The lesser banishing ritual
of the pentagram
Take a steel dagger in the right hand (or use
the index finger). Face EAST.
Perform the Cabbalistic Cross
as follows:
Imagine, at the first word
intoned, a brilliant white light descend from above.
Touch the forehead and vibrate ATEH (thou art)
Imagine that same brilliant
white light form a 6 inch diameter sphere just above the crown
of your head.
Touch the middle of the solar plexus and vibrate MALKUTH (Kingdom)
Imagine a shaft of light descending
from the Crown Sphere and descend to the feet where another
6 inch sphere expands just under your feet.
Touch the right shoulder and vibrate VE-GEVURAH (and Power)
Imagine a 6 inch sphere of
brilliant white light appear just next to the right shoulder.
Touch the left shoulder and vibrate VE-GEDULAH (and Glory)
Imagine a shaft of light emerge
from the right Sphere and cross your breast to expand and
form another Sphere at your left shoulder.
Clasp the hands before you and vibrate LE-OLAHM (for ever)
At this point imagine clearly
the cross of light as it extends through your body.
Hands as before, with the dagger between fingers, point up,
vibrate AMEN
Note: Any image or figure traced in the air with the finger,
dagger or other magical instrument, is to be imagined in brilliant
scintillating white Light. In more advanced working, other
colors may be used. Make sure that all images drawn are correct,
as brilliant as possible, and complete. The beginning and
end of a drawn Pentagram must come completely together.
Draw, in the air facing EAST, a banishing Earth Pentagram
as shown in the diagram, and bringing the point of the dagger
to the center of the Pentagram, vibrate the Name Y H V H (pronounced
YAHD HEY VAU HEY)
Imagine that your voice carries
forward to the LIMITS of the UNIVERSE.
Without moving the dagger
in any other direction, trace a semicircle before you as you
turn toward the SOUTH. Again trace the Pentagram, bring the
dagger to the center of it, and vibrate the Name ADNI, (pronounced
AH-DOH-NEYE)
Again, trace the semicircle
with the dagger to the WEST, trace the Penta- gram, bringing
the dagger to the center, and vibrate the Name AHIH, (pronounced
EH-YEH)
Then, turn towards the NORTH,
while tracing the circle, trace the Pentagram, bring the point
of the dagger to the center and vibrate the Name AGLA, (pronounced
either AH-GAH-LAH or ATAH GIBOR LE-OLAHM ADONAI)
Return to the EAST, completing
tracing the circle of brilliant white Light, bringing the
dagger point to the center of the EAST Pentagram.
Extend the arms in the form
of a cross, say: BEFORE ME (then vibrate) RAPHAEL (pronounced
RAH-PHYE-EHL)
Imagine a scintillating brilliant
white Archangel in front of you and facing you. In his/her
right hand is a magical Sword held with the point upright.
The background is a pale, pure, bright yellow. Cherubs can
be imagined near the Archangel. Imagine a gentle, refreshing
breeze, cleansing and purifying the air.
Then, say: BEHIND ME (then vibrate) GABRIEL (pronounced GAH-BREE-EHL)
Imagine a scintillating brilliant white Archangel behind you
and facing you, holding in their right hand an exquisite silver
Chalice. He/she is standing on a Cerulean-blue ocean and dolphins
or mermaids are nearby. Imagine feeling the mist and cool
spray of the ocean breeze.
Then, say: AT MY RIGHT HAND (then vibrate) MICHAEL (pronounced
MEE-CHYE-EHL)
Imagine a scintillating brilliant
white Archangel at your right, facing you, and holding in
their right hand a transparent scarlet red Wand with a scintillate
pure diamond top. Waves of scarlet, red-orange and orange
fire in the background. Also, SEKHMET, with a scarlet disk
above her head, emerald green Uraeus, scarlet dress from just
below breasts, tight-fitting, down to her ankles, is in the
flames. She holds, in her left hand, a scarlet-red lotus wand.
