by Frater GG

Any neophyte on their magical journey will first encounter the banishing ritual. It is the initiatory step on the rung of the magical ladder, and the first training for any wannabe adept. The banishing ritual is your armour, the defence against any unwanted thoughts or energies from interfering in the great work of your will. You must know this unconsciously, and be able to perform it at any given time when you feel emotions of being overwhelmed, or faced by any fear you might encounter in the physical or astral plains. For practitioners who were raised in the Christian tradition, the banishing ritual must be able to roll of your tongue as if it were the lords prayer. This ritual is to be used to banish any negative energy in the opening and closing of any ritual work you are undertaking,

The most common banishing ritual in the western occult tradition, is that of the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram, known here after as the LBRP. The most common version used today originates from the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Although it probably has foundations in a number of traditions, the ritual was most likely brought together by the adepts who migrated from earlier esoteric groups. The banishing ritual evolved to facilitate a necessary shield for the neophytes beginning their journey.

The LBRP

• Begin facing East and perform The Qabalistic Cross
• Touching the forehead, say “Atah (Unto Thee).”•
• Touching the breast, say Malkuth (The Kingdom).”•
• Touching the right shoulder, say “ve-Geburah (and the Power).”•
• Touching the left shoulder, say “ve-Gedulah (and the Glory),•
• Clasping the hands upon the breast, say “le-Olahm, Amen (To the Ages, Amen).”•

—

• Make a pentagram (that of Earth) with the proper weapon (usually the Wand). Say (i.e. vibrate) “IHVH” (Ye-ho-wau*).•
• Turning to the South, the same, but say “ADNI” (Adonai).• Turning to the West, the same, but say “AHIH” (Eheieh).•
• Turning to the North, the same, but say “AGLA” (Agla).• Extending the arms in the form of a cross say:• “

—

• Before me Raphael;•
• Behind me Gabriel;•
• On my right hand Michael;•
• On my left hand Auriel;•

For about me flames the Pentagram,• And in the Column stands the six-rayed Star.”

Repeat the Qabalistic Cross

The LBRP begins facing east in the direction of the rising sun. We must first perform the qabalistic cross. This blessing may appear to be a bastardisation of a Christian blessing, but this is because the qabalistic cross is done in a reverse of the Christian form. This is so we are not facing the cross, but as if we were upon the cross. If you think of your body as a compass and perform the Qabalistic cross, the ritual goes in the direction of atah (north or head) malkuth (south or feet ) ve-geburah (east or right shoulder) ve-gedulah (west or left shoulder) as opposed to the Christian blessing, which goes west to east, or opposed to the direction of the sun. This might seem an innocuous transition but has a very real symbolism behind it’s purpose. For we are not witnessing the mystery, we are part of the mystery, and we are following the direction of the sun beginning in the east, and setting in the west. The final step is to release your hands before you and say the final words “Le olahm, Amen” The qabalistic cross can be visualised as if you are drawing the light down from the heavens, so it can fill your body with a powerful energy that gives you strength. Once we are feeling centred from this we can then continue to create our pentagrams.

You are still facing east and you start by pointing your wand/finger in the bottom left hand of the pentagram (position of earth) and drawing your finger/wand up to spirit and continuing tracing to fire, air, water and finally returning to earth. This is the power of unconscious symbolism, you are symbolically banishing from the earth to the heavens. After you have completed the pentagram, you then penetrate the pentagram with the sign of the enterer (sign of horus) and releasing the holy name of YHVH (Yod He Vau He), you then bring your finger to your lip for the sign of silence (the sign Of hapocrotes), this ends the action.

With your wand/finger, draw a line from the centre of your first pentagram to the south, you then repeat the tracing of the pentagram, this time calling upon ADNI (Adonai), while repeating the signs of the enterer and silence as before. The pentagrams are repeated in the west with the name of AHYH (Eh Hei Yeh) and in the north with AGLA (Aglah) before you finally return to the east.

