Magician and Fool by Susan Wands

Author:Susan Wands [Wands, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

THE GOLDEN DAWN COMMENCES

Dr. Westcott looked over the half a dozen people studying in the library at Mark Masons’ Hall. The smell of lemon oil and wax from the cleaned floors wafted over him as he sat in the most comfortable chair in the room, his right as “Chief.” Maps lay unfurled on desks, books were propped open, pencils scratched on paper. Months of negotiations had finally led to this official headquarters for his community of magic enthusiasts. It gave him a sturdy satisfaction that so many quality people, people of respectability and renown, were interested in this newly formed Golden Dawn group. The only fly in the ointment was that they had to admit women, which was not in his initial plan.

The women recruits had furnished the headquarters, creating an atmosphere that was almost too cozy. The leather chairs had elaborately designed hooked rugs underneath them, while the books were sorted into categories and arranged alphabetically on the shelves. Several large artist’s tables were arranged, their large tops tilted at different angles to hold atlases. Westcott wondered if they were going to be able to afford this headquarters much longer. Women paid more in dues than the men; but the dues barely covered the rent.

Samuel Mathers opened the door and gave a cursory nod. His umbrella dripped water all over the entrance, and he fumbled with his overcoat as he hung it up.

Mathers was an enthusiastic member, but it was questionable whether he was truly an asset to the new order. His knowledge of many languages helped with translations, and he was very good with codes and ritual understandings. But he was an idiot when it came to social niceties and decorum. He stuttered and stammered and had a deplorable habit of standing too close and lecturing someone too intensely about his recent obscure findings.

“No letter from Count Apponyi?” Mathers asked as he came close to Westcott.

Apponyi was a magician who led a Golden Dawn chapter in Hungary and had been in contact with the group. During a recent conjuring at Westcott’s office, a collection of the writings of Count Apponyi had materialized. The magicians determined that it was a collection of spells written down from the Hungarian magician. They nicknamed these spells the “Hungarian Papers.” Unfortunately, the papers had been impossible to decipher, and they had written the Count to ask for a translation and rights to the spells.

This supposed Count seemed pleased to be asked for permission to use the spells, but as his letter said: Clearly you want to experiment with the contents; otherwise you would not be writing to me to ask about the steps of instruction that are only available to Golden Dawn members. For further instructions to proceed, contact Fraulein Sprengel, German Rosicrucian adept, address enclosed.

“So far, he has not given us permission to start an official offshoot of the Golden Dawn,” Westcott growled. “This German Fraulein Sprengel is to process our application.”

“Oh, b-b-bother,” Mathers answered.

“Well, go into the vault-room; we have a new Hungarian dictionary.

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