The word conjuration (from Latin 'conjuratio', 'conjurare', to swear together) can be interpreted in several different ways: as an invocation or evocation (the latter in the sense of binding by a vow); as an exorcism; or as an act of illusionism. The word is often used synonymously with "invocation", although the two are not synonyms. One who performs conjurations is called a conjurer or conjuror.

Texts and language

The text of the charms to be recited to conjure the spirit varies considerably from simple sentences to complex paragraphs with plenty of magic words. The language usually is that of the conjurer's, but since the Middle Ages in Western tradition, Latin was the most common (although many texts have been translated into other languages).

Objectives of conjuration

The conjuration of the ghosts or souls of the dead for the purpose of divination is called necromancy.

When it is said that a person is calling upon or conjuring misfortune or disease, it is due to the ancient belief that personified diseases and misfortune as evil deities, spirits or demons that could enter a human or animal body; see demon possession.

Religious reactions

The notion of the action of a conjuration is traditionally linked to the task of repelling negative spirits away, and protecting an individual, space or collectivity. However, it is also believed by many, particularly in Christian societies, that magic, and thus conjuration, is an inherently evil practice. According to these beliefs, conjurers summon demons or other evil spirits to cause harm to people or things, to obtain favours from them, or simply to enter servitude to such beings. The belief in similarly-minded conjurers also exists in belief systems in which magic is not inherently evil, although in these cultures these "black magicians" are not the rule and have opposition among more traditional magicians. In fact, the notion of a conjuration is traditionally linked to the task of repelling negative spirits away, and protecting an individual, space or collectivity.

Islam is strongly against conjuration as well.

Conjuration in the Middle East

Conjuration, is a very common mysticism practice in the Middle East, most commonly found in Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Iraq. Many practice it for either personal grudges against people they loathe, personal healing, personal enhancment, fortelling the future, or what was mentioned early but as service to people who pay them.

Islam strongly forbids the use of such practices, because that of the unholy procedure that go through the process of this practice like insulting god and inverting his name (as would the thing be said about inverting the cross or the pentagram), and that it is malevolent to mankind than it is benevolent. Those who practice it are believed to turn into a state of madness by losing trust in mankind, losing temper through the presence of power, or being possessed by demons, since demons are believed to be short tempered beings, and being such that they might belittle the conjurer and turn them into their slaves.

From the widespread of conjuration in the area, special television shows and satellite channels have started broadcasting of the subject, where people would call conjurers to aid them by showing them how to make charms and conjure by themselves. though it clearly shows that it is conjuration, the conjurers portray themselves men of religion to trick the weak hearted audience.

Islam had strongly forbidden that with many imams stating that this is more dangerous than going to a conjurer to get service, because it teaches people how to conjure, and by the time the Dajjal (Islam's version of The Beast) arrives at the end of days people would not be able to differentiate between him and Isa (Jesus), as the Dajjal would impose himself as Isa and trick those who are weak in belief.

Contemporary references

"Conjurer" or "conjuror" is still the term for what is today called an illusionist or magician by its practitioners. In the not too distant past, conjurors where suspected of being capable of using magic power to create their entertaining illusions and even cast spells. Thus they became "magicians" to the general public, who were superstitious, anxious, ill-informed and uncurious.

Gaming

Conjuration is used in many video games, mainly RPGs, where it is usually referred to as Summoning. A notable example is the Final Fantasy franchise which incorporates summoning of monsters to fight alongside the characters.

See also

• Magic (paranormal)

References