DE MAGNUM OPUS SOLIS
    (ON THE GREAT WORK OF THE SUN)

    By David Cherubim
    (Frater Aurora Aureae).
    Copyright (c) 1994 e.v.
    The Order of the
    Thelemic Golden Dawn.

    Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Now, o my beloved brethren of the Golden Dawn, shalt thou read herein
the words of Hermes Trismegistus, Thrice-greatest Lord of Our Royal
Art and Science, whose Voice is Wisdom and whose Thought is Light. And
this, o my beloved brethren, is His Holy Book, dedicated to His Royal
Work, the Magnum Opus of the Sun. It is made of thirty-six verses in
all, being a manifestation of the Glory of Mercury, from whence it was
written in the mind of a Magician. It is the magical fruit of the
Invocation of Hermes-Mercurius-Thoth, the Threefold Lord of Our
Majestic Opus of the Sun, in whose Holy Image it was written. Mayest
thou partake of the splendour of its Truth, tasting the sweetness of
its Wisdom, to fortify and illumine thy soul, mind and body with the
Life and Light of the Sun which is the Eternal Spirit of the Golden
Dawn.

    THE BOOK OF ALKHEMI

    (Official Holy Book of the Novus Ordo Aurora Aurea.
    Received by David Cherubim, Anno IIIxviii, 1988 e.v.)

    1. The Great Work is One: Attain Thou That! All things are modes
of expression of That One Thing and Its Eternal Quest for Unity with
Itself in the Immeasurable Light of Its Universal Holiness.

    (Comment: The One is the Many. There are as many great works as
there are stars in the Universe. That which "Thou" shalt attain is
your own Great Work, which is the fulfillment of your own True Will.
All things partake of that great union between the human and the
divine; all is a necessary part of that great play of your own True
Self. The Immeasurable Light is Kether, the first Sephira on the
Qabalistic Tree of Life which represents the Yechidah or the True
Essence of the soul, your Highest Self.)

    2. This is the Highest Will of All: Union with That!

    (Comment: The Highest Will of All is to attain union with That,
your Kether Self, or your True Self, which is The All in All. And this
can only be achieved through your True Will which is your True Self in
action.)

    3. That Alone is Truth; and this that thou knowest is a necessary
complement thereof.

    (Comment: The only valid truth in the Universe is your True Self
as indicated by the dynamic motion of your True Will; and your
physical consciousness is a necessary, complementary part of your True
Self, made manifest for you to accomplish its One Will on earth.)

    4. Wherefore We charge ye to know the True Nature of That One
Thing.

    (Comment: It is in the nature of the Secret Chiefs to instruct all
in the knowledge of their True Self. Thus they have delivered one of
their own unto the world, to initiate this knowledge in the minds of
men and women. But the True Nature of that One Thing is for each
individual to discover in his/her own way, since it partakes of the
very essence of his/her own unique nature. It cannot be realized
through another; it must be obtained by oneself, for oneself, and in
oneself. All that another can do is to assist you to the Path, to
initiate this knowledge in you. But once you are on the Path, only you
can master that knowledge in accordance with your own True Will.)

    5. Therefore shall We also charge ye to know the One Meaning of
That One Thing, as ye shall learn in the course of thine initiations,
through the many lives of thy fabricated karma, to the Final
Illustrious Summit of Thy True Will in the Eternal and Secret Abode of
L.V.X.; yea, in the Eternal and Secret Abode of L.V.X.

    (Comment: The One Meaning of the True Self is in the Way of its
True Will. The True Will is the mystery of initiation and of
incarnation. The Eternal and Secret Abode of L.V.X. is the Home of our
True Self, the Place of the Palace of Perfection.)

    6. The Great Work of the Sun is proclaimed: Attain Thou the Mystic
Crown of the Ages!

    (Comment: The Great Work of the Sun is to attain our Kether Self,
which is The All in All, defined above as the True Self. This Royal
Work makes for the attainment of the Philosopher's Stone, which is a
symbol of our True Self. It is with this stone that the Alchemist can
transmute all base metals into the Perfect Gold of Nature. But this is
only a metaphor for the Supreme Transmutation of the human into the
divine. As Eliphas Levi once wrote: "The Great Work is something more
than a chemical operation: it is an actual creation of the human Word
initiated into the power of the Word of God Himself.")

