Book 4 Part II Magick.pdf

43
It is convenient therefore for the student to express his
will by taking Magical Oaths.
Since such an oath is irrevocable it should be well considered; and it
is better not to take any oath permanently; because with increase of
understanding may come a perception of the incompatibility of the lesser
oath with the greater.
This is indeed almot certain to occur, and it must be remembered
that as the whole essence of the will is its one-pointedness, 1 a dilemma
of this sort is the worst in which the Magus can find himself.
Another great point in this consideration of Magick Vows is to keep
them in their proper place. They must be taken for a clearly defined
purpose, a clearly understood purpose, and they must never be allowed
to go beyond it.
It is a virtue in a diabetic not to eat sugar, but only in reference to his
own condition. It is not a virtue of universal import. Elijah said
on one occasion: “I do well to be angry;” but such occasions are
rare.
Moreover, one man’s meat is another man’s poison. An oath of
poverty might be very useful for a man who was unable intelligently to
use his wealth for the single end proposed; to another it would be
1 The Top of the Wand is in Kether—which is one; and the Qliphoth of Kether
are the Thaumiel, opposing heads that rend and devour each other.