Taken now from my Book of Shadows,original author unknown
PRACTICAL EXERCISES
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EXERCISE IN MEDITATION
Let's suppose you have chosen an apple; as I had many years ago, as your first subject/object.
1. Sit in a comfortable Asana and start relaxing your body, quieting your thoughts and regulating your breathing. Keep in mind that you have to be able to relax in order to meditate.
2. When you have stilled your mind and body try to visualize a shiny bright red apple against a black background.
3. Focus on it and bring it closer so that you can pay attention to the detail on its skin.
4) Try to smell it.
5) Try to feel it.
6) Try to bite it and taste it.
In short, try to experience the object fully. Unite with it. All of this in your mind. The next step, once the inner senses have had their fun with the object, allow your mind to recall data related to the object and study and analyze each one, but keep your third eye always focused on the object. If you allow your "vision" to drift to another theme while you are analyzing data the mind will recall symbols connected with the current theme, and you will mix the symbols. Do not allow this to happen! Purity of thought means not allowing the mind to drift from one symbol to another unless they are somehow connected.
The union of object with object comes much later in your Magickal training, the first step is the union of subject with object.
It is easy to become discouraged during this faze of training, but I cannot find the words to convey how important this Work is.
A few tips to make things easier for you:
1. Do not meditate lying down. If you become bored you will fall asleep. If you do this a lot it will become a conditioned reflex so that every time you attempt to meditate you will sleep instead.
2. In the beginning fix your attention on only those things which interest you. It is easier to occupy the mind on tings it finds pleasant. I find the Tarot to be so full in Esoteric symbolisms, that for me it is the best training aid I can recommend. I suggest the deck illustrated by Frieda Harris under the instruction of Aeister Crowley, the colors are superb and the pictures have a positive affect on the psyche. Later, when you have sufficient control over your thoughts, move on to harder objects.
3. Whenever possible begin your meditations after midnight. The world sleeps, and the psychic interference which is present when others are worrying about making it to work on time, making money, paying bills, and keeping their wits about them in the mundane world won't be there to disrupt your Work.
4. Some people recommend the use of a mantra. If you are going to use one of these make sure that your mantra does not become so ingrained into consciousness that it becomes the object of all of your meditations. Sometimes these habits are hard to break. The mantra AOM is the most popular. The object with mantra is two fold: For most people it is an audio form of focus. What most people don't know is that it also stimulates certain parts of the brain by vibrating the bones of the head.
5. The Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram is specifically made to create an area in which to Work, you may want to do one of these before and one after meditating.
6. In the beginning try to feel about meditation as a child feels while opening gifts on his birthday. Once you have overcome the obvious obstacles in meditation you won't have to try to feel like that child.
7. Don't give up until you reach that point. It does not take as long as you may think to become efficient at this. I have seen people showing all the obvious signs of success just to watch them give up the practice RIGHT BEFORE THEY ACHIEVE THEIR GOAL! If they only knew how close they were they would have never given up.
Remember; in Magick we subject our minds, bodies, and nervous systems to extraordinary energy levels. Meditation prepares us for the Journey by disciplining our minds. For this reason the ability to meditate is probably one of the most important parts of our Work. It will one day allow you to communicate and look into the eyes of The Beloved.
The following is a very advanced meditation I have been working on for several years. It is printed solely for the purpose of illustrating more advanced methods of contemplation and is not intended for the beginner. One may want to try this once they have mastered fixing the mind on an object and uniting with it until nothing else in the universe exists except for that object. Maybe one day I'll see you there.
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THE ASTRAL TEMPLE
Build yourself a castle in a tranquil place in your mind. It should be made from square stone. It should be surrounded by water and be equipped with a moat which must open and close at will. The chain from the mechanism of the moat you must forge yourself. Know every link in that chain.
The dwelling should have a Masters Quarters, a stable for your fine stallions, a servants room, a meeting place where you and your knights can discuss battle plans, a furnace for forging, a kitchen also made from rock, rooms for your knight's squires and guests.
