Nero 12-20-2004 10:22 PM

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I have detailed some of my experences with having a gnome as a familiar in another thread. I remember a past member who kept a pet demon in his temple. I am curious if anyone else would like to share their experences with this aspect of magick. It doesn't seem to be that common now of days but it was talked about extensively through out the grimoires. Would anyone else like to share?

palindroem 12-21-2004 07:36 PM

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Damn Nero . . . I think your super-cool experience scared everyone. :-P

What is your opinion on the difference between a familiar and a "lower" gaurdian angel?
(If needed, I'll start another thread to explain the LGH thingy)

Nero 12-21-2004 09:04 PM

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I have not heard of this lower angel you speak of. Can you elaborate more?

As far as familiars are concerned they are not a new concept. The demon lover, the magical spirit in the shape of a black cat for the witch, even I suppose the Goetia demons contained in the brass jug for old king Soloman. I guess I would define a familiar as a supernatural spirit who has plegeded their aid to a magician, but as a long term helper either forever or as for a set length of time. Otherwise any evocation could be considered a familiar I guess.

My orginal idea was to gain a familiar and then grill him for the endless secrets of earth, but that turned out to be a bust. I am unsure if it is all elementals or just earth spirits in particular but communication is not their strong skill.

Nero: Tell me the history of the gnomes.
Gnome: (blank stare)
Nero: Tell me all about Ghob.
Gnome: Ghob is a great king.
Nero: ...............................

I am not kidding, it is like pulling teeth. But I learned other ways of learning from him.

Since it is not a new concept I had assumed I wouldn't be the only one who had thought of it. We have countless threads about evocation and the Goetia. Reading through that text it mentions which spirits give good familiars etc. Hasn't anyone else ever asked for one before?


daxyl 12-21-2004 09:34 PM

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Here is an entertaining essay by William Mistele on meeting gnomes:
http://www.lava.net/~pagios/gnomes.html

You can find Mentifil's Sigil, King of the Gnomes, in Franz Bardon's Practice of Magical Evocation. Check here if you need to: http://lqairah.tripod.com/

Have many of you instead of evocation, rather mental wandered to the sphere of a spirit or elemental by meditating on its sigil? This seems actually a more civilized way of doing things, but seems like it would take an extraordinary amount of concentration. I've never had this experience.

palindroem 12-21-2004 10:32 PM

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Nero, I'm familiar with familiars (hehe).

Probably my LGA thread was pre-hack (sigh). I'll start another when I have time.

Dax, why would tromping around in thier astral arena be more civilized (not that I'm suggesting its less . . .)?

hitman777 12-21-2004 10:49 PM

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I've had a couple of familiars, though usually I tend to create mine rather than acquire already existing entities as familiars. This is not to say that I haven't found entities which I seem to have a very good rapport with, just I haven't quite gotten them as "familiars" per se.

BrotherM 12-21-2004 11:28 PM

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I have had a thought form once and also a random spirit that started hanging around me and I took as a familiar but eventually had to destroy it because of the excessive drain - and it became agressive. Since then, I have decided the spooks can keep their own company, if I need anything, I call them up. Sorry mate, can't help

hitman777 12-21-2004 11:54 PM

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Duh! Sorry to have omitted this most obvious of familiars:

The Watcher! Sorry, chalk it up to stupidity on my part.:lol:

daxyl 12-24-2004 05:56 PM

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Quote:
Dax, why would tromping around in thier astral arena be more civilized (not that I'm suggesting its less . . .)?


I assume a majority of people haven't mastered the elements, including manipulating the Akasha (I'm referring to the majority of magicians, not people in this forum!). If someone successfully evokes a spirit, but does not change the room according to that spirit's temperament, it is probably very uncomfortable for them.

I see it like if you want to make a new friend, would you send a couple thugs, pull them out of their house, and bring them to yours? Or would you go politely knock on their door and say hello and invite them over at a later date?

Obviously both methods work, but I'm thinking the latter is much more appreciated and can imagine it is easier to receive more help without a grudge.

Carpe_Nocturnum 12-25-2004 12:07 AM

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Nero thats funny. Would they get mad at you if you started laughing because thats absolutely hilarious.

