I've talk quite a bit with my students and clients about the importance of practitioners being able to spiritually protect themselves, and also about maintaining good spiritual hygiene in one's healing space. There are very basic methods that pretty much anyone can employ to good effect - such as visualizing a protective bubble of White Light surrounding one's aura and working altar, or smudging one’s working and living space to help clear out stagnant or heavy energies that may have accumulated, been sent by others, or have simply been attracted to your area by the very fact that spiritual work in taking place. But these most elementary techniques can sometimes fall somewhat short in some situations. So what can one do to easily "up the ante" in the spiritual protection department?
Today I will present a visualization ritual that can be used to clear or charge one's aura, or one's practice area. These are based on the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram, a very well established method of banishing unwanted energies and creating a protective sphere, and the Lesser Invoking Ritual of the Pentagram and established ritual to super-charging that sphere with Light, and Elemental and Angelic energies. The version I am presenting here has been “universalized”, so that anyone of any system may utilize it, even those for whom the pentagram hold little to no, or even fearful connonations (I plan on doing an entry on the pentagram in the future, to help dispel the misunderstandings about this much maligned, but very powerful symbol). As long as you are comfortable with the four Archangels - Raphael, Gabriel, Michael and Uriel - you can use this method.
The general outline of this visualization will go thusly - after centering yourself, you establish the boundary of the sphere of space you want cleared and protected, and in some cases charged. This sphere can be as small as your aura, the room your practice in, or as large as a house. Really the size of the sphere is only limited by your own imagination, but for the purposes of this visualization we'll stick to it surrounding either the aura or your working space. After establishing the boundaries of the sphere, which can be reinforced with any protective symbols, or symbols of your personal faith, you will call in the four Archangels to either protect the sphere, and to aid in charging the sphere with Light. Once the sphere is attended by the angels, you re-affirm your center and can then proceed with your work.
Each of the four Archangels that we are going to be call upon, govern a particular quadrant of space. Namely North, South, East, or West. They also each govern the traditional element that is associated with that cardinal direction, North-Earth, South-Fire, East-Air, West-Water. By calling upon these four Archangels, you are also calling in the spiritual attributes of each element. Some of the major associations are regeneration, stability, and abundance for Earth; passion, transformation, and willpower for Fire; intellect, inspiration, and healing for Air; and emotions, intuition, unconscious and subconscious levels of being, and purification for Water. By clearing out old, stagnant, or otherwise unhelpful energies of each element and direction, and then calling on all four for a fresh influx of energy, you are essentially creating a clear and balanced sphere of all the elements and Divine energies in Creation. A perfect area for magical work to take place in!
Let's now outline the visualization. If it is the first time you will be performing this, take a few seconds beforehand to identify the four cardinal directions. If you are going to be doing this clearing for a working space, you'll want to place yourself in the center of it before beginning. If it is just for your aura, then it can be performed anywhere. Feel free to burn any spiritually uplifting incense, such as frankincense or sandalwood, or any incense that corresponds to your needs. If you wish you can play calming background music, or light some candles - but essentially the only prop you need for this is your own imagination.
1) Stand in the center of the space facing East, and take a few seconds to calm and relax your body and mind with some slow, deep breaths.
2)When you are relaxed let your consciousness affirm your connection to Source in whatever way is most appropriate for you. This could be holding the hands in prayer position over the heart while chanting a mantra, or simply saying "Namaste" to the Universe. It could be reciting the Lord's Prayer and making the Sign of the Cross over yoursef. It could be anything that makes you strongly feel your connection to the Divine, and affirms to you that you are also Divine.
Traditionally in the LBRP, this is done through the performance of the Qabalistic Cross, which the ceremonial magic version of the Sign of the Cross, which goes thusly:
Imagine a sphere of Divine White Light above your head, connecting you to Source. Reach into this Light you’re your right hand and pull that light down onto your brow while intoning “Atah”. Continue to move the light down your entire body with a downward motion of your hands, and move it to the bottoms of your feet, while intoning “Malkuth”. Bring your hand up to your heart area in the center of your chest, and bring the light across to your right shoulder, intoning “Ve Geburah”. Bring the light across to your left shoulder while intoning “Ve Gedulah”. You should now strongly visualize yourself as a bright cross of light – you have become the axis of Divine Light in your sphere. Bring your hands together in prayer position at your heart, and intone “Leolam”. Complete the process by intoning, “Amen”.
The Hebrew words in this rite translate “Thou art the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, forever. Amen.” Obviously, if you are not comfortable with Judeo-Christian mysticism and magic, than the Qabalistic Cross is probably not going to be an appropriate opening rite for you, and so I’ve provided the more general opening affirmation visualizations above.
