Misplaced Pages

#556443

99-538: The athame stands as one of the four elemental tools in modern occultism, traditionally standing for fire, for witches, and air, for ceremonial magicians . It is mentioned in the writings of Gerald Gardner in the 1950s, who claimed to have been initiated into a surviving tradition of Witchcraft , the New Forest Coven . The athame was their most important ritual tool, with many uses, but was not to be used for actual physical cutting. The other three elemental tools are

198-551: A " Cake of Light " (a type of bread that serves as the host) to Ra (i.e. the Sun) and infusing a second Cake with the adept's own blood (either real or symbolic, in a gesture reflecting the myth of the Pelican cutting its own breast to feed its young) and then consuming it with the words, "There is no grace: there is no guilt: This is the Law: Do what thou wilt!" The other ritual, The Gnostic Mass,

297-415: A " boline " is used. The boline is often confused or mislabeled the "white-handled knife", a completely different magical blade. In fact, a boline was more similar to a sickle than a knife and thus would have made chopping herbs very difficult (the boline was, however, handy for harvesting herbs). In the "kitchen witchcraft" tradition, witches are encouraged to use magical tools for mundane purposes to increase

396-401: A book, such as Liber Legis or the I Ching ), Thoth Tarot (a deck of 78 cards, each with symbolic meaning, usually laid out in a meaningful pattern), and geomancy (a method of making random marks on paper or in earth that results in a combination of sixteen patterns). It is an accepted truism within magic that divination is imperfect. As Crowley writes, "In estimating the ultimate value of

495-543: A chalice during the service as a sign of his ministry. In the West the deacon carries the chalice to the altar at the offertory ; in the East, the priest carries the chalice and the deacon carries the paten ( diskos ). Only wine, water and a portion of the Host are permitted to be placed in the chalice, and it may not be used for any profane purpose. The chalice is considered to be one of

594-614: A cross. In Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholicism, all communicants receive both the Body of Christ and the Blood of Christ . To accomplish this, a portion of the Lamb ( host ) is placed in the chalice, and then the faithful receive Communion on a spoon . For this reason, eastern chalices tend to have larger, rounded cups. In the Russian Orthodox Church , the faithful will often kiss the "foot" (base) of

693-558: A divinatory judgment, one must allow for more than the numerous sources of error inherent in the process itself. The judgment can do no more than the facts presented to it warrant. It is naturally impossible in most cases to make sure that some important factor has not been omitted [...] One must not assume that the oracle is omniscient." The term originates in 16th-century Renaissance magic , referring to practices described in various Medieval and Renaissance grimoires and in collections such as that of Johannes Hartlieb . Georg Pictor uses

792-470: A double-edged blade since this carries symbolic meaning. Some witches will choose a single edge athame and use the straight edge to ring the bell for rituals. The handle of the athame is usually black, and is required in most covens which practice some variant of British tradition Wicca, including Gardnerian and Alexandrian . The handle may be inscribed with particular symbols dictated by the tradition. Janet and Stewart Farrar in A Witches' Bible suggest that

891-655: A flame inside a chalice. A flaming chalice is the most widely used symbol of Unitarianism and Unitarian Universalism (UU), and the official logo of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and other Unitarian and UU churches and societies. The design was originated by the artist Hans Deutsch, who took his inspiration from the chalices of oil burned on ancient Greek and Roman altars . It became an underground symbol in occupied Europe during World War II for assistance to help Unitarians, Jews, and other people escape Nazi persecution. The chalice

990-444: A knop, pommel or node where the stem meets the cup to make the elevation easier. In Roman Catholicism, chalices of recent centuries tend to have quite narrow cups. Roman Catholic priests will often receive chalices from members of their families when first ordained . In Eastern Christianity (Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches), chalices will often have icons enameled or engraved on them, as well as

1089-470: A large bowl and two vertical handles, reflecting classical cup shapes such as the kantharos and skyphos . Over time, the size of the bowl diminished and the base became larger for better stability. Eventually, official church regulations dictated the construction, blessing, and treatment of chalices. Some religious traditions still require that the chalice, at least on the inside of the cup, be gold-plated. In Western Christianity , chalices will often have

SECTION 10

#1732854617557

1188-541: A microcosm. You in voke a God into the Circle. You e voke a Spirit into the Triangle. Generally, evocation is used for two main purposes: to gather information and to obtain the services or obedience of a spirit or demon. Crowley believed that the most effective form of evocation was found in the grimoire on Goetia (see below), which instructs the magician in how to safely summon forth and command 72 infernal spirits. However, it

