The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP)
Purpose: The LBRP is used to clear and consecrate a space, to banish negative energies, and to create a protective barrier around the practitioner. It’s often performed at the beginning and end of a magical session.
Preparation
Dress: Wear comfortable, preferably ritual robes or clean, comfortable clothes.
Space: Ensure you have enough room to move freely in all directions.
Tools: While not strictly necessary, a dagger or your index finger can be used to trace the pentagrams.
The Ritual
1. The Kabbalistic Cross
Stand facing East.
Touch your forehead and vibrate: “Ateh” (Unto Thee)
Touch your chest and vibrate: “Malkuth” (The Kingdom)
Touch your right shoulder and vibrate: “ve-Geburah” (and the Power)
Touch your left shoulder and vibrate: “ve-Gedulah” (and the Glory)
Clasp your hands at your chest and vibrate: “le-Olahm, Amen” (forever, Amen)
2. Drawing the Pentagrams
East: Draw a banishing earth pentagram (start at the lower left, move up to the top point, then down to the right, across to the left, up to the top again, and down to the starting point). Thrust your hand or dagger through the center, vibrating: “YHVH” (Yod-Heh-Vav-Heh, or Tetragrammaton).
Move to the South, drawing an imaginary line, and repeat the pentagram, this time vibrating: “Adonai“.
Move to the West, and vibrate: “Eheieh” with the pentagram.
Move to the North, and vibrate: “AGLA” (Atah Gibor Leolam Adonai).
3. Calling the Archangels
Still facing East, extend your arms in a cross posture:
Say: “Before me, Raphael; Behind me, Gabriel; On my right hand, Michael; On my left hand, Auriel.”
For above and below, add: “Above me the Flaming Star; Below me the Abyss of the Earth.”
Conclude with: “For about me flames the Pentagram, and within me shines the six-rayed Star.“
4. Repeat the Kabbalistic Cross
To seal the ritual, repeat the Kabbalistic Cross as described above.
Visual Aids
Diagram of the Earth Banishing Pentagram
Diagram of the Circle of Archangels
Notes
Pronunciation: The Hebrew names can be challenging; approximate pronunciations are given.
Visualization: As you perform each step, visualize what you are saying or doing as vividly as possible.
Breath: Coordinate your breath with the vibrations; inhale deeply before vibrating each name.
Practice: The LBRP can be practiced daily for personal protection, clearing, and spiritual development.
Common Questions
Q: Can I use this ritual for any tradition?
A: While it originates from the Golden Dawn, many adapt it for various practices. Consider the intent and symbology if blending with other systems.
Q: What if I make a mistake during the ritual?
A: Intent is key. If you make an error, continue with focus on the purpose of the ritual. You might repeat the ritual to ensure it’s done correctly if you feel it necessary.
Further Reading
The Golden Dawn – Israel Regardie (1937)
https://archive.org/details/regardie-israel-the-complete-golden-dawn
Casting the Circle in Wicca
Purpose: Casting the Circle is a fundamental Wiccan ritual used to create a sacred space for magical work, protection, and ritual. It separates the mundane from the magical, providing a focused environment where the energies can be contained and directed.
Preparation
Choose Your Space: Select a quiet, undisturbed area where you can work. This can be indoors or outdoors.
Cleanse the Area: Physically clean the space and then spiritually cleanse it with incense, sound (like a bell or singing bowl), or salt water.
Gather Tools:
Athame or Wand: Used to direct energy and cast the circle.
Candles: Often one for each direction (East, South, West, North) plus one for the center or altar.
Incense: For purification.
Salt and Water: For consecration.
The Ritual
1. Purifying Yourself
Begin by grounding and centering yourself. You might take a ritual bath or perform a simple cleansing with incense or salt water.
2. Setting Up the Altar
Place your altar in the center or at one end of your working space. Arrange your tools, candles, and any symbols or representations of the elements or deities you work with.
3. Consecration of Tools
Consecrate your salt by blessing it, often with words like, “I bless this salt to purify and cleanse this space.“
Do the same with water, saying, “I bless this water to purify and cleanse this space.“
Combine the salt and water, and sprinkle this around your circle area to cleanse it.
4. Casting the Circle
Starting Point: Stand at the East or North, depending on your tradition.
Visualisation: Visualize energy flowing from you or coming up from the earth, forming a sphere of light or energy around your space.
Physical Action: With your athame or wand, begin to walk deosil (clockwise) around your space. As you walk, imagine this energy forming a circle:
Words: Will thoughtful will and power say, “I cast this circle to define the sacred space. May it be a boundary between the worlds, a place of peace, protection, and power. So mote it be.”
5. Calling the Quarters (Invoking the Elements)
East – Air: “Guardians of the Watchtower of the East, Element of Air, I call upon you to guard this circle and bring your wisdom. Hail and welcome.“
South – Fire: “Guardians of the Watchtower of the South, Element of Fire, I call upon you to guard this circle and bring your passion. Hail and welcome.“
West – Water: “Guardians of the Watchtower of the West, Element of Water, I call upon you to guard this circle and bring your intuition. Hail and welcome.“
North – Earth: “Guardians of the Watchtower of the North, Element of Earth, I call upon you to guard this circle and bring your stability. Hail and welcome.“
6. Invocation of Deity (Optional)
If your practice includes deity worship, you might invite the God and Goddess or other deities at this point, specifying their roles or aspects you wish to work with.
7. Sealing the Circle
After all elements are invoked, you can walk the circle once more to seal it, visualizing the energy connecting and solidifying.
Notes
Size: The circle can be as large or small as needed, but ensure it’s comfortable to work within.
Direction: If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, you might cast widdershins (counterclockwise) to follow the sun’s natural path.
Closing: Remember, when you’re done, you’ll need to close the circle in reverse order, thanking and releasing the elements, deities, and finally, breaking the circle by “slicing” through it with your tool, visualizing the energy dissipating or returning to the earth.
Common Variations
Some traditions add more complex rituals or use specific chants or songs.
The exact words and actions can vary widely based on individual practice or coven tradition.
Further Reading
The ABC’s of Witchcraft – Doreen Valiente (1994)
The Principles of Wicca – Vivianne Crowley (1998)
A Witch’s Bible Compleat – Janet and Stuart Farrar (1996)
Bucklands Complete Guide to Witchcraft – Raymond Buckland (2002)
Natural Magic – Doreen Valiente (1998)
This instruction is a basic framework; individual practices might include additional steps, personal touches, or variations based on specific traditions within Wicca.
For a powerful all-purpose opening and daily protection ritual please consider the Creation Ritual also known as The Opening of the Temple Ritual.