Now, magical theory as i was taught tells the magus that he or she is in complete control of the sacred space. S/he is the personification of "God," a microcosm of a greater hierarchical macrocosm. It is through this assumption of divine personification that the magician becomes imbued with the power to summon other beings. Traditional magical theory also has it that Goetic beings are dangerous and the magician must be sure to stand within his circle, maintain his little triangle and behave like a complete and utter ass. Think about it. You're a Goetic being going about your work and suddenly -- regardless of whether or not it's convenient--you're summoned by forcible use of your sigil to a magician's triangle. you're not greeted with any respect or courtesy, nor are you given any offerings. Instead, you're ordered about -- often for dubious or stupid purposes--, threatened, coerced, and at times tortured. I"d be pretty pissed off too. Fortunately my teachers weren't idiots and hopefully neither am I. We decided to go about it a different way. We decided to approach the Goetic tribes with respect. amazing the results too.
What follows is a brief article from a member of my lodge on how she approaches this type of work. It came out of a conversation several of us had this past weekend. Whether or not you agree with us, you can't say we're hoarding knowledge to ourselves (not that i think this is necessarily a bad thing sometimes) and you can't say we don't make you think. Enjoy.
L.'s Super-Nifty Ancestral Goetic Downloads Volume 1
By L.
Many traditional Ceremonial Magicians come to bad ends, and there’s a reason for that. When you look at the mindset, summoning and ordering are acts of supreme arrogance. Goetic Beings are ancient, powerful, and supremely intelligent. Humans are shortsighted and hubristic. It would behoove the Ceremonial Magician to remember that their lifespan is but the blink of an eye to the Goetic nations. Humans are all finite and mortal: they will all weaken, get sick, lose their strength and faculties and die. If a magus acts like an asshole to a Goetic Being, all they have to do is wait 5 seconds in their time and then demolish said asshole gleefully.
It would do a world of good for the magus to approach as if, in the space of five minutes in human time, their circle and seals and all their implements will disappear, leaving them at the mercy of their summoned Guest. The word of the day should be respect, closely followed by alliance. I would say that the first time the magicians evoke a Being, they should not ask for anything. They should have offerings, gifts for their honored Guest. That is hospitality and courtesy. The magicians should make it clear that they know the power and brilliance of their Guest and are there to request the formation of an alliance built on mutual respect, and that will be mutually beneficial.
The Goetia are ancient and brilliant…the very thought that a human would summon them, command them, and treat them as if They were put here to serve said human is obnoxious. It adds insult to injury to summon such a Being and then refuse to speak to or communicate with them apart from issuing orders. The breadth of Their knowledge is immense. A wise human would listen.
(Sophie: i just have to add that it never hurts to be courteous. I think far too many people come to magic so they can stroke their egos, pretend to be bigger and more important than they are, act like dicks, and strut around like impotent peacocks. I'm more interested in getting shit done).