Goetia

(see also: Abramelin the Mage, Magick)

Article by David Claiborne

(C) Copyright 2000  All rights reserved

Goetia (Latin, "howling") is a word used to describe a class of magick which emphasizes the
summoning or calling forth of lesser spirits and demons to visible appearance, with the intention of
binding the spirits to perform the magician's will.

Like many magickal traditions, the roots of Goetia are difficult to pinpoint.  Presumably, it existed
for some time as a purely oral tradition, passed from teacher to student, before anything was
committed to writing.  What is known is that Goetia saw its peak of popularity in the late middle
ages.

According to tradition, the Goetia was founded by King Solomon.  Having been given the power
over lesser spirits by God, Solomon commanded various demons to assist in the building of his
famous Temple.  Despite the fact that this tradition most likely originated in the imaginations of
medieval mages, it attests to the power of this magickal system that they felt one could constrain the
spirits to such complex physical tasks.  While it may have had its roots in pre-Christian systems, the
Goetia as we know it today is undoubtedly a product of medieval Europe, with its concepts of
angels and demons organized into feudalistic hierarchies.  The most famous examples of medieval
Goetia include the Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis ("The Lesser Key of Solomon"), Liber
Honorius and Grimorium Verum.

Goetic magick, like most medieval magick, is extremely ceremonial and often calls for strict
observance of many details.  Due to the great power of this system, and the repeated vehement
warnings given by medieval authors, modern practitioners of Goetia tend to rely upon the old
prescriptions rather than modifying or reinventing the rituals.  This may seem limiting, and
sometimes pointless, but the old methods can have surprising power.

The interaction between the magician and the summoned spirits in Goetic magick is quite unique. 
Whereas in some traditions, spirits are prayed to or asked for guidance and wisdom, the spirits and
demons of Goetia are bound and commanded by the magician to act as his servants.  In such an
interaction, it is highly important for the magician to be aware that he is calling upon these spirits to
perform an action, rather than do it himself, because many of these beings are more powerful than
him.  Therefore, compelling the spirits to obey is a major concern.  For protection, the magician
employs elaborate circles and
rotes to confine the spirit.  Once confined, the spirit must be forced to act in accordance with the
will of the magician.  Many different methods are employed to compel the spirits; lesser spirits can
often be coerced, threatened or fooled into compliance, whereas more powerful spirits can be more
difficult to control.

Common methods of control include threats, particularly in the form of the vibration of divine
names, which tells the demon or spirit that the magician speaks with the authority and power of the
god whose name he intoning.  Some magicians will try to persuade the spirit, sometimes resorting
to begging and bootlicking.  In many cases, the magician may try to bargain with the spirit, to
which it will most likely happily agree, exchanging service for sacrifice of some kind.

The various Goetic demons and beings are often very specialized.  Grimoires list long catalogues of
spirits, their specific powers, and how they may be summoned by the use of different seals,
incantations, sacrifices and incenses.  Before conjuration, the magician must carefully consult these
catalogues and select the single spirit best suited for the task.

The Goetic spirits are not well suited to conversation, as are the Enochian angels.  The lesser spirits
are often stupid and are not known for their honesty.  Summoning of the demons for the purpose of
gaining information is generally a waste of time, unless perhaps the being is specifically ordered to
spy or seek out information for the magician.

The magickal system of Goetia is definitely not for dabblers in the occult arts.  If one does not feel
comfortable or prepared to utilize Goetic magick, they should not do so.  It is not surprising that the
Goetic magick of Abramelin the Mage is only given to the student after the operation for the
invocation of the Holy Guardian Angel.  The student would do well not to attempt constraint of the
lesser spirits before having attained the knowledge and conversation of their Holy Guardian Angel. 
Probably due to its specific interest in demonology, a great deal of wariness surrounds the practice
of Goetia, though much of this fear and prudence is undoubtedly based on the first-hand
experiences of reckless magicians.  Goetic legends hold that some magicians have perished after
dealing with forces too great for them.

