The three mother letters are allotted to the elements and are so arranged that the petal of air should be beneath the arm of the cross allotted to air, while those of fire and water are on counterchanged sides, so that the forces of the arms of the cross should not too much override the planetary and zodiacal forces in the rose, which might otherwise be the case were the petal of fire placed on the same side as the arm of fire and that of water on the side of water.6
The back of the cross bears inscriptions in Latin: “The Master Jesus Christ, God and Man,” between four Maltese Crosses which represent the four pyramids of the elements opened out. This is placed at the upmost part because therein is affirmed a descent of the divine force into Tiphareth, which is the central point between supernals and inferiors.
But at the lowest part is written the motto of the Zelator Adeptus Minor, because therein is the affirmation of the elevation of the human into the divine. But this is impossible without the assistance of the divine spirit from Kether, whence the space above Malkuth is white upon the front aspect of the cross, white being the symbol of the spiritual rescued from the material.
In the centre is written in Latin between the symbols of the alchemical principles, of which the outermost is sulphur, the purgatorial fire of suffering and self-sacrifice, “Blessed be the Lord our God who hath given us the symbol Signum.” And this is a word of six letters, thus representing the six creative periods in the universe.
The cross may be cut out of cardboard and the coloured portions may be painted or formed by pasting on portions of coloured papers of the required size and shape. The colours must be correct, clear, and brilliant. If they are not, the symbol is useless either as a symbol or insignium. If this occurs the whole should be destroyed, for faulty colours or shapes in divine symbols are a degradation of divine things and are practical blasphemy, because it is substituting the evil and disorderly for the good.
Notes on the Rose Cross 7
It is unfortunate that I have not been able to reproduce the symbol in its colours as painted by the Adeptus Minor.8 Black and white give no indication of the beauty and impressive quality which this symbol possesses. The reader should therefore make one for himself and colour it according to these directions.
The upper arm, above the rose, attributed to the element of air, is painted in bright yellow. Various lacquer enamels are now available, the use of which produces just the right kind of brilliance required for these magical symbols and flashing tablets. Over the yellow should be painted the symbols shown in its direct complement, pale mauve.
The right arm attributed to water is blue, and the symbols should be painted thereon in orange. It is difficult to describe the correct tone or depth of colour in these complementaries, but the student will know when he has hit upon the right hue for then the symbols will begin visibly to flash.
The left arm, the fire arm, is red, and the symbols appear on it in bright emerald green. Beneath the rose are two sections. The first is white, upon which a hexagram with planetary attributions is painted in black. Beneath this is the earth section, which should be painted in the four colours of Malkuth: citrine, olive, russet, and black. Superimposed on this, the pentagram and symbols will be painted in white.
The petals of the rose will be painted in the appropriate colours of the King scale, and the letters, on them, in the complementary colours, the cross within is gold, the barbs green, and the rose red.
Consecration of the Rose Cross
Consecration Ceremony
1. Arrange a central altar draped in black.
2. Place on it the triangle and cross as in the 0° = 0 grade.
3. Place on it the rose, cup, salt and fire; but place cup between cross and triangle as in the 0° = 0. Rose and incense east.
4. Place the new rose cross upon triangle.
5.9 Take up lotus wand in right hand, holding by black band.
6. Repeat: Hekas, hekas, este bebeloi!
7. Perform the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram.
8. Perform the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram.
9. Deposit wand upon the altar.
10. Purify the chamber with water in the four quarters, repeating the words:
So therefore first the priest who governeth the works of fire, shall sprinkle with the lustral water of the loud resounding sea.
11. Consecrate the chamber with fire in the four quarters, saying:
When after all the phantoms are vanished, thou shalt see that holy and formless fire, that fire which darts and flashes through the hidden depths of the universe, hear thou the voice of fire.
12. Take up thy wand by the white band.
13. Circumambulate with sun three times.
14. Return to place, and repeat adoration:
Holy art Thou, Lord of the Universe!
Holy art Thou whom nature hath not formed.
Holy art Thou, the vast and the mighty one,
Lord of the light and of the darkness.
Give sign of Neophyte at each adoration, and Sign of Harpocrates at close.
15. Perform the Supreme Invoking Ritual of the Pentagram at the four quarters, using the Angelic Tablet and divine names for each, with proper grade signs.
16. Stand west of altar, facing east. Hold lotus wand by white band.
17. Make over the rose cross, in the air, with lotus wand, and as if standing on centre of rose, the symbol of the circle and cross thus , and invoke all the divine and angelic names of Tiphareth by a special form:
O Thou most sublime majesty on high, who art at certain seasons worthily represented by the glorious sun of Tiphareth, I beseech Thee to bestow upon this symbol of the Rose and the Cross, which I have formed to Thy honour, and for the furtherance of the Great Work, in a spirit of purity and love, the most excellent virtues, by the divine name of YHVH, and the great name of YHVH Eloah Ve Daath. Deign I beseech Thee to grant that the great archangel Raphael, and the mighty angel Michael may strengthen this emblem, and through the sphere of the splendid orb of Shemesh may confer upon it such power and virtue, as to lead me by it towards the solution of the Great Secret.
