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Ceremonial magic is a broad term used to encompass a wide variety of long, elaborate, and complex rituals; it is named as such because the works included are characterized by ceremony and a myriad of necessary accessories to aid the practitioner. Also known as "CM" for short, it can be seen as an extension of Ritual magick, and in most cases synonymous with it. Popularized by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, it draws on such schools of occult thought as Kabbalah, Enochian magick, Thelema, and other Grimoires.
Traditional
Ceremonial magic is seen to be that of a traditional method or model of magic that is regimented and strictly organized, in so far as the tradition practiced. Those practicing in CM stick to the specifications as outlined in the grimoire from which the ritual is being performed, and is in contrast to Chaos Magic. There are some who would consider CM to be an outdated form of magic.
Interpretations
There are a number of different interpretations of Ceremonial magic by practioners, as well as a number of Grimoires, essays, texts or book on the subject.
Goetia
In defining ceremonial magic and its operations, N. B. Foyers writes: " Magical phenomena, however, come under a special sub-class, since they are willed, and their cause is the series of "real" phenomena, called the operations of ceremonial Magic. " (page 10: An initiated interpretation of ceremonial magic)These consist of:
(1) Sight: The circle, square, triangle, vessels, lamps, robes, implements, etc.
(2) Sound: The Invocations.
(3) Smell: The perfumes.
(4) Taste: The Sacraments.
(5) Touch: As under (1).
(6) Mind: The combination of all these and reflection on their significance.
(page 11)
The Book of Ceremonial Magic
In The Book of Ceremonial Magic, A. E. Waite begins his interpretaion thus:"The main principles are summed in the conception of a number of assumed mysterious forces in the universe which could be put in operation by man, or at least followed in their secret processes. In the ultimate, however, they could all be rendered secondary, if not passive, to the will of man; for even in astrology, which was the discernment of forces regarded as peculiarly fatal, there was an art of ruling, and sapiens dominabitur astris became an axiom of the science. This conception culminated or centred in the doctrine of unseen, intelligent powers, with whom it was possible for prepared persons to communicate; the methods by which this communication was attempted are the most important processes of Magic, and the books which embody these methods, called Ceremonial Magic, are the most important part of the literature." (page 6: The Importance of Ceremonial Magic)
He then goes on : " In a word, Ceremonial Magic reflects mainly the egregious ambitions and incorporates the mad processes of mediæval sorcery--of the Sabbath above all. The additional elements are debased applications of various Kabalistic methods, seering processes current among country people and fantastic attempts to reduce magical legends to a formal practice. "
The Secret Teachings of All Ages
In the Secret Teachings of All Ages , Manly Palmer Hall lends his interpretation as follows: Ceremonial magic is the ancient art of invoking and controlling spirits by a scientific application of certain formulæ. A magician, enveloped in sanctified vestments and carrying a wand inscribed with hieroglyphic figures, could by the power vested in certain words and symbols control the invisible inhabitants of the elements and of the astral world. While the elaborate ceremonial magic of antiquity was not necessarily evil, there arose from its perversion several false schools of sorcery, or black magic. (page 101: Ceremonial magic and Sorcery)Bygone Beliefs
In Bygone Beliefs, Herbert Stanley Redgrove states: " What I regard as the two essentials of magical practices, namely, the use of symbols and the appeal to the supernatural realm, are most obvious in what is called "ceremonial magic". Mediaeval ceremonial magic was subdivided into three chief branches--White Magic, Black Magic, and Necromancy. " (taken from chapter 7: Ceremonial Magic in Theory and Practice)Organizations
Among the many organizations who practice forms of Ceremonial magic aside from the Golden Dawn are the A:.A:. (Argenteum Astrum), the O.T.O. (Ordo Templi Orientis), and the B.O.T.A. (Builders of the Adytum)
Influences
There are many people who have influenced ceremonial magic, most of which were associated with the Golden Dawn, or influenced the members of the Golden Dawn.
Francis Barret
Among the various sources for ceremonial magic, Francis Barrett's The Magus (handbook) embodies deep knowledge of Alchemy, Astrology, and the Kabbalah, and has been cited by the Golden Dawn (site introductory paragraph in ebook format), and is seen as a primary source.Other influences
(Its important to note that Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers translated material, and is not specifically noted as being someone who influenced ceremonial magic.)See also
References
- Francis Barret's The Magus
- The Lesser Key of Solomon : S.L. MacGregor Mathers and Aleister Crowley
- The Secret Teachings of All Ages, by Manly P. Hall
- The Book of Ceremonial Magic by A. E. Waite
External links
"Ceremonial magic"