During recent years, many ceremonial magicians with a background in psychology have postulated
that the demons of the Goetia are the base and negative traits of the human psyche.  While there is
certainly a basis for this idea, it must be understood that this does not diminish the possible danger
of  incorrectly conjuring and commanding these forces.  These "archetypes," if you will, are not
simply within the mind of the magician.  They are in the psyche of each individual, as well as in the
collective psyche of humanity.  To illustrate psychologically, suppose the magician invokes a
demon representing anger and ferocity, with the intent of utilizing the demon's aggressive nature to
assist him in obtaining employment.  If the magician does not properly control his anger, it may
break free and cause a severe imbalance.

Like any powerful force such as fire or electricity, the Goetia can be both beneficial and
detrimental, white and black, good and evil.  It commands respect, discipline and proper skills if the
magician does not wish to get burned.
 

• Goetic Magick
At the end of the First Part of the Lemegeton is a list of notes which
amount to the instructions for most of the Magick involved with the
Goetic Spirits. It consists of observations on times, materials for
making the seals, notes on the Kings of the Spirits, Symbols, the Area
used for the operations, and the Orations need for conjuring and
controlling the Spirits. The second part of the Lemegeton has a
running commentary on Conjurations etc, but makes reference to this
first part as a baseline for its workings.

The following is a categorised version of the information presented at

the end of the first part. It is pretty much exactly as presented in the
original, with a couple of things rearranged into the categories shown
below in the quick guide-

Times, HYPERLINK \l "Mats" Materials for Seals, HYPERLINK \l

"Kin" Kings of the Quarters, HYPERLINK \l "Sym" Symbols,
HYPERLINK \l "Are" Magick Area, HYPERLINK
"http://www.geocities.com/xeroiii/Goetia/8Orations.htm" Orations.

Times

The age of the moon defines the best days to work with Goetic Spirits.
By 'age', it is meant the number of days after the New Moon, i.e. from
when it doesn't seem to be there, it 'grows' to a full moon, then 'fades'
back into nothingness. The only days that it is profitable to deal with
the Spirits is when the moon is 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 days old. That is
the waxing moon's even days, which is consistent with many Magickal
systems, since it is regarded that the power (of the self/Magick) grows
as the moon does, and so, as we are 'raising' a spirit, so we need to
be in time with the moon's phase. The evenness of the days may
simply be an observation of the even = good, odd = evil. Because
there are so many numerological systems that deign some odd and
some even as good and bad, we will just need to take this as granted.

The times of the day used for Spirit conjurations is chosen by the
position of the Spirit as shown below:

Chief Kings- 9a.m.- 12 noon, and from 3 (possibly 5)p.m.-Sunset.

Marquises- 3 p.m.-9 p.m. and from 9 p.m.-Sunrise (the break at the

same time here is not explained, and really non-sensical!)

Dukes- Sunrise-12 noon in clear weather

Prelates- Any hour of the day (not specific as to whether is daylight, or

any time at all)

Knights- Dawn- Sunrise (the same time of the day! Could be Midnight-
Sunrise?) or 4 (possibly p.m.) till Sunset.

Presidents- Any hour of the day, but not twilight, night, or if his King is
also Invoked

Counts and Earls- Any hour of the day, in the woods, or where no men
go, or where no noises are.

Top

Materials For Seals

 The Seals are to be made of Metal, in accordance with the following
table:

These are associated with Planetary symbols in the original text of: Gold:
Sun:  , Silver: Moon: ), Copper: Venus: E , Tin: Jupiter: H , Lead: Saturn: V ,
Mercury: Mercury: D , Copper & Silver: Venus & Moon: E & ) (*Special
Characters in Bookshelf Symbol 3 if you can't get them! Probably means you
don't have that font- sorry!)

Note here that Iron: Mars: G is missing from the list, even though there is a
combination of the last two.

