The most classical aspect of magick is the evocation of spirits. You do not, of course, have to do this, but knowing about this helps provide context for some of the other things we discuss in this book.
To be sure, working with elements, clairvoyance, astral projection, and psychic self-defense, technically ALL fit under the category of “magick”. But one skill that DISTINCTLY deserves the label “magick” is evocation.
Evocation is the practice of inviting and enabling a being from a remote astral realm to materialize and communicate with you.
Do these beings REALLY appear? Yes, if you do the evocations correctly.
Are these beings REAL? Yes.
Generally, the spirits that magickians evoke are advanced and powerful spirit beings that possess the power to directly influence and change your reality FOR YOU. The spirits that can be evoked include angels, masters, deities, and demons.
Will these beings do ANYTHING for you? No. Do they have a sense of morality? Yes.
How do you know what they will and won’t do? Do your research beforehand.
I know people who have used evocation for ALL SORTS of outcomes... spiritual gain, monetary gain, etcetera.
You have to select just the right being to help you based on what the being is willing to do for you. Again, some research beforehand is advised.
There exist books called “grimoires” in which a catalog of spirits are listed with their characteristics, respective powers and willingness to help. If evocation is a subject you’d like to pursue, there are a few good books to get started with.
To work with angels, I recommend Lon Milo DuQuette’s “Enochian Vision Magick”.
To work with demons, I suggest “Ceremonial Magick” by Christopher Hyatt. (Note, they use the word “demons” in a traditional sense. These are not necessarily the same beings I warned about in the Self-Defense chapter)
And to read accounts by a seasoned magickian, check out “Evoking Eternity” by E.A. Koetting.
You might also like to check out the works of Franz Bardon, including “Initiation Into Hermetics”, and “The Practice of Magical Evocation.”
The beings you might evoke reside in astral realms. They are real conscious beings, just like you and I, except that these beings have specific powers and abilities, and are bound to comply with the forces of an effective evocation ritual.
You could also describe these beings as discrete conscious programs that exist in the Greater Reality.
If evocation is not your thing, another strategy is to simply astral project to their realm and communicate with them there. This can be a viable strategy for establishing rapport and working relationship with some spirit beings.
Beyond gaining any sort of Earthly material possessions, evocation is something that can have REMARKABLE effects on your spiritual evolution.
These advanced beings will teach you and test you, and even take you on journeys to provide life-changing experiences. They can reveal secrets about YOURSELF that you could never know in any other way.
Depending on which spirits you choose to evoke, they can also endow you with enhanced psychic abilities.
There are specific deities that are masters of
clairvoyance... and if you evoke them and win their good graces, they’ll help you to develop your clairvoyance.
These beings are there to HELP people who ask them for help in the right way. This is their purpose. And since our goal is evolution, it can be wise to take them up on this. Evocation is a tremendous tool for growth, and it is also a fascinating journey in and of itself.
Now, there are a few caveats to evocation. It’s not always a one-way street, with them just “giving” you their energy and assistance for free.
SOME spirits will want you to perform certain tasks, or even to “worship” them. They will want to make a deal with you. They may want you to do regular rituals in honor of them, or in memorial of their service.
But not all spirits will ask for a “deal”. Some will simply help you out of love and good will. There are a lot of good and loving spirits and angels out there that are only too willing to help for free.
Needless to say, you SHOULD be sure to know what you’re getting into, because the worst thing would be to insult or make a faux pas with any of these spirits.
Evocation is a double-edged sword. Again, some research beforehand is advised.
Think about this from a real world perspective. If somebody on the street asked you for help, you might help them and you might want something in return, if only gas money. But if they don’t repay you for your efforts, then you might get upset…
Magick in and of itself is amazing. It’ll increase your love of spirituality and evolution, definitely. And love is a key part of growth.
So let’s take a look at love and relationships in the next chapter...