Evocation

Page to be developed

The working with spirits has long traditions in the various cultures, and therefore is known by different technical terms depending on the religious, magical or mystical traditions (eg medieval grimoires).

The term used on this topic page is 'evocation', but many other terms are used to consciously call forth and work with spirits, ao: to summon or evoke or adjure (with ritual or authority, oath, or through symbols ), to invoke (presence of spirit eg for guidance or assistance), to conjure (in magical practice), scry (with a magical mirror), channel, manifest (spirit taking visible form or impact in tangible way), seal (confine or control spirit during evocation), to ban (command or restrict spirit's actions).

Terminology used also depends on the type of relation, like to beseech (implore to appear) supplicate (humble petition a higher spirit power), exorcize (command to leave, when banishing unwanted entities), offer or sacrifice (present gifts as part of summoning). Other variants are possession (when a spirit inhabits a human vessel), necromancy (summoning the dead for communication)

Ceremonial magic describes the ritual actions for the evocation of spirits that may include numerous requisite accessories for the practitioner ceremonies for example the use of an altar, incense smoke, oils, magical wand, creation a ritual circle for summoning of spirits, etc.

Process-wise the evocation happens through the consciousness and developed faculties of the person doing the evocation and the use of the spirit's sigil, praying, incantations, spells, etc.

Aspects

• examples in the ancient Mysteries
  • Greek mysteries#Samothracian mysteries (Kabiri)
• revival in the 19-20th century due to a.o. Eliphas Levi and Aleister Crowley (and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn)
• Franz Bardon's second book 'Practice of Magical Evocation' (see 'Further reading' section below) covers the theory and practice of evoking spirits in a structured and disciplined manner. In the Bardon system of initiation, the book requires one to have reached step 8 in the first book of initiation IIH.
• divination - see topic page on symbols

Related pages

• Human capabilities beyond mainstream
• Franz Bardon and initiation

References and further reading

• Franz Bardon: 'Practice of Magical Evocation (original in DE 1956 as 'Die Praxis der magischen Evokation')

• William G Gray: 'Magical Ritual Methods' (1959)
• Donald Michael Kraig (1951-2014)
  • Modern Magick (1988)
  • The Truth About Evocation of Spirits (1951)
• Konstantinos: 'Summoning Spirits: The Art of Magical Evocation' (2002)

Medieval grimoires

• The Lesser Key of Solomon (Lemegeton)
  • compilation of five grimoires, with the Ars Goetia being most well known, detailed instructions for summoning and controlling spirits.
  • also see Colin Campbell: 'Of the Arte Goetia'
• The Key of Solomon (Clavicula Salomonis)
  • cornerstone of Western ceremonial magic; modern edition by S.L. MacGregor Mathers.
• The Book of Abramelin