Invocation or Evocation
Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 6:16 pm
After searching the forum I have not been able to find a topic specifically dealing with the concepts of invocation and evocation. These are two concepts that can be easily confused to the beginning witch or Wiccan. I thought that a thread to cover the basics regarding when they are used and which is which would be a good idea. I also figured in the end there would be an open discussion about experiences with evocation and invocation.
Evocation is the process of calling a spirit forth from nothing. When calling the quarters or casting a circle a person is performing a type of Evocation. Here you are calling forth either elemental guardians, Gods of the four winds, Watch towers, Angels, or even animal spirits to come forward and be present in your rite. You are asking them to represent various elements in ritual through their presence. You are essentially summoning them forward and asking their assistance.
Invocation follows a similar process of calling a spirit or deity forth by name and attributes, The difference here is that in invocation you are bringing that spirit or deity into your body. It is a ritual possession of sorts. This is most often done in a successful drawing down of the Moon where the Goddess enters the Body of the High Priestess. There are several effective invocations written in different books that call different Gods or Goddesses into the High Priest or Priestess depending on the ritual and or the practice.
Personally I use more evocation even with deities than I do Invocation. The few times I have done a successful invocation I was unprepared and surprised by what exactly happened. It was after those experiences that I decided to use Evocation rather than invocation. The deities and spirits I work with still come through in ritual. I just don't deal with the ritual possession of the Goddess as an Oracle yet.
Evocation is the process of calling a spirit forth from nothing. When calling the quarters or casting a circle a person is performing a type of Evocation. Here you are calling forth either elemental guardians, Gods of the four winds, Watch towers, Angels, or even animal spirits to come forward and be present in your rite. You are asking them to represent various elements in ritual through their presence. You are essentially summoning them forward and asking their assistance.
Invocation follows a similar process of calling a spirit or deity forth by name and attributes, The difference here is that in invocation you are bringing that spirit or deity into your body. It is a ritual possession of sorts. This is most often done in a successful drawing down of the Moon where the Goddess enters the Body of the High Priestess. There are several effective invocations written in different books that call different Gods or Goddesses into the High Priest or Priestess depending on the ritual and or the practice.
Personally I use more evocation even with deities than I do Invocation. The few times I have done a successful invocation I was unprepared and surprised by what exactly happened. It was after those experiences that I decided to use Evocation rather than invocation. The deities and spirits I work with still come through in ritual. I just don't deal with the ritual possession of the Goddess as an Oracle yet.