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Correspondence from Karl Germer to Phyllis Seckler
New York 23, N.Y.
July 7, 1952
Dear Phyllis,
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Yours of July 1 reached me to-day. I answer at once so as not to keep you in suspense.
I cannot check on what I have written you about Liber 418 [The Vision and the Voice] and its arrangement, nor do I have a copy of it here to consult. I think the whole is arranged in the following parts:—
Introduction (this should have Roman numbers, I, II, III, etc.) The titles of the 30 Æthyrs The Call or Key in the Enochian and the translation The Synopsis
I think in this order. But use your own judgment if in doubt. May-be in one letter I have made another suggestion? This may have come from doubt as to the validity about the "Synopsis" for which I had to write to London. This has been clarifies. The "Synopsis" remains, and we leave out the : what is it called? at the end of the printed Vol. V [of The Equinox], as the Synopsis replaces or improves it.
I suggest you start with page 1 for the titles, and we do not give a page number to the title page at all. It won't do to start with 1 and then have the Introduction with I (Roman).
Your machine shows a very clear type, and I'm glad we were mistaken about it being elite. I'm glad Helen [Helen Parsons] was of help. I must write her and WTS [Wilfred T. Smith]. I'm also glad you've won another scholarship. Here is a request I mean very seriously: should you run into financial difficulties DO NOT hesitate to write me; I'm perfectly entitled to send you help from the fund that has been put at our disposal. Do not feel any spiritual qualms; it is your work, your sacrificing any possible vacation you probably need badly, your help, that count infinitely more than a small check that I can so easily send you, and which is lying in the bank for just such a purpose!
Now about your queries! What you say was very interesting. Do not forget that I have asked to, but have not formally lifted that old injunction by A.C. against WTS. Why not? I don't know. I did not get an urge, that must suffice. Dear child: your questions go to the bottom of one of the deepest problems that have puzzled and tortured all initiated men and women from time immemorial, as you could find out from reading the records of the Saints (men and women), the great men of genius and so forth. I suppose it is the conflict with being human, with a body of flesh, and the fact that you have risen to or above Tiphereth where the voice of the Secret Guide is gradually taking over and begins to speak to your soul. The 20th Æthyr, I think it is, initiates this phase. I am a very poor teacher along these lines. I had this experience in 1927. But I am so dull and dumb (have you seen my horoscope? If not I'll send you the main data.) with so much Earth weighing it down, that I paid no attention to the guide, and its voice, until, let me say, 1947-48!!! This may sound unbelievable to you. But then, my case may be different. My connection with A.C., the man, was so close and intimate, that I all the time thought that the impulses came from the man A.C., and, thinking so, I obstructed. The moment the man died, the interpretation changed.
Do not follow me; obstruction to the impulses and the Voice has become second nature to me, through so many years, and I may have suffered for this obstruction badly, very badly, and made my life miserable without need. Learn to follow the voice instantly, without questioning unduly. Did I quote that old saying of Mystics: "Perinde ac cadaver!" If not, I repeat it and explain: the idea is that once one has heard the Voice and of the H.G.A. [Holy Guardian Angel]. one must learn to follow INSTANTLY, even to the perishing of the "Cadaver" which is the mere body, and the rational mind which reasons against it.
I believe it is the hardest lesson to learn. I shall be happy if I can make one human's life happier for teaching a lesson, which I have too much failed to learn!
As you progress in the typing of Liber 418, you will discover that the H.G.A. grows ever more and more. In other words the path is unending. Your views and your understanding at this moment will not be the same as years hence. Do not think for one moment that A.C.'s conceptions about this problem were the same when he was 50 as at 70!!! "Strive ever to more . . . and if thou art truly mine . . ." etc. A ll you can do is to remain in the intimacy of your H.G.A., train your finer senses and your soul to receive ever finer and subtler impulses; sometimes they appear, or may appear, atrocious (as you grow). Never mind. Your HGA looks farther ahead than mortal can. The only danger is that there are other beings in the invisible universe who are sent to (test or) thwart your true path; that is where constant inflaming yourself in prayer is so important, by the method that your HGA will indicate to you.
Yes: one is alone in the task, it seems, as long as one does not fully realise the intimacy with one's constant companion. (See LXV, 1: "There was a maiden . . . and therein she forgot her sighing and her loneliness!" That particular verse, in that form, may apply to a special case, but it is universal in the general way.
Some day, if it comes about, and if we should move the documents to the West I may be able to show you some of A.C.'s records on similar matters, and how he disregarded messages which were given to him. We should all learn to do better and not make the same mistakes.—Yes: bur Liber VII is my favourite; do learn it.—Curiously enough to-day when I got your letter I had another from London, urging to print Liber Aleph. We will.—Do you have a copy of Liber LXXXI, The Tao Teh King? If you want, I'd like to send you one. It also should be reproduced.
I always like to answer your letters. I should have amplified on your special questions re WTS. You will find that your Guide if constantly around you, especially when He knows that you need his advice. He begins with subtle inspirations. If he perceives that you are not trained or fine enough to heed them, understand them, he fires heavier artillery, though He dislikes the need for it; I have found that in cases where action was important, He had to almost materialise Himself, which is an effort, and takes away from you own nerves, I believe. So He had to almost shout at you.
93 93/93
Yours,
Karl
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