Demonspotting 7: Baphomet: Demon, Idol, or Hoax?

Demon’s wings are as angel’s wings.
Their halos are as shining bright.
They sing as well as angels, too.
But only when it’s night.
- Calvin Miller

Demonspotting 7: Baphomet: Demon, Idol, or Hoax?

Baphomet is another ugly-looking customer with a goat head and hooves, wings, scales, and aspects of both male and female bodies.

A guy named Eliphas Lévi claimed that Baphomet represented the sum total of the universe: intelligence, the elements, wisdom, life-giving, sin, and forgiveness. He may have something to do with the Gnostic goddess of wisdom, Mete, or not.

Some people say that Baphomet is just another word for Satan.

Some people say that Baphomet is an idol–topped with a human skull, stuffed human head (real), or just a wooden/metal representation of a human head.

And other people say that Baphomet is something the Templar Knights made up under torture. The Templars were put in jail, their money and lands seized. Their enemies tried to get them out of the way by making them admit to witchcraft.

Baphomet became associated with a picture of a Satanic goat drawn by Eliphas Lévi. This one.

Well, if I’m a big wimp and if you tortured me, I’d agree to anything, for sure, even worshiping a goat-headed idol.

Sources

The Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft, and Wicca (Paperback) by Rosemary Ellen Guiley

Dictionary of Angels Gustav Davidson

The Devil: A Visual Guide to the Demonic, Evil, Scurrilous, and Bad (Hardcover) by Tom Morgan, Genevieve Morgan

Demonspotting 6: Lucifer

Demon’s wings are as angel’s wings.
Their halos are as shining bright.
They sing as well as angels, too.
But only when it’s night.
- Calvin Miller

Lucifer is one of the Four Crown Princes of Hell, ruler of the east. His element is air. His name means ‘light-bringer’ and he’s associated with the planet Venus, the morning star.

Or maybe Lucifer is just another name for Satan. Possibly not. It’s hard to tell. And he probably doesn’t care for us to know the truth.

One of Gustave Dore's illustrations for Milton's Paradise Lost

Like the other princes of Hell, he was once an angel, but rebelled against God. Some say it was because he started to question God. Some say it was for pride. Some say it was because God told him to bow down to mankind and Lucifer loved God too much to worship anything but God.

Whatever the reason, he was cast out of Heaven and condemned to Hell. And of course he’s trying to take as many humans as he can with him.

When you conjure him–and I wouldn’t recommend it–he appears in the form of a beautiful child.

Sources

Dictionary of Angels Gustav Davidson

The Devil: A Visual Guide to the Demonic, Evil, Scurrilous, and Bad (Hardcover) by Tom Morgan, Genevieve Morgan

Demonspotting 5: Belial

Demon’s wings are as angel’s wings.
Their halos are as shining bright.
They sing as well as angels, too.
But only when it’s night.
- Calvin Miller

Demonspotting: Belial

According to the Hebrews, Belial (AKA Belhor, Baalial, Beliar, Belias, Beliall, Beliel, Bilael, Belu) was the angel God created right after Lucifer. He is supposed to be one of the four Crown Princes of Hell and rule over the South. For some reason he was also Satan’s ambassador to Turkey.

A woodcarving of Belial and some of his followers from Jacobus de Teramo's book Buche Belial (1473)

Belial is beautiful and has a voice you’d like to listen to for hours–but don’t be fooled. All those pretty words are just lies. He gets his jollies by getting people to sin and then feel guilty about it. And even if he makes you some great promises, he doesn’t feel the need to actually keep them.

From the Goetia:
He is a Mighty and a Powerful King, and was created next after LUCIFER. He appeareth in the Form of Two Beautiful Angels sitting in a Chariot of Fire. He speaketh with a Comely Voice, and declareth that he fell first from among the worthier sort, that were before Michael, and other Heavenly Angels. His Office is to distribute Presentations and Senatorships, etc.; and to cause favour of Friends and of Foes. He giveth excellent Familiars, and governeth 50 Legions of Spirits. Note well that this King Belial. must have Offerings, Sacrifices and Gifts presented unto him by the Exorcist, or else he will not give True Answers unto his Demands. But then he tarrieth not one hour in the Truth, unless he be con. strained by Divine Power.

The lamen of Belial

Once in a while he will decide he likes someone and treat them well, but you didn’t know that someone was going to be you or not.

Other demons you might like

• Demonspotting: Asmodeus
• Demonspotting: Astaroth
• Demonspotting: Bael
• Demonspotting: Beelzebub

Sources

The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft. 2nd Ed Rosemary Ellen Guiley

Dictionary of Angels Gustav Davidson

The Devil: A Visual Guide to the Demonic, Evil, Scurrilous, and Bad (Hardcover) by Tom Morgan, Genevieve Morgan

Demonspotting 3: Bael

Demon’s wings are as angel’s wings.
Their halos are as shining bright.
They sing as well as angels, too.
But only when it’s night.
- Calvin Miller

Bael

Does this look like a spirit you want to mess with? No.

Bael (or Baal) is one of the top guys in Hell–or maybe THE top guy. He’s either the principal king of the Easterly portions of the infernal kingdom, or just a duke, with sixty-six legions.

Either way, this is not a demon you want to mess with.

Here’s what the Goetia says about Bael (which I include because, frankly, there isn’t that much else about him out there):

The First Principal Spirit is a King ruling in the East, called Bael. He maketh thee to go Invisible. He ruleth over 66 Legions of Infernal Spirits. He appeareth in divers shapes, sometimes like a Cat, sometimes like a Toad, and sometimes like a Man, and sometimes all these forms at once. He speaketh hoarsely. This is his character which is used to be worn as a Lamen before him who calleth him forth, or else he will not do thee homage.

