The "Bicursal" Elementarl Hexagrams of Magick

Generally known simply as "Hexagrams" each figure is  constructed of two equilateral triangles, thus requiring two  strokes to be drawn. Therefore I call them the Bicursal Hexagrams. 

The most widely known of these is often called the "Star of David"  (in Magick it is the Hexagram of the Element of Earth).

The standard  of Bicursal  Hexagrams described herein is frequently used to invoke the Elements and their Planetary Rulers before, (somtimes) during, and after various Magickal Acts of Theurgy.  

One such Theurgic Act - which I term "Contemplative Magick" - can be described as "turning inward to go outward"

This is a willful opening of the door of the Imagination 

in order to travel in one's Light Body into higher Realms of Experiencem, Expression and Being.  

A Sidenote About

Theurgy and Thaumaturgy

Thaumaturgy:  as defined by Isaac Bonewits (author "Real Magic") is, "The use of magic for non-religious purposes; the art and science of 'wonder-working;' using magic to actually change things in the physical world".

Theurgy:  My gloss definition, derived by an admittedly  non-scientific survey of various dictionaries is, "The operation or effect of evoking the presence of a supernatural, angelic or other agency in order to obtain knowledge, wisdom and/or special powers."

Aleister Crowley's definition of Magick, "The Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will" is therefore inclusive of both Thaumaturgy and Theurgy.

Finally, Donald Michael Craig's definition of Magick adds another definitive layer of meaning that really appeals to the budding Theurgist in me: “Magick is the science and art of causing change (in consciousness) to occur in conformity with will, using means not currently understood by traditional Western science . . .”

Another Sidenote:

Placement of the Elements

The Element Positions associated with Magickal Rites of  Theurgy are different from those generally known, and invoked during Acts of Thaumaturgy (Earth in the North, Air in the East, Fire in the South, and Water in the West).

The Positions of the Elements as they
are invoked during Rites of Thaumaturgy

In Theurgic Magick The placeementss of the Element are attributed to their Zodiacal positions: (Water in the North, Fire in the East;  Earth in the South, Air in the West).

The Unique Positions of the Elements as they 

are invoked during Rites of Theurgy

This is most popularly expressed through the tracing of the Bicursal Hexagrams of the Elements in the Theurgic Directions during the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram, often performed in preparation and closure of rituals of Ceremonial Magick, following the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram.

A Few Other Sidenotes:

• It's my personal experience that these Hexagrams can be, of themselves, a most powerful means to invoke a dimension of Planetary-associated Elemental Presence "upfront & close" into the ritual space and into Spellwork constructions, kind of "amping-up" the available Elemental Power, especially during "high-level" Thaumaturgical Acts.
• Used thusly (outside of their traditional use in Ceremonial Magick) it is not necessary to move 'round the Protective perimeter, as one does when enacting the Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram.
• Remaining at the Altar or Center space inside the Circle and turning to face each direction is entirely appropriate for this function - because the Elements invoked herein are actually surrounding you closely - deeply within your aura - lifting your subtle form toward the desired higher realm.
• And, when specifically imbuing such influences into a Spellwork's Symbol-Construction - I simply place the Hexagrams slightly off-center in the applicable directions just above the Construction, with the intention that they both surround and integrate into the Spell's intentional matrix itself.
• While most of the Magick I do is essentially simple Thaumaturgy, the consistent exception is my interest in Enochian Magick - which is akin to (but also uniquely very different from) traditional Ceremonial Magick.  It is in this specific Work, that I am cautioned by Guidance to  include performances of the Lesser Banishing Rituals of the Pentagram and Hexagram. 

As mentioned above, Bicursal Hexagrams  can render the Elements in their various Planetary expressions.   The traditional tracings given herein are the general standard for both Thaumaturgic and Theurgic Magicks, all of which - with one exception - are ascribed to the Planetary Influence of Jupiter, which naturally magnifies the manifestation of those Elements.  The single exception being the Water Element, which is inherently amplified by the Moon's influence ... as evidenced by the measurable power of the Moon's actions on the earthly-manifest element of water.

A Few More Other Sidenotes:  

• There are as systems of Magick as there are Practitioners.  Various practitioners trace Pentagrams and Hexagrams in their own personal style, order and direction...
• You may notice that I consistently trace these sacred symbols in a Clockwise (Sunwise) direction when Invoking, and a Counter-clockwise (Anti-Sunwise) direction when Releasing. This is akin to the Solar-associated Setting and Releasing of the Circle in Wiccan and Ceremonial Magick rites.
• In Golden Dawn-inspired Theurgic Rites (including some of Aleister Crowley's) the ostensibly Religio-Magickal Word "ARARITA" is often intoned into the space in which the invoking Hexagram is traced.  ARARITA is a notariqon for the Hebrew phrase "Achad Rosh Achdotho Rosh Ichudo Temurato Achad" meaning "One is His/The Beginning, One is His/The Individuality, His/The Permutation is One."
• For those of you who enjoy a bit of mental-masturbatory overwhelm, this Kabalistic Word's Magickal use was most explicitly described by Eliphas Levi (the magickian who drew the most-popular image of Baphomet) in his 1896 tome, Transcendental Magic, wherein he states that ...
  
