When we talk about "Enochian", we generally think one thing (the Watchtowers and Aethyrs), but there is actually a lot more to the original material than we might at first expect. This post is intended to highlight the three main sections of the material. The published G.'.D.'. Enochian papers (mainly via Regardie, although some new ones have surfaced since his time) primarily deal with the second section ("Enochian Proper"), for the most part, but it is good to recognise that other parts exist, especially since the first ("The Heptarchic System") has been recognised by modern G.'.D.'. and non-G.'.D.'. magicians, and many are beginning to explore its mysteries, especially with the release of Lon Milo Duquette's new book, Enochian Vision Magick.
1. The Heptarchic System
From hept ("seven") and archy ("realms/kingdoms" - from archon: "ruler"), this is, as you can imagine, entirely devoted to the seven "old" planets (the ones that can be seen with the naked eye). This was delivered first and includes the basic tools that were deemed necessary for the later Enochian work - such as the Sigillum Dei Aemeth, Lamen, Table of Practice, Seals of the Bonorum, etc. There is a lot of material here (most of which can be found in the Five Books of Mystery [Quinti Libri Mysteriorum] if anyone wants to check the source works), the majority of which isn't used by modern magicians, barring the Sigillum Dei Aemeth, as most people simply do not know it exists or know much about it (it wasn't as heavily employed by the G.'.D.'. as the Watchtower material was). Some of this material sneaks its way into the next section, however, so it is an area that will require further study once the student has made some progress with the Watchtowers and Aethyrs. In the O.'.S.'.D.'.L.'. we usually reserved this work for higher grades, and this is likewise for the Golden Dawn.
2. Enochian "Proper" - Language, Watchtowers, & Aethyrs
This is the bit we're all familiar with, and it includes the actual language itself, the Great Table (and its subdivisions into Watchtowers, etc.), all of the Calls/Keys, the Aethyr names, and anything else that we traditionally think of when it comes to Enochian (barring the Sigillum Dei Aemeth, which is from category 1, as noted above). Most G.'.D.'. Enochian focuses on this material.
3. Liber Loagaeth & Other Obscurities
There was other material delivered, most of which is incredibly obscure, such as the Liber Loagaeth. Most people just don't know what this is, what it is intended to do, or how to make any practical (or even theoretical) use of it. There were myriads of tables delivered and some people have some theories on their use, but this is the section that is most open to interpretation and experimentation (and also, because of this, the most potentially risky, if one manages to even get anything out of it at all). It can be linked to the other two sections (afterall, they make up one unified system in the end), but how it links up remains theoretical and sketchy at best.
1. The Heptarchic System
From hept ("seven") and archy ("realms/kingdoms" - from archon: "ruler"), this is, as you can imagine, entirely devoted to the seven "old" planets (the ones that can be seen with the naked eye). This was delivered first and includes the basic tools that were deemed necessary for the later Enochian work - such as the Sigillum Dei Aemeth, Lamen, Table of Practice, Seals of the Bonorum, etc. There is a lot of material here (most of which can be found in the Five Books of Mystery [Quinti Libri Mysteriorum] if anyone wants to check the source works), the majority of which isn't used by modern magicians, barring the Sigillum Dei Aemeth, as most people simply do not know it exists or know much about it (it wasn't as heavily employed by the G.'.D.'. as the Watchtower material was). Some of this material sneaks its way into the next section, however, so it is an area that will require further study once the student has made some progress with the Watchtowers and Aethyrs. In the O.'.S.'.D.'.L.'. we usually reserved this work for higher grades, and this is likewise for the Golden Dawn.
2. Enochian "Proper" - Language, Watchtowers, & Aethyrs
This is the bit we're all familiar with, and it includes the actual language itself, the Great Table (and its subdivisions into Watchtowers, etc.), all of the Calls/Keys, the Aethyr names, and anything else that we traditionally think of when it comes to Enochian (barring the Sigillum Dei Aemeth, which is from category 1, as noted above). Most G.'.D.'. Enochian focuses on this material.
3. Liber Loagaeth & Other Obscurities
There was other material delivered, most of which is incredibly obscure, such as the Liber Loagaeth. Most people just don't know what this is, what it is intended to do, or how to make any practical (or even theoretical) use of it. There were myriads of tables delivered and some people have some theories on their use, but this is the section that is most open to interpretation and experimentation (and also, because of this, the most potentially risky, if one manages to even get anything out of it at all). It can be linked to the other two sections (afterall, they make up one unified system in the end), but how it links up remains theoretical and sketchy at best.
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2 comments:
A small historical point. All three areas were studied by some in the Stella Matutina in the 1930s. This was triggered off by a man called Hugh (or Ewan) Campbell who was 9=2 in Whare Ra. He visited the Amoun and Hermes Temples in 1934 and while in Britain visited the BM and paid to have microfilm copies of all Dee's work. He was acknowledged as a great Enochian scholar and wrote many papers and notes for Mrs. Felkin. Pat. Z. mentions him in his Enochian book. Only a few of these papers survive but one is on Liber Logaeth where he warns that the system should not be studied other than by a 'senior 6=5' and he notes in this regard that he himself had a very unhappy experience. I was told by another member he had a very disturbing psychic experience which required Mrs. Felkin's help to 'pull him back'.
Tony
Ave Tony, and thank you kindly for the historical information. I have heard of Campbell, but did not know of his Enochian expertise. It is a pity more of his work did not survive, but from my limited appraisal of Liber Loagaeth, I think I would have to agree with him. Enochian is quite volatile in its more well-known forms, but it seems to me that the LL material is even moreso. I am not sure if this is because so little work has been done on it, or if, indeed, there are too many missing elements to the jigsaw puzzle that it is, but I am content to leave it well enough alone until I am much further in my studies and practice, if, indeed, I attempt to utilise it at all.
Thanks again for the intriguing info. I value your historical insight :)
LVX,
Dean.
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