The 72 Spirits of Solomon are a group of demons that are featured in the Lesser Key of Solomon, a grimoire that dates back to the 17th century. Each of the spirits has its own unique abilities and characteristics, and they are often called upon by practitioners of the occult to perform various tasks or provide information. Despite their demonic nature, the spirits are not necessarily considered to be evil in the modern sense of the word.
The spirits are often depicted as having both human and animal-like characteristics, and they are said to be ruled by four kings: Amaymon, Corson, Ziminiar, and Gaap. Some of the most well-known spirits include Asmodeus, Belphegor, and Beelzebub, each of whom has its own specific area of expertise. While some of the spirits are said to be more helpful than others, they are all considered to be powerful entities that should be approached with caution.
Historical Context
The 72 spirits of Solomon are a group of demons or spirits that are described in the Lesser Key of Solomon, a grimoire that was likely written in the 17th century. The Lesser Key of Solomon is divided into five sections, with the Ars Goetia being the first and most well-known.
The Ars Goetia section of the Lesser Key of Solomon describes the 72 spirits or demons, their names, and the tasks they are capable of performing. It is important to note that the term “demon” in this context does not necessarily mean an evil entity, but rather a spirit with a specific domain of expertise.
The origins of the 72 spirits of Solomon are unclear, but some scholars believe that they may have been derived from earlier traditions, such as the grimoires of the medieval period. Despite their mysterious origins, the spirits of Solomon have remained a popular subject of study and fascination among occultists and paranormal enthusiasts.
The Ars Goetia
The Ars Goetia is a section of the Lesser Key of Solomon, a grimoire that contains information on demonology and the summoning of spirits. The Ars Goetia specifically focuses on the summoning of 72 spirits, also known as demons, who were supposedly bound by King Solomon.
Each of the 72 spirits has their own unique abilities and characteristics. Some spirits are known for their ability to teach arts and sciences, while others can find hidden objects or reveal events from the past, present, or future. The spirits are often depicted with sigils and seals, which are used in the summoning rituals.
The Ars Goetia has been a topic of controversy and fascination for centuries. Some view it as a dangerous and forbidden practice, while others see it as a tool for spiritual growth and enlightenment. Regardless of one’s beliefs, the Ars Goetia remains a prominent part of demonology and occult practices.
Classification of the Spirits
The 72 spirits of Solomon are classified into different groups based on their abilities and areas of expertise. These classifications are as follows:
Kings
There are four kings among the 72 spirits of Solomon. These are Beleth, Purson, Asmoday, and Vassago. They are considered the most powerful of all the spirits and are responsible for commanding and overseeing the other spirits.
Dukes
The second group of spirits are the dukes. There are 16 dukes in total, including Aamon, Balam, and Vual. These spirits are responsible for carrying out the commands of the kings and are considered to be highly skilled in the areas of divination and prophecy.
Princes
The third group of spirits are the princes. There are 22 princes in total, including Orobas, Amdusias, and Zagan. These spirits are known for their ability to manipulate the physical world and are often called upon for their expertise in areas such as healing and alchemy.
Marquises
The fourth group of spirits are the marquises. There are 11 marquises in total, including Andras, Barbatos, and Forneus. These spirits are known for their ability to change the course of events and are often called upon for their expertise in areas such as war and politics.
Earls
The fifth group of spirits are the earls. There are 6 earls in total, including Gremory, Furcas, and Sabnock. These spirits are known for their ability to manipulate the emotions and desires of others and are often called upon for their expertise in areas such as love and seduction.
Presidents
The sixth group of spirits are the presidents. There are 11 presidents in total, including Bifrons, Glasya-Labolas, and Seere. These spirits are known for their ability to provide knowledge and information and are often called upon for their expertise in areas such as science and philosophy.
Knights
The final group of spirits are the knights. There are 2 knights in total, including Orias and Vapula. These spirits are known for their ability to manipulate technology and are often called upon for their expertise in areas such as engineering and invention.
