Evocation - Comparable Practices Elsewhere

Comparable Practices Elsewhere

In a wider sense, evocation is the magical art of calling forth spirits, angels or demons to bring spiritual inspiration, do the bidding of the magician or provide information. Methods for the attainment of this exist in most or all cultures that feature a belief in spirits, such as the shamanic traditions. Daoism, Shintoism, Spiritism and the African-American religions (Santería, Umbanda etc.) have particularly sophisticated systems of evocation. Even the various forms of Christian and Islamic exorcism can be considered evocations in this sense, albeit relatively simple ones.

Religions that use this type of ritual are often judged and criticized by monotheists as potentially Satanic. However, this is not true from the viewpoint of study of religion. Evocation is a practice held sacred by societies such as certain American Indian tribes, some ancient Middle Eastern religions and even the Jews in biblical times. This rite is not a "secret" in the society. It is common, practiced openly and frequently not distinguishable from prayer.