In my opinion, and with all due respect to the practitioners of this
latter method, much better results would be obtained if the invocative
method, with its utilisation of the efficacy of formula, were used to
enable the mind to climb into the pure air of spiritual consciousness
where no evil is. It is only those
who are highly trained in meditation who can rise on the planes unaided.
It is exceedingly difficult to "take off" from sense consciousness
without the use of some kind of psychological device to act as a
spring-board. There seems to be little object in refusing for purely
academic reasons to avail
ourselves of a method of proven efficacy. If we realise that the use of
forms and symbols is merely a psychological device to enable the mind to
get a grip on the intangible, we shall not fall into the error of
superstitious observances. A superstition has been defined as the blind
use of a form whose significance has been forgotten.
On the other hand, we shall be unwise to rely exclusively upon formal or
ceremonial methods unless at
the same time we use meditative methods in order to purify and harmonise
our own consciousness. If we neglect this aspect of our work, we shall re-infect by our own
vibrations the magic circle as fast as we have cleared it. It is not much use sealing a circle with
the protective Names if we allow a panic- stricken imagination to run riot,
picturing every conceivable kind of evil and leaving blank spaces for
the possibility of inconceivable kinds. Equally, however, we shall find
it very much easier to perform the
harmonising meditation if we are working within the protection of a
magic circle. To attempt to
perform the work of exorcism solely by means of meditation is like
raising a weight by the unaided effort of our two hands. The employment
of the magical method resembles the use of a lever, or a pulley and
block. Our muscles are still the sole source of energy, but by the
utilisation of mechanical principles we have redoubled their power. Let
us, then, in meditation, use symbols to concentrate our attention; we
shall find this much easier than meditation in terms of abstract
thought. Indeed, in times of stress and crisis,
abstract thought may be impossible for us unless we are very experienced
in its use; but we shall
seldom reach a state when we cannot picture the Cross and call upon the
Name of Christ.
Occult attacks may be divided into two types, those which take place by
means of thought-forms, and those which operate by means of a current of
force. But even in the latter case the current of force soon gathers to
itself or germinates thought-forms congenial to its nature. Therefore in
every psychic disturbance the thought-form is a factor which has to be
considered and dealt with, and which, in fact,
forms the readiest means of diagnosis; for it is by the perception of
the associated thought-forms that the
experienced psychic is able to detect the nature of the attack.
Thought-force is a thing which has no relation to geographical position,
but is a matter of pure
consciousness and of tuning in to its key-note. We can pick up the
forces of dead faiths a thousand years
after the death of their last votary, and upon the opposite side of the
globe to that in which they flourished. But thought-forms are a
different matter. They have position in space, and although they can be
moved about with the speed of thought, and can be withdrawn to the
subtlest level of the astral and there anchored to an idea and thus
prevented from impinging upon the planes of form for all practical
purposes, nevertheless, although they do not occupy space, they can be
referred to definite positions in space. They can, for instance, be
associated with a particular object, and will follow that object about,
remaining within its magnetic field. The immediate magnetic field is
anything from twelve to
thirty feet; the remote magnetic field from a hundred to three hundred
yards. Powerful holy centres, like Glastonbury
or Lourdes, have a bigger magnetic field than this, extending possibly
to a couple of miles; they are also inter-connected among themselves by
lines of force. These things have to be taken into account in practical
occult work.
When we are confronted by a disturbing influence emanating from a focus
of power, such as the site of
an old temple, we have got to deal with the remote magnetic field by
means of ceremonial. As this is a method that can only be used by a
high-grade initiate, we will not consider it here. For all practical
purposes in a psychic attack it is the immediate magnetic field that has
to be considered.
The best method to deal with this is to make a magic circle. A mere
banishing by itself is not so effective
as a banishing performed within a circle, because the circle will
effectually prevent the banished forces from flowing back again. There are various methods of
performing this operation, but the principle of all valid ones is the same. The
more potent conjurations cannot be given in these pages, because their
effective use depends upon the grade of initiation possessed by the
person who proposes to use them, and to possess a formula without the
grade to which it belongs is as unsatisfactory as possessing a gun
without any knowledge of shooting. The formula I will give will be found
effectual for all ordinary conditions. Extra-ordinary conditions can
only be dealt with by a person who has had experience.
