Ars Goetia

From Free Encyclopedia of Thelema

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.

The circle and triangle, used in the evocation of the seventy-two spirits of the Goetia. The magickian would stand within the circle and the spirit was believed to appear within the triangle. Some believe that the central circle of the triangle was actually a magick mirror, similar to a crystal ball as used for scrying.

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 many details. 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 entities named include Semitic gods and demons, and those of several European pre-Christian religions, although many are obscure or invented. All are male, supposed to rule over a number of legions of demons, and expected to be able to carry out various tasks for the evoker.

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 John Wier's De Praestigiis Daemonumand, of 1563.

A revised English edition of the Ars Goetia was published in 1904 by magician Aleister Crowley, and it serves as a key component of his popular and highly influential system of magick. 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. This list is derived from Joseph Peterson's 2001 edition of The Lesser Key of Solomon. Other spellings of the names are given in the articles concerning them.

1. King Bael, ruler over 66 legions
2. Duke Agares, ruler over 31 legions
3. Prince Vassago, ruler over 26 legions
4. Marquis Gamigin, ruler over 30 legions
5. President Marbas, ruler over 36 legions
6. Duke Valefar, ruler over 10 legions
7. Marquis Amon, ruler over 40 legions
8. Duke Barbatos, ruler over 30 legions
9. King Paimon, ruler over 200 legions
10. President Buer, ruler over 50 legions
11. Duke Gusoin, ruler over 40 legions
12. Prince Sitri, ruler over 60 legions
13. King Beleth, ruler over 85 legions
14. Marquis Leraye, ruler over 30 legions
15. Duke Eligor, ruler over 60 legions
16. Duke Zepar, ruler over 26 legions
17. Count/President Botis, ruler over 60 legions
18. Duke Bathin, ruler over 30 legions
19. Duke Saleos, ruler over 30 legions
20. King Purson, ruler over 22 legions
21. Count/President Morax, ruler over 30 legions
22. Count Ipos, ruler over 36 legions
23. Duke Aim, ruler over 26 legions
24. Marquis Naberius, ruler over 19 legions
25. Count/President Glasya-Labolas, ruler over 36 legions
26. Duke Bune, ruler over 30 legions
27. Marquis/Count Ronove, ruler over 19 legions
28. Duke Berith, ruler over 26 legions
29. Duke Astaroth, ruler over 40 legions
30. Marquis Forneus, ruler over 29 legions
31. President Foras, ruler over 29 legions
32. King Asmoday, ruler over 72 legions
33. Prince/President Gaap, ruler over 66 legions
34. Count Furtur, ruler over 26 legions
35. Marquis Marchosias, ruler over 30 legions
36. Prince Stolas, ruler over 26 legions
37. Marquis Phoenix, ruler over 20 legions
38. Count Halphas, ruler over 26 legions
39. President Malphas, ruler over 40 legions
40. Count Raum, ruler over 30 legions
41. Duke Focalor, ruler over 30 legions
42. Duke Vepar, ruler over 29 legions
43. Marquis Sabnach, ruler over 50 legions
44. Marquis Shax, ruler over 30 legions
45. King/Count Vine, ruler over 36 legions
46. Count Bifrons, ruler over 60 legions
47. Duke Vual, ruler over 37 legions
48. President Haagenti, ruler over 33 legions
49. Duke Procel, ruler over 48 legions
50. Knight Furcas, ruler over 20 legions
51. King Balam, ruler over 40 legions
52. Duke Alloces, ruler over 36 legions
53. President Caim, ruler over 30 legions
54. Duke/Count Murmur, ruler over 30 legions
55. Prince Orobas, ruler over 20 legions
56. Duke Gemory, ruler over 26 legions
57. President Ose, ruler over 30 legions
58. President Amy, ruler over 36 legions
59. Marquis Orias, ruler over 30 legions
60. Duke Vapula, ruler over 36 legions
61. King/President Zagan, ruler over 33 legions
62. President Valac, ruler over 38 legions
63. Marquis Andras, ruler over 30 legions
64. Duke Flauros, ruler over 36 legions
65. Marquis Andrealphus, ruler over 30 legions
66. Marquis Cimeies, ruler over 20 legions
67. Duke Amduscias, ruler over 29 legions
68. King Belial, ruler over 80 legions
69. Marquis Decarabia, ruler over 30 legions
70. Prince Seere, ruler over 26 legions
71. Duke Dantalion, ruler over 36 legions
72. Count Andromalius, ruler over 36 legions

References

• Peterson, Joseph H. (ed.) (2001). The Lesser Key of Solomon. York Beach, Maine: Weiser Books. ISBN 1-57863-220-X
• Wikipedia (2005). Ars Goetia. Retrieved March 20, 2005.