Prayer in Astrological Magic: Part IV – “Nothing is More Effective in Natural Magic”: The Ancient Hymns as Astromagical Praxis

In Part I of this post series, we established the historical evidence for prayer playing an important role in astrological magic. In Part II, we deepened this point by using traditional sources to show that the theurgical, devotional aspects of astromagical ritual play a central operational function, and thus that prayer and invocation may play a critical role in the talismanic ceremony. In Part III, we explored three central astromagical functions of prayer, showing how talismanic magic calls upon the mage’s full participation and devotion to direct and enhance the working.

Thus far we have remained more in the theoretical realm. It remains for us to speak of the practical, hands-on application of these principles. How does the mage pray? What prayers should be used? And given that a particular magical operation might have idiosyncratic, bespoke goals, how can we adapt general principles to learn how to author our own prayers to customize our astromagical rituals and devotions? 

In these members-only posts for the Inner Sanctum, we will explore these questions, starting with an examination of some of our tradition’s most famous prayers, the Orphic Hymns and their somewhat lesser-known siblings, the Homeric Hymns. Thinking about these prayers will help us think through some tips for how to use these prayers in practice. Considering their structural features will also lay some groundwork for generalizing some best practices for composing one’s own prayers and petitions.