Spiritual Self-Defense - Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram

Within the esoteric traditions of Western ceremonial magic lies one of the most versatile and powerful practices known as the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP). This ritual, both simple in its execution and profound in its implications, has been a fundamental tool in the arsenal of magicians and occultists. Its primary purpose is to cleanse the spiritual atmosphere, banish unwanted energies, and establish a protective barrier against external influences.

Developed and popularized by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in the late 19th century, this ritual has since become a fundamental element in various magical systems, revered for its effectiveness in protection, purification, and spiritual alignment.

History and objectives

The Golden Dawn synthesized various occult traditions, including Kabbalah, Hermeticism, and elements of Freemasonry, into a cohesive framework. The LBRP emerged as a foundational ritual within this system, designed to teach novices essential concepts of magical practice, symbolisms, and analogies, and to provide a reliable method for psychic protection.

The LBRP was conceived as a means to achieve several key objectives in magical practice: to banish unwanted energies and entities, block malicious influences, firmly establish the mage’s dominion over their magical space, balance their energies, and call upon the higher powers and dominions to aid in the Work.

Its roots grow the rich soil of Kabbalistic mysticism, Hermetic philosophy, and the broader Western magical tradition, making it a synthesis of ancient wisdom adapted for contemporary use.

The synergistic application of powerful symbols and understanding of how they relate to the wider systems the originated in gives this ritual extra power.

The General Benefits

The LBRP is renowned for its ability to clear the practitioner's environment of negative or stagnant energies and to fortify the mind against external psychic disturbances. It promotes mental clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual alignment, making it an ideal preparatory step for further magical work or meditation. Regular practice is said to strengthen the practitioner’s aura, thereby enhancing personal spiritual fortitude.

The strength of the LBRP lies in its comprehensive nature. It acts as a spiritual reset, clearing the practitioner's space of psychic debris and establishing a fortified, sacred perimeter. The ritual's efficacy is rooted in the deep symbolism of its components—each word, gesture, and symbol works in concert to create a harmonious whole. Performing the LBRP can be likened to a magical workout, strengthening the practitioner's energetic boundaries and enhancing their spiritual resilience.

Regularly performing the LBRP is recommended as a foundational practice for anyone involved in magical work. It serves as an effective tool for maintaining ‘magical fitness,’ ensuring that one’s personal energy remains cleansed and fortified. Starting and ending the day with the LBRP can help in maintaining a clear, balanced state of mind and a spiritually protected personal space.

The Symbols

1. The Pentagram:

   • Each point of the pentagram is associated with one of the four classical elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water), with the top point symbolizing Spirit. The spirit on top signifies the dominion of the soul over the material.

   • The act of drawing the pentagram in the air symbolizes the regulation and balancing of these elemental forces.

   • In this case, we generally use the so-called “Banishing Pentagram of the Earth”. starting with the bottom left point of the star as this is the most effective to banish evil force from us.

   • Pentagram is one of the oldest and most powerful magical symbols used for magic and protection.

     

2. The Archangels:

   • During the ritual, the practitioner calls upon four archangels, each corresponding to a cardinal direction, an element, and a tarot suit:

     • Raphael (East, Air, Wands)

     • Gabriel (West, Water, Cups)

     • Michael (South, Fire, Swords)

     • Uriel (North, Earth, Pentacles)

   • These archangels serve as guardians and represent the spiritual authority and protection of the practitioner’s space.

   • They are also beings of Lawful Good and have authority over any and all evil granted to them by the Infinite Creation itself. There is hardly a better protection against evil and dark magic.

3. The Divine Names:

   • The ritual involves vibrating specific divine names, each aligning with a particular aspect of the divine and the universe:

     • YHVH (Yod He Vau He) – the four-lettered (the Tetragrammaton), secret ineffable name of the divine in Kabbalah, representing the ultimate creative force.

     • Adonai – a Hebrew name for God, often associated with the Earth. Adonai means “master” or “Lord,” invoking the absolute divine sovereignty to aid us.

     • Eheieh – meaning “I Will Be,” often also translated as “I AM”, signifying the divine presence and eternal nature. It is a name of God associated with the highest sephirah, Keter.

     • Agla – a notariqon (acronym) of a Hebrew phrase that translates to “Thou art mighty forever, O Lord”. It is said daily in the Gevurot, the second blessing of the Amidah, the central Jewish prayer.

A Versatile Tool

Beyond its protective qualities, the LBRP is an excellent precursor and conclusion to any magical operation. It ensures that the working space is psychically sanitized and sealed from external influences.

This is equally important in contexts like psychedelic sessions, where creating a safe and controlled environment is crucial. The LBRP helps in centering the mind, banishing stray energies, and invoking a sense of spiritual sovereignty, making it an indispensable tool in the practitioner's arsenal. It makes your trip safe.

