Banishing Demons
By Simon Jester
Below, you will find a list of the demons that you must confront and banish when working the 22 Lettered Paths of the Tree of Life, along with brief descriptions of how they may be visualized. There are many traditional descriptions of demons available in the grimoires and in other books and online sources that may be used to help with your visualizations. The descriptions are quite bizarre and some are even comical if taken too literally.
The keys to understanding the hidden meanings concealed within the weird descriptive details given to grimoiric demons are lost in the thick fog of the Middle Ages, but serious historical research would probably uncover traces of elements taken from astrology, Medieval beastiaries, classical mythology, heretical sects, distorted traveler's accounts and local legends all combined into demonic icons by the composers of the grimoires. The images of certain demons may even be satirical caricatures of some of the unpopular rulers who dominated feudal politics. Since open criticism of authority was dangerous throughout the Middle Ages, such lampooning caricatures (which would be immediately recognizable to people at the time) were concealed within the pages of "underground" magical texts like seditious political cartoons, satirically assigning members of the ruling class various positions in the hierarchies of Hell. Aaron Leitch, in his excellent Secrets of the Magickal Grimoires, speculates that some of the descriptions of demonic entities derive from drug-induced experiences and, considering the hallucinogenic ingredients that went into many Medieval "flying ointments" and other magical potions, his thoughts on this matter certainly make sense.
Regardless of their origins or original intent, these descriptions have built up a psychic charge over the centuries that gives them a strange power over the mind. They should be used as a framework around which you can build your own personalized and enhanced images based on your understanding of the Path and the opposing and excessive forces the particular demons or demonic orders manifest. Think of the demonic imagery revealed below as a bottomless pit into which you may pour everything you find terrifying, perverse, pathological, twisted, and debased. These images may then begin to exert a growing fascination that must be controlled and prevented from transforming into an obsession. As Friedrich Nietzsche warned, "when you look into an abyss, the abyss also looks into you."
There are many rituals known by which these negative forces are banished, but it is best to begin by using the Lesser Hexagram ritual for all Paths ruled by planets and Zodiac signs. (For the three Paths assigned to the elements of Fire, Water and Air, you should use the Lesser Pentagram Ritual.) The general rule is to banish with the Lesser rituals and invoke/evoke with the Greater. I have already explained how to perform the Lesser Pentagram and Hexagram Rituals in previous blog entries. When using them to perform banishing rituals for specifically named demonic forces, you should precede the forming of each Elemental Pentagram or Hexagram by visualizing the individual demons or the appropriate demonic orders you are banishing as being gathered directly in front of you. Imagine that they are assembled just outside of a large open doorway that you visualize before yourself, and that you are confronting them and barring their passage.
You must conceive of your position with respect to all baneful entities that seek to cross the threshold as being one of great authority and power. Imagine yourself as the Guardian of the Gateways between the Worlds or even as the wizard Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings holding back the balrog on the Bridge of Khazad-dum and shouting, "You shall not pass!" You must name the demons out loud in a commanding tone of voice and then recite a succinct Banishing Proclamation. Here is an example of a Banishing Proclamation for the Path of Heh, a Path that corresponds with the Sign of Aries: "Baal! Agares! Vassago! Phenex! Halphas! Malphas! I banish you from myself and from this place in the Holy Name of the Archangel Melchidael!"
All demons must be banished in the Name or Names of Divine Forces of equal or higher rank and power than themselves. Usually, the Names of the Archangels are sufficient to get the job done when dealing with the elemental, planetary, and Zodiacal energies of the 22 subjective Paths. (As will be seen in my next blog entry, the God Names of the Sephiroth must be used when working the 10 Sephirothic Paths.) However, overkill is perfectly acceptable when banishing Dark Forces, and you may use as many Divine, Archangelic, or Angelic Names in your banishing rituals as you please. In the list given below, I supply the one Name that is sufficient.
After stating the Banishing Proclamation, perform the Projection Sign by thrusting out your arms and hands as though you are shoving someone away from yourself with your fingertips. Say the words "Be gone!" and visualize a bolt of lightning shooting from the tips of your fingers toward the demons. Imagine that you see them fleeing in terror away from the threshold of your imagined doorway and vanishing in a burst of flame. Next, perform the Sign of the Closing of the Veil by first holding your hands apart and then slowly moving them toward one another as though you were pulling two panels of a large doorway or gate together until they completely close. Now form the required Elementary Pentagram or Hexagram and charge it with the appropriate Word or Name in order to seal the closed portal and prevent the demons from returning. (The Names with which to charge Elemental Pentagrams are given in a previous blog entry. Always charge Elemental Hexagrams with the Word "ARARITA.")
