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PSYCHIC
SELFDEFENSE
DionFortune
CONTENTS
PREFACE
PARTI
TYPESOFPSYCHICATTACK
I.SIGNSOFPSYCHICATTACK
II.ANALYSISOFTHENATUREOFPSYCHICATTACK
III.ACASEOFMODERNWITCHCRAFT
IV.PROJECTIONOFTHEETHERICBODY
V.VAMPIRISM
VI.HAUNTINGS
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VII.THEPATHOLOGYOFNONHUMANCONTACTS
VIII.THERISKSINCIDENTALTOCEREMONIALMAGIC
PARTII
DIFFERENTIALDIAGNOSIS
IX.DISTINCTIONBETWEENOBJECTIVEPSYCHICATTACKANDSUBJECTIVE
PSYCHIC
DISTURBANCE
X.NONOCCULTDANGERSOFTHEBLACKLODGE
XI.THEPSYCHICELEMENTINMENTALDISTURBANCE
PARTIII
THEDIAGNOSISOFAPSYCHICATTACK
XII.METHODSEMPLOYEDINMAKINGAPSYCHICATTACK
XIII.THEMOTIVESOFPSYCHICATTACK.I
XIV.THEMOTIVESOFPSYCHICATTACK.II
PARTIV

METHODSOFDEFENCEAGAINSTPSYCHICATTACK
XV.PHYSICALASPECTOFPSYCHICATTACKANDDEFENCE
XVI.DIAGNOSISOFTHENATUREOFANATTACK
XVII.METHODSOFDEFENCE.I
XVIII.METHODSOFDEFENCE.II
XIX.METHODSOFDEFENCE.III
XX.METHODSOFDEFENCE.IV
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CONCLUSION

PREFACE

TiswithasenseoftheseriousnessoftheissuesinvolvedthatIsetmyselftothetaskofwritingabookon

psychic
attackandthebestmethodsofdefenceagainstit.Theundertakingisbesetwithpitfalls.Itishardlypossibletogive
practicalinformationonthemethodsofpsychicdefencewithoutatthesametimegivingpracticalinformationon
the
methodsofpsychicattack.Itisnotwithoutreasonthatinitiateshavealwaysguardedtheirsecretsciencebehind
closed
doors.Todisclosesufficienttobeadequatewithoutdisclosingsufficienttobedangerousismyproblem.Butasso
muchhasalreadybeenmadeknownconcerningtheesotericteachings,andasthecircleofstudentsoftheoccultis
becomingrapidlywidereveryday,itmaywellbethatthetimehasnowcomeforplainspeaking.Thetaskisnotof
my
seeking,butasithascomeintomyhands,Iwilldomybesttodischargeithonourably,makingavailablethe
knowledgewhichhascometomeinthecourseofmanyyears'experienceofthestrangebywaysofthemindwhich
the
mysticshareswiththelunatic.Thisknowledgehasnotbeenattainedwithoutcost,nor,Isuspect,willthedivulging
ofit
bealtogetherfreefromcost,either.
Ihaveendeavouredtoavoid,asfaraspossible,theuseofsecondhandmaterial.Weallknowthepersonwhohasa
friendwhosefriendsawtheghostwithherowneyes.Thatisnotofverymuchusetoanybody.Whatweneedisto
havetheeyewitnessundercrossexamination.ForthisreasonIhavenotdrawnuponthevastliteratureofthe
subject
forillustrationsofmythesis,buthavepreferredtorelyuponcasesthathavecomewithintherangeofmyown
experienceandwhichIhavebeenabletoexamine.
IthinkImayfairlyclaimtohavepractical,andnotmerelytheoretical,qualificationsforthetask.Myattentionwas
first
turnedtopsychology,andsubsequentlytooccultismastherealkeytopsychology,bythepersonalexperienceofa
psychicattackwhichleftmewithshatteredhealthforaconsiderableperiod.Iknowformyselfthepeculiarhorrorof
suchanexperience,itsinsidiousness,itspotency,anditsdisastrouseffectsonmindandbody.
Itisnoteasytogetpeopletocomeforwardandbearwitnesstopsychicattacks.Firstly,becausetheyknowthereis
very
littlelikelihoodoftheirbeingbelieved,andthattheywillbemorelikelytoearnthemselvesareputationformental
unbalancethanforanythingelse.Secondly,becauseanytamperingwiththefoundationsofthepersonalityisan
experienceofsuchpeculiaranduniquehorrorthatthemindshrinksfromthecontemplationofitandonecannottalk
about.

Iamoftheopinionthatpsychicattacksarefarcommonerthanisgenerallyrealised,evenbyoccultiststhemselves.
Certainlythegeneralpublichasnoconceptionatallofthesortofthingsthataredonebypeoplewhohavea
knowledge
ofthepowersofthehumanmindandsettoworktoexploitthem.Iamconvincedthatthisfactorplayedalargepart
in
thewitchcult,andwastherealcauseoftheuniversalhorroranddetestationofthewitch.Thesepowershavealways
beenknowntostudentsofoccultism,butnowadaystheyareknownandusedbypeoplewhowouldbeexceedingly
surprisedtofindwhoaretheirfellowpractitioners.Mrs.Eddy,thefounderofChristianScience,stumbledonto
these
methodsempiricallywithouteveracquiringanyrationalknowledgeastotheirmodusoperandi.Sheendeavouredto
teachtheminsuchawaythattheycouldonlybeusedforgoodandtheirpowerforevilshouldbeconcealed;but
that
sheherselfwaswellawareoftheirpossibilitiesifabusediswitnessedbythedreadofwhatshecalled"Malicious
AnimalMagnetism,"whichshadowedherwholelife.
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ThemethodsofChristianScience,withoutitsstrictdisciplineandcarefulorganisation,weredevelopedand
exploited
bytheinnumerableschoolsandsectsoftheNewThoughtMovement.Inmanyofthedevelopmentsthereligious
aspect
waslostsightof,andtheysimplybecameamethodofmentalmanipulationforpurelypersonalends,thoughnot
necessarilydeliberatelyevil.Theirexponentsadvertisedthattheywouldteachtheartofsalesmanship,ofmaking
oneselfpopularanddominantinsociety,ofattractingtheoppositesex,ofdrawingtooneselfmoneyandsuccess.
The
amazingnumberofthesecoursesadvertisedshowstheirpopularity;inarecentissueofanAmericanmagazineI
countedadvertisementsforsixtythreedifferentcoursesinvariousformsofmindpower.Theywouldnotbeso
popular
iftheyachievednoresultsatall.Letusconsidersomeoftheseadvertisementsandseewhattheyindicate,reading
betweenthelinesanddrawingourownconclusions.
"Transferyourthoughtstoothers.Sendforfreefolder,Telepathy,orMentalRadio."
"Troubledhealth,love,money?Letmehelpyou.Nofailures,instructionsbeingfollowed.Strictlypersonaland
professional.Carefulasfamilyphysician.Fivedollarsmustaccompanyenquiry.Moneybackifnotsatisfied."
"Whatdoyouwant?Whateveritis,wecanhelpyoutogetit.Justgiveusthechancebywritingfor'Clouds
Dispelled.'
Absolutelyfree.Youwillbedelighted."
"HYPNOTISM.Wouldyoupossessthatstrangemysteriouspowerwhichcharmsandfascinatesmenandwomen,
influencestheirthoughts,controlstheirdesiresandmakesyousuprememasterofeverysituation?Lifeisfullof
alluringpossibilitiesforthosewhomasterthesecretsofhypnoticinfluence,forthosewhodeveloptheirmagnetic
powers.Youcanlearnathome,curediseasesandbadhabitswithoutdrugs,winthefriendshipandloveofothers,
increaseyourincome,gratifyyourambitions,driveworryandtroublefromyourmind,improveyourmemory,
overcomedomesticdifficulties,givethemostthrillingentertainmenteverwitnessedanddevelopawonderfully
magneticwillpowerthatwillenableyoutoovercomeallobstaclestoyoursuccess.
"Youcanhypnotisepeopleinstantlyquickasaflashputyourselforanyoneelsetosleepatanyhourofthedayor
night,orbanishpainandsuffering.Ourfreebooktellsyouthesecretsofthiswonderfulscience.Itexplainsexactly
howyoucanusethispowertobetteryourconditioninlife.Itisenthusiasticallyendorsedbyministersofthegospel,
lawyers,doctors,businessmenandsocietywomen.Itbenefitseverybody.Itcostsnothing.Wegiveitawayto
advertise
ourinstitution."
Theseareafewspecimenschosenfromamongthesixtythreesimilaradvertisementscountedinthissingleissueof
a
popularweeklymagazine.Theyaregiveninextenso,innowayeditedsavebytheomissionofaddresses.

Letusnowconsiderwhatsuchadvertisementsasthesesignifyfromthepointofviewofthepersonstowhomthey
are
notaddressed,thepersonsoverwhomthereaderispresumedtowanttoacquirepower.Whatwillbetheirposition
shouldhebreakthetenthcommandmentandcovethisneighbour'swife,orhisox,orhisass,oranyofhisother
valuables?Supposingthediligentstudentofthesemethodswantssomethingheoughtnottohave?Supposingheis
on
theshadysideofthelaw?Orisnursingasenseofinjuryanddesirestoberevenged?Ormerelylovespowerforits
ownsake?Whatisthefateofthecannonfodderthatsuppliesthestudentofmindpowerwiththematerialforhis
experiments?Whatdoesitfeelliketobedominatedbythesemethods,andwhatresultsmayultimatelybeobtained
by
acompetentexperimenter?
Letmegivemyownexperience,painfulthoughitis,forsomeonehasgottobethefirsttocomeforwardand
uncover
theseabuseswhichareonlyabletoflourishbecauseofthegeneralfailuretorealisetheirsignificance.
AsayounggirloftwentyIenteredtheemploymentofawomanwhoInowknowmusthavehadaconsiderable
knowledgeofoccultismobtainedduringalongresidenceinIndia,andconcerningwhichsheusedtodrophintsthat
I
couldmakenothingofatthetime,butwhich,inthelightoflaterknowledge,Ihavecometounderstand.Itwasher
customtocontrolherstaffbymeansofherknowledgeofmindpower,andshehadasteadysuccessionofmost
peculiarbreakdownsamongthepeopleworkingunderher.
Ihadnotbeenwithherverylongwhenshewantedmetogiveevidenceinalawsuit.Shewasawomanofviolent
temper,andhaddismissedanemployeewithoutnoticeandwithoutwages,andhewassueingherforthemoneydue
to
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him.Shewantedmetosaythathisbehaviourhadbeensuchthatshewasjustifiedinthusdismissinghim.Her
method
ofcollectingmyevidencewastolookintomyeyeswithaconcentratedgazeandsay,"Suchandsuchthings
happened."FortunatelyforallconcernedIhadkeptadiaryandhadadaytodayrecordofthewholetransaction.If
it
hadnotbeenforthisIshouldnothaveknownwhereIwas.AttheendoftheinterviewIwasdazedandexhausted,
and
laydownonmybedinmyclothesandsleptthesleepofutterexhaustiontillnextmorning.IsupposeIsleptfor
about
fifteenhours.
Soonafterthisshewantedmytestimonyagain.Shewishedtogetridofmyimmediatesuperior,andwantedtofind
sufficientgroundstojustifyherindoingso.Sherepeatedherpreviousmaneuvers,butthistimeIhadnotgotadiary
recordtofallbackupon,andtomyintensesurpriseIfoundmyselfagreeingwithherinaseriesofentirelybaseless
chargesagainstthecharacterofamanIhadnoreasontobelievetobeotherwisethanperfectlystraight.Thesame
exhaustionandthesamedeadsleepdescendeduponmeimmediatelyafterthisinterviewasaft&theprecedingone,
but
anadditionalsymptomnowmanifesteditself.AsIwalkedoutoftheroomattheendoftheinterviewIhadacurious
sensationasifmyfeetwerenotintheplaceIexpectedthemtobe.Anyonewhohaswalkedacrossacarpetthatis
bellyingupwiththeunderfloordraughtwillknowwhatImean.Occultistswillrecogniseitashavingtodowiththe
extrusionoftheethericdouble.
Thenextincidenttooccurinthiscuriousmenagedidnotconcernmyself,butanothergirl,anorphanwith
considerable
means.Myemployerkeptthisgirlconstantlywithher,andfinallypersuadedhertoputthewholeofhercapitalinto
her
schemes.However,trusteesdescendedinwrath,forcedmyemployertodisgorge,andtookthegirlawaywiththem
thenandthere,leavingallherbelongingsbehind,tobepackedupandsentontoherafterwards.
Anotherincidentfollowedquickontheheelsofthisone.Therewasanelderlywomanintheestablishmentwhowas

slightly"minus"mentally.Adearoldthing,butchildlikeandeccentric.Myemployernowturnedherattentionto
her,
andwewatchedthesameprocessofdominationbeginning.Inthiscasetherewerenotrusteestointerfere,andthe
poor
oldladywasbeingpersuadedtotakeheraffairsoutofthehandsofherbrother,whohadhithertomanagedthem,
and
committhemtothetendermerciesofmyemployer.Mysuspicionshadbynowbeenthoroughlyaroused.Itwas
more
thanIcouldbeartoseeold"Auntie"rooked,soItookahandinthegame,woke"Auntie"uptothesituation,pushed
herbelongingsintoabox,andgotherofftoherrelativeswhilemyemployerwasawayforabriefabsence.
Ihopedmycomplicityintheaffairwouldnotbecomeknown,butIwassoondisillusioned.Myemployer'ssecretary
cametomyroomonenight,after"lightsout,"andwarnedmethattheWarden,aswecalledouremployer,had
found
outwhoitwasthathadengineered"Auntie's"escape,andIhadbetterlookoutfortrouble.Knowinghertobeofan
exceedinglyrevengefulnature,Iknewthatmybestrefugewasflight,butflightwasnotaltogethereasytoachieve.
The
institutioninwhichIwasemployedwasaneducationalone,andaterm'snoticehadtobegivenbeforeleaving.Idid
notlookforwardtoworkingoutthattermundertheuncheckedcontrolofaspitefulwoman.SoIwatchedforan
opportunitythatshouldjustifymeinwalkingout.Withmyemployer'suncontrolledtemperitwasnotlongtoseek.I
wasuplatethefollowingnightpacking,inpreparationformyintendedflight,whentherecametomyroomanother
memberofthestaff,agirlwhoseldomspoke,hadnofriends,andwentaboutherworklikeanautomaton.Ihad
never
hadanydealingswithher,andwasmorethansurprisedathervisit.
Itwassoonexplained,however.
"Youaregoingtoleave?"shesaid.
Iadmittedthatitwasso.
"ThengowithoutseeingtheWarden.Youwillnotgetawayifyoudon't.Ihavetriedseveraltimes,andIcannotget
away."
However,Iwasyoungandconfidentinmyuntriedstrength,withnomeansofgaugingtheforcesarrayedagainst
me,
andnextmorning,dressedforthejourneyandsuitcaseinhand,Iwentdownandbeardedmyformidableemployer
in
herden,determinedtotellherwhatIthoughtofherandhermethods,quiteunsuspiciousthatanythingsaveordinary
knaveryandbullyingwasafoot.
Iwasnotallowedtogetstartedwithmycarefullypreparedspeech,however.AssoonasshelearntthatIwas
leaving,
shesaid:
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"Verywell,ifyouwanttogo,goyoushall.Butbeforeyougoyouhavegottoadmitthatyouareincompetentand
have
noselfconfidence."
TowhichIreplied,beingstillfulloffight,thatifIwereincompetent,whydidshenotdismissmeherself,and
anyway,
Iwastheproductofherowntrainingschool.Whichremarknaturallydidnotimprovematters.
Thencommencedamostextraordinarylitany.Sheresumedheroldtrickoffixingmewithanintentgaze,andsaid:
"Youareincompetent,andyouknowit.Youhavenoselfconfidence,andyouhavegottoadmitit."
TowhichIreplied,"Thatisnottrue.Iknowmywork,andyouknowIknowit."
Nowtherewasnodoubtthatmuchcouldbesaidconcerningmycompetencyinmyfirstpostattheageoftwenty,
with
agreatdealofresponsibilityonmyshoulders,andnewlyinductedintoadisorganiseddepartment;butnothing
whatevercouldbesaidagainstmyselfconfidence,exceptthatIhadtoomuchofit.Iwasquitepreparedtorushin

wherearchangelswouldhavehungbackinthecollar.
Myemployerdidnotargueorabuseme.Shekeptonwiththesetwostatementsrepeatedliketheresponsesofa
litany.I
enteredherroomatteno'clock,andIleftitattwo.Shemusthavesaidthesetwophrasesseveralhundredsoftimes.
I
entereditastrongandhealthygirl.Ileftitamentalandphysicalwreckandwasillforthreeyears.
SomeinstinctwarnedmethatifIadmittedIwereincompetentandhadnoselfconfidencemynervewouldbe
broken,
andIwouldneverbegoodforanythingafterwards,andIrecognisedthatthispeculiarmaneuveronthepartofmy
employerwasanactofrevenge.WhyIdidnotpursuetheobviousremedyoftakingrefugeinflight,Idonotknow,
but
bythetimeonerealisesthatsomethingabnormalistowardontheseoccasions,oneismoreorlessglamoured,and
just
asthebirdbeforethesnakecannotuseitswings,soonecannotmoveorturnaway.
Graduallyeverythingbegantofeelunreal.AllIknewwasthatIhadtoholdonatallcoststotheintegrityofmy
soul.
OnceIagreedtohersuggestions,Iwasdonefor.Wewentonwithourlitany.
ButIwasgettingneartheendofmyresources.Ihadacurioussensationasifmyfieldofvisionwerenarrowing.
This,I
believe,isacharacteristicphenomenonofhysteria.OutofthecornersofmyeyesIcouldseetwowallsofdarkness
creepingupbehindmeoneitherside,asifonestoodwithone'sbacktotheangleofascreen,anditwerebeing
slowly
closeduponone.Iknewthatwhenthosetwowallsofdarknessmet,Ishouldbebroken.
Thenacuriousthinghappened.Idistinctlyheardaninnervoicesay:"Pretendyouarebeatenbeforeyoureallyare.
Thenshewillletuptheattackandyouwillbeabletogetaway."Whatthisvoicewas,Ihaveneverknown.
Iimmediatelyfolloweditsadvice.WithmytongueinmycheekIaskedmyemployer'spardonforeverythingIhad
ever
doneorevershoulddo.Ipromisedtoremainoninmypostandtogosoftlyallthedaysofmylife.IrememberI
went
downonmykneestoher,andshepurredcomplacentlyoverme,wellsatisfiedwiththemorning'swork,asshehad
everyreasontobe.
Thensheletmego,andIwentuptomyroomandlaydownonthebed.ButIcouldnotrestuntilIhadwrittenhera
letter.Whatthatlettercontained,Idonotknow.AssoonasIhadwrittenitandputitwhereshewouldgetit,Ifell
into
asortofstupor,andlayinthisstatewithmymindcompletelyinabeyancetillthefollowingevening.Thatistosay,
fromtwoo'clockoneafternoontillabouteighto'clockofthefollowingday,thirtyhours.Itwasacoldspringday
with
snowontheground.Awindowclosetotheheadofthebedwaswideopenandtheroomunheated.Ihadno
covering
overme,butIfeltneithercoldnorhunger,andalltheprocessesofthebodywereinabeyance.Ineverstirred.
Heartbeatandrespirationwereveryslow,andcontinuedsoforseveraldays.
Iwasfoundeventuallybythehousekeeper,whorevivedmebythesimpleapplicationofagoodshakingandacold
sponge.Iwasdazed,anddisinclinedtomoveoreventoeat.Iwaslefttolieinbed,myworktakingcareofitself,
the
housekeepercomingtolookatmefromtimetotime,butmakingnocommentonmycondition.Myemployernever
showedherself.
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Afteraboutthreedaysmyespecialfriend,whothoughtIhadleftthehouse,learntofmycontinuedpresence,and
came
alongtoseeme;anactrequiringsomecourage,forourmutualemployerwasaformidableantagonist.Sheaskedme

whathadhappenedatmyinterviewwiththeWarden,butIcouldnottellher.Mymindwasablankandallmemory
of
thatinterviewhadgoneasifaspongehadbeenpassedoveraslate.AllIknewwasthatoutofthedepthsofmy
minda
mostterriblestateoffearwasrisingupandobsessingme.Notfearofanythingorperson.Justplainfearwithoutan
object,butnonethelessterribleforthat.Ilayinbedwithallthephysicalsymptomsofintensefear.Drymouth,
sweatingpalms,thumpingheartandshallow,hastybreathing.Myheartwasbeatingsohardthatateachbeataloose
brassknobonthebedsteadrattled.Fortunatelyforme,myfriendsawthatsomethingwasseriouslywrongandshe
sent
formyfamily,whofetchedmeaway.Theywereexceedinglysuspicious.TheWardenwasexceedingly
uncomfortable,
butnoonecouldproveanything,sonothingwassaid.Mymindwasablank.Iwasthoroughlycowedandvery
exhausted,andmyonedesirewastogetaway.
Ididnotrecover,however,ashadbeenexpected.Theintensityofthesymptomsworeoff,butIcontinuedtobe
exceedinglyeasilytired,asifIhadbeendrainedofallvitality.Iknewthat,somewhereatthebackofmymind,was
hiddenthememoryofaterribleexperience,andIdarednotthinkofit,becauseifIdid,theshockandstrainwould
be
soseverethatmymindwouldgivewayaltogether.Mychiefconsolationwasanoldschoolarithmeticbook,andI
used
tospendhouruponhourdoingsimplesumstokeepmymindfromracingitselftopiecesinwonderingwhathad
been
donetomeandsidlinguptowardsthememory,andthenshyingawayfromitlikeafrightenedhorse.FinallyI
gained
somemeasureofpeacebycomingtotheconclusionthatIhadsimplyhadabreakdownfromoverwork,andthatthe
wholequeertransactionwasthefruitofmyimagination.Andyettherewasalingeringfeelingthatitwasrealand
this
feelingwouldnotletmerest.
Aboutayearaftertheincident,myhealthstillbeingverypoor,Iwentawaytothecountrytorecuperate,andthere
cameacrossafriendwhohadbeenonthespotatthetimeofmybreakdown.Ithadapparentlycausedagooddealof
talk,andIfoundhereonewhowasnotinclinedtoexplainawaymyexperience,butaskedpertinentquestions.
Another
newfriendbecameinterestedinmycaseandhaledmeofftothefamilydoctor,whobluntlygaveitashisopinion
thatI
hadbeenhypnotised.Itwasbeforethedaysofpsychotherapy,andhisministrationstoaminddiseasedwerelimited
to
pattingmeonthebackandgivingmeatonicandbromide.Thetonicwasuseful,butthebromidewasnot,asit
lowered
mypowersofresistance,andIspeedilydiscardedit,preferringtoputupwithmydiscomfortratherthantorender
myselfdefenceless.ForallthetimeIwasobsessedbythefearthatthisstrangeforce,whichhadbeenappliedtome
so
effectually,wouldbeappliedagain.ButalthoughIfearedthismysteriouspower,whichInowrealisedwasabroad
in
theworld,Icannottellwhatareliefitwastometofindthatthewholetransactionwasnotanhallucination,butan
actualfactthatonecouldriseupandcopewith.
Iobtainedmyreleasefromthebondageofthisfearbyfacingthewholesituationanddeterminingtofindoutexactly
whathadbeendonetomeandhowIcouldprotectmyselfagainstarepetitionoftheexperience.Itwasan
exceedingly
unpleasantprocess,infactthereactioncausedbyrecoveringthelostmemorieswasonlyalittlelessviolentthanthe
originalone;butIfinallysucceededinfreeingmyselffrommyhagriddenconditionoffear,althoughitwasavery
long
timebeforemyphysicalhealthbecamenormal.Mybodywaslikeanelectricbatterythathasbeencompletely
discharged.Ittookalongtimetochargeupagain,andeverytimeitwasusedbeforethechargingwascompleted,it
ran

downagainrapidly.ForalongtimeIhadnoreservesofenergy,andaftertheleastexertionwouldfallintoadead
sleep
atanyhouroftheday.Inthelanguageofoccultism,theethericdoublehadbeendamaged,andleakedprana.Itdid
not
becomenormaluntilItookinitiationintotheoccultorderinwhichIsubsequentlytrained.Withinanhourofthe
ceremonyIfeltachange,anditisonlyupontherarestoccasionssincethen,aftersomepsychicinjury,thatIhave
hada
temporaryreturnofthosedepletingattacksofexhaustion.
Ihavetoldthisstoryindetailbecauseitisausefulillustrationofthemannerinwhichthelittleknownpowersofthe
mindcanbeabusedbyanunscrupulousperson.Firsthandexperienceisoffarmorevaluethananyamountof
illustrationfromthepagesofhistory,howeverwellauthenticated.
IfsuchatransactionhadtakenplaceduringtheMiddleAges,theparishpriestwouldhaveorganisedawitchhunt.
In
thelightofmyownexperiencesIamnotatallsurprisedthatpeoplewhohadacquiredareputationforthepractice
of
witchcraftwerelynched,themethodsaresoterribleandsointangible.Wemaythinktherecordsofthewitchtrials
are
ridiculous,withtheirtalesofwaximagesmeltinginfrontofslowfires,orthecrucifyingofchristenedtoads,orthe
recitingoflittlejingles,suchas"Horse,hattock,Toride,toride."Butifweunderstandtheuseofmindpowerwe
soon
realisethatthesethingsweresimplyaidstoconcentration.Thereisnoessentialdifferencebetweenstickingpins
intoa
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waximageofanenemyandburningcandlesinfrontofawaximageoftheVirgin.Youmaythinkthatboththese
practicesaregrosssuperstition,butyoucanhardlythinkthatoneisrealandpotentanddenyrealityandpotencyto
the
other."TheweaponsofourwarfarearenotcarnalmayastrulybesaidofthepractitionersofBlackMagicasofthe
Church.
Myowncasebelongsmoretotherealmofpsychologythantooccultism,themethodemployedbeinganapplication
of
hypnoticpowertoimproperends;Ihavegivenit,however,becauseIamconvincedthathypnoticmethodsarevery
largelyusedinBlackMagic,andthattelepathicsuggestionisthekeytoalargeproportionofitsphenomena.Icite
my
owncase,painfulasitistometodoso,becauseanounceofexperienceisworthapoundoftheory.Itwasthis
experiencewhichledmetotakeupthestudyofanalyticalpsychology,andsubsequentlyofoccultism.
AssoonasItouchedthedeeperaspectsofpracticalpsychologyandwatchedthedissectionofthemindunder
psychoanalysis,Irealisedthattherewasverymuchmoreinthemindthanwasaccountedforbytheaccepted
psycho
logicaltheories.Isawthatwestoodinthecentreofasmallcircleoflightthrownbyaccuratescientificknowledge,
but
arounduswasavast,circumambientsphereofdarkness,andinthatdarknessdimshapesweremoving.Itwasin
order
tounderstandthehiddenaspectsofthemindthatIoriginallytookupthestudyofoccultism.
IhavehadmyfullshareoftheadventuresofthePath;haveknownmenandwomenwhocouldindubitablybe
ranked
asadepts;seenphenomenasuchasnoseanceroomhaseverknown,andbornemyshareinit;takenpartinpsychic
feuds,andstoodmywatchontherosteroftheoccultpoliceforcewhich,undertheMastersoftheGreatWhite
Lodge,
keepsguardoverthenations,eachaccordingtoitsrace;kepttheoccultvigilwhenonedarenotsleepwhilethesun
is

belowthehorizon;andhungondesperately,matchingmystayingpoweragainsttheattackuntilthemoontides
changedandtheforceoftheonslaughtblewitselfout.
AndthroughalltheseexperiencesIwaslearningtointerpretoccultisminthelightofpsychologyandpsychologyin
the
lightofoccultism,theonecountercheckingandexplainingtheother.
Becauseofmyspecialisedknowledgepeoplecametomewhenanoccultattackwassuspected,andtheirexperience
reinforcesandsupplementsmyown.Moreover,thereisaconsiderableliteratureonthesubjecttobefoundin
quarters
whereonewouldleastexpectitinaccountsoffolkloreandethnology,intheStateRecordsofwitchtrials,and
even
undertheguiseoffiction.Theseindependentrecords,bypeopleinnowayinterestedinpsychicphenomena,
confirm
thestatementsmadebythosewhohaveexperiencedoccultattacks.
Ontheotherhand,wehavetodistinguishverycarefullybetweenpsychicexperienceandsubjectivehallucination;
we
havetobesurethatthepersonwhocomplainsofapsychicassaultisnothearingthereverberationofhisown
dissociatedcomplexes.Thedifferentialdiagnosisbetweenhysteria,insanityandpsychicattackisanexceedingly
delicateanddifficultoperation,forsofrequentlyacaseisnotclearcut,morethanoneelementbeingpresent;a
severe
psychicattackcausingamentalbreakdown,andamentalbreakdownlayingitsvictimopentoinvasionfromthe
Unseen.Allthesefactorshavetobeborneinmindwheninvestigatinganallegedoccultattack,anditshallbemy
task
inthesepagesnotonlytoindicatethemethodsofoccultdefence,butalsotoshowthemethodsofdifferential
diagnosis.
Itisverynecessary,withsomuchoccultknowledgeabout,thatpeopleshouldknowanoccultattackwhentheysee
it.
Thesethingsaremuchmorecommonthanisgenerallyrealised.TherecenttragedyinIonagivespointtothis
assertion.
Nooccultistisunderanyillusionastothatdeathbeingfromnaturalcauses.InmyownexperienceIhaveknownof
similardeaths.
Inmynovel,TheSecretsofDr.Taverner,therewerepresented,undertheguiseoffiction,anumberofcases
illustrativeofthehypothesesofoccultscience.Someofthesestorieswerebuiltuptoshowtheoperationofthe
invisibleforces;othersweredrawnfromactualcases;andsomeofthesewerewrittendownratherthanwrittenupin
ordertorenderthemreadablebythegeneralpublic.
Somuchfirsthandexperience,confirmedbyindependentevidence,shouldnotgounregarded,especiallysince
rational
explanationsaredifficulttofindsaveintermsoftheocculthypotheses.Itmaybepossibletoexplainawayeach
individualcasementionedinthesepagesbyalleginghallucination,fraud,hysteria,orplainlying,butitisnot
possible
toexplainthesumtotaloftheminthisway.Therecannotbesomuchsmokewithoutsomefire.Itisnotpossible
that
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theprestigeofthemagicianinantiquityandthedreadofthewitchintheMiddleAgescouldhavearisenwithout
some
basisinexperience.Thevapouringsofthewisewomanwouldbenomoreheededthanthoseofthevillageidiotif
no
painfulconsequenceshadeverbeenfoundtofollowuponthem.Fearwasthemotiveofthesepersecutions,andfear
foundeduponbitterexperience;foritwasnotofficialdomwhichincitedthewitchburnings,butwholecountrysides
thatroseupforalynching.Theuniversalhorrorofthewitchmusthavesomecausebehindit.
ThelabyrinthinewindingsoftheLefthandPathareasextensiveastheyaredevious;butwhileexposingthemin

something,atanyrate,oftheirhorror,IstillmaintainthattheRighthandPathofinitiationandoccultknowledgeis
a
waytotheloftiestmysticalexperiencesandameansofliftingtheburdenofhumansuffering.Noteverystudentof
this
knowledgenecessarilyabusesit;therearemany,nay,thegreatmajority,whoholditselflesslyintrustformankind,
usingittohealandblessandredeemthatwhichislost.Itmaywellbeasked,Ifthisknowledgecanbeso
disastrously
abused,whyshoulditsveileverbelifted?Whatanswerismadetothisquestionisamatteroftemperament.Some
will
maintainthatknowledgeofwhateverkindcannotbewithoutitsvalue.Othermaysaywehadbetterletsleeping
dogs
lie.Thetroubleis,however,thatsleepingdogshaveanunfortunateknackofwakingupspontaneously.Somuch
occult
knowledgeisabroadintheworld,somuchofthekindofthingsdescribedinthesepagesisgoingonunknownand
unsuspectedinourmidst,thatitisverydesirablethatmenofgoodwillshouldinvestigatetheforceswhichmenof
evil
willhavepervertedtotheirownends.Thesethingsarethepathologiesofthemysticlife,andiftheywerebetter
understood,manytragediesmightbeaverted.
Ontheotherhand,itisnotwellthateverybodyshouldindulgeinthestudyoftextbooksofpathology.Avivid
imaginationandaweakheadareadisastrouscombination.Thereadersofthatonetime"bestseller,"ThreeMenin
a
Boat,mayrememberthefateoftheindividualwhospentawetSundayafternoonreadingamedicaltextbook.Atthe
finishhewasfirmlyconvincedhehadgoteverysinglediseasedescribedthereinwiththesingleexceptionofhouse
maid'sknee.
Thisbookisnotintendedmerelytomakethefleshcreep,butisdesignedasaseriouscontributiontoalittle
understood
aspectofabnormalpsychology,perverted,insomeinstances,tothepurposesofcrime.Itisabookintendedfor
serious
studentsandforthosewhofindthemselvesconfrontedbytheproblemsitdescribes,andwhoaretryingto
understand
themandfindawayout.Mychiefaiminspeakingsofranklyistoopentheeyesofmenandwomentothenatureof
theforcesthatareatworkbelowthesurfaceofeverydaylife.Itmayhappentoanyoneofustobreakthroughthe
thin
crustofnormalityandfindourselvesfacetofacewiththeseforces.Readingofthecasescitedinthisbook,wemay
wellsaythatthere,butforthegraceofGod,goesanyoneofus.IfIcangiveinthesepagestheknowledgewhich
protects,Ishallhavefulfilledmypurpose.

PartI
TYPESOFPSYCHICATTACK

CHAPTERI

SIGNSOFPSYCHICATTACK

Fwelookattheuniversearounduswecannotfailtorealisethattheremustbesomeoverrulingplanco

ordinating
itsinfinitecomplexity.Ifwetakeintoourhandsandexamineminutelyanylivingthing,howeversimple,equally
must
werealisethattheordereddiversityofitspartsisbuiltuponadeterminingframework.Sciencehassoughtinvain
for
thisorganisingprinciple;itwillneverfinditonthephysicalplane,foritisnotphysical.Itisnottheinherentnature
of
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Page 10
atomswhichcausesthemtoarrangethemselvesinthecomplexpatternsoflivingtissues.Thedrivingforcesofthe
universe,theframeworkuponwhichitisbuiltupinallitsparts,belongtoanotherphaseofmanifestationthanour
physicalplane,havingotherdimensionsthanthethreetowhichwearehabituated,andperceivedbyothermodesof
consciousnessthanthosetowhichweareaccustomed.
Weliveinthemidstofinvisibleforceswhoseeffectsaloneweperceive.Wemoveamonginvisibleformswhose
actionsweveryoftendonotperceiveatall,thoughwemaybeprofoundlyaffectedbythem.
Inthismindsideofnature,invisibletooursenses,intangibletoourinstrumentsofprecision,manythingscan
happen
thatarenotwithouttheirechoonthephysicalplane.Therearebeingsthatliveinthisinvisibleworldasfishlivein
the
sea.Therearemenandwomenwithtrainedminds,orspecialaptitudes,whocanenterintothisinvisibleworldasa
diverdescendstotheoceanbed.Therearealsotimeswhen,ashappenstoalandwhentheseadykesbreak,the
invisibleforcesflowinuponusandswampourlives.
Normallythisdoesnotoccur.Weareprotectedbyourveryincapacitytoperceivetheseinvisibleforces.Thereare
four
conditions,however,inwhichtheveilmayberentandwemaymeettheUnseen.Wemayfindourselvesinaplace
wheretheseforcesareconcentrated.Wemaymeetpeoplewhoarehandlingtheseforces.Wemayourselvesgoout
to
meettheUnseen,ledbyourinterestinit,andgetoutofourdepthbeforeweknowwhereweare;orwemayfall
victim
tocertainpathologicalconditionswhichrendtheveil.
TheThresholdoftheUnseenisatreacherouscoastonwhichtobathe.Therearepotholesandcurrentsand
quicksands.
Thestrongswimmer,whoknowshecoast,mayventureincomparativesafety.Thenonswimmer,whotakes
counsel
ofnothingbuthisownimpulses,maypayforhistemeritywithhislife.Butwemustnotmakethemistakeof
thinking
thattheseinvisibleforcesarenecessarilyevilandinimicaltohumanity.Theyarenomoreinimicalinthemselves
than
arewaterorfire,buttheyarepotent.Ifweruncountertothem,theresultisdisastrousforus,forwehavebrokena
naturallaw;buttheyarenotouttoattackus,anymorethanweareouttoattackthem.Wemustfacethefact,
however,
thatmenandwomenwithknowledgeofthesethings,have,bothinthepastandinthepresent,usedthatknowledge
unscrupulously,andthatwemayfindourselvesinvolvedintheresultsoftheiractions.Itmaysafelybesaidthatthe
Unseenisonlyevilandinimicaltohumanitywhenithasbeencorruptedandpervertedbytheactivitiesofthese
unscrupulousmenandwomen,whominitiatescalladeptsoftheLefthandPath.
Wemustconsidertheoutwardandvisiblesignsofpsychicattackbeforeweareinapositiontoanalysethenatureof
suchattacksandindicatetheirsourceoforigin.Itisafundamentalrulethatdiagnosismustprecedetreatment.There
aremanydifferentkindsofpsychicattacks,andthemethodsthatwilldisposeofonewillbeineffectualagainst
another.
Thecommonestformofpsychicattackisthatwhichproceedsfromtheignorantormalignantmindofourfellow
humanbeings.Wesayignorantaswellasmalignant,forallattacksarenotdeliberatelymotived;theinjurymaybe
as
accidentalasthatinflictedbyaskiddingcar.Thismustalwaysbeborneinmind,andweshouldnotimputemalice
or
wickednessasamatterofcoursewhenwefeelwearebeingvictimised.Ourpersecutormayhimselfbeavictim.We
shouldnotaccuseamanofmaliceifwehadlinkedhandswithhimandhehadsteppedonaliverail.Nevertheless,
we
shouldreceiveathishandsasevereshock.Soitmaybewithmanyanoccultattack.Thepersonfromwhomit
emanatesmaynothaveoriginatedit.Thereforeweshouldneverrespondtoattackbyattack,thusbringingourselves

downtothemorallevelofourattackers,butrelyuponmorehumanemethods,whichare,inreality,equally
effectual
andfarlessdangeroustohandle.
PeoplealsocomeintotouchwiththeUnseenthroughtheinfluenceofplaces.Someonewhoisnotactuallypsychic,
but
whoissufficientlysensitivetoperceivetheinvisibleforcessubconsciously,maygotoaplacewheretheyare
concentratedatahightension.Normally,althoughwemoveinthemidstoftheseforces(fortheysustainour
universe),
weareobliviousofthem.Wheretheyareconcentrated,however,unlessweareverydenseminded,webegintobe
dimlyconsciousofsomethingthatisaffectingusandstirringoursubliminalself.
Itmayhappenthatthebarrierbetweenconsciousnessandsubconsciousnessisdenseinsomepeople,andtheyare
never
ableclearlytorealisewhatisgoingon.Theymerelyhavethesenseofoppressionandgeneralmalaise,whichlifts
whentheygoawaytoanotherplace.Consequently,theconditionmayneverbedetected,andleadtoyearsofill
health
andmisery.
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Morecommonly,however,ifthereisadefinitepsychicattackofsufficientforcetomakeitselfnoticeableatall,
there
willsoonbegintoappearcharacteristicdreams.Thesemayincludeasenseofweightuponthechest,asifsomeone
werekneelingonthesleeper.Ifthesenseofweightispresent,itiscertainthattheattackemanateslocally,forthe
weightisduetotheconcentrationofethericsubstanceorectoplasm,andissufficientlytangibletopressdownthe
scale
ofabalancewhenitispossibletocaptureitformeasurement.Agreatdealofresearchhasbeendonewith
materialisingmediumsuponthenatureofthistangiblesubtlesubstance,andthereaderisreferredtothebookson
the
experimentsconductedbyCrawfordwiththeGoligherCircleatBelfast,andinPariswithEvaC.byother
experimenters,forfurtherinformationandevidenceonthissubject.ItmaybenotedthatCrawfordeventually
committedsuicidefornoknownreason.
Asenseoffearandoppressionisverycharacteristicof.occultattack,andoneofthesurestsignsthatheraldit.Itis
extremelyrareforanattacktomakeitselfmanifestoutoftheblue,asitwere.Wearenotinournormalstateof
mind,
bodyandcircumstance,andthenfindourselvessuddenlyinthemidstofaninvisiblebattle.Anapproachingoccult
influencecastsitsshadowonconsciousnessbeforeitmakesitselfapparenttothenonpsychic.Thereasonforthisis
thatweperceivesubconsciouslybeforewerealiseconsciously,andalineofcreepingshadeindicatesthepenetrating
of
thesubconsciouscensorfrombelowupwards.
Astheattackprogresses,nervousexhaustionbecomesincreasinglymarked,andtheremay,undercertainconditions,
whichwewillconsiderlater,besuchwastingofthetissuesthatthevictimisreducedtoamerebloodlessshellof
skin
andbones,lyingonthebed,tooweaktomove.Andyetnodefinitediseasecanbedemonstrated.
Suchacaseisanextremeexample,proceedinguncheckedtoitslogicalconclusion.Otherissuesarepossible,
however.
Theresistancemaybegood,inwhichcasetheattackisunabletogainafootholdonthephysicalplane,andis
limited
tothatborderlandbetweenmatterandmindwhichweperceiveuponthethresholdofsleep.Thisisaveryterrible
experience,forthevictimisafraidtosleepandcannotkeepawakeindefinitely.Wornoutbyfearandlackofsleep,
mentalbreakdownsoonsupervenes.
Nervousexhaustionandmentalbreakdownarethecommonerresultsofastralattackamongwhitepeople,forin
Europeatanyrateitisnotoftenthatanattackerisabletobringtheattacktoaconclusioninthedeathofthevictim.
Thereare,however,recordsofcaseswherethevictimhasdiedofpurefright.Kipling'sterriblestory,TheEndofthe

Passage,givesanaccountofsuchanoccurrence.
Butinadditiontothepurelysubjectivephenomena,therewillalsobeobjectiveonesiftheattackhasanydegreeof
concentration.Thephenomenonofrepercussioniswellknown,thephenomenonwhereinthatwhichbefallsthe
subtle
bodyisreflectedinthedensebody,sothatafteranastralskirmishduringsleep,bruisesarefoundonthephysical
body,
sometimesbruisesofadefinitepattern.Ihaveseentheprintofagoat'shoofandtheaceofclubsmarkeduponthe
skin
aswelldefinedbruises,passingfrombluetoyellowanddyingawayinthecourseofafewdays,asbruiseswill.
Evilodoursareanothermanifestationofanastralattack.Thecharacteristicsmellisofdecomposingflesh,andit
comes
andgoescapriciously;butwhileitismanifesting,thereisnodoubtwhateveraboutit,andanyonewhoispresentcan
smellit,whethertheyarepsychicornot.Ihavealsoknownafrightfulstenchofdrainsarisewhenaritualbelonging
to
theElementofEarthwasbeingincorrectlyperformed.
Anothercuriousphenomenonistheprecipitationofslime.Ihavenotactuallyseenthismyself,butIhavefirsthand
informationupongoodauthorityofonesuchcase.Themarksaresometimesasifanarmyofslugshadbeen
marching
inorderedformation;sometimesthereisabroadsmearofslime,andatothers,distinctfootprints,oftenofgigantic
size.
InthecasetowhichIrefer,ofwhichIheardfromaneyewitness,themarkswerelikethefootprintsofanelephant,
enormoustracksonthefloorofthedrawingroomofabungalowsituatednearthesea.
Oddfootprintsappearingfromnowhereandleadingnowhere,aresometimesobservedwhenthereissnowabout.I
haveseenthemontwooccasionsontheroofofanoutbuilding.Theyalightedupontheedgeofit,asifthewalker
had
steppedoffanaeroplane,wentstraightacross,andendedabruptlyatthewallofthemainbuildinguponwhichthe
leantoabuts.Theydidnotreturn.Asinglelineoffootprintscamefromnowhereandendedinaloftywall.
AsimilarhappeningtookplaceonaveryextensivescaleinDevonsomefiftyyearsago,andanaccountofitistobe
foundinthatverycuriousbook,Oddities,byCommanderGould.Inthiscase,however,theprintswerenothuman,
but
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werethoseofwhatwasapparentlythehoofofadonkey,proceedinginasinglelineandgoingstraightthroughwalls
andoverroofsandcoveringthebestpartofacoupleofhundredmilesinasinglenightonbothsidesofan
unbridged
estuary.ThosewhowantconfirmatoryevidencewoulddowelltoconsultCommanderGould'sbook,wherethe
incidentisgivenindetail.
Thereisacuriousphenomenonknowntooccultistsastheastralbell;SirArthurConanDoylemakesuseofitinone
of
hisSherlockHolmesstories.Thissoundvariesfromadear,belllikenotetoafaintclick.Ihaveoftenheardit
resemble
thesoundmadebystrikingacrackedwineglasswithaknifeblade.Itcommonlyannouncestheadventofanentity
that
isbarelyabletomanifest,andneednotnecessarilybeaheraldofevilatall.Itmaysimplybeaknockonthedoorof
the
physicalworldtoattracttheattentionoftheinhabitantstothepresenceofonewhostandswithoutandwouldspeak
withthem.If,however,itoccursinthepresenceofothersymptomsofanastralattack,itwouldgivestrongevidence
in
confirmationofthediagnosis.
Inexplicableoutbreaksoffirearealsosometimesseeninthisconnection.Theseindicatethatelementalforces,not
human,areatwork.Poltergeistphenomenaalsooccur,inwhichobjectsareflungabout,bellsrungandothernoisy

manifestationstakeplace.Ofcoursetheremaybemultiplicityofphenomena,morethanonetypeappearinginthe
same
case.
Needlesstosay,thepossibilityofsomenatural,materialexplanationmustneverbeignored,evenincaseswherethe
supernaturalelementappearsmostobvious.Itshouldalwaysbediligentlysoughtineverypossibledirectionbefore
any
supernormalhypothesisisconsideredworthyofattention.Butontheotherhand,weshouldnotbesoweddedto
materialistictheoriesthatwerefusetotakeapsychictheoryasaworkinghypothesisifitshowsanypossibilityof
being
fruitful.Afterall,theproofofthepuddingisintheeating,andif,workingonanocculthypothesis,weareableto
clear
upacasewhichhasresistedallothermethodsofhandling,wehaveprettygoodevidenceinsupportofour
contention.
Wemustalsobearinmindthattheelementofdeliberatefraudmayenterintothemostunexpectedplaces.Ihave
seena
drugaddictsuccessfullypasshimselfoffforaconsiderablelengthoftimeasthevictimofanoccultattack.Arecent
writerintheBritishMedicalJournaldeclaredthatwheneverhecameacrossacaseofbellringing,knocks,the
drippingofwaterandoilfromceilings,andotheruntowardhappenings,healwayslookedforthehysterical
maidservant.OccultistswouldbeverywelladvisedtodolikewisebeforetheybegintoworryabouttheDevil.But
on
theotherhand,thewiseman,whetheroccultistorscientist,willnotinsistuponthehystericalmaidservantunlesshe
can
catchherredhanded,ashesurelywilldosoonerorlaterifsheistheguiltyparty.
Forgedbanknoteswouldnevergaincurrencyunlessthereweresuchathingasgenuinebanknotes.Itwouldnever
occurtoanyonetoproducefraudulentpsychicphenomenaunlesstherehadbeensomegenuinepsychicphenomena
to
actasapatternfortheforgery.
Theacceptanceofanexplanationshouldrestupontheweightofevidenceinitsfavour,notuponone'sdislikeofits
alternatives.Ipleadthatthepossibilityofanonmaterialexplanationshouldbeinvestigatedincaseswherethe
materialistichypothesisdoesnotyieldresults.Notindiseasesofthebrainandnervoussystem,noroftheductless
glands,norinrepressionofthenaturalinstincts,shallwefindtheexplanationinallcaseswhereinthemindis
afflicted.
Thereismoretomanthanmindandbody.Weshallneverfindthecluetotheriddleoflifeuntilwerealisethatman
isa
spiritualbeingandthatmindandbodyarethegarmentsofhismanifestation.

CHAPTERII
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ANALYSISOFTHENATUREOFPSYCHICATTACK

HEessenceofapsychicattackistobefoundintheprinciplesandoperationsoftelepathicsuggestion.Ifwe

put
togetherwhatweknowoftelepathyandwhatweknowofsuggestion,weshallunderstanditsmodusoperandi.
Suggestionisofthreekinds:Autosuggestion,ConsciousSuggestionandHypnoticSuggestion.Thedistinction,
however,isnotasfundamentalasatfirstsightappears;forthegoalofallsuggestionsinthesubconsciousmindis
the
same,andtheydonotbecomeoperativeuntil,itisreached.Suggestionisdistinguishedfromthreatsandappealsto
reasonbythefactthattheseaimatamarkintheconsciousmind.Iftheysucceed,theyowetheirsuccesstothe
acquiescenceoftheconsciouspersonality,whethercoercedorvoluntary.Butsuggestiondoesnotmakeitsappealto

consciousness,butaimsatlayingitshandsuponthespringsofactioninthesubconsciousnessandmanipulating
them
fromthere.
Wemightcomparethesetwoprocessestotheoperationofpullingatthebellknoboutsidethefrontdoorandtaking
up
afloorboardandtwitchingthebellwiresthemselves.Theresultwillbethesameinbothcases,thebellwillring.
Threatsandargumentpullthebellknobwithvaryingdegreesofemphasis,fromthepersistenttinklingofmoral
suasiontotheresoundingpealoftheblackmailer.Suggestiontwitchesthewiresatvariouspointsintheircourse.
Autosuggestionisgivenbyone'sownconsciousmindtoone'sownsubconsciousmind.Now,youmayask,why
canI
notgiveorderstomysubconsciousminddirect,withouthavingtoresorttotheparaphernaliaofsuggestion?The
answertothisquestionisverysimple.Thesubconsciousmindbelongstoamuchearlierphaseofevolutionthanthe
consciousmind;belongs,infact,toaphasepriortothedevelopmentofspeech.Toaddressitinwords,therefore,is
likespeakingtoamaninalanguagehedoesnotunderstand,Inordertodealwithhimwemusthaveresorttosign
language.Soitiswiththesubconsciousmind.Itisnousetosaytoit,Dothis:or,Don'tdothat.Wemustmakea
mentalpictureofthethingwewantdoneandholditinconsciousnesstillitbeginstosinkintothesubconsciousness.
Thesubconsciousmindwillunderstandthispicture,andactuponit.
Theactorwhowishestocurehimselfofstagefrightwillfailtodosoifhesaystohissubconsciousmind,"Don'tbe
frightened,"foranodisasgoodasawinktoablindhorse.Equally,ifhemakesamentalpictureofstagefrightand
saystohissubliminalself,"Nowdon'tdothat,"theresultwillbedisastrous,forthesubliminalselfwillseethe
picture
andomitthenegative,becausetheword"not"meansnothingtoit.Inordertohandlethesubconsciousmind
effectually,wemakeamentalpictureofthethingwewantdoneandholditinmindbyrepeatedapplicationsuntil
the
subconsciousnessbeginstobeinfluencedandtakesupthetaskofitsownaccord.
Thisistheendresultofallsuggestion,andthedifferentkindsofsuggestionaredistinguished,notbythedifference
in
endresult,butbythegatethroughwhichtheyenterthesubconsciousmind.Autosuggestionoriginatesinourown
consciousness;wakingsuggestionoriginatesinthemindofanotherandisconveyedtoourmindbytheordinary
channelsofthespokenorwrittenword;hypnoticsuggestionentersthesubconsciousminddirect,withoutimpinging
uponconsciousnessatall.
Hypnoticsuggestion(whichmeans,literally,suggestionmadeduringsleep,andistosomeextentamisnomer)isof
threekinds:firstly,truehypnoticsuggestion,madewhenthesubjecthasbeenrenderedinsensiblebymagnetic
passes
orfixationoftheeyesonabrightobject;secondly,suggestiongivenduringnormalsleep,asCoueadvisesshouldbe
donewithchildren,inmyopinionamostundesirableproceeding;and,thirdly,telepathicsuggestion.Allthese
modesofsuggestionenterthemindbehindthecensor;thatistosay,theyareindependentofconsciousness,which
is
neitheraskedtocooperate,norhasthepowertoinhibitthem.
Inmostcases,suggestionsmadeinthiswayareneverrecognisedascomingfromoutside,butareonlydiscovered
after
theyhavematuredinthesubconsciousnessandarebeginningtotakeeffect.Wedonotseetheinvisibleseed,that
has
beensowninourmindbythemindofanother,butinduecoursegerminationtakesplaceandthestronggrowing
shoot
appearsabovethethresholdofconsciousnessasifitwereanativegrowth.Theskillfulsuggestionistalwaysaimsat
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makinghissuggestionsharmonisewiththebiasofthepersonality;foriftheydonot,theestablishedsubconscious
complexeswillexpelthembeforetheyhavetimetostrikeroot.Allhecanreallydoistoreinforceandstimulatethe
ideasandimpulsesthatarealreadythere,thoughperhapslatent.Hecannotplantanentirelyalienseed.Hecannot
graft

aroseshootonalilacbush,foritwillmerelywitheranddie.
Forgrowthofthethoughtseedsofsuggestiontotakeplacetheymustfindacongenialsoil.Itishereinliesthe
strength
ofthedefence.Wemaynotbeabletopreventthemindsofothersfromsendingussuggestions,butwemayso
purify
thesoilofourownnaturesthatnoharmfulonescanfindacongenialseedbed.Itisasimplemattertopullupa
seedlingnettle,butitisquiteadifferentbusinesstoeradicateathicksetbankoftangledrootsandstingingshoots,
many
yearsold.
Ithasbeensaid,andnotuntruly,thatapersoncannotbehypnotisedintodoinganythingwhichiscontrarytohisreal
nature.Butwhatistherealnatureofeachoneofus?Haveweallovercometheapeandtiger,oraretheymerely
caged?Suggestioncanunbarthecageofalloursecrettemptationsandletthemlooseuponus.Nonebutthesaintis
naturallyimmune.Itispossibletoreduceanybodytoanythingprovidedsuggestionhasuncheckedscopefora
sufficientlengthoftime.Thepurestwomancanbemadeaharlot,thenoblestmanamurdererundercertain
conditions.
Knowledgeisnecessarytoprotect,anditisthatknowledgewhichIintendtogiveinthesepages.
Letusnowconsiderexactlyhowapsychicattackoperates.Intherealmsofmindthereisneithertimenorspaceas
we
understandthem.Idonotproposetoarguethisstatementphilosophically,butstateitasafactofexperiencewhich
anyonewhoisaccustomedtooperatingontheInnerPlaneswillhaveshared.Ifwethinkofaperson,weareintouch
withthatperson.Ifwepicturethemclearly,itisasifwewerefacetofacewiththem.Ifwepicturethemvaguely,it
is
asifwesawtheminthedistance.Beinginthementalvicinityofaperson,wecancreateathoughtatmosphereby
dwellinguponcertainideasinconnectionwithhim.Thisishowspiritualhealingisdone.Theaffirmationsof
Christian
Scienceareusedinordertogetthemindofthehealerintoacertainemotionalstate,andhisconditioneffectually
influencesthemindofthepatientwithwhomhehasputhimselfenrapport.
Thispower,however,canbeusedforevilaswellasgood;theFounderofChristianSciencewaswiseenoughtoput
herteachinginsuchawaythatherstudentswouldnotreadilydiscernthesecondedgeofthesword.Aslongasthe
worldingeneralwasignorantofthepowersofthemind,itwasbetterthatnothingshouldbesaidbythosewho
knew,
becausetheknowledge,ifspreadabroadindiscriminately,mightdomoreharmthangood,givinginformationto
those
whooughtnottohaveit.Butnowthatsomuchisgenerallyknownandevenpractisedconcerningthepowersofthe
humanmind,itisaswellthattherealfactsshouldalsobeknownandthewholematterbroughtoutintotheopen,
and
asfarasliesinmypowerIampreparedtodothis.
Anymessagetothesubconsciousmindmustbecouchedinverysimpleterms,becausesubconsciousthoughtisa
primitiveformofmentation,developedbeforespokenlanguagewasknowntomankind.Theprimaryaimofthe
suggestionistocreateamentalatmosphereaboutthesouloftheperson,whetherthatpersonistobeattackedor
healed,untilasympatheticresponseorreactioniselicitedwithinthesoulitself.(Iusethetermsoultoincludeboth
the
mentalandemotionalprocesses,buttoexcludethespiritualones.)Oncethisreactionisachieved,thebattleishalf
over,forthegateofthecityhasbeenopenedfromwithin,andthereisfreeingress.Thetelepathicsuggestionof
definiteideascannowproceedrapidly.
Itisthispointwhichisthecriticaloneinanyoccultattack.Uptothispoint,thedefenderhastheadvantage.Ifhe
has
sufficientknowledge,theknowledgeIhopetomakeavailablethroughthisbook,hecanwithoutanyundueexertion
retainthatadvantageindefinitely,andwearhisattackersdown,evenifunabletomeetthemontheirowngroundof
occultknowledge.Thereisnothinginthisworldorthenextthatahypnotistcandowiththepersonwhokeepshis
nerveandwon'tpayattention.
Therearetwogates,andtwoonly,bywhichtheattackercangainentrancetothecityofMansoul,andthesearethe

SelfpreservationInstinctandtheSexInstinct.Thehypnoticappealmustbecouchedintermsofoneorbothofthese
if
itistobesuccessful.Howdoestheattackerproceed?Hehastocreateanatmosphereaboutthesoulofhisvictimon
theInnerPlanes.Hecanonlydothisbycreatingthatatmospherewithinhisownconsciousnesswhilehethinksof
his
victim.Ifhewantstoperformapsychicmurder,hemustfillhisownsoulwiththerageofdestructionuntilit
overflows.Ifhewantstoperformapsychicrape,hemustfillhissoulwithlustandcruelty.Thecoldrageofcruelty
is
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essentialtoeffectualoperationsofthisnature.Nowwhathappenswhenhedoesthis?Hehassoundedaringing
keynoteintheAbyss.Itwillbeanswered.Allbeingswhohavethiskeynoteforthebasisoftheirnaturewill
respond.
"DarkUrielandAzraelandAmmononthewing"andwilljoinintheoperation.Buttheydonotoperatedirect
upon
thevictim,theyworkthroughtheoperator.ItisliketheoldgameofNutsandMay,inwhichtheonewhoissent"to
fetchheraway"isgrippedroundthewaistbytheleaderofachainofsupporters.Therealpressurecomesonhis
own
abdominalmuscles,asanyonewhohasplayedthegamewillremember.
Andwhenthemagicaloperationisover,whatthen?Willtheoperatorbelefttoenjoyhisvictiminpeace?IsIT

LIKELY?

