Introduction to Daemonology
By Belaluna
Disclaimer
The number and types of demons today are numerous and dependent upon differing cultures, beliefs, and practices. In this post I simply hope to provide a VERY general introduction and overview of daemons and the practice of Daemonolatry, but by no means will I be identifying all known daemons –past or present.
Word of Caution
Working with Daemons can be dangerous. Daemonic energy is quite real and should not be taken lightly or used lightly. As with all entities magickal practitioners work with, not all Daemons will be patient, nice and friendly. Neither are they always polite or gentle.
The practitioner should be both mentally and morally prepared and mature. Those who are emotionally unstable or have been previously diagnosed with a psychological disorder, should use additional caution when working this or any other form of magick.
THE DAEMON IN ANCIENT TIMES
The concept of daemons has existed for several millennia across multiple cultures. Ancient Greeks used the term “daemon” to mean “spirit” or “divine power” with many other cultures having same or similar views of daemons, or as they are mostly referred to today as – demons.
The Greeks
For the Greeks, worship of daemons was mainstream. They were usually local, constrained spirits that lived in certain areas, influenced weather, brought good and bad luck, etc. Daemons were also believed to exist deep within human psyche and were exhibited through thoughts, emotions, attitudes, and actions. They were considered neither divine nor human but bridged the gap between the two. Daemons, in its original meaning of the word, doesn’t actually carry any negative meanings. The connotation of demons being evil is thanks to predominantly the spread of Christianity.
The Egyptians
The Greeks were not the only ones who view these beings in a different light than what most know of them today. To the Egyptians, magic and daemons were forces for both good and evil. They were a category of beings who, much like the Greeks, were seen as those existing between humans and deity – living at the boundaries of creation, existing both in the world of the living and the world of the dead. The ancient Egyptian daemons are viewed as part of one of two categories – those of the realm of death, and those who exist on earth. Some of them include:
Ammit:
Ammit means ‘Devourer or Bone Eater’ and is a funerary deity. Ammit is a female daemon whose body is part lion, hippopotamus, and crocodile. She is known by such titles as ‘Devourer of the Dead’ and ‘Eater of Hearts’. Ammit lives near the scales of justice in Duat, the Egyptian underworld. In the Hall of Two Truths where Anubis weighs the heart of a person against Ma’at, the goddess of truth, if the heart is judged to not be pure, Ammit will consume the heart. The soul won’t be allowed to continue towards immortality, but instead will become restless forever.
Apep:
Apep is known to be the greatest enemy of Ra, and thus given that exact title – Enemy of Ra. Apep was depicted as a giant serpent, crocodile, or dragon. Some descriptions say that he stretches 16 yards in length and has a head made of flint.
Shesmu:
Shesmu is the ancient Egyptian god of execution, slaughter, blood, and wine and carried the title – the ‘Executioner of Osiris’. Shesmu is associated with wine presses used to make wine and oils. He was portrayed as a man with the head of a falcon. Although an executioner, he represented both aspects of evil and good.
Aldinach:
Aldinach presides over tempests, earthquakes, rainstorms, and hailstorms. When appearing, he does so in the form of a woman.
The Hebrews
Hebrew daemons were originally seen by Hebrews as more invasive and pushier but not necessarily as evil beings. The daemons mentioned in the Hebrew Bible are also divided into two classes as with the Egyptians – the se’irim and the shedim. The se’irim, meaning ‘hairy beings’, were satyr-like creatures and were described in Isaiah xiii. 21, xxxiv. 14 as “dancing in the wilderness” and are also considered identical to the jinn. Israelites offered sacrifices to them in open fields. Below are some examples of the Hebrew Daemons:
Abaddon:
In Hebrew Scriptures, Abaddon means ‘place of destruction’ or the realm of the dead. Abaddon is associated with Sheol, the place where those who’ve died gather.
Agaliarept:
A Hebrew daemon possessing the ability to uncover secrets and control the past and future.
