by Chic Cicero
The Battery of Knocks is a sequence of knocks employed for symbolic purposes in a ceremony. Various numbers of knocks given in a particular pattern are common in all types of fraternal and magical lodge work. In magical lodges they are often used to symbolize a specific grade being worked, or the energies being invoked. In the Neophyte Hall of the Golden Dawn, the Battery of Knocks are given by the Middle Pillar Officers in an alternating fashion.
The Battery of Knocks in the Neophyte Hall is based on the Saturn Square, one of the planetary Squares or Qameoth, which are grids of numbers associated with the planets and considered as magical images. Now imagine the Saturn Square in this way—Place the Hiereus at the top row of the square, the Hegemon at the middle row, and the Hierophant on the bottom row.
Now follow the Battery of Knocks in the Neophyte Ceremony, using the numbers in the Saturn Square. Proceed following the formula I’ve just explained with the Officers ruling certain rows in the Square. Start with the Hierophant as Number 1.
1. Hierophant “Khabs”
2. Hiereus “Am”
3. Hegemon “Pekht”
4. Hiereus “Konx”
5. Hegemon “Om”
6. Hierophant “Pax”
7. Hegemon “Light”
8. Hierophant “In”
9 Hiereus “Extension”
My conclusion is that the Knocks allow the Light from the Supernals (often symbolized by Saturn) to circulate through the Middle Pillar Officers and into the Neophyte Hall, using the protection of the Saturn Square to stabilize the circumambulations of the Light.
Copyright © 2002 – 2021 by Chic Cicero
