|
Asmodeus
Alternatively
Asmodeos,
Asmodeius, Asmoday, Asmodai and Ashmedai.
Literally "creature, or being, of judgment," Asmodeus was originally a Persian
god, but later became incorporated into Jewish lore, and known as "a raging
fiend."
He was the undisputed and infinitely evil king of the
demons in Hebrew mythology, with three heads (one a
bull's, one a ram's, and one a man's or ogre), goose or cock's feet, a snake
tail, and riding a fire-breathing lion. He was thought to be the son of Naamah and the husband of Lilith, the queen of the demons,
but in
The Devil's Own Dear Son, by
James Branch Cabell, he is instead said to be the son of Lilith, fathered by Sammael.
According to demonologists this
satanic fiend was able to reveal to men the hidden secrets and treasures of the mother
earth, besides giving them the ability to become invisible. He was a very busy demon,
being the overseer of all the gambling houses in the court of Hell
and the general spreader of dissipation. On top of that, he was personally
responsible for stirring up matrimonial trouble, being the demon of lust,
lechery, and adultery. He would do everything under his power to keep husbands
and wives from having intercourse, while encouraging them at every chance to
indulge in adulterous affairs. To invoke him, one should be bareheaded,
otherwise Asmodeus would most certainly trick the supplicant.
This is what the
The Goetia, The Key of Solomon the
King,
reports about this demon:
"He is a
Great King, Strong, and Powerful. He appeareth with Three Heads, whereof
the first is like a Bull, the second like a Man, and the third like a
Ram; he hath also the tail of a Serpent, and from his mouth issue Flames
of Fire. His Feet are webbed like those of a Goose. He sitteth upon an
Infernal Dragon, and beareth in his hand a Lance with a Banner. He is
first and choicest under the Power of Amaymon, he goeth before all
other.
When the
Exorcist hath a mind to call him, let it be abroad, and let him stand on
his feet all the time of the action, with his Cap or Headdress off; for
if it be on, Amaymon will deceive him and call all his actions to be
bewrayed. But as soon as the Exorcist seeth Asmoday in the shape
aforesaid, he shall call him by his Name, saying: 'Are thou Asmoday?'
and he will not deny it, and by-and-by he will bow down unto the ground.
He giveth
the Ring of Virtues; he teacheth the Arts of Arithmetic, Astronomy,
Geometry, and all handicrafts absolutely. He giveth true and full
answers unto thy demands. He maketh one Invincible. He showeth the place
where Treasures lie, and guardeth it. He, amongst the Legions of Amaymon
governeth 72 Legions of Spirits Inferior."
|
|
|
