"Intuition is... related to sensory augntation?" Abel was slightly taken aback.
"Indeed." Madam Whitmore nodded. "Intuition, when linked to spirit energy, is more than just a feeling.
"It is the mind processing heightened perception at an unconscious level, allowing an Occultist to sense danger, predict movents, and even perceive the supernatural."
Abel’s eyes flashed with understanding and he thought to himself, I see... So that’s what it was!
Even back inside the Spirit Crucible, I had relied mostly on my intuition to navigate the First Trial. And every ti I chose to trust my intuition, I was always right!
He looked at the elderly woman and nodded. "Thank you for explaining that to , Madam Whitmore."
Madam Whitmore nodded. "Always trust your instincts. No matter how improbable a situation may seem, intuition is rarely wrong."
"I understand." Abel nodded solemnly, his mind imdiately wandering towards the existence of the cursed coin.
After a few monts, Madam Whitore began teaching once again, "Apart from alchemy and astrology, ritual arts also depend on precise geotry and other components, and specific tools."
"Geotry?" Abel was slightly taken aback. "So mathematics is also involved in the occult?"
Madam Whitmore chuckled, "So scientists would have you believe that mathematics is the sacred language of the universe."
She paused for a mont before adding, "But to answer your question, yes. Geotry plays a vital role in ritual arts. The more complex and precise the shape, the stronger and more refined the supernatural outco."
The elderly woman placed the pipe back on the table. She then reclined in her seat and closed her eyes, continuing her lecture. It was like she knew the occult knowledge like the back of her hands.
"Circle, the foundation of all rituals, represents containnt, protection, and the unity of spirit energy.
"Triangle, a stabilizer of power, is essential for summoning and binding. The square embodies order and permanence."
She gestured subtly with her hands. " The pentagram, the five-pointed star, governs balance and mastery over the five elents. The hexagram, in turn, is used to amplify rituals.
"And lastly, the septagram... a symbol reserved for the most advanced ritual arts. It is bound to the seven planets and channels forces far beyond the mundane."
Abel couldn’t help but blurt out, "Ritual arts actually require us to study so many different things?"
Madam Whitmore slowly opened her eyes and spoke with slight contempt in her voice, "If it were so easy, dear boy, then wouldn’t everyone be using it?"
She paused for a mont before adding, "I ant it when I said ritual arts are the most fascinating of the three pillars. Consider this, astrology grants self-understanding and foresight.
"Alchemy, with its deep roots in herbalism, potions, and dicines, seeks transformation. But ritual arts? That is the purest manifestation of intent! It is the most versatile of them all.
"A true Occultist can shape it to serve any purpose, whether it is divination, empowernt, summoning, sealing... even banishnt."
With every word the elderly woman spoke, she grew more and more passionate. "While astrology may provide insight into the cosmic flow of energies, and alchemy may allow for transformation and healing, but ritual arts? They can integrate both and more!
"Its flexibility in weaving together the teachings of the other two pillars, combined with its power to manifest direct change, makes it the most versatile and practical discipline an Occultist could ever hope to master!"
Abel had never seen Madam Whitmore so animated before. She was always the calm and aloof Occultist who seed to know everything there was to know about the supernatural.
But today, for the first ti, he was able to see the child-like wonder and excitent in the elderly woman’s gray eyes.
She was clearly a ritual arts fanatic!
Seeing Abel glance at her with a dumbfounded look on his face, Madam Whitmore cleared her throat and reclined in her seat again.
"Now that I’ve given you a brief introduction to the role of geotry in ritual arts, let us move on to the other essential components and tools required," she said in her usual calm voice.
"...Yes, madam." Abel nodded in a daze.
"I’ve already told you about the planetary sigils, dear boy. These, naturally, are among the essential components of ritual arts," she continued.
"Sigils must always be inscribed onto the tals favored by their respective planets. However, so rituals demand a different approach—carving them directly into the ground."
She paused for a mont, taking another drag from the pipe before continuing. "Candles, too, are indispensable. Their colors are not rely for aesthetics. Each color carries intent, shaping the ritual’s purpose.
"Then there are chalks and inks, used to etch sigils and geotric patterns. So inks are infused with special ingredients for added potency. Then there are sacrificial offerings—"
"Sacrificial offerings?!" Abel blurted out in shock.
"It is not what you are thinking," said the elderly woman, shaking her head. "Sacrificial offerings do not always demand blood. It could be incense, rare herbs, or supernatural items. It is not rely about what is given, but the intent behind the act."
She then rose to her feet and walked towards the bookshelf, retrieving a few books. A few monts later, she returned to her seat and placed three books on the table.
"This one," she said, pointing at the first leather-bound book and explaining, "contains knowledge pertaining to Enochian."
Her hand moved to the next book. "This one holds the fundantals of astrology and its role in ritual arts."
Then, she pointed at the third book. "And this details ritual components and tools, as well as their corresponding principal planets."
Madam Whitmore then reached for her leather satchel kept beside her on the sofa and retrieved a diary from it. She placed it on the table as well and explained, "This contains my personal notes, insights that will aid you in your study of Enochian."
Abel’s eyes lit up. "May I take them all with ?"
"Only these two concerning Enochian. The others, you shall study here in this room. That being said, I shall permit you to co to this room whenever you wish," said the elderly woman. "See to it that you make good use of this privilege."
"Alright!" Abel was more than happy with this arrangent.
Suddenly, Madam Whitmore’s expression turned extrely solemn and she said, "Abel, you must tread with utmost caution when practicing the ritual arts.
"As remarkable as they may seem, they are not without peril. A single misstep, a mont of carelessness, and you may find yourself at the rcy of forces far beyond your control. The consequences... can be terrifying."
"I understand, Madam Whitmore." Abel nodded, sounding slightly nervous. "I won’t practice the ritual arts until and unless I have more than a rudintary grasp over it. I promise you."
"And one more thing, dear boy," said the elderly woman, her expression extrely grave.
"Under no circumstance, none whatsoever, are you to dabble in forbidden knowledge or allow yourself to be ensnared by eldritch rituals."
She paused for a mont, letting the weight of her words settle in the youth’s mind.
"The price for such a folly is more than you can ever fathom."
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