Enochian Magic

Table of contents...

In the fervor of the Renaissance, where the following intermingle: renewed fascination with the occult sciences, Christian mysticism, and Hermeticism, two figures would go on to mark the history of magic: John Dee and Edward Kelley. They were behind a new form of magic called Enochian magic, using the divine alphabet and enabling communication with angels. Explanations. I should point out, however, that this is a substantial introduction, as this magic is considered one of the most powerful and complex in the world.

1. The birth of the movement

1.1. John Dee and Edward Kelly

John Dee, born on July 13, 1527, in London, was a renowned polymath scholar (an expert in several fields) of the English Renaissance. Educated at the University of Cambridge, Dee was a mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, geographer, and scientific consultant to Queen Elizabeth I. His expertise in various academic disciplines and his role as a royal adviser made him a leading figure of his time. However, Dee was also deeply interested in the occult sciences, seeking to harmonize scientific and mystical knowledge in order to understand the mysteries of the universe.

Edward Kelly (or Kelley), born (probably) in 1555 in Worcester, was an alchemist and medium known for his powers of communicating with spirits. His life before meeting Dee is shrouded in controversy, with some sources portraying him as a forger before he became Dee's spiritual assistant. He even had his ears cut off following trouble with the law, which only reinforced his talent for hearing angels. The meeting between Dee and Kelly in 1582 marked the beginning of an intense and prolific collaboration in the fields of magic and occultism.

1.2. Spiritualism as a gateway

The collaboration between Dee and Kelley was marked by séances in which Kelley, as a medium, claimed to communicate with angels and other spiritual entities. These séances often involved Kelley gazing into a crystal or magic mirror, claiming to receive messages and visions. John Dee meticulously recorded these communications, which revealed complex information about an angelic language, magical tables, and esoteric rituals. The pair claimed that these revelations came directly from the angels, and Dee regarded them as keys to understanding divine secrets and manipulating cosmic forces.

1.3. The Golden Dawn

Enochian Magic as practiced by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn represents a synthesis and codification of the original works of John Dee and Edward Kelley, adapted to the needs and objectives of the members of this esoteric order founded in the late 19th century. The Golden Dawn, founded in 1888 by William Wynn Westcott, Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, and William Robert Woodman, sought to gather and structure various occult traditions into a coherent system of ritual practices and esoteric knowledge. Enochian Magic became a cornerstone of their magical system, enriched and modified to suit the order's doctrines and rituals, and later taken up by the famous Aleister Crowley.

The Golden Dawn took the fundamental elements of Dee and Kelley's Enochian Magic, including the Enochian Tablets, the Enochian Keys, and the Sigillum Dei Aemeth, and integrated them into a broader ritual structure. Members of the Golden Dawn studied and practiced these elements as part of their initiatory grades, each associated with specific esoteric knowledge and magical skills.

2. Principles of Enochian Magic

2.1. Angelic Communications

Enochian Magic is based on the principle that angelic beings can communicate with humans, delivering messages and visions that reveal profound esoteric knowledge and cosmological secrets. John Dee and Edward Kelley, the principal architects of this system, reported receiving these angelic communications during scrying sessions (act of gazing attentively into a reflective surface or a specific object to obtain visions or messages from entities). Kelley, as a medium, used black mirrors, crystals, and other divination devices to contact the angels.

During these sessions, Kelley entered a trance state and described what he saw and heard, while Dee meticulously recorded every detail. These visions included complex images and symbols, as well as precise instructions on how to interpret and use them in magical rituals. The angels' messages were often encoded in a mysterious language, Enochian, which formed the basis of the magical practice developed by Dee and Kelley.

2.2. The Enochian language

2.2.1. Origin and structure of the Enochian language

The Enochian language, revealed by angels, is a central element of Enochian Magic. This language, also called the "Language of the Angels", is characterized by a specific structure and alphabet, which Dee and Kelley received and transcribed during their scrying sessions. The origin of the Enochian language is directly attributed to angelic communications, and it possesses intrinsic power when used correctly. The alphabet Enochian consists of 21 letters, with a rounded and thick structure, each having a distinct form and pronunciation. The letters are arranged in a specific order, and each word in Enochian has its own meaning and spiritual impact.

