Before the Veil (7)

Tindall, in his "Fragments of Science," made the following sad confession: "If one were to ask whether science has solved the problems of this universe, or is likely to solve them in our time, I can only shake my head with doubt." Later, even if he reconsidered and asserted that he had discovered, through experimental evidence, "the promise and potential of all life" within substances previously condemned, it would be nothing more than a joke. For Professor Tindall to present ultimate and irrefutable proof for his claims would be as difficult as Job piercing the nostril of Leviathan with a hook.

In order to avoid confusion that may arise from the frequent use of specific terms in a way different from their familiar meanings, it would be good to provide some explanations. I do not want to leave any room for misunderstanding or misinterpretation on either side. For one group of readers, magic might have one meaning, while for another group, it might have a different meaning. Here, we will focus on the meaning that is in the minds of researchers and practitioners in the East. Similarly, terms such as Hermeticism, occultism, hierophant, adept, and magician currently have meanings that are not very consistent. The distinctions between these terms are often trivial and merely ethnic, but it would be useful for general readers to know exactly what each one means. Here are a few listed in alphabetical order.

Æthrobacy (エスロバシー) is a Greek word that refers to walking in the air, or being lifted into the air. It represents what modern spiritualists call levitation. This can occur consciously or unconsciously. In the former case, it is considered magic, while in the latter case, it may be an illness or a power that requires further explanation.

A symbolic description of Esotericism is found in an old Syriac manuscript translated by the alchemist Marcus in the 15th century. In connection with the example of Simon Magus, that passage reads as follows:

Simon lowered his face to the ground and whispered in her ear, "Oh, Mother Earth, please give me a little of your breath. I will give you my breath. Please let me go, Mother Earth. I will carry your words to the stars, and after a while, I will return faithfully to you." The earth strengthened itself and sent its spirit to breathe upon Simon so that nothing would harm him. At the same time, Simon breathed into the earth, and the stars rejoiced at the arrival of a great being.