1287-445: A newly acquired athame, be it new from its maker, or acquired after ritually used by some other person. The term athame derives, via a series of corruptions, from the late Latin artavus ("quill knife"), which is well attested in the oldest manuscripts of the Key of Solomon . It means "a small knife used for sharpening the pens of scribes" ( "Cultellus acuendis calamis scriptorii" ). Artavus

1386-523: Is a drinking cup raised on a stem with a foot or base. The word is now used almost exclusively for the cups used in Christian liturgy as part of a service of the Eucharist , such as a Catholic mass . These are normally made of metal, but neither the shape nor the material is a requirement. Most have no handles, and in recent centuries the cup at the top has usually been a simple flared shape. Historically,

1485-459: Is a tool used to categorize and organize various mystical concepts. At its most simple level, it is composed of ten spheres, or emanations, called sephiroth (sing. "sephira") which are connected by twenty two paths. The sephiroth are represented by the planets and the paths by the characters of the Hebrew alphabet , which are subdivided by the four classical elements , the seven classical planets, and

1584-459: Is a very popular public ritual (although it can be practiced privately) that involves a team of participants, including a Priest and Priestess. This ritual is an enactment of the mystical journey that culminates with the Mystic Marriage and the consumption of a Cake of Light and a goblet of wine (a process termed "communication"). Afterwards, each Communicant declares, "There is no part of me that

1683-491: Is a word that is believed to have specific supernatural effects. They are words whose meaning illustrates principles and degrees of understanding that are often difficult to relay using other forms of speech or writing. It is a concise means to communicate very abstract information through the medium of a word or phrase. These words often have no intrinsic meaning in and of themselves. However, when deconstructed, each individual letter may refer to some universal concept found in

1782-427: Is absolutely necessary that all experiments should be recorded in detail during, or immediately after, their performance ... The more scientific the record is, the better. Yet the emotions should be noted, as being some of the conditions. Let then the record be written with sincerity and care; thus with practice it will be found more and more to approximate to the ideal." Other items he suggests for inclusion include

1881-557: Is also called a goblet (from Old French gobellet , diminutive of gobel 'cup'), normally in secular contexts. This remains current as a term for wineglasses and other stemware , most of which have a goblet shape, with Paris goblet as a trade term for basic rounded wineglasses. The modern French term gobelet has developed differently, and is used for different shapes such as the Gobelet André Falquet and Roman Lyon Cup , both stemless. The ancient Roman calix

1980-484: Is always impure. But this process, being long and wearisome, is not altogether advisable in actual working. It is usually sufficient to perform a general banishing, and to rely upon the aid of the guardians invoked. [...] "The Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram" is the best to use. He further states: Those who regard this ritual as a mere devise to invoke or banish spirits, are unworthy to possess it. Properly understood, it

2079-573: Is an Early Modern English spelling for magic , used in works such as the 1651 translation of Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa 's De Occulta Philosophia , Three Books of Occult Philosophy, or Of Magick . Aleister Crowley chose the spelling to differentiate his practices and rituals from stage magic (which may be more appropriately termed "illusion") and the term has since been re-popularised by those who have adopted elements of his teachings. Crowley defined Magick as "the science and art of causing change to occur in conformity with will." The Tree of Life

SECTION 20

#1732854617557

2178-513: Is an archaic spelling of 'magic' used during the Renaissance , which was revived by Aleister Crowley to differentiate occult magic from stage magic . He defined it as "the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will", including ordinary acts of will as well as ritual magic. Crowley wrote that "it is theoretically possible to cause in any object any change of which that object

2277-540: Is by no means that which he in his normal state of consciousness calls I. Just as the poet, the lover, the artist, is carried out of himself in a creative frenzy, so must it be for the Magician. Crowley ( Magick, Book 4 ) discusses three main categories of invocation, although "in the great essentials these three methods are one. In each case the magician identifies himself with the Deity invoked." Another invocatory technique that

2376-401: Is capable by nature". John Symonds and Kenneth Grant attach a deeper occult significance to this preference. Crowley saw magic as the essential method for a person to reach true understanding of the self and to act according to one's true will , which he saw as the reconciliation "between freewill and destiny." Crowley describes this process in his Magick, Book 4 . The term magick

2475-409: Is commonly used. This was a basic aspect of magical training for Crowley, who described it in "Liber O." According to that text, vibration involves a physical set of steps, starting in a standing position, breathing in through the nose while imagining the name of the god entering with the breath, imagining that breath travelling through the entire body, stepping forward with the left foot while throwing

