Greater Ritual of the Hexagram - Aleister Crowley

The Greater Ritual of the Hexagram is one of several rituals within "Liber O" written by Aleister Crowley after the techniques of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. It is used to invoke or banish the energies of either the Planets or the Signs of the Zodiac.

Procedure

Crowley writes:

The hexagram of Earth alone is used. ... Trace the astrological sigil of the Planet in the center of your Hexagram. For the Zodiac, use the Hexagram of the Planet which rules the Sign you require; but draw the astrological sigil of the Sign, instead of that of the Planet. In all cases use a conjuration first with Ararita, and next with the name of the God corresponding to the planet or sign you are dealing with.

Unlike the Lesser Ritual of the Hexagram, the Greater Ritual does not come with a step-by-step instruction in Liber O.

According to some magicians, the procedure of the ritual is exactly the same as the Lesser Ritual of the Hexagram except for the figures that are "drawn" and the addition of a god name.

These practitioners interpret the "conjurations" specified by Crowley as simple vibrations of "Ararita" and the name of the God corresponding to the planet or sign.

A different and more sophisticated reading dictates that the magician not work in the four quarters, but rather towards the actual position of the planet (or zodiacal sign) in the heavens. (Failing that, work towards the direction of the element associated with the sign or planet.) The "conjurations" in this case are more elaborate invocations, whether extemporized, of original composition, quoting from the Holy Books of Thelema, or otherwise elaborated. In this method of working, the ritual must be carefully tailored to the specific occasion and purpose, although individual magicians may develop a repertoire of planetary conjurations to use within the "Greater Hexagram" mode of operation.

For example, to invoke Jupiter, the Magician would face the direction of Jupiter at the place and hour appointed, and sound a battery of four knocks (four being the number of Jupiter). Then he would recite an ARARITA invocation (derived in this case from "Liber DCCCXIII"):

O my God! One is Thy Beginning! One is Thy Spirit, and Thy Permutation One! Thou has appeared unto me as a jocund and ruddy God, full of Majesty, a King, a Father in his prime. Thou didst bear the sceptre of the Universe, crowned with the Wheel of the Spirit. ARARITA!

Having drawn the proper hexagram, he would proceed to an invocation of Jupiter. This example is modified slightly from Thomas Taylor's translation of the Orphic hymn to "Jove, as the Author of Lightning":

Come, O JOVE, on Thee I call! JOVE! JOVE!

I call the mighty, holy splendid light,

Aerial, dreadful-sounding, fiery-bright;

Flaming, aerial-light, with angry voice,

Lightning thro' lucid clouds with horrid noise.

Untam'd, to whom resentments dire belong,

Pure, holy pow'r all-parent, great and strong:

Come, and benevolent these rite attend,

And aid my will to realize its end.

Having drawn the sigil of Jupiter, the magician would then declare Jupiter duly invoked.

Ritual components

Hexagrams

t

Signs of the planets and Zodiac

The Conjuration of the Kings Princes and Dukes of Hell

The Conjurations Appropriate to Each Rank 

The Conjuration of the Wandring Princes: 

"I Conjure thee O thou Mighty & Potent Prince Bydiel, who wanders here & there in the Air, with thy Dukes & other (of) thy servants Spirits, I Conjure thee Bydiel that thou forthwith appear with thy Attendance (Attendants), in this first hour of the day, here before me in this Crystal Stone [or here before this Circle] in a fair and comely shape to do my will in all things that I shall desire of you..." Note this mark:  |*| in the Conjuration following & go on (from) there as it follows. [That is, in the Conjuration of the Dukes that do not Wander, below. -- Ed.]

The Conjuration of the Princes that Govern the Points of the Compass: 

"I Conjure thee O thou Mighty & Potent Prince Pamersiel, who ruleth as (a) King in the Dominion of the East under the Great Emperer Carnatiel, I Conjure thee Pamersiel that you forthwith appear with thy attendents in this first hour of the day, here before me in this Crystal Stone [or here before this circle] in a fair & comely shape to (do) my will in all things that I shall desire of you..." & observe this (mark) |*| in the Conjuration (that follows) and go on as followeth.

