana

into of

light ;
the

it is the first and

important of

great work.

of this universal key of symbolBy means ism, of India,Egypt and Judea are illuminated ; all allegories

THE

BOOK

OF

HERMES

371

the

Apocalypse of St John is a kabbalistic book the sense of is rigorously indicated of the Urim, which by the numbers Thummim, Theraphim, and Ephod, which are all resumed and completed by the Tarot ; the old sanctuaries have no of the of the objects and the significance longermysteries,
Hebrew does
not

cultus is for

the

first time

comprehensible.Who
and ported sup-

perceive in

the

golden table,crowned

the The

by cherubim, which covered the ark of the covenant, Tarot key ? same symbols as those of the twenty-first istic ark was of the whole kabbala hieroglyphical synthesis dogma ; it included the jod or blossoming staff of
or

Aaron, the he,

the two

cup,

the
"

gomor
an

tables of the

law

the containing symbol to analogous

manna,

that of

the sword

kept in the gomor, which four objects wonderfullythe letters of the interpret divine tetragram. Gaffarel has learnedly proved that the in the likeness of bulls, cherubim, or cherubs of the ark, were
of

justice
"

and

the

manna

but
were

what four
"

he

did
two

not at

know

was

that,instead of two, there

as

each

end,

the for

though

it has been The

misconstrued

expressly says the most part by commentators.

text
"

eighteenthand nineteenth verses should read thus twenty-fifth chapter of Exodus bulls or sphinxes of beaten two thou shalt make
each side of the oracle. and the And second thou that shalt make The

of
:
"

the And

gold on
the
one

lookingthis

way

way."

cherubs

372

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

or

sphinxeswere,
ark, and
the

in

fact, coupled by
heads
were

twos to

on

each four

side of
corners

the
of

their

turned

the

they covered with their wings mercy-seat, which of the rounded archwise, thus overshadowing the crown golden table, which they sustained upon their shoulders, facingone
another
at the

openings
p.

and

lookingat
The

the propitiatory

(see the figureon

had and the three Brian
"

parts

or

ark, moreover, stages, representingAtziluth,Jetzirah,

of the kabbalah
:

3*71).

the three worlds

were

the
two

base of levers

to which coffer,

fitted the four the

ringsof

temple,JAKIN and BOHAS ; which the coffer, the sphinxes appeared in on relief ; and the cover, overshadowed by the wings. The base the terminologyof to use representedthe kingdom of salt, the adepts of Hermes the realm of mercury or ; the coffer, azoth ; and the cover, the realm of sulphur or of fire. The but would other objects of the cultus were not less allegorical, treatise to describe and explainthem. requirea special Saint Martin, in his Natural Table of the Correspondences analogous to the body of
the
of pillars

between

God, Man, and the Universe, followed,as

of

we

have

said,the division commentary

from
the revealing

the

Tarot, givingan
he derived which

extended

upon

the

twenty-two keys, but

his

whence stating on hieroglyphics

mystical he carefully frained replan,and from

Postel

he commented. the Tarot

shewed

similar
of the

discretion, naming

diagram
rest

key

to his arcana,

and

only in a to it in the referring

of Enoch.

of his

book

under

the

title of

the Genesis the

The

of Enoch, author of personage book, is in effect identical with that

primeval

sacred

of Thoth

Cadmus Egyptians, among

manner

the Greeks.
a

and the Pho3nicians, among We have obtained in an extraordinary

the among Palamedes

sixteenth

century medal, which

is

key

of the

Tarot.

know whether to state that this medal, scarcely in shown and the place where it was us were deposited, dream by the divine Paracelsus ; in any case, the medal is in our possession. On one side it depicts the jugglerin a of the sixteenth century,holding his girdle German costume, We

THE

BOOK

OF

HERMES

373

with table

one

hand, and
front
ten

with

the

other
an

the open

pentagram.
book and
two
a

On

in
are

of

him, between
or

closed

purse,
three
two

deniers
a

talismans,arrangedin
of

lines of

each
n, and

and
those

square of the

four; the feet of the table form

inverted letters follows
:
"

jugglertwo
the
as

1.

The the

obverse

side

of

the
a

medal

contains

of

alphabet,

arrangedon

magical square,

It will
two

be

observed

the letters,
in four

arranged key. The

duad and

alphabethas only twentyand that it is V and N being duplicated, with a quaternary for base and quinaries,
are

that

this

four the

final letters

two

combinations

of

the

kabbalistically, they form the word AZOTH, by renderingto the shapes of the letters their in primitive value Hebrew, taking N for N, Z as it is in is pronounced O which 1 vau, Latin, V for the Hebrew
triad, and, read
between and
X two

vowels,
entire is

or

letters

having

the

value

of

vowels,

for the The

primitivetau,
Tarot

which

figure.
the

is thus
of

the same precisely ful explained in this wonderhad

we

medal, which

worthy

Paracelsus,and
The

hold

it at

disposalof
five
are

times

of mrp, and Kabbalah. The book

of

arranged by four summed by the word mZ", analogousto that all the mysteriesof the INEI, and containing
the curious. letters

of the Tarot,

being

of

such
not

high
ancient

portance, scientific imaltered.

it is desirable that it should We have examined the collection

be further

of

and have thus ImperialLibrary, of which have given a description. An the hieroglyphs, we of the publication important work still remains to be done in the
"

preserved collected all

Tarots

374

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

complete really undertake perhaps, of the Vestiges

we

and
the

well-executed task.
are

exemplar.

We

shall,
As and

Tarot

have

said,the Italian
it may
from

among is,perhaps,the be further

found

all nations.
most

faithful

best

but preserved, derived

perfected by precious
The
two

indications cups, for

the the

Spanish varieties.
Naibi is ibis handles,

of

example,
archaic unicorn

in

completelyEgyptian,
superposed on
of

showing two
a

vases

with

cow.

is

in represented

the middle

the four

of deniers ; the three of cups exhibits the figure of Isis issuing from a vase, while two ibises issue from two other vases, one with he the
a

crown

for the

seems

to be

which and one goddess, holdinga lotus, for her acceptance. The four aces bear offering sacred is

image

of

the hieratic and seal of Solomon

serpent,while

in

some

specimens the

placed at the centre of the four of deniers, instead of the symbolical unicorn. The German Tarots have suffered great alteration, and scarcely do more of the keys, which than preserve the number are crowded with grotesque or pantagruelian figures. We have Chinese Tarot before us, and the ImperialLibrarycontains a samples of others that are similar. M. Paul Boiteau, in his remarkable ably admirwork has given some on playing-cards, executed Chinese Tarot specimens. The preserves several primeval emblems and swords deniers are ; the but it would be less easy to discover plainlydistinguishable,
the cups It was and clubs.
at the

epoch of
must

the Gnostic been

and

Manichaean

heresies
at

that the Tarot time It

was

have

lost to the

Church,

which

also

the

meaning
no

of the divine

Apocalypse perished.

seals of this longer that the seven kabbalistic book the are seven representation pantacles, of which we give (see p. 376), and that these pantacles are explainedby the analogiesof the numbers, characters, and figures of the Tarot. Thus the universal tradition of the was a moment one broken, darkness or doubt spread religion the whole earth,and it seemed, in the eyes of ignorance, over the universal revelation, had briefly that true Catholicism,

understood

THE

BOOK

OF

HERMES

375
book be
an

disappeared. The
the characters

explanationof
Kabbalah

the will

of St John

by

of the

new entirely

revelation, though foreseen by several distinguished magi, one whom, M. Augustin Chaho, thus expresses himself : among
"

"

The

poem

evangelista developed by
and binds
in

Apocalypse presupposes in the young complete system and traditions individually

of the himself.
a

It is written

in the form

of

vision,
whole

brilliant framework

of

poetry the

erudition,the whole

thought of
touches

African

civilisation. An

inspiredbard, the
events ; he draws

series of ruling a upon of society from in bold outlines the history author
even

and cataclysm to cataclysm, which he reveals

are

further

still.

