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Outside of Grimoire Tradition there are many systems of evocation. Some systems are derived from the classical texts, some are based on Shamanic practices while others are wholly Pagan. Despite the number of evocation systems out there, when one Google's the word evocation it's usually the Solomonic or classical methods (not all classical grimoires are Solomonic) that come up. When one does come across other systems, such as that of Rufus Opus, Ian Corrigan (I recommend him for those who are Pagan and/or Neo Pagan and wish to evoke spirits in a Pagan manner), EA Koetting (though stick with his books, keep away from BALG) or others, they may feel like those methods don't mesh or resonate with them or their paradigm. Hopefully this thread will change that.
What I will attempt to do here is to outline the general principles used in evocation so one may devise their own system according to their own paradigm. Please note that following the outline given here is no guarantee that a spirit will appear. There are other measures one must take to be able to hear and see spirits. This thread is meant to guide one in the act of creating their own evocation system. What happens during and after that evocation is up to the ability of the practitioner, providing a spirit is indeed present. Also please note that this outline is intended for people who follow some sort of religion or spiritual practice that puts specific spirits above humans. If you believe you are your own god and no spirit is above you then this thread will serve you no purpose. Perhaps Koetting's Evoking Eternity may be more what you're looking for in the evocation space. So, let's begin. Please enjoy.
Understand Your Cosmology
This is probably the hardest part yet it's the most important in creating your own evocation method. You must first understand your place in the universe within your paradigm. If your religion or spiritual system has a deity (or many) and subordinate spirits under him/her/them then you'll want to figure out how it all works. Who answers to who and why? What positions, if any, do these spirits have? What are their powers? What are their seals/signatures, if any? And most importantly, why would this/these deity/deities lend their power(s) to you? What makes you so special in their eyes that they would lend you their authority to command spirits to appear? If you don't already know how you fit into the cosmology of your paradigm it is imperative that you figure it out. Research here is key.
Purification of Self
While self purification may seem like a Christian concept, I assure you, it is not. Many non-Abrahamic religions and systems have some sort of spiritual purity process that one should undertake before doing certain rituals. Things like fasting, ritual baths, deep meditation sessions while visualizing white light(s) cleansing mind, body and soul, and a host of others. I recommend doing such a thing before attempting an evocation, therefore I recommend it be added to your own devised system. If your religion or spiritual path does not have any purification methods (though I doubt it), you can find universal ones with a simple Google search that will fit most paradigms with ease. Either that or you can devise your own.
However, this is your own evocation system that you're creating so if you see no need to have a purification measure in place then do not add one. It is up to you but it does help immensely and it keeps any excess baggage from dragging down the ritual process and clogging up your sacred space.
Psychic Links
Creating a psychic link between you and your chosen spirit(s) will aid the manifestation process. Things like drawing out a new seal each and every time you wish to evoke the spirit are perfect for this. Nothing wrong with having permanent seals but until you develop a relationship with the spirit(s) I recommend drawing it out each and every time. Immerse yourself in the work.
The same can be said about the magic circle, which will be covered in greater detail later. But, depending on the type of circle you wish to use in your evocation system, drawing the circle each and every time is great for establishing a link to the deities in your cosmology.
The Magic Circle
Depending on your paradigm and spiritual path you may need an elaborate circle or a simple circle or in some cases, no circle at all. If when reading the first part of this thread you were unsure about your path's cosmology and only recently became acquainted with it I recommend following in the footsteps of the Solomonic circles. By this I mean you choose the design and look of the circle but put the names of your deities and patrons around the circle. Just as in GT, this gives you a visual of the cosmology and your place within it.
If you already know and are well acquainted with your path's cosmology and know your place within it then a physical circle may not be needed though I strongly recommend it, even if it's just string or chalk, marker, crayon, etc. I recommend natron for creating your circle. Once finished with the evocation you are free to dispose of the natron any way you see fit.
Tools
Unless you plan on meeting spirits in their own realm there will most likely be tools you will use to do certain things. These tools can be things like the seals, any special clothing you want to wear or your path requires/recommends you to wear during spiritual pursuits (such as white vestments), a chalice for any libations, offerings, a wand, symbols of power or protection, etc. What tools does your path use to work with spirits in a non-evocatory manner? Surely those can easily translate over to being used in an actual evocation.
Also, decide whether this is a system to accommodate a physical manifestation or astral (using a scrying tool) or will it be both. That will let you know if you'll need a scrying tool or not. It should go without saying that your scrying skills should be up to par if going with astral. Even physical evocations, in many but not all cases, require some semblance of astral sight.
Securing of Space
It should go without saying that you'll want to clean the immediate area that you'll be performing your evocation in, especially if it's in a room that's widely used or if outside, there's a lot of debris (twigs, sticks, leaves, etc). But once it's clean physically you'll also want to clean it magically/astrally/psychically. I like the Greater Calling of the Sevenths as outlined in Cecchetelli's Book of Abraxas. The Greater Calling is used specifically for evocations but here is a general version on Cecchetelli's site:
Also popular ones like the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP) or Star Ruby, etc. Your path probably has their own rituals for cleansing the area so look there first. Do whatever it is your path instructs you to do for magically cleaning the area.