The First Decan: Spirits 1-10
King Bael
King Bael is the first of the 72 spirits of Solomon. He is a mighty and powerful king who commands 66 legions of demons. Bael is depicted as a man, a cat, a toad, or a combination of these forms. He can make a person invisible and provide them with wisdom and cunning.
Duke Agares
Duke Agares is the second spirit of the first decan of the 72 spirits of Solomon. He is a fallen angel and commands 31 legions of demons. Agares is depicted as a handsome man riding a crocodile. He can make a person agile, eloquent, and persuasive.
Prince Vassago
Prince Vassago is the third spirit of the first decan of the 72 spirits of Solomon. He is a fallen angel and commands 26 legions of demons. Vassago is depicted as a man with the head of a bull or a ram. He can reveal hidden and secret things and provide a person with knowledge of the past, present, and future.
Marquis Samigina
Marquis Samigina is the fourth spirit of the first decan of the 72 spirits of Solomon. He is a fallen angel and commands 30 legions of demons. Samigina is depicted as a small horse or a donkey. He can teach all sorts of liberal sciences, including astronomy, geometry, and arithmetic.
President Marbas
President Marbas is the fifth spirit of the first decan of the 72 spirits of Solomon. He is a fallen angel and commands 36 legions of demons. Marbas is depicted as a great lion or a man with the head of a lion. He can provide a person with knowledge of herbs and precious stones, and he can heal all sorts of diseases.
Duke Valefor
Duke Valefor is the sixth spirit of the first decan of the 72 spirits of Solomon. He is a fallen angel and commands 10 legions of demons. Valefor is depicted as a lion with the head of a man or a lion. He can make a person witty, cunning, and persuasive, and he can provide them with knowledge of the arts and sciences.
Marquis Amon
Marquis Amon is the seventh spirit of the first decan of the 72 spirits of Solomon. He is a fallen angel and commands 40 legions of demons. Amon is depicted as a wolf with a serpent’s tail or a man with the head of a raven. He can reveal hidden and secret things and provide a person with knowledge of the future.
Duke Barbatos
Duke Barbatos is the eighth spirit of the first decan of the 72 spirits of Solomon. He is a fallen angel and commands 30 legions of demons. Barbatos is depicted as a great lion with the wings of a bat. He can provide a person with knowledge of the past and present, and he can reveal hidden treasures.
King Paimon
King Paimon is the ninth spirit of the first decan of the 72 spirits of Solomon. He is a mighty and powerful king who commands 200 legions of demons. Paimon is depicted as a man with the head of a crowned woman, riding a dromedary. He can provide a person with knowledge of the arts and sciences, and he can reveal hidden things.
President Buer
President Buer is the tenth spirit of the first decan of the 72 spirits of Solomon. He is a fallen angel and commands 50 legions of demons. Buer is depicted as a lion with five goat legs or a centaur. He can provide a person with knowledge of the medicinal properties of herbs and plants, and he can heal all sorts of diseases.
The Second Decan: Spirits 11-20
The second decan of the 72 Spirits of Solomon consists of ten demons that are believed to possess unique abilities. These demons are powerful and can be summoned to perform various tasks. Here are the ten demons of the second decan:
Duke Gusion
Duke Gusion is the eleventh spirit of the 72 Spirits of Solomon. He is a powerful demon who is known to be very loyal to his summoner. He can help in reconciling enemies and can also reveal hidden secrets. Duke Gusion is depicted as a strong man with the head of a dog.
Prince Sitri
Prince Sitri is the twelfth spirit of the 72 Spirits of Solomon. He is a demon of love and lust and can influence people to fall in love with each other. He is depicted as a handsome man with the wings of a griffin.
King Beleth
King Beleth is the thirteenth spirit of the 72 Spirits of Solomon. He is a demon of deception and can cause chaos and confusion. He is depicted as a terrible king with the head of a cat and the body of a human.
Marquis Leraje
Marquis Leraje is the fourteenth spirit of the 72 Spirits of Solomon. He is a demon of archery and can help in winning battles. He is depicted as a handsome archer with the wings of a bird.
