The Practice Of Ritual Magic 0850301254, 0877283516

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THE PRACTICE OF RITUAL MAGIC Complete instructions for building up a magical ritual system, with practical advice on robes, symbols and temple furniture. Includes concise explanations of Telesmatic Images, Names of Power, the Law of Correspondences, and the Qabalistic Cross.

By the same author EXPERIENCE O F T H E INNER WORLDS A PRACTICAL GUIDE T O QABALISTIC SYMBOLISM THE OCCULT In this series O C C U L T EXERCISES AND PRACTICES

THE PRACTICE OF RITUAL MAGIC

by GARETH KNIGHT

SAMUEL WEISER INC. 734 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10003

First published in this series 1976

T H E A Q U A R I A N PRESS 1976

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher *s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar, condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

ISBN 0 85030 125 4 (UK) ISBN 0 87728 351 6 (USA)

Filmset by Specialised Offset Services Ltd., Liverpool and printed and bound in Great Britain by Weatherby Woolnough, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire

1. W h a t is R i t u a l M a g i c ? 2. T h e C i r c l e 3. T h e A l t a r a n d t h e Pillars 4. R o b e s 5. T h e R i t u a l Appendix

Page 7 19 34 40 45 60

CHAPTER ONE W H A T IS R I T U A L M A G I C ? R i t u a l or C e r e m o n i a l M a g i c is o n e of t h e g r e a t e s t tools of occult t r a i n i n g a n d w o r k . It is, of c o u r s e , w o r k of a s o m e w h a t m o r e a d v a n c e d n a t u r e t h a n the more generally known techniques of m e d i t a t i o n , visualization, c o n c e n t r a t i o n , a n d p s y c h i c sensitivity, a n d for this r e a s o n t h e r e is s o m e m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g in t h e m i n d of t h e g e n e r a l p u b l i c as t o w h a t it is really all a b o u t . I n its p r o p e r sense it h a s little to d o w i t h t h e i m a g e p o r t r a y e d b y p o p u l a r novelists or j o u r n a l i s t s , w h i c h s t e m s largely from d a b b l i n g s in m e d i e v a l superstition. It is a discipline a n d m e t h o d of occult p r a c t i c e w h e r e i n all t h e faculties of t h e s t u d e n t a r e e m p l o y e d in p u r s u i t of t h e G r e a t W o r k . T h i s is, as in all r e p u t a b l e o c c u l t i s m , t h e e x p a n s i o n of c o n s c i o u s n e s s in o r d e r t o m a k e o n e ' s g e n e r a l h u m a n q u a l i t i e s a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e universe t h e g r e a t e r , a n d from this to a c t a s a c o n s c i o u s c h a n n e l for t h e w o r k of G o d in H i s c r e a t i o n . T h e first p a r t of occult w o r k consists in fashioning yourself i n t o a n i n s t r u m e n t w o r t h y of use b y t h e forces of Light* a n d t h e s e c o n d p a r t is t h e d e d i c a t e d service to G o d a n d m a n t h a t follows from this. R i t u a l m a g i c p e r t a i n s m o r e to t h e s e c o n d p a r t

of occult d e v e l o p m e n t , , for to b e a n effective p r a c t i t i o n e r o n e n e e d s to b e skilled in t h e t e c h n i q u e s of visualization, to b e c a p a b l e of long s u s t a i n e d c o n c e n t r a t i o n , to possess c o n t r o l l e d p s y c h i c sensitivity, a n d to h a v e t h a t d e p t h of i n t u i t i o n a l u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t c o m e s only from long p r a c t i c e of m e d i t a t i o n . It c a n b e u s e d for t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of b e g i n n e r s , however, o n a g r o u p basis, for p r e s e n c e at a series of r i t u a l w o r k i n g s , p a r t i c u l a r l y of t h e i n i t i a t o r y t y p e , c a n d o m u c h to develop t h e l a t e n t o c c u l t a n d p s y c h i c p o w e r s of t h e sincere s t u d e n t . Importance of S y m b o l i s m S y m b o l i s m is a l l - i m p o r t a n t in r i t u a l , as in m u c h of o c c u l t i s m . I n s t e a d of c o n t e m p l a t i n g a s y m b o l subjectively h o w e v e r , as y o u m i g h t d o in m e d i t a t i o n , in r i t u a l you b e c o m e a p a r t of t h e s y m b o l (or s y m b o l s y s t e m ) , a c t i n g it o u t p h y s i c a l l y a n d p r e s e n t i n g it t o t h e p h y s i c a l senses in every w a y possible, t h r o u g h sight, s o u n d , t o u c h , t a s t e a n d smell as well as h o l d i n g it before t h e i n n e r senses. By t h e i n n e r senses we m e a n n o t only t h e faculties of t h e i m a g i n a t i o n b u t also t h e m e n t a l u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d t h e s p i r i t u a l will or i n t e n t i o n . T h u s o n e a i m s t o b e c o m e , temporarily, completely one-pointed whereby n o t h i n g exists b u t t h e s y m b o l . T h i s m a y s e e m to b e a very ' n a r r o w i n g ' k i n d of o p e r a t i o n b u t it is in fact j u s t t h e o p p o s i t e , for no s y m b o l exists e n t i r e l y i n d e p e n d e n t l y , sufficient to itself a l o n e , a n d t h e ' n a r r o w i n g d o w n ' of c o n c e n t r a t i o n a n d a t t e n t i o n results in fact in a ' b r o a d e n i n g o u t ' in a n o t h e r d i m e n s i o n . T h e process is s o m e w h a t s i m i l a r to w h a t h a p p e n s in m e d i t a t i o n , w h e r e i n t h e m i n d circles

closely a b o u t a given t o p i c , a n d b y this m e t h o d achieves a d e e p e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g of it. R i t u a l m a g i c is, however, m u c h m o r e p o t e n t t h a n m e d i t a t i o n , for m o r e t h a n o n e faculty is u s e d . B e c a u s e of this, h i g h l y sensitive p e o p l e , s u c h as h a v e for e x a m p l e b e e n p r a c t i s i n g E a s t e r n occult d e v e l o p m e n t involving fasting, v e g e t a r i a n i s m , a n d yogic b r e a t h i n g exercises, d o well to avoid too s u d d e n a n e x p o s u r e to r i t u a l m a g i c . It c o u l d , literally, ' b l o w a fuse' psychically, by a p p l y i n g too h i g h a p s y c h i c voltage to a s y s t e m w i t h o u t sufficient r e s i s t a n c e . R i t u a l m a g i c is very m u c h a W e s t e r n t e c h n i q u e , for t h e o c c i d e n t a l m a n w h o h a s to m a k e his w a y in t h e h u r l y - b u r l y of t h e W e s t e r n w o r l d . T h e E a s t h a s its sensitizing t e c h n i q u e s for t h o s e of t h e o r i e n t w h o c a n p u t t h e m s e l v e s a w a y in h e r m i t a g e s far from t h e m a d d i n g c r o w d s a n d rely o n t h e i r b e g g i n g b o w l s b e i n g filled. I n r i t u a l m a g i c o n e is, a s in m o s t of o c c u l t i s m , d e a l i n g w i t h t h e s u b c o n s c i o u s or u n c o n s c i o u s m i n d a n d t h r o u g h this m a k i n g c o n t a c t w i t h i n v i s i b l e realities', objective states of e x i s t e n c e , a n d b e i n g s , t h a t a r e n o t n o r m a l l y accessible directly to t h e c o n s c i o u s m i n d . T h i s m e a n s t h a t t h e r e is m o r e to o c c u l t i s m t h a n p l a y i n g a b o u t w i t h subjective visions or even ' a r c h e t y p e s of t h e collective u n c o n s c i o u s ' T h e r e is this to it, a n d m u c h t h a t p a s s e s for o c c u l t i s m is in fact n o m o r e t h a n r e g u r g i t a t i o n of s u b c o n s c i o u s e l e m e n t s , b u t to t h e t r a i n e d occultist w h o is ' o n his c o n t a c t s ' , t h e u n c o n s c i o u s is m e r e l y a m a g i c m i r r o r in w h i c h a r e reflected objective, t h o u g h n o n - p h y s i c a l , realities. Consciousness is t h u s indirectly p r o j e c t e d into a f o u r t h d i m e n s i o n .

T y p e s of R i t u a l R i t u a l s fall i n t o c e r t a i n b r o a d t y p e s a c c o r d i n g to t h e i n t e n t i o n b e h i n d t h e m . W e c a n list t h e s e as Seasonal, Remedial, Initiatory, Exploratory a n d Redemptive, although there m a y be rituals w h i c h d o not fit i n t o a n y of t h e s e c a t e g o r i e s , a n d m a n y w h i c h o v e r l a p t w o or m o r e of t h e m . T h e p l a c e of w o r s h i p in r i t u a l w e will deal w i t h in o u r l a t e r section u p o n R i t u a l s , for t h e r e is often a confusion b e t w e e n religious a n d m a g i c a l r i t u a l s o w i n g to c e r t a i n similarities of style a n d s y m b o l . S e a s o n a l R i t u a l s a r e u s e d to m a r k special events in t h e m a g i c i a n ' s y e a r a n d t h e p r i n c i p a l o n e s a r e t h e q u a r t e r l y E q u i n o x e s a n d Solstices w h i c h m a r k t h e t u r n i n g p o i n t of t h e p s y c h i c tides. I n his w o r k u p o n himself t h e m a g i c i a n r e g a r d s e a c h of t h e four S e a s o n s as h a v i n g a c o r r e s p o n d e n c e in his o w n p s y c h e . T h e e l e m e n t of W a t e r is, for i n s t a n c e , often e q u a t e d w i t h t h e t i m e from W i n t e r Solstice to V e r n a l E q u i n o x , a n d d u r i n g this t i m e t h e m a g i c i a n e x p e r i e n c e s in his soul t h e c l e a n s i n g of all o u t - w o r n a n d u n w a n t e d p s y c h o l o g i c a l d e b r i s in p r e p a r a t i o n for n e w g r o w t h in t h e t i d e b e g i n n i n g w i t h t h e V e r n a l E q u i n o x , w h i c h is u s u a l l y e q u a t e d w i t h F i r e . T h i s is not necessarily a reversion to p a g a n forms of n a t u r e w o r s h i p - t h o u g h , like C h r i s t i a n i t y , it d o e s h a v e t h e s e o v e r t o n e s w h i c h m a k e it t h e r i c h e r if s y m p a t h e t i c a l l y u n d e r s t o o d - b u t is a c o n t i n u i n g c o n s c i o u s p r o c e s s of p s y c h i c g r o w t h t h a t uses t h e s e a s o n s of t h e y e a r as a n a t u r a l a n d fitting c o n t e x t . D i s t o r t i o n of C h a r a c t e r R e m e d i a l R i t u a l s a r e of t w o t y p e s , w h i c h m i g h t b e classified as G e n e r a l a n d P a r t i c u l a r . T h e a i m

is g e n e r a l l y to b a l a n c e a d i s t o r t i o n of c h a r a c t e r , e i t h e r in a n i n d i v i d u a l or a g r o u p . It c a n b e as a n aid to heal p h y s i c a l disease, a l t h o u g h n o r e s p o n s i b l e m a g i c a n w o u l d a t t e m p t to r e p l a c e the medical practitioner. Each to his c o m p l e m e n t a r y task, t h e p h y s i c i a n to d e a l w i t h t h e p h y s i c a l ill, t h e m a g i c i a n to t h e i n n e r c a u s e s b e h i n d it. T h e P a r t i c u l a r R e m e d i a l m e t h o d will a t t e m p t to r e m e d y a n i m b a l a n c e b y a r i t u a l d e v o t e d t o its o p p o s i t e q u a l i t y . F o r this a s y s t e m of r i t u a l c o r r e s p o n d e n c e s s u c h as t h e T r e e of Life is r e q u i r e d , w h e r e b y a n excess of i r r i t a b i l i t y (symbolically a s s i g n e d to t h e s p h e r e of M a r s ) w o u l d b e t r e a t e d by m e a n s of a r i t u a l or series of r i t u a l s d e a l i n g exclusively w i t h J u p i t e r . T h e G e n e r a l R e m e d i a l m e t h o d w o u l d r a t h e r stress a s y m b o l c o m p l e x of a b a l a n c i n g h a r m o n i o u s n a t u r e in itself, s u c h as t h a t a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e S u n ( a n d all p a g a n h e a l i n g g o d s h a v e s o m e a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h t h e S u n ) . A g a i n , t h e use of p a g a n s y m b o l s y s t e m s s h o u l d not b e confused w i t h p a g a n w o r s h i p , t h e s e g o d forms a r e s i m p l y psychic lenses in which to concentrate a p p r o p r i a t e t y p e s of force e m a n a t i n g e i t h e r from t h e collective u n c o n s c i o u s or from t h e objective i n n e r r e a l m s of existence. R e b i r t h of C o n s c i o u s n e s s Initiatory Rituals are invariably group rituals w h e r e b y a n e w m e m b e r is i n t r o d u c e d to t h e particular symbolism used by the group a n d a d r a m a of r e b i r t h is not infrequently a c t e d o u t , u s u a l l y w i t h t h e c a n d i d a t e as t h e p r i n c i p a l figure. T h e initial idea w i t h a n e o p h y t e n e w l y c o m e to o c c u l t i s m is t o i n d u c e t h e r e b i r t h of

c o n s c i o u s n e s s w h e r e b y i n n e r realities c o m e to t a k e o n t h e s a m e validity as o u t e r reality. T h e n e w c o m e r to r i t u a l g e n e r a l l y h a s his a t t e n t i o n focused o n t h e p h y s i c a l a c t i o n s t a k i n g p l a c e , n o d o u b t e x p e c t i n g all k i n d s of t h a u m a t u r g i c a l p h e n o m e n a a n d s i m i l a r p y r o t e c h n i c s to a p p e a r before his eyes. As h e g r o w s in w i s d o m a n d e x p e r i e n c e , however, h e l e a r n s t o see w i t h t h e i n n e r eye a n d h e a r w i t h t h e i n n e r e a r , a n d perceive t h e i n n e r reality of w h i c h t h e p h y s i c a l a c t i o n is b u t a n o u t e r reflection. T h e r e a r e m a n y levels of initiation, for t h e m a g i c a l s t u d e n t is ever g r o w i n g in d e p t h a n d b r e a d t h of p e r c e p t i o n , a n d e a c h o n e m a y b e m a r k e d b y a c e r e m o n y of i n i t i a t i o n , t h o u g h t h e h i g h e r o n e s t a k e p l a c e in a t e m p l e not m a d e with hands. E x p l o r a t o r y R i t u a l s follow o n from, or incorporate, that t e c h n i q u e of t h e active i m a g i n a t i o n v a r i o u s l y k n o w n as P a t h - w o r k i n g , A s t r a l T r a v e l , or S c r y i n g in t h e Spirit Vision. T h e y u s u a l l y c o m p r i s e a formal o p e n i n g a n d closing c e r e m o n y , w i t h s o m e k i n d of original w o r k in t h e m i d d l e t h a t is n o t p r e p a r e d b e f o r e h a n d . T h i s c a n t a k e t h e form of i n d i v i d u a l o r g r o u p m e d i t a t i o n , w h i c h b e i n g u n d e r t a k e n in t h e h e i g h t e n e d a t m o s p h e r e of r i t u a l c o n d i t i o n s is liable to b e m o r e fruitful t h a n t h a t c a r r i e d o u t i n d i v i d u a l l y a n d informally. R e d e m p t i v e R i t u a l is s i m i l a r to R e m e d i a l R i t u a l in m a n y w a y s , b u t is m o r e closely linked w i t h c e r t a i n t y p e s of p r a y e r . A t o n e level it c a n consist of q u i e t i n g souls of t h e so-called d e a d w h o m a y b e d i s t u r b e d for o n e r e a s o n or a n o t h e r . At o t h e r levels it m a y consist of h e l p i n g t h e light of C h r i s t to s h i n e in d a r k a r e a s of h o r r o r or t e r r o r in

