TAROT & Planetary Ritual: SATURN

[Tanga]

Since there’s been a call for more sharing on Tarot and Magick/Ritual - I’ve decided I will share my ritual format for Planetary contemplations here.

N.B. I am an eclectic Wiccan (with Alexandrian roots) - mixing and matching from various places, making up my own thing…

So -
At least once-a-year, I will do a 7 day Planetary meditation, which means contemplation of the planets on their appropriate day, each day, for 7 days, with ritual. (most of the time it's in the week before Halloween/Samhain).
- And otherwise the rest of the time - if I’m in the mood for a ritual but don’t have a specific aim, I may do a planetary contemplation for that day as an exercise.
My format, and words used for calling and casting, are a contraction from the book ‘Planetary Magic’ by Payam Nabarz.

Tonight is Saturday.
I will begin with my ritual contemplation to Saturn.
Feel free to comment, add ideas etc. good AT people.


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RITUAL FORMAT:
As usual (for me):
1) I GROUND with a visualisation or mantra
2) I EMPOWER by imagining myself being energised by the Universe.
3) I PURIFY (Optional step as I can decide it’s covered by GROUND & EMPOWER) - by visualising my chosen tools for the ritual and myself being energetically cleared, sometimes using a bell, tuning fork or other.
4) I CAST my circle by visualising/physically drawing a circle, and calling my chosen appropriate elemental quarters.
5) I CALL the appropriate Deity - in this case The Planet, to be in residence.
6) DO the magick.


CASTING (4):
Facing the quarter/element corner/cardinal point of the circle, say -
“Honour to this sphere, to earth and sky and sea and all between here.
Honour to the stars, to sun, moon and venus and all beyond here.
And to the eternal voice that calls all creatures to live and die, I hereby give greeting”.

Lay down the appropriate TAROT CARD that represents the quarter/element and say -
“Guardian of the North and Earth, Star of the Winter Solstice, I call you here.
- East and Air, Star of the Spring Equinox, I call you here,
- South and Fire, Star of the Summer Solstice, I call you here,
- West and Water, Star of the Autumn Equinox, I call you here.”

CALLING (5): EVOCE SATURN, Laying down the Tarot card for Saturn - THE WORLD and saying -
“Kronos, grandfather of time, I welcome you here.
In east and west, you are welcome. In north and south be welcome,
From above, below and within, you are most welcome!"

MAGICK (6):
Sit and contemplate Saturn and his attributes. I usually read out/through a poem to/about Saturn, look through my planetary notes for Saturn’s attributes and think on these. Sometimes I may have Googled Saturn beforehand (Classical Greece) to read his mythological story.
I may then choose two cards representing qualities that Saturn imbues, that I might like to have more of, and contemplate them.
Here, I choose
A) Foundations - a card for this could be, 4 of Wands
B) Building a business - a card for this could be, 8 of Pentacles.

Contemplate Saturn and the idea that "we are ghosts inhabiting a physical body, that’s made of STAR DUST!" Wahey!

Contemplate the strengths Saturn imbues looking at cards A) and B).
(During ones contemplations, some insight or ideas may occur - a notebook is handy to write these down if necessary).

When finished, CLOSE:
Thank Saturn -
“Kronos, end of days, I salute you!
In east and west, and north and south now retreat.
From above, below and within, I thank you and bid you farewell.”

Thank the quarters, counter-clockwise (or opposite to the direction in which you “drew” the circle) - “Guardian of the West and Water, Star of the Autumn Equinox, I thank you and bid you farewell” - etc. Imagine that the circle is dissolved/disbanded.

Tidy the stuff away.


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* I might sometimes add contemplation of the associated angels for the Planet.
In this case Cassiel and Tzaphqiel. I have an Angel dictionary and would read up on them in this case.

And just to mention here there is a deck and book set in which angels are assigned to the cards (amongst other things) - it's the Tarot of Ceremonial Magic by Lon Milo DuQuette. YES... the book is sitting on my bookshelf. I might get round to reading it in about a year maybe...


** I'm a Capricorn - so Saturn, is my man.

 

[ravenest]

Thanks for sharing


One thing stood out to me and gave me a flashback to my 'planetary days' ;


" Sometimes I may have Googled Saturn beforehand (Classical Greece) to read his mythological story. "

We would enact that story in dramatic ritual. This was the original form that the Greek mysteries took; one enacts an episode in the life of the God. It was a great time ; making the costume, props, working out which correspondences to use ( colors, incense, artwork, furniture, how to decorate the temple).

We used the Rites of Eleusis .... and did each one on the appropriate day , but being a rather complex undertaking we would do one on the appropriate day of the next week.

Its great for a group working. We would do more magical versions for the in
group and rewrite and, some years, have a more public rite people could join in.

But for some reason, we never used tarot cards . I would paint a planetary Karmea for the front of the central altar ... but the appropriate card could have been used quiet well. I dont know why we never did that - in retrospect.

