Within the Temple of Isis

WITHIN

BELLE

M.

WAGNER.

THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES GIFT

The Simplex Publishing Co. Importers and Publishers of

OCCULT WORKS Box

595, Seattle, Wash.

The Simplex Publishing Co. and Publishers of

Importers OCCULT WORKS wash.

Box

595, Seattle,

WITHIN THE TEMPLE OF

ISIS.

BY

BELLE M. WAGNER,

Denver, Colorado: ASTRO-PHILOSOPHICAL PUBLISHING 1899.

CO.,

COPYRIGHT,

1899,

BY HENRY WAGNER, M. D.

DEDICATION. TO MY HUSBAND, D,

,

IN

M.

.,

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF HIS TRUE WORTH A3 A WARRIOR IN THE CAUSE OF TRUTH, AND HIS DEVOTION TO THE BROTHEI1HOOD AND SISTERHOOD OF MAN, AND THE FATHERHOOD AND MOTHERHOOD OF GOD, I DEDICATE THIS BOOK.

BY THE AUTHORESS.

PUBLISHER'S PREFACE. We

are safe in saying that ''Within

The Temple

of Isis"

alone.

There

like

and

it,

if

is

is

unique and stands

no other book

Solomon

print

had not

nothing new under the

said,

"There

sun,"

we would be

is

of old

in

inclined to contradict

him.

"Within the Temple of Isis" God's word was law as interpreted by his Hierophants; their oneness with the fountain of Being

made them

secret operations, it

conscious of Nature's

and enabled them, as

does the wise ones of to-day, to enter

the

Temple

of Isis

and observe the hidden

mysteries concealed behind the

veil.

PUBLISHER

6

S

PREFACE.

Purity of motive and sincerity of pur-

pose brought old as rify

it

own reward

its

to

them

of

does to those of to-day who pu-

themselves before seeking for the

knowledge and wisdom hidden within the

"Holy

means Mother

Isis

means Father

of

The Temple and

"The Temple

of Holies"

spirit

The

of

all,

of Isis."

while Osiris

all.

of

Two

Truths as matter

must be realized within.

Polar Opposites are those of sex

dually expressed as two poles of one law or principle as taught by Hermetic Phi-

losophy before the law of polarization of

and matter back into

spirit

into matter,

spirit,

can be understood.

The Alchemist and alike, possess this

the Astrologer,

wisdom, and

knowledge that made the

it

Priests

was

this

Kings of

PUBLISHER

PREFACE.

S

7

Egypt, so justly famous as Magicians or

Wise Men.

They still

and can

exist in spirit realms

transmit to this plane of earth their wis-

dom, that would make earth a veritable if

paradise to realize

only the race could be

its

made

magical powers.

moment

Scientific inventions of great

to the race are thus projected to the earth,

and

again

revive

upon earth

the

in all its

as the western race lectually

and

"

laws will

in occult

Adepts

spiritual

Wisdom

"

Religion

beauty and grandeur

becomes

fitted intel-

spiritually to receive

Nature ever repeats herself of time

on the

spiritual

End, there

is

none.

are the ever-present spirit

is

in cycles

and mental, as

well as the physical planes of .

it.

life.

71me and Now,

eternity

so far as the

concerned. Therefore, the readers

PUBLISHER

of this strange occult realize

PREFACE.

S

book

some day

will

truths as realities of natural

its

law on the spiritual planes of

It

life.

is

a clear, practical statement of Soul Marriage and

Soul Transfer from

of

one

earthly temple to that of another.

Nature's

laws

ever

the

same;

same experiences herein

therefore, the

narrated are

are

applicable

to

Neophytes

seeking soul initiation to-day as they were in

the days of

the veil of single

The Temple

Isis

of

Isis,

and

if

could be raised for one

moment the world would be

startled

by the mysterious revelations disclosed.

To

the Seers and the Occult Initiates

alike, this

book

force.

truths are those of the soul and

spirit,

Its

will

appeal with magical

and can await the reader's soul

development

for verification.

Truth needs no apology; therefore,

PUBLISHER

none

will

It

is

Q

our desire that our

may some day know

selves that Truth Fiction.

PREFACE.

be offered as an excuse for this

publication.

readers

S

is

for

them-

indeed stranger than

INTRODUCTION. In presenting this

readers fiction,

we ask them

volume

little

to accept

it,

to our

not as

but as divine truth as to the laws

herein revealed.

Not a statement

is

made

possible to the divine will

though

it

of

is

man.

not Al-

can not be proven to your out-

ward knowledge, do not it is

that

reject

and declare

not true.

History existed a

will

teach you there actually

"Temple

of Isis,"

lations thereof, although

and the

trans-

of

them

many

are very incorrect, of the wonderful magic therein performed, lead one to think there

was some Wisdom issued from that Tern-

INTRODUCTION.

12

pie that

is

human

yet beyond the

family,

as a whole, to understand.

"The Temple

of Isis" exists no

external form, and the that

planes above.

in

Hierophants of

Temple have passed from

spiritual

more

But,

this to the

need we

think by that, the blind forces of Nature

can no more be controlled?

The

forces

are just the same to-day, but man's mind fails to

grasp the truth that history repeats

itself.

Mighty Hierophants are upon the earth to-day,in embryo, and when the time comes that points favorably for active spiritual

work on the Western Continent, they be called forth and Egypt

ashamed

will

of her true children

will

not be

nor their

works.

The Wisdom exists

Religion of Egypt

still

and we can contact that Wisdom

INTRODUCTION.

13

by the development of our souls. Even do the Wise Men of the East, that was, exert their spiritual influence upon us to-

day

if

The

we but knew

trouble lies with us not with them.

They will never soul

it.

truly

conceal

it

from the honest

seeking for Light, Life and

Love.

Follow us carefully to the end, without prejudice, and when you have finished, if

you

still

falsity

think

it

fiction, strive to

prove

its

and stop not until you have reached

that stage of soul unfoldment that will

enable you to occupy that plane whereby

you can stand beside the great Hierophants of "The Temple of

Isis."

THE AUTHORESS.

WITHIN THE TEMPLE OF CHAPTER

ISIS.

I.

THE REVELATION OF THE ASTROLOGER. Although the hour was very late, near midnight, the Priestess had just retired to her apartments for repose.

The

Rites of the day

had been ex-

tremely long and fatiguing, as they always

were

for a Priestess of Isis attendant

upon

the burial service of one in high rank;

and a great nobleman of the

land, as well

as a near relative of the Priestess herself,

had been buried that day. Thus personal sorrow had

mingled

1

Within

6

the

Temple of his.

with and added weight to the impressive

and solemn grandeur of the occasion, yet, strangely enough her mind was neither with the events of the day nor the dead, but her thoughts were resting

they had wandered

many

now where

times through-

/

out the day, namely, to her

maid and Vestal

in

little

special attendant, as

hand-

well as

the Temple, Sarthia.

Sarthia,

who

at the very beginning of

the Chants and Litany, had failed in her part and had, with such a pitiable

moan

and beseeching glance at her, been hastily withdrawn from the assembly and assisted to the private courts.

Poor

child,

she thought, the

strain

upon her emotions, the solemn occasion, was too great for her in view of the crisis,

which

all

unknown

be now impending.

her,

must

However, upon

learn-

to

The Revelation of the Astrologer.

17

from an attendant that the young

ing

was resting quietly and apparently not ill, she had not herself personally

girl

visited her, but concluded to wait until

morning. Once, twice, had, as

it

thrice, just as the Priestess

were, passed the border-land of

sleep the pale face, with

and plaintive

cry,

its

pleading eyes

had started her back

to

vivid consciousness.

"Ah!

this will

never do," she

springing to her feet.

"Something

deed wrong," and taking

up'

said, is

in-

her mantle

she glided swiftly through the corridors,

and a few moments over the silent

was bending and motionless form of later

Sarthia.

Noiseless as had been the approach of the Priestess

some

interior vibration

had

informed Sarthia of her coming and, with

1

Within the Temple of his.

8

and

a quivering

movement, she

swift

sprang from her couch and threw herself impulsively into the arms of the Priestess.

"Ah! sweet Mother, our blessed and divine help me," said the

well beloved of

hear

Isis,

girl, in

me and

a whisper, tense

and low, so low as only

to

reach the

listening ear of the Priestess. "

Speak

child,"

answered the

Priestess,

caressingly clasping Sarthia to her

bosom

with one strong arm, and with the other

making

soft,

mesmeric passes over her

trembling body.

so

"Ah! thank you, sweet Mother; good and kind of you to come

to-night.

your

I

have suffered so you

thought;

have

this

to

is

me

day from been disapall

pointed in your Sarthia and with reason, too.

A Vestal,

sight of death,

who is

not

all

but faints at the

made

of the stuff re-

The Revelation of the Astrologer. quired lieve

in

the

Temple

19

But, be-

Service.

me, dear Priestess, the trouble

is

far

deeper than appears upon the surface.

The

Ritual this morning but furnished

the occasion or,

hastened some

rather,

was already near at hand. For some time now I am haunted by most

crisis that

potent premonitions of a violent death.

Night after night, dark apparitions hang

around

awoke

bed, and only last night

my

to find the Bird of

from out the

inner

I

Nu, the Owl,

Sanctuary

of the

Temple, perched upon my pillow and shaking his head and croaking at me most mournfully." "

What!

"The

"

Bird

very serious.

exclaimed of Nu.

Ah!

the

Priestess.

this

is

The matter must be

tigated at once.

But,

my

child,

indeed invesif

all

these portents prove true, do you fear

2O

Within

death?

Have

the

Temple ofIsis.

our teachings been

all

Have you made

vain?

so

little

in

progress

knowledge and the philosophy istence as to be overcome by in

of ex-

dark

shadows and grow faint in the presence of the sentiment and show of an external

ceremony ? The pageantry, which appeals so overwhelmingly to

the outside world, of teaching the

is

the emotions of

the necessary means

people these awful and

stupendous mysteries of

But the

Initiate"

life

and death.

should be sustained by

actual experiences within these

realms their

and

hidden

a

knowledge of inner nature which places him on a possess

plane far above the reach of Fear; besides being

endowed with

that burning

wisdom which calmly discerns good jn evil, and immortal life in the love for

shadow, called death.

Do

not think

I

am

The Revelation of the Astrologer. chiding you, ing to recall

my my

child.

I

am

real Sarthia,

21

only seek-

who

is

in-

capable of Fear, back to this physical expression called body.

"There, already the bright soul shines again with firmly

now

I

its

Hold it it flicker so again, and

usual clear light.

and do not

let

must leave you

to seek

an

inter-

view with the chief of the Astrologers.

The

record and Horoscope of your birth

must be carefully looked up, and the

meaning of these portents determined.

my

Good-night,

With a

kiss,

child."

fond and maternal, the

She proceeded leisurely and thoughtfully toward a distant Priestess withdrew.

part of

the

Temple, having

first

dis-

patched a messenger before her to an-

nounce her coming, seeking an audience, well

knowing that

at this

now

early hour

Within the Temple of his.

22

of

morning the Astrologer be

Priests

would

in the

midst of their busiest studies,

calculations

and most profound observa-

all

tions.

But Sarthia, when

left alone,

although

marvelously calmed and comforted by the tender presence and lofty words of her idolized Priestess could not self to sleep.

into

a

state

drifting til

compose

her-

Instead, she soon floated of

restful

contemplation,

from one topic to another, un-

suddenly she found herself confronted

by a most intensely vivid and startling

"Can

vision.

it

be?"

Yes, true enough,

there sat the venerable Astrologer holding in his hand before him, her chart of

Beside him, engaged

birth.

in

complet-

ing the necessary calculations, sat scribe

and

Hermo.

youthful

the

Astrologer Priest,

There was a strange

pallor over

his

The Revelation of the Astrologer,

23

and a compression of the

lips

face

The

which betrayed unusual emotion. Priestess

was

partially facing them,

com-

posed, yet with a serious thoughtfulness of mein.

Hermo,lookingup,

Atlast,

directions for the present year of

made

and the

out,

work

moment

briefly,

are

com-

handed

who took

it,

and turned

to

to the Astrologer

studied a

life

fatal arc carefully

puted, Venerated Master," and his

"The

said,

the Priestess.

"What

is

the result, Venerated Fath-

er?" she asked gently.

The Astrologer

slowly shook his head

and replied impressively, "According to all the laws of our Science, and you know

how

true they are, the physical organism

of Sarthia can not survive this present cycle of

yonder

fair

Goddess

of the night."

Within the Temple of Isis.

24

And, with a majestic move, he pushed

Moon now

aside a curtain, revealing the

low

in the west.

"So

short a time," said the Priestess.

"To-morrow

night will be the

full,

and

must we indeed lose our Sarthia before another new

Moon ?

What

of these evil influences?"

"The

"

.

planets, in their configurations,

indicate sudden

was the

the nature

is

and violent

dissolution,"

reply.

Ah, now," said

Sarthia to herself

resolutely, at this point turning

the vision,

"now

I

understand

away from it

all,"

and

with a feeling of amaze at her newlyattained clairvoyance she

and refreshing

sleep.

fell

into a

deep

CHAPTER

II.

THE PRESENCE OF THE HIEROPHANT.

IN

With

the

first

waking moments a

sharp pang recalled to Sarthia the vision

and

revealments of the previous night.

its

But her mind had

fully

recovered

its

phil-

osophic tone and she proceeded about her

and of

customary routine of firm, and, as

some

is

inevitable

more

calm

often the case, in view

and stupendous

trophy close at hand, larger,

duties,

life

catas-

only seemed

intensely real.

So,

when

day she received summons to meet the great Hierophant and High later in the

Priest,

what, at

any other time, would

have seemed a most momentous event,

Within

26

the

Temple of his.

appeared now only

the light of the

in

expected and necessary.

As she was ushered

into the presence

Holy Father the whole apartment seemed pervaded by an atmosphere of genial warmth and electrical-giving life of the

which somehow emanated from the inner nature of the also spiritual

Priest

himself,

radiating

and mental, as well as phys-

ical force.

