Amaymon

Last updated

In demonology, Amaymon (also Amaimon, or Amoymon) is a prince of Hell, and, according to some grimoires, the only one who has power over Asmodai. [1]

A curious characteristic of this spirit is alleged in almost all copies of the Ars Goetia in English, that during the evocation of Asmodai to visible appearance, the exorcist must stand upright with his cap or headdress removed in a show of respect, because if he does not do so, then Amaymon will deceive him and doom all of his work. According to Joseph H. Peterson, editor of "The Lesser Key of Solomon" (Weiser 2001) this is a "bizarre translation of 'si vero coopertus fuerit'" (Page 21 Footnote 57) by Scot in his "Discoverie of Witchcraft" which contains a translation by Scot of Pseudomonarchia Daemonum by Johannes Weyer. Peterson's edition includes as an appendix, a copy of Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum in the original Latin where we find (Page 242) "Cum hujus officia exercet exorcista, fit fortis, cautus & in pedibus stans: si vero coopertus fuerit, ut in omnibus detegatur, efficiet: Quod si non fecerit exorcista, ab Amaymone in cunctis decipietur" which translates to "When the exorcist performs his offices, he should be strong, cautious and standing on his feet: if he will be truly overwhelmed he will bring it about that in all things he is unprotected: But if the exorcist does not, by Amaymon he will be deceived in whole."

In the original text by Johannes Weyer, there is nothing about taking off caps or headdresses when evoking Asmodeus. The curious characteristic replicated in every known English text of the Ars Goetia seems to arise from laziness on the part of Scot and generations of scribes replicating the English text without checking the original Latin.

Amaymon is said to have a deadly poisonous breath. The Lesser Key of Solomon states that the exorcist or conjurer must be in possession of a silver ring, that is duly consecrated and worn on the middle finger, as a form of protection against this poisonous astral breath.

According to Pseudomonarchia Daemonum and The Lesser Key of Solomon, Amaymon is the king of the east, while in the Liber Officiorum Spirituum and the 18th century grimoire Clavis Inferni he is stated to be the king of the south.

In The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage , translated by S.L. MacGregor Mathers, Amaymon (as Amaimon) is still the king of the south and also one of the eight sub-princes, described as an Egyptian devil, who Abramelin restrained from working evil from the third hour until noon and from the ninth hour until evening.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Astaroth</span> Great duke of Hell in demonology

Astaroth, in demonology, is known to be the Great Duke of Hell in the first hierarchy with Beelzebub and Lucifer; he is part of the evil trinity. He is known to be a male figure, most likely named after the Near Eastern goddess Astarte.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aamon</span> Demon

Aamon, in demonology, is a Grand Marquis of Hell who governs 40 infernal legions, and the 7th spirit of the Goetia. He is the demon of life and reproduction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bael (demon)</span> Demon described in demonological grimoires

Bael is a demon described in demonological grimoires such as The Lesser Key of Solomon and the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum and also in the Dictionnaire Infernal. He is described as a hoarsely-voiced king with the power to make men invisible and ruling over sixty-six legions of demons. The Lesser Key of Solomon describes him as appearing in the form of a cat, toad, man, some combination thereof, or other "diverse shapes", while the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum and the Dictionnaire Infernal state that he appears with the heads of a cat, toad, and human simultaneously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alloces</span>

Alloces is a demon that appears in demonological grimoires such as the Liber Officiorum Spirituum, Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, and the Lesser Key of Solomon. He is described in the Lesser Key of Solomon and in the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum as a duke, taking the form of a fire-breathing, lion-headed soldier riding a horse. His purported duties include teaching astronomy and liberal sciences, and granting familiars. He is claimed to have 36 legions of demons under his command. In the Liber Officiorum Spirituum, Alloces appears as Allogor or Algor, again a duke, but otherwise with a completely different appearance and abilities -- a spear-toting knight who answers questions, provides advice for plans, and commands only 30 legions of demons. In duplicate entry, Alloces appears as Algor, ruled by the spirit "Orience" (Oriens), again as a knight who explains secrets, but with the additional power of garnering the favor of nobles. According to Rudd, Allocer is opposed by the Shemhamphorasch angel Imamiah.

Vine is a demon listed in demonological grimoires such the Lesser Key of Solomon Johann Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, and Jacques Collin de Plancy's Dictionnaire Infernal.

