Greetings, In order to enhance the effects of both the Lesser Banishing and Greater Pentagram rituals I am seeking advice on how to better clear my mind before the rituals begin. Sometimes I feel drained after these rituals rather than empowered..... Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely, Simmah
Sincerely, Simmah
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Re: Lesser Banishing Ritual
Sat, September 29, 2007 - 10:44 AMI can think of two suggestions. One is to use the Three Keys to Heaven from Sacred Geometry (pyramid/triangle, cube/square, sphere/circle) to ground yourself. There is a quick meditation you can do with these. Send me a message if you would like it.
The second idea is to do some chanting. Using something like 'Ohm Mani Padme Hum' or another mantra that works for you. Chant that for a few minutes to center you and clear your mind, then head into the rituals.
Good Luck! -
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Re: Lesser Banishing Ritual
Sat, September 29, 2007 - 1:00 PMAdd a daily Middle Pillar, so you can feed from the Void as Source...the primordial Ground.
Iona
zero-point.tripod.com/holisti...0-2.html
The Banishing Ritual and Psychological Orientation
In the realm of sacred space, its most striking manifestation is religious man's will to take his stand at the very heart of the real, at the center of the World, that is, exactly where the cosmos came into existence and began to spread out toward the four horizons, and where, there is possibility of communication with the gods, where he is closest to the gods. Every religious man places himself at the Center of the World and by the same token at the very source of absolute reality, as close as possible to the opening that ensures him communication with the gods.
--Mircea Eliade/The Sacred and the Profane
The Banishing Ritual and Middle Pillar Exercise are particularly effective because they are a ritual enactment of the basic Creation Myth. In his book, The Sacred and the Profane, Mircea Eliade states,
The creation of the world becomes the archetype of every human gesture, whatever its plane of reference may be. Every construction or fabrication has the cosmogony as paradigmatic model.
Techniques of orientation, or aligning oneself to the directions, are designed for the construction of sacred space. The more closely a ritual reproduces the work of the creator gods, the more effective it is in producing the appropriate results.
The model for the creation of sacred space begins from a center and projects horizons in the four cardinal directions: East-West, North-South. This model has been followed throughout history when settling new territory or in the founding of cities. Any individual resides at the center of his/her own existence.
This quadrated circle sets up the conditions necessary for us to enter into the sacred time/space of the archetypes. We may contact the gods through the medium of the sacred pole or cosmic pillar. The Middle Pillar Exercise is a particularized form of this sacred connection.
Sacred time appears under the paradoxical aspect of circular time, reversible and recoverable, a sort of mythical eternal present that is periodically reintegrated by means of rites.
When we enter this psychic region, we experience the feeling of immortality, since our soul is in a time which is equivalent to the "beginning." The principle characteristics of sacred space include the following:
(a). A break in the homogeneity of space;
(b). This break is symbolized by an opening where passage from one cosmic region to another is facilitated (i.e. between heaven and earth, earth and the underworld);
(c). Communication with heaven is expressed by variants of the Cosmic Pillar, which stands erect at the Center of the World.
This Pillar is a useful symbol for the Ego-Self Axis, or the connection between the conscious and subconscious principles of existence. Forming the link between ego-consciousness and the Self, it represents both aspects of the soul working together in harmony. It is known in Magick as the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel.
The Banishing and Middle Pillar Exercises conform precisely to the creation myth. Since a myth is a paradigmatic model, one can easily understand how it can be a very effective exercise. It establishes your relationship to the cosmos and your conscious relationship to totality. Eliade has said:
What men do on their own initiative, without a mythical model, belongs to the sphere of the profane; hence, it is a vain and illusory activity, in the last analysis, unreal. The more religious a man is, the more paradigmatic models he possesses to guide his attitudes and actions.
With this in mind, we may examine how the Banishing Ritual produces an effective orientation and transformation in the psyche of the aspirant.
1). Construct a circle. In order to "ground" our imagery of the surrounding circle, it is necessary to have a physical model in the beginning of magickal practice. Hammer a spike into the dirt. Extend a string from it which is used for a radius, and inscribe a circle in the dirt. If you have no suitable place which is private enough, purchase two 4'x8' masonite panels and paint a portable model on your floor. Walk around in the circle to get a "feel" for your working area. By placing your body in the circle, you will get a feeling for your special spot, then later this circle is internalized. Visualization will allow you to set up your circle at will, once its lineaments are firmly in mind.
