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Spirit Conjuring for Witches: Magical Evocation Simplified
The greatest Witches of folklore practiced their craft by conjuring spirits and employing a familiar spirit. Now, centuries later, these arts―supposedly the domain of ceremonial magicians only―can be perfected by modern Witches. In this groundbreaking book, Witch and ritual magician Frater Barrabbas shares a system of Witchcraft-based magic developed for safely performing invocations and evocations, handling fallen spirits and Goetic demons, traveling in the spirit world, creating a spirit pact, and constructing your own rituals for spirit conjuring. To help you get to know the full breadth of the spirit world, Spirit Conjuring for Witches includes a unique list of spirits as well as techniques for working with sigils and recommendations for classical grimoires. Exploring history, folktales, and personal experiences, this book shows how to magically develop relationships with spirits and ultimately master both the spirit and material worlds. "A clear and distinct body of tools and rituals for working with a broad range of spirits. If you are a witch looking for a more formal approach to this field, this may be the book for you."―Ivo Dominguez Jr., author of Spirit Speaks and Practical Astrology for Witches and Pagans "Frater Barrabbas has made a valuable contribution to the practice of modern witchcraft...This is a very thorough and carefully developed invitation to revive the practice of magical evocation that historically played so central a role in witchcraft and magic."―Jim Baker, author of The Cunning Man's Handbook "Frater Barrabbas shows how modern Witches can also reclaim their ability to conjure spirits in the age-old tradition of evoking beings of the Otherworld to attain knowledge or obtain practical results in this world. With the current revival in the publication, study and use of the classical grimoires, witches who are drawn to the practice of the magickal evocation of spirits now have a detailed guide to the inner preparations and outer practices necessary to evoke spirits safely and correctly."―Jonathan Nightshade, Gardnerian HP, Traditional Crafter and Sorcerer "I wish that there had a book like Spirit Conjuring for Witches back when; it would have saved me any number of missteps along the way. With more than forty years of experience under his cincture, Frater Barabbas speaks with a voice of wisdom, clarity and truly one of the Thirteen Human Treasures of Paganistan."―Steven Posch, Traditional Witch and Host of Radio Paganistan "As Witches we all work with Deity and various spirits; but can you honestly say you communicate with them? This book is a valuable resource for every serious Witch's library. The author has outlined how to truly connect with that spirit realm, which allows us to build a relationship with those we work with."―Lady Adariana, Gardnerian HPS
264 pages, Paperback
Published February 8, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 19, 2017
Spirit Conjuring for Witches made for an interesting read.
As much as I like to believe in magic, I find it hard to take witchcraft seriously. Yes, I'm one of those persons more inclined to believe that a man came back from the dead than Abracadabra. I blame it on how I was brought up. Don't get me wrong. I wish magic was true. It's just that I need to see it with my own eyes, to believe it.
Back to the book, I appreciate all the research the author put into it. It reads more like a study on magic, and I like that. I like how Frater Barrabbas tries to explain in a modern way old concepts. His language is also accessible, so this makes for an easy read.
That being said, I would like to know a practitioner's opinion on it.
*Copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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This sounds pretty interesting to read.
And I definitely like the author's name, Barrabbas (*hints at a bouda* ;) ).
As much as I like to believe in magic, I find it hard to take witchcraft seriously. Yes, I'm one of those persons more inclined to believe that a man came back from the dead than Abracadabra. I blame it on how I was brought up. Don't get me wrong. I wish magic was true. It's just that I need to see it with my own eyes, to believe it.
Back to the book, I appreciate all the research the author put into it. It reads more like a study on magic, and I like that. I like how Frater Barrabbas tries to explain in a modern way old concepts. His language is also accessible, so this makes for an easy read.
That being said, I would like to know a practitioner's opinion on it.
*Copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
**********************************
This sounds pretty interesting to read.
And I definitely like the author's name, Barrabbas (*hints at a bouda* ;) ).
March 26, 2017
I like the unassuming approach the author used when writing this book. I wouldn't say that you have to have a lot of experience in magic usage to get the general gist of this book or put it into practise. That being said, you could also be very experienced and still find this useful.
This book not only provides an overview on the history of spirit conjuring, but breaks things down step by step and through excellent research, gives the reader a good foundation to work from in his or her own magical dealings. Rather than being another boring, basic grimoire full of old information, this book is dedicated to making the entire practise of spirit conjuring, from beginning to end, seem simple and turning it into an attainable skill.
Beyond learning from this book, I just found it interesting and entertaining. The historical examples the author used made me stop and think about the world and the changes in perception and religion that have gone on throughout the ages. I was just as involved in this book as I would have been in a good novel, not noticing that time was passing by.
