Sigil Magic:

Spirit Summoning

by Karl Ivanov

Copyright 2019

all rights reserved

Note: Much of this book assumes a familiarity with my other two books, Sigil
Magic: Spell Casting and Sigil Magic: Servitor Creation. I recommend
reading those first or reading them soon afterwards. The three books
constitute a trilogy of magical knowledge which will be invaluable to the
sincere seeker. Though brief, I have done by best to make every sentence
count, removing extraneous information. You will find in these books only
the necessities, with nothing needlessly added to fill space.
 Introduction

Spirit summoning is one of the most universal forms of magic. It is present in

all cultures, worldwide, without exception. It is also an integral part of
modern magic, and it stands as one of the most powerful and rewarding
magical disciplines that one can engage in.

Unlike servitors or mind-created entities, the object of spirit summoning is

communication with entities that are independent of one’s own
consciousness. The most common form of ancient magical literature—the
"grimoire"—is actually a grammar of how to speak to these entities, detailing
methods whereby such entities can be summoned, as well as other rules and
practices that should be observed. Grimoires also gave lists of these entities,
providing their names and powers, as well as physical descriptions. In many
cases, visual symbols known as "sigils" were also provided. These sigils were
and are a central feature of both Western ceremonial magic and Chaos magic.

Though sigils are not necessary for spirit summoning, they do make the
process easier. Spirit summoning involves both the spirit and the summoner,
and if the summoner’s consciousness is fully engaged in the spirit, the
summoning proceeds quicker, more powerfully and more vividly. Having a
visual point of reference in the form of a sigil naturally enhances this process.

It is possible to summon any spirit, provided one knows how. Sigil magic
makes this process easier. When a sigil has been constructed for a spirit—or,
even better, revealed by a spirit—then that spirit can be summoned just as
easily and frequently as a spirit in a traditional and established grimoire.

I will now tell you how.

 Spirit Summoning Theory

All consciousness is connected. The divisions of time and space are

incidental rather than fundamental to existence. The categories of time and
space apply to the manifest cosmos whereas the un-manifest is beyond time,
beyond space. Therefore, when consciousness interacts on the unmanifest
plane, it does so beyond the confines of time and space.

Because of this, communication between consciousnesses is possible. Any

individual consciousness can contact any other individual consciousness, so
long as the contact occurs within the unmanifest plane.

To access the unmanifest plane from the manifest plane, consciousness must
connect to its depths. These depths are known as the unconscious. In the
unconscious, all entities called "spirits", "Gods", "Goddesses", "angels" and
"demons" reside. Magicians cultivate the skill of consciously entering their
own unconscious. This then allows them to interact with the unmanifest
plane.

The language of the unconscious is abstraction. It speaks through indirect

symbolism and non-representational forms. Thus names in unknown or
"Holy" tongues, or sigils and other arcane symbology, are the language of the
unmanifest. When consciousness is directed towards them through magical
practice, the language of this unmanifest is spoken. And, therefore,
communication between entities in these separate planes can occur.

All language is artificial, however. This is true of both the manifest and
unmanifest planes. It is possible to create languages which cross the barrier
between the planes. Magicians can therefore create their own sigils for
entities within the unmanifest, just as entities can create their own sigils to be
used in the manifest. Through this process, a magician can have potential
access to any communicative spirit, provided he or she knows its identity.

This process is also not restricted to entities alone. All things are information.
All things are gestures of the infinite. The distinction between animate and
inanimate, between spiritual and physical, is functionally real but
ontologically false. Gods, angels, spirits, demons, etc. are not the only things
that have a parallel dwelling in the unmanifest. Even the most mundane
objects are mirrored there. All realities are therefore potentially accessible,
communicatable and manipulatable across the boundaries of space and time.
The inherent connection of everything to everything makes this so. And this
can be accomplished through sigilization and ritual.
 Creating Sigils for Spirits

Decide on the spirit you wish to summon. Your reasons for summoning do
not matter—having a practical goal in mind is just as acceptable as a purely
experimental summoning.

The spirit’s name is often its primary identifier, but in some cases you may
not have a spirits name. In such cases, you will need to assign it a name, or
uncover its name through divination. Once you have a spirit’s name, then
create a sigil for the spirit. The sigil can be based either on the spirit’s name
or it can be something you have created through another process.

The easiest way to create a sigil for a spirit's name is to write the name in
English letters, remove all repeating letters, then overlay the remaining letters
into an abstract symbol. For example, if I take the spirit HERMES, I then
remove the second E, giving me HERMS. Afterwards, I overlay the letters on
top of each other:
I now have a sigil of Hermes. And if I use this sigil in an effective
summoning ritual, Hermes will arrive. It may take multiple attempts, but a
spiritual connection (and communication) has occurred. And, because of this,
manifestation is certain.

