Ars Goetia
(Revision as of 07:48, 19 Nov 2005)
Categories: Grimoires | Magick | Systems
The Ars Goetia (Latin, probably: "The Howling Art"), often simply called the Goetia, is the first section of the 17th century grimoire Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis, or The Lesser Key of Solomon. Much of the text appeared earlier, with some material dating to the 14th century or earlier.
It contains descriptions of the seventy-two demons that King Solomon is said to have evoked and confined in a bronze vessel sealed by magick symbols, and that he obliged to work for him. It gives instructions on constructing a similar bronze vessel, and using the proper magic formulae to safely call up those demons. The operation given is complex, and includes much detail. The 'howling' of the title is believed to refer to the incantations made by the conjuror. The Ars Goetia differs from other goetic texts in that the entities summoned are to be compelled into obedience, rather than asked for favors.
The Ars Goetia assigns a rank and a title of nobility to each member of the infernal hierarchy, and gives the demons' 'signs they have to pay allegiance to', or seals. The lists of entities in the Ars Goetia correspond (to high but varying degree, often according to edition) with those in the Steganographia of Trithemius, circa 1500, and Johann Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum an appendix appearing in later editions of his De Praestigiis Daemonum, of 1563.
A revised English edition of the Ars Goetia was published in 1904 translated by Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, with an introduction by Aleister Crowley. It includes the Bornless Ritual, the seals of the spirits, their physical descriptions and actions. There are drawings done by Crowley for some of them. It has since become a relatively well-known book of magic (arguably, the most popular of the grimoires) and has even been featured in places like the graphic novel Promethea by Alan Moore.
Goetic Demons
The demons' names (given below) are spelled differently in different extant copies of the Ars Goetia, as is common in texts of the period. Other spellings of the names are given in the articles concerning them.
- King Baal, ruler over 66 legions
- Duke Agares, ruler over 31 legions
- Prince Vassago, ruler over 26 legions
- Marquis Samigina, ruler over 30 legions
- President Marbas, ruler over 36 legions
- Duke Valefor, ruler over 10 legions
- Marquis Amon, ruler over 40 legions
- Duke Barbatos, ruler over 30 legions
- King Paimon, ruler over 200 legions
- President Buer, ruler over 50 legions
- Duke Gusion, ruler over 40 legions
- Prince Sitri, ruler over 60 legions
- King Beleth, ruler over 85 legions
- Marquis Leraje, ruler over 30 legions
- Duke Eligos, ruler over 60 legions
- Duke Zepar, ruler over 26 legions
- Count/President Botis, ruler over 60 legions
- Duke Bathin, ruler over 30 legions
- Duke Sallos, ruler over 30 legions
- King Purson, ruler over 22 legions
- Count/President Marax, ruler over 30 legions
- Count Ipos, ruler over 36 legions
- Duke Aim, ruler over 26 legions
- Marquis Naberius, ruler over 19 legions
- Count/President Glasya-Labolas, ruler over 36 legions
- Duke Bune, ruler over 30 legions
- Marquis/Count Ronove, ruler over 19 legions
- Duke Berith, ruler over 26 legions
- Duke Astaroth, ruler over 40 legions
- Marquis Forneus, ruler over 29 legions
- President Foras, ruler over 29 legions
- King Asmodeus, ruler over 72 legions
- Prince/President Gaap, ruler over 66 legions
- Count Furfur, ruler over 26 legions
- Marquis Marchosias, ruler over 30 legions
- Prince Stolas, ruler over 26 legions
- Marquis Phenex, ruler over 20 legions
- Count Halphas, ruler over 26 legions
- President Malphas, ruler over 40 legions
- Count Raum, ruler over 30 legions
- Duke Focalor, ruler over 30 legions
- Duke Vepar, ruler over 29 legions
- Marquis Sabnock, ruler over 50 legions
- Marquis Shax, ruler over 30 legions
- King/Count Vine, ruler over 36 legions
- Count Bifrons, ruler over 60 legions
- Duke Uvall, ruler over 37 legions
- President Haagenti, ruler over 33 legions
- Duke Crocell, ruler over 48 legions
- Knight Furcas, ruler over 20 legions
- King Balam, ruler over 40 legions
- Duke Alloces, ruler over 36 legions
- President Caim, ruler over 30 legions
- Duke/Count Murmur, ruler over 30 legions
- Prince Orobas, ruler over 20 legions
- Duke Gremory, ruler over 26 legions
- President Ose, ruler over 30 legions
- President Amy, ruler over 36 legions
- Marquis Orias, ruler over 30 legions
- Duke Vapula, ruler over 36 legions
- King/President Zagan, ruler over 33 legions
- President Volac, ruler over 38 legions
- Marquis Andras, ruler over 30 legions
- Duke Haures, ruler over 36 legions
- Marquis Andrealphus, ruler over 30 legions
- Marquis Cimejes, ruler over 20 legions
- Duke Amdusias, ruler over 29 legions
- King Belial, ruler over 80 legions
- Marquis Decarabia, ruler over 30 legions
- Prince Seere, ruler over 26 legions
- Duke Dantalion, ruler over 36 legions
- Count Andromalius, ruler over 36 legions
References
- Wikipedia (2005). Ars Goetia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ars_Goetia). Retrieved Nov 18, 2005