p a r t s of t h e c r e a t e d u n i v e r s e w h o s e very e x i s t e n c e is u n k n o w n o r u n s u s p e c t e d b y m o s t C h r i s t i a n s , let a l o n e a g n o s t i c s a n d t h e w o r l d l y wise. It will t h u s b e g a t h e r e d t h a t in its t r u e sense m a g i c is a very s p e c i a l i z e d s p i r i t u a l v o c a t i o n . Symbolic Accoutrements As well as t h e t y p e of R i t u a l w h i c h c a n b e e m p l o y e d , w e will also h a v e to c o n s i d e r t h e Robes a n d other symbolic accoutrements that form a n essential p a r t of t h e c e r e m o n i a l a r t . It is in this field of r i t u a l t h a t t h e n e e d for a c o m p r e h e n s i v e s y m b o l s y s t e m s u c h as t h e T r e e of Life of t h e Q a b a t a h b e c o m e s a p p a r e n t , for t h e colours u s e d , a n d even t h e m a t e r i a l s , will vary from tfne t y p e of w o r k i n g t o a n o t h e r . I n e n t e r i n g u p o n a r i t u a l o n e - as it w e r e - t a k e s off t h e everyday personality a n d puts on a magical version - o n e t h a t c o r r e s p o n d s to t h e rite. T h i s is assisted b y t h e u s e of r o b e s a n d s y m b o l s . T h e m a i n s y m b o l s a r e u s u a l l y allied t o t h o s e t h a t a p p e a r in t h e T a r o t c a r d suits, t h e R o d or W a n d or S p e a r ; t h e C u p , C a u l d r o n or C h a l i c e ; t h e S w o r d , Knife or A r r o w ; a n d t h e D i s c o r P a n t a c l e . O t h e r c o m m o n symbols are the Key, Mirror, R i n g , L a m e n , L a m p , G i r d l e a n d so on, t o say n o t h i n g of t h e r a n g e of incenses t h a t c a n b e b u r n e d in t h e t h u r i b l e . M o s t of t h e s y m b o l s a r e very a n c i e n t a n d d e e p s e a t e d o n e s in t h e p s y c h o l o g y of m a n b u t t h e i r real validity in p r a c t i c a l t e r m s c o m e s from w o r k i n g c o n s t a n t l y w i t h t h e m in m a g i c a n d in m e d i t a t i o n . Like a violinist, a m a g i c i a n h a s to ' m a k e his o w n n o t e s ' , a n d w i t h o u t p r i o r d i l i g e n t use of t h e 'five-finger e x e r c i s e s ' of o c c u l t i s m a n y p r e m a t u r e a t t e m p t at r i t u a l w o r k i n g is likely to

b e as e x c r u c i a t i n g as s o m e a m a t e u r a n d illt r a i n e d violinist's o v e r - o p t i m i s t i c efforts - a n d possibly w i t h r a t h e r m o r e serious c o n s e q u e n c e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y if g r o u p w o r k is a t t e m p t e d . T h e lone d a b b l e r u s u a l l y c a n n o t s u m m o n u p a sufficient h e a d of p o w e r to d o m u c h d a m a g e to himself. T h e p h y s i c a l s y m b o l s a r e , of c o u r s e , all o u t e r r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s of a n i n n e r reality, a n d t h e p r i n c i p l e is s o m e t h i n g after t h e fashion of p u t t i n g t w o m i r r o r s p a r a l l e l to o n e a n o t h e r , t h e y k e e p o n reflecting t h e m s e l v e s a l m o s t i n t o infinity. I n a s i m i l a r w a y does t h e i n n e r m a g i c a l s y m b o l reflect t h e o u t e r m a g i c a l s y m b o l w h i c h reflects t h e i n n e r w h i c h reflects t h e o u t e r a n d so o n ad infinitum. A s w i t h t h e vocal s y m b o l s , t h e so-called W o r d s or N a m e s of P o w e r , t h e s u m t o t a l of s y m b o l s in a r i t u a l w o r k o n a n o t h e r p r i n c i p l e , a n a l o g o u s to a n a t o m i c r e a c t o r . By s y s t e m a t i c a l l y w o r k i n g in m e d i t a t i o n u p o n different s y m b o l s so t h a t e a c h o n e h a s a powerful effect o n c o n s c i o u s n e s s , t h e j u x t a p o s i t i o n a n d i n t e r - r e l a t i o n of m a n y of t h e m gives rise to a c u m u l a t i v e effect t h a t p a s s e s t h e flash p o i n t of m u n d a n e c o n s c i o u s n e s s . Altar and Pillars T h e m a i n s y m b o l s a r e however, w h a t m i g h t b e called t h e ' f u r n i t u r e ' of t h e m a g i c a l lodge - t h e A l t a r a n d t h e Pillars. T h e Pillars r e p r e s e n t p h i l o s o p h i c a l l y t h e d u a l i t y t h a t is w i t h i n t h e w h o l e of existence - t h o u g h it s h o u l d be s a i d in p a s s i n g t h a t m a g i c a l p h i l o s o p h y is n o t D u a l i s t i c in t h e sense t h a t t h e r e is a G o o d G o d fighting a n Evil G o d . R a t h e r d o they i n d i c a t e t h e positive a n d negative, m a l e a n d female, active a n d passive c o m p l e m e n t a r i e s t h a t m a k e u p t h e w e b of life. O n e Pillar is t h u s u s u a l l y w h i t e o r silver, a n d t h e

other black, but there c a n be other combinations s u c h as g r e e n a n d gold, o r r e d a n d b l u e . I n p r a c t i c a l t e r m s of m a g i c a l r i t u a l p r a c t i c e t h e y r e p r e s e n t t h e g a t e w a y in c o n s c i o u s n e s s to t h e i n n e r p l a n e s of e x i s t e n c e b e y o n d t h e p h y s i c a l . F o r this r e a s o n a Veil is often h u n g b e t w e e n t h e m , w h i c h is d r a w n a s i d e w h e n a r i t u a l is in progress a n d inner a n d outer planes unite. T o walk t h r o u g h t h e Pillars w i t h r i t u a l i n t e n t i o n in a well c o n s t i t u t e d M a g i c a l L o d g e c a n b e a n e x p e r i e n c e i n d e e d , even for a l a y m a n . T h e A l t a r is t h e focusing p o i n t of a t t e n t i o n in t h e r i t u a l , a n d is b a s i c a l l y j u s t a Working surface, t h o u g h a g a i n h e l d to b e p o i s e d b e t w e e n o u t e r a n d i n n e r realities, w h e r e o n s y m b o l s actively b e i n g u s e d m a y b e p l a c e d . T h e r e is often a P e r p e t u a l L a m p e i t h e r o n it or h a n g i n g over it, as in m a n y c h u r c h e s , signifying t h e E t e r n a l L i g h t to W h i c h a n d W h o m all a l l e g i a n c e is p l a c e d . Magical Lodge T h e n w e m u s t n o t forget t h e a r e a in w h i c h all of this t a k e s p l a c e , t h e M a g i c a l L o d g e , T e m p l e , or Circle. T h i s is s i m p l y a defined s p h e r e of activity, a p l a c e set a p a r t , w h e r e i n t h e r e is n o t h i n g d i s t r a c t i n g from t h e w o r k in h a n d . O n e c o u l d liken it to a s u r g i c a l o p e r a t i n g t h e a t r e , even t h o u g h its a t m o s p h e r e a n d a c c o u t r e m e n t s m i g h t seem more akin to a church. M a g i c is c e r t a i n l y , w h a t e v e r it is, n o t a n 'off b e a t ' or d e v i a t e d k i n d of religion. It is a d i s c i p l i n e as e x a c t i n g as s u r g e r y , a n d w i t h m a n y of t h e i n c o n s i s t e n c i e s a n d u n c e r t a i n t i e s of t h e m e d i c a l a r t s - m u l t i p i e d m a n y t i m e s over b e c a u s e it d e a l s w i t h w h a t a r e i n t a n g i b l e s to o u r p h y s i c a l senses a n d c o n s c i o u s n e s s e s . It is not s o m e t h i n g w h i c h

c a n b e easily d e m o n s t r a t e d to t h e c u r i o u s layman, however sympathetic he might be, b e c a u s e to a n u n t r a i n e d o b s e r v e r it w o u l d s e e m little m o r e t h a n a stylized k i n d of a m a t e u r d r a m a t i c s in a s t r a n g e l y furnished j u n k r o o m . T h u s only t h o s e w h o h a v e a real v o c a t i o n for it ever get to realize its possibilities to t h e full - a n d this also accounts for the widespread misunderstanding and ignorance about it. Hopefully this w o r k will d o s o m e t h i n g to c o r r e c t the balance. R i t u a l M a g i c m i g h t b e called, in t e r m s possibly m o r e a c c e p t a b l e to t h e m o d e r n m i n d , ' t h e science of t h e m a n d a t e * T h o s e w h o h a v e s t u d i e d a little J u n g i a n p s y c h o l o g y will n e e d n o i n t r o d u c t i o n to whaf a m a n d a l a is. It is, briefly, a p a r t i c u l a r t y p e of s y m b o l w h i c h c o m e s u p i n t o consciousness w h e n a person undergoing psychot h e r a p y is a p p r o a c h i n g p s y c h o l o g i c a l i n t e g r a t i o n a n d t h e i r c o n s c i o u s m i n d is c o m i n g to t e r m s w i t h t h e u n c o n s c i o u s . It is a r e g u l a r figure, u s u a l l y four-square, a n d J u n g also c o n s i d e r s the s t r u c t u r e of t h e h u m a n p s y c h e to b e four-fold. R e f e r e n c e to a s i m p l e i n t r o d u c t o r y b o o k o n J u n g i a n p s y c h o l o g y is r e c o m m e n d e d . Mandala - Magic Circle T h e simplest form of m a n d a l a m i g h t b e s a i d to consist s i m p l y of a circled cross, a n d u p o n this basis it is possible to b u i l d u p a c o m p l e t e m a g i c a l r i t u a l s y s t e m . T h e w o r d ' m a n d a l a ' in fact m e a n s , w h e n t r a n s l a t e d from t h e H i n d u , a ' m a g i c c i r c l e ' It w a s a p p r o p r i a t e d b y J u n g t o d e s c r i b e t h e s y m b o l i c r e p r e s e n t a t i o n of t h e c o m p l e t e a n d b a l a n c e d h u m a n p s y c h e . M a n d a l a s a r e in fact u s e d in t h e E a s t as s y m b o l s u p o n w h i c h to

m e d i t a t e . C o n t e m p l a t i o n of t h e m s h o u l d b r i n g a b o u t a feeling of i n n e r p e a c e , a n d of m e a n i n g a n d o r d e r to life. I n t h e i r t r u e s e n s e t h e y a r e not m e r e c o n s c i o u s mental constructions but are potent symbols that a r e t h r o w n u p fully g r o w n from t h e d e p t h s of t h e u n c o n s c i o u s . I n r i t u a l m a g i c w h a t w e a r e in fact d o i n g is to c o n s t r u c t a three-dimensional m a n d a l a a n d to w o r k p h y s i c a l l y in it. By this means we aim to project consciousness into a fourth dimension. T w o Categories M a g i c c a n b e divided i n t o t w o c a t e g o r i e s , in its r i t u a l a s p e c t . T h e lower s t r a t a w o r k s a t t h e level of a k i n d of p h i l o s o p h y m i n d e d friendly society. T h e r e m a y b e d r e s s i n g u p in r o b e s o r a p r o n s a n d r e c i t i n g various r i t u a l s w h i c h at w o r s t a r e a k i n d of b i z a r r e h o r s e - p l a y a n d at best a r e a n a m i a b l e r e c i t a t i o n of b e n i g n p o m p o s i t i e s - t o g e t h e r w i t h g r a n d s o u n d i n g titles for m o s t of t h e officiants. Whatever the intentions, any genuine magical p o w e r is g e n e r a l l y c o n s p i c u o u s b y its a b s e n c e , a l t h o u g h t h e s y m b o l i s m u s e d m a y in fact b e c a p a b l e of a c t i n g as a c h a n n e l of occult forces d i d t h e p r a c t i t i o n e r s only k n o w h o w to u s e it. T h i s s e e m s t o i n d i c a t e t h a t m a n y of t h e s e s y s t e m s m a y h a v e s t e m m e d from t h o s e w i t h r i t u a l m a g i c a l knowledge but to have b e c o m e debased - t h o u g h n o t necessarily a b u s e d - in l a t t e r d a y s . T h e h i g h e r level of M a g i c m a y t h u s u s e s i m i l a r f o r m u l a e b u t i n s t e a d of b e i n g a colourful c h a r a d e , p o w e r from t h e i n n e r p l a n e s is injected i n t o t h e s y m b o l i s m b y t h o s e t r a i n e d in its u s e . S u c h g r o u p s a r e n o t easy to j o i n or to find, a n d t h e r e is a r e g r e t t a b l e t e n d e n c y for t h e m t o t e n d to

l a p s e into t h e f o r m e r t y p e over t h e c o u r s e of y e a r s , t h o u g h not w i t h o u t s h o o t i n g off disjecta membra ( s c a t t e r e d r e m a i n s ) , in t h e p r o c e s s w h o f o r m l o n g e r o r s h o r t e r lived s m a l l e r g r o u p s t h a t r e t a i n or m a y even s u r p a s s t h e o r i g i n a l m a g i c a l vitality. T h i s o r g a n i c p r o c e s s m a y b e a n a t u r a l r e s u l t of n u m b e r s . If a n y g r o u p g r o w s t o b e m u c h m o r e t h a n a d o z e n m e m b e r s , i n s t i t u t i o n a l i z a t i o n sets in, a n d r a r e i n d e e d is t h e g r o u p t h a t survives t h e w i t h d r a w a l of its f o u n d e r a n d r e t a i n s its vitality. R i t u a l n e e d n o t necessarily b e confined t o g r o u p p r a c t i c e h o w e v e r ; few realize t h a t it c a n b e p u r s u e d b y a n i n d i v i d u a l . T h i s is w h y this b o o k is w r i t t e n , so t h a t i n d i v i d u a l s m a y h a v e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o t r a i n t h e m s e l v e s occultly, b y m e a n s of r i t u a l , a n d t h e n possibly to t r a i n o t h e r s - for t h e m a g i c circle o r t e m p l e is a t r a i n i n g g r o u n d for o c c u l t i s m t h a t is s e c o n d t o n o n e . T h e f u n d a m e n t a l s of c e r e m o n i a l m a g i c a r e (1) t h e C i r c l e (or t e m p l e ) ; (2) t h e Pillars a n d A l t a r ; (3) t h e R o b e s ; a n d (4) t h e R i t u a l . W e will d e a l w i t h e a c h in t u r n .

CHAPTER TWO THE CIRCLE For practical purposes a magical temple m a y be c o n s i d e r e d to b e s y n o n y m o u s w i t h a m a g i c a l circle. Ideally o n e w o u l d h a v e a r o o m , o r even s m a l l b u i l d i n g , set a s i d e for r i t u a l use. T h i s w o u l d b e o n e ' s t e m p l e . H o w e v e r t h i s is not a l w a y s p r a c t i c a b l e a n d t h e next best t h i n g will b e to convert a r o o m t e m p o r a r i l y i n t o a t e m p l e b y c o n s t r u c t i n g a m a g i c circle. T h i s is m o s t easily achieved b y h a v i n g t h e circle p a i n t e d u p o n a floor cloth w h i c h c a n b e rolled u p o u t of sight w h e n not in use. It is, of c o u r s e , t h e circle w i t h i n a n d n o t t h e circle w i t h o u t t h a t m a t t e r s . J u s t as p r a c t i c a l o c c u l t i s m is c o n c e r n e d w i t h t h e d i r e c t e d u s e of m e n t a l c o n c e n t r a t i o n a n d /visual i m a g i n a t i o n , so is m a g i c a l r i t u a l s i m p l y a m e a n s of a c h i e v i n g a stronger degree of concentration and visualization t h a n might otherwise be possible. T h e p h y s i c a l difference b e t w e e n a m a g i c circle a n d a t e m p l e is t h a t t h e first is t w o - d i m e n s i o n a l a n d t h e s e c o n d is t h r e e - d i m e n s i o n a l . I n a t e m p l e a p e r m a n e n t circle w o u l d u s u a l l y b e i n s c r i b e d u p o n t h e floor, t h o u g h it w o u l d still b e n e c e s s a r y for t h e m a g i c i a n to u s e his c o n c e n t r a t i o n a n d i m a g i n a t i o n to b u i l d t h e ' i n n e r ' circle a n d t e m p l e . W i t h a circle only in p h y s i c a l use o n e h a s