ThisisthemysticalbasisofthestoryofFaust.TheDevilmightbenotonlywillingbutanxioustoenableDr.
Faustusto
winMargarita,buthecameforhissoulattheappointedtime.WemayalsorememberthatifMargaritahadnot
respondedtothelureoftheJewelSongshewouldnothavefallenavictim.Theweakspotinthedefencewasafter
all
inherownnature.
Wehaveconsideredthemodusoperandioftelepathicsuggestionindetailbecauseitformstherealbasisofevery
kind
ofoccultattack.Whetheritbeadiscarnateentity,abeingofanotherorderofevolution,ademonfromthePit,or
merelythepanicstrickensoulofaselfishfriend,clingingtothelifeofformregardlessofconsequences,inallcases
the
openinggambitisthesame.Untiltheauraispierced,therecanbenoentrancetothesoul,andtheauraisalways
piercedfromwithinbytheresponseoffearordesiregoingouttowardstheattackingentity.Ifwecaninhibitthat
instinctiveemotionalreaction,theedgeoftheaurawillremainimpenetrable,andwillbeassureadefenceagainst
psychicinvasionasthehealthyandunbrokenskinisadefenceagainstbacterialinfection.
Ithappenssometimes,however,thatarapporthasbeenformedwiththeattackingentityinapreviousincarnation,
and
thereforeitholds,asitwere,thekeytothepostern.Suchaproblemisaverydifficultone,andexternalassistanceis
neededforitssolution.Thedifficultyisincreasedbythefactthatthevictimisoftendisinclinedtoallowthebreakto
be
made,beingboundtotheattackingentity,whetherdiscarnateorincarnate,bybondsoffascination,orevengenuine
affection.
AcasewithwhichIwasacquaintedthrowssomuchlightonvariousaspectsofpsychicinterferencebyincarnate
souls
operatingoutoftheirbodiesthatitisofvaluetoquoteitatlength.
Inthesummerof1926Isawinthepapersashortparagraphdescribingthedeathofacertainmanandhiswife,
which
tookplacewithinafewhoursofeachother.AcoupleofyearspreviouslyIhadbeenconsultedbyafriendofthe
wife,

whowasdeeplyperturbedaboutthestateofaffairs,andsuspectedpsychicinterference.Thewife,Mrs.C.wewill
call
her,hadbeguntobetroubledbynightmares,wakingupinastateofintensefear,hearingtheechoesofmenacing
wordsringinginherears.Ataboutthesametimethehusband,Mr.C.,developedwhatatfirstsightlookedlike
epilepticfits.Acarefuldiagnosisbyspecialists,however,determinedthatalthoughepileptiform,theywerenottrue
epilepsy.Epilepsyisdueeithertoacongenitaltendency,whosenatureisnotfullyunderstoodbymedicalscience,or
to
someinjuryordiseaseofthebrain.Incongenitalepilepsythediseaseshowsitselfearlyinlife;infitsduetodisease,
othersymptomsarepresentwhichcanbedetectedbyaphysicalexamination,suchaschangesintheeyethatare
revealedbytheopthalmoscope.Thediagnosiscanthereforebedefinitelyestablished.Moreover,thereisonesure
sign
bymeansofwhichanepilepticfitcanbedistinguishedwithcertaintyfromahystericalorpsychicseizure.Intrue
epilepsytheurineisinvoluntarilyvoidedinthecourseofthefit.Thisisasuresign,andwhenitisabsentweare
safein
sayingthatthefitisnotepileptic,whateverelseitmaybe.Thisisausefulpointforthosewhohavetodealwiththe
pathologiesthatafflictthepsychictemperament,fortheywillseeplentyofseizures,andasuremethodof
distinguishingthosethatareoforganicoriginisveryuseful.Wemustnot,however,concludethatallcasesofsuch
incontinenceareepileptics,fortherearemanyothercauses,bothorganicandfunctional.
InthecaseofMr.C.thiscardinalsymptomwaslacking.Theattacks,moreover,alwaystookplaceinsleep,andit
seemedasiftheyweremoreoftheformofseverenightmare,vergingonsomnambulism.Itwasacuriousfactorin
the
casethatMrs.CSnightmaresusuallyheraldedMr.CSattacks.
Theseoccurrencesshowedacertaincyclicregularity,occurringaboutonceamonth.Inthecaseofawomanthis
would
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naturallybereferredtothetwentyeightdaycycleofhernature,butinthecaseofaman,nosuchexplanationwas
forthcoming,andwethereforehadtolookforanothertwentyeightdaycycletoexplainhisperiodicity.Theonly
other
cycleofthisperiodisthatofthephasesofthemoon.
Wewerethenconfrontedbyacorrelationofepileptiformattacks,whichhadnoorganicbasis,thenightmaresofa
secondperson,andthephasesofthemoon.Sometheoryhadtobefoundwhichwouldresumethesethreeand
explain
theirinterrelationship.
Adreamiscommonlythefirstwayinwhichpsychicmanifestationsmakethemselvesknown,thesubconscious
perceptionsbeingreflectedintoconsciousnessinthisform.
Itisheldbymanyoccultiststhatcongenitalepilepsy,asdistinguishedfromthatduetotumoursofthebrain,hasits
rootsintheoperationsofblackmagicorwitchcraftinwhichthesuffererparticipatedinapastlife,whetheras
practitionerorvictim,thefitbeinganastralstrugglewithadiscarnateentity,reflectedonthephysicalbodyby
means
ofthewellknownphenomenonofrepercussion.
Themoonplaysaveryimportantpartinalloccultoperations,differenttidesbeingavailableatdifferentphasesof
her
cycle.Persephone,DianaandHecate,allaspectsofLuna,arethreeverydifferentpersons.
Itthereforeappearedprobablethatasthephysicalinvestigationhaddrawnblank,apsychicinvestigationmight
yield
fruits.Onewasperformed.Andwiththefollowingresults.
NothingatallwasdiscernedwithregardtoMrs.C.Shewasmerelywhatlawyerscallanaccessoryafterthefact.
But
thepsychictrailofMr.C.wassoonpickedupandfollowed,anditappearedthatinhislastincarnationhehadbeen
associatedwithtwowomen,motheranddaughter,whohadpractisedwitchcraftforhisbenefit.Theyoungerofthe
two

womenhadbeenforashorttimehismistress.Motheranddaughterhadpaidthepenaltyfortheircrimes,buttheir
male
partnerhadescaped.
Thediagnosiswasasfollows:Itistheyoungerwitchthatisatthebottomofthetrouble.Itisherastralvisitswhich
causetheseizuresofMr.C.andthenightmaresofMrs.C.,andtheycorrelatewiththephasesofthemoonbecause
certainphasesarefavourablefortheoperationsheperformsandshethereforetakesadvantageofthem.Thequestion
nowremains,isthiswomaninincarnationornot?Thatistosay,isthemidnightvisitpaidinanastralbody
projected
fromalivinghumanbeing,orbyanearthboundspiritwhichhassucceededinevadingtheSecondDeath?
Mrs.C.hadbynowbeentakenintotheconfidenceofthemutualfriendwhowasconcernedforherwelfare,andlent
a
readyeartothesuggestionthatsomepsychicinfluencemightbeatthebottomofthetrouble,forthisexplanation
coincidedwithherownintuitionsinthematter,intuitionsshehadnotdaredtodivulgeforfearofridicule.
Whenaskedifshecouldidentifyanyoneinthecircleofherhusband'sacquaintanceswhomightprovetobethe
youngerwitch,sherepliedimmediatelythatshecouldwithoutanydifficultyidentifyboththewomen,andtoldthe
followingcuriousstory.
Theolderwitchsheidentifiedasherhusband'smother,anagedladywhooccupiedasuiteofroomsintheirhouse.
For
thisinoffensiveoldcreatureMrs.C.hadalwayshadapeculiarhorrorandrepulsion,althoughadmittingtherewere
no
rationalgroundsforit,andhonestlyendeavouringtodoherdutybyher.Sogreatwasherhorroroftheoldladythat
she
wouldneverremaininthehouseafterherhusbandhadleftforhisofficeinthemorning,butwentoutherselftoher
clubifshehadnootherengagement.
AmongthefrequentersofthehousewasanintimatefriendoftheelderMrs.C.,awomanofpeculiarpsychic
temperament,whoalwayscalledtheoldladymotherandwassingularlyattachedtoher,Shewasalsoveryattached
to
Mr.C.,butherfeelingsneverexceeded,outwardlyatanyrate,theboundsofpropriety,andMr.C.,whowas
sincerely
attachedtohisownwife,neverpaidtheslightestattentiontoher,lookinguponherashismother'sfriend,andas
such
tobetolerated.
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Mrs.C.unhesitatinglyidentifiedMissX.,aswewillcallher,astheyoungerwitch.Enquirieswerethenmade
regardingherhistory,andaverycuriousstoryunfolded.
Asayounggirlshehadbecomeengagedtoamanwho,soonaftertheengagementwasannounced,haddeveloped
gallopingconsumptionanddiedafterashortillnesswithaviolenthemorrhage.
Soonafterthis,MissXssisteralsobecameengaged,andbyastrangefatalityherloversharedthesamefate,dying
as
diedtheotherman,inafloodofhisownblood.
Yearswentby,andMissX.becameengagedagain.Soonthesecondloverfellill,not,thistime,withgalloping
consumption,butwithamorelingeringformofthecomplaint,inwhichhemorrhagewastheprinciplesymptom.He
seemedtolingeronfromhemorrhagetohemorrhage,andthiswentonforyears.MissX.,awomanofconsiderable
privatemeans,tookahouse,installedanauntasachaperone,andtookherfiancetolivethereandbenursedbyher.
Soontheauntdevelopedsymptomsofillness;sheappearedtobedrainedofallvitalityandfordaysatatimewould
lie
unconscious,butnospecificcausewaseverdiscoveredforherillness.Thispeculiarmenagecontinuedforyears,
Miss
X.livinginherbighousewiththesetwomoribundcreatureslingeringonfromattacktoattack.
ShewasaconstantvisitoratthehomeoftheCS,bothduringthelifetimeofMr.CSfirstwifeandthatofhissecond,
thefriendofmyfriend.OnthedeathofMr.CSfirstwifeshehadgreathopes,itwasobserved,thathisattentions

wouldturntowardsherself,buttheydidnot;neverthelesssheswallowedherchagrin,andsucceededinmaintaining
her
footholdasanintimatefriendofthefamilywhenthenewMrs.C.cametopresideoverthehousehold.
CertainmethodsofprotectionweresuggestedtoMrs.C.whichhelpedherconsiderably,butitwasnotpossibleto
excludeMissX.fromthehouseowingtoherintimacywiththeoldlady.Induecourse,however,oldMrs.C.was
gatheredtoherfathers,andthenyoungMrs.C.putherfootdownandsaidshewouldhavenomoretodowithMiss
X.
Mr.C.concurredinthis,ashehadalwayshadarepulsionforMissX.,andhadonlytoleratedherforhismother's
sake.
SoonafterthisMrs.C.begantofeelunwell,theindispositionslowlyprogressed,untilfinally,althoughshehadno
definitesymptoms,shewasobligedtoconsultadoctoronaccountofhersteadilyincreasingweaknessandsenseof
malaise.Adiagnosisofrapidlygrowingcancerofthewombwasmade.Anoperationwasperformed,whichgave
temporaryrelief,itwasnotexpectedtodoanymore,andshewentdownhillsteadily.
Towardstheendshelapsedintounconsciousness,andatthesametime,Mr.C.alsobecameunconscious,apparently
havingoneofhisseizuresinsleep,fromwhichheneverawakened.Theydiedwithinafewhoursofeachother.
Mr.C.'sfirstwifehadalsodiedofcancerofthewomb.
AboutthistimeMissX.'sauntandfiancediedwithinashorttimeofeachother,andthelastthatwasheardofMiss
X.
wasthatshehadbeenremovedtoanursinghomeinthecountrywithaseverementalbreakdown.
Takenseparately,anyoftheincidentsinthisstrangeeventfulhistorycanbeexplainedaway,buttakentogetherthey
makeacuriousstory,especiallywhenitisrememberedthatwithoutanypreviousinformationapsychic
investigation
had"spotted"theexistenceofapersonwithabnormalfacultieswhowasinterestedinMr.C.
Cancerisadiseaseuponwhichcertainocculthypothesesthrowagooddealoflight.Itisbelievedtobeadiseaseof
the
ethericdouble,notofthephysicalbody,andthata"CancerElemental"istheinfectivefactor.
Toproveordisproveanythingconcerningtheforegoingstoryisimpossible,butthefollowingocculthypothesis
may
explainmuch.Ifthishypothesisbenotaccepted,readersmayfindaninterestingexercisefortheiringenuityin
constructinganotherthatshallexplainmoresatisfactorilythecircumstancesofthecase.
MissX.retainedsubconsciouslytheknowledgeandpowersthathadbeenhersduringthepreviouslifewhenshe
was
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implicatedinthewitchcult.ShealsoretainedherpassionforMr.C.,apassionwhichwasobviouslyunrequited,
She
employedherpowerofprojectionoftheastralbodytovisitMr.C.atnight,duringsleep.Intheabsenceofdetailsit
is
impossibletodecidedefinitelywhetherthe"fit"ofMr.C.wasastruggleoranembrace.Itmightbeeither,orit
might
beboth,aninitialstruggleendinginanembrace.ThedreamsofMrs.C.obviouslyrelatedtothesameastralvisitant
whocausedtheseizuresofMr.C.Thereis,unfortunately,norecordtoshowatwhatphaseofthemoonthese
attacks
tookplace,butpresumablyattheHecatephase,whichistheperiodofevilwitchcraft.
TheconditionofMissXsfianceandauntandthedeathofherfirstloverpointmarkedlytowardsvampirism.Itis
difficulttobelievethataconsumptivewouldcontinueforsomanyyearswithouthisdiseaseeitherbeingcheckedor
makingdefiniteprogress.Itisdifficulttosaywhattheconnection,ifany,mightbebetweenMissX.andthedeath
of
hersister'slover,butitisacuriousthingthatthreemen,associatedwiththisillomenedhouseholdasprospective
husbands,shouldlosetheirlivesinthesameway.This,togetherwiththemysteriousillnessoftheaunt,arevery
suspicious.Asnotedbefore,anyoneoftheseincidentscouldbeexplainedaway,buttakentogethertheycallfor

thought.ItisalsocuriousthatMissX.shouldkeepherfianceinherhouseandyetnotmarryhim,fromevery
normal
pointofviewanarrangementwithmanydrawbacksandnoadvantages.Ontheotherhand,ifherfeelingswerefixed
uponMr.C.andwereobtainingsatisfactionbyastralvisits,shewouldnaturallynotwanttobreakherrapportwith
the
manshelovedbygivingherselftothemanshedidnotlove.Ifshewereavampire,hermotiveforkeepingtheaunt
and
loverinherhouse,andtheircondition,wouldbereadilyexplained.Alsoherbreakdown,whichfollowed
immediately
upontheirdeaths.
ThefactthatMr.CSfirstwifediedofcancerofthewombdoesnotinitselfcallforremark,butitisacuriousthing
that
heshouldlosehissecondwifefromthesamedisease.Cancerisnotascommonasallthat,andinanycase,thereare
manyavailablesitesbesidethewomb.Ontheotherhand,Diana,oneoftheaspectsofLuna,ofwhomHecate,the
goddessofwitches,wasanother,presidesoverthefemalereproductiveorgans.
TheillnessofMrs.C.begantoshowitselfsoonafterMissX.wasexcludedfromthehouse.
Finally,whatshallwesayconcerningthedeathsofthethreepeoplemostintimatelyassociatedwithMissX.within
a
shorttimeofeachother,andherimmediatebreakdown?Intheabsenceofdetailsanyconclusionmustbe
guesswork,
butwehavegoodgroundsforsupposingthatMissXsmagicaloperationswereattendedbysomemishap.
Itmaybesaidthatsuchatheoryisthewildestimprobabilityanddoesviolencetoallthelawsofevidence.Letit,
however,beborninmindthattwoyearsbeforethesematterseventuated,theworkofawitchinconnectionwithMr.
CSepileptiformattackswassuspectedandthenatureofherrelationshiptohimwasindicated;andsubsequent
enquiriesrevealedthecuriousfactsinconnectionwithMissXshistoryandmenage;letitalsobenotedthatthe
happeningswhichsubsequentlyoccurredaresuchashavebeenrecordedinmanyaccountsofwitchtrials.Itisa
scientificmaximthatthepowertoforetellthecourseofphenomenaisagoodindicationofthetruthofatheory.

CHAPTERIII

ACASEOFMODERNWITCHCRAFT

HEpartplayedbytheexwitchinoccultattackisverymarked.Againandagaindotheinvestigationsof

independentpsychicspointtowitchcraftinapreviousincarnationwhentroubleofthissortisafoot.Themotiveis
nearlyalwaysvengeance,butthereisalsogoodreasontobelievethattheprojectionoftheastralbodytakesplace
involuntarilyduringsleep,andisnotdeliberatelywilledbytheoffender.Verymanypeoplewhoareatpresent
psychics
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andsensitivesgottheirtraininginthecovensofmedievalwitchcraft,andforthisreasonexperiencedoccultistsare
very
waryofthenaturalpsychic,asdistinguishedfromtheinitiatewithhistechniqueofpsychism.Wherepsychismand
mentalunbalancearefoundconjoinedwithamalevolentdisposition,thereisstrongpresumptionthatthecultof
Diabolusisnotfartoseek.
Acurioussetofhappenings,inwhichImyselfwasoneoftheactors,throwsagooddealoflightonthisbyno
means
uncommonoccurrence.Itwasintheearlydaysofmyinterestinoccultism,whenIwasstillbuyingnayexperience
by
theexpensivebuteffectualmethodofrunningmyheadintoobstacles,Imadetheacquaintanceofawomanwhowas
interestedinpsychicmatters.Shewasapersonofthemostextremesensitivenesstoanythinguncleanorugly,
fastidioustoadegreeinherpersonalhabits,livingalmostexclusivelyonuncookedvegetarianfoods,evenrefusing

eggsastoostimulating.Althoughnotananimallover,shewasmorbidlyhumanitarian,readingwithgustothose
papers
whichgiveluridanddetaileddescriptionsofvivisectionexperiments.HadIbeenolderandwiserIshouldhave
recognisedthesignificanceofherultracleanlinessandultrasensitivenessasmarkingtheabreactionofasadistic
temperamentsadismbeingapathologyoftheemotionalnatureinwhichthesexinstincttakestheformofan
impulse
toinflictpain.NothavinglearntthenmanythingswhichInowknow,Ilookeduponhercharacteristicsasindicative
of
anexaltedspirituality.
AtthetimeIknewhershewasvergingonabreakdownwhichwasallegedtobeduetooverwork,andshewasvery
anxioustogetawayfromcitiesandbacktonature.IwasjustleavingLondontotakeupmyresidenceatanoccult
collegewhichwashiddenawayinthesandyfastnessesoftheHampshirebarrens.IntheinnocenceofmyheartI
suggestedthatshemightcomedownthereandhelpwiththedomesticduties.Thesuggestionwasactedupon,anda
fewdaysaftermyownarrivalMissL.joinedus.Sheseemedquitenormal,madeherselfagreeable,andwaswell
liked.
Oneincident,however,inthelightofsubsequentevents,wassignificant.Ongettingoutoftheancientflyinwhich
she
haddrivenfromthestation,sheimmediatelywentandpattedthestillmoreancienthorsethatdrewit.Thatbeast,
usuallysunkinanapathyfromwhichhewaswithdifficultyrousedwhenactionwasrequiredofhim,galvanised
into
lifeathertouchasifshehadstunghim.Hethrewuphishead,backed,snorted,andnearlyturnedtheequipageover
in
theditch,totheamazementofhisjehu,whodeclaredhehadneverbeenknowntodosuchathingbefore,and
viewed
ourvisitorwithdisfavour.
MissL.,however,appearedquitenormal,madeherselfagreeable,andwasgivenafriendlyreceptionbythehumans
at
anyrate.
ThatnightIwasawakenedbynightmare,athingtowhichIamnotusuallysubject.Istruggledwithaweightonmy
chest,andevenafterconsciousnesshadfullyreturned,theroomseemedfullofevil.Iperformedsuchsimple
banishing
formulaasIknew,andpeacewasrestored.
Atbreakfastnextmorninganassemblyofbleareyedpeoplemettogether,complainingofhavingpasseddisturbed
nights.Wecomparednotes,andfoundwehadall,somesixorsevenofus,hadsimilarnightmares,andproceededto
exchangeexperiences.TheeffectofthisuponMissL.wascurious.Shesquirmeduponherchairasifithad
suddenly
becomeredhotandsaidwithmuchemphasis:

"Thesethingsshouldnotbediscussed,itismostunwholesome."

Outofdeferencetoherfeelingswedesisted.Butpresentlyuptotheopenwindowcameanothermemberofour
community,awomanwhosleptinanopenairshelteratsomelittledistancefromthehouse.Weenquiredafterher
health,asusual,andsherepliedthatshewasnotfeelingverywell,asshehadsleptbadly,andproceededtorecount
the
samenightmareastherestofus.Lateroninthemorning,anotherlady,whohadahousealittlewaydowntheroad,
arrived,andsheinherturntoldofasimilarnightmare.
Thesenightmarescontinued,onandoffforthenextfewdays,toafflictdifferentmembersofthecommunity.They
werevagueandnebulous,andtherewasnothingwecouldpitchuponfordiagnosticpurposes,andweputitdownto
indigestioncausedbythevillagebaker'sversionofwarbread.
ThenonedayIhadaquarrelwithMissL.Shehadconceiveda"crush"forme;Ihaveaconstitutionalrepulsionfor
crushesandgivethemscantpoliteness,andshecomplainedbitterlyofmylackofresponsiveness.Whatevermaybe
therightsandwrongsofthecase,Ihadrousedherresentmentingoodearnest.ThatnightIwasafflictedwiththe
most
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violentnightmareIhaveeverhadinmylife,wakingfromsleepwiththeterriblesenseofoppressiononmychest,as
if
someonewereholdingmedown,orlyinguponme.IsawdistinctlytheheadofMissL.,reducedtothesizeofan
orange,floatingintheairatthefootofmybed,andsnappingitsteethatme.ItwasthemostmalignantthingIhave
everseen.
Stillnotattachinganypsychicsignificancetomyexperiences,andbeingfirmlyconvincedthatthelocalbakerwas
responsible,Itoldnooneofmydream,thinkingitoneofthosethingsthatarebetterkepttooneself;butwhenthe
membersofthecommunitycametotalkmattersoverinthelightofsubsequentevents,wefoundthattwoother
people
hadhadsimilarexperiences.
Anightortwolater,however,asitcametobedtime,Iwasovercomewithasenseofimpendingevil,asif
something
dangerouswerelurkinginthebushesaroundthehousethreateningattack.SostrongwasthissensationthatIcame
downfrommyroomandwentallroundthehouse,testingthecatchesofthewindowstomakesurethatallwas
secure.
MissL.heardme,andcalledouttoknowwhatIwasdoing.
Itoldherofmyfeelings.
"Yousillychild,"shesaid,"itisnouselatchingthewindows,thedangerisnotoutsidethehousebutinit.Goto
bed,
andbesureandlockyourdoor."
ShewouldgivenoanswertomyquestionsexcepttoreiteratethatIshouldlockmydoor.ThiswasthefirstnightI
had
sleptinthathouse,previouslyhavingbeeninacottageontheoppositesideoftheroad.
Ididnotlockmydoorbecausethenightwasintolerablyhotandtheroomandthewindowsmall.Icompromised,
however,byputtinganenamelsloppailatastrategicspotinthefairway,trustingthatanyintruderwouldfalloverit
andgivethealarm.
Nothinghappened,andIsleptquietly.
Nextmorning,however,thestormbroke.MissL.andIwerepeacefullyatworkinthekitchenwhenshesuddenly
caughtupacarvingknifeandstartedafterme,asmadasaMarchhare.FortunatelyformeIhadinmyhandsalarge
saucepanfulloffreshlyboiledgreens,andIusedthisasaweaponofdefence,andwedancedroundthekitchen
table,
sloppinghotcabbagewaterinalldirections.
Weneitherofusmadeasound;Ifendedheroffwiththehotandsootysaucepan,andsheslashedatmewithan
unpleasantlylargecarvingknife.Atapsychologicalmomentinwalkedtheheadofthecommunity.Hetookinthe
situationataglance,andhandleditbythetactfulmethodofscoldingusbothimpartiallyformakingsomuchnoise
and
tellingustogetonwithourwork.MissL.finishedwhatevershewasdoingwiththecarver,Idishedupthecabbage,
andtheincidentpassedoffquietly.
AfterlunchMissL.experiencedthereactionfromherexcitementandwenttoherroomcompletelyprostratedwith
exhaustion.Iwassomewhatperturbed.Althoughusedtomentalcases,andthereforenotasdisturbedbytherecent
fracasasanyoneelsemighthavebeen,Ididnotrelishtheprospectofbeingthehousemateofadangerouslunatic
who
wasundernosortofcontrol.Theheadofthecommunity,however,saidtherewasnocauseforalarm,hewould
soon
havethecaseinhand.Hewentuptothebathroom,filledasoapdishwithwaterfromthetap,madecertainpasses
overit,anddippinghisfingerinthewater,proceededtodrawafivepointedstaruponthethresholdofMissL.'s
room.

MissL.madenoattempttoleaveherroomuntilfortyeighthourslaterwhenhefetchedherout
himself.

Ashehadpromised,hesoonhadherinhand.Hehadseverallongtalkswithher,atwhichIwasnotpresent,andat
the
endofafewdaysaverychastenedMissL.begantogoaboutherhouseholddutiesagain.Therewererelapses,and

therewerestruggles,butinthecourseofafewweeksshebecamecomparativelynormal,andwhenImetheragain
someeighteenmonthslatertherehadbeennorelapse.
Twocuriousincidentsoccurredduringtheperiodofhertreatmentatthehandsofthisman,anadeptifeverthere
was
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one.Thehouseinwhichshehadaroomwasaveryoldone,andthefrontdoorexceedinglymassive.Itwassecured
at
nightbytwoenormousboltsthatextendedrightacrossit,achainthatcouldhavemooredabarge,andahugelock
with
akeythesizeofatrowel.Whenthedoorwasopenedinthemorningitactedasanalarmclockfortheentirevillage.
It
creaked,itgroaned,anditclanged.Yetnightafternightwecamedowninthemorningtofindthisdoorstanding
ajar.
Weallsleptwithourdoorsopenontothesmalllanding.Togodowntheancient,creakingstairswaslikewalking
on
organstops.Thebackdoorwasamodernaffair,whichcouldhavebeenopenedeasily.Thewindowsweremodern
casementsofthemostgimcrackdescription.Whoopenedtheheavyfrontdoor,andwhy?
Weexchangedrecriminationsseveralmorningsatbreakfastastowhohadleftthedooropenthenightbefore,but
no
onecouldeverbeconvictedoftheblame.Finallythemattercametotheknowledgeoftheheadofthegroup.
"Iwillsoonputastoptothat,"hesaid,andeachnightheresealedMissL.'sroomwiththepentagram.Wehadno
moretroublewiththefrontdoorcomingopenafterthat.
WhilehewasdealingwithMissL.hemadeapracticeofsealingthethresholdofhisownroominthesameway,
only
inthiscasehedrewthepentagrampointoutwards,topreventMissD.fromcomingin;whereaswhenhesealedher
room,heputitspointinwards,topreventhercomingout.Shedidnotknowthis,norwasitlikelytoreachherears
indirectly,forhewasveryuncommunicative,IonlyknewthathewassealinghisroombecauseIchancedtoseehim
doingit.
Nevertheless,onedayIheardaknockatmydoor,andtherewasMissL.withherarmsfullofcleanlinen.Sheasked
meifIwouldbegoodenoughtotakeitintotheroomoftheheadofthecommunity,andputitaway.Iaskedher
why
shedidnotdosoherself,forIknewhewasout,anditwasherworktoputawaythelinen.Sherepliedthatshehad
beentohisroomforthatpurpose,buttherewasapsychicbarrieracrossthethresholdthatpreventedherentering.
Shealsoaskedme,onseveraloccasions,toputinsidemyfrockoutofsightalittlesilvercrossthatIhabitually
wore,as
shesaidshecouldnotbearthesightofit.ThiscrossIhadpurchasedjustbeforecomingtothisoccultcollege,and
had
takenittoapriestofmyacquaintancetobeblessed,forIhadnotbeenaltogethereasyinmymindconcerningthe
natureofthegroupIwasjoining,andduringtheearlydaysofmyassociationwithitwaspoisedontiptoe,asit
were,
readyforinstantflight.NaturallyIhadkeptmyowncouncilconcerningthepsychicprecautionsIhadtakenagainst
my
newfriends,andnoonewasawarethatthecrosshadbeenspeciallymagnetisedagainstpsychicattack.
Nevertheless,
thewomanwhowouldhaveattackedifshecould,feltitsinfluenceandfearedit.
Autosuggestionandimaginationplaysolargeapartinsocalledpsychicimpressionsthatoneischaryofaccepting
confirmatorytestimonyfromapsychicwhoknowswhatisexpectedofhim,butaspontaneousreactionisinmy
opinionevidential.
WhenthetreatmentofMissL.hadprogressedsomewaytowardsherfinalrecovery,muchinterestinginformation
was
elicited.Shetoldusthatshehaddistinctmemoriesofdealingswithblackmagicinherpreviouslives.This,shesaid,

hadbeenconfirmedbyseveralindependentpsychics,andIwouldcertainlyhavebeenwillingtoaddmytestimony
to
theirshadIbeenasked.Asachild,sheusedtodaydreamthatshewasawitch,willingthedeathormisfortuneof
those
whoannoyedher,andshealsoaverred,thoughwhetherthiswastrueornotIcannotsay,thatherwisheswereso
effectualthatshewasfrightenedandtriedtoabandonthepractice.Shealsovolunteeredthatshewasinthehabitof
visualisingherselfstandingbeforepeopleshewasangrywith,scoldingthem,andprojectingmalignantforceat
them.
This,ofcourse,wouldexplainournightmares.Shealsosaidthatshehadbeeninthehabitofattackinghermother
and
sisterinthisway,andhadmadehersisterveryill,sothattheynowrefusedtohaveherinthehouse.Thisstatement
was
laterconfirmedbythemother.
Shetoldusthatshefeltasifsheweretwodistinctpersons,hernormalselfbeingspirituallyminded,intensely
compassionateandidealistic.Herother,andlowerself,whichcametothesurfacewhenshewascrossed,upset,or
over
tired,beingintenselymaliciousandsubjecttoparoxysmsofhateandcruelty.
Thesecharacteristicshadbeenparticularlymarkedwhenshewaslittle.Butasshegrewoldersherecognisedthe
wrongfulnessofthem,andherloftyidealismrepresentedherendeavourtoriseabovethem.Thisendeavourwas,I
am
convinced,anhonestone;unfortunatelyitwasnotalwayssuccessful.
Shereferredtotheincidentinwhichshetoldmetolockmydoor,andsaidshehaddonesointhehopeofaffording
me
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somemeasureofprotectionagainsttheastralprojectioninwhichsheknewshewastemptedtoindulge.
Atfirstsighthercasehadlookedlikeone,ofobsession,andhadbeensodiagnosedbyoneortwomembersofthe
community,butwisehandlingrevealedotherwise.
Thiscaserevealsanotherinterestingpointinthat,truetothewitchtradition,shehadahorrorofsacredsymbols.
She
wouldnotoccupyaroomwheretherewasapictureofareligioussubject.Nothingwouldinducehertowearany
piece
ofjewelryintheformofacross,anditwasimpossibleforhertoenterachurch.
Thiscasehasmanypointsofinterest,especiallyinthefactthatwhatwasapparentlyacaseofwellmarkedinsanity
was
clearedupbyoccultmethods.

CHAPTERIV

PROJECTIONOFTHEETHERICBODY

EFOREwecanleavethesubjectofattackbyincarnatehumanbeings,wemustconsiderthesubjectofetheric

projection.Inthiscasenotonlyisthemindatwork,butalsosomethingwhichisprettynearlyphysical;sufficiently
physical,atanyrate,toleavebruisesonthefleshofthevictim,throwthefurnitureabout,oratleastmakea
considerableamountofnoise.
Wheresuchmanifestationstakeplace,itisobviousthatwearedealingwithsomethingmoresubstantialthanthe
mind,
foralthoughmindcaninfluencemind,andthroughitthebodytoanextenttowhichinthepresentstateofour
knowledgeitisdifficulttosetlimits,mindcannotmanipulatematterdirectly:thatistosay,youcannotsmasha
windowbymeansofathought.Theremustbesomephysicalvehiclethatcanbemanipulatedbythemindifeffects
are

tobewroughtonthephysicalplane.Thelivingbodyissuchaninstrument;itismanipulatedbythemindeverytime
a
voluntarymovementtakesplace,andtheoperationsofspiritualhealingaresimplyanextensionofthisprincipleto
the
involuntarymusclesandphysiologicalprocessesnotordinarilydirectedbytheconsciousmind.Occultistsmaintain
that
mindaffectsbodybymeansoftheethericdouble,asitiscalled,the"mortalmind"oftheChristianScientists.We
may
notunreasonablyconcludethatwhenphysicalactionisproducedatadistancebyoccultmeans,itisdoneby
employing
thisethericdouble.
Theethericdoubleisprimarilyabodyofmagneticstressesintheframeworkofwhosemesheseverycellandfibre
of
thephysicalbodyisheldasinarack.Butintermediatebetweenthisandthedensephysicalbodyasweknowit,
thereis
whatmaybecalledtherawmaterialoutofwhichdensematteriscondensed.Thiswascalledbytheancients,Hyle,
or
FirstMatter,andbythemoderns,Ectoplasm.Itisthisprojectedectoplasmwhichproducesthephenomena
whenever
physicalmanifestationsareinquestion.Itmaybeprojectedaslongrods,whichwilloperateuptoadistanceofa
dozen
feetorso;oritmaybeprojectedasanebulouscloud,connectedwiththemediumbyatenuousthread.Thiscloud
can
beorganisedintodistinctforms,havingthesemblanceoflifeandactingasvehiclesforconsciouswills.Thereisa
greatdealofinformationavailableonthissubjectintheliteratureofspiritualism,towhichreferencemaybefound
in
thebibliographyattheendofthisbook.
TheadeptwhowasheadoftheoccultcollegetowhichIhavepreviouslyreferred,andfromwhomIreceivedmy
first
traininginoccultism,wasabletoperformthisoperation,andIhavemanytimesseenhimdoit.Hewouldgointo
deep
trance,afterafewconvulsivemovements,somewhatlikeaslowtetany,andwouldthenloseabouttwothirdsofhis
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weight.Ihavemanytimeshelpedtolifthim,orevenliftedhimsinglehanded,whenhewasinthisstate,andhe
weighednomorethanachild.Amancanfakemanythings,buthecannotfakehisweight.Ihaveliftedhimsingle
handedfromthefloorontoasofawheninthisstate.Itisquitetruethat,beingrigidasaboard,hewasmucheasier
to
handlethantheordinarylimp,unconscioushumanform;butthereisacertainratiobetweentheweightofagrown
man
andthestrengthofawomanofaveragephysique.
WhatbecameofthemissingweightontheseoccasionsIfoundoutonenight.Hehadbeenill,withsomedelirium,
and
thelion'sshareofthenursing,especiallythenightwork,hadfallentomylot.Therecameatime,however,whenwe
decidedthathewassofarrecoveredthatitwasunnecessaryforanyonetositupwithhim,sotobedweallwent,for
thefirsttimeforseveraldays.Isharedaroomwithanothermemberofthecommunity.Itwasacomparativelysmall
cottagewewerein,andourtwobedswereclosetogether,sidebyside,rightundertheuncurtainedopenwindow.It
wasthetimeofthefullmoon,andIrememberthatIhadnoneedtolightacandleinordertoseetoundress.
Ifellasleepatonce,forIwasverytired.Icouldnothavebeenasleepverylong,however,whenIwasawakenedby
the
sensationofaweightuponmyfeet.Itwasasifagoodsizeddog,say,acollie,hadjumpedupandlaindownonthe

bed.Theroomwasfloodedwithmoonlight,andasbrightasday,andIclearlysaw,lyingapparentlyasleepacross
the
footofmybed,themanwhomwehadleftsafelytuckedupforthenightintheroombelow.Itwasasomewhat
embarrassingsituation,andIlaystill,takingthoughtbeforeIdidanything.Iwaswideenoughawakebynow,as
may
wellbeimagined.IconcludedthatZ.,asIwillcallthisman,hadeitherhadareturnofthedelirium,orwas
sleepwalking.InanycaseIwasveryanxioustogethimsafelybacktobedagainwithoutafussorascene.My
companionhadabadheart,andIdidnotwanthertogetashock;neitherdidIwanthimtogetashockinhisweak
state.IwasafraidthatifIwakedmyroommatefirst,shemightscream,andwakeZ.upwithastart,withdisastrous
consequences.Idecidedthereforetowakehimgently,asbeingtheworsecaseofthetwo,andlethertakeher
chance.
Havingcogitatedthesemattersforseveralmomentsatleast,Ifinallytookaction.Isatupinbedandleantquietly
forwardwiththeintentionoftouchinghimgentlyontheshoulderandsoarousinghim.Inordertoleanforward,I
had
towithdrawmyfeetfromunderhim,fortheywerepinnedbyhisweight,whichuntilnowhadresteduponthem,for
I
hadbeencarefulnottostirwhilethinkingoutmyplanofcampaign.
Z.wasplainlyvisibleinthemoonlight,cladapparentlyinhisdressinggown,orsoItookthemufflingfoldsof
material
tobethatswathedhimabout.Bothhisfaceandwrappingsappearedgreyandcolourlessinthemoonlight,butthere
wasnoquestioninmymindastohissolidarity,fornotonlycouldIseehim,butIcouldfeelhisweightrestingupon
myfeet.ButthemomentImoved,hevanished,andIwasleftstaringinamazementatthesmoothfoldofthe
blankets
overtheendofthelittlecampbedonwhichIlay.Itwasthen,andthenonly,thatIrealisedhehadappearedallgrey
andcolourless,morelikeashadedpencilsketchthanahumanbeingoffleshandblood.
Iaskedhimaboutthisincidentinthemorning,buthesaidhehadnorecollectionofit;hehadbeendreamingthe
uneasy,brokendreamsofasickman,butcouldnotrecallthem.
This,ofcourse,wasinnowayanoccultattack,butratherthevisitofafriend,whohadcometoleanuponmeinthe
courseofhisillness,andinstinctivelycametomeforconsolationwhenoutofhisbodyintranceatatimewhenhis
weakenedconditionpreventedhimfromretaininghisnormalcontroloverhispsychicactivities.Nevertheless,it
serves
toillustratewhatcouldbedoneiftheethericformthatvisitedmehadbeenenergisedbyamalignantwill.Itmay
explainthenatureofthesenseofweightthatoppressesthevictimsofacertaintypeofnightmare.
Ihaveheardofmorethanonecasewhereinbruisesresemblingfingermarkswerefoundonthethroatsofpeople
who
hadbeenvictimsofanastralattack.Ihaveneveractuallyseensuchbruisesmyself,butIhavebeentoldofthemby
peoplewhohaveeitherhadthemthemselves,orseenthem.Itisawellknownfactthatifanoccultist,functioning
out
ofthebody,meetswithunpleasantnessontheastralplane,orifhissubtlebodyisseen,andstruckorshotat,the
physicalbodywillshowthemarks.Imyselfhavemanytimesfoundcuriouslypatternedbruisesonmybodyafteran
astralskirmish.Themechanismoftheproductionofsuchmarksmust,Ithink,beofthesamenatureasthatwhich
producesthestigmataofsaintsandthecuriousphysicalmarksandswellingssometimesseeninhystericsthemind,
powerfullystirred,affectstheethericdouble,andtheethericdoubleactsuponthephysicalmoleculesheldinits
meshes.Idaretoprophesythenextadvancesinmedicinewillbeboundupwiththeknowledgeofthenatureand
functionoftheethericdouble.
Thenexttypeofpsychicattackwhichwemustconsideristhatconductedbymeansofartificialelementals.These
are
distinguishedfromthoughtformsbythefactthat,onceformulatedbythecreativemindofthemagician,they
possessa
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distinctandindependentlifeoftheirown,thoughstrictlyconditionedastonaturebytheconceptoftheircreator.
The
lifeofthesecreaturesisakintothatofanelectricbattery,itslowlyleaksoutbymeansofradiation,andunless
rechargedperiodically,willfinallyweakenanddieout.Thewholequestionofthemaking,charging,recharging,or
destructionoftheseartificialelementalsisanimportantoneinpracticaloccultism.
Theartificialelementalisconstructedbyformingaclearcutimageintheimaginationofthecreatureitisintended
to
create,ensoulingitwithsomethingofthecorrespondingaspectofone'sownbeing,andtheninvokingintoitthe
appropriatenaturalforce.Thismethodcanbeusedforgoodaswellasevil,and"guardianangels"areformedinthis
way.Itissaidthatdyingwomen,anxiousconcerningthewelfareoftheirchildren,frequentlyformthem
unconsciously.
ImyselfoncehadanexceedinglynastyexperienceinwhichIformulatedawerewolfaccidentally.Unpleasantas
the
incidentwas,Ithinkitmaybejustaswelltogiveitpublicity,foritshowswhatmayhappenwhenaninsufficiently
disciplinedandpurifiednatureishandlingoccultforces.
Ihadreceivedseriousinjuryfromsomeonewho,atconsiderablecosttomyself,Ihaddisinterestedlyhelped,andI
was
sorelytemptedtoretaliate.Lyingonmybedrestingoneafternoon,Iwasbroodingovermyresentment,andwhileso
brooding,driftedtowardsthebordersofsleep.Therecametomymindthethoughtofcastingoffallrestraintsand
goingberserk.TheancientNordicmythsrosebeforeme,andIthoughtofFenris,theWolfhorroroftheNorth.
ImmediatelyIfeltacuriousdrawingoutsensationfrommysolarplexus,andtherematerialisedbesidemeonthe
beda
largewolf.Itwasawellmaterialisedectoplasmicform.LikeZ.,itwasgreyandcolourless,andlikehim,ithad
weight.
Icoulddistinctlyfeelitsbackpressingagainstmeasitlaybesidemeonthebedasalargedogmight.
Iknewnothingabouttheartofmakingelementalsatthattime,buthadaccidentallystumbledupontherightmethod

thebroodinghighlychargedwithemotion,theinvocationoftheappropriatenaturalforce,andtheconditionbetween
sleepingandwakinginwhichtheethericdoublereadilyextrudes.
IwashorrifiedatwhatIhaddone,andknewIwasinatightcornerandthateverythingdependeduponmykeeping
my
head.IhadhadenoughexperienceofpracticaloccultismtoknowthatthethingIhadcalledintovisible
manifestation
couldbecontrolledbymywillprovidedIdidnotpanic;butthatifIlostmynerveanditgottheupperhand,Ihada
Frankensteinmonstertocopewith.
Istirredslightly,andthecreatureevidentlyobjectedtobeingdisturbed,foritturneditslongsnouttowardsmeover
its
shoulder,andsnarled,showingitsteeth.Ihadnow"gotthewindup"properly;butIknewthateverythingdepended
on
mygettingtheupperhandandkeepingit,andthatthebestthingIcoulddowastofightitoutnow,becausethe
longer
theThingremainedinexistence,thestrongeritwouldget,andthemoredifficulttodisintegrate.SoIdrovemy
elbow
intoitshairyectoplasmicribsandsaidtoitoutloud:
"Ifyoucan'tbehaveyourself,youwillhavetogoonthefloor,"andpusheditoffthebed.
Downitwent,meekasalamb,andchangedfromwolftodog,tomygreatrelief.Thenthenortherncornerofthe
room
appearedtofadeaway,andthecreaturewentoutthroughthegap.
Iwasfarfromhappy,however,forIhadafeelingthatthiswasnottheendofit,andmyfeelingwasconfirmed
when
nextmorninganothermemberofmyhouseholdreportedthathersleephadbeendisturbedbydreamsofwolves,and
shehadawakenedinthenighttoseetheeyesofawildanimalshininginthedarknessinthecornerofherroom.
Nowthoroughlyalarmed,IwentofftoseekadvicefromonewhomIhavealwayslookeduponasmyteacher,andI

wastoldthatIhadmadethisThingoutofmyownsubstancebyrevengefulthoughts,andthatitwasreallyapartof
myselfextruded,andthatImustatallcostsrecallitandreabsorbitintomyself,atthesametimeforgoingmydesire
to
"settleaccounts"withthepersonwhohadinjuredme.Curiouslyenough,justatthistimetherecameanopportunity
mosteffectuallyto"settle"withmyantagonist.
Fortunatelyforallconcerned,IhadenoughsenselefttoseethatIwasatthedividingoftheways,andifIwerenot
carefulwouldtakethefirststepontotheLefthandPath.IfIavailedmyselfoftheopportunitytogivepractical
expressiontomyresentment,thewolfformwouldbebornintoanindependentexistence,andtherewouldbethe
devil
topay,literallyaswellasmetaphorically.Ireceivedthedistinctimpression,andimpressionsareimportantthingsin
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psychicmatters,fortheyoftenrepresentsubconsciousknowledgeandexperience,thatoncethewolfimpulsehad
foundexpressioninaction,thewolfformwouldseverthepsychicnavelcordthatconnecteditwithmysolar
plexus,
anditwouldbenolongerpossibleformetoabsorbit.
Theprospectwasnotapleasantone.Ihadtoforgomydearlylovedrevengeandallowharmtobedonetome
without
defendingmyself,andIalsohadtosummonandabsorbawolfformwhich,tomypsychicconsciousnessatany
rate,
lookedunpleasantlytangible.NorwasitasituationinwhichIcouldeitheraskforassistancenorexpectmuch
sympathy.However,ithadtobefaced,andIknewthatwitheveryhouroftheThing'sexistenceitwouldbeharder
to
dealwith,soImadetheresolutiontolettheopportunityforrevengeslipthroughmyfingers,andatfirst

dusk
summonedtheCreature.Itcameinthroughthenortherncorneroftheroomagain(subsequently
Ilearnt
thatthenorthwasconsideredamongtheancientsastheevilquarter),andpresenteditselfupon
the
hearthruginquiteamildanddomesticatedmood.Iobtainedanexcellentmaterialisationinthe
halflight,andcouldhaveswornthatabigAlsatianwasstandingtherelookingatme.Itwas
tangible,
eventothedoglikeodour.
Fromittomestretchedashadowylineofectoplasm,oneendwasattachedtomysolarplexus,andtheother
disappearedintheshaggyfurofitsbelly,butIcouldnotseetheactualpointofattachment.Ibeganbyaneffortof
the
willandimaginationtodrawthelifeoutofitalongthissilvercord,asifsuckinglemonadeupastraw.Thewolf
form
begantofade,thecordthickenedandgrewmoresubstantial.Aviolentemotionalupheavalstartedinmyself;Ifelt
the
mostfuriousimpulsestogoberserkandrendandtearanythingandanybodythatcametohand,liketheMalay
running
amok.Iconqueredthisimpulsewithaneffort,andtheupheavalsubsided.Thewolfformhadnowfadedintoa
shapelessgreymist.Thistooabsorbedalongthesilvercord.ThetensionrelaxedandIfoundmyselfbathedin
perspiration.That,asfarasIknow,wastheendoftheincident.
Ihadhadasharplesson,andahighlyinstructiveone.Itmaynotbeconvincingtootherpeople,owingtothelackof
corroborativeevidence,butitwasexceedinglyevidentialtome,andIputitonrecordforwhatitisworthtothose
who,
havingpersonalknowledgeofthesethings,canseeitssignificance.
Itisacuriouspointthat,duringthebrieftwentyfourhoursoftheThing'slife,theopportunityforaneffectual

vengeancepresenteditself.

