Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 1)

is part of the whole set of circumstances that I do not use a crowbar on an open door. “The conclusion is that one should do one’s Will ‘without lust of resuit’. If one is working in accordance with the laws of one’s own nature, one is doing ‘right’; and no such Wo^k can be criticised as ‘useless’, even in cases of the character here discussed. So long as one’s Will prevails, there is no cause for complaint. “To abandon one’s Magick would shew lack of self-confidence in one’s powers, and doubt as to one’s inmost faith in Self and in Nature.1 Of course one changes one’s methods as expérience indicates; but there is no need to change them on any such ground as the above. “Further, the argument here set forth disposes of the need to explain the modus operandi of Magick. A successful operation does not involve any theory soever, not even that of the existence of causality itself. The whole set of phenomena may be con- ceived as single. “For instance, if I see a star (as it was years ago) I need not assume causal relations as existing between it, the earth, and myself. The connexion existsj I can predicate nothing beyond that. I cannot postulate purpose, or even détermine the manner in which the event cornes to be. Similarly, when I do Magick, it is in vain to inquire why I so act, or why the desired resuit does or does not follow. Nor can I know how the previous and subséquent conditions are connected. At most I can describe the consciousness which I interpret as a picture of the facts, and make empirical generalizations of the superficial aspects of the case. “Thus, I hâve my own personal impressions of the act of telephoning; but I cannot be aware of what consciousness, electri- city, mechanics, sound, etc., actually are in themselves. And although I can appeal to expérience to lay down ‘laws’ as to what I. i. e. on the ground that one cannot understand how Magick can produce the desired effects. For if one possesses the inclination to do Magick, it is evidence of a tendency in one’s Nature. Nobody under- ftands fully how the mind moves the muscles; but we know that lack of confidence on this point means paralysis. “If the Sun and Moon should doubt, They’d immediately go out”, as Blake said. Also, as I said myself. “Who hath the How is careless of the Why ”. 76