Considered for centuries a grimoire of "low" magic, the Goetia (loosely translated as "howling" or "wailing") has been a tome of forbidden black magic. The 72 Spirits of Solomon were meant as a tool of cursing and empowering ones' lusts. While this may continue to be an aspect of Lesser or Low Black Magic, the Magic of Theurgy (high sorcery) has not been a connection in detail explored – until now.
Theurgy is High Magick, or High Sorcery. It is the development of the self in Light and aimed at bettering ones being on numerous levels. "Light" may refer to the perception of being, as Lucifer who is the Lord of the Sun and the Emerald Crowned Initiator of Magick. Theurgy would be the path of invoking the genius or Guardian Angel of the Self. This operation has been dealt with in length in the works of Abramelin, Aleister Crowley's Liber Samekh and equally brilliant writings by Jake Stratton-Kent and Charles Gonzales. The "Preliminary Invocation" as it was published in Crowley's 1904 edition, was developed from the London Papyrus 46, being a Greek Exorcism Rite which was translated by Charles Wycliffe Goodwin and published in 1852. It was indeed Aleister Crowley who asserted correctly so that the supreme ritual was the one to invoke the Holy Guardian Angel, as this led to the path of individual perfection. This is a common ground of which the Left Hand Path and the Right Hand Path practitioner may agree. The paths become clearly defined when the RHP seeks to reach spiritual perfection, then letting the consciousness be joined in union with the divine light, or the Hebrew Ain Soph, which is Limitless Light. The LHP practitioner views consciousness and being as beautiful, sacred and worth developing and strengthening. The consciousness from the unveiling of ones True Will or Daemon/Angel would seek to further become like Lucifer and be independent, isolate and separate from the Ain Soph, or Limitless Light. One should remember, it is the Limitless Light from which Azazel – Lucifer sought to be independent from.
The Goetia is indeed a tough, powerful and to some a dreadful real grimoire. Those who have hissed and vibrated the sacred names and candle lit summons of the demons of this book have empowered it to heights which revival the legends of Faust and even Horror fiction author H.P. Lovecraft and his tales of the macabre. With Aleister Crowley, whom, in his youth brought forth the shades of the Goetia into Boleskine and other homes, he did so in an experiment of Will. While on the surface, he had appeared to consciously evoke the Goetic spirits to appease his carnal desires, and other material quests; subconsciously he was breaking ground for the development of the Will.
The Lemegethon or Goetia as it is called is indeed a forbidden yet essential tool in magical practice. In specific areas of what is termed Sabbatic or Luciferian Sorcery and Magick, a definitive purpose is expounded in the Nature of the Goetic spirits. Magick as itself is defined to raise one up, to ascend. As Magick is a Celestial Work, which defines and strengthens the Will (or the Will strengthens Magick) so that a union be brought with the Baphometic Statements, As Above, So Below. The Goetia is a work of Black Magick. One often views Black Magic (k) in the perception of Aleister Crowley, being the malicious workings of sorcery. A modern or should I say realistic perception is that Black Magick is the arte of ensorcelling the self, building and isolating the psyche. The goal is specifically a higher articulation of the soul and the Will of the individual. It is considered Black because this is the symbol of the unknown, such is a large part of the psyche and subconscious.
The Black Magician is therefore one who Works on the self, building and defining the character of "I" or being. The Sorcerer is thus one who encircles energy and the spirits of the dead and the subconscious around the self; to strengthen and explore the avenues of a strong and open mind. The Black Magician also understands the respect which is necessary with working with exterior forces which often relate in an interior context. This is the key to the Goetic Sorcery path which is for this reason considered dangerous. The Path of Magick is that Godform of Lucifer, the Angel perfected. The Luciferian spirit is fire born, alive, vigorous and strong in Will and Pride. Lucifer Ascends in the Sun, and Falls with the Darkening of the Moon. This is the Path of Magick itself – AS ABOVE, SO BELOW.
The Luciferian model is presented strongly in this book, as this is a gateway or key to the mind expanding and developing. No longer shall the horrid sickness of Christianity be brought down in the Goetic Work – No longer shall the weak of mind approach this tome without duress. The Walls are torn down yet they are at the same time built higher than they ever have been before.
Goetic Sorcery should in itself be the grammar and foundation for the Arte of Magick, which is to ascend in the light and warmth of the Sun. In order to fully understand and perceive the Self and the Light within one must explore the Demonic or Infernal realms. They often bring swift success, and a meteoritic fall into flame – instead of the self within igniting the exterior brings fire unto the self, destroying it. Be the Flame that is the Torch of Magickal Arte.