The Nature Of The Spirits

Descriptions of the Intelligence and Spirits are varied, but a common attitude prevails. The Intelligences are the Good Spirits, or Geniuses, and the Spirits are the Bad Spirits, or Demons. There’s plenty of admonitions in the literature against invoking the Spirits directly. No less a fearless practioner than Crowley gives plenty of clear advice on how he operated with these forces. A sample from his invocation of Bartzabel should shed light on the matter.

“I will the conjure Graphiel to compel the Spirit Bartzabel to appear in the Magick Triangle as the Talisman of Mars is consecrated, and to be bound there and veiled until all is prepared, and thus this Creature of Talismans is bound thrice and veiled in black.” Indeed, Crowley doesn’t claim to speak to Bartzabel directly, but conjures Graphiel to compel him to appear. Don’t forget, Bartzabel is independent of Graphiel, so he may or may not choose to comply, although if you have the co-operation of Graphiel, it’s a pretty good bet he will.