Now, it is critical to clearly understand what we mean by invoking and banishing of energies. Invoking is analogous to taking a dry sponge and dropping it into a bucket of water so that it can be used. Banishing is taking the bucket of water and disposing of it after the sponge has been filled to its capacity. We do not seek to wring the water out of the sponge or to dry it out when we banish. That is why once charged, talismans or alchemical products are either consumed immediately, as in the Mass, or placed in a protective container, such as in a box or plastic bag or wrapped in nonconductive fabric.
Prepare your ritual area in the following manner:
1. Cover your altar, or the table you are using as an altar, with a black cloth. The cloth should preferably have a white border, but a simple piece of black cloth, large scarf, or even an unfolded handkerchief will do. Black is used because it is the color of Saturn and of Earth, both of which are concerned with "earthing" or "fixing" energy.
2. Place on top of the black cloth a drawing of the polygon and polygram combined that are appropriate for the planet that rules the herb that the tincture has been created from. For example, if the plant is ruled by Mars, a pentagon with a pentagram (five-pointed star) drawn inside of it-connecting all of the pentagon's points-would be used. Draw the planetary symbol in the center of the two symbols. This you can draw with black ink on a white piece of paper or index card. If possible, use the planetary color and its complementary color for added effect. However, don't delay your work if they are not available; just use what is available to you and experience the simplicity of the process.
3. Place one white candle on your altar. White is used because it represents the pure undifferentiated energy of the Infinite that we are opening ourselves to. Incense appropriate to the planet may be used but is not essential. Have a candle snuffer at hand to use; never blow out your candles, as it is considered "extinguishing the light" rather than transforming it by using a candle snuffer.
4. A few minutes before the planetary hour of sunrise on the day ruling the tincture's planet, light your candle and place the tincture on top of the planetary symbol in the center of the card you have prepared. Be sure that the bottle is uncapped. If possible, arrange your space so that you are facing geographical east when seated in your oratory and before your altar.
5. Sit and breathe slowly and deeply through your nose. Let your mind and body relax and, after a minute or two of such breathing, say a prayer such as the following to set the tone for your operation: "May the Light of the Infinite infuse my mind, body, consciousness, and this tincture with the Quintessence of [planet's name] and aid in my Awakening and any who may come in contact with it."
6. Breathe slowly and deeply, focusing on your breath and the idea that you are opening up to the energies of the planetary hour. Do not focus on what these energies are, how they feel, or what they should be doing. Simply bathe yourself in their presence.
7. If you need to focus on something to keep your mind from wandering, start small. Begin with the planetary symbol in its appropriate color, or simply inhale and exhale the color of the energy of the day. You can imagine the more complex symbol on your altar, but do not stress yourself if it is too complex to visualize at the moment. The key here is to keep everything simple and let Nature do her work.
8. Stay like this for fifteen to thirty minutes or even the entire length of the hour if you desire. When done, recap your tincture, extinguish the candle, and offer a prayer of thanks for whatever you have received, knowing that the tincture has been charged.
9. Give a closing sign, such as the Sign of Silence, performed by placing the index finger of the right hand to your lips. Hold this for a moment, with the intention of banishing any unabsorbed energies. You may also substitute this sign with a small bell, clapping your hands loudly, or anything else that signals a clean and clear end to the session.
A tincture can be charged in this manner as often as you like. It is not necessary to take lunar cycles into account when charging in this manner, because we are using planetary hours to compensate. However, taking advantage of lunar cycles will only enhance the operation. With experience, students are able to sense the arrival of the planetary hour as well as reduce the number of tools used in the charging. Over time, the geometric figures can be eliminated, as well as the candle and black covering. While there are distinct psychological advantages to using these tools repeatedly in order to induce the proper receptive state of mind, it will be possible in a pinch to charge a tincture simple by formulating a prayer, remaining passive at the proper hour, and leaving the tincture uncapped for several minutes.
Active charging of products differs from passive charging more in form than in substance. Both methods are designed to increase the amount of energy a product contains and is therefore available to the alchemist (or whoever uses the product) when he or she decides to use it. Methods can range from very elaborate personalized rituals involving the pentagram and hexagram, or the elaborate alchemical ritual given in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn's Z-2 document, to simple consecrations and blessings.' Two simple forms of active charging are detailed here, and more elaborate methods of charging can be found in works dealing with talismans.
While planetary hours are being used in this method of active charging, it is more important to take lunar cycles into account than in the passive method previously described. Preferably, you should perform operations of this nature only when the Moon is waxing, that is, during the period between the New Moon and Full Moon. Avoid charging during the waning Moon unless there is the distinct need for dense, heavy, material force. In this case, it is possible to begin the operation during the New Moon and charge the product repeatedly for the entire lunar month of four weeks, or even a forty-twoday period. A charging of this length can be done every day for the entire period, or just on the planetary hour after sunrise on the day of the ruling planet.
