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.
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.
Notes
(1) Nobody ever said that Aliester Crowly wasn't sexist.
Back | Return | Next
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.