THE EQUINOX
together with the top and underside, consist of ten squares, thus symbolising the Ten
Sephiroth.” . . . “The altar of Incense was overlaid with gold, to represent essential
purity, but the altar before you is black to typify the terrestrial earth. Learn then to
separate the pure from the impure, the refined and spiritual gold of the Alchymist from
the Black Dragon of Putrefaction in Evil.” . . . ‘I now congratulate you on having
attained to the 1°= 10° grade of Zelator, and in recognition thereof I confer on you
the mystic title of PERECLINOS DE FAUSTIS, which signifies that you are still
far from the goal which has been reached by the complete Initiates.”
Shortly after this the Closing takes place, and the prayer of the spirits of the Earth
is rehearsed, and the licence to depart pronounced, and in the name of ADONAI HA
ARETZ, the Hierophant declares the Temple closed.
By the end of January 1899, P. was sufficiently advanced
to be admitted to the grade of Theoricus.
It was about this time also that he met Mr. D., a certain
brother of the G.*.D.-*. known as Fra. I. A. This meeting,
as we Shall eventually see, ranks only second in importance to
his meeting with Fra. V. N.
RITUAL OF THE 2° = 9° GRADE OF THEORICUS
This grade is particularly attributed to the element of Air; it refers to the Moon,
and is attached to the Thirty-second Path of Tau, which alludes to the Universe as
composed of the four elements, to the Kerubim, the Qliphoth, the Astral Plane, and the
reflection of the Sphere of Saturn. After this has been explained, the Advancement of
the Zelator takes place, after which the Ritual of the Thirty-second Path is celebrated.
Hierophant, to Zelator: ‘Facing you are the Portals of the thirty-second, thirty-
first, and twenty-ninth Paths leading from the grade of Zelator to the three other grades
which are beyond. The only path now open to you, however, is the thirty-second,
which leads to the 2°=9° grade of Theoricus, and which you must traverse before
arriving at that degree. Take in your right hand the Cubical Cross, and in your left
hand the Banner of Light, and follow your guide Anubis* the Guardian: who leads
you from the Material to the Spiritual.”
Kerux: “Anubis the Guardian spake unto the Aspirant, saying: ‘Let us enter
into the Presence of the Lords of Truth.’ Arise and follow me.”
* It will be noticed that from here this ritual becomes unnecessarily complicated
with Egyptian deities—in fact, its mysteries become rather “forced.” Still more so
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