A really common question came up on the blog today, and I’m sure I’ve covered it briefly somewhere in one of my books before, though I’ll be damned if I remember which one. So I thought I would address the question, because it’s a good one, and hopefully help to clear up confusion.
Hello little question about directions and elements, I would like to invoke Astaroth and Belial, both are terrestrial,
Is the next question about the North or the West? In the book of J Thorp, says that the north is the water element, and the west is the earth element, while the opening rite says the opposite. Can you enlighten me on this question thank you.
This can be super confusing to those who may just be starting out. So the first thing is that Water and Earth trade places in different traditions. Some systems, like the Khemetic system, put water North. If you’re working alchemically or within certain ceremonial traditions, it makes more sense to put water North. If you practice traditional craft or certain forms of Western ceremonial magick, however, Water is often put toward the west.
IMHO though — it really depends on the operation. IF you’re looking to stabilize emotions, strengthen wisdom, or manifest greater clarity through divination, or to heighten your intuition — Water North because it’s closer to Air, thus affecting mental acuity. If you’re looking to spark creativity, explore your passions, or destroy someone else – Water west to heighten emotion and infuse it with fire.
So in this sense, you can look at the elements as Air and Fire being “fixed elements” and Earth and Water as being “mutable elements” within a magickal circle with an elemental construct.
Ultimately – if you haven’t tried Earth toward the West and Water to the North — try it. Decide which one you like better. I’ve noticed everyone has their preference. I can go either way.
Just as an aside here, when you’re working with the Fire Aspect of Belial, it makes sense to put Earth West. IF you’re working with the Cold/Dry Earth aspect of Belial, it makes sense to put Earth North.
I haven’t given this much thought since I have never attempted a ritual. But I have read your writings on ritual construct, which is very important in how you are going to communicate to and which daemon you are dealing with. I always appreciate your input on these subjects. Your necromancy books are SECOND to none! I am finishing up Keys of Ocat along with Honoring Death. I like your warnings in the beginning! I do take heed!! I would love to see a real physical manifestation of a daemon, but at this point I am too chickenshit to really attempt this because of what could go wrong. This is not because of any Abrahamic influence, but because as you say other riff raff can enter in. When I feel more confident about my abilities to do real magick, perhaps then. If and when I do attempt I want to go in as a seasoned (hopefully) and well read magician, and not an amateur.
“Do not confuse phenomenon with success”, as a sorcerer once said. Physical manifestation is not necessary to get results. No doubt it’s pretty cool when it does happen, though.