The Conjuration of the 4 Empires (Emperors): 

"I Conjure thee O thou great & Mighty & Potent Prince Carnatiel who is the the Emperor & Chief King Ruling in the Dominion of the East, I Conjure (thee) Carnatiel that thou forthwith appear..." & observe this mark |^| & go on (from) there in the following Conjuration.

The Conjuration To the Wandring Dukes, how to call them forth and any other Dukes that doth not Wander, only leaving out [Wandering here & there (in the Air)] and only for (the) Prince say Duke: 

"I Conjure thee O thou Mighty & Potent Duke N, who wanderest here & there with thy Prince N, & other (of) his & thy servants in the Air, I Conjure thee N that thou forthwith appear.." & note this mark |^| & go on (from) there in the following Conjuration.

The Conjuration of those Dukes that do not Wander but belong to the Princes that Govern the points of the Compass: 

"I Conjure thee O thou Mighty Duke N, Who rulest under the Prince or King N, in the Dominion of the East, I Conjure thee N, that thou appear forthwith |^| alone or with thy servants, in this first [or second] hour of the day, here before me in this Crystal Stone [or before this Circle] in a fair & comely shape to do my will in all things that I shall desire or request of you.  |*| I conjure & powerfully command you N by him that said the word & it was done & by all the holy & powerful names of God who is the only Creator of Heaven and Earth and Hell & what is Contained in them, Adonay, El, Elohim, Elohe, Elion,

THE INVOCATION OF THE FOUR GATES FROM THE WORLD BETWEEN THE SPHERES

Invocation of the North Gate

Thee I invoke, Silver Hunter from the Sacred City of UR! 

Thee I call forth to guard this North Place of the Most Holy Mandal against the vicious warriors of Flame from the Principalities of DRA! 

Be thou most vigilant against the UTUKKI of TIAMAT 

The Oppressors of ISHNIGARRAB 

The Throne of AZAG-THOTH! 

Draw Thy bow before the fiends of ABSU 

Loose Thy arrow at the hordes of Dark Angels that beset the beloved of ARRA on all sides and in all places. 

Be watchful, Lord of the North Ways. Remember us, King of our Homeland, Victor of Every War and Conqueror over Every Adversary. 

See our Lights and hear our Heralds, and do not forsake us. 

Spirit of the North, Remember!

Invocation of the Eastern Gate

Thee I invoke, Mistress of the Rising Star. Queen of Magic, of the Mountains of MASHU! 

Thee I call forth this day to guard this Most Holy mandal against the Seven Ensnarers, the Seven Liers-In-Wait, the evil Maskim, the Evil Lords! 

Thee I Summon, Queen of the Eastern Ways, that thou mayest protect me from the Eye of Death, and the evil rays of the ENDUKUGGA and NINDUKUGGA! 

Be watchful, Queen of the Eastern Ways, and Remember! 

Spirit of the East, Remember!

Invocation of the Southern Gate

Thee I invoke, Angel, Guardian against the URULU Dread City of Death, Gate of No Return! 

Do Thou stand at my side! 

In the Names of the most Mighty Hosts of MARDUK and ENKI, 

Lords of the Elder Race, the ARRA, do Thou stand firm behind me! 

Against PAZUZU and HUMWAVA, 

Fiends of the Southwest Winds, do Thou stand form! 

Against the Lords of the Abominations, do Thou stand form! 

Be Thou the Eyes behind me, 

The Sword behind me, The Spear behind me, 

The Armour behind me. Be watchful, 

Spirit of the Southern Ways, and Remember! 

Spirit of the South, Remember!

The Invocation of the Western Gate

Thee I invoke, Spirit of the Land of MER MARTU! 

Thee I invoke, Angel of the Sunset! 

From the Unknown God, protect me! 

From the Unknown Demon, protect me! 

From the Unknown Enemy, protect me! 

From the Unknown Sorcery, protect me! 

From the Waters of KUTULU, protect me! 

From the Wrath of ERESHKIGAL, protect me! 

From the Swords of KINGU, protect me! 

From the Baneful Look, the Baneful Word, the Baneful Name, the Baneful Number, the Baneful Shape, protect me! 

Be watchful, Spirit of the Western Ways, and Remember!

Spirit of the West Gate, Remember!

The Invocation of the Four Gates

MER SIDI! 

MER KURRA! 

MER URULU! 

MER MARTU! 

ZI DINGIR ANNA KANPA! 

ZI DINGIR KIA KANPA!

