RO and I performed a conjuration of Tzaphkiel,
spirit of Saturn, last night. It was the
first planetary working for some time, since we’ve been busy with Thelemic
things (including an invocation of Baphomet that I may describe at a later
point). Tzaphkiel is held to be the angel
of YHVH Elohim, and is connected with the sephira of Binah. The link between “understanding” as the
characteristic of Binah and patience and hidden things (a few of Saturn’s
attributes) is chiefly made through the application of silence and observation,
which will explain some of what we experienced.
I started with a purification bath, with sea salt, magnesium
sulfate and sodium bicarbonate. I made
it as hot as I could bear, as I have reported previously, and sat singing bits
of Lutheran liturgy until the water was cold, then dressed in a black robe with
my phylactery and a black filmy veil. I
was absolutely empty at this point. I
went into the temple room, where RO was finalizing the preparations of the
altar and the space, and sat down. Then
we began.
We purified one another with hyssop and consecrated with
Abramelin oil. We then together said the
phrase from the Stele of Jeu (ΑΟΘ ΑΒΡΑΟΘ ΒΑΣΙΜ ΙΣΑΚ ΣΑΒΑΟΘ ΙΑΟ). After that we called universal forces with
the First Father prayer, and consecrated the crystal and the incense. RO then
summoned Tzaphkiel. I then read Fr.
Achad’s Conjuration of Kronos (http://hermetic.com/achad/misc/conjuration-of-kronos.htm
). The room began to thicken, and I put
down the veil. It made the candlelight
dance in an interesting and confusing way (meaning it was perfect).
RO then read the Orphic hymn to Saturn. The room was electric, and I peered into the
crystal. I saw first a mouth with a
thousand very slender and pointed teeth, and it then resolved itself into any
eye. The overall sense was a quiet
expectant waiting. RO saw an old man in
the crystal, but I will leave his impressions for his blog post on the
subject.
RO then stated our requests, for Tzaphkiel to open us to the
wisdom of his sphere, to help us on the path to occult wisdom and understanding.
Everything felt of quiet and patient waiting (although I
confess to being concerned about the flammability of the veil and the lack of a
strong impression) when I heard the voice:
“You can take off the veil any time you want.”
Of course, there was a mild joke in it about my headdress,
but it was also directly addressing our request. Apparently, it really is up to us.
Blessed be thou.
Photo credit: http://www..aworldofmyths.com%2FGreek_Gods%2FCronus.html
