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Correspondence from Phyllis Seckler to Karl Germer
1701 Pico Santa Monica, Calif.
Jan. 3, 1953
Dear Karl
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Greetings of the Winter Solstice.
Please do not remark that you shouldn't have written the way you did on your first comment on my poems. You certainly should write first impressions. That is what I wanted from you and your comments were very helpful. I was also very interested in that first reaction in various of its facets, for it revealed Karl. I sensed in your first letter that the poems had moved you very strongly emotionally, imperfect as I feel them to be. The emotions are, it is true, an imperfect manifestation of existence. But if controlled they can lead one into high realms of inspiration. They can also mislead. The trick is control of and detachment form them and their effects at the same time the effects are working for one. "There is that which remains." They are a tool the same as is the intellect, and a much more dangerous tool, because not rational. Among the emotions one faces some of the most horrible demons known to human thought. But harness their powers, and one may reach empyrean heights.
I might add further, that I keep constantly before me your admonition of study of other poets. this I shall certainly do, in one way or another, in the hopes that I may write again, and write better.
Yes, I know about that opposite effect. It does not make peace, but it makes the best art.
The sigil you ask about comes form my number all run together—276. Moon on top, then the cross of existence (incomplete), followed by the sun. I believe I wrote to you once how I came by that number and its Kabbalistic enumeration.
Did I tell you about the time I got the name of an Angel who had made of the spinal column a column of brilliant light? It reached as far as Tiphereth and the name was AZAR, which I was to write according to the Hebrew and find the Kabbalistic enumerations and correspondences. I did so, but the true significance has not yet struck the labors of my brain with the lightning bolt of truth. I mention the thing in case you might possibly have an enlightening comment.
Jane [Jane Wolfe] remarks that a certain bookstore in Hollywood is eager for Crowley's books to sell and has combed London for them. They seem to be in great demand. From this information would it not seem feasible that some publisher over here might be interested in publishing at his own expense and risk in hopes of a good sales of the volumes? Would not royalties add up in time to pay for the publishing of the more difficult and abstruse works? In short, have you approached any publishers? It is possible that the time may be here when the public, or at least a portion of it, is awakening to the value of his writings.
If you want another book typed by me, I am very willing to do it next summer. How about Liber Aleph?
Schmolke [Herbert Schmolke] says in the first sentence of his letter—"Thousand thanks for your parcel which I received by Br. Saturnus [Karl Germer] in Hampshire." Now I did not send any parcel, can he mean one from you? He must have made some mistake and should perhaps be set right.
He asks if I can read German as he would then send me a book on the new Astrology, the system he himself uses. Imagine my chagrin to have to answer that I can't read German, only French. I am almost mad enough to take up the study of German on my own.
I sent the books, registered, shortly before Xmas. I trust you have received them? I also sent a piece of ceramics done by Jane and myself for Headquarters.
May the New Year bring success!
Love is the law, love under will.
Fraternally,
Phyllis
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