This is a subject that gets strong reactions from different schools of thought. Some believe it should not be considered until much later in your magical education while others believe it can be tackled early on if less than stellar results are acceptable.
Personally, I am of the thinking that Franz Bardons approach to this is most useful for many reasons. With Franz Bardons method, the work of Evocation is an addition to further learn and educate the magician who is already, thanks to the work of Initiation into Hermetics firmly on the path of initiation and participating in ‘The Great Work’.
If Evocation is just a curiosity to prove the existence to oneself of other beings existing in the universe then it is more like the work of the sorcerer, as we would not yet know ourselves and would certainly not understand exactly what we were doing if we pursued the art of Evocation. But to inform ourselves of various approaches so that we may clearly choose from an educated perspective which direction we wish to spend our valuable time upon, that I feel is healthy and useful as long as more time is always spent on practice. So with that said today we will look at some books that provide their own approach for pursuing the art of Evocation. If you are at step 8 of Franz Bardons Initiation into Hermetics or equivalent through other training, then you know what you are doing but if you have not yet reached that level then just take the following books as some interesting theory you can have on your bookshelf until such time you are ready to act safely with the knowledge.
The Practice of Magical Evocation (PME) by Franz Bardon
Of course we need to start with this book, I am a little biased, but I think this should come first, especially if you are Bardon practitioner. If you are at step 8 of IIH, and can safely work this book, then the other books become more like address books. if you get the book then support the publisher who has made it available for us all.
From the publisher:
The Practice of Magical Evocation is the second volume in Franz Bardon’s series on Hermetic Science, and provides first-hand information about angels, demons, sorcery, necromancy, and pacts, etc.
The Practice of Magical Evocation has been newly translated from the original German version. Magical Evocation contains detailed information about all aspects of magical evocation (Hermetic Magic). Veiled for centuries, readers can gather information on all aspects of ritual magic, as well as a step-by-step description as to how a true magician evokes positive beings, i.e. angel-spirits from the beyond and from the planetary spheres of our solar system. And the counterpart, how a sorcerer and necromancer invokes negative beings, i.e. arch-demons. The reader will also learn about the significance of the magic circle, the magic triangle, the magic censer, the magic mirror, the magic lamp, the magic wand, the magic robe, and other magical aids as well as the proper instruction of ritual magic. Pacts between sorcerers and demons are explained, as well as the preparation and loading of amulets and talismans and the true significance of the Book of Formulas.
Franz Bardon further provides hundreds of seals of positive spiritual beings, angel-spirits, intelligences, genii, principals and the spirit-beings of the elements. Franz Bardon had personal contact with each being and was instructed by them as to their specific attributes. These beings have been teachers of mind, body, and spirit to mankind since time immemorial. They teach the mature magician subject matters from A to Z, i.e. arithmetic, alchemy, astrophysics, astrology, astronomy, the arts, biology, zoology, and so on. In other words every subject of earthly science and universal laws. They also help every profession and trade, whether or not they are magicians. Since Hermetic Magic and the True Kabbalah are the highest sciences in the universe, the reader requires the proper theoretical education and practical training before he can contact these spiritual beings. He must follow the theoretical and practical instructions in Initiation into Hermetics and be successful before he embarks on the practice of magical evocation.
Summoning Spirits: The Art of Magical Evocation (Llewellyn’s Practical Magick Series)
This is a well done book with plenty of info, anything from Llewellyn is usually above average. Good book for the shelf after step 8 and genuine magical skills.
Here is the info from publisher:
Learn how to evoke and communicate with 50 spirit entities and make use of their abilities, when you get Summoning Spirits by Konstantinos.
Evoking spirits is one of the most powerful magical techniques you can use-but, until now, most of the material available on evocation has been virtually unusable because it was written by those with little practical evocation experience. Summoning Spirits was written by a practicing magician who has successfully performed many evocations. With his guidance and clear directions, performing evocations will be easy and safe for anyone.
-
- Learn to safely evoke powerful spirits to aid you with any task
-
- Create sigils charged with the energy of spirits to magnify the effects of your evocations
-
- Make an etheric egregore, a manufactured spirit that will perform the task of your choice
-
- Perform easy exercises to train your magical abilities and to develop clairvoyance and clairaudience
-
- Construct, prepare, and use special magical tools to aid your evocations
Summoning Spirits is a complete manual for evoking entities to effect positive changes in your life. Learn how the spirits that dwell on the other planes can be evoked to the astral and physical planes to help you obtain mystical abilities, locate hidden “treasure,” and even command a spirit “army” to protect your home while you’re away.
Summoning Spirits describes the specific attributes and abilities of 50 entities that you can evoke to uncover valuable knowledge, and who will help you succeed in nearly any task, magical or mundane.
Whether you need help to face life’s challenges or to work a minor miracle, you will find the art of magical evocation a tremendously potent tool for change. Included are information and theory, as well as full instructions for all the rituals you will need to prepare for and then evoke spirits.
Initial Experiences With The Kabbalah
Ok, this is not Evocation, but it is Mental Wandering which is what you have to do once you work with beings that are further out. This is most interesting as it serves as clear description of two practitioners (read the interview) explorations of these arts and how they begin this level of work after doing the prior magical and evocation work. This is not a glossy look at me book but warts and all sharing many occasions where things did not go to plan.
Well worth getting to see what is possible and to keep yourself moving in that direction.
From the publisher:
In 2014, a man opened the front cover of Franz Bardon’s third book Key to the True Kabbalah. This is the story of what happened.
To the extent magic exists in the world, this is it.
The original art of the Phoenicians, Egyptians, the ancient Greeks and the Sepher Yezirah can all be found here. Engaging in the practice of the letters is an act of Creation and the basis of metaphysics.
The expression of the letter will change greatly depending upon the life, and body, of the individual working with them. Do not take this as cannon. This will not be your story.
But it is one man’s story.
We only featured 3 books! Why? Well less is more. I am a huge reader and love new books. But when it comes to books that support (not replace) practice then quality over quantity. Recognized experts like some of our teachers Andre, Nenad, Ray, Sixty Skills Denny, Jake and Virgil….these are the people I trust first but all reading should always only inform your practice. Practice 2 hours for every hour of study.
In the near future we will be providing some methods to help you gain experience in these arts if you are not yet officially at the Step 8 level. We also of course have the epic The Complete Universal Evocation Masterclass from Jake which allows you to complete some of these steps in a far quicker way than you might think possible through the use of transmissions. Check out his interview here.
