Goetigraphs
The series of “Goetigraphs” documents my year-long practice of summoning all 72 spirits of the Goetia to visible appearance on photographic paper. My inspiration came from historical books of magic, known as grimoires, which disclose methods to obtain contact with spirits. Some of these books outline procedures to provoke a spirit to leave a signature or mark -a physical record of their presence. One grimoire, Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis, contains a book known as Goetia. This is possibly the most famous “spirit register” -a list of the names and attributes of 72 different spirits, and how to call upon them. Each spirit is described as having unique attributes and skills that can then be imparted to the magician.
Each of the spirit has specific strengths and attributes, as well as very specific zodiacal signs, days of week, and hours of day in which they are to be initially summoned. In part because of this, following the instructions to evoke one spirit alone is very involved. Spending a year (August 2019 – August 2020) calling on each goetic spirit as part of a longform magical working / art project was a very elaborate, taxing process.
Technically, my approach to photographing the spirits of the Goetia similar to that employed with LEVIATHAN. Additionally, both projects were in part informed by the Celestographs of Swedish playwright August Strindberg. Strindberg expanded on the concept of photography in the late 1890s by omitting the camera entirely, seeing it as an unnecessary intercessor. Inspired by broader occult thinking, he left photographic paper under the night sky to create imagery of stars. I had in mind these early examples of abstract photography as I lay a piece of light sensitive photographic paper in a triangle and called upon a spirit to appear.
Spirit descriptions and sigils below courtesy Goetia, The Lesser Key of King Solomon (1904), as edited by S.L. MacGregor Mathers and Aleister Crowley
GLASYA-LABOLAS. -The Twenty-fifth Spirit is Glasya-Labolas. He is a Mighty President and Earl, and showeth himself in the form of a Dog with Wings like a Gryphon. He teacheth all Arts and Sciences in an instant, and is an Author of Bloodshed and Manslaughter. He teacheth all things Past, and to Come. If desired he causeth the love both of Friends and of Foes. He can make a Man to go Invisible. And he hath under his command 36 Legions of Spirits. His Seal is this, to be, etc.
BUNE, or BIME. -The Twenty-sixth Spirit is Bune (or Bim). He is a Strong, Great and Mighty Duke. He appeareth in the form of a Dragon with three heads, one like a Dog, one like a Gryphon, and one like a Man. He speaketh with a high and comely Voice. He changeth the Place of the Dead, and causeth the Spirits which be under him to gather together upon your Sepulchres. He giveth Riches unto a Man, and maketh him Wise and Eloquent. He giveth true Answers unto Demands. And he governeth 30 Legions of Spirits. His Seal is this, unto the which he oweth Obedience. He hath another Seal (which is the first of these,15 but the last is the best).
RONOVE. -The Twenty-seventh Spirit is Ronove. He appeareth in the Form of a Monster. He teacheth the Art of Rhetoric very well and giveth Good Servants, Knowledge of Tongues, and Favours with Friends or Foes. He is a Marquis and Great Earl; and there be under his command 19 Legions of Spirits. His Seal is this, etc.
BERITH. -The Twenty-eighth Spirit in Order, as Solomon bound them, is named Berith. He is a Mighty, Great, and Terrible Duke. He hath two other Names given unto him by men of later times, viz.: BEALE, or BEAL, and BOFRY or BOLFRY. He appeareth in the Form of a Soldier with Red Clothing, riding upon a Red Horse, and having a Crown of Gold upon his head. He giveth true answers, Past, Present, and to Come. Thou must make use of a Ring in calling him forth, as is before spoken of regarding Beleth. He can turn all metals into Gold. He can give Dignities, and can confirm them unto Man. He speaketh with a, very clear and subtle Voice. He governeth 26 Legions of Spirits. His Seal is this, etc.
ASTAROTH. -The Twenty-ninth Spirit is Astaroth. He is a Mighty, Strong Duke, and appeareth in the Form of anhurtful Angel riding on an Infernal Beast like a Dragon, and carrying in his right hand a Viper. Thou must in no wise let him approach too near unto thee, lest he do thee damage by his Noisome Breath. Wherefore the Magician must hold the Magical Ring nearhis face, and that will defend him. He giveth true answers of things Past, Present, and to Come, and can discover all Secrets. He will declare wittingly how the Spirits fell, if desired, and the reason of his own fall. He can make men wonderfully knowing in all Liberal Sciences. He ruleth 40 Legions of Spirits. His Seal is this, which wear thou as a Lamen before thee, or else he will not appear nor yet obey thee, etc.
FORNEUS. -The Thirtieth Spirit is Forneus. He is a Mighty and Great Marquis, and appeareth in the Form of a Great Sea-Monster. He teacheth, and maketh men wonderfully knowing in the Art of Rhetoric. He causeth men to have a Good Name, and to have the knowledge and understanding of Tongues. He maketh one to be beloved of his Foes as well as of his Friends. He governeth 29 Legions of Spirits, partly of the Order of Thrones, and partly of that of Angels. His Seal is this, which wear thou, etc.