2574-488: Is controversial, however: It appears in his book The Sufis as a quotation from A History of Secret Societies by Daraul – a probable pseudonym of Shah. Graves (an acquaintance of Shah) suggests an Arabic derivation from al thame (or adh-dhame ), which he translates as "the arrow". A Latin manuscript version of the Key of Solomon has a drawing that looks like a sickle , labeled artavo . Gerald Gardner's use of 'athame' probably came from modern French versions of

2673-620: Is equally possible to evoke angelic beings, gods, and other intelligences related to planets, elements, and the Zodiac. Unlike with invocation, which involves a calling in, evocation involves a calling forth, most commonly into what is called the "triangle of art." The word eucharist originally comes from the Greek word for thanksgiving. However, within magic, it takes on a special meaning—the transmutation of ordinary things (usually food and drink) into divine sacraments, which are then consumed. The object

2772-530: Is found to be bad. The idea was referred to by Benedict of Nursia in one of his exorcisms , found on the Saint Benedict Medal : Vade retro Satana! Nunquam suade mihi vana! Sunt mala quae libas. Ipse venena bibas! ('Begone Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities! What you offer me is evil. Drink the poison yourself!'). William Shakespeare uses the expression in Act I Scene VII of Macbeth . It occurs in

2871-465: Is generally purified and consecrated to the gods before being used for ritual and magical purposes. There are various ways of accomplishing ritual purification and consecration, depending on the specific tradition of Wicca being followed, and also whether the individual Wiccan is practicing with a coven or as a solitary witch. One common way to do this is by using the four magical elements of fire (candle), air (incense), water, and salt; and perhaps anointing

2970-434: Is given by de Garlande, ( c.  1225 ): (As distinguished either from a weapon, or from a table knife cultellos ad mensam , mensaculos .) Idries Shah , who was personal secretary and close friend of Gerald Gardner , provides yet another etymology from an alleged Arabic al-dhammé ("blood-letter"), which was supposed to be the ritual knife of a medieval magical cult of Morocco and Andalusia . This etymology

3069-470: Is more interested in predicting future events. Rather, divination tends to be more about discovering information about the nature and condition of things that can help the magician gain insight and to make better decisions. There are literally hundreds of different divinatory techniques in the world. However, Western occult practice mostly includes the use of astrology (calculating the influence of heavenly bodies), bibliomancy (reading random passages from

Athame - Misplaced Pages Continue

3168-447: Is most common amongst traditions that have a particular fondness of the Sidhe , to whom iron is supposedly baneful. Some Wiccan traditions associate the black-handled athame with the masculine principle and with the element of fire , as did Gardner ; while the wand is associated with air . Other traditions may reverse these elemental associations, and use the athame to represent air and

3267-435: Is not of the gods!" The art of divination is generally employed for the purpose of obtaining information that can guide the adept in his Great Work . The underlying theory states that there exists intelligences (either outside of or inside the mind of the diviner) that can offer accurate information within certain limits using a language of symbols. Normally, divination within magic is not the same as fortune telling , which

3366-475: Is not unusual, especially in ecclesiastical heraldry . A number of cities and regions also make use of the chalice. For instance, the coat of arms of the municipality of Fanas in the district of Prättigau/Davos in the Swiss canton of Graubünden bears a gold chalice on a solid blue background. The coat of arms of Staufen im Breisgau contains the three golden chalices (i.e. drei staufen in ancient German) of

3465-501: Is often shown surrounded by two linked rings. The two linked rings were used as an early symbol for the Unitarian Universalist Association, signifying the joining of Unitarianism and Universalism. There is no standardized interpretation of the flaming chalice symbol. In one interpretation, the chalice is a symbol of religious freedom from the impositions of doctrine by a hierarchy and openness to participation by all;

3564-525: Is originally European—and many Europeans throughout history, particularly ceremonial magicians and cunning folk , have used grimoires—the historian Owen Davies noted that similar books can be found all around the world, ranging from Jamaica to Sumatra . He also noted that in this sense, the world's first grimoires were created in Europe and the Ancient Near East . A magical formula or 'word of power'

3663-549: Is the French word for chalice) can be an alternate form of cursing. Somewhat equivalent to the American word "goddam" or the phrase "God damn it", the use of "câlice" or "tabarnak" (a variation of tabernacle) as an interjection is not uncommon in Quebec. For example: "Câlice! I forgot to lock the front door" or muttering "tabarnak" under one's breath after they get a flat tire. This is presumably

