Ritual of Descent into the Abyss:

This ritual is to help you access levels within yourself and the Abyss. It will
open a gateway to the Void, to which you may enter and tap into the vast
source of power.
Suggested Items:
Bathtub full of water, preferably cold. Salt, mug wort, wormwood, censer,
charcoal briquettes designed for incense, metal tongs to handle the charcoal
(scissors also work well). Incense—copal, dragon’s blood, frankincense or
myrrh, a sharp dagger or lancet, two black candles, one red candle, evocation
circle or triangle of choice.

Preparing the Space:

Begin by performing a space clearing. Burn sage or other incense of choice
and center yourself. Where the ritual is to be done, lay out a circle of evocation
if desired. Like I mentioned before, I used the Trinity of Triangles, designed by
S. Ben Qayin. You may also opt to use no circle.
I have found that the Trinity of Triangles is a potent gateway and have
noticed a dynamic shift in energy flow when I work with it. I also love the
Triangle of Eternal Evocation, also by S. Ben Qayin. Some will lay the
triangles and circles out on the ground, but I also enjoy having one reside on the
wall behind my altar as a nice backdrop and energetic focus point.
Next, place just in front of you, if you were sitting in the circle or triangle,
two black candles, approximately arms distance apart if you extend both arms;
this help focus and anchor the gateway. Place the red candle between them.
Alternatively, you may place the two black candles slightly behind you to either
side, with the red in front, so you would be facing the apex of a triangle within
a circle. This can represent you, if you are doing work on yourself, or in my
case, my friend and me, since I was in a way binding her to me for a time to
help with energetic imprinting. Leave them unlit but set in place until after
your ritual bath. You may, however, have other candles lit for lighting, which
is preferable to electric light and glare.

The Ritual Bath:

Begin by disrobing mindfully. As layers of clothes come off, let the cares of
this world slip away. Whatever emotions the task at hand brings up, try to
only focus on what you are doing at the moment. As you strip, you remove the
façade you carefully maintain in society. You must come to this ritual fully
ready to reveal who you truly are.
Fill the tub with water, the colder the better. While this may have the added
benefit of shocking your system into an altered state, the purpose I used it for
was utterly practical, in that I knew I was doing deep Abyss work and working
with death. As such, I though it prudent to bring my temperature down, in
order to help preserve my own brain function, should my heartrate and
breathing slow, due to the intense connection I knew was necessary.
Take a few handfuls of salt and sprinkle it into the water. Add mug wort
and wormwood, as they are both useful in rites of divination, shadow work and
wandering in different realms.
Step into the tub and lay down. Submerse yourself entirely. Expel all your
breath and let yourself sink. Let the coldness seep all the way in. Hold your
breath as long as you can, then come up for air. As you go back under, allow
the bubbles to escape as they will. When they are gone, pause, feel the stillness
within. Come up for one last breath. Breathe deeply, then go under. As breath
is released, so is the person you once were.
There comes a point, when you have stopped breathing for a brief time, that
our primal ‘lizard brains’ come in to play, perhaps a cellular memory, a sensation
of breathing through the skin or other areas besides our nose and mouth. This
can also happen in sensory deprivation chambers, which I have experienced.
Arise from the waters and breathe. Step out of the tub, towel off, and
proceed to your ritual space, naked. As you walk, know that you are slowly
receding from this world, into another one….
 As you walk slowly to the ritual chamber, let your mind remain still, and
stay fully present in the moment.

Opening the Gate:

Step into your circle, if you have one, and sit in the middle of it. Light the
coal, let it build heat. I like to hold it in tongs or scissors and place it over the
candle flame. I then blow upon it to ensure even burn, and that it is fully lit.
When it becomes white-hot, place it in the censer and liberally apply incense.
As the smoke billows, light the red candle. Meditate on your reason for the
working, and what you intend to accomplish. When ready, light the black
candles. In the smoke, see a door appear. I was told by Azazel earlier that “the
key to opening it is iron will”. A play on words, yet quite literal. Your blood is
the Key, as is your Will. Take your dagger or lancet, and acquire a few drops of
your own blood, adding it to the incense and each candle.
Speaking from the heart, say:
“Through water, fire and smoke I come, and with my blood my Will is done.”
Peer into the space between the candles and scry into the shadows beyond.
You may experience a feeling of falling, and if that is so, allow your body to
rest upon itself. Feel yourself sinking downward, and allow the darkness to
take you, permeate you and become you. –As you become it. All that you are is
now a point of consciousness in this vast space. Behold all that is there, and that
which is not. Allow feelings and thoughts to come and go. As you adjust, the
darkness is tangible, intelligent, and waiting….
Revel in it. Pull it in and then expand yourself out. As you look into the
deepest part of the Abyss you will see a Throne. Approach the throne. It is
yours, so claim it. Sit upon it in dark regal splendor, and look out upon your
Kingdom, and contemplate all that you are and shall do.
At this point, now go forth and DO whatever you came to do…. this rite of
descent and opening the gate is to get you in the mindset of working within the
Abyss and claiming your place. The rest is up to you.