Duke Eligos
Duke Eligos is the fifteenth spirit of the 72 Spirits of Solomon. He is a demon of war and can help in winning battles. He is depicted as a handsome knight with the wings of a griffin.
Duke Zepar
Duke Zepar is the sixteenth spirit of the 72 Spirits of Solomon. He is a demon of love and can influence people to fall in love with each other. He is depicted as a handsome soldier with the wings of a griffin.
Count/President Botis
Count/President Botis is the seventeenth spirit of the 72 Spirits of Solomon. He is a demon of knowledge and can reveal hidden secrets. He is depicted as a fierce lion with the head of a human.
Duke Bathin
Duke Bathin is the eighteenth spirit of the 72 Spirits of Solomon. He is a demon of transformation and can help in changing the appearance of things. He is depicted as a man with the wings of a dragon.
Duke Sallos
Duke Sallos is the nineteenth spirit of the 72 Spirits of Solomon. He is a demon of love and can influence people to fall in love with each other. He is depicted as a handsome man with the wings of a griffin.
King Purson
King Purson is the twentieth spirit of the 72 Spirits of Solomon. He is a demon of divination and can help in predicting the future. He is depicted as a man with the head of a lion.
The Third Decan: Spirits 21-30
Count/Prince Marax
Marax is a Great Earl and President of Hell, commanding thirty legions of demons. He appears as a bull with a man’s face. Marax is skilled in mechanics and can teach the summoner about mechanics and other crafts.
Count/Prince Ipos
Ipos is a Great Earl and Prince of Hell, commanding thirty-six legions of demons. He appears as an angel with a lion’s head. Ipos can reveal secrets and can also cause love between men and women.
Duke Aim
Aim is a Great Duke of Hell, commanding twenty-six legions of demons. He appears as a man with three heads: one of a serpent, one of a man, and one of a cat. Aim can reveal the future and can also make a person witty.
Marquis Naberius
Naberius is a Great Marquis of Hell, commanding nineteen legions of demons. He appears as a crow or a black crane. Naberius can teach the summoner about arts and sciences and can also restore lost dignity and honors.
Count/President Glasya-Labolas
Glasya-Labolas is a Mighty President and Earl of Hell, commanding thirty-six legions of demons. He appears as a dog with wings or as a dog with the head of a man. Glasya-Labolas can make a person invisible and can also teach the summoner about all things past and present.
Duke Bune
Bune is a Great Duke of Hell, commanding thirty legions of demons. He appears as a dragon with three heads: one like a dog, one like a griffin, and one like a man. Bune can make the summoner rich and wise and can also reveal hidden treasures.
Marquis/Earl Ronove
Ronove is a Great Marquis and Earl of Hell, commanding nineteen legions of demons. He appears as a monster with the face of a lion, the body of a man, and the tail of a wolf. Ronove can teach the summoner about rhetoric and can also make them beloved by friends and foes.
Duke Berith
Berith is a Great Duke of Hell, commanding twenty-six legions of demons. He appears as a soldier with red clothing and a golden crown. Berith can make a person wise and can also give them a good reputation.
Duke Astaroth
Astaroth is a Mighty Duke of Hell, commanding forty legions of demons. He appears as an angel with a man’s body and the head of a owl. Astaroth can teach the summoner about astronomy and can also make them invisible.
Marquis Forneus
Forneus is a Great Marquis of Hell, commanding twenty-nine legions of demons. He appears as a sea monster with a human face. Forneus can teach the summoner about languages and can also make them eloquent.
The Fourth Decan: Spirits 31-40
The fourth decan of the 72 spirits of Solomon consists of spirits 31-40. These spirits are known for their unique abilities and characteristics. In this section, we will discuss each spirit in detail.
President Foras
President Foras is the 31st spirit of Solomon. He is a powerful spirit that can teach people about herbs and precious stones. He is also known for his ability to make people invisible and to find treasures. President Foras is a great ally for those who seek knowledge and wealth.
King Asmoday
King Asmoday is the 32nd spirit of Solomon. He is a powerful king who has the ability to make people fall in love with each other. He is also known for his ability to make people invisible and to find treasures. King Asmoday is a great ally for those who seek love and wealth.