3) Once you are centered and connected, walk to where you want the boundary line to be in the East. If this is just for your aura, then the length of your arm will do. Once in the East point your index finger in front of you, imagining it lit up with Blue-White Light. If you are of a particular faith which has a central Divine symbol (the Hindu or Tibetan OM, the Christian Cross, etc), or you have a symbol that strongly denotes protection to you, draw this symbol large in front of you, visualizing it being drawn with the Light. If there is a word or name that accompanies that symbol, or that matches its intent, then intone that word or name to charge and empower the symbol.
In the traditional LBRP one would draw the Earth pentagram of banishing (as shown below) while intoning “Yod-He-Vav-He”.
4)When you are finished drawing the symbol, strongly affirm the intent for the symbol & sphere to banish any unwanted energies. Then, bring your finger back into the center of the Eastern quadrant. Then continue to hold your finger level, drawing a line of Light around to the Southern quadrant (you are creating the equator of your sphere). At the South, repeat the drawing of the symbol, or affirmation of the Light.
In the LBRP you would intone “Adonai” after drawing the pentagram in the South.
5) When you are finished drawing the symbol, strongly affirm the intent for the symbol & sphere to banish any unwanted energies. Then, bring your finger back into the center of the Southern quadrant. Next, continue to hold your finger level, drawing a line of Light around to the Western quadrant (you are continuting the creation of the equator of your sphere). At the West, repeat the drawing of the symbol, or affirmation of the Light.
In the LBRP you would intone “Eh-heh-yeh” after drawing the pentagram in the West.
6) When you are finished drawing the symbol, strongly affirm the intent for the symbol & sphere to banish any unwanted energies. Then, bring your finger back into the center of the Western quadrant. Next, continue to hold your finger level, drawing a line of Light around to the Northern quadrant (you are continuting the creation of the equator of your sphere). At the North, repeat the drawing of the symbol, or affirmation of the Light.
In the LBRP you would intone “Ah-Gah-Lah” after drawing the pentagram in the North.
7) When you are finished drawing the symbol, strongly affirm the intent for the symbol & sphere to banish any unwanted energies. Then, bring your finger back into the center of the Northern quadrant. Next, continue to hold your finger level, drawing a line of Light back around to the Eastern quadrant (you are completing the creation of the equator of your sphere).
8) When you reach the East, make sure to complete the circle of Light by coming to rest in the same spot that you started from. Affirm that the circle of Light is now complete. Now take a deep breath, and as you release it, concentrate on your intent to clear the sphere of unwanted energies while strongly visualizing that the line of Blue-White Light around you begins to expand, with the energy creating and filling both hemispheres upwards and downwards simultaneously. (If you have trouble visualizing both directions at once, you can have one exhale bring one hemisphere up, and another bring the other hemisphere down.) You are now standing within a sphere of shining Blue-White Light.
9)Now walk back to the center of the circle where you began and continue to face East.
10) Call upon the Archangel of the East, Raphael. This is easily done by chanting his name. As you call upon him, visualize him rising upwards in front of you, facing away from you in a protective stance. If you can add in visual elements that are Airy - such as a wind blowing through his robes. If you are especially visual, the color yellow is the most appropriate for the attire of Raphael of the East. When you feel that he is strongly present, you may move on.
11) Call upon the Archangel of the West, Gabriel. Again, chanting the name works well. As you call, visualize him/her rising upwards behind you, facing away from you in a protective stance. If you can, visualize Watery elements, such as running water at his feet, or rain. The color blue is the most appropriate for the attire of Gabriel of the West. When you feel that s/he is strongly present, you may move on.
12) Call upon the Archangel of the South, Michael. As you call, visualize him rising upwards to your right, facing away from you protectively. If you are able, add visual elements of Fire - giving him a fiery sword is especially powerful. Red is the most appropriate color for his robes. When you feel that he is strongly present, you may move on.
13) Call upon the Archangel of the North, Uriel. As you call, visualize him/her rising upwards to your left, facing away from you protectively. Earthy elements are good here, such as crops, or grass, and earthtones such as brown or olive are appropriate robe colors for Uriel. When you feel s/he is strongly present, you may complete the visualization.
14) Take a moment to bask in the energy created by the four Archangels. Let it permeate you and fully permeate the space. Strongly affirm the completed and guarded circle of clearance and protection. Thank the Archangels for their protection and ask that they stay with you.
If you are doing the traditional LBRP, say “For around me flames the pentagram and within me shines the six-rayed star!”.
15) When you are ready to conclude, bring your consciousness back to your center, and re-affirm your connection to the Divine.
If you are performing this in the more traditional LBRP style, than you would repeat the Qabalistic Cross at this point in closing.
It is done!
