THE RITUAL
                    OF THE BANNER OF THE EAST

                       By Israel Regardie
                   (Edited by David Cherubim)
                              From
                     "The Sceptre of Power"
                    (New Falcon Publications)

                          Issued by the
                       Thelemic Order and
                    Temple of the Golden Dawn


Let us first take a good look at the Banner of the East in the
Complete Golden Dawn System of Magick (Published by Falcon
Press). On a veil of white is shown a yellow cross of six
squares. Superimposed on the Golden Cross is a red ascending
triangle and a descending blue triangle, and again the interlaced
Hexagram is referred to Tiphareth. In the centre is a little
White Tau, a three-pointed figure.

This Banner is suspended in the East -- that point in the Temple
through which a spiritual Force enters. Nothing more is said
about this Banner or any of the symbols; but I want you to
remember that any of the symbols given in the Golden Dawn are not
to be construed as merely intellectual. Every symbol conceals a
practical formula. There is a considerable formula concealed in
the Banner of the East. In this Banner symbolism is implied an
infinite White Light operating in a balanced way. You have the
red fire of the spirit descending upon the blue waters of
creation in a balanced, harmonious way. It is the balanced state
of Illumination.

The technique implied here is the same. The heart would be the
White Tau. What you want to do is this: Here your imagination can
take the place of a large Banner. Create in your imagination this
large Banner. Imagine yourself superimposed upon the Banner.
Imagine yourself as an enormous cross of gold; then see the red
triangle interlaced with the blue triangle, and in the heart
where Tiphareth is see the White Tau.

What words shall we use as a sympathetic vibration? Two words
which imply a harmonious, balanced state. They are JEHESHUAH,
JEHOVASHAH, that is, YOD-HEH-VAV-HEH and the letter SHIN bursting
through.  (Note: Thelemites may substitute these words with the
name RA-HOOR-KHUIT.) And if we desire to do so, the invocation to
be used would be one which would represent the ascent of the
individual in the Light -- "I am the Resurrection and the Life".
One makes up composite Rituals for one's self, and in this case
you can make one up instead of using "I am the Resurrection ...."
If you understand the basic formula involved you apply it to
everything and thus create your own initiation.

That is all one need to say about this particular formula. 

Let us endeavor to do this Ritual collectively, taking one
individual as the subject, and we will see him or her as the
focal point (being placed in the centre of the circle). We shall
see the Banner of the East enveloping the subject; and as it is
the symbolism of Light, it should be a healing symbol. And
remember that the more Light there is working through the system,
the more there is a tendency within to restore equilibrium.

You are the Golden Cross, and superimposed on that the Hexagram
of a red ascending triangle with a blue descending triangle. Your
whole aura, all about you is White. See clearly this White Aura.
The Gold Cross symbolized the equilibrium and balanced man. The
Banner of the East itself hangs on a white pole showing purity
and illumination of the Adept.---

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