For some moments the Hierophant regarded the young Vestal

in silence,

but

Sarthia was conscious that he was reading

her inmost thought and motive like an

open book, even down the Astrologer and

his

ment regarding her

life.

"My

child,"

to

her vision of

fatal

announce-

he said at length, "are

you ready for the great change now ready at hand?"

al-

In the Presence of the Hicrophant. "

to

27

No, Father, not ready but resigned

what seems

be the inevitable decrees

to

of the planets that

my

rule

physical des-

tiny."

"Thou

Your

ready. for you.

and

hast well

Its

said

has yet but only begun

life

experiences,

its

many

lessons

and you would world immatured.

duties, are all unlearnt

pass

to

the

Your young

spirit

soul, like fruit

many

losing

of

qualities, for as

flavors

its

attaining certain of

in the

its

slowly,

and

never

best and highest

you well know, progress

next stage of existence depends

upon the attainments

"Thou

art

are willing to wise,

many

plucked from

soon, would ripen

the tree too

is

thou art not

still

not

bow

in this.

ready, yet

say you

have you not heard

times that

This

to the inevitable.

man

is

it

said

the arbiter of his

IVithin the Temple of his.

28

own

destiny and that the soul was the

heritor

in-

God-like powers by which

of

could rise to the plane whereby

it

ruled,

it

instead of obeying the blind or planetary

Nature?"

forces of "

True,

O

indeed heard rant.

all this,

began

to

Father,

but

Are there such

soul?" and

I

I

am very

have igno-

possibilities for

my

somehow imperceptibly hope dawn within her heart and

quicken the "

Venerated

life forces.

Ruling the blind forces of Nature

is

very like ruling the wild beast, although the beast

is

much

stronger than

man and

capable of tearing him to pieces, yet man,

by forethought, can evade or trap and chain or otherwise overcome him. So

my

ways wherein man, own knowledge, and by the

child, there are

assisted

by

his

instruction of departed

spirits;

aye,

by

In

the Presence

the immortal

of the Hierophant.

29

Gods themselves, can evade

even the malefic planets

in their

devastat-

ing course. "

this

To my clairvoyant vision, as I now at moment look at you, every minute

atom

of your physical organism

subtle

unity

You

of

process

in

is

the

from

depolarization

toward chaos and disintegration. are not yourself conscious of this

condition only as

it

you, for your soul

has been revealed to

is

so alive that

become almost unconscious

of

its

it

has

physical

expression and for this very reason the

shock of dissolution would be greater

when

it

all

the

did come; for example,

witness your unexpected collapse yester-

day morning.

Ah!

sudden death

is

a

most deplorable calamity, and your pitiable state of mind was but a foretaste of

what would be the

state of your soul for

Within

30

many long and

the

years,

Temple of Isis. if

you had died then,

will yet be, to a less

extent now, unless

this swift-coming blow can be evaded. " However, in case the worst comes to

you have about ten days more of external life and under our special

worst, this

care and preparation you can live years of experience in hours of physical time,

and your soul thus equipped may courageously enter upon spirit

Rest

world.

its

journey to the

assured,

everything possible shall

my

be done

child,

for you."

"Ah, thank you; thank you, kind and

good Father," exclaimed Sarthia, casting herself at the feet of the Hierophant and,

with tears streaming from her eyes, kissing the "

hem

of his robe.

But, truly life

the young, Priest,

is

it

is

not,

sweet, especially to

my

child?" said the

gently raising Sarthia to his side

In the Presence of the Hieorpkant.

31

and holding her trembling form in a firm clasp. "Happily, there is an alternative which we have

to offer for

careful consideration

and decision.

me your

"Listen now, and give attention.

Know

Nu-nah?"

Sarthia

your most

closest

you the young Princess

bowed

assent.

"For now these many weeks she in

a semi-conscious condition,

hovering about tain

whether

to

its

lies

the soul

earthly temple uncer-

go or

stay.

In

some

respects her condition corresponds with

your own, only that with you, as dissolution approaches, your soul

grows brighter while hers becomes more

and more

active,

and more

latent; this result

being largely

the difference of environment of the soul life

unfoldment possible

a contrast in

Temple

and that amid the distractions of the

outside world.

Within the Temple oj

32 "

To-night, the night of the Princess

the

Nu-nah

Temple and

the

Isis.

full

Moon,

be brought to

will

the Rites performed

tiatory to the soul's great change. also,

my

child,

ini-

You,

must bear her company.

The same journey

lies

and you can go hand

before you both

hand through the dark valley of the shadow of death.

"And now, all will

right here

depend upon your

possible for us,

known

in

is

decision.

by aid of the

to us, to bring

a point where

arts of

It

is

Magic

your two souls

in

such magnetic rapport that at a certain point the vibrations of the two

will, for

single instant of time, be in unison.

that

momentous

a

At

instant the polarity of

the two souls can be interchanged so that the subsequent vibrations of your soul will

draw you toward Nu-nah's body, while

In the Presence of the Hierophant. Nu-nah's soul

be drawn, toward your

will

organism, and thus the

first

be accomplished

will

great step in the drama.

"This great change physical

your

33

crisis

soul, while

in

will

hasten the

But

each organism.

connected with Nu-nah's

body, can easily overcome the malefic planetary influences which would destroy it if

she were there; while her soul

bod}* renders

nil,

by

its

in

your

very non-resist-

ance, the influences which would be absolutely fatal evil

were you

descends.

still

And

there

when

the

thus do you evade

the blind forces of Nature.

Two

lives

are spared for the duties and experiences of this world.

This

will

part of the drama, and third

and

last

point

to

be the second

now comes

the

consider,

the

Result. "

In just

the proportion as this

is

a

Within

34

the

Temple of Is is.

most stupendous change in your soul life, so indeed, perhaps, even appalling to your present comprehension,

be the

will

effect.

"After your soul has once entered

new temple

it

be obliged to remain

will

there polarized by the

new

operation while passing the

our

Sarthia, Vestal,

will

its

forces set in

and

bright

henceforth

Then,

crisis.

well-beloved

be

known

as

Princess Nu-nah, and will be obliged for a time to live the

life

and perform the

duties of the Princess.

"On

the

Xu-nah

will

other

the

hand,

Princess

put on the external body of

our Vestal Sarthia and enter upon the life

of the

Temple

Service, but with this

difference; that while this

change

is

con-

made by you, Nu-nah will probnever know it until she passes finally

sciously

ably

to the

spirit

world.

Her

past

life

has

In the Presence

of* the

already faded from

new

sciousness of the ually as

upon an

Hierophant

35

memory

while con-

life will

dawn grad-

infant,

and therefore,

since she can not be consulted in the mat-

the decision rests solely with you.

ter,

"To-night, at midnight, your answer will

well,

be required.

Until then, fare thee

and God be with you."

CHAPTER

III.

THE MIDNIGHT OF THE FULL MOON. It

ful

yet lacked several hours of the fate-

midnight, as Sarthia, her body per-

fumed and annointed, according prescribed rites, was borne by

to

the

faithful

attendants from the bath into the courts

and placed upon a couch beside another, upon which already rested of the Sanctuary

the unconscious form of the lovely Princess Nu-nah.

But Sarthia, although to an external observer

as

unconscious

as

the

fair

Nu-nah, was never more intensely awake, every atom of her being and soul alert to all

transpiring about her and conveyed to

her through her marvelous new clairvoyance and clairaudience.

gifts of

The Midnight of the Full Moon.

37

Never, with the external eye, had she seen more vividly the vista upon vista of

columns and corridors winding about the Sanctuary, the full-orbed

Queen

now

and

in

illuminated by

which

of the Night,

she could see shining through a certain

archway, and her heart thrilled as she

counted the number of archways

must pass shine

until,

fair

at midnight, she

Luna

would

down through the one just above

her.

Already had begun the weird chants, interspersed with solos of exquisite har-

monies of stringed and wind instruments responses and echoes.

Incense burned and perfumes arose

and blended

in

an indescribable union

with melody and motion, while as the fragrant vapors from the burning censers

wafted and wreathed about the colonnades

Within the Temple of fsis.

38

and porticoes, Spirit forms added

their

presence to the sublime scene, bringing with them flowers, aromas and harmonies

from the divine abodes of the very Gods themselves.

Oblivious of the passage of time, while intently absorbed in every minutest detail

of the

wonders passing about

her, Sarthia

was almost becoming drowsy, when suddenly, the

Moon

nearing the

"Can

in

upon

her, fast

archway, and yet she

final

was undecided. upon

looked

She turned and gazed

her companion, mentally asking,

become Nu-nah?" Nu-nah was very beautiful and a But Sarthia was also beautiful Prirjcess. I

her veins was royal, though of a different branch from the present ruling House.

and the blood

in

Nu-nah was cold and haughty, accustomed to rule and be obeyed.

The Midnight of

the Full

Moon.

39

Sarthia was humble externally, a Vestal of the

Temple, but

as imperious as a

Heaven. pursuit of

in

her mind and soul

Queen

Passionately devoted to

Wisdom and

obtaining knowledge,

open

to

of the realm of

the possibilities of

Magic was

even

the

in

her,

the

Temple

Service.

Could she leave her Temple home, her opportunities for Priestess, to

go

growth,

into the

her

idolized

environments of

Nu-nah?

The thought seemed death

itself.

mused, "and

"

I

to her

Every one has

may

worse than to die," she

as well die one time

as another."

Then another thought came mind Hermo. He had begun

into her to teach

her the mysteries of his science of Astrology.

Hermo,

for

whom

she had a pure

4O

Within

sisterly

regard and

the

Temple of Isis.

who was

her swift proficiency

And

so proud of

in his favorite study.

then she recalled the vision of the

previous night

when Hermo had shown

to her clairvoyant eye his agitation at her

impending doom. "But if I become Nu-nah and Nu-nah

becomes Sarthia, Hermo

will

never know

the difference and thus be spared the pain

young sister. And furthermore, Nu-nah has a lover to whom she is betrothed and would have married, ere

of loving his

this,

but for her lingering malady, the

superb young Prince Rathunor,

whom

I

have never seen."

Ah! here was indeed a most plication.

Love was

and unknown emotion hate

Prince

a

I

com-

most mysterious

to her.

She might

and

"then we

Rathunor

would both wish

dire

had died," and she half

The Midnight of

Full Moon.

the

41

laughed to herself at the domestic comedy thus presented to her mind.

At this period, either as a reaction from the light thrown, or lighter thought

upon her overwrought nature, or possibly from some subtle, potent influence emanating from the censer burning near her, Sarthia lapsed into sudden

and most profound

unconsciousness.

A

few moments later

Sarthia as

began a

how

is

"

awake.

dead wall

to

she

Why,

She seemed

this?" she thought. in a

seemed

ages had intervened

fierce struggle to

enveloped

The

if

it

of

some

kind.

brain, the heart, the infinite ramifica-

no way responded to her and her utmost effort. Almost worn

tion of nerves in will

out with the unequal battle

dawn upon her that she was

it

began

to

really endeav-

oring to animate the other body.

"Am

I

Within

42

Temple of his.

the

becoming Nu-nah?" Yes, in the excitement of the moment she raised herself

upon her couch and, resting upon her elbow, gazed upon the rigid form of what a

moment

before had been herself.

But her movement had startled a form beside the couch,

some one who had

ap-

proached, unobserved by Sarthia, during the interval of unconsciousness.

A young man who

seemed

to her the

most God-like being she had ever beheld

and perceiving her glance, with a low exclamation of joy, sprang toward her, clasped her hand in

and turning her

his,

face upward, gazed with most passionate

tenderness into her eyes.

"My mered.

Nu-nah, you "

will live,"

Do you know

he mur-

your Rathunor?"

Thrilled to suffocation by the love in his eyes, every

atom

of her soul vibrating

The Midnight of

the Fidl

Moon.

43

to a

new-born and overwhelming emotion,

she

felt

herself slowly but surely losing

control of her

one supreme

new body.

With, however,

hand

effort she pressed the

holding hers and returning the look his

in

eyes she gave one deep, quivering

sigh and

When

was gone.

.42

again she regained conscious-

ness she was within her

own body.

thunor had vanished and the rays of the

Moon were

first

Ra-

slanting

descending the

last aperture. It

in

was midnight, and she found herself

communication with the Hierophant,

who, from a different portion of the Sanctuary,

was seriously regarding her and

again reading her inmost thoughts.

A

few moments before she had

all

but

decided that she could not be Nu-nah, that

death now, here

in this

Holy Sanctuary

Within the Temple

44

were better

far than

of his.

hundreds of years as

a Princess of the

realm of materiality.

new

had now entered her

But, a

A force,

being.

dom, itself,

factor

more

subtle than

all

Wis-

more potent than life or eternity had transfused her soul Love!

Love, the

first,

the highest, the all-em-

bracing force of the mighty Universe, and with this

new

love had been ushered also

into being, Jealousy. "

Rathunor loved Nu-nah!

Was

strange interloper?

my

decision to rob

it

Nu-nah

Am

I

not a

not worse by of her lover

than to deprive her of continued physical life?"

For,

it

seemed

to her

now, that

without love would be more than agonies of the lowest to live with

he

all

hells.

Rathunor as

Then

life

the-

again,

his wife, while

the time thought her to be Nu-nah,

Tke Midnight of the Full Moon. would be an incessant

more intense than

torture,

behold him loving

the actual Nu-n.ah in her

Holy Father

keener and

she were chained by,

if

as a third person, to

"

45

own body.

and

phant," she moaned,

"

revered

help me,

I

Hiero-

can not

decide." "

My

child,"

came the mental response

to her call, 'if

you could be assured that Rathunor would love you in Nu-nah's

body, would the decision be easy?" " '

Aye, indeed, dear Father."

Then

desire.

that

rest assured

We

it

give you our

Rathunor

will

be as you

will

sacred word

\oveyou."

Then, raising tion,

his arm, as in benediche slowly repeated thrice, like an

incantation, the words, "Rest in Peace,"

and, ere the echoes of his voice had died

away, the soul of Sarthia had its

left

earthly abode and Temple,

forever

CHAPTER

IV.

