XIX

THE SUN---LE SOLEIL

The Sun is the centre and source of all high Magical force, and this force nourishes and renews without pause that latent Light which is the grand agent manifested in magnetism and vital energy.

The Sun is the central and yet universal magnet of the stars. It has two poles, one possessing attractive force and the other repulsive force; it is alone by the balance of these two energies that it maintains cosmic equilibrium and universal motion. The Sun it is which bestows radiance upon the planets and meteors, it is of the principle of Fire, and in this world it is the source of phosphorescence of the sea and even of the scintillation of the glow-worm. It is the heat of the Sun which constitutes the stimulant essence of the generous wine from the fruit of the grape, and which brings to perfection the luscious sweetness of all fruits. It is the Sun which awakens the dormant energies of all beings in spring time, and which prompts to the enjoyment of all the sweet mysteries of sexual love. It is the Sun's force which courses in our veins and palpitates in our hearts, and it is the light of the Sun which empurples our blood and makes it resemble the purple redness of wine. The Sun is the sanctuary of spiritual beings who have been loosed from the ties of earth life, and there is the blazing tabernacle in which resides the Soul of the Messiah. You place your altars where the Sun's rays fall upon them, and renew the sacred fires upon them from its rays. When you consecrate a talisman or pantacle you open up a path along which a solar ray may pass thence into it during the ceremonial.

When the adept seeks to heal the sick or relieve any pain he raises his hands towards the Light and Heat of the Sun, and then lowering them he touches the sick man, saying, "Be thou healed if thou hast faith and will." The perfumed flowers and leaves to be used as incense should be dried in the Sun's rays, notwithstanding the fact that flowers and leaves gathered in darkness have more potency than those plucked by daylight; because plants exhale their aroma in sunlight, and close up their pores to preserve it during the absence of the creating rays. Gold is the special metal of Sol, and it tends to augment the solar force in all with which it is brought into contact.

A golden lamen applied to the forehead renders the mind more open to and receptive of divine influences.

A golden talisman worn on the breast over the heart increases the force of emotions which are good and benevolent, while it tends to banish impure passions.

Notes

The Nineteenth Trump represents the Sun shining above in the heavens and casting its rays upon two children, who stand holding each other's hands; a wall of masonry is seen behind them. In some old cards this wall is garlanded with flowers.

The meanings given elsewhere by Levi are: The Prince of the heavens, the summit, the head: he remarks that some examples of this card show a child mounted on a white horse and waving a scarlet banner. Christian believes that this Trump represents the passage from earth life to that of the unknown future.

XX

THE LAST JUDGMENT---LE JUGEMENT

These are the Privileges and the Powers of a Magus; and first are recited the Seven Grand Privileges:---

Aleph. 1. He sees God and is able to commune with the Seven Genii around the throne.

Beth. 2. He is above the influence of all pains and fears.

Ghimel. 3. He has authority over High Spiritual Powers, and can command Infernal forces.

Daleth. 4. He is the master over his own life, and can influence the lives of other men.

Heh. 5. He can never be taken unawares, nor weakened, nor overcome.

Vau. 6. He understands the reasons for the Present, the Past, and the Future.

Zain. 7. He holds the secret of what is meant by the Resurrection from the dead.

The Seven Major Powers are:------

Cheth. 1. The power of making the Philosopher's Stone.

Teth. 2. The possession of the Universal Medicine.

Yod. 3. The knowledge of the mode of Perpetual Motion, and of the Quadrature of the Circle.

Kaph. 4. The power of changing any base matter into gold.

Lamed. 5. The ability to coerce wild beasts, and to charm serpents.

Mem. 6. To possess the Notorial Art and to have universal knowledge.

Nun. 7. The power of discoursing with knowledge and learning upon any subject, even without previous study.

The Seven Minor Powers are:-----

Samech. 1. To know in a moment the hidden thoughts of any man or woman.

Ayin. 2. To compel any one to act with sincerity.

Peh. 3. To foresee any future events which do not depend upon the will of a superior being.

Tzaddi. 4. To give instantly wise counsel and acceptable consolation.

Qoph. 5. To be always calm and content in the most grievous adversity.

