Tools and Weapons
Consecration;
Is the active dedication of a thing to a single purpose. Banishing prevents it's use for any other purpose, but it remains inert until consecrated.
Purification is performed by water and banishing by air,(sword or dagger). Consecration by fire,(holy oil or wand). The method of consecration os simple, take a wand or oil and draw upon the object to be consecrated.
Dedicate it, confirm this in words invoking the appropriate God to indwell that pure temple which you have prepared for said God. Do this with love and fervor as if to balance the icy detachment which is used in banishing.(mental attitude). Purify;"AL I,44. For pure will, unassuaged of purpose, delivered from the lust of result, is every way perfect." To consecrate; "AL II,62. I am uplifted in thine heart; and the kisses of the stars rain hard upon thy body.".
Notes-; Desire and lust are distractions,(lust of result).
Always use magical link. Act as a third party to keep pressure,can be reused later (i.e. wand,cup,dagger,etc)
warp in appropriate silk or cotton(silk is best) color;red/wand-fire, blue/cup-water etc.pervents banishment.
Let no one handle your work/weapons.
The Temple;
The temple represents the external universe, the magician must take it as he finds it.
A room set aside and used only for magical work is always best, but not always practicable,a nice room square with white walls is best. *remember it is the goal to become your own temple, and to create and use your temple on the astral plane. A magician can always use what is handy. Don't get hung up in the mind set of " must have it perfect", cause there's no such thing. As Crowley say's "The Magician must Take it as he finds it."
Magick, Book 4,pg 49.
The Circle;
The Circle announces the nature of the Great work. The place of your working declares the type and nature of the object of the work. It must not be cramped or restrictive of movement, nor should it be too big, causing one to have to move long distance's to complete a work. Don't leave it while working ! Reason for a circle; affirms your identity with the infinite, the balance of the work on all points, and limitation implied by devotion to the Great work. The magician Always has his own personal circle which he never leaves,call it your " personal space" or what not, the more work you do, the more you become a where of it ,the more you can build upon it as your will dictates.
The Altar;
Represents the solid basis of the work, the fixed will of the magician; and the law under which he works.
The Altar represents the extension of will, will is the dyad- 2x2=4. So the altar is four square and also it show's ten square-four; 10=1+2+3+4. With in everything is kept, except the lamp. Also connected with the Ark of the covenant. With in the altar every thing is kept. ( Tools/weapons).The Top should have some symbol of the Universe as the Magician see's it. Elemental symbols may be painted upon the side's.
Note; anything really works, I've used a coffee table,a tray,a sea chest,even a couple of milk crates.
The Dagger, and Sword;
Dagger is a Air elemental weapon as is the Sword, paint an Aleph on the hilt, in yellow.
The Sword is the Magician's Intellect, and therefore must be razor sharp. However oftentimes a Dagger work's just as well.
The Holy Oil;
The Oil is the Aspiration of the Magician. Crowley say's it should be mixed from Olive oil, which is the basis of all Oils, and Cinnamon oil, Myrrh oil, and Galangal oil.
The Wand;
The Wand is a Fire weapon, and the Symbol of the Magician's Will. There are many designs for Wands, such as a Elemental wand, which has all four colors of the Elements, toped by White for Spirit. Or the Lotus Wand.
Even a plain wand, with a crystal bound to the Top. Wisdom is the key word for the Wand.
The Cup;
The Cup is a Water Elemental weapon. Even as the Magician is a Cup for the Divine Will. Understanding is the key word for the Cup. Heavenly food for the Magician. any Nice cup will do. it should NOT look like a coffee cup, unless the Magician is "roughing it".
The Pentacle;
The Pentacle is Earth, and the Magician's Earthly link. It should be Made of Pure Wax, inscribed with Earthly symbols, { Crowley}. Or a wooden disk painted with earth colors, and symbols of earth upon it.
The Lamp;
The Lamp is the Light of a Pure Soul {Crowley}. Oil or a candle in a container that hangs over the altar, is the best. but as always use what's handy.
The Robe, and Headdress, and Lamen.
The Magician should have at least two Robe's, one black for outer work, and a white one for inner work.
Robes can be made also for the work involved, such as a Earth operation, where a brown robe would be proper.
The Headdress should be a nemesis, such as the egyptian wore, or a crown. Let your Will guide you.
The Lamen is the symbol of the work your engaged in. a Rose cross is a good example of a Lamen, for working Tiphareth. The Robe conceals and protects the Magician from the elements.
Bell and Book;
A book of your Rituals, discoveries, and outcome, is a must. The Book is not the diary of the Magician, that is separate from his Magickal Book of Rituals. The Bell is used during Rituals to mark stages, and breaks. It summons and alarms. It marks the high points during the Ritual.
Helpful Books.
Magick By Aleister Crowley
The Tree of Life,-
Ceremonal Magick,-
The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magick by Israel Regardie
The Secret Temple by Robert Wang
and the book that started it all;
The Practice of Ritual Magic By Gareth Knight