Amducious:
Known as the Destroyer to Hebrews.
Ardat-Lile:
Ardat-Lile is an ancient Semitic female spirit who marries human men and caused harm in their homes.
Samael:
Samael appears as an accuser, seducer, and destroyer. He is regarded as a magical being and presides over the second teḳufah (solstice) and the west wind of the fourth teḳufah, as well as the third day of the week. In Hebrew amulets Samael is represented as the angel of death.
It was sometime between the 3rd and 2nd Centuries BCE when the term ‘demon’ first became associated with evil during the Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Bible. The Septuagint is the Koine Greek version of the Hebrew Bible. It’s not surprising to learn that the Koine Greek is also the original language of the New Testament of the Christian Bible.
With the rise of Christianity came the open and aggressive condemnation of all things pagan. Demons, as they were now called, were no longer viewed as neutral forces, but rather as beings of pure evil under the control of the ‘devil’. In the fourth century CE, Saint Paul outlined the hierarchy of angels which inspired others to do the same with similar hierarchies for demons.
During the fifth century, demons were more commonly placed into five categories – the four elements and ‘the underground’. In the eleventh century, a Byzantine historian named Michael Psellus, added a sixth category. It wasn’t until the Middle Ages and early Renaissance that classifications and divisions of demons really took off. They were named, categorized, and assigned dominion over a type of sin. They were also assigned a planet, astrological sign to rule over, a month, day, and hour when they were thought to be most powerful and best summoned. Ranks were assigned such as king, count, or master steward of the devil’s winery. Descriptions were detailed, included how their voices sound and what they wore. Personalities were described so the summoner would know what to expect, and tips were given on how to trick them into doing your will without having to give in to them.
DAEMONOLOGY AND DAEMONOLATRY TODAY
Fast forward to today when the word ‘daemon‛ is now known as ‘demon. ‛ A demon today is thought to be exclusively evil and that’s thanks to Christian theology. There are those still that recognize the true nature of daemons and both work with them and worship them. A common hierarchy of daemons that comprise those that are worshiped by Daemonolators are those of the Daemonolatry Goetia, but there are other hierarchies from other groups and cultures that are worshiped today. Please bear in mind, not every known daemon today will be discussed.
Solomon’s Seventy-Two Fallen Angels
For those that have heard of the Book of Enoch, this is a book of Abrahamic faiths that speak of a war in Heaven between angels, led by the Archangel Michael, and a set of rebellious fallen angels who descended to earth, mated with human women resulting in a hybrid race of giants, and who taught humans sorcery and magick. Jewish, Christian, and Islamic theologies retained these beliefs, but as they conquered various cultures throughout history, they took the Gods and Goddesses of those cultures’ Pagan religions and reclassified them as those same “Fallen Angels”.
Two of the most known of these were the Canaanite thunder god, Prince Ba ‘al and his consort the Goddess Astarte, Queen of Heaven and mistress of the Temple of Love. They became the demon Bael, first of the ranks of the fallen, and the demon Astaroth, respectively. Others include ancient Egyptian Gods, such as Amon-Ra, who became the fallen angel Amo, and Horus who became Flauros. In total, there are believed to be seventy-two of these rebellious angels. The Biblical King Solomon was believed to have bound and sealed those seventy-two rebellious angels in a Vessel of Brass with a particular seal.
He’s thought to have been the greatest magician of ancient times and used these ‘fallen ones’ by calling them forth to do his bidding. From a kabbalistic standpoint, the seventy-two rebellious angels of the traditional Goetia are a counterpart to the seventy-two letters of the extended Name of God, ‘SHEMHAMEPHORASH’, where the names of seventy-two Angels came from. These seventy-two are the daemons of the Daemonolatry Goetia that many Daemonolators follow today.
The following is a list of correspondences for the Goetic Daemons based on their place within the hierarchy. Depending on the text version, some may fit into more than one, at which point it’s assumed you can pick and choose which correspondences to use.