Brick by brick, stone by stone you must build this castle, taking time to remember each brick as it was cut and laid down, its texture, weight, etc. Smell the mortar, remember its consistency. This will take great effort at first, for it requires a great deal of concentration and planning. You must remember everything, so that when you withdraw from this meditation you are able to return to it and pick up where you left off.
You will tire after a while, but I assure you that if you continue this meditation to its completion you will find that it was not just a mere exercise in concentration.
There is no time limit on this, it could take a lifetime to finish this Work alone. The important thing is not to leave the Work until it is completed.
When you have finished with this abode you must assign a King to it as noble, powerful and wise as you could ever hope to be if you were King of this Kingdom yourself. He must be a compassionate man. He will be Ruler, Judge, Priest, Warrior, and Magician.
Dress him in fine silks, gold, and rubies. Give him Power over the castle and the land wherein he dwells. He must be a great leader, an adept in weaponry and master of all he does. Forge for him a beautiful sword, and equally beautiful armor.
Create for him a woman, beautiful, with eyes as green as the calm seas. She will be his Queen. Dress her also in fine silks, gold, and rubies. She must possess the same Inner qualities as her husband King.
Fill the castle with brave warriors, skilled in their Art, give to them chain mill and armor forged by the blacksmiths of the Kingdom.
Design a crest of Gold, Silver, and Diamonds. All in a background of Lapiz Lazuli. The crest must symbolically express your Inner Nature, your Love for Freedom, your Loyalty to your Brethren, and your Aspiration to your God.
Next, make banners from this crest and give it to your army, that they shall wear it above their armor in reverence to their King and Queen. Place this crest in the Temple, in the King's chamber, in the meeting places for his Knights, and in the eating places.
You must be a fair King, see to it that you are kind to your servants, and give your people whatever they may need, so that they shall want not, just as our Lord the Sun provides for all who revolve around Him.
Build your Kingdom on a solid Foundation, Intelligence, Devotion, Balance, Strength, Mercy, Understanding, and Wisdom. All these things you must possess within before you can put on that Golden White Crown which will one day make you King.
***
ASTRAL TRAVEL
As stated earlier, Meditation is merely the ability to remember and reexperience specific details communicated by our senses.
Astral Travel, on the other hand, is the talent to journey INWARD; and using the abilities mentioned above, to create a space and circumstance whereby the mental body can experience a separate reality independent from the physical body.
During this "transfer of consciousness" the mental (Astral) body must be allowed to collect data sent through the senses. In other words; once the separation has taken place, the Astral body must be able to see, feel, hear, smell, and taste the new world it is exploring.
The following exercises will help to get you started:
Choose a quiet evening and a familiar room where you are not likely to be interrupted. Remember that you must be "passively active", so don't try it when you are very tired or you might fall asleep.
1. Look around you and take a mental photograph of your surroundings.
2. Lay on your back and take a deep breath to help you relax. Loosen all of your muscles, especially the neck.
3. Close your eyes and recall your surroundings by bringing the mental photograph to consciousness. This may take some time, do not progress until you can do this for several minutes. If you have difficulty you must spend more time practicing the steps in meditation listed above.
4. Once you have formulated this image, (with your physical eyes closed) focus your attention at the space directly in front of your feet with your mind's eye.
5. The conscious is the paint, the subconscious: the canvas, and the artist: The Self. Imagine a cloaked figure standing at your feet wearing a black, hooded robe. Hold the image as long as you can. It is normal to see it fading on and off, but persist until it remains as solid as the rest of the images around you. Focus your attention on the hood.
6. Once you have completed ALL of these steps, shift your consciousness to the robed figure. Your mind will fight you at first, and glimpses from within the hood will flicker back and forth from both bodies; you will receive sensory input from two places. This is normal, do not feel discouraged.
7. After some practice, you will be able to "jump" into that robed figure. When you do, you will be able to see your body laying before you. DON"T PANIC, or you will bounce right back into your body.
8. Once you are in, and can remain inside for long periods of times, walk around. Touch the walls until you can feel their texture. Pass you hand over the candles, feel the warmth. Smell the incense. Bring all of your senses into play in this practice.
