stepheng
I've been searching the forum and the internet and cannot find any docs on servitor creation. I can find out which items I will need and the sigils I must make etc. but not the actual ceremony for creation and also for re-absorbtion or dismissal (even more important). Is this because there is no one way ? I have a specific need for this and so if anyone can point me on my way I would be grateful. This is not something I would like to get wrong because :-

a.) It won't work and I will have wasted a lot of effort.
b.) It might work but not in the way I want which could be dangerous.

palindroem
Probably a little bit of all the reasons you gave as to the web pickings being thin.
The book Creating Magickal Entities is a good reference.
Bardon gives some instructions on servitor creation.
You might also ask in the Chaos forums as they do a lot of this too.

palindroem
If your interested, Grimassi has a book (The Witches Familiar) which presents an interesting approach to servitor / artificial elemental creation from a witchcraft perspective.
Its all his own unique work, but interesting still.

Tzimtzum
Really, I'm quite torn in how much info to give in this matter. IMO, there are two main types of servitor creation.

One, is the temporary servitor. This type draws it's energy from you and is capable of a single task or a small series of simple tasks. Typically, it's not very intelligent and will go about it's business in the most efficient way possible.

Tzimtzum's easy guide to simple servitor creation...
Rabbinic style. (with wild rice!)

1. Visualize the function you want the servitor to perform.

2. Associate that function with a specific planet (knowledge - Mercury, love interest - Venus, financial gain - Jupiter, etc.)

3. Establish a name for the servitor in Hebrew (or Aramaic, Greek, or other language which has an alphabet with numerical signifigance), and find the numerical value of that name.

4. Using the total numerical value, and using reduction (it's the simplest way), draw out the servitor's sigil over that corresponding planetary square. Don't worry if the sigil looks overly simplistic, this IS a "simple"
spirit, afterall.

ie. Let's say the number is 275, which would be "2" "7"
"5". I would start at 2, then draw a line to 7, then to 5. Personally, I'll usually then close off the sigil by connecting the last and first numbers, in this case the 5 and the 2, thus signifying the temporary nature of the servitor... designating that it has a "closed" function.

5. Take the sigil you just made and then transfer it to a piece of wood, slate, pottery, light fabric, etc.
(something that can be easily broken or torn) along with the name (in the language you've chosen). The name isn't absolutely neccessary, but does seem to help with establishing a complete connection. Here, I do advise against using paper, unless we're talking about a VERY short term servitor (a couple hours). Paper is very easily damaged by water, or the ink will smudge, etc..

A lot of time can pass between steps 5 and 6, I've got several that are ready, just in case of an emergency.
You never know when a small squad of sevitors may come in handy.

6. Next, you're ready to cast your circle. After doing so, you'll evoke the servitor; holding the temporary representation in one hand, draw it in the air with the other while vibrating the name. "I evoke thee O servent [whatever] in the name [corresonding divine name of that planet/sphere]". Then visualize the servitor materializing in front of you, in your triangle (if you have one). Then specify, in simple yet direct terms, what it's function will be, and it's duration. Then say, "If you complete your function before the alloted time has expired, return here and await my return. Proceed on your appointed task(s) without delay". (Try to visualize as much of the task as possible while you're saying it.)

How long a particular "mission" takes varies quite a bit, depending on foreseen or unforseen difficulties.
Sometimes, the time can run out before the work is complete.

A simple function: 2-4 days A complex function: 1-2 weeks Several simple functions: 1-2 weeks Several complex functions: 2-4 weeks, or more.

Remember, you may feel a drain while the servitor is "working". I usually make sure I have sufficient rest and meditation time during heavy servitor activity; one, so I can recharge, and two so I can be aware of any information the servitor is bringing back to me. Also, on a fairly regular basis (like during daily meditations), check to see if your servitor returns to the designated place, and "feel" for it's presence.