WITHIN THE ADYTUM.

For several days,

after floating

from

her body into the Astral world, Sarthia

remained

in

a state of profound, dream-

less

slumber and then gradually passed

into

a condition

with occasional until

of

semi-consciousness

fitful

gleams of memory

one day she realized herself

proximity to two

in close

engaged in earnest conversation and became fully persons

aware of the momentous events that had just transpired

and her present disem-

bodied situation.

And

with a

thrill

in-

describable she recognized the voice of

Rathunor addressing the Hierophant. " And so, most revered Father,

al

Within the Adytum.

47

things are progressing favorably and to-

ward a " "

satisfactory culmination?" he said.

Even

And

yet,

my

so,

son,"

reply.

continued the Prince, save the

one momentary gleam

upon the

was the

first

of

recognition,

night of the ceremonies, the

soul of the Princess Nu-nah, to all out-

ward appearance, has body

is

The

left entirely.

sustained, apparently,

by some

magical process, the nature of which

I

do

not understand." "

True,

my

The

quiet you.

many and

son, but that

far

then, youth

is

need not

dis-

resources of Nature are

from being exhausted.

But "

naturally impatient.

Did

you so deeply love the Princess?" At this point Sarthia would have with-

drawn but she found

that her desire to

stay chained her to the spot,

and glanc-

ing at the Hierophant she realized that

48

Within

the

her presence was

Temple of his.

known

him and that

to

he wished her to remain.

The Princess mused thoughtfully for a few moments before replying and then " You know, O said with a half sigh, Father, that

I

myself did not particularly

desire that marriage.

childhood

I

From my

have been fond of

my

As she matured

and playfellow.

earliest

cousin I

have

admired, with family pride, her perfect spirit

and

yet, as you,

who

beauty of form, her haughty her ability to

rule.

And

can so easily read the innermost secrets of the heart,

must know

I

have not been

able to discern the happiness for myself in this

union that

me

or that you led love.

pelled

If

me

my to

my

soul

to expect in

ambition

fill

would crave,

wedded

irresistibly

im-

the external destinies of

mankind, to become a monarch of unsur-

Within the Adytum.

and

power

passed

49

then

magnificence,

would Nunah be the royal consort absolutely adapted for such pride and pomp. But, you know,

O

Father,

all

these things

empty bubbles and child toys to one aspiring to become a Priest King, to him

are as

who hungers and for

for

wisdom,

day and night

thirsts,

knowledge

more

of the

inner secrets of Nature, guarded so jealously by the Priesthood but revealed by

the very to

Gods themselves

know and

fit

to use

to those

and

worthy

assist in carry-

ing out the plans and orderly workings of the very Universe In

meets

itself.

form and feature Nu-nah's image

my

highest ideal, but

when

I

would

speak of the thoughts and ambitions upon \\hich

my

soul

dwells,

then

her

look of incomprehension appalls

me

the vast difference in our natures.

cold

with

Her

Within the Temple of his.

5O

thoughts can never penetrate the realm

wherein

my

Never have response "

my

life-forces are I

centered.

all

experienced from her the

love would crave."

Have you then never

at

any time

felt

that Nu-nah's love for you could be trained

and

in

time evolved to the plane whereby

she would respond to you?

"

"

Nu-nah does not seem capable of the love of soul. She accepts me as a lover and whose attention and presence gratify her pride and vanity. Never once, or perhaps only once, have I ever seen or

due

her,

imagined

I

saw a recognition of

that

was the night of the

ing

the

recent

full

ceremonies.

love,

and

Moon, durAs,

with

your permission, I for a moment drew near the couch on which she reposed, she suddenly raised to a half-sitting position

and seemed strangely startled by

my pres

Within the Adytum.

With a

ence.

thrill

51

of hope, that finally

love was awakening,

sprang forward

I

and spake anxiously and fondly to her. For the first time in all my life her glance vibrated to brain

my

reeled

heart's very

with

core.

intoxication

as

My she

my hand, and the love from her burns now into my soul as recall

pressed

eyes

I

that one second of bliss. fell

back into her former

and lingers so all

But, alas! she

it

until

I

am

were not some

in

lifeless

doubt

illusion

if

state

after

connected

with the wonderful Magic of that night." "Nay," said the Hierophant, "I can assure you that what you experienced was veal and that if this matter reaches a successful issue

Nu-nah

you

will

henceforward find

in

that your soul desires, that ever will her eager' spirit lead yours in the all

pursuit of

wisdom."

knowledge and

the

highest

Within the Temple of his.

52

Then tally

Hierophant turning, menaddressed Sarthia, the unseen witthe

"Am

ness of the interview,

making this pledge for you Think you we have also

I

to

not right in

Rathunor? our

fulfilled

promise that Rathunor shall love you?"

But her heart was too

He

full

to reply.

then directed her attention to her

location and first

surroundings and for the

time she became aware with amaze-

ment, almost terror, that she was within

"THE SACRED ADYTUM HOLIES,"

while

the

-

-

THE HOLY

Hierophant

OF

and

Rathunor were within an adjoining court and private apartment of the High Priest.

"My

child," said

the

Hierophant

in

reply to her speechless inquiry as to the

meaning

of this wonder,

"

there are no

barriers to the disembodied soul.

This

place, so religiously guarded, so inacces-

Within the Adytum. sible to the

ordinary mortal,

is

53

open

to

any

having passed a certain grade of

soul

initiation

into

the

divine

mysteries

of

Nature and attained unto that purity of heart whereby "

To-morrow

new Moon,

the

man may night,

will

see his God.

on the occasion of

be consecrated within

soul

Holy Chamber, the union of your with that of Rathunor's and here also

will

be consummated that mystic transfer

this

between your soul and that of Nu-nah's.

"And

now,

I

leave you here while

accompany Rathunor.

I

As you gradually

lapse into the sweet silence of this place,

observe the meaning of

Holy some of

the stupendous mysteries of Nature re-

vealed here openly to the one having eyes to see

and possessing the

gift of

under-

standing."

Her

first

sensation on being

left

alone

Within the Temple of his.

54

was, that she was floating like the vapor of a breath

upon the swaying wreaths of burning incense, and as she reclines thus repose there dawned upon her

in blissful

vision a view of the vast

absolute entirety.

intricacies

human

body,

human organism in ramifications. Then

vast ceremonial of this

and

its

some

spiritual,

its

all

multhe

body passed

review before her mind, each bolic of

all

becoming orderly correspond-

encies of the titudinous

in its

assumed the strange

It

outline of a gigantic

Temple

rite

in

sym-

function, physical, mental

and she marveled

at the

adaptability of the parts to each other

and then But,

to the

above

grand whole.

all,

was she impressed by

the depth in depths of meaning of this

Sacred Adytum

in its

the whole structure.

symbolic relation to

However, ere she

Within the Adytum.

55

could tarry to reflect, the nature of the vision

changed as

turned suddenly

if

her eye had been

from the

lense

of

a

Microscope to that of an immense TeleBefore her view

scope.

stretched

starry Zodiac, in outline, the

prototype, the

Temple.

human body

The Sun and

its

corresponding to various

same the

as

the its

Grand

solar system

vital functions

human organism, but the crowning wonder of all came as she comprehended in the

the relation which our planet, Earth, bore to the skies, all

in

Grand Man

mother of the

and her soul was overwhelmed as

the implications of this relation rushed

upon her being.

CHAPTER

V.

THE TRANSFER. According to the calculations made by the chief Astrologer Priest it was just at midnight

that

the

the

conjunction of

luminaries took place in the Zodiacal sign

belonging to the Moon.

This union

of

the luminous orbs of the day and night is

powerfully magical in

The

its results.

vibrations, set in

motion by

this

mighty union of the positive and negative forces of Nature, react, not only

upon the

waters and the Earth, but the family.

obey

this

human

Not only does the mighty ocean wonderful influence

and flow of

its tides,

in

the ebb

but the Earth, as she

The Transfer.

57

upon her axis, obeys this mighty power and manifests in her depths and rotates

heights in her serpentine

movement about

the Sun.

Nature's laws are very exact and man, to

become the Arbiter

must blend

of his

his energies in

own

destiny,

harmony with

those of Nature.

Agreeable

to

appointment

arrangements to be made

it

and the

was necessary

Hierophant and the Holy men of the Temple to assemble at an early hour, for the

although the Transfer was not to take place until midnight.

Much

preparation was necessary as a

most momentous ceremony was to be per-

formed

this night;

one that rarely ever

was performed, owing to the fact that few of the Temple Priests were initiated into these sacred Magical Rites.

They were

Within

58

the

Temple of his.

too Sacred and Holy to be imparted to

many, too dangerous for possible

failures,

too infinite in responsibilities accompany-

Only those where the mind, soul and spirit, blended as one in ing such undertakings.

their organism,

were ever entrusted with

the interior knowledge

Adytum

The Holy

of

the

Sacred

of Holies.

Only the invocations were to be made, the chants and ceremonies belonging to

Holy Sanctuary were to be observed. The air was ladened with the sweet frathe

grance of incense and those subtle per-

fumes that are so delightful and enticing Hours before the solemn to the soul. Rites were to be performed, every part of

Holy Temple must be permeated with their magical and mystical influence. the

The bodies of both

Sarthia and Nu-nah

lay in state before the Altar in the

Holy

The Transfer.

59

Sanctuary, both robed and perfumed as if

for burial.

The Hierophant

Temple, the Priests and the Lay Priests, and the Priestesses with their Vestal Virgins, were of the

now assembled in their respective places. The hour of midnight had arrived. The chants now begun, set in vibration the spiritual forces that appeal only to the soul

and

.The

spirit.

subtle,

Priest mentally

silent

will

commanded

of the

the presence

of the departed spirit of Sarthia.

came

High At

his

toward him, and when within a certain distance from

bidding, she

floating

her inanimate body, she remained hovering over it. Most willingly and joyfully she

came, knowing the promise of the High Priest would be realized when she became able to animate and control the

mind

of

what was

still

Nu-nah's,

body and

Within the Temple of his.

60

Rathunor was present

He

request of the Priest.

why .

his

presence was so

and how

who was

he,

Temple

rules

and

at the urgent

dreamed

little

much

desired,

so ignorant of the

service, could

be of any

assistance.

A

spark had been kindled within his

very soul, the night that Sarthia found

Nu-nah's temple

herself in

moment

and

for

remembered

consciously

a

and

spoke, that had been burning deeper and

deeper

until

now,

it

was ready

to burst

forth as an ever-living flame at the

first

breath of hope that this new emotion was of the soul

real

Did he dare

and immortal. for a

moment

listen to

the whispering of the interior self ?

alone

made him

Fear

drive back and quell the

monitions that sprang from within, for O, if

they were only vain hopes could he sur-

The Transfer.

The thought

vive the disappointment?

was crushing, and to

better,

hope than believe an

that

to her frail, prostrated

not yet been severed. soul

he thought, not

illusion.

The magnetic chord Nu-nah

61

hung or rather

yet

held

body had

The unconscious floated

about

its

temple, apparently waiting for a stronger force from the interior realm to call

it

away.

The Hierophant stepped of the

Altar and, raising his hands,

voked the

Sacred ceremony

making that Transfer

life-line that

in-

presence of the Gods and

their assistance in this

of

to the front

of the spiritual

binds the spirit to soul, and

soul to body.

As the two these

own

souls

hung suspended by

magnetic life-chords above

their

bodies, through the magical

influ-

Within

62

Temple of his.

the

ences of the Priests, the chants and music

came

closer

and

closer, as

if

drawn

to-

gether by some strong magnetic attraction. Sarthia, now, as well as Nu-nah,

was

unconscious of what was taking place.

Nu-nah's was state of

the

natural

unconscious

an undeveloped soul

in

passing

from the physical temple to the realms beyond, while Sarthia's was purposely induced by the magical

will of the

Oper-

ator.

The middle just

of the mystical hour

been reached when the two

met and blended

for

one single

had

life-lines

instant,

then separated and, obeying the powerful wills of the Priests,

became polarized

in

each other's body.

agency that had been animating the body of Sarthia was

The magical

invisible

now withdrawn, and

the soul of Nu-nah's

The Transfer.

63

gradually but faintly began to supply the

animating force to revive and control the apparently

lifeless

form.

Sarthia's spiritual

consciousness was

not immediately allowed to return.

The

awakening must be gradual to her, for knowing what was being done, the joy and ecstacy of a prolonged life in the holy bonds of pure love with Rathunor would be disastrous if suddenly conveyed to her consciousness.

The High said,

Priest, turning to

"Our beloved

pupil, return

your usual duties, but the

Temple

a

little

Rathunor,

fail

now

to

not to return to

before twelve o'clock

to-morrow night."

Now the

bodies of Sarthia and Nu-nah

were removed

Temple.

The

to

another

Priestesses

part of

the

and Vestals,

with the chori and musicians, were dis-

64

Within the Temple of Isis.

missed as the sacred

Rites

first

part of the solemn and

was over, but the Priests

remained, never stopping in their magical work, for yet the vibrations of the new-

born souls were not of

and power

to

sufficient

strength

remain unassisted, espe-

cially that of Nu-nah's.

CHAPTER

VI.

THE AWAKENING.

The

constant presence of

some

of the

Temple had been near the Nu-nah and Sarthia continu-

Priests of the

bodies of

ously for the last twenty-four hours, and

by

their

magic assistance the vibrations

of the souls to their

new tenements grew

stronger and quite harmonious.

at

The hour of midnight was again near hand. The reviving forms of the two

young

girls

were again brought into the

Holy Sanctuary in front of the

who had

The

of the

Temple and placed

Altar and the Hierophant

already taken his position. Priestesses of the

Temple with

Within

66

their Vestals

wending

The

their

the

Temple of his.

were quietly and solemnly

way

to their

usual

places.

choir had begun to chant the opening

service

when Rathunor with one

Priests

approached with slow and meas-

ured strides as

if

a false

of the

movement would

disturb the solemnity of this midnight's

mystic silence.