Top

Kings of the Quarters

The 72 Spirits [kings in the original text- one could only conclude that what is
meant is the 72 aforementioned Spirits, since there are not 72 Kings in total!]
are under the power of four kings that rule the compass quarters. These are-
Amaymon, ruling the East, Corson ruling the West, Ziminiar ruling the North
and Goap (Gaap) ruling the South. What is to note here is that the first,
Amaymon is mentioned frequently in the descriptions of the 72 Spirits, and
Goap (possibly Gaap) is one of the Spirits, but not actually a King! This would
lead the author to believe that the note that Goap and Gaap are the same
spirit is actually wrong, and the two are separate Spirits. This is just
speculation though. It is noted that these should only be called upon on Great
Occasions, and not just general workings.

Top

Symbols

In general, the symbols used in this text are pretty common in other places,
such as the Key of Solomon. Much of the text associated with these symbols
either is a Name of God or the Name of an Angel, all well know in Theurgic
circles, many of which appear in John Dee's works on the Enochian System,
such as the Sigillum Dei Aemeth.

The Magickal Circle

The circle of Solomon is to be made 9 feet in Diameter, with the divine

names below written around it from AHIH to Levanah. This circle was made
to protect Solomon from the malice of the Evil Spirits.

The first of the current presentation of this symbol is from Crowley's The
Book of the Goetia and I am a little weary about the accuracy of it in terms of
the original texts. However, since my copy of the original texts is an online
version and doesn't contain the whole list of figures, I have included this
version as an example only. The second comes from a copy of the
Lemegeton, and is the predecessor to Crowley's. It includes the same
information, but is almost totally in English, with the exception of the
Tetragrammaton inside the central diamond, which has a translation under it.
What is raised here in the changing of texts is that Hebrew is written right to
left, or anti-clockwise in circles, while English is the opposite. It is held in
many Occult schools that the direction in which energy is pushed within a
magick circle is of importance. Generally- based on the Northern Hemisphere
conditions- good energy is raised by moving clockwise, and negative energy
by moving anti-clockwise. It is left up to the reader as to how this problem is
to be dealt with. Ignore it, and use whatever you want, or observe the
clockwise direction, and use the English letters.

For those of you who don't read Hebrew fluently, a transliteration of the
Hebrew into English is provided here. Basically , the outer ring gives the God
Names of the Sephiroth of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life (Blue) the Hebrew
Names of the Sephiroth (Red) and the names of the Archangels, Angels and
Planets attributed thereto (Green, Grey and Cyan respectively.) The colours
provide in the transliteration are the author's addition for ease of deciphering,
and are not part of the original symbol- see the figure for the accurate type.

Crowley Hebrew-+ AHIH Kether Metatron Chaioth Ha-Qadesh Rashith Ha-Galgalim

S.P.M (for 'Sphere of the Primum Mobile') + IH Chokmah Ratziel Auphanim Masloth S.S.F.
(for 'Sphere of the Fixed Stars,' or S.Z. for 'Sphere of the Zodiac') + IHVH ALHIM Binah
Tzaphquiel Aralim Shabbathai S. (for 'Sphere') of Saturn + EL Chesed Tzadquiel
Chaschmalim Tzedeq S. Jupiter + ALHIM GBUR Geburah Kamael Seraphim Madim S. of
Mars + IHVI ALUH Va-Daath [&] Tiphereth Raphaлl Malakim Shemesh S. of the Sun + IHVI
TzBAUTh Netzach Haniel Elohim Nogah S. of Venus. + ALHIM TzBAUTh Hod Michaлl Beni
Elohim Kokav S. of Mercury + ShDI AL ChI Yesod Gabriel Cherubim Levanah S. of the
Moon +

Also of note in these is the transliteration of the Greek- Alpha and Omega
inside the outer ring. This is Greek, and probably a reference to Rev 1:8- "I
am the alpha and the omega," says the Lord God, who is and who was and
who is to came, the Almighty"- Alpha being the first letter in the Greek
alphabet and Omega being the last, i.e. the first and last being, God the
creator and God the destroyer. What is of interest here is the dating of the
text. The Goetia, if it is truly Solomon's work, would have been formulated in
his time- 10th Century BC, while much of the Greek manuscripts became
available in 1453, and the New Testament ( a Greek work), was written after
Christ's Death, i.e. AD (or CE for the deluded atheists among us...  )

The star of David that appears at the cardinal points all have a Tau cross in
the centre, and the God name Adonai around them. Note in the earlier of the
two, that the North and East points have the letters rotated so that they face
in towards the centre of the star, while the other two have them all facing
towards the centre of the overall circle- the Maister's place. In Crowley's they
all have been placed within the star's points, and are rotated.

