Invocation in Chaos Magick is the practical art of internalizing a chosen consciousness—be it a deity, archetype, or abstract concept—to directly embody its traits and abilities. It is an internal act of becoming, not an external act of worship. This is achieved by using belief as a fluid tool and entering an altered state of consciousness (gnosis), allowing the practitioner to temporarily become the invoked force to effect personal change or empower a magickal act.
The Theory
Chaos Magick is not a religion but a methodology. It lacks dogma and instead operates on the pragmatic principle that belief is a programmable tool for interacting with reality. Practitioners (Chaotes) are free to adopt and discard belief systems as needed for a specific operation, a practice known as paradigm piracy.
Within this framework, the question of whether an invoked entity like Zeus is “real” is functionally irrelevant. The practitioner can choose a model that works for them:
| Model | Idea | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Psychological | The entity is an archetype within the collective or personal unconscious. | Invoking Zeus accesses one’s own latent potential for authority and leadership. |
| Spirit | The entity is a genuine, discrete consciousness that exists externally. | The magician invites the spirit of Zeus to borrow his objective power and perspective. |
| Energy | The entity is a symbol that represents a specific energy pattern. | The magus recalibrates his aura to copy and express the energy pattern of Zeus. |
| Information | The entity consists of information. | The Technomancer copies and executes the code of “Zeus” program into his information field. |
| Neuroscience | The entity is a personification of features corresponding to specific brain regions. | Focusing on the mental image of Zeus stimulates the prefrontal cortex (key for authority, leadership, and executive decision-making) supported by the hippocampus for memory and flexible cognition. |
| Meta-Model | The internal/external distinction is a false dichotomy. | The symbol “Zeus” is a key that unlocks a specific pattern of reality; its ultimate nature is unknown and/or unimportant. |
The goal is to adopt one of these beliefs with total conviction for the duration of the ritual. This temporary, focused belief is what fuels the invocation.
The Invocation Toolkit: A Practical Guide
An invocation is a structured process with a clear beginning, middle, and end. While highly personal, a successful working generally follows a distinct operational sequence.
Preparations
First, clarify your goal. Do you need courage for a confrontation? Eloquence for a presentation? Creative insight for a project? Your goal dictates your target. You are not limited to traditional deities.
- Deities: Mars for aggression, Apollo for artistic clarity, Thoth for intellect.
- Archetypes: The Warrior, The Sage, The Trickster.
- Fictional Characters: Invoking the analytical prowess of Sherlock Holmes or the confidence of Captain Kirk.
- Abstract Concepts: Directly invoking states like “Unstoppable Confidence”, “Ultimate Flexibility” or “Flawless Logic.”
The Ritual
Gnosis, the silencing of the rational mind, is the gateway. The ritual is the structure you build to guide you into that state. It is a self-created psychodrama, not a rigid script. The method of achieving gnosis should align with the nature of the invocation.
| Gnosis Path | Method | Best For Invoking… |
|---|---|---|
| Inhibitory | Slow, rhythmic chanting; meditation; sensory deprivation; controlled breathing. | Intellectual states, tranquility, introspection (e.g., Thoth, Buddha). |
| Ecstatic | Intense dancing; rapid drumming; emotional overload; pain; sexual arousal. | Primal states, passion, aggression, ecstasy (e.g., Pan, Dionysus, Kali). |
During the peak of the gnostic state, the invocation is made. This is the moment of becoming. Techniques for this climactic point include:
- Assumption of the God-Form: The most direct method. You visualize the entity’s form merging with your own. You stand as it stands, speak as it speaks, and feel its consciousness overwrite your own.
- Sigil Anchor: A sigil representing the invocation (e.g., “I INVOKE THE VOICE OF ORPHEUS”) is created beforehand. At the peak of gnosis, you gaze at it until it vanishes from sight, implanting the command in your subconscious. The sigil can then be used later as a quick trigger to re-activate the state.
The experience is subjective, ranging from a subtle shift in perspective to a full-blown trance where your normal personality is temporarily absent.
Note: Other methods of invoking entities (or casting spells in general) also exist. Deities can be summoned through sheer concentration, indifferent vacuity, dreamwork, astral projections, direct ki energy manipulation, channeling, and more.
Banishing
What is banishing and why is it important? Banishing is a ritual act that concludes the working. It serves two purposes: to clear the area of residual magickal energy and to consciously dismiss the invoked consciousness from your own. It is an act of psychological hygiene that prevents the most common dangers of invocation:
- Obsession: Becoming fixated on the invoked entity or state.
- Ego Inflation: Failing to separate from a god-form and developing a messiah complex.
- Personality Bleed: Having the traits of the entity bleed into your daily life inappropriately.
A banishing can be a formal ritual like the Gnostic Pentagram Ritual (GPR) or something as simple as declarative laughter, taking a shower, or eating a meal, all done with the specific intent of grounding yourself and returning to your normal state of being.
Note: Some magicians do not devoke (banish), especially when their main goal is to induce changes in their personalities. This means that if you want to induce lasting changes in your personality, devocation may be omitted.
Invocation vs. Evocation
It is vital to distinguish between these two practices. They are opposites in direction.
- Invocation (Calling In): You merge with the entity. Your body is the temple. The goal is self-transformation.
- Evocation (Calling Out): You bring forth an entity as a separate, external manifestation, often into a designated space like a triangle or a scrying mirror. The goal is communication or tasking. A related practice is the creation of a servitor, an evoked thought-form designed for a specific autonomous purpose.
Practical Applications
Invocation is not merely an esoteric exercise; it is a tool for enhancing real-world effectiveness.
- Professional Life: Invoking a god of communication or strategy before a critical business meeting or job interview to embody confidence and eloquence.
- Creative Work: Calling upon a Muse or a god of artistry to break through a creative block and access novel ideas.
- Personal Development: Regularly invoking an archetype of discipline or courage to build those traits within your baseline personality over time.
- Problem-Solving: Embodying a consciousness known for its wisdom (e.g., Solomon, Athena) to gain a new perspective on a difficult problem.
The invocation acts as a catalyst, empowering your own skills and efforts to achieve a result that might otherwise have been out of reach.
Summary & FAQ
Invocation within Chaos Magick is a psychological technology for self-alteration. The practitioner selects a desired set of traits—personified by a god, a fictional character, or an abstract concept—and uses a self-designed ritual to enter a state of non-rational consciousness known as gnosis. In this state, the magician temporarily adopts the belief that they are this entity, merging with it to internalize its characteristics. This process is a practical tool for enhancing personal abilities and achieving specific real-world goals. The practice is bookended by a clear statement of intent at the start and a mandatory banishing ritual at the end to ensure a safe return to a normal state of mind.
What if I don’t “feel” anything during my first invocation?
The result is what matters, not the subjective sensation. Even if the experience feels subtle, observe your behavior and mindset in the hours and days following the ritual; the invocation may have worked on a subconscious level.
Is there a recommended “first” entity to invoke?
There is no single answer, as it depends on your goal. However, invoking an abstract quality like “Confidence” or “Clarity” is often safer for a beginner than attempting to embody a complex and volatile godform.
Do I need physical tools like robes, daggers, or altars?
No. Tools can be powerful psychological props that help build belief and focus, but they are not necessary (although they help a lot). The only essential tools are your intent, your consciousness, and a method to achieve gnosis.
Can I invoke more than one entity at once?
This is an advanced practice. You could, but you’d have to know why do you need both entities simultaneously, and how to integrate them together.
Is it possible for an invocation to become permanent?
While a successful invocation can create lasting changes in your personality, the goal is typically integration, not permanent replacement.