Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram - invoking vs banishing
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@Frater LR said
"Does the pentagram being drawn in blue-white flame hold true for the LBRP as well?"
Yes: The Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram, both invoking and banishing forms.
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@Alrah said
"Jim - why white-blue instead of drawing down the gold from the crown?"
One could ask instead... why gold?
This is the oldest and most common instruction, and one that has served us well. This whitish blue is, in some circles, called "witch fire," and is a very common astral appearance of the substance at the particular level of Yetzirah that the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram is addressing.
Hexagrams, though, are drawn in gold.
"The intent in the outer orders is the attainment to Tiphareth (or the 'sudden enlightenment/highest dhyana/vision of the HGA/LVX', yes? (contrasted to the gradual enlightenment/ way or path of return once this is accomplished/Nox)."
But that's not the level at which the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram is working. It's more in the form of sweeping the lower astral elements that need equilibrating in advance.
"Do you change colours up the grades?"
Not with grades - as long as we're still talking about the Lesser. (Other forms of the Pentagram Ritual have other rules.) There are color changes for other purposes (such as particularization of the ritual to a specific Element).
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@Alrah said
"Gold. You can't go wrong with gold."
Quite the contrary! It's extremely ego-inflating when overly used, especially when pumped into a distinctly Yetziratic pool.
One difference I see here is that you're trying to force it to be a particular thing. Our goal is to observe what color the substance is (i.e., spontaneously appears to general psychic vision) and not force it to be any particular thing. That's a characteristic of the lesser ritual: It is undifferentiated as to one principle or another.
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@Jim Eshelman said
"Hexagrams, though, are drawn in gold."Ok - will you expound upon this point? Why the difference?"
The Pentagram Ritual is microcosmic, and especially addresses those things below Tiphereth. It is also intended as the "front end" ritual for new aspirants. The Hexagram Ritual is macrocosmic, and originally created to be especially employed by those who have attained to Tipphereth.
Additionally, the integrating principle of all points of the hexagram is the sun. The integrating principle of all points of the pentagram is spirit.
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Hmm...
Perhaps I might be able to - somewhat - defend Alrah's position, given the summation of a series of discussions I had with Auriel a while back concerning the symbolism of the Pantacle of the Earth. ...Not that the color gold was specifically mentioned or anything, but a very real (and decent) connection was made betwixt the microcosm/macrocosm via a discussion of said symbolism - one which might support Alrah's position some. Now: do you want the long or short of it? The short is thus: the symbolism of the Pantacle of the Earth was - essentially - dissected before my mind's eye into three specific parts. 1. The circle squared (representing Malkuth/microcosm) 2. The hexagram (representing Tipphareth [and others]/the macrocosm) and 3. the "unseen/unknown" observer of the ToL (representing the godhead at Kether/the magi, appropriately). The first was - indeed - directly connected to the second, as it was made clear...and I think the visualization of this is most appropriate, here and now:
The first could be shown as a standing elemental pentagram, representing not only the unification of the four elements in relation to spirit, but also the four lower sephiroth (Netzach, Hod, Yesod, and Malkuth) all united under/in Tipphareth. The second then was related to the first (visually) by having the hexagram tilted 90 degrees, and whirling about the Wheel of Spirit; the microcosm/macrocosm where shown to be one. Thus the relationship is manifold, is it not? The Spirit of the elemental pentagram (microcosm) has a direct relationship with both Sol and Tipphareth (macrocosm). Thus: why not gold? Lol.
...Not saying I disagree with you, Jim - I expect your answers are far more likely than I could ever provide. Just thought I'd share what little I had to add to the conversation.
Thanks for your time,
QaZsE - Fr. T.E.U.
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...The keyword here Alrah is "could"; I'm most certainly not arguing the case that you "should". Jim's point is - indeed - quite significant. Rather, I was arguing "could" in relation to the symbolism. Hopefully that clarifies things.
Thanks for your time,
QaZsE - Fr. T.E.U.
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One more question on the LBRP:
The instructions in Liber O do not specifically state doing the Horus Sign of the Enterer and Harpocrates Sign of Silence after the vibration of the divine names. Did Crowley add these two signs to the LBRP or was it already in the GD material?
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@he atlas itch said
"One more question on the LBRP:
The instructions in Liber O do not specifically state doing the Horus Sign of the Enterer and Harpocrates Sign of Silence after the vibration of the divine names. Did Crowley add these two signs to the LBRP or was it already in the GD material?"
One normally would not do this in the Pentagram Ritual.
This question recurring) arises from too casual a labelling of Liber O, Cap. III, Par. 4. The method there listed as "Vibration of God-Names" is properly called "The Vibration of God-Names by the Formula of the Middle Pillar." It isn't a general instruction for use anytime one sees the word "vibrate." Rather, it's a particular technique used (usually in conjunctuion with the assumption of God-forms) for the specific purpose of identifying one's consciousness with that of a particular God. (Notice that this is what Liber O says the two are for.) In the LRP, one is not, for example, identifying oneself with Y.H.V.H.; rather, one is using that Name for a particular purpose.