The Morgans say that Bael is the patron saint of idleness. While Davidson says he’s the demonic equivalent of Raphael.

If you remember your Old Testament lessons from Sunday School, you might be thinking, at this point, “Hey, doesn’t Bael sound like Ba’al, one of the ancient gods that the early prophets fought against in Israel?” Well, heck, aren’t I impressed with you!

You got it in one. “Ba’al” is an old, pre-Hebrew word for ‘lord’ or ‘master,’ and could refer to any number of old gods in the area. But it was also associated heavily with Hadad. It’s not a huge leap for an ancient deity to turn into a more modern demon. It happened a lot, in many traditions.

The lamen used in the ceremony to summon (and why would you want to?) Bael

Bael can look like a man, a cat, or a toad, or some combination of the three. If you’re nice to him, he might give you the power of invisibility and make you very wise.

You know what’s even wiser? Staying away from demons.

Other demons you might like

• Demonspotting: Asmodeus
• Demonspotting: Astaroth
• Demonspotting: Beelzebub

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bael

The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft. 2nd Ed Rosemary Ellen Guiley

Dictionary of Angels Gustav Davidson

The Devil: A Visual Guide to the Demonic, Evil, Scurrilous, and Bad (Hardcover) by Tom Morgan, Genevieve Morgan

Demonspotting 2: Astaroth

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Demonspotting

Demon’s wings are as angel’s wings.
Their halos are as shining bright.
They sing as well as angels, too.
But only when it’s night.
- Calvin Miller

Astaroth

This Grand Duke of Hell commands forty legions of demons (266640, but really, who’s counting) and may be one of the three supreme evil demons. But you know, are you really going to believe a spirit who tells you he’s one of the top guys? They aren’t known for their honesty.

All hail he of the insane halitosis

Some people say he’s absolutely gorgeous, but other people say he’s uglier than dirt. One thing everyone agrees on is that he really should brush his teeth. The guy has halitosis so bad it could knock you down. Try holding an enchanted silver ring under your nose so you can withstand it.

He’s said to appear riding an infernal beast (dragon) and holding a viper in his right hand.

Astaroth’s gig is that he’s a teacher. He loves to show humans the past, present, and future, and convince them that they are very powerful–and that God doesn’t exist.

Astaroth's sigil, used in the summoning ceremony

He believes that he was punished unfairly and that he should still be an angel.

Buddy, try some Listerine and maybe they’ll let you back in those pearly gates.

Other demons you might like

• Demonspotting: Asmodeus
• Demonspotting: Bael
• Demonspotting: Beelzebub

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Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astaroth

The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft. 2nd Ed
Rosemary Ellen Guiley

Demonspotting 1: Asmodeus/Asmodai

Demonspotting: This DotW feature is your field guide to all things hellish and demonic.

Asmodeus/Asmodai

A charming fellow, Mr Asmodeus. He has a long and varied history–and it’s all very dark.

Hmmmm, come here you sexy thang.

For the Hebrews, Asmodeus was one of the seraphim, who, led by Satan, rebelled against God and so were thrown from heaven to become demons. Asmodeus is a player in the Book of Tobit, where he’s attracted to the hot young thing Sarah, Raguel’s daughter. Well, Asmodeus convinces Sarah not to let any man touch her, which is a bit of a problem since Raguel keeps trying to marry her off. Seven times. Sarah kills each one of these guys before they can get busy. And yet men keep lining up to marry her for some reason. Tobit, the hero of the story, marries Sarah and burns a fish heart and liver in their tent on their wedding night. The stench is so bad it makes Asmodeus flee to Egypt, where an angel binds him.

Asmodeus is the demon of lust. But for a lusty demon, he puts the ‘ug’ in ‘ugly’. In de Plancy’s Dictionnaire Infernal (1863), he is shown with three heads, ogre, ram, and bull, the feet of a rooster, and with wings. He also rides a dragon.

But he’s a very busy demon, so he’s also got his hands in the revenge and gambling businesses.

It’s said that King Solomon tricked Asmodeus into building a temple for him. And he may have been married to Lilith, the demon queen of lust.

If you happen to be conjuring Asmodeus, here’s his sigil, that you want to wear on a pendant so that it hangs over your heart:

Asmodeus' lamen (The management takes no responsibility for those who actually try to conjure this, or any other demon)

When preparing to conjure Asmodeus (And really, don’t. Just don’t.), take off your hat, and do not sit down at any time during the ceremony. Apparently if you’ve got something on your head, Asmodeus gains the power to deceive you, but if you don’t he’ll tell the truth. As soon as you see him, ask “Art thou Asmoday?” If you’ve got the right guy, he’ll say so, and he’ll bow to you. (You might be able to say “Are you Asmodeus?” and it’ll still work, but I’m going by the Lesser Key of Solomon here, translated 1904 from medieval documents. That’s what it says, and why would you want to mess with this stuff? Go with the tried-and-true, I say.)

Some people say you should beware of Asmodeus in November, when his power is stronger. Or, between January 30 and February 8.

Frankly, I think you should beware of anyone with three heads at all times.

Come back next Saturday for a little ghoul on ghoul action. And watch for a mid-week update on Wednesday.

Other demons you might like

• Demonspotting: Astaroth
• Demonspotting: Bael
• Demonspotting: Beelzebub

Sources

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asmodai
• Rosemary Ellen Guiley, The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft
• S.L. MacGregor Mathers and Aleister Crowley, The Lesser Key of Solomon