As they approached

the spot where

the two bodies lay, there was a perceptible

movement, as of consciousness

silent

in the

form of Nu-nah.

Just as the distant chimes pealed forth their

announcement

of the midnight hour

the Hierophant arose and stepped forth to the front of the signal, there

broke

Altar and, at a silent forth, as of

one voice,

the low-distant strains of the most en-

chanting

music.

The

voices

and

the

tones from the musical instruments were

The Awakening.

67

so harmoniously and wonderfully blended

that the result was magically effective.

The

increased in volume

strains

seemed

to

approach nearer and nearer

the whole edifice

until

they

re-echoed as though

filled

with one vast

orchestra sounding forth the

Creative Life,

"We

and

resounded

Anthem

Praise Thee,

O

of

God."

This enchanting music continued for

some

time, then gently died

only the breathings of heard,

when

hands as awful

if in

the

until

music could be

Hierophant raised

supplication. of

stillness

away

the

his

The solemn,

hour was

awe-

inspiring.

Once, twice,

thrice,

Hierophant resounded

the voice of the

throughout

the

Sanctuary as he thus spoke to their souls: "

Arise,

forth

O

ye daughter of

Isis,

and again' enter the daily

come

lives of

Within the Temple of his.

68

Many years now

a Vestal and a Princess.

are granted to your service, and

now

that

you have both been beyond the dividing line of this and the other plane, your lives henceforth should be guided and influenced by that experience."

At

this

he descended from the Altar

and took the helpless hand of Sarthia to magically convey to

body the

the silent, lifeless

electric forces of

life.

Turning to Rathunor, who stood near, beckoning him to his side, he took his hand and led him

to that

which was Nu-nah's

body, and gently raising the apparently

form placed

lifeless

hand

of the silent

within

that

of Rathunor's.

The

it

effect

was indeed magical. Rathunor was held spell-bound, the thrilling

sensations,

the

emotions that

sprang forth from the heart were

electri

The Awakening. fying.

He

69

could feel the tense vibrations

passing from his hand to that of her body, the source of which he could not fathom

nor understand, and that

little

moment when he

did he care at

perceived the slight

tremor that was creeping over the heretofore lifeless form of his Princess Nu-nah.

Here, Rathunor would have been over-

come by

his

emotions of joyful

thrown himself prostrate

bliss

and

at the feet of

the Priest in thankful gratitude for the restoration to

life

of his lovely Nu-nah,

had not the Hierophant just ment laid his hand upon shoulder saying,

"

come unconscious occasion,

gave

me

My child,

at this

mo-

Rathunor's

have you be-

of the place

and the

and the solemn promise you to bravely follow

my instructions

without a show of weakness.

Let not an

outward manifestation of your feelings

70

Within

escape

you

Temple of Isis.

the

Are you yourself

again.

again?"

With a mighty nor

effort of his will

commanded an outward calm

Rathu-

at least,

but he could not speak, he could only bow his

head

retain

in

the

assurance and being told to

hand

of

continued audibly,

"

Nu-nah, the Priest In the

name

Almighty

and

join these

two souls as one.

consciousness

dawn upon

ever-living

of

their

this,

their

God

of the I

now

May

their

soul-union,

outward memory as time

proceeds, and then journey together in conscious union on the eternal path of

progress to the Divine Throne of God.

Amen!

Amen!"

Rathunor heard but did not understand and being overcome by the silent over-powering influence surrounding him, fell

insensible to the floor beside the re-

viving form of Nu-nah.

The Awakening.

As soon

71

had been conveyed

as he

to

an outer court, the Hierophant again continued.

his attention to Sarthia,

Turning

mentally he called three times, "Nu-nah,

Nu-nah, Nu-nah, henceforth you shall be

known

as Sarthia the Vestal.

May

the

guardian angels that have been placed over your reviving body, keep and hold the soul with

it

until health of

strength of mind returns.

new-found Vestal.

As died

God

body and bless our

Amen."

the last echo of the Priest's voice

away

song of

the

praise,

music burst

in

a joyful

and continued

until the

bodies of each of the young girls were

removed.

Sarthia's to that formerly oc-

cupied by the Vestal, and Nu-nah's to that of the

home

of the Princess.

Rathunor soon revived air of the outer court

in

the fresh

and now being sum-

72

.

Within the Temple of his.

moned by a messenger from

the Hiero-

phant presented himself again before him. "

My son,"

to the

home

said the

High

of the Princess

"go

Priest,

and remain,

either with, or near her until three cycles of seven shall pass by.

twenty-one days you

own home and

may

At the end of return to your

enter the accustomed

of a Prince, until that time shall

when

life

come

the Prince of the world shall enter

the path that leads to a

Wisdom," the hand and

King

and with a fervent press of

of

a benediction for his soul's welfare he bid

him good-night and Sanctuary.

retired from the

Holy

CHAPTER

VII.

A VISIT TO THE CHIEF ASTROLOGER.

A

few weeks after the preceding cer-

emonies, a messenger announced to the

Astrologer Priest that the Priestess sought

an interview.

Hermo was usual,

As

at his post

for the

daily calculations

the Priestess entered,

and was about

to

making the

Hermo

Priest.

arose,

withdraw, when the

by a wave of her hand, gave him to understand his presence was rePriestess,

quired.

The

Priestess began,

ated Father,

I

"

O, most Vener-

come again

to ask assist-

ance, with your astrological knowledge,

Within the 'Temple of his.

74 in

behalf of

The memory

Sarthia.

of

the past seems to be entirely blotted out. Is

there any aspect showing that

will

return,

and

at

not,

if

the planets indicate a

memory

what time do

commencement

of

the training of the mind that will bring a successful issue in spiritual things? will

We

have to commence with her as a child

and

train

the body,

mind and

to

so*il

Vestal Service."

The Astrologer turned "

said,

Hear you

the

Make

to

Hermo and

request

of

our

and see

at

what time the planets point favorably

to

Priestess here?

the initiation of our

Temple Service

"How

is

of

note,

new Sarthia

into the

Isis."

our new Sarthia?" inquired

the Priest. "

Nothing, as yet," answered the Priest"

ess,

But that does not disturb

my hope

A and

Visit to the Cfiief Astrologer.

faith that she will

become

all

75

that

we

wish and desire of her, and instead of

having but one Vestal we shall have two, for ere long

among our

Nu-nah will

Vestals,

also be

numbered

and Rathunor as one

of our Priests."

Thanking the

Priest for his

promised

service the Priestess withdrew.

The

Astrologer returned to his studies

and was soon absorbed with them, when, suddenly he turned to

"Hermo,

I

Hermo and

shall place Sarthia

special tutelage as soon as she

said,

under your is

ready to

commence her studies in Astrology." The suddenness of the Priest's remarks quite confused the

him

to

young

scribe

and

set

seriously thinking. Strange thoughts came into his mind, "why should Sarthia not continue her studies with me, why would she become a special and not

a fellow student?"

Within the Temple of his.

76

He

could not account for these strange

thoughts that had been excited within his mind, and the rest of the hours of work did not

show the usual amount accom-

plished.

At an early hour the next night, before Hermo had arrived for his night's work, the Astrologer Priest sent for the Priest-

She

ess.

mons tant

hastily

responded to the sum-

feeling there

news

I

Priest

find

"

said,

child,

pupil, into the

before the will

Most noble

month may our

Sarthia, be initiated, as a

Temple

full

Moon

of

Isis.

Two

days

the spiritual rays

be most active and potent, and being

harmonious a nature we may hope the most satisfactory results. The

of so for

as she

by the calculations made,

that not before another infant

As soon

to be received.

entered the Priestess,

was some very impor-

A task

Visit to the Chief Astrologer

be

will

my

patience,

and

slow

77

much

require

Priestess, for the hereditary

tendencies of the brain, that have so far influenced that soul's will

have

to be polarized in other channels

and gradually awakened

The

and experiences,

life

to consciousness.

body it has been animating in past years was not of such a nature as to mature a healthy soul. "

is

life

of the

The work now,

with the Soul, to

with our

make

it

new

Sarthia,

equal to the

brain that has been cultivated and en-

larged in spiritual ways; nah, the

work

will

be

while with Nuin

arousing and

developing that brain to the conscious sponse of the matured soul. myself plain to you?

Hermo, we sistant

in

will

In

Do

I

re-

make

my young pupil,

have a most valuable

as-

our work with Sarthia, for

I

have discovered that the divine relation

Within, the Temple of his.

78

and

of brother

They

sister exists

between them.

are blest with being the emanations

from the same divine state and children of the

same

Hermo

spiritual parents.

same

my new discovery

might

be imparted to his

had been

"We other's

soul,

which

will

could see

allow them often in each

society,

and

sister,

that

and

holy love of

sister of brother,

which can only be kindled

when

This

I

partially accomplished.

brother of

"

spoke to

of Sarthia last night, at the

time willing that

heart

I

in the

outer

this spiritual relation exists.

soon be recognized by each of them, and this alone will be a most will

potent influence in nourishing and teaching the soul of Sarthia.

Nothing

lies in

Sarthia's path that portends serious evil for

many

years to come.

Therefore,

my

good Priestess, take new hope and cour-

A

Visit to the Chief Astrologer.

79

and not many Moons will grow and wane before an inward pride will be born age,

for

your new Vestal."

The

Priestess retired

him most ceal

after

thanking

and could hardly conher emotions of joy and rapture until cordially,

she was safe in her

own apartments, where

she could give

vent, in tears

of joy

full

and

cries

and gratitude.

As soon

as

all

traces of the effects,

knowledge had produced, were erased, and she became perfectly calm and composed, she sought Sarthia's

which

this

chamber.

The young

girl

was

reclining

upon a couch that had been drawn near the window, apparently

much absorbed

studying the heavens.

Scarcely did she

in

notice the presence of the Priestess until

she knelt beside her and said, ''What

thoughts are being born

in

my

Sarthia's

Within the Temple of his.

8o

mind

as she views the mighty heavens

above with

its

millions of silent monitors,

awaiting our pleasure to read and understand?

Are they speaking

child?

Do you

and

hear their

feel their subtle

to

my

darling

silent voices

and powerful

influ-

ences upon you?"

The young girl did not reply immediThe body was still very weak and ately. feeble, the

mind was

as

one

just

awaken-

ing from a prolonged slumber. "

to

My beloved

me I

you speak

of the stars, those loving lights in

the heavens?

but

Priestess, did

can not

Do me ?"

they say.

you tell This

They do seem to speak, understand and know what you, dear Mother, and can

ray of awakening memory was more radiant to the Priestess than a first

thousand stars could have produced if all their rays could have blended into one.

A

Visit to the Chief Astrologer.

81

But calmness was her external bearing.

Seldom any manifestation of an unusual emotion, was permitted to find an outward expression either in manner or She had attained that perfect speech.

command

of herself that neither joy nor

sorrow, good nor evil, praise nor blame, could unbalance the perfect poise and tranquillity of her developed Soul. "

My

can not

Sarthia," replied the Priestess,

know what they are

but they do speak to me. that

life is

saying

They

\.Q

tell

" I

you,

me

immortal, that the growth and

the progress of the soul are eternal, that

we may know and read

their language

if we try; then as we draw nearer and nearer to them, as our souls grow and become familiar with their teachings, we can know them as

while in these bodies

well,

if

not better, than our Astrologer your brother

Priests do, also as well as

Hermo

is

learning to do."

Within the Temple of Isis.

82 "

My

brother

Hermo,"

was a perceptible light of the eyes for a moment.

The

intelligence in

was not speaking to the the soul, at the same time

find a

willing to

response

mere words availed nothing

ings

much

As Sartha and,

there.

The

to her, only

as they expressed the long-

and desires of the

arose

there

Priestess

mind, but to

in so

and

said

interior self.

no more, the Priestess

moving

quietly

about

the

room, gave a few directions and cautions to those

in

attendance, then

presently

withdrew.

in

That night was passed by the

Priestess

her own private chamber, not

in sleep

and

rest,

gaged

but actively and earnestly en-

in silent

prayer for her new-born

children, Nu-nah, Sarthia

and Rathunor-

CHAPTER

VIII.

PRINCESS NU-NAH.

The morning

following the Priestess'

visit to Sarthia's

apartments, she sent a

messenger

to

inquire for the welfare of

Princess Nu-nah.

She was reported to have slept well, seemed much stronger, but a peculiar change had taken place during her almost fatal illness.

weirdly at

She spoke strangely, almost times,

which excited much

comment and anxiety amongst her immediate friends and relatives.

The

Princess had been a general favor-

and much admired by those occupying the same station in life with herself; but ite

by those who were subject

to her

com-

Within the Temple of his.

84

mands and

rule,

cold, stern,

and

she was looked upon as heartless, kind in her

when obeyed, but ence brought

way

the slightest disobedi-

scornful

and

reproaches

often punishment.

The

Priestess,

knowing the source of

the peculiar change spoken

was

all

well.

No

felt

of,

that

other attention than

the presence of Rathunor was needed.

The developed soul of the Vestal Sarthia would soon come into control of the brain she was

now

trying to find

expression

through.

Then,

too, the

Sarthia's soul

had

never

would naturally

become

oped; they, as fast asleep,

organs of the brain that

it

vibrate,

active, nor

were, were

dormant,

awaiting the pulsating vibra-

tions of the spiritual influx to give life

devel-

and usefulness.

While

those

them that

Princess Nu-nah.

had been so by the

fully

developed

85

in the brain,

of the Princess, found no cor-

life

responding vibrations from the soul. Truly, a strange commingling of the

two opposing

forces,

and one

in

which

time was required to bring about perfect adjustment.

The High visitors to

who was as

the

God

Priest

had commanded

all

be excluded, except Rathunor,

to

have access

at all times,

and

Hierophant's word was that of

to them, so, purely

While the

were

they

standpoint,

Priestess

Temple knew the

from a religious strictly

obeyed.

and others of the

secret of the Priest's

knew

that

none of Sarthia's associates dared

ap-

would

too

consciousness

the

strict injunctions,

proach,

suddenly

lest

their presence

awake

slumbering

they likewise

soul,

to

before the brain had yet

Within the Temple of his.