CHAPTERV
VAMPIRISM

HEallegedVampirehasalwaysbeenapopularcharacterintalesofmysteryandimagination.Thereisa

considerableliteratureconcerninghisdoings,fromthefamousnovelDraculatoseriousstudiesofthemedieval
witchtrials,forwhichthereaderisreferredtothebibliographyattheendofthebook.Inthesepages,however,Ido
notwanttoavailmyselfofsecondhandevidence,norofincidentswhichtookplaceinothercenturiesandunder
primitiveconditions,foritmightbearguedthatwiththepassingofsuchconditionsfromourmidst,theproblemof
vampirism,liketheproblemoftyphus,hasgonetoo,andneednottroubleus.FrommyownexperienceIamofthe
opinion,however,thatthisisnotso,andthatthepeculiarconditionwhichtheancientscalledvampirismmay
account
forcertainformsofmentaldisturbanceandthephysicalillhealthassociatedtherewith.
WhenpsychoanalysiswasfirstintroducedintoEnglandItookupthesubject,andbecameastudent,andeventually
a
lecturerataclinicthatwasfoundedinLondon.Westudentsweresoonstruckbythefactthatsomecaseswere
exceedinglyexhaustingtodealwith.Itwasnotthattheyweretroublesome,butsimplythatthey"tookitout"ofus,
and
leftusfeelinglikelimpragsattheendofatreatment.Someonehappenedtomentionthisfacttooneofthenurses
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engagedintheelectricaldepartment,andshetoldusthatthesamepatientsequally"tookitoutof"theelectrical
machinesandthattheycouldabsorbthemostsurprisingvoltageswithoutturningahair.
Atthesameplace,inthecourseofmypsychoanalyticalwork,Icameacrossanumberofcaseswhereamorbid
attachmentexistedbetweentwopeople,mostcommonlymotheranddaughter,ortwowomenfriends;sometimes
also
betweenmotherandson,andinonecaseImetsocially,betweenamanandawoman.Itwasalwaysthenegative
oneof
thepairwhocamefortreatment,andwewereabletobenefitthemconsiderablybypsychotherapeuticmeans.They
alwaysshowedthesamesymptomcomplex,asensitivetemperament,pallidcomplexion,wastedformandgeneral
debility,senseofweakness,andeasyfatiguabilty.Theywerealsoinvariablyhighlysuggestible,andweretherefore
easytohandle.Consequentlywewereusuallyabletogetgoodresultsprettyquicklyinsuchcases.
Thecuriouspoint,however,wasthatthebreakingofthemorbidrapportcausedamarkeddisturbanceandeven
semicollapseofthedominantpartnerinthealliance.Wefounditnecessarytoinsistuponaseparationifacure
wereto
beeffected,andtheseparationinvariablydisagreedveryactivelywiththedominantpartner.
AtthattimeIexplainedeverythingintermsoftheFreudianpsychology,butevenso,Icouldnothelpbeingstruck
by
thecuriouseffectaseparationhaduponthepersonwhowasnotsupposedtobeill,andthatastheonewentuphill,
the
otherwentdown.
IamoftheopinionthatwhatFreudcallsanOedipuscomplexisnotaltogetheraonesidedaffair,andthatthe"soul"
of
theparentisdrawinguponthepsychicvitalityofthechild.ItiscurioushowagedOedipuscasesalwayslook,and
what
littleoldmenandwomentheyareaschildren.Theyneverhaveanormalchildhood,butalwaysarementallymature
for
theiryears.Ipersuadedvariouspatientstoshowmephotographsofthemselvesaschildren,andwasmuchstruckby
the

elderly,worriedexpressionofthechildishfaces,asiftheyhadknownalloflife'sproblemsandburdens.
Knowingwhatwedooftelepathyandthemagneticaura,itappearstomenotunreasonabletosupposethatinsome
waywhichwedonotasyetfullyunderstand,thenegativepartnerofsucharapportis"shorting"ontothepositive
partner.Thereisaleakageofvitalitygoingon,andthedominantpartnerismoreorlessconsciouslylappingitup,if
notactuallysuckingitout.
Suchcasesarebynoofmeansuncommon,andclearuprapidlywhenthevictimisseparatedfromthevampire.
Wheneverthereisarecordofacloseanddominatingbondbetweentwopeoplewiththedevitalisationofoneof
them,
itisagoodplantorecommendatemporaryseparationandobservetheresults.
Suchcasesasthese,however,maymorejustlybedescribedasparasitismthanvampirism.Suchpsychicparasitism
is
exceedinglycommon,andexplainsmanypsychologicalproblems.Wewillnotpursuethesubjectinthesepages,
however,asitisoutsidethescopeofourpresentenquiry,andismerelymentionedforillustrativepurposes.
Vampirism,asgenerallyunderstood,isaverydifferentmatter,andweshalldowelltoreservethetermforthose
cases
whereintheattackisdeliberate,applyingthetermparasitismtothecaseswhereinitisunconsciousandinvoluntary.
Inmyopinion,truevampirismcannottakeplaceunlessthereispowertoprojecttheethericdouble.Alltherecords
of
vampirismthatwehavegiveanaccountofsomethingmuchmoretangiblethanahaunting.InWesternEuropethe
occurrenceseemstobecomparativelyrareinmoderntimes,butinEasternEuropeandinprimitivecountriesit
appears
tobebynomeansuncommon,andinnumerablewellauthenticatedcasesoccurinbooksoftravel.
CommanderGould,inhisexceedinglyinterestingbook,Oddities,givesanaccountofvampirismamongthe
BerberlangsofthePhilippineIslands.HisaccountisbasedonapaperprintedintheJournaloftheAsiatic
Society,Vol.
LXV,1896.Theseunpleasantpeople,accordingtoMr.Skertchley,theauthorofthearticlewhichCommander
Gould
quotes,"areghouls,andmusteathumanfleshoccasionallyortheywoulddie....Whentheyfeelacravingfora
meal
ofhumanfleshtheygoawayintothegrass,andhavingcarefullyhiddentheirbodies,holdtheirbreathsandfallinto
a
trance.Theirastralbodiesarethenliberated...Theyflyaway,andenteringahouse,maketheirwayintothebodyof
oneoftheoccupantsandfeedonhisentrails.
"TheBerberlangsmaybeheardcoming,astheymakeamoaningnoise,whichisloudatadistanceanddiesawayto
a
feeblemoanastheyapproach.Whentheyarenearyou,thesoundoftheirwingsmaybeheard,andtheflashing
lights
oftheireyescanbeseendancinglikefirefliesinthedark."
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Mr.SkertchleydeclaresthathehimselfsawandheardaflightofBerberlangspassby,andvisitingnextdaythe
house
hesawthementer,foundtheoccupantdeadwithoutanysignofexternalviolence.
CompareMr.Skertchley'saccountoftheBerberlangslyinginthelonggrassandthrowingthemselvesintotrance
with
Mr.Muldoon'saccountof"TheProjectionoftheAstralBody,"withwhicheverystudentofoccultismoughttobe
familiar,foritisundoubtedlyaclassicofoccultliterature,beingapracticalaccountofoccultexperiencesand
detailed
instructionshowtogoanddolikewise.
Buttoreturnnearerhome.Inthecourseofmyexperienceofthebywaysofthehumanmind,which,fromthenature
of
mywork,hasbeen,likeSamWeller'sknowledgeofLondon,extensiveandpeculiar,Ihaveonlyknownonecaseof

genuinevampirism,accordingtothesenseinwhichIusetheterm,andthiswasnotoneofmyowncases,thoughI
knewthepersonsconcerned,butwashandledbymyoriginalteacher,whomIhavealreadyreferredtoinconnection
withthecaseofthegoodladywhochasedmewithacarvingknife.Ihavemadeuseofthefactsofthiscaseasa
groundworkforoneofthestoriesinTheSecretsofDr.Taverner,buttheactualfactsaresuchthattheywere
unsuitable
foraworksupposedlydesignedtoamuse.
AtthattimeIwasdoingthetutorialsinabnormalpsychologyattheclinicIhavespokenof,andsupervisingthe
work
oftheotherstudents;oneofthemtookcounselwithmeconcerningacasethathadcometoherinprivatepractice,
the
caseofayouthinthelate'teens,oneofthosedegeneratebutintellectualandsociallypresentabletypesthatnot
infrequentlycropupinoldfamilieswhosebloodistoobluetobewholesome.
Thisladwastakenasboarderinaflatwhichthestudentsharedwithanotherwoman,andtheysoonbegantobe
troubledwithcuriousphenomena.Aboutthesametimeeveryeveningthedogsinaneighbouringmewsbegana
furiousoutcryofbarkingandhowling,andafewmomentslatertheFrenchwindowleadingontotheverandah
would
open.Itdidnotmatterhowoftentheygotthelocksmithtoit,norhowtheybarricadedit,openitwouldcomeatthe
appointedtime,andacolddraughtsweepthroughtheflat.
Thisphenomenontookplaceoneeveningwhentheadept,Z.,waspresent,andhedeclaredthatanunpleasant
invisible
entityhadentered.Theyloweredthelights,andwereabletoseeadullglowinthecornerheindicated,andwhen
they
puttheirhandsintothisglow,feltatinglingsensationsuchasisexperiencedwhenthehandsareputinto
electrically
chargedwater.
Thenbeganamightyspookhuntupanddowntheflat,andthepresencewasfinallycorneredanddispatchedinthe
bathroom.Ihavestagedtheincidentsomewhatmorepicturesquelyinmystory,buttheessentialfactsarethesame.
The
resultofthedispatchingofthisentitywasamarkedimprovementintheconditionoftheboypatient,andthe
elicitation
ofthefollowingstory.
Theboy,whomwewillcallD.,wasinthehabitofgoingtositwithacousinwhohadbeeninvalidedhomefrom
Francesufferingfromallegedshellshock.Thisyoungmanwasanotherscionofawornoutstock,andittranspired
that
hehadbeencaughtredhandedinthatunpleasantperversioncallednecrophilia.Accordingtothestoryelicitedfrom
theparentsofD.,thisvicewasnotuncommononcertainsectionsoftheFront,aswerealsoattacksonwounded
men.
Theauthoritiesweretakingdrasticstepstoputitdown.OwingtofamilyinfluencethecousinofD.wasableto
escape
incarcerationinamilitaryprison,andwasplacedinthecareofhisfamilyasamentalcase,andtheyputhiminthe
chargeofamalenurse.ItwaswhilethemalenursewasoffdutythattheunfortunateyoungD.wasmisguidedly
employedtositwithhim.ItalsocameoutthattherelationsbetweenD.andhiscousinwereofaviciousnature,and
on
oneoccasionhebittheboyontheneck,justundertheear,actuallydrawingblood.
D.hadalwaysbeenundertheimpressionthatsome"ghost"attackedhimduringhiscrises,buthadnotdaredtosay
so
forfearofbeingthoughtmad.
Whatmayhavebeentheexactpercentagesofneurotictaint,vice,andpsychicattack,itisdifficulttosay,norisit
easy
todecidewhichwasthepredisposingcausethatopenedthedoortoallthetrouble,butonethingstoodoutclearlyto
all
beholders,thatwiththedispatchofthepsychicvisitant,notonlydidD.'sconditionclearupimmediately,butaftera
short,sharpupheavalthecousinalsorecovered.Themethodofdispatchusedbytheadept,Z.,wastopintheentity

insideamagiccircle,sothatitcouldnotgetaway,andthenabsorbitintohimselfthroughcompassion.Ashe
completedtheoperation,hefelloverbackwardsunconscious.Itwas,infact,thesamemethodthatIwasinstructed
to
useindealingwithmywerewolf,butitisamuchmoreformidabletasktoabsorbandtransmutetheprojectionof
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anotherpersonthantoabsorbone'sown,andcouldonlyhavebeenaccomplishedbyaninitiateofaveryhighgrade,
whichZ.indubitablywas.
Hisopinionconcerningthecase,thoughtherewasnomeansofobtainingindependentconfirmationofthis,wasthat
someEasternEuropeantroopshadbeenbroughttotheWesternFront,andamongthesewereindividualswiththe
traditionalknowledgeofBlackMagicforwhichSouthEasternEuropehasalwaysenjoyedasinisterreputation
among
occultists.Thesemen,gettingkilled,knewhowtoavoidgoingtotheSecondDeath,thatistosay,thedisintegration
of
theAstralBody,andmaintainedthemselvesintheethericdoublebyvampirisingthewounded.Nowvampirismis
contagious;thepersonwhoisvampirised,beingdepletedofvitality,isapsychicvacuum,himselfabsorbingfrom
anyonehecomesacrossinordertorefillhisdepletedresourcesofvitality.Hesoonlearnsbyexperiencethetricks
ofa
vampirewithoutrealisingtheirsignificance,andbeforeheknowswhereheis,heisafullblownvampirehimself,
vampirisingothers.Theearthboundsoulofavampiresometimesattachesitselfpermanentlytooneindividualifit
succeedsinmakingafunctioningvampireofhim,systematicallydrawingitsethericnutrimentfromhim,for,since
he
inhisturnisresupplyinghimselffromothers,hewillnotdiefromexhaustionasvictimsofvampiresdointhe
ordinaryway.
Z.wasoftheopinionthatD.'scousinwasnottheprimaryvampireinthecase,butwashimselfavictim.Beinga
youth
ofunstablemorale,hespeedilyacquiredthevampiretricks,andtheearthboundsoulofsomeMagyarmagician
exploitedhim.Throughhisactofbitinganddrawingbloodfromtheneckofhiscousin,thisentitybecame
transferred
toyoungD.,preferringpasturesnewtothedepletedresourcesofitspreviousvictim.Probablyitalternatedbetween
the
two,foritwasnotconstantlywithD.
ExactlywhatZ.didwedonotknow,forhewasexceedinglysecretiveconcerninghismethods,butinthelightof
subsequentknowledgeIshouldimaginethatheabsorbedtheethericenergyoftheearthboundsoul,andthus
deprivedit
ofitsmeansofresistingtheSecondDeath.MerelytodrivetheresistingsoulouttotheJudgmentHallofOsiris
would
haveinvolvedleavingbehindanastralcorpse,whichforsometimewouldhavecontinuedtogivetrouble.
ItmaybeinterestingtonoteinconnectionwiththiscasethatduringthetimethatMissL.wasattheoccultcollege
in
Hampshirewehadsomerathercurioushappenings.Therewasanoutbreakamongusofexceedinglybad"mosquito
bites."Thebitesthemselveswerenotpoisonous,butthestabswereofsuchanaturethattheybledfreely.I
remember
wakinguponemorningtofindapatchofbloodthesizeofthepalmofmyhandonthepillow;ithadapparently
come
fromasmallpuncturejustbehindtheangleofthejaw.Severalothershadsimilarexperiences.Ihaveneverseen
anythinglikeit,eitherbeforeorsince,nordiditoccuragainafterMissL.left.
IdidnottelltheadeptZ.aboutitatthetime,andlater,whenIwasremindedoftheincidentandmentionedit,the
opportunityforinvestigationhadgoneby.Heexpressedtheopinionthatitwasavampire'swork,andcitedsimilar
caseswhichhehadmetwithinthecourseofhisexperience.HesaidhehadseencasesinAfricawherethevictim
had

becomesobloodlessthatitwaswithdifficultythataspecimenofbloodcouldbeobtainedforexamination,forit
could
hardlybeinducedtoflowfromthedebilitatedtissues.
Nothingcanbedoneforsuchcasesbymedicalscience.Theyaredyingbyinches,andyetnoorganicdiseasecanbe
demonstrated.Nevertheless,theirappearanceisthatofapersonsinkingfromrepeatedhemorrhages.
Whenvampirismissuspectedthethingtodoistogooverthatperson'sbodyinchbyinchwithapowerful
magnifying
glass,andthesearchwillprobablyberewardedbythediscoveryofnumerousminutepunctures,sominutethatthey
are
notdiscoveredbyanexaminationwiththenakedeyeunlesstheyrevealthemselvesbybecominginfectedand
suppurating,whentheyareusuallymistakenforinsectbites.Theyarebitesrightenough,butnotthoseofaninsect.
Theplacestolookforthemarearoundtheneck,especiallyundertheears;downtheinnersurfaceoftheforearms;
on
thelobesoftheears;aboutthetipsofthetoesand,inawoman,uponthebreasts.
Itissaidthatapersonwithvampiretendenciesdevelopsabnormallylongandsharpcanineteeth,andIhavemyself
seenonesuchcase,andacurioussightitwas.Thetwocanineteeth,thepairthatcomebetweentheincisorsandthe
doubleteeth,werehalfaslongagainastheothers,andterminatedinpointsofneedlelikesharpness.
TruevampirisminWesternEuropeappearstoberare,butZ.wasoftheopinionthatmanyobscurecasesoftropical
debilityinwhichanemiaplayedaprominentpart,mightbeattributedtothiscause.
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CHAPTERVI
HAUNTINGS

HEREaretwoformsof"haunting"whichhavetobeconsidered,theonewhichisduetoadiscarnatesoul

who
interfereswithaparticularperson,andtheonewhichisduetotheconditionsprevailinginaparticularplace,and
which
affectsanypersonsufficientlysensitivewhohappenstogothere.Exceptincaseswheretheinfluenceis
exceptionally
strong,theinsensitivepersonisimmune.Toperceivea"haunting"oneneeds,asageneralrule,tobeslightly
psychic;it
isforthisreasonthatchildren,Celtsandthecolouredracessufferseverelyfromsuchinterferences,andthestolid
Nordictypeiscomparativelyimmune,and,toalesserextent,thelively,materialisticandscepticalLatin.
Letusconsiderfirstofallthequestionofinterferencebyadiscarnatesoul,ItwillbenotedthatIusetheterm
"interference"andnot"attack."Thedisturbanceneednotnecessarilybeanattack,anymorethanthedrowningman
whoclingstohisrescueranddragshimunderismotivedbymalice.Theentitythatiscausingthetroublemaybea
soul
thatisitselfindistressontheInnerPlanes,andistooignorantofpostmortemconditionstoknowtheharmitis
doing
byclingingsodesperatelytotheliving.ItisforthisreasonthatthewidedisseminationofSpiritualisticteachingsis
of
value,forithelpstorelievethetensionbetweenthisworldandthenext.
Asfarasmyexperiencegoes,Iaminclinedtothinkthatdeliberatemalevolenceisrare;butthispanicstricken
clinging
isnotuncommon,andexplainswhythesurvivorofapairsometimesgoesthroughveryunpleasantexperiencesafter
thedeathofthepartner.Therearealsocases,thoughrarer,whereinasoulwhohassomeoccultknowledgebutis
boundstronglytoearthbysensualdesires,usesacuriousformofrapportinordertogratifythosedesiresthrough
the

physicalbodyofanother.
Thereareinnumerableinstancesofboththesetypesofastralinterferenceinoccultandspiritualisticliterature,butas
I
amconfiningmyselftocaseswithinmyownexperience,Iwillnotcitethem,butlimitmyselftolistingtheliterature
of
thesubjectinthebibliography.
Someoneofmyacquaintancelost,afteralongillness,herhusbandtowhomshewasmuchattached,butwhommost
peoplewouldhavethoughtshewaswellridof,asformanyyearshehadbeenaddictedtodrink,anddiedfinally
aftera
longillnessduringwhichhewaskeptundermorphiaforprolongedperiods,takingenormousquantities.Hewasa
man
ofintenselymalignantandselfishdisposition,anddiedunrepentant.She,however,duringthecourseofhislast
illness,
when,beingbedridden,hecoulddonomoreharm,electedtoidolisehim,andassoonashewassafelydead,
canonised
himintothefamilysaint.Shewasinterestedinoccultismandinthehabitofpractisingmeditationandinvokingthe
Masters.Inspiteofallcounseltothecontrary,shebegantotryandgetintopsychictouchwithherhusband,
invoking
himasherguide.Likemanyothermenofasensualdisposition,hehadclungdesperatelytolife,remainingin
articulo
mortisfordays.Fortunatelyforallconcerned,ithadbeenpossibletopersuadehertohavehisremainscremated,but
despiteallpersuasionshebroughtallhisbelongingsfromthenursinghomewherehehaddiedandkepttheminher
bedroom,andmadealittlealtararoundhisphotographanduseditasthefocusofhermeditations.
Thelastillnesshadbeenalongandtryingone,andshehadbeenlivingattheendofatelephonewire,inastateof
constantanxietyforweeks,buthadhadnophysicalstrain,sotherewasnothingphysicaltoaccountfortheserious
illnesswhichensuedafterthestrainwasover.Itsoonbecamenoticeablethatshe,whohadpreviouslyhadavery
lovableandgentledisposition,wasgraduallychanging,sothatnotonlyintemperament,butinfacialexpression,
she
wasgrowinglikeherlatehusband.Nextacuriousthingensued.Herhusbandhaddiedofaninflammatoryspinal
lesion
whichcausednopainatthesiteofthetrouble,butintensepaininthenervesthatissuedfromthespineatthatpoint,
so
thatthepainwasreferredtoaparticulardistributioninthehandsandarms,moreupononesidethantheother.This
ladydevelopedasevereneuritisthatexactlycorrespondedinitsdistributiontoherlatehusband'ssymptoms.
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AnotherillustrativecaseisthatofMissE.,whosefiancewaskilledduringtheWar.Shesaysinaletterwrittento
the
personwhomsheconsultedwithregardtoherproblem:
"Iwasabletoriseabovethelossandseparationatthetime,butsixmonthslaterIsufferednervousbreakdown,from
thistimeIhavebeentroubledwithweaknerves.ForthelasttwomonthsIhavebeenhavingveryextraordinary
experienceswhicharecausingmemuchperplexityandrenderingmeunfitforwork.Itisanightexperienceandhas
not
onceoccurredduringtheday.AfterIhavecomposedmyselfforsleepIfindthatgraduallymybodyislosingall
sensation;itfeelsasifIwasbeingslowlyfrozenstiff.(Idon'tknowhowelsetodescribeit.)AtthisstageIcan
sometimesrousemyselfandovercomeit,butIcannotalwaysdothis.Myeffortstorousemyselfareinvain,and
althoughfullyconsciousIfeelunabletomoveorcall.UsuallyafterthisIsinkintosomekindofsleep.Ihaveall
kinds
ofexperiences.SometimesIvisitstrangeplacesandtalkwithpeopleIdon'tknow.Sometimesmyexperiencesare
beautifulbeyonddescription;sometimesIamthreatenedwithdangerofdrowningorfalling,butinthesecasesI
always
riseintheairandtravelformiles,itseemstome.SometimesIfeelthatIamjustfloatingintheair.Howlongthe

dreamlastsIcannottell.WhenIwakeup,however,Ihavegreatdifficultyinmovingforsometime;butgraduallyI
regainthepowertomoveabout,andafteralotofstingingsensationinthelimbsIgetup,usuallyfeelingverytired
and
unrefreshed,butsometimesIfeelnonetheworseforthestrangeexperience.Butitisunderminingmyhealthand
happiness,anditcannotbegood."
Inconversationsheamplifiedthestatementsinherletter,andsaidthatduringtheexperiencesdescribed,someone,
she
thoughtitwasherfiance,wastryingtopreventherfromgettingbackintoherbodyagainafterthesenocturnal
expeditions.
Thecasewasentirelyclearedupinoneweekbymeansoftelepathictreatment.Thenotesonthemannerinwhich
the
workwasdoneareofconsiderableinterest.
"Thetreatmentwasgiventotheentitythatwascausingthetrouble,notmerelytothepatient,anditwastherelease
of
theobsessorfromhisplaneofworkandhelpinghimHeavenwardthatgavefreedomtohisvictim."
Intheothertypeofhaunting,thatinwhichitistheplacewhichisthefocusofmanifestation,notaspecialperson,
we
mustdistinguishbetweentheearthboundentitywhichremainsattachedtoaparticularspot,andthethought
atmospherewhichisleftbehindafterviolentemotionshavebeenexperiencedthere.
Letusconsiderfirstthequestionofthoughtatmosphere,ofwhichIcangiveaveryilluminatingexample.Afriend
of
minewhowasastudentataschoolofdramaticartconsultedmeconcerninganattackofstagefrightshehadhad,
whichleftherrathernervousastoitsrecurrence.Shewasanexperiencedstudent,infactapupilteacher,andshe
was
havingsomeextratuitionfromtheheadoftheschool.Goingforherlessononeafternoon,shefoundthatherteacher
hadjustfinishedtakingthejuniorstudentsfortheirendofthetermexaminationinelocution.Shewentontothe
stage
andstoodbesidethesmalltablewhichhadbeenplacedtherefortheconvenienceoftheexaminer,andcommenced
to
recitethepieceonwhichshewastohaveherlesson.Sheherselfhadnooccasionfornervousness;ashadalready
been
noted,shewasanexperiencedspeakerandteacher;moreover,nothingofimportancehunguponthislesson,itwas
merelyoneofaseries.Norwassheusuallynervousorselfconscious.Butassoonasshetriedtostart,she
experienced
acomplete"dryup,"andstoodparalysed,unabletoutteraword.Alittlepromptingsoonstartedheroff,however,
but
shehadexperiencedanastyattackofstagefright,anditshookhernerve.
Fromthepsychicpointofview,theexplanationwasnotfartoseek.Shewasstandinginthementalatmosphere
created
byaseriesofgirlswhohadgoneontothatplatformforanexaminationuponwhichagooddealdependedforthem,
andwhohadallbeencorrespondinglynervous.Sheherself,beingsensitive,hadbeenaffectedbythisatmosphere,
whichinducedinherasimilarmentalstatebymeansofwhichiscalled"sympatheticinduction,"aphenomenon
well
knowninelectricityandinacoustics,butequallyvalidinpsychology.
Nodoubttheunfortunateexamineesthemselveswereinfectingeachother.Itmaywellbethatthe"microphone
panic,"
sowellknowntobroadcasters,iscausedbythethoughtatmospheregeneratedbyasuccessionofnervouspeople
who
havestooduponthesamespot.
Anexperienceofmyownmaybeofinterestinthisconnection.Itookabedsittingroominahostel,andassoonas
I
camethere,Ifoundmyselfafflictedwiththemostintensedepression.Iamnotusuallysubjecttotheblues,being
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normallyacheerfulsoul,butassoonasIenteredthisroom,whichwasasunnyandpleasantone,thecloud
descended
uponme,butliftedagainassoonasIwentoutofit,whetherintothediningroomofthehostel,oroutofdoors.I
soon
recognisedthatherewassomethingthatneededtobedealtwith,andenquiredastothehistoryoftheroom.Iwas
told
thatithadpreviouslybeenthebedroomofthelastownerofthehouse,whohadbeenaddictedtodrinkandhad
gone
bankrupt.Itisacuriousfactthatdrunkardsanddrugaddictsmakeveryevilpsychicatmospheres,whereasaperson
whoisacommoncriminal,howeverbad,isnotnearlysonoxiousandhisatmospherefadesrapidly.
Inthesetwocasestherewasnoquestionofanentity,discarnateorincarnate,beingconcernedinthematter;there
was
merelyanunpleasantmentalatmospheregeneratedbysomepowerfulandpainfulemotionthathadbeen
experienced
overaconsiderableperiodatthatspot.
Suchaconcentration,ifverystrong,willlingeralmostindefinitely.Thestructuresthatsawtheconcentrationmay
have
beenpulleddownandnewonesbuilt,neverthelesstheforcesremain,likeapreviousexposureonaphotographic
plate,
andsensitivepeopleareaffectedbythem.Theinsensitivemayescapecomparativelyscatheless.
Itisnotaltogetheraneasymattertodeterminewhetherthedisturbanceisduetoatmospherealone,orwhetheran
earthboundentitycomplicatesthesituation.Whereanentityispresent,itwillusuallybeseensoonerorlater.
Moreover,itwillusuallybeheardaswellasfelt.Thislattersign,however,doesnotinvariablyindicatethepresence
of
anorganisedentity,forIknowofacasewhereinaroomthathadbeenusedasalodgeofritualinitiationwas
subsequentlypartitionedintoanofficeandtwobedroomsafterthelodgewasmovedelsewhere,andthebedrooms
were
practicallyuninhabitableowingtothedinofcracks,bangsandthumpingsthatwentonatnight.Insuchacasethere
wasnoreasontosuspectthepresenceofanyentity,fortheritualshadnotbeenofanevocativetype,norwasthe
influenceevil.Itwasmerelyforceinastateoftension.Itwassheerphysicalnoisethatmadethedisturbance,asI
can
testify,forIhaveslept,orrather,triedtosleep,there.
Whereaghostisseen,itisusuallyalsoheardbecauseforaformtobesufficientlysubstantialtobevisiblethere
must
beamodicumatleastofectoplasminitscomposition,andectoplasmiscapableofexercisingforceonthephysical
plane,insomedegreeatleast.Whereaghostisbothseenandheard,wemaybesurethereisanactualhaunting.
Where
itisseen,butnotheard,itmaypossiblybethatapersonwithpsychictendenciesisperceivingtheimagesinthe
reflectingether,thephotographicplateofNature,andtheremaybenoactualentitypresent.Wherethedisturbance
is
heard,butnotseen,itmaybeduetoastralforcessetinmotionbyritualmagic,andwhichcontinueforawhileafter
the
originalimpulseiswithdrawn.Thesemaybeperfectlyharmless,savethattheydisturbthesleepinthesameway
thata
rattlingwindowwoulddo.Ontheotherhand,ifpowerfulevocativeritualshavebeenperformed,andtheclearingof
thespherehasnotbeenproperlydone,profounddisturbancesmayresultandthewholesituationbeexceedingly
unpleasant.
Exampleswillagainhelptomaketheproblemclear.Asaninstanceofanonritualhaunting,Imaycitethecaseofa
friendofminewhowenttoliveinablockofmodernmansions.Fromthefirstshewasnothappythere,andastime

wentbytheoppressionanddistressstrengthened.Comingintoherdrawingroomoneeveningatdusk,shesawin
the
halflightamanstandingwithhisbacktotheroom,gazingintentlyoutofthewindow.Sheswitchedonthelight,
and
foundthattherewasnoonethere.Onseveraloccasionshermaidsawsomeonewalkdownthepassageleadingto
this
room.Moreover,thehalldoorhadaknackofcomingopenofitsownaccord.
Myfriend'sdepressiondeepeneduntilfinally,whenstandingherselfatthedrawingroomwindowoneday,shehad
a
suddenimpulsetoflingherselfout.Thensherealisedthatthingswereseriousandthatliverpillsandaweekendat
the
seasidewouldnotputthemright.Beinganoccultist,sheunderstoodthesignificanceofthehappeningsthathad
been
goingoninherflat,andshemadeenquiriesconcerningthehistoryofthesquareinwhichthisblockofmodern
mansionshadbeenbuilt.Shelearntthatitwasthesiteofanoldmadhouseofsinisterreputation.Theformthatshe
and
hermaidhadseenwasprobablythatofsomeunfortunatepatientofsuicidaltendencieswhohadsucceededingiving
effecttohisimpulsesonaspotcorrespondingtothesituationofherroom.Theterrificemotionalforcesgenerated
by
hisbroodingandlastdesperateactwerephotographedontheatmosphere,asitwere,andsuggestedtohermind
thoughtsofselfdestructionjustastheilltemperordepressionofacompanionwillinduceasimilarmoodin
ourselves
withoutanywordspoken.
Anotherexamplewithinthesphereofmyexperience,althoughitwasnotactuallymycase,isofmuchinterestin
thatit
combinesanexampleofaverydefinitepoltergeisthauntingwithvampirism.
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Iwasonceconsultedbyamentalhealertowhomaverycuriouscasehadbeenbrought.Somecharitablydisposed
peoplehadraisedfundstofoundahomeforunwantedbabies,andasuitablehousehadbeenpurchasedonthe
outskirts
ofavillagenotfarfromLondon.Thehousehadbeenaconspicuousbargainandtheywereverypleasedwithit.
Soon,however,theybegantobedisturbedbysomeverycuriousphenomena,andalsobyinexplicableillnessand
seizuresamongthebabies.Onechild,infact,actuallydied,anditsdeathwasnotsatisfactorilyaccountedfor.Then
one
ofthenurses,anIrishgirl,begantobeaffectedalso.Celtsarenotoriouslysusceptibletopsychicinfluences,andare
alwaysthefirsttobeaffectedbythem.Itwillbeobservedthatthebabieswentdownfirstundertheattack,their
resistancebeinglowcomparedtothatofanadult;andthenthemostsensitiveoftheadultswasaffected,theIrish
Celt.
Onseveraloccasionsthesoundwasheardofacartandhorsecomingupthedrive,butwhenthemaidwenttothe
door
toopenit,therewasnothingtobeseen.Soontheghostbecameevenmoreenergetic,andtooktoshovelingthecoal
fromsidetosideofanouthouse.Itwouldshiftseveraltonsofcoalinthiswayinanight,theoccupantsofthehouse
lyingshiveringintheirbedswhilelumpsofcoalthuddedandrumbled'againstthesidesofthebunkers.Astowhyor
whereforethisparticularmanifestationshouldtakeplace,Icanoffernosuggestion.
Onseveraloccasionsdifferentpeoplesawastrangemancrossingthehall,andimmediatelyafterwardschildren
were
takenill.
Finally,inadditiontoallothertroubles,mysteriousfiresbegantobreakoutalloverthehouse.Abasketofclean
linen
inanemptyroomwasfoundtobeonfire.Curtainswerefoundtobesmouldering.MeanwhiletheunfortunateIrish
nursewentfrombadtoworse,lyinginbedtooweaktostandup,andrapidlygoingoffherhead.

Itwillprobablybesuggestedthatsomemischievousordementedpersonwasatthebottomofthetrouble,butitis
difficulttoknowwhathumanagencyeithercouldorwouldshovelatruckloadofcoalacrossashedsinglehanded
duringthenight.
Thesuperintendentofthehomewasinterestedinmentalhealingandknewenoughofthemindsideofthingsto
realise
thatsomethingabnormalwashappeninginthehouseunderhercharge.Sheconsultedamentalhealer,whoinher
turn
consultedme.
Imadeapsychicdiagnosisofthecase,andreportedthatinmyopinionthehousehadatsometimebeenoccupied
by
someonewhohadaknowledgeofoccultism,andwho,beingupontheLefthandPath,objectedstronglytogoingto
facehisportionofPurgatoryafterthedeathofthephysicalbody,andthathewasmaintaininghimselfinan
intermediatestateasanearthboundspiritbydrawinguponthevitalityoftheunfortunatechildren,andhad
accidentally
drawntoomuchfromone,thuskillingitoutright.
Workingonthishypothesis,thehealerundertooktogivethecase"absenttreatment."Needlesstosay,theofficials
of
thehomewerenottakenintoourconfidence.
Theresultofthistreatmentwasthatthemanifestationsimmediatelyceased.Nomorechildrenhadseizuresandthe
Irishnurserapidlyrecovered.Thesuperintendentwasthentoldthehypothesisuponwhichwehadworked.Shewas
greatlyinterested,andmadeenquiriesinthevillageastothehistoryofthehouse,andlearnedthatitwasnotoriously
haunted,whichwasthereasontheyhadobtaineditsocheaply.Itappearedthatnotenantcouldstoptherelong,and
that
therewasaconstantrecordoftheseexhaustingandmysteriousillnesses.Italsotranspiredthataboutsixtyyears
previouslythehousehadbeenoccupiedforalongperiodbyamanwhowasviewedaskancebyhisneighboursas
an
eccentricandmysteriouspersonage,andwasreportedtobeengagedinsomesortofresearchwhichnecessitatedthe
useofalaboratoryintowhichnoonewaseverallowedtogo,andinwhichheworkedbynight.
Itisinterestingtonotethatneitherthementalhealerormyselfevervisitedthehouseorwerewithintwentymilesof
it;
foritshowsinwhatwaytheseunseenforcescanbemanipulatedfromadistance.
Afinalexample,takenfromTheConfessionsofAleisterCrowley,willservetoshowthenatureofahaunting
produced
byceremonialmagicinwhichtheforcesinvokedarenotadequatelydispersed.
"ThedemonsconnectedwithAbramelindonotwaittobeinvoked,theycomeunsought.OnenightJonesandIwent
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outtodinner.InoticedonleavingtheWhiteTemplethatthelatchofitsYalelockhadnotcaught.AccordinglyI
pulled
thedoorto,andtestedit.Aswewentout,wenoticedsemisolidshadowsonthestairs;thewholeatmospherewas
vibratingwiththeforceswehadbeenusing.(Weweretryingtocondensethemintosensibleimages.)Whenwe
came
back,nothinghadbeendisturbedintheflat;buttheTempledoorwaswideopen,thefurnituredisarranged,and
some
ofthesymbolsflungabouttheroom.Werestoredorder,andthenobservedthatsemimaterialisedbeingswere
marchingroundthemainroominalmostunendingprocession.
"WhenIfinallylefttheflatforScotland,itwasfoundthatthemirrorsweretoobigtotakeoutsavebythewayof
the
BlackTemple.Thishad,ofcourse,beencompletelydismantledbeforetheworkmenarrived.Buttheatmosphere
remained,andtwoofthemwereputoutofactionforseveralhours.Itwasalmostaweeklyexperience,bytheway,
to
hearofcasualcallersfainting,orbeingseizedwithdizziness,cramporapoplexyonthestaircase.Itwasalongtime

beforetheseroomswererelet.Peoplefeltinstinctivelythepresenceofsomethinguncanny."
Itiswellknowntoallpsychicsthatthesitesofancienttempleswheremysteryritualshavebeenworked,arealways
potentlychargedwithpsychicforce.Thisforceneednotnecessarilybeevil,butithasapowerfullystimulating
effect
uponthepsychiccentresandstirsupthesubconsciousforces;andasthemajorityofcivilizedpeoplesufferina
greater
orlesserdegreefromwhatFreudcalls"repression,"suchastirringofthesubliminalmindproducesafeelingof
profounddisturbance.Weshouldnotunquestioninglyattributeevilinfluencestoaplaceorapersonthatcausesus
discomfort;itmaymerelybethatpsychicforceatagreatertensionthanweareaccustomedtoisdisturbingour
equilibrium.
ThesitesofmonasteriesthatweredisbandedwithpersecutionatthetimeoftheReformationarealsofrequently
badly
"haunted"bypsychicforces.Thegroupmindofareligiouscommunityisaverypotentthing,andwhenitis
disturbed
bythecorporateemotionofitsmembers,theforcesthusletloosearenotreadilydispersed.Moreover,themonks,
initiatesoftheMysteriesofJesus,wouldnotbelikelytohandovertheirsacredplacestothedespoilerswithany
good
will.IthasbeenreportedagainandagainthatacurserestsonthosewhoprofitedbythespoliationofChurchlands.
Thisistoowellknowntorequirediscussioninthesepages.
ThereisanotherfactinconnectionwithChurchproperty,however,whichmaynotbesowellknown,andthatisthe
frequencywithwhichpsychichappeningsarereportedinconnectionwithvicarages.Inenquiringamongfriendsand
fellowworkersfordatainconnectionwiththeresearchthathasgonetothemakingofthisbook,Ihavebeen
astonishedhowfrequentlyavicaragehasbeenmentionedinconnectionwiththephenomenaofwhichIhavebeen
told.
TheritualsoftheChurchare,ofcourse,ceremonialmagic,asisadmittedbyevensuchanorthodoxauthorityas
Evelyn
Underhill.Theaverageclergymanisnotconversantwiththetechniqueofoccultism,andhasthereforelittleorno
understandingofwhatheisdoing.Whatinfluenceshebringstothealtar,andwhatforceshetakesawaytherefrom,
mustthereforebeanopenquestionineachindividualcase.Amanwhoseconsciousnesshasbeenexaltedbyritual,
and
whodoesnotknowhowtosealhisauraandreturntonormal,isliabletopsychicinvasion.
Objectsassociatedwithanyformofceremonialoperationsareinvariablyhighlychargedwithmagnetismand
intimatelylinkedwiththeforcewhoseusestheyhaveserved.Iremember,manyyearsago,whenIhadbutlittle
know
ledgeofoccultismandnopretentionsatalltopsychism,thattwofriendsandmyselfwereamusingourselvesby
turning
overeachother'strinketboxes.Ipickedupahandsomeamethystcrossfromoneofthem,andimmediately
exclaimed:
"Thereissomethingextraordinaryaboutthiscross.Itfeelsasifitwerealive."
"Thatwasthecrossthatwasgivenmeatmyfirstcommunion,"repliedmyfriend,"anditwasoriginallyabishop's
pectoralcross."
Hersisterwasgreatlyinterested,andimmediatelybroughtherownjewelcasetomeandaskedmeifIcouldpick
out
herfirstcommunioncrossalso,for,likehersister,shewasaRomanCatholic,andthesecrossesthatweregiven
them
aspresentsontheoccasionoftheirfirstcommunionhadbeenspeciallyblessedbythepriest.Iwasgreatlyinterested
to
observethatfromthreeorfourornamentalcrossesIwasabletopickonewhichfeltwarmandlivingandelectricto
the
hand,andpassitacrosstoher,saying,"Thisisyourcommunioncross,"anditwas.
Irememberonce,asasmallchild,pickingupadyingrook;thecreaturelaymotionlessonmykneeforafew
minutes,
andthengaveaflutteranddied.Ihadneverseendeathbefore,butIneedednoonetotellmethatIsawitnow.The

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"feel"ofthecreature,beforeandafterthatflutter,wasdifferent.Icanonlycomparethefeelofthemagnetisedand
the
unmagnetisedcrossestothedifferencebetweenthelivingandthedeadbird.
ButtheChristianisnottheonlyreligionthatcanmagnetiseitsceremonialinstruments.Thereareotherritualistic
religions,andsomeofthesearedebased.Weoughttousemuchcautionbeforeweplaceaboutourroomsas
ornaments
objectswhichmayhavebeenassociatedwithcultswhosenaturewedonotunderstand.Manyofthem,ofcourse,
belongtotheBrummagemcult,andarededicatedtonomoredesperatedeitythanMammon;butthegenuinecurio
isa
differentmatter.
IhadanexampleofthisonceintheBritishMuseum.Iwasvisitingtheroominthebasementwhichcontainsa
collectionofplastercastsofthefamousstatuesofantiquity,theoriginalsbeingelsewhere.SuddenlyIbecameaware
of
asenseofmagneticpower.Iturnedtowardsit,andsawasmallaltar.Readingthelabel,Ifoundthatthiswasnota
cast
buttheoriginal.Itisaveryinterestingtestofpsychismtosampletheatmosphereofthedifferentroomsofthe
British
Museum.ThebenignandbroodingpeaceoftheBuddhistRoomisathingtoberemembered.Theflavourofthe
long
EthnologicalRoomisathingtobegotoutofthemouthasquicklyaspossible.Tome,atanyrate,theEgyptian
Room
isdisappointing;themummiesallseemneithermalignantorbenignant,butmerelycynical.PerhapsIshouldfeel
differently,however,ifIspentanightwiththem.Magnetism,whichisdispersedduringtheday,chargesupagain
duringthesilenceanddarknessofthenight.IremembervisitingStonehengeamidacrowdoftrippersand
charsablancs,andthinkingthatthegloryhaddeparted;butitwasaverydifferentaffairwhenIvisiteditinthe
desolationofableakspringdayafteritslongwintersolitude.Ithadchargedupagain,andwasasformidableas
anyone
couldwish.
Ishouldhesitate,therefore,tosaythatbecausethemummiesandIhaveneverstrucksparkswhenwemetinthe
British
Museum,thattheirreputationisgroundless.AtthetimethatTutankhamen'stombwasbeingopenedIsaidto
myself,
Ifthemummy'scursedoesnotworkinthiscase,Ishalllosemyfaithinoccultism.Weallknowhowithasworked,
evenuntothethirdandfourthgeneration.Nonovelist,derivinghisideasofancientEgyptfromanencyclopedia
article
onEgyptologyandsomephotographs,wouldhavedaredstretchthelongarmofcoincidenceanythinglikeasfar.
TheEgyptiansattachedgreatimportancetothepreservationofthephysicalbody.Thetombsofgreatmen,asiswell
known,wereprotectedbymeansofwhatarepopularlycalledspells,andthepowerandscopeofEgyptianmagicare
thingsthatveryfewpeoplerealise.ThemodernstudentofoccultismwhoreadsIamblichosontheEgyptian
Mysteries,
willhaveasurprise.
Inmostcases,however,thepurchaserofEgyptiancurioshasnothingtofear;theworstthattheywillyieldto
psychic
investigationisavisionoflabourdisputesinamassproductionfactory.Ihave,however,heardofaverywonderful
psychometricreadingwhichwasobtainedfromamummywhich,whensubsequentlyunrolled,wasfoundtoconsist
entirelyofFrenchnewspapersofrecentdate!
IhavealwaysbeengreatlyamusedbytheindignationofEgyptologistsagainsttombrobbers.Afterall,isthereany
distinctionbetweentheearlierandlatervisitorstoatombsavethatonelotworkbydayandtheotherbynight?In
the

viewofthepeoplewhomadethetomb,andsparednothingtorenderitinviolateandpreservethepeaceoftheir
dead,
theworkersbynightwouldprobablybepreferred,fortheymerelyrobbed,anddidnotstripandexposethenude
bodies
tothepublicgaze.Therewasaterribleoutcryrecentlywhensomebodiesweremovedinavillagechurchyardto
make
roomforthemonumentchosentodecoratethegraveofafamouspublicman.Eventhepeoplewhosereligious
feelings
werenotoutragedbythisactofsacrilegeregardeditasinshockingbadtaste.Yetnobodyproposedtostripthe
graveclothesfromthebodyofsomeone'swifeormotherandphotographitstarknaked.Whenitcomestothe
question
ofamummy'scurse,Iamafraidthatmysympathiesareentirelywiththemummy.
TheinitiateisstrictlycounselledthatheshouldneverblasphemethenamebywhichanotherknowethhisGod,forit
is
thesameforcethathehimselfworshipsrepresentedbyanothersymbol."ThewaystoGodareasmanyasthe
breathsof
thesonsofmen,"saystheoldArabproverb.Weshouldhaveenoughsympathywiththestrugglesofanothersoul
towardsthelightnottodesecratethethingsthataresanctifiedbyhishopesandendeavours,evenifbynothingelse.
TheFatherofusallmayunderstandtheirsignificancebetterthanwedo,andbyHisacceptanceconsecratethemfor
ever.
TherearemanyEuropeanswhohaveagreataffectionfortheBuddha,andhaveHisstatueintheirrooms(though
sometimestheyconfuseitwithChenresi,thestoutandbeaminggodofgoodluck).Thattheinfluenceofthatgreat
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Being,theLightofAsia,isnobleandbenignant,Iwouldbethelasttodeny;butthestatuesoftheBuddhaarea
differentmatter,andneedtobeapproachedwithcautionifgenuine.Someoftheworstblackmagicintheworldisa
debasedformofBuddhism.Tosaythisisnottoinsultthatvenerablefaith,foritisonlylackofopportunitythat
preventstheBlackMassfromoccupyingthatdubiouseminence.IntheThibetanmonasteriesoftheDugpasect
there
aretempleseachoneofwhichcontainedliterallythousandsofstatuesoftheBuddha.Onvariousoccasionsoneor
anotherofthesemonasterieshasbeenraided,eitherbyrivalreligionistsorChinesetroops,anditscuriosscattered.
To
bethepossessorofoneoftheseBuddhas,magnetisedbyDugparites,isnotaverypleasantthing.
IhadacuriousexperiencewithaBuddhaupononeoccasion.Itwasanarchaicsoapstonestatuette,somenine
inches
high,anditsownerhaddugitupherselfonthesiteofaBurmesecitythathadfalleninruinandbeenswallowedby
the
jungle.Itwasplacedonthefloorinanangleofthestairs,andservedasadoorstopuponoccasion.Ihadaflatonthe
topfloor,andhadtopassthemelancholylittleBuddhaeachtimeIcameinorwentout,andtomeitseemeda
desecrationtoseethesacredsymbolofanotherfaithtreatedthus.Itriedtopointthisouttoher,andaskedherhow
she
wouldfeelifshesawacrucifixthusutilised,butwithoutresult.MeanwhilethelittleBuddhasattherepatiently,
getting
thecarpetsweeperpushedinhisfaceandreceivinglibationsofslops.
Oneday,passingupstairsbearingabunchofflowers,Iwaspromptedtothrowbeforehimoneofthetraditional
marigoldsofIndiandevotion.ImmediatelyIwasconsciousthatalinkhadbeenformedbetweenmyselfandthe
little
statue,andthatitwassinister.AnightortwoafterwardsIwasreturninghomeratherlate,andasIpassedthe
BuddhaI
hadafeelingthattherewassomethingbehindme,andlookingovermyshoulder,sawaballofpalegoldenlight
about

thesizeofafootballseparateitselffromtheBuddhaandcomerollingupthestairsafterme.Thoroughlyalarmed,
and
dislikingthismanifestationverymuchindeed,Iimmediatelymadeabanishinggestureandtheballoflightreturned
downthestairsandwasreabsorbedintotheBuddha,who,needlesstosay,gotnomoremarigoldsfromme,and
receivedaverywideberthuntilIlefttheflatshortlyafter.Theexperiencewasasingularlyunpleasantone,andwas
a
sharplessontomenottomeddlewiththesacredobjectsofanothersystemunlessIknewexactlywhatIwasabout.I
learntsubsequentlythatsomeofthesestatuesareconsecratedwiththebloodofahumansacrifice.
IdonotmeantoimplybythisthatallBuddhiststatueshavebeensotreated;suchconsecrationsare,Ishould
imagine,
comparativelyrare;butIthinknoonewhohasaknowledgeofthefactswilldenythattheyoccur,evenasonemight
occasionallycomeacrossaCrucifixwhichhadbeenusedupsidedownataBlackMass.
Itisnoteverycaseofpsychicdisturbance,however,whichoriginatesexternally.Itisawellknowncosmiclawthat
everythingmovesincircles,andwhateverforceswesendout,andwhateverthoughtformsweextrudefromour
auras,
unlessabsorbedbytheobjecttowhichtheyaredirected,willreturntousinduecourse.Oneofthemosteffective,
and
alsooneofthemostwidelypractisedmethodsofoccultdefenceistorefusetoreacttoanattack,neitheraccepting
nor
neutralisingtheforcesprojectedagainstone,andthusturningthembackontheirsender.Wemustneveroverlook
the
factthatasocalledoccultattackmaybeevilthoughtformsreturninghometoroost.
Therearecertaintypesofinsanityinwhichthelunaticbelieveshimselftobethevictimofanattackbyinvisible
beings,
whothreatenandabusehimandofferbaseordangerousinsinuations.Hewilldescribehistormentors,orpointto
their
positionintheroom.Apsychicwhoinvestigatessuchacasecanveryoftenseetheallegedentitiesjustwherethe
lunaticsaystheyare.Nevertheless,thepsychologistcancomeforwardandprovebeyondanyreasonabledoubtthat
the
socalled"hallucinations"areduetorepressedinstinctsgivingrisetodissociatedcomplexesofideasinthepatient's
ownsubconsciousmind.Doesthismeanthatthepsychicismistakeninthinkingheperceivesanastralentity?Inmy
opinionbothpsychicandpsychologistareright,andtheirfindingsaremutuallyexplanatory.Whatthepsychicsees
is
thedissociatedcomplexextrudedfromtheauraasathoughtform.Agreatdealofreliefcanbegiventolunaticsby
breakingupthethoughtformsthataresurroundingthem,butunfortunatelythereliefisshortlived;forunlessthe
cause
oftheillnesscanbedealtwith,afreshbatchofthoughtformsisbuiltupassoonastheoriginalonesaredestroyed.

CHAPTERVII
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THEPATHOLOGYOFNONHUMANCONTACTS

HEREareotherformsoflifeaswellasourswhosesphereofevolutionimpingesupontheearth.Intherealm

of
folkloreweconstantlymeetwiththeideaofintercoursebetweenthehumanandthefairykingdoms;ofthe
marriageof
ahumanbeingwithafairyspouse,orthetheftofachildbythefairies,animpishchangelingbeingleftinitsplace.
We

shallberashifweassumethatanextensivebodyoffolkbeliefisentirelywithoutfoundationinfact.Letus
therefore
examinetheseoldandcrudebeliefsandseewhetherwecanfindanygroundsforthem,andifso,whatthereal
nature
ofthefactsmaybe,andwhethertheythrowanylightuponmodempsychicphenomenaofthekindweare
considering
inthesepages.
Therearemanyofuswhohavemetpeoplewhomightwellbedescribedasnonhuman,soulless,inthattheordinary
humanmotivesarenotoperativewiththem,nordotheordinaryhumanfeelingspromptorinhibitthem.Wecannot
but
lovethem,fortheyhavegreatcharm,butwecannotbutdreadthemaswell,fortheyspreadaninfinitudeof
suffering
aroundthem.Althoughseldomdeliberatelyevil,theyaresingularlydetrimentaltoallwithwhomtheycomein
contact.
They,fortheirpart,areunhappyandlonelyinourmidst.Theyfeelthemselvestobealienanduncompanioned;
every
man'shandisagainstthem,andinconsequenceitalltoooftenhappensthattheirhandisagainsteveryoneandthey
developapuckishmalevolence,thoughthereisseldomcalculatedevildoing.Gratitude,compassion,good

faith,
moralityandcommonhonestyareutterlyforeigntotheirnatures,asfarbeyondtheirconception
asthe
differentialcalculus.Theyarenotimmoral,however,butsimplynonmoral.Ontheotherhand,
they
possessthevirtuesofabsolutesincerityandgreatcourage.Intermsofhumanethicstheyare
"undesirables,"buttheyhaveanethicoftheirowntowhichtheyareloyal,andthatisthebeauty
which
istruth,andthisisalltheyknow,and,asfarastheirlifeisconcerned,alltheyneedtoknow.In
appearancetheyareusuallysmallandslight,possessingunusualphysicalstrengthandendurance
but
veryliabletonervousexhaustionandbrainstorms.Insocialrelationstheytakeviolentlikesand
dislikes;theyshowafacileanddemonstrativeaffectiontowardsthosetheylike,butquickly
forgetthem.
Gratitudeandpityareunknowntotheirnature.Towardsthosetheydisliketheyarepettily
malicious,and
inallrelationsoflifetheyareutterlyirresponsible.Onecannotdescribethembetterthantosay
thatthey
resemblenothingsomuchasablendofPersiankittenandpetmonkey.Theyhavethebeautyand
aloofnessandcharmofthecat,andtheamusing,mischievousdestructivenessofthemonkey.
Many
humanbeingshatethematsight;othersarefascinatedbythembecausetheybringwiththema
senseof
unearthlybeautyandaquickeningofthelifeforces.Ihavebeenabletoinvestigatethehistoryof
two
suchbeings,anditisinterestingtonotethatbothofthemwereconceivedwhiletheirmothers
were
undertheinfluenceofdrink.Thereisaverygreatdealofinformationavailableconcerningthe
occult

aspectoftheincarnationofsouls,butnotmuchoftheknowledgeconcerningtheactualfactsof
conceptionhaseverfounditswayintoprint.Ihavegivenalittleinmybook,TheEsoteric
Philosophyof
LoveandMarriage.Icannotenterintothesubjectdeeplyinthesepages,foritwouldbetoo
muchofa
digression.Somepoints,however,itisessentialtotouchuponforacomprehensivesurveyofour
subject.
Atthemomentofsexualunionapsychicvortexisformedresemblingawaterspout,afunnelshapedswirlingthat
towersupintootherdimension.Asbodyafterbodyengages,thevortexgoesuptheplanes.Inallcasesthephysical,
ethericandastralbodiesareinvolved;thevortexthereforealwaysreachesasfarastheastralplane;asouluponthe
astralplanemaybedrawnintothisvortexifitisripeforincarnation,andthusenterthesphereoftheparents.Ifthe
vortexextendshigherthantheastralplane,soulsofadifferenttypemayenterthissphere,butsuchextensionisrare,
andthereforeitissaidthatmanisbornofdesire,forfewarebornofanythingelse.
Butthisvortexmaynotonlyextendverticallyuptheplanes(speakingmetaphorically),butitmayalso,under
certain
conditions,bedeflected,asitwere,outofthenormalhumanlineofevolution,sothatitsopenendextendsintothe
sphereofevolutionofanothertypeoflife.Undersuchcircumstancesitistheoreticallypossibleforabeingofa
parallel
evolutiontobedrawnintoincarnationinahumanbody.Occultistsholdthatthisoccasionallyoccurs,andexplains
certaintypesofnonpathologicalabnormalitywhichareoccasionallymetwith.
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Thesenonhumansareeitheradoredorhatedbytheirhumanassociates.Theyhaveapeculiarfascinationforcertain
typesoftemperament,thetypesthatpsychologistscalltheunstable.Inthesetypesthesubconsciouscomesvery
nearto
thesurface,deepcallstodeep,andtheyareinstinctivelydrawntowardstheelementalkingdoms.
Thereisnothingmoredisastrousthanmarriagewithanonhuman,fortheyhavenothingintheirnaturethatcan
satisfy
thenormalhumanyearningsforaffectionandsympathy.Theonesavingfeatureinsuchaunionisthatgroundsfor
divorceareinvariablyreadilyavailable,forthemoralsofthenonhumanarethoseofthebarnyard.
Thepowerofnonhumanstoinjuretheirenemiesiscomparativelysmall,fortheyarealiensinastrangelandwhen
incarnatedinhumanform,andcannotavailthemselvesofanyoftheordinaryhumanresourcesofmischief.They
are,
infact,singularlydefencelessandhelpless,andthemselvessufferacutelyatthehandsofsociety.Itisotherwise,
however,intheirrelationswiththeirfriends.Theyseemtohaveaninfinitecapacityforinflictinghurtonthosewho
lovethem.Notdeliberatelyormaliciously,butlikeachildpullingfliestopiecesoutofidleness,notrealisingwhat
itis
doing.Obeyingthelawsoftheirownnature,theyaredestructivetobeingsofthehumanevolution.Yetwhatother
laws
cantheyobey?Forthemtosubmittoourstandardsistodenytheirdeepestinstincts.
Theeffecttheyhaveuponthosewholovethemconstitutessuchawellmarkedsyndromeamongthepsychic
pathologiesthatwemustconsideritindetail.Thepersonwhoformsarapportwithanonhumanbecomesdeeply
stirredbytheelementalforcesthatfindingresstoourspherethroughthechannelofthiswanderingandaliensoul.
He
becomes,asitwere,drawnawayfromnormalhumanthingsandsetwanderingupontheconfinesofthefairy
kingdom,
andyethecanfindtherenorestforhisfootandnosustenanceforhissoul.Thestoryofthehandsomefisherladand
themermaidisindicativeofthiscondition.Sheloveshim,drawshimtoherandhedrowns,forhecannotliveinthe
elementofwater.

Theexplanationofthecuriouspower,bothoffascinationanddestruction,whichisexercisedbynonhumansmay
liein
thefactthattheybelongtooneelementonly,whereasinmanallfourarecombined.Anyelementalcontactis
stimulatingtous,becauseelementalbeingspourforthinabundancethevitalityoftheirownparticularsphere,and
this
vitalisesthecorrespondingelementinourselves.Butifafourelementcreatureisdrawnintothesphereofasingle
elementheispoisonedbyanoverdoseoftheoneelementinwhichhefindshimself,andstarvedoftheotherthree.
Itis
forthisreasonthatmortalsinthefairykingdomarealwayssaidtobeenchantedorasleep.Theyareneverliving
normallyinfullpossessionoftheirfaculties.
Anequallydifficultproblemissettothenonhumanwhoisdrawnintoourmidst.Asingleelementcreatureis
bidden
tocontrolandassimilateanadditionalthreeelementsforwhichithasnoequipmentorexperience,andtheresultis
disastrous.
Butitisnotenoughthatweshouldmerelydescribetheconditionsandstatetheprobleminthesepages.Ouraimis
essentiallypractical.Whatthencanbedonewhenanonhumanhastobefacedanddealtwith?Itmustbeclearly
realisedthatanymatingbetweenahumanandanonhumanisahopelessproposition.Inthefirstplace,itcanonly
be
thepreambletoadivorce,becausenonhumansarepromiscuousintheirsexualhabits;and,secondly,thereis
nothing
inthenatureofanonhumanthatcansatisfythehigheraspirationsofthehuman.Wemustnotallowthehuman
formto
misleadusastotheexistenceofahumansoul.Anonhumanisapetanimal,notafellowcreature.That,frankly,is
the
onlypossiblegrounduponwhichtheycanbeapproached.Ifweexpectnomoreofthemthanweshouldofapet
bird,if
wemanagethemasweshouldmanageakitten,wehavegotasneartothesolutionoftheproblemasweareever
likely
togetuntiltheDarkAngelmercifullyrestoresthemtotheirownkingdom;amercyseldomlongdelayed,for
nonhumansdonotmakeoldbones.
Humanbeingsmayalsocomeintotouchwithelementalbeingsbythemselvesventuringintothespheresof
elemental
life.Suchcontactsneednotnecessarilybeharmfultoeitherkingdomprovidedthosewhoenterintothemknow
what
theyareabout.Infact,suchassociationsarefrequentlyenteredintobyoccultistsinthecourseoftheirworkand
researches,butitisanundertakingfortheadvancedinitiateonly,notforneophytes.
Therearecases,however,wheresuchanassociationmayleadtoharm.Thehumanpartnerintheassociationmaybe
illequippedorilladaptedfortheundertaking.Hemayhaveventuredoutbeyondhisdepth,havingpickedupa
formula
fromsomemoreexperiencedoccultistanduseditwithoutproperpreparation.Oragain,itisnotuncommontofind
peoplewhohavebroughtthroughfrompreviousincarnationsanaturalaptitudeforgettingintotouchwiththe
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elementalkingdoms.Insuchcasesitmayoccurthatanelementalwhohashadexperienceofrelationswithhuman
beingsmaydeliberatelygetintotouchwiththem.Thisisineverywayundesirable,fortheelementalhasnotgotthe
knowledgeofhumanconditionsnecessarytoenableittoavoidinjuringitsnewfriend.Inanycase,elementalshave
got
aonewayintelligence,anditisnotwellthattheyshouldbeseniorpartnersinanyalliancewithhumanbeings.The
wholequestionofelementalcontacts,anexceedinglyfascinatingone,istooextensiveandintricatetobeentered
upon
inthesepages.Ithasbeennecessarytorefertoit,however,forcertaincasesofpsychicdifficultymaybedueto
inexpertoperationsonbothsidesoftheVeil.

