Magical Sigils

[Zaphod]

I've been spending time creating magical sigils for myself, my wife, my brother and his wife, using gematria and numerological reduction. Here's an example, one I did for my sister-in-law. They''re done using public-domain clip art plus a small amount of free-hand drawing, rubber cement, colored pencils and a color scanner.

[eliybeats]

What exactly is a sigil good for? Just got through reading the wiki about it but wanted to know more

Oh yea it looks nice

[dr. farr]

Sigils, properly made and activated, act like batteries of certain specific qualities of subtle energies, which can then be tapped to acquire a "boost" in those qualities, or can be "broadcast" to a distance, to "send" those qualities to a target; they can also act like magnets, to attract certain specific qualities of subtle energies.

[eliybeats]

Thanks Dr. Farr for your explanation. I might try and get more into this subject. Have they been known to work effectively?

[eliybeats]

Im trying to do a sigil now. I used Runes instead of a magick alphabet. Would this be ok? If not where would I go for a good alphabet

[dr. farr]

Yes Runes could be used: remember, though, that correct "charging" of the sigil, and equally important, correct ASTROLOGICAL TIMING, are MOST important, in creating an effective sigil: the site, Renaissance Astrology, has a good deal of material relating to these considerations-PLANETARY HOURS, the Moon situation (never attempt to make a sigil during Moon void of course-it won't work!) and other planetary considerations applicable to the nature of the qualities you are creating the sigil for, make THE difference (along, of course, with proper INTENT) between having an effective subtle energy instrument, or merely an inert drawing...

[piercethevale]

Gustav Davidson's "A Dictionary of Angels" has the Angelic alphabet in the appendix and some sigils illustrated

[Zaphod]

I'm using the term "sigil" in more of a holistic sense than a talismanic one, with no highly-focused or particularized magical intent (I'm not, for example, using any telesmatic figures, charged pentagrams or symbols for angelic intelligences or spirits). From the Wiki article: "A sigil is usually made up of a complex combination of several specific symbols or geometric figures, each with a specific meaning or intent."

In my usage here, it's basically a set of images that "vibrate" to the name of the individual when recast into Hebrew letters and then manipulated using gematria and numerology to come up with a set of numbers and their associated symbolic ideas. For example, the "open hand" in this sigil represents the letter Yod (value 10; Tarot Trump, The Hermit); the color (which I loosely consider to be "plum"), is the color of the path of the Hermit on the Princess scale. The sword represents the letter Zain (value 7; Tarot Trump, The Lovers); the blade color orange is the color of the Path of The Lovers on the King scale, and the hilt colors gold and black are suggestive of the fact that the path has one end in the Sephirah Tiphareth and the other in Binah. The two bulls symbolize Gemini, the sign attributed to the path of The Lovers. Some of my choices answer to an artistic imperative rather than a strict qabalistic one, but they are generally in the ballpark.

My anticipation is that these "sigils" (I was also toying with the idea of "coat-of-arms" at first) will be used by the owner for meditation and perhaps invoking certain energies into a given situation. The overarching theme of this one is the letter Teth (value 9; Tarot Trump, Strength). The letter means "serpent," and the zodiacal attribution of Strength is Leo. The image is full of solar (the Sun symbol - which has both "sword-like" and "serpentine" rays; the open Eye of Osiris) and creative (the Alephs and the "Bulls Rampant") energy; even the yellow-green (color of the path of Strength) pencil-strokes are "flaming" upward. A secondary theme is "Discriminating Intelligence" as portrayed by the sword at the top, the Air triangle and frequent use of the pale yellow color. I'm sure there are subconscious correspondences among these images and colors that even I haven't yet unraveled, and I "channeled" them :). If you're interested, much of this background comes from Paul Foster Case and also from the Golden Dawn material.

The use of runes sounds interesting. I have no experience with them at all. Would the images be derived from Nordic mythology?

[Zaphod]

Gustav Davidson's "A Dictionary of Angels" has the Angelic alphabet in the appendix and some sigils illustrated

Would that be Enochian? I think it may also be covered in my Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic, but the closest I ever got to Enochian was Aleister Crowley's visions of the 30 Aethyrs. I'd love to get my hands on my brother's copy of John Dee's "Actions with Spirits" to see what's in that.

[Zaphod]

Here's another one. I won't go into detail, except that the central theme is the tarot Trump "The Empress," which is related to Venus and the Hebrew letter Daleth (Door). It's much more dense and stolid than the other one, repeatedly echoing the number "4," with the idea of Venusian "abundance" as an "outer" manifestation and the path of the High Priestess (Gimel, the Moon) and the serpent-power (Teth, Leo) working internally up the "Middle Pillar."