Prince/President Gäap
Prince/President Gäap is the 33rd spirit of Solomon. He is a powerful spirit that can teach people about philosophy and the liberal sciences. He is also known for his ability to transport people from one place to another. Prince/President Gäap is a great ally for those who seek knowledge and travel.
Count Furfur
Count Furfur is the 34th spirit of Solomon. He is a powerful spirit that can teach people about divination and the art of war. He is also known for his ability to make people love each other and to find treasures. Count Furfur is a great ally for those who seek knowledge, love, and wealth.
Marquis Marchosias
Marquis Marchosias is the 35th spirit of Solomon. He is a powerful marquis who has the ability to make people invisible and to find treasures. He is also known for his ability to teach people about the liberal sciences. Marquis Marchosias is a great ally for those who seek knowledge and wealth.
Prince Stolas
Prince Stolas is the 36th spirit of Solomon. He is a powerful prince who has the ability to teach people about astronomy and the properties of plants. He is also known for his ability to make people invisible and to find treasures. Prince Stolas is a great ally for those who seek knowledge and wealth.
Marquis Phenex
Marquis Phenex is the 37th spirit of Solomon. He is a powerful marquis who has the ability to teach people about the properties of precious stones and the art of necromancy. He is also known for his ability to make people invisible and to find treasures. Marquis Phenex is a great ally for those who seek knowledge and wealth.
Count Halphas
Count Halphas is the 38th spirit of Solomon. He is a powerful count who has the ability to teach people about the art of war and the properties of precious stones. He is also known for his ability to make people invisible and to find treasures. Count Halphas is a great ally for those who seek knowledge and wealth.
President Malphas
President Malphas is the 39th spirit of Solomon. He is a powerful president who has the ability to teach people about the properties of plants and the art of divination. He is also known for his ability to make people invisible and to find treasures. President Malphas is a great ally for those who seek knowledge and wealth.
Count Raum
Count Raum is the 40th spirit of Solomon. He is a powerful count who has the ability to teach people about the properties of plants and the art of necromancy. He is also known for his ability to make people invisible and to find treasures. Count Raum is a great ally for those who seek knowledge and wealth.
The Fifth Decan: Spirits 41-50
Duke Focalor
Duke Focalor is a powerful demon who commands 30 legions of spirits. He is known for his ability to cause storms and shipwrecks, and is often depicted as a man with the wings of a griffin. Focalor is said to be fiercely loyal to those who summon him, but he can also be dangerous if not properly controlled.
Duke Vepar
Duke Vepar is another demon who commands 30 legions of spirits. He is associated with the element of water and is said to have the power to cause storms at sea. Vepar is often depicted as a mermaid or a merman, and he is said to be able to control the minds of those who come into contact with him.
Marquis Sabnock
Marquis Sabnock is a demon who commands 50 legions of spirits. He is associated with the element of fire and is known for his ability to create illusions and cause people to become lost in their own minds. Sabnock is often depicted as a man with the head of a lion and the wings of a griffin.
Marquis Shax
Marquis Shax is a demon who commands 30 legions of spirits. He is associated with the element of air and is known for his ability to steal wealth and possessions from his victims. Shax is often depicted as a stork or a heron.
King/Count Vine
King/Count Vine is a demon who commands 36 legions of spirits. He is associated with the element of earth and is known for his ability to reveal hidden secrets and knowledge. Vine is often depicted as a lion with the wings of a griffin.
Count Bifrons
Count Bifrons is a demon who commands 6 legions of spirits. He is associated with the element of fire and is known for his ability to communicate with the dead. Bifrons is often depicted as a monster with two heads.
Duke Vual
Duke Vual is a demon who commands 37 legions of spirits. He is associated with the element of earth and is known for his ability to reveal hidden treasures and knowledge. Vual is often depicted as a man with the wings of a griffin.
President Haagenti
President Haagenti is a demon who commands 33 legions of spirits. He is associated with the element of earth and is known for his ability to turn metals into gold and create food out of thin air. Haagenti is often depicted as a bull with the wings of a griffin.
