CHAPTER II

The Antiquity of Magical Rituals

§ 1. The Importance of Ceremonial Magic.

The standard fields of psychological study—largely dominated by the pathologist In this context, Waite refers to early psychologists and medical doctors who studied mental "pathologies" or abnormalities.—are bordered by a realm of spiritual experimentation. While these specialists may occasionally venture into this borderland, it is mostly left to independent and unauthorized explorers. Beyond these fields and this boundary lies the legendary, wondrous world of Mysticism, Magic, and Sorcery. It is a world of either fascination or terror, depending on the temperament of the person viewing it, but in either case, it represents the exact opposite of what is considered possible.

In this world, all paradoxes seem to actually occur, and logical contradictions exist side-by-side. Here, the effect is greater than the cause, and the shadow is more significant than the substance. Within this realm, the visible dissolves into the unseen, and the invisible is revealed openly. Movement from one place to another is achieved without traveling the distance in between, and solid matter passes through other matter.

In this place, two straight lines may enclose a space; space has a fourth dimension and even further possibilities beyond it. Literally and without exaggeration, the circle is mathematically squared Squaring the circle is an ancient geometric problem that is impossible to solve using only a compass and straightedge; it is used here as a metaphor for achieving the impossible.. There, life is extended, youth is renewed, and physical immortality is secured. There, common earth becomes gold, and gold turns back into earth. In this world, words and wishes possess the power to create, thoughts are physical things, and desire makes its objects real. There, also, the dead are alive, and the various levels of supernatural beings extra-mundane intelligence are easy to communicate with and become helpers...