Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 2)

The are also planes corresponding to various religions past and présent, ail of which hâve their peculiar unity. ïi is of the utmost importance to tlie “Clairvoyant” or Hraveller in the fine body to be able to find bis way to any desired plane, and operate therein as itts rnler. The Neopliyte of A.*. A.’, is examined most strictly in tliis practice before he is passed to the degree of Zelaîor. In “Rising on the Planes” one must usuallv pass clear through the Astral to the Spiritual. Sonie will be unable to do this. The “fine body” which is good enough to subsist on lower planes, a shadow among shadows, will fail to penetrate the higher strata. It requires a great development of this body,and an intense infusion of the highest spiritual constituents of man, before he can pierce the veils. The constant practice of Magick is the best préparation possible. Even though the human consciousness fail to reach the goal, the consciousness of the fine body itself may do so, wherefore whoso travels in that body on a subséquent occasion may be found worthyj and its success will react favourably on the human consciousness, and increase its likelihood of success in its next magical operation. Similarly, the powers gained in this way will strengthen the magician in his meditation-practices. His Will becomes better able to assist the concentration, to destroy the mental images which disturb it, and to reject the lesser rewards of that practice which tempt, and too often stop the progress of, the mystic. Although it is said that the spiritual lies “beyond the astral”, this is theoreticalj 1 the advanced Magician will not find it to be so in practice. He will be able by suitable invocation to travel directly to any place desired. In Liber 418 an example of perfection is given. The Adept who explored these Aethyrs did not hâve to pass through and beyond the Universe, the whole of which yet lies within even the inmost (30th) Aethyr. He was able to summon the Aethyrs he wanted, and His chief difficulty was that sometimes I. The Hon. Bertrand Russell’s Princifia Mathemcitica may be said to “lie beyond” Colenso’s School Arithmetic; but one can take the former book from one’s shelves — as every one should — and read it without first going ail through the latter again.