The Broken Seal and Other Cases

Fiction is an ideal vehicle for the communication of occult principle. Communicated in the form of a “story”, occult principle is more likely to slip past the sentinel of self-consciousness and find its way into the rich garden of sub-consciousness. Within this fertile garden, true occult principle can take root and grow into the full blossom of ripe Understanding. Indeed, a properly constructed occult story may verge upon the mythical and serve to bring the reader to Mysteries unapproachable by intellect. It is not a stretch to suggest that such a properly constructed story may lead to a type of Initiation. Such a story written with carefully chosen images may allow the reader to participate in certain Mysteries just like a candidate undergoing an effective Dramatic Ritual. The following stories written by Dr. Paul A. Clark are most entertaining and shed light upon a number of occult principles. In the tradition of Dion Fortune’s “The Secrets of Dr. Taverner”, Paul embodies little-known aspects of occult psychology in the form of fiction. Dion Fortune claimed that she used fiction to publish such aspects because if they were published as non-fiction “they would have no chance of hearing.” While reading these stories you may begin to feel like you really know some of the characters. This feeling may be due, in part, to Paul’s skilled use of character development; or it may be due, in part, to a realization that these characters have a life of their own; in any case, you are sure to be entertained. Enjoy!