Non-Traditional Invocation is a unique approach to magical practice by emphasizing the bidirectional nature of invocation. Unlike conventional methods that summon external entities, this focuses on invoking oneself into an entity or person, fostering identification and connection. It expands you's toolkit for practical change and interaction with spiritual forces.
What Is Non-Traditional Invocation?
Non-Traditional Invocation is a method that challenges classical notions of summoning spirits or entities by instead focusing on you’s ability to invoke themselves into another being or entity. This emphasizes the interconnectedness between self and other, recognizing invocation as a two-way process. I discuss this approach in my book The Process of Magic, highlighting how it opens new avenues for personal power and relationship with spiritual forces. #
How It Works
The core principle involves you mentally and energetically shifting their sense of identity into an external entity or person. This is achieved through focused intention, visualization, and energetic alignment. By embodying aspects of the other, you gains insight, influence, or connection that goes beyond traditional invocation. This process often involves a deep level of identification, where you perceives themselves as part of the entity or as having merged with it. Practicing non-traditional invocation requires a clear mental framework. One begins by establishing a strong sense of self-awareness and then visualizes or feels the desired connection, gradually allowing the sense of self to expand or merge. This method can be used for healing, gaining insight, or establishing a rapport with other beings or individuals. #
Role in I’s Framework
In Taylor I’s framework, non-traditional invocation fits into a broader understanding of magical techniques as ways to manipulate consciousness and energy. It aligns with the idea that invocation is a dynamic and reciprocal process, not solely about summoning external forces but also about internal power and identification. This encourages practitioners to see invocation as a fluid exchange rather than a one-sided act, fostering a deeper sense of mastery over magical relationships. #
Cross-Tradition Context
While rooted in modern magical practices, non-traditional invocation connects to shamanic and psychological models found in various traditions. It echoes aspects of soul retrieval, energetic immersion, and embodiment practices seen in shamanism, where you becomes a vessel or mirror for spiritual energies. Many esoteric traditions emphasize the importance of identification and resonance, making this adaptable across different systems. #
Practical Notes for Practitioners
Begin by setting a clear intention for the invocation. Use visualization techniques to imagine yourself entering the entity or person, embodying their characteristics. Maintain a respectful attitude, especially if working with living individuals, to honor their autonomy. Practice grounding and shielding to ensure energetic safety. This method can be integrated into rituals, meditation, or active magic. Regular practice enhances your ability to invoke yourself into various states or beings, expanding your capacity for influence and understanding. Remember, the key lies in the clarity of your intent and your capacity for focused identification. By exploring non-traditional invocation, practitioners tap into a powerful facet of magical identity work, opening new pathways for transformation and connection. As I elaborate, it transforms invocation from a passive act into an active engagement with the self and the other.
I developed non-traditional techniques, when I realized that invocation is a two way street.
In other words, if I can invoke an entity into me, it stands to reason that I can also invoke myself into the entity.
— Taylor Ellwood, The Process of Magic
This intersects with practices like acting, altered states of consciousness, and attunement, all of which enhance your ability to shift perceptions and energies. Non-Traditional Invocation underscores the fluidity of identity and the dynamic nature of magical work, emphasizing internal power and mutual influence across traditions.
Source books: The Process of Magic