Orias, also written Oriax, is the fifty-ninth spirit of the Ars Goetia, a marquis with thirty legions. He appears as a lion riding a horse, with a serpent's tail and two serpents in his hand. His office gives celestial knowledge an especially explicit place.[1][2]
Stars and planetary mansions#
Orias teaches the properties of stars and the mansions of planets. The source uses an older astronomical and astrological vocabulary, where the situation of a celestial body can be connected with its supposed influence. The entry should be read within that vocabulary rather than translated automatically into modern astrophysics.[2]
The catalogue also credits him with transforming people and granting or confirming dignities and favor. Social position thus accompanies the celestial office. Alloces and Stolas teach astronomy, but Orias's account adds this particular language about planetary places.
A mounted lion#
The lion and serpents recall elements found in Vine and Purson, though their complete portraits differ. In Orias's entry the serpent tail belongs to the figure, while the two further serpents are carried in the hand.[1]
This combination is important when identifying an illustration. A single snake or lion face may be a simplification. The seal and the numbered entry offer additional identifiers, allowing an artistic image to be placed beside the edition it interprets.
See also#
References
- Lemegeton, Goetia: Orias, Sloane 3825 transcription · Joseph H. Peterson edition of the historical grimoire, with manuscript readings. (accessed 2026-10-01) ↩
- S. L. MacGregor Mathers and Aleister Crowley, The Goetia (1904), spirit 59 · Public-domain edition. Offices and appearances are statements in this catalogue. (accessed 2026-10-01) ↩