Conjuration

C. L. Nichols
4 days ago
4 min read

Summoning Spirits and Supernatural Forces.

Ever called forth a spirit? It’s a practice wrapped up in mystery and magic.

Conjuration is the act of summoning spirits, demons, deities, or other supernatural entities.

Associated with the occult, it’s been a part of cultures for centuries. People who practice conjuration communicate with and control these otherworldly forces through rituals, spells, and incantations.

Conjuration means “Swearing an oath or making a solemn appeal.” In the paranormal, it’s about making a connection with the supernatural world.

Types of Conjuration There are different types, each with its purpose.

Spirit Summoning: This is calling forth the spirits of the dead. It’s done for divination or to seek guidance from ancestors.

Demon Summoning: Some attempt to summon and control demons, seeking power.

Divine Invocation: This involves calling upon gods and goddesses for assistance.

Elemental Summoning: Some summon and control elemental spirits associated with earth, air, fire, and water.

Familiar Spirits: Some work with spirit helpers or familiars they summon at will.

Conjuration in Different Cultures In ancient Egypt, priests used complex rituals to summon and communicate with their gods. They believed these deities could possess statues and speak through them.

Greek and Roman cultures had their own practices of summoning spirits. The Oracle of Delphi is an example of how the ancient Greeks sought divine guidance through conjuration.

In medieval Europe, conjuration became associated with demonic summoning and black magic. This led to persecution during the witch trials.

Many indigenous cultures have traditions that involve communicating with ancestors. These rituals are a form of conjuration.

In modern Neopaganism and Wicca, rituals invoke deities or elemental forces as part of their spiritual practice.

Tools and Methods Conjuration uses specific tools.

Magic Circles: Many traditions use a circle on the ground to create a sacred space for summoning.

Incantations: Specific phrases are spoken to call forth the desired entity.

Symbols and Sigils: Special symbols are displayed to attract supernatural forces.

Offerings: Some practices give offerings to the summoned entities.

Crystals and Herbs: Certain natural materials aid the ability to connect with the supernatural.

Mirrors or Reflective Surfaces: Used as portals or windows to the spirit world.

Candles and Incense: Used to create an atmosphere conducive to spiritual communication.

Conjuration in Literature and Pop Culture Conjuration is a popular theme in stories and entertainment.

In Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” three witches use conjuration to foretell the future

Faust summons and makes a deal with the devil.

In Harry Potter, characters use wands and spells to conjure creatures.

The movie “The Conjuring” is based on the idea of dealing with supernatural entities.

Video games, like “Skyrim” and “Dragon Age,” feature conjuration as a type of magic players use to summon creatures or weapons.

The Risks of Conjuration It sounds exciting, but it’s not without controversies.

Safety Concerns: Believers warn of the dangers of summoning entities you can’t control.

Psychological Effects: Performing conjuration rituals can have psychological impacts.

Legal Issues: In some places, conjuration or claiming supernatural abilities is illegal.

Ethical Debates: There are discussions about the ethics of attempting to control supernatural beings.

Scientific Skepticism: Skeptics say that conjuration is based on superstition and has no basis in reality.

Conjuration Now Despite living in a scientific age, interest in conjuration persists.

Some practice conjuration as part of their spiritual beliefs.

Others are drawn to it out of a desire to explore the unknown.

Conjuration themes continue to be popular in the media.

Some stage magicians use conjuration in their performances, creating illusions of summoning.

Some offer services as psychics, able to conjure and communicate with spirits.

The Psychology Behind Conjuration Why are people drawn to conjuration?

The desire for control over the unpredictable aspects of life.

A need for connection with loved ones who are gone.

The appeal of secret knowledge or hidden powers.

A way to cope with fear of death through an afterlife that can be contacted.

The thrill of exploring taboo or forbidden practices.

Debunking Conjuration There’s no scientific evidence to support its reality. Skeptics offer explanations for experiences attributed to successful conjuration.

Confirmation Bias: People notice and remember things that confirm their beliefs while ignoring contradictory information.

Cold Reading: This is where someone makes general statements that apply to many, but the listener interprets them as meaningful.

Ideomotor Effect: A person makes motions unconsciously, which lead to phenomena like Ouija board movements.

Hallucinations: Strong expectations leads to people seeing or hearing things that aren’t there.

Misinterpretation of Natural Phenomena: Unexplained sounds or movements can be attributed to spirits when they have mundane causes.

Modern Adaptations Contemporaries find new ways to blend ancient techniques with technology.

Virtual Reality Conjuration Some experiment with virtual reality (VR) to create immersive digital environments that serve as virtual temples. They visualize entities and collaborate with other magicians in real-time. Purists argue that this lacks the tangible elements of traditional conjuration.

Quantum Conjuration A small group examines the intersection of quantum physics and conjuration. The act of observing quantum particles is similar to manifesting entities through conjuration. These “quantum conjurers” use scientific concepts like superposition and entanglement as metaphors for magical processes. It represents an intriguing blend of cutting-edge science and ancient mysticism.

Neurofeedback-Enhanced Rituals Some tech-savvy magicians incorporate neurofeedback devices into their conjuration practices. These let them monitor brainwave patterns during rituals to achieve states of consciousness. A conjurer might use an EEG headband to ensure they’re in a theta brainwave state, associated with deep meditation and visionary experiences.

Conjuration spans history, culture, psychology, and entertainment. Approach it with an open mind, critical thinking, and respect for different traditions.