Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 2)

They describe this in a bewildering multiplicity of unintelligible symbols. We hâve no reason to suppose that they were ail talking of the same thing, or otherwise. The same remarks apply to every reagent and every process, no less than to the final product or products. Yet beneath this diversity, we may perceive an obscure identity. They ail begin with a substance in nature which is described as existing almost everywhere, and as universally esteemed of no value. The alchemist is in ail cases to take this substance, and subject it to a sériés of operations. By so doing, he obtains his product, This product, however named or described, is always a substance which represents the truth or perfection of the original “First Matter”; and its qualities are invariably such as pertain to a living being, not to an inanimate mass. In a Word, the alchemist is to take a dead thing, impure, valueless, and powerless, and transform it into a live thing, active, invaluable and thaumaturgie. The reader of this book will surely find in this a most striking analogy with what we hâve already said of the processes of Magick. What, by our définition, is initiation ? The First Matter is a man, that is to say, a perishable parasite, bred of the earth’s crust, crawl- ing irritably upon it for a span, and at last returning to the dirt whence he sprang. The process of initiation consists in removing his impurities, and finding in his true self an immortal intelligence to whom matter is no more than the means of manifestation. The initiate is eternally individual; he is ineffable, incorruptible, im¬ mune from everything. He possesses infinité wisdom and infinité power in himself. This équation is identical with that of a talisman. The Magician takes an idea, purifies it, intensifies it by invoking into it the inspiration of his soûl. It is no longer a scrawl scratched on a sheep-skin, but a wTord of Truth, imperish- able, mighty to prevail throughout the sphere of its purport. The évocation of a spirit is precisely similar in essence. The exorcist takes dead material substances of a nature sympathetic to the being whom he intends to invoke. He banishes ail impurities there- fiom, prevents ail interférence therewith, and proceeds to give life to the subtle substance thus prepared by instilling his soûl. - 185 -