Breath is a pivotal conduit between the mundane and the divine. Eastern and Golden Dawn magical systems recognise its profound significance, offering practices that harness the breath’s power to align the practitioner with cosmic rhythms and facilitate inner transformation.
The Breath in Indian Occult Tradition
Indian yogic teachings assert that the human body takes approximately 21,600 breaths over 24 hours. Each exhalation extends about nine inches beyond the physical form, suggesting an intimate connection between our internal state and the external universe. By meditating on this cyclical nature of breath, practitioners attune themselves to the ‘Wheel of Time,’ achieving harmony with the cosmos.
Ancient techniques, such as those described in the Vijnanabhairava Tantra, depict the breath as the Goddess of Creation, permeating the body through various nadis (energy channels). One can direct this vital force to specific points through focused meditation, facilitating profound healing and spiritual awakening.
These various techniques aim to use the magic of the element of air to purify the person. According to the Indian esoteric text, the Shiva-Samhitâ states that when this purification is complete:
“The body becomes harmonious and beautiful and emits a pleasant scent, while the voice becomes resonant and the appetite increases. The magician who uses it is also “full-hearted,” energetic, strong, and ready to carry out more important work.”
Vijnanabhairava Tantra
According to the late tantric adept Mike Magee, this tantra prescribes 100 things to meditate on, which can help a person realise that she or he is one with the great God and Goddess of the Universe. Mike’s summary can be found here.
The Divine Breath in Kabbalistic Tradition
Within the Kabbalistic framework, the divine name “Eheieh” is intrinsically linked to the concept of breath. Associated with Kether—the pinnacle of the Tree of Life—its pronunciation mirrors the act of inhalation and exhalation. This articulation symbolises the continuous flow of divine energy, underscoring the breath’s role as a bridge between the finite and the infinite.
Four two breath
The most important breathing system in the Golden Dawn was the four/two breath. The system was as follows.
The posture for the meditation is the same as that of the God of Egypt. Sitting poised on a straight-backed chair, the chin should be slightly inclined towards the chest so that the neck is straight. Thighs should be horizontal, legs vertical, and feet in line with the hips and firmly planted on the floor. The hands should be resting in the lap. This posture allows the forces contacted in the meditation to flow freely.
Before doing anything, the magician must allow themselves to relax. The ability to relax at will is crucial for any occult work but is essential in this case as we use breathing as the basis of energy work.
When seated in the meditation position, focus on the feet. Tense the muscles for about three seconds and then allow them to relax. Focus on the calves of the legs: Tense and then relax them. Continue this process throughout the entire body. Don’t forget the facial muscles!
Altered breathing patterns build up subtle changes within the bloodstream and enhance meditation and ritual work. You have to breathe from your diaphragm, which is situated below the rib cage in the abdomen. It is unnecessary to pull in the breath or force anything; push out the diaphragm; the rib cage will expand, and air will rush into your lungs. Contracting the lungs will push out the old air – you should not hear any sound, or you are forcing the process too much; the solution is to slow down.
The breath cycle is as follows: empty your lungs and then inhale deeply to a count of four. Retain the tightened diaphragm for a count of two; exhale completely for a count of four; retain the tightened diaphragm for a count of two; then inhale to a count of four. The counting should be your own and matched to your lung capacity.
Once completely relaxed, this breath cycle should be established consciously for at least six complete cycles. Then, it may be dismissed, and you may move on to the next stage of meditation or ritual.
However, there are huge advantages to prolonging the exercise as, over time, it will open centres and help energy flow within the sphere of sensation gently and without any further action.
What is odd about the four-two breath is that it appears to be a Golden Dawn invention. Although it is not identical, it is similar to the Taoist Four-Part Breath, which was supposed to regulate Qi (Vital Energy) and promote physical health and vitality.
By maintaining awareness of each breathing phase, practitioners cultivate mindfulness, leading to improved concentration and mental clarity.
I have noticed that prolonged use of the four-fold breath helps you see stuff in ritual. You start seeing the interplay of energy and also the vision becomes brighter.
Balancing Solar and Lunar Energies
The Indian, Chinese, and Golden Dawn traditions emphasise the existence of dual-energy currents coursing along the spine. In the Golden Dawn, these channels are shown in the Keryx’s Lamin:
- Lunar (Ida) Nadi: Situated on the left, this channel embodies the moon’s cooling, introspective qualities.
- Solar (Pingala) Nadi: Positioned on the right, it reflects the sun’s warming and active attributes.
Harmonising these energies is crucial for maintaining physical health and spiritual equilibrium.
The Sun and Moon Breath Practice
To cleanse and restore these vital channels, the following process :
- Preparation: To purify your space, begin with the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram. Sit comfortably with a straight back and feet flat on the floor, and engage in slow, deliberate breathing until centred.
- Visualisation: Envision a golden air triangle above your head.
- Invocation: Vibrate “Eheieh,” imagining the golden triangle transforming into a gentle smoke.
- Lunar Breath:
This method stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and aiding in sleep induction and more profound meditation.
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- Close your right nostril with your right hand.
- Inhale the golden smoke through your left nostril, guiding it to the Malkuth centre beneath your feet.
- Mentally intone “Asher.”
- Close your left nostril with your left hand.
- Exhale through the right nostril, visualising the smoke ascending your spine.
- Repeat “Eheieh” upon complete exhalation.
- Perform this sequence six times.
- Solar Breath: Mirror the above steps, closing with the left (solar) nostril and breathing out with the left nostril, repeating six times.
This activates the body’s heating energy, symbolised by the “Sun.” This practice stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, potentially increasing alertness, enhancing digestive fire, and invigorating the body.
Warning: Individuals with high blood pressure or heart conditions should practice this two often.
Contemplation:
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- Lunar Focus: Meditate on the waxing and waning crescents with the left nostril, visualising a silver crescent against an indigo backdrop.
- Solar Focus: With the right nostril, contemplate a yellow point within a circle on a purple background.
Conclude the practice by transcending the sun and moon breaths, entering a mental realm where consciousness governs matter. Reflect on the notions of appearance versus reality.
Both techniques balance the body’s energetic pathways, harmonising the solar (active) and lunar (passive) energies. Regular practice can improve mental clarity, emotional stability, and physical health.
However, I would do one following the other to maintain some balance. I found that following the Golden Dawn method (which only called for the lunar breath) was unbalancing. After a month, I found that my psychic abilities were getting out of hand. I was too sensitive, and I needed to go out and hug a tree to get some form of earthing. This is not the case if you do it alongside the sun breath (which, at the time, I did not know existed).
Another exercise here.
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