In making the magic circle the operator stands upright facing east. He
faces east because the magnetic
current on which he proposes to operate runs from east to west. His
first procedure must be to
steady his
own vibrations and purify his aura. In order to do this, he makes the
Qabalistic Cross on breast and brow. Touching his forehead he says, "To Thee, O God (touching his
solar plexus) be the Kingdom, (touching his right shoulder) and the
Power (touching his left shoulder) and the Glory, (clasping his hands)
unto the ages of the ages. Amen."
By this formula the operator affirms the power of God as sole creator
and supreme law of the universe
to which all things must bow, and he establishes this formula
magnetically in his aura by the action of making the Sign of the Cross upon himself. This Sign is not an
exclusively Christian symbol, and can be used as readily by the Jew as the Churchman, for it is the
Equi-limbed Cross of Nature that is being used,
not the Calvary Cross, of which the shaft is double the length of the
cross-bar, and which is the symbol
of sacrifice. The Equi-limbed Cross refers to the four quarters of the
globe and the four elements, and the formula associated with it proclaims the dominion of God over
these, and thereby occultly formulates His kingdom within the sphere of
the operator.
The operator next imagines himself to be clasping in his right hand a
large, cross-handled sword,
such as is depicted in pictures of Crusaders. He holds it point upright
and says, "In the Name of God I take in hand the Sword of Power for
defence against evil and aggression," and imagines himself to be
towering up to twice his natural height, a tremendous armed and mailed
figure, vibrating with the force of the Power of God with which he has
been charged by his formulation of the Sword of Power.
He now proceeds to draw the Magic Circle
upon the floor with the point of the Sword of Power, and he should see
in his imagination a line of flame following the point of the Sword,
consisting of small
flames, such as spring up when methylated spirit is spilt and ignited,
but of a pale golden colour. A
little practice should enable this circle of light to be formulated
effectually. Keep on going round the circle until it is formulated. The
circle should always be drawn deosil, that is to say, from east, to
south, to west, to north, in the same way that the hands of a clock
would move were the clock laid face upwards on the floor. The contrary
way is widdershins, the way in which the witches danced at the Sabbats.
The deosil movement affirms the rule of God's law in Nature because it
is the Way of the Sun; the widdershins movement repudiates God's rule
over Nature by moving against the sun. In resisting an occult attack the
whole formula should be tuned to the key-note of asserting God's
dominion over all existence, the aim of the operator being to align
himself with Cosmic Law and cause the Power of God to deal with the
interference.
The Circle being formulated, the operator, ceasing to visualise the
sword but still visualising the circle,
clasps his hands in prayer, and raising them above his head towards the
east, prays, " May the mighty archangel Raphael protect me from all evil
approaching from the east." Turning to the south he repeats the same
formula in prayer to Gabriel. Turning to the west, he invokes Michael.
Turning to the north he invokes Uriel. Facing to the east again, and
thus completing the circle, he repeats the formula of the Qabalistic
Cross.
This formulation of the magic circle is especially valuable for
protecting the sleeping-place, the circle
being drawn around the bed. It is not necessary to move about the room,
or shift the furniture in order to draw the circle, it will be
formulated wherever it is visualised to be.
It is necessary to reaffirm this circle each time the tides change; that
is to say, a circle made after sundown will hold good till sunrise, and
a circle made after sunrise will maintain its potency till sunset. After
the circle has been affirmed a number of times in the same place its
influence will persist for a
considerable period, but it is advisable to re-formulate it morning and
evening during the
active phase of an attack.
Incense burnt within the circle is very helpful, but care has to be
exercised in the choice of an incense. Joss-sticks of unknown
composition should never be used, as they are usually compounded with a
view to assisting manifestation. Good quality church incense,
such as can be bought at most church furnishers, is safe and satisfactory because it is
compounded according to traditional recipes; cheaper qualities may not
fulfill these conditions.
In dealing with elementals or non-human entities the Pentagram, or
Pentalapha, is the best weapon.
This is a five-pointed star drawn in a particular way. Pointing the
first and second fingers of the right hand, and folding the others into
the palm and touching their tips with the thumb, proceed to draw the
Pentagram in the air, keeping the
elbow stiff and swinging the arm at full length. Start with the right
arm across the body, the hand about the level of the left hip, the
extended fingers pointing downwards and outwards. Swing it upwards, as
if drawing a straight line in the air, until the fingers point straight
upwards above the head at arm's length. Now sweep it down again, keeping
the elbow stiff, until the hand occupies the corresponding position upon
the right side to that from which it started on the left. You have now
drawn a gigantic V upside down. Next swing the hand across the body, on
a rising
incline, until it is stretched on a level with the left shoulder,
pointing to the left. Bring it
across the body
horizontally until it is in the same position on the right, fingers
pointing away from the body. Now
swing it downwards across the body till the hand has come back to the
point by the left hip whence it started. This is an exceedingly potent
sign. The value of the Five-pointed Star, the symbol of Humanity, is
widely known among occultists, but its potency depends upon the manner
in which it is drawn. The
method I have given is the correct one for banishing.