This may seem like a long and involved visualization, but once you are thoroughly familiar with it, it need only take about 3-5 minutes to complete. When you are completely intimate with it and the energies that it creates, you can simply visualize yourself going through the motions (while still standing in the center) and it will be completely effective - which is great if you wish to do it while you have a client present, or when you otherwise may not be at liberty to perform a ritual openly. Again, this is a fantastic tool for practitioners of all kinds to have in their spiritual repertoire. So the steps outlined above create a space clear of unwanted energetic influences, and a boundary of angelic protection.
(If you are interested in performing this the traditional LBRP style, you may wish to Google “the lesser banishing ritual of the pentagram” and you’ll find many pages outlining the practice and providing explanations of the energies and processes happening during the rite.)
Now what if you'd like to charge that sphere up with large amounts of Light and Elemental energy? Doing so can be extremely helpful if you know that a particular working would benefit from being performed in an energetically charged atmosphere (as opposed to a neutral one, such as we've just created). Charging up one's aura can also add another layer of protection, as it is even more difficult for unwanted influence to gain access to our energy bodies if they are not only protected, but charged with Light. The following steps are simply a modified version of the above ritual, with the changed intent of charging as opposed to clearing. This is a version of the Lesser Invoking Ritual of the Pentagram. Please always CLEAR FIRST, then charge. If you are of a faith that has a specific symbol that encapsulates the invocation of White Light go through the following steps for the strongest effect. If you do not have a different symbol to use, you can always use the same symbol that you used in the clearing - just make sure to be clear that this time the intent in to invoke a great deal of Light. If you are using the traditional LIRP symbol, the pentagram of invoking Earth, then use the symbol given below: 
1) After creating your cleared and protected sphere, and having brought yourself back to center, take a moment to concentrate on your new intent to charge the sphere with Light.
2) With the new intent walk back to the East, as you did in the beginning. Again visualize your finger as glowing with Golden White Light. Draw your Light symbol as before, affirming its intention to bring in large amounts of Light. When finished bring your finger back to the center of the Eastern quadrant, then draw the equator line as you walk to the South.
If you are using the LIRP, then use the pentagram of invoking earth, and vibrate the same 4 Divine Names at each of the same quadrants that you did for the LBRP.
3) Repeat step 2 at the South, West, and North.
4) Complete your equator of light in the East. Take a deep breath and on the exhale visualize the hemisphere rising above and descending below to create a sphere of extremely bright, Golden White Light.
5) Call on each Archangel as before - only this time see them turn inwards towards you pouring their Light energy into the circle. Start with Raphael in the East in front of you, then Gabriel in the West behind you, Michael in the South to your right, and then Uriel in the North to your left. As you call each Archangel, feel the circle flood with the Elemental energy that that angel rules over. So Raphael will pour Air into your circle, Michael Fire, Gabriel Water, and Uriel Earth.
6) Take a few moments to feel the power of the four Archangels present strongly within the sphere. Feel the sphere and your aura filled up completely, being permeated with the Golden White Light and with the fresh Elemental energies.
7) When you feel full, affirm the creation of this charged sphere of Light. Thank the Archangels for their presence and ask that they stay with you.
If you are performing the LIRP, then say “For around me flames the pentagram and within me shines the six-rayed star!”
8) When you are ready to conclude, bring your consciousness back to your center, and re-affirm your connection to the divine.
Perform the Qabalistic Cross if you are doing the LIRP. If you need to ground any excess energies, then do so.
You are now protected by and aided energetically by the four Archangels!!
If you do not wish to work with symbols, or want an abbreviated version of the charging (still make sure to go through the entire clearing first though), at the conclusion of the clearing, simply go straight to the visualization of the four Archangels turning inwards to charge the sphere.
The more often you practice this, the stronger and more clear the visualizations will be, and the more palpably you will be able to feel the presence and energy of the Archangels. Using this visualization can be a fantastic way to make the acquaintance of these Archangels, and introduce their energies into your practice more strongly.
In any case, experimenting with various methods of psychic cleansing, protection, and charging are an important part of magical practice. This is one that is particularly powerful. It not only works extremely well prophylactically, but it can be used after you realize there's been an energetic breach and you are in need of emergency clearance. One doesn't need to be a magical practitioner to use this. This visualization will work for anyone who wishes energetic clearance, protection and charging. It can be a wonderful practice for those who are ill or are prone to illness, or for those who work in energetically challenging environments such as hospitals, or public service, or for anyone who would like to increase their energetic health and maintain a healthy subtle balance.
Those who resonate with this visualization and who decide to practice it daily, will notice a strongly positive shift in their energy body, and any areas where they regularly use this. Using the clearing and charging in the morning can be a fantastic preparation for the day ahead, and may even replace the need for morning stimulants like coffee! Using the clearing at night (you may find the charging too high-voltage just before bed, so it's not recommended for most) can help rid you of any psychic dust, calm the energy and mind, and provide you with Divine companionship and protection as you journey through the dream realms.