Enochian also features a Kabbalistic symbolism similar to that of the Hebrew alphabet, although distinct from it. The Enochian language does not appear to be related to any known human language, although some of its words have roots resembling those of various idioms. Scholars debate whether Enochian truly possesses a grammatical structure and syntax comparable to those of natural languages. However, in magical circles, this language enjoys a great reputation as a powerful tool for invoking spirits.

2.2.2. Alphabet and pronunciation

The grammatical structure of the Enochian language is complex, and it differs considerably from conventional human languages. Dee and Kelley received not only the letters and words, but also complete sentences and calls, which are specific invocations intended to summon angelic entities or perform magical acts. These calls, often called the 48 Enochian Keys, are poetic and incantatory compositions that must be spoken in the Enochian language to unleash their magical potential.

In concrete terms, Enochian is composed of symbols that may resemble runes or Theban script, and is based on phonetics.

Letter	Equivalent	Name	Pronunciation
	A	Un	/ɑ/
	B	Pa	/b/
	C / K	Veh	/k/
	D	Gal	/d/
	E	Graph	/e/
	F	Or	/f/
	G / J	Ged	/dʒ/
	H	Na	/h/
	I	Gon	/iː/
	L	Ur	/l/
	M	Tal	/m/
	N	Drux	/m/
	O	Med	/oː/
	P	Mals	/p/
	Q	Ger	/q/
	R	Don	/r/
	S	Fam	/s/
	T	Gisg	/t/
	U / V	Van	/uː/, /v/
	X	Pal	/ks/
	Y / W	Gon (with dot)	/j/
	Z	Ceph	/z/

2.2.3. Usage and meaning

The use of the Enochian language in magical rituals is of course essential to the practice of Enochian Magic. Every word and every sentence is imbued with symbolic and spiritual meanings, and their correct pronunciation is crucial to the success of the rituals. Modern practitioners of Enochian Magic continue to study and meditate on the language Enochian, seeking to understand its subtleties and master its use to access higher states of consciousness and interact with the angelic realms.

Even today, theEnochian is considered the most powerful of the magical alphabets for invoking equally powerful spirits.

2.3. The foundational text

The Liber Scientiae, Auxilli et Victoria Terrestris is one of the foundational texts of Enochian Magic, often translated as The Book of Science, Aid, and Terrestrial Victory. This manuscript contains detailed instructions on how to make and use the magical tools necessary to practice Enochian Magic, including the Sigillum Dei, the Enochian Tablets, and other ritual devices. It also provides precise descriptions of the invocations and rituals necessary to call upon spiritual entities. This book is considered foundational because it offers a theoretical and practical basis for working with spiritual forces in a structured and effective manner, ensuring that magical operations lead to concrete and beneficial results.

3. The tools of Enochian magic

What characterizes this magic is that it has its own structure, its own language, and ultimately its own existence independent of our "human" or "mortal" principles. This is also what makes it so complex to understand.

3.1. The Tables of the Earth or Enochian Tables

The Tables of the Earth, also known as the Enochian Tables, are grids composed of Enochian letters (translated into our alphabet), arranged in a specific order dictated by the angels to John Dee and Edward Kelley. Each table is divided into 49 squares, forming a set of nested matrices representing the different regions of the universe and the entities that govern them. The Tables of the Earth are structured around the four classical elements: Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, with each element associated with a specific table.

The composition of these tablets includes not only Enochian letters but also divine and angelic names, which are crucial for performing magical rituals. The Earth Tablets are used to invoke the elemental spirits and angels associated with each element, thereby enabling the practitioner to manipulate the forces of nature and acquire esoteric knowledge. Rituals involving these tablets are complex and require careful preparation, including the practitioner's purification and the creation of a sacred space for carrying out the invocations.