For other more 'circular' workings ;

Pss; <mixes salt and water> "Let the salt of the earth dissolve in the waters of the Great Sea " < holds the cup aloft > "Mother, be thou adored."

<she walks around the circle sprinkling and flicking > " Earth and water where thou be cast, let no evil power last, let all be in accord with me, as I do will so mote it be. "

P; <lights the censor with the flame > 'Let the fire and air make sweet the world ' <goes around the circle > " Creatures of air and fire bright, do my bidding this very night, on you this sacred charge I lay, let no evil in our presence stay. Hear my words addressed to thee, as I do will so mote it be."

( Thanks for the memory flash - they were fun times )

http://hermetic.com/crowley/the-rites-of-eleusis/

 

[Tanga]

Thanks for sharing
One thing stood out to me and gave me a flashback to my 'planetary days' ;

"Sometimes I may have Googled Saturn beforehand (Classical Greece) to read his mythological story. "

We would enact that story in dramatic ritual...

YES. this would the thing to do, if one is working in a group with ceremonial leanings.
Bring on the drama. I love it! (and costumes are a must! Yummy!).
Such a delight to hear from you ravenest. Thank you for the link.

Pss; <mixes salt and water> "Let the salt of the earth dissolve in the waters of the Great Sea " < holds the cup aloft > "Mother, be thou adored."

<she walks around the circle sprinkling and flicking > " Earth and water where thou be cast, let no evil power last, let all be in accord with me, as I do will so mote it be. "

Solitary, in a tiny room with nice carpets - I omit sprinkling blessed salty water about the place.

Instead, it will be the ringing of sound instruments - or just a quiet recitation with a wave of the hand - if I think sound would be heard.

If there were salt though I would chant:"Salt of the earth and sea, within you may blessing be. Waters of the womb and of life, within you may blessings thrive". <then mix them and raise them up in honour to: The Mother/Deities/The Source>.

<walk around the circle sprinkling and chant> (just made this one now - you inspirer you!).
Salt and Water, Gaia's daughters - lift this place to sacred heights.
Salt and Water, bless these quarters - charge this circle with purest light.
Be this now an impenetrable shield - of the the Deity's magick, and the Deity's might".

P; <lights the censor with the flame > 'Let the fire and air make sweet the world ' <goes around the circle > " Creatures of air and fire bright, do my bidding this very night, on you this sacred charge I lay, let no evil in our presence stay. Hear my words addressed to thee, as I do will so mote it be.

So may the word be sweet - "May incense lift and Fire shine, our paths to clear and make Divine!
The circle is cast... WE ARE between the Worlds."

And... "Black spirits and white, red spirits and grey - harken to this rune, I say.
I conjure this circle of power - that it be the interface between Gods and Men.
Great ones. Spirits of the hour. Forge it with protective power!"

.



*One could vary the CASTING of the circle here, by instead, laying out all the cards that represent the 12 Zodiac signs in a circle (that's one shed-load of planets!) ala Donald Tyson in 'Portable Magic'.

**I'm sure Astrology buffs might have some meaty bits about how they would focus on particular planets for the contemplation part.

 

[Barleywine]

Thanks for taking the time to post this.

I'm quite interested in the apparent differences between the Wiccan "ritual of evocation" and that of ceremonial magic as described in the grimoires I own. Here the evoked entity is welcomed into the circle with honor and dismissed with thanks; all protections are of the "natural order." There, the entity - which may be inimical to the magician and not entirely to be trusted - is relegated to the external triangle until given leave to depart, and often obliged to cooperate. The circle is solemnly erected to protect the magician. I realize "intent is everything" in such a working but I'm much more drawn to the Wiccan way in that the evoked entity is present and engaged in the magical operation by association but not necessarily subjected to demands on its puissance (heheh, I've now used that word twice in my adult life) , which always seemed entirely too presumptuous to me anyway. Is that an accurate characterization?

 

[ravenest]

To me, the triangle is a symbol of Saturn ( and in one aspect) containment , discipline and restriction. The method you described is for evocation, and the circle triangle 'opposition' is so one can separate what one is evoking ( calling up and out of the self , or from outside the self, ) so one can get a variant view of it .... sort of like a mirror.

When calling into the circle, it would be seen as invoking a 'god force', something entirely different ... here one wants to incorporate the energy into the self and circle, not separate it.

The same with the elements ; one is 'calling them in' to achieve balance .... not trying to eliminate them ...

Hence the 'banishing rite' has led to much confusion ... in that one invokes the elements equally to banish imbalance.

There are some exceptions ... like Liber Yod .... not recommended for beginners , but a wonderful effect afterwards

http://hermetic.com/crowley/libers/lib831.html


Tarot cards can be used in this too .... if you have a spare deck to burn

(well, I had to try and bring it back on topic somehow )

 

[Tanga]

Thanks for taking the time to post this.

