Ceremonial Magic - Month Four

[Toad]

Ceremonial Magic Class - Month 4

Well, we are a quarter of the way through this year long class! Looks like DAN is giving us a rather light month to allow us to catch up on finishing our temples and tools. Next month, month 5, is the official consecration of our temples.

As always, I am going to attempt to present the course outline based on DAN words and not my own. This month in particular there is a lot of theory and a fairly intricate set of operations that I will be paraphrasing. I will be available to help those without the text with these rituals...but due to copyright considerations I will not be posting the rituals as written...sorry.

Month 4 - Sealing the Temple

DAN assumes that at this point we will behind in our temple construction. As such she is throwing quite a bit of theory and some ritual work.


Building and placing the Seals

The ritual work involves setting up the seals on the Temple. DAN has provided a multi-panthenon ritual that should accommodate most belief structures.

The process begins with us acquiring some small glass vials, water (not tap water), salt crystals, sulfur, 4 silk bags, and mercury (she suggest sacrificing some thermometers). We then are to make some 5 pointed stars from carton paper (assuming carton paper is something like posterboard).

A vial of water, sulfur, salt and mercury is placed in a silk bag. Four of these are constructed, one for each quarter. These bags and the 5 pointed stars create the permanent seals that live at the 4 quarters of our temple. These serve the purpose of blocking undesirable energies from entering our temple. This procedure is vital in DAN opinion and must be completed before we begin to invite energies from other realms.

DAN ritual for placing the quarters is actually 4 separate operations. In each operation there is invocation of various appropriate energies to both invite them to the temple as well as as for their assistance in guarding that quarter.

Meditating on the Archangels and Four Holy Creatures

In the days between building and placing our seals DAN instructs us to meditate on the the quarters, the archangels of those quarters and the four holy creatures that correspond with them.

As an example we should place out chair in the center of the temple facing the quarter. So...facing east to begin with we will begin to build up an image Raphael. We are to focus on this until we can literally feel him 'breathing down our necks' in DAN's words. Once we have this locked in our mind we are to go over everything we know of Raphael to better helps us associate his correspondence. As DAN says in the text...a little homework beforehand will most likely be required.

We are to repeat this with each of the archangels then move on to the four holy creatures (Eagle, Ox, Lion and Man).

Ritual of the Second Seal - Sealing the Temple

Once we have complete the seal placement and the quarter mediations we are ready to perform the final sealing ritual.

Again DAN provides a wonderful ritual for our use. Again I won't provide it verbatim...

Using our wand, cup, sword and pantacle as the final seal we will seal each of the gateways invoking appropriate entities of the sealed quarter to guard it.

Other Exercises

Robe - DAN suggests that this month is the appropriate time to create our permanent robe. This robe will be used during consecration. Along with the robe we should also acquire a cord of complimentary color as well as consider makeing a lamen or tabard if we so choose.

Magical Name - Thats right, its time to select our magical name that we will use in temple and during rituals. Its pointed out that we should not share our name with anyone however sharing your magical name with another magician is a sign of the highest trust.

Theory

Threefold Law of Ritual - DAN spends the majority of this months text going over the three laws of ritual. Motive (why we perform a ritual), Method (how we perform the ritual) and the Meaning (or what our goal is). This material should serve as a tremendous basis for conversation.

Behavior in Lodge - DAN gives a short overview of how one is expected to behave while in the temple. A lesson in Ceremonial Magic etiquette.

Consecration Music - Now is the time to decide on appropriate music for the temp consecration.

Reading List

The Shining Paths - Dolores Ashcroft-Norwicki
A Dictionary of Angels - Gustave Davidson
The Book of Celestial Images - Andrew Highfield
At the Table of the Grail - John Mathews
Seeing with the Minds Eye - Samuel and Samuel

[Toad]

OK…with Norwicki’s slant out of the way…this is where I get my say. =)

Building and Placing the Seal

First let me say that I absolutely love this idea. DAN ritual is very complete and could be used as written with great effect I have no doubt. However, I am going to make changes.

First of all the construction of the seals…I will not be making my seals out of poster board. I personally view them as a vital item. As such I will be using something a bit more substantial than poster board. Wood or metal…though it will probably wind up being wood.

Secondly the ritual will be altered a bit to suit my tastes. I work primarily within the Egyptian pantheon and as such I will be invoking other Egyptian entities rather than DAN mix of on pantheons. Again…nothing wrong with DAN idea…

Meditating on the Archangels and the Four Holy Creatures

In all honesty…I have already performed this exercise last month…and truthfully I had no idea that it was a course exercise in month four. As anyone who has read the previous threads will know, I have begun a series of Archangel Invocations. This meditation and research was a natural process for me in preparation for these invocations.

