The practice of magical evocation: Instructions for invoking spirit beings from the spheres surrounding us

by Franz Bardon

The Practice of Magical Evocation is divided into two the
first section deals with evocational magic, and second with the
hierarchy of the beings in the different spheres.

Magic is the
highest knowledge that exists on our planet, because it teaches the
metaphysical as well as the metapsychical laws on every plane of
existence. Since time immemorial, the highest knowledge has been called
"Magic" but it was accessible only to particular circles, predominantly
the High Priests, and the most powerful rulers. The highest initiates
were considered to be Magi. They were the only ones who knew about the
true teachings, but they guarded them with all their might. They knew
the synthesis of their own religion as well as the synthesis of other
religions. But the people were only given their religion in symbols no
matter kind of religion they believed in. Only after many centuries, a
few crumbs of this knowledge made its way among the people, but still
completely veiled. And since the majority of the people were not
lawfully magically educated, they could only understand this fragmented
information from an individual point of view, and thus could only pass
this knowledge on in a very one-sided and incomplete manner. That is
why magic knowledge remains to this very day, without exaggeration, a
very secret knowledge. The understanding of the true magic laws depends
upon the magico-spiritual maturity of the individual.

Whosoever
wishes to learn the subject of magic, must first learn all the effects
of the lower laws of Nature before he can progress to the higher laws.
You could divide magical knowledge into three lower magic,
intermediate magic, and high magic. This book gives the reader the
significance of the magic circle, triangle, the magic mirror, the magic
wand, and so forth.

The second part discloses the names and
signatures of the different heads, genii and intelligences of the
various planetary spheres in our solar system, how to communicate with
them and also what their specific tasks are. These heads or genii have
their specific field; there is not one field of endeavor which is not
covered by one or another head, intelligence or genii. A detailed
description of their expertise in a particular field is listed in this
book by name and sphere, and how to establish contact with these
beings. It should however be mentioned that you cannot succeed in
contacting these beings unless you have practically and successfully
completed the first volume Initiation into Hermetics, or you must have
at least successfully completed the eighth step.

Genres: Occult, Magick, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Magic, Religion, Esoterica

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Franz Bardon (1909–1958) was a Czech stage magician and teacher of Hermetics. He is best known for his three volumes on Hermetic magic: Initiation Into Hermetics, The Practice of Magical Evocation, and The Key to the True Quabbalah.

An additional fourth work attributed to him by the title of Frabato the Magician, supposed by many of his students to be a disguised autobiography. Though the book lists its author as Bardon, it was actually written by his secretary, Otti Votavova. While some elements of the story are based on Bardon's real life experience, most of the book was written as an occult novel with much embellishment on the part of Votavova.

Bardon's works are most notable for their simplicity, their relatively small theoretical sections, and heavy emphasis on practice with many exercises. Students of his, such as William Mistele and Rawn Clark consider him to have written the best training programs of any magician of the 20th century. They were written with the intention of allowing students who wished to practice magic the means to do so if they could not study under a teacher.

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serious evocation magic. This is one of the most authoritative sources on the subject of evocation. NOT FOR BEGINNERS! Fascinating for Arm-chair theorists, however you may want to take up Initiation into Hermetics (IIH) or an equivalent cultivation practice before entertaining the practice this book.

[Merkur Publishing]

An excellent source of true spiritual information regarding the planetary angel-spirits.

[William Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Practice of Magical Evocation is what happens after Franz Bardon has taught you to knock and decides it is time to discuss what might answer. His universe is crowded with intelligences belonging to the elements, planets, and various regions of the invisible world, all arranged with the confidence of a man describing places he expects you eventually to visit. The elaborate catalogues of spirits are fascinating, but the real value lies in Bardon’s insistence that evocation depends upon what the magician has made of themselves before anything enters the circle. Imagination, elemental balance, authority, concentration, and magical maturity matter more than theatrical commands. It is a strange, formidable book, best approached after Initiation into Hermetics, and one that makes the magical universe feel unexpectedly populous. Once you have learned to open the door, Bardon would like you to mind your manners with the neighbors.

[Jelena K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Necessary book for every aspiring occultist.

[Raja]

Nice to have