“Also I heard the voice of Adonai the Lord the desirable one concerning that which is beyond. Let not the dwellers in Thebai and the temples thereof prate ever of the Pillars of Hercules and the Ocean of the West. Is not the Nile a beautiful water?
Let not the priest of Isis uncover the nakedness of Nuit, for every step is a death and a birth. The priest of Isis lifted the veil of Isis, and was slain by the kisses of her mouth. Then was he the priest of Nuit, and drank of the milk of the stars.
Let not the failure and the pain turn aside the worshippers. The foundations of the pyramid were hewn in the living rock ere sunset; did the king weep at dawn that the crown of the pyramid was yet unquarried in the distant land?”
–Liber LXV, V:48-51
This complex parable has three different parts that are mini parables on their own, but the general theme throughout is about the importance of focus, diligence, and patience in our approach to magical work.
Once again, Adonai is our instructor.
“Also I heard the voice of Adonai the Lord the desirable one concerning that which is beyond.”
The opening line of the parable re-introduces the Lord Adonai who is speaking to the Adept, who then relays what he hears. When he calls Adonai “the desirable one” it is perhaps because he is an attractive and charismatic figure, but more likely it refers to the Adept’s own desire for this connection to the divine.
Adonai says this is “concerning that which is beyond,” and we get the sense of distance, both literally and figuratively. This is concerning things that may fall outside our normal experience, certainly, or symbolic and abstract ideas.
In this parable “that which is beyond” refers to interests and activities that lay outside of our Will, and beyond the scope of the rituals and daily practices that lead us to Knowledge and Conversation. Such distractions, petty desires, and temptations can lead us away from our path and conflict with our True Will.
“Let not the dwellers in Thebai and the temples thereof prate ever of the Pillars of Hercules and the Ocean of the West. Is not the Nile beautiful water?”
Thebai, or Thebes (anciently known as Wasat), is a city in Egypt located on the banks of the Nile river. For a time it was the capital of Egypt, and the temples of Karnak and Luxor are located there. Hieroglyphs have named it “The City of the Scepter” and “Heliopolis of the South.”
Heliopolis was the famed City of the Sun. The Sun is esoterically connected to the Sephirah Tiphereth on the Tree of Life and the Anahata heart center of the body, and these both are also associated with the Holy Guardian Angel and the 5=6 grade of the A.’.A.’. Thus, the dwellers in Thebes and in the temples allude to the aspects of our inner Self as we pursue the Great Work.
Adonai cautions the people of the city and those in the temples of Thebes not to prate – not to speak foolishly or at length – about the Pillars of Hercules or the Ocean of the West. The Pillars of Hercules are the points of land (one of which is the Rock of Gibraltar) on either side of the Straits of Gibraltar at the western most end of the Mediterranean Sea which gives passage to and from the Atlantic Ocean.
Geographically, these landmarks and the Atlantic Ocean in the West are far away from Thebes. The Pillars mark a gateway that leads to places that are even further away. They literally are beyond by virtue of their distance, and they represent all things that are far from home. Esoterically, they represent distractions and false desires that draw magicians away from their studies.
Meanwhile, the beautiful Nile river is right here in Thebes, close by, easy to get to and enjoy. The Nile represents the magical work we have in front of us right now which can bring immediate results as we pursue our Wills.
In essence, Adonai is instructing us not to chase after things in life that are beyond the scope of our immediate goals. Do not get sidetracked by distractions in the outer world, or by comparing ourselves to others, or letting our attention wander too far afield in our search for True Will and the HGA. We are dwellers in the city of Thebes. The beautiful Nile river is in front of us. Everything we need is right here, in ourselves.
“Let not the priest of Isis uncover the nakedness of Nuit, for every step is a death and a birth.”
Isis and Nuit are two major Egyptian goddesses that are aspects of the divine feminine in their own ways. Of the two, Nuit could be considered to operate on a “higher tier”, as Nuit is the mother of Isis, and She is the star goddess who encompasses the entirety of creation.
This parable points out that a priest who has dedicated themselves in service to a goddess like Isis should not seek out at the same time the ultimate secrets of Nuit before it is time. Stick to the plan, priest!
Similarly, the initiate who rushes to advance without having actually integrated the lessons in front of them will “uncover the nakedness of Nuit” and, being unprepared, will reveal parts of Her too soon, before there can be full comprehension and understanding.
