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Liber Pyramidos Comments

Ritual DCLXXI

(Copied from holograph MSS in posession of Dr. J.P.Kowal of 59 Chene Street. Detroit 11. Michigan).

Note in A.C.s hand:- This is the actual MS 671 referred to in John St. John".
(Note. John St John is the diary of a magical retirement undertaken by A.C. in Paris in 1908 and published in Vol. 1 Number 1 of The Equinox. 671 means qabalistically Tora, the Law, and Troa, the Gate, and Adonai spelt in full. He describes this ritual in John St. John pp 36-39 as follows:-

"I shall try and describe Ritual DCLXXI; since its nature is important to this great ceremony of initiation. Those who understand a little about the Path of the Wise may receive some hint of the method of operation of the L.V.X.

"And I think that a description will help me to collect myself for the proper adaptation of this Ritual to the purpose of self-initiation.

"Oh, how soft is the air, and how serene the sky, to one who has passed through the black rule of Apophis! How infinitely musical are the voices of Nature, those that are heard and those that are not heard! What Understanding of the Universe, what Love is the prize of him that hath performed all things and endured all things!

"The first operation of Ritual DCLXXI is the preparation of the Place. There are two forces; that of Death and that of Natural Life. Death begins the Operation by a knock, to which Life answers. Then Death, banishing all forces external to the operation, declares the Speech in the Silence.

"Both officers go from their thrones and form the base of a triangle whose apex is the East. They invoke the Divine Word, and then Death slays with the knife, and embalms with the oil, his sister Life.

"Life, thus prepared, invokes, at the summons of Death, the forces necessary to the Operation. The Word takes its station in the East and the officers salute it both by speech and silence in their signs; and they pronounce the secret Word of power that riseth from the Silence and returneth thereunto.

"All this they affirm; and in affirming the triangular base of the Pyramid, find that they have mysteriously affirmed the Apex thereof whose name is Ecstasy. This also is sealed by that secret Word; for that Word containeth All.

"Into this prepared Pyramid of divine Light there cometh a certain darkling wight, who knoweth not either his own nature, or his origin or destiny, or even the name of that which he desireth. Before he can enter the Pyramid, therefore, four ordeals are required of him.

"So, bound and blinded, he stumbles forward, and passes through the wrath of the Four Great Princes of the Evil of the World, whose Terror is about him on every side. Yet since he has followed the voice of the Officer who has prepared him, in this part of the Ritual no longer merely Nature, but the great Mother, but Neschamah (his aspiration) and the representative of Adonai, he may pass through all. Yea, in spite of the menace of the Hiereus, whose function is now that of his fear and of his courage, he goes on and enters the Pyramid. But there he is seized and thrown down by both officers as one unworthy to enter. His aspiration purifies him with steel and fire; and there as he lies shattered by the force of the ritual, he hears -- even as a corpse that hears the voice of Israfal -- the Hegemon that chants a solemn hymn of praise to that glory which is at the Apex, and who invisibly rules and governs the whole Pyramid.

"Now then that darkling wight is lifted by the officers and brought to the altar in the centre; and there the Hiereus accuses him of the two and twenty Basenesses, while the Hegemom lifting up his chained arms cries again and again against his enemy that he is under the Shadow of the Eternal Wings of the Holy One. Yet at the end, at the supreme accusation, the Hiereus smites him into death. The same answer avails him, and in its strength he is uplifted by his aspiration -- now he stands upright.

"Now then he makes a journey in his new house, and perceives at stated times, each time proceeded by a new ordeal and equilibration, the forces that surround him. Death he sees, and the Life of Nature whose name is Sorrow, and the Word that quickeneth these, and his own self -- and when he hath recognised these four in their true nature he passes to the altar once more and as the apex of the descending triangle is admitted to the lordship of the Double Kingdom. Thus is he a member of the visible triad that is crossed with the invisible -- behold the hexagram of Solomon the King! All this the Hiereus seals with a knock and at the Hegemom's new summons he -- to his surprise -- finds himself as the Hanged Man of the Tarot.

"Each point of the figure thus formed they crown with light, until he glitters with the Flame of the Spirit. Thus and not otherwise is he made a partaker of the Mysteries, and the Lightning Flash strikes him. The Lord hath descended from heaven with a shout and with the Voice of the Archangel, and the trump of God.

