demonology

Behemoth was a great and deadly beast, low in the demonic order. In the Book of Job, God kills both him and Leviathan (pictured underneath him) with his mighty sword. He likely has his origins in Bahamut and the Bull of Heaven. Image: William Blake. ⠀

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Mahr bin Hafaf is a jinn from India who would make wine and convince men to drink. He’d encourage them to play harps, lie, murder, and commit all sorts of other sins. King Solomon ordered him to be bound with chains. From Marvels of Things Created and Miraculous Aspects of Things Existing, 18th century. ⠀

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Azazel is the co-leader of the fallen angels group the Watchers, who he led astray. He’s credited for teaching humankind about earth’s metals, and how to make them into weapons and armor. He also taught the secrets of cosmetics, and encouraged women to paint their eyelids. From Dictionnaire Infernal, 1863.⠀


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Aicha Kandicha is a camel-footed jinn from Moroccan folklore, who appears as a beautiful woman and lures men into the desert to kill them. Theories of her origin range from a Phoenician Fertility deity, a real noble woman, and even an anti-colonial resistance fighter.

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The demon Marbas or Barbas is a great president who commands 36 legions of demons. He appears as either a lion or a man. He brings and cures disease, knows secrets and hidden things, transmogrifies people, and teaches about the mechanical arts and handicrafts. Image: 72goetia.com

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An afarta is a jnoun (Tunisian jinn) of the air. It flies like a gust of wind and devours chickens, lambs, and small children. They’re among the most powerful jnoun and are responsible for possessions. From Marvels of Things Created and Miraculous Aspects of Things Existing 18th century ⠀

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In Gnosticism, the seven Archons are demons and rulers of realms within the ‘Kingdom of Darkness’. They play an important role in Gnostic cosmology, and are each associated with a different planet. They also prevent souls from leaving the material realm. ⠀

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Alastor is a demon of vengeance, Hell’s Commissioner of Public Works and an infernal judge. From Dictionnaire Infernal, 1863.


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Incubus: a famous type of demon known for engaging in sexual relations with women, and even impregnate them with half-human offspring known as cambions. Mentions of this demon go back as far as 2400 BC in the Sumerian King List. They sit on top of women’s chest as they sleep before they seduce or assault them. Many reports of incubi are explained by the phenomenon of sleep paralysis, which causes the feeling on weight on the chest, and a half-dream state, causing the hypnagogic hallucination of a demon. While they normally choose female victims, there are reports of bisexual incubi. They are said to have unnaturally large and cold penises. Art: John Henry Fuseli – The Nightmare, 1781. ⠀

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