In alchemy, this sacred area was created through a process known as circumambulatio. It promotes focus or concentration on the center. An indirect approach to the center was provided through circumambulatio. In setting off the circumference of your magical circle, you enact this primary deed. It prepares the mind for the influx of archetypal energies. The circle is a receptive, feminine symbol. For a brief exercise, dance slowly into the center, proceeding with a spiral motion.
2). Return to the center of the circle. Imagine a stream of white light flowing into your body from above. This scintillating rod of light penetrating the body, is the masculine force of the spirit. It traverses the planes of existence from spirit to matter. It transforms and connects instinct to archetype. The light may be visualized as extending from a point above the head, widening into a cone shape which is widest at the feet.
3). Perform the Qabalistic Cross (facing East). This affirms the basic structure of The Tree of Life, interpenetrating the physical body, and ordering processes.
1. Touch the forehead, say ATOH (Thou art).
2. Bring the hand down toward the feet, saying MALKUTH.
3. Touching the left shoulder, say VE-GEDULAH.
4. Touching the right shoulder, VE-GEVURAH.
5. Crossing the hands over the breast, say LE-OLAHM.
AMEN
This is repeated when closing the circle at the end of your rite.
4). Orientation Ritual. There are several extant variations on the theme of the Banishing rite. These include The Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram, and Lesser Ritual of the Hexagram, used in the defunct Order of the Golden Dawn, and the active Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.). (20) Another variation is the Setting of the Wards of Power in the Aurum Solis (A..S..). (21)
These rituals begin by quadrating the circle. One form (Golden Dawn) proceeds to the right, turning clockwise E. - S. - W. - N. The other, (Aurum Solis) moves to the left to clear the area, and then to the right to invoke the angels. Since it is traditional that a widdershins movement (leftward or counterclockwise) is a banishing movement, and clockwise motion invokes forces, this detail of the A..S.. ritual seems preferred.
The quadrated circle symbolizes the wholeness of four elements united in the center. This sets up a field with two polarities, synthesized in a central unifying principle. Four is the minimum number of divisions of a circle which represents wholeness.
The four (forms), as it were, a frame for the one, accentuated as the centre...By unfolding into four it acquires distinct characteristics and can therefore be known...So long as a thing is in the unconscious it has no recognizable qualities and is consequently merged with the universal unknown, with the unconscious All and Nothing...But as soon as the unconscious content enters the sphere of consciousness it has already split into the "four," that is to say it can become an object of experience only by virtue of the four basic functions of consciousness. It is perceived as something that exists (sensation); it is recognized as this and distinguished from that (thinking); it is evaluated as pleasant or unpleasant, etc. (feeling); and finally, intuition tells us where it came from and where it is going...The splitting into four has the same significance as the division into the horizon into four quarters, or the year into four seasons. That is, through the act of becoming conscious the four basic aspects of a whole judgement are rendered visible. (22)
In alchemy, the center was the quintessence, or spiritual aspect of matter, which is the basis of the elements. A mandala is a magical circle representing ultimate unity of inner and outer reality. The magical circle is a tool for experiencing the rationally unknowable. The four principles which the aspirant manifests include:
1. openness, or receptivity;
2. plurality of consciousness, or a condition of multiple possibilities;
3. engagement, where the individual confronts the continuum with "right action" or personal intervention;
4. integrability, which indicates a digestible amount of experience of cosmic consciousness.
A unique moment of perfection emerges from the latent continuum. The intervention of this ordering principle promotes realization in consciousness of the underlying unity in creation.
The stable, cohesive nature of the boundary of the circle is represented by its division into 4 parts. 'Four' is the number which represents the soul. 'One' represents God, or God-Realization. Giordano Bruno, 16th Century alchemist, defined magic as "that which unites the soul with God through love." So, this basic orientation ritual is a graphic representation of the unification of material and spiritual realms through mutual interpenetration. The aspirant is the nexus point of the operation where these principles are commingled. Spirit is manifested, and matter ennobled. The soul is protected from disintegrative influence and reconstituted positively, using right action and visualization.
