I

Here is Nothing under its three forms. It is not, yet informeth all things.

L

Now cometh the glory of the Single One, as an imperfection and stain.

C

But by the Weak One the Mother was it equilibrated.

H

Also the purity was divided by Strength, the force of the Demiurge.

X

And the Cross was formulated in the Universe that as yet was not.

T

But now the Imperfection became manifest, presiding over the fading of perfection.

Y

Also the Woman arose, and veiled the Upper Heaven with her body of stars.

P

Now then a giant arose, of terrible strength; and asserted the Spirit in a secret rite.

A

And the Master of the Temple balancing all things arose; his stature was above the Heaven and below Earth and Hell.

J

Against him the Brothers of the Left-hand Path, confusing the symbols. They concealed their horror [in this symbol]; for in truth they were

W

The master flamed forth as a star and set a guard of Water in every Abyss.

O

Also certain secret ones concealed the Light of Purity in themselves, protecting it from the Persecutions.

G

Likewise also did certain sons and daughters of Hermes and of Aphrodite, more openly

Z

But the Enemy confused them. They pretended to conceal that Light, that they might betray it, and profane it.

B

Yet certain holy nuns concealed the secret in songs upon the lyre.

F

Now did the Horror of Time pervert all things, hiding the Purity with a loathsome thing, a thing unnameable.

S

Yea, and there arose sensualists upon the firmament, as a foul stain of storm upon the sky.

M

And the Black Brothers raised their heads; yea, they unveiled themselves without shame or fear.

N

Also there rose up a soul of filth and of weakness, and it corrupted all the rule of the Tao.

E

Then only was Heaven established to bear sway; for only in the lowest corruption is form manifest.

R

Also did Heaven manifest in violent light,

Q

And in soft light.

V

Then were the waters gathered together from the heaven,

K

And a crust of earth concealed the core of flame.

D

Around the globe gathered the wide air,

U

And men began to light fires upon the earth.

Therefore was the end of it sorrow; yet in that sorrow a sixfold star of glory whereby they might see to return unto the stainless Abode; yea, unto the Stainless Abode.