The spiritist evocations and their disadvantages

We present in this issue the topic #101 from the Systematized Study of the Spiritist Doctrine, that is being presented weekly, according to the programme elaborated by the Brazilian Spiritist Federation (FEB), structured in 6 modules and 147 topics.

If the reader uses this program for a study group, we suggest that questions proposed be discussed freely before the reading of the text that follows. If you would like to study alone, we ask you to try to answer the questions at first and only then read the text that follows. The answer key can be found at the end of the lesson. 

Questions

1. Is there a sacramental formula to evoke the Spirits?

2. Which Spirits, according to Kardec, can we evoke?

3. What are the main causes that prevent or make it difficult to the Spirit to attend the evocation?

4. In regards to the purpose, what are the rules we must observe in the direct evocations?

5. What does Emmanuel recommend about the spiritist evocations?

Text

Spirits can communicate spontaneously or respond to our call 

1. In the "Book of Mediums", Kardec talks about evocations with the following concerns.  

2. Spirits - says the Encoder - can communicate spontaneously or respond to our call, which means, come by evocation. There are those who judges that is not convenient to evoke them, because not always there is the certainty that the communicating Spirit is the one that was called. Those who think this way propose that Spirits communicate always spontaneously, because acting in such way, Spirits would prove their identity better, which is a mistake. The fact of evocating or allowing the communication to happen naturally nothing has to do with the identification of the communicating Spirit, because a mystification can occur in both cases.  

3. The matter of spiritist evocations needs to, however, be considered with discretion and common sense, because there are advantages and disadvantages in communications originated from evocations and those occurred spontaneously. Evidently, the spontaneous communications present no inconvenience when you are in “control” and sure that the bad spirits will not take the lead. In meetings dedicated to attend the suffering spirits, spontaneity is a regular practise.  

4. When it is desired to communicate with a specific spirit, there is the need to evoke this spirit; at least, that was the idea of the Encoder, who clarifies that, for this purpose, there is no sacramental formula. Whoever intends to indicate a formula can be labelled, without fear as an impostor, as for the Spirits the form is nothing. However, there is one essential condition; the evocation must be made in the name of God, which means seriously, not frivolously.  

As a general rule, all Spirits may be evoked  

5. It is essential that when it is wanted to call certain spirits, the medium begins by addressing only to those one knows are good and friendly and have a real reason to answer the appeal, such as relatives and friends.  

6. Frequently, observes Kardec, evocations offer more difficulties to the mediums than spontaneous dictation, especially when it aims to get from the Spirits precise answers to detailed questions.  

7. Mediums – Kardec still reminds - are generally more sought for evocations of particular character than to communications of general interest. However, they should not accede to such applications, but with great reserve, when made by persons whose sincerity they are not sure of. Furthermore, it is necessary to avoid taking part in evocations moved by simple curiosity or interest, without serious intention by the evocative, distancing themselves from anything that might turn them into agents of consultations, into lucky readers.  

8. As a general rule, all spirits, whatever the degree in which they are in the Spiritist level can be evoked, both good and bad, both who disincarnated not long ago or those who lived in more remote times, both illustrious figures or obscure individuals. This does not mean, however, that they can or want to respond to our call. Regardless of their will, the permission to communicate may be refused by a higher power, existing situations they are even prevented from doing so for reasons not always given to us.  

Emmanuel does not recommend the direct evocation in any case 

9. The main causes that prevent or make it difficult to the Spirits to attend the evocations that are addressed to them are these: (a) when the evoked Spirit is involved in missions or occupations that one cannot turn away (b) if the Spirit is incarnated, especially when it occurs in planets inferior to Earth, (c) when the Spirit is in places of punishment and hence do not have permission to be absent, (d) when the medium, by its nature or ability, cannot enter into mediumistic tune with the Spirit evoked.  

10. Evoking a Spirit or not is a matter that needs to be therefore, well evaluated, always bearing in mind the purpose of it. Every evocation, as well as, every spontaneous manifestation, must aim at a useful purpose. When a Spirit is evoked for the first time, it is convenient to designate it with some precision and avoid, in questions which are asked, dry and mandatory formulas, which could drive the Spirit away. The addressing formulas should be affectionate and respectful, according to the evoked Spirit. It is also important, in all cases, that the evocative gives proof of his benevolence.  

11. In dealing with Spirits, especially regarding the evoked ones, questions should be clearly and accurately formulated, without preconceived ideas, if the evocative seeks for obtaining categorical answers. It is yet important that the evocative, specifies frankly and openly the point which is being aimed at without prevarication.  

12. Almost 80 years after the publication of The Book of Mediums, Emmanuel examined the matter of evocations in the question of number 369 of his book The Consoler, psychographied by Francisco Cândido Xavier, in which he assured: "We do not advise the personal and direct evocation in any circumstance", expressing the point of view that, when it comes to mediumship, we must be spontaneous. In the same question he explains that Allan Kardec widely used it, although it is known that the Encoder also acknowledged that spontaneous communications were given in the meetings which were chaired by him in the Parisian Society of Spiritist Studies. In the book, Spiritist Conduct, chapter 25, work psychographied by the medium Waldo Vieira, André Luiz reiterated the proposal made by Emmanuel, recommending us to abolish in our mean, the practice of nominal evocations to the entities.   

Answer Key

Spiritist Conduct; by André Luiz, work psychographied by Waldo Vieira, chapter 25.