Anrufung

Anrufung is a German term that denotes the act of calling upon or invoking a person, deity, power, or authority. It can refer to a religious or spiritual appeal as well as to a broader, non-religious act of appealing for help, guidance, or inspiration. The word is formed from the verb anrufen (to call upon) with the nominal suffix -ung.

In religious and liturgical contexts, an Anrufung is the formal invocation of divine beings or sacred forces during prayers, hymns, or rites. It is used to address God, angels, saints, or other holy entities and to request protection, blessing, or guidance. The concept appears in various Christian traditions and in other faiths where ritual calls upon higher powers are a component of worship.

In literature and music, Anrufung functions as a device to address a muse, an ideal, or a transcendent presence at the outset of a work or movement. It is common in German poetry and prose to begin with an Anrufung of a source of inspiration, often explicitly framed as a plea for poetic or artistic assistance. The term can also appear as a programmatic or thematic subtitle.

In esoteric and occult traditions, Anrufung refers to the invocation of spiritual beings, archetypes, or forces through specific rituals, prayers, or meditative practices. In this context it is sometimes contrasted with Beschwörung (evocation), which aims to summon or compel the presence of a spirit.

See also: Invocation, Invocatio, Anrufung der Musen.