to c o n s t r u c t b o t h circle a n d t e m p l e in t h e c o n c e n t r a t e d i m a g i n a t i o n a n d t h e o n l y difference is t h a t t h e r e a r e n o p h y s i c a l t e m p l e walls a b o u t o n e to assist in this visualization. Inner Orientation T h e p u r p o s e of b o t h circle a n d t e m p l e is o n e of i n n e r o r i e n t a t i o n . O n e ' s p o s i t i o n is fixed in r e l a t i o n to c e r t a i n a g r e e d c o o r d i n a t e s . T h u s in a t w o - d i m e n s i o n a l sense o n e is s t a n d i n g in t h e c e n t r e of a n infinite h o r i z o n at t h e exact m e e t i n g p o i n t of t h e c a r d i n a l d i r e c t i o n s of E a s t , W e s t , S o u t h a n d N o r t h . I n a t h r e e - d i m e n s i o n a l sense o n e sees oneself as t h e c e n t r e e i t h e r of a s p h e r e or of a c u b e - in t h e l a t t e r case t h e m i d - p o i n t b e t w e e n all six faces, all eight c o r n e r s , all twelve sides. This m a y sound quite a trite observation, but p s y c h i c o r i e n t a t i o n is w h a t m o s t of us lack a n d this s i m p l e m e t h o d is a very g o o d w a y of a c h i e v i n g it. I n a n o t h e r form it is seen in t h e C h r i s t i a n p r a c t i c e of crossing oneself, w h i c h also h a s its occult c o u n t e r p a r t in t h e Q a b a l i s t i c C r o s s , w h i c h w e will c o n s i d e r l a t e r . A s a p r e l i m i n a r y exercise in m a g i c a l w o r k i n g , a s well a s a s i m p l e p s y c h o t h e r a p y , it is well w o r t h w o r k i n g o n . W i t h m o d e r a t e p e r s i s t e n c e results will p r o v e its w o r t h a n d t h e r i t u a l m a g i c i a n m u s t a b o v e all else b e s o m e o n e w h o is keen t o t r y t h e s e t h i n g s e x p e r i m e n t a l l y r a t h e r t h a n to sit a n d r e a d about them. T h e C i r c l e r e p r e s e n t s t h e w h o l e of m a n ( t h a t is, of oneself), a n d t h e w h o l e of t h e U n i v e r s e . O n e t h u s first l e a r n s t o o r i e n t a t e oneself c e n t r a l l y in r e l a t i o n to o n e ' s g r e a t e r u n k n o w n self, t h e heights and the depths, the good a n d the bad, the

p a s t a n d t h e p o t e n t i a l - a n d also w i t h t h e g r e a t e r Whole. Dividing the Circle T h e n e x t s t e p is to divide t h e C i r c l e i n t o s e g m e n t s , to b r e a k infinity u p i n t o a n u m b e r of finite c a t e g o r i e s , so t h a t o n e c a n get t o g r i p s w i t h it. T h i s c a n b e a n y n u m b e r , a n d a n y t r a d i t i o n a l s y m b o l s y s t e m c a n b e u s e d to d o it. T h u s o n e c o u l d h a v e twelve s e g m e n t s , e a c h a l l o c a t e d t o o n e of t h e twelve signs of t h e Z o d i a c . O r o n e c o u l d h a v e six s e g m e n t s , e a c h a l l o c a t e d t o o n e of t h e ' t r a d i t i o n a l ' p l a n e t s - w i t h Sol in t h e c e n t r e . F o r p u r p o s e s of i l l u s t r a t i o n t h r o u g h o u t this b o o k w e shall use a s i m p l e r s y s t e m , b a s e d o n four divisions, a l i g n i n g e a c h o n e w i t h o n e of t h e four t r a d i t i o n a l E l e m e n t s - Air, W a t e r , F i r e a n d Earth. W e t h e r e f o r e divide o u r circle, s p h e r e o r c u b i c a l t e m p l e i n t o four Q u a r t e r s , b a s e d o n t h e four C a r d i n a l P o i n t s , a n d a l l o c a t e a n E l e m e n t t o e a c h o n e t h u s : A i r in t h e E a s t , F i r e in t h e S o u t h , W a t e r in t h e W e s t , a n d E a r t h in t h e N o r t h . T h e basically t w o - d i m e n s i o n a l p l a n for this as a p p l i e d t o a circle is s h o w n in t h e d i a g r a m o n t h i s p a g e . T h e p r i n c i p l e is e q u a l l y s i m p l e w h e n a p p l i e d t h r e e - d i m e n s i o n a l l y b u t t h i s is b e s t s h o w n t h r o u g h t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of solid m o d e l s m a d e from c a r d . T h e y a r e very easy t o m a k e a n d are extremely instructive. Construction details a r e given in t h e A p p e n d i x . W e n o w m a k e use of t h e L a w of C o r r e s p o n d e n c e s a n d c o n s t r u c t a t a b l e of a t t r i b u t i o n s u n d e r t h e h e a d e r of e a c h Q u a r t e r . A s h o r t e x a m p l e of s u c h a t a b l e is a s follows:

AIR East Sword Yellow Dawn Spring Life Faith Childhood

FIRE South Wand Red Noon Summer Light Hope Youth

WATER West Cup Blue Dusk Autumn Love Charity Maturity

EARTH North Disc Green Midnight Winter Law Understanding O l d Age

- a n d t h e lists c o u l d be c o n t i n u e d indefinitely. It s h o u l d b e stressed t h a t s u c h t a b l e s of c o r r e s p o n d e n c e s s h o u l d b e p u t to p r a c t i c a l use in t h e circle. All too often t h e y a r e r e l e g a t e d to t h e sterile function of j u s t a d d i n g to t h e s t o r e of m e n t a l i m p e d i m e n t a in t h e s t u d e n t ' s m i n d or, w o r s e , b e c o m i n g t h e subject of fruitless a r g u m e n t w i t h o t h e r s as to w h i c h a r e t h e ' t r u e ' a t t r i b u t i o n s for o p i n i o n s differ.

I n fact it is o b v i o u s t h a t lists of a t t r i b u t i o n s will differ from p e r s o n t o p e r s o n . A n d in all cases t h e ' t r u e ' attributions are those which appeal most to t h e i n d i v i d u a l , w h o s h o u l d ideally have a r r i v e d a t t h e m t h r o u g h m e d i t a t i o n a n d his o w n esoteric sense a n d i n t u i t i o n r a t h e r t h a n collecting t h e m from t h e p a g e s or d i c t a t e s of s o m e ' a u t h o r i t y ' T h o s e w h o r e a d t h i s b o o k a r e invited to u s e t h e a t t r i b u t i o n s given as b e i n g g e n e r a l l y in t h e line of e s t a b l i s h e d t r a d i t i o n , a n d of p r o v e n w o r t h to t h e a u t h o r , b u t t h e r e is n o o b l i g a t i o n to a d o p t t h e m as infallible t r u t h . E a c h p e r s o n will find, w i t h e x p e r i e n c e , his o w n best c o r r e s p o n d e n c e s . U n t i l h e g a i n s this e x p e r i e n c e it is helpful to follow a p u b l i s h e d s y s t e m . O n e s h o u l d avoid flitting in i n d e c i s i o n from s y s t e m to s y s t e m h o w e v e r . A n eclectic t e c h n i q u e m a y b e useful t o t h e e x p e r i e n c e d a d e p t b u t it is s i m p l y a w a s t e of t i m e a n d effort for t h e n e o p h y t e . T o b e a m e r e collector of s y m b o l i s m , to p o r e over t a b l e s of c o r r e s p o n d e n c e s w i t h o u t p u t t i n g t h e m i n t o p r a c t i c e , is like b e i n g a collector of r a i l w a y t i m e t a b l e s , a n a r m c h a i r traveller w h o h a s never v e n t u r e d f u r t h e r t h a n his o w n h o m e town. Applying the Correspondences W e m a y s t a r t t o g a i n e x p e r i e n c e of m a g i c a l working by applying the few example c o r r e s p o n d e n c e s w e h a v e listed a l w a y s . I m a g i n e a circle a b o u t yourself, clearly m a r k e d i n t o four s e g m e n t s a c c o r d i n g to t h e C a r d i n a l P o i n t s . D u e E a s t , at a p o i n t o n t h e c i r c u m f e r e n c e , visualize a S w o r d floating in t h e air, p o i n t u p w a r d s . A n y t y p e of s w o r d c a n b e i m a g i n e d , t h o u g h t h e m o s t c o m m o n l y u s e d is a c r o s s h a n d l e d s w o r d . O r , as a

p a t t e r n for this a n d t h e o t h e r M a g i c a l W e a p o n s of t h e Q u a r t e r s , t h e a p p r o p r i a t e T a r o t c a r d A c e can be imagined. N o w s t e p t o w a r d s t h e c i r c u m f e r e n c e of t h e circle until you a r e s t a n d i n g i m m e d i a t e l y before the imagined weapon, a n d build up the other c o r r e s p o n d e n c e s listed in t h e c o l u m n . A n y o r d e r of d o i n g this will d o , a n d t h e final a i m is t o b e a b l e to invoke w i t h i n oneself t h e feeling of all of t h e m together. T h u s , s t a n d i n g in t h e E a s t before t h e S w o r d , see yourself b a t h e d in yellow light, feel c u r r e n t s of air e d d y i n g a b o u t you, h e a r t h e d a w n c h o r u s of b i r d s a n d feel t h e u r g e n t a w a k e n i n g life of S p r i n g t i m e , feel as a little child, a n d b e full of faith in t h e glory a n d b e a u t y of all t h i n g s , a n d b o u n d i n g w i t h life. H a v i n g e x p e r i e n c e d this for a s h o r t p e r i o d of t i m e (at m o s t t e n m i n u t e s ) , s t e p b a c k to t h e c e n t r e of t h e circle a n d r e s u m e normal consciousness. R e p e a t this p r o c e d u r e for e a c h Q u a r t e r in t u r n . T h e exercise c a n b e profitably p u r s u e d for s o m e weeks. Y o u c a n e i t h e r e x p e r i e n c e e a c h Q u a r t e r in t u r n in a single session, or c o n c e n t r a t e o n j u s t o n e Q u a r t e r e a c h d a y . It is i m p o r t a n t to develop each one though, a n d not just to concentrate on one or two which are the more c o n g e n i a l . If y o u d o c o n c e n t r a t e o n o n e m o r e t h a n t h e o t h e r s it s h o u l d r a t h e r b e t h e o n e t h a t is m o s t u n c o n g e n i a l - for in this w a y y o u m a y r e s t o r e t h e b a l a n c e of y o u r p s y c h e . To concentrate entirely on the aspect that comes easiest however, although it may seem s t i m u l a t i n g a n d p r o g r e s s i v e at first, will lead inevitably to u n b a l a n c e of c h a r a c t e r . A t this s t a g e of o u r s t u d i e s w e a r e u s i n g n o

g r e a t W o r d s or N a m e s of P o w e r t h a t excite t h e m o r b i d c u r i o s i t y a n d s u p e r s t i t i o u s s p e c u l a t i o n of t h e l a y m a n - n o r a n y s t r a n g e m a g i c a l signs. T h e s e will c o m e , b u t t h e y a r e q u i t e logical a n d sensible devices t h a t , like all g o o d tools, save us needless t i m e a n d t r o u b l e . N o n e , let us h a s t e n to a d d , w o u l d b e a n y use w h a t e v e r w i t h o u t this p r e p a r a t o r y w o r k in b u i l d i n g u p c o n s c i o u s r e a c t i o n s to t h e Q u a r t e r s b a s e d on t h e T a b l e s of Correspondences. T h e idea t h a t for a t y r o to i n a d v e r t e n t l y or p r e s u m p t u o u s l y say a W o r d of P o w e r or i n s c r i b e a M y s t i c S i g n is t o risk his b e i n g b l a s t e d o n t h e spot w i t h t e r r i b l e s u p r a m u n d a n e forces, b e l o n g s strictly t o t h e fiction w r i t e r ' s i m a g i n a t i o n . O n e gets as m u c h o u t of m a g i c as o n e p u t s i n t o it. A n d in t h e initial s t a g e s , h a v i n g p u t little i n t o it o n e is h a r d l y likely t o get u n c o n t r o l l a b l e forces o u t of it. ( T h o u g h t h e n e u r o t i c or u n s t a b l e p e r s o n a l i t y w o u l d b e advised n o t to d a b b l e w i t h it w i t h o u t experienced personal supervision, lest u n c o n t r o l l e d d i s s o c i a t i o n of c o n s c i o u s n e s s t a k e s place.) F o r t h e e x p e r i e n c e d m a g i c i a n h o w e v e r , it is p o s s i b l e t o get o u t far m o r e t h a n he p u t s in. T h e o u t p u t is proportional to t h e i n p u t , j u s t as a n a r c h e r m a y p r o p e l a n a r r o w w i t h infinitely g r e a t e r force from a b o w t h a n h e c o u l d t h r o w it, like a j a v e l i n , w i t h u n a i d e d m u s c l e p o w e r . F o r t h e first few weeks or m o n t h s of o u r s t u d i e s it is e n o u g h for us t o b u i l d u p e x p e r i e n c e of t h e Q u a r t e r s w i t h o u t artificial a i d s - w h i c h w o u l d serve only to i m p e d e a n d confuse at this s t a g e , or to e n c o u r a g e a n a t t i t u d e of s u p e r s t i t i o n . T h e s e p e r i o d s of w o r k i n g u p o n t h e Q u a r t e r s c a n b e u s e d t o m e d i t a t e u p o n t h e q u a l i t i e s of e a c h a n d

t o discover m o r e a t t r i b u t i o n s or c o r r e s p o n d e n c e s from o n e ' s i n n e r m o s t self. Physical Accoutrements If facilities p e r m i t , y o u c a n b e g i n to b u i l d u p p h y s i c a l a c c o u t r e m e n t s in e a c h Q u a r t e r . F o r e x a m p l e , you m i g h t p u r c h a s e little oil l a m p s w i t h c o l o u r e d glass a b o u t t h e flame in t h e a p p r o p r i a t e c o l o u r for e a c h Q u a r t e r . Y o u c o u l d h a v e a set of p a i n t i n g s , o n e for e a c h Q u a r t e r , of t h e F o u r S e a s o n s , or of t h e F o u r E l e m e n t s , or of D a w n , Noon, Dusk and Midnight. T h e s e c a n b e p u r c h a s e d or r e n d e r e d b y youself. T h e y c a n b e realistic, a b s t r a c t o r s y m b o l i c . Y o u s h o u l d avoid too m u c h c l u t t e r h o w e v e r . A little, well c h o s e n a n d tastefully a r r a n g e d , is b e t t e r t h a n t h e effect of a n overstocked symbolic j u n k shop. Eventually, you may collect the four t r a d i t i o n a l M a g i c a l W e a p o n s . T h e t r a d i t i o n is t h a t t h e S w o r d s h o u l d b e w o n or e a r n e d ; t h e R o d should be uniquely designed a n d m a d e by you w i t h o u t a n y o t h e r p e r s o n k n o w i n g of - o r seeing - it; t h e C u p s h o u l d b e given b y s o m e o n e w h o loves y o u ; a n d t h e D i s k s h o u l d c a r r y a d e s i g n w h i c h s u m s u p y o u r o w n u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e U n i v e r s e . T h e R o d , as it r e p r e s e n t s y o u r o w n t r u e S p i r i t u a l Will, is never s h o w n to a n o t h e r e x c e p t u n d e r very special c i r c u m s t a n c e s , a n d r e m a i n s secretly c o n c e a l e d a n d w r a p p e d in silk other rods are m a d e or p u r c h a s e d a n d used as o u t e r s u b s t i t u t e s for it. N a m e s of P o w e r H a v i n g built u p b y p r a c t i c e a n a d e q u a t e r e a l i z a t i o n of w h a t t h e Q u a r t e r s r e p r e s e n t in

t h e i r m a n i f o l d levels a n d a s p e c t s , we c a n p r o c e e d to a f o r m u l a t i o n of relevant N a m e s of P o w e r . T h e r e a r e t w o p r i n c i p a l N a m e s for e a c h Q u a r t e r . O n e is t h e n a m e for G o d w h e n a p p r o a c h e d in t h a t p a r t i c u l a r a s p e c t , a n d t h e o t h e r is t h a t of t h e A r c h a n g e l i c I n t e l l i g e n c e t r a d i t i o n a l l y believed to rule over e a c h Q u a r t e r . W e c a n list t h e s e as follows: East IHVH Raphael

