The Equinox (Volume I, Number II)

THE EQUINOX Light of Occult Science leading the way. This light of the Kerux is to show that the Higher Soul is not the only Divine Light, but rather a spark from the Infinite Flame. After the Kerux comes the Hegemon, the translator of the Higher Self, leading the Candidate, then the Stolistes and Dadouchos. Once they pass round the temple in solemn procession: it is the foundation in Darkness of the Binah angle of the whole Triangle of the Ineffable Light. The Hierophant knocks once as they pass him, and the Hiereus does likewise, as the affirmations of Mercy and Vengeance respectively. A second time they pass the Hierophant affirming the commencement of the formulation of the angle of Chokmah. The Kerux then bars the Candidate’s passage to the West, saying : «Child of Earth! unpurified and unconsecrated! Thou canst not enter the Path of the West !” Thus indicating that the natural man cannot even obtain the understanding of the Son of Osiris, except by purification and equilibrium. The Candidate is then purified with water and consecrated by fire; after which he is allowed to approach the Place of the Twilight of the Gods. And now only is the hood- wink slipped up for a moment to obtain a glimpse of the Beyond, The Hiereus then challenges as follows : “Thou canst not pass by me, saith the Guardian of the West, unless thou canst tell me my Name.” In this challenge is signified the knowledge of the Formula; and that without the Formula of Horus being formulated in the Candidate, that of Osiris cannot be grasped. To the Candidate this appears as the anger of God ; for he cannot as yet comprehend that before Mildness can be exercised rightly the Forces both of Severity and Mercy must be known and wielded. Therefore the Hegemon answers for him: “ Darkness is thy Name! Thou art the Great One of the Path of the Shades.” The Hegemon then suddenly lifts the veil, and the Candidate sees before him standing on the steps of the throne the Hiereus with sword pointed to his Breast. Slowly sinking the blade the Hiereus says : “Child of Earth, fear is failure: be thou therefore without fear! for in the heart of the coward Virtue abideth not! Thou hast known me, so pass thou on!” The Candidate is then re-veiled. Then the Kerux again bars his way, saying: “ Child of Earth! unpurified and unconsecrated! Thou canst not enter the Path of the East.” This Barring of the Path isan extension of the meaning of the previous one, and the commencement of the formulation of the Angle of Kether. Once again is the Candidate purified with water and consecrated by fire; and the 256