The

truths

brought from prophecies resoundingecho.

chants the He harmonies

far and

wide, desert,

of which

he is the

is the voice which of the

the voice which cries, and

prepares

the

paths

for the

light.

His he

speech peals

forth with

mastery and
of

for compels faith,

nations the savage is the First-Born civilisations found books

in of
to

oracles the

of

lao, and
Sun for

carries among unveils Him who admiration four ages

in

the of the is The

of is the

come.

The

theory
as

the Zoroaster

Apocalypse,
and
in

it

found

the Bible.

and of the primeval federations, peoples emancipated from the yoke of tyrants and among foretold for the end of the the bonds of error, are clearly exhibited fourth age, and the renovation of the cataclysm, of
at first from

struction gradual reconreign of God

afar,even

unto

the

consummation

of

time.

of the cataclysm and its duration ; the new description world and spreading in all its emerging from the waves, for a time beauty under heaven ; the great serpent,bound the dawn by an angel in the depths of the abyss ; finally, of that age to come, by the Word, who appeared prophesied His head and at the beginning of his poem to the apostle :

The

'

his hairs eyes

were

were

white
a

like

wool, as white
his furnace he had
; and

as

snow,

and

his fine

as

flame

of fire ; and in And

a

feet like unto

his voice
as

brass,as
sound

if

they

burned

the

of many

waters.

in his

righthand

seven

APOCALYPTIC
The Seven
Seals

KEY.

of St John.

376

378

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

tongues.
stood answered should

Then

Daniel asked him

came

near

unto

one

of

them And it

that
was

by, and
him

the

truth

of
were

all this. four

that the four beasts

the earth." over reign successively of images,strikingly to explain a variety analogous,

are

which powers M. Chaho ceeds pro-

which

found

in

almost

all sacred

books.

His

tions observa-

point are worthy of remark. In every primitivelogos, the parallel between physical correspondencesand moral relations is established on the
"

at this

same

roots.

Each
this

word

carries

its material
as

and

sensible
true
as

and definition, it is

livinglanguage is
in
man

and perfect

simple and by the express truth, and light,

and and
to
sun a

natural
same

the

creator.

Let the
sun,

seer

modified,the word, slightly

same or

day,
sun

applying the
him say, Lamb

epithetto

white

lamb, let
instead

instead of sun, Christ, and there is no of truth, light, civilisation,

seized and exbut there are true correspondences pressed allegory, by inspiration.But when the children of night say in their incoherent barbarous and dialect, day, light, sun, so expressedby truth,lamb, the wise correspondence clearly effaced and disappears, the primitive and, by logos becomes become the lamb and the sun allegorical simple translation, that the word allegory beings,symbols. Remark, in effect, in Celtic definition, lation. transitself signifies, change of discourse, have made The observation we appliesexactlyto all barbarous cosmogonical language. Seers made use of tion. and instructhe same radical to express nourishment inspired
Is not

the science
the

of

truth

the

nourishment

of the

soul ? the

Thus,

scroll of
; the

prophet

Ezekiel

by papyrus, or the book, eaten which the angel little volume

of the

gave as of the invited of

seven

food to the author

Apocalypse ;
which

the festivities

magical palace
by
;

of

Asgard, to
; the

Har small the

the Sublime
loaves

narrated

Gangler was miraculous multiplication by the Evangelistsof the

gave
a

Nazarene

Jesus-Sun living bread which and is my body,' to eat, saying, This disciples of the same similar occurrences, are a repetition
'

his of

host

: allegory

THE

BOOK

OF

HERMES

379

the life of souls who

are ever

multiplieswithout
increases in the
"

by truth but, on diminishing,

that it nourishes.
sentiment of

nourished

"

truth, which
the

contrary,

measure
a

Exalted

by
an

noble

dazzled by patriotism,
a

the idea of

immense

let revolution, and seek to

revealer

of hidden

thingscome
science among

forward

the popularise

discoveries of

destitute of the most gross and ignorantmen, simple elementary notions ; let him say, for example,that the earth has and revolves,
that it is

shaped like

the barbarian

who

hears him

egg ; what except to believe ?

an

resource

Is it not

of this nature becomes for him plain that every proposition a dogma from on high,an article of faith ? And is not the In veil of a wise allegory sufficient to make it a mythos ? the schools of seers the terrestrial globe was by represented the young an egg of pasteboardor painted wood, and when is this egg ? children were asked, What they answered,
'

'

'

It is the

earth/

Those

older

children, the

barbarians,
"

after the littlechildren of the seers : hearing this, repeated, The world is an egg.' But thereby the they understood material world, and the seers the geographical, ideal, physical, image world, created by mind and the logos. As a fact,the of Egypt represented mind, intelligence, Kneph, with priests that the egg his lips, to express clearly an egg placed upon of speech. here only a comparison, was an image, a mode of the Ezour-Vedam, Chournountou, the philosopher explains
'

after the

same

manner

to the

fanatic

Biache

what

must

be

understood We
must

by

the

not

golden egg of Brahma." wholly despairof a periodwhich

reasonable with Here of
one

still concerns
;
we

itselfwith have

these serious and

researches

cited these pages of M. Chaho and profound sympathy.

great mental
is
no

faction satis-

negative and desolatingcriticism but tendency towards faith and one

all the future with all the

longer the Dupuis and Volney, worship connecting

exoneration
of all

past ; it is

the

great men

and idolatry accused of superstition ; it is, falsely of intelligences of God the justification Himself, that sun finally, who is never veiled for just souls and pure hearts.

380

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

"

Great and

and

pre-eminentis the
we

seer, the

the elect of initiate,

once

nature

of supreme

reason,"cries the author

have
"

more,

in

His alone is that just cited. of his perfection, facultyof imitation which is the principle while its inspirations, swift as a lightning flash, direct creations and discoveries. His alone is a perfect Word of wealth, creatingharmony conformity,propriety, flexibility, of thought by physical reaction of thought,whereof the reflect perceptions,still independent of language,ever well judged nature exactlyreproduced in his impressions, and well expressed in its correspondences. His alone is light,science,truth, because imagination,confined to its the natural passive secondary part, never reason, governs logic which results from the comparison of ideas ; which into being, extend in the same come proportionas his needs, and because the circle of his knowledge enlarges thus by degreeswithout intermixture of false judgments and errors. His alone is a lightinfinitely because the rapid progressive, of population, after terrestrial renovations, multiplication in a few centuries a new in all the imaginsociety able composes moral and political correspondencesof its destiny; and we might add, his alone is absolute light. The man of our time is immutable in himself ; he changes no more
"

what concluding

than which

nature, in which
surround
of which

he alone

is rooted. determine
are

The the

social conditions

him

degree of

the bounds the law."

holiness virtue,

his fection, perof man, and

his

happinessin
After such

will any elucidations, Will

one

ask with

the the

of utility disdain
of

the occult sciences ?

they
these

treat

mysticism and proportionsof

illuminism ideas and

living mathematics,

these

permanent mutable in the universal reason, this emancipationof mind, this imbasis provided for faith, this omnipotence revealed
to

forms, this revelation

will ?

