STELLA COMES Now, by such arts as are known to those who have studied mysticism in any of its protean forms, Morris set himself to attempt communication with the unseen.

In their practice these arts are as superlatively unwholesome as in their result, successful or not, they are unnatural.
Also, they are very ancient.

The Chaldeans knew them, and the magicians who stood before Pharaoh knew them.

To the early Christian anchorites and to the gnostics they were familiar.

In one shape or another, ancient wonder-workers, Scandinavian and mediaeval seers, modern Spiritualists, classical interpreters of oracles, Indian fakirs, savage witch-doctors and medicine men, all submitted or submit themselves to the yoke of the same rule in the hope of attaining an end which, however it may vary in its manifestations, is identical in essence.
This is the rule: to beat down the flesh and its instincts and nurture the spirit, its aspirations and powers.