By Daniel
As most people are aware, calling the quarters or invoking the elements of each quarter is one of the cornerstones of effective ritual and constructing the sacred space. Despite this it is rarely touched upon, the importance of creating an equilibrium between the forces invoked and how this, if done incorrectly can impact upon the psyche of the ritualist. The elements if called correctly can act as a potent thrusting block in ritual and in many cases can determine the successful outcome of a ritual. If not in balance you have the same effect as if four men in a boat were all rowing out of sync with oars of different lengths, moving forward becomes an impossible task.
Firstly the mistake that many people make is that they think when invoking they are calling some kind of objective ally into the space, like inviting a good friend into your home for tea and a chat. This comes; I believe from the human desire to anthropomorphise the forces that govern the world in which we live. Equally many people believe that when dealing with these forces, banishing is another form of throwing the said friend from the establishment. In true magical practice, however we find that to invoke a force like the elements of this discussion, one is tuning their sphere of sensation, enaid, aura whatever term you may wish to use into the resonance of a particular symbolic force. Equally to banish is to close the sphere of sensation against a particular symbol so that it holds no resonance with the person engaging in the practice.
Now that we have this firmly in mind let us examine some techniques already put forth. I like many others was told that when speaking the words of invocation, you should imagine before you an example of the element being called, engaging all the senses in this task. While this is theoretically correct, in practice you can encounter problems. Firstly how is it decided what level of force you should be imagining and how is this level of force to be applied to each element. For example, imagining a hurricane force wind surely holds more force than seeing before you a crackling fire place, stormy seas or fertile fields. As can be seen from this example, to try and quantify and find a common level of force in each element is as difficult as finding similar customs in distinct cultures. Remember also that when performing this task we aim to create a balance between the forces called. It should also be noted that by tuning the sphere of sensation into these forces, when they are imbalanced we can manifest imbalance in ourselves. From my experience I have found this to be true, too much air for example will cause an imbalance in thinking, too much water may manifest as an emotional imbalance.
So what to do, how to quantify the elements into a balanced form? The answer I believe can be found in the language of the sub-conscious, symbolism. With symbolism we take a graphical representation of the thing we wish to manifest and charge it with the essence of the desired force. Anyone familiar with the works of Austin Osman Spare will know this to most effective. For this example I have found the alchemical symbols of the elements most excellent (due to, I am sure in part to the thought forms built up around them since their inception) although I am in no doubt others may be equally effective. Also for arguments sake I shall not be using a fifth symbol for quintessence as this is already present in the form of the operator. The symbol for air is an upward pointing triangle with a horizontal line running through its centre. The fire symbol is a triangle, one point up. Water is a triangle, one point down. Earth is a triangle, one point down with a horizontal line running through its centre.
These symbols should be imagined in their corresponding colours as the invocation is spoken. As all are of equal size they are visually balanced, which acts as a subconscious cue to keep them so. One should endeavour to feel the presence of the element issuing forth from the symbol, again the comparative size of each, I find dictates the quantity of force. Also note that when these triangles are stacked upon each other they form a hexagram. Some groups use the hexagram for invoking and banishing planetary influences, however the hexagram is a universally accepted symbol of balance, of the unity of male and female polarities, of the higher nature penetrating the lower nature. With this idea firmly planted in the subconscious I have found these symbols most effective in the task we discuss. Balance as I have said is vitally important in magical work and using symbols to help quantify the forces we use is a healthy and effective practice.
Bio
I started out studying astral projection and out-of-body experiences via Robert Bruce’s New Energy Ways system. This was alongside the shamanistic techniques put forth by Michael Harner. Following this path I was drawn into the study and practice of ceremonial magic, firstly by using the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn system and later the system of the Aurum Solis. I later applied, and was accepted into the Aurum Solis where I completed the pronaos grade. Before full initiation I became slightly disillusioned with the ceremonial magic world due to its lack of study in the areas of the natural world. I left the Aurum Solis and began studying druidry. At the current time I follow a path mixing the practices of druidry with the techniques I learnt from ceremonial magic, which I have found to be most effective and which complement each other surprisingly well.
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