Professor Seward's
Ancient Crystal Secrets

Professor Arthur Ferdinand Seward (1798-1885) was a Scottish seer, world traveller and lecturer, and noted throughout Europe as a respected occultist. He translated the manuscript De Divinatione per Crystallum, which follows on this page, during a research trip to Paris, and published it in his book Art of Crystal Gazing or Secrets of the Crystal Revealed, in 1873. Unfortunately, it has never been possible to trace the origins of the rituals in the document beyond its French version. However, those who have tried it have, apparently, met with good results even when they have not followed the exacting and laborious requirements of the French original. I do believe that the flavour of the rituals and symbolism of the working tools points towards Enochian Magick, just from the small knowledge I have of this system. If you should stumble upon this page and have some more information you can offer me, please e-mail me: Lilitu Babalon.

And so, I offer to you portions of the Seward translation of De Divinatione per Crystallum: even though some of my friends will think I have gone over to the other side!

Elements of the Ritual and Invocation

Basic Instructions for Invoking Spirits
Now all those who wish to obtain the assistance of the good spirits in the crystal must lead a religious life, keeping themselves, as it were, apart from the world. The invocant must maintain himself in an orderly, clean and pure manner. Make frequent ablutions and prayers, for at least three days, before starting the operations; and let the moon be increasing. The invocant may, if he so chooses, have one or two wise and discreet persons, as companions, to assist him in the procedure. But he or they must conform to all the rules and forms necessary to be observed in the practice of this art. He must be firm, daring, strong in faith, filled with great confidence, and must be careful that no part of the forms or ceremonies be omitted, if he desires success in his operations. The accomplishment of his design will depend upon the scrupulous performance of all that is prescribed herein. The invocant may proceed with the work t any time of the year, provided that the two luminaries, namely, the sun and moon, are in a fortunate aspect, with favouring planets. But when Sol is in his greatest Northern Declination is said to be the best time.


Concerning the Room Containing the Circle
In order to carry on his work, the invocant must have a small room in some retired part of the house. For example, an attic, or a low and preferably vaulted kitchen. It should be devoid of adornments, since these might distract his attention. The floor must be perfectly clean and even, so as to receive the lines of the circle and the characters to be traced thereon. The circle may then be drawn seven feet in diameter and the characters with the Holy Names inscribed duly and clearly, in accordance with the illustration. [This will be posted shortly] Use consecrated chalk or charcoal. It is unlikely that the operator will have compasses of sufficient magnitude. He may use a chord attached to a peg as a centre and may secure the chalk or charcoal to the further end thereof. Alternatively, he may sprinkle the floor with fine sand and then inscribe the circle and characters with his magic sword. But the previous method is the better, and as it is also more durable, it will serve in several operations.
.........The room must be kept free from the rush of business, as well as from prying and curious intruders. It should be locked when not in use. The invocant must be further reminded that every preparation belonging to the art must be made during the moon's increase.


Apparatus and Instruments to be Used
The operator must be provided with a small table, covered with a white linen cloth. A chair should be placed in the room, ready for the time of the experience. have the necessary materials for a fire, in order to burn the perfumed incense proper to the planet governing the hour in which the work is performed. Get a torch and two wax candles. Place in gilded or brazen candlesticks, highly polished and engraven, on pedestals. The operator must also have a pair of compasses, some thread or cord, a knife, a pen-knife, a pair of scissors, a magic sword of pure steel, a wand of hazlewood - of a year's growth and a yard in length - engraven as shown - and a box in which to place the smaller articles. Also get a fine pen, ink and paper, or parchment. From beginning to end, all the instruments must be entirely new. And they must be consecrated prior to their use.


Description of the Crystal
The invocant must have a crystal ball of about four inches in diameter, or at least the size of a large orange. It must be ground and properly polished, so as to be free from specks or spots. It should be enclosed in a frame of ivory, ebony or boxwood, also highly polished.
.........The Holy Names must be written round about it in raised letters of gold. The pedestal to which the frame is fixed may be of any suitable wood, so only that again it is polished and the name thereon written in the manner aforesaid. The crystal, like the other instruments, must be consecrated before being used. And when not in use it should be kept in a new box or drawer, with lock and key, so as to be free from dust and inspection by others.


Consecration of the Ground
Bless, O Lord, I beseech Thee, this ground, even this place, and expel all evil and wickedness from this circle. Sanctify it and make it becoming and convenient for Thy servant to begin and bring to pass therein all his desires, through our Lord and Saviour, Amen. Be thou blessed, O creature of this crystal, be thou purified and consecrated. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.


Blessing of the Lights
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. O Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God. Heaven and Earth are full of Thy Glory, before Whose Face there is a bright and shining light forever. Bless now, O Lord, these creatures of light, which thou hast given for the kindly use of man. That, being sanctified by Thee, they may not be extinguished by the evil power or filthy darkness of Satan, but may shine forth brightly and lend their assistance to this Holy Work, through Christ our Lord. Amen


Consecration of the Instruments
O God Almighty, Thou Who art a God of strength and greatly to be feared. Bless, O Lord, these instruments, that they may be a terror unto the enemy. And that I may overcome therewith all phantasms and oppositions of the devil, through Thy influence and the help of Thy holy and mighty names - On, El, Agla, Tetragrammaton - and in the Cross of Christ, our Lord. Amen.


