Collected Works (Vol. I)

204 THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY GHOST THE HOLY OF HOLIES THE PALACE OF THE WORLD. THE fragrant gateways of the dawn? Teem with the scent of flowers. The mother, Midnight, has withdrawn Her slumberous kissing hours : Day springs, with footsteps as a fawn, Into her rosy bowers. The pale and holy maiden horn? In highest heaven is set. 1 Describes the spiritual aspect of the ‘‘Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram,” which we append, with its explanation. The abstruse nature of many of these poems is well reflected in this one. (i.) Touching the forehead, say Ateh (Unto Kingdom). (iii.) Touching the right shoulder, say ve- Geburah (and the Power). (iv.) Touching the left shoulder, say ve- Gedulah (and the Glory). ({v.) Clasping the hands upon the breast, say le-Olahm, Amen (to the Ages, Amen). (vi.) Turning to the East, make a pentagram with the proper weapon. Say Mit’. (vii.) Turning to the South, the same, but say ‘37IN. (viii.) Turning to the West, the same, but say MTN. | (ix.}, Turning to the North, the same, but say NON. (x.) Extending the arms in the form of a cross, say— (xi.) Before me Raphael, (xii.) Behind me Gabriel, (xiii.) On my right hand Michael, xiv.) On my left hand Auriel, on for about me flames the Pentagram, (xvi.) and in the Column stands the six-rayed Star. (xvii.-xxi.) Repeat (i.) to (v.), the ‘‘ Qabalistic Cross.” Those who regard this ritual as a mere device to invoke or banish spirits, are unworthy to possess it. Properly understood, it is the Medicine of Metals and the Stone of the Wise. fAuthor’s Note.] 2 This ritual was given to Neophytes of the Order of the Golden Dawn. 3 The moon, as before, signifies Aspiration to the Highest. My forehead, bathed in her forlorn Light, with her lips is met ; My lips, that murmur in the morn, With lustrous dew are wet. My prayer is mighty with my will ; My purpose as a sword ! Flames through the adamant, to fill The gardens of the Lord With music, that the air be still, Dumb to its mighty chord. I stand above the tides of time And elemental strife ; My figure stands above, sublime, Shadowing the Key of Life,” And the passion of my mighty rhyme Divides me as a knife. For secret symbols on my brow, And secret thoughts within, Compel eternity to Now, Draw the Infinite within. Light is extended.? I and Thou Are as they had not been. So on my head the light is one, Unity manifest ; A star more splendid than the sun Burns for my crownéd crest; Burns, as the murmuring orison Of waters in the west. What angel from the silver gate Flames to my fierier face? What angel, as I contemplate The unsubstantial space? Move with my lips the laws of Fate That bind earth’s carapace? 1 For the '' Flaming Sword” is the ‘‘ Penta- gram unwound.” 2 The arms being extended, and the magus being clad in a Tau-shaped robe and a nemmes, the sacred Egyptian headdress, his figure would cast a shadow resembling the Ankh, or ‘' Key of Life.” 3 Khabs am Pekht. Konxom Pax. Light in Extension. The mystic words which seal the current of light in the sphere of the aspirant. 4 Cf. Omar Khayyam the Sufi,