Luce

Instructions for Ceremonial Magic

Preliminaries

The instructions given up to this point, provided they have been followed with the great perseverance that is required in all operations of the Sacred Science, are now sufficient to lead to the practice of evocatory Magic, without the danger of excessive physical or psychic reactions that might turn out to be harmful.

The ritual that we will explain step-by-step actually represents a path of realization that can be independent from the theurgical practices expounded so far; thus, this path may be followed by anybody who is so inclined, without referring to those practices. I must advise you, though, that it is useful to develop the two parallel systems in harmony.

As far as magical realization is concerned, it is necessary to first give some particular notions and some warnings. The ritual that I am discussing here is an absolutely preliminary one, in preparation for more difficult operations that will be introduced in due course. This ritual must be performed with the highest degree of accuracy, following the instructions, pursuing with unwavering will the perfect realization of even the smallest details, including the apparently insignificant ones.

I advise you that this ritual does not refer to a particular time of year, but can always be performed, as long as it is not interrupted, until the intended result is achieved, no matter how much or how little time it takes. The only essential variation, which will be explained in its place, is the combination of perfumes adapted to each constellation.

Let me point out from the start that, in Magic, the divisions of the year do not correspond to the divisions of the secular year, but rather are calculated astronomically and correspond to the sun’s entrance into and exit from the separate constellations. Therefore, remember that our year begins on March 21, in correspondence to the sun’s entrance into Aries and to the beginning of spring.

However, since some months are more or less propitious, I recommend performing this ritual during the last month of fall and the three months of winter, in other words, from the last days of November all the way through the following March.

The ritual is particularly fitting for an initial operation of empowerment and illumination. The immediate objective is actualized by establishing contact with higher intelligences⁷³ in order to receive an illumination from them that can manifest itself in various ways: first of all, through the direct manifestation of the Being invoked, which then appears in a visible and tangible way to the practitioner, giving him specific instructions that must be followed with intelligence. These instructions are sometimes so complete as to be the only thing the practitioner will ever need to know. I mean this in an absolutely holistic way, in reference to every kind of individual activity (both in matters of mere knowledge and in all that concerns experiences or instructions for personal development), as well, as often happens, as what may be pertinent to the practical life contingent to every individual.

Another form of manifestation is the intelligent correspondence with the being invoked, realizable during the same invocation or, more often, when the invocator is asleep. One needs to be cautious when judging such manifestations, in order not to create illusions or fancies that could lead to dangerous deviations. On the contrary, it is better to entirely suspend any kind of judgment until one attains a state in which there can no longer be doubt as to their origin. This sense of certainty cannot be communicated, but only experienced.

When the communication occurs in this form, the greatest difficulty is to clearly remember when waking up, and afterward, whatever has been perceived or heard during the night. In other words, to transport the state of lucid consciousness during sleep into the lucid consciousness of the waking state. This is accomplished by fixing the impressions received in the state that is no longer sleep, reaffirming them as one begins to wake up.

The further objective of the ritual is connected to the problem that we have all posed from the start and that we have dealt with hitherto by supplying detailed instructions aimed at finding a practical solution to the problem of the Self in its totality: in regard to its essence—what the Self is—and its phenomenology—i.e., what the Self can do; how its action is manifested; and which reactions it has in the environment surrounding it, or in the universe, in which it becomes the focal point. We will take this general line of questions regarding the Self onto another plane of development, similar to the one that we have been following up to now. This plane in fact leads to the same goal, the same fulfillment, but with an essential difference in method.

Up to now, the instructions supplied were rather limited to what concerns a solar development of the acting principle, which, consisting in itself, or leaning as little as possible on a few external things such as perfumes, develops its own principle and leads it to the highest degree of ignification.

What I intend through these instructions is to begin from the state of consciousness proper to the majority of people, women included; these will be instructions that have as their immediate objective the development, knowledge, integration, and finally the solution of the lunar principle, up to the point at which conversion and transmutation occur. This does not mean that if an already established operates on this plane, it will be a disavantage; rather, it means a greater perfection in action and a greater speed in the various stages of the operations. The fusion of the two systems is certainly to be advised, since great advantages may be derived by reacting reciprocally on each other.

The reader will remember (see the introduction to chapter I) that as a starting point we had asked the question: “What am I?” This problem is not solved by any theory or intellectual notion, but rather and only by an experience: namely by the experience of Being (hence God says in Exodus 3:14: “Eièh ascèr Eièh,” “I Am Who I Am”). The ritual will lead a person to live in a radical way this incommunicable and absolute experience, until one attains a state of direct evidence transcending everything that may come from the human mind.

In this regard we have already noticed that these instructions are explained and must be accepted from an absolutely practical point of view. One should never ask why, or seek an explanation or a “reason,” but rather understand well, learn well, and perform well. These are the conditions: no discussions are allowed.

