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Elemental Powers: Energies vs. Spirits, by Frater Barrabbas

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

In my book Elemental Powers for Witches, I have seemingly merged energies and spirits together in my approach to working with elemental powers. Some might find this strange and even a bit exotic, but there is a reason for approaching an energy working using both the qualities of energies and also spirits. It is really a matter of complexity versus simplicity. In the real world in which we live, everything is always more complex than we might initially suppose. Gender, once perceived as binary, is actually more complex. The ethical division of values into either good or evil is an over simplification, since the world doesn't seem to comply with that kind of binary perspective. The same is true for much of what we have learned and seem to know.

This problem of complexity can also be found in the occult and in magic in general. We typically approach magic using models and tables of correspondences that are useful, but represent over-simplifications of what is a very complex and nearly indescribable reality. The conscious view of the world of magic, spirit, and magical powers will often use symbolic metaphors as tools to describe and manipulate psychic events; but, as useful as these tools are, they are not to be confused with what they are describing or emulating. The model or metaphor is not the actual phenomenon. It is a method of describing the indescribable. That means that the revelation of truth, or what is behind everything within the guise of magic is hidden in plain sight—it is the inexplicable experience of magic itself.

Accurately describing the experiences that one undergoes within a magical working can only be accomplished using symbolic metaphors. We describe magical experiences as being like something or use a term that we know and seemingly understand. The same thing could be said about other kinds of experiences, such as love, religious visions, and the insights of genius. We are left with art and poetry to accurately describe the nature of these experiences, and even these are beyond the domain of words and semantic meaning.

Therefore, it shouldn't be too surprising if we find that the ordered and structured paradigm of magical energy also includes spirits and even places. Energy, as defined in magic, is not a simple "energy" as we would expect to find in the scientific definition of energy. Certainly, magical power is not a category within the electro-magnetic spectrum. It is a metaphor and the energy model of magic is also a metaphor. Like all symbolic metaphors, they are not restricted to just one set of phenomena; they can also be compared to other qualities as well. A metaphor and a model are actually quite flexible because they refer to an experience that is very complex and not reducible to a simple set of qualities. Magic is ruled by the mutable power of metaphor, but our perception of it is also limited by the same.

This is especially true in the study of magic. The reality of magical energy, as defined by both modern and traditional occult concepts, must include qualities of energy (metaphors of electricity and magnetism), animal totems (four elemental creatures), spirits associated with the four directions (four winds, four seasons, and their associated archetypal deities, etc.), four Elemental Kings, various elemental deities, and the events of universal creation and dissolution (cosmogonic cycle). There are even four archetypal elemental domains or locations such as the sky, waters, surface of the earth, and the fire of the underworld (volcanos). All these things are qualities and associations of the four elemental powers. Elemental powers are, therefore, not just simple energies but represent a whole array of qualities and correspondences. They are complex, merging qualities, spirits, deities, and domains into a vast array of four basic elements.

The simplicity of the four element powers and their complex grouping of qualities can also be used to develop more complex qualities, such as the 16 elementals and the 40 qualified powers. As I state in Elemental Powers for Witches, the number 4 is the foundation for a whole collection of different attributes. In addition to the elementals and the qualified powers, there are also the 12 signs of the zodiac (triplicity and element), the 36 decans (planet and zodiacal sign), the 28 talismanic elementals (planet and element), and the 256 binary elementals. The list of derivations is nearly endless, but the inherent complexity limits how far one can go with this expansion of the basic four elements. Still, each of these attributes has certain qualities that makes it useful in magical practice and ultimately, in my opinion, essential.

When summoning the symbolic qualities of an attribute of the four elements, I believe that it is the optimal approach to give it a name and an overall personality. That is where I have discovered the whole notion of using the names of spirits to define magical powers. You can devise and use any set of names, even ones wholly made up and meaningful only to you. However, using spirit names that are part of a magical tradition will anchor your magical work by giving it a context and levels of meaning that it might not ordinarily possess if you used made-up names. If we understand that a spirit name attribute applied to an element quality, such as an elemental or a qualified power, represents a whole array of correspondences and qualities that are simplified through the use of a single name, then we can see the genius of using this approach. You can think of it in this manner: to summon an elemental, then use a single spirit name to encapsulate a whole array of qualities. It is simple and elegant.

