Goetia

[David19]

Does anyone here know anything about the Goetia and working with the Goetic demons. What were/are your experiences like?. Also, do you know any good books or sites on it, i'd like to learn more about it (before i jump right into it).

Thanks :).

[RedRaven]

i havent done any goetia work myself but maybe do and download the pdfs before buying to make sure its something you want to do? if you do a google search you can find a bunch of ceremonial sites that have the ebooks for download.

by the way, im not sure if they are legal for download so if the mods have a problem here go ahead and delete my reply.

RR

[Grimr]

http://www.answers.com/topic/the-lesser-key-of-solomon






The Lesser Key of Solomon
The Lesser Key of Solomon or Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis (the Clavicula Salomonis, or Key of Solomon (http://www.answers.com/topic/key-of-solomon) is an earlier book on the subject), is an anonymous (http://www.answers.com/topic/anonymity) 17th century (http://www.answers.com/topic/17th-century) grimoire (http://www.answers.com/topic/grimoire), and one of the most popular books of demonology (http://www.answers.com/topic/demonology). It has also long been widely known as the Lemegeton, although that name is considered incorrect because it depends on faulty Latin (http://www.answers.com/topic/latin).
It appeared in the 17th century (http://www.answers.com/topic/17th-century), but much was taken from texts of the 16th century (http://www.answers.com/topic/16th-century), including the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (http://www.answers.com/topic/pseudomonarchia-daemonum), by Johann Weyer (http://www.answers.com/topic/johann-weyer), and late-medieval (http://www.answers.com/topic/middle-ages) grimoires (http://www.answers.com/topic/grimoire). It is likely that books by Jewish (http://www.answers.com/topic/judaism) kabbalists (http://www.answers.com/topic/kabbalah) and Muslim (http://www.answers.com/topic/islam) mystics (http://www.answers.com/topic/mysticism) were also inspirations. Some of the material in the first section, concerning the summoning of demons, dates to the 14th century (http://www.answers.com/topic/14th-century) or earlier.
The book claims that it was originally written by King Solomon (http://www.answers.com/topic/king-solomon), although this is certainly incorrect. The titles of nobility assigned to the demons were unknown in his time, as were the prayers to Jesus (http://www.answers.com/topic/jesus-christ) and the Christian (http://www.answers.com/topic/christian) Trinity (http://www.answers.com/topic/trinity) included in the text.
The Lesser Key of Solomon contains detailed descriptions of spirits and the conjurations needed to invoke and oblige them to do the will of the conjurer (referred to as the "exorcist (http://www.answers.com/topic/exorcist-1)"). It details the protective signs and rituals (http://www.answers.com/topic/ritual) to be performed, the actions necessary to prevent the spirits from gaining control, the preparations prior to the invocations, and instructions on how to make the necessary instruments for the execution of these rituals.
The several original copies extant vary considerably in detail and in the spellings of the spirits' names. Contemporary editions are widely available in print and on the Internet.
The Lesser Key of Solomon is divided into five parts.

Ars Goetia

Main article: Ars Goetia (http://www.answers.com/topic/ars-goetia) The Ars Goetia ("the art of goetia (http://www.answers.com/topic/goetia)"), often simply called the Goetia, is the first section of the 17th century (http://www.answers.com/topic/17th-century) grimoire (http://www.answers.com/topic/grimoire) Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis, or The Lesser Key of Solomon. Much of the text appeared earlier, with some material dating to the 14th century (http://www.answers.com/topic/14th-century) or earlier. It contains descriptions of the seventy-two demons (http://www.answers.com/topic/demon) that King Solomon (http://www.answers.com/topic/king-solomon) is said to have evoked (http://www.answers.com/topic/evocation) and confined in a bronze vessel sealed by magick (http://www.answers.com/topic/magick) symbols, and that he obliged to work for him. It is said that the method to invoke any of these 72 demons - which by chance is the same amount as the amount of existing angels - is by combining one ore more of this "claviculae salomonis" with one or more of the Psalms (which Salomon himself is said to have written also for this purpose, not only to praise god).

