Banishing
Encyclopedia
In Ceremonial magic
, banishing refers to one or more rituals intended to remove non-physical influences ranging from spirits to negative influences. Although banishing rituals are often used as components of more complex ceremonies, they can also be performed by themselves.
In Wicca
and various forms of Paganism
, banishing is performed before casting a Circle
in order to purify the area where the ritual or magick is about to take place. In his books on Nocturnal Witchcraft, for example, Konstantinos recommends performing banishings regularly, in order to keep the magickal workspace free of negativity, and to become proficient in banishing before attempting acts that are much more spiritually taxing on the body, such as magickal spellworking.Banishing can be viewed as one of several techniques of magick, closely related to ritual purification
and a typical prerequisite for consecration
and invocation
.
For "actual workings" Aleister Crowley
recommends a short, general banishing, with a comment that "in more elaborate ceremonies it is usual to banish everything by name."
Crowley also recommended that a banishing ritual be done at least once daily by Thelema in Liber Aleph vel CXI.
In the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
, the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP for shorthand) must be learned by the Neophyte before moving on to the next grade (Zelator).
Ceremonial magic
Ceremonial magic, also referred to as high magic and as learned magic, is a broad term used in the context of Hermeticism or Western esotericism to encompass a wide variety of long, elaborate, and complex rituals of magic. It is named as such because the works included are characterized by...
, banishing refers to one or more rituals intended to remove non-physical influences ranging from spirits to negative influences. Although banishing rituals are often used as components of more complex ceremonies, they can also be performed by themselves.
In Wicca
Wicca
Wicca , is a modern Pagan religious movement. Developing in England in the first half of the 20th century, Wicca was popularised in the 1950s and early 1960s by a Wiccan High Priest named Gerald Gardner, who at the time called it the "witch cult" and "witchcraft," and its adherents "the Wica."...
and various forms of Paganism
Paganism
Paganism is a blanket term, typically used to refer to non-Abrahamic, indigenous polytheistic religious traditions....
, banishing is performed before casting a Circle
Magic circle
A magic circle is circle or sphere of space marked out by practitioners of many branches of ritual magic, which they generally believe will contain energy and form a sacred space, or will provide them a form of magical protection, or both. It may be marked physically, drawn in salt or chalk, for...
in order to purify the area where the ritual or magick is about to take place. In his books on Nocturnal Witchcraft, for example, Konstantinos recommends performing banishings regularly, in order to keep the magickal workspace free of negativity, and to become proficient in banishing before attempting acts that are much more spiritually taxing on the body, such as magickal spellworking.Banishing can be viewed as one of several techniques of magick, closely related to ritual purification
Ritual purification
Ritual purification is a feature of many religions. The aim of these rituals is to remove specifically defined uncleanliness prior to a particular type of activity, and especially prior to the worship of a deity...
and a typical prerequisite for consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
and invocation
Invocation
An invocation may take the form of:*Supplication or prayer.*A form of possession.*Command or conjuration.*Self-identification with certain spirits....
.
For "actual workings" Aleister Crowley
Crowley
-Places:*Crowley, Mendocino County, California, an unincorporated community*Crowley, Tulare County, California*Crowley County, Colorado*Crowley, Colorado, a town in Crowley County*Crowley, Louisiana, a city*Crowley, Texas, a city...
recommends a short, general banishing, with a comment that "in more elaborate ceremonies it is usual to banish everything by name."
Crowley also recommended that a banishing ritual be done at least once daily by Thelema in Liber Aleph vel CXI.
In the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was a magical order active in Great Britain during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which practiced theurgy and spiritual development...
, the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP for shorthand) must be learned by the Neophyte before moving on to the next grade (Zelator).
Rituals
- Greater Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram
- Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram
- Greater Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram
- The Star Ruby, a version of the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram that was modified by Aleister CrowleyAleister CrowleyAleister Crowley , born Edward Alexander Crowley, and also known as both Frater Perdurabo and The Great Beast, was an influential English occultist, astrologer, mystic and ceremonial magician, responsible for founding the religious philosophy of Thelema. He was also successful in various other...
for the use of adherents to ThelemaThelemaThelema is a religious philosophy that was established, defined and developed by the early 20th century British writer and ceremonial magician, Aleister Crowley. He believed himself to be the prophet of a new age, the Æon of Horus, based upon a religious experience that he had in Egypt in 1904...
. - The Opening by Watchtower