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Who's
Who in the Underworld
The existance of evil and its demonic deliverers has been pondered
since the beginning of time. There are many views on the subject,
as well as many people who have dedicated their lives to demonology.
Some will be mentioned throughout this essay. Their work through
the centuries has been agreed upon, argued over and the validity,
at times, by some, completely ignored. I suspect that this is
due to the controversial nature of the subject. Varying religions
and cultural backgrounds certainly have affected the information
passed down to us by the brilliant researchers, philosophers
and historians of centuries past. However, there are too many
similiarities to ignore. In light of this, in some instances,
the information may be in conflict with information found through
resources other than those I have utilized here.
Alphonsus de Spina, in 1467, published his Fortalicium Fidei
(Fortress of the Faith). He became a professor at the University
of Salamanca and later a bishop of the church. He was consdidered
an authority on all things theological, including demonology.
He concluded that there are ten orderes of demons and that they
totalled in the millions. He categorized the demons as falling
into nine specific types. He also divided them into classes
according to what their purposes are. Following the list of
the demonic names and ranks are the explanations of the types
and orders as de Spina recorded them.
Johannes Weyer (Weir), another authority in demonic studies,
wrote his De Praestigiis Daemonum in the 16th century. He studied
the works of such authorities as Diodorus Siculus of the 1st
century, the philosopher Apaleius of the 2nd century and many
other notable historians. It is noted that Weyer said that the
infernal regions had 66 princes that commanded 6,666 legionsand
each legion being comprised of 6,666 demons or devils. The figures
here bring to mind the well recognized "number of the beast",
666. Some Cabalists believe that this is 600 (false religion),
66 (greed) and 6 (this world). Weyer felt that the names of
the demons explained what their intentions and/or duties were
to be. many demonics in Hebrew tradition were named after places
(Astaroth) or qualities (Remmen, meaning loftiness).
Alphonsus
de Spina's Nine Types of Demon
| 1.
False gods |
2.
Lying spirits |
3.
Inquisitors |
| 4.
Vengeful |
5.
Deluding |
6.
Creators of Tempests |
| 7.
Furies |
8.
Accusers |
9.
Tempters |
de
Spina's Division of Classes
Fates
Poltergeists
Incubi and Succubi
Armies
Familiar spirits
Nightmares
Those produced by intercourse with humans
Those in disguise
Those who assail saints
Those who persuade
Ten Orders of the Demonic
Seraphim
Angels
Principalities
Virtues
Thrones
Cherubim
Domination
Powers
Potentates
Archangels
There
is a supposed pattern to their specific lull and peak in activity,
our own yearly calendar. Here is a list of the Chief entities
that are most active during the corresponding months.
January
Belial
February Leviathan
March Satan
April Astarte
May Lucifer
June Baalberith
July Beelzebub
August Astaroth
September Thamuz
October Baal
November (unknown)
December Moloch
The
" Lesser Key of Solomon" or the " Lemegeton",
plays an important role in the history, study of, summoning
of and exorcising of demonics. The first pasrt of the book,
Goetia, gives the conjurations for 72 different spirits or
demons. It also includes the ranks and offices of the demonic
heirarchy.
The second part of the book, Theurgia Goetia, deals with the
sprits at the cardinal points. The third part is called the
"Pauline Art" ( reason unknown), it concerns the
spirits of the hours of the days and nights of the Zodiac.
The fourth part, the Almadel, deals with the " Quarternary
of the Attitude", or the four other choirs of spirits
inhabiting hell. The last part of the Key of Solomon is the
Book of Orations and Prayers, said to have been used by King
Solomon himself.
Another controversial demonologist that received much criticism
on her work was the Latin American, Rita Cabezas. The criticism
was not in her findings, yet in her means of attaining the
information. She spent some time communicating with those
residing in the Infernal regions. Her work was built, according
to her, on the word of the demonic themselves. This may have
been through conjuration, summonings, channeling or even seance
type activitities. As we are all aware, this was an extremely
risky approach. Her findings were that there were the following
six principalities (in spanish): Damian, Asmodeo, Menguelesh,
Arios, Beelzebub and Nosferateus. Under each of these were
six govenors for each nation. She claimed that in Costa Rica,
for example, are Shiebo, Quiebo, Ameneo, Mephistopheles, Nostrodamus
and Azazel. The United States, in her findings, was territory
to Ralphes, Anoritho, Manchester, Apolion, Deviltook and alas,
one unnamed. The word from the mouths of demonic beings could
be considered incredulous, to say the least. Please note some
of the similiarities in her findings. Apolion, in her findings,
seems surely to be Apollyon from the research done by the
great demonologists mentioned previously. Also, Asmodeo is
clearly the same entity as Asmodeus. Another similiar entity
to Ralphes, is none other than Raphael, the very one that
did banish Asmodeus to the desert. Mephistopheles, Azazel
and Beelzebub are mentioned in a multitude of other literary
pieces on the subject, dating back centuries.
There are a number of other names that have been documented
as that of demons. Some may be cultural or regional names
given to already listed entities. However, the following is
included to avoid any erroneous omittances.
| Agliarept |
Tarchimache |
| Lucifuge
Rofocale |
Fleurety |
| Sargatanas |
Pu
Satanachia |
There
are some noted as being demonics that also have a very high
reverence as being benign and even maternal/paternal figures,
in pagan cultures from past and present. They are as follows
:
| Hecate |
Kali |
| Pan |
Loki |
| Lilith |
Baphomet |
Cultural differences may divide humanity in
many ways, however, we are unified in our intrigue and in
our fear when it comes to the Infernal regions. Here are some
examples of the evil that plagues our other lands.
-
Apep (Egypt) Opposer of the sun god Ra. Takes the form of
a serpent/crocodile.
- Chernobog (Baltic/Slavic) "The Black God", rules
evil, misfortune, death and night.
- Elathan (Celtic) Domain is the darkness
- Erebus (Greek) Son of Chaos, guardian of the darkness surrounding
hell.
- Grand Bois (Hailti) Master of the forest and of night
- Hatu-Atu-Topun (Polynesia) Dangerous female demon specifically
at dawn and dusk.
- Ikwaokinyapippilele (Panama) Causes ills of all kinds.
- Lilitu (Hebrew) Ancient female demon connectd with Lilith.
- Manuval (New Guinea) Active only at night, spreading ills,
chaos, and the like.
- Mush (Iran) Demon of eclipses and of night.
- Nyx (Greek) Daughter of Chaos, sister to Erebus.
- Oroan (Guyana) Another demon of the eclipse
- Sakarabu (West Africa ) Judge and demon of darkness
- Oni (Japan) Demon that creates and lives in the eye of its
tempests.
With
the findings of our predesessors and our ambition to discover
more about the inhuman entities that walk among us and reside
below us, we hope over time to unfold these most intriguing
mysteries of the Infernal regions. Knowledge is power.
Click
Here for Names and Rank in the Infernal Region (alphabetically)
-Heather
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