Ars Theurgia Goetia

The Ars Theurgia Goetia ("the art of goetic (http://www.answers.com/topic/goetia) theurgy (http://www.answers.com/topic/theurgy)") is the second section of The Lesser Key of Solomon. It explains the names, characteristics and seals of the 31 aerial spirits (http://www.answers.com/topic/spirit) (called chiefs, emperors, kings and princes) that King Solomon (http://www.answers.com/topic/king-solomon) invoked and confined, the protections against them, the names of their servant spirits, called dukes, the conjurations to invoke them, and their nature, that is both good and evil.
Their sole objective is to discover and show hidden things, the secrets of any person, and obtain, carry and do anything asked to them meanwhile they are contained in any of the four elements (http://www.answers.com/topic/classical-element) (Earth (http://www.answers.com/topic/earth-wordnet), Fire (http://www.answers.com/topic/fire-classical-element), Air (http://www.answers.com/topic/air-classical-element) and Water (http://www.answers.com/topic/water-classical-element)). These spirits are given in a complex order in the book, and some of them have spelling variations according to the different editions.

Ars Paulina

The Ars Paulina (The Art of Paul) is the third part of The Lesser Key of Solomon. According to the legend, this art was discovered by the Apostle Paul (http://www.answers.com/topic/tertius), but in the book is mentioned as the Pauline Art of King Solomon (http://www.answers.com/topic/king-solomon). The Ars Paulina was already known since the Middle Age. It is divided in two chapters in this book.
The first chapter refers on how to deal with the angels (http://www.answers.com/topic/angel) of the several hours of the day (meaning day and night), to their seals, their nature, their servants (called Dukes), the relation of these angels with the seven planets known at that time, the proper astrological (http://www.answers.com/topic/astrology) aspects to invoke them, their names (in a couple of cases coinciding with two of the seventy-two demons mentioned in the Ars Goetia (http://www.answers.com/topic/ars-goetia), the conjuration (http://www.answers.com/topic/conjuration) and the invocation (http://www.answers.com/topic/invocation) to call them, the Table [sic] of practice.
The second chapter concerns the angels that rule over the zodiacal (http://www.answers.com/topic/zodiac) signs and each degree of every sign, their relation with the four elements (http://www.answers.com/topic/classical-element), Fire (http://www.answers.com/topic/fire), Earth (http://www.answers.com/topic/earth), Water (http://www.answers.com/topic/water) and Air (http://www.answers.com/topic/upper-atmosphere), their names, and their seals. These are called here the angels of men, because all persons are born under a zodiacal sign, with the Sun at a specific degree of it.

Ars Almadel

The Ars Almadel (The Art of the Almadel) is the fourth part of The Lesser Key of Solomon. It tells how to make the almadel, which is a wax tablet with protective symbols drawn on it. On it are placed four candles. This chapter has the instructions concerning the colours, materials and rituals (http://www.answers.com/topic/ritual) necessary for the construction of the almadel and the candles.
The Ars Almadel also tells about the angels (http://www.answers.com/topic/angel) that are to be invoked, and explains that only reasonable and just things that are needed must be asked to them, and how the conjuration has to be made. It also mentions twelve princes ruling with them. The dates and astrological (http://www.answers.com/topic/astrology) aspects that have to be considered most convenient to invoke the angels are detailed but briefly.
The author asserts to have experimented with what is explained in this chapter.

