The Third Chapter. Of the Age and Quality of the Person Who Wisheth to Undertake This Operation

THE THIRD CHAPTER.

OF THE AGE AND QUALITY OF THE PERSON WHO WISHETH TO UNDERTAKE THIS OPERATION.

N order to describe the aforesaid and other considerations in the best possible manner; I will here make a general recapitulation; mentioning also first what may bring hindrance unto the matter.

It is, then, necessary that such a man ¹ give himself up unto a tranquil life, and that his habits be temperate; that he should love retirement; that he should be given neither unto avarice nor usury (that he should be the legitimate child of his parents is a good thing, but not as necessary as for the Qabalah, unto which no man born of a clandestine marriage ² can attain); his age ought not to be less than twenty-five years nor more than fifty; he should have no hereditary disease, such as virulent leprosy; whether he be free or married importeth little; a valet, lackey, or other domestic servant, can with difficulty arrive at the end required, being bound unto others and not having the conveniences at disposal which are necessary, and which this Operation demandeth. Among women, there be only Virgins who are suitable; but I ³,

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strongly advise that so important a matter should not be communicated to them, because of the accidents that they might cause by their curiosity and love of talk.

Footnotes

55:1 I.e., he who intends to undertake the Operation.

55:2 I doubt this assertion very much.

55:3 Here comes another touch of prejudice. In the present day many of the profoundest students of the Qabalah are women, both married and single.