CEREMONIAL magic is
the ancient art of invoking and controlling spirits by a scientific
application of certain formulae. A magician, enveloped in sanctified
vestments and carrying a wand inscribed with hieroglyphic figures, could
by the power vested in certain words and symbols control the invisible
inhabitants of the elements and of the astral world. While the elaborate
ceremonial magic of antiquity was not necessarily evil, there arose from
its perversion several false schools of sorcery, or black magic.
Egypt, a great center of
learning and the birthplace of many arts and sciences, furnished an
ideal environment for Transcendental experimentation. Here the black
magicians of Atlantis continued to exercise their superhuman powers
until they had completely undermined and corrupted the morals of the
primitive Mysteries. By establishing a sacerdotal caste they usurped the
position formerly occupied by the initiates, and seized the reins of
spiritual government. Thus black magic dictated the state religion and
paralyzed the intellectual and spiritual activities of the individual by
demanding his complete and unhesitating acquiescence in the dogma
formulated by the priestcraft. The Pharaoh became a puppet in the hands
of the Scarlet Council -- a committee of archsorcerers elevated to power
by the priesthood.
These sorcerers then began the
systematic destruction of all keys to the ancient wisdom, so that none
might have access to the knowledge necessary to reach adeptship without
first becoming one of their order. They mutilated the rituals of the
Mysteries while professing to preserve them, so that even though the
neophyte passed through the degrees he could not secure the knowledge to
which he was entitled. Idolatry was introduced by encouraging the
worship of the images which in the beginning the wise had erected solely
as symbols for study and meditation. False interpretations were given to
the emblems and figures of the Mysteries, and elaborate theologies were
created to confuse the minds of their devotees. The masses, deprived of
their birthright of understanding and groveling in ignorance, eventually
became the abject slaves of the spiritual impostors. Superstition
universally prevailed and the black magicians completely dominated
national affairs, with the result that humanity still suffers from the
sophistries of the priestcrafts of Atlantis and Egypt.
Fully convinced that their
Scriptures sanctioned it, numerous medieval Qabbalists devoted their
lives to the practice of ceremonial magic. The transcendentalism of the
Qabbalists is founded upon the ancient and magical formula of King
Solomon, who has long been considered by the Jews as the prince of
ceremonial magicians.
Among the Qabbalists of the
Middle Ages were a great number of black magicians who strayed from the
noble concepts of the Sepher Yetzirah and became enmeshed in demonism
and witchcraft. They sought to substitute magic mirrors, consecrated
daggers, and circles spread around posts of coffin nails, for the living
of that virtuous life which, without the assistance of complicated
rituals or submundane creatures, unfailingly brings man to the state of
true individual completion.
Those who sought to control
elemental spirits through ceremonial magic did so largely with the hope
of securing from the invisible worlds either rare knowledge or
supernatural power. The little red daemon of Napolean Bonaparte and the
infamous oracular heads of de Medici are examples of the disastrous
results of permitting elemental beings to dictate the course of human
procedure.
While the learned and godlike
daemon of Socrates seems to have been an exception, this really proves
that the intellectual and moral status of the magician has much to do
with the type of elemental he is capable of invoking. But even the
daemon of Socrates deserted the philosopher when the sentence of death
was passed.
Transcendentalism and all
forms of phenomenalistic magic are but blind alleys -- outgrowths of
Atlantean sorcery; and those who forsake the straight path of philosophy
to wander therein almost invariably fall victims to their imprudence.
Man, incapable of controlling his own appetites, is not equal to the
task of governing the fiery and tempestuous elemental spirits.
Many a magician has lost his
life as the result of opening a way whereby submundane creatures could
become active participants in his affairs. When Eliphas Levi invoked the
spirit of Apollonius of Tyana, what did he hope to accomplish? Is the
gratification of curiosity a motive sufficient to warrant the devotion
of an entire lifetime to a dangerous and unprofitable pursuit? If the
living Apollonius refused to divulge his secrets to the profane, is
there any probability that after death he would disclose them to the
curious-minded? Levi himself did not dare to assert that the specter
which appeared to him was actually the great philosopher, for Levi
realized only too well the proclivity of elementals to impersonate those
who have passed on. The majority of modern mediumistic apparitions are
but elemental creatures masquerading through bodies composed of thought
substance supplied by the very persons desiring to behold these wraiths
of decarnate beings.
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Baphomet: The Goat of
Mendes
The practice of
magick - either white or black -
depends upon the ability of
the adept to control
the universal life force - that which
Eliphas Levi
calls the great magical agent or astral
light.
