The Count of Gabalis

( 15 )

—phs! Insult? I asked. How, my Lord? I would be so unfortunate—

"I am not angry about it," he interrupted me. "You are not bound to know that all the spirits of the elements: In the occult system of Paracelsus, these are the Sylphs, Gnomes, Undines, and Salamanders who inhabit the natural world. are our students; that they are very happy when we deign to stoop to their instruction, and that the least among us Sages: The enlightened members of the Count's secret order. is more learned and powerful than all those petty lords. But we shall speak of all that another time; today, the pleasure of having seen you is enough for me. Seek, my son, to make yourself worthy of the Cabalistic Light: A term for the hidden spiritual illumination or esoteric wisdom associated with the Cabala (Kabbalah). The hour of your rebirth: A common occult and alchemical metaphor for the spiritual transformation and awakening of an initiate. has come, and it rests only with you to become a new creature. Pray fervently to Him who alone has the power to create new hearts, that He may grant you one capable of the great things I have to teach you, and that He may inspire me to withhold none of our secrets from you."

With that he rose, embraced me before I could answer, and continued: "Farewell, my son; I must go to my brothers who live in this place; hereafter you shall hear from me." Un-