Theseelementals,ornaturespirits,arequitedifferenttothecontrolswithwhomSpiritualisticcirclescomeinto
touch.
TheSpiritualisticmovementishighlyorganisedontheInnerPlanes,andpromiscuouscontrollingisnotpermitted.
Controlshave,infact,to"sit"fordevelopmentinjustthesamewaythatmediumsdo,andthereisinvariablysome
experiencedentitywithincallwhocancometotheassistanceofthecircleifallisnotgoingwell.Western
Occultism
wasthoroughlydisorganisedandbrokenupbycenturiesofpersecution;itsInnerPlaneconditions,consequently,
presentmanytanglesandgapseventothisday.ItisnothinglikeaswellorganisedastheSpiritualisticsphere.The
greatOrdershavetheirdefinitecontactsandworkstrictlywithinthem,keepingafirmhandonneophytes;outside
the
Ordersthereisagooddealofchaosandbanditry,anditisunwisetoventurefarsaveinthecompanyofan
experienced
occultistwhounderstandsthetechniqueofthemethodsemployed.
TherearemanypeopleforwhomtheDevaKingdom,asthespherewhichtheelementalssharewiththeNature
Spirits
issometimescalled,hasagreatfascination,andtheytrybymeditationandritualtogetintotouchwithit.Inmy
opinionitisdecidedlyriskyforapersonwhoisnotaninitiatetoattemptthiswork.Itisexceedinglyapttoleadto
mentalunbalance,ifnottoactualobsession.Notthatthenaturecontactsareevil,buttheyareprofoundlydisturbing
to
thehumanconsciousnessbecausetheystirthoseatavisticdepthswhichthepsychoanalystaimsatlayingbareby
meansofhistechnique.Anyonewhoisacquaintedwiththeliteratureorpracticeofpsychoanalysisknowsthatthe
abreactionisanimportantfactorinthissystem;itisacrisis,andcan,forthetimebeingatanyrate,upsetthe
patient
prettythoroughlyandexacerbateallhissymptoms.Whenwetouchtheelementalcontactswegetthesamereaction
that
iscausedbypsychoanalysiswhenthecensorisbeingpenetrated.
Personsinwhomthesubconsciousmindisnearthesurface,suchastheartist,thecrank,theunstable,and,forthe
matterofthat,thegeniusinanywalkoflife,lovetheelementalcontactsbecausetheystimulatetheelementalforces
in
theirownnaturewhicharetothemthespringsoftheirpowerandinspiration.Buttheaveragecitizen,whosemental
contentisorganisedlargelyinabasisofrepressionandcompromiseinorderthathemaybeacitizenatallandtake
his
placeinorganisedsociety,isupsetbytheelementalcontactsaccordingtotheproportionofrepressionto
compromise
inhismakeup.Compromiseisthenormallotofhumanity;repressionisthepathologyofcompromise.Theperson
who
hasmanagedtoeffectaworkingcompromisebetweenthedifferentelementsofhisnaturecanaffordtoallow
himselfa
holidaywiththeDevaswithoutdoinganybodyanyharm;butthepersonwhoisrepressedwillfindthatthey
disagree
withhimactivelybecausetheyarehavingthesameeffectuponhimthatadrasticpsychoanalysiswouldhave.We
hear
sometimesofthetragedythatresultsfromtakingthelastdoseinabottleoftonicofwhicharsenicisoneofthe
ingredients.Thisisduetothefactthatthebottlehasnotbeenthoroughlyshakenupeachtimeadosehasbeentaken,
so
thatthearsenicalsedimenthasallcollectedinthelastdoseandreachedapoisonousconcentration.Soitiswiththe
elementalcontacts;theyareapotenttonic,buttheycanreachapoisonousconcentrationunderunsuitable
circumstances.
IhavenevercomeacrossorheardofacaseofpathologyduetothefascinationoftheElementofEarth;itisnotan
elementthatusuallyattractstheamateurexperimenter,thoughtheinitiateappreciatesitsvalueandimportance.I
have
comeacrosscases,however,ofsensitivepeopledwellinginamountainouscountry,especiallyinnarrowgulches
wherethereisapaucityofsunlight,whohavebecomeobsessedwiththefearofthemountains.Theydonotfearso

muchthatthemountainswillfalluponthemasthattheywillcloseoverthem,asthecavecloseduponthechildren
who
followedthePiedPiperofHamelin.Thepsychiatristwill,ofcourse,recognisethissymptomasbelongingtothe
wellknownpsychoneurosisofclaustrophobia.This,however,doesnotinvalidatemystatement;forinmyopinion
we
mayfindthatinamoreintimateknowledgeoftheelementalkingdomsweshallcomeuponthecluetoboth
claustrophobiaandagarophobia.
Mountaineersalsoknowthispeculiarterrorwithwhichthegreathillscanobsessmankind.Itisneithergiddiness
nor
mountainsickness,butacuriousoppressionofthespiritsbytheoverwhelminggrandeurofnature.Thesameforce,
whennotatapoisonousconcentration,inspiresthepassionateloveofthehillsoroftheseathatKiplinghas
celebrated
sogloriouslyinoneofhispoems.
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ThepathologiesoftheElementofWatermaybeafascinationsogreatthatamanwillwalkoutintotheseauntilhe
drowns.Swinburnehadthispeculiarity,andhasimmortaliseditinseveralofhispoems,"Strikeoutastheheartin
us
bidsandbeseeches,athirstforthefoam."OnoneoccasionhewaspickedupintheopenseabyaBretonfishing
smack,
swimmingtirelessly,manymilesfromland,borneontheseabycurrents,butobliviousofhisdanger.Being
rescued,he
satuponthedeckwithhismaneofredhairdryinginthewind,chantingseapoemstohisrescuers,aspectaclethat
one
wouldhavegivenmuchtowitness.
AnothercuriouscaseofwaterpathologyIknewpersonally.Averylevelheadedwoman,aschoolteacher,was
obsessedbyahorrorofroughwaves.Shealwaysdeclaredthatifshewentontheseafronttowatchastorm,the
waves
madea"deadset"ather.Shelivedataseasideplace,butsogreatwasherdislikeofthewavesthatshedidnotcare
to
walkonthepromenadewhenthetidewasin.Shewascuredofherfearinacuriousway.Shetookinitiationinto
CoMasonry,andfoundtohersurprisethatfromthatdayforthshewasfreefromherfearofthesea.Iamnota
CoMason,andspeaksubjecttocorrection,butIbelieveIamrightinsayingthatCoMasonrydiffersfromother
forms
ofMasonryinthatElementalInvocationshavebeenintroducedintoit.
TheElementofAir,asalloccultistsknow,isaverytrickyelementtodealwith.MoreinitiatesturnoffthePathin
the
GradeofAirthaninanyother,anditisraretoseeaRitualofAirworkedwithoutsomethingbeingdroppedor
knocked
over.Itisaquarrelsomeelement;whenitisbeingworked,theoperatorsareapttobickerandsquabble.Itisalso
intimatelyassociatedwithsex,asisrevealedbyitssymbolism.Ifanoccultistismakingamagiccircle,andforany
reasonwishestosealitwiththeKerubimoftheElementsinsteadoftheArchangels,asismorecommonlydone,and
feelshimselfunequaltothetaskofdrawingapresentableeagle,thesymbolicformoftheKerubofAir,hewilluse
the
ZodiacalsignforScorpio.Theevolutionaryconnectionbetweenthesnakeandthebirdiswellknowntobiologists;
but
longagesbeforeDarwin,initiatesusedtheSerpentandtheEagletorepresenttheunsublimatedandsublimated
aspects
ofthelifeforce.TheScorpionconnectswiththeSerpentthroughtheDragon.
IhadaverycuriousexperiencemyselfinconnectionwiththeElementofAir.IambetrayingnosecretsifIsaythat
certaingradesofinitiationrefertotheelements,forthefactistoogenerallyknown,andtooobvious,forittobeany
moremysteriousthantheQueenofSpain'slegs.

Tobeginwith,Ihaveanexceptionallybadheadforheights,andastheAbyssofHeightbelongstotheElementof
Air,
Iobviouslyhavenonaturalaffinitywithit.TheceremonywentexceptionallybadlyevenforanAirRitual.Twoof
the
principalofficers,husbandandwife,helpedtomaintainitsreputationasacontentiouselementbyhavingafamily
jarin
themiddleoftheproceedings,andtheusualupsetsandsmashingsoccurredonagenerousscale.
ForthenextfortnightIlivedinthemidstofacataclysmofcrockery.Ismashedmywaythroughtwoentireteasets
and
allthemantelpieceornaments.Theornamentsjustfelloffthemantelpieceonebyoneoftheirownaccord.Iactually
sawtwoofthemdoit.IdidnotknowatthetimethattheElementofAirhadthissinisterreputation.Irealisedthat
somethingqueerwasafoot,however,andaskedmyteacheraboutit.Shewasmuchamused,butIwasnot,because
it
wasmycrockerythatwassupplyingtherawmaterialforthephenomena.Sheadvisedmetogetintosympathetic
touch
withtheSylphs,astheinitiationhadevidentlynotbeenaltogethersuccessful.Itriedtodothis,butIwasinLondon
at
thetimeandmetwithnosuccess,fortheelementalcontacts,withtheexceptionofFire,cannotbeworked
successfully
inacity.Thesmashingwenton,andIwasreducedtoatinmugandatoothglass,forIsawitwasuselesstogetany
morechinauntilthingshadsettleddown.
ThenIwentawayformysummerholidayandfoundmyselfonthesummitofahighandisolatedhillonadayof
bright
sunandhighwind.Iwasveryconsciousofthenearnessoftheelementalkingdoms.Theairseemedfullofsilver
sparkles,whichisalwaysasignthattheveilisthin.Therewasnoonepresentsavesomefriendswhowere
sympathetic.IfacedintothewindandraisedmyarmsinInvocation.Suddenlywesawbelowusafigurebursting
throughhedgesandleapingditchesandrunningwildlytowardsit.Wepresentlyrecogniseditasanotherofour
friends,
andwhenhejoinedushetoldusthathehadfeltthesuddenrushofpowerwhileinthevalleyandonanover
powering
impulsestartedforthehilltop.Thenallofus,withoutanysuggestionofleadership,begantheDanceofthe
Elements,
whirlinglikedancingdervishesuponthathilltop.Fortunatelynobodywasabout,butIdonotknowthatitwould
have
madeverymuchdifferenceiftheyhadbeen,forwewerecaughtupoutofourselvesandtheairseemedfullof
rushing
goldenflames,lyinglevelinthewind.Fordaysafterwardsweseemedchargedwithelementalenergybythat
extraordinarydance.
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Itmaybeinterestingtonotethatwedancedwithacircularmovement,eachrevolvingonourownaxisatthesame
time,andthatwebothdancedandrevolveddeosil,thatis,withthesun.Allthisoccurredspontaneously,thetideof
the
elementscatchingusupandaway.Ihaveneverknownamoregloriousexperience.Itwasindeedthedivine
inebriation
oftheMysteries.
Afterthistherewerenomoresmashingsofcrockery.
Ihavealreadynotedmyexceptionallybadheadforheights.Ihavefoundthatitisconsiderablymitigated,
temporarily
atanyrate,bytheInvocationofAir.Iamoftheopinionthatthecuriousimpulsewhichcausespeoplefornoreason
whatsoevertocommitsuicidebythrowingthemselvesfromheightsmaybeduetothesameimpulsethatcauses
people

whoareobsessedbytheElementofWatertoswimouttosea,asIhaverecordedofSwinburne.
TheseapparentlycauselesssuicidesbyWaterandAirare,inmyopinion,aformofunionwiththegodwhichisone
of
theideasunderlyinghumansacrifice.Therearetwotypesofhumansacrifice,thewillingandtheunwilling.The
unwillingsacrifice,theprisonerstrugglingordruggedintopassivity,isused,nottopropitiatethegod,asisusually
thought,butinorderthathisvitalforcesmayserveasabasisofmanifestation.Thewillingsacrifice,inwhichthe
victimwillbeeitherapriestoradevoteeofthegod,hasforitsmotivetheideaofdivineunion,notaltogether
unknown
toChristianmystics,whoseekitsachievementbyalivingdeath,whereastheadherentsofJuggernautescapewith
one
briefpang.
TheEuropeanbeliefofoneman,onelife,hasimbueduswiththeideaofdeathasthesupremeevil.Thereforethe
Europeanveryoftendoesnotgotohisdeathwhenheuniteswiththeelements,buthishigherselfwithdrawsfrom
incarnation,leavinghisbodyensouledbyacuriouskindofintelligentautomaton,whichdeterioratesrapidly.What
ever
maybethestatusofthesoulthatwithdraws,thatwhichisleftbehindisnotnice.Ifeel,therefore,thatitmust
seriously
delayanddistorttheevolutionofthehumanMonadifitturnsasideintothesphereoftheDevaevolution.Itmay
well
bethatsomeofthecreatureswhomatfirstsightwemightclassifyasnonhumansarereallyhumanswhohavehada
DevaphaseintheirKarmicrecord.Thereisaveryinterestingfieldofresearchawaitingthepersonwho
systematically
investigatesthepastlivesoftheweakmindedandthementallyderanged.
ThepathologiesoftheElementofFirearealsorare,thoughitmaybethattheaimlessincendiaryandpyromaniac
belongtothisclass.Ihaveneverpersonallyhadanyopportunityofinvestigatingthistypeofcase.Algernon
Blackwoodwritesofoneinhisveryinterestingstory,"TheRegenerationofLordErnie,"whichispublishedinhis
volumeofshortstoriesentitledIncredibleAdventures.
Indeed,thisauthorisexceedinglyfondofdrawinghisinspirationfromtheDevakingdom,andhassomemost
interestingstudiesofthesubjectscatteredthroughhisbooks.
Anyorganicgeographicalunitdevelopssomethingofanoversoul,andwherethedifferentiationismarked,theover
soulmaybecomeaverydefiniteentity.Ifthereareamongtheinhabitantsofthedistrictanywhoaresensitivetothe
Unseen,theymayformeitheranaffinityorarepulsionforthisoversoul.Agreatforesthasaverymarked
personality,
andtherearefewwhitemenwhocanresistitsinfluence,becomingmarkedlychangedanddehumanisedifexposed
to
itforlongperiodswithoutthecompanionshipofothersoftheirrace.Natives,ontheotherhand,seemtoenterintoit
andbepartofit.
Itiswellknownhowoftentreesareobjectsofworshipinallpartsoftheworld.Theyhaveverymarked
personalities
andstrongmagneticfields.Inthespring,whenthesapisrising,evennonpsychicscanoftenseetheauraofatree.It
canbestbeseenbygettingatadistanceofacoupleofhundredyardsandlookingattheskybeyondthetopofthe
tree.
Theaurawillthenbeperceivedasawhitishcloud,likeapatchoflightercolouredsky,surroundingthetopofthe
tree,
andusuallyswayinggentlyfromsidetoside.
Thereisacuriousantagonismbetweenelmsandhumanity,andaboutorchidsallsensitivepersonsagreethereis
some
thingsinister.Tropicalvegetation,asawhole,isoverpowerfulforhumanity.Underthetremendousstimulationof
the
solarfiretheelementalforcesareconcentratedtoapoisonousstrength.Iamnotpersonallyacquaintedwiththe
West
CoastofAfrica,butfromwhatIcangatherIamoftheopinionthattheelementalforcesandtheatmospheremade
by

Jujuritesarebetweenthemmoreresponsiblethantheclimateforearningthatpartoftheworlditssinisterreputation
as
theWhiteMan'sGrave.Thereareotherspotswheretheclimateisequallyhotandhumid,Burmah,forinstance,but
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thereisnootherspotthatproducesthesamelooseningofmoralfibre.Theonlyplacethatisatallcomparabletoitis
theCarribbeanSea,whichproduces,notsomuchademoralisation,asafiercenessandviolencequitealientothe
racial
characteristicsofthepeoplewhogothere.

CHAPTERVIII

THERISKSINCIDENTALTOCEREMONIALMAGIC

ftheproblemofpsychicselfdefenceistobeadequatelydealtwith,wemusthaveanunderstandingofasubject

uponwhichverylittlehasbeenwrittenthenatureoftheforcesofintelligentandorganisedevil.
Thegreatfaithsoftheancientworldallhadtheirevilgodsaswellastheirbeneficentdeities,andtheydidnotcall
these
evilgodsdevils.InHinduismwehaveShivaandKali;intheEgyptiansystemwehaveSetandBeszandTyphon;in
the
GrecianpantheontherearePlutoandHecate.
Alltheotherfaiths,also,havetheirangelicchoirs,theirArchons,orbuilders,andallthehierarchyofheaven.
ProtestantChristianityalonehasforgottenitsangiology,theCreatorhastobebothArchitectoftheUniverseand
Bricklayer,formingmanfromthedustofthegroundwithoutassistance.
IfwerefertoParadiseLost,however,weshallfindthatMiltonwasfamiliarwithbothdivineandinfernal
hierarchies,
andthattheseweregradedandchartedaccordingtoadefinitesystem.AnyonewhoisacquaintedwiththeQabalah
will
recognisethatinMiltonhemeetsafellowQabalist.
IntheQabalahwefindtheesotericismoftheOldTestament.IproposetousetheQabalisticterminologytoexplain
the
esoterictheoryofevilbecause,firstly,itistheoneIammostfamiliarwith;secondly,itformsthebasisofWestern
occultthoughtandallmedievalmagicisbaseduponit,togetherwithmuchmodernmagic;thirdly,itis,inmy
opinion,
singularlylucid,coherentandcomprehensive;andbeingasystemconsecratedbyantiquity,Icannotbeaccusedof
romancing,orfabricatingmyownsystem.
Inordertorendermyconceptsclear,abriefexplanationofQabalisticdoctrinemustbegiven.Asitisnotpossibleto
enterintoanexpositionofthisvastsystem,Iwillstatecertainaxiomsdogmatically,andexplainthembyillustration
insteadofargument,thusobtainingthemaximumclarityfortheminimumexpenditureofspace.
Theinitiaterecognisestwokindsofevil,NegativeEvilandPositiveEvil.NegativeEvilisthepolarisingoppositeof
good.
Letustryandmakethisclearbyanillustration.Everyactiongivesrisetoareaction.Theforwarddriveofthebullet
is
equatedbytherecoilofthegun.Everythingwhichmoveshastohavetheequivalentofathrustblockagainstwhich
to
pushsomethingfirmunderitsfeetfromwhichtotakeoff.Itisdifficulttowalkonaslipperysurfacebecauseit
offers
noresistance.Wemusthavesomethingforthefoottogrip,topushagainst,andgiveustheforwardimpulseateach
step.
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NegativeEvilisthethrustblockofGood;theprincipleofresistance,ofinertia,thatenablesGoodto"geta
purchase."
ButNegativeEvilismorethanthis.Wemightcalltheprincipleofresistancethe"negative~~aspectofNegative
Evil.
Forithasalsoa"positives'aspect,thePrincipleofDestruction.
WecanbestexplainthecosmicfunctionofthePrincipleofDestructionbycallingitbyitsesotericnameofthe
ScavengeroftheGods.Itsfunctionistoclearupbehindtheadvancingtideofevolution,removingthatwhichhas
becomeeffetesothatitmaynotchokeandclogevolvinglife.
WenowfindtheanswertotheeternalriddleastowhyGodtoleratestheDevil.TheDevilisthecosmicthrustblock
andScavengeroftheGods.Itisthisaspectofevilwhichisgivenamoredetailedsymbolisminthepantheonsof
other
faiths,havingitsShivaandKali,oritsPlutoandHecateaspects.Wecannowseewhytheseresistiveand
destructive
forcesareclassedasgodsandnotasdemons,fortheyarereactionsaccordingtocosmiclaw,notanarchicaland
chaotic
forces.
WenowcometotheconsiderationofPositiveEvil.Thisagainhasa"negative'sand"positive'saspect.Its
"negative's
aspectispurechaos,unformedsubstanceanduncoordinatedforce.IthasbeenaptlycalledtheCosmicAbortion.To
driftintothesphereof"negative"PositiveEvilislikebeingcaughtinapsychicquicksand.
Wearenowreadytoconsiderthesphereof"positive"PositiveEvil,thedemonsthemselves,ortheQlippoth,asthey
arecalledintheQabalah.InordertounderstandtheirsignificancewemustmakeafurtherexcursionintoQabalistic
philosophy.
TheCreatorisconceivedofasbringingtheuniverseintomanifestationthroughaseriesofDivineEmanations,ten
in
number.ThesearecalledtheTenHolySephiroth,andarerepresentedinadiagramasarrangedinaparticular
pattern.
ThisisthefamousTreeofLife,thekeytoallsymbolism.
TheSephirothwerenotemanatedindependently,eachfromtheDivineSource;butoverflowed,theonefromthe
other.
AssoonasoneSephirahasemanatedanother,thesetwoaresaidtobeinequilibrium,compensatingeachother.But
thereisaperiodduringtheemanationofaSephirawhentheforceisnotyetinequilibrium,butispushingout
unsupported,likeanincompletearch.Itistheuncompensatedforceemanatedduringthisepochofunbalance,and
neversubsequentlyabsorbedaftertheestablishmentofthenewsphere,whichconstitutesPositiveEvil.Thereare,
therefore,tenkindsofPositiveEvil,justastherearetenDivineEmanations.
Tothesespheresgo,accordingtotheirkind,alltheevilimaginingsoftheheartofmanthatarenotneutralisedby
repentanceorcompensatedbytheoverplusofgoodinothermembersofthesamegroupsoul.Thereisadeepoccult
doctrineherewhichwecannotenteruponnow;itmustsufficetostateitdogmaticallyinexplanationofthe
Qabalistic
conceptionoftheQlippoth.Whenweconsiderallthatmusthavebeenpouredintothesetensinksofiniquitysince
the
daysofAtlanteanMagic,throughthedecadenceofBabylonandRome,downtotheGreatWar,wecanguesswhat
risesupfromthemwhentheirsealsarebroken.
Notonlydoinfluencesemanatefromthemwhichtemptandcorruptsouls,eachaccordingtoitssusceptibility,but
time
hasservedfortheformulationofevilintelligences.TheseprobablyoriginatedthroughtheworkingsofBlackMagic,
whichtooktheessentialevilessenceandorganiseditforpurposesofitsown.Thebeingsthusformulatedassumed
an
independentexistence,developed,andmultipliedtheirkind.Theyappearasdreamsandhallucinations,andmay
produceaconsiderabledegreeofobjectivephenomena,suchasnoise,depositofslimeorblood,ballsoflight,and,
aboveall,stenchesofanamazingpungency.

TheTenDivineEmanationsarepersonifiedasArchangels,andtheTenInfernalEmanationsarepersonifiedas
Arch
demons.ItisthesewhicharetheNamesofPowerinMagic.EachSephira,then,hasitsobversesideinthe
correspondingQlippotticdemon.Theinitiatedadeptalwaysgainscontroloverthedemonicforcebeforeheattempts
to
utilisetheangelicforcewhich,bytheappropriatedmeans,canbecontactedineachSephira.Ifhedoesnotdoso,he
contactsthembothsimultaneously.Moreover,theplanets,theelementsandtheSignsoftheZodiacareall
intimately
connectedwiththeSephiroth,beingarrangedupontheTreeofLifeinapatternknownonlytoinitiates.
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Theinitiatedadeptisexceedinglycarefulwhathedoeswhenheisworkingwiththesepotenciesbecauseheknows
that
hehasalwaysgottheQlippothinthebackground.Theuninitiatedoccultistgoesaheadgaily,jugglingwithsuch
Names
ofPowerashehaspickedupfromtheinnumerablebooksonthesubjectnowavailableforthegeneralreader,
thinking
thatifhedoesnotinvokethedemonshewillnotgetthem.HeforgetsthateveryplanetisaJekyllandHyde.
Consequently,ceremonialmagichasgotabadnameowingtotheunpleasantfrequencyofuntowardresults,justas
surgerygotabadnamebeforethedaysofLister.Itistheimperfecttechniquethatisthetrouble.
Iwasoncedoingsomeexperimentalworkwithgeomancy,whichisamethodofdivinationbelongingtothe
Elementof
Earth.Nowalldivinations,whenperformedaccordingtotheiresotericformulae,alwaysbeginwithanevocationof
the
geniusthatpresidesoverthatparticularoperation.Thegeniiofgeomancyarenotofaveryhightype.Iwas
imperfectly
familiarwiththemethod,andwastryingtosetupmyprickfigureonapieceofpaperinsteadofusingatrayofwet
sandasIshouldhavedone.Thingsbegantogowrong,andtheroomwasfilledwiththemostterriblestenchof
drains.
Theappropriatebanishingritualwasimmediatelyperformed,andtheaircleared;buttherewasnotmuchdoubt
about
theobjectivityofthisphenomenonwhileitlasted.
AveryinterestingcaseisgivenintheOccultReviewforDecember,1929.inalettertotheeditor,signedH.Campell.
"DesiringsomeinformationwhichIcouldnotgetinanyordinaryway,IresortedtotheSystemofAbraMelin,and
to
thisendpreparedacopyofthenecessaryTalisman,perfectingittothebestofmyabilitywithmylittlestockof
knowledge.Theritualperformed,Iproceededtoclearmy'placeofworking.'Alittleknowledgeisadangerous
thing;
myritualwasimperfectandIonlyrenderedtheTalismanuselesswithoutinanywayimpairingtheactivitiesofthe
entityinvoked.Thislookslikenothingelsethangrosscarelessnessonmypart;andtoacertainextentthisistrue
but
thepointIwishtomakeisthis,thatmyknowledgeofthisparticularsystem,andthereforemyritual,were
imperfect;
andinanycase,Ihadbeenshownnomethodofcombatingthisparticularentitywhenoncearoused.Nownotethe
results.
"UnfortunatelyIhavenoaccountofthedatewhentheseoccurrencesbegan,butthefirsthintoftroublemusthave
comeonoraboutMarch3,1927.Icanguessthedatewithfairaccuracybecause,asIwastolearn,the
manifestations
werealwaysstrongestaboutthenewmoon,andafterIhadgonetosleep.UponthisoccasionIcanremember
waking
upsuddenlywithavaguefeelingofterroroppressingme;yetitwasnoordinarynightmareterror,butanimposed
emotionthatcouldbethrownoffbyaneffortofthewill.ThispassedalmostassoonasIstoodup,andIthoughtno

moreaboutit.
"AgainonApril2,orthereabouts,Iwastroubledbythesamefeeling,butregardeditasnothingmorethanasevere
nightmare,thoughthefactthatmysleepwasdistortedtowardsthetimeofthenewmoonhadoccurredtome;while
as
fullmoondrewon,thenightswerepeacefulagain.
"ThenewmoonofMayIbroughtarecurrenceofthetrouble.Thistimeverymuchmorepowerful,andnecessitating
an
almostintolerableeffortofwilltocastifoff.AlsoitwasaboutthistimethatIfirstsawtheentitywhichwasrapidly
obsessingme.Itwasnotaltogetherunlovelytolookat.Itseyeswereclosedanditwasbearded,withlongflowing
hair.
Itseemedablindforceslowlywakingtoactivity.
"NowtherearethreepointswhichImustmakequiteclearbeforeIproceed.Inthefirstplace,Iwasneverattacked
twiceinthesamenight.Secondly,whenIspeakofphysicalhappenings,thesmashingofglassandvoices,theywere
never,withoneabsolutelyinexplicableexception,actual,butpureobsessions;andthisleadstothethirdpoint.Not
one
oftheseincidentshappenedwhileIwasasleep.AlwaysIfoundmyselfawakewiththeterroruponmeand
struggling
violentlytocastoffthespell.Ihavehadnightmaresbefore,butnonightmarethatIhaveeverhadcouldholdmy
mind
initsgripforminutesatatimeasthisthingdid,orsendmeplungingthroughatenfoothighwindowtotheground
below.
"ThefirstindicationIhadthatthesevisitationswereabsolutelyoutoftheordinarycourseofeventscameon
May30.
AboutmidnightIwassuddenlyawakenedbyavoicecallingloudly,'Lookout,'andatonceIbecameawareofared
serpentcoilinganduncoilingitselfundermybed,andreachingoutontothefloorwithitshead.Justasitwasabout
to
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attackmeIjumpedthroughmywindow,andcametoearthamongtherosebushesbelow,fortunatelywithnomore
damagedonethanabadlybruisedarm.
"AfterthistherewasabsolutepeaceuntilJune30,whentherealclimaxcame.Ihadseenthethingagainonthenight
of
thenewmoon,andhadnoticedconsiderablechangesinitsappearance.Especiallyitseemedfarmoreactive,while
its
longhairhadchangedintoserpentheads.ThenightafterIwasawakenedbyaviolentnoiseandjumpedoutofbed.
I
thensawthenoisewascausedbyagreatredobeliskwhichcrashedthroughthewestwallofmyroomandleaned
againstthewallattheeastend,smashingboththatandthewindowtopiecesbutmissingmybed,whichwasinan
alcovetotheleftofitspath.Initstransitithadsmashedallthemirrors,andthefloorandtopofmybedwerestrewn
withbrokenglassandfragmentsofwood.Thistimetheobsessionmusthavelastedsomeminutes,Idarednotmove
for
fearofcuttingmyself,andtoreachthematcheswherein,Iknew,laysafetyIhadtoleanacrossthebedandagain
risktheglass.YetinmyheartIknewthatallthiswasfalse,buthadnopowertomove.Icouldonlystandthere,
incapable,lookingattheshatteredroominastateofhopelessterror.
"Andnowcomesthemostextraordinarypartofthewholebusiness.WhenIhadfinallymasteredtheobsession,I
went
tobedagaindeadtired,andIknowthattheonlysoundImadethatnightwasjumpingtothefloor,alsomyroomis
at
leastahundredyardsfromtherestofmyfamily,yetnextmorningatbreakfastIwasaskedwhatwastheterrible
noise
inmyroomduringthenight.
"AfterthatIrealisedthatthegamewasup.Ihadnottakentheseoccurrenceslyingdown,butIknewthatitwas

impossibleformetotryandcontroltheforcewhichIhadsetinmotion.IndesperationIturnedtoagoodfriend,
who,I
wasaware,knewmuchofthesethings.Shedidnothesitate,butcameatoncetomyassistance,andfromthatdayto
the
presentthetroublehasabsolutelygonefromme.
"Suchisthecase;andIonlyhopeitmaywarnthosewhoarecontemplatingmyfollytotreatwiththegreatestof
care
anyprintedsystemsofmagic,andnottousethematallunlesstheyhavethefullestcontrolovertheentities
invoked."
Amongthegeneralpublic,whodonotdabbleinoccultism,theresultsofamagicalmishapareneverseen,andthe
only
doctorswhoeverseethemarefellowinitiateswhohappentobemedicalmen,andthey,naturally,keepsilence.The
catastrophesareofvaryingdegreesofseverity,rangingfromabadfrighttoafatality.
Icannotsaymuchuponthesesubjects,fortheyareamongthemostsecretpathsofoccultlore.Enoughmustbe
hinted,
however,torevealwhat,undercertaincircumstances,maybeexperienced.Idonotthinkitintheleastlikely,
however,
thattheQlippoticdemonswillbeencounteredsavethroughtheuseofceremonialmagic.Theyareasrareasanthrax
in
England,butitisaswelltoknowthemanneroftheirmanifestationsothat,whenencountered,theymaybe
recognised.
Thegreatmajorityofdabblersinoccultismareprotectedbytheirownineptitude.Theyfailtogetresults,and
consequentlycometonoharm;butiftheyshouldsucceedingettingresultstheywouldfindthattheyhadtheir
hands
full.Theseriousstudent,unlessheisworkingunderskilledguidance,mayalsofindhimselfindifficulties,andfor
variousreasons.
Hemaybeinsufficientlyexperiencedintheoperationhehasundertaken,forinmagictheoryisonethingand
practice
isanother.Astudentofoccultsciencewilloftentakeaformulaoutofabookandtrytouseit.He~nightjustaswell
studytheinstructionsinabookonsurgeryandtrytooperate.Mostformulaareincomplete,thereisalways
unwritten
work.Someofthe"barbarousnamesofevocation"whichtheuninitiateduseasWordsofPower,arereallythe
initial
lettersofamantricsentenceorformula.IcameacrossaninvocationonceinwhichtheWordofPowerwasTegatoo.
OninvestigationthisturnedouttobethebatteredremainsofTheGreatArchitectOfTheUniverse.
Evenanexperiencedoccultistmaygetintodifficultiesifheattemptsmagicalworkwhenheisinbadhealth,over
tired,
orhashadevenamoderateamountofalcohol,forverylittleistoomuchwhentheInvisibleForcesarebeing
handled.
Equallydoesthisapplytoeachofhisassistants.Achainisnostrongerthanitsweakestlink,andifoneoftheteam
cannothandletheforces,everybodyisgoingtosuffer.Arituallodgeisnoplaceforthewellmeaningineffectual.
Thereisanimmenseamountofdabblinginoccultismgoingontoday.Mostofitisinnocuousbecauseitistotally
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ineffective;butthereisneveranyknowingwhenoneisgoingtostrikealivewire.Take,forinstance,theadvertisers
in
variousoccultpaperswhooffertosupply"charmsthatwork."Oneoftwothingsiscertain.Eithertheydonotwork
at
all,inwhichcaseoneiswastingone'smoneyonthem;ortheyworkbymeansofsomepowerwithwhichtheyhave
beencharged.Whatisthenatureofthatpower,anddidthepersonswhomadethecharmortalismanreallyknow
what
theywereabout?Didtheytaketheprecautiontobindthebaseraspectbeforemagnetisingwiththehigheraspect?

Thesearetheelementaryprecautionsofthepracticaloccultistwhohasbeenproperlytrained.Didthemakerofthe
talismanknowthem?
Again,onebuyssecondhandbooksonmagic.Whowasthepreviousownerandforwhatpurposeswerethese
books
used?Oronebuysanewbookwhichhasbeenbroughtoutbysomeoccultschoolforpropagandapurposes.These
booksareoftenmagnetisedbeforetheyaresentout,andsoformamagneticlinkbetweenthepurchaserandthe
Order
whichcausedthemtobeissued.
Orsomeonemayjoinagroupwhohaspreviouslybeenassociatedwithanotheroccultgroupwhosecontactswere
debased.Unlesstheproperprecautionsaretaken,thatpersonwillbringthepsychiccontagioninwithhim,andhis
fellowmembersmayhaveunpleasantexperiences.
Iwellrememberitbeingsaidtomebyanoccultistofgreatexperiencethattwothingsarenecessaryforsafetyin
occultism,rightmotivesandrightassociates.Welullourselvesintoafalsesecurityifwebelievethatgood
intentions
aresufficientprotection.MyadvicetothewouldbestudentistoinvoketheMastertosendhimaninitiator,andto
refusetoattemptanypracticalworkuntilheisfullysatisfiedthattheinitiatorhasbeenfound.
Icannothereenterintoeithertheprecautionstobetakenagainstuntowardhappeningsinpracticaloccultwork,nor
the
remediestoapplyiftheytakeplace;Iwillmerelyindicatethesignsbywhichsuchaneventualitymaybe
recognised.
Thisisallthatcanbedone,andallthatisnecessaryinabookofthistype;theinitiateknowswhattodowithout
need
ofguidancefromme;thenoninitiatecannotdoanything,andmustseekassistance.Itisenoughforhimifheknows
whensuchassistanceisneeded.
Ifthingsgowronginthecourseofamagicalceremonial,thepower"shorts,"andsomeone,itmaybetheoperator,
orit
maybetheweakestpersonintheteam,gets"knockedout"asifhehadreceivedapunchfromaninvisiblepugilist.
Whenpickedup,hewillbeverydazedandbadlyshaken,andwillcertainlybesomedays,possiblyweeks,beforehe
getsoverit.Hewillbeinastateofcompleteprostrationandconsiderablementalconfusion,whichwillgradually
wear
off.Unlessthereissomeorganicdefect,suchashereditarymentalinstability,abadheart,orhardenedarteries,there
willbeacompleterecovery,giventime;butnaturallyitisabadoutlookshouldoneoftheseconditionsbepresent,
and
thosewhohavethemshouldnottakepartinoccultexperiments.Personally,Idonotbelievethattheinvisibleforces
alonewilleveractuallycausethelossoflifeorpermanentdisabilityintheabsenceofanyphysicallesion.The
person
whogoesoutofhismindastheresultofapsychicshockwouldhavegoneoutofhismindifhehadbeenina
railway
disasteroranyotherdrasticemotionalexperience.
Unlessthepsychicatmosphereindicatesotherwise,itisnotnecessarytodoanybanishings,ortakeprecautions
against
obsession,becausethepowerhasdisperseditselfintheveryactofinflictingtheshock.
DuringmyearlydaysofoccultismIdevelopedmypowersveryrapidlybecauseIrecoveredthememoriesof
previous
incarnationsenbloc,andwiththemthecapacitiesacquiredinpreviouslives,andIshookmyselfupseverelyon
numerousoccasionsbeforeIlearntthetechniqueofhandlingtheinvisibleforces.Ineverexperiencedany
permanent
illeffectsfrommymishaps,thoughIadmitthatuponoccasionIhavebeenextricatedbymyfriendsfroma
considerableamountofdebris.
Duringtheearlydaysofmyoccultcareeragirlwasbroughttomebyamutualfriend,whotoldmethatthemother
of
thisgirl,anardentstudentofoccultism,seemedtohaveaterribleeffectuponherdaughter.Themotherwasa
widow,

andmotheranddaughterlivedtogetherunderverycomfortablematerialcircumstances;butwheneverthegirlmade
a
friend,orshowedanydesiretoleavehome,themotherperformedextraordinaryantics,comingtothedaughter's
room
atnightanddrawingsignsintheairaboutherbed.Theeffectofallthisuponthegirlwasmostpeculiar.Shefelt
unabletofreeherselffromthementaldominationthemotherhadobtainedoverher,andshewaswastingawayina
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mostcuriousfashion.WhenIsawher,althoughabletogetabout,shelookedlikenothingIhaveeverseensavea
faminevictim.
Imadeapsychicinvestigation,andformedtheopinionthatthemotherwasworkingbymeansofanentityofwhich
she
hadobtainedpossession.Howthishadbeenaccomplishedinthepresentinstance,Idonotknow,butsuchthingsare
commoninoccultism.Ideterminedtotakeonthecase,andtochaseand,ifpossible,breakupthisartificial
elemental.I
wasawayfromthegroupIwasaccustomedtoworkwith,butamongpeoplekeenlyinterestedinoccultismofevery
sort,sizeanddescription,andIhadnodifficultyinpickingupateamtohelpmewiththeundertaking.
Ihadnoqualmsabouttheundertaking.Asecondhandelemental,directedbyawomanwithonlyaruleofthumb
knowledgeofmagic,didnotappeartometobeaformidableopponent.Ihadseenagooddealofpractical
occultism,
hadlentahandatsimilaroperations,andpossessedthenecessaryformulae.SoIwentroundthetown,askedcertain
friendstolendahand,andotherstocomeandseethefun.Tobefrank,ourattitudewasthatofapartyofsmallboys
goingratting.
Wemetattheappointedtimeandplace.Formedourcircle,andwenttowork.ThemethodImeanttousemadeit
necessaryformetoleavemybody,andthegroupwerereallytheretolookafteritwhileIwasoutofit,andseeit
came
tonoharm.Igotoutontotheastralreadilyenough,didmyjob,andreturned,feelingverypleasedwithmyself,for
it
wasthefirsttimeIhadoperatedentirelyonmyown,withoutthesupervisionbymyteacher.
AsIbegantorecoverphysicalconsciousness,whichisjustlikecomingroundfromananaesthetic,Ihadasensation
as
ofmachineryrunning,andfeltasifIwerelyingonsomethingverylumpy.Iopenedmyeyes,andsawsomething
browntoweringabovemetoanenormousheight.AsIgatheredmysensestogether,IdiscoveredthatIwaslyingon
the
floor,closetotheskirting,acrossthefeetofanunfortunateman,whowasthussecurelypinnedagainstthewall,and
it
washe,shakinginhisshoes,thathadfelttomelikethevibrationofmachinery.Variousothermembersofthecircle
slowlyandreluctantlyreappearedfrombehindthepianoandsofaandotherheavyarticlesoffurniture.Theyhad
seen
somepracticaloccultismforonceintheirlives,buttheydidnotappeartolikeit.
Itappearsthat,afterIhadgoneoutandleftthemwithmyunconsciousbody,theygotagooddealofphenomenain
the
wayofbellsandvoicesoutsidethecircle.Iftheyhadkeptquiet,itwouldhavebeenquiteallright,buttheylosttheir
headsandscattered.Then,thecirclebeingbroken,Ibegantoperformantics,archinguponmyheadandmyheels
and,
insomewaythathasneverbeenexplained,arrivingatthefarsideoftheroomatthefeetofoneofthecircle,which,
of
course,didnotimprovematters.
Thenanextraordinarythinghappened.Wewerejustgatheringourselvestogether,thinkingthateverythingwas
over,
whenaforceofwhatnatureIhaveneverknownsuddenlyrushedroundthecircle,andonememberseemedtotake
the

bruntofit.Hewentflyingacrosstheroomandlanded,fortunatelyforhim,facedownwardsinanarmchair,and
wasill
inbedforthreeweeks.
Whileallthiswasgoingon,thefatherofoneofthepeopletakingpartbecameuneasyabouther,andwalkedacross
fromwherehelivedatthefarsideofthelittletown,toseewhatwashappening.Likemostlittlecountrytowns,this
oneusuallywenttobedearly,buthetoldusthatashecamealonghesawthatinnumerablewindowswerelitup,
and
heheardthesoundsofchildrencryingalldownthestreet.
WhenIthinkoftherisksItookandtheconditionsunderwhichIworkedinthoseearlydays,IwonderthatIorany
of
myfriendsarealivetotellthetale.ItissaidthatthereisaspecialProvidencetolookafterfools,drunkardsandlittle
children.Ithinktheremustbeanotherthatlooksafterinexperiencedoccultistsandtheirfriends.
ItmaybeinterestingtonotethatasaresultofthisoperationwhichIsorashlyundertook,thegirlwasentirelyfreed
fromthedominationofhermother,andbeganforthwithtoputonfleshandrapidlybecamenormal.Thatendofit,
at
least,wasentirelysuccessful.
AnotherverycuriouscaseisthatreferredtointheOccultReviewofJanuary,1930.
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"Themysteriousdeathofastudentofoccultism,MissN.Fornario,isreceivingtheattentionoftheauthoritiesatthe
presenttime.MissFornariowasfoundlyingnudeonthebleakhillsideinthelonelyislandofIonaRoundherneck
was
acrosssecuredbyasilverchain,andnearathandlayalargeknifewhichhadbeenusedtocutalargecrossinthe
turf.
Onthiscrossherbodywaslying.AresidentofLondon,MissFornarioseemstohavemadeherwaytolonafor
some
purposeconnectedwithoccultism.OneoftheservantsatherhouseinLondonstatingthataletterhadbeenreceived
sayingshehada'terriblecaseofhealingon.'Onenewspaperreportalludesto'mysteriousstoriesontheislandabout
bluelightshavingbeenseeninthevicinityofwhereherbodywasfound,andthereisalsoastoryofacloakedman.'
Occultistsnolessthanthegeneralpublicwillawaitwithinterestanydisclosuresthatmaybeforthcoming
concerning
thisoccurrence."
Nodisclosureseverwereforthcoming,however,andconjecturealonecanworkuponthecase.OnedetailonlycanI
addtothebriefbutcomprehensivereportoftheOccultReview.Thebodyboremarksofscratches.
IknewMissFornariointimately,andatonetimewedidagooddealofworktogether,butsomethreeyearsbefore
her
deathwewentourseparatewaysandlostsightofeachother.ShewashalfItalianandhalfEnglish,ofunusual
intellectualcalibre,andwasespeciallyinterestedintheGreenRayelementalcontacts;toomuchinterestedinthem
for
mypeaceofmind,andIbecamenervousandrefusedtocooperatewithher.Idonotobjecttoreasonablerisks,in
fact
onecannotexpecttoachieveanythingworthwhileinlifeifonewillnottakerisks,butitappearedtomethat"Mac,"
as
wecalledher,wasgoingintoverydeepwaters,evenwhenIknewher,andthattherewascertaintobetrouble
sooner
orlater.
Shehadevidentlybeenonanastralexpeditionfromwhichsheneverreturned.Shewasnotagoodsubjectforsuch
experiments,forshesufferedfromsomedefectofthepituitarybody.Whethershewasthevictimofapsychic
attack,
whethershemerelystoppedoutontheastraltoolongandherbody,ofpoorvitalityinanycase,becamechilled
lying
thusexposedinmidwinter,orwhethersheslippedintooneoftheelementalkingdomsthatsheloved,evenas

Swinburneswamouttosea,whoshallsay?Theinformationatourdisposalisinsufficientforanopiniontobe
formed.
Thefacts,however,cannotbequestioned,andremaintogivescepticsfoodforthought.
Itmaybeaswelltosayinconcludingthischapter,thatwhenIspeakoftheexperimentsofceremonialmagic,Ido
not
meanritualinitiation.Nowaritualinitiationisofcourseceremonialmagic,andso,forthematterofthat,arethe
sacramentsoftheChurch.Buttheoccultist,usinghistermsperhapssomewhatloosely,doesnotincludethe
initiatory
ritualswhenhespeaksofceremonialmagic.
Therearemanyvarietiesofinitiatoryceremonies,butthesearealldesignedtoworkuponthesoulofthecandidate
only.Ceremonialmagic,ontheotherhand,inthetechnicalsenseoftheterm,isdesignedtoworkuponthesoulof
nature.Thetwooperations,althoughthereareinnumerableformsofeach,areentirelydifferentintype,andaimat,
and
achieve,entirelydifferentresults.
Thereisastrongprejudiceagainstritualmagicamongthoseinterestedinpopularoccultismowingtothestrictures
passeduponitbyMmeBlavatsky.NowMineBlavatskywastrainedintheEasternSchoolandhadverylittle,if
any,
practicalacquaintancewiththeinneraspectofWesternOccultism,norwassheamasterofitsmethods.Shespoke
fromanEasternstandpointandjudgedWesternesotericconditionsbythoseshehadseenintheEast,whereTantric
magichasbecomedepravedinthehandsofDugpasandsimilarsects.
InthedenseandmaterialisticatmosphereoftheWestitisexceedinglydifficulttogetanyresultsworthmentioning
withouttheuseofsomeformofceremonial.EventheTheosophicalSociety,ofwhichshewasthefoundress,has
unconsciouslydriftedintoWesternmethods,adoptingtheCatholicceremonialandtheMasonicinitiationsasside
chapelstoitsmaintemple,andthemixtureisgivingtrouble.The"BacktoBlavatsky"movementwithinitsranks
may
beabletoproduceamuchpurerethicalandmetaphysicalteaching,butIthinkwemaysafelyprophesyitwill
produce
nopracticalresults,inEuropeatanyrate.
Oughtwetoeschewceremonialmethodsbecauseoccasionally,ininexperthandsorunderunsuitableconditions,
they
leadtodisastrousresults?Oughtwetoeschewmotorracing,ormountaineering,orflying,orresearchintothe
natureof
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radioactivesubstances?Allthesetaketheirtolloflifeeachyear.Thereisanunjustifiableriskwhichnolevel
headed
personwillruniftheycanhelpit,andthereisajustifiableriskwhicheverybodymustbepreparedtotakewho
wantsto
comeoutoftheruck.ItisnoteveryfolloweroftheInnerWaywhoissuitableforceremonialwork,justasitisnot
everyindividualwhoisfittedtohandlethecontrolsofanaeroplane;buttherearesomepeople,bothmenand
women,
towhomaspiceofdangerisaspurwhichbringsoutthemettleoftheirpasture,andthesewillalwaysbefoundin
the
vanofgreatadventure.
PARTII

DIFFERENTIALDIAGNOSIS

CHAPTERIX

DISTINCTIONBETWEENOBJECTIVEPSYCHICATTACKANDSUBJECTIVEPSYCHICDISTURBANCE

SYCHISM,howevergenuine,isafruitfulcauseofselfdelusion.Apsychicisinvariablyhighlysensitiveand

suggestible.Thisisthebasisofhisgifts.Psychismnotbeinganormaldevelopment,amongEuropeansatanyrate,
the
psychicis,inthelanguageofnauticalengineers,"overenginedforhishull."Heisconsequentlyunstable,liableto
violentemotionalreactions,andingeneralexhibitsthoseaberrationsofconductweareaccustomedtoassociate
with
artisticgenius.Unlessapsychicistrained,disciplined,protectedandwatchedoverbythosewhounderstandhis
condition,hispsychismisneverreliablebecauseheisblownaboutbyeverywindofinfluence.Thepsychicandthe
neuroticarecloselyakinintheirreactionstolife,buttheneuroticdiffersfromthepsychicinthat,insteadofbeing
overenginedforhishull,heisunderhulledforhisengines.Theresultisthesame,howeveradiscrepancy
between
theforceandformwiththeconsequentinabilitytomaintainacentral,reasoned,directingcontrol.Thetechniqueof
the
occultdisciplineislargelydirectedtowardsmaintainingcontrolofthedisparateforces,compensatingthe

sensitivenessofthepsychic,andprotectinghimfromunwantedimpressions.Itisneverwellto
learn
howtoopenthedooroftheUnseenunlessatthesametimeonelearnshowtocloseandlatchit.

AswasnotedintheIntroduction,itiscomparativelyseldomthattheUnseencomesinsearchofhumanbeings.As
the
CaterpillartoldAliceconcerningthePuppydog,"Youletitalone,anditwillletyoualone."Butifwebeginto
study
occultism,oreventodabbleinit,soonerorlaterweareliabletoobtainresults,provided,ofcourse,thatthesystem
we
areusingcontainsthegermsofefficacy.
InthecaseofapersonwhoiscomingontothePathforthefirsttime,progressisnecessarilyslowandlaborious;but
a
soulthathastakeninitiationinpreviousincarnationsmayreopenthelatentpsychicfacultiessorapidlythatthe
problem
ofmaintainingtheharmonisedcoordinationofthepersonalitybecomesaseriousone.Itisexceedinglycommonfor
a
personwhoismakinghisfirstcontactwiththeoccultmovementtoexperiencepsychicdisturbance.Thisis
sometimes
attributedtoevilinfluences,sometimestoevilentities.Neitheroftheseinferencesmaybejust.Thereisathird
possibility,whichisresponsibleforbyfarthegreaterpercentageofvictimsthemerefactthatconsciousnessis
being
disturbedbyanunaccustomedforce.Howcommonathingitistoseeachildfeverishandfretfulduringthefirstfew
daysofaseasideholiday.Itisnotnecessarilysickeningforanillness.Thestrongairandunaccustomedfoodandthe
excitementofitsnewsurroundingsaredisturbingitssensitivephysicalequilibrium.Soitiswhentheneophyteis
disturbedattheoutsetofhisoccultcareer.Theunaccustomedvibrationsareupsettinghim,andheishavingan
attack
ofoccultindigestion.Inbothcasesthetreatmentisthesametemporaryrestrictionofthedietwhichhascausedthe
disturbance.
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Anothercauseofpsychicupsetmaylieinthepartialrecoveryofthememoriesofpastincarnationsiftheseinclude
any
painfulepisodes,especiallysuchasareconnectedwithesotericstudies.Theentryofoccultconceptsintothe
conscious

mindtendstoawakenthesubconsciousmemoryofsimilarexperiencesinpastlives.Theemotionsurroundinga
memoryisinvariablyrecoveredbeforetheactualimageoftheincident.(Thisisoneofthebesttestsfortheaccuracy
of
memoriesofpastlives.)Thisforeshadowingemotionmayhangaboutforalongtimeonthethresholdof
consciousness
beforetheimagesclarifysufficientlytobecametangible.Iftheemotionthatisrisingoverthehorizonisofapainful
natureitmaycauseconsiderabledisturbance,andintheabsenceofanexperiencedadvisermaybeattributedtoan
occultattack,ortothepsychicperceptionofevilinfluencesintheoccultgrouptowhichtheneophyteisaffiliated.It
is
necessarytouseverygreatcautionindrawingconclusionsfromthepsychicimpressionsofaninexperienced
student,
whoisapttobeasfullofalarmsasatwoyearoldthoroughbred.
Ontheotherhand,theinstinctivereactionsofapureandsensitivesoularenottobeignored.Therearesuchthings
as
BlackLodgesandevilentities.Wemustnotallowthecryof"Wolf!Wolf!"tomakeuseithercallousorcareless.In
anycase,thevictimissufferingremediablediscomfort.
Itisanexceedinglydifficultthingtodeterminepsychicallywhetherthecomplainanthasreasonablegroundsforhis
feelings,forhisownimaginationwillhavefilledhisatmospherewithmenacingthoughtforms.Itisnosimple
matterto
decidewhetherthesethoughtformsaresubjectiveorobjective.Thewisestwayistorely'onsuchevidenceasis
capableofobjectiveexamination,andenquireintotherecordoftheparticulargrouporoccultistagainstwhomthe
chargesarebeingbrought.Butitisequallynecessarytoenquireintotherecordofthepersonwhoisbringingthe
charges.Thatthatpersonisfilledwiththeloftiestidealsisnoproofthathehasalevelhead,aclearandunbiassed
judgment,orappreciationofthenatureofevidence.Apersonneednotbeadeliberateliartomakestatementsthat
are
veryfarfromthetruth.
Anotherfactorwhichhastobereckonedwithisthevagariesofthesexinstinctinapersoninwhomthatinstinctis
repressed.Considerthecaseofawoman,perhapsnolongeryoung,whosecircumstancesforthefirsttimepermit
herto
followherowninclinations;averycommoncasewithhomekeepingwomen,whohavetowaitfordeadmen's
shoes
beforetheycansetoutonlife'sjourney.Shetakesupoccultism,towardswhichshemayalwayshavehadaleaning,
andjoinssomecircleforstudyandpossiblyritualinitiation.Theleaderofthatcirclewillinallprobabilitybea
person
ofstrongindividuality.Theinexperienced,lovestarvednewcomerisglamoured.Ritualisaverystimulatingthing,
as
AngloCatholicclergyhavefoundtotheircost.Thewoman,possiblyquiteignorantofthefactsoflife,findsherself
strangelystirred.Sheisfrightened,shesensesthatsomethingoftheKingdomofPanisapproaching.Herinstincts
will
usuallyguidehertrulyenoughindiviningthesourcefromwhichthedisturbinginfluenceproceeds.Shewillpoint
an
unerringfingeratthemagneticmale.Shewillseldomtakeintoaccountthereactionsofthefemaleinthepresence
of
themale.
Ifsheisawomanignorantofthefactsoflife,thechargeshebringswillusuallytaketheformofanaccusationof
hypnoticinfluence.Shedoesnotrealisethatnatureisthehypnotist.Ifsheisawomanwhoknowssomethingofthe
world,thechargemaybeofimproperadvances.Oneglanceatthewomanisusuallyenoughtotelluswhetherthere
is
likelytobeanyfoundationinthischargeornot.Itisseldomtheyoungandprettygirl,whomightreasonablybe
apprehensive,whoisthetellerofthesestories.Itisacuriousfactthatitneverseemstooccurtothecomplainants
either
totakerefugeinflightorputthematterinthehandsofasolicitor.Ifattheendofalongtale,fullofdarkhintsand

unspeakableinnuendos,thequestionisasked,"Whatexactlydidhedo?"theanswerusuallyis,"Helookedatmein
a
meaningway."
Whenoneofthesestoriesisbeingtoldweshouldbewisetogivemoreattentiontothebearingofthepersonwhois
tellingitthantothefactsalleged.Thiswillusuallyyieldthemorevaluableinformation.Itisthemostdifficultthing
in
theworldtogetagenuinevictimtospeak.Awomanwhoisbroadcastingthetaleofherownshameisusuallya
woman
scorned,andthereliabilityofhertestimonyinthematterisininverseratiotoherloquacity.Donotletusforgetthat
it
takestwotomakeascandalaswellasaquarrel,andthepersonwhoadmitsamistakeandasksforhelptoretrace
wanderingfootstepsismuchmorelikelytobeworthhelpingthantheonewhoclaimstobeevenastheangelsin
heaven,wherethereisneithermarryingnorgivinginmarriage.
Sogreatistheneedforcautioninassessingthefactsinachargeofimmoralitythatthelawcourtswillnotacceptthe
evidenceofthevictim,evenonoathandundercrossexamination,unlessitissupportedbyadditionaltestimony.
Equallywelldoesthedoctorknowthesametypeofmentality,andacommonformofmentalderangementiscalled
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OldMaid'sInsanity,eveninthetextbooks.
Icouldcitecasesbythedozeninexemplificationoftheprecedingstatements,buttheyhavenotsufficientoccult
interesttojustifytheirinclusioninthesepages.
Iftheleaderofthegroupisawoman,adifferentsetofreactionscomesintoplaythoughthesamecausesareat
work.It
isnotgenerallyrealisedthatthefixation,or"crush"ofonewomanforanotherisreallyasubstituteloveaffair,asis
provedbythefactthatthegirlwhohasplentyofadmirers,orthewomanwhoishappilymarriedisnevergivento
them.Inthiscase,justasmuchasinthenormal,heterosexualattraction,"hellknowsnofurylikeawoman
scorned";it
isnot,forobviousreasons,possibletobringchargesofimproperbehaviour.(Thoughinoneaccusationthiswas
allegedagainstme,andIwasaccusedofbeingamanindisguiseandattemptingtoseducethecomplainant,andthe
chargefoundbelievers.)Thechargebroughtinsuchcasesusuallytakesoneoftwoforms,themechanismbeing
either,
"Youdon'tloveme,thereforeyouarecruel.Ihavebeenbadlytreated";andthemostfarfetchedinstancesareraked
up
insupportofthischarge.Or,"Youdon'tloveme,thereforeIhateyou.Theattractionyouhaveformeishypnotic."
Itmustbeborneinmindinassessingthesechargesthatatrainedoccultist,especiallyifofhighgrade,hasan
exceedinglymagneticpersonality,andthisisapttoprovedisturbingtothosewhoareunaccustomedtohightension
psychicforces.Forwhereasthepersonwhoisripefordevelopmentwillunfoldthehigherconsciousnessrapidlyin
the
atmosphereofahighgradeinitiate,thepersonwhoisnotreadymayfindtheseinfluencesprofoundlydisturbing.An
adeptwhoallowsunsuitablepersonstoenterhismagneticfieldisblameworthyforhislackofdiscriminationand
discretion,buthecannotjustlybechargedwithabuseofoccultpowers.Heemanatesforceinvoluntarilyandcannot
helphimself.Thegreateradeptsalwaysliveinseclusion,fornotonlydotheyneedsolitudefortheirwork,buttheir
influenceuponunpreparedsoulsproducestooviolentareaction,anditendsintheCrossorthehemlockcup.
Wemustnotbeunmindfulofthefactthatthepersonwhocomestouswithalongtaleofoccultattackandasksfor
assistance,especiallyfinancialassistance,maysimplybe"pitchingayarn,"andshouldusethesamediscrimination
that
wewouldinlisteningtoanyother"hardluckstory,"tryingtodifferentiatebetweenthedeservingandthe
undeserving.
Iknewamanwhoallowedanallegedadeptwhowasundergoinganallegedoccultattacktotakerefugeinhis
studio,
andreturnedafterashortabsencetofindthattheallegedonehadbeensellingthefurnituretobuydrink;andthere
was

everyreasontobelievethattheonlyspiritswhowereinanywayconcernedwithhistroubleshadenteredthestudio
in
bottles.
Thecomplaintsofoccultattackmayhavetheirsourceinnothingmoreorlessthanthedelusionsoftheinsane,andit
doesnotnecessarilyinvalidatethisfactthatasecondpersoncanbefoundtogivesupportingevidence.Thereisa
curiousformofinsanityknowntoalienistscalledfoliedesdeux,inwhichtwopeopleintimatelyassociatedtogether
sharethesamedelusions.Itisusuallyfoundinsuchcasesthatoneisdefinitelyinsane,andthattheotherisofa
hystericaltypeandhasbecomeimbuedwiththedelusionsofherassociatebymeansofsuggestion.Iusethe
feminine
pronounbecausethisformofinsanityisrarewithmales.Itusuallyoccurswithtwosisters,orwithtwowomen
living
together.
Thereisanotherpitfallforwhichtheinexperienceddowelltowatchoutintheirdealingswiththepersonwho
complainsofanoccultattack.Insanitymaybeperiodicinitsmanifestation,outbreaksofacutemaniaalternating
with
periodsofcompletesanity.Thisperiodicaspectshouldalwaysbewatchedforinthecaseofwomen,inwhomany
temperamentalinstabilitybecomesgreatlyexaggeratedduringthetimesofthemonthlyperiods,atthechangeof
life,
duringpregnancy,and,infact,atanyperiodwhenthesexlifeisstirredtoactivity,whetheremotionallyor
physically.It
isalsowelltobearinmindthatinpathologicalcasestheperiodicityofawoman'sfunctionmaybegreatlydisturbed.
Ihadasharplessoninthisrespectupononeoccasion,whichexemplifiestheneedofcaution.Wehad,atthe
introductionofoneofourmembers,receivedintooneofourcommunityhousesawomanwhosehusband,a
wellknownmaninpubliclife,refusedtolivewithher,soIwastold,andhadmadeseveralattemptstodoaway
with
her,andthreatenedtohavehercertifiedinsaneifsheinanywayresistedhim.Thesefactswerevouchedforbya
circle
offriendstowhombothhusbandandwifewereknown.Ikeptthisladyunderobservationforamonthinorderto
see
whethertherewasanythingtojustifythechargeofinsanity,andseeingnothing,tookuphercase,Attheseventh
week,
however,troubleensued.Shegotintoagreatstateofexcitement,declaredthatshewasbeingstarved,andilltreated
by
thepersonwho,inmyabsence,wasresponsibleforthehouse.Sevenweekslaterwehadanotherbout,inwhichshe
saidthatevilinfluenceswereproceedingfromacertaincupboardinherroom,wanderedaboutthehousein
exceedinglyinadequateapparel,andlostallselfcontrol.Thisattackalsopassedoffinafewdays.Itcameoutinthe
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endthatshesufferedfromchronicappendicitiswhichinvolvedtherightovary,andwheneverherexceedingly
irregular
menstruationoccurred,shewentrightoffherheadforafewdays.Thepositionwasgreatlycomplicatedbythefact
that
intheinterregnumshewastoalloutwardappearancesperfectlysane.Aftersheleftourcommunityhouseshetold
exactlythesamestoriesaboutusthatshehadpreviouslybeentellingaboutherhusband.Theoutandoutlunaticisa
muchlessseriousproblemtosocietythantheseborderlinecases.Theyneeddealingwithextremelycautiously,for
theycancauseanimmenseamountoftrouble.
Whenaninsanityhasoncebecomewelldevelopedanyonewhohashadexperienceoflunaticshaslittledifficultyin
recognisingit.Eachtypeofinsanityhasitscharacteristicfacialexpressionandevengait.Butitisnotsosimplea
matterforeventheexperttorecogniseaninsanityinitsincipientstages.Lunaticsareexceedinglyplausible,andif
they
havepickedupsomethingofthejargonoftheoccultistorspiritualist,canmakeoutanextraordinarilygoodcasefor

themselves.Eventheexperiencedalienistoftenhastokeepacaseunderobservationinordertoascertainwhetherit
is
anactualinsanityornot.
Inafieldwhereexpertsarefrequentlyindoubt,whatisthelaymantodowhofindshimselfconfrontedbyacase
which
rouseshissuspicions?Hecannotbeexpectedtorecogniseinsanitywhenheseesit,buthisowncommonsense
ought
tobesufficienttoenablehimtorecognisesanity.Inotherwords,lethimsuspendjudgmentupontheallegedfacts
and
concentrateuponthequestionofmotive.Itisherehewillfindhisbestindication.Ifapersoncanoffernovalid
explanationastothereasonsfortheattackthatisbeingmadeuponhim,norastoitscauseororigin,wecan
probably
restassuredthatitoriginatesinhisownimagination.
Inonecasewhichcameintomyhandsforhelp,thevictimdeclaredthathewasbeingpersecutedbytelepathic
suggestion.Ienquiredastotheoriginofthispersecution,andhesaidthatsomepeoplewholivedinthenextflat
used
tositinacircleandconcentrateuponhim.Iaskedhimwhytheydidthis.Hedidnotknow.Iaskedhimhowhe
knew
theydidit,andhecouldnottellme.Hemerelyreiteratedthattheydidit,althoughheadmittedthathehadnever
been
insidetheirflat,never,infact,evenspokentothemexcepttoexchangeagoodmorningonthestairs.Itwas
immediatelyapparentthattherewasnoconceivablemotivethatcouldcausethesepeopletogotothetroubleof
persecutinghim.Ifanyonehasevertriedanyexperimentswithtelepathicsuggestion,theywillknowwhatintense
concentrationitrequires,and,infact,whathardworkitis,andonecannotpossiblyimagineanybodyputtingthem
selvestothetroubleofdoingitoverlongperiodsoftimewithoutaverydefinitemotive.Ihave,however,heardofa
wellauthenticatedcaseofawomanwhohadaliaisonwithamarriedmanattackinghiswifeinthisway.Ihavealso
myselfknownoftwocasesinwhichacertainindividual,atonetimeprominentintranscendentalcircles,in
connection
withwhatthenewspapersimpolitelycalledhis"PrayerShop,"andequallywellknownintheCityinconnection
with
hiseffortstoobtaingoldfromseawater,usedtelepathicsuggestioninordertoinducethesigningofchequesand
documents.Beforeavisitorwasexpectedforaninterview,hewouldsitdownandconcentrateuponhim.Sostrong
was
theinfluencethusexertedthatamanofmyacquaintancethrewupapostheheldunderhimbecauseoftheundue
mentalinfluencehefeltwasbeingexertedoverhimself,andanotherresignedofftheboardofoneofhiscompanies
for
thesamereason.
Inboththesecasesanadequatemotiveforthementalattackisnotfartoseek.Comparethesetwocaseswiththe
previousone,andthedifferencecanreadilybeperceived.Weshould,however,bejustascautiousindecidingthere
is
nothingwrongasinacceptingattheirfacevalueanystatementsthatmaybemadetous.Moreover,weshould
always
bearinmindwhendealingwithapersonwhoisobviouslymentallyunbalancedandwhoallegesapsychicattack,
that
thementalunbalancemayhavebeeninducedbythepsychicattack.Lifeisastrangethingatbest,andmanythings
that
arestrangerthanusualcanhappentothosewhomoveinoccultcircles.