Ars Notoria

The Ars Notoria (The Notable Art) is the fifth and last part of The Lesser Key of Solomon. It was indeed a grimoire (http://www.answers.com/topic/grimoire) known since the Middle Age (http://www.answers.com/topic/middle-ages). The book asserts that this art was revealed by the Creator (http://www.answers.com/topic/god) by means of an angel (http://www.answers.com/topic/angel) to King Solomon (http://www.answers.com/topic/king-solomon).
It contains a collection of prayers (http://www.answers.com/topic/prayer) (some of them divided in several parts) mixed with kabbalistic (http://www.answers.com/topic/kabbalah) and magical words in several languages (i.e. Hebrew, Greek, etc., and some inventions), how the prayers must be said, and the relation that these rituals (http://www.answers.com/topic/ritual) have to the understanding of all sciences (http://www.answers.com/topic/science). It mentions the aspects of the Moon in relation with the prayers. It also says that the prayers act as an invocation (http://www.answers.com/topic/invocation) to God's angels (http://www.answers.com/topic/angel). According to the book, the correct spelling of the prayers gives the knowledge of the science related to each one and also a good memory, stability of mind, and eloquence. This chapter prevents on the precepts (http://www.answers.com/topic/precept) that have to be observed to obtain a good result.
One of the prayers, said to have been called Artem Novam (in Latin) by King Solomon, makes mention to Jesus (http://www.answers.com/topic/jesus-christ). Other prayers mention God Father, his son Jesus, and the Holy Ghost, precisely the Christian (http://www.answers.com/topic/christian) Trinity (http://www.answers.com/topic/trinity). Another mentions the Apostles (http://www.answers.com/topic/twelve-apostles-1) and martyrs, and another one the Lord's Prayer (http://www.answers.com/topic/lord-s-prayer).
Finally, it tells how King Solomon received the revelation (http://www.answers.com/topic/revelation) from the angel.

[Sage Rainsong]

I haven't worked with them personally but I know some people who have with good results. here is a good website:


http://www.deliriumsrealm.com/delirium/articleview.asp?Post=304

[coeur]

I have worked with them personally for the past few months and they have yielded some impressive and impressively quick results. I don't work with them as much in the rigid ceremonialist way, though I do incorporate LBRP, the Triangle of Art, and magic circles from time to time. There are obviously more ways to evoke a demon than what is outlined in the Goetia, all equally valid, though only in the circumstance that the magician is able to actually control the situation.

Some people tend to treat demons as friends, some tend to treat them as enemies, hell, some even enjoy torturing them extensively before forcing them to do work. The main difference between the approach and the magician lies in how comfortable the magician with dealing with demons as well as how confident he is that he will be able to banish the demon should something go wrong. Definitely, for many people, a lot of neato protection rituals puts their hearts at ease (not to mention it's a little more bulletproof). For some others, like me, I only pull out the big guns when the situation warrants it.

My advice is, whatever your approach is, learn a good protection and a good banishing ritual first just in case you need to go into Plan B. My other advice is to only evoke demons when you are in a solid state of mind (meaning not prone to paranoia, anxiety, depression, uncontrolled desperation, etc) and have a grip over yourself. There is definitely a correlation between how much control over yourself you have and how much control you have over the demon.

Demons are also known to be wiley and cunning and definitely not best friend forever material. This is not to say that they are evil and unintelligent and malicious (well most of the time at least), but to say don't pin them on being sympathetic for your cause and coming to your aid just because they like you. You can certainly have a better and more dependable relationship with certain demons, but, at the end of the day, demons will still always be prone to trickery and cunning. They tend to try to talk you around the things you actually want so that they don't actually have to do as much work. And sometimes they trick you into paying higher prices for their work than what you ought.

I do not, however, condone the torment or disrespect of demons in any way. The only time that I feel like a magician is entitled to torment a demon is to keep it from harming him/her (and by torment, I mean burning the sigil). Demons are not to be kicked around as if they are trash. Demons don't owe it to a magician to do anything. A magician has to pay for every favor s/he wants done by the demon.

There are accounts of evokations on sacred-magick.net (I think) and quite a few on occultforums.com in the ceremonial magic section. As for myself...I'm way too lazy right now to write down my accounts haha...

