The aim of the KC is to ally the personality with the true sources of life, allowing a channel to be opened so that they enter into the consciousness. Regular practice brings a recognition of the transcendental self. Or, to put it another way, a bridge is formulated between the conscious and unconscious, permitting the mind "to be made porous to divine things". Over time, one gradually becomes aware of the inspiration of the higher genius. What occurs is a gradual connecting up of one level of consciousness with another. There is an imperceptible and slow change-over to another rate of vibration. The everyday consciousness becomes more refined and sensitive, aware of new possibilities, display an understanding of an insight into life, and experience which it never had before. The Kabbalistic Cross is a basic psychic exercise of the modern Hermetic tradition. Its purpose is to reinforce a sense of the Here and Now, the conscious self awake in the present moment. It is an active meditation which focuses and integrates one's whole being - body, mind, emotions, and imagination - toward the ideal of one balanced "Higher Self." In the Kabbalistic Cross ritual, one intensely visualizes and imaginatively feels 'streams of energy' passing through the body in a meaningful pattern. The Kabbalistic Cross is primarily an exercise of orientation. It is a formalized way of reminding yourself that you are the exact centre of your own universe, and that everything that you think, feel, and see is created by you. By combining significant symbols with a powerfully imagined emotional and physical experience, somehow the deeper, childlike parts of our minds tap into resources of the collective unconscious. Energy, ideas, and intuitions can come streaming up into normal consciousness, tethered and safely grounded by the 'energy patterns' created by the ritual, which contains a rich spectrum of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual stimulations. Specifically, the symbolic "self-instruction" of the Kabbalistic Cross suggests the integration of the many lesser selves into a greater self, and it provides a fourfold map for that purpose. Once mastered, the Kabbalistic Cross becomes a foundation stone. It can be performed in a second, at any moment of crisis, during trance, or during a pause in a larger group ritual, to strengthen, make secure, and concentrate one's consciousness. It activates the heart chakra, making it an appropriate background exercise for healing and self healing, for achieving inspiration, and for all other 'heart' practices. It fills the aura with the cleansing light of the Higher Self, which protects one from psychic dangers without fighting. Think of it as a type of universal ground, a system check which puts your body-mind back into a naturally balanced stability. Here's the exercise in full with the English meaning of the Hebrew words added: The KC is a magickal exercise which uses sonic keys, together with the correct visualisations to unlock and balance the different aspects of the self. To work the KC, stand east, with your Athame in your right hand. If you do not have an Athame, use the middle and index finger of your right hand. Touching your forehead visualise a brilliant ray descending from your higher elf, and vibrate the words ATEH Draw your Athame or fingers down your body to your genitals, visualise the ray of brilliance descending into your body, making a bright line don the centre of your being. Resting your fingers or Athame on your genitals, become aware of your whole physical being and visualise it becoming unite with the brilliance of your higher self. Vibrate the word MALKUTH Place your Athame on your right shoulder, while maintaining your earlier visualisation, visualise your will and energy, concentrated as a ray or orb of red energy, permeating your being. Vibrate the phrase VE-GEBURAH. Draw your Athame across your body to your left shoulder. Visualise a path of brilliant light left in its path. At your left shoulder visualise your compassion, as a ray or orb of blue energy, permeating your being. Vibrate the phrase VE-GEDULAH. Place your Athame at your heart centre Visualise all four aspects or yourself coming together, higher self, body, will and compassion. Feel that you are transforming your whole being, becoming your magickal self, and vibrate the phrase LE-OLAM Pointing your Athame upright, vibrate the word AMEN and feel that the action is complete. The words used are Hebrew and link to the Qabalah. But there is not the slightest implication of Hebrew theology or philosophy. They mean: 
| ATEH ‚ Thou art |
| MALKUTH ‚ the Kingdom |
| VE-GEBURAH ‚ and the Glory |
| VE-GEDULAH ‚ and the Power |
| LE-OLAM ‚ forever |
The gestures themselves are a variance of the ordinary Christian Cross, making use of the last few phrases of the Lord's Prayer. That it is utilised in magickal work is due to the fact that it constitutes an ideal method of balancing the personality and raising the mind to the contemplation of higher things. It is used as preamble to magickal workings. |
