The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP) was made popular by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.  This ritual is widely practiced by magicians.  While it is not part of the ritual regimen of The Magical Golden Dawn, we feel students should become familiar with the LBRP and then decide to use it or the Invoking and Banishing Ritual of the Magical Golden Dawn in their spiritual practices

LESSER BANISHING RITUAL OF THE PENTAGRAM

The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram is described by more authors than any other magical  ritual.  We'll outline the ritual here.  The first thing to learn is how to trace the Pentagram in front of you.  The second thing to learn is how to charge the pentagram you just drew in the air.  Finally, learn how to do the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram.

STEPS FOR TRACING A PENTAGRAM IN THE AIR:

1.  Begin by reaching across your body with your right hand to a position outside your left hip with your pointer finger (or wand) extended downward and your other fingers curled inward.

2. Draw a straight line from there to a position in front of you with your right hand extended straight forward as far as it can reach upward.  In this position, you're pointer finger is pointed upward in front of your shoulder.  Your hand is not in front of your eyes but your right shoulder.

3. Draw a straight line from there down to your right with your pointed finger pointed downward, your arm stretched as far as possible at about a 320 degree angle away from your body.  This point would be above your feet were you to spread your feet apart as far as is comfortable.

4. Draw a straight line from there to a position outside your left shoulder with your pointed finger pointing away from you to the left.  Keep your right arm straight.

5. Draw a straight line from there straight across to a position as far to your right as you can reach at shoulder height with your pointer finger pointing away to your right.

6. Draw a straight line from there to the point of beginning.  This forms a pentagram in front of you.  The center of the pentagram is directly in front of your right arm slightly above your waist.

7.  This completes the drawing of an Earth Banishing Pentagram which is used for the ritual to follow.

STEPS FOR CHARGING THE PENTAGRAM:

 1.  Stand erect and bring your hands up to a position outside your ears with your hands pointing upwards and your fingers bent  so they're pointing forward.

2.  Step forward about one-half a normal step with your right foot and stamp your right foot as you place it down. 

3.  At the same time, bend forward at the waist and thrust your hands forward (as shown in the picture) into the pentagram thus charging the pentagram with your energy.

4. Return to an upright position with your right arm extended forward, your pointer finger pointing straight ahead and placed approximately in the center of the pentagram between the right and left upper arms of the pentagram.

STEPS FOR THE LBRP:

1. Face East (Air) and draw an Earth-banishing pentagram in front of you visualizing the lines of this pentagram as being drawn in royal purple color.

2. Charge this pentagram.

3. Turn to your right with your right hand still extended.  While turning visualize a white light being drawn in the air from the first pentagram to the position for the second.

4. Facing South (Fire) draw a similar pentagram with royal purple lines and charge it as with the first pentagram.

5. Turn to your right with your right hand still extended.  While turning visualize a white light being drawn in the air from the second pentagram to the position for the third.

6.  Facing West (Water) draw a similar pentagram with royal purple lines and charge it as with the first pentagram.

7.  Turn to your right with your right hand still extended.  While turning visualize a white light being drawn in the air from the third pentagram to the position for the fourth.

8.  Facing North (Earth) draw a similar pentagram with royal purple lines and charge it as with the first pentagram.

9.  Turn to your right with your right hand still extended.  While turning visualize a white light being drawn in the air from the fourth pentagram back to the first.

10. Bring your right-hand pointer finger, or wand, to a position pointing to your heart.  Visualize a six-rayed star forming in your heart area.

11.  Reach your right and left hands straight out to your sides as far as they can reach.

12. Say: "Around me flames the pentagrams, within me shines the six-rayed star."

This ends the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram though most magicians perform a Kabalistic Cross before and after the ritual.  Some invoke the Archangels assigned to the four Elements and directions.

The Magical Golden Dawn does not use this ritual though members are free to do so at their own option.  Magical Golden Dawn does not restrict the magical  practices of its members.

NEXT: Lessons