Practice of Magical Evocation

by Franz Bardon

A new translation of Franz Bardon's second volume of The Holy Mysteries. In magical terms, the book is a practical guide to the proper evocation of and communication with spiritual, magical and divine entities. It is perhaps the only truly significant modern study of direct contact with the universal teachers -- the other major works in the field are products of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Reformation periods. But beyond that, there is a fascinating glimpse into a complete magical universe. Bardon outlines a totally new and original hierarchy of magic, from the spirits of the four elements to those of the various planets, and even to each degree of the zodiac. Included with the names and descriptions of the various entities are a collection of previously unknown magical sigils, as well as a true account of ancient astrology.

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

546 pages, 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