Hexagrams of Saturn
But the invoking hexagram of the moon is first traced from the angle of the moon, its second angle being traced from the triangle of Saturn. The banishing hexagram for Jupiter, for example, is traced from the same angle as the invoking hexagram, and in the same order, but reversing the current’s direction. In all cases the symbol of the planet should be traced in the centre.
But for the sun all six invoking hexagrams of the planets should be traced in their regular planetary order and the symbol zsun traced in the centre. And for his banishing hexagram also, all the six banishing hexagrams of the other planets should be employed in their regular order, only that the symbol of the sun should be traced therein.
Remember that the symbol of Luna varieth, and as zmoon in her increase she is favourable. But is not so favourable for good in her decrease. The symbol of Luna in the centre of the hexagram should be traced zmoon if in her increase; by zxmoon if in her decrease. Remember that zxmoon represents restriction and is not so good a symbol as zmoon, and at the full moon exactly it is , but at new moon a dark circle .
The last two forms of Luna are not good in many cases. If thou wilt invoke the forces of the head of the dragon of the moon 1 thou shalt trace the lunar invoking hexagram and write therein the symbol , and for the tail . These forces of zxuu and zxu are more easy to be invoked when either the sun or the moon is with them in the zodiac in conjunction. In these invocations thou shalt pronounce the same names and letters as are given with the lunar hexagram zxuu is of a benevolent character, and zxuof a malefic, save in a very few matters. And be thou well wary of dealing with these forces of zxu and zxuu or with those of Sol and Luna during the period of an eclipse; for they are the powers of an eclipse. For an eclipse to take place both the sun and moon must be in conjunction with them in the zodiac, these two luminaries being at the same time either in conjunction or opposition as regards each other.
Hexagrams of the Planets
Hexagrams of the Planets (cont.)
In all rituals of the hexagram as in those of the pentagram, thou shalt complete the circle of the place. Thou shalt not trace an external circle round each hexagram itself unless thou wishest to confine the force to one place—as in charging a symbol or talisman.
From the attribution of the planets, one to each angle of the hexagram, shalt thou see the reason of the sympathy existing between each superior planet and one certain inferior planet. That is, that to which it is exactly opposite in the hexagram. And for this reason is it that the triangle of their invoking and banishing hexagrams counterchange. The superior planets are Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars. The inferior planets are Venus, Mercury, and Luna. And in the midst is placed the fire of the sun. Therefore the superior Saturn and the inferior Luna are sympathetic, so are Jupiter and Mercury, Mars and Venus.
Invoking Hexagrams of the Sun
Banishing Hexagrams of the Sun
In the Supreme Ritual of the Hexagram the signs of the 5° = 6 grade are to be given, but not those of the grades of the First Order, notwithstanding these latter are made use of in the Supreme Ritual of the Pentagram. And because the hexagram is the signet star of the macrocosm or greater world, therefore is it to be employed in all invocations of the forces of the Sephiroth: though the signet star of the pentagram represents their operation in the lunar world, in the elements, and in man.
If thou wilt deal with the forces of the supernal triad of the Sephiroth, thou shalt make use of the hexagrams of Saturn; for Chesed those of Jupiter, for Geburah those of Mars; for Tiphareth those of the sun, for Netzach those of Venus, for Hod those of Mercury, and for Yesod and Malkuth those of the moon.
Know also that the Sephiroth are not to be invoked on every slight occasion, but only with due care and solemnity. Above all, the forces of Kether and Chokmah demand the greatest purity and solemnity of heart and mind in him who would penetrate their mysteries. For such high knowledge is only to be obtained by him whose genius can stand in the presence of the holy ones. See that thou usest the divine names with all reverence and humility for cursed is he that taketh the name of the Vast One in vain.
When thou tracest the symbol of a planet in the centre of a hexagram, thou shalt make the same of a proportionable size to the interior of the hexagram, and thou shalt trace them from left to right generally following the course of the sun as much as possible. Caput and Cauda Draconis may follow the general rule.
When thou shalt invoke either the forces of one particular planet or those of them all, thou shalt turn thyself towards the quarter of the zodiac where the planet thou invokest then is. For owing both to their constant motion in the zodiac and to the daily movement of the same, the position of a planet is continually changing, and therefore it is necessary for thee in such a case to erect an astrological figure or scheme of the position of the planets in the heavens for the actual time of working, so that thou mayest see the direction of each planet from thee.2 This is even more necessary when working with the planets than with the signs of the zodiac.
