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Clear the Room, Then Stand

A practice card

The daily minimum of the Western magical orders, in its plain shape: clear the space, then stand in the column.

When
At the beginning of the day, or before any work that wants a clean space.
How
Stand still, feet planted, and take a breath. Then turn to each side of the room in turn, naming what you keep out. Come back to the centre. Finish by drawing light down the middle of the body, crown to floor, and stand a moment before moving.
slow, standing, a few minutes
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The edge

Trace the space's edge with a hand or in the mind, turning to each of the four sides.
2 of 4

The four sides

At each side, say in your own words what you are keeping out.
3 of 4

The centre

Return to the middle of the room and be still for a breath.
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The pillar

Draw light down the body's centre, crown to feet, and let it settle.
Why it works
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, founded 1888, called these two its bread and water. The traditional names and words belong to that order; what carries here is the shape.
The room is yours. Stand in it.
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