Prophecy 12-25-2004 02:34 AM

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Quote:
Originally Posted by daxyl


If someone successfully evokes a spirit, but does not change the room according to that spirit's temperament, it is probably very uncomfortable for them.

I see it like if you want to make a new friend, would you send a couple thugs, pull them out of their house, and bring them to yours? Or would you go politely knock on their door and say hello and invite them over at a later date?

Obviously both methods work, but I'm thinking the latter is much more appreciated and can imagine it is easier to receive more help without a grudge.




You have pointed out a very foundational and pivotal truth in the art of evocation, my friend. The entire process of the ritual, from composing the various tools and additions(such as gems), arranging the colors, consulting the four towers, invoking the presence of the appropriate archangel, vibration of the corresponding Godname, and any other ceremonial attribute is operated specifically to create a comfortable environment for the entity. If you can assimilate your atmosphere in a manner agreeable to the nature of the being in question then it will be much more likely to come with little or no force upon being asked, and may even enjoy its stay(depending on which emotions you characterize the various beings as having).

The familiar I currently posess is under my watch from noon untill 6:00PM, and is a particularly learned Sylph(for I asked Paralda for a teacher) that aids me in all operations concerning the air element, specifically those which involve Zephyrus the West Wind. Through his instructions I have harmonized with the air element to an extent, and therein somewhat gained respect in the eyes of the elemental being(of the air) as an aggreable and friendly magician. I will say that once you have established such a connection with any group of entities they will go out of their way to help you on a day to day basis, and you will need to but ask; should it be within their authority, they shall grant. I have established, transversely, a similar working relationship with Paralda. My maturation in the area of the other three elements is not as advanced, though I have obtained a similar relationship with most the elemental beings(excluding the Salamanders at the moment). While I ultimately devise to establish the same relationship with Tohoeloj, I intend to wait untill I have "caught up" within the practice of the other three elements first.

If anyone wishes, I would have no problem sharing in more detail the experiences I have had with me elemental teacher, what I have gained from it, and a summary of a few things he has taught me. Neither would I have a problem sharing by what means I obtained such a teacher, should anyone else have a similar aspiration.

Nero 12-25-2004 12:07 PM

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Prophecy
If anyone wishes, I would have no problem sharing in more detail the experiences I have had with me elemental teacher, what I have gained from it, and a summary of a few things he has taught me. Neither would I have a problem sharing by what means I obtained such a teacher, should anyone else have a similar aspiration.


Of course I would like to compaire notes Prophecy, that is why I began this thread. Please do share your experences.

A bit of mine can be found on this link:
http://www.occultforums.com/showthr...?t=10739&page=2

Prophecy 12-25-2004 12:48 PM

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Several years ago I found it nigh time to wene myself off of ritualistic applications and begin the slow, tedious yet evolutionary process of the Internalization of the Temple. Of course there are certain principles which can not be removed from the summoning process, such as the creation of the corresponding atmosphere so as to be agreeable to the entity in question. Having before complimented this aspect with particular tools; in my case, a circle composed of three yellow stones which formed an equipose triangle fitting the alchemistic symbol of air, connecting the Midway Line via the presence of my staff upon its side. Instead of appealing to the towers(another process I am trying to shy away from and condense into thought) I kneeled within my own circle(Peter deAbano's model with a few modifications) and began a petition to the Lord of Hosts, having at this point already gone through an appropriate bathing ritual. Having fitted myself to be a fitting transductor of divine currents I kneeled within the circle and turned my attention upwards, to whence I began to recite the Elemental Prayer for air(as given my Eliphas Levi) over and over. During the process I operated various reflexive mudras which I have, over the years, programmed to release certain qualities into my surrounding atmosphere, especially those relating to the virtues of vaju. This process I undertook every day from noon untill 1:00PM, and at 6:00PM I return once more to the circle for a simple prayer session within which I requested from YHVH the gift of an elemental teacher and the gift of wisdom via the Holy Spirit.