By the manipulation of this fluidic essence,
the
phenomena of transcendentalism are produced.
The
famous hermaphroditic Goat of Mendes was
a composite creature
formulated to symbolize
this astral light. It is identical
with Baphomet,
the mystic pantheos of those disciples
of
ceremonial magic, the Templars, who probably
obtained
it from the
Arabians. |
The Theory and Practice of Black Magic
Some understanding
of the intricate theory and practice of ceremonial magic may be derived
from a brief consideration of its underlying premises.
First. The visible universe
has an invisible counterpart, the higher planes of which are peopled by
good and beautiful spirits; the lower planes, dark and foreboding, are
the habitation of evil spirits and demons under the leadership of the
Fallen Angel and his ten Princes.
Second. By means of the secret
processes of ceremonial magic it is possible to contact these invisible
creatures and gain their help in some human undertaking. Good spirits
willingly lend their assistance to any worthy enterprise, but the evil
spirits serve only those who live to pervert and destroy.
Third. It is possible to make
contracts with spirits whereby the magician becomes for a stipulated
time the master of an elemental being.
Fourth. True black magic is
performed with the aid of a demoniacal spirit, who serves the sorcerer
for the length of his earthly life, with the understanding that after
death the magician shall become the servant of his own demon. For this
reason a black magician will go to inconceivable ends to prolong his
physical life, since there is nothing for him beyond the grave.
The most dangerous form of
black magic is the scientific perversion of occult power for the
gratification of personal desire. Its less complex and more universal
form is human selfishness, for selfishness is the fundamental cause of
all worldly evil. A man will barter his eternal soul for temporal power,
and down through the ages a mysterious process has been evolved which
actually enables him to make this exchange. In its various branches the
black art includes nearly all forms of ceremonial magic, necromancy,
witchcraft, sorcery, and vampirism. Under the same general heading are
also included mesmerism and hypnotism, except when used solely for
medical purposes, and even then there is an element of risk for all
concerned.
Though the demonism of the
Middle Ages seems to have disappeared, there is abundant evidence that
in many forms of modern thought -- especially the so-called "prosperity"
philosophy, "will-power building"metaphysics, and systems of
"high-pressure" salesmanship -- black magic has merely passed through a
metamorphosis, and although its name be changed its nature remains the
same.
A well-known magician of the
Middle Ages was Dr. Johannes Faustus, more commonly known as Dr. Faust.
By a study of magical writings he was enabled to bind to his service an
elemental who served him for many years in various capacities. Strange
legends are told concerning the magical powers possessed by Dr. Faust.
Upon one occasion the philosopher, being apparently in a playful mood,
threw his mantle over a number of eggs in a market-woman's basket,
causing them to hatch instantly. At another time, having fallen
overboard from a small boat, he was picked up and returned to the craft
with his clothes still dry. But, like nearly all other magicians, Dr.
Faust came at length to disaster; he was found one moming with a knife
in his back, and it was commonly believed that his familiar spirit had
murdered him. Although Goethe's Dr. Faust is generally regarded as
merely a fictional character, this old magician actually lived during
the sixteenth century. Dr. Faust wrote a book describing his experiences
with spirits, a section of which is reprinted below. (Dr. Faust must not
be confused with Johann Fust, the printer.)
"While the black magician at the time of signing his pact with
the elemental demon may be fully convinced that he is strong enough to
control indefinitely the powers placed at his disposal, he is speedily
undeceived. Before many years elapse he must turn all his energies to
the problem of self-preservation. A world of horrors to which he has
attuned himself by his own covetousness looms nearer every day, until he
exists upon the edge of a seething maelstrom, expecting momentarily to
to be sucked down into its turbid depths. Afraid to die -- because he
will become the servant of his own demon -- the magician commits crime
after crime to prolong his wretched earthly existence. Realizing that
life is maintained by the aid of a mysterious universal life force which
is the common property of all creaeures, the black magician often
becomes an occult vampire, stealing this energy from others. According
to mediaeval superstition, black magicians turned themselves into
werewolves and roamed the earth at night, attacking defenseless victims
for the life force contained in their blood."
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The
Pentacles of the Seven Planets and the
Seals and Characters of
the Planetary Angels |
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The
seven large circles are the pentacles of the planets, while the
two small circles under each contain the seal and the character of
the controlling intelligence of the
planet. |
Extract From the Book of
Dr. Faust, Wittenberg, 1524
(An abridged translation from
the original German of a book ordered destroyed.)
