R I T U A L C O M P O N E N T S
"Any serious attempt to try to do something worthwhile is ritualistic."
DEREK WALCOTT - Nobel Prize winning poet
DEREK WALCOTT - Nobel Prize winning poet
Do you know what; I'm instinctively mage. Like to work things out, get everything sorted, belt and braces and then and only then, bearing the six 'P' rule in mind, I dive right in. It's the approach I'm comfortable with; but every so often, I have to confess, I can even bore myself. That's why you'll sometimes find me hanging out with witches. I love the anarchic, ecstatic, nature of modern pagan practice.
Here's a great example: if you happen to be in Edinburgh on the night of 30th of April, there is no doubt about what to do. Go to Calton Hill and see the Beltane Fire Festival, one of the top events of the year that will leave you open-mouthed.
Based on the ancient Gaelic festival of the same name, 'Beltane' meaning 'bright or sacred fire', this celebration marks the beginning of summer on 1st of May. Since there were no centralized calendars it is thought that the event was held on the first full moon after what is now 1st of May.
People celebrated the fertility of their animals and their land. The main element of the festivities was the fire. First, all fires were extinguished and then a new, sacred, so called 'Need Fire' or 'Neid Fire' ignited, from which bonfires were lit before driving the animals through them. This was supposed to purify and to protect the herd, as well as to assure a good progeny. Then, people would take logs of the bonfire home, relight their fireplaces and dance around the fire hoping to evoke positive omen for their future.
The following is my ritual check list (very much in brief)...
Here's a great example: if you happen to be in Edinburgh on the night of 30th of April, there is no doubt about what to do. Go to Calton Hill and see the Beltane Fire Festival, one of the top events of the year that will leave you open-mouthed.
Based on the ancient Gaelic festival of the same name, 'Beltane' meaning 'bright or sacred fire', this celebration marks the beginning of summer on 1st of May. Since there were no centralized calendars it is thought that the event was held on the first full moon after what is now 1st of May.
People celebrated the fertility of their animals and their land. The main element of the festivities was the fire. First, all fires were extinguished and then a new, sacred, so called 'Need Fire' or 'Neid Fire' ignited, from which bonfires were lit before driving the animals through them. This was supposed to purify and to protect the herd, as well as to assure a good progeny. Then, people would take logs of the bonfire home, relight their fireplaces and dance around the fire hoping to evoke positive omen for their future.
The following is my ritual check list (very much in brief)...
INTENTION
If you do have a specific objective be sure you can accurately articulate it. Apply Occam's razor. Wooly intentions will get wooly results. And working within the 'available means of manifestation' is a great idea, but don't be afraid to attempt the impossible either.
If you do have a specific objective be sure you can accurately articulate it. Apply Occam's razor. Wooly intentions will get wooly results. And working within the 'available means of manifestation' is a great idea, but don't be afraid to attempt the impossible either.
TIMING
Ritual magicians, especially pre 20th century practitioners, put great store in astrology when timing their elaborate operations. Modern magicians are far more likely to feel the need to shoot from the hip and be less concerned with celestial portents.
Ritual magicians, especially pre 20th century practitioners, put great store in astrology when timing their elaborate operations. Modern magicians are far more likely to feel the need to shoot from the hip and be less concerned with celestial portents.
SIGIL
Write your desire in capitals. Delete all repeating letters (some say omit vowels). Arrange the remaining letters into as design overlap or conjoin, using the fewest possible lines and that's your sigil. Make this the focus for your ritual, destroy it, forget it. And wait...
Write your desire in capitals. Delete all repeating letters (some say omit vowels). Arrange the remaining letters into as design overlap or conjoin, using the fewest possible lines and that's your sigil. Make this the focus for your ritual, destroy it, forget it. And wait...
LOW OR HIGH?
The difference between posting a letter and knocking on the door and introducing yourself. Nothing intrinsically wrong with low magic. All well intentioned contact with spirit serves to refine the soul. And one day, if enough of your letters get answered, you may take the next step.
The difference between posting a letter and knocking on the door and introducing yourself. Nothing intrinsically wrong with low magic. All well intentioned contact with spirit serves to refine the soul. And one day, if enough of your letters get answered, you may take the next step.
WEAPONS
The possessions you choose and the way you use and care for them speak volumes about you. Magical tools are a reflection of your inner magician. Choose them well, keep them safe, don't over use them. Think of the old military adage; look after your rifle and it'll look after you.
