In Chaos Magic theory, a sigil is a representation of a desire used to implant that desire into the subconscious mind. The technique of sigilization can be thought of as a generalized form of spellcasting. It is similar the Satanic Greater Magic described in The Satanic Bible. However, while the target of Satanic magic is another
person, the target of sigilization is (generally) oneself.
The method given by Phil Hine in his booklet Oven Ready Chaos (available online) is abbreviated SPLIFF. This stands for
- Statement of Intent
- State as simply as possible what you would like to achieve. E.g., "It is my will to
have a Sony Clie."
- Pathways available
- Mundane action is not to be ignored. Your goal will be more likely to manifest if
give the magic a helping hand.
- Link intent
- Form the intent into a glyph or other representation. Common ways of doing this are
knocking out the repeating letters from the SoI and combining the remaining
ones into a picture, doing the same but forming them into a mantra to be
chanted, and creating a picture of a desire which you form into a glyph. The
final sigil shouldn't resemble the orignal representation.
- Intense gnosis/indifferent vacuity
- By excitatory (dancing, chanting, sex, etc.) or inhibitory (meditation,
hypnosis, concentration, etc.) methods, one passes the sigil to one's
unconscious mind. Gnosis, as referred to in chaos magic, is not that
of the Gnostics, but rather a state in which the subconscious is receptive
to programming, also called psychodrama.
- Fire
- The sigil is said to be implanted at the peak of gnosis, i.e. orgasm, deep
trance, interruption.
- Forget
- Forget your sigil. This is to prevent you from interfering with the spell once it
been cast. You don't necessarily need to forget the desire, or that you did a
working for it, but you certainly shouldn't obsess over it. Do your thing
and let the magick do its.
Sigilization is thought to have been pioneered by Austin Osman Spare, but it may have
been used as well by the Freemasons. It was popularized by the IOT. This technique is a basis for another popular technique used by
Chaos Mages, the creation of servitors. Also popularized by the IOT, a servitor is
a spirit who does the magician's bidding.
One last thing: While the basic technique calls for implantation in one's own
subconscious, sigils can also be implanted in those of others,
as is shown by corporate logos.