Enochian refers to a mystical, constructed language and system of ceremonial magic dating back to 16th-century England. It was documented in the journals of Queen Elizabeth I’s astrologer, Dr. John Dee, and his associate Edward Kelley. They claimed angels dictated the language to them directly. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Enochian primarily refers to two distinct but related subjects: [1]
1. The Enochian Language (Angelical)
- The Origin Story: Dee and Kelley claimed Enochian was the original “Language of Angels”. They believed it was the primordial language used by Adam in Paradise to name all living things. [1, 2, 3]
- The Name: The name “Enochian” comes from the biblical patriarch Enoch. Dee’s journals suggest Enoch was the last human to know this language before it was lost to history. [1, 2]
- Modern Linguistic View: Linguists and scholars who have studied Dee’s surviving journals (such as Donald Laycock) largely conclude that Enochian is a human construct. Its syntax is very similar to English, and its written script acts as an occult cipher rather than a fully developed natural language. [1, 2]
2. Enochian Magic
- The System: This is a complex system of ceremonial magic that developed out of Dee’s and Kelley’s sessions. It involves the use of “Calls” (or Keys) designed to invoke and command various spiritual hierarchies. [1, 2, 3]
- Influence: The tradition was famously revived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by occult groups like the Hermetic Order of the the Golden Dawn. Because of this, it remains a foundational practice in modern occultism, Wicca, and Tarot. [1]
Notable Usage
