The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP) is a common ritual amongst practitioners of magickal systems including Golden Dawn and Thelema. This ritual is a powerful two-part ceremony that grounds the mind and ignites our ethereal vibrations to connect us with our higher selves and with guides such as archangels. This process eliminates "impure magnetism" that clogs up our aura and energy centers, and by ridding ourselves of negative mental, emotional, and spiritual clutter, we allow space for fresh positive energies and realizations to grow and thrive. In doing this we also reinforce our connection to all beings higher than us on an ethereal level such as guides, ancestors and angels.
*Note: It is recommended, but not necessary, to perform the Middle Pillar Ritual prior to performing the LBRP.
Part One- Performing the Qabalistic Cross
1. In the right hand, take a steel dagger or athame, or use the index and middle fingers pointing outward. Face EAST.
Imagine yourself growing larger, first above your city or town, then above your country, then above the world, and finally so large you appear at the center of the universe.
2. Perform the Qabalistic Cross as follows:
While imagining yourself at the center of the universe, at the first word intoned, a brilliant white light descends from above.
Touch the forehead and vibrate or say out loud, "ATEH" (thou art)
Imagine that same brilliant white light forms a 6 inch diameter sphere just above the crown of your head.
Touch the middle of the solar plexus and vibrate or say out loud, "MALKUTH" (Kingdom)
Imagine a shaft of light descending from the Crown Sphere and down to the feet where another 6 inch sphere expands just under your feet.
Touch the right shoulder and vibrate or say out loud, "VE-GEVURAH" (and Power)
Imagine a 6 inch sphere of brilliant white light appear just next to the right shoulder.
Touch the left shoulder and vibrate or say out loud, "VE-GEDULAH" (and Glory)
Imagine a shaft of light emerging from the right Sphere and cross your breast to expand and form another Sphere at your left shoulder.
Clasp the hands before you and vibrate or say out loud, "LE-OLAHM" (for ever)
At this point, imagine clearly the cross of light as it extends through your body.
Hands as before, with the dagger between fingers, point up, vibrate or say out loud, "AMEN"
Note: Any image or figure traced in the air with the finger, dagger or other magical instrument, is to be imagined in brilliant scintillating white Light. In more advanced working, other colors may be used. Make sure that all images drawn are correct, as brilliant as possible, and complete. The beginning and end of a drawn Pentagram must come completely together.
Image of an Earth-element Banishing Pentagram from The Middle Pillar by Israel Regardie
Part Two- Creating the Pentagram
1. Draw, in the air facing EAST, a banishing Earth Pentagram as shown in the diagram, and bringing the point of the dagger to the center of the Pentagram, vibrate the Name Y H V H (pronounced YODE-HEY-VAV-HEY). Imagine that your voice carries forward to the LIMITS of the UNIVERSE.
2. Without moving the dagger in any other direction or letting your arm down, trace a semicircle before you as you turn toward the SOUTH. Again trace the Pentagram, bring the dagger to the center of it, and vibrate the Name ADNI, (pronounced AH-DOH-NAI)
3. Again, trace the semicircle with the dagger to the WEST, trace the Pentagram, bringing the dagger to the center, and vibrate the Name AHIH, (pronounced EH-HEH-YEH)
4. Then, turn towards the NORTH, while tracing the circle, trace the Pentagram, bring the point of the dagger to the center and vibrate the Name AGLA, (pronounced either AH-GAH-LAH or ATAH GIBOR LE-OLAHM ADONAI)
5. Return to the EAST, completing tracing the circle of brilliant white Light, bringing the dagger point to the center of the EAST Pentagram.
6. Extend the arms in the form of a cross, say: BEFORE ME (then vibrate) RAPHAEL (pronounced RAH-FAI-EL)
Imagine a scintillating brilliant white Archangel in front of you and facing you. In his/her right hand is a magical Sword held with the point upright. The background is a pale, pure, bright yellow. Cherubs can be imagined near the Archangel. Imagine a gentle, refreshing breeze, cleansing and purifying the air.
7. Then, say: BEHIND ME (then vibrate) GABRIEL (pronounced GAH-BREE-EL)
Imagine a scintillating brilliant white Archangel behind you and facing you, holding in their right hand an exquisite silver Chalice. S/he is standing on a Cerulean-blue ocean and dolphins or mermaids are nearby. Imagine feeling the mist and cool spray of the ocean breeze.
8. Then, say: AT MY RIGHT HAND (then vibrate) MICHAEL (pronounced MEE-KHAI-EL)
Imagine a scintillating brilliant white Archangel at your right, facing you, and holding in their right hand a transparent scarlet red Wand with a scintillate pure diamond top. Waves of scarlet, red-orange and orange fire in the background. Also, SEKHMET, with a scarlet disk above her head, emerald green Uraeus, scarlet dress from just below breasts, tight-fitting, down to her ankles, is in the flames. Michael holds, in the left hand, a scarlet-red lotus wand. In the right hand, Michael holds an emerald-green ankh. Small black salamanders can be seen moving among the flames. Imagine you feel the heat and power emanating from the SOUTH.
9. Then, say: AT MY LEFT HAND (then vibrate) AURIEL (pronounced AWE-REE-EL)
Imagine a scintillating brilliant white Archangel at your left, facing you, and holding between their hands a Disk with a scintillating white Pentagram in the center. The ground is russet-brown, the leaves of the trees are olive-green, there are black shadows from the trees in a number of places, and the light is citrine (light yellow-green.) Feel the solidity of the Earth, and imagine the odor of the leaves and muskiness of the ground.
10. Now, say: ABOUT ME FLAME THE PENTAGRAMS AND IN THE COLUMN SHINES THE SIX-RAYED STAR.
Imagine the complete circle of brilliant white light at whose quadrants are the four Pentagrams. At the center is the Qabalistic Cross of Light extended through one's body. The body is this "column", and imagine shining within it a brilliant white hexagram.
Repeat the Qabalistic Cross, and, according to some occultists, stamp your right foot at the conclusion of the complete operation. The Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram is performed preliminary to any magical operation and precedes the Invoking Ritual of the Pentagram.
Practitioners of ceremonial magick often make use of accoutrements of ritual to help create a magickal atmosphere to elevate their senses and aid them in their workings. We suggest any of the following to help "get you there".
Earth Element Candle: At the beginning stages of your workings in ceremonial magick, the Earth element is used as a starting point in both your banishing and invoking. Candles are an essential part on the ritual magician's altar, and this Earth Element candle elegantly fills this role.
Patchouli & Pine Ritual Candle: Like our Earth Element candle, this Patchouli and Pine Ritual Candle, also containing Quartz and assorted herbs, corresponds perfectly with Earth element attributes, and wood fragrances are often employed in ceremonial magick and theurgic workings.
Archangel Incense Set: This set of seven unique incenses contains fragrance corresponding to the four Archangels named in the LBRP.
Frankincense Resin: A classic, Frankincense has long seen use in spiritual and ceremonial traditions in the Middle East and Europe, and is likewise used in Golden Dawn Earth-related workings. Don't forget to be prepared with Brass Charcoal Incense Burner, Charcoal and Sand when burning traditional resin incense like this.
Colored Spell Ritual Candles: On the altar of many magicians working in this tradition, you can sometimes find a single black candle and a single white candle, placed at the left and right of the altar signifying the Pillar of Mercy and the Pillar of Severity, or the two opposing forces found throughout nature. Likewise, you may burn a green or black candle when engaged in Earth-element workings and banishing, or burn only two white candles at the left and right of your altar.
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