3.2. The 48 Enochian Keys

The 48 Enochian Keys, also called the Enochian Calls, are specific invocations revealed to Dee and Kelley by the angels. These calls are incantations written in the Enochian language, designed to activate the powers contained in the Earth Tablets and to communicate directly with angelic entities. Each key is a poetic and rhythmic composition, whose exact pronunciation is essential for releasing its magical potential. The Enochian Keys are numbered, and each has a particular use, ranging from invoking elemental spirits to revealing divine mysteries.

Thus, each key has its own magical rhetoric, but here I have included only its associated intention to help you understand it without overwhelming you with details.

The use of the Enochian Keys in rituals requires a thorough understanding of their meaning and structure. Practitioners must meditate on each key, learn its correct pronunciation, and understand the context of its use. Interpretations of the Enochian Keys vary, with some considering them formulas for opening spiritual doors, while others see them as means of influencing natural forces or receiving prophetic revelations. Their use in rituals is often accompanied by specific gestures, visualizations, and the use of other magical tools to reinforce their effect.

3.2.1. The Keys of Heaven

First Key	Invokes the creation of the universe and the divine forces. Used to open the gates of heaven and begin rituals.
Second key	Calls upon the governors of the heavens and the cosmic forces. Used for divine revelations and wisdom.
Third key	Invokes the spirits of the stars and the celestial angels. Used to access astrological and astronomical knowledge.
Fourth key	Calls upon the spirits of light and clarity. Used for purification and mental clarity.
Fifth key	Invokes the forces of balance and harmony. Used for healing and harmonizing energies.
Sixth key	Calls upon the spirits of wisdom and understanding. Used for spiritual illumination.
Seventh key	Invokes the guardians of the celestial gates. Used for protection and spiritual guidance.
Eighth key	Calls upon the spirits of truth and justice. Used for fair judgments and the pursuit of truth.
Ninth key	Invokes the forces of transformation and change. Used for personal transformation rituals.
Tenth key	Calls upon the spirits of creation and innovation. Used to stimulate creativity and inspiration.
Eleventh key	Invokes the forces of prosperity and abundance. Used to attract wealth and prosperity.
Twelfth key	Calls upon the spirits of divine protection. Used for rituals of protection and spiritual defense.

3.2.2. The Keys of the Elements

Thirteenth key	Invokes the spirits of Earth. Used for rituals of stability and security.
Fourteenth key	Calls upon the spirits of Water. Used for rituals involving emotions and purification.
Fifteenth key	Invokes the spirits of Air. Used for rituals of communication and freedom.
Sixteenth key	Calls upon the spirits of Fire. Used for rituals of passion and transformation.
Seventeenth key	Invokes the forces of balance between the elements. Used to harmonize elemental energies.
Eighteenth key	Calls upon the spirits of storms and natural forces. Used to influence the weather and natural forces.
Nineteenth key	Invokes the spirits of plants and nature. Used for rituals of growth and fertility.
Twentieth key	Calls upon the spirits of animals. Used for rituals of connection with animals and totem spirits.
Twenty-first key	Invokes the forces of the earth. Used for rituals of strengthening and solidity.
Twenty-second key	Calls upon the spirits of rivers and seas. Used for rituals of fluidity and purification.
Twenty-third key	Invokes the spirits of winds and breezes. Used for rituals of change and movement.
Twenty-fourth key	Calls upon the spirits of flames and fires. Used for purification and transformation rituals.

