In case you missed the fun live, you can still check out the watch party for ‘A Dark Song’ hosted by Dr. Justin Sledge from the Esoterica YouTube channel. 🙂

Greetings walkers with spirits!

I’ve noticed people tend to have a general misunderstanding of what evocation is and for what it is intended. So many people seem to believe evocation is what Solomonic Magick is all about. It isn’t.

I understand why this view exists. In occult and fantasy fiction, it is necessary to make things look interesting – so the default is to always show a mage standing within his protective Circle, surrounded by incense smoke, wand or sword in hand, chanting in arcane tongues, calling forth frightening or awe-inspiring creatures from the astral mists. It’s no different than – for example – a cop show that only shows you the exciting chases and impressive sleuth techniques, but never shows you the hours of paperwork and waiting that actually make up most of the job. So it is with the popular depiction of grimoire magick. And, because you only ever see the mage doing that one thing – evocation – it tends to become what you picture when you think of the subject.

Another culprit, believe it or not, is the grimoires themselves. Or, I should say, the popular misinterpretation of the grimoires. As I explain in both Secrets of the Magical Grimoires and my online beginners’ course, the grimoires do not in fact present the whole of the Solomonic tradition. They are just the starter manuals (which is why they are called “grammars”), giving you instructions on how to establish first contact with the angels and spirits of the tradition. And how you do that is (to a large extent) by performing the evocations. Once you’ve established that contact, it is not necessary to perform the evocation over and over again. From there, the spirits take over and teach you the real magick – and it’s not just more evocation.

Evocation has two primary purposes:

1) to establish contact with a spiritual being (or group of beings). Once you have that contact, you never need to perform the evocation for that being again. Of course, you’ll need to perform it again for any new entities you want to meet. So I am by no means suggesting you’ll never perform another evocation! However, you will not need to repeat it for the spirit(s) you’ve already contacted. That is, as long as you bind that being to a Talisman, Ring, Tablet, Altar, etc and have a means to continue working with it.

2) For important matters that require directly questioning a spiritual being. Most specifically when you have a series of questions that need to be asked. This is why the grimoires often use evocation for the purposes of discovering hidden information, finding lost or stolen items or people, receiving specific instructions for something, to find buried treasure, etc, etc. I have said in the past that evocation – meaning its use for this specific purpose – is in itself a form of divination. You’re talking to the spirit in order to learn something you didn’t previously know. Otherwise – why are you calling it?

Therefore, evocation is something that is done MUCH more rarely than other aspects of the Tradition. For most purposes, you can make a petition to an angel, or create a Talisman for whatever you need, without going through the weeks- or months-long process of full evocation. If, that is, you have previously done the work of evoking the spirits you are working with and taken the time and effort to build a working relationship with them. In our house, we have altars to all seven Planetary Archangels (same guys you see in the Heptameron), not to mention to my HGA and Familiars, Carrie’s Prenda, her Ancestor Altar, and a few others as well. We don’t have to spend months performing full evocations of them when we need to ask for something – because we already did that and now they live here! We only have to evoke them to visible/audible appearance when we need to ask them specific questions and get their direct answers.

Another thing to consider, as well: there is NO need to evoke dozens of spirits! I’ve seen people who brag about summoning all 72 spirits of the Goetia. Or that they’ve evoked all the Shem haMephoresh and/or Tree of Life Angels. But, folks, that isn’t how this tradition works! You could be a successful Solomonic magus through your entire life and only contact one or two spirits. You have to find a spirit who works well with you, who likes you, and gets results – and keep working with that spirit. That spirit may or may not be able to do everything you need – and, if not, it can direct you to (or even introduce you to) another spirit who can, and now that spirit becomes part of your crew. The Angels and spirits of the grimoires aren’t Pokemon! You don’t have to collect ’em all. Your spiritual army should be something you build up very slowly and deliberately over years, and not treated like a call list at a phone sales company.

Yes, we have a LOT of altars in our home – mostly because we do this professionally. But, even with us, there are a smaller number of entities we go to for most things. For me it is first my HGA, then my Familiars. If directed to do so, I can take an issue to one of the Seven Archangels – and that often tends to be Sachiel and Iophiel, because somewhere along the way I became a Jupiter wizard. For Carrie, she’ll often go to Anael or Samael because she has a special relationship with them. That is not to say we never go to the other Archangels, only that it is a more rare occurrence in relation to the ones we work with the most.