While there are many traditional and grimoire-based lists of various spirits, I have focused on those lists whose quantity match the number of element attributes that I want to characterize. For instance, there are 16 elementals, so I would want a list of 16 spirits that I could use to characterize the 16 elementals. This handy approach has already been done for us regarding the 16 god-name pairs as found in the Enochian system of magic. However, I felt that finding another set of spirits not associated with Enochian magic would be a good approach to use in my magical workings. I never like being dependent on just one way of doing things, which makes me somewhat different than the average Witch or ritual magician.

Therefore, having in my resources a list of 16 spirits in the collection of Theurgia-Goetia (an early Renaissance grimoire) known as the Grand Dukes (there are a total of 79 spirits listed in this book), I decided to apply them to my list of 16 elemental qualities. However, there wasn't any such organization to these list of spirit names, so I had to rely on trance techniques to briefly contact each one of these spirits and determine their associated elemental quality. Later magical workings confirmed that these spirits match up with the elemental correspondences, but that could also be because I had organized them as such. My expectations may have made this match work, but that is the way that magic functions. It allows for much experimentation and the creation of hybrid associations and constructions. The basic rule of thumb in magic is that if it works then it must be true, even though the mystery of why it works might never be determined.

Now, these 16 Grand Duke spirits of the Theurgia-Goetia were, as based on their historical precedence, wind demons associated with a specific compass point or direction. In the grimoire they are described as a collection of spirits, some that are inherently evil, some good, and others, neutral. Of course, there are no specific qualities defined that would allow the operator to differentiate whether they are good, bad, or indifferent, and one might have to extrapolate that the qualities of the winds of the sixteen directions would be dependent on one's geographic location. That kind of variable would indicate that some of the directional winds have a propensity for causing storms and damage while others would be benign or ineffective.

It seemed to me that the qualities of these spirits, as defined, were arbitrary, and like the wind, they could be destructive or beneficial. I felt that it is really the motive and objective of the magician that would determine the effect of any one of these spirits, so whether they should be classified as either good or bad, seemed to me to be too simple. This would also imply that because they are classified as demons any ethical Witch should avoid them or that the classification of either good or evil just doesn't apply to any spirits in general. I have found the latter to be true, and as a practicing Witch, I have evolved my beliefs and perspectives about spirits. Spirits can be hot, cold, or neutral. They can be passionate, thoughtful, or indifferent. What they can do in the material world is based on a combination of their nature and our magical intention.

Demons, or my preferred name for them, daimons, are spirits that are close to the earth whether arial, earthy, or infernal (dwellers of the underworld), and I have found that such spirits are best employed on material matters. If we, as Witches, do not subscribe to the Christian definition of reality (even though we have to live in a Christianized world), then we should approach spirits as individuals and judge our experience of them accordingly. The whole dichotomy of good and evil regarding spirits is far too simple of a paradigm to be useful. Therefore, we can approach the grimoire-based magic and their associated list of spirits with an open mind and a neutral disposition, basing our judgements solely on our own magical experiences.

This is the reason why I chose the 16 Grand Dukes to represent the Elemental Spirits in my book Elemental Powers for Witches and why I thought that doing so was a good approach to working this kind of magic in a Witchcraft setting. It is also why I believe that using a spirit characterization to represent an element-based energy is an optimal use of magical metaphors. Things are always more complex than they might seem, and as we evolve in our practice, we discover that there are new ways of working magic, projecting elemental energies and engaging with our spiritual hierarchy and the Goddesses and Gods of Witchcraft. We must endeavor to be flexible, open and willing to experiment in order to emulate the very protean nature of magic itself, and to keep our pledge to the Gods to progress and grow in our knowledge and wisdom.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2021. All rights reserved.