Children because
we

in

search

of

are illusions,

you

appointed disman

said to us, We

"

Raise
"

up

Once offer you marvels ? a the devil, and I will believe in ask too little ;
we

you."
the

answered,

You

will not

make

THE

BOOK

OF

HERMES

381

devil appear bub vanish from the whole world ; we will chase The devil is ignorance, ! him from your dreams darkness,
"

thought,deformity. Awake, sleeper of the middle See you not the light See you not that it is day ? ages ! all nature ? Where will the destroyed of God now filling dare to shew himself ? princeof perdition
chaotic It remains the end and
for
us

to

state

our

conclusions in the

and

to

define

of application

this work

and religious material strated demon-

and order,and in the order of positive philosophical the religious realisations. As regards order,we have

that

the

that indifferent, their moral

be practicesof religious worships cannot the magic of religions is in their rites, that is in the triadic and hierarchy, the that the

force

and base, principle,

hierarchy is unity. have demonstrated the universal We unity and orthodoxy with various allegorical of dogma, clothed successively veils, have followed the truth saved by Moses from and we fanation prothe of the in Egypt, preserved in kabbalah prophets, emancipated by the Christian school from the attractingall the poetic and slavery of the pharisees, of Greek and Roman civilisation, aspirations testing progenerous pharisaism more against a new corrupt than the
with first, thinkers truth
reason

synthesis of

the

great saints of the middle

We have

ages

and

the

bold
that

of the Eenaissance.

I say, exhibited,

always universal, always living,alone

and

conciliating
the truth of

faith, science

and

submission

by being,of harmony demonstrated by manifested by reason. By revealing for the first time to the world the mysteries of magic we have not sought to revive practices entombed beneath the but would ruins of ancient civilisations, say to humanity in and our day that it is also called to create itself immortal it Liberty does not offer itself, omnipotent by its works.
must

being demonstrated harmony, of reason

be

seized, says

modern
to

writer

it is the

same

with
never

science, for which

useful to the

reason

absolute divulge
at
an

truth the

is

vulgar.

But

epoch

when

sanctuary

382

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

has been

devastated been thrown

and
over

has

fallen into the

ruins,because
the that
turn

its
no

key
one,

has

I have

deemed him who

it my
can

hedges to duty to pick up

take it ; in his liberator of the will

of profit key, and he

will

offer it to

be

"doctor of the and

nations

and

world. be

Fables needed hold the

are leading-strings

needed, and
not

always

but it is by children, should leading-strings

to

necessary that those who also be children,lending a absolute let science,

fables.

Let

the the

most

possessionof the chiefs of let the priestly the art and the royal art take up once more double sceptre of antique initiations, and the world will reissue from Burn chaos. no more holy images,destroy no more temples ; temples and images are necessary for man ;
reason,

become

ready ear the highest the people;

but

drive

out
no

the

merchants

from

the

house

of prayer;

let the blind the

longerbe leaders of the blind ; reconstruct and holiness,and recognise hierarchy of intelligence
who is know
as

only those
Our

the

teachers

of those

who

believe.
are

book

and catholic,

if the

revelations

it contains
are

we likelyto alarm the conscience of the simple, by the thought that they will not read them.

consoled We write

for

unprejudiced men,
than inviolable
in

and

have

no

wish

any more free and and

fanaticism. the
must

If there be

world, it is
endeavour

persuasion we imaginations from

their
errors

irreligion anything essentially belief. By science lead to bewrayed

to natter

the

absurd, but

it would truth

be

investing
martyr
have
to

with
or

all the

dignityand
them.

of the

either threaten Faith

reason

constrain

is

and folly if it nothing but superstition and basis,

we

not
we

for its know

cannot

do not

except by analogy
we
are

suppose with what with

one a

that
we

which know.

To

define what

ignorance ;
to

to

lie.

So is

unacquainted affirm positively what faith an aspiration and

so

is does

presumptuous
not

know

is

desire.

desire it to be

; such

is the last word

So be it ; I of of all professions such

faith.

Faith, hope, and charityare

three

inseparable
Thus,
in

sisters that

they

can

be

taken

one

for another.

THE

BOOK

OF

HERMES

383

universal and hierarchic orthodoxy,restoration of religion, monies temples in all their spendour,re-establishment of all cerein their primitivepomp, hierarchic instruction of miracles,legends for children,light for symbols,mysteries, will beware of scandalising who little ones in men grown of their faith ; this in religion the symplicity is our whole and it is also the desire and need of humanity. utopia, is that of realism to philosophy, our own Coming now of the being of which and positivism. Being is by reason To All exists for us by science. doubts. know is no one and Science its object become identified in the to be. intellectual life of
a

him

who

knows. which
we

To
are

doubt

is to

be

ignorant. Now,
as

thing of
us.

yet exist for

of

Being developesand
and science, of is the sentiment

ignorantdoes not To live intellectually is to learn. The first conquest amplifies by science.
the first result of The the
exact
are

sciences,

reason.

laws of nature is the

algebraic.
of the is

Thus,
student outside

the
to

sole

reasonable

faith

adhesion

of which theorems, the entire essential justice

and knowledge, though its applications demonstrated to his mind. are Thus, sufficiently and does not admit believes in what is, philosopher that all is reasonable. But
no

his

results the true

"

iori posterin

more

charlatanism

no more more no empiricism, philosophy, system ! The study of beingand its compared realities ! A metaphysic of nature! in philoThen with mysticism! No dreams more sophy away ; philosophyis not a poesy, but the pure mathematics Leave of realities, the unto physical and moral. religion and let it leave in turn freedom of its infinite aspirations, to science the exact conclusions of absolute experimentalism.

Man

is the

son

of his works God he

; he is what

he wills to be ;

he is the

image

of the

makes

; he is the realisation

of his ideal.

Should

his ideal want

the whole basis,

not

edifice of but ideal, is for

us

his it

immortalitycollapses. Philosophy is
as a

the

serves measure

foundation of the

for the ideal.

; to

The

known
we

the the

unknown
are

by

the visible

appreciate
as

invisible ; sensations

thoughts even

thoughts

384

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

to

aspirations.Science
sides of
to

is

celestial

: one trigonometry

of is

the

the
our

absolute

submitted which in

is triangle the investigations; reflects nature

the

nature

which
our

second

is

soul,

embraces
our

and soul

; the third is the

absolute,

atheism enlarges. No more possible no henceforward, for we longer pretend to define God. God is for us the most and best of intelligent perfect beings, and the ascending hierarchy of beings sufficiently strates demonhis

which

existence.

Do

not

let

us

ask for more,

but, to-

understanding him better, let us grow perfectby No more ascending towards him. ideology ; being is being, and cannot save perfectionise accordingto the real laws of do not prejudge; exercise our being. Observe, and do not falsify them ; enlargethe domain of life in faculties, to him life ; behold truth in truth ! Everything is possible who wills only what is true ! Rest in nature, study,know,
be
ever

then
more

dare ; dare to hatred of

will,dare

to

act, and
reaps
to

be

silent ! he

No
sows.

is fatal, and consequence is for the supreme the wicked reason. his steps retrace a blind alleymust The him take Life
account
conies

anyone. of works

Everyone

what and

judge
who be

chastise intoWarn

He
or

enters

broken.

if gently,

he

can

still hear
are

you,

but human

must liberty
one

its is
a

course.

We

not
not

the

judges of

another.

battle-field. who

Do

of those

but fall,

in the fightingon pause avoid trampling them. Then

the

brothers

and the wounded become both sides, on victory, and before humanity, will meet in the by suffering
of the conquerors.

ambulances Such Hermes

are

the consequences has is the been from

of the

dogma philosophical
the ethic of

of

; such

all time

true

adepts;
those

such

philosophy of
; such
are

the Rosicrucian is the

as

inheritors doctrine of of the

of all the ancient associations

wisdoms that

secret

treated

subversive

of conspiring accused been public order, and have ever turbing againstthrones and altars. The true adept,far from dishas the public order,is its firmest supporter. He to desire anarchy ; child of too great a respect for liberty

386

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

cannot

be
are

explained by things impossible!

not

No,

invisible

beings
even

permitted living
scarce

to

deceive, torment,
of
combat in your

seduce, and

kill

the

creatures to

God,
their

men,
own

already
delusions

so

ignorant, and
Those
who

able

!
le

told

you

all this you,

childhood, Monsieur
you
were now

Comte,
once

have

deceived
to

and
man

if

child
to

enough
and

to

listen
Man

them, be
the demons
are

enough

disbelieve

them. and

is himself
are no

creator

of his
our own

heaven

hell,
Minds and

there

except
corrected

follies.

chastised dream
can no

by
more

truth
of

by

the

chastisement,
If Satan

disturbing the
most

world.
most

exist, he

be

only

the
most

unfortunate,
of

ignorant, most
The
an

humiliated, and
a

impotent
a

beings.

existence astral
us

of

universal

agent of life,of

of living fire,

light,

is demonstrated

by
the

facts.

Magnetism
of old
cures,

enables
; the

to

stand under-

to-day
admitted
But have

miracles

magic

facts

of second
now

sudden sight, aspirations, and familiar of the

as

thought-reading, are
even

things,
ancients the
grow
are

among
been

our

children.

the been

tradition

has

lost, discoveries
is
over

regarded phenomena,
We
are

new,

last word excited

sought
without
:

about

observed

minds

meaningless being
These

manifestations, fascinations
understood.
say,

experienced
to

therefore,
you laws
can

table- turners

prodigies
wonders follow
career a

not

novel;
the

perform
nature.

even

greater
what
? will
new

if you
new

study
to

of

And powers

acquaintance
the

with

these

A
man,

opened
of life

activityand
arms

of intelligence
more

the the
once

battle

reorganised with
to

and perfect,

possibilityrestored
more

the

flower of
all

of

intelligenceof
to

becoming priestsand

the

masters

destinies,by providing
come

true

great kings for the world

HERE

ENDS

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC.

SUPPLEMENT

TO

THE

RITUAL

THE

NTJCTEMERON
Greek first Vita

OF

APOLLONIUS

OF

TYANA

The Gilbert

text

was

published
et

after

an

ancient

manuscript, by
206
; and

Gautrinus, in De

Morte

Moysis, Lib. III.,p.

Moshemius 1721. in his

subsequently
Historico-Oitical

reproduced
the

by

Laurent

Sacred

and and

Observations. first time

Amsterdam,

Translated

interpreted for
NUCTEMERON illumined from work. This

by

"liphasLe"vi. day
of

signifies the by day.

It may also
of
to

the
to
a

night
the
"

or

the

night

It is

analogous
title of
THE

Light Issuing
Hermetic OCCULTISM. is
on OF

Darkness,"

which be

is the

well-known LIGHT

translated

monument

transcendent make it
not

Assyrian
to

magic

ciently suffiits
we

curious

superfluous merely
evoked

enlarge

importance.
have

We

have

Apollonius,

possibly

resuscitated

him.

THE

NUCTEMERON
The First Hour.
;

In and

unity, the demons fury.

chant

the

praises of God
Hour. the and

they lose their malice

The

Second chant

By the duad, the Zodiacal

serpents
interlace about the

fish

praises of God
the

; the

fiery

caduceus,
Third caduceus the

lightning

becomes

liarmon,ous.
The The opens Hour. entwine three times with
; Cerberus

serpents of the Hermetic

his

triple jaw, and

fire chants

praises of God

the

three

tongues

of the

lightning.
387

388

SUPPLEMENT

TO

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

The Fourth At
are

Hour. tombs
; the

the fourth

hour the

the

soul revisits the of the

magical lamps
time of
chantments en-

lightedat
and

four

corners

circle ; it is the

illusions. The

FifthHour.
celebrates the
God of the

The

voice

of the great waters

heavenly

The Sixth Hour. The

swarm

believes itself immovable spirit ; it beholds down and does not fear. upon it, The Seventh Hour.

the infernal monsters

which fire,
men.

imparts
The

life to all animated

will of pure

initiate stretches forth his

is directed by the beings, hand, and pains are

assuaged.
The The
stars utter

Eighth Hour.
another
; the

speech to
exhalation

one

soul of the of

suns

sponds corre-

with

the

between correspondence

of the flowers ; chains all natural things. The Ninth Hour.

harmony

create

The

number

which

must

not

be

divulged.

The The human

Tenth Hour.

key

of the astronomical

cycleand

of the

circular movement

of

life. The Eleventh Hour.

with wings of the geniimove they fly from sphere to sphere,and The world
to world.

mysterious and
bear the messages

deep

murmur

of God

from

The The works of the

TwelfthHour.
are

eternal light

fulfilled by fire.

EXPLANATION THESE the

symbolical hours, analogous to the signs of of labours and the to allegorical magical Zodiac
twelve of the works evil
of initiation.

Hercules, represent the schedule

It is necessary therefore (1) To overcome to the expressionof the wise according

and, passions, Hierophant,compel

THE

NUCTEMERON

389

the

demons

themselves

to

praise God.
know how know

balanced from the

forces

of nature, and
of

(2) To study the harmony results

also the

analogy

contraries ; to

great

of the universal magical agent and the twofold polarisation of all light. (3) To gain initiation into the triadic principle and all religious symbols. (4) To know how to theogonies all phantoms of imagination, and triumph over all overcome universal illusions. after what manner (5) To understand harmony is produced in the centre of the four elementary inaccessible to fear. forces. (6) To become (7) To practise the direction of the magnetic light. (8) To learn prevision of effects by the calculus of the balance of causes. (9) To the understand hierarchy of instruction,to respect the of the mysteriesof dogma, and to keep silence in presence profane. (10) To study astronomy exhaustively. (11) To initiated by analogy into the laws of universal life become and intelligence. (12) To fulfil the great works of nature by direction of the light. and attributions of the geniiwho Here follow the names presideover the twelve hours of the ISTuctemeron. By these neither angelsnor geniithe ancient hierophantsunderstood virtues. demons, but moral forces or personified

Genii

of the

First Hour.

mancer. PAPUS, physician. SINBUCK, judge. KASPHUIA, necroZAHUN, genius of scandal. HEIGLOT, genius of

snowstorms.

MIZKUN,

genius of

amulets.

HAVEN,

genius

of

dignity. Explanation.
Wj
must

become

the

physicianand judge of

ourselves

in

order

conjure vanquish the witchcrafts of the necromancer, the opinion and contemn the geniusof scandal, triumph over which freezes all enthusiasms, and confounds everything in cold pallor, like the genius of the snowstorms; the same the the enchain virtue of signs so to as know, finally,
to

390

SUPPLEMENT

TO

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

genius of
magus.

amulets

that

we

may

reach

the

dignity of

the

Genii

of the

Second

Hour.

SISERA, genius of desire. NITIBUS, genius of the stars.

TORVATUS, genius of discord. HIZARBIN, genius of the seas.

measure

SACHLUPH, genius of plants. BAGLIS, genius of balance. LABEZERIN, genius of success.

and

Explanation. genius of desire into power ; the hindrance to will is the geniusof who is bound discord, by the science of harmony. Harmony is the genius of the stars and of the seas ; we must study the virtue of plants, the laws of the balance of and understand
must to
measure

We

learn how

will and

thus

transform

the

in order

to attain

success.

Genii

of the

Third

Hour.

ments. HAHABI, genius of fear. PHLOGABITUS, genius of adornEIRNEUS, destroyinggenius of idols. MASCARUN,

genius of genius of

ZAROBI, genius of precipices. BUTATAR, calculations. CAHOR, genius of deception.

death.

Explanation.
you have growing force of your the sacred adornments but When

conquered

you will cast down bind the genius of death ; you will fathom all subjectthe infinite itself to the ratio of your and thus you will
ever

genius of fear by the that dogmas are will, you will know of truth unknown to the vulgar; all idols in your intelligence ; you will
the and precipices calculations ;
of the

escape

the

ambushes

genius

of deception.
Genii

of the

Fourth

Hour.

