Theurgia, or The Egyptian Mysteries (includes Letter to Anebo)

I observe, moreover, that there is a twofold worship of the personal demon; also, that some perform it as to two, and others as to three, but nevertheless, he is invoked by all with a common form of invocation.

X

ENDÆMONIA, OR TRUE SUCCESS

I question, however, whether there may not be some other secret path to true success that is far from the rites of the gods. I doubt whether it is really necessary to pay any regard to the opinions of individuals concerning the divine endowment of divination and Theurgy, and whether the Soul does not now and then form grand conceptions on its own. On the contrary, there are other methods for obtaining premonitions of what will take place. Perhaps they who exercise the divine art of divining may indeed foresee the future, yet they are not really successful; for they foresee future events but do not know how to make use of that foresight properly for themselves. I desire from you, therefore, to show me the path to success and in what the essence of it consists. For among us philosophers, there is much wrangling, as though good might be derived from human reasonings by comparing views.

If this part of the inquiry—the intimate association with the superior race—is passed over by those who devised these rites, then the wisdom they teach serves a trivial purpose, such as calling the Divine Mind to take part in finding a fugitive slave, buying land, or, perhaps, a marriage or a matter of trade. However, suppose this subject of intimate communion with the superior race is not ignored, and those who are in communication tell remarkably true things about various matters, but nothing important or trustworthy regarding true success. If they employ themselves diligently with matters that are difficult but of no use to human beings, then neither gods nor good dæmons were present. On the contrary, it would be a demon of the kind called "Vagabond," or it was all a human invention or a mortal fantasy.