I was recently asked a question via email about the “Pentagram of Solomon” found in the Goetia, and how to properly use it. This is a Pentacle made in gold, with the Seal of the Spirit you are summoning inscribed on the opposite side, and worn around the neck of the exorcist as a lamen.

The person who contacted me said they were assured by “a well known magician” that the Pentagram is supposed to face outward, with the sigil of the Spirit laying against your chest. Now, if the “well-known magician” happens to be reading this, I apologize in advance, but this instruction is just plain wrong. 😦 (It’s also possible I have made this very mistake at some point in my own writings – especially back when I was still trying to figure out this whole goety thing. If so, what I’m saying now will supercede anything I said then!)

The Pentagram of Solomon is what is known as a “spirit-warding” symbol. That is, it is the kind of symbol you display in order to drive spirits away. (You might have seen similar symbols inscribed over Amish barns – and that’s a folk practice that goes all the way back to the time the grimoires were written, and beyond.) You can see another example of this in the grimoires in the 5th and 6th Books of Moses, with the “Helig” Pentagram.

You could hang a copy of such a Pentagram over your bed to drive away nightmares. Or over the bed of a woman in labor. Or in your kid’s room if they complain of ghosts in their closet or under their bed. Or wear one in general to protect you from curses or spirit-attachment. Essentially, look into the lore of spirit-warding and you’ll find a thousand-and-one uses for this kind of talisman!

Back in the Goetia, we are told how to make the Pentagram of Solomon, and that it should be worn around the neck – but nothing else is said. It is by understanding the lore of spirit-warding (something the author of the Goetia would have taken as granted) that we know how to use it properly. If we summon a spirit with the Pentagram facing outward, we run the risk of either offending or driving away said spirit. On the other hand, wearing the lamen with the spirit’s sigil facing outward will be accepted as a kind of respect shown to the entity.

One could also make the argument that the inward-facing Pentagram, laying against your chest, acts as a kind of “buffer” between the spirit and your heart-center; but I’m not convinced the author of the Goetia would have been thinking in this type of “energy-model” manner. What seems more likely is the Pentagram is simply supposed to remain hidden (on the back of the spirit’s own sigil) so as not to offend the summoned being, but can be quickly revealed if things suddenly go south during the ritual. With just one flick of the wrist, the exorcist can go from respectfully displaying the demon’s sigil on their chest, to now displaying a golden warding symbol while demands to either leave or behave are recited. (In the latter case, the lamen can be flipped back once more to display the spirit’s seal before continuing with the ritual.)

Before I sign off, I’d like to address one more point of confusion about the spirits’ seals in the Goetia. We are told to fashion the seals in the proper planetary metals of the spirits, but the only other mention of those seals in the grimoire is in relation to the Pentagram of Solomon, which is made in gold. This would provide little issue for Solar spirits, whose metal is gold. But what of the other six Planets and their metals?

Basically, the grimoire is talking about two different Talismans here. One, the Pentagram of Solomon, is to be fashioned from gold with the spirit’s sigil inscribed on the opposite side. I would assume the author intended the exorcist to make one of these for every spirit you wish to summon – which is another great indicator that we were never intended to summon all 72 of these beasties – as 72 individual gold lamens would become prohibitively expensive! However, a modern innovation would be to create a lamen that is gold on the Pentagram side – maybe using gold-leafing – with the other side allowing for different sigils to be drawn in or attached for each spirit.

Meanwhile, the talisman that is made from the spirit’s proper metal – without the Pentagram on the obverse – would be either placed upon the table of practice during the ritual, or (even better, in my opinion) place inside the Triangle of the Art. If you are using a brass vessel as well, I would place it inside that vessel, along with other objects and ingredients sacred to the spirit/planet as I have explained in Modern Grimoire Magick (http://jwmt.org/v1n10/modern.html).

I hope this short essay has been enlightening and helpful in your own Work!

Zorge,

Aaron

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.

Offering Ritual for Archangel Anael

Greetings and Happy Easter, fellow Angel-workers!

This Easter holiday was a rare and unique opportunity for working with Venus energy.  It happened, by chance, to fall on April 1st – and that is the traditional Roman feast day for the Goddess Venus.  The date also fell just after Venus entered one of the two zodiacal signs she rules (Taurus, in this case) and fell just within the Moon’s full-phase.  The convergence of Spring Equinox, Venusian, and Easter symbolism was too perfect to give a pass.

Working with Anael has been a surprising and deeply moving experience.  For most of my occult career, I haven’t paid much attention to her in particular.  My focus upon the Divine Feminine has been directed toward figures such as the Wiccan Goddess, Asherah, the Gnostic Sophia, etc.  I knew that Venus had very intimate connections with the most ancient Goddess figures, such as Inanna, Ishtar, and Astarte.  But there was very little information to be found about Anael herself, and nothing much had directed my attention toward her specifically.  (I may be speaking on behalf of my wife here, as she had a similar experience in this regard.)

But all of that changed once we decided to erect an altar to her in our home.  More than any similar altar we have ever erected, this one literally built itself!  It turned out we had most of what she wanted on her altar already in the house, and more sacred objects and decorations began to arrive nearly of their own accord.  (Literally!  Many of them were gifts from friends who heard we were building a Venus altar.)  That altar just exploded – and is now the largest and most elaborate one in the house.  When we built it, we had assumed I would tend it like I do most (but not all) of the other Archangel altars.  However, once it was established, it was apparent it belonged to my wife, Carrie, and she has tended it ever since.

The most striking thing about all of this is the energy that has come through Anael’s altar.  Every single things we have ever done in relation to the Divine Feminine – from our original paths through Neopaganism, to my Gnostic priestly devotion to Sophia and Mary, to the mysteries of sacred sex – all of it now pours fourth from Anael’s altar.  From the symbol of Venus encompassing the entire Tree of Life, to the Cycle of the Seasons, to the descent of Ishtar into the Underworld – it’s all right here in Anael’s charge.

Archangel Anael

Anael (also known as Hanael) – Joy of God, or Grace of God – is the Archangel of Venus and Friday, ruler of the third heaven, lady of passion (for both love or war), sex, inspiration, and the arts.  As Hanael, she is also the Archangel of Capricorn.  She appears very little in the midrashim (legends), but her nature and attributes are very clearly similar to Love Goddesses such as Venus and Aphrodite, as well as Mother Goddesses such as Inanna, Ishtar, Astarte, Asherah, and Isis.  As a manifestation of the Mother Goddess current, she also has close relationships with figures such as Sophia, the Shekinah, and Mother Mary.  And as a manifestation of the Goddess of Sex, she has close relationships with figures such as Anath, Hathor, and even Lilith.  As the angel of the arts, she can be regarded as similar to the Greek Muses.  For an angel who has remained largely obscure in the Western Mystery Tradition, her position and function is extremely exalted.

John Dee made contact with this Archangel in the early 1500s, as he had read in the Arbatel of Magic the Angel of Venus was the current supreme ruling angel of the cosmos.  (Each of the seven angels rules in succession for 490 years.  The rule of Venus was to last until 1900 CE, when the Angel of Mercury would take over.)  Anael appeared to Dee’s then-skryer Barnabas Saul, and introduced Dee to the angelic intermediary Uriel.  Anael never appeared to Dee again, but Uriel thenceforth directed the sessions that would come to be known as the Enochian workings.

 

 

It is best to choose a Friday when Venus is well aspected in the heavens, and she should be above the horizon at the time of working if possble.  Dawn is best.  The most powerful times of year to do this ritual are when Venus resides in either the sign of Taurus or Libra.  The Moon should be in increase.

On Thursday evening, cover a table or altar with a green or white cloth. Place a talisman and/or image of Archangel Anael upon the altar. (If it is a talisman, place it in the center. If an image, set it toward the east facing westward.) You will need a censor and an incense of Venus:

I use three ingredients:

1 part Sanalwood

1 part Benzoin

1/2 part Red Rose Petals (some of which come from roses offered on Anael’s altar)

Also prepare all elements of the offering to Venus: Seven green candles, seven glasses of water, a glass of champagne, , a glass of half-and-half cream, seven pieces of bread covered with honey, fruit (in this case an apple cut into seven slices), and a mix of spring flowers and roses.   And lots of candy!  (Since this invocation was done on Easter, we took advantage and offered seven green jelly beans, seven gold-foil wrapped chocolate eggs, seven green Peeps, and seven dark-chocolate eggs wrapped in green and red foils, and a Dove chocolate bunny in gold foil. My wife and daughter also decorated seven real Easter eggs with red and green dyes, which we added to the altar.  Plus a lot of Easter decorations.)

Finally, for her meat, we grilled seven pieces of halal goat meat – as goat is sacred to Venus, and was once sacrificed to Venus and Aphrodite at their Temples.  (We cook it well done, of course – no blood!  And we only offer meat once a year at this larger feeding rituals.)  The meat should be grilled over myrtle – or hazel-tree wood.  Otherwise grill it over natural wood or wood charcoal, and add sandalwood, benzoin, and rose petals to the fire.  Season the meat with saffron.