In her right hand, she holds an emerald-green ankh. Small
black salamanders can be seen moving among the flames. Imagine
you feel the heat and power emanating from the SOUTH.
Then, say: AT MY LEFT HAND (then vibrate) AURIEL (pronounced
AWE-REE-EHL)
Imagine a scintillating brilliant
white Archangel at your left, facing you, and holding between
their hands a Disk with a scintillating white Pentagram in
the center. The ground is russet-brown, the leaves of the
trees are olive-green, there are black shadows from the trees
in a number of places, and the light is citrine (light yellow-green.)
Feel the solidity of the Earth, and imagine the odor of the
leaves and muskiness of the ground.
Now, say: ABOUT ME FLAMES THE PENTAGRAMS, AND IN THE COLUMN
SHINES THE SIX-RAYED STAR.
Imagine the complete circle
of brilliant white light at whose quadrants are the 4 Pentagrams.
At the center is the Cabbalistic Cross of Light extended through
one's body.
Repeat the Cabbalistic cross, and, according to some occultists,
stamp your right foot at the conclusion of the complete operation.
The Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram is performed preliminary
to any magical operation and precedes the Invoking Ritual
of the Pentagram.
Note: The subject of the vibration of Names
of Power is discussed at length in other sources. The Names
should be pronounced inwardly in the breath, vibrating it
as much as possible and feeling that the whole body throbs
with the sound and sends out a wave of vibration directed
to the ends of the Earth, according to Regardie. Time and
continuous practice of the Ritual, once in the morning prior
to the Invoking Ritual, and once in the evening are standard
recommendations, and will produce the desired result. There
is no particular frequency or degree of volume that is suitable
for every individual. Each person must practice to find the
resonant vibration that will work for him/her. Some benefit
can be obtained by listening to the chants of Tibetan Monks
that can be found on cassette and CD. Other occultists assert
that definite somatic effects will manifest when the vibrated
Names are performed correctly, such as tingling in certain
areas of the body. I believe it is important to vibrate the
Names at the same time one imagines the Name in scintillate
white Light, rushing upward thru the body and outwards toward
the end of the Universe in the particular direction one is
working with. It is important to pronounce the Names correctly
and clearly and, according to Traditional Jewish sources,
never pronounce the Names casually, but only in Holy or Theurgic
Work. One is admonished to NEVER lower the hand or Magical
Instrument while tracing the Circle or at any other time,
unless specifically instructed to do so.
Further notes on:
The Lesser Banishing Ritual Of The Pentagram
1. As a form of communion with the Divine, the Invoking Ritual
should be used in the morning (preceded by the Banishing Ritual),
and the Banishing in the evening.
2. As an exersize in concentration:
Seated in meditation or lying down, formulate yourself standing
in a Magical Robe, holding the Magical Dagger. Imagine yourself
in this form to go to the EAST, feel yourself there by mentally
"touching" the wall, opening your "eyes",
stamping a "foot" on the floor, etc. Perform the
Qabalistic Cross and Pentagram Ritual exactly as you would
in physical reality, but perform it mentally, especially paying
attention to vibrating the Names and holding images clearly
in the mind. Observe the results in the Astral Light and,
when complete, imagine your mental self to walk back and stand
behind your physical body and will yourself to be reabsorbed
into it.
3. As a protective barrier
or to banish a negative force, obsessive thought or impure
magnetism: Give a mental image [such as a hybrid being representing
what the thought, force or entity feels like or how it affects
you] to the force, obcessive thought, impure magnetism, or
astral entity , project it with the Saluting Sign of a Neophyte
(of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn), and when the image
is about 3 feet away, prevent its return with the Sign of
Silence. (See Regardies: THE GOLDEN DAWN) Then imagine the
image or form in the EAST, before you, and perform the BANISHING
RITUAL of the PENTAGRAM, seeing it dissolve mentally on the
other side of the Ring of Fire, with the Pentagrams at the
four Quadrants. If advanced enough, different Elemental Banishings
appropriate to the Element associated with the thought, energy,
or entity may be used, otherwise, the Earth Banishing Ritual
of the Pentagram is used.
