THE VOICE OF FIRE
Illustration: Leila Waddell by Barry Van-Asten
Volume 1, Number 9. Summer Solstice An CIX ☉ in 29° Gemini, ☽ in 29° Leo.
Sunday 21st June 2015 e.v.
'Draw into naught
All life, death, hatred, love:
All self concentred in the sole desire -
Hear thou the Voice of Fire!'
Tannhauser. Aleister Crowley.
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.
Love is the law, love under will.
Volume 1, Number IX of the Voice of Fire is dedicated to Leila Waddell [1880-1932]
CONTENTS
Editorial
Leila Waddell
Liber Librae
1900: A Magical Year
To Leila Eight-And-Twenty
The Qabalah an Introduction part II
The Last Taboo
Leila in the Press
The Pains of Angeldom
The Wand of Silence
The Magic Book Worm
Pegamina part ten
The Wand of Silence
The Magic Book Worm
Pegamina part ten
EDITORIAL
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law
I have always found it fascinating when considering the ways in which one is led towards magical knowledge and enlightenment; ways which are numerous yet fruitful with meaning. Those who are able to recognise the importance of such ‘knowledge’ and to use it accordingly are few: Aleister Crowley was such a man!
The lives of all great men and women, if studied, would yield some important factor which decided upon their journey through life and it is no less for every man and woman. The initial impetus, be it some minor or momentous event or subtle sign, can change the structural course of our lives and have a major significance on shaping who we are; it is in this way that most people come to discover Aleister Crowley. To a certain type of mind able to appreciate knowledge of an esoteric nature, the discovery of Crowley and his system of magick can mount to what can only be described as an ‘epiphany’. Over a period of time, this ‘encounter’ garnished with romantic notions is retained in the memory where it obediently awaits to be called upon. Depending upon one’s experience of the phenomenal world, this revelation can be seen as a magical ‘current’ set in motion which impresses upon the mind, a key which unlocks a portion of the brain and stimulates it consistent with the spiritual and religious faculty. Such ‘visionary’ experiences occur to many individuals, whatever their fundamental belief system is and determines their future thought and actions. In the case of George Spencer (1799-1864), he seems to of had two defining moments, firstly on his sixth birthday he recalled his sister’s Swiss governess explaining to him the existence of God: “My memory may deceive me, but I have a most clear recollection of the very room at Althorp [Northamptonshire] where I sat with her while she declared to me, as a new piece of instruction, for which till then, I believe, I had not been judged old enough, and that there was an Almighty Being dwelling in heaven who had created me and all things, and whom I was bound to fear. Till then, I had not the least apprehension of anything beyond the sensible world around me.” And then secondly prior to his conversion to the Catholic Church, he was on holiday with his family in the Isle of White reading St John Chrysostom’s sermons on the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. After finishing Chrysostom, he read St Gregory and gradually the difference between Protestant thought and Catholic doctrine dawned upon him.
There are countless examples of such eminent people acting upon their visions in a passion of positive energy, but of course there are those whose impulse is negative through some sort of misunderstood and ‘distorted’ vision, as in the misinterpretation of religious texts, which can be seen throughout history and particularly today around the world.
Crowley’s life is filled with innumerable moments of revelation which we can perceive as the influence of the will upon the mind and body or an attempt at dialogue with one’s Holy Guardian Angel. Each initial spark or revelation which ignites the soul in some destination or act should be accorded a certain reverence, depending on one’s belief.
In my own case I can remember the ‘great awakening’ which unlocked the door which promised entrance to a great chamber of wealth! I was young and on the threshold of life when I became exposed to Aleister Crowley while reading a part-work magazine called ‘Crimes and Punishment’ edited by Angus Hall (98 issues) and published in 1973 by Phoebus Publishing Co. In one particular issue, following an ‘occult case’ article concerning ‘the Most Haunted House in England – Borley Rectory’ (p. 903-909) another fascination of mine, I came upon the Great Beast! The article was an ‘occult trial’ titled ‘The Beast of the Apocalypse’ (p. 910-918) which gave a detailed account of Crowley and his 1934 ‘Laughing Torso’ trial. Having known from a very young age of the existence of the unseen world of the spirit the article was integral to my future pursuit of magick and life-long interest in Aleister Crowley. At the time, notions of debauchery and depravity tickled a young boy’s fancy, but at the same time I saw beyond the ‘sensationalism’ to the fundamental truth and revelled in the romance and mystery that I conjured up about the poet and adventurer: Aleister Crowley!
In this way, those who are meant to ‘find’ Crowley, shall indeed ‘find’ Crowley and the experience will be no less personal and even ‘sacred’ than any divine intervention. For me, in a less enlightened world at the time, devoid of today’s technology, my journey of discovery seemed more arduous and obscure elements of knowledge were hard to find. But that is not to denigrate the ways in which knowledge is sought today, in fact, I rejoice in the technology which provides a tool for everyone to learn and have greater access to knowledge, even knowledge considered ‘forbidden’ in the past.
In these days where the spiritual seems less important than what car one drives or how many ‘virtual’ friends one has collected on social media, it is all too easy to be rude about Great Aunt Patchoulia with her botched Brazilian, fake tan, tattoos and as many teeth that can be counted on one hand, crashing through the patio doors on a skateboard at the impressive age of seventy-two! Or young Lil-lets Cushelle, tap-dancing on the table and falling head first into the fish tank! People have the opportunity to express themselves and they damn well will and why shouldn’t they? Celebrity status is considered one of the highest achievements and it gets more and more easier to join its ranks. In fact, people are seeing that so many ‘celebrities’ have no real talent to speak of and so your average ‘selfie-obsessed’, ‘blog-addicted’ Jack or Jill can become an inter-national celebrity between describing the disturbing details and account of their digestive system through to its doubtless and inevitable conclusion! Everything is revealed and the mystery has been removed; the romance consigned to that great dustbin of oblivion!
To all those beginning the journey, delight in the romance and the mystery for Crowley will still be relevant, perhaps more so, in the course of a hundred-million sunsets and sunrises!
Love is the law, love under will.
The Voice of Fire welcomes submissions
(poetry, short stories, articles and reviews etc). Please send all submissions
to the editor at barryvanasten418@hotmail.com
illustration: Leila Waddell by Barry Van-Asten
LEILA WADDELL
(1880-1932)
David Waddell (1849/50-1929) of Randwick, Bathurst (Irish immigrant), fellmonger and wool-scourer of Bathurst New South Wales, Australia. He works in the family firm ‘Waddell Brothers’, wool-scourers of Bathurst and Sydney with his brothers Thomas, John, Robert and James.
David married Mary Gertrude Crane (1858-1940) of Bellevue Hill, sometime before 1876.
30 September 1876: First child born: Emmeline Eva Waddell (1876-1953) Christened on 25 October 1876 at All Saint’s Cathedral, Bathurst. Emmeline married E J Curran on 30 January 1899 and they went to live in Kansas City, United States.
11 September 1878: A second child named Minerva MacRie Waddell is born and Christened on 20 October 1878 at All Saint’s Cathedral.
10 August 1880: Third child Leila Ida Nerissa Bathurst Waddell (1880-1932) born and Christened on 3 October 1880 St. Barnabus, Australia.
26 December 1882: Fourth child Ivy Minerva Laurie Victoria Waddell (1882-1894) born and Christened on 14 February 1883 at All Saint’s Cathedral.
24 July 1885: Fifth child Muriel Ruby Laura Myrtle Adelle Waddell born and Christened on 7 October 1885 at All Saint’s Cathedral.
4 July 1887: Sixth child Selwyn Osmond Edgar Reginald David Redfern Waddell (1887-1966) born and Christened on 27 September 1887 at All Saint’s Cathedral.
1887: Leila begins violin tuition.
Thursday 14 June 1888: David Waddell, one of the longest serving members of the Bathurst Lodge of the Freemasons became ‘installed’ in a ceremony as a Master elect at the Phoenix Lodge No: 1846 E. C. at Bentinck Street.
29 October 1889: David Waddell, living at Durham Street became Alderman, elected for North Ward and David attends Borough Council meetings.
Friday 13 December 1889: Leila is awarded an upper second class for her reading and recitations at the Convent of Mercy High School and receives a prize from the Mayor in the School of Arts Hall.
18 April 1890: Seventh child Wallace Montgomery Allaway Abernethy Clive Steven James Waddell (1890-1916) born and Christened on 1 June 1890 at All Saint’s Cathedral.
Tuesday 24 June 1890: David Waddell attends the opening of the new Bathurst Masonic Hall in Keppel Street. A Ball is held with a dinner.
Thursday 30 October 1890: Leila plays the violin at the Highland Society of New South Wales (Bathurst branch) held at the Masonic Hall.
Friday 2 October 1891: Eleven year old Leila attends the Cinderella Ball at the Masonic Hall and wears a dress of liberty silk.
Wednesday 28 October 1891: Leila plays violin solo at the Masonic Hall.
Monday 7 December 1891: Leila plays a violin solo in aid of the school organ fund at All Saint’s School Room.
31 December 1891: Leila plays a violin solo during an hour of music performed for Miss Butler at Bathurst Hospital.
1892: David’s brother Thomas Waddell dies.
Tuesday 26 January 1892: Leila solos on the violin at the Masonic Hall for the Bathurst Philharmonic Society, sixth Grand Concert.
26 September 1892: Eighth child Wellesley Mervyn Stuart Waddell (1892-1919) born and Christened on 21 December 1892 at All Saint’s Cathedral.
Thursday 1 December 1892: Leila plays violin at a fair in aid of St Stephens Church.
Tuesday 20 December 1892: Leila plays 2nd violin at All Saint’s College.
Monday 6 February 1893: David Waddell retires from the family firm ‘Waddell Brothers’ which will continue under that name without him.
Thursday 28 September 1893: Leila plays 1st violin at St Stephen’s Church for the opening of the New Organ.
Tuesday 10 October 1893: Thirteen year old Leila appears dressed as a peasant girl at the Swiss Chalet stand of the All Nations Fair held at the skating rink, Keppel Street.
Wednesday 15 November 1893: Leila plays 1st violin at the Masonic Hall for members of St Stephen’s Church.
Monday 27 November 1893: Leila plays violin at a tea meeting for William Street Wesleyan Church.
1 January 1894: Temperance Hall, Wattle Flat concert. Leila plays violin.
Tuesday 13 February 1894: Vale Church, Vale Road holds a Harvest Moonlight concert for the William Street Wesleyan Choir and Leila plays solo violin.
Monday 19 March 1894: Leila solos at the School of Arts Hall, all proceeds in aid of the choir fund for S.S. Michael and John’s Cathedral.
Monday 9 April 1894: Sacred concert at Wesleyan Church in connection with Harvest Thanksgiving. Leila solos ‘Nocturne no 3’ (Burgmuller).
Thursday 17 May 1894: Leila solos at a concert at the Oddfellow’s Hall.
Wednesday 30 May 1894: Leila performs two solos at the organ recital, All Saint’s Cathedral.
Wednesday 15 August 1894: David Waddell appears in court for insolvency and later in the month is declared Bankrupt.
Tuesday 28 August 1894: Leila plays with the orchestra at the Presbyterian Church.
Friday 28 September 1894: David Waddell attends a single meeting before the District Registrar and David proved his creditors to be: Bank of New South Wales £2279 10s 10d, Commercial Bank £345 10s and W H Hudson £110 11s 24d.
‘Mr McPhillamy appeared for Bankrupt Mr Thompson for the creditor – Mr W H Hudson.
Bankrupt deposed: “I have filed a statement of my affairs and two years’ statement; this is correct. The cause of my bankruptcy is that a writ was served against me by W H Hudson, this was in connection with a bond signed by me in connection with the Masonic Hall Company, the debts to the bank are also for the Masonic Hall Co. when I signed the bonds I was signing as a director and not to become personally responsible; before signing the bond I asked Pruen what my position was and he told me afterwards that he had consulted Mr Webb who said I was not personally liable. I did not receive one penny benefit for the debts due to the bank. I owe nothing on my private account. I have never been bankrupt before and can make no offer to the creditors. Hudson was also a director and signed a bond’. David also goes on to say that he owned land at Durham Street with a house on it which he had to sell to his brother for £300 cash. Other land which he owned was sold for £100 and the house he lived in (which is situated next to the house on Durham Street which was sold) was left to him by his father. The furniture in the house he says ‘belonged to my wife’. He goes on to say that he was a ‘saddler at Mr Pauls and then went to work with my brother; this is over twenty years ago. After selling out I went to Queensland to see if I could get into business as my health was not good and I wanted a better climate, could find nothing suitable and returned to Bathurst”.’
October 1894: The case is heard in the Supreme Court and David Waddell is case number 8708.
Tuesday 7 November 1894: Leila solos at the tea meeting held at William Street Lecture Hall.
Tuesday 4 December 1894: An accident occurred in Durham Street, outside the home of the Waddell’s when David and youngest daughter Ivy (12 years old, her 13th birthday in three weeks on Boxing Day) were out horse riding. They were returning around 10 a.m. when not far from the North end of Victoria Park, Ivy’s cream pony threw her off and fell on top of her. Ivy died at home three hours later. The Magisterial Inquiry is held the next day.
Friday 4 January 1895: David’s case is heard at the Bankruptcy Court: ‘I became bankrupt on 15th August, 1894; I filed a two years' statement; as far as I understand it that is correct as far as I was able to make it; this was made from receipts not from books of account; I believe those receipts have been burnt; I am not sure of it; some little time ago when there was some house cleaning going on they were burnt in mistake; the vouchers were kept on a file; I never kept any books of account in my private affairs; I sometimes kept a small memo. book; the payments made out in the statement were made in cash; some might have been paid by cheque; as far as my knowledge extends I was never a member of Waddell Brothers; as far as I understood the partnership I was never at any time a partner; I never at any time received any share of the profits of the Waddell Bros.; I am quite clear about that; the members of that firm were James Waddell; I never was called on to share the losses; I have received money from my brother, but not as profits of the firm; James Waddell was the only member of that firm; I know nothing of my brother's connection with the firm; you might as well ask me who is connected with your business; a portion of the premises on which the work is carried on was once leased from Haigh; my brother leased the place; I had nothing to do with it and never saw the lease; I was engaged by my brother to work at the place; he sometimes gave me one wage, sometimes another; there was no written agreement, and he gave me what he pleased; could not say what they amounted to; first went to work for him a great many years ago; never made any arrangement with him for wages; could not tell what he gave me; sometimes he gave me cheques for £5, £10, sometimes less, sometimes more according to the state of the business; I made no entry of the amounts and have no idea what I received; since 6th February, 1893, I have received about an average of 30s; I was then in bad health and went away for a time: told my brother I would go to work for him again if I felt able and sometimes I worked, sometimes I did not; I look at the notice produced; at the time this advertisement appeared in the paper I might have seen Mr. McPhillamy. The notice read as follows:
Notice is hereby given that David Waddell, of the firm of Waddell Brothers, of Bathurst, wool scourers, etc., has retired from the partnership, which will be carried on as heretofore in the name of Waddell Brothers by the other members of the firm. Dated at Bathurst this sixth day of February, 1893 David Waddell, WADDELL BROS., per James Waddell. Witness: John McPhillamy, Solicitor, Bathurst. This was about the 6th February, 1893, and appeared in the Bathurst Times; I believe I wrote that notice; I published this to let the public know I had no interest in the firm; I am not a lawyer and do not understand technicalities as to the term partnership; do not know in whose name the firm's account is in at the Bank; I have signed cheques; I wanted the public to know that I was not a partner in the firm and therefore put the advertisement in; the public thought I was a member of the firm and I had been spoken to frequently as such; the account was kept in the Bank of New South Wales; I have signed cheques; the business cheques were not always signed by me; I only signed cheques when I was instructed to; my brother told me to do it; my name was left at the bank to sign in my brother's absence or in case of emergency; I have signed cheques in my brother's presence when he has asked me; I signed whenever I had occasion to do so for the interest of the firm; my brother put my name there to assist in the business; could not say when I left my name at the bank; was not requested to go to the bank to leave my signature by Mr. Halloran; I met him in the town one day and he told me that a cheque of the firm was wrong, and he asked me to go and see it; the ledger-keeper said that the general manager had given instructions for all parties dealing with the bank to sign afresh every year; do not know that he said customers were to do this; I then left my signature at the bank in connection with the firm of Waddell Brothers: any one of the three brothers could sign the cheques for the firm; my brother said to me that he wanted me to leave my signature at the bank so that I could sign cheques when required; in my statement I show that on 6th February, 1893, £300 was received from my brother; that money was paid by cheque on the firm's account; I put that cheque in the Joint Stock Bank; I opened an account there; I put more than £300 in at one time: I think it was for more than that, and I can explain if you will let me; I do not think I got a cheque for £300 separately but a cheque which included this amount which was on the cottage; I believe the cheque was for about £700; the sale of the cottage was private; I fixed the price and he wanted it a bit cheaper; I have still continued to occupy the cottage at 8s a week rental; I have paid most of it; never paid him £31 11s in one lump; I paid it sometimes weekly, sometimes fortnightly; cannot say the largest amount I have paid in one lump sum; the amount shown in my statement is £31 10s, was paid over in a period of 18 months; believe I could produce the receipts for these payments; about the 6th February I also sold my brother some land in Morrissett-street for £100; this amount was included in the cheque my brother paid me; my brother also gave me £300 about the same time because I was going away; on February 6 appears an entry £300 as a right to interest in the firm of Waddell Bros.; he had promised that at any time he retired he would give me a share in the business or appoint me as manager; when I was going away I told him that as I had been with him for so many years I thought he should give me something: he then gave me £300 as a gift; the words right to interest in my statement meant any right I might have thought I had to the business; in my statement £50 is shown as wages received from August '92 to February '93; I had received this at different periods during that six months; the amounts might have been paid weekly or fortnightly; there was no agreement as to rate of wages; I gave my wife my wages cheques as I received them, and that represents the £50 shown in my statement; when she went to Sydney in August, 1891, I gave her £50; she went to Sydney with sick children and I gave her the money for expenses; the furniture in my house belonged to my wife; she bought most of this before we were married; I never rented any furniture; I can't explain the item for rent of furniture from August 1893 to May 1894; I cannot do so without thinking the matter out; I might have put the item down as having been paid to my wife as rent of her furniture; I could not say if I have paid the money to my wife and put it down; the thing has gone out of my head; between 6th February 1893 and July 1894 I paid away about £700; in April 1893 I went to Queensland for which I expended £50; with the exception of trips from home I have continued to work with the firm when able to do so; in January, 1894, my children went to Sydney, and I gave them £20 for the trip; on the evening of the 5th February, 1893, saw Mr. Hudson and Mr. Barham; we had some conversation as to the liability of the Masonic Hall' Co. to the bank: do not think I then told them I was agreeable to pay a third of my liability; do not think I ever said I was willing to pay it; do not remember what I said; said nothing about retiring from the firm next day; told them nothing about my private affairs; had claims upon me about this time; it was not on account of these demands that I sold my property to my brother; I sold to please myself; it was after the conversation on 5th February that I retired from the firm; the sale was on the 3rd or 4th February; I sold out to please myself; it would not avoid my responsibility; I had the money in my pocket and if the bank wanted it they could have got it; I did not tell Hudson and Barham I had sold to my brother; I told no one about it; there was no pressure on me when I sold; had received a letter from the Commercial Bank; we met on that occasion to discuss the means of paying off the bank's liability; it was not on account of the liability to the bank, any pressure or threats of pressure that I sold; the bank had asked me to pay my portion, but I had no expectation of being sued; I wanted them to act in another way to pay off; there was a deed prepared and signed conveying the property to my brother; there were six brothers connected with the business; these were in receipt of wages; I expect they received it in the same casual way as I did.’ Mr. McPhillamy: ‘Did you put any money into the business?’ Mr. Thompson objected. Mr. McPhillamy could, under the Act, watch the case on behalf of bankrupt to see that no injustice was done, but he could not introduce fresh matter or cross-examine. The Registrar said Mr. McPhillamy could only ask bankrupt any questions in explanation of his examination in chief. Mr. McPhillamy said he had several other questions to ask but must refrain.
James Waddell deposed : ‘I am the only member of the firm trading under the name of Waddell Bros; there are six brothers, but none of them are interested in the firm; I paid them wages; my brother David has worked for me for about 20 years; he has been paid wages on a fluctuating scale, and he has been treated the same as others employed by me; he and another brother have operated on the banking account during my absence from home or when sick; if I am too lazy to sign cheques I let my brother do it; sometimes I am over-run with business, and when that is so either of my brothers sign for me, even when I am at home; I need assistance in this way; in February, 1893, I bought land and property from David; I did this as a speculation; I knew nothing about his private affairs; he reckoned that he was going to leave and he did leave and go to Sydney; he has been ill for three years on and off ; when he wanted to sell I purchased; named a price and he agreed to it; on the same date is an entry of the sale of his interest in the firm; on account of his attention to my interest I had promised to give him the business when I retired, but as he now proposed, because of ill health, to go away I gave him £300; it is to that the item referred; I signed the advertisement which appeared in the Times; do not remember reading that notice before signing it; there has never been a partnership between us and I do not know how the word partnership appears in it; Mr. McPhillamy witnessed my signature; cannot say that I saw it in the paper; I sometimes did not pay David for a month or three weeks; after I bought the house he went to Sydney with his wife and family; the furniture was left there and I rented the place; they lived in Sydney in a house of my brother's; when he came back he took the house again and since then has paid his rent regularly; I did not bother about David's reason for selling, it was no business of mine; I deal with thousands of people and never enquire for reasons; David has been so ill that he has been compelled to leave work altogether; a portion of our premises were leased from Mr. Haigh; David's name was in the lease; saw Mr. Haigh about it and he said it did not matter so long as my lease was in it and I paid the rent; the parties were so intimate with us that they put any name in the lease; after the advertisement was inserted I handed a letter to the banker saying that David would not operate any longer on the account; do not know if David wrote the letter or the solicitor; it was necessary to give this notice to the bank because I had nothing more to do with him after I found out about the Masonic Hall company; the first I knew about this was when Mr. Hudson called on me about it; I paid David about £700 by cheque in February; I have two accounts in the bank; one is a rent account, and I do not mix it up with my business account; the letter produced bears my signature.’ Mr. Thompson read the letter, which was to the Bank, stating that David Waddell had retired from the firm of Waddell Bros. Witness: ‘The reason the letter was written was because he had authority to write cheques, and now he had retired and left me he had no power; he was never a member of the firm, and could not retire, but he left me and was going away; the letter is signed by David Waddell and James Waddell.’ To Mr. McPhillamy: ‘Mr. Halloran was then manager of the bank and suggested that such a letter should be sent in.’ To Mr. Thompson: ‘I kept no accounts in my books with David Waddell; the books show no payments to him; I make no entry of the men's wages; I pay everything by cheque; keep no record of engaging men or discharging them; I pay them regularly every Saturday night by cheque; the butt of the cheque shows the amount; I pay all my men regularly every week except my brother who was sometimes absent; he sometimes drew the wages cheque.’ To the Registrar: ‘I never kept a partnership account, but if I had luck in business I would make them presents: David has been there so long and in delicate health with a large family; I promised him the business; he never put a penny piece into the business; there was never a division of profits; not one of my five brothers have paid a shilling into the business; the business started with £80; I bumped my swag over the mountains and as my brothers came to me I employed them; do not remember having told anyone that my brothers have been working together as partners but we never have had the scrape of a pen; some brothers cannot agree but fall out and fight; we have always agreed together.’ John M. Fegan, manager of the New South Wales Bank, deposed that the letter produced was the property of the Bank, and he had been subpoenaed to produce it in this case; David Waddell's operations on the account were stopped on account of this letter. The examination was then closed.
Tuesday 22 January 1895: At 11 a.m. in the Supreme Court David Waddell (8708) adjourned Certificate application from 11 January 1895.
Saturday 26 January 1895: Leila plays at the Wesleyan Church Harvest Festival with the William Street Wesleyan Choir, at Cowra.
1 May 1895: Ninth child Beaufort Errington Havelock Waddell (1895-1951) born and Christened on 29 June 1895 at All Saint’s Cathedral.
Thursday 30 May 1895: Leila solos ‘Benedictus’ (Mackenzie) at the organ recital All Saint’s Cathedral.
Thursday 25 July 1895: Leila solos at the School of Arts Hall.
Tuesday 13 August 1895: Leila solos at the Masonic Hall.
20 September 1895: Leila attends the Trinity College Instrumental Music Examination. Her results are listed in the intermediate section (honours list): Leila Waddell, violin 85 marks, teacher Mr W G Smith.
Thursday 26 September 1895: Leila plays with the Bathurst Orchestral Society for St Stephen’s Church held at the Masonic Hall.
Wednesday 30 October 1895: Leila plays with the orchestra at the School of Arts Hall to mark the end of the scholastic year.
Tuesday 3 December 1895: Leila and her cousin Edith (on piano) perform at the concert held at Trinity Church, Kelso.
Friday 13 December 1895: Leila’s results for the instrumental music exam (taken either 20 or 28 September) are published in the Bathurst Free Press: Intermediate section (honours list) L. Waddell violin teacher: W G Smith 85 marks.
Monday 16 December 1895: Leila plays at the Town Hall which distributes prizes and certificates for the recent music results.
Tuesday 17 December 1895: Distribution Day at the Convent of Mercy High School. Prizes are given out at the School of Arts Hall. Later in the evening Leila plays at the Masonic Hall.
