Enochian Magic: Angelic Language and Celestial Calls

By NICOLE LAU

Introduction: The Language of Angels

Enochian magic is one of the most complex, powerful, and controversial systems in Western esotericism. Received through angelic communication by Dr. John Dee (1527-1608/9), mathematician and advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, and his scryer Edward Kelley (1555-1597), Enochian magic claims to be the original language spoken by God and the angels—the tongue of creation itself.

Unlike most magical systems that evolved gradually through tradition, Enochian magic appeared fully formed through a series of scrying sessions between 1582 and 1589. The angels dictated an entire cosmology, a unique alphabet and language, elaborate tables of letters, hierarchies of spiritual beings, and a system of calls (invocations) to open gates between the human and angelic realms.

The Golden Dawn incorporated Enochian magic into its advanced curriculum, Aleister Crowley used it extensively, and it remains one of the most respected—and feared—systems of ceremonial magic. Practitioners report that Enochian magic is exceptionally powerful, producing dramatic results but also carrying significant risks for the unprepared.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the origins of Enochian magic, its cosmological structure, the Enochian language and alphabet, the system of tablets and calls, and practical considerations for working with this profound angelic system.

The Historical Origins

John Dee: The Queen's Magician

Dr. John Dee (1527-1608/9):

• Mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, and occultist
• Advisor to Queen Elizabeth I on matters astrological and navigational
• Owner of the largest private library in England
• Sought direct communication with angels to gain divine knowledge
• Believed angels could reveal the secrets of nature and the universe

His Goal: To recover the wisdom lost at the Fall and the Tower of Babel

Edward Kelley: The Scryer

Edward Kelley (1555-1597):

• Medium and scryer (crystal gazer)
• Controversial figure—possibly a charlatan, possibly genuinely gifted
• Gazed into a crystal or "showstone" to see and hear angels
• Relayed angelic messages to Dee, who recorded them meticulously

The Partnership: Dee provided the intellectual framework and questions; Kelley provided the visionary access

The Angelic Sessions (1582-1589)

Over seven years, Dee and Kelley conducted hundreds of scrying sessions:

• The Angels: Claimed to be messengers of God, including Uriel, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael
• The Method: Kelley gazed into a crystal or black obsidian mirror while Dee asked questions
• The Revelations: Angels dictated tables of letters, a new language, cosmological diagrams, and invocations
• The Records: Dee kept meticulous notes, now preserved in the British Library and other collections

The Controversy

Enochian magic has always been controversial:

• Authenticity: Did the angels really communicate, or did Kelley fabricate it?
• Danger: Many practitioners report Enochian magic is exceptionally powerful and potentially dangerous
• Complexity: The system is intricate and difficult to master
• Results: Despite controversy, practitioners consistently report dramatic effects

The Enochian Cosmology

The Watchtowers

The core of Enochian magic is the system of four Watchtowers—massive tablets of letters corresponding to the four elements:

The Great Table: A grid of 12 x 13 squares for each element, containing:

• Names of angels and spiritual beings
• Divine names and words of power
• Gates to different regions of the spiritual world

The Four Watchtowers:

1. The Watchtower of Air (East):

• Element: Air
• Direction: East
• Color: Yellow
• Quality: Intellect, communication, knowledge
• Archangel: Raphael

2. The Watchtower of Water (West):

• Element: Water
• Direction: West
• Color: Blue
• Quality: Emotion, intuition, purification
• Archangel: Gabriel

3. The Watchtower of Fire (South):

• Element: Fire
• Direction: South
• Color: Red
• Quality: Will, passion, transformation
• Archangel: Michael

4. The Watchtower of Earth (North):

• Element: Earth
• Direction: North
• Color: Black or Green
• Quality: Stability, manifestation, grounding
• Archangel: Uriel

The Tablet of Union

A fifth tablet that unites the four Watchtowers:

• Represents Spirit (the fifth element)
• Contains the names that govern all four tablets
• Used to invoke the highest angelic forces

The Hierarchies of Angels

Each Watchtower contains multiple levels of angelic beings:

