[Ivy's Pentacles]

THE LESSER BANISHING RITUAL OF THE PENTAGRAM

The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram can be used as a focus before an important ritual or for banishing outside influences for peace of mind during an important meditation. It is also used in the Jewish religion as a bedtime preparation, though not as much anymore. It is a somewhat ceremonial ritual and is unusual for this collection, but still may be useful to some, if just to know what people are talking about when they mention it. It can be actually acted out as suggested or simply performed in the mind. Please note that there is some difference in different traditions' and individuals' interpretations of some meanings, pronunciations, and symbolisms. This seems to consider east the primary direction while in many modern Western thought processes the base direction is north. And the names, while derived from Hebrew, have meaning in many religions and traditions. Also, please note that the Greater Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram is simply a more complicated version of this one, with more signs and symbols and whatnot drawn on the circle's walls. It is just more to memorize while this is perfectly effective for its purposes, so the other is not included.

First, the Qabalistic Cross:

Standing facing east, wearing your ritual robe or clothes (or visualizing wearing them if you need to do it in a pinch), visualize your own energy as a light at your solar plexus. Next visualize a sphere around you; a bit like casting a circle but without calling the elementals. Fill the sphere with the energy at your solar plexus.

Touch the crown of your head (with a tool or your hand) and say "ATAH." (Pronounced "ah-tach," with a Hebrew "ch" sound. Means "thine.") Use a whole deep breath to say the word. Visualize bright light coming down on your head, illuminating you. Then move down to touch the base of your spine, flowing down on through your feet to continue into the void. Say "MALKUTH." (Pronounced "mahl-koo-t-h," the h is separate from the t. Means "is the kingdom.") Touch your right shoulder next, visualizing a bright light coming to your shoulder as you do. Say "VE GEBURAH." (Pronounced "veh geh-boo-rach" with a Hebrew "ch" sound and a very soft "b." Means "and the power.") Draw your finger or tool across to your left shoulder, and let the light flow through your chest and out to infinity. Say "VE GEDULAH." (Pronounced "veh geh-doo-lach" with a Hebrew "ch" sound. Means "and the glory.") Now visualizing strongly the cross through your body, clasp your hands where the beams cross and say "LA OLAM." (Prounced "lay oh-lahm." Means "forever.") Bow your head and say "Amen." (Pronounced "ah-men." Means "So be it.") These words mean "Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. So be it."

After finishing the Qabalistic cross, continue to face east and draw a 3-foot-tall pentagram on your sphere, visualizing it glowing. It is a BANISHING pentagram, so start at the bottom left. When it is completed, point your finger or tool at the pentagram and make it flash. Then say "YOD HE VAU HE." (Pronounced "Yood hay vow hay." Means Y-H-V-H, which can be translated to "Yahweh" or "Jehovah.")

Turn to the right and face south, and visualize an attractive line of flame following the arc of the sphere at eye level. Draw another pentagram like above, except instead of "YOD HE VAU HE" say "ADONAI." (Pronounced "Ahh-doh-nye." Another name for God.)

Turn right again, to the west, see the line and do another pentagram, and this time say "EHEIEH." (Pronounced "Eh-heh-ee-eh." Another name for God, meaning "he that is" or "I am that I am.")

Turn right again, to the north, see the line and do another pentagram, and this time say "AGALA." (Pronounced "Ah-gah-lah." Means "Thou art forever great, Lord.")

Turn to the right (east) again, hold your arms out like a cross, and say the following, drawing out with full long breaths all the names of the angels:

Before me RAPHAEL! (Pronounce "Rah-fa-el." Means "healing of God." Visualize yellow wind blowing in from the east and filling the sphere.)

Behind me GABRIEL! (Pronounce "Gah-bree-el." Means "strength of God." Visualize blue water flowing in from the west and filling the sphere.)

On my right hand MICHAEL! (Pronounce "Mih-kah-el." Means "likeness of God." Visualize red fire burning in from the south and filling the sphere.)

On my left hand AURIEL! (Pronounce "Ow-ree-el." Means "light of God." Visualize green earth rolling in from the north and filling the sphere.)

Now say:

For before me flames the pentagram. (Visualize all the pentagrams blazing with light and life, including one on your own chest.

And in the column shines the six-rayed star. (Visualize a six-pointed star in your spine at heart level.

Repeat the Qabalistic cross. Then begin whatever ritual, meditation, or point. Be sure and earth and disperse your circle afterwards.

Source: FutureRitual by Philip H. Farber, posted on Everything2.com by poqui with original and researched additions, interpretations, and changes.

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