Thursday 19 December 1895: ‘The Reward of Merit – we were this morning shown a gold medal of chaste design of which Miss Leila Waddell has been the recipient. The young lady receives it at the hands of her teacher, Mr W G Smith, for the highest pass for practical work (violin) in the late Trinity College examinations. It is in the shape of a maltese cross, and is nicely engraved, having on one side the recipients’ name and on the other the words – “Trinity College, London. For the highest pass – 85 – gained with honours. 1895” [Bathurst Free Press]
Wednesday 25 December 1895: Leila plays with the choir and orchestra at S.S. Michael and John’s Cathedral. Later that night she solos at the organ recital held at St Stephen’s Church.
Sunday 5 January 1896: Fifteen year old Leila plays at the Australian Hall in aid of St Joseph’s Church – ‘Miss Leila Waddell made a great impression by her really clever manipulation of the violin; while the dancing of her two sisters, Miss Elsie and Esther Waddell, also evoked ranch praise from the quarter.’ [National Advocate. Bathurst. Mon 6 Jan 1896]
17 January 1896: David’s brother Robert Waddell dies aged 51.
Sunday 23 February 1896: Leila plays violin for the Harvest Festival at the William Street Wesleyan Church.
Sunday 26 January 1896: The Bathurst Wesleyan Choir and Orchestra play at Cowra Wesleyan Church. Leila plays 1st violin (with Edith Waddell).
Monday 16 March 1896: Leila plays violin for the Harvest Thanksgiving at St Stephen’s Church.
Sunday 22 March 1896: Leila plays violin at the last sermon of Rev. C E James at the William Street Wesleyan Church.
Monday 20 April 1896: Leila plays violin in the orchestra at the Picnic Race Club Ball held at the School of Arts Hall.
Thursday 14 May 1896: Leila plays violin with her cousin Edith at the Masonic Hall where a ‘Lantern Lecture’ on ‘Drawing Room Entertainment’ by Rev. W G Taylor, President of the Wesleyan Conference is given.
Monday 18 May 1896: a concert by the pupils of Messers W G Smith and Walter Naylor at the School of Arts Hall. Leila plays violin and her sister Emmeline plays the piano.
Thursday 26 June 1896: St Barnabas Church, Milltown, South Bathurst hold a tea and entertainment meeting at the Masonic Hall where Leila plays solo violin.
Tuesday 7 July 1896: The St Stephen’s Literary and Debating Society perform Dickens’ ‘Breach of Promise Trial’ (Bardwell v Pickwick) at the Masonic Hall where Leila plays a violin duet with Miss Eva Mary Pedrotta.
Wednesday 29 July 1896: The Bathurst Orchestral Society performs at the Kelso Reading Room. Leila and cousin Edith perform violin solos.
Wednesday 9 September 1896: The St Stephen’s Church Anniversary Service (Presbyterian Church) holds a tea meeting at the Masonic Hall and Leila performs a violin solo.
Monday 14 September 1896: The Bathurst Free Press print the exam results in musical knowledge for Trinity College, London, Bathurst Local Centre (held in Bathurst in connection with Trinity College, London) – Junior Division Pass List: Convent of Mercy High School, Bathurst. Leila Waddell…98 out of 100. Edith Waddell…96 out of 100. Emmeline Waddell…93 out of 100.
Honours List: Convent of Mercy High School, Bathurst. Edith Waddell…82 out of 100. Leila Waddell…72 out of 100. Emmeline Waddell…70 out of 100.
Tuesday 13 October 1896: Leila plays violin solo at the annual tea public meeting in connection with the Diocesan Festival at the Masonic Hall.
Wednesday 21 October 1896: Leila plays violin at the School of Arts Hall, Convent School, Bathurst.
Tuesday 1 December 1896: At the School of Arts Hall Leila performs a duet with Miss Pedrotta and Edith Waddell performs a violin solo.
Tuesday 8 December 1896: Leila attends the annual entertainment by students of St Stanislau’s College, prior to the Christmas vacation and most likely played violin.
Thursday 17 December 1896: Leila performs a violin duet with Miss Pedrotta at the annual exhibition and distribution of prizes at the Convent of Mercy High School.
Sunday 27 December 1896: Leila performs a violin duet with Miss Pedrotta at an organ recital at St Stephen’s Church.
A picture is emerging of the young, talented violinist with a passion for her instrument and the town of Bathurst is becoming increasing proud of Leila. She continues to perform solos and duets throughout 1897 at the School of Arts Hall, the William Street Wesleyan Church, the Masonic Hall and the SS Michael and John’s Cathedral. Notable moments are:
Wednesday 18 August 1897: Leila plays a solo at Ashfield Hall in aid of the fund for the ‘Consumptives Hospital’ and she receives a bouquet of flowers.
Thursday 19 August 1897: Tenth child Marie Enid Thelma Waddell (1897-1974) born and Christened on 29 June 1898 at All Saint’s Cathedral.
Saturday 18 September 1897: The results are published for the Trinity College, music examinations Leila attended in June. Leila achieves 82 marks in the honours list (intermediate division) and in the pass list (intermediate division) she gets 92 marks.
Monday 5 December 1898: The results for the Sydney College of Music annual examination are given and in the senior honours list Leila receives 81 marks.
Monday 30 January 1899: Leila’s sister Emmeline Eva Waddell marries Edward J Curran who becomes a Doctor, at Saints John and Michael Cathedral. Eighteen year old Leila is one of the three bridesmaids.
17 August 1901: Eleventh child Beaupre Una Doris Waddell (1901-1951) born and Christened on 9 July 1902 at All Saint’s Cathedral. She married W A Robinson in September 1924.
February 1903: Leila gives lessons in the violin at ‘Pleyel’s’, 325 George Street, Bathurst.
1904: Leila resumes her teaching lessons on her return from Tasmania.
April 1905: Leila continues to give lessons at ‘Pleyel’s’, 325 George Street.
Wednesday 21 November 1906: A complementary concert for Leila at the YMCA Hall is held. Leila solos.
‘CONCERT TO MISS LEILA WADDELL.
Mr. H. N. Southwell presided at a meeting held at Paling's Concert Salon yesterday afternoon, at which he explained that the many friends and admirers of Miss Leila Waddell wished to organise a concert in her honour, in recognition of her brilliant talents as a violinist, her high personal character and her frequent services in the cause of charity. The meeting appearing unanimous upon the subject, informal discussion led to various suggestions by Mrs. Boesen and Messrs. Hazon, Staell, Vollmar, Mason and Boyle. The result was a decision to give the concert at the Y.M.C.A. Hall on Wednesday, November 21. A committee was then formed from amongst those present, which included Judge Heydon, Signor Hazon, the City Organist, M. Staell, Herr Vollmar, Mr. Boyle, Mrs. Boesen, Mrs. Curtis, Mrs. Birch, Miss Agnew, Miss Doris Barnett, and Mr H. N. Southwell. Much enthusiasm was shown in Miss Waddell's interests, and there can be no doubt that the esteemed artist will be heartily supported by the great body of con-cert goers.’ [Saturday 20 October 1906 Sydney Morning Herald]
Saturday 1 December 1906: Leila sails on the ‘Wimmera’ for Wellington.
Wednesday 5 December 1906: Leila arrives at the port of Wellington and she joins the Brescians as violin soloist at New Plymouth. She performs with West’s Pictures and the Brescians throughout 1907 and until the end of September 1908, travelling across the Australian states with the performances.
One incident worth noting occurred on either 27 or 28 June 1907 when she was robbed of 20 sovereigns and a shoe!
‘ROBBING AN ACTRESS.—Miss Leila Waddell, a member of the West Brescians Company, has complained to the Seymour police of the loss of 20 sovereigns and a lady's patent leather shoe either on the 27th or 28th ult. Miss Waddell states that she had the money in a steel purse, which she carried on a steel chain satchell on her arm, in which she also had 18/6 in silver and two cheques. She placed the satchell under the mat- tress of a spare bed in the room she slept in, and at 11.20 p.m. on the 27th ult. she left the room for ten minutes. Next morning she took the satchel, but did not miss the money. At 1 p.m. on the 28th she placed the satchel under the mattress again, and went to lunch, and an hour afterwards she went for a walk. On returning she opened the satchel, and the money was gone, the purse having been taken, but the 18/6 and cheques were left in the satchel.’ [Tuesday 2 July 1907. Benella Standard]
Saturday 3 October 1908: Leila sails for England on the ‘Orontes’ and arrives at Plymouth in November and stays in London.
Monday 21 December 1908: Leila plays violin in the orchestra for ‘A Waltz Dream’ which opens at the Kings Theatre, Glasgow and the first matinee is on Saturday 26 December 1908.
18-30 January 1909: ‘A Waltz Dream’ at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh.
Tue 2 February 1909: ‘A Waltz Dream’ at the Prince’s Theatre, Manchester.
17 March 1909: ‘A Waltz Dream’ plays Newcastle on Tyne.
June-July 1909: ‘A Waltz Dream’ at Shaftsbury Hall, Bournemouth.
11-16 October 1909: ‘A Waltz Dream’ at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh.
December 1909: ‘A Waltz Dream’ completes a six month tour and Leila has been in England (and Scotland) for over a year.
1 April 1910: Leila is admitted into the A∴A∴ as a probationer. Leila (Soror Agatha) later becomes 4°=7□ and Grand Secretary General IX° OTO in 1913.
9 May 1910: Leila takes part in the Evocation of Bartzabel, the spirit of Mars with Aleister Crowley at Rempstone in Dorset, the home of Commander Marston.
Tuesday 23 August 1910: Leila takes part in the Rite of Artemis at Crowley’s Victoria Street flat in London, which is also the headquarters for ‘The Equinox’.
Wednesday 19 October 1910, 9 p.m.: Leila performs in The Rites of Eleusis at London’s Caxton Hall. The Rite of Saturn.
Wednesday 26 October 1910, 9 p.m.: The Rite of Jupiter.
Wednesday 2 November 1910, 9 p.m.: The Rite of Mars.
Wednesday 9 November 1910, 9 p.m.: The Rite of Sol.
Wednesday 16 November 1910, 9 p.m.: The Rite of Venus.
Wednesday 23 November 1910, 9 p.m.: The Rite of Mercury.
Wednesday 30 November 1910, 9 p.m.: The Rite of Luna.
.jpg)
17 January 1911: Leila is engaged by Mr George Edwardes as leader of the Ladies’ Orchestra to perform ‘The Waltz Dream’ at Daly’s Theatre, Leicester Square, London.
30 March 1912: Leila arrives in New York from Liverpool on board the Mauretania to perform in the orchestra for a musical comedy ‘Two Little Brides’ at the Casino Theatre and the Lyric Theatre for 63 performances from 23 April-15 June 1912. She had intended to book on the Titanic which sank on 14-15 April 1912.
Monday 5 May 1913: Leila plays with six other violinists as the Ragged Ragtime Girls under the management of Aleister Crowley at the Empire Theatre, Sunderland, twice-nightly until Saturday 10 May 1913.
Monday 12 May 1913: The Ragged Ragtime Girls play at the Grand Theatre, Derby, twice-nightly until Saturday 17 May 1913.
Monday 23 June 1913: The Ragged Ragtime Girls play at the Tivoli Theatre, Hull, twice-nightly until Saturday 28 June 1913.
7 July 1913: The Ragged Ragtime Girls leave for Moscow where they perform for six weeks at the Aquarium and return late August.
Monday 1 September 1913: The Ragged Ragtime Girls play at the Alhambra Theatre, Glasgow, twice-nightly until Saturday 6 September 1913.
13 February 1915: Leila left Liverpool on the Lusitania bound for New York. She arrives on 20 February.
3-4 July 1915: Leila is with Aleister Crowley in the United States. At the Statue of Liberty Crowley is seen to tear up his ‘passport’ and Leila plays ‘the wearing of the green’.
‘I thought I would do something more public. I wrote a long parody on the Declaration of Independence and applied it to Ireland.
I invited a young lady violinist who has some Irish blood in her, behind the more evident stigmata of the ornithorhyncus and the wombat. Adding to our number about four other debauched persons on the verge of delirium tremens, we went out in a motor boat before dawn on the third of July to the rejected statue of Commerce for the Suez Canal, which Americans fondly suppose to be Liberty Enlightening The World.
There I read my Declaration of Independence. I threw an old envelope into the bay, pretending that it was my British passport. We hoisted the Irish flag. The violinist played the "Wearing of the Green". The crews of the interned German ships cheered us all the way up the Hudson, probably because they estimated the degree of our intoxication with scientific precision. Finally, we went to Jack's for breakfast, and home to sleep it off.’ [‘Confessions’. Chapter 76]
Wednesday 2 August 1916: Leila attends the funeral of her brother Wallace Waddell at the Church of England Cemetery, Bathurst. Her parents are living at 64 Stewart Street and also in attendance are Leila’s sisters Thelma and Beaupre, and her brothers Selwyn, Wellesley and Lieutenant Beaufort Waddell.
Tuesday 17 October 1916: An Action for Rent is brought against David Waddell by Alice Luckhurst (widow) to recover rent from their address at 185 and 187 Howick Street, Bathurst.
Wednesday 25 June 1919: Leila’s brother Wellesley Waddell dies. He is staying at the Rectory in Grenfell as a guest of the Rev and Mrs H H Prichard with Wellesley’s sister Beaupre Waddell. Beaupre became unwell and Wellesley nursed her back to health, but befell the same illness himself, pneumonic influenza, which had plagued the area and he died 24 hours later in hospital. He was 25 years old. Wellesley sang tenor and was a member of the All Saint’s Cathedral Choir. Beaupre played the violin and they were scheduled to perform together in the Royal Hall on Tuesday 1 July 1919 in aid of the Parish Hall Fund. His brother Lieutenant Beaufort returned home for the funeral from fighting at the front. He was buried the same day due to the influenza epidemic.
October 1923: ‘Two Anzacs Meet in London’ by Leila Waddell, about her meeting with the writer Katherine Mansfield, is published in ‘Shadowland: Expressing the Arts’.
10 April 1924: Leila sails from Vancouver on the ‘Niagara’.
Tuesday 27 May 1924: Leila arrives in Sydney on board the ‘Sonoma’.
September 1924: Leila’s sister Beaupre Waddell marries William Robinson at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney. Leila, her mother and sister Thelma attend and also attend the wedding reception at the ‘Wentworth Hotel’, Sydney.
Saturday 1 November 1924: Leila makes her first appearance in the Nellie Leach-Leila Waddell Trio (with Alfred Lawrance) at the Haymarket Theatre, George Street.
Wednesday 5 November 1924: The Trio play the Haymarket.
Monday 10 November 1924: The Trio play the Haymarket.
Monday 17 November 1924: The Trio play at the Tivoli Theatre and also play on: Tue18, Wed 19, Thur 20, Fri 21, Sat 22, Mon 24, Tue 25, Wed 26, Thur 27, Fri 28, and Sat 29.
Wednesday 19 November 1924: The Trio play to 60 guests at the ‘Lennons Hotel’ for the Deputy Mayoress (Mrs T Wilson).
3 April 1925: Leila arrives in Vancouver from Sydney on board the ‘Aorangi’.
5 May 1925: Leila arrives in Southampton from New York on board the ‘Aquitania’.
29 October 1926: Leila arrives in London from Sydney on board ‘Jervis Bay’.
January 1927: Leila travels from London to Paris and on to Nice. In March she is holidaying at St. Raphael and in November she is staying at Monte Carlo. She returns to Sydney on the ‘Suevic’ and she arrives in Sydney on Saturday 17 December 1927.
Wednesday 14 August 1929: Death of Mr David Waddell of St Aubyn, Waverley Street, Randwick, formerly of Bathurst. He died at a private Hospital in Randwick. He was 79 years old. The funeral takes place the following day at St Michaels Church, Vaucluse. He is buried at South Head Cemetery.
Wednesday 14 September 1932: Leila Waddell dies aged 52 of uterine cancer. She is buried in Sydney, Australia.
OBITUARY
MISS LEILA WADDELL
The death occurred yesterday of Miss Leila Ida Bathurst Waddell, the Sydney violinist who achieved considerable fame abroad. She was the daughter of Mr. David Waddell of Bathurst and Randwick and Mrs Waddell of Bellevue Hill. A pupil of Mr. Henry Stael, Miss Waddell became a teacher of the violin at the Presbyterian Ladies College, Croydon and Ascham and Kambala Schools. She made her public debut at the organ recitals of the then city organist Mr. Arthur Mason and joined as a soloist. The Brescians, a party from Europe, who appeared in peasant festival costumes in association with J.T. West’s early cinematograph shows. Mr. West introduced her to London and she achieved success as the leader of the Gipsy Band in “The Waltz Dream” at Daly’s Theatre. As The Ragtime Gipsy, Miss Waddell won fame in Vaudeville throughout England. She toured Europe with a party which she formed of six girl violinists with a talent for stately dancing and also with trios and quartets. Miss Waddell next visited the United States and stayed there for many years. She studied under the great teachers including Leopold Auer. She travelled across the country appearing in all the great cities. She returned to Sydney a few years ago after a long absence. She had since been a member of JC Williamson Ltd. Orchestras at Her Majesty’s and the Criterion and was also engaged for the Conservatorium and Philharmonic Societies Orchestras. Despite a recent serious illness she retained her position as teacher of the violin at the Convent School of the Sacred Heart, Elizabeth Bay. Besides possessing an excellent technique, Miss Waddell’s style as a violinist was particularly marked by charm and refinement. [The Sydney Herald. Wednesday 14 September 1932]
20 April 1940: Mary Gertrude Waddell, aged 82 dies at her home in St Leonards, wife of the late David Waddell and beloved mother of Ethel, Muriel, Leila, Ivy, Wallace, Wellesley (all deceased), Emmeline (Mrs E J Curran, Kansas City, America), Selwyn, Beaufort, Thelma, Beaupre (Mrs W A Robinson, Grenfell). She is buried two days later on 22 April at South Head Cemetery.
LIBER LIBRAE
SUB FIGURA XXX
0. Learn first — Oh thou who aspirest unto our ancient Order! — that Equilibrium is the basis of the Work. If thou thyself hast not a sure foundation, whereon wilt thou stand to direct the forces of Nature?
1. Know then, that as man is born into this world amidst the Darkness of Matter, and the strife of contending forces; so must his first endeavour be to seek the Light through their reconciliation.
2. Thou then, who hast trials and troubles, rejoice because of them, for in them is Strength, and by their means is a pathway opened unto that Light.
3. How should it be otherwise, O man, whose life is but a day in Eternity, a drop in the Ocean of time; how, were thy trials not many, couldst thou purge thy soul from the dross of earth? Is it but now that the Higher Life is beset with dangers and difficulties; hath it not ever been so with the Sages and Hierophants of the past? They have been persecuted and reviled, they have been tormented of men; yet through this also has their Glory increased.
4. Rejoice therefore, O Initiate, for the greater thy trial the greater thy Triumph. When men shall revile thee, and speak against thee falsely, hath not the Master said, “Blessed art thou!”?
5. Yet, oh aspirant, let thy victories bring thee not Vanity, for with increase of Knowledge should come increase of Wisdom. He who knoweth little, thinketh he knoweth much; but he who knoweth much hath learned his own ignorance. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool, than of him.
6. Be not hasty to condemn others; how knowest thou that in their place, thou couldest have resisted the temptation? And even were it so, why shouldst thou despise one who is weaker than thyself?
7. Thou therefore who desirest Magical Gifts, be sure that thy soul is firm and steadfast; for it is by flattering thy weaknesses that the Weak Ones will gain power over thee. Humble thyself before thy Self, yet fear neither man not spirit. Fear is failure, and the forerunner of failure: and courage is the beginning of virtue.
8. Therefore fear not the Spirits, but be firm and courteous with them; for thou hast no right to despise or revile them; and this too may lead thee astray. Command and banish them, curse them by the Great Names if need be; but neither mock nor revile them, for so assuredly wilt thou be lead into error.
9. A man is what he maketh himself within the limits fixed by his inherited destiny; he is a part of mankind; his actions affect not only what he calleth himself, but also the whole universe.
10. Worship and neglect not, the physical body which is thy temporary connection with the outer and material world. Therefore let thy mental Equilibrium be above disturbance by material events; strengthen and control the animal passions, discipline the emotions and the reason, nourish the Higher Aspirations.
11. Do good unto others for its own sake, not for reward, not for gratitude from them, not for sympathy. If thou art generous, thou wilt not long for thine ears to be tickled by expressions of gratitude.
12. Remember that unbalanced force is evil; that unbalanced severity is but cruelty and oppression; but that also unbalanced mercy is but weakness which would allow and abet Evil. Act passionately; think rationally; be Thyself.
13. True ritual is as much action as word; it is Will.
14. Remember that this earth is but an atom in the universe, and that thou thyself art but an atom thereon, and that even couldst thou become the God of this earth whereon thou crawlest and grovellest, that thou wouldest, even then, be but an atom, and one amongst many.
15. Nevertheless have the greatest self-respect, and to that end sin not against thyself. The sin which is unpardonable is knowingly and wilfully to reject truth, to fear knowledge lest that knowledge pander not to thy prejudices.
16. To obtain Magical Power, learn to control thought; admit only those ideas that are in harmony with the end desired, and not every stray and contradictory Idea that presents itself.
17. Fixed thought is a means to an end. Therefore pay attention to the power of silent thought and meditation. The material act is but the outward expression of thy thought, and therefore hath it been said that “the thought of foolishness is sin.” Thought is the commencement of action, and if a chance thought can produce much effect, what cannot fixed thought do?
18. Therefore, as hath already been said, Establish thyself firmly in the equilibrium of forces, in the centre of the Cross of the Elements, that Cross from whose centre the Creative Word issued in the birth of the Dawning Universe.
19. Be thou therefore prompt and active as the Sylphs, but avoid frivolity and caprice; be energetic and strong like the Salamanders, but avoid irritability and ferocity; be flexible and attentive to images like the Undines, but avoid idleness and changeability; be laborious and patient like the Gnomes, but avoid grossness and avarice.
20. So shalt thou gradually develop the powers of thy soul, and fit thyself to command the Spirits of the elements. For wert thou to summon the Gnomes to pander to thine avarice, thou wouldst no longer command them, but they would command thee. Wouldst thou abuse the pure beings of the woods and mountains to fill thy coffers and satisfy thy hunger of Gold? Wouldst thou debase the Spirits of Living Fire to serve thy wrath and hatred? Wouldst thou violate the purity of the Souls of the Waters to pander to thy lust of debauchery? Wouldst thou force the Spirits of the Evening Breeze to minister to thy folly and caprice? Know that with such desires thou canst but attract the Weak, not the Strong, and in that case the Weak will have power over thee.
21. In true religion there is no sect, therefore take heed that thou blaspheme not the name by which another knoweth his God; for if thou do this thing in Jupiter thou wilt blaspheme יהוה and in Osiris יהשוה. Ask and ye shall have! Seek, and ye shall find! Knock, and it shall be opened unto you!
1900 – A MAGICAL YEAR:
ALEISTER CROWLEY AND THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE SACRED MAGIC OF ABRAMELIN AND THE DOWNFALL OF THE SECOND ORDER OF THE GOLDEN DAWN
BY BARRY VAN-ASTEN
Aleister Crowley had purchased Boleskine House on the shore of Loch Ness, Scotland in the autumn of 1899 purely for the sole purpose of performing the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage [see the Voice of Fire, volume I, number III for a history of the house]. It has been a year since his initiation as a Neophyte into the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn [18 November 1898] and since that time he has attained the magical grades of Zelator [December 1898], Theoricus [January 1899], Practicus [February 1899] and Philosophus [May 1899]. He read The Sacred Magic of Abra-Melin the Mage (published by J. M. Watkins and translated by S. L. MacGregor Mathers in 1898) during October 1898 and it became a constant intention for Crowley to perform the six month long ceremony and achieve the Knowledge and Conversation of his Holy Guardian Angel.
Crowley’s diary for the period was written as an account of his daily progress with the Abramelin Ritual and he called this book: ‘The Book of the Operation of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, being the account of the events of my life, with notes on the Operation by Perdurabo, an humble Aspirant thereto’. It is a fascinating account, if somewhat disordered, yet it is a remarkable and important document concerning this important period in the young magicians life and development and it would be a wonder to see it properly dated and annotated and in print! Towards the end of the diary Crowley concerns himself with the revolt within the Second Order of the Golden Dawn or to give it its proper name the R. R. et A. C. [Rosa Rubea et Aurea Crucis]. Let us now turn to this remarkable document:
‘Shortly after my Great Trouble, (1) Laura (2) warns me that I am in danger from the police. This [message] from astral; but she received an anonymous letter before coming here warning her that I “was about to be in trouble” (and therefore she had better not be mixed up in it).’ This occurred towards the end of 1899, probably November; about the time Crowley was purchasing Boleskine House and thinking of moving in to his new home.
Thursday 11 January 1900: Crowley ‘went to town and saw I.A.’ [Allan Bennett] who was ‘very ill’. He then called on Evelyn Hall (3) who was out so Crowley left a note giving his address at the Hotel Cecil in the Strand. Crowley accidentally meets Evelyn Hall by U.C.L. [University College London] She reaffirms her statements: but her description of the “college chum” is absurd and her whole attitude ridiculous. She knows one fact only – the name Crowley at Cambridge.’
Saturday 13 January 1900: Crowley visits Frater Volo Noscere [George Cecil Jones] ‘over Sunday and Monday saw I.A. [Allan Bennett] till 7 o’clock’.
Monday 15 January 1900: At the Hotel Cecil at 7 p.m. Crowley receives two letters from Evelyn Hall. These say: ‘you (and all your friends at 67 [Chancery Lane]) are watched by the police. This is connected with “the brother of a college chum” but no doubt can be entertained of the meaning of the hints. I caught the night boat to Paris, as I had originally intended.’ (4) We can only speculate as to why the police would be watching Crowley and his friends at Chancery Lane and the most likely reason is that there were rumours of homosexual encounters taking place probably circulated as an act of revenge upon Crowley.