How would one use them? Many ways, but I'll give one example. Suppose one wanted to do a ritual of the Moon and identify oneself with Artemis. Much of the ritual would be the setup for this: a general banishing, some means of making a primary connection to undifferentiated divine force, a declaration of the purpose of the ritual. Then, getting down to the meat, one might proceed as follows:
- [:3dctw24d]Attune to the Moon idea by an invoking hexagram ritual of Luna.[/
3dctw24d]
[:3dctw24d]Assume the God-form of Artemis.[/3dctw24d]
[:3dctw24d]As Artemis, circumambulate 9 times, building up force.[/3dctw24d]
[:3dctw24d]Upon returning to the west of the altar, still in the God-form of Artemis, use the "Vibration of Divine Names by the Formula of the Middle Pillar" technique to vibrate the name Artemis (once? thrice for Gimel? probably not 9 times!), to loose onself in the image and the name and complete, so far as the magician is then capable, an identification with Her.[/3dctw24d]
- [:3dctw24d]Attune to the Moon idea by an invoking hexagram ritual of Luna.[/
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Thanks Jim – your explanation is an eye opener.
Would this identification, e.g., with the god Jupiter differ in function from a theurgic invoking of Jupiter as laid out in the LHR? If one is supposed to identify with a god, it seems odd to beseech that god – unless the ritual falls under some kind of self-affirmation. Or is it doubly-effective to identify with Jupiter when carrying out a Jupiter operation?
Regarding the vibration of divine names in the LBRP, the way the ritual was taught to me is, after tracing the Earth banishing pentagram, one inhales the divine name IHVH, then thrusts into the center of the drawn pentagram in the Sign of Horus the Enterer while vibrating the name IHVH. Then step back and assume the Sign of Silence/Harpocrates.
If this is incorrect, what is the most effective technique for activating the drawn pentagram? Do you simply vibrate IHVH while tracing the pentagram without following up with the Sign of Silence or, after tracing the pentagram, stand erect, thrust arm into the center of the pentagram and vibrate IHVH, without following up with the Sign of Silence?
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@he atlas itch said
"Would this identification, e.g., with the god Jupiter differ in function from a theurgic invoking of Jupiter as laid out in the LHR?"
I'm not sure that "differ" is the right word. The use simply of the Hexagram Ritual isn't one of the more effective techniques for identifying with a God. I'd say, rather, that the purpose of the Invoking Hexagram Ritual is to tune your psyche to the same channel or frequency ("the Jupiter Channel" <g>). The use of assumption of theurgic images and this 'vibration' technique are specifically created to effect (or at least support) the actual identification.
"If one is supposed to identify with a god, it seems odd to beseech that god – unless the ritual falls under some kind of self-affirmation. Or is it doubly-effective to identify with Jupiter when carrying out a Jupiter operation?"
One doesn't usually do this to beseech the God, you're right. In fact, I'm really big on the traditional prayer or beseeching approach. I'm more inclined to take the path of "become the God, then, as the God, exercise the God's omnipotence to order the desired result into existence." (See expecially Sample Rituals #2 and 5 in my forthcoming new edition of 776 1/2, due out in a few weeks.)
"Regarding the vibration of divine names in the LBRP, the way the ritual was taught to me is, after tracing the Earth banishing pentagram, one inhales the divine name IHVH, then thrusts into the center of the drawn pentagram in the Sign of Horus the Enterer while vibrating the name IHVH. Then step back and assume the Sign of Silence/Harpocrates. "
That's way too much work, harder to keep discipline and focus, etc. I recommend, instead, that you touch the center of the drawn pentagram with your wand, finger, whatever and, with a resonant voice and focussed concentration, pronounce the Name. (Yes, inhaling the name in advance supports this.)
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Thanks for that explanation.
One technique I use for vibration is hyperventilating when tracing the hexagram so that when I finally exhale/vibrate the divine name I'm on the verge of passing out. I look forward to trying the LBRP without the inclusion of the Egyptian god forms...
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That's just sick! (And I don't mean that in a good way.)
And I'm not even gonna ask about Egyptian god-forms in a pentagram ritual.)
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Hmmmmm it’s the only technique that came close to Crowley’s instructions for vibration of God-names:
*5. It is a sign that the student is performing this correctly when a single “Vibration” entirely exhausts his physical strength. It should cause him to grown hot all over, or perspire violently, and it should weaken him that he will find it difficult to remain standing.
6. It is a sign of success, though only by the student himself is it perceived, when he hears the name of the God vehemently roared forth, as if by the concourse of ten thousand thunders; and it should appear to him as if that Great Voice proceeded from the Universe itself, and not from himself.
In both the above practices all consciousness of anything but the God-form and name should be absolutely blotted out; and the longer it takes for normal perception to return the better. *
(Book 4, 605)The Egyptian god-forms in the LBRP refer to doing the Sign of the Enterer while thrusting into the traced pentagram and then assuming the Sign of Silence. That’s how it was originally taught to me and I’ve seen lots of practitioners doing it that way. I always disliked it only because I don’t like to mix divine names and god forms from different systems (Hebrew vs Egyptian) in one ritual.
