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The
Sword is symbolically constructed (this is not to say that the
Magician does not need a material sword, but in the grade of Zelator
the ideals of the sword are attained. The Dagger is the tool
constructed) within the Magician as the analytical faculty, being an
attainment to a certain level of mental control, also called the
reasoning, which slowly unshatters the mirror providing a clear
reflection. Put another way, the complex nature of ‘things’ is
ordered to its most simplistic, producing clarity. This attainment is
achieved as the tasks of the Zelator grade are accomplished.
Although
the Sword is compatible and complimentary to the element of air, its
finer attribution is elsewhere. The same is true for the Dagger, which
is properly attributed to the element of air, but is also part of an
altogether different formula as was clearly seen in the ritual Liber
Pyramidos.
It is important to the Zelator to comprehend the nature of the Sword (Liber
IV, Part 2) as the means to
dispel the absolute certainty inherent to the hereto-developed
intellectual competence and the illusion of any real understanding
acquired from the construction and symmetry of the magical alphabet.
This can be clarified by recognizing the Pantacle as the artifact of
the intellectual ‘the earthly food’ being ‘cut into pieces’ by
the Sword and consumed by the Magician. The ‘thrusting into’ the
Cup is the understanding that results. Equally important is the
construction of the Dagger that the path to the next grade may be
opened, being the thrusting of the Dagger into the Cup, and this
resulting in the completion of the bridge between reasoning and
understanding.
The ceremonial construction and consecration of the Dagger is formed
and performed with whatever skill is currently possessed by the
Zelator, and following the instructions in Liber
CDXII. However, some suggested guidance is now included for
consideration, but may be disregarded in favor of other methods.
Let the practical construction be
focused that suitable energies from the Zelator, this greatly affected
by the state of mind, be infused into the Dagger.
Let the Temple be arranged that the Dagger, although accompanied by
other tools, is the central focus.
Let the method of construction be
reflected in the ceremony. Every action necessary to complete the
Dagger is symbolically represented.
Let the ‘Word to represent the
Universe’ be devised or derived from the chosen chapter of Liber
CCXX being memorized.
Let a method of charging be
included in the ceremony, and let it be compatible with the method
used in the construction.
Let the ceremony be finished with the wrapping of the Dagger
in the golden yellow silk covering and placed within the Altar for
three days and nights, and let the thoughts of the Zelator constantly
wander back to the Dagger, yet resisting the urge to unwrap it until
the three days have elapsed.
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