This is a rite to summon an unnamed spirit. It can be used when seeking guidance, insight, magical aid, etc. When summoning a spirit, some may prefer to work within the format of a full ritual while others may simply use the ritual elements that they feel are truly necessary to the working, such as creating liminal space and casting a summoning circle. Begin the ritual in the way that feels best to you.

Prepare your space with a candle, a scrap of paper with a symbol related to the spirit you are trying to summon written or drawn on it[1], a simple offering, a bell and a bowl of clean water or salt, and a bit of iron, an adder’s stone or a small piece of wood. Light the candle. Place the offering near the flame, and let the light shine across your working space. Place the bowl of water or salt before you and keep the iron, stone or wood nearby. When you are ready,  hold the bit a of paper with the spirit’s symbol to the candle’s flame, burning it as you say:

 

Since your name is lost to me,
Or else not mine to know or see,
I give you name, both sign and soundβ€”
A cord to call, a word to bound.

 

In this work and in this space,
By breath and will, by time and place,
I name you now, and thus shall stay,
Until you speak or walk away.

 

[State the given name/title of the spirit and ring the bell once. Repeat a total of three times.]

 

               Allow the paper to finish burning before continuing, knowing that you no longer have a need for the symbol since you have given the spirit a title or name. Once the paper is complete, you can proceed with the rite using the title/name you have assigned to the spirit as if it is their own. Place both hands on the earth or on the altar, saying:

 

Newly named and newly known,
I rouse thee, spirit, from thy home.

I call thee forth, in peace and pactβ€”

To speak, to show, to guide, to act.

 

By salt and steel, by fire and breath,

I call thee up from sleep, from death.

By bell and book and given name,

Come forth now, through smoke and flame.

 

Touch the iron, stone or wood to the bowl of water or salt, then set it aside. Say:

 

By iron/stone/root bound, by salt made clear,

I call thee nowβ€”O spirit, hear.

Come if willing, by no force tiedβ€”

In truth, in peace, let paths collide.

 

Sit quietly. Watch the candle. Listen to the space around you. Be present. Pay attention to shifts in air, sensation, or thought. When you feel the spirit has arrived, speak your intent aloud. Be simple and clear.

When the work is finished, bow your head or raise your hands and say:

 

Spirit named and summoned here,

I thank thee now for drawing near.

By pact and peace, return in grace,

And may no ill remain in place.

 

By flame and breath, the gate is sealed.

By salt and iron, the bond is healed.

Go now, in peace, from whence you cameβ€”

Unbound, unnamed, by witch’s flame.

 

Blow out the candle. Pour the water outside or take the salt with you. Leave the offering at the base of a tree, at a crossroads, or other liminal space as a final gesture of thanks.


[1] This can be any symbol, such as a picture, a rune, a description of a spirit you encountered in a dream, etc.

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To Summon a Named, Known Spirit

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To Say Goodbye to the Household Spirits when Moving