The Lesser Pentagram LRP is the first ritual to learn when getting into Magick. Despite its simplicity, the technique packs plenty of symbolism and is the start of any practice.
In the previous video, I discussed the purposes of the Lesser, Greater, and Supreme rituals. In this one, I’ll focus on the dynamics of the LRP, reflecting on a few concepts that need more attention.
Origins of THE Lesser Pentagram
Although it has different versions, the ‘standard’ or ‘traditional’ LRP is likely written by Samuel MacGregor Mathers, the chief adept of the original Hermetic Order of The Golden Dawn.
The Golden Dawn was an ‘outer’ order of the ‘inner’ Rosae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis. It profoundly impacted Western Occultism, as up until now, most people practice its techniques thanks to Crowley’s The Equinox and Regardie’s The Golden Dawn.
The Purpose of THE Lesser Pentagram
As covered in the previous video, the LRP is a general microcosmic ritual working with microcosmic influences. It has an invoking and a banishing form.
Getting less credit, the first LIRP, is a technique many neglect when they shouldn’t. It draws energies from the immediate environment into your personal sphere, which:
- Enhances your Magick and
- Centers your mind.
The second LBRP:
- Banishes or disconnects energies and thought forms from your personal sphere without affecting the surrounding space.
Earth
The LRP’s Earth pentagrams symbolize its general purpose. This is because Earth bears the most resemblance with Spirit as both contain all the Elements:
- Spirit — their potential, and
- Earth — their manifestation.
Paths and Cards
Beginning with a Qabalistic Cross, which identifies you with the Tree, the LRP positions you at the intersection of the paths of Samekh and Peh. It elevates consciousness from a mundane level associated with Malkuth to a higher and closer to Tiphereth.
The path of Peh is Mars, the practical aspect of Geburah, and the Tower card, which destroys useless and obsolete structures and states. This suggests that reaching a higher being demands ridding yourself of such constructs.
Samekh is also Sagittarius and the Temperance or Art card. It expresses alchemical concepts like sacred union and VITRIOL, which dissolve old into new life and complement the Tower.
Directions of the Lesser Pentagram
Following the Winds model, the LRP places:
- Air in the East,
- Fire in the South,
- Water in the West, and
- Earth in the North
This aligns the Elements with Sephiroth:
- Tiphereth before you,
- Yesod, behind you,
- Hod, on the right, and
- Netzach, on the left.
Archangels
The Lesser Pentagram calls on the four great archangels associated with the Elements and these Sephiroth.
Besides Air, Raphael is the archangel of Tiphereth, whereas Gabriel of Water and Yesod. Michael is the archangel of Fire, but also Hod, assigned to the pillar of severity.
Uriel, the archangel of Earth, goes with the pillar of Mercy and thus Netzach, which is Venus, the ruler of Taurus, the fixed sign of Earth. This is because ‘kerubic’ signs express the elements best.
An alternative modification involves swapping the places of the first two. This puts Michael, who, besides Fire and Hod, is the archangel of the Sun, the ‘practical aspect’ of Tiphereth in the East. And Raphael, who, besides Air and Tiphereth, is the archangel of Mercury, the ‘practical aspect’ of Hod in the South.
This approach, ordering the Elements based on their density, is inspired by the Philosophers of Nature based on my research.
The Column
Considering the Sephiroth in the Lesser Pentagram unveils a plethora of symbolism. The first is the balanced position and direction toward Tiphereth, which is the seat of the Angel where the great work is accomplished. You ascend from Malkuth, whereas the Angel descends from Kether.
In Book Four, Crowley explains that this establishes a protective column or box. You initiate a microcosmic invocation, leading to a macrocosmic response. Completing all pentagrams brings a hexagram above and below. Think of the elements ascribing to directions, whereas Spirit to depth and height.
“You are (…) standing in a Column which is protected by your microcosmic invocation. The consequent result, being a macrocosmic response, is that without any effort on your part the hexagram (…) appears both above and below you. (Note the equilibration of 5°=6°). In this way, you are completely shut off from the outer and Qliphotic parts of the universe.”
—Aleister Crowley. Magick in Theory and Practice
Malkuth
Mentioning boxes, Malkuth’s divisions allude to the pillars of the Universe, such as the geometrical square. Grounded and secure, the square represents stability and solidity. Besides qualities of the Earth element in the realm of which the LRP operates, these are effects it provides. More on that by the end.