    7. Here is a prophecy of divinity, most sublime for many future
Adepts. This Royal Book of Our Transcendental Science will remain
amongst men of this little earth for many generations to come. Many
adepts in the future will understand this Holy Book and apply its
secret gnosis to the accomplishment of the Great Work; and thereby
will they secretly partake of the Ineffable Mystery of the True Stone
of the Wise which is hidden in the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Eternal
Temple of the Holy Magick of Light.

    (Comment: This holy book can be compared to the famous Emerald
Table of Hermes, which has exercised a profound influence on many
Adepts of the Hermetic Art. This alchemical book shall also influence,
in a most profound manner, many Adepts in the coming generations, and
it shall be the cause of much speculation among them. But of these
many will come to an understanding of the Great Work and thereby
attain the Stone of the Sages.)

    8. By the Ageless Wisdom of Hermes Trismegistus, Thrice-greatest-
One, Who is the Lord of Our Royal Science and Sacerdotal Art, is this
Holy Book made possible for the children of men.

    (Comment: The Ageless Wisdom pertains to the Sephira called
Chokmah on the Qabalistic Tree of Life. Chokmah is the Logos. Hermes
Trismegistus, or Hermes-Mercurius-Thoth, is the Logos, and He is the
Threefold Lord presiding over the alchemical Art. This is none other
than His Holy Book for the illumination of the Adepts in the
generations to come.)

    9. He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear the wondrous and
melodious splendours of High Wisdom, immanent yet concealed within
these sweet celestial words of the vast subtlety of the Crown of
Creation.

    (Comment: The true teachings of this holy book cannot be found in
the words which go to make up its external form, but can only be
intuitively realized by the interior ear of the Spirit. These are the
wondrous and melodious splendours of the Logos who is the Crown of
Creation.)

    10. Thou shalt discern the imperishable golden splendours of these
holy runes of magick in the Eternal Vision of Wisdom, and with the
Inner Ear of Thy Spirit, and also by virtue of a certain key of
knowledge which is unpronounced and unrecognized amongst the men of
this little world of corporeal existence.

    (Comment: You shall intuit the interior meanings of this holy book
in the ageless light and intelligence of the Logos, and by way of your
inner ear, and also by virtue of a certain key of knowledge which,
when discovered, unlocks all the mysteries of Our Royal Art and
Science. This key is openly revealed in the interpretations that
follow.)

    11. These secret splendours reveal the highest glory for the
perfect attainment of the One Truth in man.

    (Comment: The interior parts of this holy book are its true
revelations. These interior truths are what constitute the attainment
of the Great Work. To reveal is to remove a veil, to unveil a Mystery.
The highest glory is the Knowledge of our Kether Self, which alone
makes for the perfection of our soul.)

    12. For all that is recorded herein is a true testimony of things
seen with the Inner Eye of Our Soul, and of things heard with the
Inner Ear of Our Spirit.

    (Comment: This holy book is a true testimony of the Wisdom of the
Secret Brethren of the Rose and Cross. But I have no proof of this
fact; only personal experience can demonstrate the authenticity of my
words. Illustration: You cannot convince a blind man that there is
such a thing as light. A greater fool is he who tries to convince
him!)

    13. This Holy Book is a fountain of truth, by which ye shall come
to understand the Invisible Agencies which direct the hidden
operations of the Great Work throughout the infinite spaces of
Infinity, with worlds without end, above and below, left and right,
before and behind.

    (Comment: The Invisible Agencies of Alchemy are supernal and
universal in kind. They are the very forces of infinity which
constitute universal creation, preservation, and destruction. These
are manifest in all things, and all things are but combinations and
modifications of these Universal Principles.)

    14. These Subtle Agencies are three in number, capable of great
and vast transformations through pure multiplication and exaltation of
their infinite and elastic elements of becoming.

    (Comment: In the Qabalah these three Agencies are linked with the
three Supernal Sephiroth on the Tree of Life. These are Kether,
Chokmah, and Binah. These three Sephiroth are the hidden cause of all
transformation in the Universe. They are abstract, synergistic,
conspiratorial Principles which cannot be defined in any concrete or
linear terms, for they are beyond all manifestation, existing in what
we may call "the interior universe." These three Agencies are the very
forces which constitute the Great Work in both Macrocosmos and
Microcosmos, and they are the hidden cause of all celestial and
terrestrial changes through the multiplication and exaltation of the
subtle forces which are the universal, central instruments of
creation.)

