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Correspondence from Norman Mudd to Frank Bennett
Tunisia Palace Motel, TUNIS
August 18 XIX [1923]
Frater Progradior,
Care Frater,
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
I am instructed by the Beast to forward to you the enclosed Letter of Summons, and to write you a covering letter setting forth its occasion and something of its significance. This covering letter is not dictated by the Beast, but is redacted from notes given by him for my guidance.
1. From August 22, and until your arrival at Cefalu, the Abbey [of Thelema] will be in charge of Lay-Sister Ninette [Ninette Shumway], who will carry on as best she can, alone, save that she will be handicapped by the care of four children. Magickal reasons, which cannot be explained in this letter, require that all other persons who might have supported Lay-Sister Ninette at the Abbey, shall accompany the Beast on a certain Retirement in accordance with instructions given in The Book of the Law and elsewhere. The safe-guarding of the Abbey and its contents is the urgent and vital task which requires your presence there at the earliest possible moment.
2. The Abbey is at present heavily embarrassed financially. This trouble may be lifted before your arrival, but you should not count on that. You should therefore commence to study Italian, since it may be necessary for you to support yourself and the establishment by working at your craft. There are other grounds also. Thus it may fall to you to superintend the construction of a new Abbey in Italy, or to take some part in Italian affairs. Also a considerable and chaotic revolution throughout Italy seems to be imminent.
3. There is a final aspect of this call on your undivided service, which is of great importance for your own Great Work, and which I am asked to touch on briefly.
It seems certain that on the occasion of your previous sojourn at the Abbey, you committed a serious Magickal error, in that you allowed consideration of worldly concerns to restrict your aspiration, so that your Will to the Great Work was divided and impure. (Study carefully in this connection line 6 of the Hexagram relating to this Summons, a copy of which is enclosed). The Beast judges that your later impotence in your chosen field of work is merely a reflection of, and judgment on, the Magickal error in question. He urges you to meditate this matter most strictly.
4. The Beast definitely expects you to leave for Cefalu by the next boat that sails. He leaves it to your own skill and Will to see to it that nothing whatever shall stop you to commit yourself irrevocably and without reservation to the oath "I sail by that boat! Stop me who can!"
Love is the law, love under will.
Ever in love and service,
O.P.V. (Secretary to 666)
The Pi Hexagram. VIII. Union. The fixation of the Infinite Desire
Pi indicates that (under the circumstances which it supposes) there is good fortune. But let (the principal party intended in it) re-examine, himself, (as if) by divination whether his virtue be great, unintermitting, and firm. If it be so, there will be no error. Those who have not rest will then come to him; and with those who are (too late in coming it will be ill.)
1. The first line, divided, shows its subject seeking by his sincerity to win the attachment of his object. There will be no error. Let (the breast) be full of sincerity as an earthenware vessel is of its contents, and it will in the end BRING other advantages.
2. In the second line, divided, we see the movement towards union and attachment preceding from the inward (mind). With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
3. In the third line, divided, we see its subject seeking for union with such as ought not to be associated with.
4. In the fourth line, divided, we see its subject seeking for union with the one beyond himself. With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
5. The fifth line, divided, affords the most illustrious instance of seeking union and attachment. (We seem to see [illegible word]) the king urging his pursuit of the sun (only) in three directions, and allowing the escape of all the animals before him, while the people of his towns do not warn one another (to prevent it). There will be good fortune.
6. In the topmost lines, divided, we see one seeking union and attachment without having taken the first step (to such an end). There will be evil.
A Brief Note Line 2 The plan is in accordance with his True Will Line 3 He must not repine at leaving family and friends Line 4 He must attain more intimate communication with his H.G.A. [Holy Guardian Angel]. Line 5 Refer to the assistance he will be to the Beast. Line 6 Refer to the comparative failure of his previous sojourn. Vitiated by "lust of result" and attachment—(in the bad sense)—supposed need to get away again. The Black Egg must be bought without haggling.
[The page below is unsigned and undated. The divination it records was probably undertaken around the time that Crowley was attempting to persuade Bennett to return to "assume the Office of Abbot Coadjutor at the Abbey of Thelema," and then sent to Bennett as encouragement.]
Thelema Oracle CCXX. III. II. Conquer!
Yi King Divinations for—
1. The Work of the Order [I Ching Hexagram] No. 11. Khwăn. Bringing forth
2. The Work of the Abbey at Cefalu [I Ching Hexagram] No. LXI. Kung Fû. Big Sol. The Boat.
Inmost sincerity. To advance steadily with confidence; to increase its scope; to avoid exceeding its legitimate functions.
3. The Fortune of the Abbey at Cefalu [I Ching Hexagram] No. XLVI. Shăng. Ascending and advancing. Great good fortune. Beware of YBPIC.
4. Personal Fortune of Frater Ahah [Frank Bennett] [I Ching Hexagram] No. II. Fertility of Work. (Same Ninette and the Order.)
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