Ritual magic (ceremonial magic) is a term most commonly applied to the Western magical tradition, or Kabbalistic magic. Ceremonial magic is an archaic term denoting a branch of magic that involves the use of rituals (ceremonies). The chief principle of ritual magic is the use of external forces to achieve the goal set by the magician.

Nature of the Phenomenon

Ordinarily, forces are summoned in a personal aspect — that is, the magician may address the summoned force as a real interlocutor. The magician has the right to summon and conjure forces on the grounds that man was created in the image and likeness of God. The magician invokes and commands forces in the name of God. In invocations (callings) and evocations (banishings), the names and seals (graphic representations) of forces and entities are used.

How It Works

The classic form of a Kabbalistic or Enochian magic ritual follows this sequence: first, a ritual space is established — the so-called "opening of the temple" — followed by the summoning of a force or entity, the declaration of will, thanksgiving, and the banishment of the summoned forces. Opening the temple involves cleansing the ritual space of external harmful energetic crud, establishing a protective circle, and consecrating the working space. There are various methods of summoning forces.

Forces may be summoned directly into the circle, or into the so-called "triangle of manifestation," which is typically positioned outside the circle. In the first case, the magician finds himself alone with the force — and not every force is one you want to be alone with. In the second case, the magician is protected from the machinations of the summoned angel or spirit by the protective circle. Having created the circle, the magician consecrates the working space, appealing to the Higher Powers according to his own understanding. At this stage, elemental forces may be invoked and brought into balance.

The magician then performs the invocation itself. In Kabbalistic and Enochian magic, the following rule generally applies: to reach the plumber, you go through the director and the foreman. In other words, one begins by pronouncing the "shemot" — that is, the names of God from the world of Atziluth.

Next come the names of the archangels subordinate to them, belonging to the world of Beriah. Then one summons the angels subordinate to the archangels, the planetary intelligences and spirits, the angelic choirs, and if necessary, the cherubim (belonging to the world of Assiah). At this stage, a competent sorcerer employs appropriate incenses to help create the necessary "astral atmosphere."

So: the temple is open, consecrated, and the angels have been summoned. It is now time to state one's wishes. Aloud. Or through gestures. Or by transmitting thought-forms. Or…

The forces are then thanked and banished. The temple is closed. Thanks to all, you are dismissed. Smile and wave…

In Folklore

  • "Sorcerer" — I have a large cauldron!
  • "Witch" — So do I, and a dreadful personality to go with it.
  • "Hereditary sorcerer/witch" — Both the cauldron and the personality came down through the family...
  • "Necromancer" — I torment animals.
  • "Necromancer since age 8" — Started back in school.
  • "Hereditary necromancer" — The ancestors were also known to strangle cats.
  • "Healer" — I know how to brew herbs.
  • "Experienced healer" — I know how to brew various herbs.
  • "Hereditary healer" — Grandma used to test the herbs on the grandchildren...
  • "Original family recipes" — "Try some rabbit droppings! They're potent, they'll hit the spot!" (c) Leonid Filatov.
  • "Psychic" — I can wave my hands gracefully.
  • "Experienced psychic" — And very fast, too.
  • "I transfer the patient's missing energy" — while breathing heavily and sweating.
  • "Hypnotist" — I can stare menacingly.
  • "Experienced hypnotist" — And I don't blink, either.
  • "Trained in hypnosis by foreign specialists" — I watched Street Magic; David Blaine is my idol.
  • "Seer" — I know how to listen and watch, as well as eavesdrop and peep.
  • "Seer since childhood" — Back in school I was already peeping through keyholes.
  • "Hereditary seer" — Dad used to peep at the neighbor lady.
  • "Knowledge passed down within the family clan, transmission of traditions" — And I learned from him.
  • "Diviner/fortune-teller" — I have cards.
  • "Experienced diviner" — I bought runes!
  • "Predictions come true 100% of the time" — I'm very good at blowing smoke.
  • "I detect outside influence" — I'm very good at passing the buck.
  • "I diagnose illnesses" — Before I bought the runes and cards, I was a district physician.
  • "I offer guidance on fulfilling wishes" — I remember the story of the white monkey very well.
  • "I practice aromatherapy" — My sister's perfume shop went under.
  • "I use powerful instruments" — Borrowed a few things from a magician I know...
  • "I use an ancient artifact in my work" — Was at the flea market just the other day...
  • "Initiated into the secrets of the Egyptian priests" — Spent a week vacationing in Egypt. Saw the Sphinx. Up close.
  • "Continuing the traditions of Arab mystics" — Shopping trip to Turkey. Bought a whole pile of stuff at the bazaar!
  • "Shaman" — I bought a jaw harp.
  • "Hereditary shaman" — Dad's a geologist; it's his jaw harp.
  • "Experience working with the Lower and Upper Worlds" — Poisoned myself on mushrooms a couple of times; they pumped my stomach.
  • "Mage" — I have no idea who I am, where I am, who I'm with, or why any of this is necessary...
  • "Black Mage" — A goth who's angry at the whole world.
  • "Experienced Black Mage" — Everyone is insufferable!
  • "White Mage" — I bought a book by Stepanova.
  • "Experienced White Mage" — I bought Stepanova's Big Book of Magic.
  • "White love spell" — a love spell not intended for Black people.
  • "Voodoo Mage" — Never grew up; stuck at the age of playing with dolls. I love sewing and sawdust.
  • "I read Tarot cards" — Well yes, I have a Tarot deck, the instruction booklet that came with it, and rings that I drape all over myself.
  • "Satanist" — Like a "black mage," only I also love to push my own moral agenda.
  • "Psychic" — Don't touch me; I am a sensitive being not of this world.

See Also

Note: the editorial board of the Nizhny Novgorod Encyclopedia recommends consulting your attending psychiatrist before applying any of the methods described above.