The aforementioned process I undertook in its entirety, preceeded always(at about 11:30AM) by the meditation for the accumulation of the air essence, for three weeks. It was on the third week, upon performing this operation outside and designating a fixed space around my working area within which to condense the agreeable air element and impregnate the surrounding akasha with the proper qualities, that a particular entity(who's name I shall exclude for reasons which should be known to all) came unto me. As I sat in meditation, this time with no circle, I felt a grip upon my left shoulder and instantly the image of an entity, half man and half eagle, flew into my mind. Using the shifting principles of the ether to my advantage I moved the entity before me, instead of behind me, and entreated that it have a seat. Therein I grabbed my staff, which has been dualy blessed over the last ten years of use, and pointing it at him began the 20 minutes of questioning, inquiry and testing to ensure the nature of the entity which stood before me(suffice it to mention he was an influential governor of Zephyrus). After being certain I asked the entity at what times I was to recieve my teachings at his hands, and he informed me I would recieve his instruction every Wednesday at noon, should I make my environment agreeable for his presence. In this manner I undertook instruction from him, always under the watchful eye of Paralda, from noon untill one for approximately four months(January through April).

The instructions which I recieved can not all be summarized here, less I were to fill this forum with volumes of things which would have meaning only to me. None the less, I can provide an outline of various instructions. The pivotal instructions I recieved, which ultimately changed my entire outlook on magic up to that point(for I considered this my spiritual rebirth of sorts), revolved around that which was referred to as the Principles of Harmony. These principles were revealed to me, a new principle being treated of each week, and brought into as much understanding as I could at the present time accept(many of the teachings I wrote down and am still contemplating). Core within this new practice was the adherence to the laws of synergy and the Principles of Sympathy, particularly as they related to the elements(as this was an elemental system of magic). It suggested that neither godnames, magic tools, mantras, mudras, enchantments, blessings, invocations or appeals were ultimately necessary to achieve communication with the elemental beings of this universe. Instead it was taught that the adept should strive for complete harmony, balancing parts of himself to the ebb and flow of the elements respectively, and therein maturation could be brought about. By constant interaction with the elemental energies one would naturally attract the attention of associated beings, and in time they would seek contact with you of themselves, even if it meant stepping out of their comfort zones. The ability to attract these beings to yourself under your conscious acknowledgment was viewed as the first step in this system of attainment, and once such was accomplished, the magician(previously disciplined mentally and spiritually) allows the energies of those beings to vibrate with his own being while retaining by firm will his individual identity and ego. This manner, I was told, is called "Befriending the Elementals." By this the magician becomes familiar unto the elementals and falls under the good will of their collective hive intelligence. In time the magician obtains a well enough relationship with the correct intelligences to call to his presence higher beings, such as governing intelligences(which I first only did under the guidance and presence of my instructing spirit), and these beings will neither hurt nor impose upon the magician, seeing him now as a "family member" of sorts: By this means the magician obtains the free communion with the higher intelligences. This process escalates gradually untill the magician is capable to alternate between the elemental qualities of his own personality as the situation suggests, appearing as a fellow air elemental to the air spirits, a fellow fire elemental to the Salamanders, etc. Eventually the magician obtains the power to communicate mentally and at any given moment to the desired elemental king and ruling archangel, and ultimately the elemental emperors.

While an apparently tedious task, the benefits gained(and which already I have born the harvest of to some extent) can be verified by the eyes of the most skeptic. One learns many things during the climb from imbalance to maturity, and strangeness to familiarity; from the meanings of various symbols up to the secrets of refining the elemental qualities to their celestial empowerments in order to operate the most sublime of "miracles."

I will gladly answer any questions, should they be appropriately formed.

Metaetron 12-25-2004 02:12 PM

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Wow, this is awesome, Prophecy. And inspiring too!

Beherit 12-25-2004 05:06 PM

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How do you obtain such familars as Gnomes and other elemental spirits(I believe they are Salamanders, Undines and Wisps)? I generally work with servitors as "familars"(more or less creations based upon thought.). As of the current, I have two, Gigil which I deem as a combat servitor(haven't had to use him/it(still haven't given it a gender) and it seems he's content on feeding upon people's stupidity<long story>) and Adinal who, i've already made into a feminine servitor. As for her uses and ways of feeding, i'm still deciding upon that. As for the past, I've had 2-3, one I had to rid myself of due it rebelled and causes major axiety(sp) and the other one had similar results save it attacked the person it was sent to protect. In the end I wiped them out.

