Goetia (magic)
Invocation of demons
Goetia, sometimes referred to as "low magic" is the practice of invocation and evocation of demons or daimons, lesser spirits that are used to control and attain powers or knowledge. Some interpret these lesser spirits as evil. However, in ancient Sumerian and Babylonian culture these spirits are simply accepted as natural facts of life and were frequently attached to persons as either neutral or evil. These spirits often times both brought destruction and offered protection, in a role similar to tutelary deities (protectors).
In ancient Greece, the term goetia was originally used as a derogatory term towards fraudulent and low-class magic, in opposition to the term of theurgy which was used to describe the magic conducted by the priests and philosophers.
01Etymology
The Latin word goetia (pronounced /goˈɛtia/) originates from the Greek word for sorcery or witchcraft (γοητεία), or the act of performing sorcery or witchcraft. Goetia is formed from the stem goēt- (γόητ-) of the noun goēs (γόης) meaning sorcerer or wizard.
The term goēs was also used as a derogatory term by higher-class theurgists, as a way to differentiate the practice of high and low magic.
02Goetia in practice
Ars Goetia
The Ars Goetia is the first grimoire of the Legemeton or Lesser Key of Solomon. Despite the other writings of the Legemeton and Goetia being attributed to King Solomon, the commonly attributed source for the Goetia is Johann Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum in his De praestigiis daemonum. The Ars Goetia contains the names, orders, offices and seals of 72 demons, and educates on how to protect oneself when conjuring them.
The demons of the Ars Goetia are said each offer powers and boons for those who conjure them. These include but are not limited to invisibility, wealth, foresight, knowledge, "the destruction of bonds both spiritual and temporal" in the case of Agares, and the unification of friend and foe in the case of Raum.
- King Bael
- Duke Agares
- Prince Vassago
- Marquis Samigina
- President Marbas
- Duke Valefor
- Marquis Amon
- Duke Barbatos
- King Paimon
- President Buer
- Duke Gusion
- Prince Sitri
- King Beleth
- Marquis Leraje
- Duke Eligos
- Duke Zepar
- Count/President Botis
- Duke Bathin
- Duke Sallos
- King Purson
- Count/President Morax
- Count/Prince Ipos
- Duke Aim
- Marquis Naberius
- Count/President Glasya-Labolas
- Duke Buné
- Marquis/Count Ronové
- Duke Berith
- Duke Astaroth
- Marquis Forneus
- President Foras
- King Asmodeus
- Prince/President Gäap
- Count Furfur
- Marquis Marchosias
- Prince Stolas
- Marquis Phenex
- Count Halphas
- President Malphas
- Count Räum
- Duke Focalor
- Duke Vepar
- Marquis Sabnock
- Marquis Shax
- King/Count Viné
- Count Bifrons
- Duke Vual
- President Haagenti
- Duke Crocell
- Knight Furcas
- King Balam
- Duke Alloces
- President Caim
- Duke/Count Murmur
- Prince Orobas
- Duke Gremory
- President Ose
- President Amy
- Marquis Orias
- Duke Vapula
- King/President Zagan
- President Valac
- Marquis Andras
- Duke Flauros
- Marquis Andrealphus
- Marquis Kimaris
- Duke Amdusias
- King Belial
- Marquis Decarabia
- Prince Seere
- Duke Dantalion
- Count Andromalius
Sources and credits
This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Goetia (magic)”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.
Images, from Wikimedia Commons:
- Goetia seals.jpg by Rune370, CC BY-SA 4.0
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