9. Walk in front of a mirror and pull back the hood; you should see yourself. Don't be alarmed if you don't look exactly as you do with your physical eyes, remember that sight is an illusion.
10. After a few minutes, locate your physical body (it's right there laying on its back, remember?) and turn your back to it. Lay down on top of it until both images have blended together.
11. Open your eyes, take a deep breath and banish. Some people like to eat after this practice.
It sounds very difficult: It is. But once you start getting results it is very gratifying. Don't let failures discourage you from trying again some other time. Log all of your failures into your diary, your subconscious may be trying to communicate something to you.
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THE LESSER BANISHING RITUAL OF THE PENTAGRAM
We have already explained how the brain tunes in to a specific frequency. The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram is a way to get the brain to change frequency. It does that by simply removing your attention from whatever you may be experiencing at that particular time and allows you to focus your mind on other things. Thus, the original thought/experience has been banished.
This Ritual is more of an invoking than a banishing, as you will realize when you start visualizing the Archangels. Since the elements are attributed to the senses, there is an intimacy which exists between the Archangels and parts of the psyche ruling them; thus, during this part of the Rite, the senses are being called to attention. This ritual provides three functions: To create a space in which to Work, to heighten your ability to perceive reality through the senses, and to stimulate the brain and kundalini through the use of Pranayama.
To illustrate the importance of this rite, Aleister Crowley once wrote: "Cleanliness is next to Godliness, and had better come first".
PART ONE: THE QABALISTIC CROSS
In this segment of the ceremony the Magician becomes the nucleus of his own Universe by magically establishing Pole and Equator and then positioning his heart chakra at their intersection.
1. Face East, with the sign of Benediction, touch the forehead and say: "ATEH" (Hebrew form of "Thou", attributed to Kether).
2. Touch the breast and say: "Aiwaz" (He is the herald of the New Aeon, attributed to Tiphareth on the Tree of Life. When your Holy Guardian Angel reveals Its name to you Aiwaz is substituted for that name.)
3. Touch the genital area and say: "MALKUTH" (Hebrew word meaning "Kingdom", attributed to Malkuth on the Tree of Life).
4. Touch the right shoulder and say: "VE-GEBURAH" (Hebrew for "And the Power", attributed to Geburah on the Tree of Life).
5. Touch the left shoulder and say: "VE-GEDULAH" (Hebrew for "And the glory").
6. Cross the arms on the breasts, left over right, composing the sign of the Blazing Star and say: "LE-OLAHM, AMEN".
(Hebrew for "To the ages, Amen").
(The Hebrew in this part of the Ritual is the last part of the Lord's Prayer. The crossing of the arms over the breasts symbolizes the Rose on the Cross.)
PART TWO: THE PENTAGRAMS
The proper weapon for this rite is the Air Dagger, NOT the Sword. The Sword is a symbol of Strength and Force useful for manipulating more advanced entities, such as demons. The Air Dagger, being symbolic of the Intellect of the Magician, displays intellectual mastery over them.
Pranayama is introduced at this point of the ceremony in order to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood. Breath in deeply with every line which moves up, exhale with every line moving down, and hold the breath for the line moving horizontally.
1. Advance to the East placing the right heel in the hollow of the left foot and construct the Pentagram of Earth with the proper Weapon. (While constructing the Pentagram remember to inhale deeply through the nose for the upward strokes and exhale slowly through the nose for the downward strokes. Retain the breath for the cross strokes). Visualize the Pentagram as it were blazing with radiant flames of Fire.
2. Advance the left foot 12 inches and throw the body forward, let the hands (drawn back to the sides of the head) shoot out, so that you are standing in The Sign of The Enterer (See illustration). At the same time stab the center of the Pentagram with the dagger and vibrate: "YOD-HEH-VAV-HEH" (Hebrew for "Jehovah") with forcible exaltation. Come back to an upright position in The Sign of Silence.
