In gnostic cosmology, Abraxas is the rooster-headed, serpent-legged god who created the material world. The letters of his name represent the 7 planetary spheres, and he’s often found on magick amulets. He was later demonized by Christians and appears in the Dictionnaire Infernal.
Astaphanos is one of the seven Archons, a group of demons from Gnostic cosmology, who prevent souls from leaving the material realm. Astaphanos is associated with the planet Venus, and carries the feminine name Sophia. Art by Alese Osborn.
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. ⠀