On Friday just before sunrise, wash yourself and don a white or green robe. At sunrise, set the offering to Venus upon the table.  Place six of the green candles around the edges, and one in the center – directly upon the talisman if there is one.  Set a glass of water beside each candle.  Around this arrange the food offerings. You may also add any gift offerings for Anael, or items you wish for her to touch – such as copper jewelry or trinkets, talismans, stones, oils, make-up, written prayers or petitions, etc.

Light the censor and candles with their proper exorcisms, and add fresh incense to the coal. Then exorcise and consecrate the offerings with holy water and the censor.

Then move to the eastern side of the working space, facing outward.  If you have a consecrated bell or trumpet, sound it and recite the following call (or one similar to it):

In whatsoever place ye may be, ye spirit(s), who are invited to this feast, [NNN] come ye and be ready to receive our offerings, presents, and sacrifices!

Move to the south and repeat – first sounding the bell or trumpet, then the call.  Do this again in the west and the north.

Finally, return to standing west of the altar facing eastward, and recite the following invocations:

Prayer to YHVH Zabaoth

YHVH Zabaoth, God of the Hosts of Heaven, Great Lord of the spirits of passion, the sphere of Victory and of the Lovely Venus, She who is Beautiful, Passionate, Pleasing, Powerful, Fruitful, the Queen of all Delights. Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever. The sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God of Hosts, anoint us with the oil of gladness. The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace. YHVH Zabaoth, I ask in Thy Holy Name that you bless and sanctify this offering, that it may be pleasing unto You and Your Angels. Amen + Amen + Amen + Amen + Amen + Amen + Amen +

The Song of Songs

[Normally, I would have read seven Psalms or other verses related to Venus at this point.  However, we instead chose to read the entire Song of Songs.  It is eight chapters rather than seven, but the entire book is centered upon Venus.  My wife and I read the Song together – me reading the male portions and her the female.  It was a rather moving and intimate experience!]

Invitation to Anael

O’ Anael, bright morning and Evening Star!  Lady of Beauty and Majesty, Passion and Strength!

Anael!  Celestial Bride!  Virgin and Whore!  Mother and Daughter! Lucifera!  Aphrodite!

Anael, Queen of Heaven and Mother of Mankind!  Thou who art Sophia and Mary!

Anael, Great Goddess who smiles upon the Earth and vegetation springs forth, cattle increases, and men find love!

O’ Anael, you hide your face and the world sleeps!

Wondrous Anael, Archangel of Venus, bringer of inspiration, beauty, and art.

You have been with us from the very beginning, blessing the steps we have taken upon our path.  You are the High Priestess through whom the Light of God has shone into our lives.  You have been our comfort and our help.  Come thou forth and partake of these offerings, which we have prepared in thy honour and to the glory of the God of the Heavenly Hosts!  May you find them pleasing and empowering. We ask that you offer your blessings to our home and family, and bear our offerings and prayers of thanksgiving to the Divine Court. We petition thee for inspiration and beauty in all of our undertakings, to be beloved by our community, and that the light of thy wisdom should guide and keep us at all times. In the name of YHVH  Zabaoth.  Amen.

 

Repeat the Invitation seven times.  Then, share in the feast you have offered to the Angel – taking bites of each food item, sips of the liquids.  Leave the offerings in place until the green candles burn completely away (or no less than seven days). Place the remains in a natural place, into running water or at a crossroads.

– End –

 

 

Ritual of Anael Journal Entry

It would have been wonderful if this could have happened on a Friday – the day sacred to Venus.  However, Easter can’t happen on a Friday – and this year neither did her established Feast Day.  So we went with it, and performed our invocation ritual that Sunday on an hour of Venus.  It has become our family tradition to give each of our seven resident Archangels (yes, we now have established altars to all seven planetary Archangels!) a very large annual feeding.  This empowers them to work for us for the entire year, plus they get smaller candle/incense offerings and thanksgiving offerings as we regularly work with them.

We cleaned and prepared the Temple room, and gathered most of the ingredients the night before Easter, though we ran out of time to find the goat meat.  Fortunately for us, Arabic butchers are open on Easter, so we were able to acquire that on the day of the ritual.  The meat was even halal.

Given that this took place on Easter day, it wasn’t practical for me to fast.  We went to a friend’s house and had a wonderful Easter dinner while the kids played together and hunted for eggs.  It was a wonderful time, really – and even without fasting it felt quite appropriate.  (“All acts of love and pleasure…”)  When we got home I performed my evening Abramelin invocations,  then set up the altar for the Anael invocation:

A green Venus altar cloth that was a gift from our friend Kathy at AzothArt.com, Anael’s statue, icon, censer, Agrippa Venus Incense from Doc Solomon’s (plus some special Anael incense of Carrie’s own creation), and several talismans and other objects directly from her established altar, the seven candles (one being a fixed Anael Novena) and glasses of water, plus the food offerings, candy, fresh flowers, and a few Easter decorations (including the real Easter eggs) to celebrate the season.  We also had an impressively elaborate and beautiful Venus Wand to place on the altar for a client, so it would be blessed and empowered by Anael.  And of course Carrie added all of her Anael and Love oils from Anubeion Creations, and her special jewelry.  Once all the food, drink, and candy was added, the altar was literally overflowing!

 

 

 

 

We got the meat grilled just after the nighttime hour of Venus began (about 10:40pm), and began the invocations while the meat was still sizzling hot.

I followed the ritual as you see it above.  I lit the candles and censor with the proper Solomonic exorcism and used the Agrippa incense and holy water to consecrate everything on the altar.  I then made the calls in the four quarters, and performed the invocations (my wife joining me for the Song of Songs), burning the special incense my wife had made for Anael.  We decided to share in the seven-fold recitation of the invitation to Anael – trading off so she recited it three times and myself four times.

Afterward we shared in the feast with Anael – sampling all the foods and liquids on the altar.  (Carrie skipped the bread of course.)  We invited our daughter in to do the same, and I anointed all three of us with Anael’s oil.  (Our daughter may also share a special relationship with Anael.  You would be amazed at the artistic streak she has manifested over her short life!)

The offerings will sit on the altar for seven days, or until the candles burn out.  We will of course remove any food items that go bad in the meantime – though it is not usual to see that happen.  (Except for milk items. We’ll remove the cream after a couple of days.)  As things progress, and if there is anything of interest, I will update this entry.

Offering Ritual for Archangel Samael

Greetings again, fellow Angel-workers!

Mars is certainly in the air.  We just passed through a prime period for Martial magick – when Mars passed through Scorpio.  (Apparently it is only in the first degree of Sagittarius as I write, which is hardly out of Scorpio at all, so it is still flush with Scorpio’s energy.)  Plus we are fast approaching the period when Sol will go into Scorpio – which can be a major pain (ever notice how things tend to start to suck right before Halloween?), but is also a good time for Martial magick.

And so, with all of this in mind, this is a great time to make our yearly offerings to Samael, to both thank him for the protection he offers our house, and to empower him to protect it for another year.  As house gods go, Samael is unique in my home.  My relationship with him is fairly new (compared to Iophiel and Michael), and I approach him with quite a bit more caution.  (I strongly urge you to do the same, if you have cause to work with him at all.)

 

Archangel Samael – the Adversary

Samael is the Archangel of Mars – prince of the fifth heaven, lord of war and pestilence, and angel of death and destruction.  He is the Sathan (Adversary) who visited wrath upon Job, slew the firstborn in Egypt, and (as the Guardian Angel of Easu) wrestled with Jacob.  As the Sathan he accuses men of their wrongdoings in the Divine Court.  Samael should not be confused with the modern Christian concept of Lucifer or the Devil.  Samael is not the source of all evil, nor did he ever wage war upon the Throne of God.

He was, however, cast down to Earth when he refused to bow to Adam as the Image of God.  (He had previously sworn to never bow to anything less than God Himself.)  Once here, he took Lilith as his wife and has acted as the Divine Accuser, Enforcer and Angel of Death ever since.  While he is still very much in the employ of God, he persecutes and seduces mankind when he is ordered to do so.

(Some sources equate Samael with Shemyaza, the leader of the fallen Watchers from the Book of Enoch.  This is likely due to both Samael and Shemyaza being punished for disobedience, yet each retaining their positions as celestial angels.  However the angels share no other characteristics, and this similarity does not prove the two angels are one and the same.)

The ancient Gnostics elevated him to the position of Demiurgos (the Creator) and interpreted his name to mean “Blind God.”  They also called him Ialdabaoth and Saklas.  His form was described as a lion-headed serpent.  He and his angels (called archons) had created the world as a prison where they could feed upon mankind’s suffering.  Later forms of Gnosticism, however, did not equate Ialdabaoth with Samael.