We teach those who yearn to be born into the life of higher worlds and to take their first steps, gain control of themselves, acquiring the sense of the new realities that are manifested to them. Those who, before their time, want to take their own initiative may do so at their own risk and peril. The risks involved are like the ones incurred by a newborn who, without any experience or guidance, is left to himself in the course of daily events.

Every form is the appearance of an intelligence. There are visible and invisible forms; known and unknown forms.

Every form is the realization of a balanced force that acts in a particular, occult way that is coagulated in it.

Every force is intelligence: it is spirit.

Intelligences are arranged in a hierarchy. There is an intelligence in a grain of sand, in the infinitely small, which is hierarchically below the overall intelligence, which may be an organ.

Thus, for example, among human beings there are elementary intelligent forces that preside over the organism, subject to a single one that in turn is subject to the intelligence presiding over the family; the latter, in turn, is subject to the Numen (protective spirit) of the city, and so on.

To fully understand all this and to begin to feel it is the essential condition for the magical path. The Masters of this path speak in the Name of the Supreme Hierarch, from whom every illumination comes.

Those who faithfully follow the instructions that I am laying out will certainly be able to attain sublime heights one day and receive the “royal crown.”

Thus, let experience be the starting point of departure and the support of every consideration. Slow down your thoughts: never express your opinion about something you do not know perfectly well.

Man has the faculty to create and shape new forms, organizing them freely from “matter” or from the elements that constitute it. Or he may even act on the intelligent forces that always dominate this matter. However, the secret, ultimate, and highest meaning is in the power that, through the mystery of the “virgin,” provides the origin and justification for every creative act.

Know that the word is a living reality that you create, and to which you supply a body and a life: it is a being that becomes emancipated from you and acts on its own. According to us, the word is not just a sound that comes out of the lips, but also gesture, thought, and all that is expressed by a being that is not immobile, closed, cold, or isolated. This too is a mystery, and yet it should be enough to understand what is your constant responsibility.

In Magic your thought, your intelligence, and your will are mere instruments of your strength and of your power that transcends them.

You must learn to know in an experimental way, according to the natural order of the proper reactions, what is their constitution and how, by means of their exercise, their use, and a constant, tenacious, uninterrupted training, through symbol and ritual action, they help to strengthen the principle from which they emanate, up to a limit that transcends every imagination and semblance of possibility.

You have been given the tools and the proper instrument. These are your principles and your methods: operate in this fashion.

As you operate according to the precepts, know the direct result of the operation; by studying this result on the basis of the law of equilibrium of the opposites, you will know, from the effect, what has determined it.

But this will be given you more fully at a later time.

It is important that you clearly understand the classical concept of the triple world, which we call:

— physical world

— spiritual world

— divine world

The physical world is the world of form, the contingent world in which the universal forces are realized in a denser way. It is the world of impure matter and impure beings, inhabited by inferior elementals, ghosts, etc.

The spiritual world has been designated by some people with the term “mental.” It is the reign of spirits who dominate and organize “matter.” Among them there are also the real elementals and the Intelligences.

The divine world is inhabited by the Gods, who are the origin and the determining element of other subordinated worlds. They are free power and will, which is realized perfectly in immediate actualization.

You will know the physical world by observing its organization and phenomena and by studying the external laws that sustain them. You will also come to know it in a better and more perfect way, by penetrating the spiritual world and correlating the two according to the law of harmonious relationships.

You will learn the secrets of the spiritual world when you overcome the barriers represented by the body, by dominating it, overcoming it, sometimes by excluding it, putting your intelligence in relation to the intelligences that preside over that world.

You will penetrate the mysteries of the divine world provided you become worthy of a divine spirit to manifest itself directly to you and enlighten you, or by “knowing” the Gods yourself, as long as you can elevate yourself to their level, acquiring their power for yourself.

Remember that in the three worlds, the law of analogy reigns supreme, which is also the law of equilibrium. Know that the mystery of one world can reveal the mystery of another, as long as you understand and realize the relationships of “sublimation” or of “condensation” in a manner adequate to your purpose.

Remember, though, that this triple division, which I have just explained, does not have a merely hierarchical value. In order to intuit what is the complex system of the hierarchy of beings, just look at the hierarchies of human society and of natural beings, and draw an analogy with the invisible world.

I have mentioned the existence of an absolute law, namely the law of equilibrium. I would like to emphasize that it rules not only in the operations of the Art, but in life as well, since it is in life that equilibrium achieves its perfect and unique realization.

Equilibrium is life and is in life, in every act, in every essence, in every power, in every possibility, and in every reality.

