Call an ancestor by name

The book behind the practice

Transcendental Magic: Its Doctrine and Ritual

Éliphas Lévi · translated by A. E. Waite

Lévi asks the practitioner to collect memorial objects and place a portrait under a white veil with the person’s favourite flowers. The ritual includes prayer consistent with the deceased person’s beliefs, affectionate speech, silence and repeated calling of the name. A later passage supplies a farewell before leaving the oratory.

Éliphas Lévi · translated by A. E. Waite, Transcendental Magic: Its Doctrine and Ritual. Ritual, chapter XIII, printed pp. 274–276 and 279; reader pages/original PDF leaves 306–308 and 311.

Read the original passage ↗

About this guide

This is a shortened adaptation, not Lévi’s full necromantic operation. We omit fourteen days of retreat, dietary restriction, prescribed meal, fire, incense and darkness. A written name may replace a portrait; the short sitting, seated posture and sample words are editorial additions. We retain the veiled memorial, affectionate purpose, prayer, repeated name, silence and a farewell adapted from p. 279. The portrait stays veiled during the call. Impressions and remembered words are not treated as verified messages. Printed pp. 274–276 and 279; reader pages/original PDF leaves 306–308 and 311 checked. The paintings depict remembrance, not an expected spirit appearance. The close view, cobalt memorial surface and draped ivory veil are modern composition choices; no apparition or expected spirit form is shown.

The paintings are modern generated teaching illustrations, not original book plates. Duration and difficulty are editorial estimates. Journal entries retain this guide’s instructions, source checksum and version; they are saved on this device.

Call an ancestor by name.

The purpose

The practice

You’ve finished the practice.

Keep your note?