Tuesday 16 January 1900: In Paris Crowley visits Mathers who initiated him into the grade of Adeptus Minor 5°=6□ and Crowley takes the magical name ‘Christeos Luciftias’ [enochian: ‘Let there be light’]: ‘I am admitted to the Glory of Tiphareth [the Second Order]. During this week I asked S.R. [Mathers] to judge the astrological figure of the time of reading the aforesaid letters [received from Evelyn Hall]. He says: the news is true but you (Saturn on the cusp of Capricorn) are very strong and the end of the matter is good. He advises me to avoid London. I may be in Cambridge only for a few days. By the Godselim symbol I invoke the great Names of God the Vast One, and reach town safely.’
‘I. A. [Allan Bennett] and O. E. [Oscar Eckenstein] jeer at my alarms: for knowing already how Aweful [sic] are the forces leagued against me, I am not surprised at these troubles: neither do I fear them, yet to find me might spoil my plans. On regaining the thorny bosom of Alma Mater, (5) I meet Fra. Gnothi Seauton. (6) He goes much further: but is even more mysterious than Evelyn Hall. He says: yes, you are “wanted” though he thinks [two words deleted]: and adds: “The danger is most pressing just before Easter.” (Humphreys [sic] is certainly at this time manoeuvring to get me out of the way). I wrote to V. N. [G. C. Jones] asking his help. He thinks I am mad or obsessed! I use the Moon pentacle in the Key of Solomon and reach Boleskine in safety Feb. 7.’ (7)
Friday 16 February 1900: Mathers writes a letter to S. S. D. D. [Florence Farr] which ignites further furore within the Second Order:
‘N.B.- Read this letter carefully before showing any part of it to anyone!
16 February 1900 C. et V. H. Soror S. S. D. D. My time is just now so enormously occupied with the arrangements for the Buildings and Decorations of the Egyptian Temple of Isis in Paris, as well as other matters, that I must write as briefly as possible.
(a) I have never wished to interfere in your private affairs, but if you choose to bring mine into a discussion in a Second Order Meeting, the matter concerns me as well as yourself.
(b) As you did not date your letter to me, and as I received it on the 13th January, 1900, it was difficult for me to conceive that it had been written after instead of before the meeting on the twelfth. I possess a copy of the minutes of that meeting.
(c) I refuse definitely to close Isis-Urania Temple, and am prepared to receive the resignations from their offices of those chiefs who no longer wish to serve as such. I can understand in your case, that in addition to your somewhat heavy work in the Second Order, holding office in Isis has been an additional load.
(d) Now, with regard to the Second Order, it would be with the very greatest regret both from my personal regard for you, as well as from the occult standpoint that I should receive your Resignation as my Representative in the Second Order in London; but I cannot let you form a combination to make a schism therein with the idea of working secretly or avowedly under ‘Sapere Aude’ [Westcott], under the mistaken impression that he received an Epitome of Second Order work from G. H. Soror ‘Sapiens Dominabitur Astris’ [Fraulein Sprengel]. For this forces me to tell you plainly (and, understand me well, I can prove to the hilt every word which I here say and more, and were I confronted with S. A., [Westcott] I should say the same), though for the sake of the Order, and for the circumstance that it would mean so deadly a blow to S. S.’s reputation, I entreat you to keep this secret from the Order, for the present, at least, though you are at perfect liberty to show him this if you think fit, after mature consideration.
(e) He has NEVER been at any time either in personal or in written communication with the Secret Chiefs of the Order, he having either himself forged or procured to be forged the professed correspondence between him and them, and my tongue having been tied all these years by a previous Oath of Secrecy to him, demanded by him, from me, before showing me what he had either done or caused to be done or both. – You must comprehend from what little I say here, the extreme gravity of such a matter, and again I ask you, both for his sake and that of the Order, not to force me to go farther into the subject.
I again reiterate that every atom of the knowledge of the Order has come through me alone from 0-0 to 5-6 inclusive, and that it is I alone who have been and am in communication with the Secret Chiefs of the Order.
I may further remark that ‘Sapiens Dominabitur Astris’ [Mrs Horos who deceived Mathers into believing her to be S. D. A.] is now in Paris and aiding me with the Isis movement.
Lastly, I again ask you to consider well this letter, and not to put me in such a position that I shall be compelled to act publicly.
Yours in fraternity and sincerity,
Deo Duce Comite Ferro 7°=4□
Chief of the Second Order.’
Florence Farr did indeed show the letter to other members of the Second Order and a meeting took place on 3 March to decide what should be done. At the meeting was: Florence Farr, W. B. Yeats, George Cecil Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter, M. W. Blackden and P. W. Bullock.
Wednesday 21 February 1900: ‘the frost preventing my temple being completed, I did invoke the Angels’ Crowley writes in his Magical Diary, and he continues: ‘Therefore did Tetragrammaton cause a great wind to arise, and a most vehement rain and tempest, that the green earth did appear from under the Snows. Whereat I did rejoice greatly and cease not day and night unto this hour in blessing and praising His holy Name, who hath not permitted the Wicked Demon to have advantage and dominion over and against the least of His servants.’
Saturday 24 February 1900: Crowley begins to write an account of events from ‘Nov. ’99 to date.’ He also begins the preparations for the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, making his ‘Oath of the Beginning’:
‘I, Perdurabo, Frater Ordinis Rosae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis, a Lord of the Paths in the Portal of the Vault of the Adepts, a 5°=6□ of the Order of the Golden Dawn; and an humble servant of the Christ of God; do this day spiritually bind myself anew:
By the Sword of Vengeance:
By the Powers of the Elements:
By the Cross of Suffering:
That I will devote myself to the Great Work: the obtaining of Communion with my own Higher and Divine Genius (called the Guardian Angel) by means of the prescribed course; and that I will use my Power so obtained unto the Redemption of the Universe. So help me the Lord of the Universe and mine own Higher Soul!’
He also notes that ‘the physical construction of the 238 symbols, even without any attempt to charge them, (the contrary, in fact) is a work of the most intense magical fatigue. 12 per diem is enough. Begin this work, therefore, many months before the actual start. This fatigue appears to diminish when well started. (Or, one reaches squares purely telesmatic, with no definite invocation of Spirits.)’ And he goes on ‘before beginning. Ceremonially accept this Magic, as from God, taking the Obligation which Abramelin demanded from Abraham. The squares are kept in the interior of the Altar before beginning the Six Moons – this probably as a precaution.’
We know of the destructive force conjured by the symbols through the various remarkable incidents which occurred firstly at Crowley’s flat in London’s Chancery Lane which he shared with Greatly Honoured Frater Iehi Aour [Allan Bennett]. Crowley was determined, perhaps even obsessed to accomplish the performance of the Abramelin Operation but ‘Jones [Frater Volo Noscere: George Cecil Jones] had advised me to go through my initiation first.’
Crowley began preparations in earnest during November 1898, having read ‘The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage’ by S. L. MacGregor Mathers in October.
‘And remember, that as there is a God to write these aforesaid Symbols, there is no particular preparation necessary of Pens, of Ink, and of Paper; nor yet of elections of particular Days, nor other things to be observed, which the False Magicians and Enchanters of the Devil would have you believe. It sufficeth that the Symbols should be clearly written with any kind of Ink and Pen, provided that we may easily discern unto what Operation each Signs appertaineth, the which also you can easily do by means of a properly arranged and drawn up Register of them. But the greatest part of the Symbols of the Third Book I counsel you to make before commencing the Operation, keeping them until that time in the interior of the Altar. And after that the Spirits shall have taken Oath thereupon, you shall carefully keep (the Symbols) in a safe place, where they can neither be seen nor touched by any other person, because thus great harm might befall such person.’ [The Sacred Magic of Abra-Melin the Mage. S. L. MacGregor Mathers. London. J. M. Watkins. 1898. (2nd Ed. 1900. p. 135)]
Crowley, as Jones suggested became ‘initiated’ into the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn on 18 November 1898 at London’s Mark Mason’s Hall, and he attained the grades of the First or Outer Order before beginning the Abra-Melin Operation proper, which must be begun at Easter.
‘Abra-Melin warns us that our families will object strenuously to our undertaking of the Operation. I resolved, therefore, to cut myself off absolutely from mine. So, as I had to live in London, I took the flat under the name of Count Vladimir Svareff. As Jones remarked later, a wiser man would have called himself Smith.’ [Confessions. p.179]
‘The demons connected with Abra-Melin do not wait to be evoked; they come unsought. One night Jones and I went out to dinner. I noticed on leaving the white temple that the latch of its Yale lock had not caught. Accordingly, I pulled the door to and tested it. As we went out, we noticed semi-solid shadows on the stairs; the whole atmosphere was vibrating with the forces which we had been using. (We were trying to condense them into sensible images.) When we came back, nothing had been disturbed in the flat; but the temple door was wide open, the furniture disarranged and some of the symbols flung about in the room. We restored order and then observed that semi-materialised beings were marching around the main room in almost unending procession.’ [Confessions. p. 182]
Similarly at Boleskine House the atmosphere seemed oppressive and many of Crowley’s friends and acquaintances felt its effects:
‘I had asked Jones to come and stay with me during the six months [of the Operation], in view of the dangers and interference already experienced at the mere threat to perform it. It was obviously the part of prudence to have, if possible, an initiate on the spot. It is also very awkward for a man absorbed in intense magical effort to have to communicate with the external world about the business of everyday life. Jones did not see his way to come, so I asked Rosher, who consented. But before he had been there a month he found the strain intolerable. I came down to breakfast one morning; no Rosher. I asked the butler why he was absent. The man replied, in surprise at my ignorance, that Mr Rosher had taken the early morning boat to Inverness. There was no word of explanation; I never saw him or heard of him for many years; and, when we met, though absolutely friendly and even intimate, we never referred to the matter.
One day I came back from shooting rabbits on the hill and found a Catholic priest in my study. He had come to tell me that my lodgekeeper, a total abstainer for twenty years, had been raving drunk for three days and had tried to kill his wife and children.’ [Confessions. p. 188]
Even Crowley’s old Cambridge friend, W. E. H. Humphrys, whom Crowley asked to take Rosher’s place, showed ‘symptoms of panic fear’ and took flight and so did ‘Laura’ [Lilian Horniblow] who was staying at Boleskine at the time. So it is unsurprising to read that while Crowley was ‘preparing the talismans, squares of vellum inscribed in Indian ink, a task’ he says, which he ‘undertook in the sunniest room in the house’ he found that he had to use ‘artificial light even on the brightest days.’ And he goes on to say that the ‘lodge and terrace, moreover, soon became peopled with shadowy shapes, sufficiently substantial, as a rule, to be almost opaque.’ [Confessions. p. 189]
Also on this day Crowley receives a letter from his magical friend and mentor I. A. [Allan Bennett]:
“I warn that you are in very grave danger” having thrice been visited by the Angel of the Lord in the visions of his head upon his bed. “A certain thing more sacred than sphere of Sensation broken,” as he told me later.
This may be either (1) that I am in danger of my True Circle being broken or (2) Politics or the silliness [a reference to ‘Laura’ and the money she handed over to pay Allan Bennett’s fare to Ceylon]. In any case “some of me escapes.”
I therefore resolve to invoke Heru-pa-kraat-ist: to keep the symbols locked up in the Altar: and for the other, to cast myself upon the Providence of God; that He may give His Angels charge over me, to keep me in all my ways. So mote it be!
I did therefore invocate with a devout mind and reverent voice the Lord Harpocrates: thus was my prayer heard, and I am yet safe from all mine enemies: unto Him be the glory for ever!’
On Wednesday 28 February Crowley travels to Inverness to collect a ‘New censer’.
Friday 2 March 1900: Crowley has the idea to ‘put all squares of one Prince on a sheet, foldable, with his name and his servitors below.’ And another idea that ‘the full squares (as a rule) evoke a definite force and are more obsessing’ and he goes on to say that intentions should be stated clearly ‘for the familiars – presumed to be about one.’ He also begins a three day fast beginning at 6 p.m. with a ‘prayer unto the Lord of the Universe, that He would give me his aid, and that of His Holy Angels.’ He ‘paints a rod in the 12 colours, for a Lotus Wand.
The next day he wakes with a headache and he walks in his garden before lunch at midday and after lunch (‘eggs, milk, scones and fruit’) he makes a ‘telesmatic image’ and reads the Psalms of David.
‘I now purpose to read ceremonially the 7 penitential psalms having invoked the Lord of the Universe and the dwellers of the Elements to mine aid and witness. This will best be done at the end of the fast. But the Psalms may be read and studied even now. Let me formulate the Obligation of the Operation.
“I, Perdurabo in the presence of the Lord of the Universe, and of all Powers Divine and Angelic, do spiritually bind myself even as I am now physically bound unto the cross of suffering:
1. To unite my consciousness with the divine, as I may be permitted and aided by the Gods who live for ever; the Aeons of Infinite years, that, being lost in the Limitless Light, it may find itself: to the Regeneration of the Race, either of man or as the Will of God shall be. And I submit myself utterly to the Will Divine.
2. To follow out with courage, modesty, lovingkindness, and perseverance the course prescribed by Abramelin the Mage; as far as in me lies, unto the attainment of this end.
3. To despise utterly the things and the opinions of this world lest they hinder me in doing this.
4. To use my powers only to the Spiritual Well-being of all with whom I may be brought in contact. 5. To give no place to evil: and to make eternal war against the Forces of Evil: until even they be redeemed unto the Light.
6. To harmonize my own spirit that so Equilibrium may lead me to the East and that my Human Consciousness shall allow no usurpation of its rule by the Automatic.
7. To conquer the temptations.
8. To banish the illusions.
9. To put my whole trust in the Only and Omnipotent Lord God: as it is written “Blessed are they that put their trust in Him.”
10. To uplift the Cross of Sacrifice and Suffering: and to cause my Light to shine before men that they may glorify my Father which is in Heaven.
Furthermore: I most solemnly promise and swear: to acquire this Holy Science in the manner prescribed in the Book of Abramelin, without omitting the least imaginable thing of their contents: not to gloss or comment in any way on that which may be or may not be; not to use this Sacred Science to offend the Great God, nor to work ill unto my neighbour: to communicate it to no living person, unless by long practice and conversation I shall know him thoroughly, well examining whether such an one really intendeth to work for the Good or for the Evil. II will punctually observe, in granting it, the same fashion which was used by Abramelin to Abraham. Otherwise, let him who receiveth it draw no fruit therefrom. I will keep myself as from a Scorpion from selling the Science. Let this Science remain in me and in my generation as long as it shall please the Most High.
All these points I generally and severally swear to observe under the awful penalty of the displeasure of God, and of Him to Whose Knowledge and Conversation I do most ardently aspire. So help me the Lord of the Universe, and my own Higher Soul!’
We know from the diary that Crowley’s climbing friend Oscar Eckenstein (1859-1921) was a guest of Crowley’s at Boleskine House during March and that they went walking and climbing together around the ‘Laird’s estate’. One entry states that Crowley ‘went climbing with O. E. Devil of a long day.’ And another entry reads ‘went on hills with O. E. to ski. Hard work and no ski-ing.’ Crowley is also writing a paper for Eckenstein on climbing and together they revise it.
Tobias Churton in his book ‘Aleister Crowley: the Biography – Spiritual Revolutionary, Romantic, Explorer, Occult Master and Spy’ (Watkins Publishing. 2011) suggests in Chapter Five that Crowley and Eckenstein are having a sexual relationship from a coded entry in the diary which states that Crowley ‘in the afternoon’ had ‘tried to go to the Twll-Du [Welsh slang for ‘black hole’ or anus] for O. E. with poor success. I then began to fix up things for a final. The wand wanted straightening.’ which seems to suggest one of them had difficulty in achieving an erection. I think Churton probably hits the nail on the head and all we really know is that ‘something’ took place which Crowley thought the need to remain a secret and writes in cipher.
Following the Obligation of the Operation and the end of the fast Crowley makes daily invocations of the Angels of the Elements:
‘In bed, I invoked the Fire angels and spirits on the tablet, with names, etc., and the 6th Key. I then (as Harpocrates) entered my crystal. An angel, meeting me, told me, among other things, that they (of the tablets) were at war with the angels of the 30 Aethyrs, to prevent the squaring of the circle. I went with him unto the abodes of Fire, but must have fallen asleep, or nearly so. Anyhow, I regained consciousness being there, and half there. Recovered and banished the Spirits, but was burning all over, and tossed restlessly about – very sleepy, but consumed of Fire! Only repeated careful assumption of Harpocrates’ god-form enabled me to regain my normal state. I had a long dream of a woman eloping, whom I helped, and after, of a man stealing my Rose Cross jewel from a dressing-table in an hotel. I caught him and found him a man weak beyond the natural (I could bend or flatten him at will), and then the dream seemed to lose coherence… I carried him about and found a hairbrush to beat him, etc. etc. Query: Was I totally obsessed?’
And for Earth:
‘Invoking the angels of Earth, I obtained wonderful effect. The angel, my guide, treated me with great contempt and was very rude and truthful. He showed me divers things. In the centre of the earth is formulated the Rose and Cross. Now the Rose is the Absolute Self-Sacrifice, the merging of all in the O (Negative), the Universal Principle of generation through change (not merely the feminine), and the Universal Light “Khabs”. The Cross is the Extension or Pekht principle. Now I should have learned more; but my attention wandered. This closes the four elemental visions: prosecuted, alas! with what weakness, fatuity and folly!’ [Confessions. p 192]
A few days later Crowley records one afternoon that he ‘went on a journey’ following reading Anna Kingsford’s ‘Clothed with the Sun’ and he ‘went with a very personal guide: and beheld (after some lesser things) our Master as he sat by the Well with the Woman of Samaria. Now the five husbands were five great religions which had defiled the purity of the Virgin of the World: and “he whom thou now hast” was materialism (or modern thought).
Other scenes also I saw in His life: and behold I also was crucified! Now did I go backwards in time even unto Berashith, the Beginning, and was permitted to see marvellous things.
First the Abyss of the Water: on which I, even I, brooded amid other dusky flames as Shin upon Maim, held by my Genius. And I beheld the victory of Ra upon Apophis and the First of the Golden Dawns! Yea: and monsters, faces half-formed, arose: but they subsisted not.
And the firmament was.
Again the Chaos and the Death!
Then Ath Hashamain ve ath h-aretz. There is a whirling, intertwining infinitude of nebulae, many concentric systems, each system non-concentric to any other, yet all concentric to the whole. As I went backwards in time they grew faster and faster, and less and less material. (P.S. – This is a scientific hypothesis, directly contrary to that of Anna Kingsford.) And at last are whirling wheels of light; yet through them waved a thrill of an intenser invisible light in a direction perpendicular to the tangents. I asked to go yet farther back; and behold! I am floating on my back – cast down: in a wind of Light flashing down upon me from the immeasurable Above. (This Light is of a bluish silver tinge.) And I saw that Face, lost above me in the height inscrutable; a face of absolute beauty. And I saw as it were as a Lamb slain in the Glamour of Those Eyes. Thus was I made pure; for there, what impurity could live? I was told that not many had been so far back: none farther: those who could go farther would not, since that would have reabsorbed them into the Beginning, and that must not be to him who hath sworn to uplift the Standard of Sacrifice and Sorrow, which is Strength. (I forgot the Angels n the Planetary Whirl. They regarded me with curiosity: and were totally unable to comprehend my explanation that I was a Man, returning in time to behold the Beginning of Things.)
So I returned; having difficulty to find the earth. But I called on S. R. M. D. and V. N. R. [Mathers and his wife Moina], who were glad to see me; and returned into the body: to waste the night in gibing at a foolish medico.’ [Confessions. p. 192-193]
At Boleskine Crowley writes to Soror Tempus Omnia Revelat (8) the assistant secretary of the Second Order requesting the papers associated to the Adeptus Minor Degree. Soror T. O. R. probably referred him to her Second Order superior Soror Deo Date (9) and so Crowley writes a letter to her some time before the Spring Equinox (21 March) 1900:
‘Cara V. H. Soror, I am told that I must write to you for the MSS. of the Second Order of which I am now a member. [A list of the MSS. follows].
Now even where I have the MSS. I should like to compare my copies with the official ones, as Iehi Aour [Allan Bennett], who gave me his MSS. by permission, is rather apt to condense.
I aught to mention that my identity with one Aleister Crowley and one Count Svareff are not generally known; and, in the works on which I am now engaged (with the full approval of G. H. Fra. D. D. C. F.) (10) It would be very dangerous for me if everybody (even in the Order) knew this. So I will ask you not to mention the fact.
I give you and Fra. E. A. Hunter (I am ashamed to have forgotten his motto) (11) the greetings of the Equinox.
With all fraternal greetings,
I am,
Perdurabo (Aleister MacGregor)’
[The Magicians of the Golden Dawn. Ellic Howe. 1972 (1985 ed. p 207-208)]
Saturday 24 March 1900: A meeting is held by Second Order members after Mathers dismissed Florence Farr from the Order and forbade any meetings taking place in connection with what Mathers had disclosed to Farr in the letter.
Sunday 25 March 1900: ‘Heard this evening from Deo Date [Mrs E. A. Hunter] S O [Second Order] apparently mad. Resolved to write to D. D. C. F. offering myself.’ Deo Date had refused to recognise Crowley’s entitlement to enter the Second Order.
Crowley believed that Mathers was his ‘only link with the Secret Chiefs to whom he was pledged’ and in writing to Mathers he offered himself and his ‘fortune unreservedly at his disposal’ even resigning himself to ‘giving up the Abra-Melin Operation for the present’. [Confessions. p. 195]
Sunday 1 April 1900: ‘I leave for London Monday: as it is written: “His Face was Fixed as a Flint to go unto Jerusalem”.’
Tuesday 3 April 1900: Crowley arrived in London at 10 a.m. and he went to Frater E. S. D. (12) Bring him back and trap Gnothi Seauton [W E H Humphrys] in attempting Laura [Lillian Horniblow]. He seems nearly as big a blackguard as myself. I misbehave as usual. Oh Lord, how long?’
Wednesday 4 April 1900: Crowley visits Volo Noscere [G. C. Jones] and stays with him. Friday 6 April 1900: Crowley leaves Volo Noscere as V. N. is expecting a visit from Soror S. S. D. D. [Florence Farr]. Frater C. S. [Causa Scientiae: Julian L Baker] visits Crowley in the evening.
Saturday 7 April 1900: Crowley goes to the Second Order Temple at 36 Blythe Road only to ‘find Vault locked… D. D. C. F.’s [Mather’s] letter forwarded to me. Fidelis [Elaine Simpson] appoints Sunday morning [for a meeting]. D. D. C. F. accepts my services.’ Crowley continues in his diary: ‘Therefore do I rejoice, that my sacrifice is accepted. Therefore do I again postpone the Operation of Abramelin the Mage, having by God’s Grace formulated even in this a new link with the Higher, and gained a new weapon against the Great Princes of the Evil of the World. AMEN.’
Beneath this in the diary Crowley makes a list of things that need to be achieved before he can pursue his plan (numbers 2-5 he has ticked in pencil), and so we find:
‘1. Full attr[ibution] in Enochian Alphabet to Geom[ancy] and Coptic. etc. [not done].
2. Symbolism 5°=6□ (if having to act as C. A.) [Chief Adept].
3. Magot and Kore.
4. H. P. K. [Harpocrates] formula of invisibility.
5. Current for vault – strength & wisdom etc.’
Sunday 8 April 1900: ‘Saw Fidelis and received her allegiance to S. R. [Mathers] and that of Perseverantia. (13) Also promise to help. Left London.’
Monday 9 April 1900: ‘Reached Paris. [28 Rue St. Vincent, home of Mr. and Mrs. Mathers] Am selected as the messenger of D. D. C. F. [Mathers] after a long talk with him and V. N. R. (14) [Mather’s wife Moina]. My proposals are substantially approved.’
Tuesday 10 April 1900: ‘Action begins to be taken.’
Wednesday 11 April 1900: ‘Letters etc. written.’ These are the letters of authorisation written by Mathers for Crowley. Thursday 12 April 1900: ‘Instructions and symbols received.’ Also in his ‘little book of Magical Rituals’ he writes:
‘I, Perdurabo, as the Temporary Envoy Plenipotentiary of Deo Duce Comite Ferro & thus the Third from the Secret Chiefs of the Order of the Rose of Ruby and the Cross of Gold, do deliberately invoke all laws, all powers Divine, demanding that I, be chosen to do such a work as he has done, at all costs to myself. And I record this holy aspiration in the Presence of the Divine Light, that it may stand as my witness. In Saecula Saeculorum. Amen!’
Friday 13 April 1900: ‘Left Paris 11.50 A.M. The history of my mission: is it not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Revolt of the Adepti?’
Also written in Crowley’s diary are his ‘Notes on the London row’ and ‘Instructions from Paris’ which makes interesting reading, see The Magicians of the Golden Dawn by Ellic Howe, published in 1972.
Crowley notes certain phenomena concerning ‘magical’ fires such as ‘cab lamps catch fire. Slight trouble at first with Perseverantia: so put her through questions. Ditto Resurgam (15) [Dr E Berridge]. Slept Paddington Hotel. Runaway horse. Fidelis’ fire has refused to burn.’
Crowley’s proposal to D. D. C. F. [Mathers] during his Paris visit for dealing with the Second Order rebels was as follows:
‘I. The Second Order to be summoned at various times during two or three days. They to find, on being admitted one by one, a masked man [Crowley] in authority and a scribe [Elaine Simpson]. These questions, etc. pass, after pledge of secrecy concerning interview.