3762-656: Is the Medicine of Metals and the Stone of the Wise. Purification is similar in theme to banishing, but is a more rigorous process of preparing the self and her temple for serious spiritual work. Crowley mentions that ancient magicians would purify themselves through arduous programs, such as through special diets, fasting, sexual abstinence, keeping the body meticulously tidy, and undergoing a complicated series of prayers . He goes on to say that purification no longer requires such activity, since

3861-400: Is the wearing of a crown, robe, and lamen . The crown affirms his divinity, the robe symbolizes silence, and the lamen declare his work. The book of conjurations is his magical record, his karma . In the East is the magic fire in which all burns up at last. According to Crowley, there is a single definition of the purpose for ritual magic: to achieve Union with God through "the uniting of

3960-476: Is to infuse the food and drink with certain properties, usually embodied by various deities, so that the adept takes in those properties upon consumption. Crowley describes the process of the regular practice of eucharistic ritual: The magician becomes filled with God, fed upon God, intoxicated with God. Little by little his body will become purified by the internal lustration of God; day by day his mortal frame, shedding its earthly elements, will become in very truth

4059-452: Is well-attested in medieval Latin, although it is not a common word. This explains why it was left untranslated in some French and Italian manuscripts, and ultimately became garbled in various manuscripts as artavo , artavus , arthana , artanus , arthany , or arthame . Latham described the etymology of artavus as being dubious, but Johannes Balbus de Janua derives it from arto , artas , etc. ("to narrow"). An alternate etymology

Athame - Misplaced Pages Continue

4158-652: The Catholic Encyclopedia 1908 concluded that "No reliable tradition has been preserved to us regarding the vessel used by Christ at the Last Supper. In the sixth and seventh centuries pilgrims to Jerusalem were led to believe that the actual chalice was still venerated in the church of the Holy Sepulchre, having within it the sponge which was presented to Our Saviour on Calvary." Several surviving standing cups of precious materials are identified in local traditions as

4257-534: The augoeides , a Greek term for the body of light, and connected it with 'the Knowledge & Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel ' associated with each human being. He stressed that the body of light must be built up though the use of imagination, and that it must then be animated, exercised, and disciplined. According to Asprem (2017): The practice of creating a "body of light” in imagination builds on

4356-464: The Bible ) have been believed to have supernatural properties intrinsically. The only contents found in a grimoire would be information on spells, rituals, the preparation of magical tools, and lists of ingredients and their magical correspondences . In this manner, while all books on magic could be thought of as grimoires, not all magical books should be thought of as grimoires. While the term grimoire

4455-457: The Key of Solomon , probably via de Givry (1931), who misinterpreted the term as applying to the main ritual knife, as shown by his index entries arthane , arthame , and athane . Ceremonial magic Ceremonial magic (also known as magick , ritual magic , high magic or learned magic ) encompasses a wide variety of rituals of magic . The works included are characterized by ceremony and numerous requisite accessories to aid

4554-551: The Lords of Staufen  [ de ] , advocates of the monastery of St. Trudpert . A golden chalice (or in some instances three or five) on blue background has been used as coat of arms for the Kingdom of Galicia since at least the late Middle Ages, and is still central in its renewed heraldry. In French-Canadian culture, particularly in and around Quebec, the use of the names of holy objects such as "câlice" (a variation of calice, which

4653-520: The Russian Orthodox Church , a subdeacon is permitted to touch the holy vessels, but only if they are wrapped in cloth. In Christian tradition , the Holy Chalice is the vessel which Jesus used at the Last Supper to serve the wine. New Testament texts make no mention of the cup except within the context of the Last Supper and give no significance whatsoever to the object itself. Herbert Thurston in

4752-630: The chalice , as feminine principle, evoking the act of procreation, as a symbol of universal creativity. The athame represents the magical element of fire, associated with the Sun and the Horned God ; while the chalice represents the magical element of water, associated with the Moon and the Goddess . The union of the two then represents the union of God and Goddess, male and female, sun and moon, fire and water. The marriage of

4851-538: The classical elements (air, earth, fire, and water), the planets, the signs of the Zodiac , and adjacent spaces in the astral world. There are many banishing rituals, but most are some variation on two of the most common—"The Star Ruby" and the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram . Crowley describes banishing in his Magick, Book 4 (ch.13): [...] in the banishing ritual of the pentagram we not only command