CHAPTERX
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NONOCCULTDANGERSOFTHEBLACKLODGE

HEfactsconsideredinthepreviouschapter,thoughtheyshouldmakeusexceedinglycarefulinweighing

evidence,mustnotblindustothefactthatthereareblacksheepineveryfoldandthatafraternity

which
startedoutwiththebestofintentionsmayquiteinadvertently,throughtheignoranceor
imperfectionsof
itsleaders,begintodriftontotheLefthandPath.Perfectlyinnocentpeopleenteritwhenitisin
process
ofdriftingbutnotyetavowedlyblack,andmayfindthemselvesinwatersthatareunpleasantly
dirty,
evenifnotactuallydangerous.

Theesotericdangerswillbestudiedindetailinthenextchapter,butwemayverywellconsiderinthisplacethe
exotericdangerswhichmayoccurbehindtheVeiloftheTemple,forhumannatureismuchthesamewhereverwe
meetit,andshowslittleoriginalityinchoosingitsroadtothePit.Itmightbethoughtthatinsuchabookasthis
there
werenoneedtotouchuponthesematters,butifthisbookistoservethepurposeforwhichitisintended,itis
necessarytodosoforthreereasons;firstly,becausethegreaterproportionofthestudentsofesotericismarewomen,
andevenintheseenlighteneddaystheyareusuallyignorantofthelifeoftheunderworld,andaBlackLodgeleads
bya
straightandnarrowwayintothelandofapachesanddemimondaines,quiteapartfromitsotherdrawbacks.
Secondly,a
knowledgeofthesefactsisessentialfordifferentialdiagnosis.Thirdly,occultpowersarenotinfrequentlyusedto
obtainpurelymundaneends,thereforewhenthequestionofordinarycriminalityoccursinconnectionwithanoccult
organisation,theissuemaybecomplicatedbyanadmixtureofmethodsthatbelongtoanotherplane.
Wemustalwaysrememberthatalodgemaynotnecessarilyhavebeenformedfortheexpresspurposeofevading
the
law;itmayhavestartedwithaperfectlylegitimateendinview,andhavebeenexploitedbyevildoersfortheirown
purposes,for,owingtothesecretivenatureofitsproceedings,thefraternityformoforganisationlendsitselfto
various
formsoflawbreaking.
Oneoccultorganisationiswellknowntohavebeeninvolvedinthedrugtraffic,anotherisriddledwithunnatural
vice.
Athirddegeneratedintowhatwaslittlebetterthanahouseofillfame,anditsheadwasanexpertabortionist.
Others
havebeeninvolvedinsubversivepolitics.Thosewhojoinfraternitieswithoutproperlyinvestigatingthemandthe
credentialsofthosewhoarerunningthemmayfindthemselvesinvolvedinanyorallofthesethings.
Behindtheveilofsecrecy,guardedbyimpressiveoaths,manythingsmayhappen,anditisthereforeessentialto
informoneselfmostcarefullyconcerningthecharacter,credentialsandrecordoftheleadersofanorganisation.
Ifthesearenotreadilyaccessible,somethingiswrong.TheMysteriousStranger,whohasjustarrivedfromtheEast
or
theContinent,bothrathervagueaddresses,isprobablyafraud.
Ifdifficultyisexperiencedindiscoveringtheantecedentsofanallegedadept,enquiriescouldbemadeofthewell
knownperiodical,Truth,ofCarteretStreet,S.W.I.Truthwasoriginallyfoundedtoexposeabusesinfinancialand
publiclife,andforthispurposekeepsa"BlackList"ofindividualswhoarebetteravoided.Itisfairandfearlessin
its
methods,neitherapersecutornorarespecterofpersons.Itkeepsawatchfuleyeupontheoccultfieldandpillories
charlatans,ataskforwhichitshouldhavethegratitudeandsupportofallwhohavethecauseoftheWisdom
Religion
atheart.
Thecommonestdangertowhichapersonwhogetsintothecompanyofundesirablesisexposed,istobeinducedto

partwithmoremoneythanisconvenientbythetimehonouredexpedientsofeitherswindlingorblackmailing,the
latterbeingbyfarthecommonestformofunpleasantnessinBlackLodges.Theoneandonlyremedyinallsuch
cases
istoplacethematterinthehandsofthepolice.Firstly,itisyourdutyasacitizeninorderthatothersmaynotbe
victimisedasyouhavebeen.Secondly,ifyoudon't,yourpersecutorswillnotleaveyouuntiltheyhavesuckedyou
absolutelydry,andnoteventheniftheycanstillfindauseforyouasacatspaw.Ablackmailerisnevergotridof
by
givinghimmoney.Itismerelyaninvitationtocallagain.Actquicklyandfirmlyattheoutsetandyouwillsoonbe
at
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theendofyourtroubles.
Todemandmoneywiththreatsisblackmail,andtocoercetoanycourseofactionbythreatsisalsoacrime.Any
arrangementsenteredinto,ordocumentssignedinconsequenceofthreatsarenotbinding.Threatsneednot
necessarilybegrossandopen,suchasthepointingofarevolver;anythingwhichcoercesyouagainstyour
inclinations
maybeinterpretedasathreat.Forinstance,supposingitwereintimatedtoyou,howevertactfully,thatifyoudidnot
subscribetothefundsofanorganisation,yourinterestinoccultismwouldbeliabletobegossipedabout,and
possibly
involveyouinunpleasantnesswithyourrelatives,oryouremployers,this,intheeyesofthelaw,wouldbe
blackmail.
Anything,infact,whichplaysuponaperson'sfearsisathreat.
Letusnowconsiderwhatisthebestthingtodoifyouarebeingthreatened.Itisseldomwisetoanswerthreatwith
threat.Thebestthingistoreplythatyouwillthinkitoverandseewhatcanbedone,andthengostraighttothe
nearest
policestationandtellthewholestory.Youcanbesureoftheutmostcourtesyandkindness,andthateveryeffort
will
bemadetohelpyou,evenifyouhavetoadmitthatyouhavenotbeenwholelyblamelessyourself.Incomingtothe
policeandtellingthemfranklythepositionofaffairsyouhave,inpopularlanguage,"turnedKing'sevidence,"and
the
authoritieswillgoalongwaytoprotectanyonewhodoesthis.
Donotbedeterredbythefactthatyoucannotbringforwardanyadditionaltestimonyinsupportofyourstatement.
The
policemaytellyouthatthereisnotsufficientevidenceforthemtoapplyforawarrant;nevertheless,theywillmake
enquiries,andtheveryfactthatthepolicearemakingenquirieswillbesufficienttofrightenblackmailersoutof
their
witsandprobablyoutofthecountry,norwilltheyusuallystoptomakethethreateneddisclosuresenroute,butwill
"gowhilethegoingisgood."Moreover,yourcomplaintwillgoontothepolicerecords,andawatchwillbekept;in
duecourseanothercomplaintmaybemade,or,forallyouknow,mayalreadyhavebeenmade,andthenthenet
begins
totighten.
Alwaysrememberthattheblackmailerhasagreatdealmoretofearfromexposurethanyouhave;forwhatever
unpleasantnessmaybeinstoreforyou,hehastolookforwardtoalongtermofpenalservitude,andpossiblythe
dreaded"cat"ifthecaseisabadone.Atimelyreminderofthisfactworkswonderswithprospectiveblackmailers.
Norneedthefearofexposureofyourownshortcomingsdeteryou.Thenatureofthechargesbroughtagainstyou
by
theblackmailerwillneverbementioned.Itisnotyouwhoarebeingtried.Neitherwillyouridentitybedisclosed.
You
willbereferredtoasMr.A.orMrs.B.Farfrombeingtreatedasanevildoerorhavingthefingerofscornpointed
at
you,youwillfindthatyouarelookeduponasapersonwhoisperformingapublicserviceandeveryeffortwillbe

madebythoseinauthoritytosmoothyourpath.Adeterminedeffortisbeingmadeatthepresenttimetostampout
this
abominablecrime,andjudgesaregivingexemplarysentencesandprotectingprosecutorsineverywayinorderto
encouragethemtocomeforward.
Butquiteapartfromanyformofcoercion,unwarypersonsmay,whilefilledwithenthusiasmorglamouredbythe
new
revelation,partwithconsiderablymoremoneythantheycancomfortablyspare;theymayevenliterallylaytheirall
uponthealtar,andthen,disillusionedbysubsequentevents,greatlyregrethavingdoneso.Inmanysuchcasesa
competentsolicitorcansecurearefund.Thecourtsdonotlookwithfavouronexcessivecontributionsto
"movements."
Itgoeswithoutsaying,thatnorightlyconductedorganisationwouldconsenttoaugmentitsfundsattheexpenseof
the
ruinofoneofitsmembers.Itmust,ofcourse,equallyprotectitselfagainstcapriciousnessandspiteandthe
machinationsofthekindofmentalitythattriestobuyinfluencebysubscriptions.Ithasalwaysbeenourcustom,in
the
FraternityoftheInnerLight,toinsistthatanywomanwhoproposestogivealargedonationshouldconsulther
financialadviserbeforedoingso.Foronereasonoranotherwehaverefusedupwardsoftwentyfivethousand
pounds
duringthelastsevenyears.Norhavewehadanyreasonatregrethavingdoneso.Thestrengthofanoccult
organisationdoesnotlieuponthephysicalplane.
Itiswellknownthattherearevariousdrugswhichcanbeusedtoexaltconsciousnessandinduceatemporary
psychism.Itmaynotbeequallywellknownthatmostofthesesubstancescomeundertheregulationsofthe
Dangerous
DrugsAct,andthattoobtainthemfromirregularsources,oreventobefoundinpossessionofthemsavefora
legitimatepurpose,istorenderoneselfliabletoprosecution,andinthiscasetootheauthoritiesareexceedinglyalert
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andthemagistratesexceedinglydrastic.
AllinitiatesoftheRighthandPathagreeindeclaringthattoexaltconsciousnessbymeansofdrugsisadangerous
and
undesirableproceeding.Theremayberesearchworkerswhoforlegitimatereasonswishtoundertakeexperiments,
but
Icannotconceiveofanylegitimatereasonforintroducinganeophytetothedrughabit.Inanycase,ifsuch
experiments
areundertaken,theyshouldbeconductedunderthesupervisionofaqualifiedmedicalpractitionerwhowillbeina
positiontopreventcatastropheordealwithitshoulditarise.Thedrugsthatalterconsciousnessalsoaffecttheheart,
andheartsarenotalwaysalltheyshouldbe.Moreover,thecompositionofraredrugsisnotstandardisedandvaries
enormously;theyareliabletocontainvariousimpurities,andsamplesmayturnouttobeunusuallytoxic.The
unpleasantnessofhavinguponone'shandsanunexpectedandunaccountablecorpseisonlyexceededbythe
unpleasantnessofbecomingthecorpseoneself,eitherofwhicheventualitiesmayhappenwhenpeoplebeginto
experimentwiththedrugsthat"unloosethegirdersofthemind."
Themoralsofmankindingeneralleavemuchtobedesiredfromthepointofviewofthepurist,andtheoccult
organisations,occupyingastheydo,theseacoastofBohemia,leavemorethanusual.Afewofthebest,
maintaining
thatoccultismisessentiallyareligion,upholdahighstandard;theremainderareblestwithakaleidoscopic
collection
ofsoulmates.Thisneednotconcernushere.IfpeoplechoosetokickoverMrs.Grundy'sapronstrings,thatistheir
affair.Norneedweatthemomentconsidertheoccultabusesofsexforce,whichwillrequiredetailedconsideration
in
theirproperplace.Allweneedconsiderinthischapteristhepurelynormalformoflooselivingwhichis
camouflaged

underapretenceofoccultism.OfthisIhaveseennumerouscases.Theheadofonegroupsystematicallyseduced
his
pupilsunderthepretextthatitwaspartoftheirinitiation,andthegroupacceptedthesituationinaspiritofthe
purest
selfsacrifice.Severalotherssailedunpleasantlynearthewind,withtheresultthat"crushes"andthesubsequent
nervousbreakdownswereveryprevalent.Itoughthardlytobenecessarytosaythatsuchmethodsformnopartof
the
RighthandPath.
Itisamazingtowhatanextentwomenofthehighestidealsandofgoodfamilyandwideculturecanbeinducedto
acceptsuchtheoriesandpractices.Thedangerofmembershipofsuchagrouptoyounggirlsorunsophisticated
women
canreadilybeimagined.
Ihaveoftenbeenaccusedofbeingnarrowmindedinmyattitudetowardsgroupsinwhichsuchhappeningsare
allowedtogoon,butthecostinhumansufferingissogreatandthegeneraldemoralisationsosordidthattolerance
comesperilouslyneartocynicism.
Itmaynotgenerallyberealised,butthereisjustasmuchdangerofcorruptioninaBlackLodgeforboysandyouths
as
thereisforwomen.Therehavebeenanumberofcasessoflagrantthatthepolicehaveintervened,bothhereand
abroad.
Inancienttimes,andamongprimitivepeoples,humansacrificewasacommonincidentinconnectionwithoccult
practices.ItisnotunknowninEasternEuropeevenatthepresentday.ThenurserystoryofBluebeardhasitsorigin
in
thepracticesoftheinfamousGillesdeRais,MarshalofFranceandcomradeofJoanofArc,whoslaughtered
innumerablechildrenandyouthsinconnectionwithhismagicalexperiments.Ihaveneverheardofacasein
England,
buttherehavebeenatvarioustimessomecuriouskillingsreportedfromtheUnitedStateswhichlooksuspiciously
like
ritualmurders,butintheabsenceofadequateinformationitisimpossibletocometoafinalconclusionuponthem.
Thererecentlycameintomyhands,however,abookuponmagicpublishedforprivatecirculation,inwhichthe
statementismadethattheidealbloodsacrificeisamalechild.
Thechargeofrevolutionaryactivitiesisonethathasbeenfrequentlymadeagainsttheoccultmovement.Thereare
certainthings,however,whichmustbeborneinmindwhenassessingthetruthofthischarge.Firstly,theoccult
movementisnotahomogeneouswhole.Itistotallyunorganisedandunregulated,andmaybestbelikenedtothe
state
ofEnglandbeforetheNormanConquest.Conditionsinthevariousgroupsandassociationsvarywidely,andwhatis
trueofonemaynotbetrueofanother.Therecanbenodoubtwhatsoeverthatvariousorganisationsatvarioustimes
havebeenimplicatedinpolitics,aswitnesstheTheosophicalSociety'sassociationwithIndianpoliticalmovements;
but
wemustbearinmindthatonegeneration'srevolutionariesarethenextgeneration'sreactionaries.Afterall,politics
are
amatterofopinion,andeventhepeoplewedisagreewithmayturnouttoberightintheend.I,personally,amof
the
opinionthatanoccultfraternityisextremelyilladvisedtoconcernitselfwithpoliticsforreasonswhichIhave
statedin
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anotherofmybooks,SaneOccultism,andwhichIwillnotenteruponnow,astheyarenotrelevanttothesepages.
But
asfolkfromtimeimmemorialhavebandedthemselvestogetherforpoliticalactionwecannotverywelltake
exception
towhatthelawpermits.Peoplewhojoinanorganisationestablishedforpoliticalworkjoinitwiththeireyesopen
and

presumablyforthepurposesforwhichitwasfounded.Groundsforobjectionarise,however,whenanorganisation
is
foundedfornonpoliticalpursuitsandsubsequentlytheleaders,withoutconsulting,oreveninformingtheir
supporters,
takeuppoliticalactivitiesontheirownaccountandusetheirorganisationforthepurpose,thusinvolvingtheir
followerswithouttheirconsentinwhatevercomplicationsmayarise,andusingmoneycontributedforaspecific
purposeforendsotherthanthedonorshadinview.
Itmaybewonderedwhatuse,atthepresentday,revolutionariescouldmakeoftheoccultorganisations.Withinmy
personalknowledgetheyhaveused,orattemptedtousethem,forthepurposeofgettingletterstopeoplewhose
correspondenceisbeingwatched,andImyselfoncereceivedarequesttoallowapersonwhohadbeendeportedto
returntothecountryunderanassumednameandresideinoneofourcommunityhousesasamember,andwas
offered
somehundredsofpoundsforsodoing.Needlesstosay,thecorrespondencewassentstraighttotheauthorities.
Theproblemswhichwehaveconsideredinthischapterarenotpeculiartooccultfraternities,butarecommontoany
organisationwhichdoesnotdiscriminateastoitsmembers.Theorganisationswhichadvertisemustperforcetake
all
comersandsortthemoutinthelightofsubsequentexperience,andsomeoftheseexperiencescanbeveryqueer
indeed.Onecannotblameanorganisationthatpicksupanoccasionalblacksheep,oneonlytakesexceptionifit
retains
anaccumulationofthem.
Alodgeofdubiouswhitenesscanbereadilyrecognisedbythetypeofpeoplewhobelongtoit,whomaybestbe
describedastheseedyadventurertypewithasprinklingofsmartsocietyfolkwhooftenhaveatasteforcrude
flavours
inthewayofsensation.ThereallyBlackLodgesareascarefullyguardedasthehighgradeWhiteLodges,andno
outsidercangainentrancetothem.TheseriousstudentofBlackOccultismisoutforknowledgeandmagical
experimentandheisnotgoingtowastehistimeonatyro.ThosewhochoosetograduateintoaBlackLodgeafter
servingtheirapprenticeshipintheOuterCourtofaWhiteLodgedosowiththeireyesopen,andexperiencemustbe
theirteacher.Onecannotfeelthattheydeservemuchsympathyiftheexperienceisapainfulone.ThepersonIam
out
tohelpisthepersonwhoisavictim,nottheonewhoishoistwithhisownpetard.Themanorwomanwho,
rejecting
thesteadygradeoftheWayofInitiation,choosestogoupwithrockethadbettercomedownwiththestick.
Anyrequestforalargesumofmoneyshouldalwaysberegardedasadangersignal.Itisoneofthestrictest
conditions
ofinitiationthatoccultknowledgemayneverbesoldorusedforgain.Iknowofanoccultistwhocharges300for
one
oftheinitiationsheconfers;andhewillgiveittoanyonewhohasgot300.Inmyopinion,thepersonwhopaysout
300forsuchapurposedeservesthekindofinitiationheisgoingtoget.
Itisalsoabadsignwhenanoccultistmakesfreewithsignsandwondersbeforetheuninitiated.Nogenuineadept
ever
doesthis.Thepersonwhoreadsyourpastincarnations,describesyouraura,rollsuphiseyes,twitches,andgives
youa
messagefromyourMasterassoonasheisintroduced,isapersontobeavoided.
ThemoreIseeoftheoccultmovement,themoreIamamazedatthethingspeoplecansayanddoand"getaway
with."
Theaveragepersonisoutofhisdepthwhenhedealswithpsychicmatters.Heusuallygoesthroughthreephases.
Firstly,hethinksitisallsuperstitionandfraud.Secondly,hisscepticismbeingbreached,hewillbelieveanything.
Thirdly,ifheevergetsasfarasthirdly,helearnsdiscrimination,anddistinguishesbetweentheBlackFraternities,
the
WhiteFraternitiesandFatuousFraternities.

CHAPTERXI
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THEPSYCHICELEMENTINMENTALDISTURBANCE

EhaveseeninapreviousChapterthatnervousandmentaldisorderscansimulateapsychicattack,

especially
ifthesubjectisfamiliarwiththeterminologyofoccultism.Wemustalsoconsiderthepartplayedbypsychicattack
in
nervousandmentaldisorders.Butbeforewecanembarkuponthissectionofourstudies,wemustgiveabrief
explanationofthenatureofnervousandmentaldisturbancesandthedistinctionbetweenthem.Wewillnotgointo
academicconsiderations,forthesepagesarenotwrittenfortheorthodoxprofessionalpsychologist,whohasan
abundanceoftextbooksathisdisposal,butforthepersonwhoseinterestisprimarilyinoccultmatters,andwho
comes
tothestudyofthesubjectunequippedwiththetechnicalitiesofpsychologyandpsychophysiology,twosciencesof
whichatleastaworkingknowledgeisexceedinglynecessaryinthepursuitofpracticaloccultism.
InthecourseofanincarnationthemindisbuiltuponthefoundationsofthetraitsoftheHigherSelf,or
Individuality,
whichistheimmortalsoulthatdevelopsinthecourseofanevolution.Themind,therefore,ispartof
thepersonality
theunitofincarnationcommencingatbirthanddissolvingatdeath,itsessencebeingabsorbedbytheindividuality,
whichevolvesthereby.
[NoteforclarificationfromtheEditor/Arrangerofthishtmldocument:ThePersonalityistheegoorexternal
identity
andordinaryconsciousnessofaperson,andtheIndividualityistheHigherself,H.G.A.,orspiritualcomponentofa
person.]
Themindisessentiallytheorganofadaptationtotheenvironment,anditiswhenthatadaptationfailsthatneurotic
and
hystericaltroublesbegin.Eachlivingcreatureisthechannelforacurrentoflifeforcewhichproceedsfromthe
Logos,
theCreatorofthisuniverse.Thiscurrentisdividedintothreemainchannelsrepresentedtousasthethreegreat
natural
instincts,Selfpreservation,Reproduction,andtheSocialInstinct.Thesearethemainspringsofourlives.The
pressure
ofLifeitselfisbehindthem,andiftheyarethwartedbeyondtheirpowerofcompensation(considerableasthatis),
they
arelikestreamswhosechannelsareblocked,andwhichinconsequenceoverflowandmakeamorassoftheadjacent
land.
Emotionisthesubjectiveaspectofaninstinct.Thatistosay,whenaninstinctisatwork,wefeelemotion.Every
emotionwefeelcanbereferredtooneorotheroftheinstincts.Ourresentmentofasluruponourdignityhasits
roots
intheinstinctofSelfpreservation.Ourloveofarthasitsrootsintheinstinctoflove,beautyandcreativeexpression
which,uponitslowestarc,iscalledsex.Eachoftheseinstinctshasitshighspiritualaspectanditselemental
physical
aspect,andtransmutionfromoneplanetoanothertakesplacefreely,sothatunlessweunderstandthesignificance
of
thesemanifestationsweshallbemisled.Intheirunderstandingisthekeytothescienceoflife.
Ifoneofthesegreatinstinctsissothwartedthatallattemptsatcompensationbreakdown;orifthetemperamentis
so
inelasticandunaccommodatingthatitwillnotmodifyitsdemands,theegomakesafinaldesperateattemptat
adjustmentwhichgoesoutsidethelimitswithinwhichharmoniousrelationswiththeenvironmentcanbe
maintained.

Communicationswiththeenvironmentbreakdown,andthemindhas,inpartatleast,quittedthesphereofreality
for
thesphereofimagination.Thesenseoffixedvaluesislost,andthingsassumeasymbolicimportance.This
breakdown
maybepartial,relatingtocertainaspectsofthelifeonly,oritmaybetotal.
Inhysteria,thedammedupforcesofliferemaininthechannel,butspurtwithconcentratedforcethroughanysluice
thatmaybeopenedtothem.Consequently,insteadoftheriverbelowtheobstructionbeingasmoothflowingbody
of
water,itdescendsinrapidsandwhirlpoolsdifficultanddangeroustonavigate,sothatthebarqueoflifemakes
shipwrecktherein.Thesurroundingcountry,too,isreducedtoamorass,neitherlandnorwater.Inotherwords,the
temperamentbecomestempestuousandundulyemotional,andthenonemotionalfactorsofthemind,suchas
judgment
andselfcontrol,aredemoralised.Suchatemperamentmustofnecessitybeperpetuallyindifficultieswithlife,and
periodicallytherepressedemotionsboiloverinfitsofscreaming,cryingandconvulsivemuscularmovements,
which
actassafetyvalvesandrelievethepressuretemporarily.
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Theneuroticdiffersfromthehystericincertainwellmarkedwayswhichneedtobecarefullyborneinmind,asthey
areveryimportantfromthepracticalstandpoint.Thetroublesoftheneuroticstartinthesamewayasthoseofthe
hysteric,beingduetorepressedemotionandfailuretoadapttoenvironment;butinhiscase,thelifeforcessetto
work
tocutfreshchannelsforthemselvesthatshallcircumventtheobstaclewhichblockstheirpath.Consequentlyweget
whatthepsychologistcallsdisplacementofemotion.Somecomparativelyinnocuousmatterbecomestheobjectof
an
outpouringofemotionwhichinnowayconcernsit,forithasbeenmadeasubstituteforsomethingelse.Itisthis
curiousundergroundtrackingofemotioninthemindwhichcausessomuchtrouble,forthesuffererisnotinsane,
and
yetcertainsectionsofhisvaluesandreactionstolifeareperverted.Heisanextremelytrickypersontodealwith
becauseheisgiventounexpectedandquiteirrationallovesandhatesandfears,andactsaccordingly.
Similarconditionsprevailintheorganicinsanities;thepsychologicalresultsarethesame,butbecausetheoriginis
physical,notmental,theyarebutlittleamenabletopsychotherapy.Certainthingscanbedonetoalleviatethem,
however,eveniftheyarenotentirelycurable;thereforeletusconsiderthemfromboththepsychophysicaland
occult
standpoints.
Thebodyisthevehicleofthemind.Ifthevehiclebefaulty,themindcannotexpressitselfaccurately;itsreactions
will
bedistorted.Orthodoxsciencesaysthatthebrainistheorganofthemind,butesotericsciencesaysthebrainisthe
organofperceptionofsenseimpressionsandcoordinationofefferentimpulses.Itisthetelephoneexchangeofthe
nervoussystem.Itisonlyoneofthepointswheremindtouchesbody,theothersbeingtheductlessglandsofthe
endocrinesystem,thepineal,pituitary,thyroid,adrenals,thymusandgonads;towhichmaybeaddedtheSolar
Plexus
andSacralPlexus.ThestudentofTantricphysiologywillbeverydullifhehasnotobservedthattheChakras
coincide
intheirphysicallocationwiththeendocrineorgans.
Nowtheendocrineshavefortheirtaskthemaintenanceofthechemicalcompositionoftheblood.Theypourintoit
theirsecretions,calledhormones,incertainbalancedproportions.Ifthebalanceisinanywayupset,eitherbyan
overplusofonesecretionorshortageofanother,profoundchangesinmetabolismtakeplace.Thewholeofthelife
processesareregulatedbytheendocrines,andcanbespeededuporsloweddownintheirdifferentaspectsasthe
balanceoftheendocrinesalters.Thisendocrinebalanceisknownbyphysiologiststobeintimatelyassociatedwith
emotionalstates,andespeciallywiththealertnessorstolidityofthetemperament.Psychologistsdonotsufficiently
appreciatetheimportanceoftherecentworkupontheendocrines,butoccultistshaveaknowledgeofthisaspectof

psychophysiologyaspartoftheirtraditionalteaching.Thebreathingexercisesoftheyogasystemarebasedupon
this
knowledge,andareexceedinglypotent,asarealloccultpracticeswhicharebroughtthroughcorrectlytothe
physical
plane.Infact,wemaysaythatnooccultprocessisreallypotent,norcanitbesaidtohavecompleteditscircuit,
unless
ithasitspointofcontactwithdensematter;apointwhichmanyoccultistsleaveoutoftheircalculations.Occultism,
thoughprimarilyamentalprocess,isnotapurelymentalprocess.Itisbothspiritualandmaterial.
Inthegreatmajorityofcasesofinsanity,organicbrainchangescannotbedemonstrated,butalienistsaremoreand
morecomingtorecognisethattheymaylookfortheluesofHecateintheblood.Itschemicalcompositionmay
depart
fromnormal,whetherowingtoachangeinthehormonebalanceortothebyproductsofdisease.Thischangeinthe
bloodchemistryisimmediatelyfollowedbyachangeintheemotionaltone.Itmaybecomeoveremotionalor
depressed,apatheticorirritable.Theancientsdescribedtheseconditionsadmirablyasthefourhumours,the
sanguine,
thebilious,thelimphaticandthecholeric.
Ithasbeenabundantlydemonstratedbyphysiologiststhatemotionalstatesaffectthechemicalcompositionofthe
blood.Itisgraduallybeingrealisedthatthesechangesarebroughtaboutthroughthemediationoftheductless
glands,
whichmaybecalledtheemotionalbrain,justasthegreymatterwithintheskullmaybecalledthesensorymotor
brain.
Itfollows,therefore,thatifthroughsomeinterferencewiththeirfunctioningtheglandsproduceablood
composition
correspondingtothatproducedbythemwhenaparticularemotionalstateisgivingitsspecialstimulus,the
individual
willexperiencethephysicalsensationsassociatedwiththecorrespondingemotionalstate.Hismindwillproceedto
adjustitselftotheseconditionsbyaccountingforthemthroughtheimaginationasbestitmay.Sothatifthereisa
state
ofthebloodcharacteristicoftheconditionoffear,fearimageswillariseinthemind.Itisuponthisbasisthatthe
organicinsanitiesproducetheircharacteristicmentalstates.
Whethertheemotionalstatebeduetoamentalcauseoraphysicalcause,theresultisthesameforthepatient.
Organic
insanitiesaredistinguishedfromfunctionalonessolelybytheirorigin.Anorganicinsanitytendstodepartfurther
from
thenormalthanafunctionalnervousdisorder,becauseinthelatteraconsiderabledegreeofcompensationtakes
place,
forthepatientcantoagreatextentpullhimselftogetherandkeephimselffromgoingtodisastrousextremes.Thisis
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notthecasewithanorganicinsanity,whichproceedstoitslogicalconclusion.Itisforthisreasonthataneurotic,
althoughhemaysufferseverely,seldomhasacompletebreakdownunlessheissureofthenecessitiesoflife.The
selfpreservationinstinctkeepshimonhisfeet.
Havingconsideredthephysicalandsubjectivebasesofmentaldisturbances,wearenowinapositiontoassess
accuratelythepartplayedbytheUnseen.Whathappenswhenaneurotictakesupoccultism?Wecanbestanswer
this
questionbyconsideringwhathappenswhenanormalpersontakesupoccultism.Helearnsforthefirsttimeofthe
existenceoftheInvisibleWorldsandbeginstothinkaboutthem.Immediatelyhedoesthishecomesintotouchwith
them.Atfirsthemaynotbeabletoperceivethemconsciously;neverthelessheisfeelingthemsubconsciouslyand
they
areaffectinghim.Hislifeshowsthistothecloseobserverinathousandways.
TherearegreatforcesmovinglikecurrentsintheUnseenandwearedrawnintotheseaccordingtoour
temperamental

affinityforthem.TheviolentpersonalityisdrawnintotheCurrentofMars,theemotional,suggestibleoneintothe
sphereofLuna.Theinfluencesofthesespheresplayuponthem.Nowtheoccultistworkingunderapropersystem,
knowingthathehasgottomeettheseforcessoonerorlater,picksthemuponebyonevoluntarilyandbymeansof
the
appropriaterituals,andsynthesisesthemwithinhisownnature.Heknowstoothateachaspecthasitsobverse.The
VirginMaryisreflectedinLilith.Theolderfaithsknewthis,butpopularChristianity,whichhasnorootsin
tradition,
hasforgottenit.ProtestantChristianitythrewawayitsoccultaspectattheReformation.Allthepaganpantheons
have
grossaspectsofdivinitiesaswellasetherialones.Weneedtosearchtherefuseheapofhistoryforthelostpartsof
our
owntraditionifourfaithistobecomplete,andthemostprofitablelineofsearchisintheQabalahandtheGnostic
literature.TheliteratureoftheGnosishasbeenlargelydestroyedbysystematicpersecution,butintheQabalahthere
is
stillleftusacompletesystem.TheJews,beingstrictlymonotheistic,didnotspeakofgods,buttheyrecogniseda
hierarchyofangelsandarchangelswhichistheequivalentofthepaganpantheons.Itisthroughtheseetherial
messengersthattheAllFatherformedtheworlds.
LetusconsideroncemoretheQabalisticdoctrineoftheQlippoth,forithasanintimatebearingupontheproblemof
insanity.ThedoctrineoftheTenHolySephiroth,arrangedintheircorrectpatterntoformtheTreeofLife,is
invaluableinenablingustoconceivetheInvisible.TheFirstSephiraisconcentratedoutoftheUnmanifest,the
Point
withintheCircle.ThisemanatestheSecond,whichinitsturnemanatestheThird.Assoonasonehasemanated
another,thesetwoaresaidtobeequilibrated;butwhenemanationisinprocess,thereisaperiodofunbalanced
force.
This,asitwere,goesoffbyitselfintheCosmosandestablishesasphereofitsown,unconnectedwiththeCosmic
system.Consequently,eachsphereoftheCosmoshasitscounterpartinChaos,inminiature,itistrue,but
nevertheless
potentandfunctional.
Eachsphere,inthecourseofitsevolution,buildsupanOversoulwhichiscalledbydifferentnamesindifferent
systems.IntheQabalisticsystemwecallthemtheArchangels,theSpiritsbeforetheThrone.TheSphereoftheSun
is
representedbyRaphael,theSphereoftheMoonbyGabriel.TheObverseSephiroth,orQlippoth,buildupinexactly
thesameway.IntheHabitationsofHellthesetwoareknownastheDisputersandtheObsceneOnes,whosenames
sufficientlyindicatetheircharacters.TheSphereoftheSunisalsothepointofmanifestationoftheMessiahor
Saviour
uponearth.ThePrinceofPeacehasHisobverseintheDisputers.WhothathashadtheVisionBeautifuldoesnot
knowthereactionthatfollowsit,andtheneedofwisdom,selfcontrolandpatiencetodealwiththeforcesthatare
releasednotonlyinthesoulbutintheenvironment?Itisforthisreasonthatperiodsofpurgationanddiscipline
precedeallrevelations.Wemustkeepthevigilbeforewecansitatthefeast.
Consciousness,releasedfromtheSphereofEarth,risesstraightupwardstotheSphereoftheMoon.Thisisthe
negative,feminine,receptive,psychicsphere.FromthenceitpassesonwardstotheSphereoftheSun.Thisisthe
positive,masculinesphereofthehigherconsciousness,thevisionoftheseerasdistinguishedfromthepsychic.
Upon
eitherhandthepathisflankedbytheSpheresofHermeticWisdomandElementalBeauty.
TheseSpheres,whichhavetodowiththegradesofinitiation,neednotconcernusinthepresentpages.Weshall
only
havetodowiththeSphereoftheMoon,Luna,theMistressoftheLunatic.NowLunawasrepresentedbythe
ancients
underdiverseformsasDianathechastehuntress,symbolofsublimation,andHecate,patronessofwitchcraftand
childbirth.WehavealreadynotedthattheQlippothoftheSphereofLunaarecalledtheObsceneOnes.Henceitis
that
whentheunstablesouladvancesbythePathofSaturnthatbridgestheAstralandenterstheSphereofLuna,he
touches

herHecateaspectandfindshimselfenrappartwiththeGamaliel,theObsceneOnes,whosechiefisLilith,shewho
givethlustfuldreams.NeedwethenwonderthatFreudfindsthedreamsoftheneuroticfilledwithsexualimagesin
theirmostpervertedanddebasedforms?TheRabbisknewtheirpsychologyjustaswellashedoes.
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Ashasalreadybeennoted,theneuroticisveryoftenpsychic,andthepsychicisveryoftenneurotic.Whatmaywe
expecttohappentothesoulthathastakeninitiationinapastlife,retainssubconsciouslythepsychicdevelopment
thus
conferred,andfindsitselfincarnatedinaneuroticpersonalityinthislife?Hewillcomeunderthedarkdominionof
the
Moon,andLilithwillbehismistress.Throughtheillfittingdoorsoftheneurotictemperamenttheforcesofthe
Abyss
findingress.ThedissociatedcomplexesoftheMicrocosmarereinforcedbythedissociatedcomplexesofthe
Macrocosm,forthatispreciselywhattheQlippothare.
Occultistsandtheirignorantadmirers,thesuperstitious,havealwaysheldthatinsanityhadtodowithdemonic
possession.Modernmedicinedisputesthis,anddeclaresthevariousmanifestationsofthediseasedmindtobedue
entirelytosubjectivepsychologicalprocesses.Atpresentthesetwoschoolsofthoughtareliketwoarmedcamps,
drawnupforbattleandshakingtheirweaponsateachother.Eachistoosureofhisowngroundtobewillingtogive
theotherahearing.Itismybeliefthatacommongroundcanbefoundforthemeetingofthesetwoopposing
viewpoints.Psychologydemonstratesthemechanismofthemindandcanexplainthementalprocesseswherebythe
ideasofthederangedassumetheirultimateform.Itcanshowtheconnectionbetweentheseideasandthedreamsof
the
normalmentality.Whatitcannotexplainisthefundamentaldifferencebetweenthesesubjectivestatesandthe
normal
wakingconsciousness.Itisherethattheoccultistcantellthepsychologistsomethingthatitisworthhiswhileto
hear,
forhecanshowhowthesevisionscanbeproducedexperimentallyandatwillbymeansofceremonialmagic.And
still
moreimportant,theoccultistcanshowhimhowthesevisionscanbedispersedandthepsychicfacultiesclosed
down
andsealed.
Thisbringsustothepracticalpartofourconsiderations:Howfarcanthemethodsofritualmagicbeappliedtothe
reliefofmentaldisease?Theyareundoubtedlypalliative,buttheywillnotproduceapermanentcureunlessthe
origin
ofthedisturbedmentalconditionisfoundandclearedup.Unlessthisbedone,asfastaswedispersethephantoms,
theywillreform,becausethementalstateofthepatientisinvokingthem.Undersuchcircumstances,nomagic
circle
canbekeptintact.AsfastaswebreaktherapportwiththeAbyss,thepatientrenewsit.
Butsuchconditionsconstituteaviciouscircle.TheQlippoticforceswithwhichacontacthasbeenestablishedwill
activelydevelopit,andwillholdontotheirvictimwhenattemptsaremadetodislodgethem.Inthisrationalistic
age
weareapttoforgetthatthereissuchathingasorganisedandintelligentevil.Ifthephysicalcausesofthis
disturbance
havebeenclearedup,thesepticfocuseradicated,orthetumourpressingupontheductlessglandexcised,andstill
the
mentalitydoesnotreturntonormal,anexorcismwilloftenproduceimmediateandmarkedresults.
Inthecaseoftheneurotic,whosetroubleisentirelyinthesphereofthemind,anexorcismisofenormousvalueasa
preliminarytotheappropriatepsychotherapeutictreatmentbecauseitclearsthegroundandpreventsreinfection,
givingthepatientachancetomakeafreshstart.ItispossiblefortheQlippoticdemonstogainsopowerfula
hypnotic
influenceoveravictimthatheispowerlesstobreakitbyanyeffortofhisownwill,norcantheorthodoxtypeof

psychotherapytouchtherootofthetrouble.Theexorcismmayhavetoberepeatedtwoorthreetimesinthecourse
of
thetreatment,becausetherapportsmayberenewedaftertheyhavebeenbroken.Butoncethepatient'scomplexes
have
beenclearedup,theywillnotreturn.Inanycase,anexorcismproducesmarkedtemporarybenefit;duringthelull
the
patientgetsachancetopullhimselftogetherandtheevilinfluencesareundermined.Acourageouspatient,whois
cooperatingintelligently,willseldomhavetobeexorcisedmorethanthreetimesprovidedmaterialconditionsare
favourable.Ihaveseencasesclearedbyasingleexorcism,andremainingwellindefinitelysolongasthepatient
obeyedinstructionsandhadnothingwhatevertodowiththeUnseen,neitherreadingbooksuponoccultismnor
associatingwithpeoplewhowereinterestedinsuchsubjects;andIhavealsoseentheAbyssreestablishits
influence
whenthepatientdisobeyedinstructionsandreawakenedtheoldvibrations.
Weneedtorealisethatthehumanconsciousnessisnotaclosedvessel,butlikethebody,hasacontinualintakeand
output.Thecosmicforcesarecirculatingthroughitallthetime,likeseawaterthroughalivingsponge.Whatever
emotionalstatemayarisewithinusisreinforcedfromoutside.Thesubjectiveselfonlyhasthekindling,theCosmos
suppliesthefuel.Oncethefireisstarted,thecosmicforcesoftheappropriatetypewillstokeit.Justasthedevout
Catholicisinspiredbytheinfluencesofhispatronsaint,invokedbyprayer,sotheneuroticishagriddenbyhis
obsessivedemon,invokedbythemorbidbroodingsofthedissociatedsubconsciousness.Theoccultistmaintainsthat
thegeneralisedprincipleofevilhasitsintelligentchannels,justastheorganisedPrincipleofGoodhasIts
ministering
spirits.Anyobserverwhoconsidersthephenomenaofmentaldisturbancewillfindmuchtosupportthishypothesis.
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Thequestionofobsessionisanexceedinglyimportantone.Thewordisusedveryfreelyinoccultcircles,andis
heldto
meanthewithdrawalofasoulfromitsbodyanditsreplacementbyanothersoul,butIdoubtwhetherthisisatrue
representationofwhathappens.Ithasalwaysappearedtomethatinobsessionwehavenotgotthe
actualreplacement
ofonesoulbyanother,butthecompletedominationofonesoulbyanother.Itisahypnoticdomination,andwecan
explainitintermsoftheknownpsychologyofhypnosis,thehypnotistinthecasebeinganastralentity.
Thereisanoperationinmagicknownas"assumingthegodform,"inwhichtheoperatoridentifieshimselfin
imaginationwiththegodandsobecomesachannelforitspower.ItisoneofthespecialmodesofEgyptianmagic
whereinthepriestalwaysworeamasktorepresenttheanimalheadsymbolicallyattributedtothegodhe
represented.
Thisimaginativeidentificationisamethodwellknowninoccultismandisoftenemployedinordertoenterintothe
innerlifeofaplantoracrystalasamentalexercise.Theeffectsofitareverymarkedandverypeculiar.Iam
inclined
tothinkthatitisthismethod,combinedwithhypnosis,whichisusedbytheobsessingentity,whichfirstidentifies
itselfwithitsvictimandthensuperimposesitsownpersonalityuponhis,thusobtainingavehicleofmanifestation.I
am
alsooftheopinion,however,thatitisonlyincertainabnormalstates,whetherinducedbydiseaseofmindorbody,
or
bysomeofthemoredrasticoperationsofblackmagic,thatthisimpositioncantakeplace.
PARTIII

THEDIAGNOSISOFAPSYCHICATTACK

CHAPTERXII

METHODSEMPLOYEDINMAKINGAPSYCHICATTACK

NYONEwhoreadstheoldbooksonwitchcraft,usuallycompiledbytheprofessionalwitchfindersfromthe

confessionsofallegedwitchesextortedundertorture,willfindthatthephenomenadescribedfallintocertainbroad
categorieswhicharesoconstantin(lifferentagesandindifferentpartsoftheworldthatweareleftwiththe
impression
thattheremustbesomefirebehindsomuchsmoke.TheStaterecordsofwitchtrialsinScotland,thereportsofa
priest
chargedwiththetaskofextirpatingwitchcraftinNorthernItaly,thearchivesofBrittany,thestoriesofmagicin
classicalliterature,andfinally,travellers'accountsofthepracticesofprimitivepeopleallovertheworld,all
corroborateeachother,agreeingastothephenomenadescribed,theexplanationsgivenbythewitchesoftheir
methods,andthebroaddivisionsintowhichthephenomenafall.
Wemustfirsttakeaccountoftheuseofdrugs,ofwhichtheBlackFraternityinallageshavepossessedaremarkable
knowledge.Potions,unguentsandfumigationswereusedextensively,andamongalltheweirdandwonderful
ingredientsofwhichtheywerecomposedwenowandagainfindsubstanceswhichareknowntobemedicinally
potent.
Thepoppywhichgivessleepanddreams,hempwhichgivesvisions,daturawhichproduceslossofmemory,
blighted
grainswhichproduceabortion,certaininsectswhicharepowerfullyaphrodisiac,certainbarkswhichareeffectually
anaphrodisiac,and,intheNewWorld,thebudsofacertaincactus—alltheseandmanyothersplaytheirpart
in
thewitchbrews.Paracelsusearnedfamebyturningsomeofthetraditionalmagicalbrewstomedicinalpurposes.The
Borgiasearnedinfamybyemployingthemassubtlepoisonswhichdestroyedthemindwithoutnecessarily
destroying
thebody.ItisrelatedthattheRomanphilosopherLucretiuswasdriveninsanebyamagicaldraughtgivenhimby
his
wifeinordertorestoretoherhislostaffections.Thereexistoldrecipesforwitchunguentswhichcontainopium
and
cantharides.Itisnotdifficulttoimaginewhatmannerofdreamswouldcomeinthesleepthusinduced.C.S.
Ollivier,
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inhisrecentbook,AnalysisofMagicandWitchcraft,givesitashisopinionthatattendanceattheSabbatwasoften
achievedbymeansofdruginduceddreams.
Subtlepoisonsalsoundoubtedlyplayapartintheeffectivenessofcurses,afavouritemethodbeingtomakea
talisman
ofbrass,copperorlead,andfastenitinconspicuouslyatthebottomofadrinkingvesselorcookingpot.Whateffect
thetalismanhadisconjectural,butthereisnodoubtatallabouttheeffectofthesteadydissolvingofsmall
quantities
ofleadandverdigrisinthefood.
Butwhileallthesethingswereapart,andaconsiderablepart,ofthewitchcult,theycannot,strictlyspeaking,be
consideredapsychicmethodofattack,andweonlyrefertotheminthesepagesinorderthattheireffectsmaybe
excludedfromthediagnosis.
Therearethreefactorsinapsychicattack,anyorallofwhichmaybeemployedinagiveninstance.Thefirstof
these
istelepathichypnoticsuggestion.Thesecondisthereinforcementofthesuggestionbytheinvocationofcertain
invisibleagencies.Thethirdistheemploymentofsomephysicalsubstanceasapointd'appui,pointofcontact,or
magneticlink.Theforceemployedmaybeusedasdirectcurrent,transmittedbythementalconcentrationofthe
operator,oritmaybereservedinakindofpsychicstoragebattery,whichmaybeeitheranartificialelementalora
talisman.
InChapterIIwehaveconsideredinsomedetailthepsychologyofsuggestion,andneednotrepeatwhathasalready

beensaid,savetoremindthereaderthattheessenceoftelepathyconsistsinthesympatheticinductionofvibration.
Experimentalpsychologistsarealreadysuspectingthatemotioniscloselyakintoelectricity;theyhaveproved
conclusivelythatemotionalstatesaltertheelectricalconductivityofthebody.Theoccultistbelievesthatemotionis
a
forceofanelectricaltype,andthatinthecaseoftheordinarymanitradiatesoutfromhiminalldirections,forming
a
magneticfield;butinthecaseofthetrainedoccultistitcanbeconcentratedintoabeamanddirected.Supposing
you
areabletoconcentrateyourwholeattentionuponasinglefeeling,inhibitingallelse,youwillhaveachievedapure
emotionalstate,unadulteratedandundiluted.Allthelifeforcecomingintoyoursoulwillthereforeflowinthis
single
subdivisionofasinglechannelinsteadofinthemanyramificationsoftheusualthreechannelspreviouslyreferred
to.
Theconcentrationwillbeterrific,butitwillonlybeachievedataterrificprice.Itisinordertoachievethisterrible
concentrationthatthesaintsoftheWestandtheyogisoftheEastpractiseatorturingasceticism.Youmustsellall
that
youpossessinordertopurchasethispearlofgreatprice,andanechoofthemethodlingersinthefairytaletradition
thatthepersonwhofindstheluckystonecanonlyhaveonewish.Suchaconcentrationisgoodforonepurpose,and
onepurposeonly.Wecanconcentrateonahealing,oronadestruction,butwecannotworkatbothsimultaneously;
neithercanwereadilychangeoverfromonetotheother.Wecannotcombineincompatibleswithinthelimitsofa
singlelife.Thatistosay,ifwehaveconcentratedonaworkofmaledictionanddeathinordertoachieveanactof
revenge,ourragebeingsatiated,wecannotimmediatelyreversethespinofthesoulandreconcentrateuponworks
of
wisdomandredemption.Wemaylikenthesoulmovingwiththetideofevolutiontoawheelspinningclockwise,or
deosil;andasoulmovingagainstthetideofevolutiontoawheelspinningcounterclockwise,orwiddershins.The
positionoftheaxlecanbealteredsothatthewheelrevolvesatanyanglewithoutthedirectionofitsrevolution
being
effected,buttheflywheelhastobestoppedbeforetheenginecanbereversed,andabigflywheeltakesagreatdeal
of
stopping.Moreover,inordertoreversetheflywheel,wehavetostoptheengine.Thenormalmovementofthesoul
is
deosil,forwardwiththecurrentofevolution.Weneedtothinkmanytimesbeforeweundertaketoreversethatspin
evenmomentarily,inordertoundertakeaworkofmaledictionanddeath.Theoldsaying,"Thereisthedevilto
pay,"is
atrueone.Indeed,itisquestionablewhetherthereissuchathingasamomentaryreversalofspin.Momentumhas
to
becheckedandworkedupagainbeforereversalofspincantakeplace.
Verygreatforcescanbedevelopedbythissubjectiveconcentrationoftheminditself,butevengreaterforcescanbe
renderedavailableifweapplythemechanicalequivalentofgearing;if,inotherwords,whilethistremendous
concentrationisbeingheld,wepickupthecontactsofthecorrespondingcosmicforce.Weusethepowersofthe
humanmindasaselfstarter,andassoonasitslesserdrivingwheelisflyingroundmerrily,wethrowintheclutch
of
themainengine.Thereisabriefperiodofstruggleasthelittlemachineforcesoverthereluctantleversofthegreat
machine,thenthevapourfiresandtheenginetakesupitswork.Afterthatitisonlyamatterofengagingthegears
and
drivingifyoucan!Soitiswithceremonialmagic.
Letusconsideraconcretecaseofsomeonewhowantstoavailhimselfofafightingforce.Hewouldhaverecourse
toa
ceremonyoftheplanetMars.HewouldthereforegathertogetherinhistempleallthatwasappropriatetoMars.He
woulddrapehisaltarwithascarletcloth;hewouldhimselfwearascarletrobe.Allhismagicalimplementswould
be
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ofironandhisrodofpowerwouldbeanakedsword.Uponhisaltarhewouldplacefivelights,fivebeingthe
number
ofMars.UponhisbreastwouldbethesymbolofMarsengraveduponasteelpentagon.Onhishandwouldbea
ruby
ring.Hewouldburnsulphurandsaltpetreinhisthurible.Then,accordingtotheworkinhand,hewouldcallupon
the
angelicordemonicaspectoftheFifthSephira,Geburah,thesphereofMars.Hewouldinvokeeitherthedeityname
in
Geburah,callingupontheGodofBattlestohearhim,orthearchdeviloftheFifthInfernalHabitation.Having
performedthismightyinvocation,hewouldthenofferhimselfuponthealtarasthechannelforthemanifestationof
the
force.
Therearemanyformulaeextantdesignedtoenableaforcetobebroughtthroughwithoutthenecessityofthe
magician
himselfbeingthechannel.Inmyopiniontheyareoneandallineffectual;theonlypossiblesubstituteforthe
magician
himselfbeingatrancemedium.Itisforthisreasonthatritualmagicsooftenfailstocomeoff.Youcannotmake
custardswithoutbreakingeggs,andifyoumeantobeamagicianyouhavegotto"gothewholehog."Whenitisa
questionofbringingthroughtheangelicaspectofaforce,thematterisonaclearfooting.Tobethechannelofsuch
a
forceisagreatprivilegeandisaninitiationinitself.Theoperatorhassimplytoeliminatefromhisnatureallincom
patiblesandmaintainhisconcentrationwithoutwavering.Theworstthatcanhappenisthatheshouldfailtoobtain
his
results.Butwhenitcomestobringingthroughthedemonicaspectofasphere,thematterisonanentirelydifferent
footing.VeryfewpeoplecaretoofferthemselvesforthemanifestationofsuchaforceasAsmodeus.Idonot
believe
thatthereisanyreliabledeviceforinvokingthedevilswithoutbeingobsessedbythemsavethemethodof
Abramelin,
whichinvolvessixmonths'preparationandisonlyoperatedaftertheknowledgeandconversationoftheHoly
GuardianAngelhavebeenattained.TheedgeoftheAbyssiswellfenced.Itisnotpossibletofireagnnandavoid
the
recoil.
Havinginvokedandconcentratedhisforce,oursorcererhasnexttoconsiderhistarget.Hehastogetintoastral
contact
withhisvictim.Inordertodothis,hemustformarapport,notquiteaseasyasmightbeimagined.Firsthehasto
find
hisvictimandestablishapointofcontactinhissphere,andthen,workingfromthisbase,succeedinpiercinghis
aura.
Anunfocussedforceisnotverymuchuse.Afocushastobeachieved.Theusualmethodistoobtainsomeobject
whichisimpregnatedwiththeintendedvictim'smagnetism,alockofhair,nailparing,orsomethinghabitually
wornor
handled.Suchanobjectismagneticallyconnectedwithitsowner,andthesorcerercanworkupthetrailandthus
enter
thesphereofhisvictimandestablisharapport.Hethenproceedsasdoesanyotherpractitionerofsuggestionwho
has
succeededingettinghisvictimintothefirststagesofhypnosis.Bymeansofthemagneticlinkhehasgamedthe
psychicearofhisvictim,whowillhearhissuggestionssubconsciously.Itnowremainstobeseenwhetherthe
thoughtseedsthusplantedwillstrikerootorbecastoutfromthemind.Inanycasethevictimisrendereddisturbed
and
uneasy.
Ifamagneticlinkcannotbeobtained,thepractitionerofblackmagichastofallbackuponotherdevices.Oneofthe

