{"id":279,"date":"2019-03-31T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-31T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vanessasdomain.com\/?p=279"},"modified":"2023-01-01T15:36:07","modified_gmt":"2023-01-01T15:36:07","slug":"a-mesopotamian-method-for-summoning-spirits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vanessasdomain.com\/?p=279","title":{"rendered":"A Mesopotamian Method for Summoning Spirits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Originally published in Peacock Goat Review Vol. 1 No. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Mesopotamian Method for Summoning Spirits
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Necromancy, exorcism and spirit summoning were well known arts in the ancient world. In some cultures they were the domain of kings, in others priests, and in yet others they were the domain of highly skilled magicians. In ancient Mesopotamia they seemed to be the domain of all of the above. I have done my best using the available resources to reconstruct the most common method for summoning spirits in the method likely used in ancient Mesopotamia. It has been informed by some more recent magical literature of the sort as well. A full bibliography has been included.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ritual Implements<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Scepter of Kingship – I have included two versions of the scepter; one of my own design inspired by the Solomonic blasting wand and the historical scepter of kingship from the ancient Mesopotamian city of Ur, used to command respect from unruly spirits with a symbol of divine authority<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Dagger – Traditionally made of bronze but any ritual dagger or athame should do, used to draw astral symbols<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Chalice – Terracotta or carved stone recommended but any kind of glass or chalice will do, used to hold drink offerings, in this case use wheat beer<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Scrying Surface – A bronze mirror is ideal, you can also use polished obsidian, a reflective pool of water, a black mirror or a crystal ball, used to see the spirits<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n


<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alter Tile – Ideally you should create this from carved stone or terracotta in the shape of the Star of Shamash, used as the center platform of the ritual space
<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Light Source – Traditionally an oil lamp would be used, but wax or even LED candles with flicker will do, used for lighting and a source of energy for the spirits
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Ghost anointing oil composed of some combination of the following ingredients:
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Juniper<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Fresh Poplar Leaves<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Water<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Milk<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Oil<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Wheat Beer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Wine<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Sulfur<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Lentil flour<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Crushed Hematite<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Crushed Turnup<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Fish Oil<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • White Honey<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Cinquefoil<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Bulbous buttercup<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Goosegrass<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Couch grass<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Catnip<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Mustard Grass<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Milk of Magnesia<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Dirt from an area where crickets live<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Dirt from a crossroads<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Mullein<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Mix together and leave overnight
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You will need a piece of clay that you have written the name in cuneiform of the spirit you wish to conjure on your alter
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You will also need a wood or clay figure as a vessel for the spirit to incarnate into<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    Ritual Format<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