This procedure must be done at all four quarters with the appropriate Pentagrams and Hexagrams used as seals. Draw the Hexagrams as I explained in my previous entry, starting with the point assigned to the planet that corresponds to the Path being worked. Remember to draw them counterclockwise when banishing, and visualize them forming in the air before you in brilliant white light. Imagine that they hover in the air in front of the closed doorway, securely locking it shut.
Here, finally, is a list of the 22 Lettered Paths along with the planets, Zodiac signs, Archangels, and demons relevant to each. The demons named for the Zodiacal Paths are those assigned to the Decans of the particular Sign. I also provide some general astrological data indicating favorable and unfavorable times for performing these rituals. Since the demons of all but the 3 elemental Paths are banished in the Names of the Archangels of the relevant planets and signs, and since each sign is ruled by a specific planet, the rituals are obviously best performed when the planet involved is well-dignified. The aspects of the relevant planets should also be considered.
I claim no originality for any of this material. It was culled from numerous sources, including: The Lemegeton and Goetia of The Lesser Key of Solomon and the Pseudomonarchia daemonum of Johann Weyer (which you may consult online at Joseph H. Peterson's wonderful Twilit Grotto website); Collin de Plancy's Dictionnaire Infernal (online at DeliriumsRealm); Aleister Crowley's Liber 777; the Thelemapedia website's sections on the 32 Paths; Israel Regardie's The Golden Dawn; Bill Heidrick's online Cross References; Bill Whitcomb's valuable The Magician's Companion, etc., etc. All this material is the traditional subject matter of ritual magic in the Western Esoteric Tradition, copied and handed down from person to person for many long centuries. I pass it on to you now.
Path 32--Tov Connects Malkuth to Yesod
Tarot Key: The World—"The Great One of the Night of Time"
Planet: Saturn
Archangel: Tzaphqiel
Banish:
The Sathariel—Those Who Conceal God
The Sheireil—The Hairy Ones of God
Good Times to Banish: When Saturn is in Capricorn, Aquarius or Libra.
Avoid Banishing: When Saturn is in Aries, Cancer or Leo.
Path 31--Shin Connects Malkuth to Hod
Tarot Key: Judgment—"The Spirit of Primal Fire."
Element: Fire
Archangel: Michael
Banish:
Paimon—the Demon King of Fire who enflames and enrages with destructive, violent anger.
Path 30--Reish Connects Yesod to Hod
Tarot Key: The Sun—"Lord of the Fire of the World."
Planet: Sol
Archangel: Raphael
Banish:
The Togaririm—Those Who Bellow Grief and Tears
The Zomiel—Those Who Revolt Against God
Good Times to Banish: When the sun is in Leo or Aries
Avoid Banishing: when the sun is in Aquarius or the day of a solar eclipse.Path 29--Qooph Connects Malkuth to Netzach
Tarot key: The Moon—"Ruler of Flux and Reflux" and "Child of the Sons of the Mighty."
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Archangel: Barchiel
Banish: ....
Furfur—(i) a hart with a fiery tail; (ii) a deceiving angel
Marchosias—a wolf with gryphon's wings, serpent's tail and fiery breath
Stolas—a raven
Seere—a beautiful man on a winged horse
Dantalion—has many different faces and carries a book
Andromalius—holds a great serpent
Good Times to Banish: When Jupiter is in Sagittarius, Pisces, or Cancer.
Avoid Banishing: When Jupiter is in Gemini or Virgo.
Path 28--Tzaddi Connects Yesod to Netzach
Tarot Key: The Star—"Daughter of the Firmament" and "Dweller Between the Waters."
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Ruling Planet: Saturn
Archangel: Gabriel
Banish:
Foras—a strong man
Asmoday—has three heads (that of a bull, a man, and a ram.) He also has a serpent's tail and the feet of a goose. He carries a lance and a banner, and rides a dragon
Gaap—Beware! He offers to be a guide and seems friendly
Amdusias—a unicorn, or sometimes the leader of a band who seeks to cause delays
Belial—a single demon that appears as two beautiful angels in a chariot of fire
Decarabia—a star in a pantacle
Good Times to Banish: When Saturn is in Capricorn, Aquarius or Libra.