mostcommonisthatofSubstitution.Somethingischosenandbymeansofceremonialisidentifiedwiththe
intended
Victim.Forinstance,asmallanimalmaybebaptisedwiththevictim'sname,andthenimmolated,usuallywith
torture,
theoperatormeanwhileconcentratinguponthepersonalityoftheoriginal.Theolddeviceofmakingawaximage
and
meltingitbeforeafire,ordrivingnailsintoawoodenstatue,baptisedwiththenameofthevictim,arefrequently
met
withintherecordsofwitchtrials.Theactualdrivingofthenailhasnoconceivableeffectuponthevictim,butit
helps
theconcentrationoftheoperator.
Thetalismanicmethodinvariousformsisalsoemployed.Atalismanisasymbolrepresentingacertainforce,or
combinationofforces,depicteduponasuitablesubstanceandmagnetisedbyritual.Itcanbemadefromanything
whichwillretainmagnetism;metals,preciousstonesorparchmentareusuallyemployed;paperislesseffective
unless
itbeenclosedinametalcase.Waterandoilcanbeeffectuallymagnetisedbutsoonlosetheirpotency.Atalismanis
madebyinvokingtherequisiteforce,asalreadydescribed,andthenconcentratingituponthepreparedobject,
whichis
placedreadyuponthealtarbeforetheevocationbegins.
Atalismanthusmadehasnexttobebroughtintothemagneticsphereofthevictim.ItisrelatedthatLadyBurton,
anxioustoconvertherfreethinkinghusband,thefamousSirRichardBurton,thegreatexplorer,usedtogether
priest
toblesslittlestatuesofthesaintsandputtheminthepocketsofhisclothes.Asimilardeviceisusedbytheworkers
of
blackoccultism.Magnetisedobjectsareplacedintheroomshabituallyoccupiedbythevictim,orburiedinhispath,
so
thathemustpassoverthemfrequently.Thesetalismansofevilnotonlyworkbytheirownpower,butalsoservethe
sorcererasapointofconcentrationforhismeditations.
Harmfuleffectsarealsoproducedbyobjectswhichhavebeenusedinblackmagicandhavebecomeimpregnated
with
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theforcestheywereemployedingenerating.Oddsandendsofmagicalequipmentturnupinsomequeerplaces.I
was
presentatanauctioninacountrytownwhenthetwelvesignsoftheZodiac,neatlypaintedonablackboard,came
up
forsale.Variousofmyfriendshavepickedupmagicaltreasures,suchasaltarlampsandincenseburnersthat
obviouslycameoutofrituallodges,buttheprizeofthecollectionwasamagicalrodthatwasputuptoauction
along
withabundleoffireirons.Largecrystalsforscryingarefrequentlyseeninantiqueshops.Allsuchthingsneed
carefullydemagnetisingbeforetheyarebroughtintoone'spsychicsphere.
Iwastakingpartatonetimeinaseriesofpsychicexperimentswhichhadbeengoingonverywell,when,forno
apparentreason,thingswentwrongandtherewasaconsiderableupheaval.Wedidnotknowatthetime,butwe
learnt
later,thattheowneroftheflatwheretheywerebeingheldhadobtainedpossessionofafloorcloththathadbeen
used
inritualmagicbyanoccultistwhomonlytheutmostleniencycouldcalldoubtful.
Theartificialelementalisreallythebasisoftheefficacyofcurses.inthiscasenophysicalsubstanceisemployed,
buta
portionoftheAkashaismouldedintoadefiniteformandheldthusbythewilloftheoperatoruntil,asitwere,it
"sets."
Intothismouldispouredtheconcentratedenergyoftheoperator,somethingofhisownselfgoesintoit.Thisisits

soul,anditislikeaselfsteeringtorpedowhichissettomoveinacurvetowardsachosenmark.Ortheoperator,if
an
expertmagician,maydeliberatelyensoulthisthoughtformwithelementalessence,whichistheraw,
undifferentiated
substanceoflifedrawnfromoneoranotheroftheelementalkingdoms.Itisinordertodothisthatthecurseis
invoked
inthenameofsomebeing.Thecurserdeclares,"Icurseyoubysoandso."Thisistheformofevocationwhichcalls
theensoulingessenceintothethoughtform,thusmakinganartificialelementalwhichisendowedwithan
independentlifeofitsown.
Ifwewanttoknowsomethingoftheefficacyofcurses,wehaveonlytoconsidertherecordofthemenwhowere
connectedwiththeopeningofthefamousTutankhamentomb.Therearemanyothercasesequallywell
authenticated.
Onecanbecomeexposedtooccultunpleasantnesseitherbythwartingorinsomeotherwayfallingfoulofanun
scrupulousoccultist,orbygettingoneselfinvolvedwithadubiousoccultfraternity.Inthecaseofaquarrelwithan
occultist,inadditiontotheordinaryhumanmotivesforanabuseofpower,onehastoreckonwiththefactthatan
adept
whoisnotofthewhitestnearlyalwayssuffersfromthatunpleasantpsychicdiseaseof"hypertrophiedego."Hewill
lovepowerforitsownsake,andtakeanydefectiononthepartofanerstwhilefollower,oranyresistancetohis
imperiouswillasapersonalinsultoreveninjury.Withatrainedmind,anangrythoughtwilldodamage,andIhave
knowncasesofoccultistswho,outofpurepique,wenttoextraordinarylengthsofspite.Onecanonlyhopethatthey
didnotreallybelieveintheefficacyofwhattheydid,andweremerelyplayingtothegallery"pourencouragerles
autres"andensureloyaltyamongtheirsupporters.
Anotherthingwhichisparticularlydislikedbythistypeofadeptisanyattemptonthepartofapupilwhohas
broken
withhimtomakeuseofwhathehasbeentaught.Thereseemtobenolengthstowhichajealousguruwillnotgoin
ordertosmashhischelapsychically.
Inonecasewhichcametomyknowledgeaconcertsingerhadhad"treatment"fortheimprovementofhervoice
from
anadeptofsorts.Shefinallydecidedthatshewouldspendnomoremoneyonthisenterprise,andtoldhimsoatthe
visitwhichshehaddecidedshouldbethelast.Heconcentratedhisgazeuponherandtoldherthatifshebrokewith
him,assoonasshewentontheconcertplatformshewouldseehisfaceintheairinfrontofher,andherthroat
would
closeandshewouldbeunabletoutterasound,andthatthishorribleexperiencewouldoccureverytimeshetriedto
singuntilshereturnedtohimandcontinuedtohave"treatment"(ataguineaatime).Thispotenthypnotic
suggestion
provedeffective,andhercareerwasatanenduntilthespellwasbroken.
Thefollowinglettercontainsaveryilluminatingexperience,andisofvalue,notonlyforitsaccountofapsychic
attack,butalsoforitsdescriptionofthemannerinwhichtheattackwascombated.
"Inthewinterof19212Iwastold(fromtheInnerPlanes),'WeseeyourinitiationintotheOrderofthe

Christ.'
IdidnotunderstandveryclearlyandIwaited.

"InJune,1922,anOriental,theheadofagreatreligiousOrder,cametoseeme.(IwaslivinginSwitzerland.)We
will
callhimZ.IexpectedgreatthingsfromhimandlookedonhimasasortofMaster.KnowingthathehadmetAbdul
Baha,IthoughttopleasehimbyputtingA.B.'sphotoonmywalls,butwhenZ.enteredmyroomIsawatoncethat
he
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didnotquitelikeit.Weconversedforawhileandheaskedmeseveralquestions.Suddenlyheofferedmeinitiation
intohisOrder.Iwastakenabackanddidnotfeeltheinnerconsent.IsaidImustreflect.Lateronaninspiration(?)

cametomeandIsaid,'IsyourOrdertheOrderoftheChrist?'Heanswered,'Itis.'Itoldhimofmyexperience
(related
above)andacceptedinitiation;butIhadtheinnerconvictionthatallwasnotright.
"Ifeltnoinnerresponsetoseveralincidentsduringtheinitiation,andIbegantocallmentallyandearnestlyuponthe
Christ,andkeptondoingsountiltheendoftheceremony.(Ilearnedafterwardsthathehadtoldoneofhisdisciples
thatIhadacceptedinitiationbutnottheMaster.)
"ItwouldtaketoolongtorelateotherlessimportantdetailssoIgoontooursecondinterviewduringwhichhe
asked
meseveraltimestoleavethetownwhereIwasandtojoinhiminactivework.ThistimeIheardtheinnervoice
clearly;
itsaid,'No.'Suddenlyhesaid,'Sitinfrontofme;Iwillhealyou.'(Iwasinverybadhealthatthetime.)Hefixedhis
eyesonminewithastrongcommandinggaze.MentallyIcalledontheChristandIfeltformallroundmeasortof
shell.'There,'hesaid,'Ihavehealedyou.'Theinnervoicesaid,'No.'
"Well,hewentawayandIhada'badtime,'forIhadthefeelingthatallwasnotright,thoughIhadnosuspicionof
evil.
(NorhaveInow.)
"Iwroteanaccountofthisinterviewtoafriend,andaletterfromhercrossedmine.Shetoldmethataboutthetime
of
myinterviewwithZ.,ofwhichshewasunaware,shewastoldtojoinourspiritualteacherinhelpingme.She
withdrew
fromtheOuterPlanes,andthensherealisedthatstronghypnoticforceswereplayinguponmeinwaves.Againand
againshehadtouseallherspiritualpowertohelpmewithstandthem,butfinally'westoodonarock,bathedin
light
andfree.'Mylettergaveherthekeytoit;butshereplied,'Takecare,Z.willtryagain.Herealisedthathewas
baffled;
hewilltryontheInnerPlanesnexttime.'
"Nowcomesthegreatexperience.Afewweekslater,atnight,Ihadaveryvividvision,itseemed;butitwasareal
experience.IwasinthemiddleofagroupofsevenoreightpersonsofwhomIsawtwoclearly.Onmyleftwasa
womanentirelyveiledinblack,butshemadeastartlinglyclearfigureforallthat.OntherightwasZ.Hesaid,'
NowI
willgiveherthesecond,thehigherinitiation.'Andheseizedmyrightarmwithforce.ButIdisengagedmyself,and
standingstraightandcalmIsaid(Icanhearmyselfnow),'BeforethisceremonyproceedsIwishtomakea
statement.I
canallownothingandnoonetocomebetweenmeandtheChrist.'Therewasahowl,atossingofhandsandevery
thingdisappeared.
"SoonafterItoreupmyinitiationcard,putZ.outofmymindandhavehadnoconsciouspersonalexperienceof
him
since.
"ButIhadintroducedhimtoayoungFrenchmusicianofhighsocialstanding,whomhefoundmuchtohistaste.
(We
willcallhimF.)ThereisaclosefriendshipbetweenF.andme,andatthattimeheneededsomeOrientalmusicfor
one
ofhiscompositionsontheotherhand,hemighthavebeenextremelyusefultoZ.,towardswhomhefeltstrongly
attracted.AftermyownexperienceIbegantobemuchalarmed,butfeltthatIwasnotbigenoughtodealwiththe
situation,soIsaidnothingtoF.butprayedthathemightbeprotectedfromallevil.ShortlyafterwardsF.toldmein
his
lettersofvariousastralexperiences.Inhisdreamshewasgoingthroughallsortsofdisagreeablethingsandvoices
kept
sayingtohim,'AskZ.tohelpyou.Hewillhelpyou.'Thenhebecameconsciousofmypresenceandbegancalling
on
theChrist(allthisinhisdream)andeverythingvanished.Thishappenedmorethanonce.OnlywhenImethim
again
didItellhimofmyownexperience.

"Imustaddthatafriendwithpsychicpowercametoseemeatthistimeandsaid,'Thislastweek,atnight,Ihave
seen
youthreetimes.Youaskedmetohelpyousaveayoungmanwhowasindanger.Whatdiditmean?'"
TheabovecaseindicatesclearlythedeliberateuseofmentalpowerbyZ.Hispretenceof"spiritualhealing"being
an
obviousattemptathypnosis.Mycorrespondentsaysdefinitelythatshehasneversuspectedhimofdeliberateevil;
ratherwasheactingrightlyaccordingtohislights.Imaintain,however,thatanyattempttodominateothers,orin
any
waytomanipulatetheirmindswithouttheirconsent,isanunwarrantableintrusionupontheirfreewillandacrime
againsttheintegrityofthesoul.Howcanwejudgetheintimatespiritualneedsofanother,especiallyifthatotherhas
notelectedtoconfideinus?Whatrighthavewetoinvadehisspiritualprivacyandthrustourtamperingfingersinto
the
wheelsofhisinnermostbeing?Itissocommonapracticetosendthenamesofpeopletohealingcircleswitha
request
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thattheyshouldbeconcentratedupon,withouttakingthepreliminaryprecautionofaskingtheirpermission,thatI
have
hearditannouncedfromtheplatformofalargeSpiritualistpublicmeetingthatonlythosecasescouldbetakenup
whichgavetheirwrittenconsent.
Fortunatelyforallconcerned,theproceedingsatsuch"healingcircles"areusuallysofutilethatnobodyneedmind
beingconcentrateduponbythemeveniftheywereattemptingmurder.Theprinciple,however,remains,andIcan
only
recordmyopiniononcemore,asIhavealreadyrecordeditmanytimes,thatsuchaproceedingisanoutrageous
breach
ofgoodmannersandgoodfaith,andcontrarytoallocculttradition.IthinkIcanhonestlysaythatIhavenever
wished
todirectthegreatcurrentsofdestructionuponmyfellowoccultists,buttherearesomeofthemIwouldliketoget
face
downwardsacrossmyknee!

CHAPTERXIII

THEMOTIVESOFPSYCHICATTACK.I

Ehavenotedinapreviouschapterthatthesimplestwaytofindoutwhetherthevictimofanalleged

psychic
attackisromancingornot,istoseekformotives,andiftheyarenotdiscernible,togiveimaginationthebenefitof
the
doubt.Thecommonplacemotivesofgreed,lust,revengeandfearofbetrayaldonotneedpsychicdiscernmentfor
their
discoverybutareperceptibletothenakedeye.Thereareothermotives,however,thatmaybeoperativeinoccult
circlesbutwhichwouldbepassedbyunsuspectedbytheordinaryinvestigator.
Theoldcharmbooksthathavecomedowntous,mostlyviatheservants'hall,arerepletewithrecipesforsecuring
the
loveoftheoppositesex.Theancientgrimoiressupplymoreelaborateritualprescriptions,andthereportsofwitch
trialscontainfrequentindictmentsofthewisewomanwho,foraconsideration,undertooktodirectpeople's
affections
towardspersonsforwhomtheyapparentlyhadnonaturalpredilection.Aresuchoperationstobetakenseriously,or
shouldweclassthemwiththeantifatpillsthatreducewithoutdieting?

Wehavealreadyreferredtotheoldlovephiltres.Theancientswerewellacquaintedwiththeaphrodisiacdrugs
which
excitedsexualpassion.Norarethemodemsaltogetherignorantofthem,ascarefullywordedadvertisementsin
certain
occultpublicationsreveal.TherearefirmsinFrancewhichspecialiseinthemanufactureofchocolateswhich
contain
maskeddosesofthesedrugs.Publicitywasgiventotheirproductionsrecentlyowingtothedeathoftwogirlsanda
manthroughtakingoverdoses.Therearecocktailsinuseinthiscountrycontainingsocalled"tonic"ingredients
whose
effectiswellknown.Ifthesearenot"lovephiltres,"whatarethey?
Wearenotconcernedinthesepageswithmethodsthatbelongsolelytothephysicalplane,butthesematterscallfor
mentionbecausetherearegroundsforbeliefthatuponmorethanoneoccasion,eveninthiscountry,aphrodisiacs
have
beenemployedasanadjuvanttooccultpractices.Therewasacertainfirmwhichbegantoadvertiseextensivelyand
wasbuildingupanicebusinessinwhatmightbecalled"occultist'ssundries."Amongotherpreparationswhichthey
suppliedwas"IncensefortheoperationofVenus."However,thefirmcametoanuntimelyendthroughthe
intervention
ofthepolice,bothpartnersgoingtojail.
Butapartfromtheuseofpurelymaterialmeans,itisnotdifficulttoseewhatusescouldbemadeofmental
influencein
thisdirection.Ihaveseenseveralcasesthatlookedextremelysuspicious,butinthesemattersitisverydifficultto
get
atthefacts.Themannerofattackisintangibleandleavesnotrace,andthevictimmaybeunsuspiciousandentirely
ignorantnotonlyofthepsychicsideofsex,butalsoofitsphysicalandsubtleremotionalaspects.Moreover,those
who
havesufferedmostusuallytalkleast.Onemayoccasionallyhearoftheattemptwhichwasfrustrated.Theattempt
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whichwassuccessfulveryrarelycomestolightbecausethevictimhasjustasmuchmotiveforconcealingitasthe
aggressor.
Whenwecometopurelyoccultpractices,therearetwowaysinwhichthedesiredendcanbeachieved;psychic
pressuremaybebroughttobearuponthedesiredpersonsothatheorsheshallcomeundertheinfluenceofthe
operator;orthepsychicoperationknownascongressussubtilismaytakeplace.
Whatexactlyiscongressussubtilis?Weshallhavetoknowagooddealmorethanwedoatpresentabouttheoccult
sideofsexbeforewecananswerthatquestion.Inthefirstplace,whatarethefacts,orallegedfacts,ofthematter?
The
ancientsheldverydefinitebeliefsuponthesubject,andthesebeliefscanveryoftenaffordusaclue,evenifwedo
not
accepttheveryanthropomorphicexplanationsbywhichtheyareaccompanied.
ItwasbelievedthatthearchdemonLilithhadaverygreatdealtodowiththesematters.AccordingtotheQabalists,
LilithwasthefirstwifeofAdam,whousedtovisithiminhisdreamswhilehewasasyetaloneintheGardenof
Eden,
andtheLordGodbecamesoperturbedatthesegoingsonthatHecreatedEveasacounterattraction.Witcheswere
therecipientsofsimilarattentionsfromtheDevil.St.TheresaofAvilarecordsthattheGodheadItselfvisitedher.
The
VirginMaryreceivedtheHolyGhost.St.Anthonywastemptedbyapparitionsofbeautifulfemaledemons.There
are
manycasesonrecordofwholenunneriesbeingattackedbytheDevil,whovisitedtheirmembers.GeorgeMoore,in
his
exceedinglyinterestingstudyofconventlife,SisterTheresa,givesanaccountofanoutbreakof"Counterparts"
among

theyoungernuns,inwhichtheyformedliaisonswithangeliclovers,whoweresupposedtobethesoulsofthose
who
weredrownedintheFlood.WereadinGenesisandintheBookofEnochthattheSonsofGodmatedwiththe
daughtersofmen,andthedemonicracewastheresult.Thefolkloreofeverycountrycontainsinstancesofthe
mating
ofhumanswithelementals,usuallywithdisastrousconsequences.Classicalliteratureisfullofstoriesofthevisitsof
godsandgoddessestohumankind.Whatshallwesayofallsuchstories?Isthereanyelementinthembeyond
fairytaleandwishfulfilment?Wecanreadilyunderstandthemotiveofthenunwho,wishingtoconcealtheidentity
of
herparamour,declaresherselftobewithchildbytheDevil.Wecanequallyunderstandthepsychologyoftherest
of
theconventthattakeupthestoryandseetheDevilineverycorner.
Letmecitecertaincaseswhichhavecomewithinmypersonalknowledgeandseewhetherinthelightofthesewe
can
siftfactfromphantasy.Therecametovisitmeonceayoungmanwhowasinlovewithamarriedwoman.Hetold
me
thatuponseveraloccasionshehadhadaveryvividdreamofvisitingher,andshehadsimultaneouslydreamedof
receivinghisvisit.Hewasanxioustoperfectthetechniqueofthisoperation,hencethevisittome.IamafraidIwas
unsympathetic,consequentlyIdidnotobtainanyfurtherinformationconcerningthiscuriousexperiment.
Anevenmorecuriouscasecametomyknowledgesomeyearsago.Awomantoldmethatinthedaysofheryouth
she
hadbeenengagedtomarryamantowhomshewasverydeeplyattached,andwhowasmurderedwhileworkingas
a
missionaryinWestAfrica.Havinglosttheonlymanshefeltshecouldlove,sheconsentedtomarryasecondcousin
whohadlongbeeninlovewithher,andwhowasasemiinvalid.Whenevershehadrelationswithherhusband,she
alwaysvisualisedtheformofherfirstlover.Sheherselfwasshort,darkandpetite.Herhusband,abloodrelation,
was
similarintypetoherself,andaweedintothebargain.Butherthreesonsweretall,upstandingblondmenofthe
nordic
type,bearingastrongresemblancetothedeadman.Thetruthofthisstorywasvouchedfortomebyafriendofthe
family.
Ihaveknowpersonallytwoalleged"changelings."ThemalehadthepointedearsofPan,andifanyonewasevera
son
oftheDevil,hewas.Thefemalewasacuriousandfascinatingcreature,essentiallynonhuman,andwhenherchild
wasbornitcameintotheworldwithnomoretroublethanakitten.Boththesebeingswereconceivedwhentheir
motherswereundertheinfluenceofdrink,andbothofthemwerecharacterisedbyamarkedcallousness,whichin
one
casedevelopedintodeliberatecruelty.Althoughverypeculiartolookat,neitherofthemwasintheleastdefective,
bothbeing,infact,possessedofconsiderablymorethantheaverageshareofbrains.
Anyonewhohasanyknowledgeoftheesotericaspectofsexknowsthatunionisasmuchethericasphysical.Itis
this
factwhichconstitutestherealdifferencebetweennormalunionandselfabuse,andexplainswhytheformeris
vitalisingandharmonising,andthelatterisexhaustingandnervewrecking.Maywenotconceiveitpossiblefor
anyonewhocanprojecttheethericbody,orabeingwhosedensestvehicleisetheric,toplayapartinunionsunder
certainconditions?Andifweacceptthetheoryofmediumship,orofobsession,whichisapathologicalformof
mediumship,whatshallwesayconcerningthepossibilityofaunionwhileoneorotherofthepartnersisunder
control?
Whatmaimerofsoulmightcomethroughintoincarnationundersuchconditions?
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Medievaltraditionrecognisedtwoclassesofdemonswhichinvadesleep,andcalledthemIncubiandSuccubi.
These

wereheldtoberesponsibleforlasciviousdreams.Modernpsychologydiscountstheirservicesandlooksnearer
home.
Thepsychic,however,isoftheopinionthatthereissomethingintheoldbelief,andthatthelustfulimaginingsof
men's
hearts(andwomen'stoo,forthatmatter)doindeedproduceartificialelementalsaccordingtothemethoddescribed
ina
previouschapter,andthattheseelementalsaresomethingmorethansubjectiveimages,andhaveanobjective
etheric
existenceandplaytheirpartinthegenesisofcertainexperiences.Forinstance,apersonmayhavedreamsand
phantasiesofalasciviousnature,andthesemaygiverisetotheircharacteristicthoughtforms;thesethoughtforms,
nowexistingindependentlyofthemindthatoriginallyconceivedthem,andbeingintheauraofthatperson,give
him
suggestionjustasanyotherthoughtformsprojectedtelepathicallyfromthemindofanotherpersonmightdo.We
little
realisetheextenttowhichwegiveourselvestelepathicsuggestionbymeansofextrudedthoughtforms.Weare,in
fact,enspheredbyourownatmospheres,emanatedbyourselves.Irememberbeingtoldasachildthatifabirdcage
werehungimmediatelyunderthecanopyofanoldfashionedfourposterbed,thebirdwouldbefounddeadinthe
morning,poisonedbythecarbonicacidgasexhaledbythesleeperlyingbelow.Welittlerealisetheextenttowhich
we
arepsychicallypoisonedbyourownemanationsofunguardedandunpurifiedthoughts.
Itiswellknownthatorgasmtakesplaceindreams,accompaniedbyappropriatedreampictures.Theancients
believed
thatsuchanexperiencewasduetotheactionofdemons.Modernsbelieveittobeduetophysicaltension.Itisnot
so
generallyknownthattherearepeople,bothmaleandfemale,whocanproducethesamereactionatwillsolelyby
meansofdaydreams.Maywenotaskourselveswhetheritcannotalsobeproducedbymeansoftelepathic
suggestion,
andwhetherthismaynothaveplayedapartintheoperationsofmanycovens?
ThereisanothercuriousphaseofthisaspectoftheLefthandPath,whichwasbroughttomyknowledgethrougha
casewhichcameintomyhands.Ayounggirl,simplemindedandunsophisticated,livingaveryisolatedlifewitha
widowedmother,wenttoconsultawellknownpsychic,whomwewillcallMr.X.InthecircleinwhichbothMiss
Y.
andMr.X.movedtherewasanother,andprominentfigure,whomwewillcallMr.Z.,whohadareputationfora
knowledgeofmagic.Mr.X.toldMissY.thathehadreadtherecordsofherpastlives,andthattherewasakarmic
tie
betweenherselfandMr.Z.,andthatshecouldhelphiminhisworkbypouringoutuponhimherloveand
magnetism.
ShewasinstructedtomeditateuponMr.Z.everynightasshelayinbed,untilshefellasleep.Thispoorgirl,lonely
and
unsuspicious,gaveherselfupunreservedlytothistask.Presently,however,shebegantogrowuneasy.Hercommon
senseasserteditself,forshefoundthemeditationsshewasrequiredtoperformwerehavingaverydisturbingeffect
uponher;butMr.X.allayedherfearsandrecalledhertoherallegiancebyassuringherthathehadlookedintothe
futureandseenthateventuallyMr.Z.wouldmarryher.Bynowshehaduponherhandsaheartbreakingloveaffair
whichwasmakingherveryunhappyandunfittingherforwork.Anumberoflettersuponthesubjectwere
exchanged
betweenMissY.andMr.X.,whichIhaveseen.Ididmybesttopersuadehertodropthewholeaffair.Mr.X.
succeededinpersuadinghertogoonwithit,playinguponherfeelingsandtellingherhowterriblewouldbethe
plight
ofMr.Z.ifshewithdrewherpsychicsupport,andrenewinghisassuranceofakarmictiewhichwouldresultinan
ultimatemarriageifshewerefaithful.MissY.,pitifullydistressedandbewildered,betookherselftocertainofthe
leadersoftheorganisationtowhichallthreeofthembelonged.Thesepeoplesecondedmyadvicethatsheshould
discontinuethesepractices,butpersuadedhertosurrendertheverycompromisingletterswhichwereinher
possession.

Havingsecuredthese,theydeclaredthatthewholetransactionwasimaginationonherpart,andinsteadofturning
this
choicepairofscoundrelsoutoftheirranks,letthemcontinuetofunctionasusual.
Thiswouldbeastrangeenoughcaseifitwereanisolatedone,butitisnot.Anotherwomancametomeaboutthis
time
inastateborderingoninsanity,andtoldmethatshetoohadbeenconsultingMr.X.,whohadtoldherthatshehad
alreadyreceivedinitiationontheInnerPlanes,thoughshemightnotbeconsciousofit,andthatherpsychic
faculties
wereonthepointofopening(astockremarkofhis),butifshewantedtomakerealprogressonthePathshemust
ceasetolivewithherhusbandandhe(Mr.X.)wouldputherintouchwithherastralsoulmate.Theconsequenceof
thispreciousadvicewastobreakupherhomeandsendheroutofhermind.Oneday,walkinginthePark,shemet
Mr.
Z.,anddeclaredhimtobeherastrallover,astatementwhichMr.X.confirmed,andembellishedwiththe
information
thatMr.Z.wasalsotheMasterwhowouldinitiateher.
Itriedtopersuadehertobringthewholetransactiontoasummaryconclusionandreturntoherhusband,butshe
repliedthatshecouldneverdothisaftertheastralexperiencesshehadhad.Mr.X.reestablishedhisinfluenceover
her,shelefttheaddressatwhichIhadknownher,andIhaveneverheardwhatbecameofher.HerconditionwhenI
lastsawherwasdeplorableemaciated,wildeyedandtwitchingwithconvulsivemovements.
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Wouldanyonebelievethestoryofsuchawoman?Obviouslynoone,unlesstheyhadseenthelettersthatIhad
seen.
Noristhistheonlycase;afellowworkerofminetoldmeoftwopreciselysimilaroneswhichhadcometoher
knowledgeinconnectionwithMr.X.Itiscasessuchasthesewhichmakethehonestinvestigatorofoccult
phenomena
thankfulthatthereisuponourstatutebookalawwhichenablesmagistratestodealeffectuallywithoccultistswho
prostitutetheirpowers.Itissogenerallyknownthatnoinitiatemayusetheoccultartsforgainthatitisdifficultto
sympathisewithpeoplewhopaysomeadvertisingoccultisthishalfcrownorhalfguineaandthenfindthemselves
let
inforunpleasantness.
WhatconclusionsmaywedrawfromtheincidentsthatIhaverelated,forthefactsofwhichIcanvouchfrom
personal
knowledge?Fourwomenarepersuadedtoembarkuponameditationprocesswhoseaimistopouroutforce.The
natureoftheforcethatistobepouredoutisindicatedbythefactthatthemarriedwomenareinstructednottolive
with
theirhusbandsandtheunmarriedgirlisencouragedtofallinlovewiththemanwhoismadethefocusofthe
operation.
Thismanistheheadofagroupofpeopleknowntobeoccupiedwithpracticaloccultismandceremonial.The
conclusionIdrawisthatanoccultexperimentwasafoot,andthat,regardlessoftheconsequencestothem,these
womenwerebeingmadeuseofinordertocarryitout,theprocurerbeingthewellknownpsychic,Mr.X.,andthe
operatorthenotoriousMr.Z.
Thesamegrouphavetotheircreditarecurringseriesofscandalsinconnectionwithunnaturalvice.Ifthiswere
merely
viceassuchitwouldnotcomewithinthepurviewofthesepages,butitappearstobeusedsystematicallyasa
meansof
obtainingoccultpower.Thosewhohaveanyknowledgeofthedeeperaspectsofoccultismknowthatsexforceis
one
ofthemanifestationsofkundalini,theserpentfirethataccordingtoTantricphilosophyliescoiledatthebaseofthe
spine,orinthetermsofWesternoccultism,thesacralplexus.Thecontrolandconcentrationofthekundaliniforceis
an

importantpartofthetechniqueofpracticaloccultism.Thereisarightwayofdirectingitthroughthoughtcontrol,
the
techniqueofwhichIhaveexplainedinmylittlebook,TheProblemofPurity(Rider);butthereisalsoanother
method,
whichconsistsinstimulatingthisforce,andthendirectingitintoabnormalchannelswhereitwillnotbeabsorbed,
but
remainavailableformagicalpurposes.ItisforthisreasonthatincertainformsoftheBlackMassthealtaristhe
naked
bodyofawomanwhomayeitherbestillliving,orhavebeenslainsacrificially.A.E.W.Masongivesanaccountof
suchatransactioninhisbook,ThePrisonerintheOpal.
Lessexpertoperators,however,cannotcontrolthisformofforce;assoonastheygenerateit,ithastogotoits
logical
conclusion.Theythereforeemployanothertypeofstimulus,notthewoman,buttheboyoryouth.Thepracticeof
paederastyinconnectionwithoccultismisveryold,andwasoneofthecausesofthedegenerationoftheGreek
Mysteries.
Ihavedealtwiththesesubjectsinsomedetailinanotherbookofmine,SaneOccultism.Particularsoftheactual
cases
canbefoundbyreferencetothefilesofTruth,thejournalalreadyreferredto.

ChapterXIV

THEMOTIVESOFPSYCHICATTACK.II

Tisamatterofgeneralknowledgeamongoccultiststhatitisnotapleasantthingtofallfoulofanoccult

fraternity
ofwhichonehasbeenmadeamemberbymeansofaceremonialinitiationandtowhichoneisboundbyoaths.As
we
havealreadyseen,themalignantmindofatrainedoccultistisanastyweapon;howmuchmoresothegroupmind
formedoutofanumberoftrainedminds,especiallyifconcentratedbymeansofritual?
Butinadditiontotheindividualmentalforceofthemembersofafraternity,andinadditiontothecollectiveforce
ofits
groupmind,thereisanotherfactortobereckonedwithwhenagenuineoccultorganisationisconcernedin
operations
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ofeitherprotectionordestruction.EveryoccultorganisationdependsforItspowertoinitiateuponwhatarecalled
its
"contacts,"thatistosay,upononeormoreofitsleadersbeingpsychicallyintouchwithcertainforces.If,in
additionto
this,theorganisationhasalonglineoftraditionbehindit,averypotentcollectionofthoughtformswillbebuiltup
in
itsatmosphere.EveryinitiationceremonycontainsinsomeformorothertheOathoftheMysteries,whichbindsthe
candidateneithertorevealthesecretsoftheMysteriesnortoabusetheknowledgetheybestow.Thisoathalways
containsaPenaltyClauseandanInvocationwhereinthecandidatesubmitshimselftoapenaltyintheeventofa
breach
offaith,andcallsuponsomeBeingtoexactthepenalty.Someoftheseoathsaremostformidableaffairs,andthey
are
administeredwitheverycircumstanceofsolemnitythatstagemanagementcandevise.Thewayinwhichtheoccult
fraternitieshavesucceededinpreservingtheirsecretsshowshowseldomtheseoathsarebroken.
Intheeventofadisputewithanoccultfraternity,theforceinvokedinthisoathmaycomeintoactionautomatically.
If

therecalcitrantbrotherisinthespiritofthetraditionanditishischiefswhoareatfault,thepowerinvokedinthe
oath
willbeapotentprotectiveinfluencewithwhichthechiefsthemselveswillcollide.If,ontheotherhand,hebreaks
faith
withtheMysteries,thisavengingpunitivecurrentwillcomeintoactionalthoughhisdefectionmaypass
undiscovered.
Iwasinformedbyaneyewitnessofanincidentwhichtookplaceataninitiation,inwhichthecandidate,amanto
all
appearancesnormalineveryway,aftertakingtheoathintheusualmanner,suddenlyscreamedmostterribly,
startling
everyone,andwasillforsomeweeksasiffromaseverenervousshock,andneverhadanythingmoretodowith
occultism.Noexplanationoftheincidentwaseverforthcoming.Iwaspresentmyselfupononeoccasionwhena
batch
ofthreecandidateswasbeing"done,"anditwassuddenlynoticedinthecourseoftheceremonythatthenumberof
the
candidateshadbecomereducedtotwo.Enquiryelicitedthefactthatthethirdhadtakenfrightandfled.
Whathappenedinthesetwocases,Idonotknow;whethertherehadbeenabreachofgoodfaith,orwhetherone
was
intended,noonecansay;butsomethingputthefearoftheLordintothesetwoindividualsprettyeffectually.That
no
suchshockisinherentintheceremonyisprovedbythefactthatthesearetheonlytwocasesinmyexperience,andI
haveseenaverylargenumberofceremonies.Personally,whenItookmyowninitiationIfeltasifIhadcomeinto
harbourafterastormyvoyage.
AnothermanwhowasintimatelyknowntomeasanadvancedoccultistwasturnedoutoftheOrdertowhichhe
belonged,why,Idonotknow,butfromwhatIsawofhimIshouldimaginetherewereplentyofreasons.In
defianceof
hisinitiationoathhebegantoworkanindependentlodge.Hewaswarnedtodesist,anddidso,dismantlinghis
temple.
Butheimmediatelybegantogettogetheranothertempleinacarefullyconcealedplace;andthistimehewasmore
ambitious,forhemadereadytoattempttheGreaterMysteries.Hewasanexceedinglyclevercraftsmanandmade
all
theequipmentofthetemplewithhisownhandssothatnooneshouldknowwhatwasafoot.Concealedbehind
NottinghamlacecurtainsinameanstreetinWestLondonwasabeautifullittletempleoftheGreaterMysteries.He
completedthisworkaftersomemonthsofarduoustoil,nooneknowingofitsavethoseinhisimmediate
confidence.
Butbeforecommencingtheactualritualworkhewentawayforashortholidayattheseaside,andtherehewas
seized
withaheartattackwhilesittingonthebeachanddiedinfourhours.TheOrdersecretswerenotbetrayed.
AnothermanwhohadhadadisputewiththesamefamousOrder,printedandpublishedtheirsecretsasanactof
revenge.Hewasamanofgoodsocialposition,considerablewealthandbrilliantliteraryabilities,alreadymakinga
nameforhimselfasawriter.Fromthatmomentbebegantogodownhill,andcametopovertyanddisgrace.The
curse
ofAhasuerusseemedtobeuponhim,andhewashoundedfromcountrytocountry,findingnoabidingplace.No
publisherwillhandlehisbooks,nopaperwillreviewthem.
Letmefinallytellofmyownexperiencesinanastralskirmish.Iwroteaseriesofarticlesontheabusesprevalentin
occultfraternities,andthesewerepublishedintheOccultReview.Mywritingislargelyinspirational,agreatdeal
"comingthrough"ofwhichIhavenopreviousknowledge,andinthisparticularcaseIevidentlyshotagreatdeal
better
thanIknew,andgotmyselfintoserioustrouble.Myfirstintimationofitwasasenseofuneasinessandrestlessness.
NextcameafeelingasifthebarriersbetweentheSeenandtheUnseenwerefullofriftsandIkeptongetting
glimpses
oftheAstralminglingwithmywakingconsciousness.This,forme,isunaccustomed,forIamnotnaturallypsychic,

andinthetechniqueinwhichIwastrainedwearetaughttokeepthedifferentlevelsofconsciousnessstrictly
separate
andtouseaspecificmethodforopeningandclosingthegates.Consequentlyoneseldomgetsspontaneous
psychism.
One'svisionresemblestheuseofamicroscopeinwhichoneexaminespreparedmaterial.
Thegeneralsenseofvagueuneasinessgraduallymaturedintoadefinitesenseofmenaceandantagonism,and
presentlyIbegantoseedemonfacesinflashes,resemblingthosepictureimageswhichpsychologistscallbythe
unpleasingnameofhypnogogics,flashesofdreamwhichappearuponthethresholdofsleep.Iwasquite
unsuspicious
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ofanyparticularindividual,thoughIrealisedthatmyarticleshadprobablystirredsomebodyupprettythoroughly;
whatwasmysurprise,then,toreceivefromapersonwhomIlookeduponasafriendandforwhomIhadthe
greatest
respect,aletterwhichleftmeinnodoubtwhateverastothesourceoftheattackandwhatImightexpectifany
more
articleswerepublished.IcanhonestlysaythatuntilIreceivedthisletterIhadnottheslightestsuspicionthatthis
personwasimplicatedinthescandalsIwasattacking.
Iwasinasomewhatdifficultposition;Ihadfiredoffachargeofshrapnelongeneralprinciples,andhadapparently
"bagged"anumberofmyfriendsandassociatesandflutteredthedovecotegenerally.Mypositionwasrather
complicatedbythefactthatIdidnotknownearlyasmuchastheyapparentlysuspectedmeofdoing;Ihad,of
course,
knownthattheseabusesexistedsporadicallyabouttheoccultfield,aseverybodyinthemovementknows;butto
know
inthisvaguewayisonething,andtoputone'sfingeronspecificcasesisanother.Ihadevidentlyblunderedinto
somethingmuchmoreconsiderablethanIhadbargainedfor.Ifeltlikethesmallboywho,fishingforminnows,has
hookedapike.IhadtodecidewhetherIwouldtryandgetmyarticlesbackfromtheOccultReview,orwhetherI
wouldletthemruntheirnaturalcourseandtaketheconsequences.Ihadhadaverystrongimpulsetowritethose
articles,andnowIbegantoseewhyIhadhadit.Ishallhavesomethingtosayinanotherchapterconcerningthe
Watchers,thatcurioussectionoftheOccultHierarchywhichisconcernedwiththewelfareofnations.Acertain
sectionoftheirworkisapparentlyconcernedwiththepolicingoftheAstralPlane.Verylittleisactuallyknown
about
them.Onecomesacrosstheirworksporadicallyandpiecesthebitstogether.Ihavecrossedtheirtrailonseveral
occasions,asIwilltelllater.Wheneverblackmagicisafoot,theysettoworktoputaspokeinitswheels.Bethatas
it
may,Icametotheconclusionthat,inviewofwhathadnowtranspired,theimpulseIhadhadtotakeinhandthis
piece
ofworkmighthaveemanatedfromtheWatchers.Atanyrate,theworkobviouslyneededdoing.Someonehadto
tackletheseplaguespotsiftheyweretobeclearedup,soIdeterminedtosticktomygunsandseethematter
through,
andsoleftthearticlesinquestiontoruntheircourse.
Verysoonsomecuriousthingsbegantohappen.Webecamemostdesperatelyafflictedwithblackcats.Theywere
not
hallucinatorycats,forourneighbourssharedintheaffliction,andweexchangedcommiserationswiththecaretaker
nextdoorwhowasengagedinpushingbunchesofblackcatsoffdoorstepandwindowsillwithabroom,and
declared
hehadneverinhislifeseensomany,orsuchdreadfulspecimens.Thewholehousewasfilledwiththehorrible
stench
ofthebrutes.Twomembersofourcommunityatthattimewentouttobusinesseveryday,andattheiroffices,in
differentpartsofLondon,theyfoundthesamepenetratingreekofthetomcat.
Atfirstweattributedthispersecutiontonaturalcauses,andconcludedthatwewerenearneighbourstosome
fascinatingfelinefemale,butincidentssucceededeachotherwhichmadeusfeelthatthingswerenotquiteinthe

ordinarycourseofnature.WeweregettingneartotheVernalEquinox,whichisalwaysadifficulttimefor
occultists;
therewasasenseofstrainandtensionintheatmosphere,andwewereallfeelingdecidedlyuncomfortable.Coming
upstairsafterbreakfastonemorning,Isuddenlysaw,comingdownthestairstowardsme,agigantictabbycat,twice
thesizeofatiger.Itappearedabsolutelysolidandtangible.Istaredatitpetrifiedforasecond,andthenitvanished.
I
instantlyrealisedthatitwasasimulacrum,orthoughtformthatwasbeingprojectedbysomeonewithoccult
powers.
Notthattherealisationwasanytoocomforting,butitwasbetterthananactualtiger.Feelingdecidedly
uncomfortable,
Iaskedoneofmyhouseholdtojoinme,andaswesatinmyroommeditatingweheardthecryofacatfrom
without.It
wasansweredbyanother,andanother,Welookedoutofthewindow,andthestreetasfaraswecouldseewas
dotted
withblackcatsandtheywerewailingandhowlinginbroaddaylightastheydoontheroofsatnight.
Iroseup,gatheredtogethermyparaphernalia,anddidanexorcismthenandthere.Attheendwelookedoutofthe
windowagain.Therewasnotacatinsight,andweneversawthemagain.Thevisitationwasatanend.Onlyour
normalpopulationoflocalmousersremainedtous.
TheVernalEquinoxwasnowuponus.Imustexplainthatthisisthemostimportantseasonoftheyearfor
occultists.
GreatpowertidesareflowingontheInnerPlanes,andtheseareverydifficulttohandle.Ifthereisgoingtobeastral
trouble,itusuallyblowsupforstormatthisseason.TherearealsocertainmeetingswhichtakeplaceontheAstral
Plane,andmanyoccultistsattendthemoutofthebody.Inordertodothis,onehastothrowoneselfintoatrance
and
thenthemindisfreetotravel.Itisusualtogetsomeonewhounderstandsthesemethodsofworktowatchbesidethe
bodywhileitisvacatedtoseethatitcomestonoharm.
Intheordinaryway,whenanoccultattackisafoot,oneclingstowakingconsciousnessatallcosts,sleepingbyday
and
keepingawakeandmeditatingwhilethesunisbelowthehorizon.Asillluckwouldhaveit,however,Iwasobliged
to
makeoneoftheseastraljourneysatthisseason.MyattackerknewthisaswellasIdid.Ithereforemademy
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preparationswithalltheprecautionsIcouldthinkof;gatheredtogetheracarefullychosengrouptoformthe
watching
circle,andsealeduptheplaceofoperationwiththeusualceremonial.Ihadnotmuchfaithinthisoperationunder
the
circumstances,formyattackerwasofmuchhighergradethanIwas,andcouldcomethroughanysealsImightset.
However,itaffordedprotectionagainstminorunpleasantness.
Themethodofmakingtheseastraljourneysishighlytechnical,andIcannotenteruponithere.Inthelanguageof
psychology,itisautohypnosisbymeansofasymbol.ThesymbolactsasadoortotheUnseen.Accordingtothe
symbolchosenwillbethesectionoftheUnseentowhichaccessisobtained.Thetrainedinitiate,therefore,doesnot
wanderontheastrallikeanuneasyghost,butcomesandgoesbywellknowncorridors.
Myenemy'staskwasthereforenotadifficultone;forsheknewaboutthetimeImustmakethisjourneyandthe
symbol
Imustuseinordertogetoutofthebody.Iwasthereforepreparedforopposition,thoughIdidnotknowwhatform
it
wouldtake.
Theseastraljourneysarereallyluciddreamsinwhichoneretainsallone'sfacultiesofchoice,willpowerand
judgment.MinealwaysbeginwithacurtainofthesymboliccolourthroughwhosefoldsIpass.NosoonerwasI
throughthecurtainonthisoccasionthanIsawmyenemywaitingforme,or,ifanotherterminologyispreferred,I

begantodreamabouther.Sheappearedtomeinthefullrobesofhergrade,whichwereverymagnificent,and
barred
myentry,tellingmethatbyvirtueofherauthoritysheforbademetomakeuseoftheseastralpathways.Ireplied
thatI
didnotadmitherrighttoclosetheastralpathstomebecauseshewaspersonallyoffended,andthatIappealedto
the
InnerChiefs,towhombothsheandIwereresponsible.ThenensuedabattleofwillsinwhichIexperiencedthe
sensationofbeingwhirledthroughtheairandfallingfromagreatheightandfoundmyselfbackinmybody.But
my
bodywasnotwhereIhadleftit,butinaheapinthefarcorneroftheroom,whichlookedasifithadbeenbombed.
By
meansofthewellknownphenomenonofrepercussiontheastralstrugglehadapparentlycommunicateditselftothe
body,whichhadsomersaultedroundtheroomwhileanagitatedgrouphadrescuedthefurniturefromitspath.
Iwassomewhatshakenbythisexperience,whichhadnotbeenapleasantone.IrecognisedthatIhadhadtheworst
of
itandhadbeeneffectuallyejectedfromtheastralpaths;butIalsorealisedthatifIacceptedthisdefeatmyoccult
career
wasatanend.Justasachildwhohasbeenthrownbyhisponymustimmediatelygetupandremountifheiseverto
rideagain,soIknewthatatallcostsImustmakethatastraljourneyifIweretoretainmypowers.SoItoldmy
group
topullthemselvestogetherandreformthecirclebecausewemustmakeanotherattempt;IinvokedtheInner
Chiefs,
andwentoutoncemore.Thistimetherewasashortsharpstruggle,andIwasthrough.IhadtheVisionoftheInner
Chiefs,andreturned.Thefightwasover.Ihaveneverhadanytroublesince.
ButwhenItookoffmyclothesinordertogotobedmybackfeltverysore,andtakingahandglassIexamineditin
the
mirror,andIfoundthatfromnecktowaistIwasscoredwithscratchesasifIhadbeenclawedbyagiganticcat.
Itoldthisstorytosomefriendsofmine,experiencedoccultists,whoatonetimehadbeencloselyassociatedwith
the
personwhichwhomIhadhadthistrouble,andtheytoldmethatshewaswellknownfortheseastralattacks,and
thata
friendoftheirsafteraquarrelwithherhadhadanexactlysimilarexperience,andshetoohadbeencoveredwith
clawmarks.Inhercase,however,shehadbeenillforsixmonthsandhadnevertouchedoccultismagain.
Thereisacuriousepiloguetothisstory,whichmayormaynothaveanybearinguponit.Ihavealreadytoldthe
story
ofthemysteriousdeaththattookplaceonlona.Howthebodyofthisunfortunategirlwasfoundlyingnakedona
cross
cutoutoftheturf.Nocauseofdeathcouldbefound,andtheverdictwasthatshediedofexposure.Butifshewere
lost,howdidshecometoliedowntodieinthisritualmanner,insteadofwanderingabout?Whyhadshetakenoff
all
herclothesbeforeleavingherhouse,coveringherselfonlywithablackcloak?Andwhydidshetakewithherthe
large
knifewithwhichshecutthecrossintheturf?Idonotknowherlaterhistory,forIhadlostsightofherduringthe
last
twoorthreeyearsofherlife,butatthetimeIknewhershewasassociatedwiththewomanIhavereferredto.The
only
marksfounduponherdeadbodywerescratches.
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PARTIV
METHODSOFDEFENCEAGAINSTPSYCHICATTACK

CHAPTERXV
PHYSICALASPECTOFPSYCHICATTACKANDDEFENCE

Ehavedistinguishedthevarioustypesofpsychicattack,wehavedescribedthemethods

thatcan
beemployedincarryingthemout,andwehavealsonotedthevariousformsofdelusion,fraud
and
autosuggestionthatmaycomplicatetheissue.Wearenowinapositiontodiscussthequestion
of
diagnosis.Letusconsiderthewholematterfromthepracticalpointofview.Supposinga
strangercomes
withastoryofapsychicattack,whatshouldbeourprocedure?
Wemustfirstofallbearinmindthatthereisgreatneedofcautioninpresumingthatapsychic
attackis
beingmade.Psychicattacksarecomparativelyrarethings.Wemustnotassumewearedealing
withone
untilwehaveexcludedalltheotherthingsitcanpossiblybe.NotsolongagoIcameacrossa
caseof
allegedobsessionwhichturnedouttobeneglectedconstipation,andwhichwaseffectually
exorcised
withcastoroil.Ifthereareanyphysicalsymptomsatall,eveniftheyarenomorethanabad
colourora
badbreath,adiagnosisoughttobemadebyaqualifiedmedicalpractitioner,forevenifthe
troublehave
apredominatingpsychicelement,itsoriginmaybephysical.Septicfociarereallycentresof
decomposition,andassuchtheyopenthedoortolowformsofelementallifewhosefunctionis
toassist
inthereturnofdusttodust.Impuritiesinthebloodstreammaypoisonthebrain.Newgrowths
or
abscessesmayderangeitsfunctions.Thesethingscanonlyberecognisedbythemanwho
understands
thebody;otherthingsbeingequal,thetrainedmanisthebetterman,andthemanwiththebest
training
isthebestman,andtheonlyplacewhereanadequatetrainingindiagnosiscanbeobtainedisa
general
hospital.Moreover,shouldthingsturnoutbadly,theonlypersonwhocanpullthechestnutsout
ofthe
fireisthepersonwhosesignaturetheauthoritieswillacceptonacertificate.Supposingthe
patientturns
outtobealunatic,whatistheunqualifiedpractitionergoingtodowithhim?Averylarge
proportionof

thecasesofallegedpsychicattackturnouttobelunaticsandhysterics.Incipientlunacyisavery
hard
thingtodetect;hysteriaisverycunningandplausible;adoctorwhoishandlinghumannaturein
bulk
everydayofhislifewilldetecteitherofthesetwoconditionsmuchquickerthanthelaymanwho
has
nevermetthembefore.
Itmaybeobjectedthatitisaverydifficultthingtofindadoctorwhowillhaveasympathetic
attitude
towardsoccultism.Toarguethusistomisunderstandtheposition.Thedoctorisnotbeingasked
to
cooperatewithanyoccultoperation,buttoexamineforphysicaldisease,andifhefindsit,to
treatit.He
isnomoreconcernedintheoccultmeasuresthataretakenforthebenefitofhispatientthanheis
inthe
churchhispatientattends.
Ifthedoctorfindsnoevidenceoforganicdisease,orsomecomplaintsuchasvaricoseveins
whichcan
obviouslyhavenobearingonthementalcondition,thecasemaybeheldtohavepassedthefirst
test,
andwemayfeelthatitisworthwhiletoproceedtothepsychicinvestigation.Ifthecaseisabad
one,or
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thetroubleisoflongstanding,thedoctorwillprobablyfindthatthepatientisdebilitated,evenif
thereis
nothingdefinitelyamiss,andwillproceedtotreattheconditionaccordingly.Thisisalltothe
good,for
thebetterthephysicalconditionofthepatientthemorementalcontrolandstaminahewillhave.
Sleepingdraughts,however,shouldbeavoidedifpossible,andiftheyhavetobeadministered,
thenthe
patientshouldbewatchedwhilehesleepsbysomeonewhoknowshowtokeepanoccultguard,
andthe
roominwhichhesleepsshouldbepurifiedandsealed.Intheordinaryway,ifapersonwhois
outonthe
astralmeetswithanoccultattack,heboltsbacktohisbodylikearabbittoitsburrowandwakes
upasif
fromanightmare;butifthesleepismadeunnaturallydeepbyasleepingdraught,hecannot
wakeup,
andislockedoutontheastral,asitwere,whichisthelastthingonewantsinthecaseofa
psychic
attack.Ifasleepingdraughtisconsideredessential,foritisimpossibletogowithoutsleep
indefinitely,

thepersonwhoiswatchingbesidethesleepershouldobservecarefullyanysignsthatthesleepis
being
disturbedbydreams,andifheobservesmutteringortwitching,shouldimmediatelyperformthe
necessarybanishingsandwhisperintotheearofthesleepersoothingandreassuringsuggestions
suchas
Couerecommendsshouldbedoneinthecaseofyoungchildren.Oneofthemostdistressing
featuresof
apsychicattackisthatthevictimfearstosleepbecausehefeelsthatinsleepheisdefenceless.
Those
whohavereadKipling'sterriblestory,"TheEndofthePassage,"mayrememberthatthevictim
ofthe
occultattackthereindescribedalwayswenttobedwearingspursinorderthathemightrowel
himself
andsowakeupifhewerestrugglingwithhisinvisibleenemyduringsleep.
Thereisagreatdealthatcanbedoneuponthephysicalplanetohelpthepersonwhoissuffering
from
anoccultattack,andwemayaswellconsiderthesephysicalmethodswhileweareuponthe
subjectof
thepartthatcanbeplayedbyadoctorindealingwiththecase.Sunlightisexceedinglyvaluable
because
itstrengthenstheauraandmakesitmuchmoreresistant.Peopleareoftenadvisedtogoaway
intothe
countryonthisaccount,butforthevictimofanoccultattacktogointothedepthsofthecountry
may
notbethewisestthing,becauseelementalforcesaremuchmorepotentawayfromtowns,andif
heis
threatenedbyanuprushofatavisticforces,hehadbetterclingtothehauntsofmen.Thesea,too,
isan
elementalforcethatisbestavoided,forwaterisanelementintimatelyassociatedwithpsychism.
Large
bodiesofwaterandhighmountainsshouldbeavoidedinchoosingahealthresortforaperson
suffering
frompsychictrouble.Thebestplaceisaninlandspa.Games,physicaltraining,massage,
anythingthat
improvesthebodilycondition,areinvaluable,butlongsolitarywalksshouldbeavoidedbecause
thereis
oftenariskofsuicide.Thepersonwhoisthevictimofanoccultattackshouldatallcostsavoid
solitude.
Thereisanotherverysimplemeasurewhichgivesimmensereliefincasesofpsychic
interference.Itis
obviousthattheattackismadethroughthepsychiccentres,thereforeanythingwhichcloses
those
centreswillrenderthevictimcomparativelyimmune.Itiswellknownhowthestolid,
materialistictype

ofpersoncanlivewithimpunityinhauntedhousesthatdrivethesensitivetomadnessand
suicide.Itis
alsowellknownthatpsychicworkcannotbeperformedifthereisfoodinthestomach;thebest
results
arealwaysobtainedwhenfasting.Theobviouscorollaryofthesefactsisthatifwewanttokeep
the
psychiccentresclosed,weshouldnotallowthestomachtobecomeempty.Thepersonwhois
facinga
psychicattackshouldnotgomorethantwohourswithoutfood.
Certainimportantpsychiccentresareinthehead.Oneofthesimplestwaysofcheckingtheir
activityis
bydrawingtheblooddownfromthehead.Thiscanbedoneeffectuallybyahotbathorputting
thefeet
inhotmustardandwater.Anotherimportantcentreisthesolarplexus;duringapsychicattack
thisis
oftenfelttobetenseanddistressing.Alargehotwaterbottle,wellfilledsothatitisheavyas
wellashot,
laiduponthesolarplexus,whichisthehandbreadthbetweenthepitofthestomachandtheribs,
will
effectuallyrelievetensioninthatspot.Indeed,pressurewithoutheatwillgiverelief,andIhave
known
caseswhereafirmpadheldinplacebyabeltorcorsetsgavemuchcomfort.
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Aboveallthings,thebowelsshouldbekeptfreelyopenwhilefacingapsychicattack,because
thereis
nothingthatputsoneatsogreatadisadvantageastheaccumulationofeffetematterwithinthe
body.
Allthesesimplephysicalremediesarereadilyavailable.Theywillnotaffordacureforpsychic
pathologies,noracompletedefencefrompsychicattack,buttheycangivegreatrelieffrom
distress;
theyenablethevictimtoputupamuchmoreeffectualresistance,andbyrelievingthestrain,
they
increasehisendurance.Inmanycasesofpsychicattack,hewhoendureslongestwins;psychic
attacksby
humanbeingsarenotthingswhichcanbemaintainedindefinitelybecausetheyuseuptoomuch
energy.
Thereisanoldadage,"Neveruseabigspadeifalittlespadewilldo."Physicalmethodsof
defence
involvemuchlessoutlayofenergythanpsychicones,thereforeitispsychicallyeconomicalto
makeas
muchuseofthemaspossible.Whytroubletoexorcisetheearthelementalswitharitualifyou
candoit

withapill?
Thequestionofdietalsorequirestobeconsideredinthisconnection.Thewidespread
propagandaofthe
TheosophicalSocietyhascausedvegetarianismtoberegardedasasinequanonofoccult
training.This,
however,isnotthecase.TheWesternEsotericTraditiondoesnotmakevegetarianismanypart
ofits
system,butteachesthatamanshouldpartakesparinglyandtemperatelyofthefoodoftheland
inwhich
hefindshimself.PersonallyIaminclinedtothinkthatoccultismandvegetarianismareapttobe
an
injudiciousmixtureforaEuropean,theresultbeingahypersensitivenessthatmakeslifevery
difficultin
ourharddrivingcivilisation.
Vegetarianismhastobethoroughlyunderstoodandexceedinglywelldoneifitistobe
successful,and
evenso,thereisagoodlyproportionofpeoplewhoareincapableofdigestingvegetableproteins,
which
arenotnearlysoeasilydealtwithasanimalsubstances.Nothingbutexperienceand
experimentationcan
showwhetheravegetariandietsuitsagivenperson.Indigestionisnottheonlyindicationthatall
isnot
well.Lossofappetite,lossofenergy,lossofweight,oraflabbystoutnessarealldangersignals
whichif
disregardedwillcausechronicillhealth.Vegetarianismmayagreewithapersonwellenoughat
first,
butafteraconsiderableperiod,possiblyyears,theymayfindthattheyarebecomingsubjectto
neuritis,
neuralgia,sciatica,oroneoranotherofthenervepains.Thisisasureindicationthatavegetarian
dietis
affordinginsufficientnourishment,notbecauseitdoesnotcontainthenecessaryfoodunits,but
because
thedigestionisunabletoassimilatethemandtheyarepassingoutofthebodyunchanged.
Wherever
thereisahistoryofneuralgicpainscomplicatingacaseofpsychicdisturbance,Ishouldbe
inclinedto
suspectchronicmalnutritionasthecauseofahypertrophiedpsychism.Insuchcasesitwill
probablybe
foundthatagradualreturntoanourishingmixeddietwillbringaboutareductionofthe
hypersensitiveness,theundesirablecontactsthathavebeenformedwillfade,andthecondition
returnto
normal.Thechangeofdiet,however,shouldalwaysbemadegraduallylestthedigestionbe
upset.