Also, in the earlier work, the word East is replaced with the angelic name
Primeumaton. Currently I am unable to explain it, and so probably was
Crowley, since he replaced it with the obvious cardinal point name of East.
This is what I speak of when I say the Crowley likes to add his own
"corrections" or "self" to any of his works. In all likelihood, Primeumaton's
name being where it is, is of critical significance, and is not some mere
mistake! So please be careful of Crowley's works because of this...

The Triangle

The magick triangle is used to hold disobedient spirits, as outlined in the

section on Beleth, and the orations. Each side is 3 feet across, and is made
two feet away from the outside circle. It is to be placed toward the cardinal
point that the conjured spirit belongs to.

Undoubtedly, you will come across some problems with this for the Spirits of
the First Part of the Lemegeton, since none of them really have a dedication
to a quarter! In the Second Part of the Lemegeton, you will find it much easier
to do, since they are all dedicated a cardinal point! Some of the First part
Spirits may actually be placed within a quarter by their subservience to
Amaymon, the King of the East, or Gaap (Goap), king of the South. Since it is
not directly spelled out within the original, but quite easily discerned, I will
leave this leap to the reader to discover and use. Remember, the triangle is
for disobedient spirits, so it may not be needed for most of them!

The triangle may be substituted for the brazen vessel to invoke the spirits
into.

Sexangled (hexagonal) Figure

This figure is to be drawn on parchment made from calf skin, and worn at the
skirt (bottom) of the white vestment, covered with a linen cloth. It is to be
shown to disobedient spirits when they appear, so that they may become
obedient, and take human form, etc.

[click on the image to see the original]

This symbol takes on a similar vein to the magickal circle. The inscriptions
are as follows- in the points of the star of David is the name Tetragrammaton;
to the left and right are Alpha and Omega; in the centre is a Tau cross, and
the same word (all of these are also used in the Magickal circle); to the top
and bottom of the star is the letters AGLA written left to right, top to bottom,
which is a God name derived from the phrase "The Lord ever powerful" using
the Qabbalistic method of notaricon; finally, there is a set of two symbols in
the lowest point of the star that looks like a Greek pi, and a symbol I am
unfamiliar with ( I hope it's a transcription error, and I am not caught out
here!)

Pentagonal figure of Solomon

The pentagonal figure (not pentacle, although it technically is a pentacle per

se) is to be made from gold or silver, and worn upon the breast (i.e. hung
from a chain around the neck or pin attached to the vestment). The seal of
the spirit is to be formed on the back. This could cause some troubles, since
to exorcise each of the 72 spirits would require 72 pentagonal figures is you
were to engrave the seals on to the back. Some sort of temporary method
would therefore be more appropriate, although since it is on the back, it must
not be so temporary that it would rub off with the movements made
throughout the exorcism. It is used to protect the Magickian from danger, and
also used to command by.

[click on the image to see the original]

The symbol itself is again generally analogous with the rest of the symbols.
Tetragrammaton appears again around the points of the star in the same left
to right, top to bottom method. The other parts seem to be names and sigils
of spirits. They read in a clockwise direction (see previous discussion on
direction in the Magickal circle). To the best of my ability with the copy I have,
they read as follows from the uppermost point, reading clockwise- Abdia,
Baffafor, Bellony, Hally, Halliza, and SoLnzen (I can't currently properly
hazard a guess at the central name until I source the others, since none of
them appear in either part of the Lemegeton)

Ring of Solomon

The ring is to be held before the face of the Magickian to preserve him from
the stinking fumes of Spirits. This use is mentioned in the section on
Astaroth. A ring is also mentioned in the section on Beleth and Berith, but
could possibly be a different ring, since the use is different. If not, the
diagram given could show the names to be placed on the outside and inside
of the aforementioned silver ring. If not, there is no mention of what materials.