If you are interested in magic and are looking for a book on conjuring to add to your personal collection, this would be a good one to grab.
This review is based on a complementary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
This book not only provides an overview on the history of spirit conjuring, but breaks things down step by step and through excellent research, gives the reader a good foundation to work from in his or her own magical dealings. Rather than being another boring, basic grimoire full of old information, this book is dedicated to making the entire practise of spirit conjuring, from beginning to end, seem simple and turning it into an attainable skill.
Beyond learning from this book, I just found it interesting and entertaining. The historical examples the author used made me stop and think about the world and the changes in perception and religion that have gone on throughout the ages. I was just as involved in this book as I would have been in a good novel, not noticing that time was passing by.
If you are interested in magic and are looking for a book on conjuring to add to your personal collection, this would be a good one to grab.
This review is based on a complementary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
October 9, 2018
A very clear and informative read on implementing spirit work into your daily practice. If you are interested in incorporating spirits into your personal practice, it would be a shame to pass this book up.
May 5, 2020
Makes a very good case for evocation being a tech we can adapt away from the usual super-hierarchical, super-Christian style ubiquitous to old grimoires. Specific guidelines are easy to incorporate if you're from a BTW-or-derivative background.
November 15, 2016
This review was originally published on NetGalley.
This book was a surprise. I was expecting the usual layout of a Grimoire and instead I found that it was more like an academic search style. It's by no means a bad thing, the style of writing is engaging and accessible, and it's fairly easy to understand and follow. To me, it made easy to memorize some of the information.
I was blown away by the depth of research. The information on symbols, the different types of rituals, the tools you need to conjure, medication techniques in the modern world was incredible to read. There aren't any loss ends, everything is explained in detail and it mentions famous references of grimoires' and previous studies in the field of magic.
It was very interesting to read it and I recommend it to the fans of magic that are looking for a more modern approach to magic and spirit conjuring.
Read my other reviews at: http://booktraveller.weebly.com/
This book was a surprise. I was expecting the usual layout of a Grimoire and instead I found that it was more like an academic search style. It's by no means a bad thing, the style of writing is engaging and accessible, and it's fairly easy to understand and follow. To me, it made easy to memorize some of the information.
I was blown away by the depth of research. The information on symbols, the different types of rituals, the tools you need to conjure, medication techniques in the modern world was incredible to read. There aren't any loss ends, everything is explained in detail and it mentions famous references of grimoires' and previous studies in the field of magic.
It was very interesting to read it and I recommend it to the fans of magic that are looking for a more modern approach to magic and spirit conjuring.
Read my other reviews at: http://booktraveller.weebly.com/
May 2, 2018
This is another excellent by Frater Barrabbas, where he takes the time to methodically present the fundamentals of evocation, while also providing some novel perspectives and ideas that can be applied to your evocation practice. While the book is specifically addressed to people who practice witchcraft, the practices can be applied to other magical traditions. The author also does a good job of providing references and additional material, but what I like best is that he takes the time to walk you through the practice and make sure you have the resources you need to do these practices. If you want to take your evocation practice to the next level, this is the book to do it with.
October 19, 2025
Frater Barrabbas is well educated in his work, and delicately passionate about is work and very dedicated and informed. There are rituals amongst the pages, my favorite being the rose ankh, which is very egyptian in my opinion, and the book contains ways the witch can bend the spirits to her bidding, however, I would never suggest doing this for anyone, because this is all stuff that belongs to Satan, and if he doesn't like you, he gets your soul. People resort to these types of actions and refuse to see the karmatic events in their life as punishments for their crime, or the fact that they are still alive, they believe they have beat the devil, but it's the end of your life that you have to worry about because that is when he gets you.
Conjuring is something that demons do to get here on earth, the power for someone to use it is there, whether you are doing it as a witch or not, the price is still the same. It's like the butterfly effect. If you bring this on our plane, so you can gain something, someone else somewhere else has to pay that price if the demon can't get you in that moment.
I truly enjoy being occult and reading these types of books and I was very impressed with Frater and his knowledge on the subject, even though there was nothing newfounded there, he did very well putting everything together and organizing the subjects perfectly.
Conjuring is something that demons do to get here on earth, the power for someone to use it is there, whether you are doing it as a witch or not, the price is still the same. It's like the butterfly effect. If you bring this on our plane, so you can gain something, someone else somewhere else has to pay that price if the demon can't get you in that moment.
I truly enjoy being occult and reading these types of books and I was very impressed with Frater and his knowledge on the subject, even though there was nothing newfounded there, he did very well putting everything together and organizing the subjects perfectly.
