Astaroth

Last updated
Astaroth illustration from the Dictionnaire Infernal (1818) Astaroth.jpg
Astaroth illustration from the Dictionnaire Infernal (1818)
Seal of Astaroth, as depicted in The Lesser Key of Solomon Astaroth Seal.svg
Seal of Astaroth, as depicted in The Lesser Key of Solomon

Astaroth (also Ashtaroth, Astarot and Asteroth), 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.

Contents

Background

The name Astaroth was ultimately derived from that of 2nd millennium BC Phoenician goddess Astarte, [1] an equivalent of the Babylonian Ishtar, and the earlier Sumerian Inanna. She is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible in the forms Ashtoreth (singular) and Ashtaroth (plural, in reference to multiple statues of it). This latter form was directly transliterated in the early Greek and Latin versions of the Bible, where it was less apparent that it had been a plural feminine in Hebrew.

Appearances in literature

The name "Astaroth" as a male demon is first seen in The Book of Abramelin , purportedly written in Hebrew c.1458, and recurred in most occult grimoires of the following centuries. Astaroth also features as an archdemon associated with the qlippoth (adverse forces) according to later Kabbalistic texts, as he rules over the qlippa of Jupiter, known as Gha'agsheblah.

Dutch demonologist Johann Weyer also described Astaroth in his Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (1577) thus: "Astaroth is a great and a strong duke, coming forth in the shape of a foul angel, sitting upon an infernal dragon, and carrying on his left hand a viper", who also claimed to rule 40 legions. Also, he had to be approached by the conjurer with a magical ring on account of his stinking breath. [2] He is similarly referred to in the 17th-century work The Lesser Key of Solomon . He also makes an appearance in the notorious "Grimorium Verum" (True Grimoire), as the infernal principality which rules the Americas.

According to some demonologists of the 16th century, August is the month during which this demon's attacks against man are stronger. According to Sebastien Michaelis, he is a demon of the First Hierarchy, who seduces by means of laziness, self-doubt, and rationalized philosophies. His adversary is St. Bartholomew, who can protect against him for he has resisted Astaroth's "temptations". To others, he teaches mathematical sciences and handicrafts, can make men invisible and lead them to hidden treasures, and answers every question formulated to him. He was also said to give to mortal beings the power over serpents.

Was mentioned as a co-signatory of a Diabolical pact with Urban Grandier.

According to Francis Barrett (c.1801), Astaroth is the prince of accusers and inquisitors. In art, in the Dictionnaire Infernal (1818), Astaroth is depicted as a nude man with feathered wings, wearing a crown, holding a serpent in one hand, and riding a beast with dragon-like wings and a serpent-like tail.

Appearances in film

Ashtaroth is one of three demons summoned by Faustus to attack Benvolio in Doctor Faustus .

The "Star of Astoroth" features prominently in the 1971 Disney film Bedknobs and Broomsticks , where it takes the form of a magical medallion.

Astaroth is named in the 1976 Hammer horror film To the Devil a Daughter .

In the 1920 silent horror film The Golem: How He Came into the World , Rabbi Loew and his assistant summon Astaroth to animate the Golem resulting in deadly and destructive results.

Astaroth also appears in the 2007 television series Blood Ties , with his symbol displayed in the first few episodes.

The Solomonic seal of Astaroth makes an appearance in the 2017 film Pyewacket .

Astaroth symbolism is also prevalent in the 2018 film Antrum: The Deadliest Film Ever Made , and a symbol of Astaroth appears in the movie over 170 times.

Astaroth is the title character in "Astaroth"/"Astaroth Female Demon", a film by the Brazilian director Larissa Anzoategui. The name of the company that made the film is also "Astaroth Produç/p>

Astaroth appears as the main antagonist of the 2022 movie R.I.P.D. 2 .

See also

Related Research Articles

<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, human, 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 the 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, Alloces is opposed by the Shemhamphorasch angel Imamiah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bifrons (demon)</span>

Bifrons is a demon described in the demonological grimoires the Lesser Key of Solomon and the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, as well as being mentioned in the Dictionnaire Infernal. These works describe Bifrons as an earl who initially appears as a monster before adopting a more human form. His duties include teaching arts and sciences, including astrology, geometry, and the properties of different plants and stones. He also moves bodies into different graves, lights candles over graves, and commands either 6, 26, or 60 legions of spirits.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agares</span> Demon described in demonological grimoires

Agares is a demon described in demonological grimoires.

In demonology, Halphas is the thirty-eighth demon in the Ars Goetia in the Lesser Key of Solomon, ranked as an earl.

In demonology, Amaymon is a prince of Hell, and, according to some grimoires, the only one who has power over Asmodai.

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.

Lerajie is a mighty Great Marquis of Hell who has thirty-three legions of Demons under her power. She is said to cause great battles and disputes, and makes gangrene wounds caused by arrows. She can make a lover come to her, and also send them away. She is depicted as a gallant and handsome archer clad in green, carrying a bow and quiver, in the folklore of the Bible. But her true appearance is around 5 feet tall, with shoulder length black hair and bangs. With a long shimmering red wingspan. 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">Gemory</span> Demon listed on demonological grimoires

Gemory is a demon listed in demonological grimoires.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valac</span> A figure in western magic story

Valak is a demon described in the goetic grimoires The Lesser Key of Solomon, Johann Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, the Liber Officiorum Spirituum, and in the Munich Manual of Demonic Magic as an angelically winged boy riding a two-headed dragon, attributed with the power of finding treasures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Classification of demons</span> Differing classification systems of demons

There have been various attempts at the classification of demons within the contexts of classical mythology, demonology, occultism, and Renaissance magic. These classifications may be for purposes of traditional medicine, exorcisms, ceremonial magic, witch-hunts, lessons in morality, folklore, religious ritual, or combinations thereof. Classifications might be according to astrological connections, elemental forms, noble titles, or parallels to the angelic hierarchy; or by association with particular sins, diseases, and other calamities; or by what angel or saint opposes them.

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. Lon Milo DuQuette and Christopher S. Hyatt. Aleister Crowley's Illustrated Goetia (1992). New Falcon: Temple, AZ, USA, p. 52.
  2. "Johann Weyer, Pseudomonarchia Daemonum". esotericarchives.com.

Sources