86 fully

responded and vibrated to the new

animating spark of

life.

Rathunor, most of

change

all,

observed the

the Princess; at the slightest

in

touch there was a response within presence

very

struck

sympathy that existed

the

chords

between

his

of

them.

This was, to him, a very unaccountable change.

In

all

his life association with

Nu-nah these emotions, that now seemed to spring from the soul, had never before been experienced. inclined to attribute

He was it

to

very

much

an abnormal

sympathy aroused by her sickness and terrible suffering. Still, the words of the

High

Priest

haunted him and the feelings

born from within, on the night of the

solemn Rites at the Temple, could not be vanished by any amount of reasoning; still

he would not allow such thoughts to

Princess Nu-nah.

87

be nourished by the slightest hope be watered by the

less

allowed

in

in acts of chivalry,

when

subject to

Here was the "

Have

and

grow.

courageous infant

spirit of faith

Although Rathunor external pain, and daringly

to

was brave

much

I

he was an

disappointment.

battle of self going on.

the strength and manly cour-

age to bear the disappointment born from a delusive hope? Not yet." So he suffered

and heeded not

the

whisperings from

within, until he could not endure

longer,

it

any

when he sought the presence

of

the Hierophant for advice and enlighten-

ment.

Scarcely able to hold in check his

impatience he burst

forth

without the

recognition due the superior presence of

a High Priest. " tell

O, most Holy and Revered Father,

me,

am

I

wrong

in

not listening to

Within

88

the

Temple of his.

the monitions that are racking

being?

May

hope the

I

my inmost

love

that

is

growing within my soul will be surely recognized and reciprocated by Nu-nah on her return to physical health? Is this love a vain delusion on

nation born from

my part, an

sympathies

vanish as soon as health

we

restored and

enter the whirl of the social world

again ?

me

If

it is

in

thy power,

O Father, tell

Repeat thy assuring words

the truth.

once more, and

I

will

be guided by them

the future, and never again allow the

in

shadow of doubt

to cross the threshold of

mind."

my

" "

is

imagi-

that will

My

child,"

once more

I

said

the

High

Priest,

assure you of the loving

response of Nu-nah's soul and mind, as

soon as she

you

is

herself again.

But,

mark

well, at the return of consciousness,

Princess Nu-nah.

be not rash

in

any of your words or

remember, her return to born babe

89

life is

acts;

as a new-

weak, tender and easily im-

pressed by stronger minds and wills than its

own.

and

You

all

are the stronger at present,

patience

exacted from you.

and

are

indulgence

Let her imaginations

and fancies play as they will for awhile; yours must be calm, loving, sympathetic

hope and faith that eventually be well; and again, I

and unwavering all will

in

assure you that not

many

years shall pass

before you will enter the path and the

your soul

Nu-nah

is

will

life

now longing for. Princess more than compensate you you now bestow the guiding, teaching and

for all the kind attentions

upon her

in

leading your soul in the paths to spiritual

knowledge and the still

spiritual

life,

inhabiting the physical form.

while

Within the Temple of his.

9O "

The hungerings

more than spirit.

The

interior consciousness

first."

child,

Wisdom

have

that

will

both, but to

Then, taking Rathunor by

the hand, he continued,

my

be

by her ministering

dawn upon you

gradually

Nu-nah

satisfied

of your soul shall

faith

guides

"Doubt no more, the

in

and

Infinite

directs

the

struggling soul through the intricate ways of evolution of

Immortal

up

to the final consciousness

Life.

God be

with and bless

you."

Rathunor had no words to express But they would have been his gratitude. useless to the Hierophant, for the new-

born light that shone

though dimly, was more to the Priest than a world of forth,

words.

He

merely looked, bowed, and with a

ervent pressure of the hand, was gone

Princess Nu-nah.

91

from the presence of the Holy

he retraced his steps toward the Princess

As

Priest.

home

of

Nu-nah, a holy calm pervaded

whole being; his doubts fled as an enemy; his excitement was transformed his

into tranquil earnestness; a sublime sense

of the realities of

life filled

his brain,

and

a willingness to await the progress and

development, that time would bring forth

and mature, possessed him, so

until

he was

changed that he scarcely recognized

himself.

Was

this

change volitional?

CHAPTER IX. THE INITIATION. weary watching, and toilsome care that the new-born Vestal would not of

Days

be misled

in

her

were necessary. little

awakening thoughts, The body needed but

care other than the proper nourish-

ment and attention

of

any one

in usual

Sarthia's physical organism had

health.

not become

depleted

by disease

and

and the disorganization that commenced was checked by the

suffering,

had

magical agent that had been placed over it,

even before Sarthia had entirely

The

left

it.

lethargy was more mental than

physical.

It

was that semi-consciousness

that precedes sleep, or that one some-

The

Initiation.

times experiences

93

when awakened

sud-

denly out of a deep, profound slumber.

The

Priestess visited her

many

times

throughout the day when she could spare the time from her duties in the Temple.

the

In

course of a few

was able

to

be assisted

days Sarthia in

short walks

about the halls and corridors, but took

heed of things about her. Day by day, the body grew stronger and a new light began to dawn in the eyes and shone little

upon the countenance of the

fair

young

girl.

In the

meantime,

Hermo had been

apprised by the Astrologer Priest of the

between

himself

true relation

existing

and Sarthia.

His joy knew no bounds,

for neither his heart nor soul

had ever

thrilled with the love of mother, sister, or

kindred.

It

had been

his misfortune to

Within the Temple of

94

/sis.

be deprived of his parents

before his

young mind and heart could be moved by

now

the tender emotions of love, but

needed no more than the tions

to

kindle into

it

Priest's revelafires

flaming

that

knew not what, that had been smoldering in his bosom all his life. something, he

clear

words

the Astrologer's

Now, and

cause

the

the

of

strange

thoughts that were excited in his

was revealed. "

himself,

Can

were

mind

Over and over he asked I

wait to see

my

beloved

sister?"

His impatience became equal with his

and days that had before passed as moments now seemed as ages. One

joy,

morning, much to the Priestess' surprise, a messenger announced that sired

an interview with her

room below.

The

Hermo

de-

in

the waiting-

Priestess

descended

The to

Initiation.

95

where Hermo was waiting and, with a

questioning look in her face, clasped his

hand

a

in

"

anxious

but

firm

well with

inquired,

Is

Astrologer,

Hermo,

all

this

manner,

our young

morning.

Does

he bring tidings from our revered Father?

Has any new testimony been given by

the

stars that portends evil to our Sarthia?"

Hermo "

How

stood

mute astonishment.

in

could the Priestess receive- such

forebodings from his presence

was

whole being sations

of

throbbing

unbounded

when

his

with pul-

happiness,"

he

thought.

"Nay, reverse.

my

dear Priestess, quite

Has not

our

acquainted you with

my Love my

Sister?

worthy

the

Father

my new-found joy, Know you not the

divine relation that exists between Sarthia

and myself?

The hours have seemed

Within

g6

days since to

me and

knowledge was revealed

this I

Temple of Isis.

the

now beg

to see

my new

sister

and walk with her and yourself upon the lawn

in

the

private

Can my

Temple.

grounds

of

the

request be granted,

Q

Priestess ?"

She

still

retained his hand and, again

warmly between her own, said, "Our brave and noble Hermo deserves

pressing

it

reward for

this blessing as a toil

his

honest

alone in his struggle for Truth and

Knowledge. Yes, my dear Hermo, I was made aware of the relation between you and our new Sarthia and have been anxious for this

moment

you would be sent

to

to arrive

when

escort Sarthia in

her daily walks about the grounds, but caution you to be guarded

Remember

she

is

in

I

your words.

yet but an infant and

must be taught as a

child.

Remain here

The

Initiation.

97

go and bring Sarthia thither and we will walk together." and

I

will

was not long before the Priestess, Sarthia and her attendant appeared. The It

was leading Sarthia and as they approached Hermo placed her hand in Priestess

that of his saying, "Sarthia,

I

place you in

the care and protection of your brother

Hermo."

'Hermo! Hermo!!

mo?"

To ess

My

said Sarthia.

the penetrating eyes of the Priest-

and Hermo the

light of consciousness

was mometariiy seen and ant vision

of the

scene was beheld.

The

Hermo's heart and

such intensity that activity the

to the clairvoy-

Priestess

to soul, the love that in

brother Her-

it

a

startling

vibrations of soul

had been kindled soul

went out with

aroused into a vivid

slumbering soul of Sarthia,

Within

98

and the

fresh

finely

higher vibrations of the

responded

The

Tcnible oj his.

being already so

brain,

tuned to the Spirit,

tJie

at once.

air,

the

green grass, the

beautiful flowers and shrubbery, with the inspiring presence of

Hermo, were

like

magic to quicken the pulsations of body

and mind and bring

to her

eyes the flush of health and

much

of the conversation

Sarthia, but

cheek and

Not

life.

was directed

when reference

to

to the stars

was made, she instantly inquired, "Brother Hermo, do the stars speak to you, and do you knew what they say? Our lovely Priesress here can read them, and how much I would love to speak with them, too." " I

sister,

will

teach you

as soon as

mence your

how some

you are able

studies."

"Will that be soon?"

day, to

my

com-

The Initiation

99

"Yes, in a short time; so soon as you

become an attendant

in

The Temple

of

Isis."

Sarthia was

silent,

reminded them

it

and the Priestess

was time

to return,

room and Hermo

Sarthia to her

to his

studies, while the Priestess' presence

was

required in the Temple.

These walks continued daily with most satisfactory results to the Priestess and the Hierophant.

All fears of the perfect

harmonizing of the new soul to the body of Sarthia

were allayed.

The animating

was growing stronger and the vibrations from soul to body were

spark of

life

complete;

not

with consciousness,

but

that involuntary vibratory exchange that exists with

that

the majority of

make up

the earth's

the people

human

family.

Within the Temple of his.

loo

As only

the higher portion of the brain of

Sarthia had been active the soul

must

necessarily manifest itself through those

Often, were the

organs. Priestess,

Hermo and

surprised

ants,

at

much beloved

Sarthia's attend-

and

her expressions

profound questions on spiritual subjects. It

was

was nearing the time when Sarthia

to take her initiatory step as a Vestal

in the

Temple

of

Isis.

one

In fact, only

more day intervened before the ceremony was to take place. As the incidents relative to the transfer

Temple

attendants,

to with

much

were known to it

all

the

was looked forward

silent rejoicing

and

grati-

tude that they had not been robbed of their lovely Vestal in sacred

All

who always was

esteem by them

had been

held

all.

notified to prepare for

the Initiatory service

the music, chants,

The

Initiation.

and ceremonies sacred must be

in readiness.

rived; the fair

forth in

all

Goddess

101

to this occasion,

The

night had ar-

of the night

shone

her radiant splendor, seem-

ingly conscious, that she was shedding forth the magnetic influence necessary for

the sacred Rites

formed.

when

It

now about

to be

per-

had almost reached the Zenith

the solemn march of the Priestesses,

Vestals and attendants that were to con-

duct Sarthia to the Holy Sanctuary of the

Temple

started.

beside Sarthia.

The

Priestess

walked

Sarthia was clothed in

pure spotless linen, her head was bare with the exception of a wreath of laurel leaves that rested lightly upon her flowing hair.

In her

hands she carried a white-

bound volume which contained the songs, chants, litany and regime for the Vestals of the

Temple.

Within

IO2

Just as they

High

Temple of his.

the

reached the door, the

and simultaneously the

Priest arose,

music burst forth

in joyful

strains that

spoke welcome, courage and love to the heart of Sarthia. foot of the altar,

When

they reached the

where stood the Hiero-

phant, Sarthia knelt upon a velvet cushion at his feet.

High

The music

ceased while the

Priest stood with uplifted

silent prayer.

At a

signal, the

gan chanting the Litany. bidden to

rise,

when

hands

in

choir be-

Sarthia was

the Priest, in meas-

ured and solemn tones, addressed her: "

Do

you come to pledge yourself to

Temple Service?

Is

it

co.ne a Vestal of Isis?

your desire to be-

Do you

take the

pledge of celibacy to the virgin Rites of the Temple; your time, energy and pur-

pose to be devoted to the duties that devolve upon a Vestal?"

7 he Initiation.

The

103

low, clear voice of Sarthia

was

heard throughout the Sanctuary as she

bowed and answered "So be

it,

my

in assent.

holy virgin.

I

now com-

mit your soul to the Guardian Angels of this

Sacred Sanctuary to guide, guard and

protect

your

budding soul

at-one-ment with

its

perfect

divine center, that

you may inherit immortal with us.

to

life

while yet

Amen!"

Sarthia opened the book within her hands and, kissing its pages which she

had already subscribed to, handed it to the High Priest. He took it, and held it in his left, while he placed his right hand upon her head, and said:

"Ibid thee welcome, my Vestal Sarthia, and commend thy soul to the Gods above, that ever keep watch o'er the children of earth.

Amen!"

God

bless thee.

Amen!

Within

1O4

Then, as

if

the

Temple of his.

they were voicing the words

of the Hierophant, the chants

grew louder,

the music poured forth in grander tones as though to join the invisible hosts above in praise to

God most

high.

The ceremony was over and was conducted back Vestal of

to her

The Temple

of

chamber, a

Isis.

powers that had been evoked of Sarthia soon daily

life.

The

Sarthia

The

occult

in

behalf

became manifest zeal

and

zest with

in

her

which

she pursued her studies and the under-

standing of their interior meanings were sufficient

evidence of her teacher's

in-

She was soon placed under her brother Hermo's instruction in spiring influence.

astronomical* and astrological lore, and

here also displayed a proficiency ing that surprised

Hermo and

the Astrologer Priests.

in learn-

delighted

At Temple Serv-

The ice

she was

ant,

all

Initiation.

105

devotion and, as an Attend-

ever true and

faithful.

The brother

became devotedly attached to each other and the Priestess often oband

sister

served this attachment, which sent-a pang

through her

heart,

such

lest

joy

happiness might not be granted for the

stantly

remainder of

would she

that such theirs

his life.

offer

and

Hermo

Then

in-

a silent prayer

supreme happiness would be

throughout eternity.

