Art depicting the apocalypse based on the astrological predictions in the magazine Raphael’s Almana, circa 1832. Raphael, whose pen name was meant to invoke the power of the archangel of the same name, made grand predictions as opposed to personal ones.
Gamigin is a marquis who rules thirty legions of lesser demons. With his necromantic powers, he revives the souls of the dead who were drowned at sea or stuck in purgatory. The souls appear into airy, non-physical bodies, where they can be questioned. ⠀
Rahovart is a companion of Satan and tormentor of humans. He causes avalanches and possesses the elderly. If you die while possessed by him, your soul is collected into his basket where you will stay until Judgement Day. Image: Dictionnaire Infernal, 1863⠀
The constellation Pleiades is personified by seven sisters in many mythologies. In Solomonic lore, it’s the demons Klothod and her sisters: Deception, Strife, Jealousy, Power, Error, and “The Worst”. Solomon bound them and forced them to dig his temple’s foundation. ⠀
The Nikar or Nicor are water-monsters in Scandinavian, Teutonic, and Saxon mythology. They’re descendants of merpeople and the Nixies (benevolent water spirits) and drown and torment fishermen, tip over their boats, and create adverse weather. Image: Dictionnaire Infernal, 1863
Al-Qit al-Aswad (Black Cat) is a jinn, best known for helping sorcerers, who summon him to use his many powers. He gives visions and future-telling dreams, reveals secret knowledge, and protects people from attacks and harmful energies.⠀
Jinn prefer dwelling in deserted places like ruins or graveyards, but a corner of your house or your bathroom will do as well. While some jinn will guard your house, others will cause trouble. So it’s best to leave offerings, say prayers, and salt the corners. ⠀
Barbatos is one of the 72 Spirits of Solomon with the titles of count, earl, and possibly duke. He rules over 30 legions of lesser demons. He has an entourage of troops, and even 4 kings, who accompany him. He can teach the language of animals (dogs, birds, cattle), and find hidden enchanted treasure. Before he fell from heaven, he was a part of the angelic Order of Virtues. Image: Dictionnaire Infernal, 1863⠀
Barsafael is a demon, mentioned in the grimoire The Testament of Solomon, who has the power to inflict migraines. He can be imprisoned by the angel Gabriel. Art by Eve Harms (me!)⠀
Bifrons is a demonic earl that commands either 26 or 6 legions depending on the source referenced. He can teleport the dead and cause candles to apparently light near corpses. He teaches astrology and geometry. Image: Dictionnaire Infernal, 1863⠀
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Balam is the 51st demon in the Goetia and a king who commands 40 legions. He rides a bear and is described as having three heads (bull, man, ram), a serpents tail instead of legs, and flames for eyes. This description differs from his depiction in the Dictionnaire Infernal, 1863⠀
Old Lady and the Devil is an American children’s song about a farmer who gives up his “scolding” wife to Satan. When demons come to take her, the Old Woman “beats out the(ir) brains”, but is ultimately taken away by The Devil in a sack. ⠀
