The Vision and the Voice

THE EQUINOX Then the Devil of the Aethyr, that mighty devil Choronzon, crieth aloud, Zazas, Zazas, Nasatanada Zazas. Iam the Master of Form, and from me all forms proceed. IamI. I have shut myself up from the spendthrifts, my gold is safe in my treasure-chamber, and I have made every living thing my concubine, and none shall touch them, save only I. And yet I am scorched, even while I shiver in the wind. He hateth me and tormenteth me. He would have stolen me from myself, but I shut myself up and mock at him, even while he plagueth me. From me come leprosy and pox and plague and cancer and cholera and the falling sickness. Ah! Iwill reach up to the knees of the Most High, and tear his phallus with my teeth, and I will bray his testicles in a mortar, and make poison thereof, to slay the sons of men. (Here the Spirit simulated the voice of Frater P., which also appeared to come from his station and not from the triangle.) I don’t think Ican get any more; I think that’s all there is. (The Frater was seated in a secret place covered completely by ablack robe, in the position called the “ Thunderbolt.” He did not move or speak during the ceremony). Next the Scribe was hallucinated, believing that before him was a beautiful courtesan whom previously he had loved in Paris. Now, she wooed him with soft words and glances, but he knew these things for delusions of the devil, and he would not leave the circle. The demon then laughed wildly and loud. (Upon the Scribe threatening him, the Demon proceeded, after a short delay.) They have called me the God of laughter, and I laugh when I will slay. And they have thought that I could not 94