"He is installed in the Throne of the Double Kingdom, and he wields the Wand of Double Power by the signs of the grade. He is recognised an initiate, and the word of Secret Power, and the silent administration of the Sacrament of Sword and Flame, acknowledge him.

"Then, the words being duly spoken and the deeds duly done, all is symbolically sealed by the Thirty Voices, and the Word that vibrateth from the Silence of the Speech, and from the Speech again unto the Silence.

Then the Pyramid is sealed up, even as it was opened; yet in the sealing thereof the three men partake in a certain mystical manner of the Eucharist of the Four Elements that are consumed for the Perfection of the Oil.
"Konx Om Pax"

A Ritual of Self-Initiation based upon the Formula of the Neophyte

Building of the Pyramid.

The Magus with Wand. On the Altar are Incense, Fire, Bread, Wine, the Chain, the Scourge, the Dagger, and the Oil. In his left hand he taketh the Bell.

Two strokes on the bell.

Hail! Asi! Hail, Hoor-Apep! Let
The Silence Speech beget!

Banishing spiral dance (to the right).

The Words against the Son of Night
Thauti speaketh in the Light.
Knowledge and Power, twin warriors, shake
The Invisible; they roll asunder
The darkness; matter shines; a snake.
Sebek is smitten by the thunder-
The Light breaks forth from under.

He goes to the West, in the centre of the base of the triangle of Thoth (aleph), Asi (mem) and Hoor (shin).

O Thou, the Apex of the Plane
With Ibis head and Phoenix Wand
And Wings of Night! Whose serpents strain
Their bodies, bounding the beyond.
Thou in the Light and in the Night
Art one, above their moving might!

He scourges the buttocks, cuts cross on the heart and binds chain round forehead. (A later typescript reads:- "He lays the wand etc. on the altar, uses the scourge on his buttocks, cuts cross with the dagger upon his breast and tightens the chain of the bell about his forehead, saying:-

The Lustral Water! Smite thy flood
Through this breast of steel and blood!
(Later reading has "Through me - lymph marrow and blood!")
The Scourge, the Dagger, and the Chain
Cleanse body, breast and brain!

He oils the three centres. (A later typescript reads: "Anointing the wounds, say:-")

The Fire informing! Let the oil
Balance, assain, assoil.

Invoking spiral dance (to the left).

So Life from Death takes fire, and runs
Whirling amid the Suns!
Hail, Asi! Pace the Path, bind on
The girdle of the Starry One!

Makes sign of Enterer

Homage to Thee, Lord of the Word!

Makes sign of Silence

Lord of the Silence, sink the Sword
And Wand, that through all heaven be heard
That "We adore the Lord"

(Note. The later typescript has the following variation:)
"Makes sign of Silence.
Lord of the Silence, Homage to Thee!

Repeat both signs
Lord, we adore Thee, still and stirred
Beyond Infinity.

The Secret Word MUAUM (Blue, Orange, Yellow-Green, Yellow, Orange, Blue).

For from the Silence of the Wand
Unto the speaking of the Sword
And back again to the Beyond,
This is the toil and the reward,
This is the Path of Hua;- Ho!
This is the Path of IAO.

Bell

Hail, Asi! Hail, thou wanded Wheel!
Alpha and Delta kisses and came
for Five that feed the Flame

Bell

Hail, Hoor-Apep! thou Sword of Steel!
Alpha and Delta and Epsilom
Met in the shadow of the Pylon
And in Iota did proclaim
That tenfold core and crown of Flame.
Hail Hoor-Apep! unspoken Name!
M----M

(Thus is the Great Pyramid Builded)

Initiation Followeth.

I know not who I am!
I know not whence I come
I know not where I go
I seek-but what I do not know!

I am blind and bound; but I
Have heard one cry
Ring through Eternity:
Arise and follow me!

Asar Un-nefer! I invoke the Fourfold Horror of the Smoke.
(Signum a et [stick figure w/ arms raised & no feet or squared-off Neptune symbol drawn here] T)
Unloose the Pit! by the dread Word
That Seth Typhon hath heard
Z.N.Z.Z.
(Later typescript has:- "Sazaz Sazaz Andatsan Sazaz. Pronounce this backwards. But it is very dangerous. It opens the Gates of Hell)

A Pause.