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Ah, I see. That's two separate techniques, though. (I described their relationship above.) But I see what you were saying.
BTW I would call what you were doing the using of Egyptian god postures, unless you were also building the Yetziratic image of the actual god.
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What about in IR's "The Golden Dawn", on page 54 of the lewellen (pg. 108-109 of the old), note #2, says to "Project it our of your aura with the Saluting Sign of a Neophyte, and when it is about three feet away, prevent its return with the Sign of Silence."???
Also, I found this video as a (very stylish) example:
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or this one's better:
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His gestures are ok (note in the second link he is doing the Sign of Enterer plus Sign of Silence) but he seems to be going through it too quickly. Plus, most importantly, you can’t hear him vibrating the divine names. Personally I’ve found all the LBRP samples on Youtube to be pretty crap – most of them look like they’re “going through the motions”. I came across one really good version about 3 years ago, some German practitioner doing a GD-style LBRP in his living room, but the video was removed.
I should clarify my comment on hyperventilating. I agree that if I were hyperventilating throughout the entire LBRP, that would be sick indeed. What I do instead is, each time I draw a pentagram in a quarter, I inhale deeply for the first angle of the pentagram, exhale deeply for the second angle, so by the time I finish tracing the pentagram, I’ve hyperventilated about 5x, before holding breath and then exhaling/vibrating the divine name for the quarter. You definitely feel a “head rush” and it’s easy to lose your balance. The sensation is over in a few seconds and by then you’ve moved on to the next quarter.
I adapted the above from studying Crowley’s comments in Liber O. Plus it made sense in terms of technique (for example, one way of implanting sigils into the unconscious is by staring at it and holding one’s breath until you pass out – it’s all about bypassing the rational/conscious mind to imprint deeper levels of the mind). Eventually you can trigger the banishing effect by just mentally thinking “For about me flames the pentagram and in the column stands the six-rayed star!”
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@he atlas itch said
"I should clarify my comment on hyperventilating. I agree that if I were hyperventilating throughout the entire LBRP, that would be sick indeed. What I do instead is, each time I draw a pentagram in a quarter, I inhale deeply for the first angle of the pentagram, exhale deeply for the second angle, so by the time I finish tracing the pentagram, I’ve hyperventilated about 5x, before holding breath and then exhaling/vibrating the divine name for the quarter. You definitely feel a “head rush” and it’s easy to lose your balance. The sensation is over in a few seconds and by then you’ve moved on to the next quarter. "
My response was to the idea of hyperventilating in any sense at all, and especially for the goal you originally stated. That's sick. And it's not about producing either oxygen starvation or oxygen saturation of the brain.
OTOH if all you meant is that you use coordinated breathing, then, sure, cool. We teach that the best technique (regardless of the particular pentagram being used) is to inhale on an upstroke, exhale on a downstroke, and hold the breath on a horizontal. This coordinates a number of body and mind rhythms.
"for example, one way of implanting sigils into the unconscious is by staring at it and holding one’s breath until you pass out – it’s all about bypassing the rational/conscious mind to imprint deeper levels of the mind"
Or you could just stare at them with your head in a bag of glue. More or less the same thing.
"Eventually you can trigger the banishing effect by just mentally thinking “For about me flames the pentagram and in the column stands the six-rayed star!”"
But this misses most of the virtue of the ritual.
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Alrah - no, I must admit that I've never considered that. Nor, if I think about it, am I particularly inclined toward it. Possibly because of a certain rigidity in my thinking. Or maybe because I associate the LBRP with the idea of foundation, grounding oneself spatially, aligning oneself with the Tree.. Let's just say that should you ever unexpectedly find yourself under magickal attack, it's good to have a solid structure imprinted in your mind for fast activation.
Perhaps you can demonstrate your Alrah-style sometime..
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@Jim Eshelman said
"Or you could just stare at them with your head in a bag of glue."
Don't try this at home, kids!
As far as the LBRP, or any ritual, is concerned, I think it's best not to over-analyze the situation. I mean, not that we should wave our wands whilst shouting gibberish in the streets, but a little Spirit goes a lot further than the letter, yes? A Banishing should come from the heart, and if this means you breathe once, or fifty times, or not at all, or even with a tube of glue in your nose--so be it. (Though it's probably best if you practice auto-erotic asphyxiation on your own time.
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Hi Jim - yes I suppose sniffing glue might achieve the same results. But I believe it also kills brain cells. I know magicians who get high before performing magickal rituals and this, while effective, seems like cheating for me (one of them invoked the Aeon of Horus while off his head on chemicals, saw the Egyptian gods, and ended up in a psychiatric ward for several months afterwards). For me, a good LBRP is a combination of pacing, vibration, and visualization. If done right, I feel a charge run up my body by the time I get to "and in the column stands the six-rayed star"
@Jim Eshelman said
"But this misses most of the virtue of the ritual."
What is the virtue you refer to?