# When you summon a demon, should you stand inside or outside the pentacle? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 3, 2006, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233 "2006-06-03T02:10:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/1 "2006-06-03T02:10:08Z")
I’ve seen 16th-Century woodcuts of wizards conjuring up demons, and the wizard stands inside a magic circle for protection. as the demon rises from the ground outside the circle. But in most modern magic-fantasy stories, the wizards stands outside the circle and the demon is imprisoned within it. What’s the right way? I mean, it’s not something you wanna screw up. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/2 "2006-06-03T02:22:16Z")
You go inside the pentacle. It’s basically a “safe zone” that minions of Satan can’t enter. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/3 "2006-06-03T02:48:47Z")
Although you may want to wear eye protection, as well. There’s no such thing as too much precaution. ---
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/4 "2006-06-03T03:15:55Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > There’s no such thing as too much precaution. Add a raincoat to that thought. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/5 "2006-06-03T03:30:03Z")
I would think it would depend on why you’re summoning the demon. If you just want information, conjure it inside the circle to restrict its movements. If you want it to, say, smite one or more of your enemies, you stand in the circle and conjure the demon outside it. Wouldn’t make a lot of sense to conjure you up a smitin’ demon and stick it inside the circle. ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/6 "2006-06-03T03:45:35Z")
I’d REALLY recommend not summoning any demons until you have the whole procedure down. Seriously, it would be bad. I’m not a big fan of Enochian, and standard Solomon-type High Magick annoys me, but between the two disciplines you could probably get a good start. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/7 "2006-06-03T04:05:51Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > I would think it would depend on why you’re summoning the demon. If you just want information, conjure it inside the circle to restrict its movements. If you want it to, say, smite one or more of your enemies, you stand in the circle and conjure the demon outside it. Wouldn’t make a lot of sense to conjure you up a smitin’ demon and stick it inside the circle. Remember to always go to the bathroom _ **before** _ entering the circle. You never know how long this dubious demon smiting business can take. ---
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/8 "2006-06-03T04:14:39Z")
Bring some Krispy Kremes too. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/9 "2006-06-03T07:04:05Z")
The term for this is _evocation_–which is different from invocation. The magician stands inside the circle, which serves as protection, for all magical operations. For evocation of a spirit (any sort of spirit, demon or not), a triangular shape is prepared for it to manifest in just _outside_ the circle. Invocation is all done inside the circle with no external manifestations. ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/10 "2006-06-03T07:20:54Z")
> [@Operation Ripper](#): > > Add a raincoat to that thought. And maybe a box of condoms in case you get a sexy demon. ---
**Author:** ![gabriela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@gabriela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gabriela)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/11 "2006-06-03T11:22:24Z")
> [@Operation Ripper](#): > > Add a raincoat to that thought. Having fantasies of the three of you nekkid inside a pentacle save for eye protection and raincoats. OK, it’s more of a snorkfest than a fantasy. ---
**Author:** ![MizGrand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@MizGrand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MizGrand)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/12 "2006-06-03T11:54:22Z")
Well, Willow and Anya ended up with the crazy John Goodman from behind the Magic Shoppe counter. I didn’t see ANY circle involved. _d & r_ ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/13 "2006-06-03T16:54:39Z")
Ok, so what we have so far is… [ul] [li]Eye protection[/li][li]A raincoat[/li][li]Empty bladder[/li][li]Krispy Kremes[/li][li]Box of condoms[/li][/ul] oh… and a towel, too. Anything else? ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/14 "2006-06-03T17:09:16Z")
It never hurts to have the appropriate Fodor’s on hand. ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/15 "2006-06-03T17:12:38Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Ok, so what we have so far is… > > [ul] > [li]Eye protection[/li][li]A raincoat[/li][li]Empty bladder[/li][li]Krispy Kremes[/li][li]Box of condoms[/li][/ul] > > oh… and a towel, too. Anything else? [Head protection](http://zapatopi.net/afdb/)? ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/16 "2006-06-03T17:21:12Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Ok, so what we have so far is… > > [ul] > [li]Eye protection[/li][li]A raincoat[/li][li]Empty bladder[/li][li]Krispy Kremes[/li][li]Box of condoms[/li][/ul] > > oh… and a towel, too. Anything else? yeah your robe and wizard hat ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/17 "2006-06-03T17:29:13Z")
> [@RSSchen](#): > > Well, Willow and Anya ended up with the crazy John Goodman from behind the Magic Shoppe counter. I didn’t see ANY circle involved. > > _d & r_ That wasn’t John Goodman. I don’t remember his name, but he plays the desk guy on E.R. “Bar maid! Bring me stronger ale! And some plump, succulent babies to eat!” ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/18 "2006-06-03T17:33:09Z")
It’s Koob! I think I saw all of 2 episodes of Parker Lewis Can’t Lose, but I always think of that actor as Koob. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/19 "2006-06-03T17:34:14Z")
And Anya and Willow’s performance should not be taken as an example–they got smashed up pretty good. Just goes to show you that a nice pentagram might have helped them out. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2006, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233/20 "2006-06-04T22:31:18Z")
I seem to recall a line in _The Tempest_, something about “Weave a circle 'round me thrice”, but I can’t seem to find it. Perhaps another Doper knows the line I’m thinking of? In context, it might prove instructive here. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-summon-a-demon-should-you-stand-inside-or-outside-the-pentacle/359233.md?page=2)