Alternatively, you can use an alphabet native to the spirit's tradition or an

alphabet of your own creation. You can also create a special design without
involving letters at all. So long as your intention is to connect with the spirit,
it will have power. That said, one sigil should not be used for more than one
spirit. Always make a spirit's sigil distinct from the rest. To do otherwise
would weaken a sigil and incur the possibility of confusion.
 Receiving Sigils Through Revelation

The best process of deriving sigils for existing spirits is revelation, however.
In revelation, you summon the spirit without a sigil, then request its sigil
directly. The sigil can be communicated mentally in the form of a thought-
image, or the spirit can manifest its sigil visually through a scrying mirror.

One way to receive a spirit’s sigil is through scrying. To do so, first create a
black scrying mirror. Take a picture frame with a stand, take out the glass and
insert pure black paper or cloth. This completes the scrying mirror. Place the
mirror on a table or altar, then light two candles, placing one on each side of
the mirror. Have a pen and paper nearby to trace the sigil when it appears.
Then, in the darkness, stare into the mirror, chanting the spirit’s name silently
or aloud. The scrying mirror will eventually become populated with ghostly
shapes such as smoke or patches of color. Keep staring until a stable image
arrives, then quickly trace it down. Once traced, it can be used in a
summoning ritual.

Not all have a natural aptitude for scrying. For many, it will take effort to
become skillful at it. But if scrying is done every day—even without an
intended goal—most will begin seeing results after a month or two at mots.
To follow this regimen, stare at the scrying mirror in a relaxed state for
fifteen minutes each day. Do not attempt to see anything in the scrying mirror
—simply wait for the imagery to arise. In time, it will. After it consistently
arises, practice should also be continued to maintain the power.

Sigils can lose power over time. Their power can wane over hundreds or
thousands of years, or a matter of months. Generally speaking, however,
sigils last longer the more they are used. If summonings occur through a sigil
on an at-least monthly basis, the sigil can be expected to last for years.

That said, not all sigils wane in power, even when not in frequent use. Many
continue with full force.
 Self-Created Grimoires

After successfully creating and using a sigil, record it in a special book—a

book used for no other purpose. Include the name of the spirit, a brief but
sufficient description, and whatever other details you find useful. This will
constitute your self-created grimoire. It is best to have three or four blank
pages for each spirit, as this will give you the space to record additional
details as they become relevant. A single page may prove sufficient,
however. In time, new editions of the grimoire may need to be composed.

It should be obvious why this is beneficial, but it should be noted that

magical power intensifies through relationships with spirits. The more
frequently you summon a spirit, the stronger your bond becomes. And the
stronger your bond, the more dramatic and effective the magic.

Once created, sigils can also be used by others. Though personal connections
do exist between spirits and the creators of their sigils, the usefulness of sigils
is never restricted to one person.
 The Spirit Summoning Process

Spirits can be summoned with a simple ritual. This is true whether the spirit's
sigil is self-created or found in a pre-existing grimoire. Once the necessary
basics of a ritual are carried out, spiritual communication can easily take
place.

These necessary basics are as follows:

An undisturbed, quiet location

The spirit's name and sigil

A magically potent state of mind

Of these, only the last cannot be guaranteed by material preparation.

Nonetheless, it will arrive on its own with practice.

Here is a suggested ritual:

At night, retire to a dark, quiet room. Light a specific number of candles. If

you have worked out the spirit's numerological associations, the number of
candles should reflect such. If not, use five or six. Then draw the spirit's sigil.
After drawing it, prick your finger, then trace it the drawing with your blood.
Chant the spirit's name while doing so. Continue chanting once the sigil has
been completely covered. As you chant, you will begin to have a sense of its
presence. At that time, inform the spirit that you have made the sigil for it,
and ask that it respond to the sigil in the future. A time of communion
between your presence and the spirit's presence may then occur. Observe this
time and, if possible, enjoy it. When the communion of presences ends, thank
the spirit and bid it farewell.

A ritual as simple as this is all that is necessary. Nonetheless, simple rituals

like these can become more effective through adding spirit-specific colors
and scents. Visual contact with the spirit can also be enhanced through a
scrying mirror, using the methods described before.
When using scents, light or release them at the ritual's beginning. Spirit-
specific colors can be worn or hung as banners. Colored candles can also be
used, as can colored lights and banners.
 Talismanic Sigils

The power of a sigil is not restricted to its use as a focal point in a

summoning ritual. The form of the sigil is itself imbued with magical power.
Therefore, sigils can also be used as talismans.

A talisman is any physical object which is imbued with magical power. More
specifically, talismans are objects which are both consecrated by a spiritual
force and which bear a magical design (a sigil) upon them. Their role is to
localize magical power on the physical plane, dispensing magical influence
over a limited physical area. Wherever a properly consecrated talisman is
located, there too is its power, the radius of which can be anywhere from 100
feet to a few centimeters, depending on how well it is consecrated and to
what extent the spirit has been instructed regarding it.

