The Sword of Song

THE SWORD OF SONG 62 told, that by Akasa is mean the Chitakasa. The Chitakasa is situated in the “Third Eye,” i.e., in the brain. By assuming higher dimen- sions of space, we can assimilate this face to Realism; but we have no need to take so much trouble. This being true for the ordinary Universe, that all sense-impressions are dependent on changes in the brain,* we must include illusions, which are after all sense-impressions as much as “realities” are, in the class of “phenomena dependent on brain-changes.” Magical phenomna, however, come under a special sub-class, since they are w illed, and their cause is the series of “real” phenomena called the operations of ceremonial Magic. These consist of: (1) Sight. The circle, square, triangle, vessels, lamps, robes, imple- ments, etc. (2) Sound. The invocations. (3) Smell. The perfumes. (4) Taste. The Sacraments. (5) Touch. As under (1) (6) Mind. The combination of all these and reflection on their significance. These unusual impressions ( 1-5) produce unusual brain-changes; hence their summary (6) is of unusual kind. Its projection back into the apparently phenomenal world is therefore unusual. Herein then consists the reality of the operations and effects of ceremonial magic,† and I conceive that the apology is ample, so far as the “effects” refer only to those phenomena which appear to the magician himself, the appearance of the spirit, his conversation, possible shocks from imprudence, and so on, even to ecstasy on the one hand, and death or madness on the other. But can any of the effects described in this our book Goetia be obtained, and if so, can you give a rational explanation of the circumstances ? Say you so ? I can, and will. The spirits of the G oetia are portions of the human brain. Their seals therefore represent (Mr. Spencer’s * Thought is a secr etion of the br ain ( Weiss- man). Consciousness is a function of the brain (Huxley).—A. C. † Apart from its value in obtaining one- pointedness. On this subject consult tycarb, infra.—A. C. projected cube) methods of stimulating or regu- lating those particular spots (through the eye). The names of God are vibrations calculated to establish: (a) General control of the brain. (Establish- ment of functions relative to the subtle world). (b) Control over the brain in detail. (Rank or type of the Spirit). (c) Control over one special portion. (Name of the Spirit.) The perfumes aid this through smell. Usually the perfume will only tend to control a large area; but there is an attribution of perfumes to letters of the alphabet enabling one, by a Qabalistic formula, to spell out the Spirit’s name. I need not enter into more particular discussion of these points; the intelligent reader can easily fill in what is lacking. If, then, I say, with Solomon: “The Spirit Cimieries teaches logic, ” what I mean is: “Those portions of my brain which subserve the logical faculty may be stimulated and developed by following out the process called ‘The Invocation of Cimieries.’ ” And this is a purely materialistic rational statement; it is independent of any objective hierarchy at all. Philosophy has nothing to say; and Science can only suspend judgement, pending a proper and methodical investigation of the facts alleged. Unfortunately, we cannot stop there. Solomon promises us that we can (1) obtain information; ( 2) destroy our enemies; ( 3) understand the voices of nature; ( 4) obtain treasure; ( 5) heal diseases, etc. I have taken these five powers at random; considerations of space forbid me to explain all. (1) Brings up facts from sub-consciousness. (2) H ere w e come to an interestin fact. It is curious to note the contrast between the noble means and the apparently vile ends of magical rituals. The latter are disguises for sublime truths. “To destroy our enemies” is to realise the illusion of duality, to excite compassion. (Ah ! Mr. Waite,* the world of Magic is a mirror, wherein who sees muck is muck.) (3) A careful naturalist will understand much from the voices of the animals he has studied long. Even a child knows the difference between a cat’s miauling and purring. The faculty may be greatly developed. (4) Business capacity may be stimulated. (5) Abnormal states of the body may be * A poet of great ability . He edited a book called “Of Black Magic and of Pacts” in which he vilifies the same.