The names on the ring are Anepheneton (commonly rendered Anephexeton,

which what the x outside of the ring in the original refers to, i.e. it's a
correction, not a different method of spelling)- Michael, which are angelic
names, and Tetragrammaton again. In the instance that this is written on a
ring, I would suggest that -Anephexeton-Michael- would be written on the
outside, while Tetragrammaton be written on the inside (touching the finger)

Secret Seal of Solomon

The Secret Seal of Solomon was used to bind and seal the spirits and their
legions into the brazen vessel. It is to be made by one who is clean both
inward and outward, and has not "defiled himself by any woman in the space
of a month" (original text, not mine!!! In today's multi-gendered society, the
same goes for men and women, and one might not go so far as to say
'defiled' but instead had sex... ). The Magickian should also have desired
pardon of all their sins by fasting and praying to God etc. It should be made
on a Tuesday or Saturday night at 12 (a note says 2) of the clock (midnight
possibly?), written with the blood of a Black Cock which never 'trode'
(copulated with) a hen, on virgin parchment. On these nights, the moon must
be increasing (new moon to full moon period) in Virgo. When it is made, fume
it with Alum (alum comes in many forms today- potash alum
KAl(SO4)2.12H2O, used in medicine, dying etc.- ammonium alum
NH4Al(SO4)2.12H2 used in fire extinguishers, water purification, medicine
etc.- the Aluminium can also be replaced with Chromium or Iron, but is not
true alum), Raisins of the Sun (i.e. sun-dried raisins), Dates, Cedar and
Lignum Aloes (wood of the aloe). Solomon also gained the love of all manner
of persons, and overcame in battle, for "neither weapon fire nor water could
hurt him".

This symbol takes a leap away from the others. There is no writing
whatsoever on it anywhere, and only two of the symbols are decipherable.
The two symbols at the top inside the outer ring are the planetary symbols for
Saturn and Mars. Note here that in the materials for the seals section Mars is
absent, but appears here. The pictogram in the centre looks curiously like a
Magickal tool of some sort, possibly the Brazen Vessel that is used in
conjunction with the Seal. The symbols around the outer ring look curiously
like those in the Greater Key of Solomon, but are not given any translation or
meaning there either. They are not exact copies of anything that appear there
either. Their relation to some of the symbolic inscriptions, and forms of writing
(Celestial, Malachim and Passing the river) is uncanny, although any relation
to the Key of Solomon over all is tenuous, since the pentacles in the Key
prefer a rotational method of writing to the flat version given here.

The Brazen Vessel

Obviously, this is simply a brass vessel, with an inscription around it to raise

it from a mundane object into a Magickal tool. The inscription (this time in
Hebrew, not English you will note!) reads in transliteration- (front): AShR
AHIH: GBRiAL: MIKAL: HANIAL:" (back:) "ARARIThA: ChShMLIM: AL:
TzDQIAL". Again for those who don't read Hebrew, Asher Eheiah (from the
quote Ehiah asher Eheiah- I am what (or that) I am (Ex 3:14)): Gabriel, an
angelic name: Michael, angel: Haniel, angel: Araritha [unfamiliar with this]:
Chashmalim [again unfamiliar]: El, a God name: Tzadkiel, angel: Another
variant provided by MacGreggor Mathers is "ARARIThA: RFAL: KMAL:
TzDQIAL:" and "TzFQIAL" Araritha: Raphael, angel: Kamiel, angel: Tzadkiel,
angel, and :Tzaphkiel, angel. In general, as with many statements used to
control spirits, it's a list of angelic and/or God names.

This vessel may be used instead of the triangle to invoke the spirits into.