You will need all of the tools listed in the directions for passive charging above; in addition, it is important that you have an understanding of the qualities represented by the planet involved and that you have available as much symbolic paraphernalia related to the planet and the function of the tincture as you can.
1. Prepare your oratory prior to the actual ritual. It is preferable that you establish the altar so that you will be facing the geographical direction of the planet whose forces you are attuning to, or, as a second choice, facing geographical east. However, the ritual can proceed if neither of these positions is known. Begin the ritual a few minutes after sunrise on the day ruling the planet corresponding to the tincture.
2. Relax, preparing yourself for the work ahead.
3. Stand, facing front or east, extend your right hand, and trace a brilliant bluish white circle about your work area. This circle should be imagined to be about nine feet in diameter and, when completed, form a brilliant translucent sphere about the area in which it is imagined. Take your time with this and imagine it strongly.
4. Recite aloud your opening prayer or petition. Prayers said out loud rather than whispered or given silently have a greater emotional impact and therefore greater power. Here is an example: "Great Nothingness from which All has come, open my heart, mind, and body to Nature's powers of the day and hour; and with her aid, in the light of day lift up my soul like the morning sun to shed Light and Life upon all that it touches. In the Name and the Power of the Great Work, Amen!"
5. Imagine a brilliant sphere of white light forming before you, about a foot or so above your head. Imagine it growing bright, dense, and shining in color. Lift up your arms so that the sphere appears to be floating between your hands.
6. Imagine the sphere changing from brilliant white to the color of the planet of the day. Imagine that it is outlined by highlights of the planet's complementary color. Visualize the symbol of the planet of the day in the center of the sphere, this too in its complementary color.
7. Breathe deeply, imagining your body filled with brilliant energy. This can be bluish white or the color of the day. Fill yourself with this energy, and as you exhale, see it moving out of your hands into the sphere and imagine the sphere responding to this increase in energy. Focus a strong emotional theme to the energy. Imagine the actual outcome that you desire the tincture to bring as being played out inside the sphere, as if it were a miniature video screen.
8. As you slowly lower your hands, imagine the sphere moving down with them, until it is hovering over your tincture. Pause and strengthen your image if needed.
9. Imagine the sphere around the tincture, and charge it for several breaths.
10. Imagine the sphere entering into the bottle and being completely absorbed into the tincture.
11. Cap the bottle.
12. Sit and relax for a few moments.
13. Rise. Face east. Recite your closing prayer: "Great Nothingness from which All has come, thank you for the presence of Nature's powers on this day and hour, and for her aid, that in the light of day this part of my Becoming has been accomplished. In the Name and the Power of the Great Work, Amen!"
14. Trace counterclockwise a circle, and as you do, imagine the sphere collapsing and opening up. Pause when you complete your circle.
15. Give the Sign of Silence or some other suitable closing gesture. Firmly feel the energies invoked released from the area of working, and feel everything return to normal.
The advantages and disadvantages to the methods of active and passive charging of an Elixir or talisman are straightforward and simple. Passive charging, like passive meditation, allows the natural energies of the moment to permeate the consciousness of the one meditating, or fill the energetic matrix of the object by simply "getting out of the way" and letting Nature do what she does best. This is a wonderful method for those who have little or no experience in meditation or in charging of products, and it can be done with little or no equipment. Its chief disadvantages are that the method must be done several times to get the maximum charge. In passive meditation, the chief disadvantage lies in the one meditating. The technique is so simple that students often feel as though they need to be doing something for it to work, and thereby they keep their minds agitated rather than observing and experiencing the energies and images that arise in the moment. Often, they simply convince themselves that the method is too simple and therefore cannot work. This same doubt can enter into the charging process as well, thereby impacting the chances of success by polluting the psychic environment of the process. A large part of this need for the mind to be active-jumping from idea to idea-is a result of cultural degradation via popular media and video games, coupled with a limited number of magical sources whose traditions are overlaid with excessive Masonic and psuedo-Masonic stylization in their rituals. Combined, these two sources have created a generation of students that finds it difficult to focus the mind on a single point, or to be mentally receptive without being manipulated by external stimulation at the same time. Developing the ability to meditate passively is the single most important key to psychic development and receptivity. It is a significant step in the direction of mental self-mastery.
Active meditation and charging have the chief benefit of being able to work on a specific topic during a sitting and being able to charge an Elixir or talisman in a single operation. Their chief drawback is twofold: one, that if a period of relaxation and release do not follow, a sense of mental agitation pervades the session and ruins the work, and two, that the operator can become overly involved and, while having success, color it too much with his or her own pathology.
The proper balance of active and passive phases must be struck for either method to work effectively. For passive techniques, the key is in the initial setup and then letting Nature take over while being an alert but passive observer. For the active methods, the key is in staying single-mindedly focused on the moment and then, when the operation is complete, completely disengaging from it emotionally and mentally and returning to day-to-day consciousness.