This is another instance concerning beyond. Adonai advises us not to get ahead of ourselves, and to stay close to our training. Study and perfect the formula of Isis before rising to Nuit. Don’t run before you can walk.
From Liber AL vel Legis, I:44:
“For pure will, unassuaged of purpose, delivered from the lust of result, is every way perfect.”
Preparation cannot be rushed, and it comes through a process of “steps” that build one upon the next. Each step being “a death and a rebirth,” in a figurative sense which when taken in order, brings us to a fuller knowledge of self. These allude to the steps or grades of initiation.
The lesson here is about the personal growth that comes when these steps are taken in order, first to last, the material of each step studied, and integrated fully before moving onward.
“The priest of Isis lifted the veil of Isis, and was slain by the kisses of her mouth. Then was he the priest of Nuit, and drank of the milk of the stars.”
This illustrates the process of initiatory transformation that comes when you stick to the plan and do the work of the grade with full attention and dedication. The priest of Isis has stayed true to his deity, has progressed on the path, and finally lifts the veil of Isis to receive her kisses.
The removal of a veil indicates the revelation of something hidden. A groom lifts the bride’s veil before they kiss and seal their pact of love. Here is a sacred marriage between a priest and his goddess. The priest has finally come to the most intimate moment of contact with the goddess Isis.
He is slain by the kisses of her mouth, meaning that the encounter with Isis brings about an ending of who he was. The death that occurs is symbolic, perhaps, but he is transformed, no longer the same, and his old world is gone. He has now fully become a priest of Nuit, and his communion with Her mysteries is compared to drinking the milk of the stars.
The priest’s transformation points to the natural process that occurs when we let go of ego and approach a goal without lust of result. The priest of Isis performed the service to Isis even though it might be a “lower” office than that of a priest of Nuit. Through his hard work and dedication, the priest completed his service to Isis and was lifted up naturally to become the servant of Nuit.
This metaphor can apply to any initiation or intense transformation, but the previous references to Thebes, Heliopolis, and the Sun point strongly towards Knowledge and Conversation with the Holy Guardian Angel, and aligns with the Adeptus Minor grade of the A.’.A.’.
Success comes with disciplined effort. Doing the work. Focusing on what is in front of you. Making yourself a perfected and irresistible vessel for the Angel.
“Let not the failure and the pain turn aside the worshippers. The foundations of the pyramid were hewn in the living rock ere sunset; did the king weep at dawn that the crown of the pyramid was yet unquarried in the distant land?”
The occult path is not an easy road. There will be trials. There will be failure and pain, difficulties and obstacles. Adonai insists that these things should not discourage the faithful. It is best to take the long view that sees both the ups and the downs as transitory and necessary parts of the work.
If you never face trials and challenges, there can be no growth. As the saying goes, “No pain, no gain.”
A relevant quote from Liber Librae:
“Thou then, who hast trials and troubles, rejoice because of them, for in them is Strength, and by their means is a pathway opened unto that Light.”
The final line of this parable echoes what was said before about patience and persistence. The base or foundation of a pyramid is the largest part of its structure to be built, and a solid base allows a pyramid reach the sky. Without a firm foundation, the whole structure would collapse.
Another quote from Liber Librae comes to mind regarding the work of a magician:
“If thou thyself hast not a sure foundation, whereon wilt thou stand to direct the forces of Nature?”
This refers to the lengthy and challenging foundational work that initiates do to build their magical muscles in a balanced way. Persistent practice of the basics, making the work an integrated part of “the living rock” of our lives, this will sow seeds of success in the long term.
From Liber AL vel Legis II:70:
“Wisdom says: be strong! Then canst thou bear more joy.”
The king does not weep when he wakes up to find that the pyramid is not completed. Worries about the finished result are beyond. He knows that there is valuable work to be done before the capstone can be set upon the crown, and it will happen in its own good time.
We are the king in this parable. The completion of the work will happen on its own timetable as we work and grow. We can resist the urge to rush ahead and skip the fundamentals out of an impatient desire for speed of advancement.
Conclusion
This is a beautiful and complex three-fold parable with an important message. Adonai gives clear instructions for those on the magical path.
Keep your eyes on the prize. Work at what is in front of you with full attention and purpose before you move on to more advanced work.
Do the work without lust of result, and don’t fret about the outcome. Leave the natural process of magick to take care of your transformation.
Do not ignore or bypass the value of the fundamentals — they will be the foundation upon which all the rest of your progress will be built.