In almost any book on Magic(k) one of the first things youâre likely to encounter is a Banishing Ritual or at the very least some form of instruction on Magic(k)al or Psychic protection. I whole-heartedly agree that Banishing Rituals and Magickal/Psychic Protection techniques are some of the first practical exercises that one should learn, and learn well, in their study and practice of magic(k). There are several reasons for learning these techniques. Simply stated, Banishing means to send something away. The various techniques that belong to this category of practice can be and are used to clear the mind of distraction, and the general area of unwanted influences, not only before and after ritual work, but also in everyday life . Any ritual or technique used to ground, dissipate, neutralize or otherwise get rid of, or protect the magician from, general or specific unwanted energy, spirits, thought-forms, memories, emotions, etc. can be considered a form of Banishing.
In a lot of Magic(k)al practice, particularly ritual work, it is desirable to work in a "neutral" environment, free of any mundane or psychic influence, positive or negative. Many people are not able to have a great deal of privacy, such as a room which can be used solely for magical work. Itâs common practice for the modern magician to use areas which are used for other day-to-day activities for ritual work, meditation, and various magic(k)al endeavors. For this reason, itâs a good idea to begin and end any formal Magic(k)al work with some form of Banishing that seems appropriate to the work. These are techniques that center the magician within himself and his ritual space, and remove all unwanted energies that may interfere with the ritual. Banishing after magic(k)al work clears the area and helps ground the magician and return him or her to normal consciousness. This can sometimes be in the form of a preliminary Exorcism before or a License to Depart at the end of a working. These same techniques, in my experience, work just as well at removing unwanted energies from physical objects, your own mind, or even other people, such as in the case of an obsession or possession of some sort.
What about using Banishing in the "real" world, though? Have you ever been in an empty room and simply felt "uncomfortable"? Maybe you know someone who seems to have a certain "negativity" about them, or they seem to drain you physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually in some way whenever youâre near them. Weâve all experienced this. It can be extremely helpful to Banish when youâre in places where a large amount of negativity may be lingering, such as at work. Remember that Banishings function to remove unwanted energy, positive or negative, from the area that the magician is in. Also try Banishing such things as bad habits, negative situations, and unproductive emotional responses. Anything that the magician may need to "send away" can be Banished in some way.
Iâm a firm believer in the idea that a banishing should fit the situation. Whenever you plan to use a particular Banishing, ask yourself why it is being used and if itâs really the proper method. Some are and some arenât depending on what youâre intention is. When it comes to Banishing, there are no hard and fast rules. Remember, thereâs no one right way to do it, just the way that works for you. To illustrate the importance of having good knowledge and ability when it comes to Banishing, hereâs a story:
I was involved, for a short time several years ago, with a small group of magicians who were without a doubt....hardcore. I was invited to the home of one of the magicians for a day of marathon magick. I was told ahead of time to work on a quick, effective banishing technique.
We went into the basement. This was my first official meeting with the particular group I was working with. I was told, in a joking manner, "This is your first time at Fight Club, so you have to fight." It was explained that I was going to be involved in alot of ritual work, and that I had to be able to banish quickly, and well.
Iâd always thought of banishing as a way to balance and center, get in the right mind, create a working space, etc. I was not really prepared for what was about to happen. I was told that a demon was going to be evoked into a triangle on the floor in front of me, and my job was to make it go away in a timely manner.
I stood against the wall, breathing deeply and mentally preparing myself, while two guys performed a goetic-like evocation ritual about 3 feet in front of me. When they were done they told me "ok, itâs here." I saw nothing. I focused on the triangle and shouted a short incantation. A large banner flew off the wall on the other side of the room. Everybody kind of laughed, and said "Itâs still here". I repeated my performance, and began hearing A LOT of noise coming from outside....people yelling and stuff. "Thatâs to distract you. Focus. Ignore it." I repeated my Banishing again, and again. After some time I thought to myself "I cant do this". One of the other guys said "Yes you can", as if heâd heard my thoughts. I gave it one more go, from the heart, and they said it was gone.
The point......when your backs up against a wall, you better be able to banish quick and effectively.
I believe a banishing technique is a very personal thing. In my opinion, it is your belief in the banishing technique that empowers it and brings about the desired effect. By saying I think such things are personal I donât mean to say that I think learning other peoples techniques are a bad idea. In fact, I believe one should learn as many techniques of this sort that they can find. People are different, and therefore should experiment and find what works best for them. The point I am trying to make is that each person has their own view as to how and why things are and this should be utilized when creating your own Banishing methods. There is no limit on how many you can use or when to use them.