PHALGUS,
confusion.

judgment. EISTIBUS, genius of

genius

of

THAGRINUS,
divination.

genius

of

PHARZUPH,

THE

NUCTEMERON

391

genius
sport.

of

fornication.

SISLAU,
love.

genius

of

SCHIEKRON, genius of

bestial

ACLAHAYR,

poisons. genius of

Explanation.
The him power to avoid is in his judgment,which enables of the magus the confusion consequent on antinomy and the

the divination of the antagonism of principles ; he practises who are sages, but he despisesthe illusions of enchanters of artists in poisons,ministers the slaves of fornication, which 'bestiallove ; in this way he is victorious over fatality, is the genius of sport.

Genii

of the Fifth Hour.

TABLIBIK, genius of fascination.

of infirmities. ZEIRNA, genius

TACRITAU,

goetic magic. SUPHLATUS, of the dust. SAIR, genius of the stibium BARCUS, genius of the quintessence. CAMAYSAR, the marriage of contraries. genius
of

genius of
the sages. genius of

Explanation.
is no the magus human infirmities, Triumphing over tramples on the vain longer the sport of fascination ; he of of goeticmagic,the whole power and dangerous practices which is but
dust

driven

before

the wind

; but

the stibium powers harmo'

of

of the sages ; he
the

is armed he

with

he possesses all the creative

and quintessence; results from the

.y which of contraries.

produces at will the analogy and the marriage

Genii

of the Sixth Hour.

TABRIS, geniusof free will. SUSABO, genius of voyages. EIRNILUS, genius of fruits. NITIKA, genius of precious HATIPHAS, stones. HAATAN, geniuswho conceals treasures.

geniusof

attire.

ZAREN, avenging genius.

392

SUPPLEMENT

TO

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

Explanation. king of the earth, and he traverses it as one domain. passingthrough his own In his voyages he becomes acquainted with the juicesof with the virtues of precious and stones ; plantsand fruits, he compels the genius who conceals the treasures of nature to deliver him all his secrets ; he thus penetrates the mysteries of form ; understands the vestures of earth and speech ; and if he be misconstrued,if the nations are inhospitable towards him, if he pass doing good but receiving outrages,then is he ever followed by the avenginggenius.
magus

The

is free ; he

is the

occult

Genii

of the

Seventh

Hour.

SIALUL, genius of prosperity.SABRUS, sustaining genius. LIBRABIS, genius of hidden gold. MIZGITARI, genius of

eagles. CAUSUB, serpent-charming genius. SALILUS, genius who sets doors open. JAZER, genius who compels love.

Explanation.
The

septenary expresses
men

the

victoryof
; who

to gives prosperity

and

nations

the magus ; who sustains them by

his sublime

instructions

; who

broods

directs the currents the

of the astral
are

eagle ; who fire, represented by serpents;

like the

gates of
his moral that

all sanctuaries

souls who
in

yearn

open to him, and in him all for truth repose their trust ; he is beautiful take love. with

him

grandeur; and everywhere does he geniusby the power of which we obtain

Genii
vrvnfn

the Eighth of uj mwjiwiu

i"iw

Hour j.j.vu/7,

NANTUR, genius of writing. TOGLAS, genius of treasures. ZALBURIS, genius of therapeutics. ALPHUN, genius of doves. TUKIPHAT, genius of the schamir. ZIZUPH, genius of mysteries. CUNIALI, geniusof association.

394

SUPPLEMENT

TO

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

of

profane. RAZANIL, genius of the onyx. BUCAPHI, genius of stryges. MASTHO, genius of delusive
or

dogs

of

the

appearances.

Explanation.
Numbers end
zero,

denary is
geniiof

nine, and the distinctive sign of the itself without value, added to unity. The
with hour

the tenth

represent all which, being nothing in

from and opinion, We omit
can

receives great power itself, the hot

suffer

sequently conon

earth,and

omnipotence of the sage. be permitted to must we

tread

here

elucidations

to

the

is their master, or the profane as to the devil,who which who is their love,or the cupidity, destroyer of children, is their god, or the dogs,to which do not compare them, we who to the onyx, which or they possess not, or to the stryges, their courtesans, or to the false appearances which are they take for truth.

Genii

of the Eleventh
the

Hour.
of of

genius forests. ROSABIS, genius PHALDOR, genius of oracles. metals. ZOPHAS, genius ADJUCHAS, genius of rocks. pantacles. HALACHO, genius of sympathies.
uEGLUN,

genius

of

lightning. ZUPHLAS,

of

Explanation.
The

obeys lightning
instrument of

man

; it becomes

the

vehicle

of his

will,the
the oaks

his

power,

the

lightof

his torches ;

oracles : metals change utter forests talismans ; rocks move into gold,or become and transmute from their foundation,and, drawn by the lyre of the grand hierophant,touched by the mysterious schamir, transform into temples and palaces sented ; dogmas evolve ; symbols repreenchained efficacious ; minds become are by pantacles and obey the laws of family and by powerful sympathies,

of the

sacred

friendship.

THE

NUCTEMEEON

ACCORDING

TO

THE

HEBREWS

395

Genii

of the Twelfth Hour.

TARAB, genius of extortion. MISRAN, genius of persecution. LABUS, genius of inquisition. KALAB, genius of sacred vessels. HAHAB, genius of royal tables. MARNES,

genius of
favour

the discernment

of

spirits. SELLEN, genius of

the

of the

great.

Explanation.
Here how
now

is the

fate which be

the

magi
how
to

must

expect, and
after

their
of

sacrifice must

consummated know

; for

the

conquest
in

life, they must

to

immolate

selves themsuffer

order

be

reborn

immortal.

They

will

will be required of extortion; gold, pleasure,vengeance them, and if they fail to satisfy they will vulgar cupidities be the

of persecution and inquisition objects ; yet the sacred vessels are for royal tables, not profaned; they are made ment that is, for the feasts of the understanding. By the discernhow to protect themselves they will know of spirits vincible infrom the favour of the great, and they will remain in their liberty. in their strength and

THE

NUCTEMEEON

ACCORDING

TO

THE

HEBREWS

Extracted

from

the ancient

Talmud

termed

Mischna

ly
The
Nuctemeron

the Jews

from Greek Apollonius,borrowed theurgy,completed and explainedby the Assyrian hierarchy of genii, correspondsto the philosophy of numbers perfectly curious find it expounded in the most as we pages of the Talmud. Thus, the Pythagoreans go back further than which, Pythagoras; thus, Genesis is a magnificentallegory,

of

396

SUPPLEMENT

TO

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

under

the
of

form

of

narrative, conceals
of eternal Talmud
; He

the

secrets

not

only
read

the

creation

achieved

old,but of permanent and

universal
as

creation, the
follows ^ke
a

generation of beings.
"

"We
out

in the

God

hath

stretched world
as

the heaven
a

tabernacle

hath

spread the
man

like

table

invited Schlomoh

richlydight ; and a guest." Listen

"

He
now

hath
to

created the words

if He

of

the

King
of

The

divine
a

Chocmah,
unto

Wisdom,
her

the hath

Bride

God, hath
two

built

house hath she

herself,and

dressed hath

pillars. She
her hath her

immolated hath

victims, she
the

mingled
she builds

wine,

spread

table, and

despatched her servitors." This Wisdom, who house according to a regular and numerical
that
exact

is architecture, of God.

science and

which His

rules in the
square.

works
seven

It is His the
seven

compass

The

pillarsare
victims
a are

typical and
forces which
are

natural

primordial days. The going propagatedby underwine is the universal fishes. and of
was

of species

death. world

Mingled
with
are

fluid,the
The Chavah
taken

table is the of

the

waters

full of

servants

Chocmah The earth

mass

the

souls of Adam Adam world.

was

(Eve).
from

of which of of the

formed His head

the

entire

is

his body the Israel, the other

of

empire

nations

of the earth.

