Gnostic Pentagram Ritual
by Peter Carrol
The Gnostic Pentagram Ritual begins with a visualization of radiance in five
areas of the body. Each visualization is assisted by a vibration of one of the
vowels sounds I, E, A, O, U. The sounds are vibrated loudly and each is
sustained for and entire slow exhalation. Each should produce a physical
sensation in the part of the body to which it is attributed. In effect the body
is being played like a musical instrument with each part resonating in sympathy
to a particular tone.
Subsequently, pentagrams are drawn in the air at four points around the
operator. The pentagrams 'are drawn and an anti-clockwise quarter turn f the
whole body is executed after each pentagram thus returning the body to its
original position. The pentagrams should be strongly visualized with the eyes
opened or closed as desired. Each should be accompanied by a loud intonation of
all five vowel sounds I, E, A, O, U, in a single exhalation, with one bar of the
pentagram being drawn for each sound. The IEAOU mantra is used here largely to
block discursive thought. Finally, the opening sequence in which the
visualization of radiance in various areas of the body, reinforced by the
individual I, E, A, O, U mantras, is repeated. The ritual may be elaborated at
will, for example, by adding colors to the visualized radiances or by adding
supplementary pentagrams above and below to form a sphere around the operator.
This ritual can be used in a number of ways:
- To establish balance, concentration and control before and after more
complex rituals.
- As visualization practice at any time.
- As a preliminary exorcism of unwanted mental or psychic phenomena.
- As an aid to healing, particulary self-healing.
The techniwues emplyed are: mantar vibration, visualization assisted by gesture,
breath control.
The ritual entails the visualization of images of radiance within specific
areas of the body. These areas correspond with the bodily chakras of some
oriental traditions but not others. There is actually little congruence between
the various oriental systems. What all these systems are designed to do is to
create psychic images of various parts of the body to facilitate greater
psychosomatic control. The Gnostic Pentagram Ritual is named in commemoration of
certain magickal schools of antiquity which designated the magical force of the
universe IAO:
Ritual Procedure
- Stand facing any preferred direction.
- Inhale fully. Exhale slowly sustaining the sound "I" (a
high-pitched ieeeee! sound) while visualizing a radiance of energy in the
head area.
- Inhale fully. Exhale slowly sustaining the sound "E" (a
lower-pitched eeeeh! sound) while visualizing a radiance of enerfy in the
throat area.
- Inhale fully. Exhale slowly sustaining the sound "A" (a deep
aaaah! sound) while visualizing a radiance of energy in the heart and lungs,
which spreads to the muscles of the limbs.
- As in 2, but the sound "O" (ooooh!) in the belly area.
- As in 2, but the sound "U" (a very deep uuuur!) in the
genital/anal area.
- Repat 6. Then 5, 4, 3, 2, working back toward the head.
- Inhale fully. Exhale slowly, forming each of the IEAOU sounds in turn
while, with the left arm, drawing in the air a pentagram, which is also
visualized strongly.
- Make a quarter turn to the left and repeat 8, then continue to turn and
draw the remaining pentagrams with mantra and visualization until returning
to the starting position.
- Repeat steps 2-7 inclusive.
Healing
To assist in healing any part of the body, intone the sound and visualize the
radiance which corresponds to the affected part continuously for 5-10 minutes,
or for as long as concentration can be maintained.