At the end of the class, Sifu Wong, before dismissing us, said, “Watch.” He then went through the first, most basic form that we learned. However, for each motion, he described in a couple of words how it could be used in a fight: “Scratch out eyes. Break knee. Break nose. Pull arm from socket.” We were amazed that something so basic could be so powerful.

The same is true of the Middle Pillar. I have seen it done thousands of times with less energy, less understanding, less power, and less passion, than if it had been done by a robot. Just reciting the words and pointing to yourself is nothing but gargling and hand waving if not done with understanding, intent, and the direction of magickal energy and power.

Regardie’s little book is usually ignored because most people involved in magick who should study it are young men who would rather learn the next ritual and “attack magick” and other stuff which is basically just mental masturbation that will keep them occupied until the next version of Call of Duty comes out. “Heal someone? I’m healthy and don’t need it. Why bother?”

I, too, strongly advice people who want to really learn magick rather than play at being Harry Potter wannabes, to study this booklet at length. However, I would suggest that you forget that it’s supposedly about healing. In actuality, healing is simply a magickal goal. You can easily replace the concepts of healing with any other magickal goal you can come up with.

This book, and the Middle Pillar, is a basic foundation for the practice of real ceremonial magick. Yes, it appears to be basic. But as you’re doing it was you’re really learning is the magickal foundation for metaphorical “Scratch out eyes. Break knee. Break nose. Pull arm from socket.”