This timeless world is conducive to synchronistic or parapsychological phenomena. This doesn't mean miraculous manifestations of desires or ego-control fantasies. This realm operates on determined patterns of probability. Its proper use is for meditation which leads the personality toward inner concentration and unification.
NO MAGIC SHOULD EVER BE PERFORMED OUTSIDE OF A CONSECRATED CIRCLE.
Anthropologists have noted that ritual and play cannot be separated in primitive civilizations. They interpenetrate and overlap one another. Rituals and games are alike in that both require complete sincerity and complete detachment from wishes and desires. To avoid the trap of "cheating", one has to be passionately involved, but sacrifice any personalistic desire. This reflects a basic religious attitude. Rituals and games need fixed rules and certain specific images to govern their proper unfolding, but they are not completely rigid. A certain amount of playful personal freedom is inherent in the unique artistic execution of a rite or game. Do not conduct your ritual mechanistically; an error in form is more excusable than a faulty approach or attitude. Try to cultivate and maintain a joyous, playful orientation.
Magick is called the Great Work, because what "works" is that which has the power to transform...not because it is conducted in a spirit of disciplined drudgery.
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Re: Lesser Banishing Ritual
Sat, September 29, 2007 - 1:03 PMFeed your fieldbody.
io
Psychic Equilibration and the Middle Pillar Exercise
To my mind, the exercise described as the Middle Pillar is the groundwork of all actual developmental work. It is a process which is the basis of Magic. That this has been but seldom realized is obviously at the root of the futile attempts to do Ceremonial and perform Ritual, of which the general public hears every now and again. Even students of Magic of many years standing have been guilty of negligence in this respect, and also in failing to recommend it to their successors.
--Israel Regardie/The Middle Pillar
The circuit of the Tree of Life represents All possible experiences of human existence. The spheres represent modes of being, while paths are transitional phases between them. The Middle Pillar Exercise circulates the consciousness of the aspirant around all these aspects. The practice of its visualization begins activating only the spheres of the Middle Pillar, in line with the vertical axis of the body. Later, when some proficiency has been acquired, the spheres of the side pillars are added. We then have the entire diagram of the Tree interpenetrating, and ordering all planes from physical to spiritual. This is a fairly profound image produced with a minimum of graphic elements.
Intonation, or vibration, of the God-names makes it easier to drop into the theta and alpha state which Middle Pillar encourages. They are not sung, but rather droned or chanted so that a tingling resonance can be felt to emanate from the corresponding physical center. Experiment with the pitch of your voice to produce a rich, sonorous tone. Put feeling in it, and add your own dramatic interpretation. You set up a feedback system with yourself, and the more often the sequence from intonation to brain wave pattern is reinforced, the easier it will become for you to create this state. Eventually, the aspirant could perform the exercise in the most distracting of situations without loss of concentration.
The goal of Middle Pillar Exercise is the eventual formation of the Philosopher's Stone, or Diamond Body. Many phases of transformation are necessary to work toward this task. One of the operations necessary for the production of the stone is the alchemical circulatio, or circulation of consciousness around the aspects of being. This circulation of the light (consciousness) unites diverse centers. This circulation of one's true, creative, formative energies produces a sense of joy and intoxication, as if one had been freshly bathed. It opens up the reality of an inner world, which serves to break the soul's dependence on the phenomenal world.
Circulation fixes the light. In fact, it builds a body of light, which makes the enlightenment a permanent condition. The light must be visualized as permeating the body, not only inside or outside. While the light means clarity, perception and enlightenment of understanding, as you circulate it around your body, there should be a perceptible physical sensation, as well. Once you begin your meditation, there should be no interruptions; end and beginning are one. To be effective at all, the confirmation in the light should last for a minimum of 15 minutes. Circulatio, or circulation of the light, combines the alchemical operations of sublimatio and coagulatio. Sublimation means generally to have an ennobling effect, and coagulation means to solidify.
During circulatio, one sublimates body and coagulates spirit. Circulation around the aspects of being leads to an equilibrium where one is contained within the opposites. Spirit penetrates soul, and soul envelops spirit. When spirit and soul unite, thoughts are immobilized. The soul "crystallizes" and spirit becomes an effective influence in the personality. This is real-I-zation of the Diamond Body, or Self. The phenomena which used to be experienced as (external or internal light) is now perceived as psychic revelation.
