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THE IAO FORMULA
Lots has been written about the so-called IAO formula, although it's not always easy to
define exactly what this means in a magical sense. The vowel combination
I-A-0
played
an important role in late ancient gnosticism, and even Aleister Crowley liked to use it a
lot.'
We don't want to get into the philosophical and symbolic meaning of the IAO for-
mula just yet since personal experience and practice is much more important right now.
Besides, we also want to prove that a majority of magical techniques will work automat-
ically without a lot of ideological background knowledge or philosophical "facts" as long
as the appropriate state of gnosis is reached.
Instead of making a bunch of philosophical-mystical statements here, I'd rather in-
troduce a practical exercise that I designed myself and explain it in detail.
It's an energizing and protection exercise with effects similar to those of the Kabbalistic
Cross, but not as complicated and in some ways even more effective. It's predominately
used to "harden" the magician's aura, which in turn allows for optimal magical
protection.
WORKING WITH THE IAO FORMULA
At first, the IAO formula should always be practiced while standing, but after awhile you
should try other positions as well.
The I Formula
Stand upright with your feet together; you can face the east if you like. With your eyes
closed (or half closed, if you're already experienced with this meditation technique), vi-
brate the vowel I long and sustained: "Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilhhhhhh.'
At the same time, imagine a vertical ray of light entering your body at the top of
your head, traveling through your body and exiting at your feet, disappearing into the
floor. The current doesn't flow in any certain direction; however, with a bit of practice it
will usually feel like it's flowing up and down at the same time in rhythm with your
breath. This ray is a continuous current, so it's not like a single "lightning flash.' Feel the
strong flow of energy in your body. Often it will feel like a warm, prickling sensation or a
feeling of power and might.
If you think you're up to it, try imagining this light ray in shimmering white right
from the start. If you have trouble doing this, just practice for a few weeks without visu-
alizing the color, and then try again.
This joins the macrocosm with the microcosm; the Chinese call this the "union of
heaven and earth." It harmonizes your powers and creates a feeling of unison between
your "above" and "below." This part of the IAO formula also supports inspiration and
opens the crown chakra to your universe of information.
The A Formula
Still standing upright with closed (or half-closed) eyes, spread your arms out to the sides
and vibrate the vowel A long and sustained: "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh.'
At the same time, imagine a continual, horizontal current of energy penetrating your
body horizontally and exiting from the left and right sides, shooting far out in both the
directions it came from. The current doesn't flow in any fixed direction; it actually feels
like it's moving from left to right and from right to left at the same time. Feel the strong
flow of energy in your body. Often it will feel like a warm, prickling sensation or a feel-
ing of power and might. If you think you're up to it, try imagining this light ray in
shimmering red right from the start. If you have trouble doing this, just practice for a few
weeks without visualizing the color, and then try again.
This joins the left and right sides, giving and taking, doing and enduring; the Chi-
nese call this the "union of yin and yang. It activates your powers and creates a feeling of
unison between your "right" and "left."This part of the IAO formula is also used for
creating and maintaining a spiritual and physical balance and opens
the hand chakras
to
your universe of information.
This is inner centering and it's similar in function to that of the magical circle. It
concentrates your powers and puts yourself in the center of your own cosmos.
Practical Sigil Magic (II)
163
I
The O Formula
Still standing upright with closed (or half-closed) eyes, let your arms hang to the sides of
your body and vibrate the vowel 0 long and sustained: "Oooooooooooooooooohhhhhh.
At the same time, imagine a continual current of energy shaped as a double circle of
about five feet in diameter that surrounds your body vertically and horizontally. The
current doesn't flow in any fixed direction; it actually feels like it's rotating to the left and
to the right from above and below at the same time. Feel the strong flow of energy sur-
rounding your body. Often it will feel like a warm, prickling sensation just above your
skin or a feeling of power and might.
If you think you're up to it, try imagining this circular current in shimmering blue
right from the start. If you have trouble doing this, just practice for a few weeks without
visualizing the color and then try again. Now you can expand this double 0 circle to a
diameter of about twenty feet regardless of how well you can visualize it at this stage.'
This is inner centering and it's similar in function to that of the magical circle. It
concentrates your powers and puts yourself in the center of your own cosmos.
This part of the IAO formula is also used for creating and maintaining a spiritual and
physical balance and a sense of security and confidence, and it reduces your magical
vulnerability and makes you the master of your own universe of information.
You don't need to vibrate the letters real loud, but you should try to do it as power-
fully as possible. With a bit of practice, you'll find the exact method that's just right for
you (volume, pitch, length of vibration, etc.). The IAO formula is used for magical
protection as well as for centering and storing energy. It can also be used effectively
prior to healing operations. We also like to use it before and after the Lesser Banishing
Ritual of the Pentagram as well as after every strenuous magical operation that requires
a great deal of energy. Furthermore, it can be used when working with your magical
double or in magical operations for influencing others, and can be used by magicians
who prefer it over the Kabbalistic Cross and can be used in its place as well as in other
exercises for centering and storing energy. Plus, the IAO formula can be performed
without risk at any time and as often as you want.
164 Practical Sigil Magic (II)
EXERCISE 22
THE IAO FORMULA IN PRACTICE
(I)
Perform the IAO formula as described in this section immediately after showering or
bathing while your body's still wet.
Pay attention to your subtle perception, especially in your body. Where does the en-
ergy flow with each vowel? How do the three vowels differ in their effect? Following
the exercise, try closing your eyes and feeling the ball of energy with your hands. What do
you feel? Note all of your impressions in your magical diary.
After a while you can perform the IAO formula anytime you feel is appropriate, such
as right after waking up or just before going to bed. It can also be used before and after
the pentagram ritual, or before every magical ceremony.
EXERCISE
25
THE IAO FORMULA IN PRACTICE (II)
You need a partner for this exercise. If the person's not a magician and you
don't want him or her to find out about your magical activities, just say it's a
sound and energy exercise similar to those used in singing lessons or eutony
training. Even the greatest doubter will soon realize how this exercise
vitalizes one's whole body and stop asking questions.
Face your partner. Stretch your arms out in front of you, palms vertical
and facing inward near the neck area of your partner—then vibrate the
vowel
I
as powerfully as possible. Then hold your arms out straight in
front of you, palms horizontal with fingertips facing outward and direct
them toward the chest of your partner while vibrating the vowel A. Then
spread your arms to form a circle with your palms facing the hip region of
your partner (as though you were to give a hip hug) and vibrate O. You
should never actually touch your partner since this could hinder your
concentration and the flow of energy.
P r a c t i c a l S i g i l M a g i c ( 1 1 )
165
Now let your partner do the same to you. Repeat this exercise as often
as you like, but listen to what your body says to prevent it from being over-
charged—this usually feels like an extreme sensation of power. It's well
suited for healing operations and in preparation for a ritual. It's important
to
make sure that the person doing the
vibrating
doesn't
transfer any of his or her
own energy to the other person, but rather should stimulate his
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