
Astaroth
Astaroth appears in early modern spirit catalogues and later illustrated demonology. Source editions matter when comparing the figure’s rank, appearance, and supposed knowledge.

Astaroth appears in early modern spirit catalogues and later illustrated demonology. Source editions matter when comparing the figure’s rank, appearance, and supposed knowledge.

Bael is a ranked spirit in early modern magical catalogues. The Goetic figure should be distinguished from the wider use of the ancient title Baal.

Paimon is a royal spirit described in the Ars Goetia and related literature. Musical procession and the teaching of knowledge are important elements of his received image.

Buer is a spirit associated in magical catalogues with learning and healing. The well-known radial illustration belongs to later printed demonology.

The Testament of Solomon is a pseudepigraphal religious narrative in which Solomon questions and commands spirits. It differs from later procedural Solomonic grimoires.

The Key of Solomon is a transmitted family of magical texts concerning preparation, ritual, and ceremonial instruments. It should be distinguished from the five-part Lesser Key of Solomon.

Collin de Plancy’s Dictionnaire infernal gathered supernatural traditions in a dictionary format. Its 1863 entries and illustrations remain influential in modern depictions of spirits.

Picatrix is the Latin title associated with an influential Arabic work of astral magic. Its cosmological and ritual framework differs from a catalogue of Goetic spirits.

Astrology has supplied language and organizing systems to Western esoteric texts. Its historical role should be distinguished from demonstrated predictive effectiveness.

Luciferianism describes different religious and philosophical approaches that give Lucifer a positive role. Belief, practice, and identity vary among writers and communities.

An introduction to contemporary Pagan traditions, including Wicca, Druidry, and Heathenry, and their different uses of older sources.

The Gaelic beginning-of-winter festival, Irish customs of food and divination, and its place in modern Pagan practice.

An altar is a designated place or surface used for religious devotion, ritual, offerings, sacred objects, or symbolic focus. Altars occur in many religious traditions, but their forms and meanings vary widely. In modern theistic Satanism an altar may function as a place for Prayer, Ritual, Offerings, meditation, spirit work, or the display of symbols connected with Satan and other beings.

The religious philosophy associated with the Temple of Set, the Egyptian name Set, and the idea of Xeper.

A modern approach to magic that treats techniques and belief systems as tools for practical experimentation.

Anton LaVey’s 1969 book of Satanic philosophy and ritual, foundational to the Church of Satan.

A grimoire best known for its staged encounter and pact with Lucifuge Rofocale.

A brief Hermetic text whose images of above and below, sun and moon, and transformation influenced alchemical writing.

The physician and author whose Pseudomonarchia daemonum supplied an important source for later spirit catalogues.

A nineteenth-century French occult author associated with ceremonial symbolism and the influential image of Baphomet.