Not one but many paths approach the gate
That guards the Adytum, fortifying Fate!
To logic there is one reality,
Words. But the commonsense of humankind
By logic baffles logic, chains with Deed
The lion Thought. It is a circle, friends!
All life and death and mystery ravel out
Into one argument — the rounded one.
What God there be, is real. By His might
Begot the universe within the night;
If he had prayed to His own mind’s weak lies
Think’st thou the heaven and earth had stood upright?
I give unimaginable joys on earth: certainty, not faith, while in life, upon death; peace unutterable, rest, ecstasy; nor do I demand aught in sacrifice.
“I give unimaginable joys on earth: certainty, not faith, while in life, upon death; peace unutterable, rest, ecstasy; nor do I demand aught in sacrifice.”
— Ch I, 58 in Liber Al vel Legis, the Book of the Law by Aleister Crowley
See also the Old and New Comment by Aleister Crowley, here quoted in part:
“The Grace of Our Lady of the Stars.” — Old Comment
“These joys are principally (1) the Beatific Vision, in which Beauty is constantly present to the recipient of Her grace, together with a calm and unutterable joy; (2) the Vision of Wonder, in which the whole Mystery of the Universe is constantly understood and admired for its Ingenium and Wisdom. (1) is referred to Tiphereth, the Grade of Adept; (2) to Binah, the grade of Master of the Temple.
The certainty concerning death is conferred by the Magical Memory, and various Experiences without which Life is unintelligible.
“Peace unutterable” is given by the Trance in which Matter is destroyed; “rest” by that which finally equilibrates Motion.
“Ecstasy” refers to a Trance which combines these.
“Nor do I demand aught in sacrifice” — The ritual of worship is Samadhi. But see later, verse 61.” — New Comment
Stanza 3 suggests the Rosicrucian Benediction:
May thy Mind be open unto the Higher!
May thy Heart be the centre of Light!
May thy Body be the Temple of the Rosy Cross!
O my god! I render thee the whole,
My broken body and my accursed soul!
Come, come, come, come! Ah! conquer me and kill me!
O lover of mine heart, thy limbs are as chalcedony, white and round, and tinged with the mingling blush of the sapphire, the ruby, and the sard. Thy lips are as roses in June; and thine eyes as amethysts set in the vault of heaven. O! come kiss me, for I tremble for thee; fill me with love, for I am consumed by the heat of my passion; say me, O slay me with kisses, burn me in the fire of thy kingdom, O slay me with the sword of thy rapture!
“I adore thee in the song ‘I am the Lord of Thebes’ & c from vellum book
Unity — ‘fill me’” — Aleister Crowley & Rose Kelly, Liber XXXI, Ch 3, Pg 10
Unity uttermost showed!
I adore the might of Thy breath,
Supreme and terrible God,
Who makest the gods and death
To tremble before Thee:—
I, I adore thee!
Appear on the throne of Ra!
Open the ways of the Khu!
Lighten the ways of the Ka!
The ways of the Khabs run through
To stir me or still me!
Aum! let it fill me!
Unity uttermost showed!
I adore the might of Thy breath,
Supreme and terrible God,
Who makest the gods and death
To tremble before Thee: —
I, I adore thee!
Appear on the throne of Ra!
Open the ways of the Khu!
Lighten the ways of the Ka!
The ways of the Khabs run through
To stir me or still me!
Aum! let it kill me!
