BANISHING

David J Clifton
In almost any book on Magic one of the first things you’re likely to encounter is a Banishing
Ritual or at the very least some form of instruction on Magical or Psychic protection. I
whole-heartedly agree that Banishing techniques are some of the first practical exercises
that one should learn, and learn well, in their study and practice of magic. There are several
reasons for learning these techniques.
Simply stated, Banishing means to send something away. The various techniques that
belong to this category of practice can be and are used to clear the mind of distraction, and
the general area of unwanted influences, not only before and after ritual work, but also in
everyday life. Any ritual or technique used to ground, dissipate, neutralize or otherwise get
rid of, or protect the magician from, general or specific unwanted energy, spirits, thought-
forms, memories, emotions, etc. can be considered a form of Banishing.
In a lot of Magical practice, particularly ritual work, it is desirable to work in a “neutral”
environment, free of any mundane or psychic influence, positive or negative. Many people
are not able to have a great deal of privacy, such as a room which can be used solely for
magical work. It’s common practice for the modern magician to use areas which are used
for other day-to-day activities for ritual work, meditation, and various magical endeavors.

For this reason, it’s a good idea to begin and end any formal Magical work with some form
of Banishing that seems appropriate to the work. These are techniques that center the
magician within himself and his ritual space and remove all unwanted energies that may
interfere with the ritual. Banishing after magical work clears the area and helps ground the
magician and return him or her to normal consciousness. This can sometimes be in the
form of a preliminary Exorcism before or a License to Depart at the end of a working. These
and similar techniques, in my experience, work just as well at removing unwanted energies
from physical objects, your own mind, or even other people, such as in the case of an
obsession or possession of some sort.

What about using Banishing in the “real” world, though? Have you ever been in an empty
room and simply felt “uncomfortable”? Maybe you know someone who seems to have a
certain “negativity” about them, or they seem to drain you physically, mentally, emotionally,
or spiritually in some way whenever you’re near them. We’ve all experienced this. It can be
extremely helpful to Banish when you’re in places where a large amount of negativity may
be lingering, such as at your work.

Remember that Banishings function to remove unwanted energy, positive or negative, from
the area that the magician is in. Also try Banishing such things as bad habits, negative
situations, and unproductive emotional responses. Anything that the magician may need to
“send away” can be Banished in some way.
I’m a firm believer in the idea that a banishing should fit the situation. Whenever you plan to
use a particular Banishing, ask yourself why it is being used and if it’s really the proper
method. Some are and some aren’t depending on what your intention is. When it comes to
Banishing, there are no hard and fast rules. Remember, there’s no one right way to do it,
just the way that works for you. To illustrate the importance of having good knowledge and
ability when it comes to Banishing, here’s a story:

Several years ago I was involved with a small group of magicians who were what I’d
describe as hardcore. I was invited to the home of one of the magicians for a day of
marathon magic. I was told ahead of time to work on a quick, effective banishing technique.

We went into the basement. This was my first official meeting with the particular group I was
working with. I was told, in a joking manner, “This is your first time at Fight Club, so you
have to fight.” It was explained that I was going to be involved in a lot of ritual work, and that
I had to be able to banish quickly, and well.

At the time I’d always thought of banishing as a way to balance and center, get in the right
mind, create a working space, etc. I was not really prepared for what was about to happen. I
was told that a “demon” was going to be evoked into a triangle on the floor in front of me,
and my job was to make it go away in a timely manner.

I stood against the wall, breathing deeply and mentally preparing myself, while two guys
performed a goetic style evocation ritual about 3 feet in front of me. When they were done
they told me “ok, go.” I saw nothing, but definitely felt a presence. I focused on the triangle
and shouted a short incantation. A large banner flew off the wall on the other side of the
room. Everybody kind of laughed and said “It’s still here”. I repeated my performance, and
began hearing A LOT of noise coming from outside….people yelling and stuff. “That’s to
distract you. Focus. Ignore it.” I repeated my Banishing again, and again. After some time I
thought to myself “I cant do this”. One of the other guys said “Yes you can”, as if he’d heard
my thoughts. I gave it one more go, from the heart, and they said it was gone. The
point……when your backs up against a wall, you better be able to banish quick and
effectively.
I believe a banishing technique is a very personal thing. In my opinion, it is your belief in the
banishing technique that empowers it and brings about the desired effect. By saying I think
such things are personal I don’t mean to say that I think learning other people’s techniques
are a bad idea. In fact, I believe one should learn as many techniques of this sort that they
can find.

People are different, and therefore should experiment and find what works best for them.
The point I am trying to make is that each person has their own view as to how and why
things are and this should be utilized when creating your own Banishing methods. There is
no limit on how many you can use or when to use them.
Essentially, a Banishing will be used for one, or several, of the following purposes:

• Grounding and Centering,

• Creating a neutral environment,
• as a License to Depart or an Exorcism,
• or as a form of Magical/Psychic Self-Defense.