The Fear of Darkness and of Death
The Fear of Water and of Fire
The Fear o'th' Chasm and the Chain
The Fear of Hell and the Dead Breath,
The Fear of Him, the demon dire
That stands with his dragon fear to slay
The Pilgrims of the Way.
These I pass by with force and care,
Advance with fortitude and wit
In the straight Path; or else their snare
Were surely infinite.

Staggers and falls back to earth. Suit action to words, using chain, scourge and dagger.

Asar! who clutches at my throat?
Who pins me down? Who stabs my heart?
I am unfit to pass within
This Pylon of the Hall of Maat.

Suit action to words

The Lustral Water! Let the flood
Cleanse me - lymph marrow and blood!
The Scourge, the Dagger and the Chain,
Purge body, breast and brain!
The Fire Informing! Let the Oil
Balance assain assoil.

Passes the first Pylon (i.e. Gate into the Pyramid.T)
In Shavas asana (Later typescript has "still in corpse position).

For I am come with all this pain
To ask admission to the shrine.
I know not why - I ask in vain-
Unless-may be-that I am Thine!
(Later reading: "Unless it be that I am Thine")
I am Mentu the truth-telling brother
Who was master of Thebes from his birth:
O heart of me, heart of my mother!
O heart that I had upon earth!
Stand thou not thou up against me a witness!
Oppose me not, judge in my quest
Accuse me not now of unfitness
Before the great God, the dread Lord of the West
Speak fair words for OU ME! May he flourish
(Note: Ou me in Greek was A.C.'s motto as 7=4 in the A.'.A.'. The later typescript adds here as a note:- "Change this to your own motto. Work the scansion correctly.)
Speak fair words for OU ME! may he flourish
In the place of the weighing of hearts
By the marsh of the dead, where the crocodiles nourish
Their lives on the lost! where the Serpent upstarts--
For though I be joined to the Earth
In the innermost shrine of the Heaven am I
I was Master of Thebes from my birth
As a dog shall I die? Thou shalt not let me die
But my khu that the teeth of the crocodile sever
Shall be mighty in heaven for ever and ever!

Yea! but I am a fool and a flutterer.
I am under the Shadow of the Wings.
I am a liar and a sorcerer.
I am under the Shadow of the Wings.
I am so fickle that I scorn the bridle.
I am under the Shadow of the Wings.
I am unchaste and voluptuous and idle.
I am under the Shadow of the Wings.
I am a bully and a tyrant crass-
I am under the Shadow of the Wings-
I am as dense and stubborn as an ass-
I am under the Shadow of the Wings-
I am untrusty, cruel and insane-
I am under the Shadow of the Wings-
I am a fool and frivolous and vain-
I am under the Shadow of the Wings-
I am a weakling and a coward; I cringe-
I am under the Shadow of the Wings-
I am a catamite and a cunnilinge-
I am under the Shadow of the Wings-
I am a satyr and a sodomite-
I am under the Shadow of the Wings-
I am as changeful and selfish as the sea-
I am under the Shadow of the Wings-
I am a thing of vice and vanity-
I am under the Shadow of the Wings-
I am most violent and I vaccilate-
I am under the Shadow of the Wings-
I am a blind man and emasculate-
I am under the Shadow of the Wings-
I am a raging fire of wrath - no wiser!-
I am under the Shadow of the Wings-
I am a blackguard spendthrift and a miser!-
I am under the Shadow of the Wings-
I am ungenerous and base and dull-
I am under the Shadow of the Wings-
I am not marked with the white Flame of Breath!
I am under the Shadow of the Wings-
I am a traitor- die the traitor's death!

(He is slain by the sword)

I am under the Shadow of the Wings

(This raises him erect. He begins the invoking spiral dance-to the left-)

Now let me pace the Path, bind on
The girdle of the Starry One!

(Comes to the barred Pylon in the North West)

Asar who clutches at my throat...(rubric as before)

The Lustral Water etc. (rubric as before)

(Bar in North. In typescript this is still North West)

Soul-mastering Terror is thy Name
Lord of the Gods! Dread Lord of Hell!

(See Horus)

I come. I fear Thee not. Thy flame
Is mine to weave my maiden spell!
I know thee and I pass Thee by
For more than Thou am I.

