The Circulation of Body Light: A Journey of Spiritual Illumination

The Golden Dawn, a renowned occult organization that emerged in the late 19th century, left an indelible mark on the Western esoteric tradition. I discuss them all the time because so many of their techniques and symbolism are simply awesome! Among its vast array of practices and rituals, the Circulation of Body Light stands out as a profound technique for inner transformation and spiritual enlightenment. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this esoteric practice, exploring its purpose, significance, and its conjunction with another powerful ritual, the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram.

The Circulation of Body Light: A Pathway to Inner Alchemy

The Circulation of Body Light is a method employed by the Golden Dawn to awaken and harmonize the energies within an individual’s spiritual and physical bodies. This practice is deeply rooted in the concept of inner alchemy, which seeks to transmute and refine the self in order to attain higher states of consciousness and spiritual illumination.

The process involves visualizing and directing a stream of divine energy, often referred to as the “Body of Light,” throughout the practitioner’s energetic system. The Body of Light is believed to be the quintessence of one’s spiritual essence, the divine spark within. By consciously circulating this luminous energy, the practitioner aims to achieve a state of balance, purification, and harmonization within their being.

The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram: A Gateway to Sacred Space

To enhance the potency of the Circulation of Body Light, the Golden Dawn incorporates another pivotal ritual known as the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram (LBRH). The LBRH serves as a preparatory and protective measure, creating a sacred space conducive to spiritual work and shielding the practitioner from unwanted influences.

The LBRH utilizes the symbolism of the hexagram, a six-pointed star representing the union of opposing forces. By tracing the hexagram and vibrating specific divine names and phrases, the practitioner establishes a connection with the elemental and celestial realms. This ritual purifies the practitioner’s energetic sphere, clears stagnant energies, and invokes the divine powers associated with the four elements—Fire, Water, Air, and Earth.

The Synergy: Combining the Circulation of Body Light and LBRH

When the Circulation of Body Light is complemented by the LBRH, a powerful synergy arises. The LBRH sets the stage for the subsequent practice, providing a purified and consecrated space for the practitioner’s energetic exploration. It banishes unwanted energies and creates a harmonious environment conducive to the awakening and circulation of the Body of Light.

As the practitioner proceeds with the Circulation of Body Light, the LBRH’s protective influence helps maintain focus, stability, and clarity of intention. The combined ritual work encourages a deeper connection with the divine energies, enabling the practitioner to access profound spiritual insights, transformative experiences, and an expanded state of consciousness.

Benefits and Personal Growth

The practice of Circulation of Body Light, enriched by the inclusion of the LBRH, offers numerous benefits for personal growth and spiritual development. Some of the potential advantages include:

1. Enhanced self-awareness: The Circulation of Body Light allows individuals to become more attuned to their energetic bodies and spiritual essence, fostering a deeper understanding of their true nature.
2. Inner balance and harmony: By harmonizing and balancing the energetic centers within, practitioners can experience a sense of inner equilibrium, leading to increased emotional stability and mental clarity.
3. Purification and transformation: The combined practice aids in purifying and transmuting stagnant energies, facilitating personal growth, and catalyzing spiritual evolution.
4. Connection with divine forces: The LBRH establishes a connection with elemental and celestial energies, enabling practitioners to access higher realms of consciousness and commune with divine forces.
5. Charging Talismans: This is hugely important to creating and consecrating talismans (for any purpose!). The more energy you can raise and focus the stronger the talisman will attract the appropriate energies to you!

Thelemic Version of the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram

Performing the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram (LBRH) in a Thelemic context adds a unique flavor to the ritual, aligning it with the principles and symbolism of Thelema. While retaining the foundational structure of the original ritual, we infuse it with Thelemic deity names and symbols to enhance its potency and resonance. The purpose remains the same—to banish unwanted energies, create sacred space, and establish a connection with the divine. Adaptations can include the following (or you can use the more traditional Golden Dawn LBRH):

1. Stand facing the East, the direction of the rising Sun, symbolizing the birth of new possibilities and enlightenment.
2. Begin by tracing the invoking hexagram of the deity associated with the specific quarter. For example, in the East, trace the invoking hexagram of Horus.
3. Instead of using traditional god names, invoke the Thelemic deity names associated with the quarters:
   • East: Invoke “Hoor-paar-kraat” (Horus the Child), representing the spiritual force of silence and inner stillness.
   • South: Invoke “Ra-Hoor-Khuit” (Horus of Behedet), symbolizing the solar force of will and power.
   • West: Invoke “Tahuti” (Thoth), representing the intellectual force of wisdom and communication.
   • North: Invoke “Hadit,” representing the divine spark within each individual and the force of continuous motion.
4. Visualize the deity’s sigil or symbol within the hexagram as you vibrate the deity’s name, invoking their presence and energy.
5. Proceed with the banishing pentagrams and vibrating the divine names associated with each quarter, as in the original LBRH. However, you can replace traditional names with Thelemic divine names, such as using “Aiwass” for the Archangel in the East, “Nuit” for the Archangel in the North, etc.

The Middle Pillar: Uniting Divine Energies

After completing the Thelemic version of the LBRH, the practitioner can proceed with the Middle Pillar exercise. The Middle Pillar is a powerful technique in Thelema that facilitates the balancing and harmonization of energies within the practitioner’s body, leading to a state of equilibrium and spiritual alignment.

1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, arms at your sides.
2. Visualize a brilliant white light descending from above, entering the crown of your head (Kether), and flowing down through the center of your body.
3. As the light reaches each energetic center or sephira, vibrate the corresponding divine name associated with that sephira:
   • Kether (Crown): “Eheieh” (I Am)
   • Third Eye Chakra, Ajna. Usually not chanted, but can be.
   • Tiphareth (Heart): “Yeheshuah” (Salvation)
   • Yesod (Foundation): “Shaddai El Chai” (Almighty Living God)
   • Optional Chakra, can chant the God Name “AL”.
   • Malkuth (Kingdom): “Adonai Ha-Aretz” (Lord of the Earth)
4. Visualize the brilliant white light continuing to descend from Malkuth and extending deep into the Earth, grounding and anchoring your energies.

Circulation of Body Light: Illumination and Transformation

The Circulation of Body Light, as practiced in Thelema, follows the Middle Pillar exercise, further energizing and harmonizing the practitioner’s being.

1. Visualize the brilliant white light from the Middle Pillar exercise circulating in a clockwise direction throughout your body.
2. Start at the crown of your head, allowing the light to flow down the front of your body, passing through each sephira/chakra.
3. As the light reaches each sephira/chakra, you can vibrate the corresponding divine name associated with that sephira/chakra, as in the Middle Pillar exercise, to amplify its energetic influence.
4. Continue to guide the light down the front of your body, then up the back, forming a continuous loop of radiant energy.
5. As you complete several cycles, feel the light purifying, energizing, and aligning your entire being, bringing about spiritual illumination and transformation.

Conclusion

The practice of the Circulation of Body Light, intertwined with the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram, offers seekers of spiritual enlightenment a profound and transformative pathway. By engaging in these rituals, individuals embark on a journey of self-discovery, inner alchemy, and connection with the divine. As practitioners harness and circulate the luminous energies within, they illuminate their inner world, unlocking the gates to higher consciousness and facilitating personal growth on their esoteric quest.