This balancing is a delicate process. It must be performed by the right person at the right time. Sublimatio consists of spirit and soul ascending and descending from lower to higher, and higher to lower, in the imaginal realm. Through it, the spirit hidden in matter becomes visible. Sublimatio is the alchemical form of resurrection.
Sublimatio, psychologically, is the process of raising concrete, personal experience to a higher level, a level of abstract or universal truth. Coagulatio, in contrast, is the concretization or personal realization of an archetypal image. (23)
Sublimatio is a vertical, solar activity. Coagulatio is feminine, or lunar in quality. Excess quantities of either of these potencies may have destructive effects. This is the value of a balancing ritual. The solar-libido, which is creative and life-promoting, may be experienced as scorching dryness or fiery anger. The lunar-libido also has negative forms, which are literal "bring downs." These modes of psychic energy have a wide range of powerful effects on human experience.
Through disciplined use of a balancing ritual, the solar-principle provides an increase in understanding and an expanded field of awareness. The Stone's lunar portion materializes elusive intuitions and spiritual potential. One submits willingly to the transpersonal totality of psyche. This marriage produces the Philosopher's Stone through circulation.
Sublimatio is the vertical, Middle path and corresponds with the element Air. In QBL, Shekinah is the Middle Pillar. She meditates the ascents and descents of the soul and spirit. Through her, the ten spheres of the Tree of Life slowly sublimate into Kether, the Crown (Primordial Air). The "ascents and descents" of the soul are characterized in ancient lore as Angels. An example of this imagery is the story of Jacob's Ladder.
The Supernal Triad (top 3 spheres of the Tree of Life) represents the three aspects of knowledge: the Crown, Wisdom (the Knower), and Understanding (that which is known). In Kether, the Crown, all opposites reside in total union. It reconciles oppositions which are distributed throughout the other spheres.
One may be redeemed through this self-knowledge. But there is great danger in direct revelation of the archetypal psyche. The danger lies in calling up the pure archetype, which ego-consciousness is never able to assimilate or integrate. Therefore, never invoke Spheres, but always use Pathworking. If one succumbs to the disintegrative effect, the personality is annihilated in the Abyss of the transcendent imagination. This is the psychological equivalent of drowning. The alternative is release from the personal ego attitude toward active participation within the archetypal dimension. Behavior does not become archetypal. It already is, if only you care to notice.
Dreams, Active Imagination, and the practice of Ceremonial Magick may be seen as forms of coagulatio. In the process of circulatio, there is a resurrection of the Soul of Body. Images are an expedient mode of access to the knowledge of the soul, as it circulates rhythmically throughout every cell of the body.
The body becomes subtle and spirit gains body. One is able to maintain daily functions in the ordinary world without losing intimate contact with the archetypal dimension. In fact, this connectedness to daily life is essential to balance soul-travel in the archetypal realms. Maintain ordinary pursuits except during the allotted meditation period.
This indirect penetration to the core-of-being produces fulfillment. One may use conscious, purposeful action to intentionally produce experience of unconscious non-action which is purposeless. This is a natural preparation for death, the experience of awareness without the constraints of time/space.
The dynamic activity associated with ego-conscious (the desire to know, to penetrate and illumine) culminates in a cessation of effort. The rational process of controlling imagination defers to another power. This experience of silence and tranquility is known as Shekinah, or Sophia, Divine Wisdom. This means there is an emptying of the personal attachments of the ego. Man then experiences a timeless incarnation of the universal aspect of being.
The alchemical process described through this circular thinking is imaginatio. This indicates an abstraction from concentration and active fantasy. Its negentropic effects are a product of the Self. "Free-energy" enters the field of time when it leaves the archetypal world. In sublimatio-coagulatio, something new is created, and negentropic potential becomes available. This is commonly described to have a cleansing, or healing effect.
Through sublimation, the spirit hidden in matter becomes visible. "Primitive thinking" or anima consciousness (a diffuse awareness of potentials), is more suited to maintaining opposites in harmony while this ordering process continues along mythical patterns. It might be thought of as an archetypal ordering process, a "Way." When disorder is not ordered by archetypal processes, it falls to the ego.