UTUK XUL, TA ARDATA! 

KUTULU, TA ATTALAKLA! 

AZAG-THOTH, TA KALLA! 

IA ANU! IA ENLIL! IA NNGI! ZABAO!

THE INVOCATION OF THE MARDUK GATE

Spirit of the Great Planet, Remember! 

MARDUK, God of Victory Over the Dark Angels, Remember! 

MARDUK, Lord of All the Lands, Remember! 

MARDUK, Son of ENKI, Master of Magicians, Remember! 

MARDUK, Vanquisher of the Ancient Ones, Remember! 

MARDUK, Who gives the Stars their Powers, Remember! 

MARDUK, Who assigns the Wanderers their Places, Remember! Lord of the Worlds, and of The Spaces Between, Remember! 

First among the Astral Gods, Hearken and Remember! 

In the Name of the Covenant sworn between Thee and the Race of Men I call to Thee! 

Hearken and Remember! 

From the Gate of the Mighty NERGAL, the Sphere of the Red Planet, I call to Thee! 

Hearken and Remember! 

MARDUK, Lord of the Fifty Powers, Open Thy Gates to me! 

MARDUK, God of Fifty Names, Open Thy Gates to Thy Servant! 

By the Name which I was given on the Sphere of NERGAL, I call to Thee to Open! 

Gate of the Great God, Open! 

Gate of the God of the Double-Headed Axe, Open! 

Gate of the Lord of the World Between the Worlds, Open! 

Gate of the Conqueror of the Monsters from the Sea, Open! 

Gate of the Golden City of SAGALLA, Open! 

IA DAG! IA GAT! 

IA MARGOLQBABBONNESH!

IA MARRUTUKKU! IA TUKU! 

SUHRIM SUHGURIM! 

ZAHRIM ZAHGURIM!
AXXANNGABANNAXAXAGANNABABILLUKUKU!

THE INVOCATION OF THE SHAMMASH GATE

Spirit of the Sun, Remember! 

SHAMMASH, Lord of the Fiery Disk, Remember! 

In the Name of the Covenant sworn between Thee and Race of Men, I call to Thee! 

Hearken and Remember! 

From the Gate of the Beloved ISHTAR, the Sphere of LIBAT, I call to Thee! 

Illuminator of Darkness, Destroyer of Evil, Lamp of Wisdom, I call to Thee! 

SHAMMASH, Bringer of Light, I call to Thee! 

KUTULU is burned by Thy Might! 

AZAG-THOTH is fallen off His Throne before Thee! 

ISHNIGARRAB is scorched black by Thy rays! 

Spirit of the Burning Disk, Remember! 

Spirit of the Never-Ending Light, Remember! 

Spirit of the Rending of the Veils of the Night, Dispeller of Darkness, Remember! 

Spirit of the Opening of the Day, Open wide Thy Gate! 

Spirit Who rises between the Mountains with splendour, Open Thy Gate to me! 

By the Name which I was given on the Sphere of ISHTAR, I ask Thy Gate to open! 

Gate of the Sun, Open to me! 

Gate of the Golden Sceptre, Open to me! 

Gate of the Life-Giving Power, Open! Open! 

IA UDDU-YA! IA RUSSULUXI! 

SAGGTAMARANIA! IA! IA! ATZARACHI-YA! 

ATZARELECHI-YU! 

BARTALAKATAMANI-YA KANPA! 

ZI DINGIR UDDU-YA KANPA! 

ZI DINGIR USHTU-YA KANPA! 

ZI SHTA! ZI DARAKU! ZI BELURDUK!
KANPA! IA SHTA KANPA! IA!

THE INVOCATION OF THE ISHTAR GATE

Spirit of Venus, Remember! 

ISHTAR, Mistress of the Gods, Remember! 

ISHTAR, Queen of the Land of the Rising of the Sun, Remember! 

Lady of Ladies, Goddess of Goddesses, 

ISHTAR, Queen of all People, Remember! 

O Bright Rising, Torch of the Heaven and of the Earth, Remember! 

O Destroyer of the Hostile Hordes, Remember! 

Lioness, Queen of the Battle, Hearken and Remember! 

From the Gate of the Great God NEBO, I call Thee! 

By the Name which I was given on the Sphere of NEBO, I call to Thee! 

