Middle Pillar - Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram

[Celtaur]

I'm interested in learning more about the Kaballah, and wondering about the Middle Pillar. Any information one would be interested in sharing would be greatly appreciated.

[Celtaur]

The Middle Pillar is the central column on the Tree of Life in which the 10 Sephiroth are located. The 10 Sephiroth are named "10 globes of splendor"

The Three columns of the Tree of Life are connected by 22 paths also known as channels. The Middle pillar is named as the reconciling power "Mildness/Wisdom" whereas the Left Pillar is named "Severity/Strength" and is considered as being black in color and the Right Pillar is named "Mercy/Beauty" and is considered as being white in color. These representing the spectrum, and can be noted in the High Priestess Card on each side of the Throne in the Rider Tarot Deck. The three pillars are seen as the trinity support of the universe.

Interestingly the 22 paths associate with the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet as well as the 22 Major Arcana cards of the Tarot.

These descriptions are of symbolism, and can not be fully understood intellectually through word, but their magical and cosmic meaning are revealed through much study and meditation.

The Middle Pillar is of a central, unifying role within the macrocosm of the universe and as the microcosm of the human.

In magical Qabalah (Kabbalah) and related work, the Middle pillar is of importance in ritual. Israel Regardie taught the ritual as balance between mind and magic.

It differs from the direction of force of such work as raising energy from below as in kundalini and chakra work. It works by descending energy from the higher realms down through one's being towards one's foundation and Kingdom.

The ritual begins by standing with imagining oneself as the middle pillar with the black pillar to one's right, and the white pillar to ones left.

One then brings the focus of intentions and forces of one's imagination towards the Kether Sephiroth and is seen as a brilliant light above one's head. This light is then imagined to descend to Daath - at the neck, then to Tipharath at the heart. This light radiates brightly as sunlight to the other sephiroth to the hip region of Yesod, then to the region of one's feet - Malkuth. This is the radiance of the middle pillar.

The remaining sephiroth can be illuminated and established through the vibrational energy of the names of associated Deities. One then makes the Qabalistic cross to balance the energy in one's aura which has been called down through the Kether. The Tipharath (at the heart) is the illuminating, pulsating light that emanates through the aura.

It is an establishing, and centralizing energy work ritual used as an alternative to the ritual of the Pentagram before meditation. It is also used as a protective force within oneself, as it aligns one with divine forces.

[Celtaur]

From Magick - by Aleister Crowley
An Introduction

The Middle Pillar Ritual, or MPR, is a good method for centering, practicing one’s visualizations and adding a higher dimension to lessons one and two. The MPR uses traditional Qabalistic powers to energize the Sephiroth (spheres) of the Middle Pillar of the traditional Tree of Life: Kether, Daath, Tiphareth, Yesod and Malkuth. The influences of these correspond nicely to the Eastern conception of “chakras,” or energy centers, of which there are principally seven: Sahasvara, the lotus above the head; Ajna,
the third eye; Vishudha, the throat; Anahata, the heart; Manipura, the navel; Svadhisthana, the sex organs; and Muldhara, the base or foundation—generally the anus, perineum or prostate (in men).

24
Thus the practice of the MPR is a means of obtaining familiarity with the energies of the body—learning control and utilization with time. In addition it is a superb method for centering and is ideal for beginning one’s Shamatha meditation. It also provides a good working foundation to techniques taught later in the Star of Set material.

The words of the MPR should be vibrated and not merely spoken. They should reverberate outwards to the very ends of the Universe. First, the magician should rest the mind in the meditative state, developed through the practice of mindfulness training. He should become like an hollow bamboo—the vibrations of the words of power, sounds issuing from the void. When done effectively, the magician becomes akin to an instrument, the words being uttered without the need for conscious thought, clearly and smoothly.

The magician should have developed his proficiency with the Body of Light
enough, so that his practice of the MPR is done on both the gross and the fine level.

The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram, or LBRP, is traditionally
employed as a precursor to the MPR. This helps clear the room of negative energy, dispels “evil” forces, etc.

[Echo]

The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram:

The Qabalistic Cross is used to open the rite, as a form of consecration and purification of the operator. The Pentagrams consecrate the operator and the space. Although the pentagrams are traced in the air, they can bee visualised extending as far back as you wish, in effect enclosing the working space. There are many versions of the basic ritual, varying school to school, tradition to tradition. This is how I was first taught.

Begin with the Qabalistic Cross:

Imagine a bright white sphere of Light, infinitely pure, above your head. A shaft of light streams down and passes through you, following your gestures to form a cross that passes through you from the heavens to earth vertically and horizontally across the shoulders. This is not a Christian symbol, but the symbol of balanced force.

Stand facing the East.

