cultist can scarcely become one and yet continue
his relations with his fellow-men.

He must continue, from the first to the last degree, a long series of
exercises, each one of which must be perfected before another is
undertaken.

A practical occultist may be of either sex, but must observe as the
first law inviolable chastity--and that with a view of conserving all
the virile powers of the organism. No aged person, especially one who
has not lived the life of strict chastity, can acquire the full sum of
the powers above named. It is better to commence practice in early
youth, for after the meridian of life, when the processes of waste
prevail over repair, few of the powers above described can be
attained; the full sum never.

Strict abstinence from animal food and all stimulants is necessary.
Frequent ablutions and long periods of silent contemplation are
essential. Codes of exercises for the attainment of these powers can
be prescribed, but few, if any, of the self-indulgent livers of modern
times can perform their routine.

The arts necessary for study to the practical occultist are, in
addition to those prescribed in speculative occultism, a knowledge of
the qualities of drugs, vapors, minerals, electricity, perfumes,
fumigations, and all kinds of anaesthetics.

And now, having given in brief as much as is consistent with my
position--as the former associate of a secret society--I have simply
to add, that, whilst there are, as in Masonry, certain preliminary
degrees to pass through, there are numerous others to which a
thoroughly well organized and faithful association might advance. In
each degree there are some valuable elements of practical occultism
demanded, whilst the teachings conveyed are essential preliminaries.
In a word, speculative occultism must precede practical occultism; the
former is love and wisdom, the latter, simply power.

In future papers I propose to describe the two Ancient Cabalas,
and the present attempts to incarnate their philosophy in
modern--so-called--Theosophy.

SIRIUS.

* * * * *

In the foregoing essay, taken from the first number of _The Two
Worlds_, edited by Mrs. E. H. Britten, we have the best exposition of
Occultism that has been published. It shows that Occultism, theoretic
and practical, is a matter of intellectual ambition--ambition to
understand the mysteries of nature, a