A. Are you convinced of the truth of the doctrines and knowledge received in the grade of 5°=6□? Yes or No?
If yes (1) Then their origin can spring from a pure source only?
If no (2) I degrade you to be a Lord of the Paths in the Portal in the Vault of the Adepts.
B. If he reply “yes”, the masked man continues: Are you satisfied with the logic of this statement? Do you solemnly promise to cease these unseemly disputes as to the headship of this Order? I for my part can assure you from my own knowledge that D. D. C. F. is really 7°=4□.
If yes (3) Then you will sign this paper; it contains a solemn reaffirmation of your obligation as a 5°=6□ slightly expanded, and a pledge to support heartily the new regulations.
If no (4) II expel you from this Order.
II. The practice of masks is to be introduced. Each member will know only the member who introduced him.
Severe tests of the candidate’s moral excellence, courage, earnestness, humility, refusal to do wrong, to be inserted in the Portal or 5°=6□ ritual.
III. Outer Order to be summoned. Similar regulations to be announced to them. New pledges required that they will not communicate the identity of anybody they happen to have known to any new member.
IV. Vault to be reconsecrated.’ [Confessions. p. 195-196]
Saturday 14 April 1900: ‘Rose-Cross whitened. (16) Rubber macintosh nowhere near the fire catches light. Fire not too anxious to burn. Perseverantia informs me of the real charge against me. This is “sex-intemperance on Lake Harris (17) lines in order to obtain magical power (both sexes are here connoted)” I had a long dream re. Horos lot. They were at Boleskine and wanted to get some one MS. I had nobody I could trust at all and it was Hell and Tommy for a long while. The end tragic for them.’
Sunday 15 April 1900: ‘Sent Aubrey Grahame to M. W. Th (18) [Blackden] with letter.’ Monday 16 April 1900: ‘Saw landlord [of Isis Urania Temple] and convinced him. Saw Fidelis and arranged final details capture of Vault. Engaged chucker-out at a public house in Leicester Square. In the morning I was very badly obsessed and entirely lost my temper – utterly without reason or justification. 5 times at least horses have bolted at sight of me. Horse bolted with Fidelis on Saturday night. Fires at 15 R. R. (19) refuse utterly to burn.’ Crowley was warned by D. D. C. F. [Mathers] that fires would refuse to burn or would start uncontrollably which would show that Crowley was under magical attack.
Tuesday 17 April 1900: ‘Recaptured vault. Suspended Cracknell, H. et S. [E. A. Hunter] and S. S. D. D. [Florence Farr] came. Fight. Police. Victory.’ E. A. Hunter arrived at 36 Blythe Road to find the rooms broken into and Crowley and Miss Elaine Simpson there and declaring they had taken possession of the Vault by the authority of MacGregor Mathers and presented Hunter with the documents in Mathers’ name. Hunter told Crowley that Mathers had been suspended and his authority was no longer valid. Crowley said that Miss Cracknell (who entered with Hunter) must leave the room as she had been suspended from membership which Hunter refused. Mrs Emery, who was renting the rooms at Blythe Road from the landlord Mr. C. E. Wilkinson, arrived and then went to find a police constable. Because the landlord, Mr. Wilkinson was not present they were unable to prove to whom the rooms legally belonged. Crowley had new locks put on the doors and was temporarily in possession of the Vault.
Wednesday 18 April 1900: ‘Letters sent off.’ These letters, dated 17 April, were sent to Second Order members and stated that: ‘You are cited to appear at Headquarters at 11.45 a.m. on [Friday] the 20th inst.
Should you be unable to attend, an appointment at the earliest possible moment must be made by telegraphing to “MacGregor” at Headquarters. There will be no meeting on the 21st inst. By order of Deo Duce Comite Ferro Chief of the S. O. [Second Order]’
Thursday 19 April 1900: Crowley arrived at about 11.30 a.m. at 36 Blythe Road, the Second Order Headquarters wearing Highland dress with a dagger at his side, a black mask upon his face, a plaid thrown over his head and shoulders and a large golden cross upon his breast. Crowley walks past the clerk in the shop below and was stopped by Mr. Wilkinson the landlord in the back hall. Crowley had given his authority for entering the premises (and particularly the rooms upstairs) as the Earl of Glenstrae, also known as Count MacGregor. Upstairs were Demon Est Deus Inversus (20) and Hora et Semper [E. A. Hunter] who had arrived early that day to speak to Wilkinson. D. E. D. I. and H. et S. went downstairs to confront Crowley and informed him that he had no right to enter the premises. Mr. Wilkinson sent for a police constable who told Crowley to leave which he did, saying that the matter would be left to the hands of his lawyer. At about 1 o’clock a man arrived with a letter from Crowley which asked him to attend 36 Blythe Road at 11.00 a.m. but he was late because he had been searching for Blythe Road. He was unaware of why he was needed but evidently he was Crowley’s ‘chucker-out’ whom Crowley engaged outside the Alhambra music hall.
On the same day, Julian Baker was writing to E. A. Hunter: ‘I would suggest that you obtain possession of all our property properly belonging at Mark Mason’s Hall and keep them at your house for the present. We must be prepared for anything, for in Crowley we are dealing with a man without principles… You and I are responsible for rituals, robes etc. now, as I have just heard from S. S. D. D. [Florence Farr] that Blackden has thrown in his lot with Crowley & Co.’ Later that day a meeting was held by Second Order members and they suspended Mathers, Dr. Berridge, Mrs. Alice Simpson and her daughter Miss Elaine Simpson.
Monday 23 April 1900: Crowley sent the following document to Florence Farr from the home of Lady Hall, Maida Vale:
‘15 Randolph Road, Maida Vale, W.
The Envoy of G. H. Frater Deo Duce Comite Ferro, 7°=4□, Chief of the S. O. [Second Order], unto all members of the London branch of the S. O. Greetings.
It is first fitting that I express my sincere regret that members of the S. O. should have been put to unnecessary trouble.
In defiance of a promise given by Mrs. Emery [Florence Farr], Miss Cracknell, and Mr. Hunter to V. H. Soror Fidelis [Miss Elaine Simpson] and V. H. Frater Perdurabo, the rooms were forced open and various property of mine detained, while the projected interviews were made impossible.
The Courts of Law will shortly decide further concerning this action.
I hereby suspend V. H. Sorores S. S. D. D. [Florence Farr] and Tempus Omnia Revelat [Miss Cracknell] and Hora et Semper [E. A. Hunter], Levavi Oculus [Percy Bullock] and Demon est Deus Inversus [W. B. Yeats] from both Orders.
I must now request that an appointment be made with me by each individual member of the S. O. at the above address.
Letters may be addressed to Miss Elaine Simpson. Failing this, or a serious and reasonable excuse, suspension from both Orders will operate automatically at noon on Tuesday.
My authority for this action will be shown to each member on arriving at the interview. Witness my seal.’
On the same day Crowley, in the name of ‘Edward Aleister’ brought a summons against S. S. D. D. [Florence Farr] at the West London Police Court, charged with ‘unlawfully and without just cause detaining certain papers and other articles, the property of the Complainant.’ In default of this Crowley would claim the sum of fifteen pounds. The Court hearing took place on Saturday 28 April 1900. Crowley’s solicitor with no case to put forward as Crowley was blacklisted for outstanding debts, withdrew charges for a five pound penalty.
‘Towards the end of April, 1900, P [Perdurabo] returned to his lonely house in the north, but only remaining there for a few days, he travelled back to Paris. For it was now past Easter, and so too late in the year to begin the operation of Abramelin.
He had, as we have seen, induced D. D. C. F. [Mathers] to put in force the Deadly and Hostile Current of Will, but, as in the case of the Jackdaw of Rheims, nobody seemed a penny the worse. One might have expected that D. D. C. F. having failed, P. would have abandoned him. No, for it seemed still possible that D. D. C. F., really in touch with the supreme Chiefs, had yet finally decided to stay with Christ upon the Cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” even though this theory was somewhat rudely shaken by D. D. C. F. spending the whole of one Sunday afternoon in rattling a lot of dried peas in a sieve under the impression that they were the revolted members: as subsequent events proved, they were only the ideas in his head.
So we find P. still loyal, if a little sceptical, and searching within himself to discover a touchstone by which he might prove beyond doubt the authenticity of D. D. C. F.’s claim to represent the Masters.’ [The Temple of Solomon the King. The Equinox, volume I, number iii. 1910]
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn limped on under various names and splinter groups but its golden years were long gone. Crowley, his Abramelin Operation interrupted and following his time in Paris and his new intimate relationship with the American soprano Susan Strong (1870-1946) sailed on board the SS Pennsylvania in June 1900 for the United States. He went on to Mexico, where in December, Oscar Eckenstein joined him and together they climbed and Crowley learned new techniques in self analysis. The Golden Dawn was a very small part of Crowley’s magical development yet it was an important and influential introduction into ‘magical society’ for it brought to his attention the great magical personas such as Allan Bennett, George Cecil Jones and MacGregor Mathers; Crowley would never be satisfied within the confines of a magical order (unless he were the Head of that Order) and so the poet and adventurer within him took to wandering the globe in search of new experiences. He did eventually complete the Operation of Abramelin and attain the Knowledge and Conversation of his Holy Guardian Angel (Augoeides) during his 1906 walk across China [see ‘Augoeides’ by Audrarep. The Voice of Fire, volume I, number 4]
Notes:
1. Great Trouble: the Great Trouble refers to an impending homosexual scandal in which Crowley and others were involved, hence why the police were watching Crowley’s flat at 67 Chancery Lane, which he shared with Allan Bennett.
2. Laura: Laura Grahame – a name used by Lillian Horniblow for secret assignations with ‘gentlemen friends’, Crowley being one such gentleman who had been seeing her for some months in 1899. She was born Lillian Horsford in Ceylon (1874-1958), the daughter of Frederick Wallis O Bryan Horsford, born Ceylon in 1842 and Cecilia Benvenuta Macready, born in 1846 (they married in 1867 and had five children). Lillian married Lieutenant Colonel (later Brigadier General) Frank Herbert Horniblow of the Royal Engineers, born (like Crowley) in Leamington (1860-1931). They were married on 3 October 1895 at Christ Church, Barton Regis, in Warwickshire. ‘Laura’ had also paid for Allan Bennett’s passage to Ceylon.
3. Evelyn Hall was one of Crowley’s lovers at the time.
4. Crowley went to visit Mathers for admittance into the Second Order.
5. Cambridge
6. William Evans Hugh Humphrys (1876-1950), journalist educated at Cambridge. He was admitted into the Second Order on 12 March 1901. He was also in love with ‘Laura’ [Lilian Horniblow].
7. Boleskine House. In December 1899 Crowley invited ‘Laura’ [Lillian Horniblow] to Boleskine and paid for her fare. W. E. H. Humphrys, an acquaintance of Crowley’s from Cambridge was also there and acted as an assistant in a magical ceremony (see Churton). He had taken the place of Charles Rosher (1858-1936), (who had suddenly fled Boleskine one day) to assist with the household duties while Crowley would perform the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage. On Crowley’s return on Wednesday 7 February 1900 ‘Laura’ had already left Boleskine.
8. Maud Cracknell (1858-1950) whom Crowley referred as ‘an ancient Sapphic Crack, unlikely to be filled’. She was initiated at the Amen-Ra Temple in Edinburgh on 23 November 1896 and entered the Second Order at London’s Isis-Urania Temple on 10 October 1898.
9. Mrs Harietta Dorothea Hunter nee Butler, wife of E. A. Hunter.
10. Greatly Honoured Frater Deo Duce Comite Ferro: Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers (1854-1918). Mathers and his wife Moina were living at 87 Rue Mozart, Paris at the time. Mathers was known in the First Order as ‘S Rioghail Mo Dhream’ (Royal is my tribe) and in the Second Order as ‘Deo Duce Comite Ferro’ (With God as my leader and the sword as my companion).
11. E. A. Hunter: Frater Hora et Semper.
12. Frater Eritis Similis Deo: Gerald Kelly, (later Sir and President of the Royal Academy) the artist of Cambridge University (later to become Crowley’s brother in law) who was initiated into the Golden Dawn on 31 October 1899.
13. Soror Perseverantia Et Cura Quies: Mrs Alice Isabel Simpson (nee Hall) mother of Elaine Simpson [Soror Donorum Dei Dispensatio Fidelis]. ‘Perseverantia’ was initiated in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn at the Isis-Urania Temple on 12 July 1895 and entered the Second Order on 27 May 1899. She married William Simpson in 1875. Her two daughters: Alice Beatrice Simpson and Elaine Mary Simpson were members of the Golden Dawn. Elaine was initiated on 1 January 1897 at the Isis-Urania Temple and she entered the Second Order in March 1899. She married Paul Harry Witkowski in 1900 and later married again to a man named Wolker.
14. Soror Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum: Mina Bergson (1865-1928), sister of the French philosopher Henri Bergson and later Mrs Moina Mathers.
15. Frater Resurgam: Dr Edward Berridge. London homoeopathic physician who studied medicine at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and qualified in 1867. He published ‘Complete Repertory to the Homoeopathic Materia Medica’ in 1869.
16. Rose-Cross: a talisman given to Crowley by Mathers before he left Paris which was only to be used to invoke the Chief [Mathers] in case of urgent necessity.
17. Thomas Lake Harris (1823-1906) was a mystic whose theories on sex were widely known amongst members of the Second Order.
18. Frater Ma Wahunu Thesi: Marcus Worsley Blackden (1864-1934)
19. 15 Randolph Road, Maida Vale, the home of Lady Hall [Perseverantia], Elaine Simpson’s mother.
20. William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) the poet joined the Golden Dawn on 7 March 1890.
TO LAYLAH EIGHT-AND-TWENTY
LAMP of living loveliness,
Maid miraculously male,
Rapture of thine own excess
Blushing through the velvet veil
Where the olive cheeks aglow
Shadow-soften into snow,
Breasts like Bacchanals afloat
Under the proudly phallic throat!
Be thou to my pilgrimage
Light, and laughter sweet and sage,
Till the darkling day expire
Of my life in thy caress,
Thou my frenzy and my fire,
Lamp of living loveliness!
Thou the ruler of the rod
That beneath thy clasp extends
To the galaxies of God
From the gulph where ocean ends,
Cave of dragon, ruby rose,
Heart of hell, garden-close,
Hyacinth petal sweet to smell,
Split-hoof of the glad gazelle,
Be thou mine as I am thine,
As the vine's ensigns entwine
At the sacring of the sun,
Thou the even and I the odd
Being and becoming one
On the abacus of God!
Thou the sacred snake that rears
Death, a jewelled crest across
The enchantment of the years,
All my love that is my loss.
Life and death, two and one,
Hate and love, moon and sun,
Light and darkness, never swerve
From the norm, note the nerve,
Name the name, exceed the excess
Of thy lamp of loveliness,
Living snake of lazy love,
Ithyphallic that uprears
Its Palladium above
The enchantment of the years!
[Aleister Crowley. 10th August 1913 from the Equinox, volume I, number X ‘Colophon’. Leila was in fact three and thirty in 1913!]
THE QABALAH: AN INTRODUCTION
BY AUDRAREP
PART II
QABALAH FOR QUIXOTIC QUEENS
THE ETERNAL BALANCE
Each of the Sephiroth or Spheres has a unique characteristic which affects the earth plane (Malkuth). If we look at Chesed and Geburah we can see this equilibrium in action. Chesed represents constructive, creative energy which is a genial force symbolised by the word ‘Mercy’. Geburah, on the other hand represents the destructive energy which counteracts Chesed; it is a cleansing or ‘banishing’ force. It is symbolised by the word ‘Justice’. Chesed and Geburah interact with each other constantly as one thing is ‘destroyed’ (thought, action, etc.) by the force of Geburah, the force of Chesed replaces that void with a new energy ‘idea’, action, etc. so there is always a constant balance of equal proportionate forces. These forces can become uneven as can be seen in some personalities.
Between these two abstract notions is the perfect equilibrium and Beauty of Tiphereth (Love).
This balance can also be seen in other aspects of the Tree such as Binah and Chokmah, and Netzach (emotion, love and art) and Hod (intellect, law and science). The opposite forces of these outer Sephiroth find their equilibrium in the Miiddle Pillar and in this way the adept must learn to balance the internal forces by counteracting those aspects within which are undesirable to the adept, with their opposing influences.
THE NEGATIVE VEILS OF EXISTENCE
This is an abstract concept from which all emanates; it is the source of all manifestation.
O= AIN= Nothingness
OO= AIN SOPH= Limitlessness
OOO= AIIN SOPH AUR= Limitless Light.
These veils of non-existence or the formless void in Thelemic terms is a perfect representation of the Goddess Nuit for She is ‘Infinite Space, and the Infinite Stars’ [AL. I. 22] and She is the Absolute Nothingness from which all manifestation occurs; this pure and uninfluenced Limitless Light in extension precedes and forms Kether. A good analogy is to see this Negative Existence as Light or as ‘non-light’ which becomes ‘manifest’ in the first Sephira which is Kether, an ‘extension’ of this ‘light’ into the ‘point’ where it transcends ‘Nothingness’ and becomes a concept of ‘Manifestation’.
AN EXAMINATION OF THE SEPHIROTH
1. KETHER: Kether means ‘Crown’; it is the top or ‘crown’ of the Tree or the Middle Pillar of Equilibrium and as you can guess this sphere has a ‘kingly’ or ‘Godly’ nature and we can associate wisdom, justice and power with Kether. In fact, Kether contains all the perfect aspects of the spheres which manifest from it upon the Tree. Because it is the first sphere does not mean it is superior to other spheres as all spheres are unique and equal for Malkuth is just as important and equal in spiritual force as Kether. Symbolically Kether is the point within the circle, on the body it is represented by the head (crown) and it is assigned to the planet Pluto. Kether is therefore an excellent place in which to assign the Thelemic God Hadit. In the sense of the magical grade it is the highest achievable in the physical realm: 10=1 ‘Ippsisimus’.
2. Chokmah: Chokmah means ‘Wisdom’ and it is the first sphere at the top of the positive or archetypal ‘masculine’ pillar; it is the Supernal Father which receives its force direct from Kether which then stimulates Binah. Chokmah is un-materialised Force. Symbolically Chokmah is the ‘line’, (also the cross) an extension of the ‘point’ and it can be seen as the Phallus [magical weapon: rod/wand]. In Thelemic terms it can be seen as Chaos and on the body it is associated with the left side of the face. The planet assigned to Chokmah is Neptune. Magically, Chokmah is connected to the grade 9=2 ‘Magus’.
3. Binah: Binah means ‘Understanding’ and it is placed opposite Chokmah at the top of the negative or archetypal ‘feminine’ pillar. Binah is known as the Great Mother for it is receptive of Chokmah’s energy. Binah is Form as yet un-materialised (the womb, the Sacred Temple etc.) Symbolically Binah can be seen as the ‘circle’, the Cup or the Lamp and also the Yoni (and egg). On the body Binah is associated with the right side of the face and the magical grade 8=3 ‘Master of the Temple’ is connected to this sphere and the planet assigned to Binah is Saturn. Below Chokmah and Binah, situated on the Middle Pillar below Kether and above Tiphereth is the ‘hidden Sephira’ called Daath. Many Qabalists believe Daath (Knowledge) to be another Sephira yet there are many who are unsure as to its purpose and symbolism. Daath can be seen as a ‘bridge’ across the Abyss which separates the Divine and that which is not Divine or Holy; it is a ‘barrier’ to defend the Upper Supernal Triad from that which is not perfect or Holy. In the magical sense the adept is the Babe of the Abyss. The planet assigned to Daath is Uranus and on the body it equates to the neck.
4. Chesed: Chesed (also known as Gedulah) means ‘Mercy’ (compassion) and it represents the creative force or energy. Symbolically Chesed is represented by the ‘square’ and on the body it is associated with the left arm. The planet Jupiter is assigned to Chesed and magically the grade connected to this sphere is 7=4 ‘Exempt Adept’.
5. Geburah: Geburah, which means ‘Strength’ can also be seen as Severity and Justice; it is a corrective force which breaks up or destroys the Creative essence of Chesed so that it may in turn re-create and re-build, only to be faced with the ‘corrective’ Geburah. The planet Mars is assigned to Geburah and it is a perfect sphere to express the ‘Will’. Symbolically it is represented by the Sword or the Scourge and on the body it is associated with the right arm. The magical grade connected to Geburah is 6=5 ‘Adeptus Major’.
6. Tiphereth: Tiphereth (or the Lesser Countenance) means ‘Beauty’ and also Harmony and it perfectly balances the forces between Chesed and Geburah having itself both these qualities in perfect equilibrium. It is the central sphere on the Tree and it relates to intellect and aspects of high mental consciousness; it is symbolised mystically by the Dying Gods of ‘Sacrifice’ and ‘Resurrection’ as in Christ and the crucifixion, all Sun Gods. The Sun represents Tiphereth. Symbolically the Hexagram and the Rose Cross represent Tiphereth and on the human body it is associated with the heart. In Thelemic terms it is the perfect sphere for the placing of the Holy Guardian Angel and magically it is connected to the grade 5=6 ‘Adeptus Minor’.
7. Netzach: Netzach means ‘Victory’ and it is the sphere of the emotion as in the senses, passion and instinctive pleasure. The planet assigned to Netzach is Venus, the Goddess of Love. It is therefore a perfect sphere to place the Thelemic Scarlet Woman. Symbolically Netzach is represented by the seven-pointed star and the magical weapons Girdle and Lamp. On the body it is associated to the hips and the legs and magically it is connected to 4=7 ‘Philosophus’.
8. Hod: Hod means ‘Splendour’ (and Glory) and it is the sphere of the intellect, of reasoning, logic and insight and un-emotional acts or thoughts. The planet assigned to Hod is Mercury, the God of messages and eloquent speech and the equivalent in the Greek pantheon is Hermes, is therefore a perfect sphere to govern ritual magic and conjurations. Symbolically Hod is represented by the Serpent (Caduceus) and in Thelemic terms Baphomet may be placed at Hod. On the body it is associated with the legs and its magical grade is 3=8 ‘Practicus’.
9. Yesod: Yesod means ‘Foundation’ and it relates to the subconscious mind. Yesod balances Netzach and Hod in the same manner that Tiphereth balances Chesed and Geburah. The planet assigned to Yesod is the Moon with all of its connections and influences upon life residing upon Malkuth; it can therefore be said to reflect the Astral Light (of the subconscious mind). Symbolically Yesod can be represented by the Cup and on the body it is the reproductive organs, Asar and Asi (Phallus and Vulva). In Thelemic terms it is a good sphere to place Therion, opposite the Scarlet Woman of Netzach. The magical grade associated with Yesod is 2=9 ‘Zelator’.
10. Malkuth: Malkuth is the ‘Kingdom’ or the physical world, the final sphere which has absorbed all the previous qualities of the preceding spheres. Malkuth is the Gate of Death and it is where the basis of all ritual magic evolves from the physical symbolism combined with Netzach (emotional force), Hod (mental force) and Yesod (subconscious force). Symbolically Malkuth can be represented by the Altar and the Magick Circle (and the Triangle). On the body it is connected to the feet and the anus (the Eye of Hoor) and the magical grade associated with Malkuth is 1=10 ‘Neophyte’.
The Tree of Life is a representation of the Universe and it is divided into four planes:
1 = Fire
2 and 3 = Water
4 to 9 = Air
10 = Earth
The Tree is also divided into four worlds:
1 = Atziluth (Archetypal World)
3 = Briah (Creative World)
4 to 9 = Yetziirah (Formative World)
10 = Assiah (Material World)
The Tree can also be viewed as a map with two paths of return: (a) the slow path which is the Serpent which winds around the Tree, and (b) the direct path which is the central Middle Pillar of the Tree.
THE TWENTY-TWO PATHS AND THE TAROT TRUMPS
The 22 cards in the Major Arcana of the Tarot are a pictorial representation of the main categories which existence or life can be divided into. The 22 paths between the ten Sephiroth and the 22 cards of the Tarot (and the 22 letters in the Hebrew Alphabet) supplement each other. The attributions connected to the paths are:
HEBREW NUMERICAL PLANET/ TAROT
LETTERS VALUE OF ZODIACAL NUMBER
PATH IN ENGLISH LETTERS ELEMENT AND TITLE
11 A ALEPH 1 AIR O FOOL
12 B BETH 2 MERCURY I MAGICIAN
13 G GIMEL 3 MOON II HIGH PRIESTESS
14 D DALETH 4 VENUS III EMPRESS
15 H HEH 5 AQUARIUS XVII STAR*
16 U, V, W VAU 6 TAURUS V HIEROPHANT
17 Z ZAIN 7 GEMINI VI LOVERS
18 Ch CHETH 8 CANCER VII CHARIOT
19 T TETH 9 LEO XI STRENGTH
20 Y, I YOD 10 VIRGO IX HERMIT
21 K KAPH 20, 500** JUPIITER X WHEEL OF FORTUNE
22 L LAMED 30 LIBRA VIII JUSTICE
23 M MEM 40, 600 WATER XII HANGED MAN
24 N NUN 50, 700 SCORPIO XII DEATH
25 S SAMEKH 60 SAGITTARIUS XIV ART (TEMPERANCE)
26 O AYIN 70 CAPRICORN XV DEVIL
27 P, F PEH 80, 800 MARS XVI BLASTED TOWER
28 Tz TZADDI 90, 900 ARIES IV EMPEROR*
29 Q, K QOPH 100 PISCES XVIII MOON
30 R RESH 200 SUN XIX SUN
31 Sh, S SHIN 300 FIRE XX JUDGEMENT
32 Th, T TAU 400 EARTH/ XXI WORLD
SATURN
*In accordance with the Book of the Law the positions of the Emperor and the Star are correct. Traditionally the cards are as numbered in numerical order.
