Banishing

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Table of contents

1 Purpose

2 Methods of Banishing

2.1 The Pentagram rituals

3 References

Purpose

The first task of the Magician in every ceremony is therefore to render his Circle absolutely impregnable.—Aleister Crowley

A banishing is generally performed before the beginning of a magical ritual. Its purpose is to cleanse the area for the ritual—whether it be a room or a magick circle—all those elements that might interfere with the magical operation. Banishing consists of removing all objects from a place of working in order to put into that reserved space those objects which are pertinent to the operation.

In elaborate ceremonies, the Magician may choose to banish all the elements (Air, Earth, Fire, Water, & Spirit), the planets, the signs of the zodiac, spirits, godforms, and even the ten Sephiroth. Even the force to be invoked is banished. As Crowley says, "for that force as existing in Nature is always impure."

Banishing rituals may also be performed for their own sake. This can be done for several reasons—to cleanse a room or home, to eliminate negative or unwanted energy, or to simply calm and balance the mind. Many magicians practice certain banishing rituals daily.

Methods of Banishing

A much simplier method of banishing is by the use of Liber XXV, The Star Ruby or the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram. These two rituals utilize the pentagram in all four quarters. "Only the four elements are specifically mentioned, but these four elements contain the planets and the signs - the four elements are Tetragrammaton; and Tetragrammaton is the Universe." Thus banishing by way of the pentagram can be viewed as a general method of banishing anything in the universe. The last sentence, however, reflects my opinion.

The Thirty Aethers and the elements have a close relationship too. Each Aether has three Governors except the 3oth which has four. The names of these Governors are taken from the elemental tablets. Thus we see the influence of the elements extending even to the highest reaches of the Aethers.

The Pentagram rituals

First, the pentagram must be somewhat explained. The pentagram consists of the five elements: Earth, Air, Water, Fire, and Spirit. Each element may be invoked or banished at will by the Magician. The manner in which this is done is by the direction the pentagram is drawn. A general rule of banishing is to start at the element in question and move away from it ending where you began. See Liber O, Book 4, Part III, Appendix VII, sub figura VI, Part IV for elemental attributions of the pentagram.

"Be alert and on your guard! Watch before you pray! The feeling of success in banishing, once acquired, is unmistakable."

References

Book 4, Part III, CH. XIII, "Of the Banishing and of the Purifications."

Enochian World of Aleister Crowley, Ch. 4, Part V, "The Thirty Aethers or Aires."

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