When thou shalt desire to purify or consecrate any place, thou shalt perform the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram, either in conjunction with, or instead of that of the pentagram, according to the circumstances of the case. For example, if thou hast been working on the plane of the elements before, it will be well to perform the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram before proceeding to work of a planetary nature, so as thoroughly to clear the places of forces which, although not hostile or evil of themselves, will yet not be in harmony with those of an altogether different plane. And ever be sure that thou dost complete the circle of the place wherein thou workest.
The Four Forms
These are the four forms assumed by conjoining the two triangles of the hexagram on which the Lesser Ritual of the Hexagram is based. The first form is:
Hexagram of Fire
The angles are attributed as in the diagram. Its affinity is with the eastern quarter, the position of fire in the zodiac. (Note: To form these from the usual hexagram, lower the inverted triangle, then reverse it by throwing the lunar angle up to top from being lowest. Mars and Jupiter do not change sides.)
Hexagram of Earth
The second form is the ordinary hexagram with the attribution of the angles as usual: the affinity being rather with the southern quarter, the position of earth in the zodiac, and of the sun at his culmination at noon.
The third form is:
Hexagram of Air
The angles are attributed as shown and its affinity is with the western quarter, the position of air in the zodiac.
The fourth form is:
Hexagram of Water
The angles are attributed as shown and its affinity is with the northern quarter, the position of water in the zodiac.
With each of these forms the name Ararita is to be pronounced—seven letters.
Also as in the preceding cases there will be seven modes of tracing each of these four forms, according to the particular planet with those forces thou art working at the time.
The hexagrams of Saturn may be used in general and comparatively unimportant operations, even as the pentagrams of earth are used in the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram. In these four forms of the hexagram thou shalt trace them beginning at the angle of the planet under whose regimen thou art working, following the course of the sun to invoke, and reversing the course to banish. That is to say, working from left to right for the former and from right to left for the latter. Remember always that the symbols of the elements are not usually traced on sigils but are replaced by the Kerubic emblems of Aquarius, Leo, Taurus, and the eagle head.
The Lesser Ritual of the Hexagram
Commence with the Qabalistic sign of the cross as in the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram, and use what manner of magical implement may be necessary according to the manner of working, either the lotus wand or the magical sword.
Stand facing east. If thou desirest to invoke thou shalt trace the figure thus:
Invo
king Hexagram of Fire
Following the course of the sun, from left to right, and thou shalt pronounce the name Ararita, vibrating it as much as possible with thy breath and bringing the point of the magical implement to the centre of the figure.
But if thou desirest to banish thou shalt trace it thus:
Banishing Hexagram of Fire
From right to left, and see that thou closest carefully the finishing angle of each triangle.
Carry thy magical implement round to the south, and if thou desirest to invoke trace the figure thus:
Invoking Hexagram of Earth
But if to banish then from left to right thus:
Banishing Hexagram of Earth
Bring as before the point of thy magical implement to the centre and pronounce the name Ararita.
Pass to the west, and trace the figure for invoking thus:
Invoking Hexagram of Air
Banishing thus:
Banishing Hexagram of Air
Then to the north, invoking:
Invoking Hexagram of Water
Banishing:
Banishing Hexagram of Water
Then pass round again to the east so as to complete the circle of the place wherein thou standest, then give the L.V.X. signs and repeat the analysis of the password I.N.R.I. of the 5° = 6 grade.
Addendum
Now in the Supreme Ritual of the Hexagram, when thou shalt wish to attract in addition to the forces of a planet, those of a sign of the zodiac wherein he then is, thou shalt trace in the centre of the invoking hexagram of the planet, the symbol of that sign of the zodiac beneath his own; and if this be not sufficient, thou shalt also trace the invoking pentagram of the sign as it is directed in the ritual of the pentagram.
In the tracing of the hexagram of any planet thou shalt pronounce therewith in a vibratory manner as before taught, both the divine name of the Sephirah which ruleth the planet and the seven-lettered name Ararita, and also the particular letter of that name which is referred to that particular planet.
Now if thou shalt wish to invoke the forces of one particular planet, thou shalt find in what quarter of the heavens he will be situated at the time of working. Then thou shalt consecrate and guard the place wherein thou art by the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram. Then thou shalt perform the Lesser Invoking Ritual of the Hexagram, yet tracing the four figures employed from the angle of the planet required, seeing that for each planet the mode of tracing varieth. If thou dealest with the sun, thou shalt invoke by all six forms of the figure and trace within them the planet symbol and pronounce the name Ararita as has been taught.
Then shalt thou turn unto the quarter of the planet in the heavens and shalt trace his invoking hexagram and pronounce the proper names, and invoke what angels and forces of that nature may be required, and trace their sigils in the air.
