Charles Stansfeld Jones Diary Entry

 Monday, 1 June 1914

[From the Examination Paper [for Zelator]. Question (c) Discover by visions the nature of the Alchemical principles Sulphur, Mercury and Salt. How do they differ from the Three Gunas and from the Elements Fire, Water and Air?]

Question (c) Second attempt.

June 1st 1914. 9.30 to 10.15 P.M.

Robed and stood in the centre of Circle. Prayer to the Lord of the Universe. Lesser Banishing Ritual of Pentagram. Traced Circle with wand. Ritual of Hexagram. Lit incense. Knelt in centre of circle and made a statement of the purpose for which I was there.

Formulated astral robed as Probationer, and rose above the circle. Astral seemed slightly better and clearer than previously.

After rising a little, I experienced a sort of dust-storm. Rose above this and found myself under a clear sky, with Sun in Mid-heaven. Looking down, to my left I saw a Desert and some Pyramids. I took the Sun to be the first symbol I was after, so rose higher in order to try and identify myself with it, or to understand it more clearly.

Having done so as best I could, the Solar System appeared around me and I remembered the previous vision of the man surrounded by dancing maidens. It seemed to me that this was the same idea in another form. I meditated upon the Sun in the midst, giving out energy, or producing it, and it seemed to me that was the principle behind the energy—if I may put it so—and that Rajas was the energy, and Fire was the manifested form of it.

I then examined and travelled till I came to a sheet like burnished silver, by which all things were reflected. I conceived that was the principle that caused things to be reflected and that though in itself it was still warm and calm, this did not affect the reflections appearing to be in motion. Satva would also appear to reflect the true light in its calm depths.

In regard to I descended somewhat and got a vision of a cornfield, the corn swaying and undulating in the breeze. I walked in this field and questioned the meaning of this vision, which then seemed to disclose the idea that corn represents nourishment and that is the principle that made nourishment necessary. Also that Tamas was related to this principle, causing man to be heavy and to sluggishly desire to satisfy his craving for nourishment. Water has the same 'drawing' or attracting power.

I then returned and afterwards entered diary, finding more difficulty in putting these experience into words than usual.

The Comment of Frater O.M. [Aleister Crowley] upon this vision, is as follows:

"This again is not bad, even at the first attempt, but you should go much more deeply into the whole matter. For example, we all know that Tamas is related to Salt. What I wanted you to do was to write a sort of essay on the difference of standpoint of the Hindoo and the Alchemical Philosophers. You should do this question again and try to get a thorough and perfect comprehension of the whole matter. For one thing you might try and identify these Two Tripartite Divisions of the Universe with the Three Characteristics." I am aware that I am asking for more than is necessary for the mere purpose of passing an examination, but it is all to the good that you should already form some idea of the nature of the Contemplations of a Master of the Temple. O.M.

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