CHAPTER

X.

THE PRINCESS' WEDDING.

The owing

Princess' recovery to

the

great

was very

depletion

of

slow,

the

body during her recent illness. Much care and attention were bestowed

physical

upon her by her royal friends. All the luxury which wealth alone could procure, and the kindly influences of loving associates were brought to bear to speedily hasten the restoration of their Princess to her

former health and

spirits.

Health

was slowly but surely gaining the ascendency, but the spirits of heart and mind were not of that buoyant, external nature that she formerly displayed.

With her return

to health,

demands

of

The Princess a social nature were

Wedding.

made upon

107

She

her.

enjoyed pleasures but a seriousness

at-

tended her every movement that much

annoyed her friends. The attendants and servants were excited to wonder at her kind and thoughtful interests of them while

weak

many thought

was due

to her

physical condition, others remarked,

how much

the Princess' sickness had im-

Those that before feared

proved her. her,

it

now began

and serve

to love

and seek

to please

her.

Rathunor was a daily visitor, and remembering the advice and instructions of the

Hierophant he was calm,

and patient

in his attentions to

silent,

her and

apparently took no heed of her fancies and strange conversation. stantly plan

She would

amusements and

con-

social en-

tertainments on a grand scale, but with

Within the Temple of his.

io8

such a seriousness of purpose that

it

quite

annoyed Rathunor at times and caused him to wonder if this was really his former Nu-nah.

annoyance came from the external, there was an

interior

attraction that was, irresistibly,

holding

While the

purely

him spell-bound to her side. His happiness now was greatest when they sat, rode or walked

in'

silence.

Little did

he dream,

while in that silence which so enraptured

him, the soul of Nu-nah was blending and

drawing the

own

to

electric life-essence

hers.

That

from

interchange

going on wherein there

is

his

was

no robbery, but

an inter-blending of the magnetic and electric

life-forces

into activity the

that cause to spring

harmonious vibrations of

a complete whole, and the reaction upon

both brain and the

physical

organism

The Princess Wedding.

log

was health, contentment and happiness that rises

above

external cares, sorrows

all

and discords.

Although the soul of Princess was find

but

the,

now known, it

could

echoes

from

highly developed

few

responsive

the dormant spiritual organs of the brain.

These she must arouse and

action.

was

It

to sensitiveness

this that

gave

rise to

the peculiar ideas, expressed in her conversation, that so mystified her friends.

Visitors soon

began

to

pour

in

upon her

congratulations, presents and invitations to

once again enter the gilded salons of

fashion and the round of

are the daily

To

all

life

amusements that

of a favorite Princess.

she gave a modest, quiet reply,

neither accepting nor rejecting their attentions,

which

left

them

in

doubt at times of her sanity.

wondering

1

Within the Temple of his.

10

some grand occasion

In the midst of

she would be suddenly missed and on

being sought out would be found concealed

some pleasant nook, or even

in

out in the open

air,

window, absorbed

in

into the

heavens.

or beside an open

meditation or gazing

When

was attracted she would

her attention

start and, with a

strange, far-away look in her eyes that

would indicate

to

a superficial observer

she had been asleep, would allow herself, to

be led back and enter the

festivities of

the hour.

With enthuse

all

her

their efforts they could not

with

the

merriment surrounding

excitement and her.

But,

if

any

one should become serious and express thoughts that appealed to the she was

all

interior,

attention and the questions that

were so ready when such an opportunity

The Princess

in

Wedding.

afforded showed plainly that, although

present in body, the soul and interests

were

in

other realms and spheres than

this.

No one

but Rathunor could hold her

With

attention for any length of time.

him she was animated, and charmingly beautiful and joyous and would, with

some enthusiasm, enter tries of the

into the pleasan-

hour which brought

to her

face the

charming attraction of natural

beauty.

Behind

those

orbs

of

vision

there seemed to shine forth a light that

was more radiant than the gorgeously brilliant illuminations of the salons.

Her

form

and

beautiful

bearing,

face,

made

her

perfect

her the center of attrac-

and she was much sought after. But, as soon as she was induced to leave

tion

Rathunor's

side,

that which

made her

H2

Within the Temple of Isis.

presence

so irresistibly

and

attractive

radiant before, faded out.

Thus time passed returned, suit.

and as health

on,

Prince Rathunor

pressed his

There was now, no apparent reason

why he could not claim his promised bride and make the Princess Nu-nah his own. His more earnest friends cautioned him to wait further

developments and,

in

an

undertone, reminded him of the peculiar

and unnatural bearing of the Princess at times. They were sure, in time, their once again.

lovely

Princess would

Rathunor

listened,

be herself

knowing

their

kindly interest sprang from good motives,

but he was silent for

he could not speak

none would understand.

The

yearn-

ings of his heart and soul would not be

quelled by any outward show.

While

to

the world

Nu-nah was a

The Princess Wedding.

113

source of mystical wonder, to Rathunor

she was his stay and comfort.

no further

He needed

and assurance of him. Too often had

evidence

Nu-nah's love for

he experienced the response from within to her silent pleadings

and

The

wisdom.

for

light, truth

attraction

of

the

was losing its fascination him, the longings from within grew

outer world for

more clamorous

stronger and

for out-

ward expression until, one day, he advanced the subject of astrology to the Princess

Nu-nah.

For an

instant,

her

whole being was illuminated by that mysterious light

for a single

moment the soul

arose to the supremacy of the brain and

found a faint glimmering expression that

was

visible to

Rathunor's ever-watchful

eye.

"Astrology,

my

Rathunor, fascinates

Within the Temple of his.

H4 me

with

name and

its it

mysteries

think those

is

the wonders and

said to reveal.

Astrologer

Do

you

of

the

Priests

Temple know whereof they speak, and do they read the stars and gain from them the

wisdom they are said to possess?" Here was the first opportunity to pre-

sent these sacred subjects to Nu-nah's

He

mind.

tried to think and, feeling that

present excitement of

the

the

brain's

higher organs, was of a temporary nature,

he was really at a loss what to say that

would be most

and impress

upon her awakening

indelibly "

effective

my

Yes.

dear Nu-nah,

I

do possess the knowledge and, of

I

that

also

am

wisdom

itself

brain.

believe they

they

claim

convinced that much

and

knowledge

is

gained through their understanding the laws of astrology.

Those

celestial

bodies

The Princess Wedding. in

115

our heavens were not placed there by

our Divine Creator without a purpose.

I

believe they have an influence upon us that can be learned, defined and utilized

by those who study and know this influence through astronomy and astrology.

Nu-nah what

is

that which produces the

interior longings to

there

is

know?

something to know

common brains and analyze? Do you

that our

silent,

Is

it

not that

something

can not grasp not think that

yet persistent, monitor which lies

concealed somewhere within our being excited to action from

is

some source other

than our outward selves, and that longing

go out must be accounted for by a something without that calls and attracts to

us to

it?

May

this not

be the stars that

we see twinkling and motioning to us we gaze into the midnight heavens?"

as

Within the Temple of his.

ii6

He of his

stopped, wondering what the effect

words would

be,

when, to

his

amaze-

ment, there appeared a more vivid consciousness in her eyes and features than

he had ever seen since her return to physhealth and, taking

ical

this manifestation,

new hope from

he continued,

love the social world longer?

"

Is

not that longing, too, within your for

something more

real,

Do you there

bosom

more ennobling

than the pastimes of worldly pleasures?"

At the mention

of the worldly things,

the light from her eyes died out and was gone. Rathunor said no more but silently

thanked God that he had for those few

moments

assisted the soul of

vibrate, too;

and had

set in

Nu-nah

to

motion the

vitalizing currents to the spiritual portion

of the brain

and earnestly prayed that

might be the beginning of many opportunities that were to follow.

this

The Princess

Wedding.

1 1

7

Realizing that only he could arouse the dormant organs of her spiritual brain,

he became more anxious than ever to

have her constantly

in his

company.

He

again pressed his suit and the day for the

wedding nuptials was

to be at once sub-

mitted to the Astrologer.

Rathunor again sought the Astrologer Priest for advice. He wished to know

when

the stars would point most favor-

ably toward such a

momentous

event.

This, the Astrologer

was not long

in find-

ing out and soon conveyed the news to

Rathunor that

at

an

early

might be consummated.

date

such

As the Prince

arose to go the Priest took his hand and said,

"My

Nu-nah

child, in

taking the Princess

you obey the holy intuitions of the soul and not only will as your wife,

you be united

in soul

but in body

and

Within

Ii8

mind.

I

attends well,

my

the

Temple of his.

wish you the eternal all

who

child;

bliss that

are truly mated.

Fare-

my blessings go with

you."

Rathunor was too much absorbed

in

other things to understand the mysterious

words of the

Priest,

but notwithstanding

had been again sown that would sometime spring up unannounced this the seed

and unexpected. The announcement

of

the

wedding invitations sent and was soon made out, far

and near.

Congratulations poured

in

from every source, although some would have refused, had they been true to their

own

sentiments, for the remarkable and

unaccountable change which had taken

malady was too be altogether right and should

place during her terrible

evident to

be righted before the Prince should the Princess his wife.

make

The Princess Wedding.

Rathunor was

119

never forget-

satisfied,

ting the Hierophant's sacred words,

none other need be consulted. silent hearts

they wished

and

In their

the wedding

might be private and the holy ceremony of the

Temple be performed by the High

Priest.

This, of course, could not be owing

and position they occupied the lives of a Princess and Prince

to the station in life, for

are not wholly their own, so to the public

they must

bow and pay

Preparations

menced

for

at once, for

it

obeisance.

the

wedding com-

was

to

be a grand

Nothing was to be spared that would add beauty and grandeur to the affair.

occasion.

indulged

Extravagant expenditures were in, until

to supply more.

money seemed at a The trousseau was

quisitely magnificent and,

night, the

loss

ex-

on the wedding

beaming radiance

of the counte-

I2O

Within the Temple of Isis.

nance of the Princess was neither dimmed

by the rich silks, nor the rare, priceless laces and lovely jewels that glittered and sparkled with the living spark

of

life

within them, that adorned her form.

Never a bride so so happy. ness,

It

fair;

never a couple

was that quiet, subtle happi-

which permeates the very atmos-

phere about them and leaves in

its

traces

every susceptible heart that breathes

it.

CHAPTER

XI.

THE RETIREMENT.

wedding the Prince and Princess were, from necessity, drawn After the

within the whirl of social pleasures with attentions in the

of entertainments,

way

court suppers, balls, drawing-room receptions,

etc.

The

interior

longings were

compelled to creep into the background until the external

The

tion.

was

gratified to exhaus-

Princess' seriousness departed

and they were very happy in the round of pleasures that were planned for a time

for them.

gan

to

But as time sped on they be-

grow weary

of the show,

shallowness of external that had been

sown

in

life.

pomp and The seeds

Rathunor's heart

Within the Temple of Isis.

122

and

and that which he had aroused

brain,

Nu-nah's slumbering, spiritual organs of her brain, had taken root and now bein

gan

to spring forth into activity, first as

weariness of the superficial pleasures of society, then a desire to gradually with-

draw from

this life into a

more

quiet and

secluded one, where they might listen to the inner voices and gain pleasure, as well as knowledge, from this source,

The

Prince anxiously awaited another

opportunity for speaking to Princess Nu-

nah on

spiritual

subjects.

The

Hiero-

phant had given him to understand that

no distant day Nu-nah would become interested in spiritual things and be his

at

teacher.

He had

of the transfer to to

not been

made aware

that was to be revealed

him by Nu-nah herself. He had begun wonder how and where Nu-nah's spirit-

The Retirement.

123

awakening would take place when an opportunity presented itself in a most ual

unexpected manner.

One

lovely evening they were taking

a stroll about the grounds of their castle,

when the it

light,

Moon

full

rose higher, fuller, until the whole

world seemed beauty and light

arose in a flood of

in

bathed

in

her

magical

order to longer enjoy her

and magnetic influence the Prince

suggested a longer walk.

Unconsciously

they chose the path that led them towards the Temple, which was only a short dis-

tance from their home.

the

Temple

tracted

and

it

As they neared

distant strains of music at-

their attention.

seemed

to

speak

They in

listened,

the plaintive

tones of a hungering soul; they hastened their steps until they

had quite reached

the private grounds of the

Temple

of

Isis.

1

Within the Temple of

24

Nu-nah was

in

Isis.

advance of Rathunor,

being irresistibly drawn by some invisible power,

when she suddenly stopped and

clasping his arm, as within a vice, cried out,

"My

Rathunor, do you hear that

music; what

is it?

I

have heard

but where, O, where?

know

it

before,

How came

the chants and music of the

I

to

Temple

Service?"

They were spot, when the

held spell-bound to

the

Prince was warned, by the

trembling and the gradual loosening of

Nu-nah's hand upon

The

spot at once.

his

arm, to quit the

Prince placed his

arm

about her waist to suppoi t her as he urged their return

home, but she stood immov-

able apparently chained by the magical

power of 5ome

invisible force.

Stronger grew ot the

spell

until

the

mystical

the Princess

power

seemed

The Retirement. rush madly on and

compelled, to the Temple,

her back

firm

a

same time trying by

all

you

I

at the

to attract her attention

darling, let us

we walk

retrace our steps and as tell

and

grasp,

"Come, my

his words.

into

the Prince had not held

if

in

125

I

will

know about what you have

heard." "

O,

before

my 1

Rathunor, speak to

have time

remember

awake, where felt,

to forget.

this long, yet

of a vivid dream.

and know

I

I

me

Tell

it

I

quickly

can not

as a recurrence

me

have been.

was there

while I

I

am

saw, and

there in the

Sacred Sanctuary of that Temple.

O,

might go again and remain there forever to listen to that enchanting music

that

I

and the solemn heavenly voices of that choir."

A

quiver ran through her whole frame

1

Within

26

Temple of his.

the

and with a mournful cry she fell fainting in the arms of Rathunor. Here his innate born courage and bravery sustained him,

and instantly there flashed into his mind the words he had once heard the High Priest use while passing his hands over an insensible form.