Essentially, a Banishing will be used for one, or several, of the following purposes:
⢠Grounding and Centering,
⢠Creating a neutral environment,
⢠as a License to Depart or an Exorcism,
⢠or as form of Magic(k)al/Psychic Self-Defense.
Banishing techniques and methods will generally be in the form of:
⢠Artifacts (such as Talismans and fetishes),
⢠simple or complex Ritualized Banishings,
⢠visualizations and/or energy manipulation such as Psionic-style Shielding,
⢠Words of Power in the style of the "Apo Pantos Kakodaimonos" in Crowleyâs Star Ruby
⢠or a combination of these different forms.
Grounding techniques help bring the Magician back to a "normal" state of consciousness. This is often necessary after an intense ritual when one has spent a significant amount of time in an altered state of consciousness. Depending on the intent and nature of the ritual and the emotional/psychological state of the magician there may be some residule energy associated with the ritual. This is normal, but when the ritual is over it is necessary to return to a normal state of mind. If you have just performed, for example, a ritual to get revenge on an enemy, fueled by rage, you want to let that go when youâre done. On a lighter note, sometimes after a ritual you may just feel a bit unbalanced, or maybe somewhat euphoric, which also warrants a good grounding.
In everyday life, there are a multitude of "mundane" ways one can ground. People who are especially sensitive to the problems, emotional baggage, personal dramas or even physical pain of others can benefit greatly by grounding regularly, possibly several times daily. People like this are a form of Psychic Vampire, and grounding is a good way to Banish the draining effect they sometimes have. Grounding is also a good way to overcome stress and anxiety. Nearly everyone experiences these things from time to time for one reason or another, and finding ways to ground ourselves is a great solution to overcoming these feelings. One of the fastest ways to ground is to shock your body slightly. Splashing your face with cold water is probably the most common way to do it.
Focusing on breathing slowly and deeply as opposed to shallowly and rapidly is good, too. Ever heard the phrase "Take a deep breath and count to 10"? To do this, simply become aware of your breathing and slow it down. Breath in counting slowly and evenly to 4. Now hold your breath in for 4, Breath out 4, hold your breath for 4. Make sure you donât close your throat when holding your breath either in or out. Just use your lungs to stop your breath. Focus your attention on the sensation of your breath going in and out. Continue this exercise until you feel calm and grounded.
Paying close attention to things around you can help you reorient yourself.
Stretching and general body movement, such as waving your arms around or going for a walk, seem to be helpful as well.
Most anything that normally calms you down will help you to ground, such as watching TV, playing video games, reading, a relaxing bath or shower (which are easily ritualized through visualization), and even eating. In many religious and magic(k)al traditions a feast will follow ritual work, though the participants may not be aware of this reason, for the grounding effect a meal has. Sometimes you may not really feel like eating, but you should, if possible, have something sweet followed by a small amount of protein. High protein food is harder to digest and therefore redirects the personâs energy into their body. Moreover, high protein food will help adjust brain chemistry in the direction of normal beta wave consciousness.
Laughter might well be the best method, though, as many a seasoned Chaos Magician will attest.
Centering techniques generally focus upon oneâs center of gravity. Theyâre used for the purpose of helping the Magician summon energy and find stability for whatever work theyâre doing. Centering techniques focus the mind and get it ready to work. This type of technique should effectively "Banish" thoughts that arenât in accordance with your current work, whether that work is an Enochian Ritual, a math exam, or a job interview.
I personally use only one method of Centering. Iâve been using it since I was a kid and itâs always served me well. When I was about ten years old my father put me in Martial Arts classes because I was being picked on by neighborhood bullies. This not only led to the bullies not picking on me anymore, but also gave me a lifelong passion for such things as energy work and meditation. My martial arts instructor taught me about keeping one point of consciousness at the Dantian. The Dantian is used as a focal point for internal meditative techniques and refers specifically to the physical center of gravity located in the abdomen three finger widths below and two finger widths behind the navel. He demonstrated how maintaining "one point" was useful, not only in fighting, but in daily life. When he put his consciousness at his Dantian he became immovable. He could lay on beds of nails while grown men broke concrete blocks on his stomach with sledgehammers. Things like this tend to get the attention of a ten year old boy. During our meditations, people would sway and bounce from the energy they were cultivating. The instructor, from time to time, might even walk up and hit or kick them. They didnât lose their focus. I found that by putting my focus on my Dantian I was more balanced, stronger, more energetic, and more graceful.
