Today, I started the Initiate of the Second Degree. Which is just an evocation and largely no different than having done so in the past. I used a triangle in my ritual space, rather than using a circle, triangle and wasting candles in a graveyard. I did accidently forget to use the elixir. I would’ve anointed the incense, but I’m not splashing it about my enclosed ritual space so it smells like stale rum when it’s hot out like this.
The tone was different today and while there was clear dislike, it seemed to be dulled. I’ll take that.
What you don’t find out until looking at the Third Degree is that you’re supposed to repeat numbers 1 & 2 four times each, alternating. When I evoked AS, he said to do the rest today, so I have. Here are the few notes I took.
(first 2nd Degree evocation)
AS: The purpose of the evocation is to get to know one another better. But we’ve already spoken several times before you started. (Note - this isn’t the only reason)
(Concerning the 3rd Degree ritual, where Dante advocates for possession)
AS: You will be let go of when you feel you are finished with this book (this work through). Come, meet me at my temple.
Me: (I had called Azrael earlier) Azrael said this could be done through invocation as well, instead of full possession. (Invoking the spirit inside, rather than the environment version)
AS: Yes, this is true. (More for) those who don’t plan on continuing to work with me afterwards.
Me: Much safer to allow full possession at a later time than a foolhardy decision early on, don’t you think?
(He left).
As I projected back into the temple, one of the sides was completely down, as Dante suggests. I don’t know if this was front-loading or what.
AS: Now go. Evoke me again.
AS: I am here. You wish to know why you’re doing this. It is because He (Azrael) wishes it. Yes, there is a connection, which is not apparent at first. Come back to my temple.
AS: As you see, a second side is down, marking another cycle. You have now started the third.
Me: Why do the sides need to come down?
AS: To unfold and release the power (stored in the pyramid).
Me: And I will somehow notice this?
AS: Yes, it will be apparent. (He wouldn’t say more).
(Note - his demeanor started changing at this point and softened a bit.)
The third evocation was brief and there wasn’t anything useful said.
(fourth projection)
AS: You are right (to wonder). Why do you need to open the four sides if Dante already has (since we’re projecting to AS’s realm)? You are right. You travel to your space in my realm. Everyone’s is different and also explains why Azrael is ever-present, which you were wondering.
(fourth evocation)
The last side is opened. This will now act like a beacon (or energy weapon) for my power for you. I have accepted you (even if we don’t like each other). Go. Prepare for the Third.
Some of the instructions for the Second Degree (the evocation) aren’t useful or clear. He makes reference to the God-Form. He means the Balg version of the God-Form and not the Ceremonial version of it.
“Personalization of ritual is the God-self becoming active the moment you decide what to do”. Cool, guess mine was active the very first dedication ritual I did then. I would ignore what he says about it in the various areas. None of it is useful.
In Step 5, I didn’t use the chant. It isn’t necessary. It’s supposed to act as both an agent to manifestation of the entity, but he claims it also banishes the space afterwards. This suggests that intent is the more primary mover.
Step 6 is where he really talks nonsense. “Performing these two simple rites is considered forbidden. God has reached to his creation, and his creation has reached for him.” This snake god, according to the myth, was created after humans, so which God is he talking about? Who says these rites are forbidden and why do I care what they think? It’s a simple projection and a simple evocation. Didn’t think that warranted an emo response.
Step 7 has a little truth to it and more emo stuff. This is where AS is dismissed and the area banished. Or don’t, because, supposedly, this will result in the energies coagulating into a “thick mass”. I mean, you could open the sigil like a gate and get that, but 4 evocations is not really enough for that to happen, unless that is desired and there was enough energy involved to keep it open for a period of time. So, if you’re interested in that, I just told you how.
He does end that step with the ominous warning that you are never alone after doing this and even if you dismiss the energies, they don’t go away. I think he meant that there is a (stronger) connection than if one just petitioned. We already know evocation creates connections and those connections strengthen over time. It’s partially why we banish, ground, and cord-cut regularly (you are, right?). I think he just wanted to end the process with a something dark.