ENOCHIAN CHESS Book Two: Practical
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ENOCHIAN CHESS Book Two: Practical
Steve Nichols’ *Enochian Chess Book Two: Practical* moves the discussion from the theoretical to the tangible, a necessary step for any system as complex as Enochian magic. The book’s strength lies in its methodical approach to translating Dee and Kelley’s angelic alphabet and its associated cosmology into practical exercises. Nichols doesn't shy away from the sheer density of the material, offering detailed breakdowns of the seventy-two angels of the Shemhamphorash and their relation to the chess board layout. A particular point of clarity is his explanation of the "Great Table" as a microcosmic representation of the universe, which he articulates with commendable precision. However, the book’s limitation is its inherent demand for prior knowledge. While aiming for practicality, it assumes a foundational understanding of Enochian lore that a complete novice might still find daunting. The passage detailing the invocation of specific angelic forces via the calculated movements on the chess board, while illuminating, requires significant prior study of the system's numerological and astrological underpinnings. Nichols’ work serves as a crucial bridge for dedicated practitioners, but it is not an entry point for the uninitiated. It is a skilled guide for those already on the path.
📝 Description
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Published in 2006, Enochian Chess Book Two: Practical details specific methods for engaging with the system.
This volume, published in 2006, follows Steve Nichols' initial introduction to Enochian Chess by detailing its operational aspects. It moves beyond theory to provide concrete techniques, correspondences, and methods for active use of the system. The book is designed for readers who understand the basic concepts of Enochian Chess and wish to apply them in practice. It requires a dedicated approach from the student.
Nichols builds on the historical Enochian system derived from the visions of John Dee and Edward Kelley in the late 1580s. This work focuses on translating the complex angelic language and correspondences into actionable magical practice. It addresses the practical application of sigils, the interpretation of angelic calls, and their integration into ritual work. The goal is to clarify the operational side of this demanding system for modern practitioners.
The Enochian system originates from the 16th-century visions of John Dee and Edward Kelley, who claimed communication with angels. This tradition involves a unique angelic language and a complex set of correspondences, including the Tablet of Union. Nichols' work situates the practical application of this system within contemporary esoteric studies, particularly ceremonial magic and angelology. It connects the historical transmissions of the late 1580s to the current study of ritual and magic.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Learn specific techniques for operating within the Enochian Chess system, including methods for invoking angelic forces described in the text, which offers a unique approach to practical magic. • Gain a deeper understanding of the 72 angels of the Shemhamphorash and their direct application to the Enochian Chess board, providing a concrete framework for angelic communication. • Discover practical methods for utilizing the "Great Table" as a tool for scrying and spiritual exploration, moving beyond theoretical knowledge to active engagement with this complex system.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is Enochian Chess and how does it differ from regular chess?
Enochian Chess is not a game but a complex magical system derived from the angelic language and cosmology revealed to John Dee and Edward Kelley. It uses a board and pieces representing divine names and angelic forces, intended for spiritual work, not recreation.
Who were John Dee and Edward Kelley?
John Dee was a prominent 16th-century English mathematician, astronomer, geographer, and occult advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. Edward Kelley was his associate, a spirit medium or scryer who claimed to have received the Enochian language and angelic communications during their joint work in the late 1580s.
Is this book a beginner's guide to Enochian magic?
No, 'Enochian Chess Book Two: Practical' is designed for individuals already familiar with the foundational concepts of Enochian magic and the structure of Enochian Chess. It focuses on operational methods rather than initial introductions.
What are the "Calls" in Enochian magic?
The Enochian Calls are a set of 15 distinct incantations in the Enochian language, each corresponding to a specific spiritual or elemental sphere. They are used in ceremonial magic to invoke or communicate with angelic beings and forces.
Can Enochian Chess be used for divination?
Yes, the system is often employed for divination and scrying. The "Great Table" and the movements on the Enochian Chess board are structured to facilitate communication with spiritual entities and gain insights into the divine plan.
What is the "Great Table" in Enochian lore?
The Great Table, also known as the Tablet of Union, is a central artifact in the Enochian system. It is a grid containing the 48 Enochian letters and serves as a map of creation, used for scrying, invocation, and understanding divine correspondences.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
Angelic Communication
The work meticulously details methods for establishing contact with the angelic hierarchies revealed to John Dee. It outlines specific procedures, linguistic keys, and symbolic frameworks necessary for interacting with beings such as the Archangels of the Watchtowers and the 72 angels of the Shemhamphorash. Nichols emphasizes a structured approach, moving beyond mere theoretical belief to actionable techniques for conscious engagement and receiving divine intelligence.
The Great Table
Central to the operational aspect of Enochian Chess is the Great Table, or Tablet of Union. This book explores its practical function not just as a map of the spiritual cosmos but as an active tool for scrying and ritual. Nichols explains how the Table's grid, containing the 48 Enochian letters, can be utilized for focused visualization and as a gateway for spiritual perception, integrating its geometry into practical magical work.
Enochian Chess Mechanics
This volume unpacks the 'chess' aspect of the system, detailing how the board and pieces function as symbolic representations of divine names, elemental forces, and angelic realms. It provides operational guidance on the mechanics of moving between stations on the board, understanding the significance of each position, and how these movements facilitate the manipulation of spiritual energies and the manifestation of divine will.