3.2.3. The Keys of the Realms and Spheres

Twenty-fifth key	Invokes the spirits of the celestial realms. Used to access celestial knowledge.
Twenty-sixth key	Calls upon the guardians of the astral spheres. Used for astral protection and guidance.
Twenty-seventh key	Invokes the spirits of parallel dimensions. Used to explore other realities.
Twenty-eighth key	Calls upon the spirits of dreams. Used for divination through dreams and interpretation.
Twenty-ninth key	Invokes the spirits of the stars and constellations. Used for astrological rituals.
Thirtieth key	Calls upon the spirits of the depths. Used to explore hidden mysteries and secrets.
Thirty-first key	Invokes the forces of illusions and mirages. Used for illusion and protection magic.
Thirty-second key	Calls upon the spirits of portals and passages. Used to open doors to other dimensions.
Thirty-third key	Invokes the spirits of temporal guardians. Used to manipulate time and cycles.
Thirty-fourth key	Calls upon the spirits of hidden knowledge. Used for esoteric research and revelations.
Thirty-fifth key	Invokes the spirits of prophetic visions. Used for prophecies and visions.
Thirty-sixth key	Calls upon the spirits of spiritual healing. Used for healing and regeneration.

3.2.4. The Keys of Transformation and Power

Thirty-seventh key	Invokes the spirits of personal transformation. Used for personal growth and spiritual evolution.
Thirty-eighth key	Calls upon the spirits of psychic protection. Used to protect oneself from psychic attacks.
Thirty-ninth key	Invokes the spirits of the forces of love and compassion. Used to attract love and benevolence.
Fortieth key	Calls upon the spirits of the forces of justice and fairness. Used for rituals of justice and reparation.
Forty-first key	Invokes the spirits of ancient wisdom. Used to access ancient and forgotten knowledge.
Forty-second key	Calls upon the spirits of the forces of peace and tranquility. Used to establish inner and outer peace.
Forty-third key	Invokes the spirits of material prosperity. Used to attract material wealth.
Forty-fourth key	Calls upon the spirits of divine protection. Used for rituals of protection against evil.
Forty-fifth key	Invokes the spirits of the forces of truth. Used to reveal hidden truths.
Forty-sixth key	Calls upon the spirits of creative energies. Used to stimulate artistic creativity.
Forty-seventh key	Invokes the spirits of resilience and perseverance. Used to overcome challenges and obstacles.
Forty-eighth key	Calls upon the spirits of spiritual rebirth. Used for rituals of renewal and spiritual regeneration.

3.3. The Sigillum Dei

The Sigillum Dei, also known as Sigillum Dei Aemeth, is a complex and sacred symbol in the tradition of Enochian Magic. Designed by John Dee, this seal consists of circles, letters, and divine names that represent the entire universe and its creative forces. The Sigillum Dei is used in rituals to invoke divine protection and channel celestial energies. In Enochian Magic, it serves as a link between the practitioner and higher spiritual entities, ensuring that invocations and magical operations are conducted under powerful divine protection. This seal is often placed beneath divination instruments or used as a talisman in rituals.

3.4. The Tabula Sancta

The Tabula Sancta, or Holy Table, is another important instrument in Enochian Magic. This table is a consecrated ritual surface, often inscribed with Enochian symbols and divine names. It serves as a base on which magical tools such as scrying crystals, sigils, and other instruments are placed during rituals. The Tabula Sancta is used to create a sacred and secure space where invocations and magical operations can be conducted. In Enochian Magic, it plays an essential role in helping focus spiritual energy and facilitating communication with angelic entities.

4. The Heptarchic Hierarchy

The Heptarchic Hierarchy is a complex system of celestial governance revealed to John Dee and Edward Kelley by the angels during their communications. This system centers on 49 good angels, divided into seven groups of seven, each associated with a day of the week and one of the seven classical planets (Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon). Each group is led by an angelic king and a prince, forming the hierarchical structure of the angelic entities.

Their names were revealed to Dee and Kelley using the tables and dictated in a specific manner.

4.1. The angelic kings

The seven angelic kings of the Heptarchic Hierarchy are the supreme rulers of this celestial system. Each of these kings is associated with a classical planet and a day of the week, which determines their spheres of influence and the aspects of reality they govern. Here is a detailed description of their roles and responsibilities:

Carmara (Sunday, Saturn): governs matters of discipline, structure, and restrictions. He is invoked to help establish order and overcome obstacles.

Babalel (Monday, Jupiter): responsible for expansion, growth, and prosperity. He is called upon to bless businesses and promote abundance.

