Be it now understood further concerning the interchange of opposites, that albeit Man is active and Woman passive, yet Man is Peace and Woman Power. And this is called the Hermetic Paradox; and he that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
There is therefore one magick act that leadeth into life, another that abutteth upon death. And the first ultimateth (sic) and the second returneth unto itself. Yet therefore is the last perfect, a true rite of the Highest, too exalted for the vulgar even of our holy and illuminated brethren.
And in its profanation it cometh forth from the demon and is manifested in all uncleanness, even as it is written Demon est Deus Inversus. Yet is it, albeit limited and unable to proceed from life to life, the highest of all means of Grace, for as wine is to water so is it unto the others in its exaltation of the soul of man; and whoso mastereth the same, even he is found worthy of rule.
This was the secret of the strength of our Grand Master Caius Julius Caesar, this of our brother Richard Wagner that was Grand Organist in Bavaria, and of so many others, whose fame is eternal without our Order as within, that they are as the Stars of heaven for multitude and glory.
To this aspire ye above all things; for the True Light abideth therein yet more intensely than in the Other. For he that reverseth the whirlings of matter is greater than he that worketh in them. Woe therefore, woe exceeding, unto him if failing in strength he be swept away into the abyss!
Awake, my Lords, be vigilant, be stern, be austere, be on your guard: for they that seek to devour you are about the gate!
But of all this it is not here written: this is the Book of the Pathway that leadeth unto Life.