"From my youth I followed art
and science and was tireless in my reading of books. Among those which
came to my hand was a volume containing all kinds of invocations and
magical formulae. In this book I discovered information to the effect
that a spirit, whether he be of the fire, the water, the earth or the
air, can be compelled to do the will of a magician capable of
controlling him. I also discovered that according as one spirit has more
power than another, each is adapted for a different operation and each
is capable of producing certain supernatural effects.
"After reading this wonderful
book, I made several experiments, desiring to test the accuracy of the
statements made therein. At first I had little faith that what was
promised would take place. But at the very first invocation which I
attempted a mighty spirit manifested to me, desiring to know why I had
manifested him. His coming so amazed me that I scarcely knew what to
say, but finally asked him if he would serve me in my magical
investigations. He replied that if certain conditions were agreed upon
he would. The conditions were that I should make a pact with him. This I
did not desire to do, but as in my ignorance I had not protected myself
with a circle and was actually at the mercy of the spirit, I did not
dare to refuse his request and resigned myself to the inevitable,
considering it wisest to to turn my mantle according to the wind.
"I then told him that if he
would be servicable to my desires and requests and needs for a certain
length of time, I would sign myself over to him. After the pact had been
arranged, this mighty spirit, whose name was Ashteroth,
["Ashtar"] introduced me to another spirit by the name of
Marbuel, who was appointed to be my servant. I questioned Marbuel as to
his suitability for my needs. I asked him how quick he was, and he
answered, 'As swift as the winds.' This did not satisfy me, so I
replied, 'You cannot become my servant. Go again whence you have come.'
Soon another spirit manifested itself, whose name was Aniguel. Upon
asking him the same question, he answered that he was swift as a bird in
the air. I said, 'You are still too slow for me. Go whence you came.' In
the same moment another spirit by the name of Aciel manifested himself.
For the third time I asked my question and he answered, 'I am as swift
as human thought.' 'You shall serve me,' I replied. This spirit was
faithful for a long time, but to tell you how he served me is not
possible in a document of this length and I will here only indicate how
spirits are to be invoked and how the circles for protection are to be
prepared. There are many kinds of spirits which will permit themselves
to be invoked by man and become his servant. Of these I will list a
few:
"Aciel: The mightiest among
those who serve men. He manifests in pleasing human form about three
feet high. He must be invoked three times before he will come forth into
the circle prepared for him. He will furnish riches and will instantly
fetch things from a great distance, according to the will of the
magician. He is as swift as human thought.
"Aniguel: Serviceable and most
useful, and comes in the form of a ten-year-old boy. He must be invoked
three times. His special power is to discover treasures and minerals
hidden in the ground, which he will furnish to the magician.
"Marbuel: A true lord of the
mountains and swift as a bird on the wing. He is an opposing and
troublesome spirit, hard to control. You must invoke him four times. He
appears in the person of Mars [a warrior in heavy armorl. He will
furnish the magician those things which grow above and under the earth.
He is particularly the lord of the spring-root. [The spring-root is a
mysterious herb, possibly of a reddish color, which mediaeval magicians
asserted had the property of drawing forth or opening anything it
touched. If placed against a locked door, it would open the door. The
Hermetists believed that the red-capped woodpecker was specially endowed
with the faculty of discovering spring-root, so they followed this bird
to its nest, and then stopped up the hole in the tree where its young
were. The red-crested woodpecker went at once in quest of the spring-
root, and, discovering it, brought it to the tree. It immediately drew
forth the stopper from the entrance to the nest. The magician then
secured the root from the bird. It was also asserted that because of its
scructure, the etheric body of the spring-root was utilized as a vehicle
of expression by certain elemental spirits which manifested through the
proclivity of drawing out or opening things.]
"Aciebel: A mighty ruler of
the sea, controlling things both upon and under the water. He furnishes
things lost or sunk in rivers, lakes, and oceans, such as sunken ships
and treasures. The more sharply you invoke him, the swifter he is upon
his errands.
"Machiel: Comes in the form of
a beautiful maiden and by her aid the magician is raised to honor and
dignity. She makes those she serves worthy and noble, gracious and
kindly, and assists in all matters of litigation and justice. She will
not come unless invoked twice.
"Baruel: The master of all
arts. He manifests as a master workman and comes wearing an apron. He
can teach a magician more in a moment than all the master workmen of the
world combined could accomplish in twenty years. He must be invoked
three times.