Practical Sigil Magic
Nichols addresses the creation and application of Enochian sigils, derived from the angelic alphabet and divine names. The book offers methodologies for generating personalized sigils tied to specific intentions or angelic correspondences. It guides the practitioner on how to charge and deploy these symbols within ritualistic contexts, leveraging their inherent spiritual power for magical outcomes.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“The twenty-four seniors are the primary agents of the Watchtowers.”
— This statement highlights the operational hierarchy within the Enochian system, identifying specific angelic groups (the 'seniors') and their function as direct operators or intermediaries for the elemental Watchtowers on the Great Table.
“The "Calls" are keys, not mere pronouncements.”
— This interpretation emphasizes the active, functional nature of the Enochian Calls. They are presented as tools designed to unlock specific spiritual potentials or doorways, rather than simply being recited words.
“Movement across the Great Table corresponds to shifts in consciousness.”
— This concept frames the physical or symbolic movement on the Enochian board as a direct metaphor for internal spiritual progression or a change in one's state of awareness.
“Each letter of the Enochian alphabet possesses a unique vibratory signature.”
— This suggests that the letters of the angelic language are not arbitrary symbols but carry intrinsic energetic qualities that can be harnessed and manipulated in magical workings.
“Practical application requires diligent study of the angelic names.”
— This highlights the necessity of deep engagement with the specific divine and angelic names within the Enochian system, indicating that correct pronunciation and understanding are crucial for effective magical operation.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
This work situates itself within the Western Esoteric Tradition, specifically building upon the Enochian system derived from John Dee's 16th-century angelic communications. It intersects with ceremonial magic, angelology, and Hermeticism by providing practical applications for Dee's complex cosmology, including the angelic language and the Great Table. It departs from purely theoretical or historical accounts by offering a structured approach to operational magic, aiming to bridge the gap between esoteric knowledge and practical application.
Symbolism
The book looks at the detailed symbolism of the Enochian system. Key symbols include the 48 letters of the Enochian alphabet, each carrying unique spiritual and elemental associations. The Great Table, or Tablet of Union, symbolizes the structure of creation and the divine order. The "Calls" are symbolic keys, representing specific spiritual forces and angelic intelligences that can be invoked to affect consciousness and reality.
Modern Relevance
Nichols' practical approach to Enochian Chess appeals to contemporary practitioners of ceremonial magic seeking structured systems for spiritual work. Modern occultists and students of comparative religion find value in its detailed methodologies for engaging with angelic hierarchies and the Enochian cosmology. Thinkers and groups interested in the practical application of historical occult systems, particularly those focusing on disciplined ritual and angelic communication, draw upon this work.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Advanced students of ceremonial magic seeking to integrate the Enochian system into their practice, who will benefit from specific operational techniques. • Researchers of John Dee and the history of occultism, interested in the practical interpretations and applications of his angelic transmissions beyond historical accounts. • Practitioners of angelology looking for a structured system to engage with angelic beings and divine correspondences, moving from theory to active invocation.
📜 Historical Context
Steve Nichols' *Enochian Chess Book Two: Practical* emerges from a long lineage of esoteric study centered on the occult transmissions received by John Dee and Edward Kelley in the late 1580s. While Dee's work was initially circulated in manuscript form, its complex system of angelic language, cosmology, and magical tables gained significant traction in occult circles throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. This volume, published in 2006, arrives in an era where interest in ceremonial magic systems, particularly those derived from Western traditions, has seen a resurgence. Nichols' work engages with the practical application of Enochian principles, a domain explored by figures like Aleister Crowley and later by esoteric orders such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, though Nichols focuses specifically on the unique chess-like structure. The book’s emphasis on operational methods distinguishes it from purely historical or theoretical accounts, positioning it as a guide for dedicated practitioners seeking to actively work with the Enochian system, rather than merely study its origins.
📔 Journal Prompts
The operational use of the Watchtower Angels.
Reflecting on the symbolic correspondence between chess movements and spiritual shifts.
The potential applications of the Great Table in contemporary divination.
Interpreting the 'Keys' of the Enochian Calls for personal magical development.
Exploring the unique vibratory signature of specific Enochian letters.
🗂️ Glossary
Enochian Chess
A complex magical system derived from John Dee's angelic communications, utilizing a board and pieces that represent divine names, angelic hierarchies, and elemental forces for spiritual work, not as a game.
The Great Table (Tablet of Union)
A central grid in the Enochian system containing the 48 letters of the angelic alphabet, serving as a map of creation and a tool for scrying, invocation, and understanding divine correspondences.
Enochian Calls
A set of 15 distinct incantations in the Enochian language, used to invoke specific spiritual forces, angelic beings, or elemental powers associated with different spheres of the Enochian cosmology.
Shemhamphorash
A Kabbalistic term referring to the 72 angels derived from the 72-letter name of God, which are often integrated into Enochian magical systems and associated with specific divine names and correspondences.
Angelic Alphabet
The script and language transmitted to John Dee and Edward Kelley, believed to be of angelic origin. It comprises 48 letters and forms the basis of the Enochian magical system.
Watchtowers
The four primary quadrants or stations on the Great Table, each associated with a specific element (Air, Water, Fire, Earth) and a hierarchy of angelic beings responsible for governing those spheres.
Seniors
A group of 24 angelic beings within the Enochian system, often associated with the Watchtowers, who are considered primary agents in the operation of the spiritual universe.
