Preparation Rituals

[TechPriest]

Hi all, currently I usually perform the LBRP followed by a mantra, in most cases it's one of the names of God outlined in '72 Sigils of Power" by Zanna Blaise, depending on what I wish to accomplish in the following ritual.
I was wondering what sort of preparation rituals you employ in your practice. I would like to perhaps incorporate some new aspects to my own and I'm looking for inspiration.

 

[fraterosiris]

I usually just use the LBRP for general circle-casting before doing whatever else (I'm a linguist so I like spells and incantations that harness the magickal power of language). Mantras themselves are pretty cool; they are basically a type of incantation. The LBRP really is a great preparatory ritual. This article from Hermetic Library (

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) has lots of good information on it.

One thing you can do is experiment with "modding" the LBRP. I know that Damien Echols likes to add Metatron and Sandalphon to his LBRP (Metatron above, Sandalphon below). I like to add a third "within me blooms the golden lotus" after the "before me flames the pentagram; behind me shines the six-rayed star". The Golden Lotus is what lots of Eastern deities are shown sitting on, making it analogous to the Merkabah/Chariot of God (I've heard that the LBRP itself has origins in Merkabah mysticism).

One additional thing you can try is seeing what using different ritual implements to trace the pentagrams can do. The traditional way is to trace them with a dagger, although I usually use a wand, or sometimes my hand in the "Sword Mudra" if I don't have access to a wand or dagger. The dagger feels more "defensive", as in it focuses your attention on the fact that you're banishing negativity from your circle. The wand tends to feel more netural, maybe like you're "initializing" or "rebooting" your aura before starting your main working.

 

[armageddonz1]

I have incorporated two practices that have given me tremendous results.
1. cleansing - this is not just energetically but also physically. So, If i do a ritual, i would avoid any meat, alcohol, smoke, weed etc. and preferably fast during the day of ritual.
2. doing rituals before the main ritual to ask for permissions. So, if i evoke an entity, i ask for permission through a ritual before hand. If I do a ritual near the woods, I ask permission from the guardian of the land or the woods to do the ritual.

And the entities have responded in kind. Everytime i ask for a permission, they leave a mark on me that empowers the ritual.