First Evocation Options

A few months ago I attempted my first Goetic evocation. I essentially had all the of the equipment deemed mandatory (circle, triangle, sigils, etc.) and performed the evocation in a loft above my garage. However in retrospect I made some foolish choices (like attempting to summon Paimon on my first attempt and using DXM to potentiate the experience (IMG:style_emoticons/default/oops.gif) ) and had no immediate results with the ritual. I wasn't especially surprised by this due to my inexperience and forgot about the ritual. However, about a week later when I went to take out the garbage one night, I noticed a black triangle hovering by a tree that was close to the loft. Thinking this a figment of my imagination I slowly approached it and it then shot straight up into the air at high speed. I seem to recall reading somewhere (unsure) that Paimon's consorts Labal and Abalim sometimes appear in that form. I have yet to perform another evocation and have decided to further strenghten my skrying abilities and to work my way up the evocational hierarchy, working primarily with elementals before going back to the Goetia. A clear attempt to overstep my abilities that I have learned from, but any additional insights and opinions about the experience that I can utilize would be greatly appreciated. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I agree with Radiant Star in regards to becoming competant with banishing. Other than that, really, I don't think you overstepped your bounds, per se, as you mentioned. More like, you really didn't know what to expect, which is quite normal, even when you are "ready" for such work.

I've read on various forums that one shouldn't begin summoning until one is ready, and that when one is ready, one will know. This, in my experience, is true, to an extent. I didn't just wake up one day and was like "Wow, I think I'll summon so and so today", but it was more like an intiuitve inner faith (in some ways) and a direct knowing (in others ways) of my abilities, my capabilites, that came gradually over time. Basically, when you are capable of sensing energy, moving energy, sensing energy changes in the surrounding area and within you...hopefully, when you can percieve astrally, even if only by "impression" (or in my case, in mind), then you're "ready". When you feel that you are bare minimum capable of calling up, and sending away any intelligence, you are ready. Then, you will learn by experience, and that's another matter, as you've partially seen, LOL!

You'll discover that some of your skills were already there, in an unrefined form. Daily practice of your choosing refines them. That includes summoning. While I wouldn't suggest in any way to practice your refining with the Goetia, the elementals, or better yet, the ArchAngels would be worthy of practice.

In short friend, I don't feel you did anything "wrong", per se (Though, take it easy on the DXM next time. In the past, I attempted to raise the Kundalni while high as a kite from marijuana. And I was successful, to my detriment. So keep that in mind. Experiment only after you've gotten "good" at whatever it is you do, and then, carefully. On another note, that may be why you didn't percieve him. You were high as a kite. Keep in mind I don't know the effects of DXM, but if it's anything at all remotly mind altering to a great extent, things can get out of hand quickly if you don't already know both the experience/energy and the drug ---I'm happy to say that occasional marijuana use in TINY amounts adds to interesting experiences for myself.).

On another note, if you summon one day, and you don't see the entity, call him the next day (still banish after first summoning, of course, and treat the situation AS IF he's there). For various reason's, the first summoning sometimes doesn't go through on your end (as you've discovered). No matter, do it again. When it happens, treat it as if it's ongoing, end the opporation, and try again the next day. No big deal friend.

-F.F.