A middle path between "primitive thinking" and directed, goal-oriented (ego) thought points to the type of sublimation which Jung speaks of in Aion. The ego system has a linear form of segmented, irreversible time implanted as a result of the directed thinking and historical development of the self. A relationship between the ego and the self is possible through the transcendent function. This is not built up with directed thinking, but with circular thinking, the negentropic source: imagination.
Middle Pillar Exercise provides a fail-safe, balanced form of participation in the realm of imagination, which is central to psychology, alchemy, magick, and physics. If, for some reason, you dislike using Hebrew God-names, correspond the qualities of these spheres with god-names from another Pantheon. It is best, however, to pick a pantheon and stick with it, for consistency.
BALANCING RITUAL: The Middle Pillar Exercise (for alignment with the higher Self)
Visualize a brilliant ball of white light above your head. The ball is to be about 1 1/2 to 2 ft. in diameter, just above the head. As you visualize, chant "EH-HE-YEH" three times, quite slowly. If you do it correctly, you resonate within your own body, causing physiological and psychological changes.
Next, imagine a rod of light descending through your head to your throat. It changes colors there and becomes pale lavender. The ball of light is visualized as the same size, only the color changes. Chant "YE-HOH-VOH E-LOH-HEEM three times.
The ball then travels down to the center of the chest. The color changes to gold. Chant "YE-HOH-VOH E-LOAH-VA-DA-ATH", three times, slowly.
Once a concurrent visualization of the centers is obtained, and the sequence of chants finished, the ball travels back up through the body to the head. From the head a stream of energy goes down the left arm, left leg, the entire left side of the body, coming back to the head via the right side of the body. This energy then travels down the from of your body, coming back to the head via the right side of the body. This energy then travels down the front of your body, through the feet, and comes back up to the head via the spine. At that point, it becomes a fountain, spewing forth multicolored light, after spiraling up from the feet a third time.
When the energy is moving downward, you should exhale; when it is moving back towards the head, moving upward, you should inhale. When the ball is at your feet, in the beginning of the exercise, it may be expanded to include the entire sphere of the earth, as the god-form is literally The Lord of the Earth.
The visualized colors, and vibratory nature of the chanted god-names, turn on the endocrine system. The harmonization of right brain and left brain functions is symbolized in the harmonious blending of the circulation.
Frequent (once daily, minimum) practice of the middle pillar, doing the visualizations and doing the chants, will create an energy reservoir which balances the personality, promotes growth, initiates repair or healing, and builds a reserve for times of stress. It forms the basis of a firm foundation for further experiments in self-transformation.
Middle Pillar Exercise provides a fail-safe, balanced form of participation in the realm of imagination, or the psyche. A practice of this type, whether a psychological exercise or a magical rite is central to psychology, alchemy, magick, and physics. It forges a conscious link with our Source, and a road or means of communication for consciousness to travel along--it is a Way. Through it we come to know and understand our inner guiding principle and work toward realizing our Divinity. Tiphareth represents our inner guiding principle, but Kether is our sainthood, or Mastership. The Middle Pillar links up the various up the various aspects of our Being from Body-consciousness, to Ego-consciousness, to Self-Realization, mystical experience, and Perfection. The gulf between our animalistic nature and our incarnation of Divinity in the Master-soul is symbolically expressed by the vertical column of Middle Pillar.
THE MIDDLE PILLAR EXERCISE may be corresponded with Tiphareth, since it seeks to align us with the higher Self. The establishment of a conscious dialogue between the ego and the Self is the goal of both Jungian Psychology and High Magick. We can consciously work toward this goal. Its psychological aspect deals with establishing an "ego-Self axis" or line of communication. Likewise, in Magick the same vertical connection between the mundane and transcendent is sought. This seeking is active and a procedure has been established to realize the goal. The procedure is a visualization exercise wherein we build the Tree of Life within our physical, astral, causal, and divine Selves.
Middle Pillar Exercise concerns spheres known as #1 Kether; Daath; #6 Tiphareth; #9 Yesod; and #10 Malkuth.(see diagram, next page.) The ancient philosophers who developed this system created a symbolic means of depicting how to gain control over your emotions enough to remain poised in detachment from the dual pull of the opposites. This develops within you a new faculty for discrimination and spiritual discernment. The mind moves from the superficial to the depths wherein lie creativity and meaning. "The Secret of Wisdom can be discerned only from the place of balanced power, "--that is between the two outer pillars, along the Middle Pillar where all transformations of consciousness occur! This is freedom from emotional compulsion, and yields equanimity.