Lady, Queen of Harlots and of Soldiers, I call to Thee! 

Lady, Mistress of Battle and of Love, I pray Thee, Remember! 

In the Name of the Covenant, sworn between Thee and the Race of Men, I call to Thee! 

Hearken and Remember! 

Suppressor of the Mountains! 

Supporter of arms! Deity of Men! 

Goddess of Women! Where Thou gazest, the Dead live! 

ISHTAR, Queen of Night, Open Thy Gate to me! 

ISHTAR, Lady of the Battle, Open wide Thy Gate! 

ISHTAR, Sword of the People, Open Thy Gate to me! 

ISHTAR, Lady of the Gift of Love, Open wide Thy Gate! 

Gate of the Gentle Planet,  LIBAT, Open unto me! 

IA GUSHE-YA! IA INANNA! IA ERNINNI-YA! 

ASHTA PA MABACHA CHA KUR ENNI-YA! 

RABBMI LO-YAK ZI ISHTARI KANPA! 

INANNA ZI AMMA KANPA! 

BI ZAMMA KANPA! 

IA IA IA BE-YI RAZULUKI!

THE TRUE GREATER RITUAL OF THE PENTAGRAM - Aleister Crowley version

As the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram places the Magician on the Path of Samech, so this Greater Ritual places him on the Path of Gimel above, instead of below Tiphareth.

Perform the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram and anoint body with Holy Oil before performing this Greater Ritual of the Pentagram.

Take up your position facing the West, strike the bell once and cry aloud Abrahadabra! giving the Threefold Sign of Enterer (Horus), Silence (Harpocrates), and Apophis (Set Triumphant).

Whirl around as on a pivot as rapidly as you can with the Wand or Sword outstretched, thus making a magick circle.

Then say, with all the exaltation possible:

The light is mine; its rays consume me:

I have made a secret door into the House of Ra (Enterer towards East)
and Tum (Enterer towards West),
of Khephra (Enterer towards North)
and of Ahathoor (Enterer towards South).

(In center, facing West, in Sign of Silence)
I am thy Theban, O Mentu, The prophet Ankh-af-na-khonsu! Bell.

Turning 60 degrees to your left, make the inverted Invoking Pentagram of Fire and cry NUIT. Turning 60 degrees to your original right (i.e. to the North of West) make the same Pentagram and cry HADIT.
Turn to the East, make the same Pentagram and cry RA-HOOR-KHUIT.
Then turn 60 degrees North of East, make the erect Invoking Pentagram of Fire and cry BES-NA-MAUT.
Then turn 60 degrees South of East, make the same Pentagram and cry TA-NECH. Then to the West, make the same Pentagram and cry

ANKH-AF-NA-KHONSU.

Seat yourself with your hands on your knees, like an enthroned Egyptian God, or stand in the Sign of HoorPaar-Kraat.Say slowly, and very forcibly, in a low voice:

Ardent and awful on my right
Rage Ratziel and Tzadkiel.
Red Raphael on his burning throne Guards me behind: with magician might

Dread Khamael and Tzaphkiel War on my left: the avengers own Before me flaming out alone The Majesty of Metatron!
For around me in six several ways
The fivefold sword-stars beat and blaze;
While in the column shines and slays
The star that hath eleven rays.

Abrahadabra!

Bell.

Rise and give the Threefold Sign, remaining in the Sign of Apophis- Typhon to invoke whatever force thou wishest to invoke.

Bell

Repeat all of part I, and then forcibly say:

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!

NOTES

This Pentagram Ritual is combined openly with the Hexagram, for the secret formulation of Abrahadabra.

The Hexagram is arranged differently on the Tree, to correspond with Kether (highest top point), Chokmah (top-right), Binah (top-left), Chesed (bottom-right), Geburah (bottom-left) and Tiphareth (lowest bottom point).

Keep in mind that this Ritual is done on the Path of Gimel.

