The Arbatel does not provide descriptions or characteristics of the Olympic spirits. This is surprising, since there are usually defining characteristics of a spirit when it appears – the Goetic Spirits are a good example of this – which makes it easy for the magician to recognise them.

In the Arbatel, the seven Olympic Spirits are all referred to as “he”, and they are either Governors or Princes, which seem to be interchangeable. It is as if their office or dignity is more important.

Since the only criteria for calling any of the Olympic Spirits is simply to be aware of them in the first hour of each day corresponding using the planetary hours system, or an hour which relates to them, it would seem that the spirit that appears is the Olympic Spirit.

Anonymous Olympic Spirits

Clearly the lack of definition or description of the Olympic Spirits is not a barrier, for the Arbatel claims that not knowing their names is  the best way for a beginner to work with them!

Just to clarify, the Olympic Spirits will appear anonymously, and without distinguishing features, and this is the best way for learners to work with them. Something interesting is going on here, which fits in with my own experience, and the experience of others, for we get help from spirits who do not reveal their name.

Obviously, knowing their name is beneficial, but not a hindrance, and it carries a greater implication, namely that these amazing and powerful spirits appear to us far more than we realise, and that they have the power to appear in various guises and forms, and under different names. We know that if necessary an Olympic Spirit will give the magician a private name, but that is only for personal use. Since the Spirits come readily anyway, I am not sure what the benefit is of knowing their personal names anyway.

Their true power manifests when we realise that they operate at every level of creation.