4950-528: The early Church . Because of Jesus ' command to his disciples to "Do this in remembrance of me." ( Luke 22:19 ), and Paul 's account of the Eucharistic rite in 1 Corinthians 11:24–25 , the celebration of the Eucharist became central to Christian liturgy . Naturally, the vessels used in this important act of worship were highly decorated and treated with great respect. A number of early examples of chalices have

5049-678: The Chalice. An entirely different and pervasive tradition concerns the cup of the Last Supper . In this highly muddled though better-known version, the vessel is known as the Holy Grail . In this legend, Jesus used the cup at the Last Supper to institute the Mass . Other stories claim that Joseph of Arimathea used the cup to collect and store the blood of Christ at the Crucifixion. At the opening of Unitarian Universalist worship services, many congregations light

SECTION 50

#1732854617557

5148-576: The Microcosm with the Macrocosm." Since this process is so arduous, it is also acceptable to use magic to develop the self (i.e. one's body of light ) or to create ideal circumstances for the Work (e.g. having access to a place in which to do ritual undisturbed). There are many kinds of magic, but the categories of ritual that are recommended by Crowley include: In magical rituals, a vocal technique called vibration

5247-656: The Sun and Moon—the union of opposites—is an ancient idea in alchemy; and the hieros gamos or sacred marriage of god and goddess is an even more ancient idea in pagan religions. (For example, in ancient Greece—from whence the term "hieros gamos" comes.) This rite is done by dipping the athame into the chalice to bless the wine. This is a symbol of the Great Rite in Wiccan rituals. Some modern witchcraft traditions may prefer not to use iron blades, instead preferring alternatives such as copper , bronze , or stone such as obsidian. This

5346-553: The Temple of the Holy Ghost. Day by day matter is replaced by Spirit, the human by the divine; ultimately the change will be complete; God manifest in flesh will be his name. There are several eucharistic rituals within the magical canon. Two of the most well known are The Mass of the Phoenix and The Gnostic Mass . The first is a ritual designed for the individual, which involves sacrificing

5445-480: The Universe, and not from himself." The purpose of banishing rituals is to eliminate forces that might interfere with a magical operation, and they are often performed at the beginning of an important event or ceremony (although they can be performed for their own sake as well). The area of effect can be a magic circle or a room. The general theory of magic proposes that there are various forces which are represented by

5544-480: The alchemical element of air, to colour the athame, and it is then inscribed with specific sigils. This is to invoke the powers it corresponds to, and make a proper impression upon the subconscious. The athame's primary use is to channel and direct psychic energy, generally conceived as etheric fire. They are usually not supposed to harm or draw blood. Some modern day magical practitioners believe that if things such as herbs or cords need to be cut, another knife called

5643-471: The appropriate forces. Let it be well remembered that each object is bound by the Oaths of its original consecration as such. Thus, if a pantacle has been made sacred to Venus, it cannot be used in an operation of Mars. Invocation is the bringing in or identifying with a particular deity or spirit. Crowley wrote of two keys to success in this arena: to "inflame thyself in praying" and to "invoke often". For Crowley,

5742-477: The automatic background of all your thinking. You must keep on hanging everything that comes your way upon its proper bough. Similar to yoga, learning the Tree of Life is not so much magic as it is a way to map out one's spiritual universe. As such, the adept may use the Tree to determine a destination for astral travel, to choose which gods to invoke for what purposes, et cetera. It also plays an important role in modeling

5841-504: The blade with an oil infused with magical herbs. Touching another person's athame without permission is considered a ritual faux pas in almost all traditions of Wicca: It is an intrusion of the owner's personal space; and more importantly, it is an act that violates the magical bond between the athame and its owner. Some witches will go to great lengths to ritually purify, reconsecrate, and rededicate an athame after it has been touched by another person. There are rituals of consecration for

5940-536: The body forward with arms outstretched, visualizing the name rushing out when spoken, ending in an upright stance, with the right forefinger placed upon the lips. According to Crowley in "Liber O", success in this technique is signaled by physical exhaustion and "though only by the student himself is it perceived, when he hears the name of the God vehemently roared forth, as if by the concourse of ten thousand thunders; and it should appear to him as if that Great Voice proceeded from

6039-449: The body-image system, potentially working with alterations across all of its three modalities (perceptual, conceptual, and affective): an idealized body is produced (body-image model), new conceptual structures are attached to it (e.g., the doctrine of multiple, separable bodies), while emotional attachments of awe, dignity, and fear responses are cultivated through the performance of astral rituals and protections from "astral dangers" through