3. With the Dagger still uplifted turn to the South, proceed as before but vibrate: "ADONI". (Hebrew for "Lord").
4. With the Dagger still uplifted turn to the West, proceed as before but vibrate: "EHEIEH". (Hebrew for "I AM").
5. With the Dagger still uplifted proceed to the North, and vibrate: "ATEH GIBOR LE-OLAHM ADONI". (Hebrew for "To Thee be the Power unto the Ages, oh Lord").
6. With the Dagger still uplifted return to the East.
PART THREE: THE INVOCATION OF THE KERUBIC POWERS
It is probably evident by now that the imagination is a key player in this event. Visualization should be practiced until the images and archangels can clearly be seen. Also, in order to build our Astral Senses it is important that we use them as much as possible in conjunction with our Astral Sight.
1. Stand in the Sign of Extended Light. Visualize an Archangel before you wearing a yellow robe. Remember and re-create the physical associated with having your body caressed by a warm summer breeze and say: "BEFORE ME RAPHAEL". (Try to feel the breeze coming from the East).
2. Visualize an Archangel behind you wearing a violet robe. Remember and recreate the physical feelings associated with having the ocean spray coming from behind you and say: "BEHIND ME GABRIEL".
3. Visualize an Archangel at your right side wearing a red robe. Remember and recreate the physical feelings associated with the heat of a fire place warming the right side of your body and say: "ON MY RIGHT HAND MICHAEL".
4. Visualize an Archangel at your left side wearing a black robe. Remember and recreate the physical feelings associated with the taste of an apple and say: "ON MY LEFT HAND URIEL".
5. Still is the Sign of Extended Light say: "FOR ABOUT ME FLAME THE PENTAGRAMS, AND IN THE COLUMN SHINES THE SIX RAYED STAR".
PART FOUR: THE CLOSING
1. REPEAT PART ONE; THE QABALISTIC CROSS.
2. Press the fore finger against the bottom lip.
3. Release the finger from the mouth and say: "ABRAHADABRA".
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LATIN VARIATION OF THE PENTAGRAM RITUAL
Since the Qabalistic cross is actually the last part of the Lord's Prayer, and was commonly recited in Latin in Medieval Europe, I decided to include it here for the sake of giving the reader a variation of the ritual which is not commonly put into practice. The practitioner will notice that in Latin the whole Rite feels like a completely different action, with a different purpose than that of its Hebrew counterpart. Try them both (on separate occasions) and record your findings, feelings, projections, thoughts, weather, etc., in your diary.
1. Face East and with the Sign of Benediction touch your forehead and say: QUIA TUMM
2. Touch the heart and say: AIWAZ
3. Touch the genital area and say: EST REGNUM
4. Touch the right shoulder and say: ET POTESTA
5. Touch the left shoulder and say: ET GLORIA
6. Cross the arms over the breast, left over right, composing the sign of the Blazing Star and say: IN SECULA AMEN.
PART 2: THE PENTAGRAMS
1. Advance to the East placing right heel in the hollow of the left foot and construct the Pentagram of Earth with the proper Weapon. (While constructing the Pentagram, inhale deeply through the nose for the upward strokes and exhale slowly through the nose for the downward strokes. Retain the breath for the cross strokes). Visualize the Pentagram as it were blazing with radiant flames of Fire.
2. Advance the left foot 12 inches and throw the body
forward, let the hands (drawn back to the sides of the head) shoot out, so that the student is standing in the Sign of The Enterer. At the same time the student should stab the center of the Pentagrams with the dagger and vibrate: "DEO" (Latin for "God") with forcible exaltation. Come back to an upright position in the Sign of Silence.
3. With the Dagger still uplifted turn to the South, proceed as before but vibrate: "DOMINUS". (Latin for "Lord").
4. With the Dagger still uplifted turn to the West, proceed as before but vibrate: "SUM". (Latin for "I AM").
5. With the Dagger still uplifted, turn towards North and vibrate: "QUIA TUMM EST REGNUM ET POTESTA ET GLORIA, IN
SECULA; AMEN. (Latin for "To Thee be the Power unto the Ages, O Lord").
6. With the Dagger still uplifted return to the East.
PART THREE: THE INVOCATION OF THE KERUBIC POWERS
1. Visualize an Archangel before you wearing a yellow robe. Imagine a summer breeze that caresses your body as you say: "PRO MEO RAPHAEL".