The Upper Hierarchy
The upper level of the Goetic hierarchy has been said to include Satan (the Highest), Leviathan (as the Great Serpent), the Four Great Kings, and some even suggest Lilith has a place here. That is to say – today there are actually more than seventy-two daemonic forces that some Daemonolaters may acknowledge if they work exclusively with the Goetic hierarchy.
Kings
Seal – GOLD
Color: Yellow
Incense: Frankincense
Metal: Gold
Planet: Sun
Daemons Names:
Bael (Fire)
Vine (Water)
Paymon/Paimon (Water)
Balam (Earth)
Belial (Fire)
Zagan (Earth)
Asmoday (Air)
Purson (Earth)
Beleth (Earth)
Dukes
Seal – COPPER
Color: Green
Incense: Sandalwood
Metal: Copper
Planet: Venus
Daemons Names:
Agares (Earth)
Barbatos (Fire)
Gusion (Water)
Zepar (Earth)
Aim (Fire)
Btme (Earth)
Astaroth (Earth)
Berith (Fire)
Focalor (Water)
Vapula (Air)
AJmducious (Air)
Vepar (Water)
Uvall (Water)
Crocell (Water)
Alloces (Fire)
Mumur (Fire)
Gremory (Water)
Hames (Fire)
Dantalion (Water)
Bathin (Earth)
Saltos (Earth)
Eligos (Water)
Valfarfvalfor (Earth)
Marquis
Seal – SILVER
Color: Violet
Incense: Jasmine
Metal: Silver
Planet: Moon
Daemons Names:
Gamigin (M’ater)
Decarabia (Air)
Cimejes (Earth)
Andrealphus (Air)
Andras (Fire)
Arnon (Water)
Naberius (Fire)
Ronove (Air)
Fomeus (Water)
Marchosias (Fire)
Phenex (Fire)
Sabnock (Fire)
Shax (Air)
Leraje (Fire)
Oriax (Air)
Princes
Seal – TIN
Color: Blue
Incense: Cedar
Metal: Tin
Planet: Jupiter
Daemons Names:
Vassago (Water)
Sitri (Earth)
Ipos (Water)
Stolas (Air)
Orobas (Water)
Seere (Fire)
Presidents
Seal – MERCURY
Color: orange
Incense: Storax
Metal: Mercury
Planet: Mercury
Daemons Names:
Marbas (Air)
Buer (Fire)
Botis (Water)
Marax (Earth)
G1asya-Labolas (Fire)
Foras (Earth)
Gaap (Air)
Haagenti (Earth)
Cairn (Air)
ose (Air)
Amy (Fire)
Volac (Earth)
Malphas (Air)
Earls
Seal – COPPER & SILVER
Color: Red
Incense: Dragon’s Blood
Metal: Copper or silver
Planet: Mars
Daemons Names:
Furfur (Fire)
Halphas (Air)
Raum (Airt
Bifrons (Earth)
Andromalius (Fire)
Knights
Seal – LEAD
Color: Black
Incense: Myrrh
Metal: Lead
Planet: Saturn
Daemons Names:
Furcus (Air)
EXAMPLES OF OTHER DAEMON HIERARCHIES
The Hierarchy of Demons According to Abramelin the Sage
The Four Princes:
Lucifer
Satan
Leviathan
Belial
The 8 Sub-Princes:
Astaroth
Asmodeus
Beelzebub
Amaymon
Orias
Magot
Paymon
Ariton
Hierarchy of Collin de Plancy
Princes &
Dignitaries:
Beelzebub
Satan
Eurynome
Moloch
Pluto
Pan
Lilith
Leonard
Baalberith
Proserpine
Ministries:
Adramelech
Astaroth
Nergal
Baal
Leviathan
Ambassadors:
Belphegor
Mammon
Belial
Rimmon
Thamuz
Hutgin
Martinet
Justice:
Lucifer
Alastor
House of
Princes:
Verdelet
Succor benoth
Chamoos
Melchom
Nisroch
Behemoth
Dagon
Mullin
Pleasures:
Kobal
Asmodeus
Nybbus
Antichrist
The Order of the Fly
Decoration instituted by Beelzebub, called “Lord of the Flies” to honor the principal dignitaries of the Court infernal Beelzebub being the ruler of the Empire, Leviathan is a knight of the order and Adramalech large cross.
