Lesser ritual of the pentagram

The ritual is highly dynamic, using gesture, visualization and the pronunciation of certain words of power, combining prayer and invocation as well as clearing and preparing a space for further magical or meditative work.

These archangels are connected to the classical elements via the astrological symbolism of the biblical four living creatures: "Michael is the 'lion-headed', Raphael the "human-headed", Uriel the "bull-headed", and Gabriel the "eagle-headed".

One contemporary book on ceremonial magic advises using only the banishing version for the first few months of ceremonial practice: The Golden Dawn manuscripts advocated performing the invoking form of this ritual in the morning and the banishing form at night.

However, we feel that the beginning student needs to concentrate solely on the banishing form for a period of a few months, since beginners have a tendency to light up on the astral and unknowingly attract all manner of elementals and low levels of astral energies.

In its more elaborate forms, modern practitioners sometimes include the following:[4] Often, however, no special equipment or clothing is used.