Samael was at one point regarded as the Patron Angel of Rome – and it is likely in this aspect that we see him (as the Dragon with Seven Heads) engaging in single combat against Michael (the Patron Angel of Israel) in the Revelation of St. John.

More recent tradition has given him the name Khamael (Camael, Camuel, etc) – the result of mistranslating a Hebrew Samekh (S) as a Kaph (Kh).  In this form he is regarded primarily as the Angel of War and Divine Severity.

 

It is best to choose a Tuesday when Mars is well aspected in the heavens, and he should be above the horizon at the time of working.  Dawn is best.  The most powerful times of year to do this ritual are when Mars resides in either the sign of Aries or Scorpio.  The Moon should be in increase.

On Monday evening, cover a table or altar with a red or white cloth. Place a talisman and/or image of Archangel Samael upon the altar. (If it is a talisman, place it in the center. If an image, set it toward the east facing westward.) You will need a censor and an incense of Mars:

I use three ingredients:  1 part Pipe Tobacco, 1/2 part Cinnamon, 1/8 part Crushed Red Pepper.

WARNING!: Martian incense is one of the most dangerous substances I’ve worked with!  It is, quite simply, tear gas.  If you make this, do not add too much red pepper.  And when you burn it, do it in small quantities. Never, for any reason, lean over the censor and inhale or draw in breath!  Too much pepper or direct inhalation can burn your throat and lungs.

Also prepare all elements of the offering to Mars: Five red candles, five glasses of water, a bottle of whiskey, five pieces of bread covered with honey.  Five hot red peppers.  Five steel nails.  Red meat (cooked well done, no blood!) – this latter is being offered only because this is a once-a-year offering.  Animal flesh (especially red meat) is very very powerful, and shouldn’t be used for usual day-to-day needs.

The meat should be grilled over cherry- or bay tree-wood.  Otherwise grill it over natural wood or wood charcoal, and add cinnamon, tobacco and red pepper to the fire.  You can also season the meat with the cinnamon and the red pepper.

On Tuesday just before sunrise, wash yourself and don a white or red robe. At sunrise, set the offering to Mars upon the table.  Place four of the red candles on the four corners, and one in the center – directly upon the talisman if there is one.  Set a glass of water beside each candle.  Around this arrange the food offerings. You may also add any gift offerings for Samael, or items you wish for him to touch – such as steel jewelery or trinkets, talismans, stones, oils, weapons, written prayers or petitions, etc.

Light the censor and candles with their proper exorcisms, and add fresh incense to the coal. Then exorcise and consecrate the offerings with holy water and the censor.

Then move to the eastern side of the working space, facing outward.  If you have a consecrated bell or trumpet, sound it and recite the following call (or one similar to it):

In whatsoever place ye may be, ye spirit(s), who are invited to this feast, [NNN] come ye and be ready to receive our offerings, presents, and sacrifices!

Move to the south and repeat – first sounding the bell or trumpet, then the call.  Do this again in the west and the north.

Finally, return to standing west of the altar facing eastward, and recite the following invocations:

 

Prayer to Elohim Gibor

Elohim Gibor, God of Severity and Might, who ruleth the heavens with a rod of iron, who shatters the enemy.  Thou Lord who keepeth the city with the watchman.  You shelter us beneath your mighty wings, and punish severely those who would harm your prophets!  You visited the plagues upon Egypt, drown Pharaoh’s armies in the Sea, blasted the foundations of Sodom and Gommorah, cast down the Kings of Edom and protected Daniel in the lions’ den.  You cast down those who would oppose you.  Your name causes the spirits to quake with terror and give obedience.  Thou art Gevurah, thou art Pachad.  I ask that you bless and sanctify this offering, that it may be pleasing unto You and Your Angels.

I ask, also, that you send to me the holy Archangel Samael: who walkest to and fro upon the Earth.  The Adversary, Angel of War and of Death, the bringer of your Wrath.  May he look with favor upon me and my household.  And, to that end, may he also enjoy these offerings, and be pleased with them, and bear our prayers of thanksgiving unto Thy Celestial Throne.  Amen + Amen + Amen + Amen + Amen +

 

Five Martial Psalms

Psalm 3 (“Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.“)

Psalm 2 (“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?“)

Psalm 110 (“The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.“)

Psalm 91 (“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.“)

Psalm 35 (“Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me, fight against those who fight against me.“)

 

Invitation to Samael

 I invoke thee, Samael!  Holy Archangel of the Martial sphere!  I call upon thee within thy realm of Severity and Fear!

Samael, Powerful, Bloody, Sword-bearer, Bold, Untamed, Terrestrial Fire, against whom none can defend himself, thou who destroys the strong and powerful, Lord of fiery heat – and of the planet of blood!

Samael, who art the Adversary, accusing men of their wrongdoing.  Fearsome warrior and divine enforcer!  You who inflicted Job with sorrow, who slew the firstborn of Egypt, and wrestled with Jacob.  It is you who bears the wrath of God unto the Earth!  You who overthrow nations and cast kings down from their thrones!

O Samael, we have called upon you [here list the reasons you have called him in the past, if any, and the positive results that came from those workings]. For all of this we thank you!

Come thou forth and partake of these offerings, which we have prepared in thy honour and to the glory of Elohim Gibor. May you find them pleasing and empowering. I ask that you offer your blessings to my home and family, and bear our offerings and prayers of thanksgiving to the Divine Court. We petition thee for strength and protection in all of our undertakings, for defense of our home, and that the light of thy wisdom should guide and keep us at all times. In the name of Elohim Gibor.  Amen.

Repeat the Invitation five times.  Then, share in the feast you have offered to the Angel – taking bites of each food item, sips of the liquids including a sip (or shot) of the whiskey.  Leave the offerings in place until the red candles burn completely away (and no less than five days). Place the remains in a natural place, into running water or at a crossroads.

– End –

 

Ritual of Samael Journal Entry

I wanted to perform this invocation a week earlier, while Mars was still firmly in Scorpio and the Moon was waxing, but it just wasn’t practical.  And it is not possible to wait until the Sun goes into Scorpio either; it had to be done now (Tuesday, September 16, 2014).  Perhaps next year we’ll time it better to take place when Mars is in Scorpio (or Aries might be even better) and the Moon is waxing.

I began by fasting from about 7pm on Monday evening (approximately 12 hours before dawn on Tuesday).  We went out on that same evening and gathered all of the offerings for Samael (see the list above).  Myself and a friend then started the grill with natural wood charcoal; adding cinnamon, tobacco and crushed red peppers to the fire.  I seasoned the meat with salt, black pepper and garlic – then added more of the cinnamon and red pepper.  We cooked the meat until it was entirely well done (no pink in the center), then covered it and set it aside for the next morning.

After taking a simple ritual bath, I cleaned and prepared our temple – re-consecrating it and everything in it with holy water and the recitation of King Solomon’s prayer of dedication of the Holy Temple.  I then erected the Samael altar.  I used a new red altar cloth, placed three of my favorite classical images of Samael, his name and Heptameron sigil in the center, along with the candles, censor and dishes that would be used the next morning.

At dawn on Tuesday morning, I washed up, entered the temple and put on my white robe.  I first approached my Guardian Angel’s altar (in the east) to pray for her help and guidance in the coming work.  (I would never approach Samael without her at my side!)  Then I laid out the food offerings on the Samael altar:  the steak (freshly warmed and sizzling) cut into five pieces, five hot red peppers, bread, honey, five glasses of water and a small bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey.  To these I also added seven steel nails.  (Note that five nails would be standard – but since this ritual is being done to empower the seven protective talismans buried around my property, I decided to include seven nails as I had done before.)

I followed the ritual mostly as I have it written above.  I opened the blinds to let the morning sunlight into the room.  I lit the censor with the proper Solomonic exorcism and used it and the holy water to consecrate everything on the altar.  I then made the calls in the four quarters, then returned to the altar to light the candles with their proper exorcism.  Then I performed the invocations, burning even more incense.  (Maybe too much, in fact, as it became hard to continue the invocations.  I slightly maced myself.  But it is vital to never show weakness to the spirits – especially spirits of Mars!  So I completed them without stopping.)

Due to Samael’s heavy chthonic associations, I considered not sharing in his feast.  However, he is an archangel (a celestial being) and I felt during the ritual that he did want me to share.  So, I decided to follow his lead and partook – wanting to avoid offending him in any case.  I took a bite or sip of everything offered, making sure to bite off enough of the red pepper to burn my mouth, and to take a healthy swig of the whiskey (not something I normally drink!).  I lit one of the cigars and blew five puffs onto the altar, then turned it around and “shotgunned” a large amount of smoke.

