Nrgital Essay, Research Paper

ENERGY. Energy is the Sacramental Motive of Event: it is thus omnipresent, inmanifestation by interruption and compensation and otherwise by thecorresponding withdrawal. (In this connection let there be remembered the fullformula of Tetragrammaton.) There are, however, three main types of special experience which arenoteworthy landmarks in the process of Initiation, and of urgent practicalvalue to the Magician. The symbol of the Sacrament being observed they differ as do the threeparticipants therein: the God, the Priest, and the Communicant. In the highest, that is of Kether, the Energy radiates wholly from oneself:that is, one is entirely identified with Hadit. In the middle, that of Chokmah, the Energy passes wholly through oneself:that is, one assumes the functions of Tahuti. In the lowest, that is of Geburah, the Energy impinges wholly upon oneself:that is, one absorbs it as a man. In all cases, the Energy of which it is here written is not particular orpersonified; it is Energy in itself, without quality. The highest mode can only be fully apprehended by an Ipsissimus: it is thefinal attainment. It is the active counterpart of the higher form of theBeatific Vision. The middle mode is proper to a Magus, or to one aspiring to his propheticfunction. it is described, and the method of attaining it set forth, in theBook called Opus Lutetianum. The lowest mode is the peculiar task of a Major Adept. It is bestaccomplished by means of the Secret of the Sanctuary of the Gnosis.(IX`O.T.O.) Of the highest mode it would be neither fit not useful to treat moreintimately: the middle mode concerns each Magician in his peculiar and privaterelations with the Infinite, and demands from each of its Adepts a specialpreoccupation: but of the lowest it is convenient to make further mention. It is strangely convincing proof of the true care of Nature for Herinstruments, despite the superficial evidence to the contrary on which thedoctrines of pessimism are based, that the most precious, the one ultimatelyessential Grace that can possibly be bestowed on mankind is, of all Magicalbenefit, that which may be attained with more ease and certainty than anyother. For Energy is itself all that is: and we vary with the quantity andquality thereof, which we can call “ourselves.”

The price which She demands is without doubt heavy enough for a certainclass; but it is equally to be paid, in varying degree, for every type ofMystical and Magical Adventure. This price is in essence the full Understanding of the Mind of NatureHerself, and complete sympathy with Her Way of Work. All the moral codes ofmankind, for all their absurd diversities, have one common factor: theypretend to have found motives and methods which are superior to Hers. That is,they presume a conception of the End which is beyond Her view: theyassert the possession of an Intelligence loftier than that which has producedthe Universe. Consider only that the highest manifestation possible to therational mind is the discovery of the Laws which summarize Her manner ofoperation! We may then say at once that all such pretentious arrogance is impudenceand absurdity; and it must be surrendered, nay more, uprooted and calcinedbefore any serious progress can be made in the Royal and Sacerdotal Art. Hencealso any aspiration of a partial order, any which depends for its wisdom onthe justice of our perceptions of our own needs, is almost certain to betainted with the very poison of which Nature would purge us. There is in fact only one Magical Operation of whose propriety we mayalways be sure; and that is the increase of our sum of Energy. It is evenindiscreet to try to specify the kind of Energy required, and worse toconsider any particular purpose. Energy being increased, Nature will herselfsupply clarity: our Vision is obscure only because our Energy is deficient.For Energy is the Substance of the Universe. When it is adequate, we are in nodoubt as to how to employ it; witness the evident case of the will of theAdolescent. It is also to be well noted that moral obstruction to the rightuse of this Energy cause at once the most hideous deformations of character,and determine the gravest lesions of the nervous system. Let therefore the Magician divest himself of all preconceptions as to thenature of his True Will, but apply himself eagerly to increasing hisPotential. In this discipline (moreover) he is beginning to fit himself forthat very abdication of all that he has and all that he is which is theessence of the Oath of the Abyss! Thus then do we find one more of those paradoxes which are the images ofthe Truth of the Supernals: by destroying our own highest morality, andrelying upon our natural instinct as the sole guide, we come unaware upon themost simple, and the most sublime, of all ethical and spiritual conceptions.