March 16, 2017
This week, I want to write a little bit about "Spirit Conjuring for Witches" by Frater Barrabbas. This is a heft book on spirit conjuring, if this is something you wish to incorporate in your practice I highly recommend.
Barrabbas doesn't assume you know anything about spirit conjuration, so he provides a well written guide from start to finish. He opens the book by discussing the sort of "lost art" of spirit conjuring by famous witches of days past. He believes this practice in an integral part of witchcraft history that sort of disappeared in the current trends of magick. This was an interesting chapter to read, a little over my head a bit, but well-written.
Next, the author gets to the nitty-gritty about how to prepare for spirit conjuring. What things you need to practice (like casting a circle and much more) before you should attempt to spirit conjure. He goes through some techniques, history, and nomenclature associated with the spirit world. Lots of really great info here about the hierarchy of spirits.
After you have a solid foundation, Barrabbas provides step by step, in-depth sections on conjuring spirits. He writes about how the ritual has many parts, each an important step in achieving your goal in conjuration. There is a lot of setting aside ego and work involved in this process, so it really is important to be dedicated to this work.
This is a very well-researched and thought-out guidebook. Barrabbas is an elegant writer, with an obvious mastering of this subject. At times it felt a little heavy, but in honesty it is a heavy subject. I read it out of curiosity, so I can't write about how successful someone will be using this book. The thought of actually conjuring a spirit scares me a little, but if you are willing to put in the work (and you will need several months of intense study to be successful) then this is a good tool to have in your toolbox.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley for my honest review.
Barrabbas doesn't assume you know anything about spirit conjuration, so he provides a well written guide from start to finish. He opens the book by discussing the sort of "lost art" of spirit conjuring by famous witches of days past. He believes this practice in an integral part of witchcraft history that sort of disappeared in the current trends of magick. This was an interesting chapter to read, a little over my head a bit, but well-written.
Next, the author gets to the nitty-gritty about how to prepare for spirit conjuring. What things you need to practice (like casting a circle and much more) before you should attempt to spirit conjure. He goes through some techniques, history, and nomenclature associated with the spirit world. Lots of really great info here about the hierarchy of spirits.
After you have a solid foundation, Barrabbas provides step by step, in-depth sections on conjuring spirits. He writes about how the ritual has many parts, each an important step in achieving your goal in conjuration. There is a lot of setting aside ego and work involved in this process, so it really is important to be dedicated to this work.
This is a very well-researched and thought-out guidebook. Barrabbas is an elegant writer, with an obvious mastering of this subject. At times it felt a little heavy, but in honesty it is a heavy subject. I read it out of curiosity, so I can't write about how successful someone will be using this book. The thought of actually conjuring a spirit scares me a little, but if you are willing to put in the work (and you will need several months of intense study to be successful) then this is a good tool to have in your toolbox.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley for my honest review.
February 6, 2025
I enjoyed it. it's not for beginners, intended for those who are already pretty advanced and looking for a presice way of evoking or invoking specific spirits for specific purposes. It's very ceremonial inspired, but his own system. The techniques used in this work I haven't heard of before. Like establishing the rose ankh vortex and opening and closing the western gateway in his ritual setup, which were pretty interesting. He talks on the hierarchy of spirits, godhead assumption, communion with spirits, and building a relationship with them, sigils, and some evocation examples. Ending with a spirit category list and old grimiores. Interesting read overall, but I am unsure if I will use any of his techniques.
June 9, 2022
If you want to learn how to summon a variety of different spirits such as angels, demons, elementals and the like this is a book you can start with. Frater Barrabbas's occult guide is very helpful but never dogmatic.
The work goes into the choreography of invocation and evocation, different spirit types and where they come from, how to visualize and travel in the spiritual realms, the proper method for putting together an altar and informal and formal summoning techniques. Give this one a read if you're so inclined.
The work goes into the choreography of invocation and evocation, different spirit types and where they come from, how to visualize and travel in the spiritual realms, the proper method for putting together an altar and informal and formal summoning techniques. Give this one a read if you're so inclined.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2023
Seems like a lot of bs to me but still some useful information I guess I’m unsure of alot of it
May 20, 2025
Most useful takeway-godhead
July 25, 2019
I liked how the author went off their own personal experience. Learned more about what it's like to live that kind of lifestyle. Meditation and imagination individually, from my perspective. Also learned I am not a witch, although others may believe me to be. I could try to be one, after reading this though, I realize that's not gonna be my lifestyle choice. I will keep being curious on this subject.
December 22, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book even though I'm an Atheist!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews