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. Pu Satanachia 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.