Anyonewhoishavingtroublewithpsychicdisturbanceshouldimmediatelydiscontinueall
occult
practicesandshouldexchangehishabitualmeditationsfortheprayersofhischildhood,orNew
Thought
methods.Itisnotimetoopenupthepsychiccentreswhenthereisastraltrouble.Thethingtodo
insuch
casesistogetbackontothephysicalplaneandstopthereresolutely.Therewasapictureinan
old
numberofPunchwhichtomywayofthinkingexactlyexpressesthecorrectattitudeforthe
person
afflictedbypsychictrouble.Infrontofanoldfashionedfourposterbedsteadstandsaferocious
female
armedwitharollingpin,andfromunderthevalanceprotrudestheheadofherspouse,whosays,
"Ye
maywhackme,andyemaythwackme,butyecannabreakmymanlyspirit,forI'llnocam'oot."
Ifthevictimofanoccultattackconcentratesonmundanethingsheisaheartbreaking
propositionfor
anysorcerer.Whatisthesorcerertodoif,atthetimewhenheisoperatingtheBlackArt,his
victimisat
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thelocalcinemaroaringattheanticsofCharleyChaplin?Thereisanoldsayingthatonenail
drivesout
another.Ifinfearofinvisibledangers,takeupasportwithanelementofriskinit.

CHAPTERXVI

DIAGNOSISOFTHENATUREOFANATTACK

AVINGconsideredthepurelyphysicalfactorsinapsychicdisturbance,wemaynowcome

tothe
considerationofitsgenuinelypsychicfactors.Wemustalwaysbearinmind,however,that
because
physicaldiseaseisfound,itdoesnotnecessarilyeliminatethepsychicfactor.Aphysical
condition,such
asanabnormalstateoftheblood,maycausealowformofpsychismandputitsvictimintouch
with
evilastralconditions.Sciencemaycallitdeliriumorhallucination,buttheoccultistcallsit
pathological
psychismandcandoagreatdealtorelieveit,eitherbyclosingdownthepsychiccentres,orby
excludingevilpsychicinfluencesfromtheenvironmentofthepatientsothatthespiritshesees
shallbe

angelicinsteadofdemonic,andcausehimhappinessinsteadofdistress.Thepsychiccentres
forcedopen
byadiseasedbloodstreamperceiveanythingthatcomeswithintheirrangeofvision.Therefore
letus
ensurethatnothingsavewhatispleasantshallcomenearthem.Wemaynotbeableentirelyto
keephim
offtheAstral,butatleastwecanensurethathiswanderingsshallbeinasafeandpleasantpart
ofthe
Astral.Peopledonotrealisetheextenttowhichthewanderingsofdeliriumcanbedirectedand
controlledbysuggestionswhisperedintotheearofthesickperson.Wecancompanionthesick
manin
hisastralwanderingsandmakeourvoiceheardamonghisvisions,byourknowledgedriving
awaythe
evilpresencesthatthreatenhimandguidinghisdreamsintothewayofpeace.
Atthecommencementofourdiagnosiswemustdistinguishbetweenthreebroadclassesof
psychic
disturbance:thosewhichareabyproductofphysicaldisease,thosewhichareduetomalicious
human
action,andthosewhichareduetononhumaninterference.Thefirsttypeshouldbereadily
pickedout
bythedoctorif,ashasalreadybeenadvised,recoursehasbeenhadtohimastheessential
preliminary.
Moreover,hewillalsobeeffectiveineliminatingthefrauds,forpeoplemovinginpsychic
circlesand
familiarwiththeirterminologymaysimulateapsychicattackeitherinordertoborrowmoneyor
obtain
hospitality,oroutofpureloveofnotoriety,afarcommonermotiveforhumanaberrationsthanis
generallyrealised.Fraudsusuallyeitherfadeawayorrecoverquicklywhenthreatenedwitha
physical
overhaul.Thosewhodecidetochancetheirluckareprettyquicklycaughtoutbythemanwho
has
servedhistimeintheoutpatientdepartmentofageneralhospital.
Thediagnosiswhichtheoccultisthastomakethereforeliesindistinguishingbetweentheattack
ofan
incarnatemindandtheattackofadiscarnatemind.Therearetwowaysinwhichhecandothis,
andhe
oughttousethemboth,sothattheycountercheckeachother.Heoughttogetatleasttwo
independent
psychicstopsychometrisethecase,andhehimselfoughttomakehisowndiagnosisentirely
fromthe
casehistoryinterpretedinthelightoffirstprinciples.Itisagreatmistaketomixthepsychicand
the
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scientific.Theyareapttoneutraliseeachother.Letonepersondothepsychismandanotherthe
observation,andletproperprecautionsbetakentopreventtheresultsoftheclairvoyant
investigation
beingvitiatedbysuggestion,orbythethoughtreadingofpreviouslyconceivedopinionsheldin
the
mindofanyofthepersonsconcerned.Itisthereforeagoodthingtosendoffthespecimensfor
psychometrisingatthecommencementofanoccultinvestigation,beforeanyopinionshavebeen
formed.
Itisnotthesimplestmatterintheworldtotakepsychometricspecimensproperly.Ihaveseena
man
bringalockofhairbelongingtosomeoneelseoutofhispocket,wherehehadcarrieditabout
fora
coupleofdays,andhanditoverforpsychometry.Itwasofcoursesothoroughlyimpregnated
withhis
ownemanationsastobeuseless.Apsychometricalspecimenshouldbesomeobjectthoroughly
impregnatedwiththevibrationsofaperson.Agarmentrecentlyandhabituallyworn,alockof
hair,a
pieceofjewellery,allthesecanbemadetoserveprovidedtheyareproperlypreserved.
Crystalline
substances,suchaspreciousstones,holdmagnetismbetterthananythingelse;metalsarealso
good,
whetherpreciousorotherwise.Apocketknife,forinstance,willholdmagnetismwell.Wood
holdsit
badly,andsodopaper,wool,cottonandartificialsilk,especiallythelatter.Silkandlinenare
good.
Indiarubberisuseless.Glassdependsforitsholdingpowersuponitsform.Ifitiscutsothatit
will
refractlightitcanbeverygood;ifitisflatandpurelytransparent,likeawindowpane,itis
almost
useless.Stoneisfair.Earthenwarepoor.Anelaboratearticleisnotasgoodasasimplearticle.
For
instance,amarquiseringisnotasgoodasasignetring.Lettersareapttobemisleadingbecause
they
oftencontainnearlyasmuchofthemagnetismoftherecipientasofthewriter.Somepsychics
canwork
fromaphotograph,butthismethodisnot,strictlyspeaking,psychometry,forthementalimage
evoked
bythephotographisusedtopickupthecorrespondingimageinthereflectingether.
Greatcareshouldbeusedintakingapsychometricspecimen,foritisreadilycontaminatedby
the
magnetismofanyonewhohandlesit,whoisinproximitytoit,orwhoeventhinksaboutit
concentratedly.Forinstance,ifwhilepackingupsuchaspecimenforsendingoffyouare
broodingover

theproblemitpresentsandworkingoutyourowntheory,thepsychometristmaypickupyour
thoughtforminsteadofreadingtheconditionsofthepersontowhomtheobjectbelongs.The
materials
whichareusedforpackingshouldalsobefreefrommagnetism.Iknewofacasewhereinthe
psychic
saidthatacertaintrinketbelongedeithertoanurseortosomeonewhohadtodowithhospitals.
Asa
matteroffact,itbelongedtoneither,buthadbeenpackedinsurgicalcottonwool.
Whenpackingupapsychometricspecimen,doitasexpeditiouslyandwithaslittlehandlingas
possible.
Takeapieceof"virgin"blackorwhitesilk(notcoloured),largeenoughtoserveasawrapper.
Throwit
overthearticleandbundleituprapidly,handlingitthroughthesilk.Intheoccultsense,"virgin"
means
somethingthathasneverbeenusedforanyotherpurpose.Forinstance,youshouldnotusepart
ofanold
dressoracushioncover.Anarticlewhichdoesnotlenditselftohandlingbythismethodcanbe
picked
upwithsugartongsorthepointsofapairofscissorsandlaidonthesquareofsilkinwhichitis
tobe
wrapped.Packthewrappedarticleinawoodenbox,beingsurethatanypaddingwhichisusedis
also
virgin.Thereportofasinglepsychometristshouldnotbereliedupon.Specimensshouldbesent
totwo
atleast.Itisalsowellwhensendingspecimens,andespeciallywhensendingabirthhourfora
horoscope,nottoallowthenametobeknownlestgossipshouldbespreadabout.Astrologersare
much
toofondofhandingroundchartsanddiscussingthem.Ihaveknownsomeveryunfortunate
thingscome
aboutinthisway.
Ahoroscopefromsomeonewhounderstandsthenatureoftheworkinhandisofgreatvalue,for
the
positionoftheplanetsintheheavenlyhousesnotonlyservesasanaidtodiagnosisbutisavery
importantguidetotreatment.Itisbestthereforetoexplaintotheastrologerthenatureofthe
case,and
thekindofinformationthatiswanted,sothathecanexaminethechartaccordingly.Ahoroscope
isto
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anocculttherapistwhatanXrayphotographistoadoctor.
Whileawaitingthesereturns,andwhilehismindisstilluninfluencedbythem,theoccultist
shouldmake
hisownindependentdiagnosis.Inordertodothisheshouldhaveatleasttwointerviewswithhis

patient.Inthefirstheshouldhearthecasehistory,allowingthepatienttopresentthefactsinhis
own
way,withoutguidanceorleadingquestions.Immediatelythepatienthasleft,theoperatorshould
write
outthecasehistorywithasmuchdetailashecanrecall.Itisexceedinglyundesirabletotake
notesinthe
presenceofapatient,becauseitmakeshimnervous,forhefeelsthat,inthewordsofthepolice
court,
"everythingheissayingwillbetakendownandusedasevidenceagainsthim."
Inpreparationforthesecondinterviewtheoccultistshouldstudythisrecordcarefullyandhave
itspoints
andsequenceclearinhismind.Nowisthetimetoquestionthepatientconcerningany
discrepanciesor
hiatuses.Thisproceedingwillrevealtheliar,whetherdeliberateorhysterical,quickerthan
anythingelse,
forthediscrepanciesofhissecondstatementwillbeclearlyrevealedagainstthewrittenrecord
ofhis
first.Ifheistellingthetruth,thetwostatementswillbeinagreement.Ifheisdistortingthefacts,
hewill
sooncontradicthimself.
Rememberthatyouaredealingwithapersonwhohassomethingofeitherthepsychicorthe
neurotic,or
verylikelyboth,inhisdisposition,andthatyourattitudetowardshim,andevenyourunspoken
thoughts,
willinfluencehimprofoundly.Ifhefeelsthatyouaredoubtinghisveracity,hewilllosehis
selfconfidenceandbegintothinkthathisexperiencesmay,afterall,bethefruitsofhisown
imagination.Consequently,hewillsuppressthingswhichmaybeallimportantfromthe
diagnostic
standpoint.Itisinthisoutpouringofrelevantandirrelevantdetailthatyouaregoingtofindyour
clues.
Therearecertainlandmarkswhichyouwanttolookoutforintakingthiscasehistory,butyou
donot
wanttoletyourpatientrealisewhatyouarelookingfor,becauseifyouhavewonhisconfidence,
hewill
beveryapttotakeonyourviewpoint,andifheseesyouhaveformedanyopinion,hewill
unconsciouslytwistincidentssothattheyfitinwiththatopinion.Donotallowhimtoguessthe
bearing
ofyourquestions,andthenyouwillobtainfromhimanunbiassedresponse.Inordertoprevent
his
guessingwhatyouaredrivingat,donotaskaseriesofquestionselucidatinginformationona
specific
point.Therewillprobablybeseveralpointsonwhichyouwantinformation.Askquestionsupon
first

oneandthenanotherofthese.Forinstance,ifyoususpectthatthetroublemaybeduetothe
housein
whichyourpatientisliving,thelastthingyouwanttodoistorousehissuspicionsinthisrespect
lest
youshouldbeonafalsescent.Andevenifyoushouldprovetobeontherighttrack,youdonot
wantto
disclosethefactstohimuntilyouarereadytoact,forbyincreasinghisapprehensionsyouwill
increase
hissufferings.Ifyoususpectthatsexplaysapartinhistrouble,andheguessesthetrendofyour
questionings,hewillimmediatelycoverhistracks,andyouwillfinditverydifficulttogetatthe
factsat
all.Whereas,ifhissuspicionsarenotaroused,hewillrevealhimselftoanastuteand
experienced
questionerwhoapproacheshimindirectly,withoutrealisingthathehasdoneso.Byapproaching
thus
indirectlyyounotonlygetattherealfactsofthecase,butsparehisfeelings.
Intakingacasehistoryyouwanttolookforcorrelationsbetweenyourpatient'spsychic
experiencesand
thecircumstancesofhislife.Datesandplacesthereforeshouldbesedulouslysoughtfor.When
didthe
troublestart,andwhere?Havingobtainedasdetailedinformationaspossibleonthesetwo
points,setout
toseewhetheranyoccultsignificanceistobefoundinit.Notethedatescarefully,andturnthem
upin
anephemerisofthoseyears,andobservehowthemoonstoodinrelationtothem,alsothe
planets.
Observewhethertheyfellonorabouttheequinoxesorsolstices.Notealsothedaysoftheweek
upon
whichtheyoccurred.IfyoufoundthatallthecrisesofthecaseoccurredonThursdays,orround
about
theVernalEquinox,oratthefullmoon,youwouldhaveapieceofinformationwhichwasof
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considerablesignificance.Youwouldbesureofonething,atanyrate,thatyouweredealing
withacase
inwhichtheinvisiblepsychictidesplayedapart.
Informationshouldalsobesoughtconcerningtheplaceorplacesinwhichthedifferentcrisesof
the
troubletookplace,andespeciallythecircumstancesattendingitsfirstonset.Itisexceedingly
usefulif
possibletovisittheplaceandsenseitsatmosphere.Averygreatdealcanalsobelearntfrom
visitingthe
placewherethepatientisliving.

Havingobtainedsuchgeographicalinformationasyoucan,studyitcarefullyinconnectionwith
a
largescaleOrdnancemap.Accesstothis,andtoallrelevantinformationdesired,canreadilybe
obtained
atanypubliclibrary.Notewhetherthereareanyprehistoricremainsintheneighbourhood,andif
so,
howthehousebearsinrelationtothem.Observenotonlywhetheritisnearanyofthem,but
whetherit
isinadirectlinebetweenanytwoofthem.Lookupthehistoryofthedistrict,andseewhetherit
affords
anyfurtherinformation.Romanremainsareoftenatthebottomofthetrouble,forthelegions
brought
someveryqueercultswiththeminthedaysofRome'sdecadence.Druidremains,too,shouldbe
suspect
iftheyarenearneighbours.
Enquirealsoconcerninganyunusualobjectsinthehouse,suchasimagesofthedeitiesof
primitivecults
orsavageweapons.Itisquitepossiblethatpowerfulelementalsareattachedtothese.
Enquirewhetherthetroubleseemstoliftwhenthepatientgoesawaytoanotherplace.Ifthe
replyisin
theaffirmative,itmaysafelybepresumedthatlocalconditionsareatthebottomofthetrouble.
Butif
thereplyisinthenegative,itdoesnotnecessarilyfollowthattheoppositeisthecase.Itmayalso
bethat
thetroubledoesnotdependupontheplace,butuponsomepersonresidingattheplace.Never
forgetthat
inthegreatmajorityofcasesthatperson'sharmfulinfluenceisduetoanunfortunatepsychic
makeup
ratherthandeliberateabuseofoccultknowledge.Beveryslowtoacceptthelatterhypothesis,
forits
occurrenceiscomparativelyrare.Andevenifthepersonsuspectedisknowntohaveoccult
knowledge
andcanbeprovedtobeantagonistictothepatient,itdoesnotnecessarilyfollowthattheattack
is
consciousanddeliberate.Itmaybeunconsciousandreflex.Itisquitetruethatanoccultistought
tohave
sufficientcontroloverhisvehiclestopreventthemfromactingindependentlyofhiswilland
consciousness;butthisisnotalwaysthecase.Peopleareatmanydifferentstagesof
development.There
isalwaysadifficultperiodbetweentheawakeningofthehigherpowersandtheirfullcontrol.
Enquiriesshouldalsobemadeconcerningthenatureofthedreams,andwhetherthepatientis
subjectto
nightmaresapartfromanyquestionofoccultattack.Alsowhetherhehaseverhadanyother
psychic

experiences,andifso,ofwhatnature.
Finally,acarefulenquiryshouldbemadeconcerningthepatient'sassociates,astowhetherany
ofthem
arepsychic,orstudentsoftheoccult.Beverycareful,however,nottocastsuspicionuponany
person
unlessyouhaveconclusiveevidenceanditisessentialtodosoinordertosavethepatient.
Rememberit
isalwayspossiblethatyoumaybemistaken.Acasewasreportedinthepapersnotsolongago
ofaman
whocommittedsuicidebecauseadoctortoldhimthathehadorganicheartdiseaseandoughtnot
to
marrythegirlhewasengagedto.Atthepostmortemitwasfoundthattherewasnothing
whateverthe
matterwithhisheart.Imaginethefeelingsofthedoctorwhohadgiventhisrashdiagnosis.A
person
alreadyupsetbyapsychicattackwillbeinastatetojumpatshadows.Hemustbehandledvery
discreetly.Beverycharyofannouncingyoursuspicionsuntiltheyareconclusivelyverified.
Whenallis
saidanddone,themainobjectisacure,notanexplanation.Itisoflittlevaluetoyourpatientto
fixthe
blameunlessthemattercanbeclearedup.Heisconsiderablyworseoffifhissuspicionsare
turned
towardssomepersoninhisenvironmentfromwhomhecannotescape,thanifhebeleftto
attributehis
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troubletounidentifiedpsychicinfluences.Whereignoranceisbliss'tisfollytobewiseistruerin
psychicmattersthananywhereelse.Neveropentheeyesofyourpatienttoadangerforwhich
you
cannotgivehimaneffectualdefence.Thesurgeonwhoisabouttooperatecovershisinstruments
witha
clothsothatthepatientshallnotseethem.Thewiseoccultistdoesthesame.Donotforgetthat
the
Unseenisalwayssuspecttotheuninitiated.
Havingconductedanenquiryalongthelineslaiddowninthepreviouspages,youshouldhave
acquired
aconsiderableamountofmaterialforinvestigation.Examineitcarefullyforcorrelationsof
causeand
effect.Noteifanyexacerbationofthetroubleisregularlyassociatedwithanyincident,place,or
person.
ConsideralsothevarioustypecasesthatIhavegivenasexamplesinthepreviouschapters,and
seeif

youcanfindanythatresemblethecaseyouareinvestigating.Notetheexplanationsgiven,and
seeif
theythrowanylightupontheproblem,orsuggestlinesalongwhichenquirymightbepursued.
Workinginthisway,yououghttobeabletoarriveatatentativediagnosis.Ifthisisconfirmed
bythe
findingsofthepsychicstowhomyouhavesentspecimensforpsychometry,thenyoumayfeel
confident
youareupontherighttrackandgoforwardboldly.
Remember,however,thatalthoughthepsychicsoughttoagreeastothemainpointsoftheir
investigation,youcannotexpectanycompleteagreementastodetails.Theyareinspectinga
composite
photographofthepatient'sentirelife,andthereissomuchtoseethatnoonepersonislikelyto
see
everything.Thethingsinwhichtheyconfirmeachothermaybeheldtobeestablished,butthe
things
whichtheoneseesandtheotherdoesnotarenotnecessarilyillusionary.

CHAPTERXVII

METHODSOFDEFENCE
I

Nwritingforthegeneralreaderanaccountofthemethodstobeusedincombatingapsychic

attack,I
amremindedofthoseexcellentmanualsuponmedicineandsurgerywhichanenlightenedBoard
of
Tradeinsistsshallbeprovidedforthecaptainsofships,togetherwithacupboardfullof
remedies,
harmlessandotherwise.Whenanemergencyarises,theworthyskipperreadsthroughthe
chapterhe
believestobearuponthecaseinhandandgoestoworkasbesthemay.Ontheseoccasionsthe
personal
factorisalargeone.
Soitisindealingwithpsychictrouble.Wideexperienceisneededfordiagnosis,andspecially
trained
facultiesandspeciallydevelopedpowersareneededtocopewiththeconditionsthatmaybe
found.This
bookismoreinthenatureofamanualoffirstaidthanatreatiseontreatment.
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Wemustalsobearinmindthatjustasthepotentdrugiseffectualinthehandsoftheexpertbut
dangerousinthehandsoftheamateur,sodothemorepotentoccultformulaneedspecial
equipmentfor

theiruse.Moreover,aformulathatisusedindiscriminatelybytheuninitiatedisapttoloseits
potency
andbecomeuseless.ThepopularexpletivewhichG.B.S.introducedintopolitesocietyinhis
play,
Pygmalion,isthewornoutremnantoftheoncepowerfuladjuration,"ByOurLady."Moreover,
notwo
casesarealike,andtheclearcut,typicalcaseisararityandtreasure.Commonsense,natural
aptitude
andexperiencearetheexorcist'sbestequipment.
Havingmadehisdiagnosisandbeingreadytoproceedtothehandlingofthecase,theexorcist
hasto
achievethreethings:hemustrepairhispatient'saura,cleartheatmosphereofhisenvironment,
and
breakhiscontactwiththeforcesthatarecausingthetrouble.Thesethreethingsare
interdependent,and
notoneofthemisfirstorlast.Itisnexttoimpossibletogetadamagedauratohealifyoudonot
clear
theatmosphere;norwilltheatmosphereremainclearforlongifyoucannotbreakthecontacts.
Theoretically,theidealthingtodoistobreakthecontactsasastart.Butunfortunately,inactual
practice,theseoftentakeagooddealoffinding,andagooddealofhandlingaftertheyhavebeen
found.
Meanwhile,somethinghastobedonetokeepthepatientgoing.Theexorcisthasgottoclear
himselfa
placeinwhichtowork.Orifthevictimoftheattackisdefendinghimselfsinglehanded,hehas
gotto
throwupsometemporarydefenceswhilehedigshimselfin.
Thefirstthingtodowhendealingwithanoccultattackistomakeatemporaryclearanceofthe
atmosphereandsogainbreathingspaceinwhichtoreformtheshatteredranks.Thisismore
readily
achievedbyanorganisedritualthanbyunaidedwillpower.Anyactperformedwith
intentionbecomesa
rite.Wecantakeabathwithnomoreinmindthanphysicalcleanliness;inwhichcasethebath
will
cleanseourbodiesandnomore.Orwecantakeabathwithaviewtoritualcleanliness,inwhich
caseits
efficacywillextendbeyondthephysicalplane.Wethereforeperformcertainphysicalactionsnot
onlyas
ameansofclearingethericconditions,butalsoasameansofdefinitelyeffectingastralones
throughthe
imagination,averypotentweaponinallmagicaloperations.
Physicalobjectsbecomeimpregnatedwithethericemanationsandretainthemforconsiderable
periods
asaknifewillretainasmellofonionsandtainteverythingthatiscutwithit.Theseemanations,

magnetismastheyarecalledintheterminologyofoccultscience,profoundlyaffectany
sensitiveperson
whoisincontactwiththem.Thereissomethingintheoldsuperstitionthatitisunluckytoplace
boots
onatable.Itisequallyinadvisabletoplaceoutdoorgarmentsonabed.Youdonotknowwhom
you
haverubbedshoulderswithinbusortrain,sowhygivetheirmagnetismachancetocontaminate
your
sleepingplace?
Fortunatelyforallofus,magnetismisaveryfugitiveforce,andalthoughitmaybepotentwhen
fresh,it
soonfadesunlessithasbeendeliberatelycreatedbymeansofritual.Theterribleatmospherethat
surroundsthevictimofanoccultattackandpermeatesallhisbelongingsisnotdifficulttogetrid
of,
thoughitwillrapidlyreformunlesstheconditionswhichgaverisetoitareclearedup.
Themosteffectualwayofgettingridofmagnetismistomovetoafreshplace,takingnothingof
one's
oldbelongingswithone.This,however,isacounselofperfectionformostpeople.Fortunately
thereare
otherdeviceswhichenableustoattainourendsnearlyaseffectually.Ifitbeinanyway
possible,letthe
victimofanoccultattackmovetemporarilytoanotherenvironment,takingwithhimasfewof
his
belongingsaspossible,andlethimmakethemoveinnewclothes,orinclothesthatarejustback
from
thecleaner.Lethim,moreover,keephiswhereaboutsasecretasfarasitisconvenientforhimto
doso.
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Thereisanoldsuperstitionthatawitchcanbethrownoffthetrailbycrossingrunningwater.It
ismy
opinionthatmanyoftheseoldfolkbeliefshaveabasisinfact,howeveroverlaidbysuperstition
they
mayhavebecome.Ioncehadacuriousexperiencewhichgivessupporttothisopinion.Iwas
aboutto
takepartinanimportantpieceofoccultworktowhichIknewtherewouldbeopposition.A
friendwho
wasconcernedinthematteraskedmetodinewithheronthenightbeforethedayfixedforthe
proceeding.Wewerebothconsciousoftensionintheatmosphere,andshesuggestedthatI
should
remainthenightatherflatinsteadofreturningtomyown,informingnooneofmywhereabouts
inorder

tothrowtheattackoffthetrail.Themaneuverwasnotwhollysuccessful,andwehadarather
trying
night,andIwasconsciousofagooddealofpsychictensionnextday.Idecidedthereforetowalk
tothe
appointedplaceacrossHydeParkinordertorefreshmyself.Whenpartofthewayacross,I
suddenlyfelt
thatthetensionrelaxed,andIwasabletogothroughtheworkinhandwithoutinterference.I
toldmy
friendofthisexperience,andshequestionedmeastowhereIwaswhenittookplace.Welooked
upthe
spotonamap,andfoundthatIhadjustcrossedtheundergroundconduitwhichtakesthe
overflowfrom
theSerpentine.Ididnotknowoftheoldsuperstitionconcerningrunningwater,neitherdidI
knowofthe
existenceoftheconduit.Nevertheless,thesenseofreliefwassufficientlymarkedtocausemeto
mentionitwhenIsawmyfriendagain,andtobeabletoindicatethespotwhereithadoccurred.
Wehaveverylittleexactknowledgeconcerningthesesubtleforceswhicharethebasisofboth
occult
attackandspiritualhealing,butwehavegoodreasontobelievethatintheirnaturetheyare
closely
analogoustoelectricity.Theyarenotinanimateforces,however,buthaveintheirnature
somethingthat
isakintolife,thoughofalowtype.Ithasbeenmyexperiencethatifweworkonablended
analogyof
electricityandbacteriology,wegetprettynearthefacts;asnear,atanyrate,asourpresentstate
ofknow
ledgepermits.Inotherwords,ifweactasifthoughtpossessedthecombinedqualitiesof
electricityand
bacteriaweshallhaveasufficientlyaccuratemethodofsteeringbydeadreckoninginthe
absenceof
certainknowledgeandactualsight.Ifweconsiderthevariousmethodsusedinfolkmagicofall
ages
andraces,weshallobservethattheyareinagreementwiththesehypotheses.
Runningwater,weknow,haspeculiarelectricalqualities,asiswitnessedbyitseffectonthe
diviningrodinthehandsofasensitiveperson.Whateveritmaybethataffectsthedivineris
probably
thesamethingthataffectstheoccultattack.Whenwerecall,moreover,thatrunningwaterwill
throw
houndsoffthescentjustaseffectuallyasitwilltheallegedwitch,wemayfeelthatwecannotbe
accusedofgrosssuperstitionifwegivetheoldfolktraditionatrialandnotetheresults.
Water,again,isthevehicleofpurification.ItisusedintheriteofbaptismbytheChurchandin
the
PreparationofthePlacebytheoccultistabouttoperformaceremony.Strictlyspeaking,there
shouldbe

atraceofsaltinthewaterthusemployed,andbothsaltandwaterareblessedwithpowerful
invocations
whenthepriestispreparingholywater,whetherforabaptism,orforplacingintheholywater
stoupfor
theuseofthecongregation.
Asfarastheoccultistisconcerned,salttohimistheemblemoftheelementofearth.Itisalsoa
crystallinesubstance,andcrystallinesubstances,intheirdifferentforms,receiveandholdetheric
magnetismbetterthananythingelse.Water,ontheotherhand,istheemblemofthepsychic
sphere.
Thesetworealms,betweenthem,containbyfarthegreatestpartofoccultevil.Itisrareindeed
that
spiritualwickednessinhighplaceswillreachupasfarastheairyrealmsofmindorthefiery
realmsof
spirit.Ifwewanttogetintotouchwith,oroperateuponaparticularsphere,weuseasbasea
substance
appropriatethereto.Consequently,asolutionofsaltandwatermakesabetterbasethaneither
saltor
watercoulddoseparatelybecauseitenablesustocoverthewholeofthesphereofprobable
operations
inasingleact.Itmaybeinterestingtonoteconcerningthemagicalpropertiesofcrystalline
substances,
thatcrystalsareusedinwirelessapparatustopickupthesubtlevibrationsoftheether.Once
againwe
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arecloseuponthetrailofourelectrobacteriologicalanalogy.
Itisanexcellentplan,whentryingtobreakanundesirablepsychiccontact,toimmerseoneselfin
abath
ofwaterthathasbeenespeciallyconsecratedforthepurpose;redressinginneworatleastclean
clothingafterwards,andifitbebyanymeanspossible,movingintoadifferentroom.Ifthis
cannotbe
done,movethebedintoadifferentposition,takingcaretoturnitatadifferentangle;thatisto
say,if
youhavebeeninthehabitofsleepinglyingnorthandsouth,placeyourbedsothatyouwillnow
be
lyingeastandwest.
Thefollowingprayersmaybeusedfortheblessingofthesaltandwater.
"(Pointingthefirstandsecondfingersatthesalt.)Iexorcisethee,creatureofearth,bytheliving
God
(+),bytheholyGod(+),bytheomnipotentGod(+),thatthoumayestbepurifiedofallevil
influencesin
theNameofAdonai,WhoisLordofAngelsandofmen.
"(Extendinghandoversalt.)Creatureofearth,adorethyCreator.IntheNameofGodtheFather

Almighty,makerofheavenandearth,andofJesusChristHisSon,ourSaviour,Iconsecratethee
(+)to
theserviceofGod,intheNameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolyGhost.Amen."
"(Pointingfirstandsecondfingersatthewater.)Iexorcisethee,creatureofwater,bytheliving
God(+),
bytheHolyGod(+)bytheomnipotentGod(+),thatthoumayestbepurifiedfromallevil
influencesin
theNameofElohimSabbaoth,WhoisLordofAngelsandofmen.
"(Extendinghandoverwater.)Creatureofwater,adorethyCreator.IntheNameofGodthe
Father
Almighty,Whodecreedafirmamentinthemidstofthewaters,andofJesusChristHisSonour
Saviour,
Iconsecratethee(+)totheserviceofGod,intheNameoftheFatherandoftheSonandofthe
Holy
Ghost.Amen."
"(Castingthesaltintothewater.)WeprayThee,OGod,LordofHeavenandearth,andofall
thatin
themis,bothvisibleandinvisible,thatThoumayeststretchforththerighthandofThypower
upon
thesecreaturesoftheelementsandhallowtheminThyholyName.Grantthatthissaltmaymake
for
healthofbodyandthiswaterforhealthofsoul,andthattheremaybebanishedfromtheplace
where
theyareusedeverypowerofadversityandeveryillusionandartificeofevil,forthesakeof
JesusChrist
ourSaviour.Amen."
Thewaterthusconsecratedmaybeusedasabath,orformakingtheSignofCrossuponthe
forehead,or
forsprinklingaboutaplace.Whenthususingit,thefollowingprayermaybeemployed.
"IntheNamewhichisaboveeveryothername,andinthepoweroftheFatherandoftheSon
andofthe
HolyGhost,Iexorciseallinfluencesandseedsofevil;IlayuponthemthespellofChrist'sHoly
Church,
thattheymaybeboundfastaswithchainsandcastintoouterdarkness,thattheytroublenotthe
servants
ofGod."
InpointingormakingtheSignoftheCross(+),thefirstandsecondfingersareextendedand
thethird
andfourtharebenttowardsthepalmofthehandandthethumblaidupontheirnails.Whenthe
handis
extendedinblessingoverthesaltandwater,itisheldflat,fingerstogetherandparallel,and
thumb
stretchedatrightanglestotheforefinger.

Ifthereissufficientoccultforceatworktoproducephysicalphenomena,itisveryadvisableto
take
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precautionstopreventmaterialisationstakingplace.Thephysicalphenomenaareofseveral
types.They
maytaketheformofnoises,usuallycreakings,thuds,ormorerarelybelllikenotesorwailing
sounds.If
actualwordsareheard,auditoryhallucinationsshouldbesuspected,forintheabsenceofa
medium,
spiritmessagesaregiventotheinnerear,nottotheauditorynerve.Lightsmayalsobeseen,
usually
takingtheformofdimballsofluminousmistdriftinglikesoapbubbles.Theymaybeanysize
from
merepointsoflighttoconsiderabledimensions,somesixfeetormoreindiameter.Inthese
spheresof
dimluminositypsychicscangenerallyseeforms,sometimeshuman,sometimesfromtheanimal
kingdom.Whitishgreycloudscanalsosometimesbeseen,risingpillarwisefromthefloorlike
smoke.
Theseareusuallyfixedtooneplaceanddonotmoveabouttheroomasdothespheresoflight,
such
movementasoccursbeingwithinthemselves,liketheeddyingsofsmokecaughtundera
tumbler.More
rarelyadistinctiveodourmaybenoticed,andstillmorerarelytheremaybeprecipitationsof
powdery
substancesorslime.Lightobjectsalsomaybeoverturnedorthrownabouttheroom.
Therearecertainsubstanceswhichexperiencehasprovedtobeeffectualinpreventingthe
condensation
ofethericenergyfromtakingplace.Camphordissolvedinvinegarandplacedinsaucersabout
theroom
willcopeeffectuallywithlowdegreesofforce,butforhigherpotenciesnitricacidisthebest
thingto
use,asmallquantitybeingpouredintoasaucerandexposedtotheair.Itisbesttouseitwell
dilutedto
preventaccidents,foritisnotthestrengthoftheacidinthesaucerthatisefficacious,butits
evaporation
intotheair,anditwillevaporatejustaswellwhendilutedaswhenneat.Inwhatmanneritworks
Ihave
nottheslightestidea,butitsvalueiswellknownamongpsychicexperimenters.
ThemethodsofoccultattackemployedinmodernEuropeareexclusivelymental,sofarasmy
experienceofthemhasgoneatanyrate.Thatistosay,theyworkbythemindonthemind,and
only

affectphysicalconditionsincidentally.IntheEastandamongprimitivepeople,however,other
aspects
havetobeconsidered,asamuchmoreetherictypeofmagicisinuseunderprimitiveconditions
oflife
anduponvirginsoils.Fortheseethericoperations,materialsubstancesarerequiredinorderthat
the
magnetismattachedtothemmaybemadeuseof.Haircombings,nailparings,castoffclothes,
objects
infamiliaruse,allcontainmagnetism.Consequentlycareshouldbetakentoseethatsuchthings
are
effectuallydisposedofwhendiscarded.Combingsandnailparingsshouldbepromptlyburnt.
Castoff
clothingshouldneverbeallowedtogooutofthepossessionoftheownertillithashadatleast
three
days'exposuretosunandairintheopen.Themagnetismwillbemoreeffectuallydispelledifthe
garmentsbelaidontheearth,especiallyfreshlyturnedearth,thanifhungonaline.Thesame
appliesto
furniture.Thechairthathasbeentheaccustomedseatand,aboveallthings,thebedding,should
be
thoroughlyairedandsunnedbeforetheyarepartedwith.Thesameprecautionsareusefulifany
secondhandarticlehasbeenpurchased.
Thedisposalofnightsoilshouldalsobecarefullyarrangedforandentrustedtoreliableservants,
abundantdisinfectantsanddeodorantsbeingconstantlyinuse.Precautionsshouldbeobservedto
preventanynativeobtainingaccesstofreshexcreta.Aftertheanimalheathasgoneoutofit,its
magical
valuehasgreatlydecreased.Adirtyhandkerchief,too,isaneffectualmagneticlink,andsoare
dressings
fromawound.Anything,infact,thatbearstracesofanyofthebyproductsofthebody.
Butapartfromanyquestionofpsychicattack,therearetwosubstanceswhichareespecially
prizedfor
purposesofmagic,andtheseareseminalfluidandmenstrualblood.Theformerisusedin
fertilityrites
andthelatterincertainformsofevocation.Thesesubstancesareexceedinglyhardtocomebyin
primitivelands,becausethenatives,knowingtheirsignificance,guardthemmostscrupulously;
butthe
memsahibhasnosuspicions,andallowsstainedgarmentsandbedlinentogointothehandsof
the
washermantobedisposedofathisdiscretion,satisfiedsolongasthegarmentsthemselvesreturn
safely
attheendoftheweek,andneverthinkingtoenquirewhatbecomesofthewaterinwhichthey
were
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washed.Therearemanypartsoftheworldinwhichthesaleofthesemagicalsubstancesisa
profitable
sidelineofthelaunderingbusiness.
InEurope,menstrualbloodandfecesarepartofthemagicalsubstancesoftheBlackMass,being
made
upintopatenswithwheatflour.
Atimehonouredmethodofclearingabadpsychicatmosphereoutofahouse,andonewhichI
have
knowninmyownexperiencetobeeffectual,istostrewgarlicabouttheplace,leaveitovernight
and
thentakeitupandburnit.Amongcountrypeople,anonionissometimesplacedinavaseonthe
mantelpieceasifitwereahyacinthbulbwhenunpleasantvisitorsareexpected,andsolemnly
burntin
thekitchenfireassoonastheyhavedeparted,itbeingbelievedthattheoniontribehavethe
propertyof
absorbingnoxiousemanations.Itiscurioustonoteinthisrespectthatinonecoalminetomy
knowledge
theminersareforbiddentotakeonionsdownintotheworkingsaspartoftheirdinnersbecause
the
onionsabsorbtheundergroundgasesandbecomepoisonous.Myinformanttoldmethatheand
others
hadsmuggledonionsdownandlearntfrombitterexperiencethewisdomofthisrule.

CHAPTERXVIII
METHODSOFDEFENCE
II

HEREaretwotypesofpracticalpsychicworkwhichmaybeusedseparatelyorin

combination,the
lattermethod,inmyopinion,givingbyfarthebestresults,thoughtheexponentsofeachareapt
todecry
theother.Themethodwhichwewilldistinguishasthemeditativemethodconsistsofmediation
upon
abstractqualities,suchaspeace,harmony,protectionandtheloveofGod.Itisthemethodofthe
New
Thoughtschool,anditsvalueliesintheharmonisingeffectithasupontheemotionalstateand
its
counteractingofharmfulautosuggestions.Theothermethod,whichwewillcalltheinvocative,
consists
intheinvocationofexternalpotenciesandtheemploymentofformalmethodsforthefocussing
oftheir
force.Thismethodhasmanygradationsofcomplexityandaninfinitevarietyoftechnique.It
ranges

fromthesimplestprayerwhichcallsuponChristwiththeSignoftheCross,tothemost
elaboraterituals
ofexorcismperformedwithbell,bookandcandle.Theessenceofthesystemliesintheattempt
to
dissectoutfromthegeneralforceofgoodtheparticularaspectofenergythatisneeded,andthe
useof
somesymboltoactasthemagicalvehicleofthatforceupontheplaneofform.Thissymbolmay
bea
mentalpictureofthebluerobeofOurLady;itmaybetheactionofmakingtheSignofthe
Cross;itmay
betheconsecratedwatersprinkledfortokenofcleansing;oritmaybesomeobjectspecially
magnetised
toactasatalisman.Intheinvocativemethodtheaimistoconcentratetheforce,andtherefore
some
symbolofformhastobeemployed.Inthemeditativemethodtheaimistoescapebeyondthe
boundsof
formintotheatmosphereofpurespirit,tooexaltedforeviltoenter,andthereforetheuseofany
formor
formulaiseschewedascalculatedtopreventthesoulfromrisingintothispureair.
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Inmyopinion,andwithallduerespecttothepractitionersofthislattermethod,muchbetter
results
wouldbeobtainediftheinvocativemethod,withitsutilisationoftheefficacyofformula,were
usedto
enablethemindtoclimbintothepureairofspiritualconsciousnesswherenoevilis.Itisonly
thosewho
arehighlytrainedinmeditationwhocanriseontheplanesunaided.Itisexceedinglydifficultto
"take
off"fromsenseconsciousnesswithouttheuseofsomekindofpsychologicaldevicetoactasa
springboard.Thereseemstobelittleobjectinrefusingforpurelyacademicreasonstoavail
ourselvesof
amethodofprovenefficacy.Ifwerealisethattheuseofformsandsymbolsismerelya
psychological
devicetoenablethemindtogetagripontheintangible,weshallnotfallintotheerrorof
superstitious
observances.Asuperstitionhasbeendefinedastheblinduseofaformwhosesignificancehas
been
forgotten.
Ontheotherhand,weshallbeunwisetorelyexclusivelyuponformalorceremonialmethods
unlessat
thesametimeweusemeditativemethodsinordertopurifyandharmoniseourown
consciousness.Ifwe

neglectthisaspectofourwork,weshallreinfectbyourownvibrationsthemagiccircleasfast
aswe
haveclearedit.ItisnotmuchusesealingacirclewiththeprotectiveNamesifweallowapanic
stricken
imaginationtorunriot,picturingeveryconceivablekindofevilandleavingblankspacesforthe
possibilityofinconceivablekinds.Equally,however,weshallfinditverymucheasierto
performthe
harmonisingmeditationifweareworkingwithintheprotectionofamagiccircle.Toattemptto
perform
theworkofexorcismsolelybymeansofmeditationislikeraisingaweightbytheunaidedeffort
ofour
twohands.Theemploymentofthemagicalmethodresemblestheuseofalever,orapulleyand
block.
Ourmusclesarestillthesolesourceofenergy,butbytheutilisationofmechanicalprincipleswe
have
redoubledtheirpower.Letus,then,inmeditation,usesymbolstoconcentrateourattention;we
shall
findthismucheasierthanmeditationintermsofabstractthought.Indeed,intimesofstressand
crisis,
abstractthoughtmaybeimpossibleforusunlessweareveryexperiencedinitsuse;butweshall
seldom
reachastatewhenwecannotpicturetheCrossandcallupontheNameofChrist.
Occultattacksmaybedividedintotwotypes,thosewhichtakeplacebymeansofthoughtforms,
and
thosewhichoperatebymeansofacurrentofforce.Buteveninthelattercasethecurrentof
forcesoon
gatherstoitselforgerminatesthoughtformscongenialtoitsnature.Thereforeineverypsychic
disturbancethethoughtformisafactorwhichhastobeconsideredanddealtwith,andwhich,in
fact,
formsthereadiestmeansofdiagnosis;foritisbytheperceptionoftheassociatedthoughtforms
thatthe
experiencedpsychicisabletodetectthenatureoftheattack.
Thoughtforceisathingwhichhasnorelationtogeographicalposition,butisamatterofpure
consciousnessandoftuningintoitskeynote.Wecanpickuptheforcesofdeadfaithsa
thousandyears
afterthedeathoftheirlastvotary,andupontheoppositesideoftheglobetothatinwhichthey
flourished.Butthoughtformsareadifferentmatter.Theyhavepositioninspace,andalthough
theycan
bemovedaboutwiththespeedofthought,andcanbewithdrawntothesubtlestlevelofthe
astraland
thereanchoredtoanideaandthuspreventedfromimpingingupontheplanesofformforall
practical
purposes,nevertheless,althoughtheydonotoccupyspace,theycanbereferredtodefinite
positionsin

space.Theycan,forinstance,beassociatedwithaparticularobject,andwillfollowthatobject
about,
remainingwithinitsmagneticfield.Theimmediatemagneticfieldisanythingfromtwelveto
thirtyfeet;
theremotemagneticfieldfromahundredtothreehundredyards.Powerfulholycentres,like
GlastonburyorLourdes,haveabiggermagneticfieldthanthis,extendingpossiblytoacoupleof
miles;
theyarealsointerconnectedamongthemselvesbylinesofforce.Thesethingshavetobetaken
into
accountinpracticaloccultwork.
Whenweareconfrontedbyadisturbinginfluenceemanatingfromafocusofpower,suchasthe
siteof
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anoldtemple,wehavegottodealwiththeremotemagneticfieldbymeansofceremonial.As
thisisa
methodthatcanonlybeusedbyahighgradeinitiate,wewillnotconsiderithere.Forall
practical
purposesinapsychicattackitistheimmediatemagneticfieldthathastobeconsidered.
Thebestmethodtodealwiththisistomakeamagiccircle.Amerebanishingbyitselfisnotso
effective
asabanishingperformedwithinacircle,becausethecirclewilleffectuallypreventthebanished
forces
fromflowingbackagain.Therearevariousmethodsofperformingthisoperation,butthe
principleofall
validonesisthesame.Themorepotentconjurationscannotbegiveninthesepages,because
their
effectiveusedependsuponthegradeofinitiationpossessedbythepersonwhoproposestouse
them,
andtopossessaformulawithoutthegradetowhichitbelongsisasunsatisfactoryaspossessing
agun
withoutanyknowledgeofshooting.TheformulaIwillgivewillbefoundeffectualforall
ordinary
conditions.Extraordinaryconditionscanonlybedealtwithbyapersonwhohashadexperience.
Inmakingthemagiccircletheoperatorstandsuprightfacingeast.Hefaceseastbecausethe
magnetic
currentonwhichheproposestooperaterunsfromeasttowest.Hisfirstproceduremustbeto
steadyhis
ownvibrationsandpurifyhisaura.Inordertodothis,hemakestheQabalisticCrossonbreast
andbrow.
Touchinghisforeheadhesays,"ToThee,OGod(touchinghissolarplexus)betheKingdom,
(touching

hisrightshoulder)andthePower(touchinghisleftshoulder)andtheGlory,(claspinghishands)
unto
theagesoftheages.Amen."
BythisformulatheoperatoraffirmsthepowerofGodassolecreatorandsupremelawofthe
universeto
whichallthingsmustbow,andheestablishesthisformulamagneticallyinhisaurabytheaction
of
makingtheSignoftheCrossuponhimself.ThisSignisnotanexclusivelyChristiansymbol,and
canbe
usedasreadilybytheJewastheChurchman,foritistheEquilimbedCrossofNaturethatis
beingused,
nottheCalvaryCross,ofwhichtheshaftisdoublethelengthofthecrossbar,andwhichisthe
symbol
ofsacrifice.TheEquilimbedCrossreferstothefourquartersoftheglobeandthefourelements,
andthe
formulaassociatedwithitproclaimsthedominionofGodoverthese,andtherebyoccultly
formulates
Hiskingdomwithinthesphereoftheoperator.
Theoperatornextimagineshimselftobeclaspinginhisrighthandalarge,crosshandledsword,
suchas
isdepictedinpicturesofCrusaders.Heholdsitpointuprightandsays,"IntheNameofGodI
takein
handtheSwordofPowerfordefenceagainstevilandaggression,"andimagineshimselftobe
towering
uptotwicehisnaturalheight,atremendousarmedandmailedfigure,vibratingwiththeforceof
the
PowerofGodwithwhichhehasbeenchargedbyhisformulationoftheSwordofPower.
HenowproceedstodrawtheMagicCircleuponthefloorwiththepointoftheSwordofPower,
andhe
shouldseeinhisimaginationalineofflamefollowingthepointoftheSword,consistingof
small
flames,suchasspringupwhenmethylatedspiritisspiltandignited,butofapalegoldencolour.
Alittle
practiceshouldenablethiscircleoflighttobeformulatedeffectually.Keepongoingroundthe
circle
untilitisformulated.Thecircleshouldalwaysbedrawndeosil,thatistosay,fromeast,tosouth,
to
west,tonorth,inthesamewaythatthehandsofaclockwouldmoveweretheclocklaidface
upwards
onthefloor.Thecontrarywayiswiddershins,thewayinwhichthewitchesdancedatthe
Sabbats.The
deosilmovementaffirmstheruleofGod'slawinNaturebecauseitistheWayoftheSun;the
widdershinsmovementrepudiatesGod'sruleoverNaturebymovingagainstthesun.Inresisting
an

occultattackthewholeformulashouldbetunedtothekeynoteofassertingGod'sdominion
overall
existence,theaimoftheoperatorbeingtoalignhimselfwithCosmicLawandcausethePower
ofGod
todealwiththeinterference.
TheCirclebeingformulated,theoperator,ceasingtovisualisetheswordbutstillvisualisingthe
circle,
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claspshishandsinprayer,andraisingthemabovehisheadtowardstheeast,prays,"Maythe
mighty
archangelRaphaelprotectmefromallevilapproachingfromtheeast."Turningtothesouthhe
repeats
thesameformulainprayertoGabriel.Turningtothewest,heinvokesMichael.Turningtothe
northhe
invokesUriel.Facingtotheeastagain,andthuscompletingthecircle,herepeatstheformulaof
the
QabalisticCross.
Thisformulationofthemagiccircleisespeciallyvaluableforprotectingthesleepingplace,the
circle
beingdrawnaroundthebed.Itisnotnecessarytomoveabouttheroom,orshiftthefurniturein
orderto
drawthecircle,itwillbeformulatedwhereveritisvisualisedtobe.
Itisnecessarytoreaffirmthiscircleeachtimethetideschange;thatistosay,acirclemadeafter
sundownwillholdgoodtillsunrise,andacirclemadeaftersunrisewillmaintainitspotencytill
sunset.
Afterthecirclehasbeenaffirmedanumberoftimesinthesameplaceitsinfluencewillpersist
fora
considerableperiod,butitisadvisabletoreformulateitmorningandeveningduringtheactive
phaseof
anattack.
Incenseburntwithinthecircleisveryhelpful,butcarehastobeexercisedinthechoiceofan
incense.
Josssticksofunknowncompositionshouldneverbeused,astheyareusuallycompoundedwith
aview
toassistingmanifestation.Goodqualitychurchincense,suchascanbeboughtatmostchurch
furnishers,
issafeandsatisfactorybecauseitiscompoundedaccordingtotraditionalrecipes;cheaper
qualitiesmay
notfulfilltheseconditions.
IndealingwithelementalsornonhumanentitiesthePentagram,orPentalapha,isthebest
weapon.This

isafivepointedstardrawninaparticularway.Pointingthefirstandsecondfingersoftheright
hand,
andfoldingtheothersintothepalmandtouchingtheirtipswiththethumb,proceedtodrawthe
Pentagramintheair,keepingtheelbowstiffandswingingthearmatfulllength.Startwiththe
rightarm
acrossthebody,thehandaboutthelevelofthelefthip,theextendedfingerspointingdownwards
and
outwards.Swingitupwards,asifdrawingastraightlineintheair,untilthefingerspointstraight
upwardsabovetheheadatarm'slength.Nowsweepitdownagain,keepingtheelbowstiff,until
the
handoccupiesthecorrespondingpositionupontherightsidetothatfromwhichitstartedonthe
left.
YouhavenowdrawnagiganticVupsidedown.Nextswingthehandacrossthebody,onarising
incline,untilitisstretchedonalevelwiththeleftshoulder,pointingtotheleft.Bringitacross
thebody
horizontallyuntilitisinthesamepositionontheright,fingerspointingawayfromthebody.
Nowswing
itdownwardsacrossthebodytillthehandhascomebacktothepointbythelefthipwhenceit
started.
Thisisanexceedinglypotentsign.ThevalueoftheFivepointedStar,thesymbolofHumanity,
is
widelyknownamongoccultists,butitspotencydependsuponthemannerinwhichitisdrawn.
The
methodIhavegivenisthecorrectoneforbanishing.
Thepotencyofthesignmaybeillustratedbyanexperienceofmyowninusingit,whichthe
sceptical
areatlibertytodoubtiftheywish;Imerelymentionitforthesakeofthosewhomaybe
interested.
IwastakingpartinsomeworkwithanIndianoccultistwhenIbecamesuspiciousthatallwas
notasit
shouldbe,protested,andwasaskedtowithdraw.Ididso,determinedtowatchproceedingsfrom
a
distance,andifmysuspicionswereconfirmed,tohaveanexpose.AfewdayslaterIwassitting
inmy
roomoneafternoonchattingwithafriend;itwasjustgettingdusk,andweweretalkingbythe
lightofa
gasfire.Suddenlywewerebothawaresimultaneouslyofapresenceintheroomandturned
spontaneouslyinthesamedirection.Myfriendsensedanantagonisticpresence,andI,being
more
psychic,sawwhoitwas,andhadnodifficultyinperceivingtheformofmyIndianassociatein
an
eggshapedsphereofmistyyellowlight.Itoldmyfriendtoquittheroomandwaitinthehall,
andas
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soonasthedoorclosedbehindher,ImadeuseofthePentagramIhavedescribed,togetherwith
certain
NamesofPowerthatareunsuitablefordisclosureinthesepages.Immediatelytheappearancein
the
cornerbythedoorshatteredandvanished,atthesametimetherewasaresoundingcrack,which
my
friendheardinthehall.Icalledtohertoreturn,andassheenteredsheexclaimed,"Lookwhat
has
happenedtothedoor!"andwefoundthatoneofthepanelshadsplitcleanintwo.Itwasthisthat
had
evidentlycausedtheloudcrackwehadbothheard.Ioffernoexplanationofthisincidentforthe
good
andsufficientreasonthatIdonotknowwhattheexplanationmaybe.Imerelystatewhat
happened.My
readerscanexplainitastheyplease.
Whenitisnotpossibletosealtheroom,itisaveryusefulthingtobeabletosealtheaura.Stand
upright
andcrossyourself,bytouchingforehead,breast,rightshoulderandleftshoulder,saying,"Bythe
power
oftheChristofGodwithinme,whomIservewithallmyheartandwithallmysoulandwithall
my
strength(extendyourhandsforwardasfarasyoucanreachatthelevelofthesolarplexus,
fingertips
touching,thensweepthemroundtothebackandtouchthefingertipstogetheragainbehindyou,
saying),IencompassmyselfaboutwiththeDivineCircleofHisprotection,acrosswhichno
mortalerror
darestosetitsfoot."Thisisanoldmonkishformula.Itisveryeffectual,butitspotencyonly
lastsabout
fourhours.
Therearevariousotherdeviceswhichareuseful,notonlyindealingwithpsychicattacks,butin
any
caseofundueinfluenceordomination.
Ifyouhavetointerviewpersonswhoseinfluenceyoufindoverwhelming,imaginethattheyare
separatedfromyoubyasheetofplateglass.Youcanseethem,andhearthem,buttheir
magnetism
cannotreachyou.Visualisethissheetofglassuntilitappearstoyoutobeabsolutelytangible.If
you
havetoassociatewithpersonswhodistressyou,butarenotactuallyinterviewingthem,imagine
that
theyareseparatedfromyoubyabrickwall,andsaytoyourself,"Youjustaren'tthere.Ican'tsee
youor
hearyou,andyousimplydon'texist."