**The final form where the letter appears at the end of a word which changes its shape and its numerical value. For the full table of correspondences see Crowley’s 777 and other Qabalistic Writings.
The attributions also work with the Greek alphabet:
GREEK NUMERICAL
LETTERS VALUE OF
PATH IN ENGLIISH LETTERS
11 A ALPHA 1
12 B BETA 2
13 G GAMMA 3
14 D DELTA 4
15 E (short) EPSILON 5
16 V, W DIGAMMA 6
17 Z ZETA 7
18 E (long) ETA 8
19 Th THETA 9
20 I IOTA 10
21 K KAPPA 20
22 L LAMBDA 30
23 M MU 40
24 N NU 50
25 X XI 60
26 O (short) OMICRON 70
27 P PI 80
28 KOPPA* 90
29 R RHO 100
30 S SIGMA 200
31 T TAU 300
32 U, Y UPSILON 400
Ph PHI 500
Ch CHI 600
Ps PSI 700
O (long) OMEGA 800
SAMPI 900
ALPHA
(with accent added In lower left = x1000) 1000
*Crowley gives a different order from here down in 777 such as: Psi on path 28, Koppa on 29, Rho on 30, Sampi on 31 and Tau on 32 etc. The Greek and Hebrew Alphabets and their Tarot attributions differ following the Hebrew Tzaddi and the Greek Koppa.
THE TREE OF LIFE GAME
I have found an interesting way in which to learn the attributions associated with the Tree of Life is to play a little game in which memory plays the greatest part. The game is usually played solitary but can incorporate other players. The game is best played on long journeys travelling on trains or buses where one looks out of the window and whatever comes into view, be it a tower block or a river for example, one then has to associate all the attributions connected to it to place it on the Tree of Life!
In this way, shapes, colours, numbers, letters and words etc. are able to unlock a world of qabalistic information and helps develop a good basic memory of the various attributions. A good beginning is to start with the numbers 1-10 and then progress on to more difficult associations. I shall give a few examples:
a. Through the window I see a DOOR and I think of the Hebrew letter D ‘Daleth’ and the number 4 [Chesed]. I also think of the Empress in the Tarot which is number three and the colour emerald green and the planet Venus; I also think of Aphrodite, turquoise, sparrow, dove and swan…
b. Through the window I see a MAGPIE and think of the Hebrew letter Z ‘Zain’ and the number 7 [Netzach]. I also think of the Lovers in the Tarot which is number six, and the colour orange, Gemini and Apollo…
c. Through the window I see the number 55 and think 55 is the mystic number of Malkuth, the Kingdom and the Sphere of the Elements which is number 10. I also think of the colour yellow, the 4 tens in the Tarot, the god Osiris, on the human body the buttocks (‘eye of Horus’), Persephone, the willow, lily and ivy; the Sphinx, rock crystal; the magic circle and the triangle (also the altar) corn… Ten is also the mystic number of Chesed which takes us back to the number 4 and off we go again!
d. Through the window I see an OAK TREE and I think of the number 5 which is the planet Mars, strength, the Pentagram (ALHIM), Horus, Hades, Thor and Vishnu. In the Tarot it is the 4 fives; it is also the Ruby, the nettle, iron, sulphur, tobacco, the Sword, spear, scourge and the chain. Five is also Geburah (motion)… all that from looking at an oak tree!
That is all for now and happy playing!
THE LAST TABOO
BY
BARRY VAN-ASTEN
It was during the last death spasm of the last century in the heart of a nameless city that I came upon the forgotten remnants of some poor and helpless creature by the name of Anthony. I would go into more detail but it was all very perplexing and such a long time ago. Anthony, or Tony as he preferred to be called, was something of a minor miracle in a great family of many feuds, in fact, in childhood he was often referred to in Dickensian mockery as the ‘infant phenomenon’ for such were his prolific talents. He was a young man in the first crumbling embers of his second decade when I knew him, with dark eyes, dark hair and features, in fact; darkness permeated every cell of his being. I had met the wretched fellow at some establishment that taught young men and women who avoided all aspects of real work the delicate art of drawing and graphic design; a sort of reform school for the gentrified ‘bone-idle’. His gloomy disposition was often seated next to mine when he could be bothered to attend at all and he could often be seen thumbing through his well-worn copy of the Bible as we studied fine art, although I must confess there was nothing fine about his art, in fact he had no drawing skills whatsoever and he was as averse to work as much as he was averse to soap and water, but damned it, I felt a little sorry for the poor devil although it was beyond my comprehension to understand why he was there at all.
But as I said, I had taken the fellow under my wings so to speak and helped him with aspects of technical composition and perspective. Perhaps I should mention that I had only taken a seat at this so called ‘art institution’ out of utter boredom, for my artistic expectations panted down many roads, roads down which one should never travel, and my inky fingers were poked into many pies, metaphorical pies, quite inedible! in fact, I had just completed my as then unpublished novel ‘A Splendid Time We Had’ with its memorable first line: ‘I had a long walk around Graeme Garden and through Victoria Wood where in the distance, I could see the prominent features of the crumbling remains of Roy Castle, and I walked on, before entering the grand old Stuart Hall.’ (1) But I digress, Anthony was a quietly spoken young man, actually I never heard him speak above a whisper and he was either searching his soul for some greater purpose in life or else he had taken his plastic cup and dipped it into the barrel marked ‘Religion’ only to scrape at the bottom dregs to find ‘Christianity’. [Please note that other religious ‘dregs’ are available – editor]
One day, I went up to him and interrupted his thought as he ruined his eyes over the small print of his Bible and I told him straight that he was looking in the wrong place for anything insightful and that he should look around him for the real magic of life is not written down in a book, wonderful as books are for they are constant and do not let one down… I should say that I once knew a young fool whose experience of books and reading had been a kindly one for it began with encyclopaedias (his young eyes saw no worth in the novel if it could not teach facts); in fact, his first love was a sixty-fifth edition of ‘Pears Cyclopaedia’ 1956-57; he would inhale its aged aroma in sweet intoxication and its bindings became broken in an act of betrothal! Then the young Gradgrindian (2) mind discovered Poe (3) and a world was opened to the young fool! From the genius of Poe the young acolyte was led into the world of Gothic novels (4) and his soul was hence lost to literature! But what was I saying? Oh yes! I had been telling the confused Anthony of how life is all around and not just on the page.
[The editor hereby wishes to caution the author on several passages which have been removed for reference to a member of the Royal family and a leading member of the Anglican Church! – editor]
I then went on to inform him that the crimes perpetrated by man against man are more horrific than any imagined hell and this is the true crime of humanity which surrounds us continually and eternally. And he looked at me with his sad eyes and I pitied him for he had been treated quite shabbily at home and he was wasting his pitiful existence in smoking the ‘weed of forgetfulness’. I told him, that if he could imagine such terrors then surely, somewhere it has occurred or is occurring or will occur. Right now, I said, right now, there is someone, somewhere upon this festering globe; we shall call him ‘Peter’, for want of a more saintly name, who is attempting to seduce a plump duck, whom we shall call ‘Gerald’. In fact, Peter is carrying out this awful and atrocious love-scene in front of two startled and bewildered rabbits that we shall call for narrative purposes ‘Matilda’ and ‘Jemima’. Now, Peter, having forced his unbridled and unnatural attractions upon Gerald in a flustered flurry of feathers, casually wrung poor Gerald’s neck at the point of exclamation! As absurd as it sounds, Peter now turns his attention towards the rabbits for his only dilemma is: ‘which one do I romantically entangle my parts with after dinner’ (here’s where Gerald makes a re-appearance) ‘and which one do I hail as King of the Cosmos and worship its crucified corpse above the marriage bed, ever a witness to the horror and passion it shall contain!’ And I suppose, Anthony said with more than a hint of sarcasm, that the Good Lord, in all His infinite wisdom has cruelly given Peter, the perpetrator of such evil, a desire to wear women’s’ undergarments! Anthony enjoyed crow-barring ‘the Good Lord’ and ‘women’s undergarments’ into conversations, as it satisfied both his spiritual desire and his latent transvestism. [The editor here wishes to point out that the mentioning of the ‘Good Lord’ and ‘transvestism’ are mere coincidence and is not to suggest that all Christians are transvestites, whether members of the clergy or not!]
I don’t know why, but that tale reminds me of another individual I found one day while looking under a stone as I lurked and lurched about yet another artistic institution in search of like-minded entities. Well, there he was, pale and wasted and weak and we fell into conversation on the subject of the occult. We found we both had similar interests in a certain type of ceremonial magic (5) but at the mention of a certain Master Adept whom we shall refrain from mentioning for fear of reprisals, the young fellow turned quite purple in the face and almost choked as he stumbled on his legs (which were far too small to carry such pomposity, as if hastily added like some humorous architectural afterthought); yes, purple in the face, as if the Devil himself had come forth among us, evoked from the denizens and upturned the brute and fingered the poor wretch’s dark orifice otherwise known as ‘Satan’s portal to the over-world’; as if I had just informed him casually ‘by the way, I have just fed the rotten corpse of your dear departed mother to a hungry tramp, I hope you don’t mind my act of Christian charity!’ (O spare us the gory details! – editor) Anyway, the upshot of all this piffle is that he eventually managed to utter that he had ‘dabbled in such things’ and that they were ‘very real indeed!’ and that they can really ‘mess you up!’ Poor imbecile! He was trying so hard to look elegantly damaged that he only came across as a complete mother’s boy who liked to wear black because it reflected his inner torment and life was such a monstrous tragedy and everything was dark, dark, dark, and death, death, death and such a bore! Let us hope, in fact let us pray if we should be fool enough, that his damned soul has taken up permanent residence in an under-world of darkness, death and eternal boredom, and that his dark and lonely posterior is ever the plaything of our Lord Satan’s majestic finger. Amen! I learnt a valuable lesson that day, but yet again, I digress.
As for Anthony, he never turned up one day and I never saw him again but I did hear what happened to him from an old friend of mine in South London, I will call him ‘Squint’ – The author here wishes to point out that all allegations relating to an incident concerning the author while an undergraduate, attempting to strangle a young lady by the initials J. C. in a Putney pub are grossly exaggerated and probably coincidental! (6)
Well, it turned out that Anthony, poor fool, started seeing the Devil around every corner, oh that reminds me, being somewhat insensitive, I regularly put off the advances of the young gentleman, he being that way inclined (in fact his inclinations knew no bounds) and I taught him a secret way in which to perform the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram, whereby the pentagram is drawn by the tongue in the secrecy of the mouth, so as it can be performed in public without attracting unwanted attention (It can also be used as a seal exchanged in the form of a kiss – editor) (7) ‘I am burdened by the atrocities of thought!’ he would say before returning as some would say, like a dog to his vomit and his precious Bible. One day I attempted to explain to him a cautionary tale, in fact an epistle upon the sordid duty of marriage, but that is another story! (8)
I had heard that he spent all his waking hours attempting to perfect the art of levitation, but got no further than standing on one leg! Squint had told me that Anthony came to the Capital like a lost sheep and found work in a store called the ‘Zipper King’ (9) in a fashionable part of town, but there was only so much he could take of the glamorous world of zips and fastenings and he soon found himself in the depths of delusion, believing he was the figure of Death (he took to carrying a cardboard scythe much like certain Christians carry a wooden cross). It was following this that Anthony or the ‘Grim Reaper’ gave himself over to the Devil completely and would accost people in the street with the words ‘may your eyes swell with the heat of a thousand suns!’ In fact, he seemed to think there was such an abundance of eyes in the world that a few hundred thousand swelled with ‘the heat of the sun’ would make no difference. Following regular sessions with a psycho-analyst named Dr. Carravagio, (10) the good Doctor told Anthony that he need not concern himself with sins unless he were thinking of conquering the ‘last taboo’ (11) more of which he would not say. Anthony sought out information concerning the last taboo as well as he could and pieced it together for the actual act itself is not described, so horrific and blasphemous is the deed that it is rarely spoken of or written about, but only suggested. It is also said that if it were performed it could bring about the destruction of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, such is its power! (You have been warned! – editor) Poor Anthony, he came upon the idea that if he were a woman he may be able to get closer to Jesus and thus cleanse himself of evil! How strange the mind in torment works! And so under the name of Sister Anne he was taken in at the Conventium Universalis Nunneris Theologicum, a solitary holy order for women Christians thought to be the cream of Christianity (by some unnamed person of high clerical position no doubt) who believed in the eternal love of the Magdalene. (12) The Convent was in fact an old Victorian House with a large walled garden and there were seven sisters inhabiting the Convent at this time. The young novices had been busy dong the Lord’s work and they had given their assistance to aiding fallen women, in fact they had taken much of their enthusiasm for the work in re-habilitating the young girls of the streets from the great work initiated by the Rector of Stiffkey (13). Anthony ingratiated himself at the Convent and walked its corridors as if he had been raised within its walls for he would enter the chapel like a wet-dream. So well did Anthony fit in with the daily routines at the Convent that before long he had established a ‘nice little business for himself and was dong very nicely, thank you very much!’ What that ‘business’ was we can only guess; and it was Anthony who was instrumental in the installation of a “television” in each sister’s chamber to ‘engage the mind and enhance one’s intellectual capacity’. And so it came to pass that the introduction of the ‘Devil’s windows’ into the nuns’ chambers brought the sisters (without exception) to the very brink of the worst case of ‘soap addiction’ yet witnessed within the English Church! In fact, once the sisters were ‘introduced’ to television, mobile phones and the internet it was a wonder that the sisters got any of the ‘Lord’s work’ done at all! Upon entering the Convent Anthony learned that the good sisters were not all that they appeared to be which led to many an unkind word concerning hypocrisy for the nuns of the Order were fluent in the Angelic language (14) and had even constructed a very unusual and strange ‘Angelic typewriter’ for translating such works as The Bible, which they were busy doing. Anthony or Sister Anne continued his search for Jesus at the nunnery but found nothing of significance. One day he read an article in some science magazine which suggested the theory that ‘Dark Matter may have a quality which resembles “intelligence” and could possibly hold the eternal answer: what is God?’ With this idea fixed in his mind, Anthony decided to search for the dark matter in question. He painted the walls of his room white and the sparse furniture it held white; he painted the floor and the windows white and all his linen furnishings were white, and he even painted himself white and in this white room of whiteness Anthony searched for the least evidence that dark matter should be residing in that room, but he found nothing except a stubborn stain upon the curtain which if he squinted and looked side-ways almost resembled the face of Christ, but without the beard and the long hair, in fact, it was nothing like him yet Anthony immediately took it down and venerated it as a religious icon much like the shroud of Turin. It was the last straw!
One day it was brought to the attention of the Mother Superior, Sister Chlamydia, that ‘Anne’ had been practicing a certain kind of ‘dark magic’ in the Chapel of the Menstruating Angel, known as the Lesser Key of Solomon (15) and as if that was not bad enough he/she had corrupted three of the best Sisters at the nunnery, Sisters Malaria, Clitoris and Ebola! (16) All three sisters were found to have wounds to their bodies and large weal’s as if their flesh had been whipped, but of this the sisters were tight lipped! A square vellum talisman was also found by Sister Fourchette beneath a statue of Mary with some strange figures drawn upon it in blood. It was thought that some demonic entity had been evoked and let loose within the Convent which brought the good sisters to a state of mass hysteria and eventual ‘blasphemies of fornication’! (17)
Asked to leave the Convent, Anthony/Anne took to residing in one of the more sought after cemeteries in the most desirable part of town. He was last seen by officials, dancing upon a chest tomb, singing ‘you’re all dead and I’m not!’ before tripping over his habit and impaling his head upon the rusty railings that surrounded the tomb, thus securing a good position in the most sought after of desirable cemeteries! [Death is mortal after all! – editor]
If that damned editor does not desist from interrupting my story I shall be forced to refrain from divulging the secret of the last taboo! [Ah, the voice of sanity! – editor] (18)
Notes:
1. All copies were recalled to the printers following distribution and destroyed for its obscene content.
2. Thomas Gradgrind, a leading character in Charles Dicken’s ‘Hard Times’.
3. Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849)
4. Chiefly Ann Radcliffe (1764-1823), Horace Walpole (1717-1797) and Matthew Gregory Lewis (1775-1818)
5. The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage.
6. This story, absurd as it may seem holds much that is true if tinted with a little artistic licence in some passages!
7. A most effective manner in which to perform the Banishing Ritual and there are also other ‘secret’ gestures and ‘grips’ which can seem of the utmost innocence to the casual observer, unaware of the greater meanings!
8. That is indeed another story and shall be told in its proper place!
9. Clue: reverse the coin to reveal the true identity.
10. See ‘On the Pretence of Miracles’. Dr. R. Carravagio. Iago Press. 1982. Dr. Carravagio is no longer a practicing psycho-analyst.
11. For hints in this direction see Shakespeare, Sophocles and Aesop, who have explained its form in their work. There is also evidence that it was almost performed in the first stage in the United States in the nineteen-fifties. The Vatican has denied that it holds the ‘alleged evidence’ which is said to be a written account of it in the first hand. It is also said to have obsessed the biographer and essayist Lytton Strachey (1880-1932) to the point that it caused his death!
12. It is not known how Anthony deceived the good sisters into thinking he was a woman but it is assumed he used some sort of magical deception.
13. The Rector of Stiffkey, in Norfolk: Harold Francis Davidson (1875-1937).
14. Enochian: see John Dee and Edward Kelly.
15. The Lesser Key of Solomon or the Lemegeton deals with the evocation of hierarchical spirits and claims to be translated from the Hebrew; its earliest examples are in French (17th Cent.) The book is divided into four parts which control the offices of all spirits at the operator’s will. The opening rites are those of Lucifer, Bel, Astaroth and other infernal entities. It is entitled Goetia (Greek for witchcraft) and contains the forms of conjuration for the 72 chief devils, their ministers, giving an account of their powers and offices. The second part: Theurgia Goetia, deals with the spirits of the cardinal points and their inferiors. The third book is called the Pauline Art and concerns the Angels of the Hours of the Day and Night and the zodiacal signs. The fourth book, the Almadel enumerates four other choirs of spirits.
16. These unfortunately named nuns were found to have taken part in certain dark rites with Sister Anne and following the inquiry a search revealed certain forbidden books on alchemy and ceremonial magic in the said nun’s possession, such as: ‘Histoire de la Magic en France, depuis le commencement de la Monarchie jusqu’d nos jours by Jules Garinet (1818), The Hermetic and Alchemical Writings of Paracelsus, ed by A E Waite (2 vols. 1894), Doctrine and Ritual of Transcendent Magic an English translation by A E Waite of Eliphas Levi’s ‘Ritual de la Haute Magic’, the Grimoire of Honorius (1800 edition) and various books by Cornelius Agrippa etc. The sisters were dismissed from the order and of Anthony (Sister Anne), Sister Chlamydia said that he ‘took so much yet gave so little! In fact, he/she showed great promise for a life in the Church!’
17. Much of this information was supplied by Sisters Labia Majora and Labia Minora to who thanks be praised!
18. Not a note but merely the excuse to have the last word! [Not quite! – editor]
Leila in the Press
A Bathurst Girl
The Catholic Press, in its report of the annual celebration of the Rosebank College, thus refers to the doings of Miss Leila Waddell, daughter of Mr. D. Waddell, of Stewart-street, Bathurst: —"A marked feature of the performance on last Tuesday was the violin playing of Miss Waddell. The mastery that this young lady has acquired over the difficult instrument is something wonderful in one so young. She plays with delightful grace and ease—all the technical difficulties vanishing before her touch. Nor is this superior proficiency in technique her only merit. She is besides a real musician, and plays with rare sympathy and power. Readers of the "Catholic Press" will re- member that we referred in high terms of praise to the young lady's performance on the violin at an entertainment given in the Convent School. Bathurst, in honour of the Hierarchy of Australasia on the occasion of their visit that city, to assist at the solemn re-opening and dedication of the Cathedral. Since then, however, she has made marked progress, and there can be no doubt now but that she will largely add to the fame that Australia is acquiring as being a land whose children are pre-eminently gifted with high musical ability.
[National Advocate. Thursday 29 December 1897]
A Bathurst Native
ON TOUR IN GREAT BRITAIN
Newcastle-on-Tyne,
England.
17th March, 1909.
I was very fortunate since I secured a 20 weeks excellent engagement to tour Scotland and the provinces a fortnight after my arrival—and have met with great success. Six weeks in beautiful Scotland, Manchester, Cardiff, Bradford, Leeds. Dublin, Newcastle, Nottingham, Hull, Liverpool, Birmingham, Black- pool, Bournemouth, so am having an excellent opportunity of seeing the midlands and great manufacturing towns, In Glasgow I met some relatives. My uncle, R. D. Waddell, is a very wealthy man and collector of famous violins. He owns the celebrated ' Betts Strad,' the fancy price or value of which is £5000, and the best Guadagnini in the world which he has presented to me—a noble instrument with a tone like a cello— for which Hart of London has a ready buyer for £3000—so that I consider myself extremely lucky in owning such a celebrated instrument. My uncle's collection also embraces two find Amatis, two Joseph Guarnerius—two Jacob Stainers a carlo Bergonzi. Vuil- laume, Laudolphi, a maggini Viole, and some splendid cellos— The Betts Strad is the envy of all dealers—it has the most silvery tone, luscious quality— a very beautiful instrument—25 violins, and historical bows—The whole collection is valued at £50,000. I played on all the violins whilst staying at my Uncle's house, and was in my element. I thought Edinburgh a very lovely city with its interesting, old castles and world famous Princess Street. Such a winter, ever so much snow, but I have enjoyed it thoroughly. The Country clad in white is a veritable fairyland to me, especially the leafless trees which add a note of weirdness. English people consider it a phenomenal winter heavy show in March being almost unknown for a generation. I am sorry to have missed the Opera at Convent Garden, but am looking forward to the Wagner festival at Bayreuth in July, a whole week of Wagner-including the Ring. I am well booked ahead for engagements, so cannot agree with the theory that it is foolish for Australians to come to London. Yours faithfully LEILA WADDELL On Tour,
[National Advocate. Saturday 24 April 1909]
A BATHURSTIAN IN ENGLAND
Upper Addison Gardens,
Kensington W.,
London, England,
August 14, 1909.
Dear Mr. Editor,—After leaving Birmingham upon the completion of a highly successful and thoroughly enjoyable tour, I went to Bournemouth, where I played at two performances a day for one month, under Mr. T. J. West's management, and, being in my best solo form, quite crept into the hearts of those enthusiastic people who form absolutely some of the most musical and critical audiences in England. They have been splendidly educated by the excellent opportunities offered at the Winter Gardens by Mr. Dan Godfrey and his fine orchestra, so that they insist upon listening only to the best music.