South ADNI Michael

West AHIH Gabriel

North AGLA Auriel

T h e G o d N a m e s a r e all H e b r e w a n d a r e p r o n o u n c e d w i t h e q u a l stress o n e a c h syllable, w h i c h is d r a w n out at s o m e l e n g t h , t h u s : E e - a h oo-eh; Ah-doh-nah-ee; Eh-heh-ee-eh; a n d Ahg l a h . T h o s e w h o follow old t r a d i t i o n f r e q u e n t l y visualize t h e four letters of e a c h N a m e in H e b r e w letters of g o l d e n light before t h e m in e a c h Quarter. H o w e v e r , as m o s t W h i t e M a g i c i a n s a r e C h r i s t i a n s n o w a d a y s , w h o believe t h a t at a p o i n t in history G o d i n c a r n a t e d in h u m a n form as J e s u s C h r i s t , a n d r e m a i n s w i t h us 'even to t h e e n d of t h e w o r l d ' , t h e r e is really little p o i n t in m a i n t a i n i n g t h e v i e w p o i n t of G o d t h a t w a s h e l d in m e d i e v a l J e w i s h m y s t i c i s m - from w h i c h m o s t r i t u a l m a g i c a l s y m b o l i s m d e s c e n d s . T o reverse a n old a d a g e , t h e r e is n o p o i n t in r e t a i n i n g t h e bathwater along with the baby! Whilst retaining the traditional Names therefore, w h i c h a r e a u r a l i d e o g r a p h s , we c a n p e r h a p s m o d e r n i z e o u r c o n c e p t of G o d b y visualizing G o d as M a n ( t h a t is, as C h r i s t ) , at each Q u a r t e r , rather t h a n as a remote Oriental p o t e n t a t e w h o c a n b e a p p r o a c h e d only b y

a b s t r a c t s y m b o l or b y m a n y hierarchical intermediaries. Precisely w h i c h forms a r e u s e d c a n b e left to i n d i v i d u a l choice, t a k e n from i n c i d e n t s in t h e G o s p e l s . A s a s u g g e s t i o n to h e l p s u c h c h o i c e , t h o u g h , w e c a n c o n s i d e r C h r i s t to manifest p r i n c i p a l l y as G u i d e in t h e E a s t ; P r o t e c t o r in t h e S o u t h ; C o m p a n i o n in t h e W e s t ; a n d T e a c h e r in t h e N o r t h . But this is n o t t h e o n l y m e a n s of a l l o c a t i o n . S o m e m i g h t prefer to e m p h a s i z e t h e T i m e cycle of t h e m a g i c circle, in w h i c h c a s e t h e C h r i s t C h i l d w o u l d b e seen in t h e E a s t ; t h e E v a n g e l i z i n g T r i u m p h a n t C h r i s t in t h e S o u t h ; t h e s u p r e m e l y sacrificing,, loving, Crucified C h r i s t in t h e W e s t ; a n d t h e R e s u r r e c t e d a n d A s c e n d e d H i d d e n C h r i s t in t h e N o r t h . God-Names Explained T h e i d e a s b e h i n d t h e t r a d i t i o n a l four letter N a m e s are manifold, but c a n be briefly s u m m a r i z e d . I H V H is a N a m e u s e d in t h e O l d T e s t a m e n t a n d c o n s i d e r e d b y d e v o u t J e w s to b e so holy t h a t it s h o u l d not b e p r o n o u n c e d ; t h e t r u e p r o n u n c i a t i o n is said to b e u n k n o w n . E a r l y G e n t i l e s c h o l a r s , in i g n o r a n c e of finer p o i n t s of H e b r e w u s a g e , r e n d e r e d it as J e h o v a h , a n d m o d e r n Bible s c h o l a r s prefer to use t h e form Y a h w e h . Esoterically s p e a k i n g , h o w e v e r , it s e e m s best to r e g a r d it as a w o r d m a d e u p of vowel s o u n d s only. A n c i e n t H e b r e w - w h e n w r i t t e n - c o n s i s t e d of c o n s o n a n t s o n l y b u t it is t h e vowel s o u n d s t h a t give life to t h e w r i t t e n l e t t e r s , t h u s G o d ( t h e W o r d , or L o g o s ) , s e e m s a p p r o p r i a t e l y given a N a m e of all vowel s o u n d s w h e n c o n s i d e r e d in H i s essence, invisible b u t e v e r y w h e r e , giving life t o H i s c r e a t i o n .

A D N I , often a n g l i c i z e d as A d o n a i , s i m p l y m e a n s L o r d . It is t h e N a m e t h a t is s u b s t i t u t e d for I H V H w h e n a d e v o u t J e w is r e a d i n g t h e Bible a l o u d . It m a y t h u s well r e p r e s e n t G o d m a d e manifest to his c r e a t u r e s , t h e i r L o r d a n d protector, sustainer a n d creator. A H I H , u s u a l l y w r i t t e n as E h e i e h , is t h e N a m e t h a t G o d revealed to M o s e s from o u t of t h e b u r n i n g b u s h . It is t r a n s l a t e d usually as I A M or I A M T H A T I A M . It e m p h a s i z e s G o d s i m p l y as a n e v e r - p r e s e n t fact, t h a t is, w a s , a n d ever shall b e - t h e e t e r n a l C o m p a n i o n of all H i s c r e a t u r e s . A G L A is a p a r t i c u l a r f o r m of occult c o d i n g , b e i n g a N a m e t h a t is c o n s t r u c t e d from t h e initial letters of a S e n t e n c e - ' A t e h G e d u l a h L e ' o h l a h m A d o n a i ' - w h i c h m e a n s ' T h o u art m i g h t y for ever, O L o r d ' T h i s artificial c o n s t r u c t i o n , w h i c h r e q u i r e s a n a l y s i s for its u n d e r s t a n d i n g , is a n a p p r o p r i a t e N a m e for t h e N o r t h e r n Q u a r t e r , w h i c h a m o n g s t o t h e r t h i n g s s t a n d s for t h a t w h i c h is h i d d e n ( t h e M i d n i g h t S u n , etc.), a n d for l a w and understanding. Vibrating the N a m e s T h e s e N a m e s m a y n o w be a d d e d to o u r exercises of f o r m u l a t i n g t h e four Q u a r t e r s . T h e y s h o u l d b e ' v i b r a t e d ' r a t h e r t h a n s i m p l y s p o k e n in a n o r m a l t o n e of voice. P o s t u r e p l a y s a n i m p o r t a n t p a r t in p r o d u c i n g t h e r i g h t v i b r a t o r y t o n e - o n e n e e d s to achieve a n a t t i t u d e of poise. T h i s is best d o n e b y s t a n d i n g w i t h t h e feet in t h e form of a letter T , t h e r i g h t foot p l a c e d b e h i n d t h e left. T h e h a n d s a r e p l a c e d p a l m to p a l m over t h e h e a r t , w i t h t h e fingers p o i n t i n g u p w a r d s , a n d a light p r e s s u r e m a i n t a i n e d b e t w e e n t h e m . T h i s will give a p o s i t i o n like t h a t a d o p t e d b y servers in s o m e

c h u r c h c e r e m o n i e s , b u t it is very m u c h m o r e t h a n a p i o u s g e s t u r e , b e i n g t h e r e m a i n s of a little k n o w n a n d forgotten Y o g a of t h e W e s t . It will p r o d u c e p h y s i c a l a n d m e n t a l poise a n d also o p e n u p t h e cavity of t h e chest a n d at t h e s a m e t i m e slightly p r e s s u r i z e it. T h e N a m e s are uttered with 'impelled b r e a t h ' T h a t is, i m a g i n e t h a t t h e w o r d s a r e h a v i n g to b e p u s h e d out of t h e m o u t h a g a i n s t s o m e p r e s s u r e , as if, to use a slightly b i z a r r e a n a l o g y , y o u w e r e p r o j e c t i n g w o r d s t h r o u g h treacle. A very little p r a c t i c e will d e m o n s t r a t e w h e n you a r e o n t h e r i g h t lines. T h e voice will t a k e o n a m o r e s o n o r o u s t o n e , a n d this will b e h e l p e d b y r u n n i n g t h e w o r d s t o g e t h e r slightly a n d giving full value to all vowels a n d c o n s o n a n t s particularly the ' m ' and ' n ' sounds. O n e may p r a c t i s e w i t h a n y piece of p r o s e to develop t h e t e c h n i q u e . T h e v i b r a t i o n of p r o p e r l y i n t o n e d w o r d s m a y b e felt in c e r t a i n p a r t s of t h e b o d y , p a r t i c u l a r l y in t h e p a l m s of t h e h a n d s a n d soles of t h e feet. O n c e t h e t e c h n i q u e begins t o c o m e n a t u r a l l y , w i t h o u t d i s t r a c t i o n s from self-conscious p r a c t i c a l d e t a i l s , use it w i t h t h e D i v i n e N a m e s . W h e n y o u h a v e built u p t h e a t m o s p h e r e in a p a r t i c u l a r Q u a r t e r a n d a r e s t a n d i n g t h e r e in t h e d e s c r i b e d s t a n c e , v i b r a t e t h e G o d N a m e , know t h a t G o d is t h e r e blessing a n d p r o t e c t i n g you, a n d b u i l d e i t h e r a p i c t u r e of t h e a s p e c t of G o d in t h e m i n d ' s eye or t h e N a m e in g o l d e n light. Feel e x t r a life a n d power come into your already constructed images w h e n t h e N a m e of G o d is invoked. W h e n this h a s b e e n p r a c t i s e d for s o m e t i m e , t h e m i n d s h o u l d h a v e b e c o m e so c o n d i t i o n e d t h a t w h e n you v i b r a t e t h e N a m e , t h e a s s o c i a t e d

i m a g e s a n d feelings of t h e p a r t i c u l a r Q u a r t e r s h o u l d flow a u t o m a t i c a l l y i n t o c o n s c i o u s n e s s . Y o u h a v e t h e n c o n s t r u c t e d a W o r d of P o w e r - a w o r d or N a m e w h i c h b y c o n d i t i o n e d reflexes built u p b y m u c h m e d i t a t i o n a n d p r a c t i c e , will release p s y c h i c e n e r g y of a c e r t a i n c o n t r o l l e d type w h e n used with dedicated intention. Powers of Magical W e a p o n s It is b y b u i l d i n g specific p s y c h i c p o w e r s a n d realizations into specific actions, objects, sensations a n d sounds that the magician develops t h e p o w e r s of his m a g i c a l w e a p o n s . H i s m a g i c S w o r d , for i n s t a n c e , is not so m u c h t h e p h y s i c a l o n e t h a t h e m a y h a n d l e in his p h y s i c a l temple but the inner spiritual/intuitional/ m e n t a l / e m o t i o n a l s w o r d d e v e l o p e d from long contemplation, meditation, visualization a n d p h y s i c a l p r a c t i c e of exercises d e v o t e d t o t h e Eastern Quarter. T h i s is not to a d v o c a t e t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of t h e ' a r m c h a i r m a g i c i a n ' w h o does not b o t h e r t o get himself r e a l p h y s i c a l m a g i c a l w e a p o n s - for t h e a c t u a l h a n d l i n g of t h e s w o r d , t h e feel of its w e i g h t , t h e c l e a n i n g a n d c a r e of it, will serve to ' e a r t h ' all t h e r e l e v a n t r e a l i z a t i o n s as n o t h i n g else c a n . M a g i c a l r i t u a l a c t i o n s a n d objects a r e like a n oscillatory r e s o n a n t circuit in r a d i o — t h e action/object stimulates the psychic reaction, w h i c h b u i l d s g r e a t e r suggestive p o w e r i n t o t h e a c t i o n / o b j e c t , w h i c h in t u r n s t i m u l a t e s a g r e a t e r psychic reaction, which builds more power into t h e a c t i o n / o b j e c t , a n d so o n . I n t h i s w a y a r e t h e active E n e r g y ( S w o r d ) , Spiritual Will ( W a n d ) , Compassion a n d Psychic R e c e p t i v i t y ( C u p ) , a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g (Disc) of

t h e m a g i c i a n d e v e l o p e d , u n d e r t h e g u i d a n c e of G o d in F o u r A s p e c t s . M a g i c is n o t c o n d u c t e d in a p s y c h i c v a c u u m h o w e v e r . I n o p e n i n g c o n s c i o u s n e s s to o t h e r p l a n e s of existence, t h o u g h t b y t h e i g n o r a n t to b e c o m p l e t e l y subjective, y o u will n a t u r a l l y m e e t w i t h t h e d e n i z e n s of t h o s e p l a n e s w h o s e focus of c o n s c i o u s n e s s is n o r m a l l y o n a different b a n d of t h e c o n s c i o u s n e s s s p e c t r u m t h a n is t h e focus of c o n s c i o u s n e s s of w e h u m a n s . W e o b t a i n g u i d a n c e a n d p r o t e c t i o n in t h e c o n t a c t w i t h s u c h b e i n g s b y i n v o c a t i o n of t h e A r c h a n g e l i c Intelligence a s s i g n e d to e a c h Q u a r t e r . T h e m e t h o d of v i b r a t i n g t h e A r c h a n g e l i c N a m e s is t h e s a m e as for t h e G o d N a m e s . E a c h syllable is s o u n d e d s e p a r a t e l y w i t h t h e vowels d r a w n o u t fairly lon^ - R a h - p h a h - e l ; M e e - c h a h el; G a h - b r e e - e l ; A u - r e e - e l . Telesmatic Images It is u s u a l to visualize a n a n t h r o p o m o r p h i c figure at each Q u a r t e r w h e n vibrating the N a m e s - the c o n v e n t i o n a l o n e in l o n g r o b e s a n d w i t h l a r g e w i n g s does very well. It s h o u l d b e r e a l i z e d t h a t s u c h i m a g e s , in c o m m o n w i t h all m a g i c a l i m a g e s b u i l t u p in t h e c r e a t i v e i m a g i n a t i o n , a r e in t h e m s e l v e s b u t i m a g e s a s o n a subjective l a n t e r n slide screen. H o w e v e r , t h e ' t e l e s m a t i c i m a g e s ' , t o give t h e m t h e i r t e c h n i c a l n a m e , a c t a s foci for t h e real b e i n g o n a n o t h e r p l a n e to m a k e its p r e s e n c e felt in t h e c o n s c i o u s n e s s of t h e i n v o c a n t . M a g i c a l v i s u a l i z a t i o n w o r k s in t w o w a y s . Positively it w o r k s in t h e ability of t h e m a g i c i a n t o f o r m u l a t e i m a g e s a n d h o l d t h e m s t e a d y in t h e m i n d for c o m p a r a t i v e l y long p e r i o d s of t i m e if n e c e s s a r y (often from o n e to t w o h o u r s ) ; a n d

negatively it w o r k s in t h e a b i l i t y to a l l o w t h e i m a g e s t o t a k e o n a n a c t i o n a n d life of t h e i r o w n , a n d to o b s e r v e t h e m d o i n g t h i s , o r to c o n v e r s e w i t h them, holding the delicate balance between h o l d i n g t h e m t o o s t a t i c or rigid a n d drifting into diffusion o r c h a o s . T h e A r c h a n g e l s c a n b e visualized a s r o b e d in t h e c o l o u r s of t h e i r Q u a r t e r a n d e a c h o n e w i t h his p a r t i c u l a r s y m b o l i c a t t r i b u t e s . R a p h a e l is a g u i d e of travellers, a n d he a p p e a r s in t h e Bible as t h e g u i d e of T o b i a s . M i c h a e l is u s u a l l y d e p i c t e d slaying t h e d r a g o n of evil w i t h a l o n g s p e a r . G a b r i e l is t h e a n g e l of t h e A n n u n c i a t i o n a n d often c a r r i e s a h o r n . All t h e s e t h r e e a r e frequently d e p i c t e d in religious art a n d p e r s o n a l reference t o t h e v a r i o u s p i c t u r e s a n d l e g e n d s a n d biblical e p i s o d e s a b o u t t h e m is r e c o m m e n d e d t h e local p u b l i c l i b r a r y s h o u l d not b e n e g l e c t e d b y t h e p r a c t i s i n g m a g i c i a n , t h e fault only lies with t h o s e w h o s p e n d t h e i r w h o l e t i m e a n d energies t h e r e i n . A u r i e l is not so well k n o w n . H i s n a m e derives from t h e H e b r e w w o r d for light, a n d his light derives from t h e light of t h e s t a r s in t h a t h e is associated with the dark N o r t h e r n Q u a r t e r . H e c a n b e p i c t u r e d as a d a r k , s o m e w h a t elderly visaged b e i n g , a g r e a t b o o k o p e n in his h a n d s , a n d w i t h o n e finger p o i n t e d u p w a r d t o t h e s t a r s . H a v i n g f o r m u l a t e d t h e F o u r Q u a r t e r s of o u r M a g i c C i r c l e or T e m p l e a n d e s t a b l i s h e d e a c h in o u r i n m o s t b e i n g as a p a r t i c u l a r a s p e c t of r e a l i t y p r e s i d e d over b y G o d a n d u n d e r t h e j u r i s d i c t i o n of o n e of G o d ' s A r c h a n g e l i c m i n i s t e r s , w e c a n g o o n to d e s c r i b e t h e b a s i c r i t u a l f u r n i t u r e t h a t w e will h a v e i n s i d e t h e M a g i c C i r c l e . T h e s e a r e t w o fold - t h e A l t a r a n d t h e Pillars.

