The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-07
MYSTIC NEOPHITE.
An Empty Armchair Is
Filled by a Shadow.
The English Magician Tells of
His Initiation Into the
Secret Arts.
What Was Seen in an Egg Shaped
Crystalline Master Stood in
the Sacred Pentagon of
Red Chalk.

Tantriadetta writes description of his
first interview with Lord Bulwer Lytton
for MIR. Stead's "Borderland." II was
always, as a boy, fond OF every thing per-
tanning to mysticism, astrology, witch
craft and what is commonly known as the
occult sciences" he says ~ read lamont
with great zest, but am afraid with very
little understanding, and longed Excess
sively to know its author. little dreaming
that should one day be the pupil OF this
great magist, Bulwer Lytton-the one
man of modern times for whom all the
systems of ancient and modern magism
and magic, white and black held back no
secrets.
at was in the winter after the publica-
ton of the weird, strange story, in which
the master attempted to teach the wot d
many new and important truths under
the veil of fiction, that l made the &C
quaintance at Paris of young Lytton, the
son of the then Sir Edward. He was at
that time, suppose. about ten years my
senior, and though passionately attached
to his father who was both father and
mother to him, did not share my intense
admiration and enthusiasm for his mystic
studies and his profound lore.
anyhow, in the spring following, he
presented me to his father as an earnest
student of occultism. l was then about
% years of age. and suppose Sir Edward
was attracted to me partly by my ire
pressible hero worship, of which he was
the object, and partly because he saw that
possessed a cool, logical brain, had iron
nerve, and above all, was genuinely, ter
ribly in earnest.
81 remember that the first time he con-
descended to teach me anything, he
seated me before an egg-shaped crystal
and asked me what l saw therein. For
the first ten minutes l saw nothing, and
was somewhat discouraged, thinking that
he would blame me for my inability, but
presently to my establishment and delight
| very plainly deserted moving figures OF
men and animals. described the scenes
as they came< into view, and the events
that were transpiring; when, to my in
| tense satisfaction-and l am afraid SELF
gloriication-he said, why, you are
splendid fellow! You are just what l
want
4He then asked me if would really
like to seriously study magism under his
guidance. His words on this point are as
fresh on my memory as ever. He said:
"'Remember, my boy, it will be very
hard work, fatiguing to body and brain.
There is no royal road, nothing but years
of study and privation. Before you can
| conquer the powers you will have to
achieve a complete victory over Self-in
fact, become nothing more nor less than
an incarnate intellect. Whatever knowl-
edge you may gain, whatever powers you
NAV ACQUIRE, can never be used for your
advancement in the world, or for your per-
sonal advantage in any way. Even If you
obtain the power of king and the knowl-
edge of 8 prophet, you may have to pass
your life in poverty and obscurity. They
will avail you nothing. Weigh well nay
words. Three nights from this l will call
your
"On the third evening never left my
rooms after dinner, but lit my pipe and
remained anxiously awaiting Sir Edwards
arrival. Hour after hour passed, but no
visitor. / determined to sit up all night,
| if need be, feeling that he would come.
"And he did, but not in the way l ex-
pected. happened to look up from the
| book which l was vainly attempting to
read and my glance fell upon the empty
armchair at the other side of the fireplace.
Was dreaming or did l actually see
hlmv form, scarcely more than shadow,
| apparently seated there awaited develop
ments and watched. Second by second the
film grew more dense, until it became some
! thing like Sir Edward. l knew then it
was all right and sat still while the form
grew more and more distinct, until at last
| il was apparently the master himself sit
ting opposite to me-alive and in propria
persona. I instantly arose to shake hands
with him, but as 1 got within touching dis
lance he vanished instantly. knew then
that it was only some variety of the Scin-
Lseca that had seen. 1t was my first ex-
perience of this and stood there in doubt
! what to do.
"Just then his voice whispered close to
nv ear, so close that / even felt his warm
breath, Gomez / turned sharply round,
but, of course, no one was there.
| ~ instantly put on my hat and great
coat to go to his hotel, but when got TO
the corner of the first street, down which
should turn to get there. his voice SAID,
| Straight on OF course | obeyed I'M
plicitly. In few minutes more, Gross
over; and, so guided, came where he
was. Where matters not; but 1t was GER
tainIy one of the last places in which
should have expected to find him.
sI entered. He was standing in the
middle of the sacred pentagon, which he
| had drawn on the floor with red chalk,
and holding in his extended right arm the
| baguette, which was pointed toward me.
Standing thus he asked me If 1 had duly
considered the matter and had decided to
enter upon the course. l replied that my
mind was made up. He then and there
administered to me the oaths OF a neo-
phyte of the Hermetic Lodge of Alexan-
dria-the oaths of obedience and secrecy"
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