#the key of solomon

[qqueenofhades]

Also, with all this Old Guard stuff coming out, my muse has stuck its nose out and taken a sniff as to whether I might be interested in finishing the original-flavor Key of Solomon. I know not for sure, but we will see. Ahem.

[holymolyyikes]

everybody wants to banish you for your evil nature call that sigillum DEI

[lesoldatmort]

STOLAS the Mighty Raven

The Thirty-sixth Spirit is Stolas, or Stolos. He is a Great and Powerful Prince, appearing in the Shape of a Mighty Raven at first before the Exorcist; but after he taketh the image of a Man. He teacheth the Art of Astronomy, and the Virtues of Herbs and Precious Stones. 

Another more "canonical" entry to my project of Hell Employees.

💀 PATREON | bsky | X | IG | Prints&merch

[veryvexing]

girlnavy (+ montserrat) after they raid my closet

(the quality is ass for some reason so i put some close ups under the cut and their names too so you don’t have to guess)

[hbo--spn]

"Also, Sam's a walking dictionary of the occult and esoteric..." - John Winchester’s Journal by Alex Irvine 

[jakattax]

Ars Goetia

Translated and edited by Paul Summers Young

Black Letter Press

First Edition of 333 copies

2024

[noxcantio]

Transfiguration Triangle Complete! It looks pretty nice on the altar.

Ut fiat!

[sitting-1n-silence]

Goetic spirit pots/vessels

Before diving in I wanna mention the work of Rufus Opus that I encountered researching for this post. I think he does a better job explaining this concept and it's origins than I could. He also provides a method of making your own, which isn't something I'm going to be getting into much.

Some of his blog and youtube posts explaining goetic spirit pots:

"Working with spirit pots"

"More on spirit pots"

Goetic spirit pots

Spirit pots, witch bottles, and Brass vessels

I will be speaking from my own perspective having encountered the idea of spirit pots from a magical tradition I was invited to explore, with inspiration from the work of Jake Stratton-Kent's work with the Grimorium Verum (who has some of his pots now on display at the Museum of Witchcraft. One can be seen above. 1,2,3), with a focus on the rite I found in the Book of Oberon.

This idea has it's roots in ATRs, and has spread into the wider ceremonial magic community. As some ATRs utilize grimoire magic, spirits, and seals. These different branches of magic mixing lead to the creation of this way of working goetic spirits through a permanent brass vessel. As shown by grimoire magicians like Jake Stratton-Kent, Rufus Opus, and Aaron Leitch. To paraphrase someone I met who practices from a tradition where they make true spirit pots, "Anyone can make a pot and put a spirit in it. It just wouldn't be a traditional (insert tradition) spirit pot."

[Note: I also wanna give a word of caution to anyone looking to research these spirit vessels further. As traditional spirit pots can be beautiful and gruesome. Containing animal parts, blood, bones, blades of various kinds, and more. These images can be jarring to some, so go into any research you do knowing you might encounter these things.]

What is a goetic spirit pot/vessel:

So to quote Rufus "They Aren't Really "Spirit Pots"." These are spirits put in pots. And these pots are very comfortable spirit houses, or highly potent talismans. That is intended to be permanent or long lasting. So these spirit houses are made by including materia that aligns with the spirit you will hopefully be calling into the vessel. The vessel of choice should also be something that can seal, and if possible able to be marked with the desired spirit's seal.

Once a spirit is put into a pot, it becomes significantly more present in your life, as you are making them a permanent house here in your home. You can more easily access this spirit without grand rituals, and they can access you. There becomes less of a need for elaborate rites, as when someone has a spirit in a pot, they might just approach the vessel and speak to it when they're in need and give small offerings. Similar to the way someone might work with an enlivened statue.