The Great Kings: Rule over each quarter
The Seniors (Elders): Seven planetary angels for each element
The Kerubic Angels: Govern the sub-elements
The Servient Angels: Carry out specific tasks
The Demons: Fallen angels or inverse forces (in some interpretations)

The Thirty Aethyrs

Thirty spiritual realms or "Aires" arranged in ascending order:

• The 30th Aethyr (TEX) is closest to Earth
• The 1st Aethyr (LIL) is closest to the divine
• Each Aethyr has its own governors and qualities
• Traveling the Aethyrs is a form of spiritual ascent
• Aleister Crowley's The Vision and the Voice records his experiences in the Aethyrs

The Enochian Language

The Angelic Alphabet

Enochian uses a unique alphabet of 21 letters:

• Each letter has a name (e.g., Un, Graph, Tal)
• Each letter has a specific sound
• The letters are written right-to-left (like Hebrew)
• The script is angular and geometric

The Claim: This is the original language of creation, spoken by Adam in Eden

The Structure of Enochian

Enochian is a complete language with:

• Grammar and syntax
• Vocabulary (though limited compared to natural languages)
• Consistent phonetic rules
• Poetic and rhythmic qualities

Linguistic Analysis: Scholars debate whether Enochian is:

• A genuine angelic language
• A constructed language (like Esperanto)
• A cipher or code based on English and Latin
• A product of Kelley's unconscious mind

The Magical Perspective: Regardless of origin, practitioners report that Enochian works—the language carries power

Pronunciation

Enochian is meant to be spoken aloud:

• Each letter has a specific sound
• Words are vibrated (intoned with power)
• Correct pronunciation is considered essential
• The sound itself is believed to open gates and invoke angels

Example: The word "EXARP" (a divine name from the Air Tablet) is pronounced "EKS-ARP"

The Enochian Calls (Keys)

The Nineteen Calls

The angels dictated nineteen invocations or "calls" (also called "keys"):

The First Call: General invocation to open the gates
Calls 2-18: Specific to different parts of the Watchtowers
The Nineteenth Call: Invokes the thirty Aethyrs

Structure of a Call

Each call follows a pattern:

1. Invocation of divine names
2. Statement of purpose
3. Request for angelic presence
4. Declaration of authority
5. Command to manifest

The First Enochian Call (Example)

In Enochian:
"Ol sonf vorsg, goho Iad Balt, lonsh calz vonpho..."

In English:
"I reign over you, says the God of Justice, in power exalted above the firmaments of wrath..."

Purpose: Opens the gates and establishes the magician's authority

Using the Calls

Preparation:

• Purify yourself and the space
• Set up the Holy Table and Sigillum Dei Aemeth
• Face the appropriate direction for the Watchtower
• Enter a focused, reverent state

Pronunciation:

• Speak clearly and with authority
• Vibrate the divine names
• Maintain focus and will throughout

After the Call:

• Be receptive to angelic communication
• Record any visions, messages, or experiences
• Thank the angels and close properly

The Enochian Tools

The Holy Table

A specially designed table for Enochian work:

• Square or rectangular
• Inscribed with specific symbols and names
• The Sigillum Dei Aemeth sits at the center
• The scrying crystal or showstone is placed on the Sigillum

The Sigillum Dei Aemeth (Seal of God's Truth)

A complex circular talisman:

• Contains multiple layers of divine names and symbols
• Represents the structure of creation
• Acts as a focal point for angelic communication
• Traditionally made of wax and inscribed with precision

The Ring and Lamen

The Ring: Worn by the magician, inscribed with the name "PELE" (a divine name)
The Lamen: A breastplate or pendant worn during operations, inscribed with the Sigillum Dei Aemeth

The Scrying Crystal or Showstone

The tool for receiving angelic visions:

• Traditionally a crystal ball or polished obsidian
• Placed on the Sigillum Dei Aemeth
• The scryer gazes into it to see and hear angels

Practical Enochian Magic

Beginner Practices

1. Study the System:

• Read Dee's original diaries
• Study the Watchtowers and their structure
• Learn the Enochian alphabet and basic vocabulary
• Understand the cosmology before attempting practice