You have surely heard and read about this law before. But maybe you have not asked the question that needs to be asked, in order to be able, if not to know, to at least intuit what it represents in our practice. Through this law we determine if the agent or the reaction, or both, is active; in the latter case, we determine the new element on which they act.⁷⁴

Those who know the numerical symbolism may attempt to solve this by meditating on this strange recipe “to fix Mercury,” which we transcribe from an ancient manuscript. “Of different things, take: 2-3 and 3-1; 1 and 3 make 4; 3,2 is 10; between 3 and 4 there is a 1; 3 from 4 is 1; 1 from 3 is 2. Between 2 and 3 there is 10 1,1,1 and 1,2,2, and 1,1, and 1 to 2. So 1-1, I have told you everything.”

Coming back to the practical magical realization, I am warning you that the result of this operation may be attained both through “reflection” (more will be said about it when dealing with “magical chains”) and through “plastic coagulation” in the astral “matrix.” This matrix is organized in such a way as to generate different forms, which, in turn, by separating from it, perpetuate themselves in the form of life that has been assigned to them, which has a double essence: one active, creative, and actual; the other passive, generating, and plastic.

Moreover, remember that in the operation it is necessary to determine exactly the purpose that one is attempting to achieve. This act already has the power to establish a determining and efficient relationship between the operator and the act that he has carried out by performing the ritual.

It is also necessary for you to have a certain knowledge (acquired both through experience and a well-established concept in you), of the X you want to contact or on which you want to act in order to achieve your goal. Finally: act appropriately, according to the forms ritually prescribed.

Practice will gradually teach you what degree of intensity, concentration, or “projection” is appropriate for each goal.

Always be aware that for every action there is a corresponding reaction of like intensity that reestablishes the equilibrium, which is not stagnancy, but rather a gradual shift on infinite planes of forces.

Understand this, and know how to realize it with wise prudence and gradually, all the way to the top. Be aware that a mistake on your part can bring about the worst consequences for you or others.

The Ritual

[Time] — This ritual, in preparation for greater operations aimed at attaining enlightenment, may be performed during any time of the year, and it must be carried out until its realization is sufficient and adequate for further rituals.

It is however opportune, as I have already said, to perform the ritual during winter and in the last month of the preceding fall, namely from the last days of November to the following March 20. During the periods of waxing moon it should be performed completely; during waning moon it will suffice to keep the lamp burning and to burn the perfumes, as will be shown. As far as women are concerned, during their menstrual period and the three days preceding it and following it, they are not to perform the ritual or enter the room. They will recite the purification prayer in the morning and in the evening, following the ablutions.

[Food] — You may only eat vegetables, milk, and derivative products. Refrain from alcohol or similar stimulating substances. You are only allowed a little tea or coffee. Maintain absolute chastity of body and mind.

If it is possible, keep food to a minimum, even suppressing your appetite or replacing it with astral nourishment, from which, as I have said elsewhere, you will greatly benefit.

It is good to drink plenty of water.

[Allocation of time] — Get up early in the morning, before sunrise, and immerse yourself in flowing water; then dress in the proper clothes and perform the ritual. Having done that, go about your business until sunset, when, after performing the ablution again, you will again perform the ritual before going to bed. It is important to move the time of breakfast between 10 and 11 A.M., and dinner between 4 and 5 P.M.

[Clothing] — Wear a loose, completely white garment of pure linen; also wear a linen belt around your waist. Your shoes should be of the same material.

When dressing, after the ablution, recite the proper oration, which I will teach you later.

[The room] — Obtain a large room, underground if possible, which you will retain exclusively for the performance of rituals. The walls should to be white, red, violet, or light blue. The floor needs to be cleaned with flowing water. The room should be square, or round; it should not have its door on its eastern side. Moreover, you should be aware of the locations of the four cardinal points.

[The brazier and the lamp] — Obtain a tripod, about one meter high, in which you will light a fire with pine and laurel wood; then burn the right perfumes in accordance to the laws of days and constellations given elsewhere. You also need another tripod, which will be closed at the top, with a hole in which you insert a wick. Inside it put some virgin olive oil.

The lamp must burn uninterrupted for the entire period of the operations.

[The operation] — After performing the ablution and putting on the linen garments, enter the room, light the fire and the lamp, and burn some perfumes.

Then draw in the center with gold⁷⁵ an equilateral triangle, with the vertex pointing to the East; then inscribe in it a circle. Draw toward the east, west, north, and south (in this order) the signs indicated in the table. Place the tripod eastward, on the right, and the burning lamp on the left.

Position yourself in the middle of the circle, facing eastward, and burn more perfume; concentrate on the spirit and recite with clear voice the invocation of the solar Archangel that you will find in the Peter of Abano’s Magical Elements.⁷⁶

I will give you more instructions later. In the meantime, those who want have enough with which to begin.