SECTION 60

#1732854617557

6138-473: The chalice after receiving Holy Communion. In other traditions, they will kiss the cup. Although Orthodox monks are not permitted to hold personal possessions, the canons permit a hieromonk (i.e., a monk who has been ordained to the priesthood) to keep a chalice and other vessels necessary to celebrate the Divine Liturgy . In the early and medieval church, when a deacon was ordained, he would be handed

6237-456: The circle casting as cutting a line in the air with the tool of air, then they may choose to purify the circle with the remaining three elements of fire, water, and earth; this would involve using a candle to purify the circle, and omitting the incense, since the circle has already been imbued with the element of air. The athame is the most important ritual tool in Wicca, and like other ritual tools it

6336-560: The demons to depart, but invoke the Archangels and their hosts to act as guardians of the Circle during our pre-occupation with the ceremony proper. In more elaborate ceremonies it is usual to banish everything by name. Each element, each planet, and each sign, perhaps even the Sephiroth themselves; all are removed, including the very one which we wished to invoke, for that forces as existing in Nature

6435-473: The edges have been dulled. In most traditional covens, the athame is associated with the magical element of fire, so the circle is considered to be cast in etheric fire. This fire is traditionally envisioned as blue, indigo or violet; although it may equally well be envisioned as other colors. When the circle is ritually purified after being cast, that is traditionally done with the remaining three elements—air (incense), water (salt-water), and earth (salt) – because

6534-413: The element of fire has already been imbued into the circle during the casting, by the use of the athame. After the casting, the athame is the tool traditionally used to invoke the elemental guardians of the four directions (also termed "calling the quarters"), typically by drawing invoking pentagrams at each quarter. As a masculine principle, the black-handled athame is often used in combination with

6633-515: The flame is interpreted as a memorial to those throughout history who sacrificed their lives for the cause of religious liberty. In another interpretation, the flaming chalice resembles a cross, symbolic of the Christian roots of Unitarian Universalism. In Wicca , a chalice, as a feminine principle, is often used in combination with the Athame (ceremonial black-handled knife), as male principle. Combining

6732-407: The genitalia of the goddess or female deity. Rastafaris sometimes smoke ganja in a chalice (waterpipe or bong ) during an activity called reasoning intended to put participants in touch with peaceful feelings, unity, and "consciousness." The term "poisoned chalice" is applied to a thing or situation which appears to be good when it is received or experienced by someone, but then becomes or

6831-417: The magician can employ is called the assumption of godforms — where with "concentrated imagination of oneself in the symbolic shape of any God, one should be able to identify oneself with the idea which [the god] represents." A general method involves positioning the body in a position that is typical for a given god, imagining that the image of the god is coinciding with or enveloping the body, accompanied by

6930-464: The magician can purify the self via willed intention. Specifically, the magician labors to purify the mind and body of all influences which may interfere with the Great Work: The point is to seize every occasion of bringing every available force to bear upon the objective of the assault. It does not matter what the force is (by any standard of judgment) so long as it plays its proper part in securing

7029-444: The magician, they may then utilize the formula to maximum effect. A magical record is a journal or other source of documentation containing magical events, experiences, ideas, and any other information that the magician may see fit to add. There can be many purposes for such a record, such as recording evidence to verify the effectiveness of specific procedures (per the scientific method that Aleister Crowley claimed should be applied to

7128-545: The modern occult tradition and new age spirituality; and they appear in tarot decks as the four card suits: swords, cups, wands, and pentacles. The athame is an elemental tool, while the sword is often a tool representing power, used to keep spirits in check during goetic evocation. Wiccans sometimes use the sword as a substitute for the athame. An athame can take many forms. Contrary to popular belief, athames are not required to have double-edged blades or specially-coloured handles. Contemporary magical practitioners often choose

7227-576: The most sacred vessels in Christian liturgical worship, and it is often blessed before use. In the Roman Catholic Church and some Anglo-Catholic churches, it was the custom for a chalice to be consecrated by being anointed with chrism , and this consecration could only be performed by a bishop or abbot (only for use within his own monastery ). Among the Eastern Churches, there are varying practices regarding blessing. In some traditions,

7326-406: The opening soliloquy of the scene when Macbeth is considering the ramifications of the murder he is plotting. But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor: this even-handed justice Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice To our own lips. [1.7.7-12] The use of chalices as heraldic devices