"These are the spirits most
serviceable to man, but there are numerous others which, for lack of
space, I am unable to describe. Now, if you desire the aid of the spirit
to get this or that, then you must first draw the sign of the spirit
whom you desire to invoke. The drawing must be made just in front of a
circle made before sunrise, in which you and your assistants will stand.
If you desire financial assistance, then you must invoke the spirit
Aciel. Draw his sign in front of the circle. If you need other things,
then draw the sign of the spirit capable of furnishing them. On the
place where you intend to make the circle, you must first draw a great
cross with a large sword with which no one has ever been hurt. Then you
must make three concentric circles. The innermost circle is made of a
long narrow strip of virgin parchment and must be hung upon twelve
crosses made of the wood of cross-thorn. Upon the parchment you must
write the names and symbols according to the figure which follows. [see
GIF included in this series] Outside this first circle make the second
as follows:
"First secure a thread of red
silk that has been spun or twisted to the left instead of the right.
Then place in the ground twelve crosses made of laurel leaves, and also
prepare a long strip of new white paper. Write with an unused pen the
characters and symbols as seen on the second circle. Wind this latter
strip of paper around with the red silken thread and pin them upon the
twelve crosses of laurel leaves. Outside this second circle make a third
one which is also of virgin parchment and pinned upon twelve crosses of
consecrated palm. When you have made these three circles, retire into
them until at last you stand in the center upon a pentagram drawn in the
midst of the great cross first drawn. Now, to insure success, do
everything according to the description, and when you have read off the
sacred invocation pronounce the name of the spirit which you desire to
appear. It is essential that you pronounce the name very distinctly. You
must also note the day and the hour, for each spirit can only be invoked
at certain times."
While the black magician at
the time of signing his pact with the elemental demon may be fully
convinced that he is strong enough to control indefinitely the powers
placed at his disposal, he is speedily undeceived. Before many years
elapse he must turn all his energies to the problem of
self-preservation. A world of horrors to which he has attuned himself by
his own covetousness looms nearer every day, until he exists upon the
edge of a seething maelstrom, expecting momentarily to to be sucked down
into its turbid depths. Afraid to die -- because he will become the
servant of his own demon -- the magician commits crime after crime to
prolong his wretched earthly existence. Realizing that life is
maintained by the aid of a mysterious universal life force which is the
common property of all creaeures, the black magician often becomes an
occult vampire, stealing this energy from others. According to mediaeval
superstition, black magicians turned themselves into werewolves and
roamed the earth at night, attacking defenseless victims for the life
force contained in their blood.
Form of pact with the spirit
of Jupiter:
"The aforesaid Bond of
Spirits, together with the seal and character of the planetary angel,
must be written on virgin parchment and laid before the spirit (for
signature) when he appears; at that time the invocant must not lose
confidence but be patient, firm, bold, and persevering, and take care
that he asks nor requires nothing of the spirit but with a view to the
glory of God and the well-being of His fellow creatures. Having obtained
the desires of the spirit, the invocant may license him to
depart."
Form of Bond of Spirits Given
in 1573
"I, Pabiel, ministering Spirit
and messenger of the presiding and ruling Spirit of Jupiter, appointed
thereunto by the Creator of all things visible and invisible, do swear,
promise, and plight my faith and troth unto thee in the presence and
before the great [Heb.] Yod Heh Vau Heh and the whole company and host
of Heaven, and by all the Holy Names of God do swear and bind myself
unto thee by all the contents of God's Sacred Writ, by the Incarnation,
Death, and Passion, by the Resurrection and glorious Ascension of JC, by
all the holy Sacraments, by the Mercy of God, by the Glory of Joys of
Heaven, by the forgiveness of sin and hope of eternal salvation, by the
Great Day of Doom, by all Angels, Archangels, Seraphim, Cherubim,
Dominations, Thrones, Principalities, Powers and Virtues, above
rehearsed, and by whatsoever else is holy or binding, do I swear,
promise, and vow unto thee that I will appear, come, and haste unto thee
and at all times and places and in all hours, days, and minutes, from
this time forward unto thy life's end wheresoever thou shalt call me by
my name or by my office, and I will come unto thee in what form thou
shalt desire, either visibly or invisibly, and will answer all thy
desires and give testimony thereof and let all the powers of Heaven
witness it.
"I have hereunto subscribed my
hand and confirm my seal and character unto thee. Amen."
