Enochian Magic

From the Lesson

In the late 16th century, two men—a scholar and a medium—conducted systematic experiments in angelic communication that would produce one of Western magic's most elaborate systems.

John Dee and Edward Kelley

Dr. John Dee (1527-1608/9) was Queen Elizabeth I's court astrologer, a polymath who helped design the British Empire's navigational strategy. Edward Kelley was a scryer of dubious reputation. Together, between 1582 and 1589, they received what they believed to be a complete system of magic from angelic beings.

The Enochian Language

The angels transmitted a unique language with its own alphabet, grammar, and vocabulary—a language they claimed was spoken by Adam before the Fall and preserved by the patriarch Enoch. The 48 "Calls" or "Keys" in this language were said to invoke specific angelic forces.

The Elemental Tablets

The Enochian system centers on four "Watchtowers"—elaborate tablets associated with the four elements, each containing hierarchies of divine names, angelic rulers, and sub-angels. A fifth tablet, the Tablet of Union, links the four.

The Aethyrs

Beyond the elemental work, 30 "Aethyrs" or concentric spheres extend from Earth to the Divine Throne. Scrying the Aethyrs became the focus of Aleister Crowley's most important magical work, The Vision and the Voice.

Golden Dawn and Beyond

The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn systematized Enochian material, integrating it with Kabbalah and other systems. Their analysis remains the standard framework for Enochian practice.

Cautions and Considerations

Enochian magic is notoriously powerful and unpredictable. Practitioners report dramatic results—both transformative and destabilizing. The system demands thorough preparation, strong foundations in basic magical practice, and psychological stability.