Treatise On The Lesser Banishing Ritual of The Pentagram

[Ryuji]

from Kiwi Kid, on http://vsociety.net/

Treatise On The Lesser Banishing Ritual of The Pentagram

A lot of ceremonial/high magicians advocate the use of the LBRP daily to any budding magician, however, though most of them say how one might go about it, I find they sometimes skip parts that can heavily enhance the efficiency of the ritual. This is mostly due to the idea that the magician should research this themselves and look at qabbalah to find it out, and due to a certain "silence."

I thoroughly believe that the path of magick is a path of the loner for the most, and as such only you can find the answers and self-study is important, however, in the case of the LBRP I am willing to make an exception, as I believe the LBRP deserves to be practiced by more people. So to fill this void, I write this.

Before one can grasp and efficiently use the LBRP, one must grasp the symbolism that is used, and so that is where we will start.

The Pentagram

I will not go into the history on the pentagram, as the various beliefs on its origins can be easily found and are not too important in the ultimate meaning it has now.

The pentagram represents the microcosm, that is, the magician their very self. This is often pointed out by showing a person with arms and legs outstretched, and how they form the pentagram shape. Each of the 5 points on the pentagram represents a different aspect of the microcosm, depending upon which system you are using this may differ. Since this ritual originated from western occultism, those are the aspects that are important to us.

The lower left point is associated with the earth element, the lower right with the fire element, the upper left with the air element, the upper right with the water element and the topmost (or sometimes lowest) point represents spirit. In effect, the upright pentagram represents the spirit ruling over the elements, in that the divine essence within each one of you, is finally in control of the elements that make up your being, this is the true state of the magician and can again be seen by overlaying a human form on top. If it were not for the brain and its reaction to the senses (mostly in the head/spirit region) none of the other limbs would move.

There is also much to be found qabbalistically in the number 5, the number of points on the pentagram. The number 5 relates to Geburah on Otz Chiim and thusly to Mars. This is most ideal to be used in a "banishing ritual" because the energies of Mars are warlike, aggressive and to one degree strike "fear" in energies it is used against, while also resembling the magicians divinity and "power" over other entities.



The Hexagram

The hexagram used in the LBRP is often overlooked, yet it's being in the pentagram is for a very important reason, one that we will go into later.

Ultimately, as the pentagram represents the microcosm the hexagram represents the macrocosm. It is simply two triangles, one upright and one inverse overlapping, these represents the different polarities in the universe, unified. The upward triangle represents fire and the downwards water, from their unification, everything else came forth.

Also if we look qabbalistically at the number 6 we see that it relates to Tiphareth. Why is this important? Because Tiphareth relates to the sun, no life on earth would exist were it not for the sun, likewise we can look on a grander scale and say nothing would exist if it were not for the initial "sun." Tiphareth also happens to be the seat of the HGA and so divinity and devotion to the great work, which is somewhat where it's "holy connotations" spring up from.



Sign of The Enterer

The sign of the enterer is the god-form of Horus, who has many different stories about his origins. I prefer the view that he is son/reincarnation of Osiris, and thus "King of the Gods." Using this sign activates that experience in you, when performed properly one can say you actually become Horus for that split second and use his kingly command to energize the pentagrams and break through obstacles.

The sign of the enterer is form by lifting the arms up above you, fingers together and palms foward, then bending at the elbows so they come, palms down to the sides of your temples. You then thrust them foward and take a step foward with your left foot, looking and slightly bending at the waist, fowards.



Sign of Silence

The sign of silence is again of Horus, however in this case it is not when he is considered a "King" but when he is in the form of the younger Harpocrates. This sign can represent a variety of things, in our case though, it is only needed to consider a few of the currently assigned aspects. The first is that of innocence and new beginnings, the young light that shines brightly at the dawn of the day. Here stands Harpocrates, soon to be great, innocently sucking his finger! The second is that of silence, silence is an important aspect in both mysticism and occultism, in this case when used it seals the energies and stops them being sent to "energize" the pentagram and an understanding that the task is done and nothing more need be done.

The sign of silence is done by bringing the right finger to the lips and stamping the left foot, slightly foward.



