Goetic Demons
Satans (Demons)
## Chief figures (top of the hierarchy)
- **Lucifer** – “Light‑bearer”; often described as the first fallen angel and emperor or crown prince of Hell; associated with pride, forbidden knowledge, and rebellion.
- **Satan** – “Adversary”; in many lists a distinct high prince of wrath and opposition, sometimes merged with Lucifer, sometimes separate.
- **Beelzebub (Beelzebul)** – “Lord of the flies”; a top prince linked to gluttony, decay, and command over lower demons; often called a counselor to Lucifer.
- **Astaroth (Ashteroth)** – Grand duke of Hell; connected with hidden knowledge, laziness/sloth, and revealing past and future; sometimes depicted as a beautiful but foul‑smelling angel.
- **Belial** – “Without master”; a king or prince of wickedness, corruption, and lawlessness; invoked for evil counsel and independence from divine order.
- **Leviathan** – Great sea‑monster and prince of the abyss; associated with envy, the waters, and the gates of Hell; sometimes listed among the four crown princes.
# Other high‑ranking demons (kings, dukes, princes)
- **Asmodeus (Ashmedai)** – King of lust, vengeance, and destructive passions; said to grant rings of invisibility and teach arts of transformation, but also to ruin marriages.
- **Baal (Bael)** – First spirit in the Goetia; a king who can make one invisible, grant cunning, and answer questions; often shown with three heads (toad, man, cat).
- **Paimon** – A great king who appears with a crown; teaches arts, sciences, and secret things; demands offerings and obedience, and can give familiar spirits.
- **Beleth** – A mighty king who rides a pale horse; causes love (especially from women) and can force spirits to obey, but is fierce and must be approached with respect.
- **Purson** – King who knows hidden things, can find treasure, and answer truly about past, present, and future; appears with a lion’s face and a serpent in hand.
- **Zagan** – King who can turn wine into water and water into wine, make one witty, and transform metals; appears as a bull with griffin wings.
- **Vine** – King and great earl; reveals hidden things, witchcraft, and past/present/future; can build and destroy towers; appears as a lion riding a black horse.
- **Balam** – King with three heads (bull, man, ram); gives invisibility, cunning, and answers about past and future; commands many legions.
## Notable dukes and princes (Goetic and related lists)
- **Agares** – Great duke; teaches languages, makes runaways return, and can destroy dignities; depicted as an old man on a crocodile with a hawk.
- **Amon** – Marquis with great power; reveals past and future, reconciles enemies, and can grant favors; appears as a wolf with a serpent’s tail or as a man with dog’s teeth.
- **Barbatos** – Duke who appears with four kings; gives understanding of animal sounds, finds hidden treasure, and reconciles friends and rulers.
- **Eligos (Abigor)** – Great duke in knightly form; discovers hidden things, foretells outcomes of wars, and attracts favor from lords and common people.
- **Zepar** – Duke who causes love, makes people barren, and can dress spirits in fine clothes; appears in red armor.
- **Valefor** – Duke who tempts people to steal and teaches theft; appears as a lion with a human head or as a lion‑bodied creature.
- **Focalor** – Duke who can sink ships and drown men, but also teaches hope and can give high offices; appears as a man with griffin wings.
- **Vepar** – Duke who governs waters, causes sores and ulcers, and can make one appear armed; appears as a mermaid.
- **Allocer** – Duke who teaches liberal sciences and gives knowledge of celestial things; appears as a soldier on a horse with a lion’s face.
- **Murmur** – Duke and great earl; teaches philosophy and music, and can summon souls of the dead; appears as a warrior with a crown, flanked by trumpeters.
- **Orobas** – Prince who gives true answers about past, present, and future, confers dignities, and prevents temptation; appears as a great horse.
- **Sitri** – Great prince who inflames love and lust, makes people appear naked, and can cause strong desire; appears with a leopard’s head and griffin wings.
- **Gaap** – Prince who teaches philosophy and liberal sciences, can make one invisible, and controls fate; appears as a stout man.
## Other frequently named demons
- **Lucifuge Rofocale** – “Prime Minister” of Hell in some lists; associated with inflicting disease, deformity, and destruction of sacred things.
- **Satanachia** – Commander‑in‑chief in certain hierarchies; a high general over infernal armies.
