The Olympic Spirits are first discussed in the Arbatel de magia veterum, a grimoire of anonymous origin and Christian influences dating to the 16th century.
They are also mentioned in others Renaissance and post-Renaissance books of ritual magic/ceremonial magic, such as The Secret Grimoire of Turiel and The Complete Book of Magic Science.
The focus of the Arbatel is on nature, and the natural relationships between humanity and a celestial hierarchy. It centers on the positive relationships between the celestial world and humans, and the interactions between the two.
The Arbatel of Magick writes of the Olympian spirits:
"They are called Olympick spirits, which do inhabit in the firmament, and in the stars of the firmament: and the office of these spirits is to declare destinies, and to administer fatal Charms, so far forth as God pleaseth to permit them."
In this magic system, the universe is divided into 196 provinces (a number which in numerology adds up to 7: 1+9+6=16; 1+6=7) with each of the Seven Olympian Spirits ruling a set number of provinces. Aratron rules the most provinces (49), while each succeeding Olympian rules seven fewer than the former, down to Phul who rules seven provinces. Each Olympian Spirit is also associated with one of the seven luminaries which figure in ancient and medieval Western magic.
Each of the Spirits are given various tasks. Aratron for example can make you invisible or cure baldness, Bether can make medicines.
They are also attributed rulerships of periods of time and are responsible for whole epochs of history. By applying the maths the book informs us that Bethor ruled from 60bc to 430ad, Phaleg ruled until 920ad, then Och until 1410, Haggith ruled until 1900. Therefore, the current ruler is Ophiel.
The Olympic Spirits, their sign and planet are as follows:
1. Aratron (or Arathron) rules 49 Olympic Provinces and governs things that are influenced by Saturn. He teaches alchemy, magic, medicine, and the secrets of invisibility. He confers familiars, fertility, and longevity. Aratron can transmute coal into treasure and treasure into coal and can change any living thing into stone. He reconciles subterranean spirits with humans. He should be invoked on Saturday in the first hour of the day, using his character given and confirmed by himself.
2. Bethor rules 42 provinces and all affairs influenced by Jupiter. He comes quickly when evoked. He confers familiars and can extend life to 700 years, providing it is in accordance with the WILL of God. Bethor assists in finding large treasures. He reconciles the spirits of the air to humans so that they will give true answers in divination, transport precious stones, and concoct miraculous medicines.
3. Phaleg (or Phalec, Pharos) "the War-Lord," rules 35 provinces and things governed by Mars. He is especially helpful in military matters and can help a soldier or an officer advance in his career.
4. Och, rules 28 provinces and is a spirit of perfection. His "planet" is the Sun. He extends life to 600 years with perfect health, confers excellent familiars, and concocts perfect medicines. He is the ultimate alchemist and is able to transmute any substance into the purest metals or precious jewels. Whoever possesses his character will be worshiped as a god by the kings of the world.
5. Hagith, rules 21 provinces and venereal matters. His planet is Venus. He confers faithful serving spirits. He converts copper into gold and gold into copper. Whoever possesses his character will be adorned with beauty.
6. Ophiel, rules 14 provinces and all things influenced by Mercury. He teaches all arts, including the ability to change quicksilver (mercury) instantly into the Philosopher’s Stone. He confers familiars.
7. Phul, rules seven provinces and all things governed by the Moon. He transmutes all metals into silver, heals dropsy, and confers spirits of water to serve humans in a visible form. He prolongs life to 300 years.
It seems that in looking at the names of the spirits, or becoming focused on their planetary nature we missed that by calling them Olympic, the Arbatel was implying they were the seven main Greek gods that dwelt on Mount Olympus. These would be Apollo, Selene, Ares, Hermes, Zeus, Aphrodite and Chronos. These were named by the Romans as Sol, Luna, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. Notice that we are NOT talking about the planets, but the God that rules the planet, just like the Arbatel says.
During invocation rituals, the seven Olympian spirits are often invoked in conjunction with the seven classic archangels, the spirit’s name and their solar connection is written down and they are summoned through prayer. The Arbatel tells that the miracles the spirits are able to bestow will only happen if the magician believes absolutely that they can. The spirit should not be called upon for more than one hour at a time and when the work has finished the Olympic spirit is thanked and discharged.
You can find the Arbatel on the left bar of our site.
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