The possessions you choose and the way you use and care for them speak volumes about you. Magical tools are a reflection of your inner magician. Choose them well, keep them safe, don't over use them. Think of the old military adage; look after your rifle and it'll look after you.
DRESS CODE
A priest who was asked at what point communion began replied that it was the moment he donned his vestments. Clothing marks a vital difference between humans and animals and is a powerful modifier of mood. Wear your magical robes and you wear your magical persona.
A priest who was asked at what point communion began replied that it was the moment he donned his vestments. Clothing marks a vital difference between humans and animals and is a powerful modifier of mood. Wear your magical robes and you wear your magical persona.
ANGELS
There is an Archangel associated with each of the four cardinal directions and each of the four classical elements. These are invoked to protect the occupant(s) of the circle and to aid the rite by informing the circle with their wisdom and charging it with their particular power.
There is an Archangel associated with each of the four cardinal directions and each of the four classical elements. These are invoked to protect the occupant(s) of the circle and to aid the rite by informing the circle with their wisdom and charging it with their particular power.
CIRCLE
The magic circle serves a threefold purpose [1] astral hygiene [2] psychic protection [3] a reservoir of power. The circle can be physical; delineated by a cord and/or candles at the quarters; or elaborate 'words of power' inscribed on the floor, or it can be purely imaginary.
The magic circle serves a threefold purpose [1] astral hygiene [2] psychic protection [3] a reservoir of power. The circle can be physical; delineated by a cord and/or candles at the quarters; or elaborate 'words of power' inscribed on the floor, or it can be purely imaginary.
TRIANGLE
If the altar is a personal computer then the triangle of art is the monitor. You don't want spooks popping up all over the place; so you localise any visual manifestation to the triangle of art - a discrete area inscribed outside the circle for the protection for participants.
If the altar is a personal computer then the triangle of art is the monitor. You don't want spooks popping up all over the place; so you localise any visual manifestation to the triangle of art - a discrete area inscribed outside the circle for the protection for participants.
SCRYING MEDIA
If the altar is a personal computer then the triangle of art is the monitor. You don't want spooks popping up all over the place; so you localise any physical manifestation to the triangle of art - a discrete area inscribed outside the circle for the protection for participants.
If the altar is a personal computer then the triangle of art is the monitor. You don't want spooks popping up all over the place; so you localise any physical manifestation to the triangle of art - a discrete area inscribed outside the circle for the protection for participants.
KABBALAH
The Kabbalah (Hebrew), Cabala (Christian) or Qabalah (Islamic) is nothing less than a road map and a circuit diagramme of this and all possible universes and planes of existence; as such is of more than passing interest to magicians.
The Kabbalah (Hebrew), Cabala (Christian) or Qabalah (Islamic) is nothing less than a road map and a circuit diagramme of this and all possible universes and planes of existence; as such is of more than passing interest to magicians.
PLANETS
When astrology was originally formulated the planets were not just mysterious twinkly objects in the night sky. The seven known planets (including the sun and moon) represented powerful and intelligent forces with clearly defined characteristics, attributes and correspondences.
When astrology was originally formulated the planets were not just mysterious twinkly objects in the night sky. The seven known planets (including the sun and moon) represented powerful and intelligent forces with clearly defined characteristics, attributes and correspondences.
CORRESPONDENCES
The doctrine correspondence upholds that the Whole is One and that its different levels (realms, worlds) are equivalent systems, whose parts are in strict correspondence. So if you are working a Martian rite you include all those items that correspond to Mars; colours, minerals, incense, etc.
The doctrine correspondence upholds that the Whole is One and that its different levels (realms, worlds) are equivalent systems, whose parts are in strict correspondence. So if you are working a Martian rite you include all those items that correspond to Mars; colours, minerals, incense, etc.
COREOGRAPHY
Ritual is essentially a theatrical production. There's players and there's a script; even if it's a solo performance. My preference is for a simple and seamless affair, where everyone feels relaxed and comfortable to inhabit their magical persona, than arcane and complicated.
Ritual is essentially a theatrical production. There's players and there's a script; even if it's a solo performance. My preference is for a simple and seamless affair, where everyone feels relaxed and comfortable to inhabit their magical persona, than arcane and complicated.
INCENSE
Magicians and priests have been exploiting the powerful mood enhancing properties of incense for hundreds of years. The appropriate incense creates a distinct and tangible and objective specific atmosphere for a ritual. Astral entities are attracted by fine incense.
Magicians and priests have been exploiting the powerful mood enhancing properties of incense for hundreds of years. The appropriate incense creates a distinct and tangible and objective specific atmosphere for a ritual. Astral entities are attracted by fine incense.
