THEE SIGIL GARDEN

INTRODUCTION TO SIGIL MAGICK

Sigilisation could be described as an attempt to integrate and actualise thee processes ov desire. There are infinite theories behind thee techniques, usually with strong recourse to Freudian psychoanalysis and/or Jungian psychology. Yet, whether or not one attempts to rationalise thee mechanics that makes sigils work, one thing always remains- they do work. They work regardless ov whether you believe in thee unconscious. They work regardless ov whether you believe in thee possibility ov magick etc. That is their advantage (or disadvantage). For, as we were allegedly warned when young, we must be careful what we wish for...

So, with sigils, thee focus shifts to thee critical observation ov desiring processes. One must cross-examine them until completely sure ov their source, their motivations, their necessity, and their results should they eventuate. Once thee Will has been established, thee rest is almost but a matter ov going through thee motions!

Let us begin by dividing methods ov constructing sigils into five basic techniques-

i. Word Method;
ii. Mantra Method
iii. Picture Method;
iv. Automatic Method;
v. Traditional Method.

Thee first three techniques are somewhat self-explanatory, two using a verbalised desire to formulate a sigil and thee other beginning with a diagrammatic representation ov thee desire. Method (iv) uses a form ov auto-suggestion, similar in some ways to Surrealistic "pure psychic automatism" or spiritist "automatic writing", although thee differences will become clearer; and method (v) incorporates traditional magickal symbols (such as planetary symbols) and sigil determination (such as thee use ov magick squares) as opposed to personal symbols, although thee two will obviously merge depending on how familiar one is with those systems.

This is debatebly thee simplest, quickest and most popular method ov sigil construction. One begins by writing down thee chosen desire or outcome in thee most constructive way possible. For example, instead ov "I DESIRE NOT TO BE SICK" one might use "I DESIRE TO BE WELL". It is worthwhile adding here that using thee same prefix for each sigil, like "I DESIRE. . ." or "THIS MY WILL. . .", will also create coninuity between sigils.

Once thee desire has been written down (using capital letters is recommended), it is re-written into a single word, this time omitting repeated letters. For example, "THIS MY WILL TO BE WELL" becomes "THISMYWLOBE". At this stage, a glyph is constructed from thee letters. For example, a possible form ov "THISMYWLOBE" is:

From thee same sigil "THISMYWLOBE" a mantra can be formulated, simply by rearranging thee letters into a satisfying mantra-sentence. For this example, a possible mantra would be:

LISHT MO WY EB

A mantra is useful as it can be combined with almost any technique. It is therefore recommended for all sigils where possible.

If thee mantra is a bit cumbersome, thee initials ov each word or section can be combined to produce a formula or word ov power. For example, thee formula for thee above example would be "L.M.W.E.". Thee pronunciation can be determined by substituting thee vowel sound ov thee Hebrew equivalent (in this case "La-Me-Vau-hE"), or simply using vowel sounds that seem appropriate.

This method is best suited to objectives that are better expressed by a diagram or drawing ov thee desired result. For instance, thee desire to acquire something might call for a picture ov that object to be used rather than a lengthy description ov it (at this point it may be useful to bear in mind that one can be too selective when it comes to sigils. In other words, detailing specifics can limit thee souces ov a sigils success, rather than allowing for possibilities that you may not have taken into account.

There are a variety ov techniques for deriving sigils from words or ideas. Broadly speaking, they can be categorised as meditative or non-meditative. Thee former is achieved by contemplating thee word(s) or idea to be sigilised until a glyph is constructed that you are happy with. Thee easiest way to achieve this is to draw as many symbols that you can come up with that seem to somehow embody thee word(s)/idea you are dealing with. Then, this time more discriminating, select or combine thee most appealing symbols or pictures and so on until you have created a sigil you are satisfied with, ie: which represents to you somehow thee word/desire you are working on.

Although resembling thee picture method, which is more or less an intellectual association, thee automatic method operates on a different level, allowing other kinds ov associations to operate.