Conjurations
If your path doesn't work with spirits extensively you'll most likely have to come up with your own. If your path does work with spirits you can probably adapt the summonings and conjurations that are already used in your spiritual workings to work with an evocation. You may have to do some rewording here and there but if you're creative enough it should work.
Decide on if the conjurations will be demanding or cooperative. This is to say that you'll need to figure out if you want complete control over the spirits you evoke or do you want to work with them side by side. This attitude should also be reflected in your circle. But your cosmology will let you know how to proceed, if you know how to view it correctly.
Working With The Spirit(s)
Assuming you've gotten the spirit to appear (either physically or astrally) you should decide how you'll work with this spirit. Again, going back to your cosmology will help you here. Will you work with the spirit in a cooperative manner or command it like a master would his slave? Both have their pros and cons. Also figure out if this system will work in a pact based environment or will it be a case-by-case basis? Will offerings be made to the spirits or will they forced to do your bidding. It's best to have this part figured way ahead of time. You don't want to be standing face to face (or face to mirror) with a spirit and not know how you wish to proceed with dealing with it. Knock this out of the way early and it just may prove easier to work with the rest of the thread.
Dismissal, Closing Rites and Clean Up
If your path doesn't work with spirits much then you'll probably have to create your own. If your system does work with spirits then you can probably use your creativity to adapt it to dismissing after an evocation. To create one of your own figure out how you want to end it. Also figure out any closing rites such as Grounding and Centering as is practiced in most of Paganism or Cakes & Ale in Wicca. Figure out if this is when offerings should be made or when the spirit has done it's work. Should you banish the energies or keep them around for whatever reason?
Clean up is just as important as cleansing. Should your ritual chamber be untouched until the spirit manifests your desire or should you clean up right away? Perhaps a divination reading can help you with these questions. I recommend cleaning up right away but each system is different and if your path has rules for regular spirit work then you should easily be able to adapt it to an evocation.
The above is a basic general outline of the things included in most evocations so the practitioner can develop their own based on their own paradigms. If your path already has an evocation system then there is no reason to reinvent the wheel, but not all systems work with spirits in this way and thus I created this thread. It is not meant to be an exhaustive outline or a definitive one. I have left many things out, but most of those things are specific to particular systems. This thread is about creating your own and the above is simply a general outline to help you achieve that goal. Details are left up to you and your respective spiritual paths and paradigms. Again, I cannot guarantee that you'll get a manifestation if you devise your own methods. That is purely up to your abilities. But hopefully I've done well in helping those who aren't satisfied with the evocation systems that are already out there and wish to create their own based on their respective religions or paradigms. Good luck.
What I will attempt to do here is to outline the general principles used in evocation so one may devise their own system according to their own paradigm. Please note that following the outline given here is no guarantee that a spirit will appear. There are other measures one must take to be able to hear and see spirits. This thread is meant to guide one in the act of creating their own evocation system. What happens during and after that evocation is up to the ability of the practitioner, providing a spirit is indeed present. Also please note that this outline is intended for people who follow some sort of religion or spiritual practice that puts specific spirits above humans. If you believe you are your own god and no spirit is above you then this thread will serve you no purpose. Perhaps Koetting's Evoking Eternity may be more what you're looking for in the evocation space. So, let's begin. Please enjoy.
Understand Your Cosmology
This is probably the hardest part yet it's the most important in creating your own evocation method. You must first understand your place in the universe within your paradigm. If your religion or spiritual system has a deity (or many) and subordinate spirits under him/her/them then you'll want to figure out how it all works. Who answers to who and why? What positions, if any, do these spirits have? What are their powers? What are their seals/signatures, if any? And most importantly, why would this/these deity/deities lend their power(s) to you? What makes you so special in their eyes that they would lend you their authority to command spirits to appear? If you don't already know how you fit into the cosmology of your paradigm it is imperative that you figure it out. Research here is key.
Purification of Self
While self purification may seem like a Christian concept, I assure you, it is not. Many non-Abrahamic religions and systems have some sort of spiritual purity process that one should undertake before doing certain rituals. Things like fasting, ritual baths, deep meditation sessions while visualizing white light(s) cleansing mind, body and soul, and a host of others. I recommend doing such a thing before attempting an evocation, therefore I recommend it be added to your own devised system. If your religion or spiritual path does not have any purification methods (though I doubt it), you can find universal ones with a simple Google search that will fit most paradigms with ease. Either that or you can devise your own.
However, this is your own evocation system that you're creating so if you see no need to have a purification measure in place then do not add one. It is up to you but it does help immensely and it keeps any excess baggage from dragging down the ritual process and clogging up your sacred space.