The Order of Demons
Catholic theologians, with nine orders of good angels, identify the same number of orders for the demons:
– That the pseudothei as false gods, seeking to be worshiped.
– The spirits of lies, that inspire pythonesses.
– The “vessels of wrath and iniquity” which direct the mind of the sophists, philosophers and angry.
– The “avengers of crimes” that Asmodeus is the chief
– Seducers which Satan presides cohorts
– The powers of the air, which control storms, lightning, and direct spread plagues.
– Exterminators, who sow hatred, discord and war.
– The slanderous, headed Astaroth.
– The demons of greed follow Mammon
NOTABLE DAEMONS
NOTE: The sigils and symbols you see here are just one of many different versions.
Satan
Satan represents ALL wisdom, the universe, and completion of something. The name Satan comes from the Hebrew word ‘śaṭan’ which means adversary and accuser. In the Hebrew Bible, śaṭan was never used as an actual name but rather as a term to point out an adversary. In the earlier traditions of the Hebrew Bible, not only was there no ‘Satan’ with a capital S, there was no devil, demons, or Hell. Evil and suffering in the world came from God himself.
During the Persian period, 539-332 BCE, the ancient religion of Persia, Zoroastrianism, introduced the concept of dualism. According to the dualism of Zoroastrianism, evil doesn’t come from God but rather from a separate evil being – in this case, a being known as Ahriman. Followers had to decide whether to follow the path of good or the path of evil. This concept bore the idea in early Jewish beliefs that God didn’t personally create suffering, but instead was done so by other lower figures, but with his approval.
In the Hebrew Bible, the term ‘śatan’ is found ten times, but not to refer to an actual evil entity. Six of those times were used to DESCRIBE a person being an enemy. The other four times the term was used to denote celestial servants of God – angelic beings, or ‘benay elohim’ (sons of God). These beings weren’t necessarily evil but were just carrying out a task ordered by God. They were fully loyal servants of God who follows his command without question.
The actual being, Satan, was introduced in the Book of Job, which dates to 700 B.C.E., as a troublemaker and prosecutor of man. By the second century, Satan had developed into the enemy of God, the arch-nemesis of humanity, and a being of pure evil.
His correspondences include:
Colors: All
Directions: All
Holy Days: All
Months: All
Season: All
Ritual: All
Herb: All
Element: Spiri
Lucifer
Lucifer was a god whose name meant The Light Bringer. He was a pre-Christian pagan sun god and is considered to be one of the enlightened daemons. He represents the mind, mental thought processes, and enlightenment. Lucifer was linked to Satan by St. Jerome and other early church Fathers.
His correspondences are:
Colors: Yellow, white
Direction: East
Holy Days: March 21st and November 13th
Month: March
Season: Spring
Ritual: Enlightenment, spring equinox, initiations
Herb: Wormwood
Element: Air
Leviathan
Leviathan represents the flow of life, dealing with emotions, the passing of fear, judgment, detecting lies, faith, and judges whether a curse is warranted. Closely related, Leviathan also assists in seeking justice.
In Abrahamic texts, Leviathan is seen in the Parables of Enoch and is seen as an ancient sea monster of evil, often in the form of a sea dragon, but also seen as androgynous. His titles include Lord High Admiral, Grand Admiral of Hell and Knight of the Fly.
