Disclaimer: This post is not intended as a substitute for medical or therapeutic advice, nor am I suggesting that magick is a replacement for established addiction treatments. It is simply a recount based on my experience. If you are struggling with addiction, seek professional help.
About a year and a half ago, I found myself binge drinking once a week or once a fortnight. In a typical session, I would probably consume about six or eight craft beers. This probably wasn’t all that much by the standards of modern society, where booze is not only accepted, but expected.
But even this was too much for me because I’d feel like shit for at least two or three days afterwards, depressed, pissed off at myself, and unable to focus on anything. And although I would probably like to enjoy a nice German ale or glass of red wine every now and then, I’m the kind of person that when I have one, I need several. It’s just easier not to start in the first place.
So, after reaching searching for a demon of healing, I found myself contemplating President Buer, the tenth spirit in the Ars Goetia. He is described as follows:
“The Tenth Spirit is Buer, a Great President. He appeareth in Sagittary, and that is his shape when the Sun is there. He teaches Philosophy, both Moral and Natural, and the Logic Art, and also the Virtues of all Herbs and Plants. He healeth all distempers in man, and giveth good Familiars. He governeth 50 Legions of Spirits, and his Character of obedience is this, which thou must wear when thou callest him forth unto appearance.”
The Ars Goetia (Mathers & Crowley edition)
He’s actually not an uncommon demon among demonolators. I’d been aware of his image since I saw it printed on the CD of Morbid Angel’s ‘Blessed are the Sick‘ album, which I’ve been listening to since the mid-90s.
Working with President Buer
Although my vision of him was indeed that of a Lion, as described in the Ars Goetia, he appeared to me surrounded by a cyclone-like vortex (which I’ve tried my best to emulate in the image for this post). This seems befitting of his association to Air and to Mercury.
In terms of dealing with my alcohol issue, I would say that Buer has been very effective. Although I haven’t quit entirely, there’s been a notable decline in my desire to drink.
I also find that I hold a growing rejection of, not only alcohol itself, but the culture surrounding it as well. I have very little patience and tolerance for alcoholics these days.
On the occasions when I do have a beer or two, I find it pretty easy to stop before it becomes excessive and, quite frankly, don’t enjoy it at all.
And where as I used to drink every week, I can go weeks, or even months, without it. And I’m pretty happy with that outcome.
President Buer has also been a lot of help on the rare occasions that I get sick. Not long after lockdown and C19 was running rampant through my town, it knocked me on my arse when it was my turn. I was already quite confident in my body’s ability to deal with it, but man, I was struggling! I could hardly sleep and the body ache was fucked up indeed.
On the second evening, I decided to petition Buer to help ease the severity. This was followed by a great night’s sleep and me feeling much better the next morning!.
Ritual to President Buer
.Here are some correspondences and suggestions for adapting your ritual for working with President Buer:
- Mantra: Erato Onca Buer Anon
- Day: Wednesday
- Element: Air
- Planet: Mercury
- Colour: Orange with green trim
- Incense: Kesa Chandan
- Offerings: herbal tea, fresh fruit and vegetables