GRH and SRH Greater vs Supreme Hexagram Rituals

When the system of A.’.A.’. was rebuilt, the material wasn’t only extended but some techniques reshaped. An example is the Greater Hexagram Ritual (GRH). Built on GD’s (traditional) Supreme Hexagram Ritual (SRH), the rite is sometimes regarded as a ‘grossly simplified variation.’

But is this really the case? Is GRH a merely simplified adoption? If you are not working under an organization, which one should you choose (between GRH and SRH), and perhaps approach ritual(s) like a chaos magician?

While deciding between GRH and SRH is something (only) you can decide in this video, I’ll share a few reflections based on what I’ve learnd. They are not to discredit one rite or another but to help make an informed decision.

SRH

Based on GD’s Lesser Hexagram (LRH), SRH uses variations of the traditional GD hexagrams (or geomantic shapes). It works with nothing but planetary forces (or the seven classical planets) in their mystical (sephirothic) and practical (path) aspects. The Zodiac signs are attributed to Elements. So, the GD works with those via its Supreme Pentagram Ritual (SRP).

This means each planet has its own kit (or set) of the GD elemental hexagrams (or triangles), going clockwise for invoking and counterclockwise for banishing. Understanding those requires considering the hexagram mapped to the Tree.

• The first triangle commences at the point attributed to the planet’s Sephirah.
• The second one — to the opposite.
• For instance, Chessed and Hod for Jupiter.

While this is straightforward with the ‘Earth’ hexagram, it isn’t with the triangles. This is where the challenging part comes in. SRH requires excellent familiarity with the planets attributed to the first and second triangles based on the element (as they change in each form).

Sun

The Sun represents equilibrium. So, SRH uses all other hexagrams for each direction. This makes a total of 24 hexagrams, which, depending on who you ask, refers to an individual corner (and elemental shapes) or an entire circle with Earth hexagrams.

GRH

GRH and SRH differ in several ways. The most apparent is employing a single Earth hexagram for all its forms. This makes the rite extremely convenient, as one only needs to envision the Tree to not mess it up.

The second is working not only with planetary but also Zodiac forces. Actually, many sources keep those strictly for GRH. On the contrary, the Zodiac signs attribute to both planets and elements. Hence, others (also) include them in their pentagram formula. For Zodiac Signs, GRH utilizes the ruling planet hexagram. Examples include:

• Virgo — Mercury;
• Taurus — Venus;
• Jupiter — Sagittarius, etc.;

Names and Colors

Both GRH and SRH follow the king-scale colors for practical operations, while the Queen-scale — is for mystical. As explained in my video on color scales, the first attributes to the path, the second to the Sephirah. The first goes with the spirit, the second with the intelligence.

A Subtle Difference 

This is where a subtle change comes into play. While most sources use sephirotic names for the higher worlds, and this is perfectly fine, GRH (actually) employs Agrippa’s path (or planetary names) provided in 777’s table, ‘God Names in Assiah.’ Just like the colors, in many cases, the names repeat; in some, they don’t. Examples include:

• Jupiter | Chessed — ‘EL’ and ‘ALLA AL AB’ (Atziluth);
• Hod | Mercury — Elohim Tzabaoth and Azbogeh (Atziluth
• Sun | Tiphereth — Raphael and Michael (Briah);
• Hod | Mercury — Michael and Raphael;

For the Zodiac signs, things also aren’t necessarily straightforward, as they, too, have a dual nature. For the Zodiac paths, GRH employs path colors of the Atziluthic Tree. For the mystical, it uses the Briatic scale Chokmah. The reason is that allsigns attribute to Chokmah, the sphere of the Zodiac.  

In the first case, the hexagram is in the path color; the sigil is in the complementary following GD’s flashing colors built on what is called a ‘reflective’ or ‘complementary’ color scheme. In the second, everything is gray, the color commonly associated with Chokmah.  

For their names, Zodiac signs use the permutations of the Tetragrammaton and Chokmah’s names. For knocks or ring bells, they go with the number of the ruling planet.

Commonalities

Depending on preferences, both GRH and SRH can use a fifth hexagram in the planet’s current direction (in space). Usually, this is charged with all four names, ARARITA, and the letter in ARARITA attributed to the Sephirah. For instance:

• Jupiter Resh;
• Mercury Aleph;

Both rites follow the same approach for the Sun and Tiphereth. Yet Thelemic scholars like David Shoemaker (also) recognize solar Unicursal hexagram as a suitable option.

Directions

Since it’s based on LRH (by default), SRH follows the GD’s Zodiac Model, which may or may not bring some active retrospection (and scenarios from the past). Also, to keep the shifts somewhat local. While modifications are possible, GRH entirely bypasses that, attuning one to the current location of the planet or constellation.

Conclusion

As you can see, both GRH and SRH  have their intricacies. For the first, these are its hexagrams and overall technique; for the second, they are the extended and elaborate attributions, possible modifications, and flexibility. So, it is not necessarily that one is more sophisticated than the other. They just have different specificities.

Given that, (I believe) learning GRH is a well-worth investment, especially in combination with the operant model, which allows working with any force, micro and macro cosmically.

But that’s just my opinion. Let me know if you agree. Check my digital assets and books. Subscribe to my channels. Support me, and thank you for your time!