It is now time to call upon the four archangels, they also represent the four elements; Raphael (Air), Gabriel (Water) Michael (Fire) Uriel (Earth). The five points of the pentagram can be seen as a map to our four archangels and the spirit. While stretching our hands out in the shape of the cross we say “Before me Raphael”, “Behind me Gabriel”, “To my right hand Michael” “To my left hand Uriel” Each archangel should be visualised in their unique colours and symbolism to add extra power and manifestation to the ritual. With strong visualisation and the use of breathing techniques, this can be a very powerful experience, and you will be able to feel the strength of each archangel come over you when you call upon their name. It is like an extra weight is added to each corner of your body, and you feel a certain balancing in your psyche.  The archangels are very powerful energies, get to know them and personalise the experience for what works best for you.

With your arms still out stretched in the position of the cross you then close the ritual by announcing “for about me flames the pentagrams and in the column shines the six rayed star”. There are a number of variations on the wording of this line, this particular one is found in most Golden Dawn texts and I like the wording of “column”, in denotes power, strength and represents the bond of light which has been created between you and the universe. It is literally your umbilical chord or ladder to the astral light. Close your eyes and absorb the energy you have created through this ritual. It is a spiritual warm bath, and should be treated as a safe zone for when ever you need it no matter how dramatic or trivial your issue is. This is a kin to a martial art, just as a black belt in any discipline could easily disarm any would be attacker, this is your tool to disarm a psychic blockage and banish any negative energy. The final element in the ritual is to repeat the qabalistic cross as before to close the ritual.

Breathing

Breathing is a very important part of any ritual, and the LBRP is no different. Breathing is the difference between a casual banishing and a fortified impenetrable fortress. If you get up and rush the names just to get through the ritual as quickly as possible, because you feel silly in front of people, or you are tired after work, you won’t get half the return from your banishing. Sometimes this is okay during practice or while learning the ritual, but if you really need protection you have to show your commitment to the universe. The universe will only take you as seriously, as you take yourself. Are you a magician, or someone who just happened upon an interesting book that sounded intriguing?

When you are about to perform any ritual with commitment, stand up like you are in the centre of the universe, draw the light down with a a large deep breath. Breath so deep it is like you are inhaling the energy straight from the stars and right into your soul. Intone the words for all the astral plains to hear.

Whether it be the qabalistic cross, or the tracing of the pentagrams, inhale until your lungs fill to capacity, and release slowly as you intone the holy names in Hebrew. Do this for every step, and while calling upon the archangels, inhale so deeply your mind fills with their presence so you know they are with you. You can almost feel your body balance at each position with their strength.

Intoning

When I speak about intoning, think of the old catholic priests and bishops “sanctus, dominus etc… ” When you vibrate holy words, make your chest cavity vibrate and ring like a bell, just as the holy men of ages past. You can still have an effective banishing by just saying the names, especially if you are starting to learn. If you feel you have it down, I believe the only way is to push the ritual and make it very personal to you.  Any magician should be performing a banishing ritual on a daily basis, if not multiple times a day. You don’t always have to go to an elaborate temple space, or even a private room. Some of my most powerful LBRP’s have been done while walking down the street, on buses, or sitting at a desk in work. These mini trips to the astral plain can be done in the silence of your mind and through visualisation. Once you develop a strong bond with your banishing ritual it will be a tool to be used through good and bad times.