From The Complete Book of
Magic Science (unpublished)
Modus Operandi for the Invocation of
Spirits
The following condensed
extract from an ancient manuscript is reproduced herewith as
representative of the ritualismm of ceremonial magic. The extract is
from The Complete Book of Magic Science, an unpublished manuscript
(original in the British Museum), with pentacles in colors, mentioned by
Francis Barrett in his Magus.
"Opening Prayer
"Omnipotent and Eternal God
who hath ordained the whole creation for thy praise and glory and for
the salvation of man, I earnestly beseech thee that thou wouldst send
one of thy spirits of the order of Jupiter, one of the messengers of
Zadkiel whom thou hast appointed governor of thy firmament at the
present time, most faithfully, willingly, and readily to show me these
things which I shall ask, command or require of him, and truly execute
my desires. Nevertheless, O Most Holy God, thy will and not mine be done
through JC, thine only begotten Son our Lord. Amen.
"The Invocation.
[The magician, having properly
consecrated his vestments and utensils and being protected by his
circle, now calls upon the spirits to appear and accede to his
demands.]
"Spirits, whose assistance I
require, behold the sign and the very Hallowed Names of God full of
power. Obey the power of this our pentacle; go out your hidden caves and
dark places; cease your hurtful occupations to those unhappy mortals
whom without ceasing you torment; come into this place where the Divine
Goodness has assembled us; be attentive to our orders and known to our
just demands; believe not that your resistance will cause us to abandon
our operations. Nothing can dispense with your obeying us. We command
you by the Mysterious Names Elohe Agla Elohim Adonay Gibort.
Amen.
"I call upon thee, Zadkiel, in
the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, blessed
Trinity, unspeakable Unity.
"I invoke and intreat thee,
Zadkiel, in this hour to attend to the words and conjurations which I
shall use this day by the Holy Names of God Elohe El Elohim Elion
Zebaoth Escerehie lah Adonay Tetragrammaton.
"I conjure thee, I exorcise
thee, thou Spirit Zadkiel, by these Holy Names Hagios O Theos Iscyros
Athanatos Paracletus Agla on Alpha et Omega loth Aglanbroth Abiel
Anathiel Tetragrammaton: And by all other great and glorious, holy and
unspeakable, mysterious, mighty, powerful, incomprehensible Names of
God, that you attend unto the words of my mouth, and send unto me Pabiel
or other of your ministering, serving Spirits, who may show me such
things as I shall demand of him in the Name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
"I intreat thee, Pabiel, by
the whole Spirit of Heaven, Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones,
Dominations,Witnesses, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels,
by the holy, great, and glorious Angel Orphaniel Tetra-Dagiel Salamla
Acimoy pastor poti, that thou come forthwith, readily show thyself that
we may see you and audibly hear you, speak unto us and fulfil our
desires, and by your star which is Jupiter, and by all the
constellations of Heaven, and by whatsoever you obey, and by your
character which you have given, proposed, and confirmed, that you attend
unto me according to the prayer and petitions which I have made unto
Almighty God, and that you forthwith send me one of your ministering
Spirits, who may willingly, truly, and faithfully fulfil all my desires,
and that you command him to appear unto me in the form of a beautiful
Angel, gently, courteously, affably, and meekly, entering into
communication with me, and that he neither permitting any evil Spirit to
approach in any sort of hurt, terrify or affright me in any way nor
deceiving me in any wise. Through the virtue of Our Lord JC, in whose
Name I attend, wait for, and expect thy appearance. Fiat, fiat, fiat.
Amen, Amen, Amen.
"Interrogatories.
[Having summoned the spirit
unto his presence, the magician shall question him as follows:]
"'Comest thou in peace in
theName of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost?' [And the
spirit shall answer:] 'Yes.'
"'Thou art welcome, noble
Spirit. What is thy Name?' [And the spirit shall answer:]
'Pabiel.'
"'I have called thee in the
Name of Jesus of Nazareth at whose Name every knee doth bow in heaven,
earth, and hell, and every tongue shall confess there is no name like
unto the Name of Jesus, who hath given power unto man to bind and to
loose all things in his most Holy Name, yea even unto those that trust
in his salvation.
"'Art thou the messenger of
Zadkiel?' [And the spirit shall answer:] 'Yes. '
"'Wilt thou confirm thyself
unto me at this time and henceforth reveal all things unto me that I
shall desire to know, and teach me how I may increase in wisdom and
knowledge and show unto me all the secrets of the Magic Art, and of all
liberal sciences, that I may thereby set forth the glory of Almighty
God?' [And the spirit shall answer:] 'Yes.'