When making Pentagrams and vibrating Names in this Rite you are also formulating the Hexagram. Thus: Nuit = Binah Hadit = Chokmah Ra-Hoor-Khuit = Tiphareth Bes-Na-Maut = Chesed Ta-Nech = Geburah Ankh-af-na-khonsu = Kether Note that Bes-Na-Maut and Ta-Nech are the parents of Ankh-af-na-khonsu. These are lesser forms of Nuit and Hadit. Ankh-af-na-khonsu of course has a direct relationship to Ra-Hoor-Khuit; he is the physical incarnation of that God. Crowley remarked that this Ritual is not satisfactory unless there be a properly constructed Circle marked with the Hexagram and Six Lamps. He further stated that this Ritual is neither perfect nor inspired.---

Magickal Evocation and Invocation

There are basically two ways of summoning an entity or working with energy: "Evocation" and "Invocation." Spiritual evocation is summoning an entity whether it be a Demon, spirit, deceased person, elemental, or energy, and the being appears outside of the operator. When working with energy, the energy is always on the outside of the operator and never inside his/her body. With evocation, there is never a direct tie or connection.

Invocation is taking the spirit into one’s self. The being actually enters the operator’s body. An example is invoking a Demon and the Demon speaks through the operator using his/her voice to communicate. Often when this happens, one’s voice may change, becoming deeper, raspy, or different in some way. During séances, often the medium is able to produce a substance called "ectoplasm" to provide a luminescent material in order for the evoked spirit to manifest itself visibly. This is a form of invocation as there is a direct connection with the spirit and the medium.

There are many different beings. One thing I have learned is with Satan’s Demons, when they enter us; they never harm us in any way. We are always conscious and fully aware. When they are speaking through us, we are aware of what they are saying and nothing is ever forced. One doesn’t experience gaps or "missing time" as those who invoke angelic beings have. Angels often masquerade as Demons. There are entities that are NOT of Satan and when they are invited in [usually these are angels or related ilk] they will take over and cause harm to the person who invoked them and the individual will not have any memory of the event. They will have missing time and more than likely other lingering problems as well.

Satan is the bringer of knowledge. He has no reason to cause anyone to forget something or have lapses in memory in order to hide something. People who dabble with angels and other astral entities of whom they are not familiar with can experience these problems, and then of course, through ignorance and foolishness they blame "The Devil."

Some Demons come around and like to play. One time when was at work, a coworker showed me a photo of his girlfriend. I felt a Demon enter me and he said to me "go ahead." I began reading her. The co-worker was surprised at my accuracy. Of course, this was my Demon friend speaking through me.

Most available texts on spells and magick, due to a lack of knowledge [all spiritual and magickal knowledge were removed and obliterated by the Christian Church], not only give wrongful instructions, but instructions that can also be very dangerous when working black magick, using death energy and other destructive forces to avenge injustices.

There is a great difference between evocation and invocation. When we invoke energy or spirits, we create a link to the energy or spirit through ourselves. Obviously, if one is using destructive or death energy, this can be very dangerous. Invocation also includes building up energy within one’s soul and discharging it through one’s aura and/or chakras. This creates a tie to the victim.

Most black magic spells that go wrong do so because of errors on the part of the mage. There are other reasons for a black magic working going wrong such as the victim having a powerful aura that is able to deflect negative energy; the victim is under powerful spiritual protection [If one is under Satan's protection, nothing can touch him/her] or bad timing on the part of the mage. There can be other reasons, but the above are the most common.

Even white magic where healing is concerned can pose problems to the mage who invokes the energy before applying it. Any time energy is invoked, a powerful connection is established. Obviously, no one in his/her right mind would want to connect with a disease.
If the mage is working on money, personal power or some other positive application of energy, then invoking is desirable. This also goes for love spells and workings of lust.

One must know the difference when working a spell, as ignorance or misapplication of the above can result in a spell backfiring or other undesirable outcomes.

For Example- Evoking Death Energy: The advanced mage should be familiar with this energy. Death energy is prevalent in mortuaries, cemeteries, places where wars were fought, where massacres occurred and other places of death. The energy is grey, dismal, and depressing. The mage should go into a trance, surround him/herself with the energy, but *NOT* take it into his/her body. The mage should direct the energy using his/her will and visualization into a ball or other form. The energy should be condensed tighter and tighter into the ball or form for power. The formed energy can then be expanded or contracted according to how the mage intends for it to be delivered to the victim. If delivering to the victim's chakras, the energy should be tightly compacted, and exploded, or expanded upon entry into the victim's body. If the energy is to collect and adhere to the victim's aura, the energy should be expanded to envelope the entire aura. Variations can be used according to one’s individual preferences.