(Bar in S.E. - in MS only)

Asar who clutches me etc. Rubric as before.
The Lustral Water etc. as before

(Bar in South-in MS only - typescript has 'in South West'.)

See Isis.

Sorrow that eateth up the Soul,
Dam of the Gods, the blue sky's queen,
This is Thy name. I come. Control
And pass. I know Thee, Lady of Teen (typescript has Teeu)
I know Thee, and I pass Thee by;
For more than Thou am I.

Bar in N.E.- in MS only)

Asar! who clutches etc.

(Bar in East.- MS only)

The Lustral Water etc.

Thoth veiled. The silent interview. (Typescript has 'In East. See Thoth. Silence".)

(Bar in S.W. -in MS only)

Asar! who clutches etc.

(Bar in W. -in MS only)

The Lustral Water etc.
Asar etc.
(A.C. contemplates himself in silence. Note. In typescript 'See Nature')

I will not look upon Thee more
For Fatal is Thy Name. Begone!
False Phantom, thou shalt pass before
The frowning forehead of the Sun.
I know Thee and I pass Thee by
For more than Thou am I.

At altar. Formulating Hexagram. Pyramid of hands.

Now witness ye upon the earth
Spirit and water and red blood.
Witness above, Bright Babe of Birth
Spirit and Father that are God

Hoor and H.P.K. in Egg. (Typescript has 'As babe in egg, being born')
For Silence duly is begot
And darkness duly brought to bed,
The Shroud is figured in my thought,
The Inmost Light is on my head.

Unbind. (Note. Not in MS)

Attack! I eat up the strong lions, I!

Sign of Enterer. (Note. Not in MS)

Fear is on Seb, on them that dwell therein.
Behold the radiant vigour of the Lord.

Sign of Silence (Not in MS)

Defence! I close the mouth of Sebek, ply
My Fear on Nile, Asar that held not in!
Behold my radiance Peace, ye things abhorred!
For see, the Gods have loosed mine hands:
Asar unfettered stands!
Hail Asi! Hail Hoor-Apep cries-
Now I the Son of Man arise
And follow-where dead Asar lies!

Lie down in Sign of Hanged Man (Note. The MS has a sketch of Hanged Man also the figure of a cross above a triangle)

I gild my left foot with the light
I gild my Phallus with the light
I gild my right knee with the light
I gild my right foot with the light
I gild my left knee with the light
I gild my Phallus with the light
I gild mine elbows with the light
I gild my navel with the light
I gild my heartwedge with the light
I gild my black throat with the light
I gild my forehead with the light
I gild my Phallus with the light
The threefold star cross-crowned, I rise
Partaker of the Mysteries

(Note. Last two lines not in typescript. Also a pencil sketch of a sun with rays blazing, inside the sun a vesica, inside the vesica a cross)

Rising in sign of Mulier (not in MS)

Asar Un-nefer! I am Thine
Waiting Thy glory in the shrine,
Thy bride, thy virgin, ah my Lord!
Smite through the spirit with thy sword
Asar Un-nefer! rise in me
The chosen catamite of thee
Come! O come now! I wait, I wait
Patient-impatient, slave of Fate
Bought by thy glance. Come now, come now
Touch and inform this burning brow.
Asar Un-nefer in the shrine
Make Thou me wholly Thine

And afterwards. (Typescript reads "Remove H(ood) W(ink) MS has sketch of the God-form of Asar Un-Nefer.

I am Asar worthy alone
To sit upon the Double Throne.
Attack is mine, and mine defence:
And these are one. Let us go hence!
For I am master of my Fate,
Wholly initiate.
M----M + and + in silence
(Typescript has instead of last lines above: "The Secret Word")

The words are spoken duly
The deeds are duly done
My soul is risen newly
To greet the risen sun

Sound these on the bell

One! Four! Five! Hail!
One! Four! Five! Ten! All hail!

Signs accordingly

I give the sign that rends the Veil
The sign that closes up the Veil
M----M (omitted in typescript)

Sealing of the Pyramid. Proceed as in the Building, unto the word 'suns'
Banishing spiral dance (to the right)

Now let mine hands unloose the sweet
And shining girdle of Nuit

(Note. Above missing in MS which reads:-)
Of the Sealing it is written as before, adding

Behold! the Perfect One hath said

This page last updated: 03/01/2018