(Alternative:)
O Thou most glorious light which lightenest every man who cometh into the world. Thou who art in due season shadowed forth by Tiphareth, the sun of beauty, I implore Thee to direct Thy light upon this symbol of the Rose and Cross which I have fashioned in Thine honour and for the furtherance of the Great Work. By the divine name YHVH, by Thy name of wisdom YHVH Eloah Ve Daath, permit I beseech Thee Thy shining archangel Raphael, and thy strong angel Michael, so to influence this emblem that it may be mighty for all good so that through the glorious sphere of Shemesh they may bestow upon it such power that in wearing it, I may at length lose and so find myself in that ineffable light which I most humbly seek.
Raise the hands and eyes to heaven during the prayer, and lower them as you finish it.
18. Repeat these words from Genesis:
And a river, Nahar, went forth out of Eden to water the garden, and from thence it was parted and came into four heads.
19. Describe over the white portion the invoking hexagrams of the planets, as if standing upon it, repeating the necessary names, holding the wand by the white part.
20. Describe equilibriating pentagrams of spirit with words as laid down.
Eheieh with Exarp, Bitom.
Hcoma, Nanta, with Agla.
21. Then over the four coloured arms in turn describe the invoking pentagrams of each element, using words and grade signs, and repeating the verse of Genesis 2:13, 14, and 15, referring to each, holding the wand by the part allotted to the Kerubic sign of the element.
22. Over the red fire arm read:
And the name of the first river is Pison, it is that which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. And the gold of that land is good. There is bdellium and the onyx stone.
Make invoking fire pentagram, holding wand by Leo—lemon yellow band, make sign of Philosophus, and
vibrate Elohim, Oip Teaa Pedoce.
23. Over blue water arm, read:
And the name of the second river is Gihon, the same as that which compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.
Make invoking water pentagram, holding wand by blue-green Scorpio band, and make Sign of Practicus, and say: El, Empeh Arsel Gaiol.
24. Over yellow air arm, read:
And the name of the third river is Hiddekel, that is it which goeth forth to the east of Assyria.
Make invoking air pentagram, holding wand by violet Aquarius band, make Sign of Theoricus, and say: Yhvh, Oro Ibah Aozpi.
25. Over dark earthy arm read:
And the fourth river is Euphrates.
Make invoking earth pentagram, and hold wand by red-orange Taurus band. Make sign of Zelator, saying: Adonai, Emor Dial Hectega.
26. Lastly, holding wand again by white part, describe a circle from left to right over the outermost twelve petals of rose, and pronounce the name Adonai, vibrating it as taught.
27. Describe similar circle over seven middle petals pronouncing the word Ararita.
28. Describe circle over three innermost petals, saying: YHVH.
29. Finally, trace a perpendicular line from top to bottom and say: Eheieh.
30. Trace a horizontal from left to right and say: Elohim.
31. Wrap up Rose Cross in white silk or linen.
32. Close the ceremony by purification by water and consecration by fire.
33. Reverse circumambulation three times.
34. Stand at west of altar, face east, and say:
In the name of Yeheshuah, I now set free any spirits that may have been imprisoned by this ceremony.
35. Perform the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram.
[contents]
5. Note by JMG: See color insert page 12.
6. Note by Regardie: The mode of sigil formation from the rose petals is taught in the supplement to this ritual, reproduced in Book Seven in Volume Four.
7. Note by JMG: This section is by Israel Regardie.
8. Note by JMG: Fortunately this new edition has been able to remedy that defect; see color insert page 12.
9. Note by JMG: In Regardie’s text, this step is numbered 6, and there is no step 5. I have renumbered the steps from this point on.
THE MAGIC SWORD
Magic Sword
It is to be used in all cases where great force and strength are to be used and are required, but principally for banishing and for defence against evil forces. For this reason it is under the presidency of Geburah and of Mars, whose names and forces are to be invoked at its consecration, which should take place in the day and hour of Mars, or else during the course of the fiery tattwa.10
Any convenient sword may be adapted to this use, but the handle, hilt, and guard must be such as to offer surfaces for inscriptions. It should be of medium length and weight. The motto of the Adeptus should be engraved upon it, or painted upon the hilt in letters of emerald green, in addition to the mystic devices and names. The hilt, pommel, and guard are to be coloured a flame red. The blade should be clean and bright. Pentagrams should be painted on salient portions, because this is the lineal figure of Geburah. The divine and angelic names related to Geburah are then to be added in emerald, and also their sigils taken from the rose.11 The sword must then be consecrated in due form.
Here again let the Zelator Adeptus Minor remember his obligation never to use his knowledge of practical magic for purposes of evil, and let him be well assured that if he do this, notwithstanding his pledge, the evil he endeavours to bring about will react on himself. He will experience in his own person and affairs that very thing which he has endeavoured to bring about for another. So also may he perish and be blotted out from among us.
To obtain real force implanted in any magical weapon, by consecration, the adept requires to be healthy, pure, strong in mind, free from anxiety, and apart from disturbances. He requires also to have mastered the details of the ceremony and to be familiar with the proper pentagrams and other symbols.