WATCHTOWERS
John Dee was possibly the earliest adopter of this term. An immensely powerful psychological concept; elemental guardians protecting the 'quarters'. I like to translate these (playfully) into modern vernacular; so for the watchtower of the element of water read lighthouse.
John Dee was possibly the earliest adopter of this term. An immensely powerful psychological concept; elemental guardians protecting the 'quarters'. I like to translate these (playfully) into modern vernacular; so for the watchtower of the element of water read lighthouse.
SACRIFICE
The Bible is awash with animal and even human sacrifice. Blood releases powerful energy; psychic entities can develop a taste for it. If you must go to these extremes use your own gore. And if you're not that brave, incense is an acceptable substitute. Hurt an animal and I hunt you down.
The Bible is awash with animal and even human sacrifice. Blood releases powerful energy; psychic entities can develop a taste for it. If you must go to these extremes use your own gore. And if you're not that brave, incense is an acceptable substitute. Hurt an animal and I hunt you down.
GNOSIS
Getting out of your face by any other name - gnosis is a transitional of state of consciousness the purpose of which is to gain access to, and control of, the powerful subconscious levels of the mind. Techniques either overwhelm the senses with stimulation or calm to a point of transcendence.
Getting out of your face by any other name - gnosis is a transitional of state of consciousness the purpose of which is to gain access to, and control of, the powerful subconscious levels of the mind. Techniques either overwhelm the senses with stimulation or calm to a point of transcendence.
PANTHEON
It you want to achieve a specific result you may decide to work with particular deity sympathetic with this cause and selected from the most appropriate pantheon. You can 'invoke' the god, that is to invite possession, or 'evoke' the god, which is to just invite a visit.
It you want to achieve a specific result you may decide to work with particular deity sympathetic with this cause and selected from the most appropriate pantheon. You can 'invoke' the god, that is to invite possession, or 'evoke' the god, which is to just invite a visit.
SERVITORS
A servitor is a mindful creation of a temporary astral entity 'budded' from the magician's own psyche and which is usually reabsorbed after carrying out a specific task. Based on this description angels are servitors created by God.
A servitor is a mindful creation of a temporary astral entity 'budded' from the magician's own psyche and which is usually reabsorbed after carrying out a specific task. Based on this description angels are servitors created by God.
WORDS
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Much of western magical practice and philosophy derives from Hebrew tradition. The powerful significance of words, letters, and numbers is key to Jewish mystical disciplines.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Much of western magical practice and philosophy derives from Hebrew tradition. The powerful significance of words, letters, and numbers is key to Jewish mystical disciplines.
ALTAR/TABLE
Pictured is a Biblical age altar which once functioning like a bench in an abattoir. Today altars are simply a focus for working; a platform for ritual tools. John Dee received specific and very complex Angelic instructions for an altar which would test the veracity of spirits.
Pictured is a Biblical age altar which once functioning like a bench in an abattoir. Today altars are simply a focus for working; a platform for ritual tools. John Dee received specific and very complex Angelic instructions for an altar which would test the veracity of spirits.
LAMEN
Lamen is a multi-functional magical device the design of which harmonises with that of the table/altar. It is worn as a pendant and is a symbolic connection with the magician's godhead, a sign of authority over invoked spirits, and a continuous link between the magician and the table/altar.
Lamen is a multi-functional magical device the design of which harmonises with that of the table/altar. It is worn as a pendant and is a symbolic connection with the magician's godhead, a sign of authority over invoked spirits, and a continuous link between the magician and the table/altar.
RECORDING
To witches it's a book of shadows; to magicians a grimiore; I call it a notebook. The important point is that you should try to record any magical working. If it works great, pat yourself on the back; if it's less than successful then use your notes to analyse why.
To witches it's a book of shadows; to magicians a grimiore; I call it a notebook. The important point is that you should try to record any magical working. If it works great, pat yourself on the back; if it's less than successful then use your notes to analyse why.
SECRECY
Secrecy has power, it seals the deal, it encapsulates an event in time, it binds people together. And, importantly, it adds potency by containment (think steam turbines, think explosives). Masons say they are a not a 'secret society' - they are a 'society with secrets'' - works for me.
Secrecy has power, it seals the deal, it encapsulates an event in time, it binds people together. And, importantly, it adds potency by containment (think steam turbines, think explosives). Masons say they are a not a 'secret society' - they are a 'society with secrets'' - works for me.