His correspondences are:
Colors: Blue, grey
Direction: West
Holy Days: May 1st and September 21st
Month: September
Season: Autumn
Ritual: Emotions, initiation, equinox, healing, fertility
Herb: Calamus
Element: Water
Lilith
Lilith is the Wolf and the Wild Woman. She is a succubus, lover, and fighter. She rules the menstrual cycle as well as Cronehood. Lilith is both the darkness and the light. She is beautiful, ageless, yet hag-like, and her wisdom is beyond understanding.
Lilith’s demonization in Abrahamic religions is believed to have stemmed from remnants of an earlier goddess demonized by the Jews. In Ancient Sumerian, her name is associated with “Lilitu”, the female daemons of the winds, often found in deserts. It’s said her breasts make toxins that she uses to nurse human babies to death, bringing about the idea she’s a baby killer. Later, in Hebrew mythology, she became known as Adam’s first wife and even later, wife to Satan. Lilith also has the reputation of being sexually liberal and assertive and tempts men in their dreams so that they have wet dreams when she then takes their semen for her to give birth to demon children, killing the men in the process.
Her correspondences include:
Colors: Red, purple, black
Herb: Black cohosh
Element: Air
WORKING WITH DAEMONS
Daemonic magic is the practice of invoking the power of the daemons to assist you. Invocation is done specifically as this is considered respectful while evocation is considered rude. In other words, there is no ‘commanding’ involved. This process is to be a sharing of energies between the practitioner and the daemon. Practitioners aren’t required to be a religious Daemonolator. Provided you aren’t forcing the demons against their will, one should have strong results. Many Daemonolators also do not take cursing lightly. If you throw a curse, it must be justified. Different Daemonolators follow different hierarchies. In consistency with the rest of this post, I’ll stay focused on the use of the Daemonolatry Goetia.
Using the Daemonolatry Goetia
The Daemonolatry Goetia specifically, follows Solomon’s instructions for practice. One of these is regarding lunar observations. According to Solomon, the best days are when the moon is 2,4,6, 8, 10, 12, or 14 days old – no other days will work. The Seals of the seventy-two must be made of the specified metals of the rank: Chief Kings in Gold, Marquises in Silver, Dukes in Copper, Princes in Tin, Knights in Lead, Presidents in Mercury, and Earls in equal amounts of Copper and Silver.
The Four Great Kings are not to be summoned except on ‘Great Occasions’; however, they are to be invoked and made to command the bidding of those under power and rule. Chief Kings can be bound from 9am to 12pm, and from 3pm to sunset. Marquises can be bound from 3pm to 9pm, and from 9pm to sunrise. Dukes can be bound from sunrise to 12pm the next day in clear weather. Princes can be bound any hour of the day. Knights can be bound from dawn until sunrise, or from 4pm until sunset. Presidents can be bound at any time, excepting twilight, unless the King whom they are under is invoked. Finally, Earls can be bound any hour of the day, in the woods or any other isolated places with no noise.
Magick Circle
Creating a magick circle is an important aspect of the Goetia. The following construct is derived from an Archangelic invocation of Gabriel by the Daemonolatry Goetia’s author:
The Four Archangels are positioned at the Four Compass Quarters because they represent the structure of the Universe. They are four of the Mighty and Eternal Seven. The other three are Metatron above, Sandalphon below and the Spirit of ‘God’ (see note below) within you in your heart center. Using this visualization as a circle-casting formula provides complete protection because you are projecting an impregnable sphere all around you linked to and empowering a Heavenly force within you.
**A note on the use of the word ‘God’: Many (not all), who use these methods or other ceremonial magick methodologies, do not believe they are referring to the Christian God. Instead, an overall divinity or universal creation is envisioned.**
Practitioners invoke or draw down Angels and higher spirits into the circle and evoke or call up lesser spirits into a ‘locus spiritus’ outside the circle, thus forming a triangle. First, one point is established. Next, a second point is established and connected to the first to form a line. A third point is established to have a flat-surfaced triangle. With the fourth point established, a 3-dimensional figure is created, and the spirit is kept within the triangle. From a Kabbalistic standpoint it can be said that the triangle represents the Tetragrammaton in the Process of Creation: Air (Aleph), Water (Mem), Fire (Shin) combining to create Earth (Omega).