Then I returned to London, and all its manifold wonders struck me afresh after my 20 weeks absence. The streets seemed so busy after the provincial towns, and I felt that it was good to again watch that rushing tide of humanity, also the veritable monarch of the streets—the London omnibus— which seems to me the most popular vehicle in the wide world, in spite of the fact that it possesses less inherent romance than any other knows means of transit. And although the method of the omnibus is essentially one of leisured dignity, the colossal traffic on the streets forbids anything else. It is the attempt of the motor buses to override existing conditions that has resulted in their co-operative failure, for rushing along at a restless pace they not infrequently find an ignominious resting-place in the gutter— what time that unrivalled master of repartee, the driver of a passing omnibus, makes amusing remarks, such as "Any dead 'uns this time, Bill?" I think that the chief glory of the omnibus is in the splendid opportunity it affords for easy and restful surveys of the city, when time is of no particular importance, and close inspection not convenient; and there is so much going on simultaneously that one is sure to be entertained, amused, and interested all the time. The taxi-cab has become tremendously popular, and is indeed a delightfully comfortable way of getting about, and seems very cheap for the first eight pence, but after that the two-pences seem to register with amazing rapidity. Although there are many hundreds of taximetres in London, it is very difficult to secure one after the theatre, especially in Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square where the theatres are so congested. But what struck me most of all upon my return to this marvellous city was the unparalleled beauty of the parks. Hitherto, I had only seen the leafless trees in November, looking very quaint but decidedly bleak, so that my first glimpse of them clad in their summer glory simply delighted me. What a wonderful place Hyde Park is? In the heart of it one could almost imagine oneself in the country, with hundreds of sheep grazing, quite unconcerned at the increasing procession of carriages, motors and horsemen. Then the Serpentine is so beautiful, and most popular for boating. And the fairy-like trees, with their dainty foliage and varied greens are so much more beautiful than anything we get in Australia or New Zealand. There are two delightfully pretty spots in Hyde Park (one near Queen's Gate and the other nearer to Kensington Gardens), which always remind me of scenes in the "Midsummer Night's Dream," and "As You Like It." Well, there are so many diversions in London, and I seem to have wandered far from my subject, for I meant to talk of matters musical. During the musical season in May and June, when for two weeks in May there were on an average 50 concerts a week (Thing of it as compared with all the concerts in Australia in a year). I heard Ysaye and Pugno in three Sonata recitals, each of which proved memorable performances, for both violinist and pianist were artists of absolutely equal calibre, and I shall never forget their wonderful rendering of the celebrated "Kreutzer Sonata" ; then that truly delightful violinist, Fritz Kreisher, who plays old-world music, collected in many instances from the old monasteries, and arranged by himself; also the technically perfect Jaques Thiband, whose beautiful tone and dainty style of playing sounded to perfection at his recital in the Bechstein Hall. An interesting feature was the presence of every celebrated violinist—in London for the season. They were scattered all over the hall, and formed a most critical, but enthusiastic, audience. During his performance of the "Bach Chaconne," Thiband's "E" string broke, and Kubelik (who was present) had the very same experience in the same solo a week later at the Queen's Hall, a truly strange coincidence! Kubelik returned from Australia with a warmth of tone and abundance of expression, which he lacked when I heard him in Brisbane, and it was much commented upon in London. His playing simply forms the embodiment of executive genius, and at his two recitals he was in magnificent form. I also heard Busoni, Godowsky, Montz Rosenthal, and many lesser lights in the pianofore world. I can- not say which of those four really great artists I preferred, each was wonderful in his own way. There were delightful vocal recitals by Elena Gerhardt, Marie Breme and Nordica, endless delightful orchestral concerts conducted by Arthur Nikisch, Weingartner, Richter, Dr. Cowen, Henry Woods, also Thomas Beecham, who conducts the new Symphony Orchestra, and who, by the way, is a son of the celebrated Beecham's pill man. I must not forget to tell you of Vea-dimer de Pachmann, the greatest Cho- pin player in existence, who gave a wonderfully enjoyable Chopin recital at the Queen's Hall. It was indescribably beautiful—his conceptions of that great master are unrivalled. He is very eccentric, and at times almost pantomimic in his gestures; for in- stance, whilst playing a most delightful passage he turns to the audience, saying "Isn't that lovely? Last time I played it differently, but I think I prefer this reading." Ah, you are so good to listen to me." I am sorry, I have forgotten the 'A flat' ballade (touching his forehead); it is gone, but I shall play you the 'Fantasie Im- promptu' instead." Most of his re- marks were addressed to Marie Corelli who sat in the front row of the sofa stalls, facing the great Pachmann. I saw "The Merry Widow" four times, to which Londoners proved so faithful for two years, and enjoyed very much the delightful acting of Lily Elsie and Joseph Coyne. Huntley Wright was inimitable in the "King of Cadonia," and Ellaline Terris proved most dainty in the name part of "The Dashing Little Duke." Ger- tie Miller and Edmund Payne and George Grossmith carry off the honours in ''Our Miss Gibbs." Rost Stahle was excellent in "The Chorus Lady," and in that very clever comedy "What Every Woman Knows." Gerald Du Maurier, Hilda Trevelyan and Edmund Gwenn acted most beautifully. Julia Neilson and Fred Terry made a huge success with "Henry of Navarrai," as did Guitz in his powerful French plays at the Adelphi. Weedon Grossmith has made a big hit in "Mr. Preedy and the Countess," and Irene Vanburgh is drawing London to see her as "The Woman in the Case," also Marie Tem- pest in "Penelope," and "The Best People at Wyndham's" is a big success. The bollies always provide a delightful evening's amusement in their imitations and burlesques, and Adelaide Genee is fascinating crowded audiences nightly at the Empire with her wonderful dancing, in whose particular dainty and fairy-like style she stands alone. I have seen all these productions, so you see I am making good use of my time. Then last, but not least, the Covent Garden grand opera season. What a quaint old building, and what an extraordinary position next to the markets! I though the design, with so many tiers of boxes most fascinating, especially when one saw those boxes occupied by beautifully dressed woman, with their dazzling displays of diamonds. Such marvellous wealth is almost appalling, especially after the opera, when one sees unfortunate beggars crouched against the market walls, looking absolutely hungry. I saw Tetrazina in the "Rigolette," "Traviata," "Lucia di Lammermoor," and "La Sonnambula," and thought her extremely overrated, for although a better actress, as a singer and artiste she does not compare with Melba. Her upper register is marvellous in its strength and beauty of tone, especially from C to F, but she gets the effects in a most inartistic way, and her lower register is very ordinary indeed. Rumour hath it that she will not sing at Covent Garden next year. And every- where one could hear complaints of Melba being so much missed. Kirkby Lunn (the only great English lady vocalist) possesses a most beautiful voice, and she used it to perfection in "Aide" and Samson," and "Delila," and her rendering of the famous excerpt (so often heard on the concert platform) in the second act, was truly magnificent. Mdlle. Destinn, the famous young dramatic soprano, made a delightful "Madam Butterfly." I also heard the great Scotti and Sammarco, Zenatello and Anselmi during the season. Fortunately, some friends of mine had a box, and so I saw the operas under most luxurious conditions, and shall always remember the season with great pleasure. I have played at many "At Homes," including one at the house of Mr. Alfred Beit, the South African millionaire, for which I received the magnificent fee of 3o guineas. I also played at the Ritz Hotel, Savoy and Waldorf. On August 30, I began a 15 weeks' tour as conductor and leader of the ladies' band in George Edwards and Charles Frohman's production of Strauss' "Waltz Dream." I am to be paid an excellent salary, and only 20 minutes playing at each performance, in the band stand on the stage, second act, which is supposed to be a Viennese Garden. In my next, I shall tell you of my visit to Bayrenth. With kind regards to all in dear old Bathurst. LIELA WADDELL.
[National Advocate. Saturday 25 September 1909]
Illustration: Barry Van-Asten
THE PAINS OF ANGELDOM
BY BARRY VAN-ASTEN
Dedicated to the inspirational A. L. May, Doctor and High Priestess
“When I look on you a moment, then I can speak no more, but my tongue falls silent, and at once a delicate flame courses beneath my skin, and with my eyes I see nothing, and my ears hum, and a wet sweat bathes me, and a trembling seizes me all over”
Sappho
‘The author has produced this poem from an earlier epic poem in three parts which no longer survives in the hands of the poet. The original was a philosophical tract on the nature of love in the style of Byron and the only copy in existence remains in the hands of Miss H___ K___, with whom the author was in correspondence, and who at the time of writing was residing in Moscow, Russia. The poem was originally titled ‘Sirenia and Worstier’ and was begun in 1992. This poem has gone through several changes and reflects the different aspects the poet has encountered since that first MS many years ago.’
Rev. Unwin Bishop. M.A.
Persons of the poem
Worstier………………..A Priest (who is in love with Sirenia).
Sirenia………………….A Priestess (who lusts after young girls).
Leala……………………Sirenia’s young handmaiden.
Kiloora…………………A Maiden of the Moon.
Autral…………………..Novice Moon Maiden.
Gilcorinth………………An Athenian Giant.
Michael……………...…Angel.
Gabriel…………………Angel.
Raphael………………...Angel.
Uriel……………………Angel.
Azrael…………………..Archangel, the Angel of Death.
Earlas…………………...The Winter Angel.
The Chorus.
PART I
THE WHITE TEMPLE
The Temple of the White Goddess
Chorus
Here beginneth the song!
Worstier
The grand illusion – death unstirred
By the pagan joy of word;
The golden locks upon your head,
Floral scented, crowns the bed,
Of symbol slain and cipher drawn:
The riddle of the unicorn!
Your breasts, the fount of world’s desire
Are white as snow and warm with fire –
Your lips, a lie, as yet untold –
Your eyes are deathly to behold!
Dark, the vein that draws me near
The love-soaked rapture and the fear
Of void and vision – the eternal flame
That is your beauty and your name!
By the contours of your sex, I push
Beyond the wet-lipped barrier, to rush
The red room, a golden glow of ghost –
Filled by the will of the Holy Host!
The tomb is broke! Thy world’s undone!
Your song sighs to the evening sun!
Your eyes, a flash of flood and doom,
Basks in the after-blossom of your bloom!
Chorus
In her chamber the Priestess prepares for bed –
To her handmaid Leala, sweet words were said:
Sirenia
How doth she manifest to me
On the pearls of immortality;
Where love’s lamentations, three-fold, burns
In this heart that desires and yearns
The Holy forest of your skin
And your universe within!
I have dreamt the sweet song of your name
And sung it softly to my shame;
There is no death-spun sense to this
Invoked song of summoned kiss!
Leala
I tire in dark places of a room –
The scent of your sadness in full bloom!
Sirenia
I feel myself pressed gently to
The silent shifting shape of you!
The day blown perfume of your hair
Framing the fairest of the fair;
Your lips, a sad struck symphony
Where I am lost in their harmony!
I’m there, in each curve of your frame;
I dance in the hollows like a flame
Upon the flesh where love is deep
In the dream sensation of sleep!
Leala
My lady, this is wrong by God’s will!
You look at me as some prey to kill!
Sirenia
Sweet Leala, how smooth the way
Night drifts towards the light of day;
‘Tis like some fever, some feminine ache
That must delight and pleasure make.
For ‘tis like my heart is incomplete
And sorrow’s tongue reigns long and sweet
Upon the fruit of sisterhood
That fascinates my every mood!
Leala
Mistress, you touch me as a man would do,
Sirenia
Leala, I love you! I love you! I love you!
I love you and I kiss your breasts:
My hunger for you never rests!
See softly, how the flowered ellipse
Curves to beauty’s flame – I part
The moist passion of your ruby lips
To yield the mystery of this great art!
Chorus
And mistress and maid, in sweet passion lay
In each others arms till break of day!
But from the vast contours of sleep
Where kisses are for those to keep,
The dim fields of fear…
The ghost of sadness lies aslant!
Worstier
What wind of witchcraft brings thee here?
What ache of perverse enchantment?
Gilcorinth
Sun of glory, that parts thy passion
To linger on thine ghost-blown lips:
See me resurrected in thy fashion
That ascends thy veiled beauty, and slips
Exhausted in hunger, curled to the tomb!
This shalt be thy senseless doom,
Where angels, dark and incomplete
Grow sad to see such hate in thee;
Born of fear that’s quick to meet
The attraction of love’s enemy!
Chorus
Ah, but the soul in its surrender
Constructs folly as its defender!
Gilcorinth
There is no truth! Thus then a lie
Are all aeons bound by supreme
Faith, that when we come to die
And unfold secrets of our mortal scheme,
To find words false and shaped by power –
Those building blocks of Babel’s Tower!
And God’s sickness then will all but show
Existence is the mask of sin –
This we see and this we know:
We are alone! Sleep’s destined to win
Now that the winds of old Athens has blown
A dim-sulky moon… we are alone!
Alone, alone, who can foretell
What space of being concludes this hell?
What mannequin of madness? Swift was this
Life resolved in nothingness!
Yet conscience wills it ‘ere be done
By the constant thickening of the blood;
The inward moving brain… alone!
Unchecked by the beat of brotherhood;
Unmasked by the emblems of decay!
And beauty, wayward, oft’ has passed
Into the eternal energies of the day!
Uriel
The dark destruction in the mind;
The inward light that cannot see
The fearful course of love that’s blind
In the first stages of its infancy!
Chorus
Ah, when I am fodder in the rapture of the gaping grave,
There shall the heart lie easy in despair;
There shall the heart both bold and brave
Find a love that was not there!
Gilcorinth
Alone! Yet we seek a richer isle
(If not to die, then)
Arm in arm, with lips to spoil!
Chorus
See how cruelly she doth tread
Among the living and the dead!
Michael
The hand of time is at thy throat;
Thine hour nears – it is thy bloom!
The hooves of the infernal goat
Tramples in the temple’s gloom!
Thy body’s weary earth-born clay
Lies crushed – Dawn signals the day!
Azrael
Onward brothers, onward, fight ye,
Languish not ye in despair!
The heathen hand is raised to smite thee:
Rejoice in blood – in my name, swear!
‘Ere I lift a lamp to light ye:
Fill thine hearts and sing mine prayer!
Chorus
She comes to brood on battle, thus –
Gabriel
Hark! For nature, she doth weep
And glance at death with iron will,
Where sentinels in their swordless sleep
Fall lifeless! Trumpets in the wind doth fill
The warrior air! She has come
To curse the living God, our King
Whose course is set for man’s freedom,
And all the misery it will bring.
Here, the hearts of men refrain
To sing and praise His Holy name!
With no salvation – this be truth:
Soldiers lie dead – uniformed youth!
Chorus
The call to arms – all hath fled
And left their enemy for dead!
The sleep of ages stained with blood –
The Baptism of our Brotherhood!
Azrael
Rejoice; for the hour is nigh at hand;
Where battles won for love of land
And God – seat me at His command!
Worstier
Here, the naked mind repels
The inward spark, the ray of light
That fascinates these living cells
Which reproduce both day and night.
The doom collective, sometimes called
To part the veil – enlightenment!
In strange descent: the body walled –
Confined to sense and element!
Gilcorinth
No sense of God; no future scored,
Through matter, worn, the sphere has shown
There is nought in nature, no God adored,
In all creation – we are alone!
Chorus
And now his revels hath begun,
To mutinous music, in bloom;
What devil comes and curses the sun,
Fleet-winged of the moon?
Earlas
Spin, the winter, cold and wild,
Hasten to its secrets, coiled
About the trees where tempests set
Hearts aflame! Where moon is met
In silence – doth thou not adore
The wonder-mask of winter’s lure?
Here, glories given and denied
Are trinkets worn by winter’s bride!
See, she dances in the snow
Where vast rivers through the valleys flow
Into regions that seldom weep
And Kingdoms that will never sleep!
Hark! A tip-toe on the white
Sheet of ice throughout the night
Is heard; It is her queenly feet
Moving slowly and discreet.
Her frosty fingers can create
Great palaces of ice, ornate
Cathedrals made of snow –
Beneath the winter moon, aglow!
The queen shall bid you sleep no more
When winter knocks upon the door!
And winter’s spell is woven thick
Upon the land! This chaotic
Orb of reason, is beyond
The wealth of knowledge at our hand!
Chorus
There is eternal glory and all is made
Where Kingdoms strain upon Kingdom’s shade!
Worstier
My eyes, I hide, for my wild heart ached,
Though nothing masked death’s scent in the air,
That like a hideous serpent, snaked
Over the field of glory and despair!
And by the wandering vista of an ancient wood,
By a lonely lake’s darkened ebb,
A nightingale flapped, caught in the mud
And soon it would be dead!
Life and death in the wood, all around,
Yet how could I see its blue plumes browned?
In the hills of Arcadia, there is joyful dance
To glimpse his fleecy-golden thighs:
Goat-man-god in cloven prance
On the river bank, in disguise –
Aphrodite among the willow reeds, and
With her alabaster hands, she shook
A shower of light upon the land –
Moon-beams from her hair that struck…
Her ashen skin showed meandering veins
Like streams, untroubled by the sun’s strains.
Chorus
Thou art delirious
Worstier
And although the harp lingered long –
I was already heavy in my heart of song!
Chorus
Worse, thou art mad!
Worstier
Thy lithe limbs as a serpent, coil
About maidens’ throats that for thee toil –
In moonlight bathe their beautiful feet
With the dew of lust that’s nectar sweet;
Witch, with all thy charms, you make
The maidens of the woodlands shake
And hide their bodies in silver sheets
And blood runs to a heart that beats
Wild to the stroke of your dark touch,
Where fancy always fairs too much!
And this our great passion, stained
By lips of loveliness that remained
Locked to the ghost of womanhood –
Feasting on feminine hearts and blood!
Like a vampire, swift you weave
Tales of sensual lusts to deceive
A pure heart, a girl now grown
To the seductive sunset you have shown.
Thrill to the touch of harpy hands
Where once was light now darkness stands!
But lady, there is still the sun;
Still its magnificent force to come
And part thy prison gates asunder
And plant within thy walls of thunder
The seed of man – Fool! Don’t you see,
Thou hast long been the victim of devilry!
Thy gaze was long, too long for some
But hark to the sounding of the drum –
Its love-taps filter upon the breast;
Its beat and boom serves thee no rest –
Go, and seek thy languorous love
In the foothills and above;
Court thy sterile chant of lust
That crumbles in the hands as dust.
One touch, one kiss and all is gone –
Mistress, let thy work be done!
PART II
THE RED TEMPLE
The Temple of the Blood Moon
Sirenia the Priestess is stirring in her chamber and beside her is the beautiful body of her young Moon Maiden, Kiloora, for the night was spent in red ecstasy!
Sirenia
I shall awake to the tempest sigh of love,
Gorged on girlhood’s timeless shell;
Struck by nature’s breast, I move
Closer to midnight and its spell!
And passion’s ghost shifts to a sigh
Where my lips sing from night till day…
Her name upon the wind shall cry
And turn my heart to stone. I pray
Upon she who loves my beauty best;
She who clings upon my breast…
In softness didst she manifest
The slender curve of neck and thigh,
Till love consumed us with no rest
In crescents favourable to the eye;
And thrice were two souls born and blessed
With the sacred words of joy!
Sirenia kisses Kiloora and she awakes.
Chorus
The inner spark of madness, unwind
The crafted horrors of the mind!
Kiloora
My gift of girldom; my body pure;
My sweet flesh sacred to your allure!
Sirenia
Dear child, the night still clings upon this place
As I gaze long upon your face
And press my lips against your brow:
Look! See love upon me now
And know that all I say and do
Is ever, to the thought of you!
Kiloora
Kiss me Sirenia, see day swept back
To midnight last when ‘twas foretold
That love would run with waters black
To see a broken heart turn cold!
Chorus
As nature cleaves – breathe we then
Of the breast, sinister, and sing –
Song
O my love, this very day,
Sorrow was born upon your brow –
Tell me, tell me, won’t you tell me
What wonders you feel now?
Can you feel the soft wind rush?
Can you feel the ocean sway?
Can you feel my lips that crush
All thoughts of gloom away?
O my love, this very day,
Sorrow was born upon your brow –
Tell me, tell me, won’t you tell me
What wonders you see now?
Can you see how pale girls blush?
Can you see how sweet they play?
Can you see the bluebells brush
Those dappled woods far away?
O my love, this very day,
Sorrow was born upon your brow –
Tell me, tell me, won’t you tell me
What wonders you hear now?
Can you hear the lonesome thrush?
Can you hear its tender tones stray?
Can you hear the staccatoed lush
When birds sing long in May?
Sirenia
I am immersed in the nature of your name
And compose litanies of desire…Love’s fame
Is wide and finds me subtle of mood,
Deep in the rhythm of solitude
That winds from afar… It is known
That love cannot blossom on its own!
Two lovers on an evening shore
Bathe by moonlight and unlock
Their souls to beauty’s birth once more
And dance as gods of old, to mock
Those frames of ill and pallid gait
To shield their love, if not too late
And to the arms of Prometheus, vaunt,
That thief of gods with fiery flaunt!
The red stains on his daring hands
And dragged across old Athens,
Forever in its mysteries:
Dread city of tragedies!
To pluck at a vanishing ether trail
That zephyr across an ivory sky;
Rolls by unfurling its gossamer sail
As the musical sphere rushes by!
And I heard the midnight flower calling
Where maidens met its sweet tones falling
On the banks of great Nile, where we
With Isis mourned Osiris – slew
And cast on the water by his enemy –
Typhon, struck the corpse shell, blue.
And love will hold us in its hands
Till time is no more on these sands!
Kiloora
An eternity of song… nay ‘tis too long,
Dare we descry nature’s song?
Sirenia
Love is like a pleasured garden,
It holds surprises and constant change;
‘Tis nature tamed to our desires…
Kiloora
But nature tamed is nature wronged
And all our splendorous work is black:
Let love, like nature, be forever o’ergrown,
For nature’s o’ergrown!
Note: After Sirenia is found in the arms of Kiloora, Leala takes poison and dies. Sirenia, realising her true love in her unhappiness wanders the earth in search of forgiveness. Worstier searches for her but dies alone – the enchantment and the curse.
Leala
Undone, my world is thoughtless dust
And empty is my poisonous womb
Of all the love I did entrust
The torturous horrors of the tomb!
Refrain,
From monster lusts that were your own
Temples of insensate shame;
Degrees of despair and desire, enflame
The spinster heart to wonders…
Name
The foul deeds that were sown
By harpy hands from the unknown!
There is a disturbance in the Temple and Leala is found dead in her room. In another part of the Temple Sirenia is entertaining Kiloora, when she receives a knock upon the door.
Sentinel
My Lady, grave news to thine ears –
Leala is dead within these walls;
Her sweet face has the trace of tears –
There is sadness sweeping through these halls!
Sirenia falls to the floor and is helped to her bed whereupon the sentinel exits and Kiloora comforts the Priestess and bathes her with kisses.
Sirenia
Starbright, the menace of years
Hungers for her bloodless womb,
That to the midnight, solemn, stirs
At the entrance of a tomb;
Where moonlight casts her silver skin
Like lanterns lit, and doom
Is still before our maiden’s slit
Of silence in her room!
But weep no more, for she has come
To build with balanced bloom –
Tragedy, struck thy features numb
In the glamour and the gloom!
Kiloora
My Lady, thy words are dark and drear
And love is far of mind, I fear.
Sirenia
I tire of love and life and light –
Death is sweet upon lips tonight!
And winter brings a sickness, swift
Where beauty blights this earthly gift
Of love…
I want no light, save only the moon
And a memory of love’s disturbed fortune…
Oh Leala forgive me, forgive me Leala
In the name of love!
Sirenia enters the room of Leala whose body is laid upon the bed with a candle burning at each corner. Next to her, keeping vigil is the young novice moon maiden Autral.
Sirenia
That which drew me long ago
To moonlit maidens, white as snow;
To chambers sweetened by her breath
And this subtle scintillating death;
Born of woman’s ancient reign
To echo in the sensual brain.
And I am that I am that I may keep
Strength in sad enlightened sleep!
Autral
Delight in madness and purple prayer
And satiate thy body, fair…
The tragedy of hearts, compete
For love’s eternal blossom, sweet,
Where desire burns of ways unknown,
Tramples on the sacred throne
Within the ornamental night, aglow,
In her cerements of sorrow!
Sirenia
And uplifted, I raise thee by the hand
To whisper love words… The air is fanned
From eastern shores, where girls adore
The bounds of love for evermore!
The candles are slowly extinguished in the four corners by Autral.
Autral
Candle, extinguished in the gloom
Unto infinity, thy barren womb
Lies betwixt a mournful hour,
And the scent-filled air of darkened bower,
Where love remains, to ghostly touch,
Viewed for evermore, as such!
My mistress of the Gods, for shame
Hath offered up her Holy name
And struck with wretched light, her shell,
Robed in the scarlet blush of hell!
Sirenia
Awake, dear heart, awake:
Love’s fortune on this eve doth break!
As the final candle is extinguished, Sirenia falls to the floor in tears, helped to her feet by Autral, who will remain with the young maiden’s body till dawn. Sirenia will stay also!
PART III
THE BLACK TEMPLE
The Temple of the Dark Sister
The next day Sirenia who has not slept lies next to the body of Leala and the moon maiden Autral, who sat with them all night in the chamber, stirs Sirenia from her weird grief as Leala’s body must be prepared for interment. In the coming days Sirenia befalls a great sickness and is close to death!
Worstier returns to the Temple following the great battle in which he was wounded!
Worstier
Through Death’s meandering ‘twas love
That kept my mind to thoughts above
The sick twisted body and bowel that lay
Like battlefield mushrooms that spray
And sprout throughout the wood
Crimson in the tide of blood!
I have seen oblivion at my hand
And rejoiceth still at courage fanned
Through rank to cut down and reap;
Let the battlefield through centuries sleep!
Worstier is taken aside and given the sad news. On hearing of Sirenia’s death after her great sickness, Worstier, after visiting the burial site retires into the wilderness in pain and grief at the loss of his love whom did not return that love and in the days and weeks alone Worstier succumbs to madness.
Worstier
I walked the Olympian mountains, blue;
Where the ocean meets the sky;
Where my tired limbs and frail heart knew,
Solitude served, my bones shall lie,
As dust on nature’s carpet, bright,
Where my mind is a wandering shade
That searched for love’s quintessential rite,
Divine and unafraid
Of life’s delicate twists of loneliness
That echoes to the strain
Of desolation’s dim regress:
Man’s suffering and pain!
And I lay me down within a cave
That looked upon a stream;
And sweet kisses to the air, I gave,
And more than this! – I dream,
That love was somehow born to me
And love to me was shown;
Love content within my own
Shoots of sad insanity!
Chorus
Fair, the form of love, rejoicing;
The flame of female passion, enticing
A dream of sacred lips, to spell
The words of lust – this inmost hell!
And of its name, they dare not tell,
For fortune sees no parallel
Within this earth-void, sphere… we sing
Of the winter and the spring!
Azrael
Mine child, thine kisses reign from afar,
Though lift them not the dead to live;
Thou hast grown dim to thine sunlit star
That has wearied unto treasures… Give
Thine spirit peace, for blessed art thou
By the love of god! Foresee,
Thine love raised in excellence now,
By god’s side, rejoiceth she,
For thine love didst tread the water’s deep
With echoes measureless, to keep
The frightful, dim world, far away –
Far from the night and far from the day!
Worstier in the depths of madness denies his body food and water that his death may result!
Chorus
Dung – thy features,
Dung – thy mood;
Dung – thy Fatherland
And thy blood!
Wine – thy Brotherhood,
Wine – thy song;
Wine – thy servant, good,
And strong!
Worstier
Love hath coursed its sad decline
Through this ghostly heart of mine!
Gilcorinth
Alone, alone, who can foretell
What space of being concludes this hell?
Worstier
Love was ever at my side
But never walked she as my bride!
Gilcorinth
Alone, alone, there is no doubt:
‘Twas witchcraft turned thee inside out!
Worstier
These avenues of love and regret,
Where our eyes ‘neath the moon were met
Brought idle mind to madness, damned
And heartache at our plans un-planned!
The misery, the bold enchantment, born
Upon the errors of the dawn
Where magic deep in hollows, dwelt;
Its thick light by mortal hands was felt!
And so I came upon her sweet
In darkened idyll, my heart, fleet
Of flutter, I bared all, in fear
Of defeat, which swift came clear
To purpose and to my own shame:
I have carried since her sacred name!
Chorus
Lust – the sum of our existence
Where passion-hungry eyes are met;
Lust, in all directions, no resistance
And no restrictions upon it set!
