The 72 Goetic Demons: Ars Goetia & Solomonic Evocation
BY NICOLE LAU
Introduction to the Ars Goetia
The Ars Goetia (The Art of Goetia) is the first book of the Lesser Key of Solomon (Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis), a 17th-century grimoire detailing 72 demons that King Solomon allegedly bound and commanded. These spirits—ranging from Kings and Dukes to Presidents and Marquises—possess specific powers and knowledge, from teaching sciences and languages to finding treasure and causing love. The Goetia represents the most systematic catalog of demonic entities in Western occultism and remains influential in modern ceremonial magic.
WARNING: This article is for educational purposes. Goetic evocation is advanced, potentially dangerous magic requiring extensive preparation, protection, and knowledge. Not recommended for beginners.
The Legend of Solomon
Solomon's Ring and Seal
According to legend, God granted King Solomon a magical ring inscribed with the divine name (the Seal of Solomon—a hexagram or pentagram). With this ring, Solomon commanded demons to build the First Temple and imprisoned 72 demons in a brass vessel, sealing them until they could be safely evoked.
The Brass Vessel
Solomon sealed the 72 demons in a brass vessel and cast it into a deep lake. Babylonians later found it, expecting treasure, but released the demons. The demons returned to their former habitations except for Belial, who entered an idol.
Structure of the Goetia
The 72 Spirits
Each entry in the Goetia provides:
- Name: The demon's name
- Rank: King, Duke, Prince, Marquis, President, Earl, Knight
- Legions: Number of legions commanded (1 legion = 6,666 demons)
- Appearance: How the spirit manifests
- Powers: What the spirit can do
- Seal/Sigil: The unique symbol to summon the spirit
The Hierarchy
- Kings (9): Highest rank, most powerful
- Dukes (26): Second rank
- Princes (11): Third rank
- Marquises (13): Fourth rank
- Presidents (11): Fifth rank
- Earls/Counts (9): Sixth rank
- Knights (1): Lowest rank
Notable Goetic Demons
1. Bael (King)
Rank: King
Legions: 66
Appearance: Three heads (cat, man, toad), or various forms
Powers: Grants invisibility, wisdom, and cunning
Bael is the first spirit listed, a powerful king ruling the eastern regions of Hell.
2. Paimon (King)
Rank: King
Legions: 200
Appearance: Man with feminine face, crowned, riding a dromedary, preceded by musicians
Powers: Teaches all arts, sciences, and secrets; reveals mysteries; grants familiars
One of the most powerful and knowledgeable spirits, Paimon is highly sought for wisdom and occult knowledge.
3. Beleth (King)
Rank: King
Legions: 85
Appearance: Rides a pale horse, preceded by trumpets and music
Powers: Causes love between men and women
Beleth is fierce and must be treated with respect, requiring the magician to be brave and commanding.
4. Asmoday/Asmodeus (King)
Rank: King
Legions: 72
Appearance: Three heads (bull, man, ram), serpent tail, goose feet, rides a dragon, carries a lance
Powers: Teaches arithmetic, astronomy, geometry; grants invisibility; reveals treasure; guards treasure
One of the most famous demons, Asmodeus appears in Jewish and Christian demonology as a demon of lust.
5. Belial (King)
Rank: King
Legions: 80 (some sources say 50)
Appearance: Two beautiful angels in a chariot of fire
Powers: Grants senatorships and favor of friends and foes; gives excellent familiars
Belial is mentioned in the Bible and is considered one of the most powerful and dangerous demons. He must receive offerings and be treated with great respect.
6. Bune (Duke)
Rank: Duke
Legions: 30
Appearance: Dragon with three heads (dog, griffin, man)
Powers: Changes places of the dead; makes demons gather on sepulchers; gives riches, wisdom, and eloquence
Bune is popular in modern practice for wealth and necromantic work.
7. Dantalion (Duke)
Rank: Duke
Legions: 36
Appearance: Man with many faces (all men and women), holding a book
Powers: Teaches all arts and sciences; reveals secret counsels; knows thoughts of all people; can change thoughts
Dantalion is sought for knowledge, understanding others, and influencing thoughts.
8. Vassago (Prince)
Rank: Prince
Legions: 26
Appearance: Good nature
Powers: Declares past and future; discovers hidden and lost things
Vassago is considered one of the few 'good' demons, willing to help without demanding much.
9. Sitri (Prince)
Rank: Prince
Legions: 60
Appearance: Leopard head with griffin wings, but takes human form when commanded
Powers: Causes love; shows people naked; inflames lust
Sitri is invoked for love and sexual matters.