The Symbolism of the Pentagram

The pentagram has a powerful symmetry, which I believe was best under stood by Plato as the harmonic symbol of the universe incorporating the mathematical formulas of pi and phi. The golden ratio is imbued in the pentagram, just as it is in the macrocosm with nebulas and galaxies. Plants and animals also grow in accordance with this symmetry, and are a representation of this in the microcosm. This physical representation can also be converted to be represented in musical octaves and scales. It is literally a tool in the creation of the universe, and if it is deciphered correctly through symbolism, it is one of the most powerful and most recognised symbols of magic, witchcraft, and the supernatural. It does not just have a symbolic representation in the LBRP, further study into the Golden Dawn rituals will reveal a number of different uses for this symbol. These rituals use invoking and banishing tools from the five points, using the spirit and elemental positions. For example you can invoke or banish the specific elements of air, fire, water, or earth. There is also a greater or superior ritual of the pentagram which uses Enochian names, as well as the more specific directional elements on the pentagram. This ritual is very powerful and was traditionally kept for adepts of the Golden Dawn, but a quick google search will almost reveal any ritual, no matter how secret they once were.

Other forms of Banishing Rituals

This brief summary of the LBRP, is not meant to an exegesis by any means. This information is a culmination of my experience, after performing the ritual almost daily over the last five years. The LBRP is by no means dogmatic, and there are many versions of banishing rituals in wicca, voodoo, santeria and in all elements of spirituality, not just the paths which are viewed as occult. A lot of elements come from the Christian, Jewish and Islamic traditions where there are numerous types of banishing rituals.

I personally have encountered issues around the LBRP, especially in relation to the names that emanate from the Abrahamic religions. Calling upon the jealous and omnipotent YHVH makes me feel uncomfortable. Other people have emotional baggage surrounding the symbolism of the pentagram, because of how it has been used by film and television, to denote evil or satanic powers. Especially during the satanic panic of the 1980’s, it was used by christian extremists to lay claim to a spiritual war. Few people know the true symbolism behind the symbol, and it has taken on a new meaning in the psyche of the occidental world, just as the swastika has a different meaning in the east. Even Donald Duck knew the power of this symbol. A great reference of research on the pentagram can be found on the internet in an old Disney cartoon from the 50’s called Donald in Mathmagic Land.

If you are like me, and sometimes feel like a hypocrite calling upon the Christian Yahweh, never fear there are those who tore away from the Abrahamic traditions. The infamous Aleister Crowley, a Golden Dawn member who broke away to take over the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O), invoked Greek pagan traditions into his version of the banishing ritual known as the star ruby. The star ruby is a beautiful banishing ritual, which invokes not only similar elements to the LBRP, but also expands on its predecessor, by allowing a beautiful choreography in a hymn to the Greek god Pan. It also uses the holy names of Thelema; “Therion” “Nuit” “Babalon” & “Hadit”. The star ruby also performs as an invoking ritual, and is definitely worth exploring for any one looking to add another banishing ritual to their magical arsenal.

If the great god Pan doesn’t seem like an avenue you wish to explore, then there are some banishing rituals which I will call secular, for want of a better term. The grandaddy of chaos magic Austin Osman Spare, has a version outlined in Stephen Mace’s excellent book Stealing the fire from heaven, which only involves visualisation using ellipses, and can be very powerful in its own right.

Peter J. Carroll one of the foremost thinkers on modern occultism, outlines in his book Liber Kaos the gnostic pentagram ritual. His co founded temple the I.O.T or Illuminates of Thanateros, use one of my favourite banishing rituals as part of their pacts (magical temples).  They use the vowels A, E, I, O, U as vibratory elements along the chakra points. This holds similarities to the middle pillar ritual of the Golden Dawn, with a combination of visualisation and breath control.

The banishing ritual is the most important ritual you will possibly ever learn, and is there for you at all times. Through daily practice it becomes an entity unto itself, and it is the armour of your psyche. You will eventually be able to recite the ritual without any conscious involvement, and your mind will literally be able to switch off into a trance like or meditative state. This is called active mediation, as opposed to a passive mediation, as in the asana position. This can also serve the magician as a tool, and allow the operator to enter an altered state of consciousness before mediation or ritual. When you know how to banish confidently, your invocations and rituals will be more successful, and you will feel more confident controlling any dealings on the astral plain.