77 lines
5.0 KiB
Plaintext
77 lines
5.0 KiB
Plaintext
ENERGY.
|
|
Energy is the Sacramental Motive of Event: it is thus omnipresent, in
|
|
manifestation by interruption and compensation and otherwise by the
|
|
corresponding withdrawal. (In this connection let there be remembered the full
|
|
formula of Tetragrammaton.)
|
|
There are, however, three main types of special experience which are
|
|
noteworthy landmarks in the process of Initiation, and of urgent practical
|
|
value to the Magician.
|
|
The symbol of the Sacrament being observed they differ as do the three
|
|
participants therein: the God, the Priest, and the Communicant.
|
|
In the highest, that is of Kether, the Energy radiates wholly from oneself:
|
|
that is, one is entirely identified with Hadit.
|
|
In the middle, that of Chokmah, the Energy passes wholly through oneself:
|
|
that is, one assumes the functions of Tahuti.
|
|
In the lowest, that is of Geburah, the Energy impinges wholly upon oneself:
|
|
that is, one absorbs it as a man.
|
|
In all cases, the Energy of which it is here written is not particular or
|
|
personified; it is Energy in itself, without quality.
|
|
The highest mode can only be fully apprehended by an Ipsissimus: it is the
|
|
final attainment. It is the active counterpart of the higher form of the
|
|
Beatific Vision.
|
|
The middle mode is proper to a Magus, or to one aspiring to his prophetic
|
|
function. it is described, and the method of attaining it set forth, in the
|
|
Book called Opus Lutetianum.
|
|
The lowest mode is the peculiar task of a Major Adept. It is best
|
|
accomplished by means of the Secret of the Sanctuary of the Gnosis.
|
|
(IX`O.T.O.)
|
|
Of the highest mode it would be neither fit not useful to treat more
|
|
intimately: the middle mode concerns each Magician in his peculiar and private
|
|
relations with the Infinite, and demands from each of its Adepts a special
|
|
preoccupation: but of the lowest it is convenient to make further mention.
|
|
It is strangely convincing proof of the true care of Nature for Her
|
|
instruments, despite the superficial evidence to the contrary on which the
|
|
doctrines of pessimism are based, that the most precious, the one ultimately
|
|
essential Grace that can possibly be bestowed on mankind is, of all Magical
|
|
benefit, that which may be attained with more ease and certainty than any
|
|
other. For Energy is itself all that is: and we vary with the quantity and
|
|
quality thereof, which we can call "ourselves."
|
|
The price which She demands is without doubt heavy enough for a certain
|
|
class; but it is equally to be paid, in varying degree, for every type of
|
|
Mystical and Magical Adventure.
|
|
This price is in essence the full Understanding of the Mind of Nature
|
|
Herself, and complete sympathy with Her Way of Work. All the moral codes of
|
|
mankind, for all their absurd diversities, have one common factor: they
|
|
pretend to have found motives and methods which are superior to Hers. That is,
|
|
they presume a conception of the End which is beyond Her view: they
|
|
assert the possession of an Intelligence loftier than that which has produced
|
|
the Universe. Consider only that the highest manifestation possible to the
|
|
rational mind is the discovery of the Laws which summarize Her manner of
|
|
operation!
|
|
We may then say at once that all such pretentious arrogance is impudence
|
|
and absurdity; and it must be surrendered, nay more, uprooted and calcined
|
|
before any serious progress can be made in the Royal and Sacerdotal Art. Hence
|
|
also any aspiration of a partial order, any which depends for its wisdom on
|
|
the justice of our perceptions of our own needs, is almost certain to be
|
|
tainted with the very poison of which Nature would purge us.
|
|
There is in fact only one Magical Operation of whose propriety we may
|
|
always be sure; and that is the increase of our sum of Energy. It is even
|
|
indiscreet to try to specify the kind of Energy required, and worse to
|
|
consider any particular purpose. Energy being increased, Nature will herself
|
|
supply clarity: our Vision is obscure only because our Energy is deficient.
|
|
For Energy is the Substance of the Universe. When it is adequate, we are in no
|
|
doubt as to how to employ it; witness the evident case of the will of the
|
|
Adolescent. It is also to be well noted that moral obstruction to the right
|
|
use of this Energy cause at once the most hideous deformations of character,
|
|
and determine the gravest lesions of the nervous system.
|
|
Let therefore the Magician divest himself of all preconceptions as to the
|
|
nature of his True Will, but apply himself eagerly to increasing his
|
|
Potential. In this discipline (moreover) he is beginning to fit himself for
|
|
that very abdication of all that he has and all that he is which is the
|
|
essence of the Oath of the Abyss!
|
|
Thus then do we find one more of those paradoxes which are the images of
|
|
the Truth of the Supernals: by destroying our own highest morality, and
|
|
relying upon our natural instinct as the sole guide, we come unaware upon the
|
|
most simple, and the most sublime, of all ethical and spiritual conceptions.
|
|
|