This central point between the two symbolic pillars of the opposites, the place of balanced power from which the working is correctly viewed, is the implication of DAATH, the shadowy Sphere. Doing Middle Pillar, you magically create the sphere DAATH as an imaginal gateway to mystical experience--another dimension of experience. It is a new factor of adaptation or equilibrium, not a given within the basic scheme. It is the result of actively seeking, then experiencing, the transpersonal Divine through grace. It is this new factor of adjustment which is known variously as the Golden Flower, Rosy Cross, Philosopher's Stone, Diamond Body, etc. and is linked with Tiphareth as the seat of conscious awareness of the higher Self.
To the central spheres and shadowy Daath are attributed five Divine Names of God. They are the Names of God on each of the five planes expressing the vibratory rates of various grades or degrees of consciousness. No religious or metaphysical theory attaches to the employment of these names--they come from the Judeo-Christian system. You can be any religion and employ them without conflict. They are keys which open doors to different parts of our being, the existence of which hitherto we have been kept in ignorance. The words should be committed to memory:
1. KETHER (brilliant ball of white Light above head): AHIH (pronounced Eh-hay-yeh)
DAATH (ball of lavender-blue light at the throat) YHVH ALHIM (pronounced Ye-hoh-voh E-Loh-heem)
6. TIPHARETH (ball of brilliant golden light at heart) YHVH ALOAH ve-DAAS (Ye-hoh-voh El-oah ve-Da-as)
9. YESOD (violet sphere at genitals) SHADDAI AL CHAI (Shah-dai El Chai)
10. MALKUTH (olive green or black sphere under the feet) ADNI HARTZ (Ah-doh-nai ha-Ah-retz)
Kether refers to our latent God-Realization of sainthood; Daath is a symbolic link, self-induced and self-devised, between the Divine Genius and the ego. Tiphareth is Self-Realization; Yesod is ordinary emotional consciousness; Malkuth, body awareness. they symbolize your heights and depths. Middle Pillar brings in a charge of spiritual force, which is realized in consciousness. It brings Godhead into incarnation.
THE MIDDLE PILLAR
Middle Pillar consists of several phases: First the preliminary establishment of rhythmic breathing. Second, the formulation of the five centers through vibrating the God Names. And third, circulation of the Divine force throughout the psychic system. After months of practice you can extend the scope of your effort by adding the spheres of the two side columns as well. Remember, while vibrating the Divine Name of each sphere to contemplate in full consciousness on the implications of the sphere, i.e. its spiritual qualities and its relation to your own divine consciousness. Also, DAATH, as the link between your ego and Sainthood is very important. At Tiphareth, we realize the Self and can take up an I-Thou dialogue with it. Yet, we don't merge with the Self, or God, or become perfected until Kether, when the final traces of duality are annihilated--therefore the ego is annihilated or transcended. You become a timeless incarnation of the universal aspect of Being.
METHOD: Stand upright, hands to side, eyes closed, breathing rhythmically and deeply. Wait until the mind is calm, quiet, and still. Transfer your attention to the region immediately above the crown of your head, and visualize a great sphere of brilliant white radiant Light. When the visualization is obtained, regard it with a sense of devotion since it is the vital core of your Being, the living spark of Divinity. It is pure Light and power. Vibrate three of four times EHEIEH (Eh-hay-yeh), which means "I AM" or "I WILL BE." Steadfast in the contemplation of this Divine Source of power and enlightenment, endeavor to feel an all-penetrant beam of brilliance which is travelling downward toward your throat or nape of neck. Light becomes a lavender-blue sphere as you vibrate Ye-hoh-voh Eh-loh-heem, repeatedly. A quite indescribable sense of poise and mental quiescence should be experienced.