Worstier
I see her now, her form reclined
In the hollows of my mind;
Her golden hair which frames her face;
Her eyes like opals set with grace
Into the soft white scented skin:
Love echoed through my soul within!
Drawn by witchcraft wildly wove
With the weaving of my love!
Chorus
Resist temptation, you must uphold
Thine honour and her memory, bold!
Azrael
Come thee close and die, brave son
Of midnight! Think not of things not done!
The light is fearful that you behold:
Die, and let thy tale be told!
Worstier
The error of my judgement, keen;
That which made me this obscene!
In dark caverns shall I ceaseless, grow
Towards this torment and sorrow;
My mind, occupied by her name;
The intensity of my heart aflame!
I go, for darkness ushers in a mood
That poisons, sweeping through my blood
To drift through barren soul, and ache:
Forgive me, for I rave and rove
Upon a world… that which I take
And that, which I leave, is love!
Chorus
Death’s dirge hath ‘ere begun
At the down-going of the sun;
At the hour when the noble mind
Is deep in its extremity, reclined
Upon some misfortune! See,
How woman’s love and fidelity
Born of passion, so they say,
Lie measureless at the naked day,
Struck with the light of something more
Than a mere curiosity to adore
And worship in some sunlit grove…
Priestess, I have seen how love
Destroys the mind and corrupts mankind,
Poor fools of creatures, sick and blind!
Worstier
Spectre, ghastly at my side,
My mind is immeasurably wide
And the contours of my ruin, spell
An eternity in Hell!
Azrael
Sleep, and think no more of love;
Think not how beauty still can move
The heart to heights and stir the soul
To delights indescribable which roll
With thunderous passion; two become
One light of life… but I am numb
And tire of praising love! Sleep,
Give those without, time to weep!
THE END
Friday 31st August. 9.30 p.m. Asana: my position. End at 10.00 p.m.
Saturday 1st September. 5.30 p.m. Asana: the Dragon position. Quite comfortable and I could have done much longer but I ended the work at 5.55 p.m. I then made my confirmation, swearing an oath of my acceptance of CCXX. Also that I, ______, shall undertake an indefinite period of Jugorum, concerning ‘forgetfulness to say will’ before meals. This I proclaimed facing north towards Boleskine, before the Ipsissimus. [an image of Crowley in the sign of Pan]. Preparations began for a rite of Jupiter working, an evocation of Hismael. I constructed the circle and the triangle of art, prepared the incense, the seal (planetary seal) and the square (of Jupiter). The triangle was set with the sigil of Hismael. The working is closely based on that of Crowley’s Bartzabel working, a charging of the Talisman. All preparations were ready at 10.30 p.m. and the rite was to commence at 11.00 p.m. – the objective: harmony in my work and strength to my will. Also a third and secret objective to be drawn unto me.
I. α) Banishing. β) Consecration.
II. Invocations.
III. The Charge of the Talisman.
IV. The Benediction.
V. The Licence to Depart.
VI. Closing Ceremony.
I. Banishing: Lesser Banishing Rituals of the Pentagram and the Hexagram. Consecration. Enter the circle. Light the candle.
II. ‘Hail unto thee, Ra Hoor Khuit’ etc (see Bartzabel working part II) to ‘Dog of evil’. Incense and declaration: ‘I, _______’ etc – ‘And this my purpose is fivefold’ etc. (Bartzabel).
The Invocations begin. The God= EL; the Archangel= Tzadquiel; the Intelligence= Iophiel and the Spirit= Hismael.
III. The Charge of the Talisman. [planet: Tzedek in Hebrew]. ‘I charge thee, in the name of Iophiel, Tzadquiel [etc] to entereth within this talisman and charge it with thy force of Jupiter. May thee bring about my will, in peace and harmony, and let the charge be swift and powerful, that no opposing force shall distract it, that it shall flow unrestricted and direct unto the object of my will. And shall ye be ever ready to come before me, to serve me, whensoever thou art invoked and called forth, whether by a word, or a will, or by this great and potent conjuration of Magick Art. Amen’.
The solar current is directed towards the talisman. And lo! A light brighter than the candle didst appear, of soft, warm light, glowing as of aethyr flame.
IV. The Benediction. [see Bartzabel]
V. The Licence to Depart. [see Bartzabel]
VI. The Closing Ceremony. The Lesser Banishing Rituals of the Pentagram and the Hexagram. 11.30 p.m. The ritual is at an end and the circle and the triangle of art are destroyed!
Sunday 2nd September. 01.30 a.m. An unsought altering of consciousness. My astral body was forcibly being manipulated, twisted in all directions. I returned to consciousness at 06.30 a.m. My vigil is strong – nothing passes my lips before ‘will’ is said! 7.05 p.m. Asana: legs crossed (EP). Dharana on the Hexagram – the red descending triangle (Macrocosm: Horus). The blue ascending triangle (Microcosm: Man). I saw how the internal strives to communicate with the external, via a system of sounds (vibrations), yet each understandeth not! I began with the mantra: ‘Do what thou wilt’ and changes it to A.M.P.H. then dropped the mantra altogether. I invoked the pentagram of Earth. I saw a pyramid which may have been Aztec in construction and it was on a vast plain with hills around it. The work ended at 07.40 a.m. Pain in my feet and a slight headache which I kept as a gift all day!
Monday 3rd September. A little after midnight I dreamt that I met the Devil. I was unafraid until I thought, and it struck me: ‘but this is The DEVIL!’ Intense fear and shouting out. I woke from the dream into dream a) being comforted by my mother and b) into reality.
Saturday 8th September. The Censer and the Sword [purchased]. 11.20 p.m. and I burnt unto the Goddess, opium, and with the sword, sang in the language of the moon – The Adoration of Oai [Liber Stella Rubaea]
Tuesday 11th September. The Vision of the Garden: I was in a garden, a sort of alchemical garden with sweet-smelling herbs and medicinal plants. There were roses too and other brightly coloured flowers. I could fly in this garden, but not beyond the garden’s perimeter, for I was a prisoner of the garden, but I did not mind as it was so tranquil and beautiful. One day, a gentleman came to the garden and tried to persuade me to leave, saying that there are lots more things of wonder to see beyond the garden. But I could not leave. Then, later, I found myself in a room (which was actually a train carriage). There were two windows and a square wooden door beside one of the windows, painted white and about five feet from the floor (and no steps to reach it). I wanted to go through the door but didn’t. I was reading ‘Liber Stella Rubaea’. Then I noticed I wasn’t alone. A dark man all in black came from the shadows [the light had faded outside the windows] and he sat next to me, shoulder to shoulder. I saw his face and it was painted white with a painted smile over his sad mouth. He seemed to me to be pure evil and he could not take his eyes from me. I pushed him away several times, but in vain. I eventually returned to consciousness, and thought of Charon and the dread River Styx in Hades!
Saturday 15th September. The Cup [purchased].
Wednesday 19th September. Vision: 01.45 a.m. I found I could levitate, propelled around the room by some ‘electrical’ force, or perhaps ‘magnetic’ current.
Saturday 22nd September. A premonition concerning 156 – I received The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage and I got the material for making the Robe and began work on it, half completing the work from 1.00-8.00 p.m. I tried to get hold of the metal for the Crown but in vain. I began making the Ring – The Eye of Horus in the Green of Venus.
Sunday 23rd September. I finished making the Robe from 11.30-1.00 p.m. The Ring I made yesterday is unsuitable. I have decided on the larger, snake-like design. 10.30 p.m. – Invocation and Prayer: Abramelin. The square was drawn earlier between 5-6 p.m. Chapter XIX – [xiv]. Beelzebub – 10.40 p.m. Talisman [square] placed in a wallet with the Magical Link.
Monday 24th September. I made the Magical Hoodwink.
Tuesday 25th September. The Reversal of the Ring – [as in Liber Jugorum] began today. The Ring, which is worn on the little finger of the right hand, represents the psychology of the man and the adept, therefore it has a dual nature, thus – ring worn i.e. showing = the Active aspect of the Adept. The Ring worn with the seal not visible = the Passive aspect of the Man. When the seal is uppermost my thoughts are turned to magical thoughts only and the Great Work. When the seal is hidden my thoughts are of earthly, mundane ‘nothings’. I think it shall prove to be a successful way of dividing the twin aspects of my higher and lower self!
Thursday 27th September. Robed and hooded, I got into my asana [Dragon position] facing North and the kiblah [Boleskine House], I also used Crowley’s ‘sign of Pan’ image as a focus for the energy in the north. Dharana on the Ankh using the mantra: A.M.P.H. which I later changed to ‘Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. Love is the law, love under will’. The Ankh was golden upon a black veil which became flooded by LVX, and the Ankh became distorted and changed into several variant forms which were all golden:
The Ankhs are as follows:
A) The Lunar Ankh [passive]
B) The Solar Ankh [active]
C) The conjunction of the Active and Passive Ankh [solar/lunar]
D) The Inverted Ankh
E) The Inverted Reversal Ankh [active penetrating the passive – of a solar nature]
F) The Microcosmic Ankh [the Phallus, erect, emitting the elixir – see ‘Energised Enthusiasm’]
G) The Microcosmic Ankh [the dew falling upon the inverted Tau, or the celebrant]
Friday 28th September. I had the distinct impression of constriction around my forehead, as if I were wearing a ‘crown’ – the illusion was of a high nature, as I also had the same happen to me yesterday, and I had to check that nothing was around my head. It felt like a metallic band, and lasted from between 5-10 minutes.
Saturday 29th September. The pure oil and the pure salt attained for consecration.
The Priest is seated before the Altar in meditation. The Priestess is in the throne of the N.E.
The Acolyte is in the throne of the S.E.
The Acolyte rises, and knocks 1-3-7, bearing Bell, Book and Candle to the Priest.
The Priestess rises, (plays upon musical instrument).
The Priest rises, and performs The Mass of the Phoenix.
The Priestess plays what she will, while the Acolyte binds the Priest to the cross, which he unveils. The Priest preaches.
The Priestess plays, while the Acolyte draws the veil.
The Acolyte comes forward to the Altar, and knocks 7-3-1, saying ‘Go – it is finished’.
The Priest is robed in white and gold, his breast bare.
The Priestess wears a green robe.
The Acolyte wears a red robe, and is girt with a sword. He may be masked.
10.15 p.m. Invocation ‘Beelzebub’. Abramelin square, Chapter XIX [the square used in last week’s working of Sunday 23rd September. Also, last night’s square, Chapter III – Lucifer Invocation.
Monday 1st October. I have noticed two aspects concerning the results in Abramelin – one positive and one negative. Positive [Chapter XIX] but coming from the wrong direction. Negative [Chapter III] seems to have counteracted Chapter XIX, which wasn’t my intention at all. I have had these results before when I did a talisman working [Venus] and the force was directed into the wrong quarters, either by my own mistakes [during the oath/obligation] or to some mischievous spirit.
3.00 p.m. constructed the circle and the altar with a black altar cloth. Robed etc. 3.15 p.m. performed the banishing rituals of the Pentagram and the Hexagram, after a declaration: ‘Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. Love is the law, love under will’.
1. Exorcised the Chalice of water, after blessing the salt: ‘Tzabaoth, Messiach, Emanuel’ etc and repeated the ‘Psalm of David’.
2. Exorcised the incense: a) good – Frankincense. ‘O God of Abraham, God of Isaac’ etc. Sprinkle incense with purified water from the chalice. b) bad – opium. ‘Adonai, Lazai, Delmai’ etc.
3. Exorcised Candle. I used the good incense after exorcising it once more. Sprinkle the candle with purified water – ‘I exorcise thee, O creature of wax’ etc.
4. The Holy Oil. As with the good incense, except inserted – ‘Bless this creature of oil so that it may’ etc and ‘anointing of this oil, receive health’ etc – ‘Love is the law, love under will’. [sprinkled with the water first].
5. The Ring. ‘I conjure thee, O ring, by these names’ etc after being sprinkled with the water.
6. The Robe. Sprinkled with the water – ‘I conjure thee, O robe of darkness and of light’ etc.
7. The Sword. [see the pages on ‘consecration’ in the Record]. Perform the Banishing Rituals of the Pentagram and the Hexagram reversed. Dismantled the circle and disrobed at 3.50 p.m.
The Sun: The Sword: Light in Darkness. Hadit/Babalon – [Hadit in Babalon: Sun reflected in Moon].
The Moon: The Cup: Darkness in Light. Nuit/Therion – [Nuit in Therion: Moon reflected in Sun].
The Lesser Banishing Rituals of the Pentagram and the Hexagram.
The Star Ruby Ritual. The Invocation of Horus [Liber Had]. The signs given: elements + veil (spirit) Sun to Moon.
The Sun as Horus gives LVX to Moon : ‘Long hast thou dwelt in darkness, quit the night and seek the day’.
Παν gives the signs of NOX (including Isis rejoicing) to Moon.
The Sun LVX: [ Moon blindfolded]. ‘In the darkness I give unto thee the signs of Light’. [given].
The Sun NOX: [ Moon blindfold removed]. ‘In the light I give unto thee the signs of Darkness’. [given].
THE WAND OF SILENCE
Excerpts from the Magickal Diaries
Excerpts from the Magickal Diaries
OF AUDRAREP
PART NINE
‘After five years of folly and weakness, miscalled
politeness, tact, discretion, care for the feeling of others, I am weary of it.
I say today: to hell with Christianity, Rationalism, Buddhism, all the lumber
of the centuries. I bring you a positive and primeval fact, Magic by name; and
with this I will build me a new Heaven and a new Earth. I want none of your
faint approval or faint dispraise; I want blasphemy, murder, rape, revolution,
anything, bad or good, but strong.’
[Letter
to Gerald Kelly, circa October 1905]
Do what thou wilt shall be the
whole of the law
Friday 31st August. 9.30 p.m. Asana: my position. End at 10.00 p.m.
Saturday 1st September. 5.30 p.m. Asana: the Dragon position. Quite comfortable and I could have done much longer but I ended the work at 5.55 p.m. I then made my confirmation, swearing an oath of my acceptance of CCXX. Also that I, ______, shall undertake an indefinite period of Jugorum, concerning ‘forgetfulness to say will’ before meals. This I proclaimed facing north towards Boleskine, before the Ipsissimus. [an image of Crowley in the sign of Pan]. Preparations began for a rite of Jupiter working, an evocation of Hismael. I constructed the circle and the triangle of art, prepared the incense, the seal (planetary seal) and the square (of Jupiter). The triangle was set with the sigil of Hismael. The working is closely based on that of Crowley’s Bartzabel working, a charging of the Talisman. All preparations were ready at 10.30 p.m. and the rite was to commence at 11.00 p.m. – the objective: harmony in my work and strength to my will. Also a third and secret objective to be drawn unto me.
THE HISMAEL WORKING A RITE OF
JUPITER
[Sphere of Chesed: 4]
I. α) Banishing. β) Consecration.
II. Invocations.
III. The Charge of the Talisman.
IV. The Benediction.
V. The Licence to Depart.
VI. Closing Ceremony.
11.00 p.m. Disrobe and
Declaration to Adonai. Purification: anointing of the forehead, wrists, heart
and phallus.
‘Asperge eum Domine hyssop et
mundabitur; Lavais eum et super nivem dealbabitur’
I. Banishing: Lesser Banishing Rituals of the Pentagram and the Hexagram. Consecration. Enter the circle. Light the candle.
II. ‘Hail unto thee, Ra Hoor Khuit’ etc (see Bartzabel working part II) to ‘Dog of evil’. Incense and declaration: ‘I, _______’ etc – ‘And this my purpose is fivefold’ etc. (Bartzabel).
The Invocations begin. The God= EL; the Archangel= Tzadquiel; the Intelligence= Iophiel and the Spirit= Hismael.
III. The Charge of the Talisman. [planet: Tzedek in Hebrew]. ‘I charge thee, in the name of Iophiel, Tzadquiel [etc] to entereth within this talisman and charge it with thy force of Jupiter. May thee bring about my will, in peace and harmony, and let the charge be swift and powerful, that no opposing force shall distract it, that it shall flow unrestricted and direct unto the object of my will. And shall ye be ever ready to come before me, to serve me, whensoever thou art invoked and called forth, whether by a word, or a will, or by this great and potent conjuration of Magick Art. Amen’.
The solar current is directed towards the talisman. And lo! A light brighter than the candle didst appear, of soft, warm light, glowing as of aethyr flame.
IV. The Benediction. [see Bartzabel]
V. The Licence to Depart. [see Bartzabel]
VI. The Closing Ceremony. The Lesser Banishing Rituals of the Pentagram and the Hexagram. 11.30 p.m. The ritual is at an end and the circle and the triangle of art are destroyed!
Sunday 2nd September. 01.30 a.m. An unsought altering of consciousness. My astral body was forcibly being manipulated, twisted in all directions. I returned to consciousness at 06.30 a.m. My vigil is strong – nothing passes my lips before ‘will’ is said! 7.05 p.m. Asana: legs crossed (EP). Dharana on the Hexagram – the red descending triangle (Macrocosm: Horus). The blue ascending triangle (Microcosm: Man). I saw how the internal strives to communicate with the external, via a system of sounds (vibrations), yet each understandeth not! I began with the mantra: ‘Do what thou wilt’ and changes it to A.M.P.H. then dropped the mantra altogether. I invoked the pentagram of Earth. I saw a pyramid which may have been Aztec in construction and it was on a vast plain with hills around it. The work ended at 07.40 a.m. Pain in my feet and a slight headache which I kept as a gift all day!
Monday 3rd September. A little after midnight I dreamt that I met the Devil. I was unafraid until I thought, and it struck me: ‘but this is The DEVIL!’ Intense fear and shouting out. I woke from the dream into dream a) being comforted by my mother and b) into reality.
Saturday 8th September. The Censer and the Sword [purchased]. 11.20 p.m. and I burnt unto the Goddess, opium, and with the sword, sang in the language of the moon – The Adoration of Oai [Liber Stella Rubaea]
Tuesday 11th September. The Vision of the Garden: I was in a garden, a sort of alchemical garden with sweet-smelling herbs and medicinal plants. There were roses too and other brightly coloured flowers. I could fly in this garden, but not beyond the garden’s perimeter, for I was a prisoner of the garden, but I did not mind as it was so tranquil and beautiful. One day, a gentleman came to the garden and tried to persuade me to leave, saying that there are lots more things of wonder to see beyond the garden. But I could not leave. Then, later, I found myself in a room (which was actually a train carriage). There were two windows and a square wooden door beside one of the windows, painted white and about five feet from the floor (and no steps to reach it). I wanted to go through the door but didn’t. I was reading ‘Liber Stella Rubaea’. Then I noticed I wasn’t alone. A dark man all in black came from the shadows [the light had faded outside the windows] and he sat next to me, shoulder to shoulder. I saw his face and it was painted white with a painted smile over his sad mouth. He seemed to me to be pure evil and he could not take his eyes from me. I pushed him away several times, but in vain. I eventually returned to consciousness, and thought of Charon and the dread River Styx in Hades!
Saturday 15th September. The Cup [purchased].
Wednesday 19th September. Vision: 01.45 a.m. I found I could levitate, propelled around the room by some ‘electrical’ force, or perhaps ‘magnetic’ current.
Saturday 22nd September. A premonition concerning 156 – I received The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage and I got the material for making the Robe and began work on it, half completing the work from 1.00-8.00 p.m. I tried to get hold of the metal for the Crown but in vain. I began making the Ring – The Eye of Horus in the Green of Venus.
Sunday 23rd September. I finished making the Robe from 11.30-1.00 p.m. The Ring I made yesterday is unsuitable. I have decided on the larger, snake-like design. 10.30 p.m. – Invocation and Prayer: Abramelin. The square was drawn earlier between 5-6 p.m. Chapter XIX – [xiv]. Beelzebub – 10.40 p.m. Talisman [square] placed in a wallet with the Magical Link.
Monday 24th September. I made the Magical Hoodwink.
Tuesday 25th September. The Reversal of the Ring – [as in Liber Jugorum] began today. The Ring, which is worn on the little finger of the right hand, represents the psychology of the man and the adept, therefore it has a dual nature, thus – ring worn i.e. showing = the Active aspect of the Adept. The Ring worn with the seal not visible = the Passive aspect of the Man. When the seal is uppermost my thoughts are turned to magical thoughts only and the Great Work. When the seal is hidden my thoughts are of earthly, mundane ‘nothings’. I think it shall prove to be a successful way of dividing the twin aspects of my higher and lower self!
Thursday 27th September. Robed and hooded, I got into my asana [Dragon position] facing North and the kiblah [Boleskine House], I also used Crowley’s ‘sign of Pan’ image as a focus for the energy in the north. Dharana on the Ankh using the mantra: A.M.P.H. which I later changed to ‘Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. Love is the law, love under will’. The Ankh was golden upon a black veil which became flooded by LVX, and the Ankh became distorted and changed into several variant forms which were all golden:
The Ankhs are as follows:
A) The Lunar Ankh [passive]
B) The Solar Ankh [active]
C) The conjunction of the Active and Passive Ankh [solar/lunar]
D) The Inverted Ankh
E) The Inverted Reversal Ankh [active penetrating the passive – of a solar nature]
F) The Microcosmic Ankh [the Phallus, erect, emitting the elixir – see ‘Energised Enthusiasm’]
G) The Microcosmic Ankh [the dew falling upon the inverted Tau, or the celebrant]
Friday 28th September. I had the distinct impression of constriction around my forehead, as if I were wearing a ‘crown’ – the illusion was of a high nature, as I also had the same happen to me yesterday, and I had to check that nothing was around my head. It felt like a metallic band, and lasted from between 5-10 minutes.
Saturday 29th September. The pure oil and the pure salt attained for consecration.
A summary of a proposed ritual to
be extended upon and performed after sunset:
The Adept is robed for he is
‘Light in Darkness’
Weapon: the Sword
(He wears the hoodwink, yet can
see)
The Adept identifies himself with
Hadit
The Adept performs L.B.R. [Star
Ruby]
He stands without the circle
The Adept is robed and
blindfolded for she is ‘Darkness in Light’
Weapon: the Cup
(She wears the crown of Abramelin
and the nemyss)
The Adept identifies herself with
Nuit
She stands within the circle
_______
There is a single candle without
the circle in the North
The Cup
is within the circle The incense is without the circle
Preparations are made before the
ceremony concerning the Abramelin squares.
1. L.B.R.
2. Adorations (with the signs of the grades given)
3. Invocation [Horus]
4. Mantra with movement [spiral dance]
5. Appearance and the voice of the God etc [Horus, giving the LVX signs ‘In the Darkness I give unto thee, the signs of Light’ – LVX]]
6. The Lunar Adept has the blindfold removed [Sword with Kabalistic Cross. Sword lowered. The signs of NOX to the initiate, including ‘Isis Rejoicing’ – ‘In the Light I give unto thee, the signs of Darkness’ – NOX]
7. The administering of the sacrament [cup]
11.00 p.m. Robed, and wearing the nemyss. Asana: The Dragon. Mantra: ‘Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. Love is the law, love under will’ [aloud/active]. The intention: the conjoining of Hadit with Nuit. I began with Dharana on the R.C. [Rosy Cross]. I then ceased the mantra and the R.C. and concentrated on Hadit, and his union with Nuit. There was a forwards rushing motion [‘to go’]. Tipherath, where Hadit is concealed was aflame with LVX and Hadit and Nuit were as one in ecstasy! The practice ended at 11.25 p.m. An unusual calm preceded the work, though on the whole, a failure! Midnight: Abramelin. Third Chapter – square two, which I left beneath my pillow and slept upon [Lucifer].
Sunday 30th September.
1. L.B.R.
2. Adorations (with the signs of the grades given)
3. Invocation [Horus]
4. Mantra with movement [spiral dance]
5. Appearance and the voice of the God etc [Horus, giving the LVX signs ‘In the Darkness I give unto thee, the signs of Light’ – LVX]]
6. The Lunar Adept has the blindfold removed [Sword with Kabalistic Cross. Sword lowered. The signs of NOX to the initiate, including ‘Isis Rejoicing’ – ‘In the Light I give unto thee, the signs of Darkness’ – NOX]
7. The administering of the sacrament [cup]
11.00 p.m. Robed, and wearing the nemyss. Asana: The Dragon. Mantra: ‘Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. Love is the law, love under will’ [aloud/active]. The intention: the conjoining of Hadit with Nuit. I began with Dharana on the R.C. [Rosy Cross]. I then ceased the mantra and the R.C. and concentrated on Hadit, and his union with Nuit. There was a forwards rushing motion [‘to go’]. Tipherath, where Hadit is concealed was aflame with LVX and Hadit and Nuit were as one in ecstasy! The practice ended at 11.25 p.m. An unusual calm preceded the work, though on the whole, a failure! Midnight: Abramelin. Third Chapter – square two, which I left beneath my pillow and slept upon [Lucifer].
Sunday 30th September.
Ritual Ordained for Public
Service
OTO
The Priest is seated before the Altar in meditation. The Priestess is in the throne of the N.E.
The Acolyte is in the throne of the S.E.
The Acolyte rises, and knocks 1-3-7, bearing Bell, Book and Candle to the Priest.
The Priestess rises, (plays upon musical instrument).
The Priest rises, and performs The Mass of the Phoenix.
The Priestess plays what she will, while the Acolyte binds the Priest to the cross, which he unveils. The Priest preaches.
The Priestess plays, while the Acolyte draws the veil.
The Acolyte comes forward to the Altar, and knocks 7-3-1, saying ‘Go – it is finished’.
The Priest is robed in white and gold, his breast bare.
The Priestess wears a green robe.
The Acolyte wears a red robe, and is girt with a sword. He may be masked.