Naturally I am gong to take this meditation and sealing process quite a bit further with full blown Archangel Invocations. I am using a process that is outlined in Poke Runyon’s book ‘The Book of Solomon’s Magic”. My one attempt at invoking Michael was tremendously successful (I still owe an account of this operation).

At this point I am still mulling over how I precisely I am going to alter these operations…rest assured once I have it settled I will be posting it. =)

Ritual of the Second Seal

Again…absolutely brilliant ritual by DAN. I will be making a couple minor changes…the wording in particular. I will also be changing the invoked entities. I will post my version as I complete it.


Other Exercises

Robe – err…No. I won’t be making another robe. I do like the idea of tabards. I will give the creation of a tabard some serious consideration.

Magical Name – In my case this was done quite a while ago.

Theory

DAN ‘Threefold Law of Ritual’ was very interesting. Perhaps a bit on the ‘common sense’ side but helpful never the less. Its nice at times to have stuff like this spelled out in simple language. I look forward to others reading and discussing this.

Behavior in Lodge – again interesting is not a bit on the common sense side.

Consecration Music – I am thinking ‘I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide’ =) Seriously though…I have yet to use music in ritual. I don’t think, at this point, I will bother with it.

Toad’s Exercises

Self Hypnosis –

I am continuing to work with Self Hypnosis. While I will not sit here preaching that this is the only means of achieving trance states, or clearing your mind, or setting focus, etc…I have to encourage all of you to at least experiment with this technique. I am becoming quite accomplished at SH and am finding it the most valued technique in my arsenal.

I have completed a ‘Self Purgation’ process over the last month using SH and age regression. I have to tell you that while it was painful…very painful in fact…I would not trade this experience for anything. I sincerely have a better understanding of myself and my family than I ever thought possible.

I use SH to direct my focus such as in guided meditation for example. I can rapidly quit my mind and focus on my object. It’s almost like jump starting a meditative state. Using SH…I can rapidly (in a couple minutes) induce a DEEP meditative state.

You can also use SH for everday things. For example I frequently use SH to energize myself when I feel a little tired or worn out. I use it to alter my frame of mind or to control impulses (talk about a killer way to loose weight). I have even managed to induce alter states of consciousness with SH suggestion…who need drugs?

Astral Projection –

I am continuing to work with projection as well. Using this technique is truly one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced. I have already built an astral temple, and tools and I frequently perform rituals in said temple.

I am still perfecting my movement and traveling. The hardest part, for me at least, is not to get distracted and to wander off chasing astral remnants. All it takes is practice and I am well on my way here.

[Rain Gnosis]

I am continuing to work with Self Hypnosis. While I will not sit here preaching that this is the only means of achieving trance states, or clearing your mind, or setting focus, etc…I have to encourage all of you to at least experiment with this technique. I am becoming quite accomplished at SH and am finding it the most valued technique in my arsenal.

Toad, I just read this and a little lighbulb went off in my head, as lately I've been working on meditative techniques and moving to the astral. I'm sure you've provided references before, however, do you have some websites in mind that might be of use? I'm sure you know at least a couple great books on the subject, but as of this moment I can't afford to order any, so if you have any websites could you share them?

And if you did provide resources in another thread somewhere and just want to let me know where rather then re-posting, just let me know where to find them. Thanks.

[Toad]

Toad, I just read this and a little lighbulb went off in my head, as lately I've been working on meditative techniques and moving to the astral. I'm sure you've provided references before, however, do you have some websites in mind that might be of use? I'm sure you know at least a couple great books on the subject, but as of this moment I can't afford to order any, so if you have any websites could you share them?

And if you did provide resources in another thread somewhere and just want to let me know where rather then re-posting, just let me know where to find them. Thanks.

Rain –

Unfortunately I really don’t have squat for online resources for Self Hypnosis. I bought a book called Self Hypnotism by Leslie LeCron that was referred by Poke Runyon in ‘The Book of Solomon’s Magic’ – I HIGHLY recommend this book as well - revolutionary. This little book (Self Hypnotism) is tuff to find, I had to order it off Amazon from a used vendor (its out of print I believe). I had to pay a whole $2 for it if memory serves. Truly this book changed everything for me.

I am sorry that I don’t have any online references for you. =( I promise though…this lil’ book is phenomenal and worth many times over the 2 bucks I payed for it.

Maybe I should focus on writing some stuff up around SH…if it would be of interest, I will take the time.

As for astral exercises…I do have a couple resources you might look at:

http://www.astralpulse.com/

http://website.lineone.net/~catsmad/index.htm

http://www.searchandprove.com/index.asp

I will admit that again it is a book that I have relied on most heavily. Magic Simplified by Draja Mickharic is absolutely brilliant and another of my favs. You can get an idea of Draja’s method from a thread I tossed up a while back. It outlines Draja’s method a bit…

http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=31852

If there is anything more I can share…please let me know.