2. Meditation on the Tablets:

• Gaze at the Watchtower tablets
• Meditate on specific squares or names
• Allow impressions and insights to arise
• Record experiences in a magical diary

3. Pronunciation Practice:

• Learn to pronounce Enochian correctly
• Practice vibrating divine names
• Speak the calls aloud (even without full ritual)
• Develop familiarity with the language

Intermediate Practices

1. The First Call:

• Perform the First Enochian Call as a standalone ritual
• Use it to open sacred space
• Observe any effects or responses

2. Elemental Workings:

• Work with one Watchtower at a time
• Invoke the angels of a specific element
• Request knowledge, guidance, or assistance
• Build relationship with elemental angels

3. Scrying the Tablets:

• Gaze into a crystal or black mirror
• Focus on a specific square of a Watchtower
• Allow visions to arise
• Record and interpret experiences

Advanced Practices

1. The Thirty Aethyrs:

• Use the Nineteenth Call to invoke the Aethyrs
• Begin with the 30th (TEX) and work upward
• Each Aethyr provides specific teachings and initiations
• This is a complete system of spiritual ascent

2. Full Watchtower Operations:

• Invoke specific angels for specific purposes
• Use the complete ritual structure
• Work with the Seniors, Kerubim, and Servient angels
• Request tangible results or spiritual development

3. Enochian Chess:

• A divinatory and magical system using the Watchtowers as a game board
• Developed by the Golden Dawn
• Combines Enochian magic with strategic gameplay
• Used for divination and magical training

Warnings and Precautions

The Power of Enochian Magic

Practitioners consistently report that Enochian magic is exceptionally powerful:

• Results are often dramatic and rapid
• Effects can be overwhelming for the unprepared
• The system demands respect and proper preparation

Common Warnings

1. Don't Rush:

• Study thoroughly before practicing
• Build a foundation in basic ceremonial magic first
• Approach with reverence, not casual curiosity

2. Maintain Purity:

• Enochian magic requires moral and spiritual purity
• The angels will not respond to impure intentions
• Prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, and spiritually

3. Protect Yourself:

• Always perform proper banishings before and after
• Use protective symbols and divine names
• Don't invoke forces you can't control

4. Record Everything:

• Keep detailed records of all workings
• Note any unusual experiences or effects
• Track patterns and results over time

5. Respect the Angels:

• Approach with humility and reverence
• Don't command—request
• Thank the angels for their assistance
• Honor any guidance or teachings received

The Golden Dawn's Enochian System

The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn incorporated Enochian magic into its advanced curriculum:

• Reserved for Adepts: Only taught to members who had reached the Inner Order (5°=6° and above)
• Systematized: The Golden Dawn organized Dee's material into a coherent teaching system
• Integrated: Connected Enochian magic with Kabbalah, Tarot, and astrology
• Enochian Chess: Developed as a training tool

Aleister Crowley's Enochian Work

Crowley used Enochian magic extensively:

• The Vision and the Voice: Records his visions while traveling the thirty Aethyrs
• Incorporated Enochian into Thelemic practice
• Claimed to have received profound initiations through Enochian work
• Warned that Enochian magic is dangerous and should be approached with caution

Conclusion: The Angelic Gateway

Enochian magic stands as one of the most sophisticated and powerful systems in Western esotericism. Whether received from angels or constructed by human genius (or both), it provides a complete cosmology, a unique language, and a systematic method for communicating with angelic intelligences.

The system's complexity ensures that only serious, dedicated practitioners will master it. Its power ensures that those who do will experience profound transformation. The angels, it seems, do not reveal their secrets lightly—but for those willing to approach with purity, reverence, and dedication, the gates between worlds stand open.

As John Dee wrote in his diaries: "The angels have taught us a new language, the language of creation itself. Through this tongue, we may speak with the divine and learn the secrets hidden since the foundation of the world."

The Watchtowers await. The calls are ready. The angels listen.

NICOLE LAU is a researcher and writer specializing in Western esotericism, Jungian psychology, and comparative mysticism. She is the author of the Western Esoteric Classics series and New Age Spirituality series.