And it is even rarer for us to perform full evocations for them. Instead, we spend our time tending to their Altars and Icons, making offerings to them, burning dressed candles and making petitions to them, and conversing with them either directly or via one form of divination or another. Sorry if that sounds more like work than the awesome fantasy of being a wizard – but it is the truth. And now you have it.

Meditation Class with Aaron Leitch

The Methods of Calm-Abiding

(aka ‘Meditation Basics 101’)

 

At Mystikal Scents Metaphysical Supplies

March 24th : 7-9pm

9545 E Fowler Ave Thonotosassa, FL 33952

 

When we use the word “meditation” in the West, we most often use it in the sense of meditating upon something (like a magical image, sigil, or mystical concept) – a practice that would more correctly be called “contemplation.”  In the East, it is called “special-insight meditation.”  However, such special-insight meditation is a more advanced practice, intended for use only after one has learned the most basic form of true meditation.

CALM-ABIDING MEDITATION is the practice of bringing the mind to a state of complete stillness and utter silence, which is no easy task, as the unruly child-like mind would rather not sit in perfect silence.  There are worries and stresses, hopes and dreams, plans to consider, past events to mull over and a host of other thoughts the mind would rather chase after. However, to achieve success in later meditations, it is first necessary to bring that unruly mind under control.

This workshop will cover techniques for relaxing the body, gently bringing the mind under control and naturally entering a deep meditative state.  You’ll be going deeper into your OWN consciousness than you’ve likely ever gone before. If you have never experienced these parts of yourself, or the bliss of complete Silence of the Mind (your unborn consciousness), then you will not want to miss this class!

*** Special Instructions:  Wear loose, comfortable clothing, bring pen & paper to take notes, and if you desire, bring a blanket, mat or pillow – especially for the body relaxation techniques.

 

This class requires pre-registration and payment of $25 by March 22nd.

Call Mystikal Scents at 813-986-3212 to reserve your seat.

 

Ceremonial Magick 101 Classes

Greetings Students!

If you’re local to the Tampa area, we are giving the Ceremonial Magick 101 Classes again this spring!

March 6 – April 17

Ceremonial Magick uses ritual and invocation to move us closer to the Divine Self.   Come learn the basics of Ceremonial Magick from initiated ceremonial magicians, Carrie Mikell & Aaron Leitch – adepts of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.  If you want to experience Ceremonial Magick (aka High Magick or Theurgy), this class is for you! Course Topics include the following:

•Class 1: History and Basic Terms of Ceremonial Magick – Diagrams & the Qabalistic Cross

•Class 2: Basic Rituals & Correspondences

•Class 3: Pentagrams & the four Philosophical Elements

•Class 4: Hexagrams & the seven Planets

•Class 5: Talisman Creation & Consecration

•Class 6: An Angel Evocation

Class starts Sunday March 6th and continues over the following five Sundays, 1-3:30pm.

Cost is $25 per class with a $75 deposit that will pay for the last 3 classes in the series.

Please call Mystikal Scents at 813-986-3212 to register. Limited to 12 students.

9545 E. Fowler Ave
Thonotosassa/Brandon, FL. 33592
813-986-3212
www.mystikalscents.com

For more info (map, directions, etc) see the Facebook Events page.

——-

P.S. – For those who are still hoping for Skype classes:  I’m afraid that Skype was not sufficient for the purpose of online classes.  We have another option – a bit more expensive but worth it in terms of quality and functionality.  As things move forward, we will post further info on this subject.

Ceremonial Magick 101 Classes

Greetings Students!

If you’re local to the Tampa area, we are giving the Ceremonial Magick 101 Classes again this summer!  In fact, classes begin next month!

July 5 -August 2

Ceremonial Magick uses ritual and invocation to move us closer to the Divine Self.   Come learn the basics of Ceremonial Magick from initiated ceremonial magicians, Carrie Mikell & Aaron Leitch – adepts of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.  If you want to experience Ceremonial Magick (aka High Magick or Theurgy), this class is for you! Course Topics include the following:

•Class 1: Basic Terms of Ceremonial Magick – Diagrams & the Qabalistic Cross

•Class 2: Basic Rituals & Correspondences

•Class 3: Pentagrams & the four Philosophical Elements

•Class 4: Hexagrams & the seven Planets

•Class 5: Talisman Creation & Consecration

•Class 6: An Angel Evocation

Class starts Sunday July 5th and continues over the following five Sundays, 1-3:30pm.