So, gently laying

inanimate body upon the grass, he in slow,

peated

but firm and

her re-

commanding

tones these words:

"Return, Return,

I

I

soul, to thy physical body.

command

this lifeless

come,

O

thee,

and reanimate

tenement of your

command

soul.

Come,

thee, come."

Scarcely had the last words been uttered

when

a

movement

of the

hands and

limbs announced to Rathunor the return of

life.

She was soon able

to rise and,

being supported by the Prince, they slowly

wended

their

way back

to the castle.

She

The Retirement. walked as

in a

and

stately

dream, but as her step was

firm,

come alarmed

127

the Prince did not be-

until

he had her safe

in

her

room, when the extent of the occurrence

dawned upon him and then he hurriedly called her

maid and sent

at

once to

patch a servant for their physician.

dis-

Nu-

nah had become quite herself before the Doctor came and after he had administered a

"The

little

palliative,

withdrew saying,

Princess will soon be well.

It

was

only the result of fatigue induced by the constant excitement of social pleasures."

The

Prince was silent and, seeing the

Princess was so comfortable, he retired to his

own apartments with

strict injunctions,

he should be notified at once

if

any symp-

toms of the prostration should

When

appear.

once within his private chamber he

threw himself down

in

a chair and

fell

Within

128

Temple of Isis.

the

Over and over he

into a profound study.

reviewed the incidents of the evening.

"What was

there in that music that so

enchanted Nu-nah?

What

and hear that revived a in

something force

was

it

did she see

faint

memory of What magical

the past?

drew her so

that

toward the Temple ?

irresistibly

What produced

that

quiver which preceded her falling insensi-

arms?"

ble into his

He was Priests for

of the

it

inclined for he

all,

to

blame the

knew something

magic and its psychologic The more he reasoned the farther

power

effect.

half

of

he wandered from a solution. mused,

"

If

that

Vestal, Sarthia,

I

Now

he

had been the beautiful could understand

why

she would be so powerfully attracted to the Temple, but Nu-nah,

who had never

entered the Holy Sanctuary except for

The Retirement.

I2Q

those sacred Rites that are administered to all

who

are supposed to be bordering

on the land of the

spiritual world; only

those two nights, to his knowledge, had

she ever been in the Sacred Sanctuary; there was something in those ceremonies that he had not as yet understood; there

must have been some mystical, magical

power employed to restore the frail, feeble, unconscious Nu-nah to life and health and, to him."

He

thought and reasoned until his

brain was on the mystery

and

still

no solution of

was presented

to his under-

fire,

standing.

"Well," he at

last

exclaimed, so loud

that he startled himself,

accept time's

it

as a mystery

own

" I

will

have

to

and patiently wait

pleasure for the explanation."

He began

to prepare for retiring, but

1

Within the Temple of his.

30

not calm

he could

himself

ness took possession of

not quell;

him that he could

he walked the

and resorted

read,

to

fore

all in

my Nu-nah

to re-

vain.

once more be-

I

must see

I

can sleep," and, hurriedly readjust-

ing the

clothing

repaired to the

A

floor, tried to

many ways

store his tranquillity, but "

a restless-

he had Princess'

he

removed,

private room.

gentle knock brought the attendant to

the door. "

Is

the Princess quiet and sleeping,"

he inquired

in a whisper.

"No," answered the servant.

awake and

feeling well,

marked, that

if

and

just

"She

now

is

re-

she thought you were not

sleeping she would have you called for

she had something she wished to

tell

you."

His presence was

at

once made known

The Retirement. to the Princess, and, with a light,

131

low cry of de-

she called him to her side.

A signal when

sent the attendant from the room, the Princess began,

beloved husband, I

have something

I

"My

am

you that

to tell

To

when

night,

I

felt

as

if I

left

my body and

and by some unknown power was

you,

drawn

into the

Sacred Sanctuary.

the Hiijli Priest, the lovely

all

might

I

within the sound of the music in

the Temple,

ess,

my

so glad you came.

forget before morning.

we came

Rathunor,

Mother

I

saw

Priest-

the Vestals, the choir and musicians,

earnestly engaged in

mony.

The

some holy

cere-

music, the heavenly spiritual

influence of the atmosphere, the exquisite

fragrance of incense and perfumes, with the purity reflected by the Vestal attendants,

so enraptured

and enthralled

that the thought that

I

me

would ever have

Within

132 to leave

its

the

Temple of his.

me

sacred boundaries caused

when

to lose consciousness and,

awoke,

I

you were bending over me." Seeing a strange look eyes and interpreting

she continued,

"

it

in

to

Rathunor's

mean

jealousy,

but that was not

Rathunor; you were there,

my

all,

too, for awhile.

keep you, but could not something drew you away from me and I, for I

tried to

an instant, suffered the same pangs that are torturing your heart now.

I

you would rather go than

and a

ing of jealousy entered

stay,

my

thought feel-

heart, but the

strange fascination of the place was more to

me

at that instant than you,

unor, so

I

feel

the

away."

Rath-

longed to stay but could not.

have been trying means.

my

You must

memory

to

think what

help

me

of the

it

I

all

for already

I

event passing

The Retirement.

133

She ceased speaking, and in a few moments was fast asleep. The Prince kissed the it

hand he

held, then gently laid

by her side and quietly

fully conscious that the

partially

revealed,

left

the

room

mystery had been

and

that

now

the

Princess would sleep for the rest of the night.

After returning to his rooms he

again flung himself into an easy chair de-

termined to seriously think and arrive, that night, at

some immediate

steps to

take his Nu-nah from the excitement she

had been subjected

to for so

long,

so

that a recurrence of the sad event might Before another Sun not be repeated.

arose the Prince had decided upon his "

take Nu-nah away, ostensibly on a long tour of the country for pleasure. Aye, for pleasure, but not future course.

the kind

I

will

we have submitted

marriage."

to since our

Within the Temple of his.

134

The next morning,

as soon

the

as

Princess could see him, he requested her

presence at once.

He met

her at the

door and with a loving inquiry as to her health, led her to an easy chair beside the

open window where the rays of the morn-

Sun could

upon her as they penetrated the delicate lace which hung at the ing

window.

began

fall

Drawing a chair

to her side

to unfold his plans, at the

he

same

time watching every motion and expression of the face to see

what

would have upon

She did not be-

her.

effect they

tray her thoughts until he said his object

was not so much

some

quiet,

for travel as to retire to

pleasant nook, where they

could be excluded from the world, and those they knew, for awhile, and instead of spending their time in the superficial

pleasures of the world they could enjoy

The Retirement.

135

each other's society and learn something

about the

invisible

mysteries that sur-

rounded them.

When

the motives of his plans were

mentioned a preceptible change flashed across her countenance and a light ap-

peared

in

her eyes that he had not seen

some time and, by the time he had

for

finished, her

whole face was beaming with

an inward delight, that urged the Prince to further reveal the plans that laid

he had

during his midnight reasonings.

The

Princess raised not a single exception to

on the contrary, entered into them with a zest that surprised even

his

schemes

but,

the Prince.

"O, to be alone, Rathunor, where we could think and

study

choose has been the longing of soul these

we

that which

many weeks; can

not

my

very

we go

at

1

36

Within the Temple of

once, to-day

if

possible."

Isis.

She

she

felt

could not wait the necessary time for the preparations to be made.

There was a duty toward their friends that must be fulfilled. The devoted athad been showered upon so long must not be ignored. So,

tentions that

them it

for

was decided

tion,

to give a farewell recep-

before taking their departure for an

indefinite stay in strange lands.

Accordingly invitations were issued to a grand state occasion,

when

the Prince

and Princess would bid their friends and associates Farewell.

did those

who were

Ah!

farewell.

Little

of that brilliant as-

sembly dream, as they clasped the hands of the Princess

and Prince

in cordial

and

was indeed

a

sincere good-by,

that

Farewell to

Neither did they con-

ceive for a

all.

it

moment what

those Farewells

The Retirement.

meant

to the Princess

137

and Prince.

It

was

hard for them to conceal their happiness as every minute of time brought their de-

parture nearer, and what their guests took for the happiness of their presence, really

was

induced by the thoughts of the

future.

They were soon follow

them

those

thoughts

off

and we can only

thought for a time.

in

be

kind,

for,

Let

knowing

thoughts are potent, send them out lovingly

toward

the

Princess Nu-nah.

awakening

mind of

CHAPTER

XII.

THE RETURN TO A NEW

LIFE.

Several years have elapsed since

we

bade our Prince and Princess farewell.

Only at long intervals had they communicated with their friends.

The outer world

had almost forgotten them, but not so with the Hierophant and the Priestess of the Temple. in

Daily,

behalf of

though not in

in

had their prayers gone

their

welfare.

Al-

'communication with them

body they were

source they

souls'

knew

in spirit, all

was

and from

well.

this

The High

Priest, in his astral visits, could see the

growing power of the soul over the slowlyevolving brain of the Princess, and with the electric soul-force, the great nourisher

The Return

and renewer to him, the

of

life,

New

a

to

Life.

139

though unconscious

rounding out was

fast

nearing

completion of the soul's mastery over the brain and body of Nu-nah.

They had near a at

little

life

distant

in

lands,

country village that lay just

the foot

made up

settled

of

the mountains.

of the simple peasantry,

was free from

It

was

where

cant, suspicions, criti-

Here they

cism and morbid curiosity.

could live and follow the bent of their

and unobserved

minds, undisturbed

they so wished.

unknown

yet the

They kept their identity villagers knew from the

Princess' delicate

features

she

beauty of form

belonged

family and station in

thoughtful bearing their love

if

to

life,

some noble but her kind,

towards them

and esteem

and

at once,

won

and equally

did they esteem the Prince for he was

Within the Temple of his.

140

money and

ever lavish with his

attention

who appealed to him for assistThe mountains soon became their

to those

ance.

favorite resort. daily,

and

rests

Long walks were taken made in the quiet nooks

on the mountain

side.

One

place par-

became a very dear

ticularly,

retreat to

them, for never did they stop there but that

some

inspirations

were born.

here that Nu-nah took her

from Rathunor; that

it

was

in this

first

It

was

lesson

sacred spot

Rathunor gently but cautiously

re-

vealed to her the Initiatory Rites of the

Temple

been performed over

that had

her unconscious body.

This excited an

not deep interest, in

intense curiosity,

if

Nu-nah's mind.

She began

to question

and think and, as she thought, there came a vague, glimmering

memory

and when Rathunor would

of the past,

inquire the

The Return

a

to

New

Life.

141

cause of her almost unconscious moods, she would raise her hand to silence his voice,

and whisper, "I

am dreaming

O,

something so grand, so solemn, so sacred haunts

mind; just wait and

my

it

will all

come by and by," then her dark eyes seemed to grow larger and larger and to

burn with a concentrated

The

Prince's delight

as these

fire.

knew no bounds

expressions led him to believe

they sprang from deep desires and terests, so the

the day to

time seemed to shorten for

come when

their

whole time

and attention would be turned study

of

Nature's

secrets of

life

satisfying

that

mysteries

to

and

the the

be revealed to them, thus

realities of life.

inward

longing for the

Also, he knew, the

love that had been born for

in-

in

new

Nu-nah's heart

him was more than that love that the

Within the Temple of his.

142

external

only can know.

could not fathom nor

was content

so he

its

Its

depths he

source pursue,

to wait that promised

by the Astrologer, that Nu-nah would lead, guide and teach him

time, predicted

these spiritual truths and reveal to his

already awakening soul the laws of the spirit.

Now, a new joy was revealed to the Prince when the Princess made him aware that

a

new

had been en-

soul

trusted to their tender care and keeping.

The thoughts heart with

of

maternity Blessed

bliss.

her

filled

privilege,

to

bring to this plane of existence a soul

awaiting incarnation in live,

human

grow and experience on

form, to

this planet

the last grand objective existence that the soul can know.

What

ure would she take

in

care,

what

pleas-

training that

little

The Return soul to of life

know

and

in

to

a

New

God and

its

143

Life.

the mysteries

maturity stand forth to teach

mankind Wisdom and Truth.

The pleasure vent made days

in

preparing for

pass as minutes.

its

ad-

Time,

borne on the wings of love, passed quick-

Her

had gained that control over the mind that it was full with pure, ly.

soul

holy and spiritual thoughts.

Her mind

could not get beyond her husband and the young soul that had been transmitted to her keeping.

was singing her alone in

in

in

The

divine joy of love

her soul.

Rathunor

left

her happiness, knowing that

her condition any great effort on his

part to draw

her

mind

thoughts

into

new channels might lead to dire results. At last the Natalday arrived. The magnetic, as well as the. physical, period of gestation being completed, to

them a

Within the Temple of his.

144

Never was there a human

son was born.

soul greeted with greater love

come than

and wel-

Not only was

this one.

it

the

offspring of the physical union, but that of

the souls.

Welcome,

the children born of

thrice welcome, to

such

physical condition of the for

critical

very

Prince's grief

several

love.

The

Princess was days.

The

and anxiety was almost un-

bearable; neither sleep nor food took a

moment

of his

time during her severe

and often did he think that again Nu-nah's soul would take its flight and

illness,

wend

its

The

way

to the realms above.

eighth day after confinement was

one of stupor and unconsciousness. Not a moment passed unheeded. It was near midnight when, the attendants having retired for a short rest, and Rathunor sat alone by her bedside, her eyes suddenly

The Return

opened and bent Beautiful,

to

a

New

Life.

145

upon him. calm, divine Nu-nah, her wontheir gaze

derful eyes shone with a surprising brilliancy

and they were so riveted upon him

that he dare not move,

The minutes

much

less speak.

between

that intervened

her waking and speaking seemed as an eternity to Rathunor. "

My

me

darling husband, are you beside

are you where

I

can speak to you,

and are we alone?"

