Sigils in
Theory and Practice
Introduction
This paper examines the use
of sigils for causing changes in the individual and their
environment, according to their will. The approach of chaos
magick is taken, where experiment and results are encouraged
over beliefs about the mechanism by which the change is effected.
Sigils Theory
The word ‘sigil’
is derived from the Latin, signum, a sign, and is also the
root of sigillum, a seal. It is part of our common English
words signature, sign and signal. It’s meaning can be
seen in three ways;
*A thing by which something
is made known or represented
*Anything visible that indicates the existence or approach
of something else
*Evidence of confirming, authorising (or shutting and securing)
something Sigils are commonplace.
In mundane terms, we use our
name as a representation of ourselves, we use a signature
as authorization, and we see traffic lights or signals as
evidence that a train is coming! A sigil is hence a visible
symbol, representing something else. In esoteric terms, we
have the signs of the Zodiac as representing abstract qualities
given to each sign. For example, the sign d represents qualities
of balance, harmony, justice, and so forth.
Magical literature is littered
with seals, symbols and sigils used for various purposes.
These are often drawn on talismans, staves, wands, pentacles,
or inscribed on robes during ritual. They can also be drawn
on the ground to act as magical circles of protection. However,
a sigil has a far more specific use to the practical magician,
and this is as a tool to effect changes in accordance with
will.
Sigils Working Definition
The esoteric artist, Austin
Osman Spare (1888-1956) defined sigils as “the means
of guiding and uniting the partially free belief.” By
‘partially free belief’ he meant anything desired
that was not yet an obsession. This reminds us of Aleister
Crowley’s injunction to work “without lust of
result.” That is to say, if the change you require to
take place is bigger than you, and you are not in control
of it, then you are unlikely to succeed in bringing it about.
Fanatical love or revenge spells rarely work if the person
is consumed by the desire. It is far easier to bring change
through already available channels in small ways than it is
to change the entire universe to suit you! It is easier to
work for promotion if you are already in a job; if you cast
a luck sigil, start playing games of chance; and if you do
decide on a love sigil, get out of the house more!
Sigils Working Models
There are many ways of describing
or explaining exactly how a sigil – or any magick –
works. These are fairly irrelevant to the chance of the spell
working. You do not have to believe anything to perform the
activities of sigil magick. Here are a few of the general
beliefs that can be adopted:
*Higher Powers - When you
cast a sigil you are calling upon unseen beings who can interact
with the visible universe and bring about the changes you
require. These beings have certain characteristics that you
must know to work with them.
*Magical - The universe is
connected by occult links, which can be mapped by correspondences.
Thus, by burning a red candle one can cause anger on the part
of another person without there being a visible connecting
agent.
*Unconscious - Our unconscious
mind is tied to the rest of our species. By focusing on the
desired aim we alert the racial mind to our need and it responds
accordingly, usually through the actions of others.
*Morphic Field - An invisible
field is generated or forms our species and that of other
species.
By casting a sigil we link to this field and cause resonant
changes in our environment.
*Retro-Temporal Engineering
- Time does not work in a linear fashion as we perceive it.
All events have and are happening at the same moment. By casting
a sigil we place ourselves in the universe where the desired
event is taking place, even if this means that events in the
apparent past must have happened to make the future event
transpire. The sigil affects both apparent past and future.
Sigils Practice
The creation of a sigil has
two phases; construction and casting. In the first part, the
sigil is planned, designed and created as a physical item
(although it can be created as a visualised sigil with the
same process), and in the second part, it is empowered to
make it live.
Construction Phase
Begin by stating your aim
in one sentence. If it is more complex, simplify it. As in
business, if you cannot state what you are aiming for in a
single sentence, you are making too much of a hard job of
it.
Start the sentence with “My
aim is …” or “My will is …”
For example, My will is to
meet someone who can advise me about my health problem.
Another useful rule is that
“You have to know it when you see it.” That is
to say, avoid vague statements such as “My will is to
be happy when my parents visit.” You must be able to
recognise immediately the result which has been aimed for.
In such a case, you might wish to redefine your aim as “My
will is to be able to stop drinking alcohol whilst my parents
visit.” Which will be far more easier to judge –
either you are or you aren’t.
We can construct the sigil
from a number of symbolic systems. In rune-lore, this is known
as loading. The basic rule is that all elements of the sigil
must be harmonious to both the aim in mind and each other.