Extend the index and middle fingers, thumb and last two fingers folded into the palm.
Touch the forehead and say “Eheieh” (Ay-hee-yay)
Touch the solar plexus and say “Malkuth” (Mal-koot)
Touch the left shoulder and say “ve Geburah” (vay gev-oo-rah)
Touch the right shoulder and say “ve Gedulah” (vey ged-oo-lah)
Clasp the fingers together, as in prayer, hold the hands to the center of the chest, and say “le olahm amen” (lay ol-arm, amen)

Take a moment to reflect and feel the Forces you have touched.

Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram:

You may use the index finger of the right hand to draw the pentagram, or the wand, dagger/athame. I occasionally use a stick of incense. Again, intent matters most. Follow the lines of the diagram:




- Face East, draw pentagram, point to center, vibrate YHVH (Yod-Heh-Vahv-Heh).
- Face South, draw pentagram, point to center, vibrate ADONAI (Ah-Doh-Nye).
- Face West, draw pentagram, point to center, vibrate EHEIEh(Eh-Heh-Yeh).
- Face North, draw pentagram, point to center, vibrate AGLA(Ah-Ga-lah).

Return to face East, entend the arms straight out to the sides as if your body is forming a cross and say:

" Before me RAPHAEL (Rah-Fay-El)
Behind me GABRIEL (Gah-Bree-El)
On my right hand MICHAEL (Mee-Kiy-El)
On my left hand AURIEL (Awe-Ree-El)
For about me flames the Pentagram, and in the Column stands the six-rayed Star."

Now repeat the Qabalistic Cross

This is the basic ritual. As you draw the Pentagrams, visualise them being traced in the air in clear, bright flame.

'Vibrating' the Names is a simple procedure, but one that is difficult to explain briefly. For most uses, it is sufficient to 'project' the voice, like an actor. It does not have to be loud, can, in fact, be done in silence if the neighbours are likely to ask questions of your sanity, but it starts at the base of the belly. the voice engages allthe belly, the diaphragm, the lungs, and literally creates a vibration that you can feel through your body. It takes a little practise, that's all. There are ritual gestures, the Sign of the Enterer, the Sign of Silence, but these are readily available on the net should anyone be interested. They are not strictly neccessary.

Once you are happy with the basics, you may add further visualisation in the form of the Archangelic Presences:

As you trace the Pentagrams, imagine these beings, either as colums of coloured light, or as traditional angels.
Raphael is dressed in a golden robe, touched with purple and carries a caddeuceus. Gabriel is robed in clearblue, touhed with orange, and bears a Cup. Michael is clothed in scarlet with green trim, and carries a flaming sword before him, Auriel is robed in the greens and browns of earth, and bears an ear of golden wheat.

As you say 'For about me flames the Pentagram.' set your legs slightly apart, so that head, hands and feet form the five rayed star, and visualise this pentagram also in clear flame.

As you say 'in the column stands the six-rayed Star' visualise a golden Star of David above the Heart Centre. This is the six pointed star, or hexagram, formed by the interlocked triangles, symbolising 'as above, so below'.

Bear in mind that the moment you begin using ritual, the space where you work becomes a Temple of Light. Conduct yourself with all the reverence and respect that you would use in any other holy place. Be courteous to the presences and forces gathered there, for you will not stand alone, even though you may be unaware. Remember too that the ritual works. It is a physical manifestation of action upon the Inner planes. Approach the rite with intent, perhaps take a purifying ritual bath with candles, herbs, incense.. or just ritually wash your hands before you begin.. intent matters more than anything else.

If you make a mistake, don't worry, just go back and start that part again. Smile at yourself, you won't get blasted by demons! Joy, too, is allowed and any God who could dream up the giraffe and the platypus has to have a sense of humour!

[Estariol]

I would recommend the lesser invoking version of the pentagram ritual as a morning practice and the lesser bannishing before retiring to sleep. The lesser pentagram ritual can be learnt in sections, kabbalistic cross, pentagrams and finally Archangels (the kabbalistic cross repeats at end).

The middle pillar exercise and subsequent full tree exercise is often added as a daily practice after the lesser pentgram ritual has been assimilated. I personally agree very strongly with Regardie that the energy circulation exercises once the tree has been activated are essential to stop the energy 'going stale'.

As Regardie observed and it is also my experience a lot of psychological baggage will be pushed from the unconcious into full awareness, also there is a flood of libido/prana. Psychoanalysis is very usefull alongside the above work to help what in Freudian terms could be called catharsis. The lesser bannishing and middle pillar exercises provide a fertile environment for very productive psychoanalysis, in fact Regardie considered a course of psychoanalysis vital with these (from my personal experience I would definately agree). Without some form of psychotherapy Regardie warns of messianic delusions and neurosis as the extra energy inflates complexes which are not 'lanced' via psychoanalysis.

The Pearl beyond price once all of the above has been worked through is the vibratory formulae of the middle pillar wherein you 'speak' a godname to infinity and the infinite (God?) echoes it back to you. Regardie's analogy with the pentecostal tongues of fire filling the 12 apostles and also his warning about not standing near furniture when the vibratory formulae is performed is germain here, you can initially black out and fall badly. As it states in the GD syllabus; invoke Adonai Ha Aretz until thy radiance sufficeth!