[piercethevale]

here's what I've got...there's more stuff in this book than I can shake a stick at...the biliography reads like a small section of the Vatican Library...Davidson produced one of the most extensively researched books...make that, "THE MOST"...I've ever seen...ptv

[piercethevale]

...some more....btw...according to my brother, Lucifer governed the Planet that is now the 'asteroids'...I don't know where he got that info from...I've asked Him and he hasn't recalled where yet...[that was about 25 years ago that he told me that...]

[piercethevale]

....some more...

[piercethevale]

....smore....

[piercethevale]

....lastly....

[piercethevale]

...and please be cautious with these...I have no way of proving their veracity...invoking the Angelic is serious business and one best know what they are doing...

[Zaphod]

...and please be cautious with these...I have no way of proving their veracity...invoking the Angelic is serious business and one best know what they are doing...

Absolutely. I have only used these once in the past, after taking all appropriate precautions, and have never used them since.

[piercethevale]

from Edgar Cayce...
"Then, study to show self approved unto the Giver of light, for all may approach the throne of grace who with pure hearts, pure purpose, seek to know His ways; for these are not past finding out to those that would BE a channel of blessings to others. But those that would seek to know the application of material forces for personal gain become stumblingblocks to themselves and to others." 355-1

[Zaphod]

....lastly....
This set is reproduced in Volume 5, "Sigils," of "The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic." The paper is attributed to "G.H. Frater D.D.C.F" but no credit is given to Davidson.

Edit: And now I see why. According to Wiki, "A Dictionary of Angels" was published in 1967. It's still available in paperback from Amazon.

[eliybeats]

So would these really work. I did one last night and I think Cafe Astrology said it was balsamic waning moon. I try to forget but this is interesting.

[piercethevale]

I wouldn't know...I prefer using Japa Yoga...in fact I only adhere to Vedic principles in such matters

[piercethevale]

...but I've had angelic intervention and visitation many times in my life...check out the photos in this same sub forum...it's titled 'Sprites..."...they are of the 'Angelic Order'...:wink:
ptv

[Zaphod]

I once did a protective sigil for a friend who had moved into a house that had carved, snarling, black wolf-heads over every room entrance. He was really spooked by it so I created a kind of talismanic "shield" depicting the appropriate angelic intelligence and banishing words to purge the negative "residue." I never heard any more about it, but I surely would have if he had been persistently stressed by it.

[piercethevale]

I once did a protective sigil for a friend who had moved into a house that had carved, snarling, black wolf-heads over every room entrance. He was really spooked by it so I created a kind of talismanic "shield" depicting the appropriate angelic intelligence and banishing words to purge the negative "residue." I never heard any more about it, but I surely would have if he had been persistently stressed by it.

well, there are rituals utilizing elementals and invocations that are less intrusive, less imposing upon the Angels...using Holy Salt [Kosher Salt] ...distributing around the rooms while reciting names of God...diluting it in water and put it in a spray bottle and spray the air, esp around the ceiling ..the edges and corners particularly as that is where 'presences' like to dwell...do it in a fashion from the back of the dwelling and out the front door as if you are sweeping dirt out...[that's just what you're doing...]...recite the names of God...or some appropriate mantra or prayer...and then sprinkle Holy Salt across the threshold to seal it...[and you should seal all such entrances before you start save one ...the last...]

[Zaphod]

well, there are rituals utilizing elementals and invocations that are less intrusive, less imposing upon the Angels...using Holy Salt [Kosher Salt] ...distributing around the rooms while reciting names of God...diluting it in water and put it in a spray bottle and spray the air, esp around the ceiling ..the edges and corners particularly as that is where 'presences' like to dwell...do it in a fashion from the back of the dwelling and out the front door as if you are sweeping dirt out...[that's just what you're doing...]...recite the names of God...or some appropriate mantra or prayer...and then sprinkle Holy Salt across the threshold to seal it...[and you should seal all such entrances before you start save one ...the last...]

It was quite a number of years (or decades) ago but I do recall going from room to room and using a ritual invocation to "sweep out" any presences. No salt or spray bottles though. At the time I was investigating Israel Regardie's talismanic magic methods and I believe that's where the idea came from. In retrospect, additional research into other ritual methods would probably have been in order.

[JUPITERASC]

It was quite a number of years (or decades) ago but I do recall going from room to room and using a ritual invocation to "sweep out" any presences. No salt or spray bottles though. At the time I was investigating Israel Regardie's talismanic magic methods and I believe that's where the idea came from. In retrospect, additional research into other ritual methods would probably have been in order.

