In the East 'tis tried
with various tortures whilst sitting in a
cramped position, which
retarded the flow of blood; these tortures,
long and continued,
gave good results.
In the Art, we are taught
an easier way, that is, to intensify the
imagination, at the
same time controlling the blood supply, and this
may best be done by
using the ritual.
Incense is good to propitiate
the spirits, also to induce relaxation to
the aspirant and to
help build up the atmosphere which is necessary for
suggestibility. Myrrh,
Gum Mastic, Aromatic Rush Roots, Cinnamon Bark,
Musk, Juniper, Sandalwood
and Ambergris, in combination, are all good,
but the best of all
is Patchouli.
The circle being formed,
and everything properly prepared, the aspirant
should first bind and
take his tutor into the circle, invoke suitable
spirits for the operation,
dance round till giddy, meanwhile invoking
and announcing the
object of the work, then he should use the
flagellum. Then the
tutor should in turn bind the aspirant - but very
lightly, so as not
to cause discomfort - but enough to retard the blood
slightly. Again they
should dance round, then at the Altar the tutor
should use the flagellum
with light, steady, slow and monotonous
strokes. It is very
important that the pupil should see the strokes
coming, as this has
the effect of passing, and helps greatly to
stimulate the imagination.
It is important that the strokes be not
hard, the object being
to do no more than draw the blood to that part
and away from the brain;
this, with the light binding, slowing down the
circulation of the
blood, and the passes, soon induce a drowsy stupor.
The tutor should watch
for this, and as soon as the aspirant speaks or
sleeps the flagellum
should cease. The tutor should also watch that the
pupil becomes not cold,
and if the pupil struggles or seems distressed
he should at once be
awakened.
Be not discouraged if
no results come at the first experiment - results
usually occur after
two or three attempts. It will be found that after
two or three attempts
or experiments results will come, and soon more
quickly; also soon
much of the ritual may be shortened, but never
forget to invoke the
Goddess or to form the circle, and for good
results 'tis ever better
to do too much ritual rather than do too
little at first.
Remember, the circle
properly constructed is ever necessary to prevent
the power released
being dissipated; it is also a barrier against any
disturbing or mischievious
forces; for to obtain good results you must
be free from all disturbances.
Remember, darkness,
points of light gleaming amid the surrounding dark,
incense and the steady
passes by a white arm, are not as stage effects
but rather they are
mechanical instruments which serve to start the
suggestion which later
unlocks the knowledge that it is possible to
obtain the divine ecstacy,
and so attain to knowledge and communication
with the Divine Goddess.
When once you have attained this, ritual is
needless, as you may
attain the state of ecstacy at will, but 'til then
or, if having obtained
or attained it yourself, you wish to bring a
companion to that state
of joy, ritual is best.