Lamen (magic)

John Dee's Heptarchic Lamen

A lamen (Latin, meaning "plate") is a magical parchment or pendant, sometimes acting as a protective 'magical breastplate' worn around the neck so that it hangs upon the breast over the heart.[1] Its uses vary but, most commonly, the term refers to a symbol of authority and a focus of magical energies.[1][2]

In ceremonial magic

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In the early Latter Day Saint movement

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Main article: Cunning folk traditions and the Latter Day Saint movement

Three magical parchments belonging to Joseph Smith and his family have been photographed and documented by scholars. Dan Vogel notes that both 'plate' and 'breastplate' figure in Smith's early claims; Vogel further notes that one of the parchments is a lamen with gold ink ('golden plate') while another was folded and worn in a pouch over one's chest ('breastplate').[3] No connection between these parchments and Latter Day Saint beliefs or practices has ever been documented.

In Thelema

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Aleister Crowley described the lamen as "a sort of coat of arms. It expresses the character and powers of the wearer."[4] Crowley and DuQuette have proposed that the magical lamen might be a modern adaptation of the priestly breastplate of the ancient Hebrews.[5][6]

The magician may wear a lamen as a representation of his personal relation to his godhead or the universal forces of balance and enlightenment.[1]

Within group ceremony, lamens are frequently worn as symbols of particular offices or roles within the ritual work.[2][7] Many magical orders also use a particular lamen design to show membership and align energies of individual members with the group dynamic.[1][2][7]

Rose Cross Lamen as used by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn

Various magical orders use lamens in one or more of these ways, including Ordo Templi Orientis[8] and Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.[2]

Lamens may also be used by magicians to evoke certain spirits of the Key of Solomon.[9] Specialized lamens are also used in the workings described in The Book of Abramelin.[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Greer, John Michael (March 2017). Circles of power : an introduction to Hermetic magic (Third ed.). London. pp. 180–181. ISBN 9781904658856. OCLC 960711730.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ^ a b c d Israel., Regardie (1989). The Golden Dawn : a complete course in practical ceremonial magic : the original account of the teachings, rites, and ceremonies of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (Stella Matutina). Monnastre, Cris, 1946-, Weschcke, Carl Llewellyn, 1930-2015. (6th, rev. and enl. ed.). St. Paul, Minn., U.S.A.: Llewellyn Publications. ISBN 0875426638. OCLC 21907195.
  3. ^ Dan Vogel, Joseph Smith the Necromancer
  4. ^ Crowley, Aleister (1973). "Chapter XX: Talismans: The Lamen: The Pantacle". Magick Without Tears. Phoenix, AZ: Falcon Press.
  5. ^ ALEISTER., CROWLEY (2017). MAGICK. [S.l.]: LULU COM. p. 66. ISBN 9781387338436. OCLC 1014451350.
  6. ^ DuQuette, Lon Milo (2008). Enochian vision magick : an introduction and practical guide to the magick of Dr. John Dee and Edward Kelley. San Francisco, CA: WeiserBooks. p. 37. ISBN 9781609250133. OCLC 772197864.
  7. ^ a b Cicero, Chic (1992). Secrets of a Golden Dawn temple : the alchemy and crafting of magickal implements. Cicero, Sandra Tabatha, 1959- (1st ed.). St. Paul, Minn., U.S.A.: Llewellyn Publications. ISBN 0875421504. OCLC 25632048.
  8. ^ "Vintage Thelema Lodge Account of the Lamen of OTO – Zero Equals Two!". zeroequalstwo.net. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 2018-01-22.
  9. ^ The key of Solomon the King (Clavicula Salomonis). Solomon, King of Israel,, Mathers, S. L. MacGregor (Samuel Liddell MacGregor), 1854-1918. York Beach, Me.: Samuel Weiser. 2000. ISBN 9780877289319. OCLC 42863281.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  10. ^ century., Abraham ben Simeon, of Worms, active 15th (1975). The book of the sacred magic of Abramelin the mage, as delivered by Abraham the Jew unto his son Lamech, A.D. 1458. Mathers, S. L. MacGregor (Samuel Liddell MacGregor), 1854-1918. New York: Dover Publications. ISBN 0486232115. OCLC 1990985.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)


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