THE WELCOME UNTO THE SPIRIT

Welcome, spirit, welcome art thou unto me; I have called through Him Who created Heaven, Earth and Hell, with all contained therein, and thou hast obeyed, also by the like power. I bind thee to remain affably and visibly before this circle, within this triangle, so long as I need thee, to depart not without my license, till thou hast truly and faithfully fulfilled all that I shall require.

THEN standing in the midst of the Circle, thou shall stretch forth thine hand in a gesture of command and say:

 

“BY THE PENTACLE OF SOLOMON HAVE I CALLED THEE! GIVE UNTO ME A TRUE ANSWER!”

 

Then let the exorcist state his desires and requests.

And when the evocation is finished thou shalt license the Spirit to depart thus:

THE LICENSE TO DEPART.

ABOUT….

In the context of the Goetia, specifically in the process of conjuring or summoning a spirit, the term “welcoming” refers to the part of the ritual where the practitioner acknowledges and formally greets the summoned spirit once it has manifested or made its presence known.

Welcoming the Spirit:

  1. Recognition and Acknowledgment:

    • Formal Greeting: After the spirit has been successfully summoned, the practitioner formally acknowledges its presence. This greeting is an important part of establishing a respectful and controlled interaction with the spirit. It shows that the practitioner recognizes the spirit’s arrival and is ready to engage with it.
    • Respectful Address: The language used in welcoming the spirit is typically respectful and ceremonial, reflecting the serious and sacred nature of the interaction. The practitioner may address the spirit by its name and acknowledge its powers or attributes as described in the Goetia.

  2. Establishing Authority and Boundaries:

    • Affirming Control: While the practitioner greets the spirit, it is also common to reaffirm their own authority within the ritual. This is done to maintain control over the interaction and ensure that the spirit adheres to the conditions set by the practitioner.
    • Boundaries: The welcoming may include a reminder of the boundaries or rules established at the beginning of the ritual. For example, the practitioner might state that the spirit is expected to answer questions truthfully or that it must depart when dismissed.

  3. Opening Dialogue:

    • Beginning Communication: The welcoming marks the transition from summoning to communication. After the greeting, the practitioner begins to ask questions, request assistance, or perform the specific magical work for which the spirit was summoned.
    • Establishing Rapport: This part of the ritual helps to establish a rapport with the spirit, which is crucial for the success of the operation. The practitioner seeks to create a cooperative atmosphere where the spirit is willing to provide the requested information or aid.

  4. Cultural and Historical Context:

    • Ceremonial Tradition: The welcoming of the spirit is deeply rooted in the ceremonial traditions of Western esotericism. In many grimoires and magical traditions, respect for spiritual entities is emphasized, even when the practitioner seeks to command or control them. This respect is a key element in maintaining the balance and success of the ritual.

Example of a Welcoming Invocation:

An example of a welcoming invocation might be something like this:

“I welcome you, [Name of Spirit], great and powerful [Spirit's Title or Attribute]. I thank you for answering my call and appearing before me. I recognize your power and authority as it has been granted by the Most High. I invite you now to speak truthfully and to assist me in the work I have summoned you for. Be thou bound by the terms of this conjuration, and may our work here be conducted with respect and in accordance with the laws of the Art.”

Purpose and Importance:

  • Mutual Respect: Welcoming the spirit establishes a tone of mutual respect, which is crucial for a successful and safe interaction. Even in rituals where the practitioner seeks to command the spirit, maintaining a respectful attitude helps to avoid unnecessary conflict or resistance.
  • Spiritual Etiquette: In many esoteric traditions, proper spiritual etiquette is essential. Welcoming the spirit in this way is a part of the broader ritual structure that ensures the spirit is treated with the appropriate reverence, while still maintaining the practitioner’s authority.

The welcoming of the spirit is thus a critical phase in Goetic evocation, balancing respect, authority, and the initiation of the magical work at hand.

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