4. The history of the Pentagram
Ritual is somewhat obscure, according to recent occultists.
No other operations like it devolve from antiquity, says Regardie,
although some form must necessarily have been used for banishing.
According to Regardie, Eliphas Levi makes the first reference
to the Pentagram Ritual in TRANSCENDENTAL MAGIC: "The
sign of the Cross adopted by the Christians does not exclusively
belong to them. It is also Kabbalistic and represents the
oppositions and tetradic equilibrium of the Elements. There
were originally two methods of making it (the Cross); one
reserved for the priests and initiates, the other set apart
for the neophytes and profane. Thus, for example, the initiate,
raising his hand to his forehead said: 'Thine is', then brought
his hand to his breast, saying: 'the Kingdom', then, transferred
his hand to the left shoulder saying: 'Justice', and finally,
to the right shoulder, saying: 'and Mercy'. Then, joining
his hands together, added: 'through the generating age'. TIBI
SUNT MALCHUT ET GEBURAH ET CHESED PER AEONAS - a sign of the
cross which is absolutely and splendidly Kabbalistic, and
which the profanations of the Gnosis have entirely lost to
the official and militant church. The sign made in this manner
should precede and terminate the Conjuration of the Four".
That Levi's work is the first place that Regardie finds reference
to the Ritual is not surprising since, according to LEGENDA
DES FRERES AINES DE LA ROSE CROIX: Levi was the 52nd Imperator
of the Rose Croix, succeeding Lord Bulwar Lytton, 51st Imperator,
author of ZANONI, and succeeded by W. Wynn Westcott, 53rd
Imperator of the Rose Croix, Supreme Magus of the Societas
Rosicruciana in Anglia, and one of the founding Heads of the
Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
5. Tradition, still used in
Tibetan and Orthodox Jewish Kabbalistic circles, holds that
Names of Power should be vibrated , not merely spoken. Occultists
affirm that the student must discover this mode of pronouncing
the Words him/herself, since no two individuals are alike
and can produce the same vocalization. Some have used a high-pitched,
even shrill voice, to appropriate effect, while others affirm
a deeply resonated pitch or one that is slightly higher than
ordinary vocalization is most suitable. Some individuals even
vary the pitch during an Operation. Regardie, in THE MIDDLE
PILLAR, affirms that each syllable should be evenly vibrated,
no syllable being accentuated at the expense of another. A
number of occultists claim that the test of the proper "vibrating
of the Names" is that it should should be felt in every
part of the body, particularly in the hands and the soles
of the feet, where a distinct "tingling" sensation
will be felt upon vibrating the Names and Words forcibly,
but not necessarily loudly. Qabalistically, the manifestation
of Power and Light emanating downward on the Tree of Life,
begins in the Cardinal Signs of the Four Elements and ends
in the Mutable Signs that rule over the furthest extension
of each Elemental Power or Light in each corresponding Qabalistic
World. In the Microcosm or Man, the furthest extension of
the Light of each Element occurs in his limbs. Viz: Virgo,
in the hands; Gemini, in the arms; Pisces, in the feet; and
Sagittarius, in the thighs or legs.