Banishing techniques and methods will generally be in the form of:

• Artifacts (such as Talismans and fetishes),

• simple or complex Ritualized Banishings,
• visualizations and/or energy manipulation such as Psionic-style Shielding,
• Words of Power such as the “Apo Pantos Kakodaimonos” in Crowley’s Star Ruby
• or a combination of these different forms.

Grounding

Grounding techniques help bring the Magician back to a “normal” state of consciousness.
This is often necessary after an intense ritual when one has spent a significant amount of
time in an altered state of consciousness. Depending on the intent and nature of the ritual
and the emotional/psychological state of the magician there may be some residule energy
associated with the ritual. This is normal, but when the ritual is over it is necessary to return
to a normal state of mind. If you have just performed, for example, a ritual to get revenge on
an enemy, fueled by rage, you want to let that go when you’re done. On a lighter note,
sometimes after a ritual you may just feel a bit unbalanced, or maybe somewhat euphoric,
which also warrants a good grounding.

In everyday life, there are a multitude of “mundane” ways one can ground. People who are
especially sensitive to the problems, emotional baggage, personal dramas or even physical
pain of others can benefit greatly by grounding regularly, possibly several times daily.
People like this are a form of Psychic Vampire, and grounding is a good way to Banish the
draining effect they sometimes have. Grounding is also a good way to overcome stress and
anxiety. Nearly everyone experiences these things from time to time for one reason or
another, and finding ways to ground ourselves is a great solution to overcoming these
feelings. One of the fastest ways to ground is to shock your body slightly. Splashing your
face with cold water is probably the most common way to do it.

Focusing on breathing slowly and deeply as opposed to shallowly and rapidly is good, too.
Ever heard the phrase “Take a deep breath and count to 10”? To do this, simply become
aware of your breathing and slow it down. Breath in counting slowly and evenly to 4. Now
hold your breath in for 4, Breath out 4, hold your breath for 4. Make sure you don’t close
your throat when holding your breath either in or out. Just use your lungs to stop your
breath. Focus your attention on the sensation of your breath going in and out. Continue this
exercise until you feel calm and grounded.

Paying close attention to things around you can help you reorient yourself.
Stretching and general body movement, such as waving your arms around or going for a
walk, seem to be helpful as well.

Most anything that normally calms you down will help you to ground, such as watching TV,
playing video games, reading, a relaxing bath or shower (which are easily ritualized through
visualization), and even eating. In many religious and magical traditions a feast will follow
ritual work, though the participants may not be aware of this reason, for the grounding effect
a meal has. Sometimes you may not really feel like eating, but you should, if possible, have
something sweet followed by a small amount of protein. High protein food is harder to digest
and therefore redirects the person’s energy into their body. Moreover, high protein food will
help adjust brain chemistry in the direction of normal beta wave consciousness.

Laughter might well be the best method, though, as many a seasoned Chaos Magician will
attest.

Centering

Centering techniques generally focus upon one’s center of gravity. They’re used for the
purpose of helping the Magician summon energy and find stability for whatever work they’re
doing. Centering techniques focus the mind and get it ready to work. This type of technique
should effectively “Banish” thoughts that aren’t in accordance with your current work,
whether that work is an Enochian Ritual, a math exam, or a job interview.

I personally use only one method of Centering. I’ve been using it since I was a kid and it’s
always served me well. When I was about ten years old my father put me in Martial Arts
classes because I was being picked on by neighborhood bullies. This not only led to the
bullies not picking on me anymore, but also gave me a lifelong passion for such things as
energy work and meditation. My martial arts instructor taught me about keeping one point of
consciousness at the Dantian. The Dantian is used as a focal point for internal meditative
techniques and refers specifically to the physical center of gravity located in the abdomen
three finger widths below and two finger widths behind the navel. He demonstrated how
maintaining “one point” was useful, not only in fighting, but in daily life. When he put his
consciousness at his Dantian he became immovable. He could lay on beds of nails while
grown men broke concrete blocks on his stomach with sledgehammers. Things like this
tend to get the attention of a ten year old boy. During our meditations, people would sway
and bounce from the energy they were cultivating. The instructor, from time to time, might
even walk up and hit or kick them. They didn’t lose their focus. I found that by putting my
focus on my Dantian I was more balanced, stronger, more energetic, and more graceful.