[Ben Gruagach]

There are some other editions of the Key of Solomon available at http://www.esotericarchives.com/

Look in the Classic Grimoires section at the left of the page.

(And they are so old they are definitely in the public domain!)

[Grimr]

I mean no offense , but the Goetia looks like some judeo-christian nonsense.

[Alkhemia]

Does anyone here know anything about the Goetia and working with the Goetic demons. What were/are your experiences like?. Also, do you know any good books or sites on it, i'd like to learn more about it (before i jump right into it).

I've worked with most of the Goetic demons and I find them to be, for the most part, pretty effective and easy to evoke.

David, I've seen you ask a lot of questions, ranging from ceremonial magic(k) to Asatru to Wicca, etc., both here and on other fora. While absolutely nothing is wrong with asking questions (we are all here to learn, right?), I would say that jumping into evocation or Enochian is absolutely pointless unless you already possess a fairly good grasp of CM "theory," Hermeticism and praxis. In other words, it isn't a toy or a whim that dictates, "Hey, I want to summon a demon, entity, angel in my room for the hell of it!" Doing magick takes practice - in spite of what New Age salespeople try to claim. Part of that practice includes cracking open books, but a lot of it also comes from doing - making mistakes, learning from mistakes and trying again. It's an investment.

With that being said, here are some good books;

1. Secrets of the Magickal Grimoires (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0738703036) - an excellent intro into how to work Medieval magic. Aaron knows his stuff.
2. The Lesser Key of Solomon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/157863220X) - without a doubt, the best translation of the Lemegeton. If anyone is working with the Goetia, this is a must-have.
3. The Book of Solomon's Magick (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/096548811X) - Poke is very traditional in his approach and is a hell of a guy to boot. He's a magician who 'walks the walk' in addition to writing books and putting out DVD's.
4. Aleister Crowley's Illustrated Goetia (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1561840483) - The best thing about this book is the excellent introduction by Lon. The illustrations are lame and this book is not a necessity unless you have some money to burn.
5. Conjuring Spirits (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0271025174) - Extremely useful for a broader view of grimoiric magic from a scholarly (as opposed to occult) perspective.

[Infinite Grey]

Personally I wouldn't recommend anything by Crowley...

Get very well acquainted with Hermetic philosophies and don't even bother if you're not good with Mathematics ;)

[David19]

I've worked with most of the Goetic demons and I find them to be, for the most part, pretty effective and easy to evoke.

David, I've seen you ask a lot of questions, ranging from ceremonial magic(k) to Asatru to Wicca, etc., both here and on other fora. While absolutely nothing is wrong with asking questions (we are all here to learn, right?), I would say that jumping into evocation or Enochian is absolutely pointless unless you already possess a fairly good grasp of CM "theory," Hermeticism and praxis. In other words, it isn't a toy or a whim that dictates, "Hey, I want to summon a demon, entity, angel in my room for the hell of it!" Doing magick takes practice - in spite of what New Age salespeople try to claim. Part of that practice includes cracking open books, but a lot of it also comes from doing - making mistakes, learning from mistakes and trying again. It's an investment.

With that being said, here are some good books;

1. Secrets of the Magickal Grimoires (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0738703036) - an excellent intro into how to work Medieval magic. Aaron knows his stuff.
2. The Lesser Key of Solomon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/157863220X) - without a doubt, the best translation of the Lemegeton. If anyone is working with the Goetia, this is a must-have.
3. The Book of Solomon's Magick (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/096548811X) - Poke is very traditional in his approach and is a hell of a guy to boot. He's a magician who 'walks the walk' in addition to writing books and putting out DVD's.
4. Aleister Crowley's Illustrated Goetia (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1561840483) - The best thing about this book is the excellent introduction by Lon. The illustrations are lame and this book is not a necessity unless you have some money to burn.
5. Conjuring Spirits (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0271025174) - Extremely useful for a broader view of grimoiric magic from a scholarly (as opposed to occult) perspective.