Only by a gentle pressure

of the

hand

could he respond, and, gently laying his right

by

hand upon her brow, he assured her

She began

this act of his presence.

speaking

and

her voice was low, yet clear "

distinct,

companion,

knowledge

I

I

My

Rathunor,

have

my true-soul

returned

now impart

with

to you.

the

While

you so patiently and tenderly watched

Within the Temple of Isis.

146

beside

my

frail

and almost

lifeless

body,

was away gaining knowledge and experience in the soul-world. There I

my

soul

am and my relation to you. Do you know, O my Rathunor, that our who

learned

I

souls sustain that divine relation to each

other that makes us immortal, because of

being

The

complete?

two

whole, the

rays of the Divine Ego, are joined and

blended as one

me The

hear

in

our union.

further?" agitation of his grief began to

assuage and he could

and without emotion '

Can you

Yes, go on.

now

listen

calmly

to her words.

What you have

already

been indelibly burned upon my mind and soul. Let me hear all you have

said has

to impart." "

Know you

that this

body was Nu-

nah's and this soul that of Sarthia's?

"

The Return It

fort

to

a

New

Life.

147

was here that only by a mighty efof his will was he able to keep in

abeyance the emotions of

his heart, but

the superior and God-like power of an invisible

Presence

The

sustained him.

Princess took no heed of his silence and

continued her revelations. "

the

Do

you know that on the night of

full

Moon, the solemn and sacred

Rites performed

bodies of Sarthia

over the

unconscious

and Nu-nah

in

the

Sacred Sanctuary of the Temple of

Isis,

our souls were transferred by the magical

power visible

of the

High

assistants?

polarized in

Priest

and the

Nu-nah's

Sarthia's

and that of Sarthia's

soul

in-

was

physical temple in

Both were prostrated, even

this

of

mine.

to dissolution

by the malefic influence of planetary arcs, and this method was resorted to,

Within the Temple of Isis.

148

that both

our lives might be spared to

round out our necessary physical ence while yet for

exist-

these bodies, and also

in

your sake was

this

undertaken by our

Holy Father that you might have that love which you so much craved and the longings of your soul might be satisfied

with the knowledge will

thirsted for.

This

explain to you the great change ob-

served at times unnatural,

me

it

in

your Nu-nah, and the

dreamy moods

The

sometimes.

that possessed

brain was slow to

respond to the wonderfully developed soul of Sarthia

and

it

was

at those times that

the soul gained the supremacy, that the greatest change

now have

would

manifest.

You

the true devoted love of your

companion and the lovely form of Nu-nah for your wife. My Rathunor,

soul

are you satisfied?

If

a

pang of disap-

7 he Return

to

a

New

149

Life.

pointment cross your heart, our darling child here

may

blot that out as he

grows

and learns our mystic lore and become also a soul

climbing the ladder

and spheres than

The

Prince

sank on

his

his fathers in

companion of

higher wisdom

to

ours."

could

not

He

speak.

knees beside the bed and

buried his face in her bosom.

Here

silence

was more profound and spoke deeper wisdom and contentment than ever words could do;

humble

how long he remained

attitude

and

poured

gratefulness in prayer he

when he arose the

in this

forth

knew

his

not; but

was sleeping quietly, the breathing, though feeble, was deeper and more even. He gentlycrossed Princess

her hands upon her bosom, adjusted the clothing carefully and

a

left

new hope he had had

her side, for

full of

many

days.

Within

150

the

Temple of his.

Life again appeared in

all

its

glory, not a

shadow appeared upon its horizon; weariness and anxiety forsook him and he went about as

if

word escaped

walking on

his

lips

nor

air,

but not a

an act be-

trayed his new-born joy.

When

nurses returned

the

once remarked the change

in

they at

the Princess.

They, too, became hopeful and assured the husband that his wife would soon be

The

well.

and

Princess recovered

rapidly,

was not long before her gentle presence and noble influence shed its it

effulgence in the

about

as she

moved

it.

As soon time

home

as

Rathunor could spare the

from Nu-nah's

side

he

sent the

Natal hour of his first-born to the Astrologer Priest.

Anxiously did he await

the reading of the stars and what they

The Return

to

indicated for his child.

a

New Life. The

151

calculations

were made, the judgment submitted writing,

but

"

Shall

I

in

transmit them to

the Prince and Princess, can they yet re-

and

ceive

philosophically

revelations therein

He

left

accept

the

made?"

the study-room and repaired

to the apartments of the

High

Priest to

seek advice and instructions.

Then, by

the exercise of his potent

he made

will,

the necessary observations to see

if

it

were wise to convey the knowledge of the predictions to his children, Nu-nah

and Rathunor. "

Not yet will we send the reading. Our Nu-nah has not sufficiently recovered to bear

any unpleasant news." Rathunor became impatient

and

thought, at times, he would write again the letter must have been lost

but some-

Within

152

the

Temple of his.

At

thing witheld him.

last

strange fore-

He knew

bodings haunted him.

too well

the promptness of the Astrologer Priest;

there must be something that could not

He

be revealed to Nu-nah.

was strong enough

to bear resignedly all

when

that might come, but all

thought he

it

did

come

had not prepared him was only a letter no

his forebodings

to receive

it.

calculations

It

no reading, as indicated by

the stars, was in

it.

The

letter

had been

dictated by the Priest and transcribed by

the scribe

"Our

Hermo, and read

thus:

darling children, Rathunor and

Nu-nah, bear bravely the news

I

now

im-

Your

first

born, the offspring

of true inspiration

and

soul-love, can not

part to you.

remain with you long

The

stars

interior

in

the physical form.

deny a prolonged

knowledge

life,

and

my

of the planetary influ-

The Return also

ence,

tells

to

a

me

New

his

153

Life.

upon our

life

Earth's plane will be of short duration.

His already matured soul does not need

much its

of Earth's experience to

objective existence, before entering

the true it

round out

will

life in

the spiritual realm; there

remain,

dear children, ever

my

beckoning you on, and contributing

you that energy that

will

to

ever spur you to

greater effort to realize while yet in the physical form Immortal Life. carefully, but

when

Be summon

its

Tend

it

the Great Powers that

soul to go,

do not

try to

add the strength of your united prayers to its flight and bid it dehold

it

here, but

part to

home in the spiritual realms God bless and give you the

its

above. strength,

my

children,

your devoted Father.

The

is

the prayer of

Amen!

Amen!"

strength of spiritual force that

Within the Temple of his.

seemed

to

accompany the

and

letter

his

loving advice imparted courage to their hearts,

and instead of giving way

began

to philosophically reason

sole

to grief,

aud con-

themselves that God's ways

were

wiser than man's.

Not many months did spiritual child

soul took

where

its

truly

it

to the souls of left

the

their

lovely

remain with them

until its

realms

beyond,

flight

to

became its

as a beacon-light

parents.

Prince and

Its

departure

Princess

sad

and

lonely for a time and their struggle to

was great but this was of Time the heart and not of the soul. reconciliation

healed the external wound and the terior

vacancy was

tigation

filled

in-

by study, inves-

and the development

to external

consciousness of the knowledge within.

Again, they became restless and plans

The Return were

to

a

laid to leave their

New

Life.

155

happy home near

the mountains, and the devoted friends

they had

made among

were sorry

mento

to part with

who

the villagers

them and,

as

me-

to their honest, noble friendship,

they distributed their household and personal effects to

among them. They

revealed

no one where they were going.

They

disappeared as mysteriously as they came, but where?

Only one place on Earth could tempt them to leave that sacred home, where such extreme joy and sorrow were known, and that was the former

home of

of the soul of Nu-nah,

Isis.

Nu-nah was

The Temple

to enter as

ant to a Priestess, and

an aspir-

Rathunor as a

Priest King.

The Return

to a

New

Life,

with joyful welcomes from

tendants of the Temple.

all

was hailed of the At-

Rathunor and

Within the Temple of his.

156

Nu-nah soon passed the ceremonial Rites of the Temple and none were more faithful in their efforts

and studies than these

new-born children the

High

We

Priest

leave

the especial care of

and the

them

Priestess.

here, wishing

them the

progress, the happiness and that Divine

Peace and Understanding that comes to all

Perfected Souls.

God be

with them.

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It is claimed that this book is not a mere compilation, but thoroughly original. It is believed to contain information upon the most vital points of Occultism and Theosopby that cannot be obtained elsewhere. It claims to fully reveal the most recondite mysteries of man upon every plane of his existence, both here and hereafter, in such plain, simple language that a child can almost understand it. The secrets and Occult mysteries of Astrology are revealed and explained for th6 first time, it is affirmed, since the days of Egyptian Hieroglyphics. An effort is made to show that the science of the Soul and the science of the Stars are the twin mysteries which comprise THE

ONE GRAND SCIENCE OF

LIFE.

The following are among the claims made for the work by

its

friends.

To the spiritual investigator this book is indispensable. To the medium it reveals knowledge beyond all earthly price, and will prove in real truth, "a guide, philosopher and friend." To the Occultist it will supply the mystic key for which he has been so long earnestly seeking.

To

the Astrologer

it

will

become a "divine revelation

of

Science.''

OPINIONS OF PRESS AND PEOPLE. "A

noble, philosophical and instructive work." Hardinge Britten,

"A work of remarkable Buchanan. *

*

ability

and

Mrs.

interest.

"

Dr

Emma J. R.

"A remarkably concise, clear and forcibly interesting work. * It is more clear and intelligible than any other work on

like subjects."

"A

Mr.

J. J.

Morse.

careful reading of

THE LIGHT OF EGYPT

discovers the

beginning of a new sect in Occultism, which will oppose the grafting on Western Occultists the subtile delusive dogmas of Karma and Re-incarnation." New York Times, " It is a volume likely to attract wide attention from that class of scholars interested in mystical science and occult forces. Bnt it is written in such plain and simple style as to be within the easy comprehension * * * of any cultivated, scholarly reader."

The Chicago Daily Inter-Ocean. "

However recondite his book, the author certainly presents a theory of first causes which is well fitted to challenge the thoughtful readers' attention and to excite much reflection." Hartford Daily Times. " Considered as an exposition of Occultism, or the philosophy of the Orient from a Western standpoint, this is a remarkable production. * * * The philosophy of the book is, perhaps, as profound as any yet attempted, and so far reaching in its scope as to take in about all that relates to the divine ego-man in its manifold relation to time and eternity the past, present and future." The Daily Tribune, Salt Lake City, Utah. '' This work, the result of years of research and study, will undoubtedly create a profound sensation throughout the philosophic world." The Detroit Commercial Advertiser. " It is an Occult work but not a Theosophical one. * * * It is a book entirely new in its scope, and must excite wide attention."

-The Kansas City Journal. is highly interesting and very ably written, and it comes at an opportune time to eliminate from the "Wisdom Religion," re-incarnation and other unphilosophical superstitions of

"The book

the otherwise beautiful structure of Theosophy." Kansas Herald. " What will particularly commend the book to many in this country is that it is the first successful attempt to make the truths of Theosophy plain and clear to any one not a special student, and it lays bare the frauds of the Blavatsky school." Sou Francisco Chronicle.

on paper manufactured with illuminated and extra heavy cloth

Beautifully printed and illustrated for this special purpose,

binding.

Cloth, $2.00

;

Paper,

$1.00.

For sale, wholesale and retail, by ASTRO-PHILOSOPHICAL PUBLISHING Co., 1609 Downing Ave., Denver, Colo. BANNER OF LIGHT PUBLISHING Co., No. 9 Bosworth St., Boston, Mass. THE PROGRESSIVE THINKER, No. 40 Loomis St., Chicago, Ills. THE BANCROFT BOOK Co., 1126-1128 16th St., Denver, Colo.; Also, RELIGIOPHILOSOPHICAL PUBLISHING HOUSE, 1429 Market St., San Fran;

;

;

cisco, Cal.

CELiESTIflli

DYNAMICS.

BEING

A NORMAL COURSE OF STUDY IN

THE ASTRO-MAGNETIC

FORCES

OF

NATURE.

BY THE AUTHOR OF "

THE LIGHT OF EGYPT," " THE LANGUAGE OF THE STARS," ETC.

A magnificent and complete course of Astro metaphysical study embodying VITAL PRINCIPLES OF LIFE, MENTAL, FORCE, SICKNESS AND DISEASE. With the only true and really Scientific method of treating the sick successfully. Mental Healers, Metaphysicians, and ail who practice the healing Art Divine, should give ".Celestial Dynamics" a thorough and impartial study and thus learn the real cause of their frequent failures. No Astro Student can afford to be without this work, if he would understand the Metaphysics of Astrology.

The PRICE, ONE DOLLAR, is within the reach of all who seek for light. Orders accompanied by cash, will be

filled

limited.

immediately. Address,

Apply

early, as the edition is

THE ASTRO-PHILOSOPHICAL PUB. 1609

DOWNING

CO.

AVE., DENVER, COLO.

This work has been specially prepared for pubto meet the demands of a large and very earnest class of people who cannot afford to pay for a regular course of instruction under a qualified

N. B.

lication

teacher. And those who can afford this privilege will find the work an invaluable text book to their studies.

THE DUALITY OFTRUTH; OU-

TRE OCCULT FORCES OF NATURE. Reviewed from the Standpoint of Heimetic Philosophy

BY HENRY WAGNER, M. D. This is a clear, practical statement of Nature's dual and will prove of great value to Occult students. A rare treat is in store for you on The Sphinx and Pyramids of Egypt. Symbolism and Correspondence alone are worth many times the cost of this unique book. Zanoni. forces,

CLOTH, PRICE

1.00.

THE ASTRO -PHILOSOPHICAL PUBLISHING 1609

DOWNING AVE., DENVER, COLO.

"WITHIN THE TEMPLE OF

BELLE

BY

CO,,

M.

1818."

WAGNER. '

an Occult Novel of rare value, as it contains a vast deal of Occult lore on many subjects. SoulTransfer and Soul-Marriage are especially dealt with in a scientific manner. Everybody should read it. Zanoni.

This

is

CLOTH, PRICE

75

CENTS.

THE ASTRO -PHILOSOPHICAL PUBLISHING 1609

DOWNING

AVE., DENVER, COLO.

CO.,

University of California Library

Los Angeles *

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