CHAPTER THREE T H E ALTAR AND T H E PILLARS P h i l o s o p h i c a l l y , t h e s y m b o l i c r a m i f i c a t i o n s of t h e Pillars a r e vast. T h e i r p r a c t i c a l essence is s i m p l e h o w e v e r , t h e y form a g a t e w a y t o t h e i n n e r planes. T h e colours of t h e m m a y vary, b u t t h e r e a r e a l w a y s t w o of t h e m , a n d o n e is light in c o l o u r (or b r i g h t ) a n d t h e o t h e r is d a r k . T h e y r e p r e s e n t t h e d u a l i t y w h i c h exists in all c r e a t e d t h i n g s , a n d t h u s a t a b l e of c o r r e s p o n d e n c e s of s o m e l e n g t h c o u l d also b e c o n s t r u c t e d for t h e m , as for t h e Q u a r t e r s . It m i g h t b e g i n as follows, t h o u g h e a c h m a g i c i a n s h o u l d m a k e u p his o w n list of realizations. DARK PILLAR Negative Female Night Passive Receptive Form Pingala Yin Boaz

BRIGHT PILLAR Positive Male Day Active Outgoing Force Ida Yang Jachin

T h e three latter correspondences are the names

by w h i c h t h e s e p r i n c i p l e s a r e k n o w n in H i n d u , Chinese, and Masonic teaching. T h e u s u a l c o l o u r s for e a c h a r e Black a n d Silver, a n d t h o u g h o n e m i g h t visualize different c o l o u r s in f o r m u l a t i n g Pillars in a n y of t h e Q u a r t e r s (in t h e Passive a n d Active c o l o u r s respectively, which are usually East: Blue/Yellow; South: Crimson/Scarlet; West: S i l v e r / B l u e ; N o r t h : B r o w n / G r e e n ) , it is n o t p r a c t i c a b l e to c l u t t e r t h e t e m p l e w i t h p i l l a r s of v a r i o u s c o l o u r s b u t t o have j u s t o n e p h y s i c a l p a i r of Black a n d Silver. S u g g e s t e d c o n s t r u c t i o n details a r e given in t h e Appendix. Three Pillar Exercises A g a i n , as w i t h t h e Q u a r t e r s , a n d i n d e e d w i t h all a c c o u t r e m e n t s of t h e m a g i c a l t e m p l e , t h e Pillars, w h a t e v e r t h e i r c o l o u r or b e a u t y of c o n s t r u c t i o n , will b e of little use u n t i l t h e y a r e w o r k e d w i t h . T h i s is d o n e in t h r e e w a y s ; first b y m e d i t a t i n g o n them individually a n d thereby increasing your d e p t h a n d r a n g e of r e a l i z a t i o n as to w h a t t h e y s t a n d for; s e c o n d l y b y s t a n d i n g b e t w e e n t h e m a n d t h u s m a k i n g y o u r o w n s p i n a l c o l u m n a n d its i m a g i n e d e x t e n s i o n t h r o u g h h e a d a n d feet a t h i r d c e n t r a l P i l l a r ; a n d t h i r d l y b y visualizing t h e Pillars as a P y l o n G a t e ( a n i m a g i n e d o v e r h e a d lintel j o i n i n g t h e t w o is i m p o r t a n t ) a n d slowly p a s s i n g t h r o u g h t h e m , r a i s i n g c o n s c i o u s n e s s as y o u d o so. It is as well t o achieve p r a c t i c e in t h e first w a y before g o i n g o n to t h e s e c o n d , a n d in t h e s e c o n d before g o i n g o n to t h e t h i r d . T h e w o r k c a n , however, b e p r o c e e d e d w i t h at t h e s a m e t i m e as t h e w o r k o n t h e Q u a r t e r s , if w i s h e d . A little i n g e n u i t y c o u l d in fact c o m b i n e t h e Pillars a n d

Q u a r t e r s exercises, a n d t h e b r i g h t a n d p e r c e p t i v e s t u d e n t will find his o w n w a y s to d o t h i s . T h e first exercise, t h e m e d i t a t i o n s u p o n e a c h Pillar, will result in t h e c o m p i l a t i o n of fairly l e n g t h y lists of a t t r i b u t i o n s , a n d n o t e s of m o r e c o m p l e x i d e a a s s o c i a t i o n s . It is as well to i n c l u d e m e d i a t i o n s o n t h e t h i r d , invisible M i d d l e Pillar, w h i c h will e v e n t u a l l y b e f o r m e d b y t h e m a g i c i a n himself. It r e p r e s e n t s c o n s c i o u s n e s s a n d t h e M i d d l e W a y between the opposites symbolized b y t h e side Pillars. S t u d e n t s of t h e T r e e of Life of t h e Q a b a l a h will find a vast d e p t h a n d r a n g e of s y m b o l i s m a v a i l a b l e to t h e m in this s i m p l e g l y p h . Imaginative Counterparts T h e s e c o n d exercise t a k e s t h e s e r e a l i z a t i o n s to a m o r e p r a c t i c a l level. S t a n d b e t w e e n t h e Black a n d Silver Pillars p h y s i c a l l y , b u i l d i n g t h e i r imaginative counterparts within your own aura, a n d also f o r m u l a t i n g t h e M i d d l e Pillar in t h e c o r e of yourself. S i m p l y t o h o l d this p i c t u r e s h o u l d s o o n b r i n g o n feelings of p s y c h i c o r m a g i c a l p o w e r . T h i s will b e t h e m o r e so to t h o s e w h o have studied the Q a b a l a h a n d who f o r m u l a t e t h e s p h e r e s of t h e T r e e of Life o n t h e t h r e e Pillars. T h e p r a c t i c e of s u c h relatively simple yet fundamentally important b r e a t h i n g / v i s u a l i z a t i o n exercises as t h e F o u n t a i n t e c h n i q u e will also a c c e l e r a t e d e v e l o p m e n t . D o o r to a H i d d e n L a n d T h e t h i r d exercise, in t h a t it involves p h y s i c a l m o v e m e n t allied to subjective v i s u a l i z a t i o n a n d receptivity, is m o r e a r i t u a l m a g i c a l exercise in t h e full sense of t h e w o r d s . It is i m p o r t a n t to b e ' r e c o l l e c t e d ' before a t t e m p t i n g it, i.e, a few

m i n u t e s of r e l a x a t i o n a n d r h y t h m i c a l b r e a t h i n g exercises a n d light m e d i t a t i o n s h o u l d form a preliminary. Then proceed as slowly as c o m f o r t a b l y p o s s i b l e t o w a r d s t h e Pillars as if y o u were a p p r o a c h i n g a strange door to a hidden l a n d - as in fact y o u a r e . Be very c o n s c i o u s of t h e t w o Pillars a n d t h e o v e r h e a d lintel as y o u p a s s t h r o u g h , a n d feel a c h a n g e of c o n s c i o u s n e s s c o m e over you. S t a n d o n t h e far side of t h e Pillars for a s m a l l space a n d then step backwards through them, b e i n g c o n s c i o u s of t h e m a g a i n , a n d b r i n g i n g c o n s c i o u s n e s s b a c k to t h e n o r m a l s t a t e . P a t i e n t p r a c t i c e a n d a willingness to ' m a k e h a s t e s l o w l y ' will b r i n g best r e s u l t s . T h i s s i m p l e exercise c a n h a v e f a r - r e a c h i n g r e s u l t s w h e n well c a r r i e d o u t a n d m a y even develop i n t o a t e c h n i q u e for full astral projection. It m a y h e l p in this last exercise to f o r m u l a t e a G u a r d i a n of t h e T h r e s h o l d a n d a P a s s w o r d to give silently to h i m , o r possibly a visual sign. O n giving this h e o p e n s t h e P o r t a l for you a n d t a k e s y o u u n d e r his g u i d a n c e a n d p r o t e c t i o n o n t h e o t h e r side. T h e P a s s w o r d or P a s s - s i g n is a p e r s o n a l safety device. By o p e r a t i o n of t h e a s s o c i a t i o n of ideas it p r e v e n t s s p o n t a n e o u s p s y c h i c o r u n c o n s c i o u s m a t e r i a l flooding i n t o t h e m i n d at i n o p p o r t u n e m o m e n t s d u r i n g d a i l y life. T h e h a b i t u a l p r a c t i c e of t h e use of s u c h a device w h e n e v e r o n e a t t e m p t s to raise c o n s c i o u s n e s s t h u s gives a u t o m a t i c a n d i n b u i l t c o n t r o l to y o u r o w n c o n s c i o u s m i n d over a n y possible i n r o a d s of other beings and other planes. A l t a r : F o c u s of C o n s c i o u s n e s s T h e o t h e r p r i n c i p a l i t e m of t e m p l e f u r n i t u r e , t h e

A l t a r , r e p r e s e n t s t h e focus of c o n s c i o u s n e s s of t h e T e m p l e or C i r c l e . It c a n c o m e in v a r i o u s forms b u t t h e t r a d i t i o n a l o n e is a c u p b o a r d , s q u a r e , b u t t w i c e as tall as it is w i d e a n d d e e p ( t h e ideal s h a p e b e i n g t h a t of a d o u b l e c u b e , or o n e c u b e placed u p o n another), a n d the height being a b o u t t h r e e feet. It is u s u a l l y c o l o u r e d b l a c k a n d h a s a w h i t e cloth o n its u p p e r surface. S o m e t i m e s a n u n d e r c l o t h is u s e d , w h i c h m a y b e b l a c k or else c o l o u r e d a p p r o p r i a t e l y for t h e w o r k in q u e s t i o n , a n d h a v i n g a tassel at e a c h c o r n e r , t h e tassels b e i n g a n a l o g u e s of t h e Q u a r t e r s . It is t r a d i t i o n a l ( a n d c o n v e n i e n t ) to keep all m i n o r r i t u a l a c c o u t r e m e n t s inside t h e A l t a r c u p b o a r d - magical weapons, thurible, incenses, candles, rituals, meditation symbols, pictures a n d so on. T h e A l t a r t o p s h o u l d b e clear of a n y i m p e d i m e n t a at t h e b e g i n n i n g a n d at t h e e n d of any working, a n d during the working should have u p o n it only s u c h t h i n g s as a r e actively b e i n g w o r k e d w i t h or m e d i t a t e d u p o n . T h i s is in k e e p i n g w i t h its function a s t h e focus of a t t e n t i o n of t h e Circle. T h e A l t a r ' s p o s i t i o n is u s u a l l y in t h e c e n t r e of t h e Circle w h e n t h e T e m p l e is not in active use a n d for g e n e r a l w o r k i n g . F o r rites t h a t h a v e r e l e v a n c e to a p a r t i c u l a r Q u a r t e r t h e A l t a r m a y b e p l a c e d in t h a t Q u a r t e r . P r i n c i p a l e x a m p l e s of s u c h rites a r e t h o s e at v a r i o u s festivals of t h e y e a r ; E a s t for t h e V e r n a l E q u i n o x , S o u t h for S u m m e r Solstice, W e s t for A u t u m n a l E q u i n o x , N o r t h for W i n t e r Solstice. S o m e prefer t o s t a n d in t h e c e n t r e t h e m s e l v e s , t h u s forming a k i n d of a l t a r , or focusing p o i n t , a n d t h e n t h e A l t a r is u s u a l l y p l a c e d in t h e E a s t ,

w h i c h , b e i n g t h e Q u a r t e r w h e r e t h e S u n rises, is t h e d i r e c t i o n of g r e a t e s t s y m b o l i c light. Placing the Pillars T h e Pillars a r e u s u a l l y p l a c e d in r e l a t i o n t o t h e A l t a r , a n d preferences vary. S o m e h a v e t h e A l t a r before t h e Pillars to act as a token of sacrifice before o n e c a n e n t e r t h e h i g h e r p l a n e s . T h i s arrangement is m o s t s u i t e d to initiatory c e r e m o n i e s , w h e n a c a n d i d a t e is b e i n g i n t r o d u c e d to t h e m a g i c a l M y s t e r i e s for t h e first t i m e . A n o t h e r w a y is t o h a v e t h e Pillars a t e a c h side of t h e A l t a r , w h i c h lies i m m e d i a t e l y b e t w e e n t h e m . T h i s e m p h a s i z e s t h e perfect b a l a n c e of forces a p p l i e d t o w h a t e v e r lies u p o n t h e A l t a r a n d is p a r t i c u l a r l y a p p r o p r i a t e to c o n s e c r a t i n g t a l i s m a n s , s a c r a m e n t s or o t h e r s y m b o l s . T h e t h i r d w a y is to h a v e t h e Pillars o n e a c h side in front of t h e A l t a r so t h a t t h e m a g i c i a n is s t a n d i n g b e t w e e n t h e m w h e n h e is s t a n d i n g at t h e A l t a r . T h i s m e t h o d is p a r t i c u l a r l y a p p r o p r i a t e for t h e r a i s i n g of c o n s c i o u s n e s s . M u c h c o u l d b e w r i t t e n of t h e details of v a r i o u s p o s i t i o n s of r i t u a l f u r n i t u r e b u t it is really m o r e d e s i r a b l e for e a c h s t u d e n t to e x p e r i m e n t for himself a n d find o u t h o w t h i n g s w o r k best for h i m . T h i s is t h e really v a l u a b l e occult t r a i n i n g for w h i c h t h e r e a d i n g of books is a very i n a d e q u a t e s u b s t i t u t e , save to lay d o w n e l e m e n t a r y g e n e r a l lines of p r i n c i p l e a n d give h i n t s for p o s s i b l e fruitful p e r s o n a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n s .

CHAPTER FOUR ROBES J u s t as a M a g i c a l T e m p l e is m o r e effective t h a n a t e m p o r a r y M a g i c C i r c l e , in t h a t it is possible to h a v e p e r m a n e n t d r a p e s of a p p r o p r i a t e c o l o u r s in e a c h Q u a r t e r , so will it b e m o r e evocative if t h e m a g i c a l s t u d e n t h a s special r o b e s t o w e a r w h e n h e is w o r k i n g . F u l l r e g a l i a i n c l u d e s t h e following: i n n e r r o b e , o u t e r cloak, s a n d a l s , h e a d d r e s s , girdle, l a m e n , ring. T h e p r i n c i p a l i t e m is t h e i n n e r r o b e , w h i c h is u s u a l l y b l a c k for o r d i n a r y initiates a n d gold for a d e p t s . T h e sense in w h i c h we u s e t h e s e t e r m s h e r e is t h a t a n a d e p t is c a p a b l e of forming his o w n links w i t h i n n e r r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h e P l a n e t a r y H i e r a r c h y , w h e r e a s a n i n i t i a t e is not a n d relies u p o n a n a d e p t to g u i d e h i m a n d p r o v i d e t h e m e a n s of c o n t a c t s . T h e r o b e is a s i m p l e g a r m e n t r e a c h i n g to t h e a n k l e s w i t h loose l o n g sleeves. S o m e p e o p l e use a cassock. T h e s e h a v e t h e advantage that they can be purchased, though u s u a l l y only in black. T h e r o b e t h u s provides a n overall covering from n e c k t o feet. T h e G i r d l e is g e n e r a l l y w h i t e r o p e w i t h a tassel a t e a c h e n d . It is a n i m p o r t a n t i t e m r i t u a l l y as it represents - amongst other things - the personal R i n g - P a s s - N o t o r m a g i c circle of t h e i n d i v i d u a l .