Magickal Area

Other Items used in Goetic Magick as laid out in Part one are: a sceptre or
sword; a mitre or cap, a long white robe of linen, with shoes and other clothes
for your purpose. Also a girdle of Lions skin 3 Inches broad, with all the
names around that are used in the Magick Circle, and also perfumes and a
chafing dish of charcoals kindled to put the fumes into; to smoke or perfume
your place appointed for action. Also anointing oils to anoint your temples &
eyes with; & fair water to wash yourselves in. When doing this, you are to say
as David said, "Thou shall purge me with hyssop o Lord, & I shall be clean;
Thou shall wash me & I shall be whiter than snow etc.". Then, while putting
on your garments, say, "by the figurative Mystery of these holy vestures or
vestments, I will clothe me with the armour of Salvation in the strength of the
highest, Ancor Amacor Amides Theodonias Anitor, That my desired end
 may be effected Through the strength of Adonai To whom the praise and
glory will forever and ever belong. Amen."

The Magickal Area should be set up before doing this, with the circle,
triangle, and all the other aforementioned tools laid out within the Circle. The
Circle should never be broken for the safety of the Magickian- it is there to
protect you from the spirits, and so long as you are inside the circle, you are
protected. If all of the tools are not laid out inside the area, you would need to
dismiss the spirit, get what you need, and begin from the start again.

Most of the details about setting up the Magickal Area have already been
covered in the sections about each item. What I will add, is that the triangle is
often seen placed upon a stand, like an easel, with the face of it almost
perpendicular to the ground. This enables a method similar to crystomancy
(gazing into crystals) in order to see the spirits, which may be easier for some
people. If the triangle is placed on the ground, the spirit can be seen in the
space above the triangle, as though they were in the room with you, not
trapped within a crystal. What is more important here, is that the triangle be
placed at the right quarter, as explained in the section on the Magick
Triangle.

GOETIA SIGILS FONT FROM THE NU ISIS WORKING GROUP

nigoa___.ttf NI Goetic A

The sigils and other characters in this face are based on the forms
printed in the Mathers-Crowley edition of the _Goetia_, including the
circular borders with the names of Spirits. The eight variant sigils
are included as is the variant form of the Secret Seal.

Keymaps:

!: Hexagram of Solomon
#: Pentagram of Solomon
$: Secret Seal of Solomon
%: (variant form of above)
): Bael
*: Agares
+: Vassago
,: Samigina
-: Marbas
.: Valefor
/: Amon
0: Barbatos
1: Paimon
2: variant Paimon
3: Buer
4: Gusion
5: Sitri
6: Beleth
7: variant Beleth
8: Leraie
9: variant Leraie
:: Eligos
;: Zepar
<: Botis
=: Bathin
>: variant Bathin
?: Sallos
@: Purson
A: Marax
B: Ipos
C: Aim
D: Naberius
E: Glasya-Labolas
F: Bune (complex form)
G: Bune (simplified form)
H: Ronove
I: Berith
J: Astaroth
K: Forneus
L: Foras
M: Asmoday
N: Gaдp
O: Furfur
P: Marchosias
Q: Stolas
R: Phenex
S: Halphas
T: Malphas
U: Raьm
V: Focalor
W: Vepar
X: variant Vepar
Y: Sabnock
Z: Shax
[: Vinй
\: Bifrons
]: Vual
^: variant Vual
_: Haagenti
`: Crocell
a: Furcas
b: Balam
c: Alloces
d: Camio
e: Murmur
f: Orobas
g: Gremory
h: Osй
i: Amy
j: Orias
k: Vapula
l: Zagan
m: Valac
n: Andras
o: Haures
p: Andrealphas
q: Cimeies
r: Amdusias
s: Belial
t: Decarabia
u: Seere
v: variant Seere
w: Dantalion
x: Andromalius
~: Dancingstar's mark

This font may be freely redistributed and used provided that the header
information in the font file including the line "This freeware font created
by the Nu Isis Working Group" is left intact in any distribution.