What Goes into a spirit pot/vessel:

Its common to find dirt, herbs, stones, bones, and other objects in these pots (I've seen cards, knives, flowers, chains, matches, dice, and more). Oil, fat, and blood are also sometimes used. As well as the spirit's seal. It is also sometimes suggested to write out the purpose of the spirit you're calling and including that in the vessel.

I find that including blessed solomonic talismans is another potent option as well. Either using the whole charm, or by burning the talisman to ash and including that in the vessel. Putting in things like anti-witchcraft charms and such has also proven to be useful in a spirit pot for me. Once given to this spirit these worked objects becomes apart of them.

It's suggested to put grave dirt down first, then dirts that aligning with the realm the spirits operate in, and dirt from your local community or crossroads. Then a rock/stone over top. Followed by your other materia.

Making sure to awaken the spirit of each thing as you put it into the vessel, and having paid proper respects when gathering these things. As well as doing divination to make sure the spirit wants every object you intend you put in, this should be a clear Yes/No type of divination. This process of gathering materials during the proper planetary days and hours can take time, and it should. This is not a process to rush.

Making and Working a spirit pot:

The initial act of creation should be a grand one. Involving a full goetic rite. Rufus Opus gives a good praxis for this in the above videos. It's highly recommended to go through the act of casting a circle or hallowing your ritual space. I also suggest using a ritual knife during the rite, and wearing all white if possible (or another form of ceremonial garb).

When calling and approaching the spirit come with respect, respect for yourself as a magician and respect for the spirit giving you their time. This will run counter to some other traditional approached to goetic magic, but this will bring you the best results. When making the vessel for the fairy queen in the Book of Oberon you see this difference in tone when compared to other operations in the text.

When the vessel has been assembled it becomes time to ask the spirit to enter the pot. Offer the spirit gifts of liquor, fire, and favorable incense, and inform it you will continue to provide these things if the spirit enters the vessel and works for you. Unless you receive some horrific sign telling you "no" then assume the spirit has gone inside. Give the spirit an initial task to prove it's here in the vessel, then give it 2 weeks to work before returning the vessel. Let it rest and do it's task, and only call the spirit back to you if you're certain something went wrong in how the spirit was sent out. If the spirit is called back, it's task clarified, and it still doesn't work than you're vessel may be empty. Though if you just keep providing offerings eventually a spirit will call it home. Also, consider a form of passive divination to look for signs of spirit as well.

Working a pot might be different than working a typical talisman or goetic spirit seal too. Within Oberon there are a few taboos you're supposed to observe, such as not asking the spirit it's name or whether it's a woman or fairy. To work with this fairy you're also supposed to anoint your eyes with an oil special to her. So the spirit being bound might have specific expectations for how they are to be worked properly. Divination or knowing a skilled diviner is helpful in this when a text isn't clear on how to best work with a spirit.

Some pots might need to be continually fed to work their best, this should be done sparingly. Small offerings of candles, incense, and liquor are okay to give when putting the spirit to work. Save food offerings, animal offerings, ect.. for special occasions or when the spirit has done a lot of unpaid work for you. A fat spirit is a slow spirit, so keep them fed but not satiated.

Thoughts on the nature of goetic spirits in this context:

My personal experiences with working spirits this way has lead me to believe that these spirits inhabit the world around us and beyond us. Goetic spirits frequently being spirits of place or necromantic spirits called into these names. Rufus Opus will frequently refer to them as "nature spirits" and I've seen other goetic magicians call them "elemental" or "directional" spirits. Showing an alignment with place/location.

I compare this process of calling spirits by goetic titles to pinning a mask to a shadow. Spirits are happy to be known and receive offerings, and if someone is calling spirits under a certain name local spirits would be happy to fill that role. To no harm to the practitioner, in fact to their benefit. And maybe through this work the spirit will becomes more like the goetic name they're operating under.

As the way I and some see it is, if we both have a house for say Bune then my housed "Bune" may or may not be the same as your housed "Bune." My experience with Bune will be shaped by my environment, what I'm able to provide for him, what his house is made from, and more factors. Especially when you're using local dirt in a spirit house like this, this will impact the way Bune comes through to you through this vessel. Your Bune might come to you in the form of a teacher or wise parental figure, mine might come in a more devilish necromantic form. Both are "Bune", maybe different facets of one grand Bune, or maybe they're different more local spirits who both operate well through Bune's domain and name. Some food for thought before you go housing a goetic spirit.

[hats-off-to-hermes]

Info-dump on starting angel work Because it's been a while since I've posted about angel work!

I love angels!

People particularly work with Archangels because they are the leaders of their domains. There are theoretically infinite angels and you could really pray to any in any domain but we'll get back to that.

There are many different groups of Archangels, rather than one agreed upon "pantheon"

I work with the Ars Paulina system, which includes but isn't limited to (because there are many): Archangel Samael = Angel of Execution Archangel Haniel = Angel of Grace Archangel Raphael = Angel of Healing Archangel Gabriel = Messenger Angel Archangel Michael = Angel of Protection Archangel Zadkiel = Angel of Mercy Archangel Cassiel = Angel of Temperance Archangel Azrael = Angel of Death Archangel Uriel = Angel of Wisdom

Lists in this post courtesy of my friend @angelmilkdreams <- amazing blog for angel work btw

Ars Paulina is the angel version of Ars Goetia and is part of the Lesser Key of Solomon

You can also look into your birth angels or sun & moon angels through this system! They're your teaching angels, so they can sort of tell you what you may do in this life or something about your energy. The angels are assigned by zodiac:

Traditional: Aries & Scorpio = Samael Taurus & Libra = Haniel Gemini & Virgo = Raphael Cancer = Gabriel Leo = Michael Sagittarius & Pisces = Zadkiel Capricorn & Aquarius = Cassiel

Modern: Scorpio = Azrael Aquarius = Uriel Pisces = Asariel

For more about your birth angels, I suggest checking out Ariel Gatoga. I still recommend him after all this time.

If you ever get into angel work, you might want to explore different sets of angels to see who resonates with you. You also don't have to work with every angel in a pantheon. The main ones I call upon are Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel and Haniel. I bring in other angels for prayers to others, though

Practitioners have different opinions about this, but I think angels are one of the easiest spirits to work with!

Because they love unconditionally. They love to help us and their purpose is assisting creation! They do still exist beyond this material world though - so it's not like strict servitude to humans

Another great reason: they don't require ceremony to be summoned. You may come across things like ceremonial magic for angels, or enochian magic etc. Ars Paulina also has rituals for summoning but I found you don't need them (maybe if you're asking for huge stuff).

That's cool if people want to do that though you simply need to use your words. Just invite them into your life, or your space, or something (like job, if relevant). There's no structure to prayers but you can be inspired by helpol prayer format if you so choose.

"Archangel Haniel, Archangel of Grace and Harmony, I invite you and your blessings into my life."

This is a good enough prayer to say to start a devotional connection with Archangel Haniel.

Angels don't need offerings but they're still nice to give. We usually say you venerate angels or work with angels rather than worship. But it's up to you as well - this way is just more common.

Some offerings can include angelic imagery or icons, flowers, things that remind you of angels, items that are specific to certain archangels (oils, sachets of herbs, amulets and talismans), incense!

Where do they come from? Who knows? /hj Depends on your belief system.

I believe angels come from a variety of sources. I believe angels came from the universal source, I believe they probably came from God too. I believe pagan gods have angels. I believe Hermes, Iris, Eros and Thanatos are angels who have their own angels. It doesn't really matter to me where they came from - I just know they exist in different forms across religions

Fun fact: Did you know the most common hierarchy of angels was written by a guy named Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite? His book was called On the Celestial Hierarchy

Extra fun fact: His inspiration is said to be the Chaldean Oracles and Hekate's triad of angels. The iynges (don't know too much about these ones), the synochesis (intercessors and guides) and teletarchai (something to do with initiation, probably with mysteries).