2. Visualize an Archangel behind you wearing a violet robe. Feel the mist of the ocean spray as you say: "PONE MEO GABRIEL".
3. Visualize an Archangel at your right side wearing a red robe. See the Eternal fires that blazes about in the hearts men and say: "AD DEXTRO MEO MICHAEL".
4. Visualize an Archangel at your left side wearing a black robe. Taste the fruits of the fertile Earth as you say: "AD SINISTRO MEO URIEL".
5. In silence use your inner voice and say: "QUOD CIRCUM MEUM PENTAGRAMA FLAMARE, ET COLUMNA STELLA SEXTUPLUS STARE LUCERE".
PART FOUR: THE CLOSING
1. REPEAT PART ONE; THE QABALISTIC CROSS.
2. Press the four finger against the bottom lip.
3. Release the finger from the mouth and say: "ABRAHADABRA".
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THE LESSER BANISHING HEXAGRAM RITUAL
1. Stand facing East with your Wand at your breast and say: "I.N.R.I., Yod, Nun, Resh, Yod. Virgo, Iachus, Holy Father. Scorpio, Asi, Holy Mother. Sol, Horus, Holy Child. Iachus, Asi, Horus: IAO".
2. Still facing East say and formulate: "The Sign of Horus, The Sign of The Dance of Asi, The Sign of The Blasing Cross".
3. Advance to the East and trace the unicursal Hexagram, draw in thine breath, throw your hands and body forward into the Sign of The Enterer and say: "ABRAHADABRA". Imagine the Hexagram shooting forth and a five petaled rose in the center blooming.
4. Repeat in the South, West, and North.
5. Facing East repeat steps 1 and 2.
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LIBER XXV
THE STAR RUBY
This is absolutely a Martial Ritual. With the emphasis on the number Five (Geburah). Unlike the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram, the Archangels are of a Chaldean origin. This one should be used to "get rid" of those things which are unwanted, this Rite should be performed when the LBR has failed.
This Ritual is written in Greek. I have attempted to write it phonetically in order to simplify things for those of you who are not familiar with the Greek language. However, I strongly recommend that you learn the language, as a great deal of Western Holy Books have been written in Greek.
THE CROSS
1. Face East and inhale deeply. Press right forefinger against bottom lip.
2. Sweep your hand out and away from you expelling forcibly the air and cry: "APO PANTOS KAKODAYAMANOS!" (Flee from me
all evils spirits)
3. Touch your forehead and say: "SOY" (Thou. same as "ATEH")
4. Touch the groin and say: "O PHALLAE" (Phallus, Father,
Man, Human, Creative Energy.)
5. Touch the right shoulder and say: "ISJUROS" (Strength, same as Geburah)
6. Touch the left shoulder and say: "UJARISTOS" (Thanksgiving, same as Chesed, etc.)
7. Clasp your hands in front of you interlocking your fingers and cry: "IAO" Greek equivalent of IHVH.
THE PENTAGRAMS
1. Advance to the East and imagine a pentagram flaming on your forehead. Perform the sign of Horus and as your hands pass by your eyes fling the pentagram and roar: "THERION".
2. Do the same thing in the North, but say: "NUIT".
3. Do the same thing in the West, but whisper: "BABALON".
4. Do the same thing in the South, but bellow: "HADIT".
5. Returning to the East and in the signs of N.O.X. and sing: "IO PAN".
Extend you arms in the sign of Extended Light and say low but clear:
1) "PRO MU YUNGUS" (Before me Jungus)
2) "OPPISO MU TELETARCHIE" (Opposite me Teletarchie)
3) "EPIDEXIA SINOKIS" (At my best hand Sinokis)
4) "EPIRRISTORA DIAMANOS" (At my other hand Diamanos)
5) "FLENGAE GAR PERI MU HO ASTERTON PENTE" (Flames all around me the Star of the Five)
6) "KAI EN TE STELLE HO ASTERTON HEX ESTEKI" (In the column it stands the Star of the Six)
REPEAT THE CROSS
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PRANAYAMA: CONTROLLING THE BREATH
The four-fold breath.