I n i n i t i a t i o n s it is p l a c e d a r o u n d t h e c a n d i d a t e ' s n e c k like a h a l t e r a n d h e is only a l l o w e d to w e a r it r o u n d his waist w h e n he is a n a c c e p t e d i n i t i a t e within that particular group. S a n d a l s a r e also i m p o r t a n t , in t h a t t h e y r e p r e s e n t t h e a b i l i t y to w a l k u p o n p l a n e s o t h e r t h a n t h e p h y s i c a l . O r d i n a r y shoes s h o u l d never b e w o r n in t h e T e m p l e or u p o n t h e m a g i c a l floor cloth. I n p r a c t i c e s l i p p e r s a r e u s e d , w i t h s i m i l a r l y c o l o u r e d socks, r a t h e r t h a n o p e n s a n d a l s . T h e c o l o u r is r e d (for a d e p t s , s y m b o l i z i n g m a g i c a l p o w e r ) o r b l a c k (for i n i t i a t e s ) . A Psychological Advantage Stripping at least to u n d e r c l o t h e s is a p s y c h o l o g i c a l a d v a n t a g e b u t this is n o t a l w a y s p r a c t i c a b l e . H o w e v e r if t r o u s e r s a n d shirts a r e w o r n b y m e n u n d e r m a g i c a l r o b e s , collars s h o u l d b e t u c k e d in, ties r e m o v e d , a n d e n d s of t r o u s e r s t u c k e d n e a t l y i n t o hose t o p s or o t h e r w i s e s e c u r e d , for n o t h i n g looks m o r e a m a t e u r i s h t h a n collars visible over t o p s of r o b e s a n d t r o u s e r e n d s dangling between robe bottoms a n d slippers. Wrist watches, a n d h a n d a n d ear jewellery should also be removed - t h o u g h a wedding ring is p e r m i s s i b l e . F u r t h e r m o r e it is t r a d i t i o n a l never to t a k e m o n e y i n t o a T e m p l e . N u d i t y in rites is n o p a r t of t h e m a g i c a l tradition, having no advantage a n d many d i s a d v a n t a g e s - as s o m e p a g a n , a n d even a n c i e n t C h r i s t i a n , sects h a v e found b y e x p e r i e n c e . T h e Cloak T h e o u t e r C l o a k is o p t i o n a l , t h o u g h in r i t u a l g r o u p s it is often a d i s t i n c t i o n of office - t h e cloak g o i n g w i t h t h e office r a t h e r t h a n being

p e r m a n e n t l y u s e d b y o n e i n d i v i d u a l . T h u s , for e x a m p l e , if a g r o u p h a d a m a i n r i t u a l calling for Officers of E a s t , S o u t h , W e s t a n d N o r t h t h e r e w o u l d b e a Yellow, R e d , B l u e a n d G r e e n r o b e a v a i l a b l e for e a c h officer. A l t e r n a t i v e l y a different c o l o u r e d r o b e m i g h t b e w o r n b y t h e officiant, a c c o r d i n g t o t h e n a t u r e of t h e rite. H o w e v e r , cloaks a r e expensive a n d difficult t o m a k e , as t h e y n e e d h e a v y m a t e r i a l of g o o d quality, a n d are usually embroidered with a s y m b o l i c device u p o n t h e b a c k . It is well w o r t h t r y i n g to m a k e o n e for oneself, however, a s t h e w e a r i n g of a cloak is of g r e a t p s y c h o l o g i c a l a d v a n t a g e a n d t h e c o l o u r a n d d e s i g n c a n b e left to p e r s o n a l choice. It is u s u a l for cloaks to h a v e a h i g h collar, or a h o o d w h i c h c a n b e d r a w n over t h e h e a d for p e r i o d s of m e d i t a t i o n or o u t e r inactivity. I n hot c l i m a t e s of c o u r s e , a cloak m a y well p r o v e m o r e d i s t r a c t i o n t h a n it is w o r t h . I n cold c l i m a t e s , or for o u t d o o r w o r k a useful a d a p t a t i o n c a n b e m a d e b y use of a h o o d e d duffle c o a t o r d o n k e y j a c k e t , w h i c h looks perfectly o r d i n a r y t o a n y onlooker, b u t w h i c h in fact is u s e d exclusively for m a g i c a l w o r k . T h i s significance will b e k n o w n only to t h e w e a r e r . S u c h g a r m e n t s c a n b e of very g r e a t h e l p to t h o s e w h o w i s h to t a k e t h e i r activities o u t s i d e to particular m a g n e t i z e d spots, a n d t h e p r i n c i p l e e m p h a s i z e s t h e fact t h a t it is d e d i c a t e d a n d exclusive u s e which puts the power into magical garments and n o t a n y o u t l a n d i s h d e s i g n or a p p e a r a n c e . A knife, stick, w a t e r b o t t l e a n d c o m p a s s form t h e four M a g i c a l W e a p o n s , a n d a little i m a g i n a t i o n a n d i n g e n u i t y a l o n g t h e s e lines c a n l e a d t o a very r e w a r d i n g line of investigation i n t o

t h e p s y c h i c p o w e r p o i n t s a n d p o w e r lines of a c o u n t r y region. R i t u a l h e a d - d r e s s varies c o n s i d e r a b l y . A s i m p l e b a n d or fillet m i g h t b e used b u t p e r h a p s t h e best a n d m o s t p r a c t i c a b l e is t h e n e m y s s , w h i c h is very s i m p l e to m a k e . (See Appendix). It c a n b e of a n y c o l o u r b u t u s u a l l y m a t c h e s t h e r o b e . S o m e t i m e s it is e q u i p p e d w i t h a veil. S o m e d o n o t u s e h e a d - d r e s s e s a t all. The Lamen T h e L a m e n i n d i c a t e s t h e t y p e of w o r k y o u a r e e n g a g e d u p o n . It is s i m p l y a k i n d of b a d g e s u s p e n d e d o n a r i b b o n a b o u t t h e neck a n d h a n g i n g over t h e h e a r t , m a d e e i t h e r of m e t a l or of p a r c h m e n t . It m a y b e a r t h e M a g i c a l N a m e , or a s p i r a t i o n s , of t h e m a g i c i a n , or b e a s y m b o l of t h e g r o u p w i t h w h i c h he w o r k s . T h u s it m i g h t b e a form of R o s e C r o s s , for e x a m p l e . A s it r e p r e s e n t s p e r s o n a l i n t e n t i o n its d e s i g n s h o u l d b e p e r s o n a l l y d e c i d e d so t h e r e is little p o i n t in o u r t r e a t i n g this subject in a n y g r e a t d e t a i l . S o m e r i t u a l i s t s use a Stole, e i t h e r in a d d i t i o n t o or i n s t e a d of, t h e L a m e n . T h i s ' i s basically a b r o a d r i b b o n w h i c h goes r o u n d t h e b a c k of t h e neck a n d h a n g s d o w n o n e a c h side of t h e m a g i c i a n ' s b r e a s t from t h e s h o u l d e r s , s o m e t i m e s h a v i n g t h e free e n d s t u c k e d i n t o t h e girdle. D e s i g n varies b u t u s u a l l y is in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e i d e a of t h e t w o sides of t h e L a m e n b e i n g r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of t h e t w o Pillars, b u t in a n i n d i v i d u a l sense, j u s t as t h e L a m e n m i g h t b e t h o u g h t of as t h e i n d i v i d u a l A l t a r , a n d t h e G i r d l e the individual Circle, and the Head-dress, R o b e a n d S a n d a l s as t h e i n d i v i d u a l T e m p l e roof, walls a n d floor.

The Ring F i n a l l y t h e R i n g r e p r e s e n t s t h e m a g i c i a n ' s Will a n d is w o r n o n t h e i n d e x finger of t h e r i g h t h a n d (assuming the magician to be r i g h t - h a n d e d ) . As s u c h it s o m e w h a t d u p l i c a t e s t h e functions of t h e W a n d a n d some magical workers dispense with it. It is a useful i t e m h o w e v e r , w h i c h in so far as all t h e r o d s or w a n d s u s e d a r e b u t s u b s t i t u t e s for t h e o n e secret R o d as h i t h e r t o d e s c r i b e d , t h e p u t t i n g o n of t h e R i n g c a n b e r e g a r d e d as a k i n d of m a n d a t e of t h e finger w h i c h lies a l o n g t h e s u b s t i t u t e rod, i n d i c a t i n g t h e real h i d d e n p o w e r t h a t lies b e h i n d . Like t h e real R o d , t h e R i n g c a n b e of p e r s o n a l d e s i g n a n d colour, a n d s o m e of t h e m o s t impressive a r e in fact a d a p t e d from brooches welded onto plain rings. G r e a t intrinsic m o n e t a r y value is not essential, as it is i n t e n t i o n a n d d e d i c a t i o n w h i c h a r e t h e real factors, a n d as in all m a g i c a l w o r k a m i d w a y b a l a n c e m u s t b e s o u g h t b e t w e e n t h a t w h i c h is r i g h t b e t w e e n makeshift n i g g a r d l i n e s s and wasteful e x t r a v a g a n c e . A s t h e t r u e W i t c h t r a d i t i o n d e m o n s t r a t e s , for t h o s e u n a b l e to p u r c h a s e t h e e x p e n s i v e a c c o u t r e m e n t s of A r t M a g i c in o l d e n d a y s , t h e h o m e l y articles of b r o o m , knife, c a u l d r o n a n d so o n c o u l d m a k e e q u a l l y p o t e n t tools of t h e m a g i c a l craft.

C H A P T E R FIVE THE RITUAL A r i t u a l is t h a t form of w o r d s a n d a c t i o n s w h i c h c o n n e c t s a n d h o l d s t o g e t h e r all t h a t w e h a v e b e e n h i t h e r t o c o n s i d e r i n g . W e s h o u l d , p e r h a p s , at this p o i n t m a k e clear t h a t t h e r e is a difference b e t w e e n m a g i c a l r i t u a l a n d religious r i t u a l w h i c h is j u s t as r a d i c a l as t h e difference b e t w e e n religious r i t u a l a n d s a y civic or social or m i l i t a r y r i t u a l ( t h e p r o c e s s i o n of d i g n i t a r i e s or c e r e m o n i a l parade). R e l i g i o u s r i t u a l is t h e p e r f o r m a n c e of a set s e q u e n c e of a c t s , t h e very d o i n g of w h i c h is h e l d to be a n act of s a c r a m e n t a l validity, a r e n e w i n g of c o v e n a n t b e t w e e n G o d a n d m a n . All t h a t is n e c e s s a r y is a p r o p e r l y a p p o i n t e d priest a n d t h e s a c r a m e n t s , a n d it m a t t e r s not w h a t t h e a t t i t u d e of m i n d o r i n n e r e x p e r i e n c e of t h o s e t a k i n g p a r t m a y b e - e x c e p t as a s e c o n d a r y c o n s i d e r a t i o n . T h e priest himself m a y b e in a s t a t e of unrepentant mortal sin and completely d i s i n t e r e s t e d in w h a t h e is doing, b u t b y v i r t u e of his office a n d his a c t i o n s t h e rite is still h e l d to b e valid. I n m a g i c a l r i t u a l , h o w e v e r , all d e p e n d s u p o n t h e s t a t e of m i n d of t h e o p e r a t o r s , a n d u n l e s s t h e y a r e well t r a i n e d in t h e t e c h n i q u e s of c o n c e n t r a t i o n a n d creative visualization, t h e

w o r k will i n v a r i a b l y p r o v e a b o r t i v e . T h e w h o l e a i m of occult r i t u a l is in fact for it t o b e a n aid to c o n c e n t r a t i o n a n d visualization. A n d if o n e c o u l d achieve equal concentration a n d conscious control by other m e a n s then there would be no p o i n t in using m a g i c a l r i t u a l . T h e r e is, h o w e v e r , t h a t u n d e f i n a b l e a n d u n p r e d i c t a b l e q u a l i t y , t h e G r a c e of G o d , w h i c h is t h e w h o l e p o w e r a n d m e a n i n g b e h i n d religious r i t u a l , a n d w h i c h c a n a n d s h o u l d also act b e h i n d m a g i c a l r i t u a l , e x t e n d i n g it to yet a n o t h e r p l a n e of m e a n i n g f u l n e s s a n d reality. I n this, t h e n , t h e r e is a c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n m a g i c a l a n d religious r i t u a l b u t t h e o n e s h o u l d not b e r e g a r d e d as a s u b s t i t u t e for t h e o t h e r as is so often t h e a t t i t u d e - u s u a l l y in p a t r o n i z i n g a n d d i s p a r a g i n g t e r m s too! A Simple Ceremonial Form I n o r d e r t o s h o w h o w t h e v a r i o u s factors of r i t u a l m a g i c a r e w e l d e d t o g e t h e r in a rite we will give a s i m p l e c e r e m o n i a l form h e r e , w i t h c o m m e n t s u p o n it as we go t h r o u g h . W e will m a k e this as s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d as possible, w i t h t h e b a r e m i n i m u m of s i m p l e a p p u r t e n a n c e s , so t h a t t h e s t u d e n t c a n c o m m e n c e to p r a c t i s e if h e wishes without u n d u e delay. W e will a s s u m e t h e A l t a r to b e in t h e C e n t r e , flanked b y < t h e Pillars, t h e Silver Pillar to t h e r i g h t a n d t h e Black Pillar t o t h e left, w h e n facing E a s t from t h e W e s t e r n Q u a r t e r . T h e Pillars c a n b e s i m p l y i m a g i n e d , if n e c e s s a r y , b u t t h e r e s h o u l d be a s m a l l t a b l e r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e A l t a r (of a n y s h a p e or size in t h e s e early e x p e r i m e n t a l s t a g e s ) p r e f e r a b l y covered w i t h a w h i t e n e w l y l a u n d e r e d cloth. T h e F o u r Q u a r t e r s c a n b e

r e a d i l y f o r m e d b y p l a c i n g four c h a i r s , o n e a t e a c h Q u a r t e r facing i n w a r d . T h e s e a r e t h e b a r e b o n e s of a m a g i c a l t e m p l e w h i c h will serve as a r i t u a l k i n d e r g a r t e n a n d is possible to o r g a n i z e in m o s t domestic circumstances. It c a n b e e l a b o r a t e d a c c o r d i n g t o i n d i v i d u a l c i r c u m s t a n c e a n d preference. A m a j o r p a r t of m a g i c a l a p p r e n t i c e s h i p is t h e p r o c e s s of trial a n d e r r o r in b u i l d i n g u p , modifying a n d r e m o d i f y i n g y o u r r i t u a l circle a n d a c c o u t r e m e n t s until, given p e r s i s t e n c e a n d p r o l o n g e d d e d i c a t i o n , y o u find yourself in t h e p o s i t i o n of h a v i n g a full scale t e m p l e p e r m a n e n t l y a s s e m b l e d in a p l a c e set a p a r t - e i t h e r o n a n i n d i v i d u a l or a s h a r e d g r o u p basis. Process of G r o w t h T h e s a m e p r o c e s s of g r o w t h will t a k e p l a c e w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of t h e r i t u a l s u s e d , a n d this is another facet of m a g i c a l ritual apprenticeship. F o r i n s t a n c e , from simply l i g h t i n g a n E a s t e r n c a n d l e to i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e ' p o w e r s ' of t h e E a s t a r e active in t h e t e m p l e , you m a y e v e n t u a l l y p r o g r e s s to h a v i n g a c e r e m o n i a l s w o r d d r a w n from its s c a b b a r d in t h e E a s t a n d p r o c e s s e d r o u n d t h e t e m p l e to b e finally laid o n t h e A l t a r . O r , w i t h r e g a r d to incense, y o u m a y s t a r t w i t h t h e s i m p l e s t a n d easiest m e t h o d , of s i m p l y igniting a p u r c h a s e d j o s s stick. F r o m this y o u m a y go o n to t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of a s i m p l e i n c e n s e b u r n e r m a d e of a n e a r t h e n w a r e b o w l of s a n d s t a n d i n g u p o n a tile, in w h i c h a c h a r c o a l block c a n b e ignited ( e i t h e r t h e selfi g n i t i n g t y p e o r t h e o r d i n a r y sort w h i c h n e e d s to b e s o a k e d in m e t h y l a t e d spirits), a n d selected incenses p l a c e d u p o n it.

Eventually you m a y have your o w n thurible, w h i c h is c a p a b l e of c o m p l e x r i t u a l use in purification a n d d e d i c a t i o n of objects a n d p e r s o n s , t o g e t h e r w i t h a r a n g e of incenses a p p r o p r i a t e to v a r i o u s s e a s o n s a n d o c c a s i o n s . W h e n it c o m e s t o r o b e s y o u m a y c o m m e n c e w i t h a n o r d i n a r y g a r m e n t , even a n a p r o n , set a s i d e for t h e p u r p o s e a n d p r o c e e d e v e n t u a l l y ( w i t h t h e aid of m u c h p a t i e n c e a n d a s e w i n g m a c h i n e ) t o a n o r n a t e set of r o b e s , cloaks a n d m i n o r regalia. Primitive, a n d even l u d i c r o u s , t h o u g h t h e s i m p l e s t form of r i t u a l e q u i p m e n t m a y s e e m , t h e s t u d e n t of l i m i t e d r e s o u r c e s w h o m a k e s t h e best of w h a t h e h a s is likely to m a k e m o r e satisfactory progress t h a n the rich one w h o can have a temple a n d its c o n t e n t s m a d e - t o - o r d e r b y s i g n i n g a cheque. M u c h depends u p o n the resource, h a r d work a n d faith t h a t goes t o b u i l d u p a m a g i c a l t e m p l e . As a n i n s t a n c e , t h e s t u d e n t w h o c a n strike a s i m p l e m a t c h , a n d b y this e v e r y d a y m e a n s c o n j u r e t h e p r e s e n c e of t h e m i g h t A r c h a n g e l M i c h a e l , is a m a g i c i a n i n d e e d . T h e s t u d e n t w h o h a s not a t t a i n e d this facility is unlikely t o get it s i m p l y b y h a v i n g t h e r e s o u r c e s to p u r c h a s e or h a v e m a d e a n i m p r e s s i v e looking R o d of P o w e r t h a t lights u p at t h e e n d s or gives off s p a r k s at t h e t o u c h of a h i d d e n s w i t c h . S u c h i n d e e d c o u l d b e a n impressive w e a p o n in t h e h a n d s of the first s t u d e n t , b u t in itself is of n o m o r e intrinsic m a g i c a l value t h a n a m a t c h . P a r a d o x i c a l l y , t h e m a g i c a l s t u d e n t develops ever m o r e c o m p l e x a n d i m p r e s s i v e tools of his t r a d e s i m p l y in o r d e r to o p e r a t e t h e b e t t e r w i t h o u t t h e m . B u t it is t h e development t h a t is t h e key w o r d h e r e , n o t t h e m e r e ownership.

