six rayed star, the hexagram in the lbrp Options

I could use some clarification why the six rayed star shines above one when doing the LBRP, why is this? I never drew it and i can't see any other things that might hint that i did a hexagram somewhere

I'm trying to decipher the powers of cut and polished gemstones (as opposed to just crystals) and look what I found - (IMG:http://www.esmerald.com/itrapicheovni.gif) - it's called a 'trapiche emerald' and has six rays of lutite (carbon) that naturally grow through it that way - neat!

There is actually a lot of symblism tied to the "sixed-rayed star" within the LBRP. First off it is a symbol of the macrocosm. It accompianies the pentagram which is the microcosom so that you have both. It is also a symbol of completion. A hexagram is often shown as the union of a fire triangle and a water triangle, showing the union of opposites, a goal of the great work. Also keep in mind it is tied to the middle pillar since you have 4 pentagrams and 1 hexagram equalling 26 which is the number for the middle pillar. Hince the phrase and within the column stands the sixed rayed star. So it is linked to balance and the union of opposites again through that manner.

You might find it interesting that the method crowley used for the LBRP is to visualize one hexagram above him and another below his feet. Alluding to "as above, so below" and now you would have 4 pentagrams and 2 hexagrams having 32 points which is all the paths on the tree of life.

Try it both ways and see if it feels any different to you.

As always Nero you supply me with a good answer, thank you. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Very informative answer, nero!

Does one get different effects when using the different variations of the ritual ("and above me shines the six rayed star", "and within me shines the six rayed star", "and in the column shines the six rayed star")?

This post has been edited by michael81: Jan 10 2006, 04:19 PM

No I wouldn't say you get different results. It is more of a this feels right and that doesn't. In my personal work I am always trying different things. Sometimes it is something I see or most of the time it is just something I do and like. All I can say is try different variations. Noone can say how your path to the great work will go it will change and vary as time passes. You might like one version now but later find the other way now suddenly works better for you. It all depends on your level of growth and were you are at the time. I hope this clarifies.

I've been using Crowley's method with the six rayed star above and below. I liked and could relate to what he said in his commentary on the LBRP near the end of Book 4. Crowley beleived that the pentegrams in all four quarters connected by a circle and the six rayed star above and below effectively sealed the mage in a cylinder. This would effectively seal off the magicians space and claim it as his working portion of the universe.

I agree. I used to love crowley's method as well. Made me feel protected etc. Although in time as I developed I found the reassurence of my circle became less important. I became more aware of my circle and learned that I am it.

So in time the symbolism of the single hexagram in the middle became more important. The blending of fire and water. Equilibrium. The middle path.

My personal method is this. "For about me flames the pentagram" I look around and see the pentagram flaming in all four corners. I see them connected by my circle and more importantly I feel them. "And within the column shines the sixed rayed star!" I see and feel the red fire triangle upon my body. Base points at my hips (hod and netzach) and the tip at my throat da'ath. The I see and feel the blue water triangle. Base points at my shoulders chesed and geburah and the tip at my groan yesod. I see both then see them mingle with energies until they turn solid gold into a hexagram.

Mine is very similar to that. Although I haven't been using the elemental symbols. Before I evoke the archangels I visualize the drawing of a six rayed i.e. star of David above and below me. Then while keeping that image solidified I evoke the archangels. I feel wind rushing in from the east when I evoke Raphael, water mist from behind me for Gabriel, fire and heat on my right from Michael. I and I can smell freshly tilled earth coming from my left with Auriel.

The hexagram is also a symbol of union of the masculine and feminine principles. Upward triangle masculine (phallic) and the downward triangle feminine (womb).