Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 1)

cannot exhaust the combinations of Lover’s Chess, but we may enumerate the principal gambits: the Bouquet, the Chocolatés, the Little Dinner, the Cheque-Book, the Poem, the Motor by Moonlight, the Marriage Certificate, the Whip, and the Feigned Flight. The Magical Link may be classified under three main heads; as it involves (i) one plane and one person, (2) one plane and two or more persons, (3) two planes. In class (1) the machinery of Magick — the instrument — already exists. Thus, I may wish to heal my own body, increase my own energy; develop my own mental powers, or inspire my own imagination. Here the Exorcist and the Démon are already connected, consciously or subconsciously, by an excellent System of symbols. The Will is furnished by Nature with an apparatus adequately equipped to convey and execute its orders. It is only necessary to inflame the Will to the proper pitch and to issue its commands; they are instantly obeyed, unless — as in the case of organic disease — the apparatus is damaged beyond the art of Nature to repair. It may be necessary in such a case to assist the internai “spirits” by the “purification” of medicines, the “banishing” of diet, or some other extraneous means. But at least there is no need of any spécial device ad hoc to effect contact between the Circle and the Triangle. Operations of this class are therefore often successful, even when the Magician has little or no technical knowledge of Magick. Almost any duffer can “pull hinself together”, devote himself to study, break off a bad habit, or conquer a cowardice. This class of work, although the easiest, is yet the most important ; for it includes initiation itself in its highest sense. It extends to the Absolute in every dimension; it involves the most intimate analysis, and the most comprehensive synthesis. In a sense, it is the sole type of Magick either necessary or proper to the Adept; for it includes both the attainment of the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel, and the Adventure of the Abyss. The second class includes ail operations by which the Magician strives to impose his Will upon objects outside his own control, but within that of such other wills as are symbolised by means of