Prophecy 12-25-2004 10:55 PM

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In the context of my experience the elemental familiar I recieved was a "parting gift" of sorts from my instructor before he was called away to pay attention to more important affairs. One viable method is to spend the time required to evoke the ruling Elemental King of the beings you desire. So, if it were your wish to obtain a Salamander(fire elemental) you would evoke Djinn and ask one of him. If he found you fitting in maturity and respect, he would have no reason to refuse your petition. I've a friend who is under the instruction of an elven teacher(courtesy of Ghob) and currently has both a gnome and sylph as familiars. Unlike angelic and demonic familiars, the magician may posess up to 16 elemental familiars; four for each element, with each one of the four covering a different set of six hours. So, for example, one may posess from the time of midnight untill 6:00AM four familiars, one for each element, and then those familiars would switch out with others for the next set of six hours. Some may wonder, as 16 seems a relatively small number, though I can assure you that it takes some time and perserverance to obtain. None the less, while the number of familiars does not change(to my knowledge) past 16, the authority of those familiars grows within proportion to the authority of the magician in this world and the next. Therein, whereas you may start with a simple familiar, that familiar in time may grow to have under his influence a small number of subservient elemental creatures(a sylph, for example, may command several hamadryads, etc). This increase in authority is always consequent of a blessing at the hands of one of the elemental kings.

Nero 12-25-2004 10:56 PM

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Very interesting Prophecy. Thank you very much for sharing. This is what I was looking for when I began this thread.

You used an almost Abramerlin appraoch to gain contact instead of the usual CM method of evocation such as I did or a round about route such as drawing the elementals to you.

I find you interaction with Nesher (I am assuming that is who you are in contact with) very interesting. I have done some work with Shor but nothing on the level of intimate contact that you have done. He did come to me first. I assumed he was the archangel Auriel till he told me who he was and then I had to go look him up.

I do have some more comments and questions but currently I am in a bit of a rush do to hoildays and family. I will mull this over and get back to you.

Thank you for sharing again and if you have any comments or questions for me please feel free to ask.


devmirra 12-26-2004 12:13 AM

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i recieved a familier via seere before i placed it inside a crystal ball i had laying around, @ first nothing happened but i found out that it took quite a while to actually gain confidence from it told me its name was osan it showed a visual of its appearance then it started to talk to me freely second only to seere it is my trusted confidant and companion as well as protector and advisor.

Nero 12-27-2004 09:05 PM

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Prophecy
If he found you fitting.--- the magician may posess up to 16 elemental familiars; four for each element, with each one of the four covering a different set of six hours. So, for example, one may posess from the time of midnight untill 6:00AM four familiars, one for each element, and then those familiars would switch out with others for the next set of six hours. Some may wonder, as 16 seems a relatively small number, though I can assure you that it takes some time and perserverance to obtain. None the less, while the number of familiars does not change(to my knowledge) past 16, the authority of those familiars grows within proportion to the authority of the magician in this world and the next. Therein, whereas you may start with a simple familiar, that familiar in time may grow to have under his influence a small number of subservient elemental creatures(a sylph, for example, may command several hamadryads, etc). This increase in authority is always consequent of a blessing at the hands of one of the elemental kings.


Now this is very interesting and something I have never heard of before. When Ghob gave me a familiar he never mentioned such restrictions on time of day or number I may have. (of course I only asked for one) I can only assume the gnome I am in contact with is one of the lower ones due to his rather singlemindedness, I had assumed his character was due to his elemental affiliation. Also the other "gnomes" he showed me were not intellegent, at least not that I could tell. They seemed bent upon their rudementry task and took no notice of me or anything else.

My work with Shor is rather hit or miss. I have asked him if he was to be my guide and he only said "for now". He will answear my questions but he is often evasive in the way he answears them. He does not say anything unless I say something first. Recently he surprised me by showing me a tool or a symbol that I am still confused about.