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THE OCCULT REVIEW London, England May 1911 (page 304)
REVIEWS
The Equinox. The Review of Scientific Illuminism. March MCMXI. London: Printed for Aleister Crowley and published by him at the Office of the Equinox, 124, Victoria Street, S.W. Price 6s. net.
Far and away the best number that has hitherto appeared. First there is “Liber HHH,” a Book of Official Instruction of the A∴A∴ Next comes “the Blind Prophet,” a ballet by Aleister Crowley, which is quite one of the best things he has recently written. It contains many passages of extreme beauty and leonine vigour. Then comes a very remarkable article by Ananda Metteya [Allan Bennett], entitled “The Training of the Mind,” which deals chiefly with the practical application of the sublime utterances of the Buddha, and delineates some of the more important aspects of meditation and concentration, including some illuminating paragraphs on the Four Sublime States. There is also in this article the summary of an extremely interesting method of retrograde concentration by which Ananda Metteya claims it is possible to remember in detail the occurrences which have taken place in previous incarnations. Then follows a remarkable poem called “The Sabbath,” by Ethel Ramsay, a veritable whirlpool of forbidden fancies and violent imagery. Nest comes “The Temple of Solomon the King” (Part V), which constitutes one of the most remarkable and illuminating articles on the Qabalah—oh ! science secret, subtle, and sublime !—ever written. First there is a concise account of the various Qabalistic methods of transposing and reading the Hebrew letters, then follows an essay called “Qabalistic Dogma,” which contains much general information which should be useful to students. It hath been truly written, “Only an adept can understand the Qabalah.” Next comes a mystic reading of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, which throws considerable light on the Tarot Cards. Next and lastly follows a magnificent Essay upon Number by Frater O., which is divided into two parts: (1) The Universe as it is, (2) the Universe as we see it and make it. It is impossible to praise this work of art too highly; studied in conjunction with 777 and Liber Legis and Liber 418, the amount of knowledge and benefit to be obtained by the earnest and diligent student is almost infinite.
Following Part V of the Temple of Solomon the King comes, “A Nocturne,” by Victor B. Neuburg, which is by far the finest poem he has yet written. Then we get an erotic, sabbattic short story, “The Vixen,” by Francis Bendick, and following this, a powerful lyric by Aleister Crowley called “The Pilgrim.” Then, “The Vampire,” a lyric of singular and sinister beauty, by Ethel Archer, who we hear is publishing a book of verse entitled “The Whirlpool” shortly. After “The Big Stick,” a castigatory compendium of reviews, last but by no means least, comes the Special Supplement, LIBER XXX AERVM VEL SAECULI SVB FIGVRA CCCXVIII, being of the Angels of the 30 Aethyrs THE VISION AND THE VOICE. It pertains to the passing of the Old Aeon and the coming of HORUS the Crowned and Conquering Child of the New Aeon. This book will be as the Wine of Life to mystics and to those who confidently expect a “revaluation of values” in the history of the world.
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