- **Agaliarept** – General who reveals secret things and teaches how to become invisible.
- **Fleurety** – Lieutenant general; said to perform tasks at night and cause hail and storms.
- **Sargatanas** – Brigadier who teaches sciences and can make one invisible; governs certain regions of Hell.
- **Nebiros** – Camp marshal; inspects armies of demons and reveals virtues of herbs and stones.
- **Mephistopheles** – More literary (Faust legend), but often included in modern demon lists as a cunning negotiator and deceiver.
The **Goetia** (more precisely, *Ars Goetia*) is the first book of the **Lemegeton** or *Lesser Key of Solomon*, a 17th‑century grimoire that lists **72 spirits** (often called “demons”) with ranks, powers, appearances, and the number of legions they command.
Below is a clear overview of the Goetic hierarchy and how it’s organized.
## Structure of the Goetia
- The 72 spirits are arranged in a **feudal‑style hierarchy** modeled on early modern European courts: kings, dukes, princes, marquises, earls/counts, presidents, and one knight.
- Each spirit is assigned:
- A **rank/title** (King, Duke, etc.)
- A **number** (1–72)
- A **sigil/seal**
- A description of **powers**, **appearance**, and **legions** commanded.
A common breakdown of the 72 by rank (numbers vary slightly by manuscript) is roughly:
- **Kings**: ~9
- **Dukes**: ~23
- **Princes / Prelates**: ~7
- **Marquises**: ~15
- **Earls / Counts**: ~10–14
- **Presidents**: ~8–14
- **Knight**: 1
## Planetary and elemental associations
One important layer in the Goetic system is the link between **rank** and **planet** (and thereby element, metal, color, etc.):
- **Kings** → **Sun** (broad authority, transformation, command over lesser spirits)
- **Dukes** → **Venus** (love, wealth, natural phenomena)
- **Princes** → **Jupiter** (wisdom, foresight, philosophy, law)
- **Marquises** → **Moon** (time, illusions, emotions, battle, changeability)
- **Earls / Counts** → **Mars** (war, alchemy, arcane knowledge, conflict)
- **Presidents** → **Mercury** (sciences, secrets, communication, transmutation)
- **Knight** → **Saturn** (restriction, time, endings, discipline)
This planetary mapping is used in later occult systems to align Goetic work with astrology, talismans, and hours/days ruled by specific planets.
## Rank descriptions (what each tier “does”)
### Kings (highest rank)
- Command the **largest legions** (often dozens to hundreds).
- Have **broad authority**: can grant invisibility, reveal hidden things, teach arts and sciences, give favor with rulers, and command other spirits.
- Examples: **Bael**, **Paimon**, **Beleth**, **Purson**, **Asmodeus (Asmoday)**, **Vine**, **Balam**, **Zagan**, **Belial** (in some lists).
### Dukes
- The **most numerous** rank.
- Often specialize in **love/attraction**, **wealth**, **natural forces** (winds, waters), and **knowledge of herbs/stones**.
- Examples: **Agares**, **Barbatos**, **Gusion**, **Bathin**, **Eligos**, **Zepar**, **Ronove**, **Astaroth** (sometimes listed as duke or great duke).
### Princes / Prelates
- Associated with **Jupiterian** themes: wisdom, philosophy, divination, and high knowledge.
- Often teach **liberal arts**, reveal secrets of destiny, and give counsel on statecraft or spiritual matters.
- Examples: **Vassago**, **Sitri**, **Gaap**, **Orobas**, **Amy**, **Orias**, **Vapula** (depending on edition).
### Marquises
- Linked to the **Moon**: emotions, illusions, time, and warfare.
- Powers include causing love/hate, revealing past/future, influencing battles, and creating illusions.
- Examples: **Amon**, **Leraje**, **Marchosias**, **Sabnock**, **Shax**, **Andras**, **Flauros**.
### Earls / Counts
- Tied to **Mars**: war, alchemy, and aggressive knowledge.
- Often teach **alchemy**, **magic**, and **martial arts**, and can give courage or cause conflict.
- Examples: **Botis**, **Bifrons**, **Caim**, **Gremory**, **Ose**, **Valac**, etc.
### Presidents
- Under **Mercury**: sciences, secrets, communication, and transformation.