So here’s my personal Centering practice. It’s incredibly simple but will allow you to bring
focus and find balance. This technique can be performed standing, sitting, or lying down. If
sitting in a chair you’ll want to sit so that with your feet flat on the floor your torso, thighs and
shins roughly form the shape of a stair step. In other words, the angle between your spine
and thighs is about 90 degrees and the angle between your thighs and lower legs is about
90 degrees in the other direction. It is better that these angles be a little more than 90
degrees rather than less. Your head should rest comfortably on your neck. Your spine
should be erect so that your head balances there without much muscle tension keeping it in
place. Sit up straight and find that balance point. You may look slightly downward, or simply
close your eyes. You may simply rest your hands on your thighs. Your nose and your navel
should be in line. Your ears and shoulders should be in line. You may rock a little front to
back and to each side to find the balance point.

Now release any remaining muscle tension and concentrate on your breathing. At first,
simply let your breathing become very natural. It will find its own pace and you may notice
that it slows and deepens. Inhale gently through the nose, hold, and exhale through the
mouth, each period lasting for about five seconds. Allow the breath to sink into your
abdomen. Imagine that the breath is moving like a wave between your lungs and the point
in the center of your abdomen a couple of inches below and behind your navel. Bring your
attention fully to that energy center. Allow all of you attention to focus at that point. It may be
helpful to imagine a point of white light in your abdomen. Visualize with each breath that the
abdomen fills with energy; feel it warm and tingling. Continue to return your awareness to
your Center whenever it drifts away. Focus all of your attention there. Note any sensations
you have there and let them go. Releasing your mental constrictions there will allow the
energy to move up your spine and throughout your body. You may feel energized, but at the
same time you may have a feeling of being in balance. Focus your attention without desire
for any particular result. Check your posture and bring it back to balance when you feel it
slip.

Creating a Neutral Environment

As was mentioned earlier, a magician will usually have to create a neutral environment prior
to ritual work, get rid of residue left lingering after magic(k)al work, and neutralize negativity
from people, places, and things in the everyday world. Negative energy in various forms can
collect where we live, where we work, and basically anywhere people find themselves. For
example, arguments with spouses, children, parents, or friends cause it. A stressful work
environment causes it. I’ve even noticed large family functions that seem to be quite happy
on the surface sometimes seem to cause it. These are all perfectly normal everyday
situations that will happen from time to time, but all produce negative energy that must be
Banished.

Before formal magical work it is a good idea to clean the area physically. Pick up any
clutter, vacuum, mop, whatever seems necessary. Also, make sure you will not be
interrupted. Disconnect your telephone, close any open curtains and lock the doors if
necessary. If you are working at home and have family, tell them you are not to be disturbed
for a while. Now you are ready to begin banishing any negativity that might be present.
There are several ways of doing this. Here’s a simple one:

Standing in the area to be Banished, face any preferred direction. Ground and Center. Hold
out your projective hand (right if right-handed) palm down at waist height and point your
fingers at the edge of the area. Visualize energy flowing out from your fingertips as a bright
light (colored if you wish) and slowly walk clockwise around the area. Now form it with your
visualization into the form of a dome, it should encompass the whole area. Now extend the
energy down into the floor, see it forming into a complete sphere of brilliant light as you
stand at its center. Feel it dissipating all of the negativity in the area. When the area seems
’clean’, finish the technique by turning the palm and clenching your fist pulling it back to your
body.
Smudging, the burning of certain herbs to create a cleansing smoke bath, is another
common method which is used to purify people, ritual space, and ceremonial tools and
objects. This technique is traditionally used to Banish negative energies by cleansing,
purifying and protecting the magician and the working area, and also bring physical, spiritual
and emotional balance. It is easily performed by burning traditionally purifying incense or
herbs such as frankincense, myrrh, sage, thyme or rosemary. The physical act of smudging
can be as simple as fumigating the area by walking clockwise around the area and
visualizing the smoke dispelling any negative energy.

For formal ritual work, I like to smudge before and after. The first smudging is for the
purpose of cleansing the space, myself and any participants and for banishing any
unwanted energies. Cleansing the ritual space before and after the event is essential. The
final smudge is to Banish any negative vibrations and energies attracted or created during
the ritual. Smudging is also an easy way to banish yourself and your living space on a
regular basis. Many people with desk jobs can even get away with this method of Banishing
at work.

Ritual Banishing

The Golden Dawn’s Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram, Aleister Crowley’s Star
Ruby, Peter Carroll’s Gnostic Pentagram Ritual, and countless other examples fall into the
area of Ritual Banishings. All mentioned here are good, as well as many others out there.

Most Ritual Banishings use various combinations of visualization, gesture, movement,

words of power, invocation, sometimes evocation, breath control, and a wide array of
symbol systems in a psycho-dramatic fashion to Banish.

Many of these rituals ground, center, create a neutral environment for, and protect the
magician all with one short, usually no more than ten minute ritual, making ritual Banishings
excellent for beginning and ending longer sessions of magical work.

Many magicians also perform Banishing Rituals as a daily routine, such as in the morning
just after they wake up and at night before bed, in addition to using them to open and close
their ritual work.