    15. Yet there is but One Knowledge of the One True Formula of
those Three Arcane Agencies which constitute the accomplishment of the
Great Work, which hath been communicated partially in diverse ways
throughout the aeons of time, with each way declaring itself the One
Absolute Truth.

    (Comment: The One Knowledge of the One True Formula of these three
Agencies is simply the knowledge that they are One. These three
Principles are unified self-transformations and self-perpetuating
productions of each other. This One Knowledge has been the subject of
many a school of thought, yet under the dire spell of monistic
thinking. There is, however, a further mystery.)

    16. But herein is a great and mighty misfortune which hath bound
many uninitiated candidates of Our Royal Art to the baleful chains of
ignorance and death.

    (Comment: As pointed out in the beginning of these comments: the
One is the Many. The One Knowledge of Our Royal Art is, in point of
fact, infinite in kind, being as diverse as the stars in the Universe.
This may seem paradoxical to the mind, but to the soul it is a fact as
simple as the nose on your face!

    Monism and monotheism, may you note it well, are dangerous beliefs
which have corrupted our world view. Our Universe is multidimensional,
and there is nothing in Nature which is not a phenomenon of
multiplicity.)

    17. For many are the ways which lead to the Grand Golden Palace of
Our Magnum Opus, and in each way thou shalt find a lesser formula of
knowledge applicable to the One End; yet are all these lesser ways but
mere reflections of the One True and Unknown Way of Attainment.

    (Comment: The are many paths which lead to the perfection of the
soul; and since all paths lead to the same place, they are all
reflections of the One, that is, they are all reflections of each
other. Again, I must emphasize, the One is the Many.)

    18. There are also three lesser agencies which concentrate and
synthesize the Three Higher Agencies into the innumerable worlds of
Our Infinite Universe.

    (Comment: The three lesser agencies are, of course, Sulphur, Salt
and Mercury which, according to Eliphas Levi, constitute the Stone of
the Sages when they are thrice combined in AZOTH by a triple
sublimation and a triple fixation. AZOTH, the First Matter of our
work, can be compared with the Atom, and the three agencies which
constitute AZOTH can be compared with the proton, the neutron and the
electron which are the three basic indivisible components or particles
which compose the Atom. The proton and the neutron are contained in
the central nucleus of an atom, and outside of this nucleus is the
electron.

    Now all atoms are identical in substance; that is, every atom has
an identical, fundamental, internal structure; the protons, neutrons
and electrons in one atom are identical to those in any other atom.
The atoms of one element differ from those of another element only in
the number of their protons and electrons. Also note that atoms cannot
be created or destroyed; they can only be rearranged by chemical
reactions. It was Democritus of Abdera (400 B.C.) who proposed the
theory that all things were composed of atoms and empty space, though
the theory of atoms did not become a living part of scientific
thinking till the latter part of the 18th century.

    Sulphur, Salt and Mercury can also be linked with the three Gunas
or Qualities of Yoga Philosophy, which are the three fundamental modes
of Energy. Such are called Tamas (Passivity), Rajas (Activity) and
Sattva (Equilibrium). Tamas is Salt, Rajas is Sulphur, and Sattva is
Mercury. These correspond with the Atu of Thoth called "The Magus"
(Sattva/Mercury), "The Emperor" (Rajas/Sulphur), and "The Empress"
(Tamas/Salt). Aleister Crowley, regarding these three Principles,
said: "Sulphur is Activity, Energy, Desire; Mercury is Fluidity,
Intelligence, the power of Transmission; Salt is the vehicle of these
two forms of energy, but itself possesses qualities which react on
them.")

    19. If thou canst discover the exoteric operations of these three
lesser principles of Nature, thou shalt likewise obtain a holy glimpse
of the Three Higher Principles of which We speak.