1. Choose a rigid but comfortable position in which you are not likely to fall asleep.
2. Take in a few deep cleansing breaths, clear your mind.
3. Place your right thumb against your right nostril so that it
closes it off. Don't pinch, push.
4. After exhaling all of the air from your lungs, inhale through your left nostril for a count of 4. By the time you reach four your lungs should be filled to capacity. This may take some practice to develop a rhythm; pace yourself.
5. Hold for a count of 4.
6. Move your thumb away from your right nostril and push your right forefinger against your left nostril. Exhale through your right nostril for a count of 4.
7. Hold for a count of 4.
8. Inhale through your right nostril for a count of 4.
9. Hold for 4 counts.
10. Move your forefinger away from your left nostril and push your thumb against your right nostril. Exhale for 4 counts.
11. Repeat 1-10 for about 15 minutes.
After one gets used to this exercise it may become necessary to change the count to 6 then 8, etc. I have found the use of a metronome invaluable. Just set it for a rhythm which feels
comfortable.
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LIBER RESH
This is a solar adoration which should be performed four times daily. The Sun has always been a representative of the highest ideals of human consciousness: Godhood. Because the physical
Sun is responsible for all life on the planet it is easy to see why the Ancients paid so much reverence to it. Most ancient texts (including The Bible) contain descriptions of God which are undeniably congruent with that of Our Sun.
One of the many purposes of the following adoration is to serve as a constant reminder of that Light without which we would be nothing, and to encourage the practitioner to emulate that same Light to those in need.
AT SUNRISE, embrace the Sun in the East in the sign of Extended Light (Arms stretched out in the form of a cross). In a loud voice say:
"Hail unto Thee who art Ra in Thy strength, who travellest over the Heavens in Thy bark at the Uprising of the Sun. Tahuti standeth in His splendour at the prow, and Ra-Hoor abideth at the helm. Hail unto Thee from the Abodes of Night!" AT NOON, welcome the Sun in the South in the sign of Fire (extend the fingers of both hands joining the forefingers and thumbs so that they form a triangle. Place this triangle upon your forehead). In a loud voice say:
"Hail unto Thee who art Ahathoor in Thy beauty, who travellest over the Heavens in Thy bark at the Mid-course of the Sun. Tahuti standeth in His splendour at the prow, and Ra-Hoor abideth at the helm. Hail unto Thee from the Abodes of Morning!"
AT SUNSET, greet the Sun in the West in the sign of Water (extend the fingers of both hands joining the forefingers and thumbs so that they form a triangle. Place this triangle over your heart so that it points down). In a loud voice say:
"Hail unto Thee, who art Tum in Thy setting, even unto Thee who art Tum in Thy joy, who travellest over the Heavens in Thy bark at the Down-going of the Sun. Tahuti standeth in His splendour at the prow, and Ra-Hoor abideth at the helm. Hail unto Thee from the Abodes of Day!"
Finally, AT MIDNIGHT; recognize the Sun in the North in the sign of Osiris Slain (arms crossed over the breast right over left). In a loud voice say:
"Hail unto Thee who art Khephra in Thy hiding, even unto Thee who art Khephra in Thy silence, who travellest over the Heavens in Thy bark at the Midnight Hour of the Sun. Tahuti standeth in His splendour at the prow, and Ra-Hoor abideth at the helm. Hail unto Thee from the Abodes of Evening!"
Every single one of these adorations should be followed by the following affirmation:
"Unity uttermost showed!
I adore the might of Thy breath,
Supreme and terrible God,
Who makest the gods and death
To tremble before Thee:--
I, I adore thee!
Appear on the throne of Ra!
Open the ways of the Khu!
Lighten the ways of the Ka!
The ways of the Khabs run through
To stir me or still me!
Aum! let it fill me!
The light is mine; its rays consume
Me: I have made a secret door
Into the House of Ra and Tum,
Of Khephra and of Ahathor.
I am thy Theban, O Mentu,
The Prophet Ankh-af-na-khonsu!