Samael indicated to me that he wants the offering left on the altar for five days, and/or until the candles burn out.  Then the remains are to be taken outside and left where the last offering was left – on the ground directly over where the easternmost talisman is buried.   There is no need to carry the leftovers to a river.

UPDATE:  The candles lasted almost exactly five days.  On Sunday we gathered the remains and took them out to our eastern property line.  We prayed thanks to Samael and his Seraphim for protecting the boundaries, then arranged the items on the ground directly over the eastern talisman.  The water and alcohol was poured out as a libation and the food items were arranged in a pentagram pattern on top of that.  One of the cigars was re-lit and smoke was blown onto the offerings.  Then the remaining cigars were also left in a pentagram pattern.

I was given special instructions for the seven nails.  Taking a hammer, I was to drive each nail into the ground over one of the existing buried talismans, while reciting the phrase inscribed on the talisman:  “The ungodly have pleasure from doing harm, but the seed of the righteous shall bear fruit.”  I’m sure I didn’t get every nail exactly over its talisman, but they are close and are arranged in the same heptagonal pattern around the property line.

Samael’s Offerings After 5 Days

Interestingly, while standing up from driving in one nail, I slipped (just briefly!) and managed to bash my own lip with the handle of the hammer.  It swelled up and bled, and seriously pissed me off.  <SIGH> Martial spirits…

For those of you who would like to know what food items look like after they are left sitting on an altar, in the open air next to the heat of candles, in Florida, for five days – here is a pic taken the night we took the offerings outside.  You’ll note that, as usual, the food looks pristine enough to eat.  No rot, no bugs, no mold.  The bread had hardened, and that was all.  😉

Greetings, students!

So the Ceremonial Magick course is over until the fall.  I’m *very* proud of all my students, as we seemed to have a pretty powerful and synched group of people by the end of it all.  🙂  It was awesome seeing you guys go from the very basics (this is the Tree of Life… this is the Hebrew alphabet…)  all the way to consecrating talismans and finally calling down angels.  And several of us will definitely be doing more work together in the future.

I am heartened to learn that everyone seems to have gotten something worthwhile from the Jupiter talismans we consecrated last week.  Given that I had simplified a few things for the sake of the class and time restrictions, I was prepared to be satisfied just to have shown you how to do that kind of work.  I think the fact that those talismans appear to have brought real results for each student (and all within a single week, no less) says a lot of good things about you guys.  🙂

As for yesterday’s evocation of Gabriel:  WOW what an experience!  The last time we did this, the class just had a nice skrying session with Gabriel.  That is not to say it wasn’t a powerful and moving experience, but this time around was especially intense for everyone.  I suspect it had much to do with the fact that Carrie and I made sure more of the students took an active role in the invocations – where the previous group had been more content to just let me and Carrie do the rituals.  So this time, the students were much less passive observers.

Some present experienced a kind of waking “sleep paralysis” coupled with a rush of images that will take some time and meditation to decipher.  All very Lunar.  Others were taken on astral journeys into the sphere of Yesod.  And then, even I was shocked when Gabriel *physically* stepped in and kicked some ass.  lol  That, my friends, is REAL magick.

I’m no stranger to being “ridden” by angels, but I certainly wasn’t expecting it to happen during a class like that.  To be honest, Carrie is usually the one more likely to be ridden.  Regardless, I’m sure everyone benefited from the experience.  🙂  I hope you will all stay in touch with me and let me know what unfolds for each of you over the coming days, weeks or months.

To everyone who couldn’t attend the course this round, we will be doing it all over again in the fall.  Plus, for those of you who are long distance, we are still working on converting the classes into a Skype format so we can include you as well.  🙂  Stay tuned!

Greetings Seekers of Magick!

I decided to check in on Brother Moloch’s Evocational Magics forum tonight, and I came across an interesting post that asked a very good question:  Why Evocation?  I think you folks might be interested in my response, so I’m posting it here as well.  🙂

First, here are the relevant parts of the original post:

I’ve never actually seen the need to evoke anything though. Simpler methods (sigils, natural magic, improvisations using familiar tools/symbols, etc) have always sufficed to solve the problems I’ve faced. I’m now looking at workings that will probably involve entities…

So, I guess I’m asking whether you’re working with these entities because:
– You’re called to do so

– It’s part of your basic toolkit, like rootwork might be in someone  else’s toolkit

– There are some things that require spiritwork, like RO talking about how his sphere resonates with the sphere of the entities he evokes, which leads to personal change and growth.

 
So why do you evoke? Or, perhaps a more interesting question: why should someone like me, who’s never performed an evocation, seriously consider it?

And here is my response:

Historically, “magick” was all about working with spiritual entities. (You had Astrology, Alchemy and Magick respectively.) Even simple spells, incantations, rootwork, etc all involed the participation of one’s familiars or  patron gods/spirits, etc. Going all the way back to tribal shamanism, the initiation into magick was focused upon introducing you to your familiars and patrons – then it was the spiritual entities who taught you the real magick. All  the spells and incantations you use today (or even the art of using them) were delivered originally to shamans by the spirits.

The idea that magick can work without the direct involvemnt of spirits is a modern one, and in my personal opinion it is a step down. 😉

The art of spirit work is the art of knowing how to interact with spiritual entities and get them to work wirh/for you. How to contact them, how to make proper offerings to them, how to secure their cooperation. Even the Keys of Solomon are focused primarily on teching one how to contact the spirits, then the real magick is left up to you and them.

Also don’t make the all-too-common mistake of thinking evocational magick is just “another option” of magickal practice. What I mean is that students often think that one can use spells, talismans, incantations, etc OR evoke spirits.  And, in that vein, the way one works magick with spirits is to simply call them up and request what you want. That’s not how it works.

Instead, one evokes a spirit to ask HOW to get what you need. In response, the entity may give you instructions for a talisman, a ritual, rootwork, an offering, an incantation etc, etc. Then you perform the given spell (or whatever you were instructed to do) with the assistance of the entity to achieve your results.

Why evocation? Because it is how magick really works. 😉

LVX
Aaron

Offering Ritual for Archangel Michael

Greetings, Angel-workers!

This year has been fairly active concerning our house gods.  First, we worked with Samael for the protection of our home.  Then we called upon Iophiel to bring prosperity into the house.  Now, we turn our attention to another old and trusted friend of the family (in fact, the first archangel with whom I built a relationship):  St. Michael.

St. Michael Slays the Dragon

Michael is the Archangel of the Sun – the representative of God’s Light here on Earth.  He is the highest archangel (besides Metatron himself) and sits at the right-hand of the Divine Throne.   Some traditions also consider him an Angel of Fire and/or an Angel of Mercury.  As the Angel of the Sun, he is the General of the Heavenly Armies, the High Priest of the Celestial Temple, Patron of Israel and the quintessential Guardian Angel.  He is patron to soldiers (especially para-troopers and pilots), police officers and warriors of all types.  It was Michael who defeated Lucifer in single combat, and cast the Dragon down from Heaven.

In his Mercurial aspect, he judges the dead with his scales and guides the souls to Paradise or Gehenna according to their deeds in life.  (Legend has it he also brings the souls out of Gehenna to rest on the Sabbath, and perhaps liberates souls from there once they have paid their karmic debt.)  He is a benevolent Angel of Death, and carries the souls of the righteous to heaven.  As an archangel with chthonic associations, he is an angel of war and plague as well as of protection and healing.  In some traditions, Michael is considered a divine physician and healer on par with Raphael.  He is patron of EMTs, emergency workers and all first responders.

We knew that offerings to Michael were long overdue.  It would have been great to perform the rite on/near midsummer, but we were unable to do that.  The next Sunday was also a no-go, as it stormed non-stop all day, and I just didn’t like the idea of making offerings to the Sun while the sky was dark and stormy.   So we put it off for an extra week, and that actually allowed us more time to properly prepare.

Talisman of Michael

Part of the preparation was the re-construction of Michael’s Talisman.  Many of you have seen that Talisman, because a photo of it is included on my Facebook and Myspace accounts.  However, the Talisman itself has become lost after two moves.  (Other Talismans that were stored with it are still here, but Michael’s has vanished.)  Therefore, on the Wednesday before the ritual, on an hour of Sol, my wife painted a new version on consecrated paper.  On dawn of the following Sunday, I performed the Solomonic talisman consecration – found on p. 320-322 of Secrets of the Magickal Grimoires or the Key of Solomon, Book I, Chapter 8.

Note that the Psalm verse written in the circumference is Psalm 113 verse 5:  “Who is like unto the Lord our God, who is on high.”  I feel that Michael led me to this Psalm, because his name translates into English as “Who is like unto God?”  The entire Psalm seems very much in sympathy with Michael as well (it even mentions the Sun), so I consider this Michael’s Psalm:

Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.

Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.

The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.

Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,

Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.