10. Lucifer (Not in Goetia)
Note: Lucifer does NOT appear in the Goetia. He is considered too powerful to be among the 72 bound spirits and is treated separately in demonology.
The Evocation Process
Preparation (Days to Weeks)
- Purification through fasting, prayer, and abstinence
- Creating or obtaining the necessary tools
- Drawing the spirit's seal
- Preparing the magic circle and triangle
- Mental and spiritual preparation
The Tools
- The Magic Circle: Protection for the magician
- The Triangle of Solomon: Where the spirit manifests
- The Seal/Sigil: The spirit's unique symbol
- The Ring of Solomon: Symbol of authority
- The Wand or Sword: For commanding
- Incense: Appropriate to the spirit
- The Grimoire: Containing conjurations
The Ritual
- Cast the Circle: Create sacred, protected space
- Call the Quarters: Invoke archangels for protection
- Preliminary Invocations: Call upon God and angels
- The Conjuration: Command the spirit to appear
- Manifestation: Spirit appears in the triangle
- The Charge: Command the spirit to perform the task
- The Oath: Bind the spirit to fulfill the task
- License to Depart: Dismiss the spirit peacefully
- Closing: Banish and close the circle
The Conjuration
The conjuration invokes divine names and threatens the spirit with divine punishment if it refuses to appear. Example (simplified):
'I conjure thee, [Spirit Name], by the living God, by the true God, by the holy God... I command thee to appear visibly before this circle in fair and comely form...'
Modern Perspectives
Psychological Interpretation
Modern magicians often view Goetic demons as:
- Aspects of the Unconscious: Repressed desires, fears, and potentials
- Archetypal Forces: Universal patterns in the collective unconscious
- Personified Energies: Natural forces given form and personality
The Demons as Teachers
Many practitioners report that Goetic spirits, when properly evoked and treated with respect, act as teachers and allies rather than malevolent forces. The key is:
- Proper preparation and protection
- Respect and clear communication
- Specific, ethical requests
- Fulfilling your part of any bargain
Warnings and Cautions
Serious Risks
- Psychological: Can trigger mental health issues, obsession, paranoia
- Spiritual: Opening to forces beyond your control
- Ethical: Using demons for harm creates karmic consequences
- Possession: Breaking the circle or losing control is dangerous
Prerequisites
Before attempting Goetic evocation:
- Years of magical training and practice
- Mastery of basic rituals (LBRP, Middle Pillar, etc.)
- Strong mental discipline and will
- Understanding of protection and banishing
- Pure intentions and ethical framework
- Ideally, guidance from an experienced practitioner
Not Recommended For
- Beginners to magic
- Those with mental health issues
- Those seeking power over others
- The curious without serious intent
- Anyone unprepared for the consequences
The 72 Spirits (Complete List)
Kings: Bael, Paimon, Beleth, Purson, Asmoday, Vine, Balam, Zagan, Belial
Dukes: Agares, Barbatos, Gusion, Eligos, Zepar, Bathin, Sallos, Aim, Buné, Berith, Astaroth, Focalor, Vepar, Vual, Crocell, Alloces, Murmur, Gremory, Vapula, Flauros, Dantalion, Andromalius, Haures, Amdusias, Valac, Andras
Princes: Vassago, Sitri, Ipos, Gaap, Stolas, Orobas, Seere, Phoenix, Ose, Amy, Orias
Marquises: Samigina, Marchosias, Phenex, Sabnock, Shax, Leraje, Naberius, Glasya-Labolas, Ronové, Forneus, Andrealphus, Kimaris, Decarabia
Presidents: Barbas, Buer, Botis, Morax, Glasya-Labolas, Foras, Malphas, Haagenti, Caim, Valac, Volac
Earls: Furfur, Malthus, Raum, Bifrons, Andromalius, Halphas, Focalor, Vine, Bifrons
Knights: Furcas
Further Study
Primary Texts:
- The Lesser Key of Solomon (Lemegeton)
- The Goetia of Dr. Rudd by Stephen Skinner
- The Book of the Goetia of Solomon the King by Aleister Crowley
Conclusion
The 72 Goetic demons represent a complete system of spirit evocation, cataloging entities with specific powers and knowledge. Whether understood as literal spirits, psychological forces, or archetypal energies, the Goetia remains a powerful and dangerous grimoire requiring respect, preparation, and caution. For the properly prepared magician, these spirits can serve as teachers and allies; for the unprepared, they represent serious spiritual and psychological risks.
May you approach the Goetia with wisdom and caution. May you be protected in all workings. May you never evoke what you cannot banish.