If the task is completed before the allotted time is done, or if you simply want to cancel the task; while holding the servitor's sigil, and from within your circle you say, "O [whatever], in the name [corresponding divine name], I recall you back from your task. That which is mine I now reclaim". Then you simply destroy the object bearing the servitor's sigil. Your energies will then be returned to you, usually along with whatever tertiary knowledge the servitor acquired.

I know there are other ways to do this, but from my experience this method has produced the best results by far. With practice and experience, the results have been almost 100%. Of course, your mileage may vary depending on the task(s) and the amount of attention you've paid regarding any information returned. Usually that information has come back in the form of dreams, visions, or even physical messages. One time many years ago, I sent a servitor to find some info, and within a couple days I got an email from an acquaintance with that info. He said in the email, "You may be looking for this...".

Anyhow, this is just a "brief" summary, if you have any questions about the procedure please feel free to ask.

There is another much more complex servitor that can be created, but it's mostly permanent (or semi-permanent) as it doesn't draw it's power from the magician and is rather autonomous in it's actions and reasoning (though they still have specific functions that are outlined when they are created). I often refer to them as "Astral Golems", and they're made in a similar fashion as the clay golems of legend. If not handled properly, or created with the wrong intent, they can become very dangerous to the magician and any others around them.

Not to mention they can be wicked hard to get rid of since their sigils are permanent and difficult to destroy, and like I said earlier, their energy doesn't come from the mage. It would be similar to destroying a powerful entity who has a lot of inside info on you.

Most of the info for their construction is in Aryeh Kaplan's commentary on Sefer Yetzirah, though I tweaked it and added some personal touches. These golems become quite powerful and very intelligent, as they are very much alive on many levels. This is because they are "birthed", in a manner of speaking, and actually can contain many levels of the human soul. Again, this can vary from one servitor to another. The level of complexity is up to the magician. As I've mentioned in other threads, I have 2 such golems; one for protecting my home (which includes my temple), he can also stand in as another magician for rites that require more participants. The other serves as a permanent messenger and infromation gatherer. Over the years we've stayed very close and they've become like children to me. The first being the most powerful... I'd say at this point, he's as powerful as most adepts. While the second is fairly new, I'm still "programming" him, so to speak.
Though he is progressing very well.

stepheng

Thanks Tzimtzum. As you say, creation of these servitors requires a lot of thought as no-one wants a rouge one . I'll basically start out very carefully and small and then work my way up to more permanent entites.

Tzimtzum Quote:
Originally Posted by stepheng Thanks Tzimtzum. As you say, creation of these servitors requires a lot of thought as no-one wants a rouge one . I'll basically start out very carefully and small and then work my way up to more permanent entites.

I wouldn't worry, servitors aren't typically dangerous under normal circumstances, I just err on the side of caution when I give advice of information.

Though, I will say that the process for creating a golem is completely different from that of making a simple servitor (which I detailed above). It took a month of perparation and six days of steady work. Most of the raw information, as I said previously, is in Aryeh Kaplan's commentary on Sefer Yetzirah. The rest I extrapolated on from David Cooper, Levi, and my own teacher's works.

Fr.NovumOrganum

thanks tzimtzum, that maybe the most concise and understandable exposition i've ever seen on servitor creation. I hope you don't mind if i print it out for my library.

a question: would this be similar to creating minor elementals, or could you infuse the servitor with elemental energy instead of planetary/sephriotic energy?

Tzimtzum Quote:
Originally Posted by Fr.NovumOrganum thanks tzimtzum, that maybe the most concise and understandable exposition i've ever seen on servitor creation. I hope you don't mind if i print it out for my library.

a question: would this be similar to creating minor elementals, or could you infuse the servitor with elemental energy instead of planetary/sephriotic energy?

You're getting the gist of it. Yes, there are virtually no limits to what can be created... as long as you have the energy and creativity for it. I'd say as long as the general structure is intact, it would work with almost any combination.