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On
Calling Spirits
Attrib.
Cornelius Agripp
If you would call
any evil spirit to the Circle it first behoveth us to consider and to know his nature,
to which of the planets he agreeth, and what offices are distributed to him from
the planet. This being known,
let there be sought out a place fit and proper for his invocation, according to
the nature of the planet, and the quality of the offices of the same Spirit, as
near as the name may be done. For example, if his power be over the sea, rivers
or floods, then let a place be chosen on the shore, or so of the rest. In like manner,
let there be chosen a convenient time, both for the quality of the air--which should
be serene, quiet and fitting for the Spirits to assume bodies--and for the quality
and nature of the planet, and so, too, of the Spirit: to wit, on his day, noting
he time wherein he ruleth, whether it be fortunate or unfortunate, day or night,
as the stars and Spirits do require. These things being
considered, let there be a circle framed at the place erected, as well for the defence
of the invocant as for the confirmation of the Spirit. In the Circle itself there
are to be written the general Divine names which do rule the said planet, with the
offices of the Spirit himself; and the names, finally of the good Spirits which
bear rule and are able to bind and constrain the Spirit which we intend to call. If we would further
fortify our Circle, we may add characters and pentacles agreeing to the work. So
also, and within or without the Circle, we may frame an angular figure inscribed
with such numbers as are congruent among themselves to our work. Moreover, the operator
is to be provided with lights, perfumes, unguents and medicines compounded according
to the nature of the Planet and Spirit, which do partly agree with the Spirit, by
reason of their natural and celestiall virtue, and partly are exhibited to the Spirit
for religious and superstitious worship. The operator must
also be furnished with holy and consecrated things, necessary as well for the defence
of the invocant and his fellows as to serve for bonds which shall bind and constrain
the Spirits. Such are holy
papers, lamens, pictures, pentacles, swords, sceptres, garments of convenient matter
of colour, and things of like sort. When all these
are provided, the master and his fellows being in the Circle, and all those things
which he useth, let him begin to pray with a loud voice and convenient gesture and
countenance. Let him make an oration unto God, and afterwards entreat the good Spirits.
If he will read any prayers, psalms or gospels for his defence, these should take
the first place. Thereafter, let
him begin to invocate the Spirit which he desireth, with a gentle and loving enchantment
to all the coasts of the world, commemorating his own authority and power. Let him
then rest a little, looking around him to see if any Spirit do appear, which if
he delay, let him repeat this invocation as before, until he hath done it three
times. If the Spirit
be still pertinacious and will not appear, let him begin to conjure him with the
Divine Power, but in such a way that all the conjurations and commemorations do
agree with the nature and offices of the spirit himself. Reiterate the
same three times, from stronger to stronger, using objurgations, contumelies, cursings,
punishments, suspensions from his office and power and the like. After all these
courses are finished, again cease a little, and if any Spirit shall appear, let
the invocant turn towards him, and receive him coureously and, earnestly entreating
him, let him require his name. Then proceeding further, let him ask whatsoever he
will. But if in anything
the Spirit shall show himself obstinate or lying, let him be bound by convenient
conjurations, and if you still doubt of any lie, make outside the Circle, with the
consecrated Sword, the figure of a triangle or pentacle and compel the Spirit to
enter it. If you would have any promise confirmed upon oath, stretch the sword out
of the Circle, and swear the Spirit by laying his hand upon the Sword. Then, having obtained
of the Spirit that which you desire, or being otherwise contented, license him to
depart with courteous words, giving command until him that he do no hurt. If he will not
depart, compel him by powerful conjurations and, if need require, expel him by exorcism
and by making contrary fumigations. When he is departed,
go not out of the Circle, but stay, making prayer for your defence and conservation,
and giving thanks unto God and the good angels. All these things being orderly performed,
you may depart. But if your hopes
are frustrated, and no Spirit will appear, yet for this do not despair, but leaving
the Circle, return again at other times, doing as before. And if you shall
judge that you have erred in anything, then you shall amend by adding or diminishing,
for the constancy of reiteration doth often increase your authority and power, and
striketh terror into the Spirits, humbling them to obedience. Hence some do
use to make a gate in the Circle, whereby they go in and out, which they open and
shut as they please, and fortify it with holy names and pentacles. This also we are
to take notice of, that when no spirits will appear, but the master, being wearied,
hath determined to cease and give over, let him not therefore depart without licensing
the Spirits, for they that do neglect this are very greatly in danger except that
they are fortified with some sublime defence. Oftentimes also
the Spirits do come, although they be not visible (for to cause terror to him that
calls them) either in the thing which he useth, or in the operation itself. But
this kind of licensing is not given simply, but with a kind of dispensation with
suspension, until they shall render themselves obedient. When we intend
to execute any effect by evil Spirits where an apparition is not needful, this is
to be done by making the required instrument or subject of the experiment itself,
whether it be an image, a ring, or a writing, any candle, character or sacrifice,
or anything of the like sort. The name of the
Spirit is to be written thereon, with his character, according to the exigiency
of the experiment, either writing with blood or using some perfume agreeable to
the Spirit, making with frequent prayers to God and the good angels before we invocate
the evil Spirit, and conjuring him by the Divine Power. |