  ... ARARITA is: "the verbum inenarrabile ["unspeakable"] of the sages of the Alexandrian School," which "Hebrew Kabalists wrote Javeh [same as "Yaweh" - often mispronounced "Jehovah"] and interpreted by the sound Ararita, thus expressing the triplicity of the secondary kabalistic principle, the dualism of the means and the equal unity of the first and final principle, as well as the alliance between the triad [three] and the tetrad [four] in a word composed of four letters, which form seven [3+4=7] by means of a triple and double repetition."  (Whew!)

- Invoking and Releasing the Bicursal Hexagrams -

The Theurgic Element of Water

Trace to the Northern Direction

Planetary Influence: Moon

Traditional Archangel: Gabriel ("Gah-bree-el")

Enochian King: Raagiosl ("Rah-ah-gee-oh-sell")

Kabalistic Magick Word: ARARITA ("Ah-rah-ree-tuh")

Starting at the Top Point of the Lower Triangle, trace the
Lower Triangle in a clockwise direction.

Then, starting at the Bottom Point of the Upper Triangle, trace the Upper Triangle in a clockwise direction.
(These are two separate motions)




Starting at the Top Point of the Lower Triangle, trace the Lower Triangle in a counter-clockwise direction.

Then, starting at the Bottom Point of the Upper Triangle, trace the Upper Triangle in a counter-clockwise direction.
(These are two separate motions)

The Theurgic Element of Fire

Trace to the Eastern Direction

Planetary Influence: Jupiter

Traditional Archangel: Michael ("Mee-(c)hi-el")

Enochian King: Edlprnaa ("Eh-del-par-nah-ah")

Kabalistic Magick Word: ARARITA ("Ah-rah-ree-tuh")

Starting at the Top Point of the Upper Triangle, trace the Upper Triangle in a clockwise direction.

Then, starting at the Top Point of the Lower Triangle, trace the Lower Triangle in a clockwise direction





Starting at the Top Point of the Upper Triangle, trace the Upper Triangle in a counter-clockwise direction.

Then, starting at the Top Point of the Lower Triangle, trace the Lover Triangle in a counter-clockwise direction.

The Theurgic Element of Earth

Trace to the Southern Direction

Planetary Influence: Jupiter

Traditional Archangel: Uriel ("Ur-ee-el")

Enochian King: Ikzhikal ("Ee-keh-zeh-hee-kal")

Kabalistic Magick Word: ARARITA ("Ah-rah-ree-tuh")

Starting at the Top Point of the Upright Triangle, trace that Triangle in a clockwise direction.

Then, starting at the Bottom Point of the Inverted Triangle, trace that Triangle in a clockwise direction.






Starting at the Top Point of the Upright Triangle, trace that Triangle in a counter-clockwise direction.

Then, starting at the Bottom Point of the Inverted Triangle, trace that Triangle in a counter-clockwise direction.

The Theurgic Element of Air

Trace to the Western Direction

Traditional Archangel: Raphael ("Raw-fie-el")

Enochian King: Bataivah ("Bah-tah-ee-vah-heh")

Kabalistic Magick Word: ARARITA ("Ah-rah-ree-tuh")

Starting at the Top Point of the Upper Triangle, trace that Triangle in a clockwise direction.


Then, starting at the Bottom Point of the Lower Triangle, trace that Triangle in a clockwise direction.





Starting at the Top Point of the Upper Triangle, trace that Triangle in a counter-clockwise direction.


Then, starting at the Bottom Point of the Lower Triangle, trace that Triangle in a counter-clockwise direction.

- Ruling Entities and Their Names -

I often intone the name of a Ruling Entity associated with the Element when tracing these Hexagrams - usually either the Traditional Archangels or Enochian Kings, as indicated above.

Other practitioners call the names of Entities with whom they have a psychic connection.  (Others do not intone  any names - other than, perhaps, the Cabalistic Magickal Word, ARARITA - letting The Magick Itself suffice.)

It's important to have a humble, respectful attitude when Calling upon Other-Dimensional Entities.    They attend our little Magicks because They choose to ... we have no "power over" Them.

In fact, you may have noticed that I use the word "Releasing" in place of the usual word, "Banishing" (except when referring to the intentional Banishing of "psychic dross" in such rites as the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram or Hexagram.  "Releasing" is an expression of gracious humility.

And, as always, it is good form to humbly express your  gratitude to the Ruling Entity, whenever tracing the Releasing Hexagram patterns.

There are numerous uses, forms and associated entities for the Bicursal Hexagrams of Magick.

I hope you will find their simple use as described here inspiring you toward further research on, and deeper experience and understanding of the extraordinary Magick of the often underrated "ordinary" Hexagram.

More Advanced Information About Planetary-

Influenced Element Hexagrams is Here.

Bledsians,

Merlin Emrys

~     ~     ~     ~     ~

* Bledsians is Olde English for "Blessings"



Copyright © 2019 Merlin Emrys (aka W.A. Ryan)