The LBRP remains a vital practice within modern magical traditions. Its synthesis of symbolic gestures, divine names, and elemental correspondences provides a powerful tool for spiritual hygiene and protection.

Understanding and internalizing the meanings behind the symbols and names used in the LBRP deepens the effectiveness of the ritual, aligning the practitioner more closely with the underpinning energies and principles of the cosmos. As with all magical practices, regular and mindful engagement with the LBRP is key to unlocking its full potential.

The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram is more than just a ritual; it is a key to unlocking a balanced and empowered state of being. Its regular practice fortifies the practitioner’s spiritual defenses, sharpens their focus, and aligns them with the higher vibrations of the universe. In a world where unseen forces continuously vie for our attention, the LBRP stands as a fortress of clarity, control, and protection.

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The Ritual:

Here's a step-by-step guide to performing the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP):

1. Preparation:

• Find a quiet space where you won't be disturbed.

• Stand facing East. Ensure you have enough room to move your arms freely.

2. The Kabbalistic Cross:

• Raise your hand or dagger above your head.

• Visualize a sphere of pure white light above your head.

• With each movement of your hand or ritual dagger - the athame - visualize a line of pure white light stretching from the sphere to form a cross over your body as you move with the ritual.

• Visualize the light going down. Touch your forehead and vibrate "Ateh" (meaning "Thou art").

• Visualize the light going further down to the earth below. Touch your heart and vibrate "Malkuth" (meaning "The Kingdom").

• Visualize the light going right. Touch your right shoulder and vibrate "ve-Geburah" (meaning "and the Power").

• Visualize the light going left. Touch your left shoulder and vibrate "ve-Gedulah" (meaning "and the Glory").

• Cross your hands in front of your chest, look upwards, and vibrate "le-Olam, Amen" (meaning "forever, Amen"). You can visualize a golden rose flower opening over your chest to add a bit of Rosicrucian symbolism to the mix.

  

3. Drawing the Pentagrams:

• Extend your right hand (or a ritual dagger) in front of you.

• Visualize a brilliant white light emanating from your fingers or the tip of the dagger.

• Draw a large banishing Earth pentagram in the air in front of you. Start from the lower-left point, move up to the top point, then down to the lower right, up to the upper left, across to the upper right, and back to the lower left.

• As you move your hand up, inhale. Exhale on moving down. The horizontal line - hold your breath.

• As you do this, focus on the light tracing the pentagram. The pentagram should be visualized as being flaming, strong, and vibrant. The more you can actually “see” the pentagram, the better, But the belief is what gives it its power.

• Push your hand or dagger through the center of the pentagram, visualizing the light continuing into infinity.

• As you draw your hand back, vibrate the God name "YHVH" (Yod Heh Vau Heh).

• Draw a quarter circle from the center of the pentagram to the next cardinal direction and repeat the drawing with the rest of the divine names

4. Calling the Archangels:

• Turn to the South, repeat the pentagram, and vibrate "Adonai" (Lord).

• Turn to the West, repeat the pentagram, and vibrate "Eheieh" (I am).

• Turn to the North, repeat the pentagram, and vibrate "Agla" (a Kabbalistic acronym for "Ateh Gibor Le-olam Adonai" – "Thou art mighty forever, O Lord").

• Close the circle to face the East again.

• Extend your arms to form a cross and say:

  • "Before me, Raphael, archangel of Air, he holds a staff in his hands." (before you in the East).

  • "Behind me, Gabriel, archangel of Water, his cup overflowing." (behind you in the West).

  • "On my right hand, Michael, archangel of Fire, a flaming sword in his arms." (on your right in the South).

  • "On my left hand, Uriel, archangel of Earth, stands firmly on the pentacle." (on your left in the North).

• It is important to visualize the archangels and their aspects. They should be standing tall from the horizon to the sky or even bigger - engulfing the Earth, the solar system, and the cosmos itself.

• Say, "For about me flames the Pentagrams, and above my head shines the six-rayed Star."

• Visualize the burning pentagrams and the golden six-rayed star above you as vividly as possible.

5. Repeat the Kabbalistic Cross:

• Perform the Kabbalistic Cross again as you did in step 2.

6. Closing:

• If you opened a ritual circle before beginning the LBRP, close it now.

• Take some deep breaths and ground yourself, feeling your connection to the earth.

• You may say a closing statement or prayer if you wish.

Tips:

• Visualization is key in the LBRP. Try to vividly imagine the pentagrams and feel the presence of the archangels.

• The vibration of God’s name should be resonant and felt throughout your body.

• Practice regularly to enhance your proficiency and the effectiveness of the ritual.

• Even though this step-by-step guide might feel complex, it is actually fairly simple once you do it a few times

Remember, the LBRP is a foundational ritual in Western ceremonial magic. Regular practice not only enhances your protective barriers but also deepens your connection to the ritual’s symbolic and spiritual significance.