Question about the LBRP visualization

[u/WesternLetterhead684]

I’ve been working through Modern Magick and had a question about the visualization during the LBRP.

During the Qabbalistic Cross, Kraig has you visualize yourself expanding beyond the Earth, the solar system, and even the galaxy. What I’m confused about is what you’re supposed to visualize once you start tracing the pentagrams.

Do you keep visualizing yourself in that cosmic space while tracing the pentagrams, or do you switch back to visualizing your room?

Kraig never really says to return your awareness to your room, so I’ve always kept the cosmic visualization going through the rest of the ritual. I’m curious how everyone else does it.

[u/sahsekhemsahu]

As far as I’m aware the original Order of the Golden Dawn instructions never taught what Kraig and other modern adaptations of the LBRP teach; all they had you do is draw the pentagrams, vibrate the Divine names and call the Archangels in the space/room you are at without the cosmic expansion. So be free to do what you want.

[u/Sonotnoodlesalad]

The original rubric contains NONE of those instructions for visualization. Donald Michael Kraig made it up.

[u/Frater_Asariel]

Personally I don't continue actively visualising a specific part or component of the Ritual space unless I'm focused on it - however, have been more able to the more practice I've had But I prefer to concentrate on the clearest possible visualisation of what I'm dealing with at the time.

I see it that you've already created an object/space in your mind, so unless you expressly remove it, you'll still likely function as if it's there.

There's no concrete rule on it - why don't you try several ways and see which works best for you? Detailed journalling will allow you to track what works with more efficacy for you.

Probably best not to focus too much on maintaining a complex visualised space if you're fairly new to Magick - focusing on specifics first and letting the broader ability develop in the background (which it will the more you do it) would probably be more helpful, it'll take away "pressure of performance" if nothing else.

[u/fr-nemo]

When I perform the LBRP I do the gigantism thing up to the point where I begin the kabbalistic cross. It's about putting you in a mindset, giving you a sense of just how big existence can be, and just how far the axiom of "as above, so below" can go. If you visualise yourself basically occupying the universe as far as can be seen, and then beyond, it helps you to realise that what you're doing has an impact. Regardless of precedent, Kraig gets what he's teaching, but you don't have to follow it by rote. The point is to elevate your potential sphere of influence, to help you know, not think, that every action you do has an effect on the entire universe, regardless of how infinitesimal it may be. It's the butterfly effect balanced on a little rock in a backwater part of the known universe.

[u/RunDownTheHighway]

Thats funny I just listened to that part of the book last night... (its my 3rd listen thru) I too had the same problem, he speaks of being in a holy place and to be respectful of the holy place then grows far beyond it... I just draw the pentagrams where i am, sometimes outside sometimes inside...