Duke Crocell
Duke Crocell is a demon who commands 48 legions of spirits. He is associated with the element of water and is known for his ability to teach the arts and sciences. Crocell is often depicted as a man with the wings of a griffin.
Knight Furcas
Knight Furcas is a demon who commands 20 legions of spirits. He is associated with the element of fire and is known for his ability to teach the arts of war and the properties of herbs. Furcas is often depicted as a man with a long beard and a staff.
The Sixth Decan: Spirits 51-60
King Balam
King Balam is the 51st spirit of Solomon, who appears with three heads – one of a man, one of a bull, and one of a ram. He is a powerful spirit that can give people the ability to see into the past and future. He is also known to be able to cause earthquakes and is said to be able to make men invisible.
Duke Alloces
Duke Alloces is the 52nd spirit of Solomon, who appears as a knight riding a horse. He is a powerful spirit that is able to teach people the art of astronomy and liberal sciences. He is also known to be able to make people invisible and is said to have the power to cause people to fall from horses.
President Caim
President Caim is the 53rd spirit of Solomon, who appears as a thrush or a man with a sword. He is a powerful spirit that can give people the ability to understand animals and can also make people invisible. He is said to be able to give people the power to find hidden treasures and can also reveal the location of lost or stolen items.
Duke/Count Murmur
Duke/Count Murmur is the 54th spirit of Solomon, who appears as a warrior riding on a griffin. He is a powerful spirit that can give people the ability to understand the language of animals and can also teach people the art of necromancy. He is also known to be able to cause people to fall asleep and can make people invisible.
Prince Orobas
Prince Orobas is the 55th spirit of Solomon, who appears as a horse. He is a powerful spirit that can give people the ability to understand the languages of the dead and can also teach people the art of divination. He is said to be able to reveal the past and future and can also make people invisible.
Duke Gremory
Duke Gremory is the 56th spirit of Solomon, who appears as a beautiful woman. He is a powerful spirit that can give people the ability to understand the languages of the dead and can also teach people the art of love and seduction. He is said to be able to make people fall in love with each other and can also reveal the location of hidden treasures.
President Ose
President Ose is the 57th spirit of Solomon, who appears as a leopard. He is a powerful spirit that can give people the ability to understand the languages of the animals and can also teach people the art of divination. He is said to be able to reveal the location of hidden treasures and can also make people invisible.
President Amy
President Amy is the 58th spirit of Solomon, who appears as a flaming fire. He is a powerful spirit that can give people the ability to understand the languages of the birds and can also teach people the art of divination. He is said to be able to reveal the location of hidden treasures and can also make people invisible.
Marquis Orias
Marquis Orias is the 59th spirit of Solomon, who appears as a lion riding on a horse. He is a powerful spirit that can give people the ability to understand the languages of the animals and can also teach people the art of divination. He is said to be able to reveal the past and future and can also make people invisible.
Duke Vapula
Duke Vapula is the 60th spirit of Solomon, who appears as a lion with the wings of a griffin. He is a powerful spirit that can give people the ability to understand the languages of the animals and can also teach people the art of science and mechanics. He is said to be able to reveal the location of hidden treasures and can also make people invisible.
The Seventh Decan: Spirits 61-72
The final decan of the 72 Spirits of Solomon consists of 12 demons, including kings, presidents, marquises, and dukes. Each demon has its own unique abilities and characteristics that make them powerful entities in the world of demonology.
King/President Zagan
Zagan is a king and president of hell who is said to have the ability to transform things into something else. He is depicted as a griffin with the head of a man and the body of a lion.
President Valac
Valac is a president of hell who is known for his ability to locate treasures and reveal hidden secrets. He is depicted as a small child with wings riding on a two-headed dragon.
Marquis Andras
Andras is a marquis of hell who is known for his ability to sow discord and create conflicts between people. He is depicted as a winged angel with the head of an owl.
Duke Haures
Haures is a duke of hell who is known for his ability to cause destruction and chaos. He is depicted as a wolf with the wings of a griffin and a serpent’s tail.