- Teach **liberal sciences**, reveal hidden treasures, and answer questions about past/present/future.
- Examples: **Marbas**, **Buer**, **Haagenti**, **Crocell**, **Furfur**, **Malphas**, **Naberius**, **Vapula** (in some lists).
### Knight (single)
- Only one: **Furcas** (in most editions).
- Associated with **Saturn**: discipline, restriction, and sometimes violent or harsh methods.
- Teaches **philosophy**, **astrology**, **chiromancy**, and other “high” arts, but with a stern, severe character.
## How the 72 are organized in practice
In the text itself, the spirits are simply listed **1–72** with their title and description; the planetary schema is more of a later interpretive layer used by modern occultists to systematize them.
A short sample of the first few to show the pattern:
1. **Bael** – King; rules in the East; makes one invisible; teaches arts; commands 66 legions.
2. **Agares** – Duke; teaches languages; brings back runaways; destroys dignities; 31 legions.
3. **Vassago** – Prince; reveals past/present/future; finds lost things; 26 legions.
4. **Samigina (Gamigin)** – Marquis; gives knowledge of herbs and stones; can raise souls in various forms; 30 legions.
5. **Marbas** – President; reveals true answers about diseases and mechanics; transforms men; 36 legions.
And so on through #72, each with a seal, appearance, powers, and legion count.
## Relation to Lucifer and the wider infernal court
In many modern interpretations:
- The 72 Goetic spirits are seen as **high officers** in Hell’s bureaucracy, serving under **Lucifer**, **Satan**, **Beelzebub**, etc.
- Higher‑ranked Goetic demons (especially Kings) are described as able to **command lesser demons** and even give orders to some of Lucifer’s other forces.
- Some systems place Lucifer **outside** the 72, as emperor, with the Goetic kings as his chief vassals.
72 Goetic spirits**
# 1. The 72 Spirits of the Goetia (names, ranks, core powers)
| Name | Rank | Key powers (very brief) | Legions |
|---|------|------|--------------------------|---------|
| 1 | **Bael** | King | Invisibility, wisdom, hoarse voice; answers questions | 66 |
| 2 | **Agares** | Duke | Languages, brings back runaways, causes earthquakes | 31 |
| 3 | **Vassago** | Prince | Past/future, finds lost/hidden things | 26 |
| 4 | **Samigina (Gamigin)** | Marquis | Liberal sciences, souls in purgatory, secrets | 30 |
| 5 | **Marbas** | President | Cures/causes disease, mechanical knowledge, transformation | 36 |
| 6 | **Valefor** | Duke | Promotes theft, gives loyal followers | 10 |
| 7 | **Amon** | Marquis | Reconciles enemies, reveals past/future, love/favor | 40 |
| 8 | **Barbatos** | Duke | Understands animal speech, finds treasure, reconciles disputes | 40 |
| 9 | **Paimon** | King | All arts/sciences, hidden things, gives obedience & dignities | 200 |
| 10 | **Buer** | President | Philosophy, logic, herbal medicine, heals diseases | 50 |
| 11 | **Gusion** | Duke | Answers all questions, reconciles disputes, gives honors | 40 |
| 12 | **Sitri** | Prince | Inflames love/lust, reveals secrets of men/women | 60 |
| 13 | **Beleth** | King | Induces love and respect, commands love‑spirits | 85 |
| 14 | **Leraje (Lerayeh)** | Marquis | Causes wounds to fester, archery, resolves disputes | 30 |
| 15 | **Eligos (Abigor)** | Duke | Discovers hidden things, foretells war outcomes, attracts favor | 60 |
| 16 | **Zepar** | Duke | Causes love, makes barren, dresses spirits in fine clothes | 26 |
| 17 | **Botis** | Earl/Count | Reveals past/future, reconciles friends/foes | 60 |
| 18 | **Bathin** | Duke | Travels quickly, knows virtues of herbs/stones | 30 |
| 19 | **Sallos (Saleos)** | Duke | Causes love, especially between men and women | 30 |
| 20 | **Purson (Purrsyn)** | King | Past/present/future, hidden treasure, divine secrets | 22 |
| 21 | **Marax (Morax)** | Earl/Count | Teaches astronomy/liberal sciences, knows virtues of herbs/stones | 36 |
