Successful Invocation

There are a variety of symptoms that can be felt and experienced by those acting as vessels for Invocation, and witnessed by other observers in the room if an Invocation is successful. Therefore, it is always wise for the person acting as the vessel to have a helper with them during the process.

The helper’s job is to watch for such signs that the Invocation is taking place, discern and then note any symptoms that the person acting as vessel is displaying, and validate those symptoms. It is important, then, that the helper be familiar with the normal behavior of the vessel, so that they can accurately assess and validate their state.

If the invocation is working, the vessel may:

• Close their eyes
• physically relax
• feel pressure or physical discomfort
• experience blurred or tunnel vision
• lose concept of time
• experience emotional outbursts such as inappropriate anger or laughter
• become physically stronger and more agile than normal
• experience amnesia

The helper may observe in the vessel:

• a distinct change in posture or mannerisms
• a change in the condition of the skin such as flushing, sudden paleness, sweating
• a change in vocal pattern such as speaking another language, with a foreign accent or slurred speech
• they no longer require their glasses / hearing aid / cane
• their eyes may not track together
• a change in facial characteristics, unusual eye fluttering, or tics

If the invocation is light, the vessel may feel compelled to say and do things as if prompted by an external power. At this level the presence of the entity is just enough to gently guide and inspire the vessel; they are still in charge of themselves but may subtly alternate control with the entity.

At the next level of invocation, the vessel becomes a more open channel for the entity, but still retains their own control. This is when the vessel may feel that they are speaking words without knowing where they are coming from, or having insights that they would not ordinarily have. The vessel will more readily surrender to the entity for longer periods of time.

Invocations at the next deeper level, will result in the vessel starting to more readily display symptoms of possession. They are still in control of themselves and aware of who and where they are, but time may start to become abstract. They may start to display unusual physical behaviors and possibly speak and / or act differently than usual.

And finally, the vessel may undergo complete possession. This is the level where the vessel has surrendered their body to the incoming entity completely; the entity is in charge and can enjoy an earthly body to the fullest extent. This is when the aid of the helper is most essential, and it is their responsibility to ensure the safety of the vessel and the other participants in the ritual.

After the entity has been released from the vessel, there will be some aftercare required. It is normal for the vessel to need some time to readjust themselves to the mundane world and to look after some basic bodily requirements. For additional safety, when someone returns from being a vessel, the Priestess or Priest in charge should look the vessel in the eyes, call them by their name, and ask them two questions:

1. “[Insert name here], are you fully present?”
   

   The answer should be a clear yes.

2. “Do you have any reason to deceive me?”
   

   The answer should be a clear no.

If they are not able to properly answer these questions the helper should address them by their name and ask them to repeat it back to them. The helper can also ask other basic questions, such as what day of the week it is, do they know where they are, etc. The vessel may be tired, hungry, and in need of a bathroom break. Have some food and something non-alcoholic on hand to give them. The helper can offer to escort them to the bathroom and suggest that they splash some water on their face or move their bodies in a familiar and comfortable way.