D. The astral light to be moulded into the Shroud.
E. The equation of the symbols in the sphere of sensation.
F. The Invocation of the Higher: the placing of a Barrier without the
Astral Form: the clothing of the same with obscurity through the proper
invocation.
G. Formulating clearly the idea of becoming invisible: the formulation of
the exact distance at which the shroud should surround the physical body; the
consecration with water and fire so that their vapour may begin to form a
basis for the shroud. {157}
H. The beginning to formulate mentally a shroud of concealment about the
operator. The affirmation aloud of the reason and object of the working.
I. Announcement that all is ready for the commencement of the operation.
Operator stands in the place of the Hierophant at this stage: placing his left
hand in the centre of the triangle, and holding in his right the Lotus Wand by
the black end, in readiness to concentrate around him the Shroud of Darkness
and Mystery. (N.B. ___ In this operation as in the two others under the
dominion of HB:Shin a pantacle or Telesma, suitable to the matter in hand, "may"
be made use of: the which is treated as is directed for Telesmata.)
J. The operator now recites an exorcism of a shroud of Darkness to surround
him and render him invisible, and holding the wand by the black end, let him,
turning round thrice completely, describe a triple circle around him, saying:
"In the name of the Lord of the Universe," &c. "I conjure thee, O Shroud of
Darkness and of Mystery, that thou encirclest me, so that I may become
Invisible: so that, seeing me, men may see not, neither understand; but that
they may see the thing that they see not, and comprehend not the thing that
they behold! So mote it be!"
K. Now move to the North, face East, and say: "I have set my feet in the
North, and have said, 'I will shroud myself in Mystery and in Concealment.'"
Then repeat the oration: "The voice of my Higher soul," &c., and command the
Mystic Circumambulation.
L. Move round as usual to the South, and halt, formulating thyself as
shrouded in Darkness: on the right hand the pillar of fire, on the left the
pillar of cloud: both reaching from darkness to the glory of the Heavens.
M. Now move from between these pillars which thou hast formulated to the
West, and say: "Invisible I cannot pass by the Gate of the Invisible save by
virtue of the name of 'Darkness.'" Then formulate forcibly about thee the
shroud of Darkness, and say: "Darkness is my name, and concealment: I am the
Great One Invisible of the paths of the Shades. I am without fear, though
veiled in Darkness; for within me though unseen is the Magic of the Light!"
N. Repeat processes in L.
O. Repeat processes in M, but say: "I am Light shrouded in Darkness, I am
the wielder of the forces of the Balance."
P. Now concentrating mentally about thee the shroud of concealment pass to
the West of the altar in the place of the Neophyte, face East, remain
standing, and rehearse a conjuration by suitable names for the formulation of
a shroud of Invisibility around and about thee.
Q. Now address the Shroud of Darkness thus: "Shroud of Concealment, long
hast thou dwelt concealed! quit the light; that thou mayest conceal me before
men!" Then carefully formulate the shroud of concealment around thee and say,
"I receive thee as a covering and as a guard." {158}
Then the Mystic Words.
R. Still formulating the shroud say: "Before all magical manifestation
cometh the knowledge of the Hidden Light." Then move to the Pillars and give
the signs and steps, words, &c. With the Sign Enterer project now thy whole
will in one great effort to realise thyself actually "fading out" and becoming
invisible to mortal eyes: and in doing this must thou obtain the effect of thy
physical body actually, gradually becoming partially invisible to thy natural
eyes: as though a veil or cloud were formulating between it and thee. (And be
very careful not to lose self-control at this point.) But also at this point
is there a certain Divine Extasis and an exaltation desirable: for herein is a
sensation of an exalted strength.
S. Again formulate the shroud as concealing thee and enveloping thee, and
thus wrapped up therein circumambulate the circle thrice.
T. Intensely formulating the shroud, stand at the East and proclaim, "Thus
have I formulated unto myself this Shroud of Darkness and of Mystery, as a
concealment and a guard."
U. Now rehearse an invocation of all the Divine Names of Binah; that thou
mayest retain the Shroud of Darkness under thy own proper control and
guidance.
V. Now state clearly to the shroud what it is thy desire to perform
therewith.
W. Having obtained the desired effect, and gone about invisible, it is
requisite that thou shouldst conjure the forces of the Light to act against
that Shroud of Darkness and Mystery, so as to disintegrate it, lest any force
seek to use it as a medium for an obsession, &c. Therefore rehearse a
conjuration as aforesaid, and then open the Shroud and come forth out of the
midst thereof, and then disintegrate that shroud by the use of a conjuration
unto the forces of Binah, to disintegrate and scatter the particles thereof;
but affirming that they shall again be readily attracted at thy command. But
on no account must that shroud of awful Mystery be left without such
disintegration; seeing that it would speedily attract an occupant: which would
become a terrible vampire preying upon him who had called it into being. And
after frequent rehearsals of this operation, the thing may be almost done "per"
"nutum."
