"You have found from the table I first showed you that it is the orders of
Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones which are related by a reciprocal activity
to Mars. But these three orders constitute the highest celestial
hierarchy, which remain constantly in the presence of God and must not be
summoned hither even if we were able to do so. We may only implore their
assistance. The orders of Dominions, Powers and Empires are the only
intelligences connected with the stars. Among them we must address
ourselves to the spirits of Mars, since Mars is the regent of this year,
this day and of the intended incantation. The choice between the _good_
and the _evil_ spirits ruled by Mars is still open; but since it is not
our purpose to invoke by supplication but to compel by conjuration, we
must choose the wicked. This is no sin: it is only danger. It gives joy to
the good angels to see the power of God's image over their adversaries.
But we can not force the whole host of Mars' demons to appear in our
circle. We must select _one only_ among their legion and this one must be
well chosen. It is therefore necessary to know his name, for with spirits,
far more than men and terrestrial things, the name implies the essence and
the qualities of the named. The Cabala teaches us the infinite
significance of words and names. It proclaims and demonstrates the
mysteries which dwell in all the holy names of God; it reveals to us the
mysteries in the appellations of angels; it shows us that even the names
of men are intimately related to the place in creation and the temporal
destiny of those who bear them. Even names of material things show, though
less distinctly, a connection between the sound and the thing itself or
its nature. Who can hear, for instance, the words _wind_, or _swing_,
without perceiving in the very sound something airy or oscillating? Who
can hear _stand_, and _strong_, without perception of something stable and
firm?
"Let us hasten to find the name of the demon who is to be summoned.
Astrology as well as the Cabala gives various methods for this
purpose.[36] Let us choose the simplest, which is perhaps also the most
efficient.
"I must commence our work by pointing out the significance of number 72.
To this number correspond the seventy-two languages, the seventy-two
elders of the synagogue, the seventy-two interpreters of the Old
Testament and the seventy-two disciples of our Lord. This number is also
closely connected with the sacred number twelve. If the twelve signs of
the Zodiac are divided into six parts, we obtain the seventy-two so-called
celestial quinaries, into which the seventy-two mystical names of God, his
'_schemhamphoras_,' infuse their power and which are each of them presided
over by an angel-prince. The same number also corresponds to the joints of
the human frame; and there are many other correspondences.
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