Babylon, and his limbs are (Here manifest the aspirations

towards
a

the initiates of Moses

universal in the

oriental

kingdom.)
man's

Now,

there

are

twelve

hours

day

of

creation.
First Hour.

God
kneads

combines them

the

scattered forms

fragments
one

of

earth ;

he

and together,

mass,

which

it is his

will to animate.

Explanation.
Man the is the of synthesis unity ; he is the created made world
; in him
recurs

creative

in the

image

and

likeness

of God.

THE

NUCTEMERON

ACCORDING

TO

THE

HEBREWS

397

Second God
two

Hour. the

designsthe

form

of

body

sections,so that the

all life result from

and

organs may two, and it is thus

separates it into be double, for all force

the

; he

Elohim

made

all

things. Explanation.

everythingis maintained Everything lives by movement, and harmony results from the analogy of by equilibrium,
contraries ; this of the law is the form of

forms, the

first manifestation

and fecundityof God. activity Third Hour.

The

limbs

themselves
which

is

manifest of obeying the law of life, and are completed by the generative organ, and two, figure of the triadic composed of one of
man,

number.

Explanation.
ment spontaneouslyfrom the duad ; the movewhich produces two also produces three ; three is the synthesis key of numbers, for it is the first numeral ; in the first complete and enclosed geometry it is the triangle, of triangles, whether like or of an infinity figure, generatrix

The

triad issues

unlike. Fourth Hour.

man

God soul.

breathes

upon

the face of

and

imparts to

him

Explanation.
The

tetrad,which

gives the geometrically

; now, it is in
;

cross

and

the

square, is the form that the revelation animated formation

of

perfectnumber soul intelligent

the
the

manifests child

of perfection according to this

not

Mischna, the
mother's womb

would

become

in

till after

the

complete

of all its members.

398

SUPPLEMENT

TO

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

Fifth Hour.
Man walks stands and
upon

his

feet,he is weaned

from

earth, he

goes where

he will.

Explanation.
The number
five

is that

of

the the

soul, typifiedby the

which quintessence elements

; in

results from

the Tarot

this number

equilibrium of the four is represented by the

or will, high-priest autocrat, type of the human spiritual that high-priestess who alone decides our eternal destinies.

Sixth The
name

Hour.

animals
to

pass

before

Adam,

and

he

gives a

suitable

each.

Explanation.
Man

by

toil subdues

the earth and of his

overcomes

the animals

by
or

the

manifestation

libertyhe

which speech in the environment primordialcreation is completed. God formed sixth day, but at the sixth hour of the day man work of

produces obeys him;

man

his word
herein
on

the

fulfils the
throning en-

God, and
himself

to
as

some

extent

recreates

himself, by
he

king

of nature, which

subjectsby

his

speech.
Seventh Hour.
God

gives Adam
own

companion broughtforth

out

of the

man's

substance.

Explanation.
When
on

God

had

created

man

in his

own

image, He

rested

day,for He had given unto Himself a fruitful work for Him bride who would is the unceasingly ; nature bride of God, and God rests on her. Man, becoming creator in his turn of the word, gives himself panion coma by means
like unto
;
woman

the seventh

himself,on
is the work

whose of
man

love he may
;

forth lean hence-

by lovingher,he

makes

THE

NUCTEMERON

ACCORDING

TO

THE

HEBREWS

399

her
true

and beautiful, human and

he

also

makes and

her

mother

; woman

is

nature,

daughter

mother

of man,

daughter grand-

grandmotherof

God.

Eighth Hour.
Adam and Eve
enter

the

they

lie

down, and

when

nuptialbed ; they are two they arise they are four.

when

Explanation. joined to the tetrad represents form balancing the eternal equipoise form, creation issuing from creation, of life ; seven of God's rest, the unity being the number who which toils and co-operateswith follows it signifies man,
The
nature

tetrad

in the work

of creation. Ninth Hour.

God

imposes his

law

on

man.

Explanation.
Nine of three absolute is the number times of

because, being composed initiation,

divine
reason

three,it represents the

number

idea

and

the

says revealed.

philosophyof numbers, that the mysteriesof the

for which

Apollonius
are

nine

not

to be

Tenth At the tenth hour Adam

Hour. falls into sin.

Explanation. According to
of which the
the

kabbalist

ten

is the number
;
or

of matter,
tree of

special sign
sin of he
Adam

is

zero

in

the

the

sephirothten represents Malchuth,

substance the
; the

exterior and

material

is therefore

materialism,and

plucks from the tree represents flesh isolated from zero spirit, separatedfrom unity,the schism of the number ten, giving on the one side a despoiled unity and on the other nothingnessand death.

fruit which

400

SUPPLEMENT

TO

THE

RITUAL

OF

TRANSCENDENT

MAGIC

Eleventh
At and
to

Hour.
is condemned
to

the

eleventh his

hour sin

the

sinner

labour,

expiate

by suffering.

Explanation.
In

the

Tarot, eleven
trials ; God he
must

represents
man

force, which
as a

is of may

acquired
salvation,
conquer

through
and hence

sends strive

pain
endure

means

and

that

he

intelligence

and

life.

Twelfth
Man and
woman

Hour.
their
sentence

undergo
liberator is

the

expiation

begins,

and

the

promised.

Explanation.
Such
for

is the

completion
to

of

moral

birth which
; like

man

is

fulfilled,
;

he

is dedicated of Adam is like

of
two

the
of

sacrifice

regenerates

the

exile the

that

(Edipus
but the while

CEdipus
of

he

becomes is the
the

father and of

enemies,

daughter Mary

(Edipus
from

pious
race

virginal Antigone,

issues

Adam.

FINIS.

402

INDEX

Bereschith, 96, 315 Bewitchment, 129 et seq., 307 et seq. Binah, 59, 67, 90, 95 Black Magic, 126, 209, 279, 288 et seq. Black Sabbath, 8, 14, 72, 113, 127, 209, 261, 291 et seq. Blazing Star, 36 Bodin, demonologist,131 Bohme, Jacob, 20 Briah, 50, 259, 372 Bull Hieroglyph, 57, 167, 355 ; see
also Cherub and

Elagabalus,152
Elder
of the

Kabbalah,

91 215

57, 59, 125, Elementary Spirits,

Elias,47, 273 Eliphas Levi, 65, 111 Embryonic, 73, 112 Emerald Table, 28, 43, 153, 265, 336 Enchiridion, 246, 303 Enoch, 5, 43, 77, 89, 139, 263, 372

Epaminondas, 7 Equilibrium, 74, 81, 138, 165, 200r

203, 236, 309, 397
and Anteros, 40, 257 Ether, 53 Etteilla, 96, 108, 110, 164, 357, 358 Eve, 17, 37, 51, 156 Evocations, 276, 297 Extreme Unction, 345 Ezekiel, 5, 6, 10, 22, 56, 96, 150, 167,. 240, 249, 257, 315, 353, 360 Fabre Eros

Sphinx
387

Cadmus,
Cain and

89, 372

Caduceus, 79, 110,

Abel, 41, 132, 257

Cainites,181 Cagliostro, Count, 89, 125, 145, 233,

248

Cardan, Jerome, 7, 98, 141, 142, 245,

248, 263

Cartomancy,315
Cato, 7 Cazotte, Jacques,89, 145, 214 Chateaubriand, 101 Cherub, 77, 257 ; see Sphinx and Chesed, 49, 50, 59, 90, 95, 290

d'Olivet,182 Faith, basis of, 153

165
as

; reason

and

faith,
;

