“The Greater Ritual of the Pentagram is the true form of the Pentagram Ritual. In other words, unlike the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram, it is designed to invoke the Elements under the presidency of the Pentagrammaton. It is an advanced form of the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram, and should be mastered by the Magician seeking the Higher Initiation into the New Order of the Rose and Cross, which pertains to the Element of Spirit in its quintessential nature. The knowledge and proper application of the Greater Ritual of the Pentagram is the Key to Magick Power (…). It is the magical construction of the Elemental Temple of the Magician.”
— David Cherubim.
For the Grade of Dominus Liminis of the Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn, 1995
Synthesizing approaches, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn reshaped Western Occultism. From Qabalah, alchemy, and ancient philosophy, as well as Tarot and astrology, and, of course, parts of the Enochian system. While some would disagree, the single readily accessible technique expressing that best is the Supreme Pentagram.
Incorporating components from all, the SRP was used for both setting up magickal spaces and attuning to a particular force. It was also considered “more advanced” alongside the Rosy Cross and the Lesser Hexagram.
New Aeon Tech
When rebuilding the GD into the system of AA, Crowley made certain modifications. Often mentioned is transforming the Supreme into a Greater Pentagram by removing the Enochian and altering symbolic combinations. Unlike previously, that ritual was now given alongside the GRH earlier on the path.
Less commonly discussed is Liber V, which Crowley describes as:
“An incantation proper to invoke the Energies of the Aeon of Horus, adapted for the daily use of the Magician of whatever grade.”
For solo practitioners, this translates to any development stage. Conversely, while the Star Ruby is considered the official Thelemic LRP, Liber V functions as the actual Thelemic SRP counterpart.
Touchy Subject
Some people know that well. Others don’t. Some name it openly. Others prefer avoiding it, making Liber V a bit of a touchy subject… usually due to Qliphotic associations with the eleven knocks and perceived evil pentagrams.
One claim is that it was developed to freak out GD adherents. Another is that it is a joke or booby trap.
However, 11 also symbolizes Nuit, the Great Work, 5 and 6, and perhaps the eternal overflowing of one Three into another. The averse pentagrams display spirit descending into matter, replacing the traditional elemental and spirit equilibrating couples.
Supreme Pentagrams
Based on personal experience, Liber V actively runs transpersonal currents through the personal sphere of being, which is also what the OG SRP does, thanks to its Enochian names. This includes realizing dynamics and limitations beyond nationality, culture, location, etc. What and who you are in a grander context of things.
The GRP does not produce the same effect, being concentrated primarily in Malkuth. Viewed within a broader curriculum, Liber V appears to redistribute the currents deliberately: Enochian components go out while Thelemic ones go in.
Synthesis
But what if you wished to further synthesize these techniques, and experience Thelemic egregores using tools you’re already familiar with:
- Classic GD pentagrams.
- A Qabalistic Cross.
- The YHVH formula.
Well, don’t synthesize any further, as it’s been made. Enter the Thelemic Greater Pentagram for Dominus Liminis, which, for distinction, convenience, and based on its effects, I’ll call the TSRP.
The TSRP was invented by David Cherubim, who, after joining forces with Alan Ronald Miller, aka Christopher Hyatt, built the Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn; created the Aleister Crowley Foundation; and co-wrote books with Lon Milo Duquette and Hyatt.
Directions
Forming a perfect YHVH, the TSRP commences and concludes in the East, going counterclockwise. It inherits plenty from both Liber V and the OG/GD SRP, as it couples traditional symbols and gestures with Thelemic deities.
Cross-referenced with Liber V, the TSRP retains the same elemental quarters: Taurus in the East, Aquarius in the North, Scorpio in the West, and Leo in the South.
Conversely, when working with Zodiacal Forces, the TSRP utilizes the cardinal positions of the LRH:
- Fire — East — Aries
- Earth — South — Capricorn
- Air — West — Libra
- Water — North — Cancer
There’s also a difference in the mode of embodiment.
By employing averse pentagrams, Liber V switches the cosmic perspective to solar orientation. The TSRP preserves upright pentagrams and recognizable GD mechanics. It introduces Thelemic names without Reguli’s complete symbolic flip.
Said differently, it operates egregores and currents while keeping you on the ground, which is the part I find similar to the OG SRP.
Like the latter, the TSRP has the 5 forms: one for balance and one for each element. It can feel natural to those who have already mastered the OG version. So, maybe start there. And now a little crash course on Thelemic deities.
Deities
Representing all pure potentialities, Nuit corresponds to the second veil of negative existence and is reality’s most primal principle. On a lower arc, particularly the Sphere of Binah, Nuit is Babalon, which Liber V ascribes to water and Scorpio.
Nuit’s partner Hadit is the single point perceiver who experiences/actualizes those potentialities, and the third veil of negative existence; the most primal principle of activity within the environment. On a lower arc, Hadit is the Sphere of Chokmah, the life force Chiah and Therion, which Liber V ascribes to earth and Taurus.
Hoor-Paar-Kraat or Harpocrates is Ra-Hoor-Khuit’s pure potential aspect, the child keeping silence. Ra-Hoor-Khuit is the manifested aspect of the same deity. Together, they constitute Heru-Ra-Ha, Horus at the Horizon, associated with the Nietzschean Übermensch.
Bes-na-Maut and Ta-Nech are the actual parents of Ankh-af-na-khonsu, a 7th-century BCE Egyptian priest of the god Montu in Thebes whom Crowley believed to be an incarnation of.
For more on Thelemic deities, in plain English, I suggest virtually any Thelemic book by Lon Milo Duquette andMarco Visconti’s The Aleister Crowley Manual.
