Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law
My essay on the art of conversation should not be an acknowledgment of argument. So let’s explore this issue both from the perspective of doing business well and touch upon the issue of haggling which has been brought up with regards to purchased items for magick.
The ancient magicians voiced objections to haggling over the black egg and the entire point was to show the proper attitude for items used for magick as sacred where caution of behavior was advised. Of course, the price of a product not being fixed at the ancient marketplaces meant the art of haggling was widespread. The art being a very real skill of exchange where you knew how to bring down the price to a fair level and present yourself in a manner that did not annoy the merchant meant the haggler had a successful enterprise. Naturally, the art of haggling with its skills of conversation deteriorated as the habit of fixed product became the norm in old Europe. Those few who tried to haggle were completely misinterpreted where they saw them as customers prone to argument. This led to those who tried to haggle oft times are avoided by those who simply did not understand the ancient ways of merchants. Today, and unless you develop the skills of exchange where you do not annoy who you are to purchase from, the merchants will tell you they will not do business with you. After all, they place a price upon a product they sell and who are you to argue the price down? Notwithstanding, they attribute this habit of ancient merchants to the miser and the fool even though it was normal behavior in the ancient marketplaces. So, even today not haggling over the item that is to be purchased for magical workings is yet good advice. If the price that is fixed is too high simply shop elsewhere. It is a matter of applied symbolic relation what shall be important for your list of magical items, of course. The silk worm being hell’s own worm where silk as a robe for the magician might seem to be an incoherent lack of knowledge of the process of the cocoon but we all have correspondences that will not make sense to those who do not understand Liber 777. Most certainly, the perspective of haggling which was once a common affair is to be distinguished with those who deteriorate into argument when they attempt this ancient skill. Argument is clearly to be distinguished from the civilized debate or the lecture of science. Argument begins the type of emotional outbursts that result in road rage hatred and even in genocide. So it should always be avoided when you purchase items for magical workings.
For those who have missed the Thelemic Boat and are yet standing on the dry sands of the old Aeon it might be difficult for them to understand Our perspective. Our curriculum isn’t an argument but a manifesto of success from those who have truly attained. Naturally, we enthusiastically persist with any number of insights and explanations but of the many few are chosen and of the few many are chosen. Nor should I or would it assist clarification to proclaim those who choose themselves do not always chose well with their decisions of self discipline enter a world of delusions or ego gratifications when faced with reality are ripped apart with raw realities.
I have always acknowledged the will of other Thelemites that have taken another course through the universe as stars toward their True Self and True Will. Yet, none of them are a model of any stereotypical proper decision of will on the Path. Of course, they behave if I do not agree with their decisions then my decisions will be wrong. Well, who are you to chart another star's course? If you have had bad experiences either resolve them or go the way of a slave, for all I care. Our business is not the savior god attitude of the social worker or the psychiatrist. On the contrary, in the Order we fortify the fit and eliminate the unfit. If you see Yoga as a means to an end of spiritual enlightenment and development of concentration I can wholeheartedly engage in conversation. On the other hand don’t come to me with sad tales of your past where it was a means of curbing your insanity or as a new piece of furniture for the couch psychiatrist. Rather than awaken your True Self free from dogma you have deleted yourself with primal urges and have reached the low plane level of would be Eastern Gurus whose perception of what they think is civilized have made them sheepel and this, on levels that are in contradiction with True Will and True Self. This amounts to making themselves incapable of the higher initiations and they are crapulous creed! Confer the Curses in the Third Chapter for clarification.
A key word in the verse from the Book of the Law is “all” “all must be done well and with business way.” “all” does not exclude the parameters of business way with the Hierarchy. In addition, the warning against argument in the Book of the Law must be observed where you either learn the very real skills of haggling where you do deteriorate the deal into argument creating conflict or you should pay the merchant his price.
As for magical weapons that actually radiate magick where they have been used by magicians over a period of time this has been covered in other essays. I might mention that ordinarily you will not be able find them unless you are advanced enough to detect them. For example, a woman who has practiced sorcery for fifty years dies and her magick wand ends up at a rummage sale where an advanced practitioner of the black art can detect it and purchases it. I refer you to my essay on magical retirements where I found magical objects during the time of the spiritual retreat by way of the mystic walk. Especially, if you have advanced yourself with clairvoyance to know the magick of the object by the magical energy it is radiating. Of course, Flea Markets and thrift stores are so inexpensive that haggling rarely occurs. Occult auctions are yet another topic that have sealed doors and secrets that I won’t go into.
I should give my perfect advice at what not to do where conducting yourself in business way you should never, never, never throw your arms up in the air and proclaim…
It is much more consistent with a successful business deal to observe caution with such outbursts which would only bring clouds and rain on your sunny day. It is otherwise best to keep to yourself such remarks which are always viewed severely towards the negative; and I should remark, ironically, that some of the best business deals are those which each person doing business is led on to think they equally have done each other in.
Of course, no merchant knows the priceless value you have observed on your magical weapons and it is beyond their perception and time to know how the silk robe, or the dagger, the sword, or the black egg or anything that you use in your Temple is viewed or used with magick - so if you do develop the skills of haggling free from argument you have the advantage of them not knowing what value you see that they cannot see.
All this is important if we are to know what is well with business way to approach our business deals observing the warning about argument in the Book of the Law.
Love is the law, love under will