The brilliant beam then descends to the heart or region of solar plexus, and from there a warmth and a quite different sense of powerful love will gently radiate from within like an interior sun. Vibrate the Name, Ye-hoh-voh El-oah ve-Da-ath, several times. It is felt within the interior of the body, at its very heart. As you pass from contemplation of the heart to the generative organs, they will become stimulated or "turned on." Visualize the bright violet sphere and vibrate Shah-dai El-Chai. After arousing this center, the beam of Light passes downwards to the feet; this negative pole of Middle Pillar automatically appeared when Kether was formulated, but now we concentrate here on the olive drab or jet black sphere, and vibrate Ah-doh-nai ha-Ah-retz. We have brought down light into the personality, even the body.
Now circulation of the Light becomes necessary. Having been awakened from latency into some degree of activity, it is necessary that the power the centers generate should be circulated throughout the invisible or psychic system, or nervous disorders and psychic disturbance could result. Circulation distributes the power and relieves the pressure of over-stimulation. With everyone of the five centers active and throwing power into the mind and body, and clear awareness of middle pillar, another technique becomes necessary. RETURN TO CONTEMPLATION OF KETHER. Imagining this center still radiating, will it to circulate through your system. It descends from the head towards the left shoulder. Passing through the entire length of the left side of the body, the magnetic current strikes the soul of the left foot. Then it passes over the right sole, upwards through the leg and thigh and body to the right shoulder, eventually returning to Kether.
Second, This time imagine the current of spiritual power descending from Kether in a forward direction, downward in front of the face, neck, chest, thighs and feet. It turns backward along the soles, calves, ascends the spinal column, and neck until it reaches Kether. Repeat both steps several times, breathing rhythmically. To "wrap up" the circulation phase of the exercise, we imagine spiralling Light surrounds our body. Contemplate on Kether and imagine the upright column of brilliance, corresponding to Middle Pillar; Pass now to the visualization of Malkuth emanating its inherent power of stability and equilibrium and fertility. Spiral Light up from the soul of your feet, as if wrapping yourself like a mummy. The spirals of Light gradually ascend the body, while you feel a distinct sensation of a whirling of spiritual powers rising from feet to thighs, up the trunk, swathing you in pure white Light, until, the current rests in Kether, where it shoots out the crown of the head in a fountain effect.
This prepares you by stilling the mind for meditation. Close with Banishing and Cross. -
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Re: Lesser Banishing Ritual
Sun, September 30, 2007 - 4:17 PMGreetings Iona, Thank you very much for the wealth of information for enhancing my ceremonial rituals. I see you have extensive experience in this area and I really appreciate
the effort in responding to my post. I will try a few of these exercises; the Middle Pillar looks particularly interesting. Thank you again....
Sincerely, Simmah
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Re: Lesser Banishing Ritual
Sun, September 30, 2007 - 10:35 PMHere are my recommendations.
For the part of feeling drained after doing the rituals, a couple of things...
1. Are you in a protected space. Have a circle up. Besides further protection, it serves as a "container" for the energies built up.
2. Have a regular mediation practice. "It takes money to make money". Meditation is where you bring in energy to fill your battery pack so you have the energy to DO the rituals with.
3. Make sure your chakras are open, especially the root and crown. You want to be a "channel" for energy, if you are using your own energy from your aura you will be drained. (If your chakras are closed the only place left for the energy to come from is your aura. your personal energy supply)
For clearing mind...
It definately helps to do rituals froma theta state. This is a breathing exercise to help to get into that state.
Breathe in for 5 counts and exhale for 10 counts. Do this 3 times. Also you can add the imagery of inhaling the light of God and exhaling tension/blocks/stress/...
this works well.
Hope this helps.
Shawn
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Re: Lesser Banishing Ritual
Mon, October 1, 2007 - 10:06 AMI am struggling with memorization of the ritual even though I have been doing it every day for 2 months. It's almost like I have a block and I'm starting to get frustrated. Any suggestions? -
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Re: Lesser Banishing Ritual
Wed, October 3, 2007 - 8:59 PMStop trying. There is no rule that says you have to have everything memorized. Use your grimoire when you need it. You might just find that after a while, you don't need it anymore.
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Re: Lesser Banishing Ritual
Thu, October 4, 2007 - 7:52 AMBeing a Mason and Ceremonial Ritualist, we come across this all the time. There is little I use a open book for but that doesn't mean I have a great memory. I am horrible at memorization. Here are some techniques I recommend:
1. Divide the ritual into sections. Formulation of the Cross can be one section. The next would be formulation of of the pentagrams. etc. Write each section onto it's own paper or 3.5 card. memorize each section one at a time perhaps one a day.
