Hello Readers,
Establishing the directions of space:
The celebrant should begin the rite seated in a comfortable position, having regulated breath and mind by any preferred method. The rite should begin in the east, and continue in clockwise, returning to the east.
Opening Salutation to Ganesha:
(Lord Gaanesha or Ganapati is the Elephant God)
OM I bow to Ganesha
I will continue remaining in the next post......................
Ceremonial magic or ritual magic, also referred to as high magic and as learned magic in some cases, 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.
As I always compare both east and western tradition. Today I am going to write about the very first step of starting any ritual - The opening of watch tower. In western tradition(Golden Dawn), the celebrant usually call angels by chanting corresponding divine names and forming seals and lighting candles in each direction. So the celebrant can start his ritual inside the protective space or circle.
In Hinduism, The Priest or The magician also do the same thing before starting any long complex rituals. It is not like the one that has been used in Golden Dawn or in any other western tradition but purpose is same.
Let see the one type of establishing the directions of space using the names of Lord Shiva,
This basic opening rite establishes aspects of Shiva in each of the four cardinal points, the upper world, and the nether world, and proceeds to awaken the indwelling divinity by means of Nyasa and meditation. It can be used as a daily rite, as a preliminary to further magickal work and this basic format can be developed much further --one example being that it could be used to open pooja (Rite) on any of the aspects of Shiva.
Establishing the directions of space:
The celebrant should begin the rite seated in a comfortable position, having regulated breath and mind by any preferred method. The rite should begin in the east, and continue in clockwise, returning to the east.
Opening Salutation to Ganesha:
(Lord Gaanesha or Ganapati is the Elephant God)
OM I bow to Ganesha
OM Ganapati Namah
East:
East:
East is the direction of beauty and the sun. Here the divine name BHAVA is used by the celebrant -Bhava means existence he is the origin of all things. Celebrant start to chant a mantra related to Bhava I am going to skip the mantra and going to write only the meaning here.
Mantra:
"I bow to Shiva as Bhava, Existence. He is the nature of the life of the seven worlds. He is the one protector of the seven worlds. His consort is called Uma, the peace of the night by sages."
South:
South is the direction of sharva (the archer)- The direction of death and the ancestors. He rules the infernal regions, and is lord of the ghosts.
Mantra:
"I bow to Shiva as Sharva, the archer, the support of all life. The nourisher who brings food. His arrows are the five senses. Aum is the bow. Atman is the arrow. Brahman is the target. Carefully should it be pierced."
West:
West is the direction of Pashupati (Lord of animals). God of forests. He rules the powers of night and magic.
Mantra:
"I bow to Shiva as Pashupati, the Lord of animals, God of the forests, the Herdsman, The giver of life. To the yogi, he grants freedom from that -Which - binds."
North:
North is the direction ruled by Ugra(the terrible), the direction of the Moon, where the intoxicating cup of soma is to be found. He is the god of wine.
Mantra:
"I bow to Shiva as Ugra, the terrible, the devourer of offerings, the self of the sacrificer, the great and fearful god known to the wise. He is Lord of intoxication; the one who enjoys eat and wine."
After returning to the east the celebrant should look at the ground and sky to perform the following salutation.
Nether world:
Below -Rudra( Lord of Tears)-ruler of the nether regions, home of titans and demons.
Mantra:
"I bow to Shiva as Rudra, the lord of tears, the pervader; the life breath, the fire of destruction. To sages, he is a great fear, the upraised thunderbolt, the howler. He is all that burns. He who sweeps away all beings."
Celestial world:
Above-Ishvana-The supreme sovereign, ruler of the gods and the heavens.
Mantra:
"I bow to Shiva as Ishvana, the ruler who has the five face. And he shows the gestures of removing fear and granting boons."
I will continue remaining in the next post......................
