The Bornless Ritual, also known as The Ritual of the Bornless One, is a significant ceremonial practice rooted in Western esotericism and often associated with various occult traditions, including Thelema and Hermeticism. The ritual is designed for spiritual invocation and connection with divine energies, and it holds various spiritual benefits for practitioners.

Historical Context and Origins

The Bornless Ritual is believed to have roots in ancient mysticism and may have been derived from older magical traditions. Its structure and language suggest influences from Gnostic texts, Hebrew traditions, and early Christian mysticism. The term “Bornless One” refers to a primordial state of existence, symbolizing a connection to the divine that transcends human limitations. Aleister Crowley popularized this ritual in the 20th century, incorporating it into his own esoteric practices.

Structure of the Bornless Ritual

  1. Preparation:
    • Sacred Space: The ritual begins with the practitioner preparing a sacred space. This can involve physically cleansing the area using methods such as burning incense or sprinkling salt.
    • Altar Setup: An altar may be prepared with candles, offerings, a representation of the divine or the elements, and any other necessary ritual tools (e.g., wand, bell).
  2. Opening Invocation:
    • Centering: The practitioner focuses on their intention and grounds themselves, which may involve meditation or deep breathing exercises.
    • Call to the Divine: The practitioner may start the ritual with a declaration or affirmation of their purpose, expressing the desire to connect with the Bornless One and the divine.
  3. Recitation:
    • The core of the ritual is composed of a series of invocations and recitations. This often includes specific lines that invoke the presence of the Bornless One, requesting the wisdom and guidance associated with this entity.
    • Key phrases and names associated with the Bornless One are recited, calling upon divine attributes and spiritual powers.
  4. Climactic Invocation:
    • The practitioner may enter a deep state of meditation, reciting the incantations repeatedly to build energy and intent. This often involves suppressing distractions and focusing intently on connecting with the divine essence.
    • The words are believed to create a bridge between the tangible and spiritual realms, allowing the practitioner to experience higher states of consciousness.
  5. Transformation and Union:
    • Many practitioners seek a sense of union with the Bornless One or the divine, leading to moments of profound insight or spiritual awakening. This transformative experience can be reflected in feelings of empowerment, clarity, or enlightenment.
    • Practitioners may visualize or feel the connection manifesting as light, energy, or profound silence.
  6. Closing the Ritual:
    • After achieving the desired state, the practitioner expresses gratitude to the Bornless One for their presence and guidance.
    • The ritual is concluded with a proclamation of closure, extinguishing candles, and grounding the energy back into the physical space.

Spiritual Benefits of the Bornless Ritual

  1. Spiritual Awakening and Enlightenment:
    • The ritual facilitates a deeper connection with the divine, leading to a sense of spiritual awakening. Practitioners often report experiencing heightened awareness and clarity about their life’s purpose and path.
  2. Healing and Cleansing:
    • Engaging with the Bornless One can result in spiritual healing. The ritual may cleanse negative energies, release emotional blockages, and foster inner peace, thus preparing practitioners to face challenges with renewed strength.
  3. Empowerment and Confidence:
    • The Bornless Ritual can empower individuals by revealing their connection to a higher source. This empowerment may boost self-confidence and personal power, enabling them to pursue their goals with conviction.
  4. Enhanced Intuition:
    • The insights gained through the ritual can sharpen intuitive abilities, guiding practitioners to better understand their feelings, thoughts, and the spiritual landscape around them.
  5. Integration of Higher Self:
    • Practitioners often find that the ritual helps them integrate aspects of their higher self, leading to greater authenticity in their actions and beliefs. This integration fosters a balanced approach to life and spirituality.
  6. Overcoming Fear and Limitations:
    • By invoking the Bornless One, individuals can confront their fears and limitations. The sense of connection to a higher power encourages a mindset of resilience, helping them to take necessary steps toward personal growth.
  7. Community and Tradition:
    • Participating in the Bornless Ritual can also connect practitioners with a wider tradition of esoteric practice, fostering a sense of belonging and shared spiritual pursuit within communities that honor such rituals.

