John St. John

10.0. ro.50. 40 THE EQUINOX R———d, my distaste for food was so intense that the smell of it caused real nausea. To-day, I am perfectly balanced, neither hungry nor nauseated. This is indeed more important than it seems ; it is a sure sign when one sees a person take up fads that he is under the black rule of Apophis. In the Kingdom of Osiris there is freedom and light. To-day I shall eat neither with the frank gluttony of Isis nor with the severe asceticism of Apophis. I shall eat as much and as little as I fancy; these violent means are no longer necessary. Like Count Fosco, I shall “go on my way sustained by my sublime confidence, self-balanced by my impenetrable calm." I have spent half an hour wandering in the Musée du Luxembourg. I now sit down to meditate on this new ritual. The following, so it appears, should be the outlines— damn it, I’ve a good mind to write it straight off—no! I’ll be patient and tease the Spirit a little. I will be coquettish as a Spanish catamite. I. Death summons Life and clears away all other forces. 2. The Invocation of the Word. Death consecrates Life, who in her whirling dance invokes that Word. 3. They salute the Word. The Signs and M M must be a Chorus, if anything. 4. The Miraculous appearance of Iacchus, un- invoked.