[Rain Gnosis]

Thanks for the links Toad. Sad to say I'm not working so right now no, I really can't even afford $2 (plus exchange, plus shipping, :lol: ). But I'll keep that in mind for when I do have $$. :)

[Toad]

No problem Rain...sorry to hear things are so tight for ya.

I really ought to be writing up some of the basics of SH for another project anyway. This is a good excuse to accelerate that and to make it available out here. Gimmie a few days and I will have some info for you.

[mol]

No problem Rain...sorry to hear things are so tight for ya.

I really ought to be writing up some of the basics of SH for another project anyway. This is a good excuse to accelerate that and to make it available out here. Gimmie a few days and I will have some info for you.
*cough*

[Toad]

*cough*

:lol:

I AM workin on this... ;-p::: Sorry its been kinda nuts family wise in these parts.

[Toad]

I do have a question here...

Those that are interested in the SH info...are you more interested in theory or in practical exercises? I expect that a bit of both is needed just curious what is of more interest.

[mol]

I do have a question here...

Those that are interested in the SH info...are you more interested in theory or in practical exercises? I expect that a bit of both is needed just curious what is of more interest.
Well, for me...Id be more interested in theory as I have a tendency to make up my own exercises as I go.

[Toad]

Just a quick note and a link to a short AVI per Mol's request...

I had a successful invocation of Gabriel this evening. While I had all the gear setup I shot some pics and...yes...some video. This short AVI shows my altar set-up to do invocations...complete with my calcite ball, oil lamps and flowing incense smoke.

Archangel Invocation AVI (http://69.49.247.28/mwfiles/Invarchangel.zip)

Here is a lil pic as a teaser:

[Toad]

Well as promised here is the ‘Self Hypnosis Post’

First to the master himself for a definition:



hypnosis is a state of heightened suggestibility in which the mind is totally centered on one idea to the exclusion of everything else, including sensory perceptions that are unwanted or distracting.


I initially started to write something like Poke’s document…but really it would have been silly. I would recommend that those of you interested in Hypnosis and Self-Hypnosis read through this document. Mr. Runyon offers up a superior overview of hypnosis, its theories and history. I will attempt to follow up with some practical exercises and some personal observations.

Reading through Mr. Runyon’s document you should realize that hypnosis functions much like a traumatic experience in that through a small suggestion a conditioned response can be developed or the same response can be eliminated. Once the technique is mastered we can use this technique to auto-suggest changes in everyday life.

I have personally used hypnosis in a variety of ways. I have used it as a means to control pain, an aid in weight loss, as a tool in self analysis, as a means of age regression and most recently past life regression. I have also used it as a means of achieving trance states which in turn I have used in magickal and spiritual endeavors.

Once I stumbled across Mr. Runyon’s document on Magick and Hypnosis I then proceeded to purchase his book ‘The Book of Solomon’s Magick’. In this wonderful work I was exposed to Mr. Runyon’s method and theory of Invocation and Evocation. If you couldn’t have guessed by now…Mr. Runyon utilizes hypnosis to a great degree. In ‘The Book of Solomon’s Magick’ he recommends a book by Leslie LeCron called ‘Self Hypnotism – The Technique and it’s Use in Daily Living’.

Mr. Runyon used Lecron’s text initially as a means of controlling the pain for a failing gall bladder. Later he applied the same principles to Goetia evocations. From this work Mr Runyon is widely acknowledged as the authority on Goetia evocations and summoning them to visible appearance in a black mirror. Anyway…

If you are truly interested in investigating this technique and experimenting with it then I suggest that at minimum you invest in Lecron’s book. It is out of print…but can be found at used book dealers on Amazon very easily and very inexpensively. I payed $2 for my copy…in hindsight I would have gladly payed $2000 for it.

Lecron starts by recommending that if you yourself want to quickly master this technique, the easiest and fastest means of doing so is to find a licensed hypnotherapist and have them hypnotize you. I was fortunate in that I was in a financial position to accommodate this suggestion.

I started in the local phone book and found that there was a number of licensed hypnotherapist listed in my moderately sized town. After a few calls I was on my way. I gather that requesting to be hypnotized in order to plant the suggestion and imprint the memory of hypnosis on an individual was a somewhat unusual request. However, I found that I was a ‘highly suggestible’ candidate to hypnosis (meaning I am easy to hypnotize) and I was easily hypnotized and the suggestion was planted that when I wanted to hypnotize myself I would repeat the same scenario and emerge in a cognizant hypnotic state. From my initial session I have found it as natural as talking to hypnotize myself.

The self induced hypnotic trance however was unlike anything that I pictured in my mind. I am both in a trance state but at the same time I am ‘conscious’ and aware of my surroundings. Using this hypnotic state I have rapidly achieved states of consciousness that would require years of standard yoga, visualization and meditation disciplines. Instead of struggling with quieting my mind…through hypnosis…I decree my mind will be blank and it is without fail. Using yoga tratakam ( I have written about this in other areas) and self hypnosis I have successfully performed complex invocations with little practical experience.

