Directions of Banishing and Invoking Hexagrams & Pentagrams
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Can any of the advanced magicians of the forum shed a small portion of their adept knowledge of the science behind why the difference between an invoking pentagram and a banishing pentagram is to reverse the direction of the starting point, so one begins at the opposite starting point, going in the opposite direction...
And why the difference between an invoking and a banishing hexagram is to start in the opposite directions, keeping the same starting point?
I've a few ideas on this particular set of consistencies, however I am trying to grasp the higher ideas of this concept.
I understand the ideas of the divine patterns of the pentagrams and the directions of the Earth, for instance, no matter how the pentagram is traced, it always lines up straight with it's opposite in the direction. So Earth, banishing, goes from spirit to it's compass opposite Fire in the South. Same with Air and Water, minus the move from element to spirit to element.
Much appreciation for any help in advance. Jim, if you have anything, I would be incredibly grateful. Any book references would be very helpful as well.
Thank you.
Frankie
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@ThelemicMage said
"Can any of the advanced magicians of the forum shed a small portion of their adept knowledge of the science behind why the difference between an invoking pentagram and a banishing pentagram is to reverse the direction of the starting point, so one begins at the opposite starting point, going in the opposite direction...
And why the difference between an invoking and a banishing hexagram is to start in the opposite directions, keeping the same starting point? "
It's a convention. The convention works at least because one is conditioned in it from the beginning, and uses it consistently in that way. If there is a more subtle, inherent quality, I haven't detected it but, of course, it could be there.
When we started Temple of Thelema, I considered aligning the pentagram formulae with those of the hexagram. (This would end up exactly the way Aurum Solis does it: clockwise or counter-clockwise, originating at the point corresponding to the elements.) I decided against this for two reasons: First, those in T.'.O.'.T.'. membeship often will elect to go on into A.'.A.'. membership later, and I wanted to prepare them for what they would encounter there, rather than throw a log across the road. Second, something inherent in the G.D. formulae - specificially, the Portal Degree at the apex of the First Order - benefits significantly from the pentagram system "as is." Having both active (assertive) and passive (receptive) expressions of Spirit are part of the critical of equilibration and some other subtleties, and this rules out the Air-to-Fire or Earth-to-Water lines as available first strokes for individual elements. This means that the only usable pathways into the Earth and Fire points are to or from the Spirit point. (If the words don't make it clear, draw the pentagram and it will be clearer.)
With the geometry of the hexagram, this works differently; and, perhaps, for a planetary formula there is the consideration that planets appear to move uniformly clockwise across the visible sky.
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Very interesting explanations, on both pentagram and hexagram/planetary relations and directions.
I do see in my mind's eye the apex of the first order, and of course it is on the path of Samekh. Samekh seems to harbor a bit of secret knowledge and power for those gaining pure knowledge and conversation. This does make sense seeing as how Tiphereth, before the fall of the Tree, used to be the Living Centre of the palace. And of course, because it is Tiphereth, the golden, life-giving Sun that is our internal spirit as well.
In my mind, I also see some still-manifesting map of the Tree in direct relation to NSEW directions of Earth, and that of the place, (and direction(s)), of spirit. Tiphereth is directly related to East, Air, and Raphael. However, if you notice in the hexagram ritual, you trace Fire in the East to feed from the pure, god-like Air.
This is fitting perfectly into my map of the rituals. I do thank you so much, sir Jim. I shall go over your words again and look a few things up, but I believe I have what I need.
Again, very much appreciated.
G'night
Frank
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