9

ΚΕΦΑΛΗ    Θ

THE BRANKS

Being is the Noun; Form is the adjective.
Matter is the Noun; Motion is the Verb.
Wherefore hath Being clothed itself with Form?
Wherefore hath Matter manifested itself in Motion?
Answer not, O silent one! For THERE is no "where-
    fore", no "because".
The name of THAT is not known; the Pronoun
    interprets, that is , misinterprets, It.
Time and Space are Adverbs.
Duality begat the Conjunction.
The Conditioned is Father of the Preposition.
The Article also marketh Division; but the Inter-
   jection
is the sound that endeth in the Silence.
Destroy therefore the Eight Parts of Speech; the
    Ninth is nigh unto Truth.
This also must be destroyed before thou enterest
    into The Silence.
Aum.


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COMMENTARY (Θ)

          Teth is the Tarot trump, Strength, in which a woman is represented closing the mouth of a lion.
          This chapter is called "The Branks", an even more powerful symbol, for it is the Scottish, and only known, apparatus for closing the mouth of a woman1.
          The chapter is formally an attack upon the parts of speech, the interjection, the meaningless utterance of ecstasy, being the only thing worth saying; yet even this is to be regarded as a lapse.
          "Aum" represents the entering into the silence, as will observed upon pronouncing it.


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Notes

         (1) Nobody ever said that Aliester Crowly wasn't sexist.

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Original text by Aleister Crowley
Commentary by Karl Germer
I need your help! This stuff is very cryptic, feel free to provide your own commentary.

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