By Bes-na-Maut my breast I beat;
By wise Ta-Nech I weave my spell.
Show thy star-splendour, O Nuit!
Bid me within thine House to dwell,
O winged snake of light, Hadit!
Abide with me, Ra-Hoor-Khuit!"
***
PRELIMINARIES
1. After about 1 month of practice in the Lesser Banishing Ritual of The Pentagram and Pranayama, choose for yourself a Magical Motto. This aspirational name may be phrased in Hebrew, Latin, Greek, Enochian, or any other language including English. Find one that Qabalistically describes your inner nature best.
If after about a year you feel that you must change your Motto as a result of your Knowledge having been increased, do so. But wait at least a year. Record your name in your Magical Diary and use whenever you use ritual.
2. Acquire your Robe, Altar, and Elemental Weapons. If it is within your talents you may prefer to make your own implements. Magical items which are made by the person who uses them are much more powerful in the hands of the Magician. When one manufactures these things a great deal of attention is focused on the detail of the item being worked on. All of the information as to feel, weight, consistency, temperature, etc., are being fed into the subconscious of the Magician with very little effort. All of this energy is absorbed into the implement, it becomes an extension of one's consciousness.
3. Design a ritual to declare to the Forces of The Universe your intention to embark on the Adventure of Self Awareness. As with any magical operation, prepare the item to be Purified and Consecrated (in this case your physical body), and the Temple; see to it that they are both clean.
Bathe the body and banish the Temple using The Lesser Banishing Ritual of The Pentagram, or the equivalent; burn incense therein. Write your aspiration on a piece of paper and burn it in a silver plate at your Altar at the end of the ceremony. Bury the ashes near an Oak tree, an say: "This mighty tree will be a symbol of my devotion and dedication to the Great Work. As it weathers the rains, drought, hunger, and even time itself, so will I weather the demons which will tempt me to sway from the path I have chosen. To the glory of your ineffable name, AUM". Remember to always start the Work with a Banishing.
4. Write a history of your existence. Write it in the second person, in other words: as if you were writing about some one else; it's a very effective method to remain objective.
Concentrate your efforts on the things that dramatically changed the course of your life, the things which made you the type of person that you are. Leave nothing unwritten, the more painful the experience the stronger the impact it would have had on your life.
By analyzing certain events it may become possible to discover where you are headed. This will bring you the Knowledge of your True Will.
Once you feel that you have finished with your biography it is an excellent practice to continue as though you were writing a "story", continue until you are finished with the persons life, create an adventure using the data and circumstances which life has given you this far; but always indicate in the manuscript when you started the "manipulation" by using a different color ink, for example. This practice will divulge some of your deeper thoughts concerning your understanding of your True Will.
5. Write down all of the aspects of your everyday life on a piece of paper, reveal everything; after all, no one will see it but you. Put a mark next to all of the things in which you have difficulty feeling spiritual; be honest. Study the reasons behind the lack of godliness in those actions, and work on them by using invocation, poetry, mantra, or some other form of devotion until you perceive every act in your daily routine as an act of worship to your God.
If you came from a strict Christian upbringing you might find yourself questioning your sexuality, but remember; in the eyes of the consecrated everything is holy.
6. Remember to write EVERYTHING you did in your diary, if for some reason you want to reproduce the experience it will be necessary that you duplicate all of the events. The importance of a diary cannot be over stressed, Magick is a Science; keep notes on your experiments. SEE THE DIARY.
7. Memorize correspondences.
8. Write a short study on each of the popular religions.
Concentrate on the myth, and what it demands from its followers. When you are finished compare notes and see what they have in common, but most importantly; record how you respond or react to each dogma and why.
9. Learn and practice Liber Resh or an equivalent adoration to the Highest.
10. Practice "Pranayama".
11. Practice and gain control over your astral body.
This may seem like a lot of work; it is. But I assure you, as you accustom yourself to this routine you will have employed muscles in your brain which have been long forgotten about. These exercises will stimulate parts of the brain which in most people, have laid dormant since childhood. If you are serious about Magick you have nothing but to loose from the
activities listed above.