I've been watching a new show called Paranormal State. The main paranormal researcher on the show says that we should never say the names of demons out loud unless we are prepared for head-to-head, all out battle with them. Do you think this is true? Is it dangerous to say the names of demons out loud? Is it dangerous to just think about them? (Does that attract their attention?) Thanks for your wonderful work!

- Matthew

Astrea:

I don't allow demonic energy to invade my space because I feel that negativity kills. I can't think of anything with worse energy than a demon. To answer your question, just acknowledging demons' existence is risky; demons are a subject to avoid.

Demons populate literature and the Holy Books throughout history. Scheherazade told of genis and dybbucks in her stories to the Sultan. Jesus drove demons out of people and into pigs. There are lots of stories and fairy tales that involve some kind of demonic presence. Reading about them is one thing, but talking to them is another!

Demons are dangerous, and they suck life force energy. Sometimes they're invisible, and sometimes they manifest in human or other form. Sometimes they cross over into the human realm as vampires, while sometimes they just haunt us in our dreams.

Nightmares are filled with demons and other bad energies. Daytime demons are more subtle, and are sometimes nothing more than the guy who overcharges you for mechanical work or the person who changes a twenty dollar bill for a five.

Teens are often visited by demons in disguise because demons love to feed on teens' hormonal angst. They work on the weak, and in some myths, they capture and carry souls to Satan. In fables they present themselves as sweet fairy godmothers or little old ladies with candy. They infect the pedophile and serial killer and prey on the mentally unstable.

For the most part, I agree with your TV guy that saying a demon's name will call that specific energy to you. I'm told that demons lurk around humans, just waiting for that call.

Getting rid of a demon once it's in your life can be very difficult, so don't be calling any names of demons unless you want a big fight on your hands. Of course, in magickal practices of any kind, accidents can happen if you take short-cuts or are careless, so it's wise to have St. Michael's Prayer handy just in case.

I've offered it to banish evil in this column many times, but in case you missed it, here it is again:

St. Michael the Archangel, lead us into battle. Protect us from the snares and traps of the Devil (may God rebuke him). Heavenly Archangel, protector of All, hear our prayers and banish all wickedness and fear from our lives, and send all demons back to Hell where they belong.

I usually say that three times over, and that does the trick.

*****

Susyn:

I haven't seen the show you mentioned, though I do agree that it's dangerous to call in certain spirits. However, aside from the major players, I'm wondering how we would even know their names?

It's interesting to notice all the new shows popping up that focus on metaphysical topics such as earthbound entities, possession, spirit communication and psychic powers. Much of the content of these programs is valid, as the experts involved are credible. I particularly like it when producers are responsible enough to warn viewers about the dangers of casually dabbling in these activities.

It's simply not wise to explore these realms without proper knowledge, training and guidance. There's a show I've seen a few times called Hauntings that lays out in full detail the harmful attacks demon spirits are capable of and the power they can exercise on the living.

Personally, I wouldn't want to have any direct dealings with demons, and if I found myself with one on my hands, I would call in a professional with lots of successful experience in this arena.

You ask if it's dangerous to even think about these entities. Since I believe that whatever we focus on or think about grows bigger in our lives, you'd definitely want to avoid this kind of thinking, for it can accidentally draw these entities closer. Just as you wouldn't walk down a dark alley in a bad neighborhood at night, it's always better to be safe than sorry.

There is another new danger we must deal with in this information age. Thanks to the internet, we all have access to information on spells, rituals and the like. In fact, anyone can find directions for practicing things like black magick and curses, which of course are not part of a healthy spiritual lifestyle.

When I was in high school, I came into possession of a book on witches spells from the 1800's. Because I didn't understand the power of just reading these spells aloud, it wasn't long before I started encountering all kinds of problems. Luckily in the back of the book there was a ritual to undo any spells I had performed. Once I did that, I got rid of that book as fast as I could.

I encourage you to continue learning about the world of metaphysics through various channels. I would also caution you that if you're in the middle of watching one of these shows and you start to feel uncomfortable or uneasy in any way, turn off the TV immediately and focus on something else to keep unsavory energies at bay.

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.