THE NOTTINGHAM JOURNAL

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England

4 November 1932

(page 4)

BOOKS AND BOOKMEN.

MAGIC AND MYSTERY.

We have before us a series of publications called “Magick,” [Magick in Theory and Practice] and these are full of mysticism from beginning to end. They deal with the subtlety of magic in theory and practice, by The Master Therion, and one must say that only those versed in the art, or who have had some introduction to the cult, or science, or craft will gleam the purport of these publications. Those versed in the rituals will be fascinated by the contents of these four issues.

The theme is outlined by a quotation from The Goetia of the Lemegeton of King Solomon:

“Magic is the Highest, most Absolute and most Divine Knowledge of Natural Philosophy, advanced in its works and wonderful operations by a right understanding of the inward and occult virtue of things; so that true Agents being applied to proper Patients, strange and admirable effects will thereby be produced. Whence magicians are profound and diligent searchers into Nature; they, because of their skill, know how to anticipate an effect, the which-to the vulgar shall seem to be a miracle.”

Wherever sympathetic magic occurs in its pure unadulterated form, it is assumed that in nature one event follows another necessarily and invariably without the intervention of any spiritual or personal agency, we read.

Thus its fundamental conception is identical with that of modern science; underlying the whole system is a faith, implicit but real and firm, in the order and uniformity of nature. The magician, we read on, does not doubt that the same causes will always produce the same effects, that the performance of the proper ceremony accompanied by the appropriate spell, will inevitably be attended by the desired results, unless, indeed his incantations should chance to be thwarted and foiled by the more potent charms of another sorcerer.

Thuswise the writings develop—and the reader is admitted into the inner circle through these publications from the house of W. and G. Foyle, London, at fifteen shillings. A clear definition of “Magick” given is “The science and art of causing change to occur in conformity with will.”