| 22 | **Ipos (Ayporos)** | Prince/Earl | Gives wit and cunning, reveals past/future | 36 |
| 23 | **Aim (Aini)** | Duke | Makes one witty, gives true answers on hidden things, sets fires | 26 |
| 24 | **Naberius** | Marquis | Restores lost honors/dignities, teaches arts/sciences | 19 |
| 25 | **Glasya‑Labolas** | President/Earl | Teaches arts/sciences, invisibility, reveals past/future | 36 |
| 26 | **Bune (Bime)** | Duke | Makes eloquent, moves corpses, gives true answers, wealth | 30 |
| 27 | **Ronove** | Marquis/Earl | Teaches rhetoric, languages, arts; reconciles enemies | 19 |
| 28 | **Berith** | Duke | Teaches liberal sciences, alchemy, gives true answers | 26 |
| 29 | **Astaroth** | Duke | Liberal sciences, past/future, reveals fall of angels, laziness | 40 |
| 30 | **Andras** | Marquis | Teaches how to destroy enemies, causes discord | 30 |
| 31 | **Flauros (Havres)** | Duke | Destroys enemies, reveals past/present/future, burns foes | 36 |
| 32 | **Asmodeus (Asmoday)** | King | Lust/vengeance, invisibility, arithmetic/astronomy/geometry | 72 |
| 33 | **Gaap** | Prince/President | Philosophy, liberal sciences, invisibility, fate | 60 |
| 34 | **Furfur** | Earl/Count | Causes love, storms, lightning, true answers if forced | 26 |
| 35 | **Malphas** | President | Builds towers, destroys enemies’ plans, gives familiars | 40 |
| 36 | **Rahovart (Allocer)** | Duke/President | Teaches liberal sciences, astronomy, gives familiars | 36 |
| 37 | **Caim** | President/Earl | Understands birds/animals, gives true answers, fire | 30 |
| 38 | **Murmur** | Duke/Earl | Philosophy, music, summons dead souls | 30 |
| 39 | **Orobas** | Prince | True answers about past/present/future, prevents temptation, gives dignities | 20 |
| 40 | **Gremory** | Duke | Reveals treasure, knows past/present/future, causes love | 26 |
| 41 | **Ose** | President | Teaches liberal sciences, true answers, transforms men | 50 |
| 42 | **Amy** | President | Reveals hidden treasure, teaches astrology/liberal sciences | 36 |
| 43 | **Orias** | Marquis | Teaches astrology, virtues of planets, gives dignities/favor | 30 |
| 44 | **Vapula** | Duke/President | Teaches arts/sciences, especially mechanics and philosophy | 36 |
| 45 | **Vine (Vineh)** | King | Reveals hidden things, witchcraft, builds/destroys towers, storms | 36 |
| 46 | **Bifrons** | Earl/Count | Teaches astrology, liberal sciences, moves corpses, lights candles on graves | 24 |
| 47 | **Uvall (Vual)** | Duke | Causes love, procures favor of enemies, teaches languages | 37 |
| 48 | **Haagenti** | President | Teaches alchemy, transforms water to wine and vice versa, gives wisdom | 48 |
| 49 | **Crocell** | Duke | Teaches geometry/liberal sciences, causes noises, warms water | 48 |
| 50 | **Furcas** | Knight | Teaches philosophy, astrology, chiromancy, pyromancy | 20 |
| 51 | **Balam** | King | Invisibility, cunning, past/future, three heads | 40 |
| 52 | **Allocer** | Duke/President | Teaches liberal sciences, astronomy, gives familiars | 36 |
| 53 | **Caim** (duplicate in some lists; often merged with #37) | — | — | — |
| 54 | **Zagan** | King | Transforms substances, makes witty, changes metals | 36 |
| 55 | **Volac (Valac)** | President/Earl | Reveals where serpents lie, gives true answers | 30 |
| 56 | **Andrealphus** | Marquis | Teaches geometry, astronomy, liberal sciences; transforms men | 30 |
| 57 | **Amdusias (Amduscias)** | Duke | Teaches music, causes trees to bend, gives familiars | 29 |
| 58 | **Belial** | King | Wickedness, evil counsel, independence from divine order | 50–80 (varies) |
| 59 | **Decarabia** | Marquis | Knows virtues of birds/plants, transforms into birds | 30 |
| 60 | **Seere (Sear)** | Prince | Reveals hidden treasure, executes tasks quickly, indifferent to good/evil | 26 |
| 61 | **Dantalion (Dantalian)** | Duke | Teaches all arts/sciences, reveals thoughts, reconciles enemies | 36 |
| 62 | **Astaroth** (sometimes listed separately again) | Duke | As above; some lists duplicate or split aspects | — |