Cost is $25 per class with a $75 deposit that will pay for the last 3 classes in the series.

Please call Mystikal Scents at 813-986-3212 to register. Limited to 12 students.

9545 E. Fowler Ave
Thonotosassa/Brandon, FL. 33592
813-986-3212
www.mystikalscents.com

For more info (map, directions, etc) see the Facebook Events page.

——-

P.S. – For those who are still hoping for Skype classes:  I’m afraid that Skype was not sufficient for the purpose of online classes.  We have another option – a bit more expensive but worth it in terms of quality and functionality.  As things move forward, we will post further info on this subject.

Ritual Offerings Webinar

Greetings Spirit-Workers!

S.O.M.A – November 2nd

3:30-5pm CST  (4:30-6pm EST)

The Society of Magical Artists is hosting a webinar for the upcoming Nephilim Press book

Ritual Offerings:  Feeding Your Spirits, Empowering Your Magick.

This will be a panel with me and several other authors from the book:  Jason Miller, Frater Rufus Opus, Gilberto Strapazon and (just possibly!) Denise Alvarado as well.  We WILL be taking questions from the audience!  🙂

Here is the Facebook Event Page – where you can keep up with announcements.

And here is the log-in link for the webinar when the day arrives.  🙂

I also hear that S.O.M.A is hosting two other webinars on the same day:  featuring Jake Stratton-Kent and Brother Moloch.  So, plan on an awesome day of webinars to get November started off right!  🙂 🙂 🙂

Aaron Leitch’s Ceremonial Magick 101

Great News, Students!

My Ceremonial Magick 101 classes are taking off!  Carrie and I continue to offer them about twice a year here in the Tampa, FL area, and now we are making the same classes available in other areas of the country.

As we get the program under way, we are only allowing adepts of the Ciceros’ Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn to teach the classes.  (Whether we expand this to teachers from other GD orders will depend on how things develop.)  This assures that your instructors will be highly educated and trained in the material.  They will be using the exact same curriculum myself and Carrie teach here, including tons of useful handouts.  At the end of the class, you will even receive a certificate signed by myself and Carrie, as well as your instructors, to show you have graduated this specific course.

First up are Adepts Dave W and Andrea L in New York.  They are personal friends besides being respected teachers in our Order, and I am fully confident in their ability to teach these classes.  So if you are in the NY/Long Island area and have been wanting a chance to attend my classes, this is it!  See below for details, and make sure to grab a seat while space remains!

 

 

At Silver Broom Ministries, New York

November 2 – December 7, 2014

 

Ceremonial Magick uses ritual and invocation to move closer to the Divine.   Come learn the basics of Ceremonial Magick from Dave W and Andrea L-adepts of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn! Dave and Andrea will be presenting the very classes given by Aaron Leitch and Carrie Mikell in Tampa earlier this year! If you want to experience Ceremonial (or “high”) Magick and learn from two initiated ceremonial magicians this class is for you! Course Topics include the following:

•Class 1: Basic Terms of Ceremonial Magick – Diagrams & the Qabalistic Cross

•Class 2: Basic Rituals & Correspondences

•Class 3: Pentagrams & the four Philosophical Elements

•Class 4: Hexagrams & the seven Planets

•Class 5: Talisman Creation & Consecration

•Class 6: An Angel Evocation

Class starts Sunday November 2^nd and continues over five Sundays consecutive weeks, 1:30pm-3:30pm.

Cost is $15 per class

Silver Broom Ministries
46 Railroad Ave.
Sayville, NY 11782
(631) 760-5633

Please email maatsophia23@gmail.com to register. Class limited to 15 students.

 

NOTE: I know many of you will ask about online classes.  Yes, those are still in the plans.  But those plans are on hold while we establish these in-person classes first.  My course is better when it is face-to-face and hands-on.  The online classes will have to take a new format – still to be determined.  So stay tuned for more on that!

Greetings, aspirants!

 

It seems like every year or two, I find it necessary to post a rant about Abramelin and some of the boneheaded stuff I encounter out there in relation to it.  So, here is the 2014 Abramelin Rant (originally posted to my Solomonic Facebook Group):

 

——————

 

It has taken several years, but I have finally learned an important lesson: I will no longer answer questions via email for anyone actively undertaking the Abramelin operation.

I’ve tried it more than once now, and the result is the same every time. It’s relatively easy to guide someone through the initial months – it mostly involves telling them to stick to the process as the book outlines it, without adding anything or altering anything. That, and to provide some moral support along the way. I figured it couldn’t harm anything for me to be available to answer questions – I would have killed for such a resource while I performed it myself.