When thou hast finished thy invocation thou shalt in most cases license them to depart and perform the banishing ritual of the planet which shall be the converse of the invoking one. But in cases of charging a tablet or symbol or talisman, thou shalt not perform the banishing symbols upon it which would have the effect of entirely discharging it and reducing it to the condition it was in when first made—that is to say dead and lifeless.
If thou wishest to bring the rays of all or several of the planets into action at the same time, thou shalt discover their quarter in the heavens for the time of working, and thou shalt trace the general Lesser Invoking Ritual of the Hexagram, but not differentiated for any particular planet, and then thou shalt turn to the quarters of the respective planets and invoke their forces as before laid down; and banish them when the invocation is finished, and conclude with the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram. And ever remember to complete the circle of the place wherein thou workest, following the course of the sun.
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1. Note by JMG: That is, Caput Draconis, the north node of the moon.
2. Note by JMG: Adepti of the original Golden Dawn were expected to be able to erect (or, as we now say, cast) an astrological chart whenever needed. When such a chart is placed on the altar with the ascendant to the east, the positions of the planets in the chart indicate their symbolic position relative to the place where the working is performed.
THE LOTUS WAND 3
This is for general use in magical working. It is carried by the Zelator Adeptus Minor at all meetings of the Second Order at which he has the right to be present. It is to be made by himself unassisted, and to be consecrated by himself alone. It is to be untouched by any other person and kept wrapped in white silk or linen, free from external influences other than his own on the human plane.
The wand has the upper end white, the lower black. Between these are the twelve colours referring to the zodiacal signs, in the positive or masculine scale of colour. At the upper end of the white is fixed a lotus flower in three whorls of twenty-six petals: the outer eight, the middle eight, and the innermost ten. The calyx has four lobes or sepals of orange colour. The flower centre is orange or gold. The lotus wand should be from twenty-four to forty inches long, and of wood about half an inch thick. The several bands of white, twelve colours, and black may be painted or enamelled or formed of coloured papers pasted on.
The length of colours should be such that the white is a little the longest, then the black, while the twelve colours are equal, and smaller than the black. The colours must be clear, brilliant, and correct. They are as follows:
White: Aries—red: Taurus—red-orange: Gemini—orange: Cancer—amber: Leo—lemon-yellow: Virgo—yellow-green: Libra—emerald: Scorpio—green-blue: Sagittarius —bright-blue: Capricornus—indigo: Aquarius—violet: Pisces—crimson: black.
The lotus flower may be made of sheet metal or cardboard, in three whorls of eight, eight, and ten petals, white internally and tips curved in a little, olive outside with five markings as shown in diagram. The centre is orange, or a brass bolt to keep all together will do.
As a general rule, use the white end in invocation and the black end to banish. The white end may be used to banish by tracing a banishing symbol against an evil and opposing force which has resisted other efforts. By this is meant that by whatever band you are holding the wand, whether white for spiritual things, by black for mundane, by blue for Sagittarius or by red for fiery triplicity, you are, when invoking, to direct the white extremity to the quarter desired. When banishing, point the black end to that quarter. The wand is never to be inverted, so that when very material forces are concerned, the black end may be the most suitable for invocation, but with the greatest caution.
In working on the plane of the zodiac, hold the wand by the portion you refer to between the thumb and two fingers.
If a planetary working be required, hold the wand by the portion representing the day or night house of the planet, or else by the sign in which the planet is at the time.
day house—Capricorn
night house—Aquarius
day house—Sagittarius
night house—Pisces
day house—Aries
night house—Scorpio
day house—Libra
night house—Taurus
day house—Gemini
night house—Virgo
Sol in Leo only
Luna in Cancer only
For example, if Venus be the planet referred to, use in the day Libra, and in the night Taurus.
Should the action be with the elements, one of the signs of the triplicity of the elements should be held according to the nature of the element intended to be invoked. Bear in mind that the Kerubic emblem is the most powerful action of the element in the triplicity. For example, Leo—violent heat of summer. Aries—beginning of warmth in spring. Sagittarius—waning of heat in autumn.
Hold the wand by the white portion for all divine and spiritual matters or for the Sephirothic influences, and for the process of rising on the planes.
Hold the wand by the black part only for material and mundane matte
rs.
The ten upper and inner petals refer to the purity of the ten Sephiroth. The middle eight refer to the countercharged natural and spiritual forces of air and fire. The lowest and outer eight refer to the powers of earth and water. The centre and amber portion refers to the spiritual sun, while the outer calyx of four orange sepals shows the action of the sun upon the life of things by differentiation.
The Golden Dawn Page 41