Bull

of faith, 166 professions and desire,382 aspiration ;

faith

Chiromancy, 140 Chochmah, 59, 67, 90, 95,

396

Christ, 46, 81, 185 Clavicles of Solomon, 235 Convulsionaries,105 Cortices,47, 60 Cross,52, 56, 67, 183, 222, 227, 260

Fascination, 285 Faust, 21, 31 Fifty Gates, 96 First Cause, 46, 49, 52 First Matter, 264, 339 Fixed and Volatile, 58, 107, 337 Flamel, Nicholas, 106, 162, 194, 265.
266, 269

Cynocephalus,79
Dante, Death,
the 18
as

Fohi, 38,
Four

45

Ages, 59
Elements, 57

Four

change,
158
;

31 ;
;
no

always
death
terrors

ceded prefor

by sleep,69
sage,

its

the

daughters of ignorance, 176

is
no

; there

death, 270

Dionysius the Areopagite,7, 18

Descartes, 27 Devil, 92, 126, 148, 288, 297
Satan
and
; see

Gabriel, 76, 236 Gaffarel,96, 139, 316, 322, 356, 371 Galatinus, 20 Gaufridi, 123 Gebelin, Court de, 96, 108, 110, 211,
359

also

Geburah, 49, 50, 59, 90, 95, 96, 290,

357

Lucifer
82
et seq.,

Diaphane, 34, 64,

Divination, 87, 160 Divine Names, 92

223,

346

Gematria, 96, 211 Genesis of Enoch,

18 ;

see

Tarot.

Geomancy,

349

Dragon,

79 ;

see

Serpent

Dreams, 61, 63, 124 Duad, 38, 41, 42, 51, 291, 387, 397 Duchentau, 66, 152, 203, 235, 256

Gilles de Laval, 305 Girard, Father, 123, 127 Gnosis, 37, 39, 50, 227 God, the Azot of the

Duodenary, 263 Dupuis, 22, 167, 258, 379. Eagle Hieroglyph, 57, 167, 355 Edenic Mystery, 97

Sages, and libertyin God, necessity divine unity and triplicity, 41,
tetradic
name

16 ; 40 ; 45 ; of
'r

of

God,

51 ; secret

God,
God

55

and

essential idea of God, 58 faith, 155 : how God is.

INDEX

403

defined, 166;

the

works

of

God,

Jod
see

He

Vau

He, 37, 52, 77, 91, 356

167 ; God and miracles, 339 Grand Grimoire, 147

also

Julian the

Tetragram Apostate,7, 22, 30, 47, 101,

294

Grandier, Urban,
145

23, 85, 122, 127,

118, 183, 205, 266, 237,

249

Jupiter (the planet),79, 141, 236,

Arcanum,
;

Great

partly
the

divined
of
;
on

by
what

(Edipus, 16
the it

secret

ing direct-

Astral

Light, 53
of,
and

Kabbalah,
and

symbols through
the

containing

its

depends,ib. ;
occult
name

characteristics
161
;

of,

secrets, 5 ; reconciliation
faith
6 ; Dante

of reason

57 ;

of, 162 representation

astral
movement

the

symbolical the Great

;

167 ; first principles of, 200 ; revelation of, 266 ; royaltyof its possessor, 335 ; the Great canum Ar" and the " Manual of Paracelsus,

Arcanum,

336

; see

also 231

Great Great

Magic Agent, see Astral Light Work, see Magnum Opus

of 303

the Kabbalah, Kabbalah, 18 ; its admirable ments doctrine, 19 ; eleof, 20 ; literature of, ib. ; Enoch, father of the Kabbalah, 43 ; fundamental of, 49 ; key principle of, 50 ; sole dogma of, 52, 137 ; kabbalistic elements, 57, 58 ; the kabbalistic balistic pentagram, 65 ; kaband 74 ; kabbalistic equilibrium, and angelology,76 ; the Kabbalah the primeval book, 89 ; kabbalistic and science, groundwork of religion
90
;

Grimoire

Honorius, Gyges, Ring of, 284 Hermanubis,

'Hermes,5,
336

40, 289, 294, 339 14, 28, 30, 34, 42, 43, 53, 86, 87, 89, 106, 107, 152, 197, 263,
of

kabbalistic and

Sephiroth, 91
Kabbalah,
124
;

The

Tarot kabbalistic kabbalistic Kabbalah

156
; the

93-97;
;

pneumatology, symbolism, 139

and

the of the

Axiom, the sole doctrine ^Hermetic ^\magic,35 ; trinityand unity

the

law and

of

nature,

of, 37, 44 ; the sole dogma of univers"l 56 ; the HermetiQjtxibm religion, and divination, 8f"|~pToves the reality of evocations, 207 ; consequences of, 384 ; see also 53, 106,
204, 259
188

Kabbalah

the

key

occult science,169 ; Lucifer in Kabbalah, 177 ; magnetism and

the

Kabbalah,
209 211
; ;

201

kabbalistic and
the

goat, scapeapocalypse, of the

the the

Kabbalah, practical
sacred book

the Kabbalah
259
;

Hiram, Hod, 95 Homer,

Kabbalah,
268 81

266

the four beasts

of,

Holy Spirit, 42, 46,

15, 16 Hyle, 50, 229

Kether, 49, 59, 67, 90, 95 Khunrath, Henry, 98, 107, 247, 266,
269

Kircher,Father, Imagination, 35, 60, 124, 223, 349,

350

Immortality,56
Incommunicable

Axiom, 53 Initiation, 88, 251 Inri, 52, 54, 156 342 Insufflation,

Labarum, 261 Lamennais, Abbe, 27 Lavater, 237 Liberty,74, 87, 107

Lion

Worlds, Intelligible
Jacob Jakin and and the

44

Lingam, 58, 79 hieroglyph,57, 167, Logos, 43, 73, 80, 2] 2 ; see

355 Word

Loudun.

Jacques de

angel,40 Molay, 9
Bohas, 38, 75, 153, 167,

Devils of, 122 Love, 17 Lucifer, burning sceptre of, 17

name

259, 357, 372 Jesod, 95 Jettatura, 149

50, 259, 372 Jetzirah, Jod, 38, 40, 51, 94, 96

53,

of the Great Magical Agent, 71 ; the kabbalistic Lucifer,

177 ; the gnostic Lucifer, 179 ; signature of, 189 ; restitution of,
228

71 Lucifuge,

404

INDEX

Lully, Raymond, Lycanthropy,

120

10, 88, 98, 106, 194, 265, 266, 269, 336, 370

Minerva

Mundi, 107
339

Miracles, 192,

Macrocosm, 36, 40, 44, 67 Macroprosopus, 57 Magi, Three, 5, 227 3, 4 Magic, its earlyhistory,
the basis

Mirville, Comte de, 127, 131, 229, 302, 385 Monad, 40, 45, 46, 387 Moon, 76, 141, 236, 237, 249, 319
;

of,

5 ;

the

Church

science and
; 28 ;

Mopses, 295, 296 Moses, 10, 14, 18, 21, 27,

257

3,182,

magic, 7 ; power alone imparts

divine arid differs from

and
true

of,11 reality science,

80, 109, Mysteries,

123 et seq., 273

magic, 29 ; mysticism, 80 ; the sacerdotal and royalart, 87 ; operation of, 195 ; ceremonial magic, 205 ; see also Black Magic Magical Instruments, 205, 245 et seq. Magic Chain, 99, 260 et seq. Magic Rod, 69 Magic Squares,360-363
Magnes, interior, 134, 335 Magnesia, 97, 106

infernal

Necromancy, 112,
et seq.