The potency of the sign may be illustrated by an experience of my own in
using it, which the sceptical are at liberty to doubt if they wish; I
merely mention it for the sake of those who may be interested.
I
was taking part in some work with an Indian occultist when I became
suspicious that all was not as it should be, protested, and was asked to
withdraw. I did so, determined to watch proceedings from a distance, and
if my suspicions were confirmed, to have an expose. A
few days later I was sitting in my room one afternoon chatting with a friend; it was just
getting dusk, and we were talking by the light of a gas-fire. Suddenly we were both aware
simultaneously of a presence in the room and turned spontaneously in the
same direction. My friend sensed an antagonistic presence, and I, being
more psychic, saw who it was, and had no difficulty in perceiving the
form of my Indian associate in an egg-shaped sphere of misty yellow
light. I told my friend to quit the room and wait in the hall, and as
soon as the door closed behind her, I made use of the Pentagram I have
described, together with certain Names of Power that are unsuitable for
disclosure in these pages. Immediately the appearance in the corner by
the door shattered and vanished, at the same time there was a resounding
crack, which my friend heard in the hall. I called to her to return, and
as she entered she exclaimed, "Look what has happened to the door!" and
we found that one of the panels had split clean in two. It was this that
had evidently caused the loud crack we had both heard. I offer no
explanation of this incident for the good and sufficient reason that I
do not know what the explanation may be. I merely state what happened.
My readers can explain it as they please.
When it is not possible to seal the room, it is a very useful thing to
be able to seal the aura.
Stand upright and cross yourself, by touching forehead, breast, right
shoulder and left shoulder, saying, "By the power of the Christ of God
within me, whom I serve with all my heart and with all my soul and with
all my strength (extend your hands forward as far as you can reach at
the level of the solar plexus, finger tips touching, then sweep them
round to the back and touch the finger-tips together again behind you,
saying), I encompass myself about with the Divine Circle of His
protection, across which no mortal error dares to set its foot." This is an old monkish formula. It
is very effectual, but its potency only
lasts about four hours.
There are various other devices which are useful, not only in dealing
with psychic attacks, but in any case of undue influence or domination.
If you have to interview persons whose influence you find overwhelming,
imagine that they are separated from you by a sheet of plate-glass. You
can see them, and hear them, but their magnetism cannot reach you.
Visualise this sheet of glass until it appears to you to be absolutely
tangible. If you have to associate with persons who distress you, but
are not actually interviewing them, imagine that they are separated from
you by a brick wall, and say to yourself, "You just aren't there. I
can't see you or hear you, and you simply don't exist."
When dealing with a person who saps your vitality, interlace your
fingers, and lay your folded hands upon your solar plexus, keeping your
elbows pressed against your sides. Keep your feet touching each other.
You have thus contacted all your own terminals and made of your body a
closed circuit. No magnetism will go out from you while you maintain
this attitude. Your friend will probably complain of
your lack of sympathy, however kindly you may speak.
If anyone tries to dominate you by gazing intently into the eyes, do not
attempt to return gaze for gaze,
for this only leads to an exhausting struggle in which you may get the
worst of it, but look steadily at the spot just above the base of their nose, between the inner ends of the
eyebrows. If you are merely dealing with an ordinary bully, you will immediately have
the upper hand. If, however, your antagonist has knowledge of
mind-power, you may not be able to dominate him, but he certainly will
not be able to dominate you, and the result will be a stalemate. Do not
attempt to dominate him, merely keep your eye on the spot and wait for him to weary of his attempt to dominate you.
You will not have long to wait.
By the use of the methods described in the preceding pages any person of
normal courage and mentality, provided he avoids drugs, alcohol and long
periods without food, can, if he does not lose his nerve, wear down any ordinary psychic attack; or in the case of
attacks of abnormal potency, can at least ensure himself time to make good his
escape and seek help.
The sacraments are also a most potent source of spiritual power, and a
church where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved, or which is sufficiently
old to have been consecrated before the Reformation, is
an effectual sanctuary.