Do not overload your design with the symbols of three hundred
traditions! The final result should feel right to you, whether
it is artistically pleasing or not. Use components from :
*Art
*Alphabets
*Correspondence
*Spoken Language (mantra) (In rune-lore known as Galdyr)
*Gestures (mudras)
*Numerology Order
For example, you could take
the 1st, 20th and 40th letter from the sentence and turn it
into a design, like MNT
You could further stylise
the design, adding other components to it. You could perhaps
paint it on a certain type of wood suited to healing, in a
healthy golden colour.
The next stage is to devise
a mantra to repeat in order to charge the sigil, which will
be covered later. This mantra can be derived from your basic
sentence, but must not remind you of your aim. The trick is
to bypass your conscious mind which can cloud the will by
creating imaginary views of success which then limit the nature
by which the spell can actually work. Thus, our health advisor
spell could have a mantra created for it like so:
Choose relevant key words
: -health-advice-meet-
Reversing the words gives
us : teemecivdahtlaeh
Which could be pronounced
as a mantra : TEEM EKI VAD LAAH
Casting Phase
There are a number of methods
by which a sigil – or any other spellform – can
be cast. Strangely enough, these boil down to variations of
sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll! The common element
to these methods, as with ritual, is a repetitive nature,
and the all-consuming manner by which their success takes
over the conscious mind. In a sense, they all tend to unity.
As we saw in our models of magick, if Unity is the natural
state of the universe, methods by which we achieve recognition
of that unity are likely to be closer to the mechanics of
the universe so that we can cause change.
*Sex - The use of sex to
charge the ritual can be done alone or with partner(s)
depending on your resources and preferences! The point of
orgasm is often used as the charging moment, but prolonged
sexual activity without orgasm can lead to a trance-like state
which also can be used.
*Drugs - Mind-altering chemicals
such as coffee can be used, but as with all techniques mentioned
here, seek advice if you use anything whose effects are unknown
to you.
*Rock n Roll - The use of
drums, white noise or repetitive synth-like sounds can lead
to the required state in which to cast a sigil. Clapping also
generates a rhythm and there are many tapes and CDs which
contain suitable music. Ensure that it is fairly distinct
music rather than merely background music.
*Ritual - The example which
follows ensures that the point at which the sigil should be
cast is easily recognised, whereas the methods above require
some finetuning, experiment and experience to get just right.
The advantage of ritual is that is formats such methods into
easily accessible techniques.
Sigil Ritual
Required : Paper, Marker Pen,
one large candle, one small candle per participant.
Time Required : 10-15 minutes.
*Sigil: Design the sigil
on the paper according to the methods described above. Don’t
be too worried if it doesn’t look right – as long
as it feels right it will be fine. If you have to redraw it
more than three times, abort the ritual and try it again another
day when your mind is clearer.
*Mantra: Derive a suitable mantra as described above. This
should be fairly comfortable to say and have a basic rhythmic
pattern.
*Exchange: If you are working with others, exchange your sigils.
This assists the process by which you become disassociated
with the aim. If you are doing it for someone else, you have
less attachment to the desired result.
*Repetition: Light the candles and arrange them in a circle
around the larger candle, or in front if you are working solitary.
Ensure that you can see your sigil and mantra. Start to chant
out your mantra as clearly and loudly as you can. After a
few moments, began to increase the speed of your repetition,
breathing faster as you do so.
*Clapping: As you increase the speed of the chant, begin to
clap, slowly at first, then as fast as the chant, and then
increase the speed of both until you have an almost continuous
nonsensical sound.
*Release: When you reach the point where you feel as if you
cannot speed the chant up, clap loudly once and blow out your
candle(s). Visualise the sigil being engulfed by the flame
of the candle and vanishing as you extinguish it.
*Disposal: Dispose of the sigil by burning or simply throw
it away, as it is merely a focus and not a consecrated object.
Record the ritual in your
diary or magical journal and record the results when they
take place. Review the ritual and the results after a month
to make any further observations that were not apparent at
the time.
Conclusion
As an example of results magick,
when this talk was given and the above ritual carried out,
one participant stated “It is my will to receive a gift
from someone within the week.” The very next day they
received a surprise free gift certificate from Amazon on-line
bookstore in the UK for £5, and an electronic equivalent
from Amazon in the USA for $10. This was used to buy a book
and a CD for the next set of talks!
Authors Details: Sigils in Theory and
Practice by Frater FP
Unknown Web Site |
More Articles On Sigils
(Sigils,
Servitors, and Godforms Part 1)
(Sigils,
Servitors, and Godforms Part 2)
(Sigils,
Servitors, and Godforms Part 3)
(Sigils,
Servitors, and Godforms Part 4)
(Sigils,
Servitors, and Godforms Part 5) |