With the consecration completed, we set about preparing the offerings that would be used for the invocation at noon of the same day.  Here is the ritual that I followed:

It is best to choose a Sunday when Sol is well aspected in the heavens, and he should be above the horizon at the time of working.  Dawn or Noon are best.  The most powerful time of year to do this ritual is when Sol resides in the sign of Leo.  It can also be done to good effect upon Michael’s feast days:  September 29th (Western) or November 8th (Eastern).

On Saturday evening, cover a table or altar with a gold, yellow or white cloth. Place a talisman and/or image of Archangel Michael upon the altar. (If it is a talisman, place it in the center. If an image, set it toward the east facing westward.) You will need a censor and an incense of Sol.

(Note: I use three ingredients for incense of Sol:  1 part frankincense, 1 part copal, 1/2 part benzoin.  You may also use standard “Church” incense.)

Also prepare all elements of the offering to Sol:  Six yellow seven-day candles.  Six glasses of water. A glass of milk, A glass of red wine. A plate with six pieces of bread and honey.  Also add citrus fruits, pomegranate, hot peppers, fruits that are dried in the sun (raisins, dates, etc) and/or solar flowers (red or yellow roses, sunflowers, daisies, etc) – all in groups of six.  (Note that the herb Angelica is especially sacred to Michael.)  You may also offer Michael red meat or rooster (not chicken) meat – thoroughly cooked.

On Sunday just before sunrise or noon, wash yourself and don the white robe. At sunrise or noon, set the offering to Sol upon the table. If one of the yellow candles occupies the center, place it directly upon the talisman if there is one. Place a glass of water beside each candle.  Around this arrange the food offerings. You may also add any gift offerings for Michael, or items you wish for him to touch – such as golden jewelery or trinkets, talismans, stones, oils, written prayers or petitions, etc.

Light the candles and the censor with the proper exorcisms, and add fresh incense to the coal. Then exorcise and consecrate the offerings with the sprinkler and censor.

Then move to the eastern side of the working space, facing outward.  If you have a consecrated bell or trumpet, sound it and recite the following call (or one similar to it):

In whatsoever place ye may be, ye spirit(s), who are invited to this feast, [NNN] come ye and be ready to receive our offerings, presents, and sacrifices!

Move to the south and repeat – first sounding the bell or trumpet, then the call.  Do this again in the west and the north.

Finally, return to standing west of the altar facing eastward, and recite the following invocations:

 

Prayer to YHVH Eloah v’Daath

YHVH Eloah v’Daath, God of all Knowledge, who wearest the Sun as a jewel upon Thy finger.  Thou who art the Light of the World, the LVX that shineth in the darkness.  Thou radiant God who delights in warmth and brightness, granting life and heat to all created things.    From whose face the creatures of darkness and ignorance must flee in terror.  In your Name are all evil spirits expelled, all sickness abated, all unhappiness transformed into joy.  I ask that you bless and sanctify this offering, that it may be pleasing unto You and Your Angels.

I ask, also, that you send to me the holy Archangel Michael: who sitteth upon thy right hand, judge of souls, protector of Israel, driver of the Chariot of the Sun.  May he also enjoy these offerings, and be pleased with them, and bear our prayers of thanksgiving unto Thy Celestial Throne.  Amen + Amen + Amen + Amen + Amen + Amen +

The Penitential Psalms

(Note:  For any other Solar Angel, I would recite six Psalms related to Sol.  However, Michael prefers to be summoned via the seven Penitential Psalms.)

Psalm 6 (“O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.”)

Psalm 32 (“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”)

Psalm 38 (“O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.”)

Psalm 51 (“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness…”)

Psalm 102 (“Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come unto thee.”)

Psalm 130 (“Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord”)

Psalm 143 (“Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications…”)

Invitation to Michael

I invoke thee, St. Michael!  Holy Archangel of the Solar sphere!  I call upon thee within thy realm of Beauty and Majesty!

Michael, Mighty, Pure, Wise, Prudent, Intelligent, Prince of the World, Light of the Stars, Golden and Splendorous, Phoebus – shining over the whole World!

Michael, who art High Priest of the Celestial Temple.  Mighty General of the Heavenly Hosts!  Celestial Guardian Angel!  You who cast down the fearsome Dragon and broke the Serpent beneath thy foot!  Who sitteth at the right hand of God and weigheth the Souls in the Scales of Truth.

O Michael, when I have called upon you in times of need, you have answered.  You have banished darkness from my home, dispelled storms and saved the lives of loved ones.  You have been a faithful friend and protector of my family, and have brought honor and glory into our lives.  For all of this we thank you!

Come thou forth and partake of these offerings, which we have prepared in thy honour and to the glory of YHVH Eloah v’Daath. May you find them pleasing and empowering. I ask that you offer your blessings to my home and family, and bear our offerings and prayers of thanksgiving to the Divine Court. We petition thee for strength and protection in all of our undertakings, and that the light of thy wisdom should guide and keep us at all times. In the name of YHVH Eloah v’Daath.  Amen.

Repeat the Invitation six times.  Then, share in the feast you have offered to the Angel – taking bites of each food item and sips of the wine and milk.  Leave the offerings in place until the yellow candle burns completely away (and no less than six days). Place the remains in a natural place, into running water or at a crossroads.

– End –

Ritual of Michael Journal Entry

Altar to St. Michael

I began by fasting from before midnight on Saturday night until after the invocation was performed at noon the next day.  At the dawn of Sunday morning, I took a simplified ritual bath and consecrated the Talisman.  Then I erected the altar to Michael:  beginning with a covering of golden yellow cloth.  The large full-color icon was painted by my wife Carrie Mikell.  Plus I found a few of my own favorite Michael engravings and paintings to print out and place with it. In front of these we set various talismans of Sol as well as our written petitions to Michael.  (Each petition was written with consecrated pen on consecrated paper, then folded three times – a multiple of six – toward ourselves.)  In the center of the altar rested the Talisman with a yellow seven day candle set over it.

Then we went outside and fired up the grill.  We used natural wood charcoal, and I added Angelica and solar incense to the coals.  I cooked a steak until it was well done (it smelled wonderful!).  That was placed on a plate and garnished with six havenero peppers and six banana peppers (all appropriately yellow color).  This was then surrounded by the other solar offerings:  a pomegranate cut into six pieces, six sunflowers, a dozen yellow/red hybrid roses (in two sets of six), and six stalks of wheat.  We then added a bowl of citrus fruit (grapefruit, orange and lemon) and a plate of fresh bread covered with organic honey and garnished with sun-dried tomatoes and apricots – again, every one in groups of six.  (The honey was very thick and had to be spread on the bread like butter.  It’s the best honey I’ve ever tasted.)  Finally, we added a glass of red wine and a glass of milk.  There was hardly room on the altar top for all of it!  (NOTE:  Since performing this ritual, I have learned to include the angel’s sacred number of candles as well as a glass of water by each one.  This is not to say the single candle is not effective in a pinch.  But I should have at least included a glass of water.)

Offerings to St. Michael

I followed the ritual as I have it written – except for only using one candle and no water.  I put on a gold Michael medallion that has become standard for me whenever I work with him, and the blinds were already opened to let the sunlight into the room.  I lit the candle and the censor with the proper Solomonic exorcisms, and consecrated the offering with holy water and incense.  I performed the invocations (burning even more incense), then called everyone in the house to come and share Michael’s feast.  We each took a bite of most everything on the altar (a couple of us even bit into the haveneros to impress Michael) and sipped the wine and milk.

We will leave the offerings on the altar for at least six days – or until we see visible signs that Michael is well done with his meal.  Then, as before, we will take the remains to a local river and cast them into the running water.

UPDATE:  Michael seems to be pleased and (his Icon) is now back home by the
front door.  It was interesting: Usually, when you remove something like a poster or large painting from your wall, it leaves a big blank spot that nags at your consciousness for a few days. However, this did not happen when I removed Michael’s Icon from its place. The entire week his Icon rested on the altar in the Temple, he also seemed to STILL be by the front door. (This was mentioned by every adult in the house – none of whom even noticed that Michael’s Icon was gone at first.)  There was never a nagging blank-spot feeling there. Now he is back home again, like he never moved. (Except now he has a brand new charged Talisman behind him, and a copy of the ritual I used to call him down.)

We did indeed take the offerings to the river after six days.  I actually had to remove the fruit items from the altar after 5 days, as they began to mold.  (A sure sign the spirit is done with them.)  Everything else rested there until the sixth day, and then all was taken to the river.  I have a picture that I will add here later.

Someone in the EvocationalMagics Yahoo Group asked why spiritual entities would need offerings – specifically food offerings intended to nourish and empower them.  I think it’s a good question.  The querent received different replies from three people – all of which (I feel) combine to give a fairly solid answer.  Here they are:

From Brother Moloch:

“Need” is the problem in the above; substitute ‘want’ and you have a better understanding. But then, you could just as easily ask the same thing with the ‘want’ in it.