The Lesser Key of Solomon, also known as Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis or simply Lemegeton, is an anonymously authored grimoire on sorcery. It was compiled in the mid-17th century, mostly from materials several centuries older. It is divided into five books: the Ars Goetia, Ars Theurgia-Goetia, Ars Paulina, Ars Almadel, and Ars Notoria. It is based on the Testament of Solomon and the ring mentioned within it that he used to seal demons.

Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, or False Monarchy of Demons, first appears as an Appendix to De praestigiis daemonum (1577) by Johann Weyer. An abridgment of a grimoire similar in nature to the Ars Goetia, it contains a list of demons, and the appropriate hours and rituals to conjure them.

Bathin is a demon described in demonological grimoires.

Gamigin is a demon described in demonological grimoires such as The Lesser Key of Solomon and Johann Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paimon</span> Demon in the Ars Goetia

Paimon is a spirit named in early grimoires. These include The Lesser Key of Solomon, Johann Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, Jacques Collin de Plancy's Dictionnaire Infernal, the Livre des Esperitz, the Liber Officiorum Spirituum, The Book of Abramelin, and certain French editions of The Grimoire of Pope Honorius ; as well as British Library, Sloane MS 3824.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buer (demon)</span> Spirit from the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum

Buer is a spirit that appears in the 16th-century grimoire Pseudomonarchia Daemonum and its derivatives, where he is described as a Great President of Hell, having fifty legions of demons under his command. He appears when the Sun is in Sagittarius. Like Chiron, the chief centaur of Greek mythology, he teaches natural and moral philosophy, logic, and the qualities and uses of all herbs and plants, and is also capable of healing all infirmities and bestows good familiars.

Leraje is supposedly a mighty Great Marquis of Hell who has thirty legions of demons under his power. He is said to cause great battles and disputes, and makes gangrene wounds caused by arrows. He is depicted as a gallant and handsome archer clad in green, carrying a bow and quiver. Leraje is a demon mentioned in demonological grimoires. He appears in the Lesser Key of Solomon, Johann Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, and Jacques Collin de Plancy's Dictionnaire Infernal.

In demonology, Morax is a Demon, Great Earl, and President of Hell, having thirty legions of demons under his command. He teaches Astronomy and all other liberal sciences, and gives good and wise familiars that know the virtues of all herbs and precious stones. This profile of the demon can be seen in Pseudomonarchia Daemonum as well as in Goetia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaap</span> Cardinal spirit

Gaap is a demon that is described in demonological grimoires such as the Lesser Key of Solomon, Johann Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, and the Munich Manual of Demonic Magic, as well as Jacques Collin de Plancy's Dictionnaire Infernal,

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malphas</span> Demonic

In demonology, Malphas is a demon who first appears in Johann Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum. That work and the Lesser Key of Solomon describe him as a mighty Great President of Hell, with 40 legions of demons under his command and is second in command under Satan. He appears as a raven, but if requested, will instead resemble a man with a hoarse voice. Malphas is said to build houses, high towers and strongholds, throw down the buildings of the enemies, destroy the enemies' desires or thoughts and all that they have done, give good familiars, and quickly bring artificers together from all places of the world. According to the writers, Malphas accepts willingly and kindly any sacrifice offered to him, but then he will deceive the conjurer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gemory</span> Demon listed on demonological grimoires

Gemory is a demon listed in demonological grimoires.

In demonology, Corson is one of the four principal kings that have power over the seventy-two demons that are supposedly constrained by King Solomon, according to the Lesser Key of Solomon. Corson is not to be conjured except on great occasions.

In demonology, Ziminiar or Zymymar is one of the four principal kings that have power over the seventy-two demons that are supposedly constrained by King Solomon, according to the Lesser Key of Solomon. Ziminiar is not to be conjured except on great occasions. The other three demon-kings are Amaymon, Corson, and Gaap.

Amy is a demon described in demonological grimoires such as the Lesser Key of Solomon, the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, and in the Munich Manual of Demonic Magic; as well as Jacques Collin de Plancy Dictionnaire Infernal,

References

  1. Aleister Crowley; Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers; Hymenaeus Beta (1995). The Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon the King. Red Wheel. ISBN   9780877288473.