Summoning Spirits: The Art of Magical Evocation (Llewellyn's Practical Magick Series)

There are few spiritual books that I feel compelled to write reviews for; those that I dislike, I usually leave for others to criticize, and those that I enjoy I leave for others to praise. However, there are some books that have made such a tremendous impact on my own practice, that out of gratitude, and a sense of service to others, I cannot remain silent. This is one of those books.Pros:1. For the many students who have worked through Donald Michael Kraig's "Modern Magick," this volume will be a refreshing and encouraging adjunct to everything you've learned. Konstantinos clearly explains how to use the rituals and training that you've already mastered to perform evocations. Lesson Nine of Modern Magick is not as thorough, and you may have encountered disappointments. This book will allow you to go from beginner to advanced in short order, using the system that you know so well. For you, this really will be "evocation made easy."2. If you have not worked through Kraig's lessons, you can safely use this book as your core training manual. It is short, but very thorough in explaining how to construct the tools you'll need, and has many useful basic practices. The rituals are outlined in schematic form though, so you may chooset to supplement with other works. I highly recommend Donald Tyson's "Magician's Workbook," and Perrigren Wildoak's "By Names and Images" for details on performing the rituals with meaning and purpose. Sadly, you will not find Regardie's "The Golden Dawn" necessary or particularly helpful for this endeavor, as the rituals are presented in outline only, and evocation is not discussed with the depth required to understand the subject, nor with the details required to practically apply said knowledge.Cons:1. The work is easy if you do everything step-by-step, but it is also time consuming, *not* fast. It requires effort on your part. If you have no background in Golden Dawn based magick, count on at least a year or two of work and preparation before performing your first evocation. Another reviewer criticized the number of tools that you will be required to construct. Yes,you will be making a large number of tools to start, but I have two thoughts on this; first if you are not an artist when you start, take heart; I wasn't either but I am now because of this work. Secondly, please remember that you are making and consecrating these tools as part of your introduction and initiation with the spirits. Ceremonial magick is sometimes called "art magick," and this is not without reason. If you haven't built and consecrated your tools, you have no authority over these spirits and they will not obey you. This is true no matter what system you use. Be warned.2. This is modern Solomonic evocation. It works, but it is not "traditional" in the sense that it deviates from some of the practices described in the Solomonic Grimoires. This is a modern eclectic system. It draws from Solomonic Sources, Golden Dawn rituals,and the work of Franz Bardon. This system can be adapted for personal use however the magician sees fit, but please be aware that if you're seeking a "traditional" interpretation, complete with medieval superstitions (which are colorful but unnecessary), you will not be satisfied with this work.

This book covers everything you will need to perform evocation of spirits. It covers the philosophy behind it, then goes on to mastering concentration and visualization techniques (a must for all forms of magick), the construction of the tools needed (via the Golden Dawn), then on to the rituals themselves. There is a small section of the entities with which the author has worked, but you should also pick up a copy of The Lesser Key of Solomon for a comprehensive list if Goetia.Keep in mind, this book is nearly a complete course on summoning spirits. If you are expecting to open it and be able to succeed immediately you will be sorely disappointed. The visualization and concentration techniques MUST be at least practiced if not mastered. This is a great book to pair with any grimoire on summoning.

Summoning spirits is based on the system of magic that is from the great "Golden Dawn" occult lodge of the turn of 1900's. Probably it's most famous member was Aleister Crowley, when he was in his younger years. The techniques within utilize Hebrew "words of power" & deal with the summoning of the various groups of Angelic forces, Planetary spirits, Elementary, Goetic, Demonic, Astral beings, & more. Konstantinos has simplified the very sophisticated rituals of the Golden Dawn, Anyone who has a copy of Israel Regardie's Golden Dawn manual, knows of it's often confusing instructions, indeed! However, as i said great occult author "Konstantinos" breaks it down nicely. Konstantinos is one of my favorite author's, & i LOVE all his works! So if you want a book of more understandable instructions & practices, with a few new things to boot, then this is for you. This is one of his earlier works, but is everything you'd expect from a great occult author! It's a five star piece (my opinion), & well worth the cash.Sincerely,Phil Metro (Moonsadden)

Summoning Spirits is book #3 that l have read by the author. l am a fan of his and this was another fun reading experience for me. Konstantinos explains the difference between things like evoking, invoking and necromancy, as well as materials and procedures suggested for these purposes.He openly recognizes the Order of the Golden Dawn as an influence in his practices and writing, and focuses mainly on their pantheon, if you will. Alot of Hebrew names are used in the chanting and vibrations. When giving instructions for making altars, symbols and objects to be used in rituals, Konstantinos is not playing around. lf you follow what his writing says, you will be making multiple trips to hardware stores and glass factories, and doing things like cutting pieces of copper pipe, sanding lumber and using paint and lacquer. To be adhered to closely, this handbook would require a seriously dedicated student of magic.Konstantinos makes sure to state repeatedly that these practices are meant for service of the 'light.' He even mentions God the Creator, which isn't necessarily a Christian phrase but it usually is, making it seem oddly placed here. This is all converse to Gothic Grimoire where he seems to make a complete switch from light to dark. 'Dark gods and goddesses,' 'forces of darkness,' so on. lt's probably kind of an inconsequential inconsistency for most readers.Overall l liked the book, l like Konstantinos and l appreciate his input into my bank of occult knowledge.

This is literally old school evocations...useful but a bit boring... I love most of what I read about magick... I'll use it to increase my arsenal... but I'll just keep looking

C'est un livre fantastique. A mettre dans les mains de l'apprenti magicien. Pas de paroles en l'air pour faire peur, direct vers la pratique. Les exercices proposés pour acquérir la puissance magique sont simples et fortifiants. La description des rituels pour les évocations est un plaisir des yeux. Ce livre n'est pas traduit en français, mais il peut être lu par une personne connaissant légèrement l'anglais, avec un dictionnaire. Je suis vraiment très heureux d'avoir ce livre entre les mains. Je l'avais acheté avec bien d'autres ne l'ouvrant pas pendant une année. Il fallait être prêt pour le faire. Le temps de découvrir que la magie est simple.

It arrived today on time and in perfect condition. Look forward to reading it. Will say that the print is small so if you have bad eye sight be prepared.

Vermittelt gutes Basiswissen

This book is not for Indian tantrics or witches.

very good