The Diagnostic Significance of Goetia
We have already noted one of the two basic arts of the Western magical Way – Goetia – is a universal method for effective diagnosis, therapy, and development of the mind.
In other words, using goetic approaches can successfully
- identify pathology of the mind,
- outline the ways of its correction and
- delineate the direction of further development, blocked by a destructive matrix.
It is clear that with sufficient perseverance, skill, and experience, goetic practice allows one to achieve all these goals; however, even the successful realization of one is a substantial evolutionary step.
Strictly speaking, the true enemies of the mind are not demons as entities, but distortions of the psyche itself that allow these demons to consume the energy dissipated by the mind. The great Predators, channel universal currents of energy, cannot take from us a single drop of tonified pneuma without our permission. Therefore, no matter how grandiose the predator’s power may be, no matter how ancient and cunning its mind, and no matter how convincing its speech, the final decision about the loss or preservation of energy is always made by its producer.
Accordingly, by discovering the primary destructor, the initial distortion that arose in the psychocosm (even if later carefully nurtured by a demon), and correcting it, one can block the channel of such energy outflow and, accordingly, sever the connection with the predator.
At the same time, in practice it is quite difficult to separate primary, “one’s own” and secondary, “induced” pathology of the mind’s flow. For example, if a person has problems controlling anger, then initially it is their own unwillingness/inability to properly channel and mobilize energy that is to blame; but it is quickly reinforced by the supporting and “goading” activation of the matrix of Belial and his retinue, so that in fact it turns into a self-perpetuating destructor, which is very hard to get out of.
From this standpoint, the discovery and identification of the corresponding Gates of energy outflow can help recognize both the root cause of the opening of these gates and possibly eliminate it by any available means, including non-goetic ones.
Therefore, when the wayfarer doesn’t want to or cannot “immerse” themselves in goetic practice “headlong,” they can use its approaches at least for diagnostic purposes.
Among the approaches that can help in this sense is study the mind’s response strength and nature of its response to the main characteristics of the demonic matrix in its “distorted” (i.e., goetic) and “prototype” (“Shemhamphorash”) forms.
There are four such main manifestations:
- name (more precisely, names and epithets);
- image (characteristic features of the manifestation of the demonic essence);
- sigil;
- motto (sisma).
Just as the result of “pressing” on the physical site where a pathology is located causes pain or itching, interaction with the “external vessels” of the energetic matrix leads to unusual sensations in the body or psyche.
Thus, the arsenal of the “diagnostic” component of the goetic art consists of accurate knowledge of the characteristics of demons (and this requires considerable Authority) and skills in recognizing unusual sensations in the body and psyche.
In addition, we have already noted more than once that any interaction with demonic energies, including such a superficial one, can be dangerous, since even “grey” kydemons have a powerful destructive potential; therefore another necessary condition of goetic work is proper and effective protection.
However, if these conditions are met and its techniques are applied correctly, goetia is an amazingly effective tool that, if not able to heal, can at least indicate the directions for working on the mind.
Hello Enmerkar. Can any divination system or direct clairvoyance be used for diagnosis to find out which demon is connected? Is it logical that if you work with some angel of Shem, then the corresponding demon activates as well, like a shadow?
Hello. Theoretically yes, but without verification systems there is a very high chance of deception.
Hello! How can the characteristics of demons assist with diagnosis? For example, Danatalion, from the Goetia of A. Crowley: ‘Duke, great and mighty. His service is to teach anyone all arts and sciences, to reveal anyone’s secret designs, for he knows the thoughts of men and women, and he can change them at will. He can also evoke love and show the likeness of any person, and show any person in vision, wherever in the world they may be.’ Regarding images: ‘he appears in a form of a man with many faces, reminiscent of male and female, holding a book in his right hand.’ I can add, I read that many contemporaries add new interpretations to these classic images, to the extent that the perception of someone is tuned differently, so they see it that way. There are even those who assert that some classical Goetics were killed in wars, and in their place came their children.))
Hello. I write in detail about the images of demons in my book ‘The New Lemegeton.’ In particular, about Danatalion: ‘The multi-faced nature of the demon signifies his variability, the ability to manifest in different forms depending on the characteristics of the consciousness in which he is active. ‘Book’, ‘arts and sciences’, pertaining to Danatalion’s manifestations, indeed speak of his wisdom-replicating activity, while forgeries and masks speak of his deception and ability to create illusions. Well, non-traditional approaches can only be evaluated by their effectiveness, by their therapeutic impact on the operator and the world around them.