    (Comment: The three lesser agencies are reflections of the nature
of the three Higher Agencies of the Universe. Salt reflects the
essence of Binah; Sulphur reflects the essence of Chokmah; and Mercury
reflects the essence of Kether. To discover the exoteric operations of
these three lesser Principles of Nature is, in the ultimate sense, a
scientific process. The model of the Atom affords us a wealth of
information in this regard.)

    20. Each lesser principle is a sign of the higher, but after a
certain manner most secret and most mysterious.

    (Comment: As previously indicated, the lesser is a reflection of
the greater. Thus it is written: "As above so below, and as below so
above, for the accomplishment of the Miracle of The One Thing.")

    21. On earth shalt thou find these principles reflected and made
especially manifest in thy works of physical union.

    (Comment: In the sex act is reflected the mystery of the operation
of the three Principles. Works of physical union are, in fact, the
most suitable means of attaining an understanding with regard to the
inner workings of Nature for the production of the Philosopher's
Stone. Thus did Sir Edward Kelly write in his "Stone of the
Philosophers": "In short, our whole Magistry consists in the union of
the male and female, or active and passive, elements through the
mediation of our metallic water and a proper degree of heat." And in
the Rosarium Philosophorum it is written: "From a man and a woman make
a circle, then extract from this a square, and from this extract a
triangle, and then make a circle, and you will obtain the
Philosopher's Stone.")

    22. There is fire, and there is water, and then there is Air:
there is sulphur, and there is salt, and then there is Mercury.

    (Comment: Fire represents the Masculine or Solar Principle called
Rex, the King; Water represents the Feminine or Lunar Principle called
Regina, the Queen; and Air, which is Water coagulated by Fire, is the
product of their union, the Androgynous or Mercurial Principle called
Rebis or Regulus, the little King. These are the Male and Female
operators, or the Red Lion and the White Eagle, and their One Will to
Unite. Sulphur is the Blood of the Red Lion; Salt is the Gluten of the
White Eagle; and Mercury is that which results from the dissolution of
the Sulphur in the Salt, which is also the Chymical Marriage of
Sulphur and Mercury, or the Union of the Fixed and the Volatile. Such
is also called the Hierosgamos of the Sun and Moon and the Conjunctio
of Fire and Water.)

    23. Seest thou not the true nature of these things?

    (Comment: Not all are able to understand these alchemical
mysteries, to pierce the Veil of Isis, no matter what is said on the
subject or how much of it is revealed. Thus do I speak so fearlessly
and openly regarding these alchemical mysteries, knowing that none may
understand my words without already having in their possession the
secret keys to this knowledge.)

    24. Ah! thou hast not yet trained thy mind to comprehend the
treasures of earth, which are not material wealth, nor are they
material goods; but rather are they holy treasures which, when found,
make a man to sell all that he hath for them.

    (Comment: The true treasures of earth are the treasures of life
itself. They are incomparable in nature, being invaluable elements in
the constitution of existence. Without these true treasures there is
no life, no creation, no evolution.)

    25. But the Three Higher Principles of the Universe are beyond
these, being subtle, ineffable and supernal. All three of these
greater principles are equal in essence to one another; there is no
difference between them in the measure of infinity which they contain
within themselves: each one of these Higher Principles is equally
infinite.

    (Comment: The Three Higher Principles of the Universe are
immaterial abstract energies, metaphysical in nature, which remain
unchanged in their various combinations with each other and in the
modifications of their manifestations in matter through the activity
of the three lesser Principles which are their direct reflections on
earth.)

    26. Now let it be understood amongst the holy circle of Initiates
that in thine own Holy Rose Garden there dominates these Three Higher
Principles of the Vast Unknown of the Celestial Beyond.

    (Comment: The Holy Rose Garden is, of course, the human body, the
Laboratory or Laboratorium of Our Magnum Opus, wherein are concealed
the Three Higher Principles of the Universe through their subtle
interplay in matter by way of the three lesser Principles of Nature.

    In "The Book of the Elder Kings", received by my own hand in the
year 1988 e.v., it is proclaimed by the Brothers of the Rose and
Cross: "Ours is the Sevenfold Path of Initiation: thou shalt transmute
the base lead into the subtle Aurum Solis by rising on the Stairway of
the Heavens in thy Secret Laboratorium on earth. Here is the Excellent
Way! The steps of the Stairway are seven; the Laboratorium is Our Holy
House of Song and Our Holy Rose Garden, which thou knowest so well.
Yet to those who are vulgar, it is a secret even though they
themselves possess it.")