Psychic Links
Creating a psychic link between you and your chosen spirit(s) will aid the manifestation process. Things like drawing out a new seal each and every time you wish to evoke the spirit are perfect for this. Nothing wrong with having permanent seals but until you develop a relationship with the spirit(s) I recommend drawing it out each and every time. Immerse yourself in the work.
The same can be said about the magic circle, which will be covered in greater detail later. But, depending on the type of circle you wish to use in your evocation system, drawing the circle each and every time is great for establishing a link to the deities in your cosmology.
The Magic Circle
Depending on your paradigm and spiritual path you may need an elaborate circle or a simple circle or in some cases, no circle at all. If when reading the first part of this thread you were unsure about your path's cosmology and only recently became acquainted with it I recommend following in the footsteps of the Solomonic circles. By this I mean you choose the design and look of the circle but put the names of your deities and patrons around the circle. Just as in GT, this gives you a visual of the cosmology and your place within it.
If you already know and are well acquainted with your path's cosmology and know your place within it then a physical circle may not be needed though I strongly recommend it, even if it's just string or chalk, marker, crayon, etc. I recommend natron for creating your circle. Once finished with the evocation you are free to dispose of the natron any way you see fit.
Tools
Unless you plan on meeting spirits in their own realm there will most likely be tools you will use to do certain things. These tools can be things like the seals, any special clothing you want to wear or your path requires/recommends you to wear during spiritual pursuits (such as white vestments), a chalice for any libations, offerings, a wand, symbols of power or protection, etc. What tools does your path use to work with spirits in a non-evocatory manner? Surely those can easily translate over to being used in an actual evocation.
Also, decide whether this is a system to accommodate a physical manifestation or astral (using a scrying tool) or will it be both. That will let you know if you'll need a scrying tool or not. It should go without saying that your scrying skills should be up to par if going with astral. Even physical evocations, in many but not all cases, require some semblance of astral sight.
Securing of Space
It should go without saying that you'll want to clean the immediate area that you'll be performing your evocation in, especially if it's in a room that's widely used or if outside, there's a lot of debris (twigs, sticks, leaves, etc). But once it's clean physically you'll also want to clean it magically/astrally/psychically. I like the Greater Calling of the Sevenths as outlined in Cecchetelli's Book of Abraxas. The Greater Calling is used specifically for evocations but here is a general version on Cecchetelli's site:
Also popular ones like the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP) or Star Ruby, etc. Your path probably has their own rituals for cleansing the area so look there first. Do whatever it is your path instructs you to do for magically cleaning the area.
Conjurations
If your path doesn't work with spirits extensively you'll most likely have to come up with your own. If your path does work with spirits you can probably adapt the summonings and conjurations that are already used in your spiritual workings to work with an evocation. You may have to do some rewording here and there but if you're creative enough it should work.
Decide on if the conjurations will be demanding or cooperative. This is to say that you'll need to figure out if you want complete control over the spirits you evoke or do you want to work with them side by side. This attitude should also be reflected in your circle. But your cosmology will let you know how to proceed, if you know how to view it correctly.
Working With The Spirit(s)
Assuming you've gotten the spirit to appear (either physically or astrally) you should decide how you'll work with this spirit. Again, going back to your cosmology will help you here. Will you work with the spirit in a cooperative manner or command it like a master would his slave? Both have their pros and cons. Also figure out if this system will work in a pact based environment or will it be a case-by-case basis? Will offerings be made to the spirits or will they forced to do your bidding. It's best to have this part figured way ahead of time. You don't want to be standing face to face (or face to mirror) with a spirit and not know how you wish to proceed with dealing with it. Knock this out of the way early and it just may prove easier to work with the rest of the thread.
Dismissal, Closing Rites and Clean Up
If your path doesn't work with spirits much then you'll probably have to create your own. If your system does work with spirits then you can probably use your creativity to adapt it to dismissing after an evocation. To create one of your own figure out how you want to end it. Also figure out any closing rites such as Grounding and Centering as is practiced in most of Paganism or Cakes & Ale in Wicca. Figure out if this is when offerings should be made or when the spirit has done it's work. Should you banish the energies or keep them around for whatever reason?
Clean up is just as important as cleansing. Should your ritual chamber be untouched until the spirit manifests your desire or should you clean up right away? Perhaps a divination reading can help you with these questions. I recommend cleaning up right away but each system is different and if your path has rules for regular spirit work then you should easily be able to adapt it to an evocation.
The above is a basic general outline of the things included in most evocations so the practitioner can develop their own based on their own paradigms. If your path already has an evocation system then there is no reason to reinvent the wheel, but not all systems work with spirits in this way and thus I created this thread. It is not meant to be an exhaustive outline or a definitive one. I have left many things out, but most of those things are specific to particular systems. This thread is about creating your own and the above is simply a general outline to help you achieve that goal. Details are left up to you and your respective spiritual paths and paradigms. Again, I cannot guarantee that you'll get a manifestation if you devise your own methods. That is purely up to your abilities. But hopefully I've done well in helping those who aren't satisfied with the evocation systems that are already out there and wish to create their own based on their respective religions or paradigms. Good luck.
