204
THE SWORD OF SONG
told, that by AkaSa is meant the Chitakaga,
The Chitakasa is situated in the ‘' Third Eye,”
2.é., in the brain. By assuming higher dimen-
sions of space, we can assimilate this fact to
Realism; but we have no need to take so
much trouble.
This being true for the ordinary Universe,
that all sense-impressions are dependent on
changes in the brain,* we must include
illusions, which are after all sense-impressions
as much as ‘‘realities’’ are, in the class of
“‘ phenomena dependent on brain-changes.”
Magical phenomena, however, come under
a special sub-class, since they are willed, and
their cause is the series of ‘‘ real” phenomena
called the operations of ceremonial Magic.
These consist of
(z) Sight.
The circle, square, triangle,
vessels, lamps, robes, imple-
ments, etc.
(2) Sound.
The invocations.
(3) Smell.
The perfumes,
(4) Taste.
The Sacraments.
(5) Touch.
As under (1).
(6) Mind.
The combination of all these and
reflection on their signifi-
cance.
These unusual impressions (1-5) produce
unusual brain-changes; hence their summary
(6) is of unusual kind. Its projection back into
the apparently phenomenal world is therefore
unusual.
Herein then consists the reality of the opera-
tions and effects of ceremonial magic,t and |
conceive that the apology is ample, so far as
the ‘‘effects” refer only to those phenomena
which appear to the magician himself, the ap-
pearance of the spirit, his conversation, possible
shocks from imprudence, and so on, even to
ecstasy on the one hand, and death or madness
on the other.
But can any of the effects described in this
our book Goetia be obtained, and if so, can
you give a rational explanation of the circum-
stances? Say you so?
I can, and will.
The spirits of the Goetia are portions of the
human brain.
' Their seals therefore represent (Mr. Spencer's
* Thought
is a secretion of the brain (Weiss-
mann). Consciousness is a function of the brain
(Huxley).—A. C.
t Apart from its value in obtaining one-pointedness.
On this subject consult FWRI, infra.—A. C.
projected cube) methods of stimulating or
ey those particular spots (through the
eye).
The names of God are vibrations calculated
to establish :
(z) General control of the brain. (Establish-
ment of functions relative to the subtle
world.)
(4) Control over the brain in detail. (Rank
or type of the Spirit.)
(c) Control of one special portion. (Name
of the Spirit.)
The perfumes aid this through smell,
Usually the perfume will only tend to control
a large area; but there is an attribution of
perfumes to letters of the alphabet enabling
one, by a Qabalistic formula, to spell out the
Spirit's name.
I need not enter into more particular dis-
cussion of these points; the intelligent reader
can easily fill in what is lacking.
If, then, I say, with Solomon :
‘‘The Spirit Cimieries teaches logic,” what
I mean is: .
‘“ Those portions of my brain which subserve
the logical faculty may be stimulated and
developed by following out the processes called
‘The Invocation of Cimieries.’”’
And this is a purely materialistic rational
statement; it is independent of any objective
hierarchy at all. Philosophy has nothing to
say; and Science can only suspend judgment,
pending a proper and methodical investigation
of the facts alleged.
Unfortunately, we cannot stop _ there.
Solomon promises us that we can (1) obtain in-
formation; (2) destroy our enemies; (3) under-
stand the voices of nature; (4) obtain treasure;
(5) heal diseases, etc. I have taken these five
powers at random; considerations of space
forbid me to explain all.
(x1) Brings up facts from sub-consciousness.
(2) Here we come to an interesting fact. It
is curious to note the contrast between the
noble means and the apparently vile ends of
magical rituals. The latter are disguises for
sublime truths. ‘‘To destroy our enemies”
is to realise the illusion of duality, to excite
compassion,
(Ah! Mr, Waite,* the world of Magic is a
mirror, wherein who sees muck is muck.)
(3) A careful naturalist will understand much
from the voices of the animals he has studied
long. Even a child knows the difference of a
cat’s miauling and purring. The faculty may
be greatly developed.
4) Business capacity may be stimulated.
5) Abnormal states of the body may be
* A poet of great ability. He edited a book called
‘Of Black Magic and of Pacts,” in which he vilifies
the same.