After much work with this technique, it is now a regular practice. I can’t imagine how I survived without knowing this technique. It’s very simple, quick and in my experience very effective.


Lecron instructs, and I was taught a fairly simple induction method. First you need some sort of point to focus on. I use a Samadhi lamp. You then do some basic relaxation and breathing exercises and use a suggestion such as “As I watch this X my eyelids are getting heavier and heavier, they are becoming more and more difficult to keep open.” Once your eyes close its helpful to a key phrase that tells your subconscious that you are under hynosis, I use “Relax Now” ‘now’ being my key.

Once you have entered into this first stage of hypnosis I begin with the relaxation process again. Concentrating on my toes and working my way to the top of my head, all along the way focusing on each muscle to go as limp as possible. I notice that my breathing slows dramatically here and once I notice my face muscles relax I know that I am ready to go deeper.

I use a simply visualization to help to deepen my hypnotic state. I picture a set of stairs…with me standing on the top. I picture taking a step down and begin telling myself that with each step I take I am going deeper and deeper into hypnosis. (I have a script somewhere if anyone is interested I will dig it up).

Once your under you can begin with your suggestions. Literally anything you want to do. Some of the initial exercises that are really fun are to ‘suggest’ that you hand weighs nothing. If under hypnosis properly you hand will rise on its own…you can’t lower it unless you remove the suggestion. Its really wild.

There are a few tests to see if you are hypnotized. My favorite being the eye test. Once you believe you are under…tell your self that on the count of three you will not be able to open your eyes. Something like: “The harder I try to open them the tighter they will stick closed. One – my eyes are gluing themselves together, fixed tight together. Two – its as if they are welded into one piece, welded together and I cannot open them. Three – now they are locked…locked tightly together.” Then try to open them…if you can you are not hypnotized. If you cant open them you are…and all you need to do is reverse the process and you will be back to normal.

One thing that Lecron recommends is that after the first few sessions you measure the depth of your hypnosis. Lecorn recommends the use of a pendulum to question the subconscious when out of hypnosis. Using a yard stick as a scale, and using the pendulum for the answers…begin asking yourself how deep the most recent hypnotic state was. I kept a spreadsheet and it was a handy reference to gauge progress.

The use of the pendulum is referenced constantly in Lecron’s text. In turn I carry a pendulum with me at all times. It is an invaluable tool. It allows you to speak directly to your subconscious. Once you get used to asking very literal questions, its amazing what the subconscious will tell you when asked.

The rest of Lecron’s book covers cases where hypnosis has been used by psychologists, etc to help folks with various issues. These sections are incredibly helpful as the examples can be used to let you accomplish various things in your own self hypnosis sessions.

I am of course available to answer any questions that anyone may have. I am a big believer in auto-suggestion and if I can help others to use this powerful tool I will be more than happy to do so.

[Rain Gnosis]

Sorry I wandered away from this thread for awhile. Thanks for the link and the in depth explanation, Toad, I really appreciate it. I just downloaded that zip file to read.

Last night when I was going into meditation the procedure seemed almost "bulky" if that makes sense. I count up or down thinking "I don't need to count, I'm already there".

Penczak discusses physical triggers in the inner temple of witchcraft, that's my next exercise. Have you tried something like that for when you don't want to use a verbal trigger?

[Toad]

Sorry I wandered away from this thread for awhile. Thanks for the link and the in depth explanation, Toad, I really appreciate it. I just downloaded that zip file to read.

Last night when I was going into meditation the procedure seemed almost "bulky" if that makes sense. I count up or down thinking "I don't need to count, I'm already there".

Penczak discusses physical triggers in the inner temple of witchcraft, that's my next exercise. Have you tried something like that for when you don't want to use a verbal trigger?


The triggers, in my case are internalized. I dont actually vocalize them or the scripts.

I am a lil confused Rain...your meditation procedure? Did you attempt to hypnotize yourself? err?

[Toad]

Add a successful invocation of Raphael. =)

[Toad]

Well this eveing I finished the 2nd seal ritual along with my final Archangel invocation...Auriel.

I will go ahead and write up my altered version of the 2nd seal ritual...though I don't expect anyone to follow my lead on this one. I suppose it could be argued that these series of invocations were a bit advanced for my stage of development...but...well it felt right and there is no question about their success. It's a wonderful feeling knowing that the 4 Archangels are with me...I couldnt ask for a better affirmation.

In addition to this write up I need to get pictures of these seals up as well. I will get to that in the next day or so.

I have pretty much decided that I am not going to make a tabard for my robe. I just have no need of it and frankly, I have enough on my plate for the time being. I am continuing my astral work and I am doing some meditations preparing for the official temple consecration.