CHAPTER XII
THE ROBE
THE
Robe
of
the Magician may be varied
according
to his
grade
and the nature of his working.
There are two principal
Robes,
the white and the black;
of these the
black
is
more
important
than
the
white,
for
the
white
has
no hood.
These
Robes may be varied
by the addition of various
symbols,
but in
any case the shape of the Robe is a Tau.
The general
symbolism
which we have adopted
leads us,
however,
to
prefer the description
of a Robe which
few dare wear.
This Robe is of
a rich silk of deep pure blue, the blue of the night sky:
it is embroidered
with golden
stars,
and with
roses and lilies.
Around the hem, its tail in
its mouth,
is the great serpent,
while
upon
the front
from
neck
to hem
falls the Arrow described
in the Vision of the Fifth Aethyr.
This Robe
is lined with purple
silk on which
is embroidered
a green serpent coiled
from neck to hem.
The symbolism
of this Robe treats of high mysteries
L