Malkuth’s sub-angles in the Queen Scale match those of the lower shaft of the Rose Cross, which compliments the Tree.
- Air – citrine,
- Water – olive,
- Fire – russet, and
- Earth – black.
As covered in my Rose Cross cheat sheet, these are muddied or denser versions of the higher colors ascribing to the three mother letters forming the basis of everything:
- Blue – Mem – Water,
- Red – Shin – Fire, and
- Yellow – Aleph – Air.
Four, Five, and Six
The LRP uses four divine names associated with Malkuth and Assiah, the world of action. Each pentagram (five) goes with a name (four).
- Yehovah – יהוה
- Adonai – אדני
- Eheieh – אהיה
- AGLAH – אגלא
In the Tree of Life, four and five are the higher principles of Chessed and Geburah. Their synthesis is six, Tiphereth, which is harmony. Think of the macrocosmic response of hexagrams after completing all directions. And now, let’s explore the names’ positioning.
God Names
YHVH
YHVH, the holy unpronounceable name, symbolizes the four elements and Qabalistic Worlds. It is placed in the East, associated with Light, Dawn, and Tiphereth, representing the role of the Hierophant as the divine initiator.
Adonai
Adonai (or Lord) is placed in the South, aligned with the sun’s strength and fiery nature. It reflects Geburah, the sephirah of power, strength, and individuality. Interestingly, Adonai is also associated with Mars, the practical aspect of Geburah according to 777.
Eheieh
Eheieh (“I am” or “I will be”) resides in the West, where the sun sets and darkness grows. It repels the chaotic Qliphoth and connects Kether (Crown) to Malkuth (Kingdom). This brings the dynamic of the Crown within the Kingdom and vice versa. Eheieh (also) is vibrated with active Spirit pentagrams in SRP|GRP, symbolizing pure Spirit.
AGLAH
AGLAH is a notarikon for Atah Gibour Le Olam Adonai (“You are Mighty Forever, my Lord”). It is located in the North, traditionally associated with darkness and evil. The balance here comes from ‘Gibour’ and ‘Adonai,’ drawing fiery Geburah energy from the South. AGLAH (also) is vibrated with passive Spirit pentagrams in SRP|GRP, symbolizing pure Matter.
A Circle and a Cross
All this forms a perfect cross with lines from East to West and South to North. Symbolizing unity, the surrounding circle hints at Tiphereth’s presence in the ritual.
The Sphere of the Sun represents the mysteries of harmony and crucifixion. Reinforcing the concept of union between micro and macrocosm, this alludes to:
- The Rosicrucian Rosy Cross,
- The union of object and subject;
- Consciousness extended on the rose;
- Experiences manifesting continually, etc.
The Four Worlds
The LRP prepares for various aims like practical and mystical workings that run through the Qabalistic worlds. It low-key involves an element from each:
- Divine names in Аtziluth;
- Archangels, in Briah,
- Visualization in Yetzirah and
- Physical action in Assiah.
The Philosopher’s Stone
Places in the Tree are states of consciousness and mind shifts. Elevating you in such a way, the Lesser Pentagram enables you to navigate higher principles from positions of balance. Now you can:
- Render the veil of Paroketh with your Greater pentagrams,
- Identify with the Sun with your Lesser Hexagram,
- Or even move beyond Tiphereth.
Besides the Greater or Supreme Pentagrams, which include higher Atziluthic names, the Lesser Pentagram also precedes macrocosmic workings, which are enabled by the Lesser Hexagram. This alludes to two magickal concepts:
- Before approaching the Hexagram, we should master the pentagram.
- Meaningful transformation and change always begin from within.
This is one reason why the Lesser Pentagram is so special that Crowley calls it the Philosopher’s Stone. And now, let’s wrap up with an unpopular opinion:
Psychic Negentropy
By ordering and balancing the Elements, the LRP fosters what Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi calls psychic-negentropy. This is the opposite of entropy, chaos, and randomness, which are the default states of the universe and most people’s lives.
The LRP expands and protects our aura with the pentagrams, shutting off Qliphotic influences, which, if you think about it, imply entropy, chaos, and randomness.
Bringing internal order and stability, Lesser Pentagram makes it only natural to aspire toward Tiphereth and our true purpose. But that’s just my opinion. Thank you for your time.