92 
MAGICK WITHOUT TEARS 
Of what nature is this Power, this Authority, this 
Understanding, this Wisdom-Will? 
(I go up from Geburah to Chokmah.) 
Of the passive side it is comparatively easy to form some 
idea; for the qualities essential are mainly extensions of those 
that all of us possess in some degree. And whether 
Understanding-Wisdom 
is "right" or "wrong" must be 
largely a matter of opinion; often Time only can decide such 
points. 
But for the active side it is necessary to postulate the 
existence of a form of Energy at their disposal which is able 
"to cause change to occur in conformity with the Will" -one 
definition of "Magick." 
Now this, as you know, is an exceedingly complex subject; 
its theory is tortuous, and its practice encompassed with 
every kind of difficulty. 
Is there no simple method? 
Yes: the thaumaturgic engine disposes of a type of energy 
more adaptable than Electricity itself, and both stronger and 
subtler than this, its analogy in the world of profane science. 
One might say, that it is electrical, or at least one of the 
elements in the "Ring-formula" of modern Mathematical 
Physics. 
In the R.R. et A.C., this is indicated to the Adept Minor 
by the title conferred upon him on his initiation to that 
grade: Hodos Chamelionis-the Path of the Chameleon. (This 
emphasizes the omnivalence of the force.) In the higher 
degrees of O.T.O.-the A :. A:. is not fond of terms like this, 
which verge on the picturesque-it 
is usually called "the 
Ophidian Vibrations," thus laying special stress upon its 
serpentine strength, subtlety, its control of life and death, 
and its power to insinuate itself into any desired set of 
circumstances. 
It is of this universally powerful weapon that the Secret 
Chiefs must be supposed to possess complete control. 
They can induce a girl to embroider a tapestry, or initiate a