I cannot speak for other ATR practitioners, only myself & what I’ve learned which is that the Saints walked the earth at one time and they liked what life had to offer: Good food, smoke, drink, sex – the pleasures life had to offer.  They miss these things & enjoy it when we indulge them in it.

We eat to sustain our bodies whilst they eat for the pleasure it bring them. I invite a Saint to dinner, I don’t give it a slab of bloody meat on a plate – hell I wouldn’t eat that so I would expect a guest to? Would you? No. I cook the food & offer it cooked which is how they like it.

From Frater Rufus Opus:

In the Old Testament, God wanted his offerings cooked too. It said the smell of the burning fat was pleasing to the Lord. I think it’s interesting that the smell was what was important. In Revelations it talks about how the incense in God’s temple was “the prayers of the Saints.” The smoke rises as it is released, heading up towards the heavens. The scent itself is the invisible essence of the offering. I think it’s apparent to us here that the spirits aren’t physically consuming the offering, so they just assumed it was the scent that pleased them, the invisible essence. All the words for “spirit” seem to be based on the word for “breath” or “wind.” You can’t usually see breath or wind, but you can feel it and see it affect the material realm. Makes sense that the unseen movers would eat the unseen essence of a thing.

And my own two cents:

I feel it is an alchemical mystery. As the food sits on the altar and dries out (or as it is reduced to ash in a fire, as the case may be) it undergoes a chemical “solve” process – where it is broken down into its essential elements.   I believe this change-over presents an opportunity for the spirits – who are themselves connected to/representative of these natural processes – to draw their own kind of energy from the material.

Update:  When I shared this blog post on Facebook, my friend and teacher Ochani Lele had something to add.  I think it fits quite well with the overall “jist” of the explanation, and is worth including:

Actually the answer is much simpler than that. Everything has ashe (prana, life, power, etc) and food is no exception. Everything has different “types” of ashe, and ashe in varying amounts. There’s no difference between lighting a candle, lighting incense, saying a prayer, or offering food. Just as a ceremonial magician might use sandalwood incense on one occasion or a green candle on another, sometimes spirits or orishas or gods want the ashe inherent in food instead of a candle, or incense, or what-have-you.

LVX

Aaron

Ritual of Iophiel Journal Entry

Somewhat recently, I performed a lengthy invocation of Samael, the Archangel of Mars, to establish a barrier of protection around my property.  It did not occur to me to photo-document the procedure, as it is not my usual habit to do such a thing.  However, I did take the rare step of writing up the entire process for publication – which I posted here.

Once the protective work was done around our home, we decided it was time to make offerings and invocations to one of our house patrons, the Archangel Iophiel, Intelligence of the planet Jupiter.  It would be a great counterbalance to the martial forces at our property borders, and who couldn’t use an influx of divine benevolence and prosperity into one’s home and family?  Iophiel has been a trusted friend for a very long time, and offerings to him were long overdue anyway.

My first evocation of this Archangel goes back a long way, and he has been a trustworthy friend to me and those close to me ever since.  In case you are unfamiliar with him:

Iophiel is the Intelligence of the planet Jupiter and the Archangel who tends the Garden of Eden.  In some traditions he is one of the Seven Spirits that Stand before the Face of God.  He presides over vegetation and produce, fertile fields and livestock, feasting and friendship, prosperity and happiness.  Think of Dickens’ Ghost of Christmas Present, and that spirit’s connections to Jovial gods such as Odin and Zeus.  He is also an angelic Prince of the Torah, and as such is one of the companion angels of Metatron.  Of course, Jupiter has his stern side as well.  He is the grizzled warrior, quick to draw his weapon and strike when moved by Honour.  It was Iophiel’s duty to drive the fallen Adam and Eve from the Garden – and it is implied that he guards the Gates of Eden with the Sword of Ever-Turning Flame to this day.  If you’re looking for blessings from Paradise, you have to go through this Archangel.  Fortunately, he likes humans and wants you to have those blessings – so long as you are willing to work or fight for the right to have them.

As it happened, we were preparing to make a trip to the Florida Pagan Gathering’s Beltaine festival.  I was invited to give three lectures and sell a few books, and my wife was going to sell custom henna tattoos.  It made sense to make the offerings to Iophiel before we undertook such a business venture.  And since the festival started on a Thursday, it seemed particularly appropriate to make the offerings at dawn of that very day.

The first thing I did was create the invocations I would use (following the general instructions given in chapter seven of Secrets of the Magickal Grimoires), along with the basic ritual I would follow to make the offering.  Here is the final product:

Offering Ritual for Archangel Iophiel

It is best to choose a Thursday when Jupiter is well aspected in the heavens, and better still if he will be above the horizon by dawn of that day.  The most powerful times of year to do this ritual are when Jupiter resides in the signs of Sagittarius or Pisces.  (In America, Thanksgiving is also a good time for this work, as it is a Jupiterian feast day.)

On Wednesday evening, cover a table or altar with a blue or white cloth. Place a talisman and/or image of Archangel Iophiel upon the altar. (If it is a talisman, place it in the center. If an image, set it toward the east facing westward.) You will need a censor and an incense of Jupiter.

(Note: I use four ingredients for incense of Jupiter:  1 part cedar, 1/4 part clove, 1/8th part nutmeg and apple pectin.  (The last two don’t smell great to me when they burn, so I add very little.))

Also prepare all elements of the offering to Jupiter: Four blue seven-day candles.  Four glasses of water. A glass of milk, A glass of a fruity wine (such as reisling) or honey mead. A plate with four pieces of bread and honey. And fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, cereals, and/or flowers – all in groups of four.

On Thursday just before sunrise, wash yourself and don the white robe. At sunrise, set the offering to Jupiter upon the table.  If there is a talisman for the angel, it should be placed in the center. (If one of the candles occupies the center, place it directly on top of the talisman.)  Around this arrange the food offerings. You may also add any gift offerings for Iophiel, or items you wish for Iophiel to touch – such as tin trinkets, talismans, stones, oils, written prayers or petitions, etc.

Light the candles and the censor with the proper exorcisms, and add fresh incense to the coal. Then exorcise and consecrate the offerings with the sprinkler and censor.

Then move to the eastern side of the working space, facing outward.  If you have a consecrated bell or trumpet, sound it and recite the following call (or one similar to it):

In whatsoever place ye may be, ye spirit(s), who are invited to this feast, [NNN] come ye and be ready to receive our offerings, presents, and sacrifices!

Move to the south and repeat – first sounding the bell or trumpet, then the call.  Do this again in the west and the north.

Finally, return to standing west of the altar facing eastward, and recite the following invocations:

Prayer to El

El, strong and mighty, who reignest from thy Holy Mountain. Thou who art the Source of the Spring of Life. Who sendest the dew of Heaven to the dry earth, and the divine Manna to the hungry. Thou who art jovial and beneficent, and delight in feasting and bounty and Mercy. Great King who’s throne abideth upon a firm foundation. I ask that you bless and sanctify this offering, that it may be pleasing unto You and Your Angels.

I ask, also, that you send to me the holy Archangel Iophiel: who standeth before Thy Face, a companion of Metatron, a prince of the Torah, the mighty Intelligence of the Jupiter star, and director of the Jovial spirits of the earth: that he may also enjoy these offerings, and be pleased with them, and bear our prayers of thanksgiving unto Thy Celestial Throne. Amen + Amen + Amen + Amen +

4 Psalms of Jupiter

Psalm 104: “Bless the Lord, O my soul… ”

Psalm 113: “Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants…”

Psalm 112: “Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man…”

Psalm 125 (Iophiel’s Psalm): “They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion…”

(Note: Psalms 113, 112 and 125 are associated with talismans of Jupiter in the Key of Solomon.  The talisman associated with Psalm 125 actually has Iophiel’s seal upon it.  I discovered Psalm 104 myself, while searching for a quintessential Jupiter Psalm (- although, upon later reflection, I suspect Psalm 104 is intended as Solar….))

Invitation to Iophiel

I invoke thee, Iophiel, mighty intelligence of the Jupiter sphere! Ye who descendeth from Mercy and Lovingkindess!

Iophiel, Good, Fortunate, Sweet, of Good Will, Honest, Pure, Wise Angel of Joy and Judgments!

Iophiel, who protecteth the garden of Paradise. Revealer of Truth, excelling in all goodness, Lord of Riches and Wisdom!

O Iophiel, you have been the protector and benefactor of my family. When we have called upon you in times of need, you have stood close beside us. Come thou forth and partake of these offerings, which we have prepared in thy honour and to the glory of El most high. May you find them pleasing and empowering. I ask that you offer your blessings to my home and family, and bear our offerings and prayers of thanksgiving to the Divine Court. We petition thee for success and prosperity in all of our undertakings, and that the light of thy wisdom should guide and keep us at all times. In the name of El, Most High god of Zion, Amen.

