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the spiritual body from earthy dross。 It is that； which treasures not the
corrupting； delusive wealth of Earth； nor the transient powers of mammon；
but garners the fruits which spring from the pure life； and treasures the
jewels of heaven。 Vainly will you seek for this stone of the wise
philosopher amid the turmoils； sufferings； and selfishness of life； unless
you accept your mission upon earth as a duty； delegated to the soul； from
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Heaven。 Eschew the evil thereof； and hold fast that which is good。 To do
this； means to expand with the inward truth and become one of the 〃pure
in heart；〃 in which blessed state； the magical white stone； conveying A
NEW NAME； reveals the living angel within； to the outward man。 Then；
and then alone； doth he know the Adonai。
Such are the Divine； spiritual principles upon which the higher
Alchemy of life is based。 They seek only to establish a Divine； conscious
at…one…ment between the angel； the man； and the universe； and to this end；
we conclude with the words of the immortal Paracelsus：
〃To grasp these invisible elements； to attract them by their material
correspondences； to control； purify； and transmute them by the ever…
moving powers of the living spirit； THIS IS TRUE ALCHEMY。〃
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CHAPTER IX。
TALISMANS
Words are the symbols of ideas； and bear the same correspondence to
the physical brain as matter does to spirit； a medium of expression； and are
subject to continual change in their application and meaning； in exact
proportion to the changing mental and moral condition of the people。 As
the planet； as well as man； is continually progressing； so must there be a
higher and nobler conception of ideas。 Hence； words or expressions must
change； to convey the progressive spirit； that is constantly taking place。
Therefore； it is always interesting； as well as valuable； for the Occult
student to go to the root of each word connected with his philosophy； in
order to learn the real sense in which the word was used by the ancients；
from whom his mystic lore has descended。 The true meaning； as well as
the words themselves； have become as mystical as the lore itself。 Hence；
each student must commence as a beginner in any foreign language； which
he does not at present understand。 In following this method of procedure
he will； at least； escape the dense and interminable confusion of modern
opinions upon subjects of which the writers thereof； are partially or wholly
ignorant。
No better illustration of this can be afforded than by the word
〃Talisman；〃 derived from the Greek verb 〃teleo；〃 which means； primarily；
to accomplish； or bring into effect。 But； in its real； and therefore higher；
sense； it means to dedicate； consecrate； and initiate into the arcana of the
temple mysteries。 But； in the present day it means a piece of imposture；
connected with some magical hocus pocus of the ignorant and
superstitious mind； a vulgar charm； that is supposed to bring the owner
thereof some material benefit； irrespective of his mental； magnetic； and
moral condition； 〃and；〃 says the learned Webster； after describing his idea
of such things； 〃they consist of three sorts； astronomical； magical and
mixed。〃 But in what sense the 〃astronomical〃 differed from the 〃magical〃
we are not informed； nor is any light thrown upon the peculiar nature of
that class designated as 〃mixed。〃 In fact； the lexicographer so mixes up his
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definitions that； we are unable to distinguish anything in particular； but his
own individual ignorance。
So it has become； in every branch of learning。 Words and their
meanings have become so mixed in their use and application； that； the
world is full of discords and misunderstandings； which lead into
dissensions and contention； among all schools of thought； sects； and isms；
and lastly； though not the least serious； it has reached into the close
relations of the human family。
All writers and speakers； as well as the readers and listeners； should
acquaint themselves with the derivation and meaning of words。
The fact stands very clearly defined that； Talismans are confused in the
minds of the present generation with magical charms； which depend for
their effects； upon the power of the idea or thought； which the formulating
magician impresses upon the substance of which they are composed。 If the
magical artist be expert； and endowed with an exceedingly potent will； his
charm may become very powerful； when worn by the person for whom it
was prepared。 But； if this one grand essential be lacking； no amount of
cabalistical figures and sacred names will have any effect； because； there
can be no potency in symbols apart from the ideas and mental force they
are capable of arousing in the mind of the maker。 Solomon's Seal is no
more powerful； when drawn upon virgin parchment； with a weak will； or
in a mechanical state of mind； than a child's innocent scribbling upon its
slate。 But； if the artist realizes the mysteries symbolized by the interlacing
triangles； and can place his soul en rapport with the invisible elements
they outwardly represent； then； powerful effects are often produced。
I am sorry to say that； the knowledge of charms is not confined to the
creation of beneficial talismans。 Its perversion has led to the diabolical
practices of the Voodo and Black Magician； whose work is wholly； either
for gain or revenge。 Nothing； but the most extreme selfishness lies beneath
such immoral practices； but； as there must be a light to reflect a shadow； so
a charm must follow a talisman。 Magical charms； then； are simply natural
objects； possessing but little active virtue in themselves； but； owing to the
mediumistic nature of their substances； are endowed with artificial powers；
of temporary duration； by virtue of the idea and thought impressed upon
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them； through the mental magic of the maker； and in this sense； a charm
must be clearly distinguished from 〃teleo；〃 the Talisman。 The very names
suggest their difference； and； above all other men； students in Occultism
should strive to become thoroughly educated in the true sense of the term；
MEN OF LETTERS； by virtue of （as Ruskin calls it） 〃the kingship of
words。〃 〃Charm〃 is derived from the Latin 〃carmen；〃 a song that
fascinates； and means to control by incantation； to subdue； while Teleo
concerns the secret powers and wisdom of consecration and initiation。 It is
because of modern misuse of antique terms that； we have considered this
somewhat lengthy explanation necessary； in order to clear away the
accumulated debris of the ages； from the true foundation of our present
study。
A Talisman is a na