Bnaspol (Tuesday, Mars): governs the energies of war, conflict, and protection. He is invoked for defense and to overcome adversity.

Blisdon (Wednesday, Sun): governs light, clarity, and illumination. He is called upon for spiritual revelations and deep understanding.

Bynepor (Thursday, Venus): responsible for relationships, love, and harmony. He is invoked to foster peace and love in relationships.

Bralges (Friday, Mercury): governs communication, commerce, and travel. He is called upon to improve communication skills and facilitate transactions.

Bnaspo (Saturday, Moon): governs mysteries, intuition, and emotions. He is invoked to access hidden knowledge and develop intuition.

4.2. The angelic princes

The angelic princes are second-in-command, working closely with the kings. They supervise the ministers and ensure that the kings' decrees are implemented in their respective domains. Their roles include:

Bornogo (Sunday, Saturn): assists Carmara in establishing structure and discipline. He helps maintain order and stability.

Baldago (Monday, Jupiter): supports Babalel in promoting growth and prosperity. He helps attract fortune and luck.

Bralges (Tuesday, Mars): works with Bnaspol to protect and defend against attacks. He is invoked for strength and courage.

Blisdon (Wednesday, Sun): helps Blisdon bring clarity and illumination. He is called upon for visions and spiritual revelations.

Bralges (Thursday, Venus): supports Bynepor in improving relationships and promoting harmony. He helps resolve conflicts.

Bnaspol (Friday, Mercury): assists Bralges with matters of communication and commerce. He is invoked for successful negotiations.

Bynepor (Saturday, Moon): helps Bnaspo explore mysteries and develop intuition. He is called upon for meditation and introspection.

4.3. The angelic ministers

The angelic ministers are the subordinates of the kings and princes. They are responsible for specific missions and managing practical details within their respective domains. Each king and prince is assisted by five ministers, totaling 35 ministers in the Heptarchic Hierarchy. Their roles include:

Execution of decrees: ministers carry out the orders given by kings and princes. They ensure that celestial directives are followed in the earthly and spiritual spheres.

Management of specific domains: each minister may be responsible for a particular aspect of life or nature, such as health, fertility, wealth, peace, etc. They bring their expertise to influence these areas beneficially.

Assistance to practitioners: ministers are often invoked for specific tasks in Enochian Magic rituals. They are called upon to provide specific forms of assistance, such as healing, protection, or obtaining information.

Spiritual intermediaries: ministers serve as intermediaries between human practitioners and the higher levels of the angelic hierarchy. They facilitate communication and interaction with the kings and princes.

5. The Invocations and Evocations of Enochian Magic

The rituals of Enochian Magic focus primarily on the practices of invoking and evoking spiritual entities. Invocation consists of calling upon angels so that they infuse the ritual space with their presence, offering guidance, protection, and blessings. This involves prayers, chants, and the use of Enochian symbols to establish a deep spiritual connection.

By contrast, evocation aims to make a spiritual entity appear in a controlled manner, often outside the practitioner, within a defined space. This practice uses protective circles and triangles of manifestation to call entities to manifest visually or physically, thereby enabling direct dialogue and the accomplishment of specific tasks. The basic and advanced rituals of Enochian Magic, such as the invocations of archangels or the evocations of elemental spirits, are structured to harness these spiritual interactions, offering a powerful framework for exploring and manipulating spiritual realities.

There are several main rituals for establishing contact with angels, which I will deliberately not discuss here given their complexity. Each one requires its own article.

6. In conclusion

Thus, Enochian magic is a complex and powerful system of ceremonial magic. Its rituals, centered on the invocation and evocation of spiritual entities, allow practitioners to interact with angelic and elemental forces to gain profound esoteric knowledge and accomplish specific tasks. Adapted and enriched by traditions such as the Golden Dawn, Enochian magic continues to be practiced and studied today by followers of High Magic.

Par Olivier of Aeternum

Passionate about esoteric traditions and the history of the occult from the earliest civilizations to the 18th century, I share some articles on these topics. I am also co-creator of the online esoteric shop Aeternum.