Consecration of the Crystal
O Eternal God, Who by Thy wisdom hast appointed great power to the characters and other holy writings of Thy spirits, and hast given unto them that use them faithfully the power to work many things thereby: Bless this crystal, O Lord, formed, framed and written by the hand of thine unworthy servant. That being filled with divine virtue and influence by Thy command, O Most Holy God, it may show forth its power and virtue to Thy praise and glory, through Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen. I bless and consecrate this crystal, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost


In consecrating all the instruments and other things necessary in this art, the invocant must repeat the forms of consecration while placing his hands upon the different articles, having his face turned towards the East. These preliminaries being finished, he may place the table in front of the circle, with the crystal thereon, the two candlesticks - one of them on either side - and in close by the remaining apparatus, so that all may be ready to his hands. He may then enter the circle, with his companions - if any - on the day and hour of Mercury - the moon increasing - and may begin the operations by invoking earnestly - as, for example - the spirit Vassago - in the following manner:


The Invocation
I exorcise, call upon and command the spirit Vassago, by and in the Name of the immense and everlasting God Jehovah, Adonai, Elohim, Agla, On, Tetragrammaton. And by and in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the only Son of the eternal and true God, creator of heaven and earth and all that is therein - Filius, Sother, Emanuel, Primogenitors, Homousion, Bonus, Via, Veritas, Sapientia, Virtus, Lex, Mediator, Agnus, Rex, Pastor, Sacerdos, Athanatos, Paracletus, Alpha and Omega - by all these high, great, glorious, royal and ineffable names of the omnipotent God and of his only Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the second essence of the glorious trinity.
.........I exorcise, command, call upon and conjure thee - Spirit Vassago - wheresoever thou art, East, West, North, or South, or being bound to anyone under the compass of the heavens. Thou mayst come immediately from the place of thy private abode and appear to me visibly in fair and decent form within this crystal, stone or glass.
.........I do again exorcise and command thee powerfully - Spirit Vassago - to come and appear visibly before me in this crystal, stone or glass, in a fair, solid and decent form. And yet again I do bind strongly and command three - Spirit Vassago - to appear vividly before me in this crystal stone or glass - which I have thus and before mentioned - even by the virtue and power of those names whereby I can bind all rebellious, obstinate, refractory spirits - Alla, Carital, Maribal, Carion, Urion, Spyton, Lorean, Marmos, Agaion, Cados, Yron, Astron, Gardeong, Tetragrammaton, Strallax, Spignos, Sother, Jah, On, El, Elohim - by all aforesaid - I command thee - Spirit Vassago - to make haste. Come away and appear visibly to me, as aforesaid, without further tarrying. In the name of Him who shall come to judge the quick and the dead, and the world by fire. Amen.
.........This conjuration being repeated with patience and perseverance, the invocant not being disheartened or dismayed by reason of any delay, the spirit will appear at last. Then he may be bound with the bond of spirits and conversation may be held with him. That this is a true experiment, and that the spirit has been obliged to the fellowship and service of a magical artist heretofore, is very certain.


Bond of Spirits
I, Vassago, under Baro, King of the West, am not being compelled by command or fear, but of my own accord and free will. I do especially oblige myself - firmly, faithfully and without deceit - to [name of person who wishes to obtain the spirit in the crystal], to obey at any time, in any place, whensoever and wheresoever he shall call upon me. I will appear personally in this crystal, stone or glass, there to fulfil his commands truly in all things, so far as to me is possible, by the virtue of all the names of God. By that virtue wherewith the sun and moon wee darkened, and also my own planet, even by the celestial characters thereof, and principally by this seal, binding most solidly. In witness whereof, he commanding, I have signed this present obligation with mine own seal, which I acknowledge, and unto which I will adhere always.
.........Having obtained the desired assistance and information of the spirit, the invocant may license him to depart in the manner following:


License to Depart
Forasmuch as thou camest in peace and quietness, and hast answered unto my petition, I give humble and sincere thanks unto Almighty God, in Whose Name I called thee, in Whose Name also thou camest. And now I shall call thee by thine oath, or by thy name, by thine order or thine office, which is granted from the Creator. And the power of God be with me and thee, and upon the whole issue of God. Amen. Glory be to the father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
.........All aerial spirits are very powerful. But they are slow in their appearance, and so also in their departure. It will be well therefore for the invocant not to leave the limits of the circle for a few minutes after the license has been recited.



So ends the manuscript. I have included it here in the spirit of curiosity, and an example of the old doctrine of compulsion. The results supposedly obtained from this working are dealings with the spirits of air which would include Lucifer, but also the minor spirits of the Sylphs. Vassago is apparently an imperfect evil spirit, who has to be controlled carefully or he may turn and harm the operator. However, he can be easily intimidated and persuaded to enter into a bond which will control him. The underlying assumption seems to be that the spirit beings are fools... hmmm.

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