Therefore, except in the case of an Adept, man only rises to a glimmer of the universal consciousness, while, in the orgasm, the mind is blotted out.

[27]

9

{Kappa-epsilon-Phi-Alpha-Eta Theta}

THE BRANKS

Being is the Noun; Form is the adjective.

Matter is the Noun; Motion is the Verb.

Wherefore hath Being clothed itself with Form?

Wherefore hath Matter manifested itself in Motion?

Answer not, O silent one! For THERE is no "where-fore", no "because". The name of THAT is not known; the Pronoun interprets, that is , misinterprets, It. Time and Space are Adverbs.

Duality begat the Conjunction.

The Conditioned is Father of the Preposition. The Article also marketh Division; but the Inter-jeciton is the sound that endeth in the Silence. Destroy therefore the Eight Parts of Speech; the Ninth is nigh unto Truth.

This also must be destroyed before thou enterest into The Silence.

Aum.

[28]

COMMENTARY ({Theta})

Teth is the Tarot trump, Strength, in which a woman is represented closing the mouth of a lion. This chapter is called "The Branks", an even more powerful symbol, for it is the Scottish, and only known, apparatus for closing the mouth of a woman. The chapter is formally an attack upon the parts of speech, the interjection, the meaningless utterance of ecstasy, being the only thing worth saying; yet even this is to be regarded as a lapse.

"Aum" represents the entering into the silence, as will observed upon pronouncing it.

[29]

10

{Kappa-epsilon-Phi-Alpha-Lambda-Eta Iota}

WINDLESTRAWS

The Abyss of Hallucinations has Law and Reason; but in Truth there is no bond between the Toys of the Gods.

This Reason and Law is the Bond of the Great Lie. Truth! Truth! Truth! crieth the Lord of the Abyss of Hallucinations.

There is no silence in that Abyss: for all that men call Silence is Its Speech.

This Abyss is also called "Hell", and "The Many". Its name is "Consciousness", and "The Universe", among men.

But THAT which neither is silent, nor speaks, re-joices therein.

[30]

COMMENTARY ({Iota})

There is no apparent connection between the number of this chapter and its subject.

It does, however, refer to the key of the Tarot called The Hermit, which represents him as cloaked. Jod is the concealed Phallus as opposed to Tau, the extended Phallus. This chapter should be studied in the light of what is said in "Aha!" and in the Temple of Solomon the King about the reason.

The universe is insane, the law of cause and effect is an illusion, or so it appears in the Abyss, which is thus identified with consciousness, the many, and both; but within this is a secret unity which rejoices; this unit being far beyond any conception.

[31]

11

{Kappa-epsilon-Phi-Alpha-Lambda-Eta Iota-Alpha}

THE GLOW-WORM

Concerning the Holy Three-in-Naught.

Nuit, Hadit, Ra-Hoor-Khuit, are only to be under-stood by the Master of the Temple.