    27. Thou shalt first secure Understanding; then shalt thou attain
Wisdom; and so shalt thou obtain the Ageless Crown of Eternal
Splendour. These are the Three Ineffable Mysteries of the Palace of
the Stars!

    (Comment: Understanding is Binah, the third Sephira on the
Qabalistic Tree of Life; Wisdom is Chokmah, the second Sephira on the
Qabalistic Tree of Life; and the Crown is Kether, the first Sephira on
the Qabalistic Tree of Life. Such are the True Keys to the Golden
Palace of Our Magnum Opus.)

    28. They are also the eternal secrets of the Great Lamp of Wisdom:
there is the light, and the oil, and the lamp itself.

    (Comment: The Lamp of Wisdom is what guides the soul on its
journey to the summit of the Great Mountain of Hermetic Attainment.
The Lamp is held in the `hand' of our True Self who is represented in
Tarot by "The Hermit". The Hermit holds this Lamp on high that we may
comprehend the threefold nature of the Great Work to illumine our Path
and make bright our ways.)

    29. Study thou well this threefold teaching of Hermes-Mercurius-
Thoth, Thrice-greatest-Master of the Opus of the Sun; and so shalt
thou accomplish the Great Work of the Aeon.

    (Comment: The Hermit is the image of Hermes-Mercurius-Thoth, as
one who has attained the Great Work and who now stands ready to
illumine all others below Him on the Path with the threefold teaching
of the ages. Yet only those who are truly fit for His Teaching can
recognize His Wisdom. The unfit cannot recognize His Wisdom, since
they are blind and stupid, unable to see or comprehend the obvious,
the Light which is even now upon them.)

    30. Thou shalt also know that the Three Higher Principles of which
We speak are mysterious revelations of a more Ineffable Trinity of
Inscrutable Unity.

    (Comment: This seems to imply a mystery of Qabalistic significance
in which Kether, Chokmah and Binah are but reflections of three higher
abstract concepts, called Ain (Nothing), Ain Soph (The Limitless), and
Ain Soph Aour (The Limitless Light). These are the three Veils of
Negative Existence which are beyond the Tree of Life. From them,
however, emanate the three Supernals, and from these the remaining
Sephiroth.)

    31. Now the Inward Work is threefold; and the Outward Work is
threefold. Each is a Threefold Unity of Soul, Mind and Body.

    (Comment: The Inward Work is, of course, Mystical Alchemy and the
Outward Work is, of course, Sexual Alchemy. Both of these operations
are comprised of three basic stages. These three stages are called
Nigredo, Albedo, and Rubedo, or the Black, the White, and the Red.
Nigredo is the stage of Dissolution, which is the Putrefaction of our
work; Albedo is Coagulation, which is the Synthesis of our work; and
Rubedo is Sublimation, which is the Multiplication of our work.

    These three stages are represented by three figures which
constitute the Astrological Trinity of Scorpio. These are the
Scorpion, the Serpent, and the Eagle. The Scorpion is Nigredo, the
Serpent is Albedo, and the Eagle is Rubedo. The latter of these three
is the astrological equivalent of the alchemical Phoenix and Pelican.
It represents the Great Attainment, the rebirth of the soul or stone,
which can now transfigure all base metals into the Perfect Gold of
Nature. Thus the great emblem of the New Order of the Golden Dawn is
the Eagle whose Vast Wings represent the Liberty of the Adept to
accomplish the Great Work.

    The three stages in Mystical Alchemy, or the three states of the
stone, are transmutations of a most peculiar kind. They are, in fact,
metamorphic in nature, constituting actual quantum jumps or abrupt
transitions from one state of development to another; they do not
necessarily follow a logical pattern of change. The stone itself
remains continuous throughout the operation, but the changes it
endures are not connected with each other in any phenomenological or
observable sense. Each stage is a complete transformation of the
stone, a veritable death and rebirth of its soul from one state of
existence to another. Each stage, though it be the natural result of
our work, comes about unexpectedly; it is an unpredictable event in
the space-time continuum.