6. Different imaging of the
Archangels at the four Quadrants of the Universe have been
described by various contemporary occultists. One has already
been given, which uses background colors and imagery that
is consonant with Hermetic and Rosicrucian Philosophy concerning
the four Elements and their Inhabitants. Other imaginings
involve the use of the Magical application of the Laws of
vibrating opposites, such as imagining the Archangels to be
clothed in garments of contrasting opposite colors that correspond
to the Element of a particular Quadrant. Another imaging involves
the analysis of the Hebrew letters that comprise the Name
of the Angel, Archangel or other entity. For Raphael, the
1st letter, RESH, is attributed to the Sun, so that the head
of Raphael has a Solar Glory about it; the 2nd letter, PEH,
is attributed to Mars, so that the body of Raphael is Martial
in appearance; and finally, the ALEPH-LAMED or EL which concludes
the Name is attributed to Elemental Air and Libra. This indicates
that, according to at least one occultist of note, the images
should weild the Sword and the Balance, the Sword being the
weapon of Air and the Balance attributed to Libra. Initially,
the student should imagine only what he/she is capable of
imaging clearly and brilliantly. At first, the forms will
appear to be static, almost posterlike images, but will gradually
take on a "living" quality of their own. Instead
of seeing, for example, an Archangel robed in scarlet red
and emerald green as if merely painted on a card, the student
will perceive a feeling, a sensation that "a power, an
intelligence" exists in the form he/she is imagining.
The robes may move and scintillate like shot silk, having
a peculiar vibratory appearance. The student may "feel"
the Element of the Archangel to manifest itself: in moving
breezes for AIR; the cool sensation of the Ocean mist, for
WATER; the powerful heat and Light for FIRE; and the solidity,
stability and muskiness for the EARTH Element. The inhabitants
of the Elements may appear on their own, as Salamanders for
FIRE; Undines or Mermaids for WATER; Sylphs or Churubic-like
figures for AIR; and small Gnome-like beings for EARTH. Some
of the techniques involve slight knowledge of Hebrew letters
and their Qabalistic correspondences in the Tarot, which some
esotericists assert to be the pictorial representation of
the Tree of Life extended in the Four Worlds. These techniques
can be used at a later time, and incorporated when one has
mastered the Hermetic/Qabalistic knowledge found in various
authors on Occult Philosophy. Manly Palmer Hall, although
encyclopedic in his knowledge concerning the Hidden Wisdom,
was very cautious when giving explicit instruction involving
MAGIA. Regardie and authors connected to the secret teachings
of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, such as Dion Fortune,
Paul Foster Case, Ann Davies, A.E. Waite, and others were
at times suggestive, sometimes obscure, purposefully or otherwise,
and sometimes quite open in revelation. A number of those
authors were violating their Magical Oaths of that Order by
disclosing certain Knowledge, others were intentionally veiling
their knowledge, while others knew little but pretended to
know much. The prudent student must be on their guard and
practice skepticism in regard to much that has been published
on "occultism". Other authors, sworn to secrecy
at initiation into various Orders, such as Papus, Eliphas
Levi, Stanislaus de Guita, and others, included intentional
"blinds" to lead the profane or uninitiated away
from true Gnosis.
To trace the Earth Banishing
Pentagram, according to certain occultists, use a small, straight-bladed
steel dagger, or index finger of the right hand, or a wand,
bring the outstreched right arm over and down to the left
side, to a point in front of the body corresponding to just
about the middle of the thigh. Move the arm and hand straight
upwards to a point directly above the head as far as the arm
will reach. Descend straight down towards the right side of
the body, coming to the point in front of the right thigh
that would correspond to the same point on the left side of
the Pentagram. These movements will have traced a large inverted
"V", about 2-3 feet high. Move the outstreched arm
over towards the left to slightly above the left shoulder,
as far to the left as your arm will go. Then, trace it horizontally,
straight across to a point just above the right shoulder and
as far as the arm went to the left, but no further, trace
the line to the right. And last, bring the arm and hand straight
down, diagonally, to connect back to where you started from.
This last part is very important, according to a number of
occultists: that the complete connection of the beginning
and ending of the lineal drawing of the Pentagram, both in
the imagination, and as drawn by the Magical Weapon is ABSOLUTELY
CRITICAL. This is true of all lineal figures traced in the
Astral Light.
| Authors Details: The Lesser
Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram Composed from various
sources related to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
by Mazohir. |
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