The Four Great Archangels are, in essence, the Tetragrammaton. They represent the Four Philosophical Elements of Creation. They activate your circle of protection. Casting a circle with a traditional Pentagram Ritual beforehand is also expected; however, practitioners are expected to have first mastered the art of Angelic Invocation before moving to invoking or evoking Daemons. It’s also expected that the practitioner uses both Goetia and Shemhamephorash sigils and conjurations during these rituals.
The Sigils and The Brass Vessel
In Daemonolatry, many sigils used are those that were received by people through the demons. If, however, the practitioner doesn’t feel a connection with a pre-made sigil, it’s perfectly fine to create your own. In fact, this is said to be appreciated by the daemons because it’s more personal. Either method will be acceptable by the daemons.
Although the brass vessel’s original purpose was to constrain the Daemons as a prison, today many Daemonolators utilizing the Goetia view the brass vessel as a holy place to keep the permanent sigils of the Daemons they work with. In Daemonolatry, paper sigils are often created and then burnt in honor of the Daemons they work with. It’s believed there is an alchemical transformation of love, intent, and reverence from the physical to the spiritual, brought about by the creation of the sigil.
There are also sigils created that are reused multiple times, depending on the work. Some use paper while others may use more permanent mediums such as clay. Regardless, they’re charged in a pillar rite and recharged regularly depending how often they’re used.
The brass vessel today is seen as a holy container meant to guard the sigils and keep their essence and energy in the sigil itself. It should be large enough to hold all the sigils and should have brass in or on it somewhere. Often, it’s inscribed or engraved with the sigil of the practitioner’s ‘All or highest Divine source’ in order to protect the sigils from picking up other energies.
Invocation and Evocation
First and foremost, Daemonolators don’t contact and invoke Daemons to “get stuff”. Those that use the Goetic method, contact the Daemonic to learn more about magickal methods, to seek assistance, or to obtain Daemonic wisdom. Once done, as with any other Divine Intelligence, they should be thanked for coming, and allowed to leave in its own time.
Daemonolators also do not routinely ‘evoke’ as that’s generally viewed as disrespectful so instead ‘invoke’ as mentioned earlier. Evocation, however, does have a place if necessary. If one is attempting invocation but is unable to bring up the appropriate Daemonic force from within, evocation may be the only other option.
When they do manifest, Daemons will not appear like something out of a horror film. One may only see shadows or simply feel a change in the room’s temperature. Some claim to feel an energy spike or a cold burst of air. Others have heard noises or encountered other paranormal activity. Different Daemons will feel and appear differently to each practitioner.
Banishing and Space Clearing
Many Daemonolators don’t often or continuously find themselves needing to banish although some schools of thought do teach to do so. Generally speaking, it’s all about knowing thyself. If you are someone who tends to attract negative energies or have emotional or psychological issues, regular banishing and/or space clearing may be something that should be more routine in your practice.
Some Daemonolators will use a modified LBRP ritual or something similar to banish and clear. There’s no specific methodology one must use. Simply use the ritual of greatest comfort if you feel you need to. If new to Daemonolatry however, many recommend using a balancing, banishing, or clearing after every working until you determine what’s best for you.
References:
- Whispering Woods, Basic Demonology Course by Crick
- Demonology: An Overview by Marilynn Hughes
- A Course in Demonic Creativity by Matt Cardin
- The Book of Solomon’s Magick, by Carroll “Poke” Runyon, M.A.
- Daemonolatry Goetia by S. Connolly
- The Encyclopedia of Demons and Demonology by Rosemary Ellen Guiley
- The Complete Book of Demonolatry Magic by J. Thorp
- The Magick Of Lilith: Calling Upon the Goddess of the Left Hand Path by Baal Kadmon