| 63 | **Adramelech** | President/Chancellor | Teaches logic, gives good familiars, sometimes linked to murder | 70 (varies) |
| 64 | **Ashtaroth** (variant of Astaroth in some lists) | Duke | Similar to Astaroth | — |
| 65 | **Anael** | Duke | Often linked to love, arts, and Venusian influences | 30–40 (varies) |
| 66 | **Penemue** | Marquis/President | Teaches writing, wisdom, understanding; reveals secrets | 40 |
| 67 | **Ammiel / Amaymon** | King (in some systems) | Hidden knowledge, treasure, elemental forces | 50–70 (varies) |
| 68 | **Zagan** (sometimes shifted here in variant lists) | King | As above | — |
| 69 | **Shax** | Marquis | Steals money, causes loss, reveals hidden things, heals | 30 |
| 70 | **Vine** (sometimes shifted here in variant lists) | King | As above | — |
| 71 | **Belial** (sometimes shifted here) | King | As above | — |
| 72 | **Bael** (sometimes re‑listed in variant manuscripts) | King | As above | — |
Notes:
- Exact numbering and duplication (e.g., multiple entries for Astaroth, Zagan, Belial, Vine) vary by manuscript and edition; some lists compress these to exactly 72 unique spirits.
- The “core 72” most commonly cited in modern summaries are the first 72 unique entries up to around **Balam, Zagan, Belial, Shax, etc.**, with minor variations.
### Common elements in the literature
1. **Preparation and intention**
- Practitioners are advised to clarify their **purpose** (knowledge, protection, transformation, etc.) and to approach with seriousness and discipline.
- Traditional texts emphasize **purification**: fasting or light diet, abstaining from intoxicants, mental focus, and sometimes days of prayer or meditation beforehand.
2. **Sacred space and protection**
- A **circle** is drawn or visualized as a protected boundary for the operator; the spirit is often constrained within a **triangle** or similar figure outside the circle.
- Divine names, angels, or protective symbols are invoked to **constrain** the spirit and prevent harm. In Solomonic systems, each Goetic spirit is counterbalanced by an angel of the **Shem HaMephorash** (72‑fold Name).
3. **Tools and symbols**
- Commonly mentioned items: **sigil/seal** of the spirit, candles, incense, ritual knife/wand, and sometimes a consecrated book or lamens.
- The **sigil** acts as a focal point for the spirit’s presence and the operator’s intent.
4. **Invocation / conjuration**
- The operator recites an **invocation** calling the spirit by name and titles, often citing divine authority and the binding power of sacred names.
- Some traditions use short chants or “enns” (repetitive name‑chants) to attune to the spirit’s vibration.
5. **Request and interaction**
- Once the spirit is said to appear (in vision, sensation, or “subtle” presence), the operator states a **clear, specific request** and may ask for signs, knowledge, or assistance.
- Traditional grimoires stress speaking with **authority**, not fear, while remaining respectful and bound by the protective framework.
6. **Dismissal and closing**
- A **license to depart** is given: the spirit is formally thanked and dismissed, and the circle is closed in reverse order.
- Practitioners are advised to **ground** afterward (eat, walk, do mundane tasks) and record the experience in a grimoire or journal.
### Safety warnings in the sources
Even within occult communities, authors repeatedly warn:
- Goetic work can amplify **shadow material**, trauma, obsession, and psychological instability if done without strong grounding, ethical clarity, and mature practice.
- Many traditions insist on **protection mantras/kavacha**, guru/lineage guidance, or at least solid prior experience with simpler forms of meditation and prayer before attempting evocation.
- Some modern practitioners recommend starting with **lower‑rank spirits** (Presidents, Counts) and simpler intentions before approaching Kings or highly aggressive entities.
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