Thee non-meditative automatic method involves clearing thee mind ov any thoughts before beginning. When a calm state ov mind is achieved, one begins drawing or scribbling randomly. Do not try to control your actions- perhaps use your left hand if youre right-handed or vice versa. If a thought arises whilst you are doing this, just let it go and clear your mind once more. This requires a fairly relaxed approach, as trying to clear a particular thought often only encourages it.

Eventually, after a fair bit ov scribbling, scan thee page(s) for any unusual qualities such as repeated scribbles, or sections with more straight lines, or geometric shapes. Anything which you particularly like or are drawn to, copy onto another page. Combine and/or refine these glyphs until you have constructed a figure you are satisfied with. Thee similarities need not be too strong between thee original scribbles and thee final product, so long as they were thee inspiration.

For both thee meditative and non-meditative techniques, it is often a good idea to firstly formulate a mantra and intone it as you draw/scribble etc.

Two quite different techniques come under this heading. Thee first is similar to thee word method, except that instead ov using letters ov thee alphabet as inspiration for thee glyph, traditional magickal symbols are used (eg: zodiac, elemental and planetary symbols). This technique assumes that you have either used thee symbols before, or have a good understanding ov their use (thus it is not recommended that one uses symbols ov a system without a good understanding ov thee other symbols in that system, their meaning being heavily inter-dependent).

There are arguments for and against this method. For example, thee symbols are often stereotyped, especially on a popular level, and used to reinforce associations and meanings which are left unevaluated. But on thee other hand, one could just as strongly argue that this is thee case with any language (a language being, in a nutshell, a circular system ov meanings/references) and that, like any language, they conceal traces ov their histories and their own idiosyncratic truths. That, like any language, those ov thee mystery traditions give us insight into thee workings ov those who devised, used, and revised them. Thus, as with any language, it is our responsibility to find, expose and mutate thee cracks and meanings ov this legacy.

Another more traditional technique ov formulating sigils uses a rose diagram such as thee one here.
[diagram not available]

To use thee rose, one merely draws a line connecting one letter to thee next. Thee sigil used above "THISMYWLOBE" would be sigilised thus:
[diagram not available]

Or, alternatively, Kameas or magick squares can be used and/or devised for sigils.

One method ov using thee magick squares is to firstly turn thee letters ov thee sigil mantra into numbers, using thee Hebrew, Greek or Enochian attributions ov thee letters. Once done, thee sequence ov numbers can be traced over any ov thee Kameas to produce a sigil for each planetary attribution. Then, if desired, thee seven different sigils can be combined or used in one design. Thee construction ov personalised Kameas can also be used in much thee same way.

Alternatively, one could opt for a more contemporary approach, using English qabala and personalised magick squares. There are several methods available for determining numerical attributions to thee english alphabet. Thee simplest is A=1, B=2, C=3, D=4 etc, although this is thee least satisfying and most easily translated, even at first sight. Another method is to construct a table ov thee letters vertically, and then attribute numbers to thee letters in a horizontal pattern. Thee numbers can be 1-26 or, preferably, 1-10, then 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800. For a complete system, 900 and 1000 can be added if sounds such as "Th" and "Sh" are given separate attributions.

Another system uses a 26-pointed star, each point being connected to every seventh point after it. An "A" is placed at thee uppermost point, and then in an anticlockwise direction, every seventh point is succesively named "B, C, D, E. . ." etc. Thee numerical attributions are made beginning with A=1 and travelling in a clockwise direction around thee star, ending with P=26.

Thee same principle goes for magick squares. There is no need to stick to thee traditional ones. In fact, a sigil sentence ov desire can be easily turned into a magick square, based on thee principles evident in thee Kameas on thee previous pages.

It is always a good idea to decorate your sigils so as to make them more pleasing to you. Dots, circles and triangles are old favourites, but use whatever feels right. Another good idea is to enclose your finished sigils in a border- a circle, square, star or whatever seems appropriate. This is also useful if one intends making a talisman ov thee sigil.

