Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 1)

CHAPTER IV. The Formula of Alhim, and that of Alim. A LH IM (Elohim) is the exoteric word for Gods.1 It is the masculine plural of a féminine noun, but its nature is principally féminine.2 It is a perfect hieroglyph of the number 5. This should be studied in “A Note on Genesis” (Equinox LU). The Eléments are ail represented, as in Tetragrammaton, but there is no development from one into the others. They are, as it were, thrown together — untamed, only sympathising by virtue of their wild and stormy but elastically resistless energy. The Central letter is Hé — the letter of breath — and represents Spirit. The first letter Àleph is the natural letter of Air, and the Final Mem is the natural letter of Water. Together, Aleph and Mem make Am — the mother within whose womb the Cosmos is conceived. But Yod is not the natural letter of Fire. Its juxta¬ position with Hé sanctifies that fire to the Yod of Tetragrammaton. Similarly we find Lamed for Earth, where we should expect Tau — in order to emphasize the influence of Venus, who rules Libra. ALHIMy therefore, represents rather the formula of Consécra¬ tion than that of a complété ceremony. It is the breath of bénédiction, yet so potent that it can give life to clay and light to darkness. In consecrating a weapon, Aleph is the whirling force of the thunderbolt, the lightning which flameth out of the East even 1. “Gods” are the Forces of Nature; their “Names” are the Laws of Nature. Thus They are eternal, omnipotent, omniprésent and so on; and thus their “Wills” are immutable and absolute. • 2. It represents Sakti, or Teh; femininity always means form, mani¬ festation. The masculine Siva, or Tao, is always a concealed force. 24