    Perform during dusk on a Sunday.
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Prepare your ritual space by performing the four winds invocation ritual included in last month\u2019s issue as part of the Ritual of Weila. It can also be found here: http:\/\/gnostictempleofinanna.org\/en2-e2-nu-ru-su4-luh\/
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Light candles, pour out libations to Shamash from the cup and recite the following hymn to Shamash seven times while making the sign of respect over the oil (both arms out before you, elbows bent at an acute angle and palms forward)
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    O Shamash, judge of Heaven and Underworld, foremost one of the Annunaki!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    O Shamash, judge of all the lands, Shamash, foremost and resplendent one!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You keep them in check, O Shamash, the judge.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You carry those from Above down to Below.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Those from Below up to Above.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    May he bring up a ghost from the darkness for me!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    May he put life back into the dead man\u2019s limbs!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    May he bring up the ghost of [spirit] to be put inside the figure!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I call upon you, O figure of figures!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    May he who is within the figure answer me!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    O Shamash, who opens the darkness!<\/em>
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Anoint both your eyelids and the figure using the ghost oil
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Scry into the scrying surface, hold your scepter before you, wait for an image or voice  the spirit to appear while you recite the following
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Who are you?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Who are you?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You who always seek out the good throat.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Whether evil spirit, evil Shedu, evil ghost, evil demon<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Whether good spirit, good Shedu, good ghost, good demon<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    O evil ghost, O evil ghost<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    O good ghost, O good ghost<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    May he who is within the figure answer me!<\/em>
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Once you receive confirmation the spirit is there, command or question the spirit in whatever way you desire.
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    At the conclusion of the ritual recite the following hymn in the same way as before.
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    O Shamash, judge of Heaven and Underworld, foremost one of the Annunaki!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    O Shamash, judge of all the lands, Shamash, foremost and resplendent one!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You keep them in check, O Shamash, the judge.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You carry those from Above down to Below.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Those from Below up to Above.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    May he return the ghost to the darkness for me!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    May he take life back from the dead man\u2019s limbs!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    May he remove the ghost of [spirit] from inside the figure!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    May he who is within the figure no longer answer me!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    O Shamash, who opens the darkness!<\/em>
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Perform the closing steps of the four winds invocation ritual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    Spirits to Conjure<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Immartu<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Type: Wind of the western desert<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sphere: Fire<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Appearance: chimeric figure composed of a man, lion, bull and eagle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Expertise: fire, evil, tirelessly brings devastation to the plains, brings death
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Imsissa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Type: Wind of upright advice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sphere: Earth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Appearance: chimeric figure composed of a man, lion, bull and eagle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Expertise: when mightily blowing splits open the broad land, bringing abundance
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Imkurra<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Type: Wind of the Shining Mountain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sphere: Air<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Appearance: chimeric figure composed of a man, lion, bull and eagle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Expertise: which has caused the rain above to rain down its lightning, makes a man\u2019s body waste away
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Imullu<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Type: Wind of Forgetting<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sphere: Water<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Appearance: chimeric figure composed of a man, lion, bull and eagle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Expertise: Primeval, Harmful to man, when it blows, dizzies people with dust, makes one\u2019s heart happy
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Gidim<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Type: Sickness Demon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sphere: Earth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Appearance: a ghost of a man<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Expertise: causing sickness or harm
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Igibarra<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Type: demon scout<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sphere: Earth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Appearance: shadow figure<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Expertise: spying
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Udug<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Type: unpleasant demon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sphere: Earth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Appearance: a dark shadow, absence of light surrounding it, dripping poisonous claws, deafening voice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Expertise: It brings the target to tears and cannot be restrained, gives good advice
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Galla<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Type: seizing demon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sphere: Earth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Appearance: goblin-like<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Expertise: haul victims off to the underworld
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Ziudsudra<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Type: ghost of the man long of days<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sphere: Earth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Appearance: a man from ancient Mesopotamia<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Expertise: teaches of the time before the flood
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    L\u00edl<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Type: wind demon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sphere: Air<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Appearance: a mighty wind, a ominous breeze, an incorporeal breath, a cedar scent<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Expertise: haunting, blowing things around, bringing infection
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    L\u00e0mma<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Type: female spirit of good fortune<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sphere: Sky<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Appearance: a beautiful woman<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Expertise: bringing good fortune, bringing luxury, giving good advice
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Alad<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Type: male protective spirit<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sphere: Sky<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Appearance: a handsome man<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Expertise: protection
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    Sources Cited<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

    Abusch, Tzvi. The Witchcraft Series Maql\u00fb<\/em>. SBL Press, 2015.
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Finkel, Irving L. \u201cNecromancy in Ancient Mesopotamia.\u201d Archiv F\u00fcr Orientforschung<\/em>, 29\/30, 1983, pp. 1\u201317. JSTOR<\/em>, www.jstor.org\/stable\/41661902.
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Konstantinos. Summoning Spirits: the Art of Magical Evocation<\/em>. Llewellyn Publications, 2009.
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cSpTU 2, 020 [Ritual against Ghost].\u201d Cams\/Gkab<\/em>, oracc.org\/cams\/gkab\/P348625.
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    British Museum Collection Object reference number: WCO24417<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Originally published in Peacock Goat Review Vol. 1 No. 6 A Mesopotamian Method for Summoning Spirits Necromancy, exorcism and spirit summoning were well known arts in the ancient world. In some cultures they were the domain of kings, in others priests, and in yet others they were the domain of highly skilled magicians. In ancient … <\/p>\n

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