Consecration Ritual of the Sword
Prepare chamber with central altar draped in black, red cross and white triangle, rose and incense, cup and water, lamp, plate, and salt. White robe, sash, consecrated Rose Cross and lotus wand, new sword, red cloak, and lamen. An invocation to Mars and Geburah. An astrological figure to show position of Mars at the time. In wording and formulating the invocation to the Forces of Geburah, force and strength are to be specially requested.
1. Place the sword upon altar, hilt to east near incense, point to west near water.
2. Take up lotus wand by black part.
3. Stand at west of altar, facing east.
4. Say: Hekas hekas este bebeloi.
5. Take up cup and purify with eater sprinkling to east, south, west, and north.
6. Saying:
And first the priest who governeth the works of fire must sprinkle with the lustral water of the loud resounding sea.
7. Put down cup on altar.
8. Take up incense and wave it as you pass round east, south, west, and north.
9. Saying:
And when after all the phantoms are vanished thou shalt see that holy and formless fire, that fire which darts and flashes through the hidden depths of the universe, hear thou the voice of fire.
10. Put down incense. Take up wand.12
11. Circumambulate with sun three times, grasping wand by white band. Return to west, face east.
12. Say adoration:
Holy art Thou, Lord of the Universe.
Holy art Thou whom nature hath not formed.
Holy art Thou, the vast and mighty one,
Lord of the light and of the darkness.
13. Perform Lesser Invoking Ritual of the Hexagram of Mars, holding wand by white band. Give 5° = 6 signs and analyse keyword.
14. Return to west of altar.
15. Turn to face the direction in which you have found Mars to be—standing so that the
altar is between yourself and Mars for convenience.
16. Describe in the air the invoking pentagram of the sign Mars is in.
17. Describe invoking hexagram of Mars, saying: Elohim Gibor.
18. Then, still holding wand by white band, recite your invocation to the power of Geburah and the forces of Mars, tracing the sigil of each name as you read it.
O mighty power who governeth Geburah, Thou strong and terrible divine Elohim Gibor, I beseech Thee to bestow upon this magic sword power and might to slay the evil and weakness I may encounter. In the fiery sphere of Madim, may it be welded and tempered to unswerving strength and fidelity. May Thy great archangel Kamael bestow upon me courage wherewith to use it aright and may the powerful angels of the order of Seraphim scorch with their flames the feebleness of purpose which would hinder my search for the true light.
19. Then trace in the air, slowly, above sword, and as if standing upon it, the invoking hexagram of Mars. Do this with the lotus end, still holding the white band.
20. Next trace over the sword the letters of the names in the invocation and their several
sigils.
21. Put down wand.
22. Take up cup and purify new sword with water, making cross upon it; put down cup.
23. Take up incense and wave it over new sword.
24. Take up new sword and with it perform the Lesser Invoking Ritual of the Hexagram and also trace the invoking hexagram of Mars, repeating Ararita and Elohim Gibor.
25. Lay down sword.
26. With cup purify chamber as before.
27. With incense purify as before.
28. Reverse circumambulation three times and say:
29. In the name of Yeheshuah, I now set free all spirits that may have been imprisoned by this ceremony.
30. Perform with the sword the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram.
31. Perform Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram.
32. Conclude with Qabalistic cross.
; 33. Wrap up sword, in white or scarlet silk or linen. Henceforth no one else may touch it.
[contents]
10. Note by JMG: See “Additional Lecture on the Tattwas of the Eastern School” on pages 644–647.
11. Note by JMG: See the paper on sigils on pages 608–611.
12. Note by JMG: That is, the lotus wand.
THE FOUR ELEMENTAL WEAPONS
These are the tarot symbols of the letters of the divine name YHVH, and of the elements, and have a certain bond and sympathy between them. So that even if only one is to be used the others should be also present, even as each of the four elemental tablets is divided in itself unto four lesser angles representing the other three elements bound together therewith in the same tablet. Therefore also let the Z.A.M. remember that when he works with these forces he is, as it were, dealing with the forces of the letters of the divine name.
Each implement must be consecrated, and when this has been done, no one else must touch it.
Four Elemental Weapons
The Wand for Fire
The staff of the wand should be of wood, rounded and smooth and perforated from end to end. Within it should be placed a magnetised steel rod, just so long as to project 1/16 inch beyond each end of the wood. It is often convenient to form the wand of cane which has a natural hollow through it. If of cane, there should be three natural lengths according to the knots, so that these knots may be placed similarly to the manner in the figure which is such as a turner would produce.
Eighteen inches is an extreme length.13 The magnet should be a strong one. One end of the wood should be cone-shaped. The north end of the magnet, known by its repelling the so-called north pole of a compass needle, should be placed at the end of the wand which is plain.
The whole is coloured flame scarlet and is divided into three parts by yellow bands. The cone-shaped end has also painted upon its red surface three wavy flame-shaped Yods as ornaments; they are painted bright yellow.
The Golden Dawn Page 43