A very humbling experience.

[Haruth]

... in fact Regardie considered a course of psychoanalysis vital with these...

...wondering if this was before or after he became a psychoanalyst....

[Echo]

LOL Haruth.

though, in my experience, every esoteric breakthrough does tend to be preceded by a crisis of some sort, whether it is the past baggage that needs to be dealt with, the inflation of ego which all esoteric students are wary of or the dark night of doubt. Understanding of the self.. 'Man, Know Thyself' is perhpas the hardest and most neccessart revelation we can offer ourselves.

I agree with Estariol though, the sequence of QC, Pentagrams and Middle Pillar. makes a fantastic daily ritual.

[Haruth]

I know. I'm sorry : just too cynical for my own good at times...

I appreciate that the dark nights of doubt, anxiety and outright rebellion can be a real wall, and that much of the detritus that may float to the surface during intense work with such systems needs to be worked through. I just get antzy sometimes when I read (eg.) that a psychoanalyst recommends psychoanalysis as a technique during such a period...

It's great if this approach works / worked for you, but it would just have turned into a real stumbling block for me. (My mother's complete lack of penis envy, and my father's dressing up in farmers clothes, really has very little to do with some point of guilt laden anger picked up as a teenager... And even if it did, how is this knowledge going to help me work through that anger? (Sheesh! you've got me going off on one now...))

Originally Posted by Echo
Understanding of the self.. 'Man, Know Thyself' is perhpas the hardest and most neccessart revelation we can offer ourselves.

And I think this is the crux of it for me. Know Thyself, not Know-Thy-Psychiatrists-Evaluation-Of-Thyself... And yes, it is hard to let go of all these ideas, ideals and ideologies that we have built around our perception of who we are as individuals, where we are in the scheme of things, and what we are (not) capable of. There is some real value to be had in finding out about ourselves as honestly as we can by ourselves, rather than be held by the hand through the process. Really sorts the (wo)men from the (wo)boys...

Originally Posted by Echo
... the inflation of ego which all esoteric students are wary of ...

Luckily, this was never a problem for me... bona fide son of God that I am... (Something to do with a complete lack of self esteem to begin with... oh - and that cynical streak helped a bit too...)

[Echo]

Thank you Haruth for starting my day with a giggle

I'm afraid I have to agree that, from a personal standpoint, psychoanalysis never attracted me. I had a series of counselling sessions once during my partner's last illness, when things got a bit rough. The doctor seemed to think it would be valuable. The kindly lady asked me to write my life story as a preliminary. By session three, her only comment was 'Oooh, I can't wait for your sessions to get the next installment!'. Most helpful!

I think there is value in anything that can help us look into the mirror of our own self and see what is there, truthfully and without the masks and filters we try to maintain. But as you say, Haruth,

Know Thyself, not Know-Thy-Psychiatrists-Evaluation-Of-Thyself...

.. it can be a shocking journey, but its a revealing one!

Inflated egos can disguise themselves well too. anyone that frequents the various forums will have met the messiahs, fluff bunnies, teen-goths and esoteric magpies. Most of the older generation will remember fitting into one of those niches at some point early in the journey. Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki tells a wonderful story about her own inflated ego, coming home one day through a crowd towards her home, where they had just finished installing the Temple. "I'll bet you don't realise there is a Real Live Initiate amongst you" she thought,( you can hear the capitalisation in her voice) wondering what they would think if they realised that the prim curtains hid a real Temple of the Mysteries. She collapsed in giggles at herself and had to lean against a wall to recover her composure.

I think this fleeting feeling of superiority or seperateness touches many of us at times. You, Haruth, being a bone fide son of God, have your reasons

Yet, maybe we all need to remember that it is true.. we are all children of the Divine Source, the 'marvellous seed of the stars', so ego is rather a waste of time.

[Estariol]

I wonder if now is a good moment to put forward more microcosmic/psychoanalytical theory relating to the middle pillar exercise..... yes!!!

Regardie in his book the middle pillar talks about how the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram and the Middle Pillar both increase linkage with the personal unconscious. The vibratory formula of the middle pillar he suggests brings about linkage with the Archetypes of the collective unconscious (Jung).

In terms of the emerald tablet this is a microcosmic perspective on the vibratory formula. Regardie rightly points out that GD rituals require proficiency with the vibratory formula to ensure reliable results of a more macrocosmic nature (Godform assumption, HGA practice, Evokation to visible appearance etc).

The reason why I have outlined all this is because Regardie's book The Middle Pillar uses very turgid complex language which often obscures the basic and very important ideas he presents. A fact which Regardie admitted too in his final years.

As a point of fact, The Lesser Pentagram Ritual, Middle Pillar Exercise and Vibratory Formula are the essential engine that drives the aspirant forward to correct proficiency with GD technique.