10.15 p.m. Invocation ‘Beelzebub’. Abramelin square, Chapter XIX [the square used in last week’s working of Sunday 23rd September. Also, last night’s square, Chapter III – Lucifer Invocation.
Monday 1st October. I have noticed two aspects concerning the results in Abramelin – one positive and one negative. Positive [Chapter XIX] but coming from the wrong direction. Negative [Chapter III] seems to have counteracted Chapter XIX, which wasn’t my intention at all. I have had these results before when I did a talisman working [Venus] and the force was directed into the wrong quarters, either by my own mistakes [during the oath/obligation] or to some mischievous spirit.
Wednesday 3rd October. The
Abramelin Devils are tormenting still [H.P.K. in reference to 156]
Thursday 4th October. Sometime
after 12.30 a.m. (concerning Abramelin) Vision: Duality (even triplicity) of
the spirit body. I was conscious of both the earth body and the spirit although
I was unable to tell them apart and know which was the real earth body.
Concerning the Invocation of Abramelin on Saturday 29th September. There was a
vast globe (planet) rolling towards me – it was red and gold. The Red= fiery
earth. Gold= the tops of the buildings and temples etc (viewed from above). As
it neared, I noticed the narrow streets and buildings formed demonic sigils,
which are drawn and used in evocations, all interlocking, thus:
After, followed the astral arm
being raised in front of my face, as if it were pure speckled light. Darkness,
and then more visions, mostly of the Fabric nature.
Tuesday 9th October. The final work is completed on the Robe and the hood.
Friday 12th October. Feast Day – the birth of Therion.
Tuesday 9th October. The final work is completed on the Robe and the hood.
Friday 12th October. Feast Day – the birth of Therion.
THE ABRAMELIN WORKING
Frater _____. and Soror Lylan
18th October – 28th October 2001
e.v.
London
This working shall remain in
silence. All that can be said is that Soror Lylan – energised enthusiasm,
dancing, and Frater _____ saw black hands around her. Later, in vision, an
Abramelin demon appeared behind her with its arms gripped around her. And
closer did she hold the picture of Crowley making the sign of Pan and closer
did the demon grip her. Also seen was the figure of Crowley hooded in
the sign of silence.
Sunday 21st October. Vision 01.25 a.m. There are 2 fiery Gods who were invoked into our planet which can only be steered by 1 God. But which one is the true God? – 2= jealousy.
Wednesday 24th October. I saw Soror Lylan with her arm out of the bed holding a paint brush, adding pink paint to some painting (only her arm was visible). Lylan said I had the ‘evil eye’ from a witch in Camden. But I felt really protected throughout the day.
Friday 26th October. We went to _______and saw about getting the material (100% cotton) for the Robe. I said I would make Lylan one like mine.
Saturday 27th October. Night – frankincense and Absinthe.
Sunday 28th October. The Magical operation ended at 11.00 a.m.
Tuesday 30th October. I was very ill with food poisoning from the oysters I ate yesterday.
Saturday 3rd November. 05.00 a.m. An intruder was trying to enter my flat by trying his keys in my door and banging on the door. I reached for the magical sword and slept with it by my side.
Thursday 8th November.
Sunday 21st October. Vision 01.25 a.m. There are 2 fiery Gods who were invoked into our planet which can only be steered by 1 God. But which one is the true God? – 2= jealousy.
Wednesday 24th October. I saw Soror Lylan with her arm out of the bed holding a paint brush, adding pink paint to some painting (only her arm was visible). Lylan said I had the ‘evil eye’ from a witch in Camden. But I felt really protected throughout the day.
Friday 26th October. We went to _______and saw about getting the material (100% cotton) for the Robe. I said I would make Lylan one like mine.
Saturday 27th October. Night – frankincense and Absinthe.
Sunday 28th October. The Magical operation ended at 11.00 a.m.
Tuesday 30th October. I was very ill with food poisoning from the oysters I ate yesterday.
Saturday 3rd November. 05.00 a.m. An intruder was trying to enter my flat by trying his keys in my door and banging on the door. I reached for the magical sword and slept with it by my side.
Thursday 8th November.
SANCTA ARDUA
Written on the night of the
Abramelin working
I am the golden Eye – the Hawk of
fire;
I burn in the
heart; I weave my lust
Through the soul, stripped dry of
all Desire
For a false
God summoned unto dust.
And this the word of flame – I
shake
At the rampant Laws of Love I
make!
Yet Master, why art thou sad; why
still
This hunger for thine engine –
Will?
Blotteth not thine eyes to shame;
Keep not one
drop from the cup of Sin –
Demon Crowley:
sing long His Name;
Let the flame of Babalon lie
within
Thine Pure heart, here unmasked,
that gives
Life to Liberty and Lust that
drives
The scent of sin through thy
senseless brain
And lets the Law of the Aeon in!
THE CONSECRATION OF THE
INSTRUMENTS OF ART
Saturday 17th November 2001 e.v.
3.00 p.m. constructed the circle and the altar with a black altar cloth. Robed etc. 3.15 p.m. performed the banishing rituals of the Pentagram and the Hexagram, after a declaration: ‘Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. Love is the law, love under will’.
1. Exorcised the Chalice of water, after blessing the salt: ‘Tzabaoth, Messiach, Emanuel’ etc and repeated the ‘Psalm of David’.
2. Exorcised the incense: a) good – Frankincense. ‘O God of Abraham, God of Isaac’ etc. Sprinkle incense with purified water from the chalice. b) bad – opium. ‘Adonai, Lazai, Delmai’ etc.
3. Exorcised Candle. I used the good incense after exorcising it once more. Sprinkle the candle with purified water – ‘I exorcise thee, O creature of wax’ etc.
4. The Holy Oil. As with the good incense, except inserted – ‘Bless this creature of oil so that it may’ etc and ‘anointing of this oil, receive health’ etc – ‘Love is the law, love under will’. [sprinkled with the water first].
5. The Ring. ‘I conjure thee, O ring, by these names’ etc after being sprinkled with the water.
6. The Robe. Sprinkled with the water – ‘I conjure thee, O robe of darkness and of light’ etc.
7. The Sword. [see the pages on ‘consecration’ in the Record]. Perform the Banishing Rituals of the Pentagram and the Hexagram reversed. Dismantled the circle and disrobed at 3.50 p.m.
A PROPOSED CEREMONY BETWEEN SOROR
LYLAN AND _________
The Sun: The Sword: Light in Darkness. Hadit/Babalon – [Hadit in Babalon: Sun reflected in Moon].
The Moon: The Cup: Darkness in Light. Nuit/Therion – [Nuit in Therion: Moon reflected in Sun].
The Lesser Banishing Rituals of the Pentagram and the Hexagram.
The Star Ruby Ritual. The Invocation of Horus [Liber Had]. The signs given: elements + veil (spirit) Sun to Moon.
The Sun as Horus gives LVX to Moon : ‘Long hast thou dwelt in darkness, quit the night and seek the day’.
The Invocation of Παν.
Παν gives the signs of NOX (including Isis rejoicing) to Moon.
The Sun LVX: [ Moon blindfolded]. ‘In the darkness I give unto thee the signs of Light’. [given].
The Sun NOX: [ Moon blindfold removed]. ‘In the light I give unto thee the signs of Darkness’. [given].
The Moon: LIBER NU.
The Cup fulfilled by the Sword
The Banishing Rituals of the
Pentagram and the Hexagram. [The Star Ruby].
The signs are given and repeated.
The Anthem [Gnostic].
The Sacrament is taken from the Cup.
The Moon takes of the Cup. The Sun holds the Sword.
The Sun hands the Sword to the Moon.
The Moon hands the Cup to the Sun and
The Sun takes of the Cup.
The Bornless Ritual or AL III.
The signs are given and repeated.
The Anthem [Gnostic].
The Sacrament is taken from the Cup.
The Moon takes of the Cup. The Sun holds the Sword.
The Sun hands the Sword to the Moon.
The Moon hands the Cup to the Sun and
The Sun takes of the Cup.
The Bornless Ritual or AL III.
Friday 7th December. Talked with
Lylan. The poor thing is close to madness!
Sunday 9th December. 3.50 p.m. I prepared my Kiblah – the sign of Παν. The altar with a red altar cloth. The cup, sword, oil, water, candle, incense etc. I performed the Ritual of the Mark of the Beast [Liber V vel Reguli] – The oath of the enchantment [the elevenfold seal]. Asseveration of the spells. Second gesture – the enchantment. The final gesture [as the first]. Robed. The ceremony ended at 4.25 p.m. [I discovered I had been listened to from outside the door but cared little about it!] The Ring was used in place of the Wand.
Sunday 9th December. 3.50 p.m. I prepared my Kiblah – the sign of Παν. The altar with a red altar cloth. The cup, sword, oil, water, candle, incense etc. I performed the Ritual of the Mark of the Beast [Liber V vel Reguli] – The oath of the enchantment [the elevenfold seal]. Asseveration of the spells. Second gesture – the enchantment. The final gesture [as the first]. Robed. The ceremony ended at 4.25 p.m. [I discovered I had been listened to from outside the door but cared little about it!] The Ring was used in place of the Wand.
THE MAGIC BOOK WORM
REVIEWS BY BARRY VAN-ASTEN
In Residence: The Don’s Guide to Cambridge – by Aleister Crowley.
Published in 1904 by Elijah Johnson of Cambridge, ‘In Residence’ is a collection of Aleister Crowley’s undergraduate verse which were mostly printed in such Cambridge periodicals as ‘The Cambridge Magazine’, ‘The Granta’, ‘Cantab’ and ‘Silver Crescent’. The book is dedicated to Crowley’s fellow Trinity College, Cambridge friend Ivor Gordon Back (1873-1959), who ‘so worthily carried on the traditions of high thinking and noble living inaugurated by myself when at Cambridge. But I am too lazy to write an ode to him.’ Included amongst Crowley’s early poems are: ‘Ballade of bad verses’, ‘Ballade of the Mutability of Human Affairs’, ‘A Ballade of Farewell’, ‘Two Sonnets in Praise of a Publisher’, ‘To an Unappreciative University’, ‘A Sonnet of Spring Fashions’, ‘Ode to Gerald Festus Kelly’, and ‘Au Theatre du Grand Guignol’.
‘Tennis and cricket have come to stay,
Five o’clock is the time to bring
Tea and strawberry ice, and play
Various dulcet jargoning;
Lazy paddle all day to swing,
Lazy pipe to kill ennui’s germ,
Lazy, lazy everything: -
Sing heigh-ho for the glad May Term.’ [Ballade of the May Term]
The poem will appeal to anyone who is interested in or studying the works of Aleister Crowley, but on their own merit, to the casual reader, they may be difficult to appreciate. His early outpourings can seem like mere pegs on which to hang his growing ego and enormous intellect; the humour is typically juvenile and the rhymes are an inventive display of his learning. But to have lost these poems would have been a shame as they show Crowley’s early influences and poetic development and for that fact alone, ‘In Residence’ is a welcome tome to any collection!
Madame Blavatsky’s Baboon: A History of the Mystics, Mediums and Misfits who brought Spiritualism to America – by Peter Washington.
First published in 1995, ‘Madame Blavatsky’s Baboon’ is an interesting read, if a little rambling in places, on the subject of spiritual thinkers, New Age teachers, mysticism and Theosophy. Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831-1891), the Russian mystic, founded the Theosophical Society in 1875 in New York with Henry S. Olcott (1832-1907) and William Q. Judge (1851-1896). Its purpose was threefold: 1. The formation of a universal human brotherhood without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour. 2. The encouragement of studies in comparative religion, philosophy and science. 3. The investigation of unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in man.
Blavatsky and the Theosophists took themselves far too seriously (see the poor misguided and manipulated ‘World Teacher’ Krishnamurti and all that old flannel!) and seem a little pompous today, drawing parallels with that other little known and humourless religion – Christianity! The author, Peter Washington, has a tendency to overindulge in details as he guides us through the leading lights of spiritualism and trawls through the charlatans and fraudsters, but on the whole he has done a fine job.
I found the book an excellent source of notes from which to research further, such people as: Annie Besant (1847-1933), Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), Peter D. Ouspensky (1878-1947), Charles W. Leadbetter (1854-1934), Anna Kingsford (1846-1888), George I. Gurdjieff (1866-1949), A. R. Orage (1873-1934) and Daniel Dunglas Home (1833-1886).
Washington has written a reasonably interesting history of the subject, but I can’t help thinking that the baboon of the title, which by the way was stuffed and resided at the home of Madame Blavatsky as some sort of Darwinian joke, would have had a different, more fascinating tale to tell!
Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley – by Richard Kaczynski.
Unlike other biographies about Crowley, ‘Perdurabo’ presents us with an all too human genius who devotes his life to the pursuit of magick and to living within the concepts of the Aeon of Horus. He is not some ‘devil-worshipping’ black magician, destroying souls in his wake, dragged into the slime of sensationalism as so much of the media and ‘third-rate biographies’ like to portray him; and neither is he raised to God-like status, so much so that we cannot relate to the man. Kaczynski, with his extensive research, paints a portrait of Perdurabo as a vast figure of a man, bent upon one course throughout his fascinating life, that of magick!
This book, like no other, really captures the Beast and helps us to ‘get under the skin’ of the subject, and to see with his eyes and feel with his heart, the emotional torments and physical pains; the poetic passion that love inaugurated and the financial difficulties and publication problems that drove the Mage onwards, into new frontiers of thought and spiritual progression.
We are astounded at his adventures; exhilarated by his mystical wanderings; amazed at his poetic vision and warmed by the great lights of his time whom he encountered (Pollitt, Eckenstein, Fuller, Neuburg etc.) and fell under his persuasive spell, only to break away and reveal Crowley’s human failings – Prophet of the New Age; poet and mountaineer, he was one hell of a man, and ‘Perdurabo’ by Richard Kaczynski comes closest to bringing the Beast to life, from his birth to his death – the journey is delightful, remarkable and sad! I cannot recommend this book highly enough for I consider it to be the definitive biography of Crowley which far surpasses Lawrence Sutin’s ‘Do what thou wilt’ and Martin Booth’s ‘A Magick Life’, which are both equally worthy! Highly recommended!
Do What Thou Wilt – by Lawrence Sutin.
Explorer, conjuror of inter-dimensional beings; writer of poems both sublime and obscene; mystic, chess master and sex addict, Aleister Crowley was a multi-faceted man and an enigma far ahead of his time. Lawrence Sutin shines a revealing light upon the life of this ‘strange and enigmatic man’ whom the world’s press dubbed ‘the wickedest man in the world’. Delightful!
The World’s Tragedy – by Aleister Crowley.
Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) wrote the five ‘books’ which make up ‘The World’s Tragedy’ over a five day period at Eastbourne in February 1908. This, Crowley’s first attempt at autobiography, which was published in 1910, is his swipe at Victorian sensibilities and convention; he really picks at the hypocritical, murderous and fear-mongering scab of society – Christianity and its ‘morals’. Crowley saw firsthand some of the psychological damage inflicted upon the child by Christ-centred psychopaths intent on brow-beating the literal word of the Bible through intimidation and the threat of eternal damnation through the torment of the soul. Crowley was raised in such a Bible-blinkered circle known as the Plymouth Brethren and sin was ever-present in the form of temptations by the devil.
Crowley considered ‘The World’s Tragedy’ as one of his greatest literary achievements and it is an excellent place to begin for anyone upon the quest of understanding more about the life of the Great Beast 666 – Aleister Crowley!
PEGAMINA
By BARRY VAN-ASTEN
PART TEN
DOOM HALL
It was a cold and frosty morning as Pegamina left the grove and the poor lifeless body of the man who loved the sea, as she went in search of Doom Hall. ‘It’s true’ she thought ‘we are so much paper in the wind!’
As she walked along a narrow track that wound through the woods, shaded by overhanging boughs, she could see, beyond the trees, a hillside covered in stone figures. And by a low stone wall she stood and gazed at the desolate and forlorn sight, for she knew that they were memorials to those that had once lived. Now, ancient and broken, they stood like a petrified city of the dead, nestling among the trees. And so she turned and hurried on, for she did not want to see those great white reminders of life’s short passage!
After walking a little distance she came to a great gateway. It was the biggest gate she had ever seen! Two large stone pillars rose into the air, and two very tall and imposing iron gates hung from them, depicting various forms of mythological beasts. And above the gates Pegamina read these simple words in almost hushed tones: ‘Doom Hall’. Just then, she heard a noise from beside one of the pillars. It was a sort of grumbling sound, for her attention had been so fixed on the images on the iron gates that she had failed to notice a great big sleeping bear resting against the stone with its arms folded across its huge belly!
‘What’s this?’ boomed a deep and frightening voice.
Pegamina was so startled that she stepped back, for the bear was so very cross at being woken.
‘I’m sorry if I woke you, really I am!’ Pegamina said to the fearful bear.
‘Sorry! I’ll make you sorry!’ growled the bear before his head fell to his chest and his eyes closed.
Just then, a bee settled on his nose, thinking him some strange and exotic furry flower and the bear woke once more and in his angry, fearful voice he said: ‘Still here?’
But Pegamina was so afraid that she could not answer.
‘Do you know what happens when bears are woken?’ he said, rolling his eyes and yawning at the same time.
‘No, I’m sorry I don’t’ said Pegamina, timidly.
‘Then I shall tell you...’ and the bear began to tell her the story of the boy and the bear:
‘Once, long ago, there was a boy. A very kind and courteous boy, for he was always very polite and he always stood up straight! Every evening, this kind little angel of a boy would go to the woods and lay a fish before the sleeping bear for his supper. And every night, a bowl of warm milk was placed next to the bear, for when he should wake and feel thirsty. The boy did this from spring to spring for seven years, without fail, and the boy and the bear became real friends, as far as boy and bear can be! One day, as the boy was placing the fish beside the bear, he accidently trod on the bear’s paw and the bear woke, terribly annoyed and howled with pain!’
‘And what did the bear do?’ asked Pegamina.
But the bear did not answer; he just rubbed his huge belly and licked his lips! And Pegamina was so afraid that she ran and ran, as fast as she could!
‘What an unusual...’ but before the bear could finish his sentence, he had fallen fast asleep again!
And when Pegamina stopped running and looked back towards the gate, she could see the stretched out bear, deep in sleep with his arms folded across his belly once more.
Further on down the lane, Peg’s curiosity began to grow as to what lay beyond the great stone wall of Doom. It was such a high wall; it seemed to reach into the sky, making it quite impossible to know what was on the other side. Not being able to find another entrance, she sat down for a moments rest and thought about the man who saw the sea in the woods. ‘He must be a very cruel Lord’ she said to herself. Just then, a voice seemed to sing above her: ‘Doom shall fall! Doom shall fall!’ it said, and looking up, Pegamina could see a large raven on top of the wall, looking down at her.
‘Was that you I heard speak just now?’ shouted Pegamina.
‘Doom shall fall! cwarrr!’ repeated the raven.
‘I don’t know about that, but I do know that I should like to be on the other side of this wall! Is there another way to get in?’ But the raven did not answer and flew down to the ground and walked around Peg in a very noble manner. After it circled her several times, it stopped before her and spoke:
‘Pity the raven
On the wings of death,
Where winter’s beak
Can draw no breath!
Soars high to the heavens
And out of the sky –
Pity the raven
For even death may die!’
And after uttering these words, the raven hopped and spread its wings and flew into the air, leaving Pegamina rather confused. But it wasn’t long before the raven returned and with it were a heron and a stork. Before Peg could say a word the heron had gripped her left arm and the stork took hold of her right arm. And the raven took hold of her long hair, and very soon, all were rising into the air! Pegamina looked down and she could see the trees becoming smaller and smaller. She could not imagine such things, not even in her dreams, and so, feeling afraid, she had to close her eyes! Then, all of a sudden, she found herself upon the ground, feeling very cold. And as she opened her eyes, she could see that she was sitting in the snow, on the other side of the wall. She looked up and saw the raven the heron and the stork, all flying in different directions, yet still she heard the strange words returning in the wind: ‘Doom shall fall!’
She stood up and looked around at the white landscape. ‘How peculiar’ she thought ‘that snow should only fall upon this side of the wall’. It was a very beautiful garden indeed, like a magical wilderness with its snow-covered trees. ‘How very enchanting’ she said. Not knowing which way to go, for there were no footpaths, she decided to walk along an avenue and see where it would lead her. She stepped quickly over the snow and eventually came to a picturesque garden grotto, with a circular pool and a stone statue in the centre. And there, beside the pool, sat a very old man with his wrinkled face reflecting in the water.
‘Good day to you sir!’ said Pegamina courteously.
‘By the ways’ replied the old man.
Not understanding, Pegamina began to walk away until the old man said:
‘sit down, come’. And Pegamina sat beside the old man, though she did not know whether to be afraid or not.
‘And what wants you here?’ the old man asked, staring at the statue in the pool.
‘If you mean why am I here, it is because I wish to see the Lord of Doom!’ she replied. And the old man bent his head and scratched his whiskered chin as he laughed to himself.
‘Lord Doom? he won’t see soul nor eyes of anyone!’ he said.
‘But it’s of great importance!’
‘Maybe, but look you, his Lordship sees no one!’ And here the old man shook his head, almost separating it from his neck. And after a pause he looked at Pegamina and said:
‘And what name is it you carry?’
‘My name is Pegamina’ she said.
‘That’s not a name known to me’ he said, scratching his head.
‘Grudge, the gardener, that’s me’ and he pointed to his nose.
‘Pleased to meet you and I must say this is a very beautiful garden; you must work extremely hard!’
‘You should have seen it before!’
‘Before what?’ asked Peg.
‘Before the curse of Doom’ he answered ‘in the radiant days of the garden’s long shadows!’
‘The curse of Doom! Will you tell me about it?’
‘Aye, if your ears be itching?’
Pegamina’s ears were not itching at all; in fact, they could not be further away from itching if they tried, for it was so very cold that her tiny ears were frozen. And so Grudge, seeing that she was shivering, took off his jacket and wrapped it around her as he began to tell her his story:
‘It was a long time ago, when I was a boy’ and he chuckled to himself. ‘I was just beginning my apprenticeship then, and at that time, the present Lord Doom’s father was Lord and a cruel and fearful man he was; no one dared to cross him for he was like a lion, in strength and in looks. Well, to begin, his Lordship had a son named Craven, the present Lord’s youngest brother. Such a strange boy he was. Every minute of the day (when day’s had minutes, of course!) he would spend in the garden, and I would tell him the names of all the flowers, which he so loved. In fact, he didn’t do the usual things that boys do, like climbing trees or playing with little toy soldiers; all the boy seemed to enjoy was sitting here by the pool and gazing at the statue of the stone angel. Well, his Lordship began to worry dreadfully about young Craven, thinking him weak, for it is well known that every seventh son of Doom is born without the wind!’
‘What do you mean, without the wind?’ interrupted Peg.
‘To be born without the wind is to be born a fool!’ And here the gardener began to recite a poem entitled: The Fortunes of the Wind
‘If the wind be blowing from the North
The child will grow up true and strong.
And blessed with honour, shall go forth
To right the wrongs of the wrongs!
If the wind be blowing from the East
Great riches are foretold to follow.
Fine wines and spice make a hearty feast
But gold and silver bring much sorrow!
If the wind be blowing from the South
A child of wisdom here shall grow.
Versed in the arts with a silver mouth
From which sweet songs of love shall flow!
If the wind be blowing from the West
The child shall have clothes and be fed,
For a life of toil is poor at best
When life is waiting to be dead!
But if the wind does not appear
And no boughs bend on the tree;
If no ripples stir and the stream is clear,
Then he or she a fool must be!’
And the gardener continued with his story:
‘It was a beautiful summer’s day; the birds were singing in the trees and all the flowers were at their fullest bloom, making the garden rich in colour and fragrance. His Lordship, deciding not to go riding that day, took a walk in the garden instead and there by the pool he found his son gazing up at the statue. Well, his Lordship was furious with young Craven and thrashed him there and then until he almost died!’
‘Oh what a horrible man to do such a thing for something as harmless as looking at a statue!’ cried Peg.
‘Yes, but no ordinary statue. The legend of the stone angel is an ancient one and goes back many generations of the Doom family. You see, an angel had fallen in love with the Lord of Doom, one of the present Lord’s ancestors long ago. But there was a witch who had also fallen deeply in love with the Lord of Doom, and she was so jealous of the angel, for she was so very beautiful and pure, that she put a spell on her, which turned her instantly to stone. And the witch made her weep for a hundred years, until the pool around her was filled by her tears. Well, young master Craven fell so in love the stone angel that he would make little gifts from the flowers and put them in a paper boat, which he would push out towards the stone angel. Poor Craven, he had quite lost his heart. And his Lordship despaired and grew sadder and sadder, until he would see no one, for little Craven had become his Lordship’s unmentionable son. And so the great wall was erected around the garden of Doom!’
‘And what happened to the boy?’ said Pegamina, anxiously.
‘Poor boy, he lost his mind and his heart to the angel. Then one day, after seeing the stone angel’s reflection in the pool, he leaned over and tried to kiss her reflection and he fell into the water and was drowned! Early next morning, they found him in the pool, as cold as stone with his eyes wide open and fixed upon the statue. And since that day, Doom has been plagued by a terrible curse:
Snow shall cover the land of Doom;
Tears will flow in the pool of gloom.
And within a room, within a room, within a room,
The heart of sorrow has built her tomb!’
And here the gardener stood up, leaving Pegamina gazing at the statue, for in her heart she had not forgotten about her own, sad little ghost and could not help wondering if she would ever see him again.
‘Come’ said the gardener, holding out his large, rough hand. And Pegamina put her tiny hand in his and they both walked over the snow.
The Stone Angel
No comments:
Post a Comment