The Equinox (Volume I, Number II)

THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING “After this I returned to the central altar, where every- thing fell from me, and then I returned to earth, assuming my sword and red robe to dominate the astrals. Thus did I return,” No. 18. To see Sappho. “With bewildering speed I was carried upwards, and in the midst of my flight an angel approached me apparently to aid me, yet I tarried not, but still ascended. On, on I flew, until at length I became surprised at the great distance of my journey. “ Eventually I arrived in a strange land, and after some perplexity assumed a divine figure, which I believe to be that of Diana. Then I called Sappho, and immediately she appeared before me, a small dark woman with a wonderful skin and a copper sheen on her dark hair. Her face was very lovely, but her expression was ablaze with intense desire, and through her wild floating hair could be seen her eyes, in which glittered madness. “On seeing me, she knelt down before me, and I, trying to comfort her, extended my hands to her, which she in turn kissed. Behind her stood the white astrals of weeping women—these were her many lovers. “ After a whileI brought her into the circle in which I was standing, and raising her up, caressed her upon the forehead. Then I changed to my usual shape, at which she was exceed- ingly amazed, and only comforted when I told her of my great love for her. Thereupon we rose together, embracing, to a place where angels greeted us. Here we were told to go between the pillars into the temple ; which we did, and saw in front of us an immense kneeling figure of some Oriental Deity. 315