Chapter 1 A Verse 52
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one’s own. Where this is the case, it does not matter so much 
whether the mental expression is syndromic; it is, indeed, better 
when two entirely different worlds of thought and experience 
have led to sister conclusions. But it is essential that the habit of 
mind should be sympathetic, that the machinery should be con­
structed on similar principles. The psychology of the one should 
be intelligible to the other.
Social position and physical appearance and habits are of far 
less importance, especially in a society which has accepted the 
Law of Thelema. Tolerance itself produces suavity, and suavity 
soon relieves the strain on tolerance. In any case, most people, 
especially women, adapt themselves adroitly enough to their envi­
ronment. I say “Especially women,” for women are nearly always 
conscious of an important part of their true Will; the bearing of 
children. To them nothing else is serious in comparison, and they 
dismiss questions which do not bear on this as trifles, adopting 
the habits required of them in the interest of the domestic 
harmony which they recognize as a condition favourable to 
reproduction.
I have outlined ideal conditions. Rarely indeed can we realize 
even a third of our possibilities. Our Magical engine is mighty 
indeed when its efficiency reaches 50% of its theoretical horse­
power. But the enormous majority of mankind have no idea what­
ever of taking Love as a sacred and serious thing, of using the eye 
of the microscopist, or the heart and brain of the artist. Their 
ignorance and their shame have made Love a carcass of pesti­
lence; and Love has avenged the outrage by crushing their lives 
when they pull down the temple upon them.
The chance of finding a suitable object of Love has been 
reduced well nigh to zero by substituting for the actual condi­
tions, as stated in the above paragraphs, a totally artificial and 
irrelevant series; the restrictions on the act itself, marriage, opin­
ion, the conspiracy of silence, criminal laws, financial fetters, 
selections limited by questions of race, nationality, caste, religion, 
social and political cliquishness, even family exclusiveness. Out of 
the millions of humanity the average person is lucky if he can take 
his pick of a couple of score of partners.