Fourfold Enclosure
Besides these, and instead of archangels or Enochian kings, the TSRP convokes the four sons of Horus.
Ameshet, Tumautef, Kabeshunt, and Ahephi.
The sons of Horus serve as the vicegerents of Earth in the East, Air in the North, Water in the West, and Fire in the South.
Invoking the sons symbolically separates the operator’s spiritual make-up into its components so it can be re-stabilized. This gives the operation a fourfold enclosure comparable to the archangelic conclusion of the traditional pentagram ritual.
The Four Sons are said to protect the deceased and internal organs while having a celestial dimension associated with the northern sky and, in some traditions, with the Great Bear, the constellation of Set, the hidden god. The TSRPtherefore employs figures that are simultaneously protective, elemental, and cosmic.
Note: The TSRP follows the 777 attributions of the Sons of Horus, which differ from some traditional Egyptian correspondences.
Qabalistic Cross
The ritual starts with a Thelemic Qabalistic Cross. The peculiar thing about that is that this isn’t an Elevenfold seal, which is Liber V’s first gesture, and bears more resemblance to the Tree of Life/Flaming Sword exercise. It’s an actual QC with purely Thelemic deities.
1. Touch your forehead, vibrating Hoor-Paar-Kraat.
2. Repeat with your breast, vibrating Heru-Ra-Ha.
3. Touch your genitals, saying Ra-Hoor-Khuit.
4. Touch the right shoulder, and say Ta-Nech.
5. Repeat with the left shoulder, and say Bes-Na-Maut.
6. Conclude by clasping the hands on the breast, saying Ankh-Af-Na-Khonsu.
Pentagrams
Once you’ve built and identified yourself with the Cross, proceed with each direction, starting in the east but going YHVH widdershins:
- Earth — East (2nd ה)
- Air — North (ו)
- Water — West (1st ה)
- Fire — South (י)
- Spirit — stays in the center of the Elemental Cross
The colors are brilliant bluish white or burning golden for spirit, deep green for earth, which is earth’s color in the new aeon, bright yellow for air, navy blue for water, and burning or crimson red for fire. Although Cherubim does not specify colors for the zodiacal sigils, they may be visualized in their optical complements according to the Golden Dawn flashing-color technique. Alternatively, you can probably experiment with consistent colors like in the GRH.
East Earth
Still facing east, trace a passive Spirit pentagram with a spirit’s spokes wheel vibrating Hoor-Paar-Kraat. Give the sign of rending and closing the veil. Trace an earth pentagram with the sign of Taurus in the center vibrating Therion. Conclude with the (1=10) Zelator and move a quarter counterclockwise.
North Air
In the north, trace an active Spirit pentagram with a spirit’s spokes wheel vibrating Ra-Hoor-Khuit. Rend and close the veil. Trace an air pentagram with the sign of Aquarius in the center vibrating Nuit. Conclude with the sign of (2=9) Theoricus and move another quarter counterclockwise, establishing one half of your circle.
West Water
Now facing west, trace a passive Spirit pentagram with a spirit’s spokes wheel vibrating Hoor-Paar-Kraat. Give the portal signs. Trace a water pentagram with the sign of Scorpio in the center vibrating Babalon. Conclude with the sign of (3=8) Practicus and complete the third quarter of your circle, toward south.
South Fire
In the south, trace an active Spirit pentagram with a spirit’s spokes wheel vibrating Ra-Hoor-Khuit. Rend and close the veil. Trace a fire pentagram with the sign of Leo vibrating Hadit. Conclude with the sign of (4=7) Philosophus and complete your circle in the east.
The Sons of Horus
Centered in your circle facing east (again), invoke the four sons of Horus by declaring.
- Before me Ameshet.
- Behind me Tumautef.
- On my right, Kabeshunt.
- On my left, Ahephi.
Then follow with:
- For about me, flames the Star of Five.
- And in the column shines the Star of Six.
Complete the TSRP by repeating the earlier covered Thelemic Qabalistic Cross.
Tweaks and Modifications
Now, some customization, which I believe can make things more intentional for some practitioners.
(1) Using bright and dark violet purple for active and passive spirit pentagrams: one representing pure spirit and the other pure matter.
(2) Instead of rending and closing the veil, rend for invoking and close for banishings in all directions.
(3) Swap out the Thelemic QC for an actual Elevenfold Seal, or simply use that as a preliminary invocation after setting up your space, for example: LRP, LRH, an Elevenfold Seal, another general invocation, and then the TSRP.
The whole point is making it work for you. The whole point is making yourself the magician.
Reflections
Although based on Liber V, I view the TSRP as bearing more resemblance to the traditional SRP. Like that one, it can be readily utilised for various practical, creative, and self-actualising purposes. Furthermore, I believe it can be healthy for people using the OG SRP extensively. One reason is examining and questioning perceptions, mind shifts, and potential visions you develop via different currents, while maintaining high sensitivity to each.
This can reduce the risk of self-delusion and increase the complexity of the Self and one’s magickal perceptivity, which is a notion I borrow from Flow Psychology.
While comparing the actual effects of all these Supreme Pentagrams deserves a separate discussion, they can be integrated long-term into a “holistic practice…” of the solo practitioner, or the disciplined dabbler.
One of Modern Magick’s golden nuggets is using rituals, and supposedly currents, like a chaos magician. Based on my decade of practice, this includes not mindlessly mixing but surgically cycling things like a biohacker. But that’s just my opinion. Let me know your thoughts.
TSRP Manual
And if you agree and like the graphics in the accompanying video, I offer my manual on the TSRP, including complete breakdowns of all forms, invoking, and banishing. Plus an expanded background and symbolism modifications useful to modern practitioners.
Thank you for your time!