Vibration

To do well in the LBRP, one must know how to correctly vibrate, unfortunately to do so well is not merely screaming out the divine names with all of your breath. To get the best vibration, one must vibrate physically, astrally and mentally. The physical way is simple enough, one merely needs to take a gasp of air and correctly vibrate the name out loud. To astrally vibrate, when one inhales, one must also deliberately inhale the divine name astrally into their self, and then when vibrating, must also "shoot" that energy while they do so. To mentally vibrate, is to concern oneself with the meaning of the divine name while vibrating it as well, this adds a tremendous amount of power to the vibration I have found.

So in effect, to vibrate one must:

• Inhale the divine name into themselves, seeing it descend down and fill the body slowly.
• When it reaches the feet, one must fling into the Sign of The Enterer.
• Then one must vibrate the name outloud.
• While doing this one must also send out the astral energy to the "ends of the universe"
• One must also concern themselves with the meaning and aspects of the divine name.
• One then finishes with the sign of silence, sealing the energy.

Two extra steps that are not necessary but very helpful can be added. The first is to enlarge oneself to fill the universe as such, the second is to see the divine name inscribed on the chest, preferably in Hebrew (I've found it to be much more powerful this way).

All of those when used together, will give you an optimum vibration when trained in effectively.

The Lesser Banishing Ritual of The Pentagram

Qabbalistic Cross of Light

The Qabbalistic Cross of Light is done at the beginning and end of the ritual. Its main purpose is to balance the energetic equipoise inside the magician, as well be a lesser invocation of the divinity. It is performed as follows:

(facing east)
• See and feel yourself growing so that you in effect are now standing on the earth and soaring upwards.
• Above you is a light, which you pull down to between your eyebrows using the sign of benediction (peace sign with middle and index finger together), or index finger/ritual dagger. Vibrate ATEH.
• Pull the light down more, and turn your fingers down while simulateneously touching your chest, see it shoot down through your feet and to the ends of the universe while you vibrate MALKUTH.
• Draw the light (with your fingers) across to your right shoulder and see it shoot out to the ends of the universe on the right while vibrating VE-GEBURAH.
• Draw the light to your left shoulder and see it shoot out to the ends of the universe on the left while vibrating VE-GEDULAH.
• Bring your hands clasped together in the centre of the chest and vibrate LE-OHLAM, AMEN.

The meaning of this is ultimately, "Thou art, the kingdom, the power, the glory, unto the ages, amen."
(ATEH), (MALKUTH), (VE-GEBURAH), (VE-GEDULAH), (LE-OHLAM, AMEN)

Drawing the Pentagrams

In the LBRP, one uses the earth banishing pentagram for a few specific reasons. One reason is that the earth represents the lower entities that one usually has to banish and so does this well. Another is that in magick one is trying to transcend the physical to one degree, and the physical is of "earth" so by doing the LBRP one correctly achieves this. One also removes the control of the earth element on oneself, that is removing all the vices such as laziness which are the more powerful ones that are negative to those who wish to perform the Great Work.

The Earth Banishing Pentagram is drawn by starting at the lower left corner of the pentagram (which equates with the left hip area) and drawing up to the topmost point (which equates with the forehead) and drawing on from there, down to right hip, left shoulder, right should and back down the left hip. In the LBRP this is usually drawn in blazing blue flames or dazzling white light.

One also moves in a clockwise direction, to follow the direction of the sun. If you live in the southern hemisphere you travel counter-clockwise, and exchange ADNI in the south for AGLA in the north.

• Starting in the east, drawn the banishing pentagram and vibrate YHVH (Yeh-ho-vah)
• Draw a line to the south and draw the banishing pentagram, vibrate ADNI (A-do-nai)
• Draw a line to the west and draw the banishing pentagram, vibrate AHIH (E-he-ieh)
• Draw a line to the north and draw the banishing pentagram, vibrate AGLA (Ah-goo-lah)
• Draw a line back to the east to complete the circle.

Before each vibration one assumes The Sign of The Enterer and holds it during the vibration and afterwards one assumes The Sign of Silence.
YHVH has no particular meaning, one can focus on it's binding power though. This is why it is (at least from what I have found) done in the east, because air is like a "glue" that holds the elements together, YHVH represents this. ADNI means "Lord", AHIH means "I am" and AGLA means "thou art might forever, oh lord."