I'm quite interested in the apparent differences between the Wiccan "ritual of evocation" and that of ceremonial magic as described in the grimoires I own. Here the invoked entity is welcomed into the circle with honor and dismissed with thanks; all protections are of the "natural order." There, the entity - which may be inimical to the magician and not entirely to be trusted - is relegated to the external triangle until given leave to depart, and often obliged to cooperate. The circle is solemnly erected to protect the magician. I realize "intent is everything" in such a working but I'm much more drawn to the Wiccan way in that the evoked entity is present and engaged in the magical operation by association but not necessarily subjected to demands on its puissance (heheh, I've now used that word twice in my adult life) , which always seemed entirely too presumptuous to me anyway. Is that an accurate characterization?

OK. So I cannot really comment with confidence here as my knowledge of ceremonial magick and traditions - as well as all the variations of Wiccan practice from differing traditions -
is WILDY SCANTY. (and ofcourse a lot of it is still secret. So even if I did know - I'd be under oath not to say).

*[Please help here AT ceremonialists - you probably mostly reside in the Thothie section].

The triangle you describe - I believe is used if one is evoking Goetia (Angels, Demons, Genii), and directing them to perform particular things "under the will of the magician".
Well - it's never been my thing to attempt to push "higher powers" around - I know next to zero about all that kind of stuff.
In my practice, I always and only "request help with x - in light of the request genuinely being 'for the good of all' (this does not include 'binding the spirit to my will'). And of course, it's mostly very difficult to see ALL the permutation of what exactly 'the good of all' is.
That's why spell craft is so tricky.

And - I believe in my power to direct useful energy into the required outcome... whatever form that may take. E.g., it could be that the subconscious result of a ritual is that I remember every single time I'm about to eat sugar - that I'm cutting down and have down a beautiful ritual about it. And then, in honour of myself - I have more self-control, and don't eat it. You follow me?
Or - If I'm doing magick for a friend, I tell them the bare bones of it - and may even make a greeting card/magickal trinket/other presentation (once, it was scented soap that a friend made for me with specific directions. She was the soap queen. I was making the spell, but - I don't make soap) for them explaining the spell (the power of positive thought and belief is immeasurable). So on the conscious level, they feel better because they are aware that I am thinking of them. They may even take greater effort on their own part as a result (one never knows).
On the unconscious level I trust that 'for the good of all' the energies I have directed to them with be of best assistance.

 

[Tanga]

To me, the triangle is a symbol of Saturn (and in one aspect) containment, discipline and restriction.

Tarot cards can be used in this too .... if you have a spare deck to burn

Huh well I hadn't thought of that... thanks... (The triangle bit - not the burning.
Burning, only if I've especially hand drawn cards for burning. Lol. Never the real deck.
Thought maybe... if I found a cheap second-hand RWS or something at the market...).

 

[Samweiss]

I'm no ceremonial magician, but I have recently started working more with planets.

I have a widget on my computer to keep track of planetary hours, and whenever I can, I like to plan my activities to be done during the hour of a suitable planet. For example, exercise during the hour of Mars. I also read the Orphic Hymns when I have to recite something.

I'm doing this because I'm trying to stay on the good side of these planetary forces and maybe that could help me to overcome the problems in my natal chart. But even if I don't succeed, I feel like living in more tune with cosmos wouldn't hurt.

I use tarot cards as focus of attention when I meditate or give an offering.

 

[Barleywine]

I'm no ceremonial magician, but I have recently started working more with planets.

I have a widget on my computer to keep track of planetary hours, and whenever I can, I like to plan my activities to be done during the hour of a suitable planet. For example, exercise during the hour of Mars. I also read the Orphic Hymns when I have to recite something.

I'm doing this because I'm trying to stay on the good side of these planetary forces and maybe that could help me to overcome the problems in my natal chart. But even if I don't succeed, I feel like living in more tune with cosmos wouldn't hurt.

I use tarot cards as focus of attention when I meditate or give an offering.

I believe planetary hours are also used in electional astrology, a branch of horary. I need to get that "widget."

 

[Tanga]

I'm no ceremonial magician, but I have recently started working more with planets.
I have a widget on my computer to keep track of planetary hours, and whenever I can, I like to plan my activities to be done during the hour of a suitable planet.

OMGs "during the hours of the appropriate planet" - I'm sure that wouldn't suit me.
Unless I'm on holiday with absolutely nothing else to do...and even then.

I also read the Orphic Hymns when I have to recite something.

Yes, I believe the poetry in Payam Narbaz' book 'Stella Magic' - is Orphic Hymns. I read them out. Lovely...

I feel like living in more tune with cosmos wouldn't hurt.

"Living in-tune" - that's the expression.
May you divert the course of your natal chart challenges with grace. (a wish or blessing/goodwill to you).

I use tarot cards as focus of attention when I meditate or give an offering.

Which cards when? Could we have examples?