“Thou hast guarded the temple well. The sun never shone on a more perfect physical type. The fifth labor,” the hierophant went on, “is equilibrated Will—the caduceus which our order carries and uses as a wand. It is a spear in the hands of an adept, who compels all secrets and who knows all things. It can be developed only by temperance and moderation. It is an unlimited power for good or evil which thou holdest in thy possession. In thy body it is the solar plexus or brain of the stomach. The twelve plexi around it are the full gamut of physical and spiritual desire. Here thou couldst use thy knowledge with great harm to thy fellows, and more to thyself.”
“But why should I?”
“For no reason, unless it be to gratify some wish lying near thy heart. We neither act nor speak, much less decide a question concerning ourselves, except we have a motive.”
“My motive is simple enough. Thou hast told me that love is the first triad. I love with all my heart.”
“No need of words to assure me of this. I have foreseen it from the first.”
“And thou hast not opposed me? Then thou wilt favor it?” The Dorado was as impulsive as a boy.
“I will not oppose it. The great secret of initiation lies in the magnetic warmth of love. It is a threefold principle, the lowest phase of which is sex love. This is the poetry of sensation. It pertains to the material nature, and is therefore impermanent.”
“Oh, Akaza! How canst thou say that my love for Kerœcia will pass away. I feel that it never can.”
“In the sense of feeling, it certainly will not endure. But this phase of love has three parts. We reach divinity on its upper plane, because it becomes transmuted from animal desire to a soul influx. This will come as a benediction to sweeten the very fountain-head of thy individuality.”
“Then I was right in claiming mine own. I have not broken my vow, even in thought,” responded Yermah hopefully.