The Lesser Key of Solomon did not have this Ritual included, however, Crowley in his writings, requests one to perform this ritual before working with the Goetia. Why? In 1904, a man named Samuel Lidell Mathers translated The Lesser Key of Solomon. Mathers is one of the founding members of The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Mathers was a friend with Aleister Crowley, and he allowed Crowley to edit the book. At the very beginning of the book, Crowley added The Bornless Invocation.

The reason Crowley chose to include this ritual in the Goetia, is because it calls upon the authority of the Most High. The term ‘Bornless One’ means that which is eternal, which has no beginning.

So why would you use this ritual in your practice? 

  • In western magick, the Bornless Ritual has been used to protect Goetic magickians from harm.
  • Chaos magician Gordan White appears to regard it as a suitable vehicle for wealth magick
  • Recommend for people who are struggling with self esteem or confidence issues, to recite the Bornless Invocation every morning like a prayer, “since recognizing oneself as Divine is a crucial aspect of any occult practice.”

Bornless Ritual means you have the authority.

When you stand within the magick circle and summon angels or demons, you do so with that authority. The performance of this ritual is the proclamation of that authority, that has been granted unto you by the Divine. It is an Invocation of God, and in the magick circle, you are the God of the circle.

The versions

The original prayer calls on Egyptian God Osiris (Asar). In the modern version, we see the term ‘Osorronophris’, which is a Greek distortion of ‘Asar un-Nefer’, meaning Osiris the Beautiful. Yes it was originally Greek.

RECORDING: Bornless Ritual, by Israel Regardie 

Israel Regardie reading out the Bornless Ritual, as originally intended by Crowley and Mathers. Regardie was the man responsible to publishing most of the teachings of the Golden Dawn, along with Crowley and Dion Fortune, who were both his peers within the Order. Here he is using the Egyptian version by Crowley.

The original Western published version

“Thee I invoke, the Bornless one.
Thee, that didst create the Earth and the Heavens:
Thee, that didst create the Night and the day.
Thee, that didst create the darkness and the Light.
Thou art Osorronophris: Whom no man hath seen at any time.
Thou art Iabos:
Thou art Iapos:
Thou hast distinguished between the just and the Unjust.
Thou didst make the female and the Male.
Thou didst produce the Seed and the Fruit.
Thou didst form Men to love one another, and to hate one another.
I am Ank F N Khonsu Thy Prophet, unto Whom Thou didst commit Thy Mysteries, the Ceremonies of Khem:
Thou didst produce the moist and the dry, and that which nourisheth all created Life.
Hear Thou Me, for I am the Angel of Apophrasz Osorronophris: this is Thy True Name, handed down to the Prophets of Khem.
Hear Me: Ar: Thiao: Reibet: Atheleberseth: A: Blatha: Abeu: Eben: Phi: Chitasoe: Ib: Thiao.
Hear Me, and make all Spirits subject unto Me: so that every Spirit of the Firmament and of the Ether: upon the Earth and under the Earth: on dry Land and in the Water: of Whirling Air, and of rushing Fire: and every Spell and Scourge of God may be obedient unto Me.
I invoke Thee, the Terrible and Invisible God: Who dwellest in the Void Place of the Spirit: Arogogorobrao: Sochou: Modorio: Phalarchao: Ooo: Ape, The Bornless One: Hear Me!
Hear Me: Roubriao: Mariodam: Balbnabaoth: Assalonai: Aphniao: I: Tholeth: Abrasax: Qeoou: Ischur, Mighty and Bornless One! Hear Me!
I invoke Thee: Ma: Barraio: Ioel: Kotha: Athorebalo: Abraoth: Hear Me!
Hear me! Aoth: Aboth: Basum: Isak: Sabaoth: Iao:
This is the Lord of the Gods:
This is the Lord of the Universe:
This is He Whom the Winds fear.
This is He, Who having made Voice by His Commandment, is Lord of All Things; King, Ruler, and Helper. Hear Me!
Hear Me: Ieou: Pur: Iou: Pur: Iaot: Iaeo: Ioou: Abrasax: Sabriam: Oo: Uu: Ede: Edu: Angelos tou theou: Lai: Gaia: Apa: Diachanna: Chorun.
I am He! the Bornless Spirit! having sight in the Feet: Strong, and the Immortal Fire!
I am He! the Truth!
I am He! Who hate that evil should be wrought in the World!
I am He, that lightningeth and thundereth.
I am He, from whom is the Shower of the Life of Earth:
I am He, whose mouth flameth:
I am He, the Begetter and Manifester unto the Light:
I am He, the Grace of the World:
“The Heart Girt with a Serpent” is My Name!
Come Thou forth, and follow Me: and make all Spirits subject unto Me so that every Spirit of the Firmament, and of the Ether: upon the Earth and under the Earth: on dry land, or in the Water: of whirling Air or of rushing Fire: and every Spell and Scourge of God, may be obedient unto me!
Iao: Sabao: Such are the Words!”

