The Delineation of the Circle and the Sacred Theater
Every act of Ceremonial Magic, especially that which proposes to invoke or banish, presupposes the creation of a sacred space. This space is not merely physical, but a psychic and spiritual construction, delineated by the tools and symbols of the Adept. The Pentagram and the Hexagram, each with their cosmological and angelic attributions, are the pillars of this esoteric architecture. The Pentagram, with its five points, represents the Microcosm, the Human Being in its totality – the four elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water) crowned by Spirit (Atziluth, Briah, Yetzirah, Assiah, and the divine breath). Its form, when correctly traced, invokes the power of the Microprosopus, the Divine Man, and its ruling angels – Rafael, Gabriel, Uriel, Michael. The Hexagram, the Star of David, is the union of opposites, the Macrocosm. The ascending point representing Fire (spirit) descending to Water (matter), and the descending point representing Water rising to Fire; the conjunction of heavens and earth, the manifestation of the Tetragrammaton (YHVH) and the union of divine and manifest energies.
The Pentagram as Portal and Barrier
In the context of banishing rituals, the Pentagram is the primary tool for establishing the boundary of the magical circle and for repelling unwanted influences. Its invocation and banishment are directly linked to the Sephiroth and the elements. The Banishing Pentagram, traced with the appropriate element (Fire in the East, Water in the South, Air in the West, Earth in the North), is a declaration of the Adept's sovereignty over the space. Each point attracts or repels specific forces. The Invoking Pentagram, on the other hand, serves to attract beneficial energies, angels or elementals, always within the limits of the established circle. The study of the Tarot offers us valuable clues about these forces. For example, Path 27, the letter Qoph (The Fool), which links Yesod (Moon) to Malkuth (Earth), can be related to the manipulation of primordial energies that sustain manifestation, the foundation upon which the rituals of banishment and invocation operate to purify the field of work.
The Hexagram in the Ritualism of the Great Work
While the Pentagram operates on the microcosmic and elemental scale, the Hexagram, especially the Sacred Invoking and Banishing Hexagram, operates on a more cosmic and planetary level. It is the representation of universal harmony and the integration of opposite forces. When used to banish, the Hexagram, traced with the correct intention and Divine Names (such as AGLA or ARARITA, depending on the objective), seeks to rebalance dissonant energies, dissolve negative planetary influences or astral disturbances. Its form, composed of two interlaced triangles, evokes the union of the macrocosm (the Triangle pointing upward) and the microcosm (the Triangle pointing downward), reflecting the hermetic maxim: "As above, so below". The manipulation of the Hexagram is intimately linked to the planetary correspondences of the Sephiroth. For example, the banishment of Martian influences may involve the use of the Banishing Hexagram with the divine names and invocation of angels associated with Geburah (Mars).
Banishing Rituals: The Cleansing of the Internal and External Temple
Banishing rituals are not merely a way to cleanse a physical space, but primarily to purify the operator himself and his energetic field. The most well-known and widely practiced form of banishing ritual is the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP), a fundamental practice in the lower grades of the Golden Dawn. The LBRP not only banishes, but also invokes the Archangels at the four cardinal points, thus establishing protection and sanctity of the location. The sequence of banishment and invocation is crucial: first order is established by banishing chaos, and then divine light or desired forces are invoked. The structure of the Worlds – Atziluth, Briah, Yetzirah and Assiah – provides a framework for the application of these rituals at different levels of reality. A banishment in Assiah (Earth), for example, aims at the purification of the physical and material plane, while a banishment in Yetzirah (Air) acts upon psychic and emotional energies. Consistency and precision in the execution of these rituals are fundamental to the safety and success of the Adept, ensuring that the "temple" remains a suitable receptacle for magical works of greater complexity, such as those that seek the Great Work.
The mastery of the Pentagram and the Hexagram, together with a deep understanding of banishing rituals, constitutes the solid foundation upon which all Ceremonial Magic stands. Practice the LBRP daily, meditating on the symbols and the divine names. Feel the energy flowing through your limbs and delineating the circle of protection around you. These repeated acts, imbued with will and faith, not only protect the working space, but also operate a profound internal alchemy, purifying the operator and preparing him for more advanced energetic manipulations.