Thanks for the book list and the advice, i'm not going to rush into things, i'm just trying to figure out what it is i believe (they're slowly developing :)), i'm definitely going to look at ceremonial magic theory and basics before i even think about summoning something, but i just wanted to see what's out there (and sometimes i get a bit put off by some ceremonial books because of the visulizations, not 'cause i can't visulize but i've been told that visulization isn't magic and is just a 'New Age' thing).

Anyway, thanks again :).

[David19]

Personally I wouldn't recommend anything by Crowley...

Get very well acquainted with Hermetic philosophies and don't even bother if you're not good with Mathematics ;)

Is Initation into the Hermetics are good book for getting acquainted with Hermetic philosophies (i've downloaded it), plus a guy that's taught me a lot about Cochrane witchcraft has some related material that he can give me.

BTW, i've also heard that Crowley isn't the best source on magic, i've even heard some people say that he didn't know anything about magic, plus, according to Ronald Hutton, he's was very, deeply anti-Semitic (which is ironic, considering some of his magic was based on the Jewish kabbalah and Gematria(sp)).

[Infinite Grey]

Is Initation into the Hermetics are good book for getting acquainted with Hermetic philosophies (i've downloaded it), plus a guy that's taught me a lot about Cochrane witchcraft has some related material that he can give me.



Try this one out The Kybalion by the Three Initiates, it was published in 1912... anonymously, by three people that simply called themselves the Three Initiates. The dedicated it to Hermes Trismegistus and is largely a very humble book. It's a good place to start.

[Alkhemia]

BTW, i've also heard that Crowley isn't the best source on magic, i've even heard some people say that he didn't know anything about magic, plus, according to Ronald Hutton, he's was very, deeply anti-Semitic (which is ironic, considering some of his magic was based on the Jewish kabbalah and Gematria(sp)).

Okay, I have to say something here. :D

Erm, I'm trying to be as diplomatic as possible here, but some of what you have been told is utter B.S. and/or plain ignorance. Say what you will about Crowley - but he is to be respected for his intelligence, his willingness to push the envelope and his courage to actually do magick, not just sit around and theorize about it. I suspect that people who claim that Crowley "didn't know anything about magick" are pretty ignorant about magick themselves and are informed more by knee-jerk prejudice than anything resembling reality.

I am not a Thelemite and I am no "Crowley-worshiper" - I work primarily within the Golden Dawn tradition. (Some in the GD still harbor resentment toward Crowley and some in the OTO claim that the GD is very "old aeon," so the mudslinging all evens out. :) ) With that being said, Crowley knew what he was talking about and a lot can be learned from careful study of his work and life. Crowley, like any thinker or writer, needs to be evaluated in context - he was a wealthy (at least in his early life) Englishman at the close of the Victorian Age. His mom was also a religious fanatic and some of that upbringing stuck with Crowley, as these things tend to do with all of us. Some of the ridiculous comments he made need to be evaluated against the age in which he lived and his rather 'eccentric' personality.

Crowley has had an enormous impact upon the modern expressions of CM and Wicca. To ignore him, avoid him or dismiss him can only be to your (or anyone else's) detriment. Personally, I don't see willful ignorance as a magickal 'virtue.'

[David19]

Try this one out The Kybalion by the Three Initiates, it was published in 1912... anonymously, by three people that simply called themselves the Three Initiates. The dedicated it to Hermes Trismegistus and is largely a very humble book. It's a good place to start.

Just wanted to say, thanks for the recommendation, i've downloaded it (it does look interesting from the few bits i've read).

I've got the Mystical Qabalah by Dion Fortune out of the library.

Although, i've got another question, and this may get answered by myself as i learn more about Hermeticism and Qabalah/Kabalah, but how do they fit with the Goetia or summoning demons?.

Thanks again for everyone who replied :).