The Hermetic Museum, Vol. II — trans. A. E. Waite (1893)

the way of many students of this Art. I am here describing my own experience during the thirty years which I spent and wasted in perusing the writings of authors whose whole ingenuity seemed to have been concentrated upon the Art of expressing thought in unintelligible language. "The more I read the more hopelessly I went astray, until Divine Providence at length prompted me to undertake a journey to Italy, and caused me to be accepted as a disciple by that noble and marvellously learned Master Raymond, with whom I remained for a long time. In his eyes I found such favour that he not only unfolded to mea partial knowledge of this Great Mystery, but at my most earnest entreaty, accompanied me to this island of England, and lived with me here two years. During his stay he thoroughly instructed me in the whole secret of the work. Subsequently, I introduced my noble master to his most gracious Majesty King Edward, who received him kindly and honourably, and obtained from him a promise of inexhaustible wealth, on condition that he (the King) should in person conduct a Crusade against the Turks, the enemies of God, and that he should thenceforward refrain from making war on other Christian nations. But, alas, this promise was never fulfilled, because the King grossly violated his part of the contract, and compelled my dear master to fly

| HAVE attempted to give a full and accurate account of beyond the seas, with sorrow and grief in his soul. My heart still burns within me when I think of the unjust treatment which he received, and I have no more earnest longing than once more to behold his bodily presence. For the model of his daily life, and the purity and integrity of his mind, would move the most. inveterate sinner to repentance.

In the meantime, rest assured, most blessed Raymond, that I and my brethren day by day pour.out our prayers before God on your behalf. All wisdom is derived from God, and ever ends in Him. Any one who desires knowledge should ask it of Him, for he gives liberally, and without upbraiding. "The height and the depth of all knowledge, and the whole treasure of wisdom are given unto men of God, because in Him, and to Him, and through Him are all things, and nothing can happen without His wil. In beginning my discourse I invoke the help of Him Who is the source and origin of all good things. May the bright light of His Spirit shine in my heart, and guide me into all truth ; also enabling me to point out to others the true path of Knowledge! May this prayer be granted, by Him who is enthroned on High, and rules and governs all things, world without end! Amen. :

BIImsEheSeeinnigswasasbea Ond M rM of grace and truth."

. Prayer.

Holy Lord, Almighty Father, Eternal God, deign to bless and sanctify the fire which we unworthy men, by invocation of Thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ, presume to bless. Hallow it, most gracious God, with Thy benediction, and let it tend to the good of the human race, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Good Lord, Creator of the Red Light,

Who dividest the times by certain seasons,

When the Sun vanishes, fearful Chaos comes again :
Oh Christ, restore the light to Thy faithful people!

Though Thou hast studded heaven's floor with stars,
And inlaid it with the bright lamp of the Moon,

Yet Thou dost teach us also to strike light out of flints,
And to fan it into life out of the stone-born spark.

Thou art the true light ofthe eyes, and the light of the senses ;
A mirror Thou art of things without and of things within.
Accept this light which I bear, ministering

Tinged with the unction issued from the peace- -bearing virgin.

To Thee we come, great Father, thro' Thine only S
In whom Thy glory visibly shines forth,
And through Him, the Blessed Comiorler

. .Whom Thou didst send forth from Thy great heart.

In whom Thy Brightness, Honour, Light, and Wisdom,
Majesty, Goodness, and Mercy

Dwell with us throughout the Ages, ind, draw us up to the Fountain of Light Amen.

GEDUASPTDEJR- T.

Hox to IURE the living water which constitutes the [fe of our Art.

Take three oz. of tartar of good claret, strong and pure. Add to it five oz. of Petroleum, two oz. of living sulphur, two oz. of orange-coloured Arsenic, three oz. of Rabusenum, two oz. of willow charcoal ^ Mix and distil all these ingredients in the * Bath of Neptune," in a well-stoppered glass jar. Let this jar be about one cubit high, and carefully closed to prevent any of the spirits or smoke from evaporating. When you see it turn of a pale colour, take it out of the furnace, and let it cool. You ought to be able to prepare it in about four days. Be careful not to inhale its smell, for it is deadly poison. This water should be kept in a stout well-stoppered glass jar, and used according to the directions given in the following chapters.

The o£Zer «Vater should be twice distilled out of the urine of an unpolluted youth of eighteen ; if he be polluted, the water will have no vitality.

CIETASPAIIENRISSTITE