Let’s finally tackle the question: What’s the difference between evocation and invocation? If you’re into magick, witchcraft, or spiritual practices in general, you’ve probably heard these terms tossed around. But they’re not always explained clearly, so let’s break it down in simple terms.
The Basics
Invocation: Think of it as calling energy, a deity, or a spirit into yourself. You’re opening up, becoming a vessel for this energy, and connecting deeply with it—like inviting someone into your personal space. It’s an intimate and powerful act, often focused on embodying their traits, channeling wisdom, messages, or deepening the relationship between the person embodying the energy and the entity.
In traditional Wiccan ceremonies, invocation is usually led by the High Priestess and High Priest during the ritual. The way it’s performed can differ depending on the tradition or the preferences of the coven. From my experience, this type of invocation typically takes place in circles where all participants have been properly initiated into the craft. On the other hand, in African traditions like Umbanda and Quimbanda—widely practiced in South America—invocation often happens privately. However, once the ritual begins (for example, during the Gira), non-initiates are invited to join. They can then interact with the invoked entity through the person embodying it, seeking guidance or blessings.
Since there are so many traditions around the world, each rooted in unique cultural and spiritual practices, the approach to and execution of invocation varies widely. Every tradition brings its own perspective and style to this sacred practice.
Evocation: This is more about calling a spirit, entity, or force to be present in your environment. Instead of inviting them into yourself, you’re summoning them to stand before and around you, as a separate presence. It’s more about communication and keeping personal boundaries intact.
In witchcraft and other spiritual practices, it’s common to evoke guardians or spirits to be present during rituals. The techniques for evocation also vary depending on the tradition, but practitioners often summon these energies into a designated space, such as a circle or triangle. This approach helps maintain clear boundaries, allowing the practitioner to communicate, make requests, or issue commands while keeping the energy contained and controlled.
A quick way to remember: invocation = internal, evocation = external. Of course, these definitions can blur, depending on your spiritual tradition or practice.
When They Overlap
Sometimes, you’ll use both invocation and evocation in the same ritual. For example, you might invoke a divine being to give yourself authority and then evoke a lesser spirit to assist with a specific task. The lines aren’t always clear, and some practices blur the distinction even further. But understanding invocation and evocation helps you work more intentionally with spirits and energies, knowing the difference can help you set clear goals for your rituals.
Personally, I always interchange these terms when talking to someone in real life. Thankfully, most people get what I mean from the context, and it’s easy enough to clarify if needed. As long as you’re clear on what you’re trying to achieve during a ritual, everything should turn out just fine.
That said, it’s still good to know the terminology. It helps when explaining things to new practitioners and ensures you understand what’s being described when reading a grimoire—especially since you can’t ask the author to clarify what they really meant!
Where Did These Words Come From?
The word invocation comes from the Latin "invocatio" and "invocare," meaning “to call upon.” It has been used in English since the 1300s, primarily in religious contexts like prayer. Evocation comes from the Latin "evocare," meaning “to call forth,” and entered the English language in the late 1500s, often associated with summoning spirits.
When these words transitioned into English, you can see their roots clearly: "in" means “upon,” "e" means “out,” and "vocare" means “to call.”
Both terms saw a resurgence in the early 2000s, likely fueled by a growing interest in witchcraft, occult practices, and their representation in pop culture.
Every spiritual tradition uses these terms differently, so keep learning and adapting based on your path. Whether you’re into ceremonial magic, witchcraft, or something else, both invocation and evocation can add depth and focus to your rituals.
I hope this post was helpful to you!
Until next time
Lore Graves