So hereâs my personal Centering practice. Itâs incredibly simple, but will allow you to bring focus and find balance. This technique can be performed standing, sitting, or lying down. If sitting in a chair youâll want to sit so that with your feet flat on the floor your torso, thighs and shins roughly form the shape of a stair step. In other words, the angle between your spine and thighs is about 90 degrees and the angle between your thighs and lower legs is about 90 degrees in the other direction. It is better that these angles be a little more than 90 degrees rather than less. Your head should rest comfortably on your neck. Your spine should be erect so that your head balances there without much muscle tension keeping it in place. Sit up straight and find that balance point. You may look slightly downward, or simply close your eyes. You may simply rest your hands on your thighs. Your nose and your navel should be in line. Your ears and shoulders should be in line. You may rock a little front to back and to each side to find the balance point.
Now release any remaining muscle tension and concentrate on your breathing. At first, simply let your breathing become very natural. It will find its own pace and you may notice that it slows and deepens. Inhale gently through the nose, hold, and exhale through the mouth, each period lasting for about five seconds. Allow the breath to sink into your abdomen. Imagine that the breath is moving like a wave between your lungs and the point in the center of your abdomen a couple of inches below and behind your navel. Bring your attention fully to that energy center. Allow all of you attention to focus at that point. It may be helpful to imagine a point of white light in your abdomen. Visualize with each breath that the  abdomen fills with energy; feel it warm and tingling. Continue to return your awareness to your Center whenever it drifts away. Focus all of your attention there. Note any sensations you have there and let them go. Releasing your mental constrictions there will allow the energy to move up your spine and throughout your body. You may feel energized, but at the same time you may have a feeling of being in balance. Focus your attention without desire for any particular result. Check your posture and bring it back to balance when you feel it slip.
Creating a Neutral Environment
As was mentioned earlier, a magician will usually have to create a neutral environment prior to ritual work, get rid of residue left lingering after magic(k)al work, and neutralize negativity from people, places, and things in the everyday world. Negative energy in various forms can collect where we live, where we work, and basically anywhere people find themselves. For example, arguments with spouses, children, parents, or friends cause it. A stressful work environment causes it. Iâve even noticed large family functions that seem to be quite happy on the surface sometimes seem to cause it. These are all perfectly normal everyday situations that will happen from time to time, but all produce negative energy that must be Banished.
Before formal magic(k)al work it is a good idea to clean the area physically. Pick up any clutter, vacuum, mop, whatever seems necessary. Also, make sure you will not be interrupted. Disconnect your telephone, close any open curtains and lock the doors if necessary. If you are working at home and have family, tell them you are not to be disturbed for a while. Now you are ready to begin banishing any negativity that might be present. There are several ways of doing this. Hereâs a simple one:
Standing in the area to be Banished, face any preferred direction. Ground and Center. Hold out your projective hand (right if right handed) palm down at waist height and point your fingers at the edge of the area. Visualize energy flowing out from your fingertips as a bright light (colored if you wish) and slowly walk clockwise around the area. Now form it with your visualization into the form of a dome, it should encompass the whole area. Now extend the energy down into the floor, see it forming into a complete sphere of brilliant light as you stand at its center. Feel it dissipating all of the negativity in the area. When the area seems âcleanâ, finish the technique by turning the palm and clenching your fist pulling it back to your body.
Smudging, the burning of certain herbs to create a cleansing smoke bath, is another common method which is used to purify people, ritual space, and ceremonial tools and objects. This technique is traditionally used to Banish negative energies by cleansing, purifying and protecting the magician and the working area, and also bringing physical, spiritual and emotional balance. It is easily performed by burning traditionally purifying incense or herbs such as frankincense, myrrh, sage, thyme or rosemary. The physical act of smudging can be as simple as fumigating the area by walking clockwise around the area and visualizing the smoke dispelling any negative energy.
For formal ritual work, I like to smudge before and after. The first smudging is for the purpose of cleansing the space, myself and any participants and for banishing any unwanted energies. Cleansing the ritual space before and after the event is essential. The final smudge is to Banish any negative vibrations and energies attracted or created during the ritual. Smudging is also an easy way to banish yourself and your living space on a regular basis. Many people with desk jobs can even get away with this method of Banishing at work.
The Golden Dawnâs Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram, Aleister Crowleyâs Star Ruby, Peter Carrollâs Gnostic Pentagram Ritual, and countless other Banishings fall into the area of Ritual Banishings. All of the oneâs just mentioned are good, as well as many others out there. Most use various combinations of visualization, gesture, movement, words of power, invocation, sometimes evocation, breath control, and a wide array of symbol systems in a psycho-dramatic fashion to Banish. Many of these rituals ground, center, create a neutral environment for, and protect the magician all with one short, usually no more than ten minute ritual, making ritual Banishings excellent for beginning and ending longer sessions of magic(k)al work.
Many magicians also perform Banishing Rituals as a daily routine, such as in the morning just after they wake up and at night before bed, in addition to using them to open and close their ritual work.
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