Ritual Magick Tools.

[Matt1]

I have been thinking about getting more into ritual magick, having studied the Qabalah for a while now, i feel ready to move onto different aspects of the practical side of the work, However i am aware most of the practical ceremonial work needs different tools such as a Wand, Dagger, Chalice and pentagram on the alter, plus maybe some candles , gem stones, a charcoal and incense burner and ceremonial robes. Most of these things seem to be easily available at most pagan/wicca store . 

I am wondering if any one has experience of using this things? The robes seem to be fairly expensive, i guess its possible to make one on your own but the real question is i guess, do you think its over the top to work with such ceremonial tools by ones self or out of a magical group? As i understand it, most groups probably meet up only weekly or monthly so most people will be practicing using robes and alter plus the different corresponding tools by ones self in a space in there homes?

[Namaste]

All permission slips. YOU get to choose what allows you to get where you need to be...

[Cosmo23]

All permission slips. YOU get tho choose what allows you to get where you need to be...

Thats a good one and explains why I was attracted to Sigils as a software developer ;-)

Also the concept of permission slips is a nice perspective. In the magical literature there is the idea of subconsciousness creates reality and between consciousness and subconsciousness is a gate keeper controlling what passes up or down to protect you. Magick is therefore nothing else than bypassing the gate keeper, with ritual, spells or whatever works. And the highest magicians dont need these tricks anymore, thats whats called "magick of the empty hand"

[Namaste]

All very interesting!

I've found Bashar's notion of permission slips (PS) to be one of the single most empowering ideas I've heard. It is a true representation of when people/entities say "You already are it / You already have it / Everything you discover is already within you".

It then takes away the need to rely on something 'external' in order to find/unlock a certain aspect of yourself. We all use PS's, there's nothing at all wrong with them, it's just incredibly powerful to understand that's all they are, and that the power is always within you.

[Minyatur]

Well I always was against the use of rituals and such as I thought they were unecessary and thought they could even be unproductive to growth.

Now I view them as tools, but tools that I am more willing to contemplate and use.

[Cosmo23]

Well I always was against the use of rituals and such as I thought they were unecessary and thought they could even be unproductive to growth.

Now I view them as tools, but tools that I am more willing to contemplate and use.

Tools you can use until you don't need them anymore.

[Minyatur]

Well I always was against the use of rituals and such as I thought they were unecessary and thought they could even be unproductive to growth.

Now I view them as tools, but tools that I am more willing to contemplate and use.

Tools you can use until you don't need them anymore.

Well my views of them radically changed with time, they are a way to work with this Matrix. 

Rituals could be thought of as an advantage incarnated beings have over non-incarnated ones. That's how I came to see it.

[Karl]

I've been very interested in beginning ritual magick myself for a while now

[Aion]

Well what do you want to know?

I don't use robes or special garb for working at home, I don't need it to 'get in the mood'. I will be using that when I eventually do group work.

I think one should familiarize themselves with the actual features and uses of these tools. One of the reasons to become comfortable with physical tools is that you actually are building 'astral' versions that you will be able to use more purely mentally later.

I believe that engaging the physical body is one of the prime elements of ritual magic, and so using physical props and tools is seen as bringing the working fully in to the physical to be done. Personally, for me, I feel that each tool enables me to work with energy a different way and each one as I use it 'trains' me to use that type of energy more.

[Aion]

I don't think anything is really 'over the top' in ritual magic as it is itself a method of enacting psychodrama. Do whatever empowers you and helps you to invoke your magical self, that is the important part.

[Spaced]

Tools are symbols, they are more useful for what they represent than what they are.

I think over the top is good for rituals. The drama and emotion stimulate the subconscious.

Personally . . . I kind of want to get a sword lol.

[Minyatur]

I used a ring I bought in a magic shop, it has 5 different symbols on it. That's what I use to crystalyze my higher self into. I wear it during each psychedellic trip that I do and spend some time to canalyze my higher energy unto it for example.

I've recently got an egyptian Ankh necklace which I plan to use in the same manner but so far I wear it every day. I also actually keep the ring on me everyday. I'd actually want to keep my magical personality turned on 24/7, not sure why it's not good.

To do the LBRP and Middle Pillar, I use a small throwing knife I had purchased a few years back. Other than that I have a hunting knife or a decorative katana which I could use but I'm not use any of these is good actually.

[Aion]

My only real thought on choosing tools is to pick objects that have some personal relevance to you or that reflect your interests of beauty.

[Aion]

Some magical groups are more strict on how 'virgin' tools need to be for rituals.

[Reaper]

I barely use anything. It's all training wheels. Use whatever helps you grow.

[Plenum]

I have been thinking about getting more into ritual magick, having studied the Qabalah for a while now, i feel ready to move onto different aspects of the practical side of the work, However i am aware most of the practical ceremonial work needs different tools such as a Wand, Dagger, Chalice and pentagram on the alter, plus maybe some candles , gem stones, a charcoal and incense burner and ceremonial robes. Most of these things seem to be easily available at most pagan/wicca store . 

I think there's value in working within a tradition.  Quite often the symbols used reference deep patterns in the deep mind, and so one can draw upon grooves that have etched over time, instead of starting from scratch.

"With the appropriate emotional will, polarity, and purity, work may be done with or without proper sound vibration complexes. However, there is no need for the blunt instrument when the scalpel is available."

one can use the scalpel, by being part of that tradition.

Quite often, the understanding of the symbols comes long after one has started using them.  It is almost like being a kitchen boy in a chef's kitchen; at first, you just do what you are instructed, not because you are brainless and unthinking, but because others are well aware of what you know and what you can do, and what you don't know and what you can't do.  You go through the routine of learning, and it's in their best interests for you to be trained as fast as possible.  But you get the hands-on experience without really knowing what the heck you are doing.  They say - just do this, do it for 5 minutes, soak that for 2.5 hours etc etc.  The understanding comes much later, when it has something to 'latch onto'.  Without the experience, the understanding has no context (no matter how good a teacher).  Doing provides the means of comprehending.

So in a tradition, work with the symbols (the terminology, and the instruments) until you get skilled enough to discard them, or at least know when it is necessary to use them, and when not to.

This extends to Ra as well.  I mean, how many people can really verbalise, in a comprehensible and convincing way the action of intelligent energy through indigo ray?  It's referenced in Ra, but until the experience has happened, it is only a vague ungrounded notion.  It's almost mythical.

Experience is everything.

[Aion]

The best magical advice I've ever gotten is 'don't try to be an adept before you have been a neophyte'.