The material used to compose a sigil is unimportant. Talismans can be made

of wood, paper, clay, rock, metal, plastic, cloth, etc. Any material is
acceptable so long as the substance is stable and large enough to hold the
sigil on its surface.

After a spirit has been effectively summoned a few times, draw, paint or
carve its sigil upon the talisman's material. Then summon the spirit again.
During the summoning, request the spirit to direct its power into the sigil.
This is the spirit's consecration. The talisman can then be used. If the talisman
is intended to possess complex effects, tell the spirit exactly what you want it
to do, in detail.

Afterward, place the talisman in a safe spot, or the spot it will be useful. It
will have effect so long as the spirit dispenses its power to it, and so long as
the talisman remains unbroken.

As said before, it is best if a talisman is in close proximity to what it intends

to influence. In some cases, talismans should be buried in or near the
location. If the talisman is for a personal effect, it should be kept on you
whenever you wish for its influence.
 Sigils for Physical Beings and Things

Sigils can be made for any living or non-living thing, so long as that thing has
an existence identifiably distinct from other things. Because of this, sigils for
persons or animals are possible. It is also possible to create sigils for
inanimate objects or particular kinds of weather. The same rules and
procedures apply. That said, there is less magical potential due to the nature
of physicality. Physical beings and things are restricted by time, space and
influence. Spiritual beings, in contrast, are unrestricted or less restricted.

The main goal of representing a physical being or thing through a sigil is to

have influence over it. Most people are aware of the "voodoo doll" form of
magic. It is possible to use sigils in the same way, though influence is not
achieved by altering or physically affecting a sigil. Rather, the summoning of
a physical being or thing’s sigil places you into contact with the subtleties of
their essence. Once in contact, influence can occur. This is done by
perceiving the presence of the thing evoked and commanding it to obey your
will. The act of commanding forms a resonant link with the thing being
commanded. And if that resonant link is magically charged and sufficiently
intense, results will occur. Intense visualization is also effective, as it follows
the same principles.

Rituals of this nature benefit from elaboration even more than other forms of
magic. Because the essence being summoned is distant, vague and lacking in
the refined sentience held by an actual spirit, greater force is required to
interact with it. Incense, colors and lights will all facilitate the process. The
ritual should also occur for longer than usual. Rituals of two to six hours are
often required.

While such a form of magic is possible, it is not the best way to achieve
influence over something. If practicality is your main concern, it is
unnecessary to summon a non-spirit. That said, it is an interesting experiment
and those looking to broaden their magical horizons would do well to
practice it on occasion. It can be an excellent vehicle for insight, as it puts
one into direct connection with the mechanics of shmmoning without the
presence of an overwhelming spiritual force. Because of this, it is easier to
observe the mechanics and achieve both a conceptual and intuitive
understanding of their working.
 Group Sigil Work

Another potentially rewarding and effective method is the creation of a sigil

by two people or a group. When a sigil has been created by more than one
person, it creates a psychic bond between its creators. This deepens the power
and intensity of group magic and, ultimately, can result in more powerful
magic in general. Magic derives its intensity, in part, from the individual and,
therefore, magic which involves more than one individual is potentially more
powerful.

That said, there are dangers when it comes to group use of sigils in
summoning and a great risk of unwanted power struggles. There should be a
deep sense of trust among all parties involved. And if any member breaks
that trust, the sigil should no longer be used. In fact, a ritual destruction of the
sigil in question is recommended. The sigil can be burned at a crossroads, for
example, buried beneath a tree or placed into a river at night, in each case
accompanied by a promise to the sigil's spirit that a new sigil will be created
for them. No psychic bonds should ever occur in tandem with distrust and co-
created sigils are especially dangerous in this regard due to the way that
psychic bonds increase the magical connectivity between persons, allowing
for easier magical access to one another. If there is any nefarious intent
among the individuals involved, that intent can manifest consciously or
unconsciously, creating havoc. Take this warning seriously before you
attempt co-created sigils and only do so after thorough self-questioning and
questioning your potential partners.
 Closing

Creating sigils for existing spirits is easier than creating servitors. As spirits
already exist, the lines of communication are more overt and explicit in the
cosmos, despite their seeming hiddenness. Many spirits are also eager to
communicate. Just as there are things humans cannot achieve except through
the aid of spirits, there are things spirits cannot achieve except by the aid of
humans. Omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience are attributes of a
collective, not an individual. The interconnectedness of all things is an
unavoidable fact. The greatest power is achieved through collaboration and
the greatest knowledge is achieved through communication. The benefit of
widening one's connections is incalculable. It is what distinguishes the stage
of caterpillar and butterfly in a magician's career. A magician of great power
is a magician of great connections, and the magician's ideal place is at the
"crossroads" of many realities. Discerning readers will now understand the
symbolism of the "crossroads" in magical lore and ritual. And, understanding
this, they will understand the true meaning of the path of magic.

Good luck