Preliminaries I n t h e c a p a c i t y of T e m p l e Server, first set o u t t h e circle as it is to b e r e q u i r e d . Strictly s p e a k i n g , t h e r i t u a l h a s a l r e a d y s t a r t e d , a n d this s h o u l d b e d o n e in a q u i e t , d e d i c a t e d a n d efficient m a n n e r . N o r o b e s n e e d b e w o r n for t h i s , b u t m o v e a b o u t in s t o c k i n g e d feet i n s t e a d of o u t d o o r s h o e s to i n d i c a t e t h a t you a r e p r e p a r i n g a n ' i n n e r w a y ' T h e circle h a v i n g b e e n set, t h e r e c o m e s t h e R o b i n g . T h i s s h o u l d not b e d o n e in a careless or u n d i g n i f i e d m a n n e r , b u t slowly, q u i e t l y a n d w i t h i n t e n t i o n . A s y o u p u t o n t h e m a i n g a r m e n t or r o b e , feel yourself also p u t t i n g o n a n e w ' m a g i c a l ' p e r s o n a l i t y , a n d e v e r y d a y feelings, t h o u g h t s , w o r r i e s a n d so o n a r e i m m e d i a t e l y forgotten. S t e p p i n g i n t o t h e slippers, realize y o u a r e n o w c a p a b l e of t r e a d i n g u p o n ' i n n e r ' p a t h w a y s . Putting on the headgear, make your contact with y o u r o w n s p i r i t u a l self a n d y o u r m i n d g e a r s itself to i n t u i t i o n a l a w a r e n e s s . A s y o u p u t o n t h e girdle so d o y o u p u t o n y o u r p r o t e c t i o n a n d i n t e g r i t y , feeling yourself as p a r t of a long c o r d of initiates through time a n d space. W i t h the ring comes the c o n t a c t w i t h y o u r S p i r i t u a l Will, w i t h t h e L a m e n or Stole a n d C l o a k t h e p a r t i c u l a r i n t e n t i o n for t h e w o r k in h a n d . H a v i n g r o b e d , you m a y t h e n s t a n d or sit in t h e W e s t for a few m o m e n t s a n d after a few r o u t i n e s i m p l e r e l a x a t i o n a n d b r e a t h i n g exercises as in a n y n o r m a l m e d i t a t i o n , visualize t h e T e m p l e as y o u w o u l d like it t o be, in ideal form, p o s s i b l y w i t h m a r b l e pillars a n d h i g h t h r o n e s a n d so on, or else p u t s i d e in evocative countryside. Whatever is c h o s e n should be repeated every t i m e , in o r d e r to b u i l d u p t h e a p p r o p r i a t e stresses o n t h e a s t r a l p l a n e . T h i s will m a k e

s u b s e q u e n t w o r k i n g s t h e easver a n d m o r e powerful. T h i s i n d u c t i o n p e r i o d is b o t h a C o m p o s i t i o n of M o o d a n d C o m p o s i t i o n of Place a n d in g r o u p w o r k a p a s s a g e of d e s c r i p t i v e p r o s e is often r e a d a l o u d to assist v i s u a l i z a t i o n . S o m e i n d i v i d u a l s u s e p r e - r e c o r d e d m u s i c or descriptive r e a d i n g s . T h e s e a r e o p t i o n a l - it is t h e i n n e r w o r k t h a t is i m p o r t a n t - as in all p h a s e s of t h e c e r e m o n y . The Circumambulations T h e s e a r e d e s i g n e d for initially r a i s i n g a m o d i c u m of p o w e r . G o t o t h e E a s t e r n Q u a r t e r , a n d c o m m e n c i n g from t h e r e , w a l k t h r e e t i m e s r o u n d t h e t e m p l e in a clockwise d i r e c t i o n . I n a g r o u p w o r k i n g , w h e r e t h e r e is n a t u r a l l y m o r e p s y c h i c p o w e r s p o n t a n e o u s l y a v a i l a b l e , this c a n b e q u i t e a n e x p e r i e n c e , for it often feels like w a d i n g t h r o u g h d e e p w a t e r a n d it m a y even s e e m difficult to keep o n e ' s p h y s i c a l b a l a n c e . Each of the three circumambulations r e p r e s e n t s a different d i m e n s i o n of i n n e r consciousness (symbolized by the three physical dimensions), and as y o u circumambulate visualize w i t h t h e first o n e a r i n g of light going around with you. With the second c i r c u m a m b u l a t i o n y o u s h o u l d see a n o t h e r r i n g of light s t a r t i n g at t h e S o u t h a n d g o i n g u p w a r d over t h e Pillars, d o w n t h r o u g h t h e N o r t h a n d finally u p at t h e S o u t h a g a i n . A n d w i t h t h e t h i r d c i r c u m a m b u l a t i o n a ring should be seen coming u p from t h e W e s t a n d d o w n t h r o u g h t h e E a s t a n d finally b a c k t o t h e W e s t a g a i n u n d e r n e a t h the Temple. T h u s you have built a three-dimensional s p h e r e , t h e c e n t r e p o i n t of w h i c h is t h e A l t a r t o p

in t h e c e n t r e , or t h e c e n t r e of yourself if y o u s t o o d in t h e c e n t r e in p l a c e of t h e A l t a r . A n a l t e r n a t i v e , s o m e w h a t s i m p l e r m e t h o d , is to c o n c e n t r a t e o n t h e T i m e a n d Life cycle as y o u go r o u n d . T h u s you c o m e i n t o p h y s i c a l b i r t h at t h e S o u t h , r e a c h t h e n a d i r of p h y s i c a l life at t h e W e s t , e x p e r i e n c e p h y s i c a l d e a t h at t h e N o r t h , r e a c h t h e z e n i t h of i n n e r life at t h e E a s t , a n d a r e t h e n b o r n a g a i n at t h e S o u t h a n d so o n . T h i s c a n h a v e a very p o t e n t i n n e r effect. A n even s i m p l e r m e t h o d is to i m a g i n e yourself a s c e n d i n g a spiral s t a i r c a s e so t h a t y o u finish u p o n a h i g h e r 'floor' of c o n s c i o u s n e s s t h a n w h e n you started. T h e Qabalistic Cross Having done the Three Mystic C i r c u m a m b u l a t i o n s , face t h e E a s t in t h e E a s t e r n Q u a r t e r a n d p e r f o r m t h e Q a b a l i s t i c C r o s s , in o r d e r to stabilize t h e a u r a . T h i s is p e r f o r m e d as follows: I N T H Y H A N D S ( T o u c h t o p of f o r e h e a d w i t h r a i s e d i n d e x a n d m i d d l e fingers) IS T H E K I N G D O M ( T o u c h solar p l e x u s ) A N D T H E P O W E R ( T o u c h right s h o u l d e r ) A N D T H E G L O R Y ( T o u c h left s h o u l d e r ) F O R E V E R A N D E V E R , A M E N (Clasp hands at breast) T h e v i s u a l i z a t i o n to go w i t h this consists of seeing a n d feeling a b r i l l i a n t w h i t e light d e s c e n d i n g from o n h i g h t h r o u g h y o u r h e a d d o w n to t h e feet a n d even i n t o t h e c e n t r e of t h e E a r t h , a n d t h e n a cross shaft of s i m i l a r light from s h o u l d e r to s h o u l d e r , even t o t h e h o r i z o n s . S o m e

i m a g i n e themselves as of e n o r m o u s size before c o m m e n c i n g it. O t h e r s recite it in H e b r e w , t h e t r a d i t i o n a l m a g i c a l l a n g u a g e , in w h i c h case it runs A T E H / M A L K U T H / V E G E B U R A H / V E GEDULAH/ LEOLAHM AMEN. It is in t h e s t u d e n t ' s interest to e x p e r i m e n t w i t h t h e s e v a r i o u s forms, a n d t h o s e p u b l i s h e d or h e a r d s p o k e n of e l s e w h e r e , in o r d e r t o evolve his own approach and technique. O p e n i n g Ritual of the P e n t a g r a m By t r a d i t i o n a p e n t a g r a m or five-pointed s t a r is u s e d as a n a s t r a l seal a t e a c h Q u a r t e r , t h o u g h t h e r e a r e e q u a l l y g o o d signs t h a t c o u l d also b e u s e d , s u c h as a n e n c i r c l e d C r o s s , or a R o s e Cross. The number five is symbolically i m p o r t a n t in this c o n t e x t in t h a t it r e p r e s e n t s Spirit b e i n g d o m i n a n t over t h e F o u r E l e m e n t s s p i r i t u a l m a n over a n i m a l m a n . W i t h o u t t h e faith a n d t h e r e a l i z a t i o n t h e s y m b o l s t h e m s e l v e s will n o t b e of m u c h i n t r i n s i c value, unless y o u h a v e s t r o n g l y f o r m u l a t e d links w i t h a n o u t e r or i n n e r occult group. A l t h o u g h t h e r e a r e several w a y s in w h i c h a p e n t a g r a m m a y b e d r a w n a c c o r d i n g to different magical symbolic requirements, the usual m e t h o d in o p e n i n g is t o s t a r t at t h e t o p , p r o c e e d with straightened a r m and extended index and m i d d l e fingers to lower r i g h t , t h e n c e to u p p e r left, u p p e r r i g h t , lower left, a n d finally to t h e t o p p o i n t . T h e n p o i n t i n t o t h e c e n t r e of t h e figure a n d v i b r a t e t h e p a r t i c u l a r Divine N a m e . If s i m p l y o p e n i n g a r e g u l a r t e m p l e o r circle, i m a g i n e t h e p e n t a g r a m s to b e f o r m e d in s p a c e j u s t b e y o n d e a c h Q u a r t e r , in g o l d e n light. If b a n i s h i n g a r o o m of u n w a n t e d u n f l u e n c e s ,

project t h e p e n t a g r a m from y o u r f o r e h e a d a n d p u s h it o u t t h r o u g h s p a c e t o its p o s i t i o n a t t h e Q u a r t e r or j u s t b e y o n d t h e p h y s i c a l w a l l s of t h e room. W h e n v i b r a t i n g t h e D i v i n e N a m e , visualize e i t h e r t h e N a m e in g o l d e n light, or, as p r e v i o u s l y s u g g e s t e d , a n a s p e c t from t h e life of C h r i s t , w h i c h is m o r e m o d e r n , effective a n d yet still b a s e d u p o n t r a d i t i o n . D e v o u t n o n - C h r i s t i a n s will develop t h e i r o w n r e a l i z a t i o n s a n d f o r m u l a e . A g n o s t i c s a n d o t h e r v a r i a t i o n s of t h e l u k e w a r m h a d b e t t e r leave t h e subject a l o n e on a p r a c t i c a l b a s i s or u n t i l t h e y h a v e g a i n e d m o r e w i s d o m b y less p o t e n t i a l l y explosive m e t h o d s . H a v i n g v i b r a t e d t h e D i v i n e N a m e , t u r n slowly to t h e next Q u a r t e r , t h e a r m a n d fingers still o u t s t r e t c h e d , s i m u l t a n e o u s l y visualizing a line of light of t h e s a m e g o l d e n c o l o u r , until y o u a r e p o i n t i n g d i r e c t l y a t t h e next Q u a r t e r , w h e r e y o u t h e n t r a c e a P e n t a g r a m . T h u s , t o t h e v i b r a i t o n of the N a m e s I H V H , A D N I , A H I H and A G L A we t r a c e P e n t a g r a m s at E a s t , S o u t h , W e s t a n d N o r t h a n d we finally c o m p l e t e t h e g o l d e n fiercy circle r o u n d to t h e E a s t . T h i s p r o c e s s is not so m u c h t o clear t h e p l a c e of d e m o n s a n d o t h e r frightful o t h e r - w o r l d l y m o n s t r o s i t i e s , as is c o m m o n l y s u p p o s e d , b u t t o p r e p a r e a p l a c e of w o r k i n g , j u s t as a housewife w o u l d clear h e r t a b l e before b e g i n n i n g t o m i x t h e i n g r e d i e n t s for m a k i n g a c a k ' or b r e a d . I n t e c h n i c a l occult t e r m s , it is a u t i l i z a t i o n of t h e L a w of L i m i t a t i o n . O n e c a n n o t affect t h e w h o l e U n i v e r s e , b u t o n e c a n c o n t r o l a s m a l l sector of it, a n d if t h e p a r t is b a s e d u p o n a n d linked to t h e Whole, then quite surprising results may happen.

A r c h a n g e l s of t h e G a t e s N o w , s t a n d i n g at t h e E a s t a n d facing t h e E a s t , vibrate as follows, holding one's arms h o r i z o n t a l l y o u t w a r d s in t h e form of a cross. I N T H E E A S T R A P H A E L or B E F O R E M E RAPHAEL I N T H E W E S T G A B R I E L or B E H I N D M E GABRIEL I N T H E S O U T H M I C H A E L or O N M Y RIGHT MICHAEL I N T H E N O R T H A U R I E L or O N M Y L E F T AURIEL As e a c h o n e is v i b r a t e d t h e v i s u a l i z a t i o n s as d e s c r i b e d earlier a r e m a d e . E n d e a v o u r to feel t h e i r p r e s e n c e w i t h all t h e p o w e r s of y o u r b e i n g . N o t e t h a t t h e o r d e r of f o r m u l a t i o n is a c r o s s t h e Q u a r t e r s , in o r d e r to e m p h a s i z e t h e p o l a r i t y of t h e E l e m e n t s over w h i c h e a c h A r c h a n g e l r e i g n s . T h i s b u i l d i n g u p of t h e Q u a r t e r s c a n b e c o n s i d e r a b l y e l a b o r a t e d u p o n . F o r i n s t a n c e , it m i g h t also i n c l u d e i n v o c a t i o n s to t h e A r c h a n g e l s , d e s c r i b i n g t h e i r a t t r i b u t e s a n d so on, or calls a n d i n v o c a t i o n s to t h e E l e m e n t a l K i n g s ( P A R A L D A , D J I N N , N I X S A a n d G H O B in E a s t , S o u t h , W e s t a n d N o r t h respectively), a n d t h e i r r e l a t e d Elemental Beings, the Sylphs of Air, S a l a m a n d e r s of F i r e , U n d i n e s of W a t e r , a n d G n o m e s of E a r t h . A n E l e m e n t a l K i n g is a perfected Elemental a n d should always be invoked, t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e A r c h a n g e l before a n y w o r k is a t t e m p t e d w i t h o r d i n a r y E l e m e n t a l powers. S y m b o l i c a c t i o n s m a y also t a k e t h e p l a c e of simply standing with arms outstretched. T h u s

y o u m i g h t light a c a n d l e or a p p r o p r i a t e l y c o l o u r e d oil l a m p in e a c h Q u a r t e r as y o u o p e n it. O r y o u m i g h t c a r r y a light from t h e Q u a r t e r a n d p l a c e it u p o n t h e A l t a r . O r you c o u l d h a v e t h e Magical W e a p o n s placed at each Q u a r t e r a n d b r i n g t h e m t o t h e c e n t r a l A l t a r - possibly p u t t i n g t h e passive o n e s ( C u p a n d P a n t a c l e ) o n t h e A l t a r a n d t h e active o n e s ( R o d a n d S w o r d ) o n t h e Silver a n d Black Pillars ( w h i c h h a v e b e e n p r o v i d e d b e f o r e h a n d w i t h points.of s u s p e n s i o n ! ) . Q a b a l i s t i c s t u d e n t s will realize t h a t t h e l a t t e r s y m b o l i s m lines u p well w i t h t h e s y m b o l i s m of C h e s e d a n d G e b u r a h , t h e c e n t r a l s p h e r e s of e a c h Pillar o n t h e T r e e of Life. C o n c l u s i o n of O p e n i n g C o n c l u d i n g affirmations a r e t h e n v i b r a t e d follows:

as

ABOUT ME FLAME THE PENTAGRAMS BEHIND M E SHINES T H E SIX RAYED STAR A N D A B O V E M Y H E A D IS T H E G L O R Y O F GOD IN WHOSE HANDS IS THE KINGDOM, THE POWER, AND THE GLORY F O R E V E R AND EVER, AMEN. (Qabalistic Cross again) T h e Six R a y e d S t a r refers to t h e ideal s t a t e of c o n s c i o u s n e s s of t h e a d e p t , w i t h t h e d o w n w a r d p o i n t i n g t r i a n g l e r e p r e s e n t i n g his H i g h e r Self perfectly i n t e g r a t e d w i t h t h e u p w a r d p o i n t i n g t r i a n g l e r e p r e s e n t i n g his L o w e r Self. It m a y b e visualized as b e h i n d you, w i t h t h e l o w e r p o i n t at b a s e of s p i n e a n d t h e u p p e r p o i n t at b a c k of t o p

of h e a d . It is a very i m p o r t a n t p r a c t i c a l s y m b o l t h a t a p p e a r s in m a n y c o n t e x t s in p r a c t i c a l m a g i c . It m a y also a p p e a r o n t h e floor cloth or m a g i c circle, if o n e is p a i n t e d u p o n t h e floor, a n d b y Q a b a l i s t i c m a g i c i a n s it is often u s e d as a c i r c u l a r form of t h e T r e e of Life. Censing H a v i n g o p e n e d t h e T e m p l e p r i o r to t h e m a i n p u r p o s e of t h e rite w e m a y light t h e incense, w h i c h is kept in t h e S o u t h e r n Q u a r t e r , ( F i r e ) , o r m a y be p l a c e d b e t w e e n S o u t h a n d E a s t (Air a n d F i r e ) . As s t a t e d before it m a y b e a s i m p l e j o s s stick or s t a n d i n g i m p r o v i s e d b u r n e r b u t if it is a p r o p e r t h u r i b l e you m a y give s a l u t a t i o n s w i t h it to t h e Q u a r t e r s a n d also c e n s e t h e m a i n s y m b o l s , p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e A l t a r a n d Pillars. Grand Master's Invocation T h i s m a y b e in t h e form of a l e n g t h y w r i t t e n i n v o c a t i o n or m a y b e s i m p l y t h e v i b r a t i o n of t h e G r a n d M a s t e r ' s n a m e a l o n g w i t h a p e r i o d of m e d i t a t i o n a n d v i s u a l i z a t i o n of h i m . T h e G r a n d M a s t e r ' s i d e n t i t y is o n e of t h e secrets of t h e p a r t i c u l a r lodge or t e m p l e , not to b e revealed to a n y o u t s i d e r . It is a figure from m y t h o l o g y or t h e Bible o r l e g e n d a r y h i s t o r y w h o m a y b e said to represent the general aspirations and intentions of t h e l o n g - t e r m w o r k of t h e t e m p l e . E x a m p l e s that could be used are Osiris, Hermes, Cheiron, M o s e s , D a n i e l , S o l o m o n , a n d so on. It c o u l d also b e feminine, s u c h as Isis, P a l l a s A t h e n e , Arianrod. T h e subjective a i m is t o b u i l d u p a very s t r o n g p e r s o n a l c o n t a c t w i t h t h e G r a n d M a s t e r a n d this c a n b e a very m o v i n g e x p e r i e n c e .

Declaration of Intent T h e contact with the G r a n d Master having been m a d e , a simple statement m a y now be uttered, t u r n i n g a n d facing t h e W e s t . I NOW DECLARE THIS TEMPLE OPEN IN T H E M Y S T E R I E S O F (Grand Master). T H E P A S S W O R D T O BE AND THE SALUTE THE SIGN OF

T h e P a s s w o r d is a p h r a s e or m o t t o w h i c h s u m s u p t h e g e n e r a l t r e n d of w o r k in a specific p e r i o d , a n d m a y b e c h a n g e d a n n u a l l y , q u a r t e r l y o r at i r r e g u l a r intervals. E x a m p l e s of s u c h m i g h t b e ' M a n , K n o w T h y s e l f , Amor Vincit Omnia\ ' S h a r p e n the Sword', 'Merlin's Enclosure', 'I h o l d t h e L i g h t ' a n d so on. T h e S a l u t e m a y align w i t h t h e P a s s w o r d , b e i n g a stylized m i m e of it p e r h a p s , such as t h e a t t i t u d e of t h e T a r o t T r u m p I X T h e H e r m i t in t h e last i n s t a n c e . I n l a r g e Lodges the Sign m a y align with the degree being w o r k e d a n d m i g h t b e a sign of H o r u s (with finger to lips), or o p e n i n g t h e W a y s (like p a r t i n g c u r t a i n s ) a n d . so on. T h e i r p u r p o s e is to a c t as ' k e y s ' in c o n s c i o u s n e s s . O n l y w h e n t h e w o r d a n d sign h a v e b e e n u s e d do you open up c o n s c i o u s n e s s to n e w i n n e r c o n t a c t s . T h u s t h e y are personal safeguards rather t h a n romantic mystery-mongering. T h e final p a r t of t h e O p e n i n g is to d e c l a r e t h e p u r p o s e of t h e c e r e m o n y . i

O U R W O R K T H I S D A Y IS T O T R E A D T H E 32nd P A T H or TO CELEBRATE THE VERNAL

58

THE PRACTICE O F RITUAL MAGIC

EQUINOX or T O P E R F O R M A N I N V O C A T I O N THE EARTH MOTHER or w h a t e v e r it m a y b e .

OF

U n t i l s o m e c o n s i d e r a b l e e x p e r i e n c e is a t t a i n e d in o r d i n a r y o p e n i n g a n d closing f o r m u l a e t h e w o r k to b e d o n e is best left in t h e f o r m of a m e d i t a t i o n u p o n s o m e subject. T h u s t h e r i t u a l d e s c r i b e d h e r e a c t s as a s e t t i n g for a m e d i t a t i o n a n d to b e g i n w i t h t h e s t u d e n t c a n c o m p a r e h o w a m e d i t a t i o n p e r f o r m e d in s u c h a c o n t e x t differs in q u a l i t y or d e p t h w i t h a m e d i t a t i o n p e r f o r m e d without such preliminaries. T h e Closing T h e set w o r k h a v i n g b e e n p e r f o r m e d , w e m a y n o w close t h e t e m p l e , o n t h e g e n e r a l lines as follows. L E T US CLOSE T H E TEMPLE. W E GIVE T H A N K S T O (Grand Master) WHOSE WISDOM HAS ASSISTED US AND W H O S E P O W E R HAS P R O T E C T E D US. T h i s m a y b e said s t a n d i n g in t h e E a s t , facing W e s t . T h e m a i n w o r k will p r o b a b l y h a v e b e e n d o n e sitting in t h e W e s t facing E a s t . N o w t u r n a b o u t to face t h e E a s t e r n Q u a r t e r a n d perform the Qabalistic Cross, then the C l o s i n g P e n t a g r a m r i t u a l , w h i c h is t h e s a m e as in t h e O p e n i n g except t h a t t h e signs a r e d r a w n Lower Left-Top-Lower Right-Upper Left-Upper R i g h t - L o w e r Left. T h e D i v i n e N a m e s a r e v i b r a t e d as before. F o l l o w i n g this t h e A r c h a n g e l s a r e f o r m u l a t e d , t h o u g h this t i m e t h e y a r e visualized facing

o u t w a r d s i n s t e a d of facing i n w a r d s . A n y o t h e r entities t h a t h a v e b e e n s u m m o n e d or g r e e t e d in t h e o p e n i n g a r e t h a n k e d a n d blessed a n d b i d d e n politely t o d e p a r t , a n d a n y s y m b o l s p l a c e d o u t in t h e o p e n i n g a r e n o w r e t u r n e d to t h e i r o r i g i n a l positions. T h e n t h e affirmations a b o u t t h e P e n t a g r a m s a n d Six R a y e d S t a r a r e m a d e a g a i n a n d t h e Qabalistic Cross repeated. I n all this t h e p o w e r g e n e r a t e d in t h e m a i n w o r k s h o u l d b e felt to b e d i s s i p a t i n g a n d y o u r o w n c o n s c i o u s n e s s c o m i n g b a c k m o r e to n o r m a l . Finally tread the three Mystic Reverse C i r c u m a m b u l a t i o n s , w h i c h a r e d o n e this t i m e anti-clockwise. Conclude these with a sharp s t a m p u p o n t h e floor, w h i c h s h o u l d finally d i s p e r s e m o s t of a n y r e m a i n i n g p s y c h i c t e n s i o n s . N o w y o u m a y d i s r o b e , e i t h e r in t h e W e s t o r N o r t h , q u i e t l y a n d w i t h dignity. T h e r i t u a l f u r n i t u r e is t h e n p u t a w a y q u i e t l y - or c a n b e left u n t i l after y o u h a v e r e c o r d e d y o u r i m p r e s s i o n s of t h e w o r k i n g in y o u r m a g i c a l d i a r y . T h i s c o n c l u d e s t h e r i t u a l , a n d also o u r e l e m e n t a r y d e s c r i p t i o n of r i t u a l m a g i c a l w o r k i n g . // is a very fine and little understood technique of raising consciousness and performing occult work. T h e r e h a s b e e n s o m e d a n g e r t h a t it m i g h t b e lost t o g e n u i n e esoteric seekers of t h e W e s t , stifled u n d e r a c o m b i n e d w e i g h t of t o o m u c h secrecy in t h e few occult lodges still p r a c t i s i n g it, a n d t h e i g n o r a n t , h i g h l y - c o l o u r e d s p e c u l a t i o n s of p o p u l a r w r i t e r s w h i c h h a v e served to give it a b a d r e p u t a t i o n . It is h o w e v e r a g e n u i n e a r t a n d science, c o n f o r m i n g t o its o w n rules as does a n y o t h e r a r t / s c i e n c e . I n d e e d it is a very n o b l e discipline, properly understood.

T h e Magical Sphere This meditational aid has m a n y symbolic r a m i f i c a t i o n s to it as a n y w h o set to a n d use it will discover for t h e m s e l v e s . It c a n b e m a d e from t h i n c a r d c u t i n t o t w o circles a n d t w o semi-circles as in F i g u r e 1. C o l o u r b o t h sides of t h e c a r d as i n s t r u c t e d a n d c u t a l o n g t h e solidly d r a w n lines. Slot Circles 1 a n d 2 i n t o e a c h o t h e r by m e a n s of t h e h o r i z o n t a l slot in e a c h o n e t h a t goes to t h e c e n t r e . T h e n slot t h e semi-circles of C i r c l e 3 i n t o t h e t o p a n d b o t t o m half-slots of C i r c l e 2. W h e n c o r r e c t l y d o n e this will give y o u a yellow q u a r t e r , a red quarter, a blue quarter, and a green quarter. I m a g i n e C i r c l e 1 to b e t h e floor of t h e p h y s i c a l t e m p l e or t h e m a g i c a l circle u p o n t h e floor. C i r c l e 2 c a n b e e q u a t e d in t e r m s of s y m b o l i s m w i t h t h e Pillars o n e a c h side of you as y o u s t a n d in t h e c e n t r e - t h e y a r e s y m b o l i c a l l y e x t e n d e d to infinity b y m e e t i n g a b o v e a n d b e l o w you to form C i r c l e 2. Q a b a l i s t s m a y c o n s i d e r t h e a b o v e p o i n t to b e K e t h e r , t h e b e l o w p o i n t to b e M a l k u t h , a n d the centre point T i p h a r e t h . Circle 3 then r e p r e s e n t s t h e i n n e r a n d o u t e r p l a n e s (to E a s t a n d W e s t of pillars o r C i r c l e 2) a n d also t h e a b o v e a n d b e l o w , u p p e r w o r l d a n d lower w o r l d ,

or c o n s c i o u s a n d s u b c o n s c i o u s . M e d i t a t i o n will u n r a v e l m a n y m o r e m e a n i n g s , p a r t i c u l a r l y in r e l a t i o n t o t h e early c h a p t e r s of D i o n F o r t u n e ' s Cosmic Doctrine. T h e Magical C u b e T h i s is a s i m i l a r c o n s t r u c t i o n b u t b a s e d u p o n t h e c u b e i n s t e a d of t h e s p h e r e . It m a y b e said to r e p r e s e n t t h e ideal t e m p l e . C o n s t r u c t i o n d e t a i l s a r e in F i g u r e 2 a n d t h e lines f o r m e d of d a s h e s a r e w h e r e folds a r e m a d e in t h e c a r d , o p t i o n a l l y i n w a r d or o u t w a r d . T h e c o l o u r s a r e m a d e t h e s a m e e a c h side for e a c h p a r t of t h e d i a g r a m . W h e n c u t o u t a n d folded it will give a c u b i c a l t e m p l e w i t h four E l e m e n t a l Q u a r t e r s e a c h in t h e s h a p e of a n ideal A l t a r , t h e d o u b l e c u b e . A g a i n , m e d i t a t i o n will reveal m o r e . Pillar Construction T h e s i m p l e s t form of pillar c o n s t r u c t i o n is to h a v e a l e n g t h of s q u a r e p l a n e d t i m b e r a b o u t 4in. s q u a r e a n d 6ft long. T h i s c a n b e slotted i n t o a m e t a l b a s e to keep it s t a n d i n g u p r i g h t a n d a n old m a c h i n e w h e e l from a s c r a p y a r d p r o v i d e s a very g o o d r e a d y - m a d e o n e . T h e s p h e r e at t h e t o p c a n b e r e p r e s e n t e d b y a c h i l d ' s r u b b e r ball s t u c k o n t o t h e t o p b y g l u e or else i m p a l e d o n a nail. T h e w h o l e t h i n g is t h e n p a i n t e d b l a c k or silver. If it is d e s i r e d to h a n g s y m b o l s o n t h e pillars ( s u c h as s w o r d or w a n d , e t c . ) , t h e n nails or s c r e w s c a n b e u n o b t r u s i v e l y d r i v e n i n t o it at a n y n e c e s s a r y points. S o m e like t h e i r pillars t o b e c y l i n d r i c a l b u t this poses difficult p r o d u c t i o n p r o b l e m s unless you can perhaps find some large diameter m a n u f a c t u r e d t u b i n g or r o d in a m a t e r i a l o t h e r

t h a n t i m b e r . If t i m b e r is u s e d it will e i t h e r n e e d to b e t u r n e d o n a l a t h e ( p r o b a b l y in s m a l l e r sections t h a n six feet) or else p a i n s t a k i n g l y planed and sanded by hand. Nemyss T h i s is a very s i m p l e b u t effective form of r i t u a l h e a d g e a r . E x p e r i m e n t will s h o w best p r o p o r t i o n s for i n d i v i d u a l use w i t h v a r i o u s t h i c k n e s s e s of cloth. A h e a v y cloth will s t a n d o u t s o m e t h i n g like an ancient Egyptian god's head-dress, but a t h i n n e r m a t e r i a l will give a different, b u t also effective, a p p e a r a n c e . T h e e d g e w i t h t h e laces or r i b b o n s a t t a c h e d is p l a c e d a g a i n s t t h e f o r e h e a d a n d t h e e n d s of t h e laces or r i b b o n s t h e n tied b e h i n d t h e h e a d . T h e n e m y s s c a n t h e n b e a r r a n g e d a c c o r d i n g to t a s t e . Robe T h e s i m p l e s t form of r o b e , a n d relatively easily m a d e b y a t y r o , is s i m p l y a l e n g t h of c l o t h w i t h a h o l e in t h e c e n t r e for t h e h e a d to go t h r o u g h . T h e u s u a l m a g i c a l r o b e is a slight d e v e l o p m e n t from this. T h e sides a r e s e w n t o g e t h e r a n d sleeves a t t a c h e d . T r a d i t i o n a l l y t h e s e a r e r a t h e r full a n d o p e n i n g out t o w a r d t h e cuffs to give a s h a p e like a letter T a u . If this t r a d i t i o n is followed it is as well not t o h a v e t h e sleeves too long as this m a k e s h a n d l i n g c a n d l e s a n d o t h e r r i t u a l e q u i p m e n t in a confined s p a c e s o m e w h a t h a z a r d o u s !

YELLOW IYELLOW:

• V

Projecting nails or screws to

Timber square or rounded

V-

'

Metal base

Fig. 3