Repeat the Invitation four times.  Then, share in the feast you have offered to the Angel – taking bites of each food item and sips of the wine and milk.  Leave the remaining offerings in place until the blue candle burns completely away (and no less than four days). Place the remains in a natural place, into running water or at a crossroads.

– End –

So there you have a basic Solomonic invocation and offering ritual – suitable for inclusion in any personal grimoire.  Plus, with an understanding of occult philosophy and a little common sense, you can use the above as a template to create similar rituals for any Planet or other force of nature.  Let’s take a look at this ritual in action:

On the Wednesday night before we left for FPG, I cleaned up the temple room and set up an altar for Iophiel:

Erecting the Altar

In this picture, you see the basic altar set-up.  The blue cloth is visible.  Iophiel’s statue has the place of honor in the East, presiding over the altar itself.  In the center is a Jupiter talisman that was consecrated at the mother temple of the Golden Dawn – so it is not specifically a Iophiel talisman.  The censor is in place, and I have ready the invocations I created along with the Bible from which I will read the Psalms.  The pen and strips of paper in the upper left corner had been consecrated according to the Key of Solomon some time before.

Petitions for Iophiel

At the Feet of Iophiel

The pen and paper were used to write out petitions or notes to Iophiel.  Each adult in the house wrote their own personal message, concerning the household or workplace, etc.  You can see my rather generalized request for Jupiterian blessings in the photo.  After writing their notes, each person folded their paper four times toward themselves. It is not required for anyone to read aloud or reveal to anyone else what is in their note.  These were then laid at Iophiel’s feet upon the altar, along with any personal talismans we desired Iophiel to touch and bless during the rite.

Cornucopia Jupiter Offerings

Here you can see the Jupiterian offerings we gathered for Iophiel.  Four kinds of grain/cereal, apples, grapes, green pepper (due to its sweetness), four ears of corn, honey, wine and a blue glass that will hold milk.  (Notice how these Jupiter offerings look as if they spilled out of a traditional cornucopia.)  I would have offered Iophiel honey mead if I could have located some in time.  However, I was able to get Reisling – a fruity wine that comes in an appropriately-colored blue bottle.

Also, I usually include bread to go with the honey.  However, as we were gathering the offerings, my wife inspired me to bake my own “Jupiter cakes” out of the grains I wanted to offer – so I did just that:

Jupiter Cake Ingredients

Here are the ingredients for the Jupiter cakes.  Four kinds of grain: flour, cornmeal, oatmeal and barley.  You can choose other grains and cereals as you wish, but I would suggest keeping the barley.  It has a particularly strong association with Jupiter.

I put 1/4 cup of each of the four grains into the mixing bowl, and added 1/2 cup of milk.  Then I mixed it together with my hands.  (For an added kick, recite one of the Jupiter Psalms as you do so.)  The result is something like biscuit batter:

1/4 cup of each grain

1/2 cup of milk

Mix together with your hands

I then poured the batter in four portions onto a greased cookie sheet and baked them at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.  The result smelled wonderful.

Jupiter Cakes before baking

Jupiter Cakes after baking

Jupiter Cakes on Iophiel’s Altar

Finally, the finished cakes were placed on a blue plate and set – still warm – on the altar.  Dawn was still a couple of hours away, so I covered them with a white cloth.

Before Dawn

I then arranged most of the offerings upon the altar – saving the fruits, vegetables and milk that needed to stay in the refrigerator until the last minute.  I also found a bundle of wheat in the temple (we had used some stalks from it in a previous offering), so I included four stalks from it on this altar as well.  (Note, at this time I did not know to use four candles for Jupiter, nor to include water.  Remember that a single candle will always work in a pinch, but always include water!)  There was nothing left but to wait until dawn to perform the invocations.

At Dawn

Here is the altar at dawn.  The camera flash makes it hard to see, but the window has been opened to allow the rays of dawn to fall upon the altar.  You can see I’ve brought in the fruits and vegetables – each one divided into four pieces.  (There were 16 grapes.)  There is now milk in the glass, the wine is opened and the honey poured upon the Jupiter cakes.  The candle and the incense were lit with Solomonic exorcisms, and then the altar was exorcised and sprinkled with the holy water sprinkler.

Holy Water and Sprinkler

Finally, it was time to recite the invocations and the Psalms, calling Iophiel down to enjoy the offerings of thanksgiving.  After the ritual was complete, I received the strong urge to partake of the offerings.  So I took a sip of the wine, a bite of an apple and a green pepper, and a nibble of one of the honey-covered Jupiter cakes with a swallow of the milk to wash it down.  (The cake tasted pretty good, actually.)  I could feel Iophiel’s presence coursing through me – enhanced considerably by the eucharist.  I invited the others in the house to also share in Iophiel’s feast – which the Angel seemed to greatly enjoy.  (In fact, I got the message that it would have insulted him if we had not done so.)

We left the altar as you see it above and two of us left for the festival.  (Others in the house were invited to go in once to share the offerings, and otherwise stay out of the temple room.)

Results

I didn’t know it yet, but I was already holding in my hand a good omen that Iophiel was with us.  I had received my royalty check a few days previously, and had not bothered to open the envelope.  I planned to deposit it in the bank on the way to the festival – so we could stop and pick up some last-minute necessities – and only read the enclosed statement once I got to the teller window.  I found a heavier check than I expected, and a notice that The Angelical Language, Vol. II is being translated into French!  This was certainly starting our trip off on the right foot!

I’ve already posted my write-up of the wonderful time we had at FPG Beltaine.  The business side of the venture went very well.  We didn’t get rich – but I sold out of my copies of Secrets of the Magickal Grimories and even sold a few of the Angelical Language books.  Carrie did very well selling henna tattoos.  We took home a worthwhile profit even after spending all-too-much on new toys and treats for ourselves and gifts for our friends.

Throughout the four days we were away from home, we saw small omens and indications of Iophiel’s presence with us.  For example, one of the very first gifts Carrie and I were given by friends at the festival was a bottle of home made honey-mead – the very drink I had wanted to offer to Iophiel!  On the way home, a completely random (and uncharacteristic) action on my part resulted in the discovery and repair of what was nearly a major vehicular disaster.  Instead, it cost us 20 minutes and a mere $40 to repair and get on our way.  Further down the road we took another uncharacteristic action by stopping at a u-pick blackberry farm, and actually stood in the baking sun picking fresh blackberries from vines grown in our native home soil.  Iophiel the gardener was pleased.  At last, we made it back home to examine the altar:

Altar after four days – 1

Altar after four days – 2

Altar after four days – 3

After four days, we came home and found the blue candle burning its very last bit of fuel.  (Meaning it had burned the entire time we were gone.)  When it finally went out, it had been exactly four days – and you can see in the above photos how fresh the fruit and vegetables have remained.  They have obviously dried out a bit, but there is no rot or discoloration and not a bug to be found.  Once we took these off the altar, we saw discoloration and rot set in within a day, and flies had already begun to investigate it.  The food items – along with the petitions we had written – were wrapped up and tossed into a nearby river soon afterward.

Because I had obtained honey-mead and fresh blackberries during my Beltaine adventure, I felt it appropriate to offer them to Iophiel as an extra thanks for all of his help throughout the trip.  We, of course, all shared some of the mead and berries.  This offering is on the altar as I write, and will remain there for four days.  Also pictured is a new mortar and pestal I bought at the festival – I made sure the first incense made in it was Iophiel’s:

Secondary Iophiel Offering

And that brings to a close my Solomonic invocation of the Archangel Iophiel – our friend and family protector.  I am happy to report a general increase in our finances and household organiziation since re-invigorating Iophiel.  As I stated before, this invocation was long overdue!  I hope this has been informative for you in your own practice.

Zorge,

Aaron

I recently had the unique opportunity to look into the subject of breaking pacts (contracts) made with spiritual entities.  I was contacted by a friend who was doing her best to help a young man out of an unfortunate situation.   He had joined a thestic Satanic group, who had him perform a dedication ceremony to Satan as the very first step of the path.  He was led to believe he would receive the usual in exchange for his soul: money, women, power.  He got none of these things, and soon found himself under spiritual attack and/or oppression.

I call this a unique situation, because it really isn’t something I encounter in my usual circles.  I know of nothing in the Old Magick that parallels “selling your soul” to a spirit.  At least not outside of the Faustian grimiores and the American crossroads tradition – both of which appear to be fairly isolated cases with no parallel in other traditions.  (Nor, for that matter, any ideas on getting out of such a contract once you’re in it!)

There are, of course, plenty of examples of personal dedication to a deity or patron – which could be interpreted as giving oneself to the deity – but that becomes a religious thing.  Much as it was for this theistic Satanic group…

Meanwhile, no tradition I know of – from the Sumerians to the Solomonic grimoires to Santeria – would allow such a thing as selling or giving oneself to a spirit. One can enter agreements – offering X, Y, and/or Z to the spirit in exchange for work done.  One can even demand oaths of loyalty from the spirits who will serve you as familiars.  But never do these things amount to trading your soul!