7425-497: The physical and mental condition of the experimenter, the time and place, and environmental conditions, including the weather. The practice of ceremonial magic often requires tools made or consecrated specifically for this use, called magical weapons, which are required for a particular ritual or series of rituals. They may be a symbolic representation of psychological elements of the magician or of metaphysical concepts. In Magick (Book 4) , Part II (Magick) , Aleister Crowley lists

7524-425: The point of an athame be dulled so as to prevent un-intended physical harm during ritual use. In eclectic forms of Witchcraft the handle decorations range from astrological glyphs to runes , the symbols being chosen by the owner. Many fantasy-themed athames are also available from medieval and neopagan supply shops. Ceremonial witches, on the other hand, use the symbolic colours purple and yellow, representing

7623-406: The practice of "vibration" of the appropriate god-name(s). There is a distinct difference between invocation and evocation, as Crowley explains: To "invoke" is to "call in", just as to "evoke" is to "call forth". This is the essential difference between the two branches of Magick. In invocation, the macrocosm floods the consciousness. In evocation, the magician, having become the macrocosm, creates

7722-461: The practice of magic) or to ensure that data may propagate beyond the lifetime of the magician. Benefits of this process vary, but usually include future analysis and further education by the individual and/or associates with whom the magician feels comfortable in revealing such intrinsically private information. Crowley was highly insistent upon the importance of this practice. As he writes in Liber E, "It

7821-513: The practitioner. It can be seen as an extension of ritual magic, and in most cases synonymous with it. Popularized by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn , it draws on such schools of philosophical and occult thought as Hermetic Qabalah , Enochian magic , Thelema , and the magic of various grimoires . Ceremonial magic is part of Hermeticism and Western esotericism . The synonym magick

7920-421: The same operation. It is the assumption of the frame of mind suitable to that one thought." Consecration is an equally important magical operation. It is essentially the dedication, usually of a ritual instrument or space, to a specific purpose. In Magick, Book 4 (ch.13), Crowley writes: The ritual here in question should summarize the situation, and devote the particular arrangement to its purpose by invoking

8019-452: The same shape was used for elite secular vessels, and many individual examples have served both secular and liturgical uses over their history, for example the Lacock Cup and Royal Gold Cup , both late medieval cups. Cups owned by churches were much more likely to survive, as secular drinkware in precious metal was usually melted down when it fell out of fashion. The same general cup shape

8118-423: The same symbolic significance of the conjunctio oppositorum (union of opposites) that the union of fire and water does. Also, covens that regard the athame as air and the wand as fire, may choose to cast the ritual circle with the wand or staff, instead of the sword or athame – if they conceive of this casting in the traditional way, as a casting of etheric fire via a projection of psychic energy. If they conceive of

8217-518: The simulation of symbols and magical weapons. A grimoire is a textbook of magic , typically including instructions on how to create magical objects like talismans and amulets , how to perform magical spells , charms and divination , and how to summon or invoke supernatural entities such as angels , spirits , deities , and demons . In many cases, the books themselves are believed to be imbued with magical powers, although in many cultures, other sacred texts that are not grimoires (such as

8316-402: The single most important invocation, or any act of magic for that matter, was the invocation of one's Holy Guardian Angel , or "secret self", which allows the adept to know his or her true will . Crowley describes the experience of invocation: The mind must be exalted until it loses consciousness of self. The Magician must be carried forward blindly by a force which, though in him and of him,

8415-797: The spiritual journey, where the adept begins in Malkuth , which is the every-day material world of phenomena, with the ultimate goal being at Kether , the sphere of Unity with the All. The body of light, sometimes called the 'astral body' or the 'subtle body,' is a "quasi material" aspect of the human body, being neither solely physical nor solely spiritual, posited by a number of philosophers, and elaborated on according to various esoteric , occult , and mystical teachings. Other terms used for this body include body of glory, spirit-body, radiant body, luciform body, augoeides ('radiant'), astroeides ('starry' or 'sidereal body'), and celestial body. Crowley referred to

8514-468: The success of the general purpose [...] We must constantly examine ourselves, and assure ourselves that every action is really subservient to the One Purpose Crowley recommended symbolically ritual practices, such as bathing and robing before a main ceremony: "The bath signifies the removal of all things extraneous or antagonistic to the one thought. The putting on of the robe is the positive side of

8613-458: The system in which the formula appears. Additionally, in grouping certain letters together one is able to display meaningful sequences that are considered to be of value to the spiritual system that utilizes them (e.g., spiritual hierarchies, historiographic data, psychological stages, etc.) A formula's potency is understood and made usable by the magician only through prolonged meditation on its levels of meaning. Once these have been interiorized by