Symbols have so many layers of meaning... some conflicting... paradoxically therefore what are the chances of misunderstandings? :smile:

[piercethevale]

I've always believed that if you need an Angel and you pray to God ...one is sent...[at least one ...]...and without specifically imploring one be sent...

[JUPITERASC]

I've always believed that if you need an Angel and you pray to God ...one is sent...[at least one ...]...and without specifically imploring one be sent...
Putting God on the back burner (since Atheists and Agnostics exist)! "If you need an Angel... one is sent" is a thought well worth thinking :smile:

[piercethevale]

Symbols have so many layers of meaning... some conflicting... paradoxically therefore what are the chances of misunderstandings? :smile:

...as to 'sigils' and such alphabets?...YES...one doesn't know...[at least I don't]...thus, my precaution as to being careful...

[JUPITERASC]

...as to 'sigils' and such alphabets?...YES...one doesn't know...[at least I don't]...thus, my precaution as to being careful...

Writing itself is a symbolic form of communication, as are words.
"Lost in translation" is a well known concept. :smile:

[piercethevale]

Writing itself is a symbolic form of communication, as are words.
"Lost in translation" is a well known concept. :smile:

EXACTLY...!!! That's why I shy from those that 'Speak in Tongues'...ifyaknowhoimean....as you'd better know what yo're saying...as Word is part of the recipe for manifestation....:wink:

[dr. farr]

Zaphod: yes, if using the Runes the archetypes would be from Norse mythology

All: the importance of correct astrological considerations in constructing an effective sigil (or yantra, if following Indian traditions) cannot be over-estimated.

[Skillcoil]

Interesting, thanks for posting.

[Zaphod]

Zaphod: yes, if using the Runes the archetypes would be from Norse mythology

All: the importance of correct astrological considerations in constructing an effective sigil (or yantra, if following Indian traditions) cannot be over-estimated.

Since the work I've been doing here can take a couple of days to complete, I would suggest that an auspicious astrological start time (planetary hour, phase of the Moon, no void-of-course or retrograde planets, etc.) would be the essential consideration for time-consuming constructions. In my experience, though, most sigils using line drawings or diagrams are drawn quickly and would fit well within the space of the chosen astrological time-frame.

[eliybeats]

I am about to create 8 Sigils and want to know should I do them all at once or a few for every day.

[dr. farr]

This depends upon what you want to use them for, do with them, your intentions...

[eliybeats]

If they were about finishing commitments to tasks i start, going with the flow of change in life, gaining higher awareness, becoming independent, becoming sensitive to the feelings of those around me ( I'm not completely apathetic), greater concentration, and having abundant talents and creativity with no limits, would that be reasonable.

and can it all be on just one sheet of paper

[piercethevale]

If they were about finishing commitments to tasks i start, going with the flow of change in life, gaining higher awareness, becoming independent, becoming sensitive to the feelings of those around me ( I'm not completely apathetic), greater concentration, and having abundant talents and creativity with no limits, would that be reasonable.

and can it all be on just one sheet of paper

I'm reminded of the old joke...[and I'm sure Dr. Farr will know this one and understand why I'm referring to it]...Q. How do you get to Carnegie Hall... A. Practice...practice...practice... http://instantrimshot.com/
I'm not you...and I don know you or what kind of limitations you have or may think you have or what sort of things may be thwarting you...but it's hard to beat perseverance and sweat as the recipe for success.

"The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen

...and good Taffy...ptv

[eliybeats]

I mean the way I've seen from other examples, sigils can be used like affirmations also so why not just take what I want to affirm and make them into sigils as well?

[piercethevale]

I mean the way I've seen from other examples, sigils can be used like affirmations also so why not just take what I want to affirm and make them into sigils as well?

To be honest...that sounds like a line of reasoning/understanding as to what sigils are that I had not considered...as I don't use them...never studied them..etc... I wouldn't know...I guess at this point I should excuse myself from this discussion...I provided what data I had and I should leave it at that...and I am still concerned about giving such info as I don't want any repercussion from Karma if they were wrong or if they aren't used correctly etc...
I figure they had been published and were available so I just did a service by saving you all research time...I hope I did the right thing.:unsure:

[dr. farr]

I mean the way I've seen from other examples, sigils can be used like affirmations also so why not just take what I want to affirm and make them into sigils as well?


Absolutely this can be done and is often actually much more effective than just the "mental" affirmations alone.

[eliybeats]

Thanks yall

[eliybeats]

It works. I know I shouldnt remember the sigil but I did one for meeting business people who will help me and I recieved a call today.... I won't put too much info in it but God i'm happy.