At no time are you to allow a spirit to gain control of you, and to allow it is to fail as a conjurer.  Instead, across the board, spirits are fed so they will work for us.  And, if a spirit fails to produce results, the conjurer simply dismisses it and refuses to feed it again.  (And there are various ways of disposing of objects inhabited by familiar spirits.)

Taking all of this into account, I suspect the concept of “selling your soul” is entirely Christiain in origin – and likely caught up in anti-Pagan propoganda.  The silly idea that a conjuror “worships” or gives himself over to the spirits he summons was propagated by early Church fathers, and is still held by many people today.  The Faustian and “Man in Black” crossroads traditions probably followed naturually from there.

Since “selling your soul to Satan” appears to be a strictly Christian invention, then perhaps they know best how to break such a pact.  In The Book of Black Magic (p. 262-264), A.E. Waite outlines a pact-breaking ceremony found in a Manual of Exorcisms published in 1678.  It is intended for use by an exorcist, thereby suggesting that a pact with Satan can only be broken by an “official” representative of God:

The following formal process [is] for forcing the Demon to return any writing which constitutes an agreement with him:–

EXORCISM

“O most merciful God, Whose Power hath no limit, Whose dominion is supreme over all beings, so that nothing can possibly be estreated from Thy rule by apostasy; behold, we have sinned against Thee, we have provoked Thy most just wrath, when we have failed to obey Thy commands, above all when., forsaking Thy rule and Thy friendship, we have abjured Thee and have consorted with the impious demons, nor yet contented with Thy denial, have bound ourselves in writing to those demons, surrendering the document of our voluntary obligation against Thee into their custody. But Thy mercies aye without number, O Lord of loving-kindness, and it is Thine to spare and to Pardon; look, therefore, with compassion upon this Thy creature, who, having formerly denied Thee and given himself in writing to the demons, but now, having returned to himself by the help of Thine infinite goodness, doth abhor his impiety, doth desire to be restored unto Thee his true Lord, and to be received with contrite heart into Thy favour. We know, O Lord, that a contrite and humble heart Thou wilt not despise, nor can any writing be an impediment in the way of Thy mercy; we beseech Thee, therefore, that, by the abundance of Thy clemency, not only may the heinousness of this sin be blotted out with the Blood of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, but that the demon, by the word of Thy Power, may be compelled to restore the deed and obligation and delivery, lest he glory in his tyranny and Pretend to any right over the man whom we pray to be delivered through Thy Son from his bonds. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, &c.”

The propitiation of offended Deity is followed by a citation of the demon who is required to disgorge his prey.

EXORCISM

“I exorcise thee, O impious Satan, who, when thy power has passed away, dost still pretend to impose a tyrant yoke on man. I exorcise thee by Jesus Christ, Who came into this world for the salvation of sinners; I conjure thee to remove thy yoke immediately from this creature, who, deceived by thy wiles, formerly delivered himself unto thee. Abandoning thee henceforth, he commits himself to the Divine mercy, seeking His service unto Whom he alone is owing, Who also promises the reward of eternal life to those who follow Him. I exorcise thee by the precious Blood of Jesus Christ, by which the deed of judgment against us hath been blotted out, so that when Jesus receiveth the sinner into His favour, thou shalt dare not to advance anything against him, and shalt not fail to restore the deed by which this creature bound himself unto thee, the same being now cancelled by the Blood of Jesus Christ.

Hear, therefore, accursed Satan, who art powerless over a servant of God, when, encouraged by his true Lord, he turneth unto another service; in vain dost thou boast of this deed; I command thee to restore it in the name of the Lord, as a Proof before the whole world that when God receiveth a sinner, thou hast no longer any Yule over his soul. I abjure thee, by Him who expelled thee from thy stronghold, bereft thee of the arms which thou didst trust in and distributed thy spoils. Return therefore this deed, whereby this creature of God foolishly bound himself to thy service; return it, I say, in His name by Whom thou art overcome; when thy Power has come to nothing, presume not longer to retain this useless document. By penitence already hath this creature of God restored himself to his true Lord, spurning thy yoke, hoping in the Divine mercy for defence against thine assaults, and assisted by the Most Holy and Glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of God, through whose intercession he shall obtain from Jesus Christ, His Son, that which he himself is not worthy to expect. Through the same Christ our Lord.”

Whether this process was supposed to insure the visible and material return of the incriminating document, or, failing this, was held to cancel it formally, does not certainly appear and will matter little…

In both parts of this rite, there seems to be an underlying concept that Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross supersedes any contract the victim may have made with a demon.  This makes sense to me if the victim really and truly believes/means what is being stated in the prayers.  It also occurs to me that it would be just as good, or better, to seek out a Church (Orthodox or Catholic) and undertake their conversion process.  It involves exorcism, baptism (cleansing) and the establishment of a new contract that would supercede any previous pacts.

All of that is fine for someone who has no problem with converting to Christianity.  And that is probably not a far stretch for someone who believes in “selling your soul to Satan” in the first place.  However, in our case of the young man seeking help, this was not the proper solution.  Thus, I set out to discover how he could best dissolve his pact with Satan and move on.

As it turned out, he had several things working in his favour.  First, the Satanic church he joined admitted in their writings that one could break the pact at any point one wishes.  (It included ominous warnings that Satan would leave you to your enemies forever and you could never come back.  But, even still, a way out was included right there in the fine print!)

Secondly, he never received the money, power and woman he expected – which means the pact was null and void in any case.   Still, he did dedicate himself to a deity and that would have to be addressed.

Finally, this person had (for some reason) chosen to call upon Satan as “Samael.”  This was good news because Samael can be approached through the Solomonic system as an Archangel rather than an Archdemon.  And I knew just how to go about doing that.  😉

The following is the technique I prescribed for him to dissolve his pact.  This is rather specific to Samael – using timing, incense, colors and offerings sacred to Mars – though it could be modified to work with any spirit.  In fact, tt can be used to respecfully dissolve any agreement you’ve made with a spirit, even if you haven’t gone so far as to offer yourself in the deal:

– Set up an altar or table, facing east or facing Mars.  A red cloth covering is preferable, but a white one will do and black will also work.

-On the altar, place a red seven-day candle, a coal-burning censer and incense made of tobacco (1 prt), cinnamon (1/4 prt) and crushed red pepper (1/8 prt).  (Go light on the pepper!  And be VERY sure to burn only a little at a time!  DO NOT inhale it directly!  In large quantity, or if you add too much red pepper, it is like tear gas!)

-Also on the altar, place the original contract along with a food offering.  Foods sacred to Samael are called for:  Fresh hot peppers of various kinds (especially red), red meat (fully cooked! – nothing rare, no blood left running!), rum and cigars.  You can even put some iron on the altar – such as railroad spikes, nails, or an iron tool.

-He should also place a Talisman of Samael in the center of the altar.  Use the sigil from the Heptameron (or Magical Calendar), and I’m sure you or ****** are more than capable of helping him make that.  (At this point I wouldn’t have him attempt any complex consecrations.)  [Author’s note:  If you happen to know how to properly consecrate such a talisman, then by all means do so.]

-Finally, he must compose a prayer to Samael – worded however he wants.  It should simply explain that he made the dedication without understanding all the facts, and that he feels it was disrespectful on HIS (not Samael’s!) part to make such a dedication without knowing more about the entity in question.  Mention that nothing requested has been fulfilled, and thus he would like to respectfully terminate the pact and learn more before proceeding further.  It should also mention that he has brought an offering as a show of respect.

-Set all of this up on a Monday night – making sure to clean the room or area the altar is set in.

-At dawn on Tuesday morning, wash up and approach the altar.  Light the candle and incense – and set the candle directly on top of Samael’s talisman in the center.  Surround this with the offerings.

-Now hold the old contract and call Samael by name and by virtue of the signed contract.  Then read the prayer I outlined above, finishing with mention of the offerings made.  At this point put more incense on the censer.  Light the cigar, then draw smoke from it and blow it onto the altar five times.  Then place what remains of the cigar on the plate with the other offerings.

-Finally, tear up the old contract and burn it in the censer.  Once done, offer thanks to Samael and leave.  The candle should be allowed to completely burn out (should take about five days), and the offerings should be left there about the same length of time.  After the candle burns away, take all the offerings, the ashes from the censer and (if he wants) the talisman of Samael.  These can be thrown and poured out into a running stream or river, or left at a crossroads.

If he does this and still suffers spiritual oppression or attacks, then we’ll have him do an Uncrossing to clear out any dreck he’s picked up along the way.  I have instructions on my blog, so let me know if you need them, too.  🙂

LVX
Aaron