In both traditional and modern usage, conjuration refers to a magical act of invoking or summoning spirits through incantations, charms, or ritual gestures. The practice, often preserved in medieval and early modern grimoires, was at once feared, forbidden, and sought after. Drawing protective circles, maintaining ritual silence, and speaking sacred names are consistent elements found in historical descriptions of spirit summoning.
Because of its association with forbidden knowledge, conjuration was condemned in both Protestant and Catholic regions. Books containing magical instructions were hidden, confiscated, or even burned. Nevertheless, those who mastered these rituals often gained unusual prestige, as their ability to communicate with spirits was perceived as a source of power.
Grimoires and the Purposes of Ritual
Grimoires—books of ritual magic—contained detailed instructions on how to perform invocations. The goals of conjuration varied:
- to uncover hidden treasures,
- to gain knowledge of the future,
- to influence or harm others through spells,
- or to compel spirits to perform specific tasks
- to make a pact with the devil
The effectiveness of a ritual was believed to depend on the correct performance of gestures, the drawing of protective symbols, and—most importantly—the precise use of language as action. Conjuration is thus a historical example of what modern linguistics calls a speech act: words not only convey meaning but are intended to bring about change in the world.
Conjuration Rituals in Historical Sources
Conjuration Formula
The following invocation illustrates the language and structure of such rituals. It appears in grimoires such as the Grimorium Verum and shows how divine names and commands were combined to summon spirits:
I invoke and conjure thee, O spirit (name of the spirit), and, fortified with the power of the Supreme Majesty, I strongly command thee by BARALAMENSIS, BALDACHIENSIS, PAUMACHIE, APOLORESEDES and the most potent princes GENIO, LIACHIDE, Ministers of the Tartarean Seat, chief princes of the seat of APOLOGIA in the ninth region; I exorcise and command thee, O Spirit N., by Him Who spake and it was done, by the Most Holy and glorious Names ADONAI, EL, ELOHIM, ELOHE, ZEBAOTH, ELION, ESCHERCE, JAH, TETRAGRAMMATON, SADAI: do thou forthwith appear and shew thyself unto me, here before this circle, in a fair and human shape, without any deformity or horror; do thou come forthwith, from whatever part of the world, and make rational answers to my questions; come presently, come visibly, come affably, manifest that which I desire, being conjured by the Name of the Eternal, Living and True God, HELIOREM; I conjure thee also by the particular and true Name of thy God to whom thou owest thine obedience; by the name of the King who rules over thee, do thou come without tarrying; come, fulfil my desires; persist unto the end, according to mine intentions.
The Constraint
If the spirit did not appear at the first invocation, the magician was instructed to proceed with a constraint, strengthening the command by invoking further sacred names and threats of punishment.
Historically, Lucifer is a central figure in these texts. In the Latin Vulgate (4th century), lucifer simply meant “morning star” or “light-bringer”, a reference to the planet Venus. Only later, in the King James Bible, did the term become identified with the devil. In grimoires, however, Lucifer was described as appearing in the form of a handsome young man when summoned correctly.
I conjure thee, O spirit (name of the spirit), by all the most glorious and efficacious Names of the Great and Incomparable Lord the God of Hosts, come quickly and without delay, front whatsoever part of the world thou art in; make rational answers to my demands; come visibly, speak affably, speak intelligibly to my understanding. I conjure and constrain thee, O Spirit (name of the spirit), by all the aforesaid Names, as also by those seven other Names wherewith Solomon bound thee and thy fellows in the brazen vessels to wit, ADONAI, PRERAI, TETRAGRAMMATON, ANEXHEXETON, INESSENSATOAL, PATHUMATON and ITEMON; do thou manifest before this circle, fulfil my will in all things that may seem good to me. Be disobedient, refuse to come, and by the power of the Supreme Being, the everlasting Lord, that God Who created thee and me, the whole world, with all contained therein, in the space of six days; by EYE, by SARAY, by the virtue of the Name PRIMEMATUM, which commands the whole host of Heaven; be disobedient, and behold I will curse and deceive thee of thine office, thy joy and thy place; I will bind thee in the depths of the bottomless pit, there to remain until the Day of the Last judgment. I will chain thee in the Lake of Eternal Fire, in the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, unless thou come quickly, appearing before this circle, to do my will. Come, therefore, in the Holy Names ADONAI, ZEBAOTH, AMIORAM; come, ADONAI commands thee.
Welcome of the Spirit
Once the spirit appeared, it was formally welcomed and bound to remain within the circle until the ritual’s end:
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.
Specific Conjurations
- Conjuration for Lucifer
Lucifer, Ouyar, Chameron, Aliseon, Mandousin, Premy, Oriet, Naydrus, Esmony, Eparinesont, Estiot, Dumosson, Danochar, Casmiel, Hayras, Fabelleronthon, Sodirnot, Peatham, come, Lucifer. Amen.
- Conjuration for Astaroth
Astaroth, Ador, Cameso, Valluerituf Mareso, Lodir, Cadomir, Aluiel, Calniso, Tely, Pleorim, Viordy, Meus Calmiron, Noard, Nisa Chenibranbo Calevodium, Brazo, Tabrasol, Come, Arastoth. Amen.
- Conjuration for Beelzebuth
Beelzebuth, Lucifer, Madilont, Solymo, Saroy, Ameclo, Segrael, Praredun, Adricanorom, Martiro, Timo, Cameron, Phorsy, Metosite, Prumosy, Dumaso, Elivisa, Alphross, Fubentronty, Come, Beelzebuth. Amen.
Discharge of the Spirit
At the conclusion of the ritual, the spirit was formally released:
O spirit (name of the spirit), because thou hast diligently answered my demands, I do hereby license thee to depart, without injury to man or beast. Depart, I say, and be thou willing and ready to come, whensoever duly exorcised and confirmed by the sacred rites of magick. I conjure thee to withdraw peaceably and quietly, and may peace continue forever between me and thee. Amen.
Conclusion
The study of conjuration reveals how medieval and early modern Europeans conceptualized the relationship between ritual, language, and supernatural authority. Far from being mere superstition, these rituals combined theology, performance, and linguistic power. Today, grimoires and their conjurations are studied as key sources for understanding the intellectual and cultural history of forbidden knowledge.