Marquis Andrealphus
Andrealphus is a marquis of hell who is known for his ability to teach people the art of astrology and mathematics. He is depicted as a peacock with the wings of a griffin.
Marquis Cimejes
Cimejes is a marquis of hell who is known for his ability to summon the dead and answer questions about the future. He is depicted as a valiant soldier riding on a black horse.
Duke Amdusias
Amdusias is a duke of hell who is known for his ability to create music that can inspire fear and panic in his listeners. He is depicted as a human with the head of a unicorn.
King Belial
Belial is a king of hell who is known for his ability to deceive people and make them do his bidding. He is depicted as a beautiful angel with the wings of a dragon.
Marquis Decarabia
Decarabia is a marquis of hell who is known for his ability to teach people the art of magic and the secrets of the universe. He is depicted as a pentagram or a star with five points.
Prince Seere
Seere is a prince of hell who is known for his ability to locate lost objects and reveal hidden treasures. He is depicted as a man riding on a winged horse.
Duke Dantalion
Dantalion is a duke of hell who is known for his ability to read people’s thoughts and emotions. He is depicted as a man with the wings of an angel and the head of a lion.
Count Andromalius
Andromalius is a count of hell who is known for his ability to bring justice and punish criminals. He is depicted as a man holding a serpent in his hand.
In conclusion, the 72 Spirits of Solomon are a powerful group of entities that have been revered and feared for centuries. Each demon has its own unique abilities and characteristics that make them both fascinating and terrifying to those who study demonology.
Invocation and Evocation
The invocation and evocation of the 72 Spirits of Solomon are the core practices of the grimoire. The Lemegeton, or Lesser Key of Solomon, provides instructions for these practices. It is important to note that these practices involve summoning demons, and as such, should be approached with caution and respect.
The invocation of a spirit involves calling upon it to appear before the practitioner, while the evocation involves commanding the spirit to do the practitioner’s bidding. The Lemegeton provides specific instructions for each of the 72 spirits, including their names, sigils, and attributes.
To successfully invoke or evoke a spirit, the practitioner must first prepare themselves and their space. This can involve fasting, purification, and the creation of a protective circle. Once prepared, the practitioner can then recite the appropriate incantations and perform the necessary rituals to call forth the spirit.
It is important to note that the summoning of spirits can be dangerous and should only be attempted by experienced practitioners. Additionally, it is important to approach these practices with respect and caution, as the spirits summoned can be powerful and unpredictable.
Magical Practices and Rituals
The 72 Spirits of Solomon are known for their ability to grant wishes and fulfill desires. However, summoning and controlling these demons requires specific rituals and protective measures to ensure the magician’s safety.
The Ars Goetia provides detailed instructions for summoning these demons. The rituals usually involve using the demon’s seal and calling upon them with incantations. Specific tools, such as the magical circle and triangle, are also recommended to ensure the magician remains safe throughout the ritual.
It is crucial to note that summoning these demons can be dangerous. As such, it is recommended that only experienced magicians attempt to summon them. The Goetia is a book of magic that teaches how to summon and control these 72 demons, but it also warns of the dangers of doing so.
Overall, summoning the 72 Spirits of Solomon requires a great deal of knowledge, experience, and caution. It is not recommended for beginners, and even experienced magicians should approach it with care.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
The 72 Spirits of Solomon, also known as the Goetia, have had a significant impact on popular culture and various forms of media. The spirits have been featured in numerous books, movies, and television shows, often portrayed as malevolent entities with the power to possess or harm individuals. Their names and sigils have also been used in various forms of modern occultism, with some claiming to have summoned and communicated with the spirits.
Despite their controversial reputation, the 72 Spirits of Solomon have also been studied and analyzed by scholars and practitioners of magic and mysticism. Some argue that the spirits represent archetypes or psychological symbols, while others view them as real entities with their own distinct personalities and abilities.
The legacy of the 72 Spirits of Solomon continues to be debated and explored by those interested in the occult and esoteric traditions. While their origins and true nature remain shrouded in mystery, their influence on popular culture and the world of magic and mysticism is undeniable.