Resh. 6. Never to feel love or hatred unless it is designed.

Shin. 7. To possess the secret of constant wealth, and never to fall into destitution or misery.

These Privileges are the final degree of Human Perfectibility; these are open to attainment by the elect, by those who can dare, by those who would never abuse them, and who know when to be silent.

Tau. In conclusion, Magi can control the elemental forces, calm tempests, heal the sick, and raise the dead. But these things are sealed with the triple Seal of Solomon: initiates know of them, this is sufficient; as to other persons, whether they deride you, or whether they are overcome with fear at your audacity, what matters it to you?

Notes

Levi gives the whole of this chapter in his Dogme, pages 79-83, as a quotation---perhaps from this treatise.

This Twentieth Tarot Trump shows, at first sight, a representation of the judgement day. An angel blowing a trumpet and carrying a banner is flying overhead. Below is seen a figure with his back toward the observer, rising from a tomb. On each side is an imposing human figure, one male and one female, who also seem to be rising from the earth. Levi gives as its meaning the generative force of the earth, vegetable life, and eternal life.

Christian describes this card as a symbol of the resurrection.

XXI

THE UNWISE MAN---LE MAT

Do not ally yourself either in affection or interest with any one who is not an earnest student of the higher life, unless you can completely dominate him, and even then be sure that you either recompense or chastise him according to his deserts; for the profane person hears many truths, but understands none; his ears are large but have no discretion. The profane passes his life in giddy risks, deluded with vain desires, listening to imaginary promptings, and with his eyes fixed on fancied sights. You may think he is pleased with your aims, but the truth is that he is absorbed by his own follies; the profane has no appreciation of the truth, and feels no real affection. The profane is imprudent and shameless; he discloses things which should be kept concealed, and attracts to himself brute forces which may devour him. That which he most neglects is himself; he wears his vices as a blazon, but they are an ever-present burden to him, yet he does not recognise that they are a constant source of weakness. Make it a definite rule of life always to avoid:----

1. Such as are ever judging and condemning their parents, who despise their fathers and have no true affection for their mothers.

2. All men who show no courage, and all women who have not modesty.

3. Those who do not maintain their friendships.

4. Those who ask for advice, and then do not take it.

5. Those who are never in the wrong.

6. Those who are always seeking the impossible, and who are obstinately unjust to others.

7. Those who, when danger is present, seek only their own safety.

All such persons are neither worthy of your confidence nor of your love. Fear contamination from them; avoid then. Yet even as you yourself must also avoid the follies of life, be careful not to put yourself in an attitude of superiority to the conditions of existence merely from a false pride, and never stoop to debase yourself to the level of the brute creation; rise above the common ways of life, and never become the slave of custom and conventionality. Treat the habits of ordinary life as others treat the weaknesses of childhood. Amuse the crowd to prevent personal injury, but never address it except in parables and enigmas; such has been the mode of conduct of all the great Masters of Magic, and in such an attitude there is wisdom.

Notes

We are now met by an unexpected difficulty, for Levi has written this chapter No. 21, following the No. 20, the Judgement, without any notification that the card referred to is not that numbered 21, which is the Universe, but the sole unnumbered Trump of the set. Of other authors, some have numbered the Universe Moon or Fool as 0 or as the 22nd. The fact remains that in all packs the Universe is numbered 21, and it will in this tract be considered after the next chapter, which clearly refers to it.

In this chapter, where an author refers so much to the profane, the Trump Le Fou is clearly indicated. It represents a wayfarer walking along a road and carrying a burden slung over his shoulder; he has a staff in his right hand. Behind, he is attacked by a tiger which has alread fastened on his clothing, while his face shows that he is as yet ignorant of its attack. In his Rituel, Levi assigns to this trump the somewhat incongruous meanings of the sensitive, the flesh, and eternal life.

Christian gives another description of this card. Instead of the design described above, he says that the 20th trump should represent a blind man carrying a wallet and coming into contact with a broken obelisk, upon which is couched a crocodile with gaping jaws; the meaning assigned by him is the inevitable punishment of sin. This blind man, he says, is the symbol of humanity, which is the blind slave of matter. He numbers this card 0, but places it between numbers 20 and 21.