Invocations

     An invocation is a spoken or chanted form of calling the presence of a deity close.  Invocations are used throughout many rituals, but they can be used as a ritual itself.  Invocations are used to rouse the spirit within the individual, and also to call outside forces in.   There are many different types of invocations, and they can all have different results depending on what energy you are calling upon.  Invocations are not meant to be taken lightly, and the forces called upon can be very strong.  However, invoking the spirit can be a very beautiful and blessed experience.

     There are many traditional invocations that are used by different people around the world.  The strength of the invocation is only as strong as the will and intent of the person performing it.  Because invocations are spoken words, the particular words of the invocation are extremely important.  Words are powerful things, they draw ideas, inspiration, and symbols to mind, They can also trigger the subconscious, and conscious in ways that no other method can . 

     Wiccan's and Pagan's use invocation regularly during ritual.  One such invocation is "Drawing Down the Moon" which is used to help draw the energy of the feminine aspect into the circle.  Invoking the energy will help to bring that energy into focus and help to make it more understandable to the participants of the invocation or ritual.  Language of the invocation is useful, but not critical.  The idea of invocation is to become familiar with and to become aware of the energy.  Simply put, if you are not fluent in a particular language that a invocation is written in, do your best to understand it.

     Invocations can be made by you personally as well, thought and meditation will help you in preparing your invocations.  Know before hand what energy you are trying to draw close to you, and know what your intentions are with it.  Frivolously calling spirits or energy into your immediate circle can cause all kinds of problems if you are not properly protected.  When writing invocations be sure you also have a way of releasing the energy after you are done with it.  An "evocation", is generally a chanted writing that will send the energy back to where it came from.  Its always useful to have something on hand in case you draw the wrong energy.  Generally speaking, invocations are used to get closer to our creator, whatever form you choose to call it.  Invocations can be beautiful things, and the more feeling, and sincere they are, the closer to our creator you will become.

     I wanted to give you a good idea of what an invocation actually is, so under "section articles" there are links to three different examples.  I personally use these invocations when I cast a circle.  As you read them, try to feel the energy that they represent.  Try to get a good idea of the energy that you would be drawing near by reciting these texts during a ritual.  I do want to point out that I did not write these texts.  These were offered to me by my teacher a few years back.  They are traditional invocations, and I feel you will find them very enlightening.    "Drawing Down the Moon" in one form or another is always to be recited during full moon rituals.

     A spoken heart brings heartfelt meanings.