The Highest Symbolic Degree of True Magic

Humanity ages; and they turn false intentions into their craft, and the truth lost itself in ceremonies.

Alas, my son! Where are the wise men now? They promise to lead men to the light by holding lodge registers, and they grope in darkness.

Beware, therefore, my son! Do not let your eye be blinded by the external, but follow my advice, and the truth will take you into its bosom!

The highest degree of wisdom knows no ceremonies. The most eternal, those who are closest to the Godhead, are naked; clothing is a sign of the knowledge of our nakedness.

I am leading you to the highest step of the temple; I want to show you the truth in its light, and I tear the symbolic veil from her face, which she hitherto veiled from your duller eyes because you perhaps could not have endured her light.

Before my son comes to the highest steps of human happiness—this happiness is the true in insight and the good in practice—enjoy at the same time the advantages that the true and the good grant you.

Receive the final symbol of the highest degree of magic, which shall be for you an eternal reminder of your highest duties, and which I will explain to you hereafter.

You are now passing into the society of the wise; in this moment, in which your will is firm and your love is pure, you are connected with them, and an angel, whom Truth sends for your guidance, will now lead you; do not make yourself unworthy of his guidance.

We have no more ceremonies, nor a temple; our temple is the world, our ceremonies the active practice of the good of love.

Our work is the true and the good, and truth and goodness are wisdom; our highest master is God, our collaborators are angels and wise men.

Our bond is the bond of love, which unites man with man, and man with angels and God.

My son! Like attracts like; equal attracts equal; you are now, according to the degree of your love, connected with your like, with your equal.

You will become acquainted with people of a high kind without knowing how, for neither continents nor sea separate the wise from the wise, for him there is neither space nor time.

The more your spiritual being resolves itself, the more supernatural knowledge you will receive; you will be guided by exalted beings.

In the society you are now entering, you can neither deceive nor be deceived. Where truth is, falsehood has no color, and dissimulation does not withstand the test.

The society of the wise is the winepress where the weed is separated from the grain.

It is a cement in which evil cannot dwell.

You exclude yourself again if you become a backslider; if you move away from the light, then it is again your fault if blindness darkens the eyes of your soul.

Go with courage and confidence; an invisible guide will lead you. The greatest secrets of nature, order, and sanctification will be your portion. Wisdom distributes these gifts, and one receives them without envy, without jealousy.

I will now explain to you, my son, the last and highest symbol.

This symbol consists of 4 hearts that are chained to one another. In the middle is a circle with the inscription of "The True." On the other side, with the inscription of "The Good." The one side signifies the knowledge of the true, the second the practice or the good.

A mystical diagram consisting of four interlocking hearts forming a cross shape around a central circle. The central circle contains the words "le Vrai" The True and "Dieu" God. Each heart contains inscriptions: "Sagesse" Wisdom, "Amour" Love, "Verité" Truth, and "Justice". Small circles at the junctions contain numbers or symbols.

A similar diagram of four interlocking hearts. The central circle contains the words "le Bon" The Good and "Sans amour propre" Without self-love. The hearts are inscribed with "Force", "Union", "Paix" Peace, and "Charité" Charity.

The 4 hearts are the square of love, through which everything exists.

Love God, your prince, and your fatherland, your fellow men, your brothers, your friends!

Love God without self-love; your prince and your fatherland without self-interest; your fellow men, your brothers, without intention of reward; your enemies without hope that they will become your friends.

These additions characterize the highest degree of love and make us like the Godhead.