P-2


   The First Working
   [Wednesday, Dec. 31, 1913 e.v.]
   At 11:40 therefore did I duly open the Temple, invoking also Thoth by the
Egyptian formulae. And upon the stroke of midnight did the first words and acts
of the Accendat strike on the Akasa. Then immediately did Mercury manifest in
His first form, as it is written Liber Ararita I, 8: ``Thou hast appeared to me
as a young boy mischievous and lovely, with thy winged globe and its serpents
set upon a staff.''
   Astrally the Temple was full of thousands of flashing Caducei of gold and
yellow, the serpents alive, and moving, Hermes bearing them. But so young and so
mischievous was He that the sacrifice was impossible.
   This also we learnt, that at the Accendat the Ceremony is to be forgotten
altogether, and to be resumed with equal suddenness at the first word of the
mantra or Versicle. And the excellence of this control is the agent evoking.
   Then closed the Temple at 1:40 a.m. die Joviis thinking to renew the Rite in
the evening, in the hope of obtaining Hermes in His next phase.
   And Blessing and Worship to the Holy One, the Lord of the Serpent and the
Dove. Amen.