    Now in this threefold experimental operation the saline stone of
Our Majestic Work first undergoes a critical death or disintegration
process, which is also a purification of its soul, mind and body. It
then becomes the White Tincture of our work, which is a magical
consecration of the stone, and this White Tincture transmutes base
metals into the Silver of the Moon. Then it becomes the Red Tincture
of our work, the Elixir of Life, which transmutes base metals into the
Living Gold of the Sun.

    In Egyptian mythological symbolism, this threefold operation is
represented by the slaying of Osiris by his brother Set, His revival
through the Magick of His wife Isis, and His mysterious resurrection
in His son Horus, who is the Aurum Aurea or Golden Dawn of Our Regal
Art, and whose holy image is the Solar Eagle. Such is the death and
rebirth of THAT which is like unto itself: such is the Great
Experiment of the Royal Art of the Sun!

    DISSOLUTION is the FIRST KEY to the GREAT WORK. It is the
purification of Sulphur and Mercury. COAGULATION, the second key, is
the unification of Sulphur and Mercury with the aid of Salt. These two
keys correlate with the alchemical formula "solve et coagula".
SUBLIMATION, the third key, is the multiplication of the stone by
repeating the actual operation, and the effect of this process is the
exaltation of the Philosopher's Stone.

    Eliphas Levi wrote: "This stone is both one and manifold; it is
decomposed by analysis and recomposed by synthesis. In analysis it is
a powder, the alchemical powder of projection; before analysis and in
synthesis it is a stone." The analytical decomposition of the stone is
the dissolution of our work; it is the volatilization of the fixed.
The synthetic recomposition of the stone is the coagulation of our
work; it is the fixation of the volatile. These two alchemical
processes result in the production of the Philosopher's Stone, but
only in potential form. It is not until the stone is subjected to
Sublimation that it is completely regenerated and, ergo, capable of
transmuting base metals into gold and conferring immortality.

    Sublimation ultimately becomes an eternal self-generating process
which regenerates the stone time and time again, making of the stone
an immortal soul, and an eternal traveler on the Great Circle of
Perpetual Initiation. Sublimation makes for the immortalization of the
stone; it is the Principle of Eternal Change, the magical perpetuity
of the stone which constitutes its immortal existence. As the Greek
philosopher Heraclitus once said: "There is nothing permanent except
change.")

    32. The Hidden Stone of the Ages is thus obtained, even here and
now. Let the Sun and the Moon unite; let them bear an Hermaphrodite!
Let a child be born: it shall be the Stone of the Sages, the Medicine
of Metals, and the Elixir of Life.

    (Comment: It is by the scientific application and execution of the
threefold operation of Alchemy that the Stone of the Philosophers is
to be obtained, here and now. The Sun is man; the Moon is woman; and
the Hermaphrodite is the magical product of their union. This
Hermaphrodite is Two-in-One; S/he is the Rebirth of the Sun and Moon.
Such is called their Magical Child and is the Great Secret of Alchemy,
the Arcanum Arcanorum which constitutes our true power and wealth on
earth, the key to our immortality and orderly perpetuation as an
evolving species.

    The Magical Child is also known as the Stone of the Sages,
Medicine of Metals, Universal Medicine, Elixir of Life, Universal
Solvent, Dew of Immortality, Amrita, Soma, Mana, Eucharist of the Sun,
Wine of the Sabbath, Powder of Projection, Red Tincture, Unguent, Pill
of Power, Potable Gold, and the Quintessence. Such is the mystery of
Samson's riddle: "What is sweeter than honey, and stronger than a
Lion?" It is also the mystery of which Paracelsus wrote: "The Son of
Hamuel says that the Stone of the Philosophers is Water Coagulated,
namely in Sol and Luna. From this is it clearer than the Sun that the
matter of the Stone is nothing else but Sol and Luna." In Michael
Maier's "Chemical Secrets of Nature" (1687), it is written: "The
offspring of the Sun and Moon is the Philosopher's Red Stone, floating
upon the liquid in the crucible." Roger Bacon in his "Mirror of
Alquimy" wrote: "Alquimy is the science that teaches the preparation
of a certain medicine or elixir which, if it is poured over base
metals, brings them on the instant to a state of perfection.")