OTO VERSION

To access the Bornless Ritual Skip to 55:40

It is this version used by the OTA, a group founded by Mason and prominent ceremonial magician, Poke Caroll Runyon. The OTA omits the “barbarous names” and has no repetitions, and I agree with that.

The Invocation of the Bornless One

Thee I Invoke, the Bornless One!
Thee that didst create, the Earth and the Heavens!
Thee that didst create, the Darkness and the Light!
Thou art Asar-un-Nefer, whom no man hath seen at any time!
Thou hast distinguished between the Just and the Unjust!
Thou didst make the Female and the Male!
Thou didst produce the Seed and the Fruit!
Thou didst form us to love one another, and to hate one another!
Thou didst produce the moist and the dry,
and that which nourisheth all created life!

I Invoke Thee, the Mighty and Ineffable God,
Who dwelleth in the Void place of the Spirit.

I am He! The Bornless Spirit!
Having sight in the feet: strong, and the Immortal Fire!
I am He, the Truth!
I am He, who hates that evil should be wrought in the world!
I am He that bringeth the Lightning and Thunder!
I am He, who showereth life upon the Earth!
I am He, whose mouth ever flameth!
I am He, the begetter and manifester unto the Light!
I am He, the Grace of the World!
The Heart Girt of the Serpent in my name!

Hear Me, and make all Spirits subject unto me,
So that every Spirit of the Firmament and of the Ether,
Upon the Earth or under the Earth,
On dry land and in water, if whirling air and of rushing fire,
And every spell and scourge of God,
May be Obedient unto Me. Amen!

Performance Tips, Pronunciation and Timing

“The best way to go about doing so is first to learn it by memory – which is actually easier than it first appears. When reciting the Ritual, each individual “Barbarous Word” should be “Vibrated” with a complete breath.”

That is:

1. Breathe in, imagining that one is “aspiring” to the Divine, and that one is pulling divine power or Light down through ones’ crown-centre;

2. Contemplate the Word at ones’ heart-centre;

3. On the exhalation, chant or “vibrate” the word fairly loudly, so that you can both hear  and feel it resonating – throughout your chest-cavity and body, throughout the room, and indeed throughout the universe.

By deliberately taking ones time to vibrate each barbarous word individually and properly, the Ritual will usually take around half-an-hour.

“In any case, this is the minimum amount of time necessary to do it justice. Performed this way, the “Bornless Ritual” cannot fail to leave one with the sense that one is buzzing with magical energy, that one has indeed contacted ones Higher Genius.”

See http://www.jwmt.org/v1n7/bornless.html for a good article on how to pronounce the names and what the names mean.

Crowley’s version of the Bornless Ritual requires a six-month withdrawal from the world.

Crowley recommended 11 lunar months in an increasing schedule of devotion that taxes even the most dedicated student:

Let the Adept perform this Ritual aright, perfect in every part thereof, once daily for one moon, then twice, at dawn and dusk, for two moons, next thrice, noon added, for three moons. Afterwards, midnight, making up his course, for four moons four times every day. Then let the eleventh Moon be consecrated wholly to this Work; let him be instant in continual ardor, dismissing all but his sheer needs to eat and sleep.

 

 

Reference:

Regardie, Israel. Ceremonial Magic: A Guide to the Mechanisms of Ritual.

Web: https://betweenthepillars.wordpress.com/2020/07/01/the-best-way-to-do-the-bornless-invocation/

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