113

Netsah, 90, 91, 98 Ob, 182 Od, 53, 182, 265 (Edipus,14, 16, 17, 385 Ophites,181
Orifiel, 76, 236, 352 Orpheus, 3, 4, 7, 14, 30, 88, 107 Osiris,30, 52

Magnetic Fluid, 53 Magnetism, 63, 64, 69, 70, 201, 232,

285, 344,
386

Magnum

Pacts, 302 Pandora, 17 alchemical chemical Pantacles,239, 256 symbols, 3 ; al23 ; elements, 57 ; definition Paracelsus, accused of insanity, submitted of the great work, 106 ; prophets to the religionof his of alchemy, 107 ; necessary instruin magic, ments, time, 47 ; an innovator and 108 ; alchemical 66 ; talismans sun of, 79 ; his philosophy of intuition, 154 ; alchemical name 82 ; the labours of the moon, Great Arcanum, 162 ; poverty the which overcame him, 88 ; his sex

Opus,

the

doctrine

lying under-

Opus, Magnum Opus a magical operation,268 ; mandragore of the alchemists, 312 ; Magnum
;

protection of
192
; secrets

the

of, 264

the

definition

of

the

stone, 335

gold, 337 Malchuth, 49, 50, 90, 91, 95, 399 Man Hieroglyph, 57, 335 Mandragore, 312
Manes, 3 Manichseanism,
Mars
291

of suspected, 98 ; his doctrine of phantoms, 122 ; his marvels discovery of healing, 133 ; his magnetism, ib.; last of the great trine 139 ; his docchemicalpractical alastrologers, of signatures, 140 ; his strife with nature, 203 ; his proscription of ceremonial magic, 250 ; his sympathetic

medicine,

311

; his

trine doc335

240, 263 Medicine, occult,339 et seq. Pentagram, 60, 65, 67, 108, 188, 202, Mendes, 32, 227 210, 224 et seq. 241 Pentateuch, 19 Mercavah, 96 Mercury, the element, 57, 265, 266, Peter of Apono, 284 335 ; the planet, 76, 78, 236, 237, Phallus, 37, 38, 94 249 Stone, 12 ; see Magnum Philosophical Mesmer, 13, 99 Opus Philtres,326 et seq. Metempsychosis, 283 Picus de Mirandola, 20, 301 Michael, 40, 76, 81, 236, 316, 353 20 Microcosm, 36, 67, 68, 202 Pistorius, Plato, 7, 14, 184, 288 Microprosopus,30, 57, 225

Mary

76, 141, 236, 237, 249 (planet), the Egyptian, 107

of the interior magnes, ; in dream his appearance to Eliphas Levi, 372 ; see also 35, 164, 235,

INDEX

405

Pleroma, 50 Plotinus, 263,

103, 215, Spiritism,

294

262

Pneumatology, 47, 124, 143 Porta, J. B., 147, 292 William, 6, 18, 20, 54, 77, 94, Postel, 353 139,
Potable Powder

Stauros, 52 St John, 27, 43, 49, 77, 150, 187,211, 227, 257 Stone of the Philosophers, 153, 155 ;
see

Magnum

Opus

gold, 157 of projection, 335

St Paul, 21, 83

32 Priapus,

Prometheus, 17, 249

Psyche,16, 17, 50, 183, 184 3, 14, 19, 32, 149, 150, Pythagoras,
249, 254, 257, 265, 395 Quadrature of the Circle, 33
264 Quintessence,

Stryges,4 Sublimation,335 180 Suffering, of Sulphur Alchemy, 57, 265, 266,

335

Sun, 76, 78,

249

150 Superstition, Supreme Being, 38

Swedenborg, 6, 7, 47, 61, 70, 89,

215

Raphael,

76, 236, 353

81

Redeemer, Regnum Dei, 28 83, 199, 251, 381 Religion,

82 Respiration,

Symbolism, 184 Synesius,7, 18, 263

Talisman, 78, 223, 234 et seq. 239 Talmud, 19, 20, 39, 395 Tarot, perhaps anterior to Enoch, 5 ; its first symbol, 30, 161 ; duadic emblem of, 43 ; its symbol of the
tion Regnum, 75 ; its connecthe Apocalypse, 77 ; the sidered primitivebook, 89 ; the Tarot con93-97 ; its kabbalistically, symbol of the Magnum Opus, 108 ; meaning of its seventeenth symbol, 144 ; the most perfectinstrument of divination, 164, 165 ; meaning of the eighth key, 249 ; the keystone

Resurrection, 170 of Souls, Book of,20, 48, 111 73, Romance of the Rose, 18 Rota, 54, 94, 356 ; see Tarot Rousseau, 5, 101
Revolution

Sanctum

with

Saint-Martin, 6, 30, 88, 209, 359,

372

Salt, in alchemy, 57, 265, 266, 335 Rosa, 8 Samael, 76, 236, 353 Sanctum Regnum, 28, 75 Satan, 40, 81, 92, 136, 170, 278, 313 Saturn (planet), 76, 78, 141, 236, 237,
Salvator
249

of

occult

science, 268

its the

baphometic symbol, 288 ; Italian variety, 314 ; correspondences with the lunar days, 319-323;
the
most

125, 145, 208, 248 Schrcepffer, Seal of Solomon, 44, 47, 67, 189, 197, 209, 211, 247, 374 Sepher Jetzirah,20, 152, 214
109 Sepher-Toldos-Jeschu,

nineteenth

astoundingof
as

the Tarot

emblem, 335 ; the 349 ; all oracles, of Hermes, the Book

;

Sephiroth,91, 96 Septenary,75, 77, 165, 234 et seq. Serpent,71, 127, 160, 181, 229 Sidereal Body, see Astral Body
Solomon, 10, 50, 139 Somnambulism, 61, 63, 112, 113, 223,
233

Sorcery,29, 83,
Soul Soul
of the of

144

Earth, 53 the World, see Great Magical

355-374; the eleventh symbol, 400 see also 17, 54, 139 Tau, 52, 108, 110, 226, 229 Templars, 22, 229, 296 Temurah, 97, 211 Terrestrial Paradise, 10, 259 Tetrad, 42, 51, 59, 77, 79, 397, 399 Tetragram, 17, 51, 52, 79, 209 Theraphim, 96, 356 Tiphereth,59, 90 Translucid, 32, 112, 223
Tree
of

Knowledge, 9,

42

Agent Sphinx, 3, 10, 14, 16, 32, 77, 150,

257, 355
see Spirit, Pneumatology

Trevisan, Bernard, 107 Triad, 38, 42, 44, 52, 77, 79, 397

Trimalcyon,102, 45, 46 Trinity,

347

406

INDEX

Triphonius,
Trithemius,
354

Visions, 76, 142, 206, 234, 352,

62,
22,

64,

113,
258,

153

Volney,
Voltaire,

167, 27,

379

19,

102,

155,

257,

259,

Tschoudy, Tycho
Brahe,

Baron, 66,

336

261

152,

235,

256

Vulgate,

49

Uncreated Universal

will, medicine,

49

Will,
12,
158

229,
6,

239, 19, 179,

50

260

Word, 102,

35,

45,
212,

51,
227

52,

62,

89,

176,

Valentine, Vampires,
Venus Verbum

Basil,
118

107,

153,

268,

338

Wronski,

(planet),

76,

78,
77

141,

236,

249

Zachariel, Zadkiel, Zohar, Zoroaster,

236

76,

353

Inenarrabile,
Abbe

Villars,

de, 141,

145 242

20,

48, 3,

141, 14,
41,

214, 258,

225,
291

242

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Mary,

Hart

Street,

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Square,

London.

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in the Nineteenth Satanism The Mask Century of Lucifer Ore Leonis The Witnesses Ex Discovery of M. Ricoux" Devil and the Doctor How Lucifer is Unmasked Dealings with Diana
" " " " "

of
Art
"

Masonry
Vendetta Unveiled

"

Sacerdotal

The

of
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Signor
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Margiolta
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"

Female Diabolism"

Freemasonry

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The

Passing of

Dr

Bataille

"

Diana

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Masonry

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Mysticism.

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