son of the Law-giver; and heir of His power. I hold in my hand the instrument of separation; and can inflict it on anything that grows."
(He raises a knife.)
"Man, the Son of God, is Lord of all created things, and should pay superstitious homage to none. Therefore I fear not to cut this branch, though it grows on the Sacred Hazel."
(He cuts the branch, and takes it by the two prongs, the united end hanging downwards.)
" You call me Healer, Teacher and Counsellor; but my knowledge resides not in me. It comes from The Great Unity; and I acquire it by putting together in my mind things which I see dissevered, and dissevering in my mind things which I see together. In token whereof I reverse this branch ; putting Unity where was division, and division where Unity was."
(He reverses the wand).
"If any of you seek help from me, I bid you come while I hold reversed this sacred branch of divination; in order that you may always remember that knowledge comes from putting together things which we find separated, and separating things which we find together.
"This knowledge is not mine, to give or to withhold; it comes down from The Unseen Unity Whose servant and revealer I am; and is given, freely, to all who seek it with a pure heart. In token whereof I raise this branch high over your heads and mine."
(He raises the branch.)
"Now lest any should think that the Hazel has powers of its own, I will cast the branch into the flames, that all may witness how powerless it is to avert its own disso-