YHVH


Adonai


AHIH


Calling The Arch-Angels

One must next face the east and assume the form of Osiris Slain (basically a cross pose) facing the east. This is important because it resembles an openness to new influxes of energies, which will naturally happen after you have created the void. It also represents the crucifixion of the old, and gives way to the new self. Which is part of what the LBRP is about, removing the old you to make way for a new one.

Now says the following:

• Before me RAPHAEL (vibrated); and sees the arch-angel in a robe of yellow with swishes of purple standing upon top of a hill holding a caduceus wand (two snakes entwined around a stick).
• Behind me GABRIEL; and sees the arch-angel in a robe of blue with swishes of orange, standing in the midst of water and holding a silver cup.
• On my right hand MICHAEL; and sees the arch-angel in a robe of red with swishes of green, standing in the midst of a desert and holding a flaming sword.
• On my left hand AURIEL; and sees the arch-angel in a robe of black, olive, citron and brown (black and brown will do), standing in the midst a farmland, holding a pentacle and/or some wheat.
• Then pronounce: "For about me shines the pentagram" (seeing them light up and feeling them) "and within me shines the six rayed star"(see a red, flaming pentagram inscribed on your chest).
• Then repeat The Qabbalistic Cross of Light.

Raphael means "God has healed", Gabriel means "Might of God", Michael means "Like unto God" and Auriel means "Light of God." These arch-angels act as "guards" for the circle, one could say.

The pentagrams lighting up increases their effects, though is more of a announcement than anything else. Seeing the hexagram within you is highly important. One might notice that the symbol for the microcosm is in the macrocosm and the symbol for the macrocosm is in the microcosm. There is importance to be found in that. Another reason for it being important is that nature abhors a void, and the LBRP creates just this, so nature immediately seeks to fill it. As said previously, the hexagram relates to Tiphareth, the magician and holiness as such, so by seeing this, through the laws of "like attracts like" those energies are drawn and infuse you, otherwise you would end up filled with filth afterwards!

To sum up the ritual quickly again: The LBRP

(facing east)
1. Feel and see yourself growing large to stand on the earth.
2. Above the head and to the forehead say Ateh (Unto Thee),
3. Toward the feet say Malkuth (The Kingdom),
4. Touching the right shoulder, say ve-Geburah (and the Power),
5. Touching the left shoulder, say ve-Gedulah (and the Glory),
6. Clasping the hands upon the breast, say le-Olahm, Amen (To the Ages,Amen).
7. Turning to the East, make a pentagram (that of banishing Earth in this case) with the proper weapon. Vibrate YHVH.
8. Turning to the South, the same, but vibrate ADNI.
9. Turning to the West, the same, but vibrate AHIH.
10. Turning to the North, the same, but vibrate AGLA.

Extending the arms in the form of a cross say,
11. Before me Raphael;
12. Behind me Gabriel;
13. On my right hand Michael;
14. On my left hand Auriel;
15. For about me flames the Pentagram,
16. And within me flames the six-rayed Star.
17. Repeat The Qabbalistic Cross


Effects of The LBRP

The LBRP gives numerous effects that are helpful to the magicians, some of these are:

• Improving visualization skills.
• Improving vibrating skills.
• Improving assumption of god forms.
• Creating a clean sphere of influence, free from other energies and lower entities.
• Improving tension between all selves, improving astral senses.
• "Fusing" together the selves to improve efficiency of magick.
• Removes earthly vices such as laziness.
• Transcends you beyond the physical realm and acts as a catapult away from Malkuth. (This can happen in different ways for different people)
• Cleanses you and creates a foundation, for a new you conductive to magick to be built upon.
• Allows you to "become god" due to the influx of LVX that comes from the ritual if correctly done.

I truly believe that every budding magician should do the LBRP at least once daily, immediately upon awakening.

This ends the treatise, some might think it is a bit to long. But I could not write less and do the "Lesser Banishing Ritual of The Pentagram" justice.

*~*May there be light where there was none*~*

-BAGADAL

also www.ritualmagic.org has audio files - a Audio guided LBPR ritual that includes on how to say the words

Kind blessings
Ryu

[WeeZard]

Very nice article, tnx.