The Devil at the Crossroads
For centuries, the devil has fulfilled the role of trickster in the western tradition.
Our expectation that he is some terrifying monster determined to destroy or rule the earth is a recent, cinematic creation. In early modern Europe he was certainly unpredictable but still entirely under the control of God—just as everything else was. He was bothersome rather than evil, like a friend who drinks too much or that neighbourhood cat who keeps getting into the house somehow.
The core “sin” that arose from association with the devil was idolatry, not soul loss or recruitment into the armies of hell. Thus, throwing votive objects in an old holy well became associating with the devil because of the inherent idolatry in believing that the well had capacities God could or would not fulfil.
In the New World in particular, the phrase “deal with the devil” became a sort of catch-all for any agreement undertaken between a human and the spirit world.
Perhaps the most famous example of this is early blues singer-songwriter Robert Johnson, who took his guitar to the crossroads and played several evenings in a row. Eventually a “large, black man” showed up, tuned his guitar, and handed it back. For the rest of his short life, Johnson was an undisputed musical master.
He spoke quite openly about his deal with the devil, but the consensus opinion appears to be that his actual agreement was with the loa … probably Legba in particular.
If that is your road, you do not need me to show it to you. For the rest of us, it strikes me as about time we reopened this route. The crossroad ritual below calls on Lucifer rather than “the devil.” There are a number of reasons for this. Firstly, the “devil” is something of a semantic moving target. Sometimes it is Lucifer, often it is a lot more. Lucifer’s pre-Christian origins associate him with the planet Venus, the morning star (and/or evening star); thus he presides over liminal, crepuscular times—dawn or dusk. There is also his later Promethean associations in bringing light to earth; he brings things from the unmanifest to the manifest. (If you are still a little uncomfortable, recall that Jesus is also called
“Morning Star.” Figure that one out!) STEP 1
The first step is obviously finding a quiet crossroad where you can be alone for several evenings. It is easier said than done if you live in West London, as I do.
(The first time I performed a variant of this rite was in some tidal bushland on Sydney’s Parramatta River. Much quieter.) You will need to return several nights in a row, so factor that in.
STEP 2
On the first evening, write the following square on a piece of reasonably robust card. Remember, it can rain!
L U C I F E R U N A N I M E C A T O N I F I N O N O N I F I N O T A C E M I N A N U R E F I C U L
Go to the crossroads, conceal this square somewhere it will not be found or otherwise disturbed, clap your hands three times, and call out to Lucifer and say you wish to speak with him. Then walk away WITHOUT LOOKING BACK.
STEP 3
The next part is quite variable. On successive nights, go to the crossroads and feel. There is no need to repeat the invocation (unless you determine that there is), merely hold the intention of contact in your head. Eventually there will be a sensation of awareness or expectation. If it is not there, come back again the next night. I appreciate this may be nonstandard procedure for those of you with some magical experience, but the goal here is to calibrate the crossroads for your reality … and his.
STEP 4
One night, the presence will be unmistakable. Then, rub your hands with some of the dirt from the crossroads and say the following. (Have it written down
beforehand.)
Lucifer, Ouyar, Chameron, Aliseon, Mandousin, Premy, Oriet, Naydru, Esmony, Eparinesont, Estiot, Dumosson, Danochar, Casmiel, Hayras, Fabelleonthu, Sodirno, Peatham, Venite, Venite, Lucifer, Amen.54
At this point, speak aloud about why you are here, what you intend to get out of this arrangement and what you are willing to offer in return. Offerings include food, alcohol, praise, artwork dedicated to the spirit, and so on. You certainly do not need to offer your soul. (The fact that you are reading a magic book suggests its resale value is a lot lower than you probably think, anyway.)
When you have completed your exchange, thank the spirit for attendance and once again walk away without turning back.
Final Note
If you are more comfortable with “the devil” as a specific being rather than Lucifer, omit the magic square and the invocation. Clap and summon each night until you experience a change in the feel of the crossroads.
It is also worth noting that you now have yourself a power place for the regular leaving of offerings, quiet celebrations, or discussions with a spirit of the crossroads. These relationships build over time. You will get nowhere in magic or in life without a robust relationship with the Lord of the Crossroads in one form or another. Do not be a stranger; remember what I said about
“ambivalence.”
Hermes and Hermanubis
In terms of liminal, transgressive trickster allies, do not forget there are some reasonably extensive techniques for reaching Hermanubis in the previous chapter. He can certainly fulfill this role, too. I tend to call Hermanubis exclusively for necromancy but only because it is how my personal practice has evolved; the rule is far from universal.
As for Hermes/Mercury, there are any number of resources out there for achieving contact. Begin with classical sources and hymns. In either case, a small statue of Saint Christopher provides a subtle, suitable home for these beings (and will not alarm house guests quite so much as a statue of the devil!).
Other Allies
There is something quite crude about trying to fit overviews of gods into one or two chapters of occult books. If divine concepts could so easily be apprehended then there would be no need for occult books in the first place. It becomes even more difficult when attempting to convey some notion of Trickster beings or those that preside over High Strangeness and synchronicity.
As such, the following beings are representative. Much can be gained from further study of any or all of them. Not everything you read about needs to end up on your altar.
Anansi
Our Lady of Fatima Manu
Loki Rabbit