2. Memorize the open and closing, they are the same.
3. Either drawing stick figures, or using an object draw the blocking of the ritual. Sounds funning but this helps a lot.
4. Draw out the pentagrams with the Hebrew names in the middle from memory.
5. Holding the ritual in front of you face down (so your not as tempted to peak) close your eyes and walk through it from beginning to end.
6. Practice 2 ways, one allowing for mistakes (no corrections) focusing on a smooth flow from beginning to end and then the other way stopping to make corrections along the way.
7. Type or write the ritual out yourself. Keep what needs to be exact and use your own words for what doesn't. (i.e. putting descriptions of blocking etc.into your own words)
8. Memorize the first word. Then the first two. Then the first Three. If you do this as a discipline and don't allow yourself to just "jump ahead" you will be surprised how fast you get a large percentage of the material. It is annoying, but it works well.
9. Don't just memorize, Learn the meaning of each word. Find article or books that discuss the subject. Try not to stray into variations however, Get a good version and learn it. Once you have become proficient there is plenty of time to learn variants later. Draw out the Tree of Life and analyze the placement of the ritual on the tree. Think about the correspondences and ask yourself, why. Then answer. Take copious notes. Write your own article in your own words on the ritual sitting references.
10. Journal! Journal! Journal!
11. If you have tried all this and experience some success, teach a small class on the ritual to people who know little to nothing about it. If you get it memorized, help someone else memorize it.
Once it is memorized and practiced daily. Once you are able to visualize all that you should and anything that is newly unique to you. Once you are able to perform it smoothly, powerfully, and it feels like second nature to you. Then you remember that you have just started. Do it for a year with plenty of documentation.
Far too many people memorize something and think they have done it. Ritual memorization is only one facet or tool of beginning the ritual. I always try to answer the What, When, Where, Why and How, of each ritual. It is only then that you can feel confident and comfortable doing the ritual enough to allow the conscious mind to take a back seat. When your mind can observe results as opposed to trying to control or manipulate them.
Practice, practice, practice. As stated, "enflame thyself in prayer". Do this passionately and with full intent. Finally, set your goal and persevere. Meet your goals.
Thats my 2 cents.
93's
AzaDio -
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Re: Lesser Banishing Ritual
Mon, October 8, 2007 - 7:15 AM" Write your own article in your own words on the ritual sitting (!) references. "
So whats your article? Maybe posting that might help our friend.
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Re: Lesser Banishing Ritual
Mon, October 8, 2007 - 7:21 AMFor the record, my usual banishing is even lesser than the lesser pentagram.
I simply enter my temple and *sneeze* or "explode" a little bomb on the astral. The shock waves recede towards infinity, leaving a clean space. The downside is that its like bugspray - it works for a while, but eventually wears off as there are no guardians. So you should always install guardians and boundaries if you intend a long ritual.
I also tailor the blast according to needs... a quick boom is enough for the short term, but for a little longer, I go with a resounding BANG! that leaves the surfaces ringing and glowing for a while.
The advantage of this method, is that you can do it anytime, anywhere, without looking like a freak. You can also repea it as many times as you like if things creep back in (but with practice they wont).
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Re: Lesser Banishing Ritual
Wed, October 10, 2007 - 6:42 AMThank you for such a well thought out and thorough answer. I am starting to really keep a much more in depth magickal journal. It was suggested to me to notate what is going on astrologically for reference in my journal. I have been poking around to see if there is a standard formula for that and would be interested in hearing differnt thoughts on that. -
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Re: Lesser Banishing Ritual
Thu, October 11, 2007 - 10:23 AM
I would recommend: Aleister Crowley and the Practice of the Magical Diary - edited by Wasserman
93, 93/93
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Re: Lesser Banishing Ritual
Thu, October 11, 2007 - 1:06 PMthere is also a tribe called "the magickal diary" for people who are serious about journaling the work...I cant remember if it is invite only, but if anyone is sincerely interested drop me a line.
-Doshi
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Re: Lesser Banishing Ritual
Mon, October 29, 2007 - 9:24 AMIts actually very simple, sit or stand quietly and do some easy rythmic breathing while focusing on a single point for just a few moments before beginning you banishing.