Extra extra fun fact: Zeus was said to have an angel (angelos) in inscriptions at Stratonikeia, Hekate's most significant town as a civic/patron goddess. Some scholars theorise the unnamed angel in Stratonikeian inscriptions could be Hekate herself

Anyway, angels like devotional acts too! Prayers are a good way to communicate with them. It is possible to sense the energy of angels! I noticed a difference in my room when I started working with angels - I could tell they were around, and they made things a little brighter

Can you use prayers from Christianity and Catholicism for the angels if they resonate? Yeah sure

You can also get into astrology with angels. It's a pretty big part of Ars Paulina (the planetary aspect). If you want to work with Haniel at a peak time, do it on a Friday when the planetary hour is aligned with Venus. If you want to do the same for Gabriel, Monday on Moon hours. For Raphael, Wednesday on Mercury hours.

Angels have sigils and symbols. You can use the planetary symbols as sigils for them too. I've attached a couple sigils for Raphael here

This website has information from Ars Paulina - another I still recommend after all these years: https://www.archangels-and-angels.com/

Ariel Gatoga's youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/arielgatoga

Let me know if you'd like to know anything else about angel work! Practitioners can have varying opinions about all this, so be sure to research and consider what works for you. It can also change over time.

[tyetknot]

THIS MACHINE KILLS FASCISTS

The Lord at thy right hand shall wound even kings in the day of His wrath.

[retrocgads]

UK 1987

[vexwerewolf]

If you really think about it, the Lesser Key of Solomon is just like, some dude's OC collection that got way out of hand

[vcreatures]

It’s been a while since I’ve touched base with the lords of the Ars Goetia. Today we meet Forneus, a Great Marquis of Hell. With 29 legions under his rule he is the teacher of rhetoric, languages and can sway any enemy to friend. 

[hatsunecalvin]

I remember when the solomon thing first happened someone on twitter was like “there was a pew pew incident😢” and someone replied “this is twitter you don’t need to censor it” (which you dont need to censor it at all) and OP was like “well. sorry for wanting to censor things” and blocked them

like just redact a letter or two dont say “pew pew incident” that makes u sound 5

also OP was 20.

[lesoldatmort]

BAEL -- The First Principal Spirit is a King ruling in the East, called Bael. He maketh thee to go Invisible. He ruleth over 66 Legions of Infernal Spirits. He appeareth in diverse shapes, sometimes like a Cat, sometimes like a Toad, and sometimes like a Man, and sometimes all these forms at once. He speaketh hoarsely. 

This obscure Prince of Hell was on my list of Hell Employees for quite some time...

💀 PATREON | bsky | X | IG | Prints&merch

[profanepurity]

Belial is a priest, (technically) a vampire, and a demon. What a talented boy! Character Bio below the cut!

Belial is the 68th spirit recorded in The Lesser Key of Solomon. He is ranked as a king in command of 130 legions of demons and spirits. He was the second to have fallen after Lucifer, is a priest of the Cult of Bael, and is the head of Hell’s Vices as Lord of Iniquity. With Naamah, he sired the first creature to be conceived with a hunger for blood, making him the Father of Vampires. One of his titles, “Worthless One”, was given to him as a reminder that he has no place or value in Heaven. Having carved himself into a highly proficient killer, Belial’s reputation was built from blood and violence. He is a merciless and unyielding force, which is often attributed to his association with the element of earth. He demands commitment and dedication from those who work with him. Harsh consequences are placed on his devotees that fall short of this. Belial is a known sadist, yet his bloodshed is partially motivated by his desire to not only fortify his domain in Hell but also the coregency he is a part of. As a fallen Power, his need to defend the people that he cares for is above everything. For those that he is close to, Belial is incredibly patient and protective. He is very selective with who he allows into his circle, and seeing any vulnerability from him is a sign of trust.