Bust of Baphomet Statue

Baphomet – Symbol of Balance, Transformation, and Inner Alchemy

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

• Baphomet is not a deity in the traditional mythological sense but a symbolic figure representing the union of opposites—light and dark, masculine and feminine, above and below.

• The modern image of Baphomet was first popularized by 19th-century occultist Eliphas Levi, who portrayed it as a goat-headed, androgynous being seated between the moon phases, bearing alchemical and mystical symbolism.

• Revered in modern occult, esoteric, and Left-Hand Path traditions, Baphomet represents enlightenment through balance, self-mastery, and the sacred within the self—not evil, as commonly misunderstood.

FAVORITE OFFERINGS:

Crystals:

• Obsidian – for shadow work, self-exploration, and grounding

• Labradorite – to access hidden knowledge and spiritual transformation

• Onyx – for discipline, balance, and energetic sovereignty

Herbs:

• Mandrake – for transformation and deep-rooted power (used symbolically)

• Sage – to clear inner dualities and prepare sacred space

• Mugwort – to enhance psychic vision and dreamwork

Oils:

• Patchouli – grounding, sensuality, and earth connection

• Myrrh – for spiritual depth and introspective rites

• Dragon’s Blood – protection, empowerment, and magical potency

Colors:

• Black – mystery, power, and integration of the shadow

• Red – passion, vitality, and raw life force

• Silver – moonlight, transformation, and inner reflection

Rituals:

• Meditative journaling or mirror work to explore and reconcile inner contradictions

• Candle rituals using black and white candles to symbolize unity of opposites

• Alchemical or magical workings for personal growth, transformation, or boundary-breaking

• Creating sacred space for honest shadow work and spiritual reclamation

MODERN WORSHIP PRACTICES:

• Build an altar with symbols like the pentagram, caduceus, and balanced masculine/feminine imagery.

• Use meditative practices to reflect on inner alchemy, duality, and the unity of spirit and flesh.

• Recite affirmations or mantras for sovereignty, wholeness, and liberation (e.g., “As above, so below. As within, so without.”)

• Engage in rituals that celebrate personal truth, spiritual independence, and the breaking of imposed limitations.

• Study mysticism, esoteric traditions, and sacred geometry to deepen understanding of the symbol’s meaning.

The first known mention of Baphomet was in a letter written in 1098 by Anselm of Ribemont describing the Siege of Antioch during the First Crusade. Anselm stated that the Turks “called loudly upon Baphomet.” Most scholars believe that the word refers to Muhammad, the founder of Islam. In 1307 Philip IV of France had every Templar in France arrested, accusing them of such heretical acts as idolatrous worship of a bearded male head called Baphomet. By the 19th century Freemasons had also been (falsely) said to worship Baphomet.

In his book Dogme et ritual de la haute magie (1861; Transcendental Magic: Its Doctrine and Ritual), the influential French occultist Éliphas Lévi created the Baphomet that has become a recognized occult icon. The book’s frontispiece was a drawing of Baphomet imagined as a “Sabbatic Goat”—a hermaphroditic winged human figure with the head and feet of a goat that is adorned with numerous esoteric symbols. Lévi describes the meaning of each element of the drawing, which is defined by its profound and pervasive duality. British occultist Aleister Crowley also adopted Baphomet, notably in his “Gnostic Mass.” More recently, the Satanic Temple commissioned a statue of Baphomet, which was unveiled in 2015 and then moved to various places as a protest against displays of Ten Commandments monuments in public spaces.