"'Then I pray thee give and
confirm thy character unto me whereby I may call thee at all times, and
also swear unto me this oath and I will religiously keep my vow and
covenant unto Almighty God and will courteously receive thee at all
times where thou dost appear unto me.'
"License to Depart.
"'Forasmuch as thou comest in
peace and quietness and hath answered unto my petitions, I give humble
and hearty thanks unto Almighty God in whose Name I called and thou
camest, and now thou mayest depart in peace unto thine orders and return
unto me again at what time soever I shall call thee by thine oath, or by
thy name or by thine order, or by thine office which is granted thee
from the creator, and the power of God be with me and thee and upon the
whole issue of God, Amen.
"'Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.'
[Note:]
"It would be
advisable for the invocant to remain in the circle for a few minutes
after reciting the license, and if the place of operation be in the open
air, let him destroy all traces of the circle, et cetera, and return
quietly to his home. But should the operation be performed in a retired
part of a house, et cetera, the circle may remain, as it might serve in
a like future operation, but the room or building must be locked up to
avoid the intrusion of strangers."
The agreement set forth above
is purely ceremonial magic. In the case of black magic, it is the
magician and not the demon who must sign the pact. When the black
magician binds an elemental to his service, a battle of wits ensues,
which the demon eventually wins. With his own blood the magician signs
the pact between himself and the demon, for in the arcanum of magic it
is declared that "he controls the soul who controls the blood of
another." As long as the magician does not fail, the elemental will
fulfil to the letter his obligation under the pact, but the demon will
try in every possible way to prevent the magician from carrying out his
part of the contract.
When the conjurer, ensconced
within his circle, has evoked the spirit he desires to control and has
made known his intention, the spirit will answer somewhat as follows: "I
cannot accede to your request nor fulfil it, unless after fifty years
you give yourself to me, body and soul, to do with as I may
please."
If the magician refuses,other
terms will be discussed. The spirit may say: "I will remain in your
service as long as on every friday morning you will go forth upon the
public street giving alms in the name of Lucifer. The first time you
fail in this you belong to me."
If the magician still refuses,
realizing that the demon will make it impossible for him to fulfil his
contract, other terms will be discussed, until at last a pact is agreed
upon. It may read as follows: "I hereby promise the Great Spirit
Lucifuge, Prince of Demons, that each year I will bring unto him a human
soul to do with as it may please him, and in return Lucifuge promises to
bestow upon me the treasures of the earth and fulfil my every desire for
the length of my natural life. If I fail to bring him each year the
offering specified above, then my own soul shall be forfeit to him.
Signed..............[Invocant signs pact with his own blood.]
The
Pentagram
In symbolism, an inverted
figure always signifies a perverted power. The average person does nor
even suspect the occult properties of emblematic pentacles. On this
subject the great Paracelsus has written: "No doubt many will scoff at
the seals, their characters and their uses, which are described in these
books, because it seems incredible to them that metals and char- acters
which are dead should have any power and effect. Yet no one has ever
proved that the metals and also the characters as we know them are dead,
for the salts, sulphur, and quintessences of metals are the highest
preservatives of human life and are far superior to all other simples."
(Translated from the original German.)
The black magician cannot use
the symbols of white magic without bringing down upon himself the forces
of white magic, which would be fatal to his schemes. He must therefore
distort the histograms so that they typify the occult fact that he
himself is distorting the principles for which the symbols stand. Black
magic is not a fundamental art; it is the misuse of an art. Therefore it
has no symbols of its own, It merely takes the emblematic figures of
white magic, and by inverting and reversing them signifies that it is
left-handed.
A good instance of this
practice is found in the pentagram, or five-pointed star, made of five
connected lines. This figure is the time-honored symbol of the magical
arts, and signifies the five properties of the Great Magical Agent, the
five senses of man, the five elements of nature, the five extremities of
the human body. By means of the pentagram within his own soul, man not
only may master and govern all creatures inferior to himself, but may
demand consideration at the hands of those superior to himself.
The pentagram is used
extensively in black magic, but when so used its form always differs in
one of three ways: The star may be broken at one point by not permitting
the converging lines to touch; it may be inverted by having one point
down and two up; or it may be distorted by having the points of varying
lengths. When used in black magic, the pentagram is called the "sign of
the cloven hoof," or the footprint of the Devil. The star with two
points upward is also called the "Goat of Mendes," because the inverted
star is the same shape as a goat's head. When the upright star turns and
the upper point falls to the bottom, it signifies the fall of the
Morning Star.