8712-562: The term became more or less restricted to cups for liturgical use. In Roman Catholicism , Eastern Orthodox Church , Oriental Orthodoxy , Anglicanism , Lutheranism and some other Christian denominations , a chalice is a standing cup used to hold sacramental wine during the Eucharist (also called the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion). Chalices are often made of precious metal, and they are sometimes richly enamelled and jewelled . Generally they have no handles. Chalices have been used since

8811-471: The term synonymously with goetia . James Sanford in his 1569 translation of Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa 's 1526 De incertitudine et vanitate scientiarum has "The partes of ceremoniall Magicke be Geocie, and Theurgie". For Agrippa, ceremonial magic was in opposition to natural magic . While he had his misgivings about natural magic, which included astrology , alchemy , and also what we would today consider fields of natural science , such as botany , he

8910-514: The tools required as a magic circle drawn on the ground and inscribed with the names of god, an altar, a wand, cup, sword, and pentacle, to represent his true will , his understanding , his reason, and the lower parts of his being respectively. On the altar, too, is a phial of oil to represent his aspiration, and for consecrating items to his intent. The magician is surrounded by a scourge, dagger, and chain intended to keep his intent pure. An oil lamp, book of conjurations and bell are required, as

9009-531: The twelve signs of the Zodiac . Within the western magical tradition, the Tree is used as a kind of conceptual filing cabinet. Each sephira and path is assigned various ideas, such as gods, cards of the Tarot, astrological planets and signs, elements, etc. Crowley considered a deep understanding of the Tree of Life to be essential to the magician: The Tree of Life has got to be learnt by heart; you must know it backwards, forwards, sideways, and upside down; it must become

9108-507: The two evokes the act of procreation, as a symbol of universal creativity. This is a symbol of the Great Rite in Wiccan rituals. A chalice is also used in the Small Rite . Some other forms of Neo-Paganism make use of chalices in their rituals as well. A chalice may be placed on an altar or on the ground. The chalice may contain wine, whiskey , water, or other liquids. It is used to represent

9207-444: The two primordial elements, the combination of which gave rise to the other two elements of earth and air. Fire and water are also the elements most associated with Sun and Moon, and thus the Horned God and the Goddess within Wicca. For this reason, covens that associate the athame with air (and the wand with fire) may decide to use the wand to bless the wine chalice, instead of using the athame. A union of air and water does not carry

9306-484: The very act of celebrating the Sacred Mysteries ( Eucharist ) is the only blessing necessary; in others, there is a special rite of blessing. In some Eastern traditions, this blessing may be done only by a bishop, in some it may be done by a priest. In any case, in both the East and the West, once a chalice has been blessed, it may only be touched by an ordained member of the higher clergy (bishop, priest or deacon). In

9405-528: The wand to represent fire. Farrar & Farrar (1984, 1996) suggested this difference is due to the Golden Dawn releasing false information in the hopes of preventing its rituals being used in the correct way. They add that a witch should always choose the association which seems the most correct to them. Fire and water are considered to be polar opposite elements, classically and in alchemy and traditional magical practice. They are sometimes considered to be

9504-457: The wand, the pentacle (the element of earth), and the cup or chalice (the element of water). These four magical tools correspond to four significant "weapons" or talismans in Celtic myth: The sword, the spear, the shield, and the cauldron (and / or ' grail '). These same four ritual tools also appear in the magical practices of the western hermetic tradition, derived from The Golden Dawn, who pioneered

9603-415: The witch's familiarity with them. The ritual drawing of the boundary of the magic circle – also known as "casting the circle" – is usually done with either a ritual sword or an athame, in traditional coven practice. For open rituals in public places, this is sometimes done with a ritual wand or staff instead, since there may be legal complications involved with swords and daggers in public places, even when

9702-419: Was a cup or drinking vessel, probably rather vaguely defined as to its exact shape. But most consisted of a bowl on a stem over a foot or base; handles were probably optional. The Greek kylix , at least as defined by modern authorities, was a far wider and more shallow bowl on some sort of stem, with two horizontal handles. It is the most common wine cup seen in paintings of symposium drinking parties. Gradually

9801-473: Was nevertheless prepared to accept it as "the highest peak of natural philosophy". Ceremonial magic, on the other hand, which included all sorts of communication with spirits, including necromancy and witchcraft , he denounced in its entirety as impious disobedience towards God. Chalice (cup) A chalice (from Latin calix 'cup', taken from the Ancient Greek κύλιξ ( kylix ) 'cup')

#556443