But… then comes time for the final days of the process, when the actual Rite is performed (the Day of Consecration, the Convocation of the Angel and the Convocation of the Spirits). And so far, every single time, I discover that the person I was trying to help has prepared for *nothing.* I get questions like, “Oh? There is a silver lamen? Where does the book mention that?” Or “So what kind of robes do I need?” Or, even better, “Now how do I go about summoning the spirits?”

Nearly as sure as clockwork, I discover that the person I was trying to help has utterly failed to study and understand the Book of Abramelin *before* they begin the process. My favorite one to date was when an aspirant wrote to ask about the Abramelin Oil. You see, they were having a hard time affording all the ingredients needed, because they needed a lot of it, because they were **burning the Holy Oil in the Lamp**!!! [Sound of Aaron repeatedly banging his head on the keyboard…] When I revealed to them that the Holy Oil is not used in the Lamp, they asked me “Oh, so what will it be used for, then – and how often?”

I’m tired of answering questions that are addressed in the very book itself. And I’m tired of people reaching the grand finale of their operation only to turn to me as if I’m going to do the Work for them (or at least hold their hand) in the end. I sure as hell can’t (and won’t) teach you the art of summoning spirits (via email no less!) over a few days before you’re expected to summon them yourself. Why the f**k wouldn’t you have thought of that before you decided this path was for you? For that matter, why would you undertake this ordeal when you clearly haven’t even read the book all the way through??

I don’t mind answering Abramelin questions – but it will have to be here on the public forum, and it won’t be for anyone who is currently in the middle of the process. Yikes.

 

Ceremonial Magick 101 Classes

Greetings Students!

If you’re local to the Tampa area, and you missed out on the Ceremonial Magick 101 Classes last spring, you have a second chance this summer!  Classes begin July 6th!

 

July 6 – August 10

Ceremonial Magick uses ritual and invocation to move closer to the Divine.   Come learn the basics of Ceremonial Magick from initiated ceremonial magicians, Carrie Mikell & Aaron Leitch – adepts of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.  If you want to experience Ceremonial (or “high”) Magick, this class is for you! Course Topics include the following:

•Class 1: Basic Terms of Ceremonial Magick – Diagrams & the Qabalistic Cross

•Class 2: Basic Rituals & Correspondences

•Class 3: Petnagrams & the four Philosophical Elements

•Class 4: Hexagrams & the seven Planets

•Class 5: Talisman Creation & Consecration

•Class 6: An Angel Evocation

Class starts Sunday July 6th and continues over the next five Sundays, 1-3:30pm.

Cost is $25 per class with a $75 deposit that will pay for the last 3 classes in the series.

Please call Mystikal Scents at 813-986-3212 to register. Limited to 12 students.

 

9545 E. Fowler Ave
Thonotosassa/Brandon, FL. 33592
813-986-3212
www.mystikalscents.com

For more info (map, directions, etc) see the Facebook Events page.

——-

Live Too Far Away To Attend?

We are still working on an online version of these classes.  However, there is even better news for long-distance students!  We have been speaking with other adepts of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn who want to give these same classes in their local area.  The first will be this fall in the Long Island, NY area.  I will be posting more about this as the event approaches – and, who knows, if this catches on you might someday be able to take these classes in person.  🙂

Ceremonial Magick 101 Classes

Just one more week to register for the classes! 🙂

Ananael (The Secrets of Wisdom)

Greetings Students!

If you’re local to the Tampa area, we are giving the Ceremonial Magick 101 Classes again this spring!  In fact, classes begin next month!

March 2 – April 6

Ceremonial Magick uses ritual and invocation to get closer to the Divine Self.   Come learn the basics of Ceremonial Magick from initiated ceremonial magicians, Carrie Mikell & Aaron Leitch – adepts of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.  If you want to experience Ceremonial (or “high”) Magick, this class is for you! Course Topics include the following:

•Class 1: Basic Terms of Ceremonial Magick – Diagrams & the Qabalistic Cross

•Class 2: Basic Rituals & Correspondences

•Class 3: Petnagrams & the four Philosophical Elements

•Class 4: Hexagrams & the seven Planets

•Class 5: Talisman Creation & Consecration

•Class 6: An Angel Evocation

 

Class starts Sunday March 2nd and continues over the next five Sundays, 1-3:30pm

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