Necromancy

Taken from the 1960 reprint of AN ENCLYCLOPAEDIA OF OCCULTISM
by Lewis Spence, University Books, Hyde Park, New York. First
published in 1920, it is considered to be one of the best
sources on the subject.
NECROMANCY: Or divination by means of the spirits of the dead, from the Greek work `nekos', dead; and `manteria', divination. It is through its Italian form nigromancia that it came to be known as the "Black Art".With the Greeks it originally signified the descent into Hades in order to consult the dead rather than summoning the dead into the mortal sphere again. The art is of almost universal usage. Considerable difference of opinion exists among modern adepts as to the exact methods to be properly pursued in the necromantic art, and it must be borne in mind the necromancy, which in the Middle Ages was called sorcery, shades into modern spiritualistic practice. There is no doubt, however, that necromancy is the touchstone of occultism, for if, after careful preparation the adept can carry through to a successful issue, the raising of the soul from the other world, he has proved the value of his art. It would be fruitless in this place to enter into a psychological discussion as to whether the feat is possible of accomplishment or not,and we will confine ourselves tit he material which has been placed at our disposal by the sages of the past, who have left full details as to how the process should be approached.

*more to follow

I look forward to reading your insight. :)

I too look forward to your thoughts and opinions on the shared article Kobold. As many are aware that through the art of Necromancy the purpose is to extract wisdom or information from past souls. In mentioning going to Hades to gain this information, as opposed to "summoning" the soul back to the mortal plane; why would "summoning" the soul here be a desired action?

You constantly hear people discussing the desire to "summon" a soul here; what would be the purpose? And how would the outcome of doing such be more desired than travelling to Hades to converse with the soul instead? In summoning a soul here would it still be a divination practice as which Necromancy falls under, or become something completely different?

I donno why anyone would summon anything Draggy. it is very rude and counter productive to to rip something away from whatever it was they were doing just to come talk to us. However, I wanted to make sure to have a balanced piece here. I do not summon, it is much more preferable to go to them.