power must be sought are seen; the two paths face the solar Angel; the poles vibrate. A choice confronts the one who meditates.

RULE EIGHT

The Agnisuryans respond to the sound. The waters ebb and flow. Let the magician guard himself from drowning at the point where land and water meet. The midway spot, which is neither dry nor wet, must provide the standing place whereon his feet are set. When water, land and air meet, there is the place for magic to be wrought.

RULE NINE

Condensation next ensues. The fire and waters meet, the form swells and grows. Let the magician set his form upon the proper path.

RULE TEN

As the waters bathe the form created, they are absorbed and used. The form increases in its strength; let the magician thus continue until the work suffices. Let the outer builders cease their labors then, and let the inner workers enter on their cycle.

RULE ELEVEN

Three things the worker with the law must now accomplish. First, ascertain the formula which will confine the lives within the ensphering wall; next, pronounce the words which will tell them what to do and where to carry that which has been made; and finally, utter forth the mystic phrase which will save him from their work.

RULE TWELVE

The web pulsates. It contracts and expands. Let the magician seize the midway point and thus release those «prisoners of the planet» whose note is right and justly tuned to that which must be made.

RULE THIRTEEN

The magician must recognize the four; note in his work the shade of violet they evidence, and thus construct the shadow. When this is so, the shadow clothes itself, and the four become the seven.

RULE FOURTEEN

The sound swells out. The hour of danger to the soul courageous draweth near. The waters have not hurt the white creator and naught could drown nor drench him. Danger from fire and flame menaces now, and dimly yet the rising smoke is seen. Let him again, after the cycle of peace, call on the solar Angel.

RULE FIFTEEN

The fires approach the shadow, yet burn it not. The fire sheath is completed. Let the magician chant the words that blend the fire and water.

From «A Treatise on Cosmic Fire».

ВВОДНЫЕ ЗАМЕЧАНИЯ

При изучении и внимательном рассмотрении идей, предложенных в этой книге, на ум приходят следующие основные положения.

Первое, что наибольшее значение для каждого учащегося должен иметь не авторитет личности наставника, а та мера истины, которую он выражает, и способность учащегося отличать истину от частичной истины и лжи.

Второе, что с ростом эзотерического знания увеличивается экзотерическая ответственность. Поэтому пусть каждый учащийся ясно оценит

себя, помня, что пони­мание приходит в результате приложения усвоенного объема истины к насущной проблеме и своему окруже­нию, и что сознание расширяется благодаря конкретному применению