Of all the practices within the occult, none is considered darker or more dangerous than necromancy – the ancient art of summoning the dead. The word itself comes from the Greek nekros (“dead”) and manteia (“divination”), reflecting its primary purpose: divination through the dead.
For centuries, necromancy has been shrouded in mystery, fear, and fascination. From ancient Greece and Rome to the magicians of the Renaissance, this forbidden practice has been described as both a pathway to hidden knowledge and a perilous pact with the unknown.
The Two Branches of Necromancy
Necromancy is generally divided into two branches:
- Divination through ghosts – summoning spirits of the deceased for knowledge.
- Divination from corpses – involving grave desecration and the use of human remains for magical rituals.
The second method, in particular, is infamous for its grisly nature. Practitioners would disinter corpses, collecting bones, hair, or other remains to be used as charms or ingredients in spells. Such practices, often condemned as witchcraft, were believed to grant great power but also carried immense spiritual danger.
The Dangers of Necromancy
Necromancy is not a practice for the faint-hearted. It was long believed that only the profoundly initiated and courageous magician could hope to succeed. Ancient sources warn that a pact with infernal powers was often required, and that the “astral corpse” – the lingering essence of the dead – might attempt to regain life by draining energy from the living. Without strict precautions, the necromancer risked not only death but the corruption of the soul.
Famous Practitioners: John Dee and Edward Kelley
One of the most famous pairs of necromancers in history was John Dee (1527–1608/9), the English mathematician, astrologer, and occultist, together with his assistant Edward Kelley. They conducted dangerous experiments in spirit summoning, seeking communication with the dead.
According to accounts, necromancers required the aid of powerful spirits or deities to compel the dead. Ancient rituals invoked names such as Persephone, Ereshkigal, Adonis, Hermes, and Thoth. Roman dramatist Seneca described ceremonies involving burnt sacrifices, blood-drenched altars, and precise astrological timing.
The Ritual of Evocation
The site of the ritual was crucial. Crossroads, ruins, vaults, forests, or desolate heaths were considered ideal. The magician prepared by studying the planets, particularly the Moon and Saturn, and by creating the right scents and odours from burning substances.
At the chosen hour, a magic circle was drawn on the ground, inscribed with holy names and protective symbols. Within the consecrated circle, the necromancer and his assistant stood safe from danger. Wand in hand, the magician invoked the dead, sometimes using portraits or offerings of bread to draw the spirit closer.
When successful, the dead might appear as a raging phantom, a furious beast, or finally as a human form ready to answer questions. The ordeal was said to be terrifying, with spirits screaming, threatening, or attempting to break free of the magician’s control.
Dismissal was just as important as summoning. The necromancer would command the spirit to depart, often vanishing in clouds of sulphur. Only after carefully closing the ritual and burying the remains of offerings could the magician safely leave the circle.
A Practice of Peril
Even the slightest error in the ritual could result in disaster—not only physical harm but also spiritual ruin. Historical occultists like Eliphas Levi emphasized the dangers of evocation, warning that improper dismissal could leave the magician haunted or destroyed.
To this day, necromancy remains a subject of fascination in both folklore and modern occultism, though its dangers and taboos continue to cast it as the darkest of all magical arts.
Key Takeaways
- Necromancy is the ancient art of communicating with the dead, divided into spirit summoning and corpse divination.
- Rituals required magic circles, planetary alignments, sacrifices, and invocations.
- Famous figures like John Dee and Edward Kelley experimented with necromancy.
- The practice was considered extremely dangerous, risking both body and soul.