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Astaroth |
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Astaroth - This fallen angel is one of some controversy. To Waite, he was once a seraph and a prince of the order of Thrones (The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts) but now serves as a great duke in Hell (The Lemegeton). Though he 'fell' willingly, he claims to be exempt from their sins. To Spence, Astaroth was a seraphim (An Encyclopedia of Occultism). To Voltaire, he was an ancient god of Syria. In the Grimorium Verum, Astaroth resides in America. According to Barrett (The Magus I), Diabolus is the Greek name for Astaroth. When conjured, he is said to still manifest as "a beautiful angel astride a dragon carrying a viper in his right hand." (a)
Astaroth also rode around on a dragon, but he had only one head - usually depicted as quite ugly - and carried a viper in his left hand. Grand Duke of the western regions of Hell, he was also Treasurer of the whole place. The original couch potato, he encouraged men to sloth and idleness. In his spare time, he served as a kind of guidance counselor for other fallen angels. (c) THE NINETEENTH CHAPTER. A descriptive list of the names of the spirits whom we may summon to obtain that which we desire. I WILL here give a very exact description of many Spirits, the which (names) either altogether or in part, or else as many of them as you may wish, you should give written upon paper unto the Eight SubPrinces, on the Second Day of the Conjuration. Now all these (Spirits) be those who will appear on the Third Day, together with their Princes. And these (Spirits) be not vile, base, and common, but of rank, industrious, and very prompt unto an infinitude of things. Now their Names have been manifested and discovered by the Angels, and if you should wish for more the Angel will augment them for you as far as you shall wish; seeing that their number is infinite. The Eight Sub-Princes be: ASTAROT. MAGOT. ASMODEE. BELZEBUD. ORIENS. PAIMON. ARITON. AMAIMON.
These be the Spirits common unto ASTAROT and ASMODEE, viz.:
The following be those of ASTAROT, viz.:
UNDER WHAT RULERS. TOTAL OF SPIRITS SERVIENT.
Infinite be the Spirits which I could have here set down, but in order not to make any confusion, I have thought fit to put only those whom I have myself employed, and whom I have found good and faithful in all the Operations wherein I have availed myself of them. Also it is true that he who shall perform this Operation will be able thereafter, according to his need, to obtain (the names of) more. (f) ---- Astarot: From Hebrew, OShThRVTh, = flocks, crowds or assemblies. Usually written "Ashtaroth". Also a name of the Goddess Astarte; Esther is derived from the same root. (f)
Astaroth is a great and a strong duke, comming foorth in the shape of a fowle angell, sitting upon an infernall dragon, and carrieng on his right hand a viper: he answereth trulie to matters present, past, and to come, and also of all secrets. He talketh willinglie of the creator of spirits, and of their fall, and how they sinned and fell: he saith he fell not of his owne accord. He maketh a man woonderfull learned in the liberall sciences, he ruleth fourtie legions. Let everie exorcist take heed, that he admit him not too neere him, bicause of his stinking breath. And therefore let the conjuror hold neere to his face a magicall ring, and that shall defend him. (g)
ASTAROT H. - The Twenty-ninth Spirit is Astaroth. He is a Mighty, Strong Duke, and appeareth in the Form of an hurtful Angel riding on an Infernal Beast like a Dragon, and carrying in his right hand a Viper. Thou must in no wise let him approach too near unto thee, lest he do thee damage by his Noisome Breath. Wherefore the Magician must hold the Magical Ring near his face, and that will defend him. He giveth true answers of things Past, Present, and to Come, and can discover all Secrets. He will declare wittingly how the Spirits fell, if desired, and the reason of his own fall. He can make men wonderfully knowing in all Liberal Sciences. He ruleth 40 Legions of Spirits. His Seal is this, which wear thou as a Lamen before thee, or else he will not appear nor yet obey thee, etc. (h)
The Names of Some of the Good and Bad Spirits Solomon Made Use of which are mentioned in Enoch's Seven Tables, with a true account of their shapes, powers, government and effects, with their several seigniories* and degrees.
*this is the spelling in the text In regard to spirits, there are the superior and the inferior. Names of the superiors are: Lucifer, Beelzebuth, Astaroth. The inferiors of Lucifer are in Europe and Asia, and obey him. Beelzebuth lives in Africa, and Astaroth inhabits America. Of these, each of them has two who order their subjects all that which the Emperor has resolved to do in all the world, and vice-versa. (u) Astaroth appears black, in human shape. (u) The two [demon] inferiors of Astaroth are Sagatana and Nesbiros... (u) Furthermore, we find in Sacred Scripture that these spirits sometimes took as their names the names of very evil men or of the dwelling places of very evil men. For example, Astaroth was a god of the Philistines, according to Josephus.24 This god was banished by the Jews at the command of Solomon, but was also a god adored by Solomon [1 Sam. 7; 2 Kings 23]. And notwithstanding the fact that the name signifies "flocks" or even "wealth," "the one making an exploration" or "the worm or moth [the eroder] of the law," it was the name, in time past, of the city of Og, king of Bashan, where the Giants dwelled. It was also the name of a city of the Amorites. (w) Read Astaroth's entry in: Hell's Hierarchy as Described by Father Michaelis (1612) |
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Astaroth's Sigil | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The characters of Astaroth placed outside his circle. (u) |
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Resource List - all entries are taken verbatim from the original source: (a) "The Dictionary of Angels" by Gustav Davidson, © 1967 (c) "Fallen Angels...and Spirits of the Dark" by Robert Masello ©1994. (f) "The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, Book I, II, & III." Translated By: S. L. Mac Gregor Mathers. BEQUEATHED BY ABRAHAM UNTO LAMECH HIS SON. TRANSLATED FROM THE HEBREW. 1458. (g) Pseudomonarchia daemonum - Johann Wier (1583) (h) The Lesser Key of Solomon. GOETIA. Compiled and Translated By S.L. "MacGregor" Mathers. Editing and Additional Material By Aleister Crowley (s) "A Treatise on Angel Magic, Being a Complete Transcription of Ms. Harley 6482 in the British Library." Edited & Introduced by Adam McLean. Phanes Press. ©1990. First published in 1949. (u) "Grimoirium Verum or The True Grimoire. The Most Approved Keys of Solomon The Hebrew Rabbi." Translated From The Hebrew by Plangiere, Jesuit Dominicane. Edited, With A Preface By James Banner, Gent. Originally Published By Alibeck The AEgyptian at Memphis 1517. PDF edition, 1999 Phil Legard. (w) "Witches, Devils, and Doctors in the Renaissance. Johann Weyer, De praestigiis daemonum" General Editor: George Mora, M.D. Translated by: John Shea. Medieval & Renaissance Texts & Studies. Binghamton, New York. ©1991 Original text written in 1583.
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