Sometime in 2013, after careful studying and gathering as many materials for the ritual as I could possibly get without breaking the bank…I finally got to work on my first goetic summoning. Most of the items can be obtained easily or even made. Things like swords, knives, white clothes with red sigils sowed by virgins, etc. had to be substituted as best as possible. The circle was drawn on canvas and painted with black paint.

Before going directly into the Lesser Key of Solomon, I decided to work exclusively for a few years with the angels and djinn in the Greater Key of Solomon. I am pretty pleased to report that doing so has greatly enriched my occult studies, experience and personal life (and those of the other participants in the rituals). I highly recommend starting here especially if working with Picatrix’s astrological based spirits.

For this particular ritual, it had to be done alone of course. I have scried alone before but never something like this. I was scared that if I botched it, I would invite chaos or worse into my life. I practiced and banished often. Finally with husband off to Atlanta and all alone in our apartment, I began cleaning and preparing the living room to accommodate the ritual space. I think it took all day and I ended up doing the ritual at night (which I didn’t want to do since Paimon is a solar entity but I was working with a limited time). I did the banishings, the initial callings, then the summoning.

When this is properly done, you enter a certain kind of space. You’ll know because everything becomes darker, the air feels thick and heavy and it feels like there’s a shift in the atmosphere. When I opened my eyes from the prayers, I look out the windows and could no longer see the city lights or buildings. Windows were pitch black. The only light I had was the candles that surrounded me. I felt the rug I was on was floating in a sea of darkness. The walls of my apartment had fallen away. This is exactly where you want to be.

I continued the summoning calls and waited in-between to be answered. I looked into my crystal ball periodically as well. I expected loud noises or bangs, phone or radio going off, etc. Nothing. I did get a voice. It started off strong but then as the ritual progressed it became weak until finally it was gone. I assumed it was Paimon. I welcomed him and gave offerings of alcohol. I expected him to be accompanied with 3 other spirits or a retinue but none of that happened. I did see him clearly in the crystal as a feminine-faced youth. I felt he already seemed annoyed, rushed and wanted to quickly leave. I recall that I felt a few times I wanted to pass out or fall asleep in the circle.

Paimon: I am here. What do you wish?

Me: I have a list of things I would like to cover with you.

Paimon: I already read your petition. It will take a year.

Me: I require results in a month or less. In exchange I will honor your name through my art.

Paimon: I require time in which to work within your space.

Me: I need results now not later. You can accomplish this with ease.

Paimon: What else do you wish of me?

Me: Who were you before? Were you a deity in a previous time?

Paimon: Yes, I was many things. I changed to fit with the times and the people (even the job description). To be remembered. Not forgotten.

Me: Dude, that sucks. (I burst out saying.)

Paimon: Indeed.

Me: In previous incarnations were you Al Kutbay/Aglibol/Azizos/Arsu (other names I mentioned).

Paimon: Yes. No. No. Yes. Is this all you require of me?

The Palmyrene god Arsu originated in Arabia as Ruda, the protector of caravans. His worship at Dura-Europos was probably introduced from Palmyra during the Parthian era. In the relief, Arsu rides a camel toward an altar. The crescent may symbolize his association with the evening star and nighttime navigation through the desert.

I continued asking questions but by then he had already departed. I was kind of pissed that he didn’t appear and leave as directed. I wondered what had I overlooked or done wrong for that to happen. Wrong circle perhaps? Triangle needed to be wooden? Obsidian vs crystal? I heard later on that this is actually common from other summoners (that goetia demons do this).

I proceeded to properly pronounce the departure calls and banishings. I then cleared and dismantled the circle. I felt relieved I had performed a “successful” ritual at the time. Looking back almost three years later, none of my requests have been performed thus far. I am unsure if I should proceed with a “redo” of sorts, continue with the spirits I have already working with me thus far, or just drop it entirely.