Whendealingwithapersonwhosapsyourvitality,interlaceyourfingers,andlayyourfolded
hands
uponyoursolarplexus,keepingyourelbowspressedagainstyoursides.Keepyourfeettouching
each
other.Youhavethuscontactedallyourownterminalsandmadeofyourbodyaclosedcircuit.
No
magnetismwillgooutfromyouwhileyoumaintainthisattitude.Yourfriendwillprobably
complainof
yourlackofsympathy,howeverkindlyyoumayspeak.
Ifanyonetriestodominateyoubygazingintentlyintotheeyes,donotattempttoreturngazefor
gaze,
forthisonlyleadstoanexhaustingstruggleinwhichyoumaygettheworstofit,butlook
steadilyatthe
spotjustabovethebaseoftheirnose,betweentheinnerendsoftheeyebrows.Ifyouaremerely
dealing
withanordinarybully,youwillimmediatelyhavetheupperhand.If,however,yourantagonist
has
knowledgeofmindpower,youmaynotbeabletodominatehim,buthecertainlywillnotbe
ableto
dominateyou,andtheresultwillbeastalemate.Donotattempttodominatehim,merelykeep
youreye
onthespotandwaitforhimtowearyofhisattempttodominateyou.Youwillnothavelongto
wait.
Bytheuseofthemethodsdescribedintheprecedingpagesanypersonofnormalcourageand
mentality,
providedheavoidsdrugs,alcoholandlongperiodswithoutfood,can,ifhedoesnotlosehis
nerve,wear
downanyordinarypsychicattack;orinthecaseofattacksofabnormalpotency,canatleast
ensure
himselftimetomakegoodhisescapeandseekhelp.
Thesacramentsarealsoamostpotentsourceofspiritualpower,andachurchwheretheBlessed
Sacramentisreserved,orwhichissufficientlyoldtohavebeenconsecratedbeforethe
Reformation,is
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aneffectualsanctuary.

CHAPTERXIX
METHODSOFDEFENCE
III

SYCHICtroublenotinfrequentlyarisesowingtotheformationofanundesirablerapport.In

orderto
understandthenatureofthisproblemwemustconsiderthewholesubjectofrapport.
Wehavealreadyconsideredinsomedetailthequestionoftelepathicsuggestion.Rapportmight
be
consideredasthepassiveaspectofthatofwhichtelepathicsuggestionistheactiveaspect.It
forms,in
fact,thebasicconditionnecessaryfortelepathicsuggestiontotakeplace.Twopeoplewhoarein
rapport
mightbedescribedasastralSiamesetwins.Althoughthephysicalbodiesareindependentunits,
the
astralbodiesarelinkedinsuchamannerthatthereisfreecirculationofastralforcebetween
them,just
asthecirculatorysystemofthemotherisconnectedthroughtheumbilicalcordwiththeunborn
child,
andthesamebloodcirculatingfreelythroughboth.
Thisfactexplainsmanyimportantoccultphenomena.Itistherealkeytomarriage,andexplains
many
factsintherelationshipofparentandchild.Italsoaccountsforsomeimportantaspectsofthe
relationof
pupilandteacher.
Butnotonlyisitpossibleforarapporttobeestablishedbetweentwoindividuals,butbetweenan
individualandagroup.Thisfactplaysanimportantpartinallfraternitywork.Itisalsopossible
to
establishrapportbetweenahumanbeingandotherkingdomsofnature;withdiscarnateentities,
superhumanbeings,and,infact,withanyformoflifewithwhichanindividualcanforma
sympathetic
understanding.Theremustbesomegroundofsympathyasthebasisfortheformationofa
rapport,but
onceformed,itcanbedevelopedalmostindefinitely.Itisacuriousfactthatifarapportislong
continued,thepersonsthusunitedgraduallycometoresembleeachother.Weallknowthe
"horsey"type
ofman;alsothesonofthesoilofwhomitwasexpressivelyremarked,"Father'sinthepigstye.
You'll
knowhimbyhishat."
Whentwohumanbeingsareinrapport,thelesspositiveofthetwotendstolosehisown
individuality
andbecomesthepalereflectionoftheother.ItisforthisreasonthattheWesternoccultist,who
values
individualityhighly,doesnottakepersonalpupilsinthesamewayasdoestheEasternguru,but
prefers

toworkthroughritualwithagroupbecausethismethodismoreimpersonal.Butevenso,the
individual
membersofagroupwillundergocertainchangeswherebytheyaretunedintothegrouptone,so
that
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therewillbeacertaincommondenominatorwhichtheyallpossess.Whocannotrecognisethe
signmanualoftheChristianScientist,theTheosophist,theQuaker?Anysystemwhichhas
group
meditationrapidlyputsitsmarkonitsmembers.
Inthisfact,ofcourse,liesmuchofthevalueofassociationwithaworthygroup.Init,equally,
liesthe
detrimentofassociationwithanunworthygroup.Letusconsiderwhathappenswhenapersonof
ordinarygoodcharacterbecomesassociatedwithagroupofdegeneratemoraltone.Hewill
eitherfind
himselfinsuchsharpantagonismtothegroupmindthathewillhavenooptionbuttowithdraw,
orhe
willrapidlybutunconsciouslybetunedtothekeynoteofhisnewassociates.Withouthisbeing
awareof
thefact,hismoralsensewillhavebecomebluntedandhewillacceptasamatterofcoursewhat
he
wouldoriginallyhaveturnedfromindisgust.
Rapportonceestablished,otherthingsbesidethegeneralfeelingtonecanbeshared.Actual
ideascanbe
transferredfromonemindtoanotherasintelepathy;andinthesameway,vitalforcecanbe
transmitted.
Itisthisfactwhichistheexplanationofcertaintypesofspiritualhealing.Whenethericvitality
isbeing
transmitted,itisnecessarythatthepersonsconcernedshouldbewithintheimmediatemagnetic
fieldof
eachother;butwhenastralforceisinquestion,thisisnotnecessary.Transmissionis
independentof
space.
Wearenotnowconsideringthelegitimateuseofthisforceforhealing,orforteachingand
developing
neophytes,sowewillnot,therefore,consideritsmodusoperandiindetail.Enoughhasbeensaid
to
showinwhatwayitworks.Letusnowproceedtotheconsiderationofthepracticalmethodsof
breaking
sucharapportifforanyreasonitisdesiredtodiscontinueitsuse.
Toastralvisionthetelepathiclinkappearsasarayoflight,ashiningcord,orsomesimilar
thoughtform,becauseitisinthisformthatitisusuallyformulatedbythepersonwhoismaking
the

magneticlink.Itsometimeshappens,however,iftheoperatorhasahighgradeofinitiation,that
instead
ofconnectingtheraydirecttothepersonwithwhomhedesirestobeintouch,hewillformulate
an
astralanimalattheendofittowhichhetransfersamodicumofhisownconsciousness.This
animalformiscalledaWatcher;itdoesnotactonitsowninitiativeunlessattacked,whenit
defends
itselfaccordingtothenatureofthespeciesinwhoselikenessitismade.TheuseofaWatcheris
to
obtainarecordofwhatistranspiringwithoutthenecessityoffocussingconsciousnessthereon.
When
thepsychicsubstanceoftheWatcherisreabsorbedbytheadept,hebecomesawareofthe
contentofthe
Watcher'sconsciousness.Thedisadvantageofthismethodliesinthevulnerablenessofthe
Watcherto
psychicattack,andthefactthatitsprojectorisaffectedifitisinjuredordisintegrated.
Indealingwithathoughtform,alwaysbearinmindthatitistheproductoftheimagination,and
isinno
senseselfexistent.Whattheimaginationhasmadetheimaginationcanunmake.Ifthemakerof
a
thoughtformhasthoughtitintoexistencebypicturingitimaginatively,youcanequallywell
thinkitout
ofexistencebypicturingitclearlyandimaginingitburstingintoathousandfragments,orgoing
upin
flames,ordissolvingintowaterandbeingabsorbedbythesoil.Thatwhichisthoughtinto
existenceby
theimaginationcanbethoughtoutofexistencebytheimagination.
Ifwhatwastakenforathoughtformresistsdestructionbythismethod,itisprobablyan
artificial
elemental.Nowtherearetwosuchelementals,onekindbeingensouledbytheinvocationof
elemental
essenceintoathoughtform,andtheotherbytheprojectionofsomethingofthemagician'sown
nature
intoit.Ifitisensouledbyelementalessence,theuseofthePentagramwillservetobanishit;but
ifitis
ofthekindthatisensouledbythemagician'sownforce,anothermethodmustbeused,knownas
absorption.
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Nowabsorptionisaveryhighgrademethod,anditssuccessfulusedependsuponthestateof
consciousnessoftheuser.Eachindividualhastodecideforhimselfwhetherinanygivencaseat
agiven

momentheisinafitstatetoattemptit.Unlesshecancompletelysteadyhisownvibrationsand
arriveat
astateofperfectserenityandfreedomfromallsenseofeffort,heshouldnotmaketheattempt.
Wewill,however,describethemethodforthebenefitofthosewhocaretotryit.
HarmonisinghimselfbymediationupontheChrist,theadept,assoonasheissatisfiedthathis
own
vibrationsaresteady,proceedstocallupbeforehisastralvisiontheimageoftheformheintends
to
destroy.Heseesitclearlyinallitsdetailsandseekstodivineitsnature,whetheritisavehicle
formalice
orlust,orvampiricaction:thesearethethreemostcommon,anditcanalmostcertainlybe
assignedto
oneorotheroftheseclasses.Havingdiscernedthetypeoftheforcewithwhichhehastodeal,he
then
proceedstomeditateuponitsopposite,concentratinguponpurityandselflessnessiftheforcebe
lust;
compassionandlove,ifitbemalice;anduponGodasthecreatorandsustainerofalllifeifitbe
vampiric.
Hecontinuesthismeditationuntilhefeelshimselfsuffusedwiththequalityuponwhichheis
meditating;untilhefeelshimselfsoimbuedwithpurityandselflessnessthatlustcauseshimto
feel
nothingbutpity,malicecauseshimtofeelnothingbutcompassion,andinregardtovampirism,
heisso
assuredthathislifeishidwithChristinGodthathewouldwillinglyletthevampirefinishits
mealin
peaceifhecouldtherebyhelpit.Infact,theadeptwhoproposestoperformamagicalabsorption
hasto
reachthepointwherehehasclearlyrealisedthenothingnessoftheevilheproposestoabsorb,
andno
longerhasanyfeelingtowardsitbutpityforanignorancethatthinksitcangainanygoodthing
foritself
inthisway.Hedesirestoupliftandeducateandfreethemisguidedsoulfromitsbondage.Until
hehas
arrivedatthepointwhenhehasnootherfeelingthanthistowardshispersecutor,itisnotsafe
forhimto
attemptanabsorption.
Havingsatisfiedhimselfthatheisreadyfortheattempt,heproceedstodrawthethoughtform
towards
himbypullinginthesilvercordthatconnectsitwithhissolarplexusifitbeavampiricthought
form,or
byopeninghisauratoitandenfoldingitifitbeoneoftheothertwotypes.Heliterallysucksit
in.This
processshouldbedoneslowlyandgradually,takingsomeminutesinthedoing.Ifitbedone
suddenly,

theadeptmaynotfinditpossibletokeephisownvibrationssteady,andthenhewillindeedbein
an
unpleasantsituation.
Asthethoughtformisabsorbed,theadeptwillfeelareactioninhisownnaturecorrespondingto
the
typeofthethoughtform.Ifitisalustforce,hewillfeeldesirerisewithinhim;ifitisa
maliciousforce,
hewillfeelanger;andifitisavampire,hewillfeelbloodlust.Hemustimmediatelyovercome
this
feelingandreverttohismediationupontheoppositequality,maintainingituntilhisvibrations
areonce
morefullyharmonised.Hewillthenknowthattheevilforcehasbeenneutralisedandthereis
thatmuch
lessevilintheworld.Hewillimmediatelyfeelagreataccessofvigourandasenseofspiritual
power,as
ifhecouldsaytoamountain,"Beyecastintothesea,"anditwouldbedone.Itisthissenseof
spiritual
exaltationandpowerwhichtellshimthattheworkhasbeensuccessfullyaccomplished.Itis,
however,
advisabletorepeatthemeditationatintervalsfortwoorthreedaysincaseanotherthoughtform
is
formulatedandsentafterthefirst.
Asforthesenderofthethoughtform,whentheabsorptiontakesplacehewillfeelthat"virtue
hasgone
outofhim,"andmayevenbereducedtemporarilytoastateofsemicollapse.Hewillsoon
revive,
however,butwithhispowerforevilofthisparticulartypeconsiderablyreducedforsometime
tocome;
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andifhehavethepossibilityofreforminhisnature,itmayevenbethathehimselfwillbe
permanently
freedfromthistypeofevil.
Thegreatadvantageofthismethodisthatitactuallydestroystheevil,rootandbranch;whereas
themere
destructionofathoughtformislikecuttingoffthetopofaweed.Ontheotherhand,itcanonly
bedone
byanadvancedoccultistkeyeduptothehighestpitch.Ifoneisdisturbedorharassedorhasin
any
degreelosthisnerve,onedarenotattemptit.
Iftherapportisperceivedasalineoflight,acord,oranysimilarform,attachedtothesolar
plexus,the

forehead,oranyotherpartofthebody,thebestwayofseveringtherapportistoforgeamagical
weapon
andcutit.Infact,ifarapportisfelt,thefirstthingtodoistovisualisethecordandtrytosee
whereit
attaches;thesolarplexusisthecommonestplace.
Nextformulatethecrosshandledswordasalreadydescribed,andinvokeGod'sblessinguponit.
Then
visualiseaflamingtorch,andinvokethepoweroftheHolyGhost,whosesymbolitis.Nowwith
the
swordhackthroughthecordorrayuntileveryshredissevered.Thensearthestumpwiththe
consecratedfireofthetorchuntilitshrivelsupandfallsofffromitspointofattachmenttoyour
body.
Aftersuchaseveringonemust,ofcourse,taketheordinaryhumanprecautionstopreventthe
linkbeing
reformed.Refusetomeetthepersonresponsibleforitsformulation,ortoeitherreadoranswer
letters
fromhim.Infact,cutoffphysicalcommunicationsasthoroughlyandresolutelyasonehascut
offastral
onesforaperiodofsomemonthsatleast.
Thereareoccasions,however,whenapersonissocompletelyovershadowedanddominatedthat
he
cannotperformthisoperationforhimself.ThemagicaloperationofSubstitutioncanthenbe
performed,
ifhecanfindafriendreadytoundertakethetask.
Inordertoperformthisoperation,thetwofriendsagreethatitshallbedone,buttheonewhois
to
becomethesubstitutedoesnottelltheoriginalvictimwhenheproposestoundertakethe
operationlest
thatlattershouldbesocompletelyinthehandsofthedominatorthatheshouldgivethegame
away
involuntarily.
Choosingatimeatwhichheissurehisfriendisasleep,thesubstituteconcentratesuponhimand
imagineshimselftobestandingbesidehim,andvisualisesthecordorrayoftherapport
stretchingfrom
hisfriendoutintospace.Ifhecanvisualiseitsotherpointofattachmentinthedominator,so
muchthe
better.
Hethenformulatestheswordandthetorchasabovedescribed,andwiththeseinhishandshe
imagines
himselfsteppingrightthroughthelineofrapport,soastobreakitwithhisbody.Hemustnot
useeither
swordortorchforthisprocess,butbreakitwithhisownflesh,asitwere.Havingthusseveredit
from

hisfriend,heshouldthengoforitwithswordandtorchwithallhisstrengthasittriestoenwrap
him,as
itassuredlywilldo,foritresemblesnothingsomuchasthetentacleofanoctopus.Heshouldgo
forit
hammerandtongs,makingupinzealwhathelacksinknowledge,untilithashadenough,and
beginsto
curlupandwithdraw.Thecombat,ofcourse,takesplaceintheimagination,butifaclearand
vivid
imageisproduceditwillbeeffectual.
InillustrationofthismethodImaymentionacaseIoncehandledbyitsmeans.IwasaskedifI
could
helpawomanwhohadbeenalifelonginvalid,butwhosecasethemanydoctorsshehad
consultedwere
neitherabletodiagnosesatisfactorily,nortohelp.Theyallagreedthattherewasnothingorganic
the
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matterwithher,andaftertryinginvaintogetherbetter,theygenerallyunitedinsayingthatit
waspure
hysteria.Shesufferedfromachronicconditionofexhaustion,indigestion,attacksofvomiting,
blinding
headacheandpalpitationoftheheart.Shewas,however,notintheleastofaneurotic
disposition,buta
quiet,sensible,intellectualwoman,bearinghersufferingswithfortitude.
Imadeapsychicdiagnosisandcametothefollowingconclusion.Thatformanypastlivesshe
hadbeen
uponthePath,andthatinherlastlife,amaleincarnation,inordertospeedupherprogressshe
had
travelledintheEast,andeventuallytookinitiationintooneoftheThibetanOrders,which
unfortunately
turnedouttobeupontheLefthandPath.HereshelearnttheHathaYogawhichgivescontrol
overthe
functionsofthebody.
Inherpresentlife,sheretainedthepowershertraininghadgivenher,butnotthememoryofits
technique.Consequentlyheremotionalstatesaffectedthoseautomaticsystemsofnervous
controlwhose
functionsarenormallynotunderthedirectionofthemind.Whenever,therefore,shewas
emotionally
disturbed,hersubconsciousmentationoverflowedintotheautomaticmindandthrewcertainof
the
functionalsystemsofthebodyoutofgear.Itismybeliefthatthisexplanationaffordsakeytoa
good

manycasesoffunctionaldisorder.Manypeopleinthecourseofoccultmeditativepractices
obtain
controloftheautomaticmindwhichcontrolsthefunctioningofthebodilyorgans.Itmaybe
recalledthat
thefamousscientist,SirFrancisGalton,thefounderofthescienceofeugenics,experimented
with
mentalcontrolofrespiration,andhavingobtainedit,foundthattheautomaticfunctionhadfallen
into
abeyance,andhehadtospendthreeanxiousdaysbreathingbywillpowerandvoluntary
attentionuntil
theautomaticfunctionwasreestablished.
Inthisparticularcase,however,therewasmorethandisturbanceoffunction,therewasthis
peculiarand
verymarkedchronicexhaustion.Iformedtheopinionthatarapportstillexistedbetweenherand
the
ThibetanOrderofwhichshehadbeenaninitiateinherpreviouslife.Asiswellknownto
occultists,one
returnslifeafterlifetotheOrderofwhichoneisaninitiate,therapportbeingaverystrongone.
Thisis
oneofthereasonswhythegreatMysterySchoolshavenoneedtomakethemselvesknownby
advertising,theyknowtheirown,andpickthemupontheastralplane.
ButwhileitisaninvaluablethingtobeundertheaegisofareputableOrder,itisanexceedingly
unpleasantthingtostandinasimilarrelationshiptoadisreputableOrder.Inthisparticularcase
itwas
myopinionthattheOrdertowhichthisladyhadbelongedinherpreviouslifehadsunktoavery
low
ebbindeed,anditsleadersweredeliberatelydrawinguponthevitalityofitsmembers.
Actinguponthishypothesis,IprojectedmyselfastrallyinthewayIhavealreadydescribed,and
visited
thisladyatnight.Iperceivedthatfromhersolarplexusasshelayasleeptherestretchedablack,
elastic,
stringylookingsubstancethatresemblednothingsomuchasastickofSpanishliquoricethathas
been
wellchewedbyasmallboy.Thiswentoffintospace.UpontryingtoseeitsfurtherendIhada
briefand
faroffvisionofamonasterywithaChinesetypeofroofperchedonacragamongvast
mountains.
Itackledthesituationbythesimpleexpedientofpassinginmyastralbodyathwartthelineof
black
substance,thusbreakingit.Itimmediatelytransferreditselftomysolarplexus,andforamoment
Ifelta
surgeoftemptingthoughtsurgingmetogetthiswomanundermythumbandexploithertoher
full

financialcapacity.Icasttheseout,and"wentfor"theropeofastralliquoriceinthemannerI
have
described,castingitoffandsearingthestump,andhadthesatisfactionofseeingitcurlupand
disappear
intothedarkness.IthenfellintowhatIconsideredawellearnedsleep.
IhadtoldthisladynothingofmyideasbecauseIwantedtoseewhetherIcouldclearupthecase
by
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workingsolelyontheocculthypothesiswithoutanyadmixtureofsuggestion.NextmorningI
visitedher
toseehowshewasgettingon,andfoundhersittingupinbedeatingaheartybreakfastand
lookingan
entirelydifferentwomantothegreyfaced,exhaustedcreatureIhadseenthedaybefore.
Withoutwaitingforanyenquiryfromme,shesaid,"Idon'tknowwhathasbeendone,butIfeel
asif
somethinghasbeenbrokenandIamfree."
Afterbreakfastshegotup,wentforastroll,andmetthedoctorwhowasattendingherinthe
street.So
greatwasthechangeinherappearancethathefailedtorecogniseheruntilshespoketohim.
Itoldherthatinmyopinionsheoughttohavenothingwhatevertodowithoccultstudieslest
she
reformthemagneticlinkwithheroldOrder,andalsotaughtherhowtopreventher
subconsciousmind
fromgivingdisruptivesuggestionstoherbodilysystemsoffunctionalcontrol.Forsomeyears
she
remainedingoodhealth,butlater,unfortunately,tookupthestudyofoccultismagainand
relapsedinto
aconditionapproximatingtoherpreviousone,havingpresumablyreforgedthecontactswith
the
ThibetanBrotherhoodwhichhadprovedsodisastroustoher.

CHAPTERXX

METHODSOFDEFENCE
IV

HEREaresomanystoriesoftheappearanceofguardianangelsatmomentsofcrisisthat

eventhe
mostscepticalmustadmitthatthereisacasetobeanswered.
ThereisatraditioninDevonthatifDrake'sDrum,whichispreservedatBucklandAbbeynear
Tavistock,isbeateninatimeofcrisis,DrakehimselfwillreturntoleadthefleetsofEngland.
Newbolt

hasimmortalisedthislegendinhisfamouspoem.
"TakemydrumtoDevon,hangetbytheshore.
Beatetwhenyourpowder'srunnin'low.
IftheDonssightDevon,I'llquittheportofHeaven,
AnddrumthemuptheChannelaswedrummedthemlongago."
Theideaoftheherowhoreturnstoleadhispeople,theguardianangelthatappearsintimesof
crisis,is
sealeddeepintheheartsofallnations,andnothingwilleradicateit.Innumerableinstanceswere
reportedbythemenreturningfromthetrenchesduringtheWar.
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LetusagainrefertotheancientwisdomoftheQabalah,thatstorehouseofoccultknowledge.
Welearn
hereoftheGoodAngelandtheEvilAngelofthesoulofmanwhostandbehindhisrightandleft
shoulder,theonetemptinghim,andtheotherinspiringhim.TranslatetheDarkAngelintoterms
of
modernthoughtandwehavetheFreudiansubconsciousness.
ButtheFreudiansfailtorealisethatthereisalsoaBrightAngelwhostandsbehindtheright
shoulderof
everyman.Thisisthemysticsuperconsciousnessor,inotherwords,theHigherSelf,theHoly
Guardian
AngelwhomAbramelinsoughtwithsuchardourandeffort.
Weallknowthat,whencaughtoffourguard,therecomesadarktemptationfromthedepthsof
our
lowerselves,somethingatavisticstirs,andwethinkthoughts,orevendodeeds,ofwhichwe
would
neverhavebelievedourselvescapable.WehaveheardthevoiceoftheDarkAngelspeaking.
Equallyintimesofdirestress,whenwehaveourbackstothewallandwearefightingformore
thanour
physicallives,anotherVoicemakesitselfheard,thevoiceoftheBrightAngel.Ihavenever
knownthis
tooccurwhenamanwasfightingsimplyforhisphysicallife.Tothosewhoseebeyondtheveil,
deathis
nogreatevil;butintimesofspiritualcrisis,whentheveryselfisbeingsweptaway,thenitis
thatthecry
ofthesoulisheard,andSomethingmanifestsoutofthemistsoftheUnseen,manifestsinaform
thatis
comprehensibletotheonewhocalls.Whetherintensestressinducesatemporaryexpansionof
consciousness,afugitivepsychism,orwhetheraBeingofitsownvolitionpassesthroughthe
veiland
manifests,Idonotknow;thereareneveranydetailsavailableoftheseincidents.Theytakeplace
onlyin
timesofdirestressandgoasswiftlyastheycame,leavingnotraceexceptuponthesoul.

ImaintainthatevenastheLowerSelfcanriseupinmomentsoftemptation,socantheHigher
Self
descendinmomentsofspiritualcrisis.ItistheaimofthemystictoliveexclusivelyintheHigher
Self.It
istheaimoftheoccultisttobringthisHigherSelfthroughintomanifestationinbrain
consciousness,"In
myfleshshallIseeGod."JustassurelyastheLowerSelfcanriseupandbetrayustosome
horrible
deed,socantheHigherSelfcometotherescue,"terribleasanarmywithbanners."
Ihavealreadytoldofthemysteriousvoicewhichinstructedmehowtoextricatemyselffrom
grave
psychicdanger.UponotheroccasionsofstressandstrainIhaveexperiencedasuddenexpansion
or
shiftingofthelevelofconsciousness.TheHigherSelfhasdescendedandtakencontrol.From
beingin
themidstofturmoiloneissuddenlyraisedhighaboveitandseesallthecircumstancesofone's
life
spreadoutlikeabird'seyeview,asonemightseethelandfromahighplace,andoneknows
intuitively
theoutcomeofthematter.Allemotionalturmoilceases,andoneislikeashiphoveto,securely
riding
outthestorm.Whenthisoccurstome,thememoryofmypastincarnationsisalwaysvividly
present
also.Itisthissimultaneouswakeningofthepastwhichmakesmefeelthatthevoiceisthatof
myown
HigherSelf,andnotofanotherentity.
ItismybeliefthatintimesofspiritualcrisisthemanthathasfaithinthelawofGodcanriseup
and
invokeitsprotectionandaseemingmiraclewillbeperformedforhisbenefit.Yettherecanbeno
breach
ofnaturallaw;thereforesuchamiraclemustsimplybeanexampleoftheworkingofalawwith
which
weareasyetunfamiliar,justasaneclipseappearstothesavageasamiracle,buttothe
astronomerasa
naturalphenomenonwhichhecanforecastwithaccuracy.
Whatisitthatinducesthischangeofcontrolinourlives?Wearefamiliarwiththefactthatthe
engine
ofacarhasthreespeedsandareverse.Mayitnotbethatourmindsarealsogeared,andthatitis
a
changingofgearswhichinducespsychism?Aretherenottimeswhenwegetintoreverseandthe
ape
andtigerwithinustakecharge?
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Behindthephysicalplaneliestheastralplane,andbehindtheastralplaneliesthementalplane,
and
behindthementalplaneliesthespiritualplane,eachplaneactingasplaneofcausationtotheone
beneathit,andeachinturnbeingcontrolledfromthesubtlerplaneaboveit.Whenwe"change
gear,"
consciousnessisshiftedfromadensertoasubtlerplaneandwebegintomoveamongremoter
and
remotercausesofwhichthehappeningsuponthephysicalplanearetheendresults;we
manipulatethese
causesandtheresultsareimmediatelyeffected.
Whenwechangegearfromthephysicaltotheastral,wefind'ourselvesupontheplaneof
psychic
consciousnessandthelessermagic.Supposingapsychiccombatistakingplacebetweentwo
occultists,
ifoneofthemisofsuchagradethathecanchangegearagain,sothatconsciousnessislifted
fromthe
astraltothementalplane,hewillbeinthesphereofthegreatermagicandbeinfullcontrolof
the
situation.Theothercanmakenostandagainsthim.Butwhathappensinthecaseoftherareand
mystic
soulwhocanshiftconsciousnessonceagainandengagethegearsofapurelyspiritualpower?
Hehas
outclassedtheadept.Therearemanysoulswhohavethismysticalspiritualconsciousness
althoughthey
havenooccultknowledge.Betweenthehigherandthelowermodesofthoughtthereisagreat
gulffixed
acrosswhichtheyleapprecariously.Ifinatimeofcrisistheyareabletoriseupinfaithand
enterinto
thismysticalconsciousnessandbestill,theywillhavetheupperairofanyoccultistwhorelies
upon
nothingsavethetechniqueofoccultism.
Thequestionofmysticalconsciousnessis,however,outsidethescopeofourpresentenquiry,
whichis
concernedwithpsychicmethodsandthetraditionaltechniqueoftheoccultist.Different
temperaments
willemploydifferentmethods,andthemysticalmethoddoesnotappealtoeverybody.
TheoccultistdoesnotignoretheChristforce,however;herecognisesitasamongthehierarchy
of
supremeforcesoftheuniverse,althoughhemaynotbepreparedtoassigntoittheexclusive
position
whichitoccupiesintheheartoftheChristianmystic.IntheWesternTraditionitissymbolised
by
Tiphareth,thecentralSephiraoftheTenHolySephirothoftheQabalisticTreeofLife.

TheChristforceistheequilibriating,compensating,healing,redeeming,purifyingfactorofthe
universe.
Itshouldbeinvokedineveryoperationofpsychicselfdefencewhereanyhumanelement,
incarnateor
discarnate,isconcerned.Wherenonhumanelements,suchaselementals,thoughtforms,orthe
Qlippoth,havetobedealtwith,itisthepowerofGodtheFather,asCreatoroftheuniverse,that
is
invoked,Hissupremacyoverallthekingdomsofnature,visibleandinvisible,beingaffirmed.
Godthe
HolyGhostistheforcethatisemployedininitiations,anditshouldnotbeinvokedduringtimes
of
psychicdifficulty,asitsinfluencewilltendtointensifytheconditionandrendertheVeilyet
thinner.
Thereisaverycuriousaspectoftheoccultfieldconcerningwhichsomethingmustbesaidinthe
present
pages,thoughnotagreatdealcanberevealed,and,tobefrank,Idonotknowagreatdealabout
it
myself,butonlysuchaspectsasIhaveactuallycomeacross.Ihavealwayshearditcalledthe
Occult
Police;othersmayknowitbydifferentnamesbutIbelieveittobeaveryrealandconcrete
thing,though
itsorganisationisnotuponthephysicalplane,nor,sofarasIknow,areitsmundaneactivities
gathered
upintoanysinglepairofhands.Ihavecrosseditstrailuponanumberofoccasions,andplayed
mypart
initsactivities,andIhavetalkedwithotherswhohavealsobeenconcernedinit,andtheyhave
always
saidasIdo,thatitistheinnervoiceandcircumstancesalonethatdirectouractivitieswhenwe
cooperatewiththismysteriousorganisation.
Ithinkmyselfthatitisorganisedinnationalunits,forpeopleseemtogoinandoutof
jurisdictions,orto
bepassedonfromonetoanother.Inmyexperienceithasnoparticularpoliticalbias,but
concernsitself
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solelywithoccultmethodsappliedtocriminalendsandoffencesagainstsociety.
Oneortwoillustrativecasesmayhelptomakethematterclear.Somecomplicationsaroseatone
time
overanIndianoccultistwhowasvisitingthiscountryinordertofoundaschool.Hewasdeeply
involved
inthepoliticsofhisowncountry,andtherecouldbenodoubtaboutitthathedislikedthe
Englishand

alltheirwaysverymuchindeed.IthinkthatIwastheonlypurebloodedAngloSaxonwhowas
intouch
withhim.AsfarasIknow,hedidnotconcernhimselfwithmundaneplanepoliticalactivities,
hisidea
beingtoorganiseameditationgroupwhichshouldpourtheregenerativespiritualforceofthe
Eastinto
thegroupsouloftheBritishEmpire,whichhedeclaredwasinaverybadwayindeed.I
maintained,
however,thatthegroupsoulwasnotdying,asheheld,butverytired,foritwasimmediately
afterthe
War.Moreover,Icouldnotseehowanybodywhodislikeditsoverymuchwasgoingtobeable
to
regenerateit.NorwasIsurethattheregenerationwasgoingtobetoourtasteifweweretoget
it.This
man,whomIwillcallX.,wasofanintensespiritualpride,andhisrootideawasthatEngland
must
acknowledgethespiritualsupremacyofIndiaandtakeherspiritualinspirationfromtheEast.I
was
youngandinexperiencedatthetime,butIbegantoaskmyselfwhatmannerofspiritualforce
wasgoing
tobepouredinthroughthechannelwewereconstructing.SupposingduringtheWaragroupof
English
OccultistshadtriedtoperformasimilarserviceforGermany,whatlinewouldtheyhavetaken?
Would
theynothavetriedtoinfluencetheGermangroupmindtogiveupitsmilitaristidealsand
concentrateon
theLeagueofNations?WasitnotmorethanlikelythatourIndianfriendwastryingtodisabuse
usof
ourImperialistictendencies?Woulditnotappeartohim,smartingashewasundertherace
prejudiceof
thewhiteman,thattheworldwouldbeamuchbetterplaceforhumanityiftheEnglishcultivated
their
owngardenandletotherpeoplealone?Igotmoreandmoreuneasy,andX.,beingagood
psychic,
detectedmyuneasiness,andIwasaskedtowithdrawfromthegrouphewasorganising.
Ifeltquiteconvincedthatsomethingsinisterwasbeingattemptedagainstthegroupmindofmy
race,but
Ihadnomeansofgaugingitsextentorpotency.Thiswasnotthekindoftaleonecouldtaketo
Scotland
Yard;moreover,severalofmypersonalfriendsbelievedinthebonafidesofX.andweretaking
partin
thegrouphewasorganising,andIwasveryanxiousnottoinvolvetheminanyunpleasantness.
Inmy

perplexityIresolvedtodonothinguponthephysicalplaneandtoinvoketheMastersuponthe
Inner
Planes.
AtthistimeIwasnotofagradewhichissupposedtohavedirectaccesstotheMasters,butI
determined
totryandgetthemtelepathically,thoughIdidnotknowwhetherthosetowhomIwastryingto
telepath
werehumanornonhuman,incarnateinphysicalbodiesordiscarnateentities,foratthattimeI
wasnot
veryadvancedinmyoccultstudies.
AllIhadtoholdontowasanabstractideaandtheknowledgethatinpreviousdifficultiesIhad
been
abletogetintouchwithSomethingontheInnerPlaneswhichhadprovedapowerfulfriend.
Intelepathing,theusualmethodofgettingintouchistovisualisethepersonyouwantto
communicate
withandcallhimbyname.IhadnothingIcouldvisualiseandIknewnonames.However,I
determined
tomaketheattemptasbestImightand,metaphoricallyspeaking,Iputmyheadoutofthe
windowof
thisfleshlytabernacleandcalledforthepolice.AndIgotananswer.TheInnerVoicerepliedto
mevery
clearlyanddistinctly:
"YouaretogotoColonelY."
Iwastakenabackatthis,forColonelY.wasarathereminentpersontowhomIhadoncebeen
introduced,andthelastpersonintheworldonewouldinvitetogomare'snesting.Ihadnodesire
to
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makemyselfridiculousbybeardingthisforminablewarriorinhisden.Mypsychologicalstudies
had
mademefamiliarwiththeworkingsofthesubconsciousmindandwhatitcandowhen
dissociated,and
Ifeltthatthesituationrequiredhandlingwithconsiderablecautionbecausetheresultsofamis
step
mightbeunpleasant.
IthereforerepliedtotheInnerVoice,"Icannottrustyouunlessyouwillgivemeasign."
Thereplycamethrough,"ColonelY.willbeatournextlecture.Tellhimthen."
TothisIreplied,"IknowthatColonelY.cannotbeatmylecturebecausehisregimentisordered
abroad,andhewillhaveleftbeforeittakesplace."
Theanswercameback,"ColonelY.willbeatyournextlecture."
"Verywell,"Isaid,"thatshallbemysign.IfColonelY.isthere,Iwilltellhim,andifnot,Ishall
leave
theaffairtotakeitscourse."

ThedaydulyarrivedwhenIwastogiveapubliclectureatacertaintown.Iarrivedatthehallin
due
course,andthefirstthingIsawwasColonelY.goingupthestairs!SoIdeterminedtotakethe
bullby
thehorns,andimmediatelyafterthelectureIwentstraighttohimandsaid,"Ihavegota
messagefor
you."
"Iknowyouhave,"hereplied,"forIhavebeentoldtoexpectit."
Itappearsthathewassittinginhisquartersoneeveningwithhistwodogs.Theysuddenly
became
disturbedandbegantoinvestigatesomethingthatwasn'tthere.Heheardavoicesayingdistinctly
tohis
innerearthatIshouldcomeandaskhishelpandthathewastogiveit.Hewassoimpressedby
this
occurrencethathewenttoamutualfriendandaskedherwhetherIwasintroubleofanysort.At
his
requestshewrotetometoenquirehowIwasfaring,butmentionednonames,andI,not
realisingthe
significanceoftheincident,returnedanoncommittalanswer.
Heheardmystoryandtoldmetoleavethematterinhishands,whichIdid.
Thisisaqueerenoughstoryofcoincidence,butthesequelisevenqueerer.AfterleavingColonel
Y.,I
enquiredoncemoreoftheUnseenwhetherIshouldtakeanyfurthersteps.Thereplycame
throughthat
forthepresentIwastodonothing,butthatIwouldbetoldwhenfurtheractionwastobetaken.I
learnt
afterwardsthatX.hadleftthecountryafewdaysaftermyinterviewwithColonelY.
Nothinghappenedforaboutfivemonths,andthenoneeveningwhenIwassittingovermyfire
inthe
duskIdistinctlyheardtheInnerVoicetellingmethatnowwasthetimetomakeamoveinthe
matterof
X.,andthatIwastogotoMr.Z.andtellmystory.NowMr.Z.wasaveryeminentperson
indeed,
whomIknewofasbeinganadvancedoccultist,butwhomIhadnevermet.Irepliedtothe
interiorvoice
thatformetoapproachMr.Z.wasimpossible,Ishouldmerelybeshownthedoor,andthat
unlessthey
couldopenupthewayfromtheirend,Ididnotseehowitwastobedone.Theanswercame
through
veryclearlythatthewaywouldbemadeplain.Anditwas.
Acoupleofdayslateravisitorwasannounced,anoldfriendwhomIonlysawoccasionally,and
after
theusualgreetingsandexchangeofnews,hesaid,"Ishouldverymuchlikeyoutomeetafriend
ofmine

whoIthinkwouldbeinterestedinyourwork.MayItakeyoutoseehim?HisnameisMr.Z."
Needless
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tosayIagreed.
WhenIcametotheappointedmeeting,IsaidtoMr.Z.,afterIhadbeenintroduced,"Ihavegot
a
messageforyou,"thinkingImightaswellbehungforasheepasalamb.Helistenedattentively,
and
whenImentionedthenameoftheIndian,myfriendwhowaspresent,exclaimed,"Itisacurious
thing
thatyoushouldbemovinginthismatteratthepresentmoment.X.landedinEnglandacoupleof
days
ago."
ItwillbenotedthatassoonasX.leftEngland,Iwasinstructedtoholdmyhand,andassoonas
he
returnedafteranabsenceoffivemonths,Iwasinstructedtocommenceactionagain.Unlesswe
are
preparedtopullthelongarmofcoincidencecleanoutofitssocket,wemustconcludethatsome
directingintelligencewasatwork.Thisisbutoneamongmanyinstancesinmyexperience.
Limitations
ofspaceforbidmetomentionanymore.
InadditiontotheOccultPolice,whofunctionsolelyontheInnerPlanes,therealsoexistcertain
groups
ofoccultistswhohavebandedthemselvestogetherforthepurposeofcombatingBlack
Occultism.I
supposetheygivethemselvesdifferentnames,butIdonotknowwhattheseare;Ihavealways
heard
themreferredtogenericallyastheHuntingLodges.UponvariousoccasionsIhaveskirmished
ontheir
flanksandlookedonatsomelivelyforays.Iimaginethemtobeorganisedinconjunctionwith
the
OccultPolice,andtheycertainlypossessmeansofobtaininginformationwhichpointtoco
operation
fromtheInnerPlanes.Theyappeartopossessalliancesinunexpectedquartersandtobeableto
pulla
remarkablenumberofstrings.WhatpsychicweaponstheyuseIdonotknow,butuponthe
physical
planetheyappeartorelylargelyuponnewspaperexposes,anduponkeepingundesirablesonthe
move,
neverallowingthemtosettledownandorganise.KnowingwhatIdooftheirmethods,Ihave
fromtime

totimerecognisedtheirsignmanualinvarioustransactionsforwhichdecentcitizenshaveevery
reason
tobegrateful.
Icameacrosstheminamannerwhichservestoillustratethewayinwhichoccultistscan"call"
for
informationtheymaybeinneedof,andthefortuitioustrainofcircumstancesthatwillsupplyit.
Asayounggirl,atthecommencementofmyinterestinoccultism,Icameintouchwithanadept
whomI
soonrealisedtobeontheLefthandPath,andwithwhomIsoonseveredmyconnection.Shortly
afterI
brokewithhim,Iwaswatchingagymkhanaincompanywithsomefriends,amongthema
studentof
occultism,andwebegantodiscussmattersofmutualinterest.ImpelledbyIknownotwhat
impulseto
confideinhimwhatIhadnevertoldasoul,ItoldhimofmyexperienceswiththeadeptIhave
referred
to.Tomysurpriseheknewallabouthim.Itseemsthatmynewacquaintancewasconnected
witha
groupofoccultistswhohadtakenfortheirworkthehuntingoutofBlackLodges;theyhad
already
crossedthetrailofmyblackadeptandhadcompelledhimtoclosedown,andhehadswornnot
to
reorganisehisOrder.Theyhadhadreasontobelieverecentlythatthisoathwasnotbeingkept
andthat
hehadagainorganisedaLodgeandwasworkinghisrituals,buttheydidnotknowwheretolay
their
handsonhim.ThenherecameI,abitofhumanflotsamtosseduponasportsfieldtogivethem
the
informationtheyneededattheverymomentwhentheyneededit.Thesethingshappentoo
regularlyin
occultismforonetobeabletolookuponthemaschance.
ItismybeliefthatItIspossibleforanyonewhohasneedofthemtogetintotouchtelepathically
with
thisoccultpoliceforce.ThesymbolIwastaughttousewasablackCalvaryCrosswithcircleon
a
scarletground.Thisispicturedintheimagination,andwhilegazingatitmentallythecallissent
out
intotheUnseen,projectingitfromthecentreoftheforehead.
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Variousattemptshavebeenmadetoprovethattheoccultfraternitiesarealldirectedfroma
single

headquarters,saidvariouslytobesituatedinGermany,Thibet,MongoliaandSouthAmerica.
Personally
Idonotbelieveit.IsupposethatIhaveaprettyvariedacquaintancewiththeinnerworkingsof
the
occultmovement,andIhaveneverseenanythingwhateverthatindicatedanycentralised
control,
whetherforgoodorforevil.Everything,infact,pointstheotherway,andindicatesthatthereis
no
connectinglinksavethatofacommonliterature,acommonidealism,andasetofsymbols
which,ifnot
commontoallsections,arereadilytranslatablebymeansofwellunderstoodequivalents.The
positionin
theoccultfieldisanalogoustothatofProtestantChristianity,notRomanChristianity.Occultism
hasno
Pope.
NordoIthinkthatBolshevismevergainedanyfootholdintheLodges,thoughIbelieveittried;
as
witnesstheapplicationtomyownfraternity.Theaverageoccultistisnotinterestedinpolitics,
his
concerniswiththingsinvisible.Moreover,theoccultfraternitiesaretooincoordinatedand
scatteredto
beformidablepoliticalweaponseveniftheywereimbuedwithBolshevism.
IthasalsobeensaidthattheoccultfraternitiesarecontrolledbytheJewsintheinterestsof
Zionism.
Thisisquiteuntrue.ThereareveryfewJewsintheoccultmovement.Itistrue,however,thatthe
Qabalah,thetraditionalmysticismoftheJewishrace,isoneoftheprincipalsourcesofWestern
occultism,andthatanyoccultistworkingonthattraditionmustknowatleastenoughHebrewto
beable
totransliterateHebrewscript.ThestudyofthemodernmysticalQabalahisalmostexclusivelyin
the
handsofGentiles,andorthodoxJewishscholarsknowlittleornothingofitsliteratureand
nothing
whateverofitsmysticalsignificance.
NoonehassaidharderthingsoftheoccultmovementthanIhave,andifIthoughtthatthere
wereany
organisedsystemofevilinfluence,Ishouldnothesitatetosayso,forIhavetheintegrityofthe
movementverymuchatheart;butIhonestlydonotbelievethatthereisanygeneralised
organisationof
theoccultmovement,whetherforgoodorevil,whatevermaybeone'sconceptionofgoodand
evil.One
can,ofcourse,onlyspeakofthatwhichonehasseen,butIthinkitwouldhavebeenimpossible
forme
tohavebeenasintimatelyassociatedwiththatmovementasIhavebeenandnevertohave
crossedits

trailatanypoint.Ihavecrossedsomanytrails,andseen,Iwillnotdenyit,somuchthatwas
evil,but
thisparticularevilIhavenotseen,andIdonotbelieveitexistsoutsidetheimaginationofpeople
with
beesintheirbonnets.Thetruenexusoftheoccultmovementisdevotiontoacommonideal,but
this
idealisapproachedbyaninfinitediversityofpaths,asmanyasthebreathsofthesonsofmen.
Iamsorryforthehypotheticalpersonwhohasthetaskoforganisingtheoccultmovement,for
occultists
ofdifferentschoolscannotbeinducedtocooperate.Anytechniquewhichdiffersfromthat
whichthey
areusedtoissuspect;anyunfamiliarcontactisblack.Thegreatmajorityoftheheadsofschools
thatI
haveknownhavesateachinhisowncircleoflightanddamnedeverybodyelse.Liketheold
ladywho
watchedhersonmarchpastwiththeTerritorials,theyexclaim,"They'realloutofstepexcept
ourJock."
Ihadoncedreamedofafederationofoccultsocietieswithanannualconvention,butIsoon
realisedthat
itwasunworkable.Ifoccultistscannotbegottoorganisetoservetheirowninterests,itisvery
unlikely
thattheywouldeverbegottoorganisetoserveanybodyelse's.
ThemostprevalentabusesofWesternoccultismareimmorality,drugtakingandthe
bamboozlingof
sillywomen.Itsworstfaultsarecredulity,aslipshodscholarshipthatvergesonilliteracy,anda
widespreadsappinessofintellect.Fortunetellinginallitsformsandsomeveryspuriousspiritual
healingconstituteanothersluruponwhatshouldbeholyground.Itisdifficulttodojusticeto
ideals
whichonedoesnotshare,butithasalwaysseemedtomethatthehighlycoloured
humanitarianismwith
whichcertainsectionsofthemovementaresoakedisnotanornament."Bytheirfruitsyeshall
know
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them."SuchfruitsofthisasIhaveseenhaveappearedtometobesomewhatoverripe.
ThefinestmindsinoccultismaretotallyunknownoutsidetheirownOrders.Averycommon
clausein
initiationoathsbindsthecandidatenottorevealthenamesofhisfellowmembers.Ifthisoath
were
broken,thegeneralpublicwouldgetsomesurprises.Occultismnotbeingingoodreputewiththe
generalpublic,meninpublicpositionscannotaffordtohavetheirnamesassociatedwithit;their
interest

isthereforecarefullyconcealed,andtheyonlyspeakofittothoseuponwhosesympathyand
discretion
theycancount.
Thosewhoknowwhattolookfor,however,canpickthemoutreadily.Anyonewhois
accustomedto
theanalysisofliterarystylecandetecttheregularreaderoftheBible.Anyonewhoknowsthe
occult
ritualswilldetecttheirflavourintheliteraryororatoricalstyleofamanwhoishabituatedto
theiruse.
PerhapsatthislengthoftimeImaybeforgivenifIbreaktheOathoftheMysteriesthatbindsto
secrecy
concerningthenamesofinitiatesandsuggestthatthekeytotheBaconShakespearecontroversy
maylie
inthefactthatBaconandShakespeareweremembersofthesameOrder?

CONCLUSION

NtheprecedingpagesIhaveendeavouredtodischargeadifficulttask,onethatitisalmost

impossible
todischargesatisfactorily.Limitationsofspacepreventmefromexplainingmyconceptsstepby
step
andofferingproofsthereof.Tohavedonesowouldhaverequiredalibrary,notabook.Ihave
hadto
presumeinmyreadersnotonlyanacquaintancewiththeliteratureofoccultismbut,whatis
muchrarer,
someexperienceofitspractice.AtthesametimeIhaveendeavouredtooffersufficient
explanationasI
wentalongtomakemypagescomprehensibletothosewhoseacquaintancewiththesubjectis
but
cursory.
Thisbookisnot,andcannotbe,asatisfactoryhandbookforthetreatmentofpsychicdisorders.
Allitcan
doistopointindirectionswhereenquiriesmightbepursuedwithadvantage.Ifitservestodirect
attentiontocertainsubjectsthatbadlyneedinvestigationitwillhavefulfilleditspurpose.
ImaybechargedwithhavingrevivedthesuperstitionsoftheMiddleAges.TothischargeImust
plead
guilty.ButImustputforwardasacounterclaimthepleathattherecouldnotbesomuchsmoke
without
somefire,andthatthesuperstitionsoftheMiddleAgesmayrepayexaminationinthelightofthe
recent
discoveriesconcerningthepsychologyofsubconsciousness.
Whoeverisfamiliarwiththeliteratureofpsychicresearch,abnormalpsychology,andthebaser
aspects

ofthatmovementwhichtookitsrisefromtheinspirationofChristianScienceandspreadintoa
hundred
uncontrolledcults,cannotfailtobestruckbythefactthattheoldwitchfindersweregetting
exactlythe
samephenomenaaswemeetwithinallthesedifferentmovementsandfieldsofthought.
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Ithasbeensaidthatsincewefindthestigmataofhysterialiberallydistributedamongthose
unhappy
beingschargedwithwitchcraftthatthewitchcultisexplainedanddisposedof.Butwemayfind
thata
studyoftherealmotivesunderlyingthewitchcultwouldthrowlightonhysteriaandtheallied
mental
states.
Ithasalsobeensaidthathistorymovesincycles.Atthepresentmomentweareseeingagreat
revivalof
interestinpsychicandoccultsubjects.Weshallnothavetolookverymuchfurthertofindthat
thereare
alsotheverypromisingbeginningsofawitchcultinourmidst.
LetitberememberedthatthecasesIhavequotedinthesepagesarefromtheexperienceofa
single
person,andIambynomeansexceptionalintherangeofmyexperience,thoughImaybeless
cautious
thanmostincommittingmyselftopaper.Ifonedipofthebucketrevealssomuch,whatmight
notbe
broughtupbysystematicdredging?
Sincemytreatmentofmysubjectmustnecessarilybecursory,Ishouldliketodirectthe
attentionofmy
readerstocertainbookswhichthrowagreatdealoflightuponthequestionfromvariousangles.
Notonlyoccultists,butpsychologists,alienistsandstudentsofpsychicmattersoweanimmense
debtof
gratitudetothescholarshipoftheRev.MontagueSummersandtheenterpriseofMessrs.Rodker
for
makingavailableexactandcompletetranslationsoftheprincipalbooksuponwitchcraftthat
were
writtenbythemenwhowereactuallyconcernedinstampingoutthewitchcultandhadfirst
hand
knowledgeofitsnature.
InadditiontotheseIwoulddirectmyreaders'attentiontoProjectionoftheAstralBody,by
Muldoon
andCarrington,whichthrowsaveryinterestinglightuponthemannerinwhichgenuinewitches
attendedtheSabbats.IdonotmeanbythesewordstoimplythatMr.Muldoonisaddictedto
wizardry,

buthecertainlypossessesthetraditionalpowers,andifhecandothesethingsatthepresentday,
why
couldnotthewitcheshavedonethemindayspast?Atanyrate,Idonotthinkthereismuch
doubtthat
theHolyInquisitionwouldhavepaidhimthecomplimentofburninghimifhehadlivedduring
its
heyday.
ThirtyYearswiththeDead,byDr.Wickstead,isanotherbookwhichgiveschapterandversefor
personalexperienceinsteadofcitingauthoritiesandtheorisingaboutthem.Itistherecordofan
asylum
doctorwhosewifeisatrancemedium,andwhomadeamostremarkableseriesofinvestigations
concerningthenatureofobsessingentities.
InDr.Moll'sbookonhypnotismsomeremarkablephenomenaarerecordedsuchasdonotfind
theirway
intomodernbooks,whetherbecausetheinvestigatorsarelessexpertatelicitingthem,ormore
cautious
incommunicatingthem,havingprofitedbytheexperienceoftheearlierinvestigators.Someof
the
earlierbooksonhypnosisandmesmerismyieldsomeveryinterestingreadingtothepsychic
investigator.
Dr.T.W.Mitchell'sMedicalPsychologyandPsychicalResearchisanotherbookofvaluetothe
student,whoshouldbefamiliarnotonlywiththesignsofpsychicattack,butalsowiththesigns
of
pseudoattackinorderthathemaydistinguishbetweenthemandnotbemisledintosomevery
uncomfortableerrors.Tofindonehasbeensuccessfullyhoaxedbyalunaticisahumiliating
experience.
Myers'HumanPersonalityisofcourseaclassicwithwhicheverystudentofpsychicphenomena
ought
tobefamiliar.Thereisanexcellentabridgededitionavailableforthosewhodonotfeelequalto
coping
withthetwomassivevolumesofitsoriginalform.
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Nicholl'sDreamPsychologyandHart'sPsychologyofInsanityaretwoexceedinglyilluminating
little
books,bothwrittenforthelaymanandreadilycomprehensiblebyhim.Theythrowagreatdeal
oflight
uponthemechanismsofthemind,andnooneshouldattempttodealwithapsychicattackunless
he
understandsthosemechanisms.Myownlittlebook,MachineryoftheMind,writtenundermy
maiden
nameofVioletM.Firth,will,Ithink,befoundausefulgeneralintroductiontomodern
psychology.

Letusapproachthesubjectofmodernwitchcraftneitherinaspiritofincredulitynorof
superstition,but
fromthestandpointofthepsychologist,seekingtounderstandtheworkingsofthemindand
preparedto
discovermuchthathadhithertopassedunsuspected.
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