Variants on thee above categories should be considered thee norm, and thee categories themselves thee exceptions. Cross-pollination ov techniques not only makes thee sigil more diverse, but gives you a wider armoury ov techniques. Experimentation will determine which methods work best for you.

It is sometimes better to construct sigils for individual words, groups ov words, or images/ideas/things. This was hinted at above. Thee reasoning behind this is that sigils can then reinforce each other whilst you construct your own "Language Ov Desire". Thus, you might have a sigil for "THIS MY DESIRE" and use it in every sigil.

Thee completed sigil could then either be a string ov sigils for each word/idea, or a combined sigil made from synthesising such a string ov sigils. Again, it is a matter ov taste and, in particular, depends upon thee method you will use to activate thee sigil(s).

It is generally agreed that sigils are best activated during a period ov intensity- whether emotional, sexual, physical or whatever. Often such a state requires crossing a threshold, such as that implied by physical exhaustion. It thus follows that thee more one works in this area, thee further thee thresholds themselves are pushed. This is, by thee way, thee primary argument against regular usage ov pain in sigil activation- one may wind up doing more damage than good in trying to overcome a high tolerance. Thee same cannot be generally said ov physical or sexual thresholds!

With or without (a) partner(s), sexual exhaustion is arguably thee most popular method. For quick sigils, orgasm is hard to beat for a blissful trance-like state for sigilisation. Orgasm, however, is not necessarily thee most intense moment in sexual experience, especially willed orgasms. An orgasm that creeps up on you after hours ov consciously avoiding it is possibly thee best moment for sexual sigilisations. And an orgasm need not necessarily be genital, either, especially after prolonged sexual activity.

Other techniques include physical exhaustion, which is often characterised by attempting to maintain uncomfortable, strenuous and perhaps painful positions. Spares Death Posture is a good example. One version ov thee Death Posture involves blocking thee eyes, ears, nose and mouth with either fingers and/or other apparatus. This is held way beyond thee stage when you feel you cant bear it anymore, until you nearly pass-out. Ov course, this cannot be recommended to anyone below thee peak ov physical health.

Another variant ov thee Death Posture involves crossing thee legs backwards (thigh over thigh) as tightly as possible, and wrapping thee arms around thee back ov thee head as tightly as possible. This position is maintained beyond ordinary levels ov exhaustion.

Thirdly, one stands on one (or two) leg(s) and stretches as high as possible upwards until exhaustion results. Whirling and other disorienting techniques could also be used for similar results.

Any variant ov thee Death Posture performed whilst gazing into a mirror also heightens thee effect. Ov course, mirror gazing etc can be used without thee Death Posture proper.

Emotional intensity is much harder to work with in thee sigil process. This is mostly due to thee fact that intense emotions are much harder to evoke than other forms ov intensity. Fear is probably thee simplest to work with for many, although one must take safety precautions if necessary. Bunjee jumping sigils are not unheard ov!

Regardless ov thee procedure, thee mental work remains pretty much thee same in technique. Some argue that it is very important to not think ov thee objective ov thee sigil at this point. Indeed, thee sigil process is designed to avoid thee problems associated with lust ov result, such as anxiety, fear ov failure/success etc. So, during or just after thee peak moment, concentrate on thee sigil itself. If you find difficulty in mental visualision, stare at your sigil with eyes as wide as possible until you cant bear it any more. Crying out thee word ov power or mantra ov thee sigil is often helpful, especially if thee mantra has been intoned throughout thee operation.

When thee intensity ov thee sigilising has passed (try to maintain it for as long as possible), relax and banish thee sigil from your mind.

Thee quicker you get thee sigil out ov your mind after thee operation, thee better. Laughter is a popular and effective method- as loud and raucus as possible! More traditional methods are also useful if you are familiar with them and dont just use them for sigils (eg: thee lesser banishing ritual ov thee pentagram). Or, you could simply just go and do something completely unrelated- like thee washing up, a game ov chess etc.

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