    33. Also the Threefold Unity Above is expanded into a seven-
petalled Rose; and on each petal there is inscribed in fire one of the
seven letters of VITRIOL.

    (Comment: Kether, Chokmah, and Binah, in their subtle interplay of
orgasmic ecstasy, produce seven other emanations or Sephiroth on the
Tree of Life. These are Chesed, Geburah, Tiphareth, Netzach, Hod,
Yesod, and Malkuth. To these correspond the seven Metals, the seven
Chakras and the seven traditional Planets of Astrology. Such form a
seven-petalled Rose with the letters VITRIOL inscribed in fire on its
petals.

    VITRIOL is a Notariqon for "Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando
Invenies Occultum Lapidem", which is Latin for "Visit the interior
parts of the earth; by rectification you will find the secret stone."
VITRIOL is the name which Basilius Valentinus (Basil Valentine)
applied to the Universal Solvent, a secret diluent salt. VITRIOL
represents the balanced combination of Sulphur, Salt and Mercury. And
how is this achieved? "Make the fixed volatile -- unite the fugitive
male with the fixed female."

    Basil emphasized a third Principle in the Great Work which he
called Salt, concerning which he wrote: "Salt is the fire, the water
that does not wet one's hands." VITRIOL is a name for this third
Principle; it is also a name for the Philosopher's Stone. In the word
VITRIOL is contained the formula of the Great Work by which the Adept
can attain the Secret Stone through the rectification of the salt and
its subsequent regeneration.)

    34. Also each rose petal is of a different color; four petals are
mixed, and the other three are virgin. Also each petal has a unique
scent, taste, and touch to it. All these come forth from the Centre of
the Cross, that is, from the Place of the Palace of the Stars in the
midst of it all.

    (Comment: Netzach, Hod, Yesod and Malkuth are impure (i.e. they
are mixed principles, combinations of the interplay of Chesed,
Geburah, and Tiphareth, which are reflections of Kether, Chokmah, and
Binah. Colors pertain to sight, the sense of Fire. Scent is Air, taste
is Water, and touch is Earth. These four elements are manifestations
of the seven Sephiroth below the Abyss which come forth from the
Centre of the Cross of the Sun.

    Note also that in the sevenfold system of initiation in the New
Order of the Golden Dawn, there are four outer stages and three inner.
The four outer stages are the four gates to the Palace of the Stars in
which we experience the Three Invisible Rites of Initiation. The
completion of these seven stages of initiation make for the attainment
of THAT which exists beyond the Planetary Spheres: it constitutes the
transcendence of the Planetary Spheres and the subsequent attainment
of the Gnostic Ogdoad, which is the eighth sphere of Celestial
Wisdom.)

    35. And in each letter of fire on the seven petals of the Sacred
Rose there is concealed a vision and a voice. And in each vision and
voice there is concealed a divine splendour of unspeakable
transmutations of ineffable mystery and wonder. All these inner
splendours are different stages of Our Master Opus of Divine
Transformation which can be interpreted in many ways in many lands.

    (Comment: In each Sephira there is concealed a vision and a voice
corresponding to its own particular nature. This is the vision and the
voice of initiation. And in each vision and voice there is concealed a
divine splendour which partakes of the nature of the initiation that
corresponds thereto and which is capable of being interpreted and
defined in a variety of ways.)

    36. So saith Hermes Trismegistus, Lord of Our Royal and Sacerdotal
Art of Alkhemi, Who is also the Wisdom of the Gods and the Logos of
the Ineffable Unknown. Mysteries revealed are mysteries concealed; and
none but the Wise may decipher them. This Holy Book of the Magick of
Hermes is hermetically sealed; and none but the Wise may unravel its
sublime splendours of High Wisdom for the accomplishment of the Great
Work of the Sun; yea, for the accomplishment of the Great Work of the
Sun.

    (Comment: In this holy book are many mysteries of Our Royal and
Sacerdotal Art revealed by the Voice of the Logos Himself; but, it is
a true saying: "That which guides the Wise misleads the foolish."
This holy book is sealed with the Spirit of Wisdom itself, and only
the Wise may intuit and commune with that Spirit to attain the Great
Work, the Summum Bonum, True Wisdom, and Perfect Happiness.)

    Love is the law, love under will.