Avoid Banishing: When Saturn is in Aries, Cancer or Leo.
Path 27--Peh Connects Hod to Netzach....
Tarot Key: The Tower—"Lord of the Hosts of the Mighty."....
Planet: Mars....
Archangel: Camael....
Banish:
The Golab—Those Who Destroy with Fire
The Usiel—The Ruins of God's Order
Good Times to Banish: When Mars is in Aries, Scorpio or Capricorn.
Avoid Banishing: When Mars is in Taurus or Libra.
Path 26--Ayin Connects Hod to Tiphereth
Tarot Key: The Devil—"Lord of the Gates of Matter" and "Child of the Forces of Time."....
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn....
Ruling Planet: Saturn
Archangel: Hanael ....
Banish: ....
Berith—a soldier in red wearing a gold crown and riding a horse. His breath is exceedingly foul.....
Asteroth—a hurtful angel or infernal dragon with foul breath who carries a viper....
Forneus—a sea monster....
Haures—a leopard....
Andraelphas—a noisy peacock....
Kimaris—a warrior on a black horse....
Good Times to Banish: When Saturn is in Capricorn, Aquarius or Libra.
Avoid Banishing: When Saturn is in Aries, Cancer or Leo.....
Path 25--Samech Connects Yesod to Tiphereth
Tarot Key: Temperance—"Daughter of the Reconcilers" and "The Bringer Forth of Life."....
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Archangel: Adonachiel ....
Banish: ....
Glasya-Labolas—a dog with gryphon's wings....
Bime—a dragon with three heads (of a dog, a man, and a gryphon)....
Ronove—a dolphin-like monster....
Zagan—a bull with gryphon's wings....
Volac—an angel-winged child on a two-headed dragon....
Andras—a raven-headed angel who rides a black wolf and carries a sharp sword....
Good Times to Banish: When Jupiter is in Sagittarius, Pisces, or Cancer.
Avoid Banishing: When Jupiter is in Gemini or Virgo.....
Path 24—Nun Connects Netzach to Tiphereth
Tarot Key: Death—"The Child of the Transformers" and "Lord of the Gates of Death"....
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Ruling Planet: Mars
Archangel: Barbiel ....
Banish: ....
Ipos—a lion-headed angel with the feet of a goose and the tail of a horse....
Aim—a creature with the head of a serpent, a calf, and a man. (The human head has two stars on its brow.) He holds a flaming torch and rides a dragon.....
Naberius—a fluttering black crane with a sore throat ....
Amy—a flaming fire....
Oriax—a lion with a serpent's tail on horseback. He carries two hissing serpents in his right hand.....
Napula—a lion with gryphon's wings....
Good Times to Banish: When Mars is in Aries, Scorpio or Capricorn.
Avoid Banishing: When Mars is in Taurus or Libra.....
Path 23--Mem Connects Hod to Geburah....
Tarot Key: The Hanged Man—"The Spirit of the Mighty Waters."....
Element: Water ....
Archangel: Gabriel....
Banish:
Ariton—Demon King of Water who overwhelms with waves of negative emotions and anxieties. He inspires destructive infatuations and all manner of obsessions and addictions.....
Path 22--Lamed Connects Tiphereth to Geburah
Tarot Key: Justice—"Daughter of the Lord of Truth" and "The Holder of the Balances."....
Zodiac Sign: Libra....
Ruling Planet: Venus ....
Archangel: Zuriel ....
Banish:....
Sallos—a soldier with a crown riding a crocodile ....
Purson—a lion faced man riding a bear and carrying a serpent. He is accompanied by a trumpeter. ....
Marax—a human-faced bull....
Orobas—a horse....
Gamori—a beautiful woman with a crown tied to her waist. She rides a camel.....
Oso—a leopard....
Good Times to Banish: When Venus is in Taurus, Libra or Pisces.
Avoid Banishing: When Venus is in Aries or Scorpio.....
Path 21—Kaph Connects Netzach to Chesed....
Tarot Key: The Wheel—"Lord of the Forces of Life."....
Planet: Jupiter
Archangel: Tzadqiel....
Banish: ....
The Gamchicoth—the Devourers who gorge themselves and waste the substance of thought and creation.....
The Azariel—the Binding Ones of God....
Good Times to Banish: When Jupiter is in Sagittarius, Pisces, or Cancer.
Avoid Banishing: When Jupiter is in Gemini or Virgo.....
Path 20--Yod Connects Tiphereth to Chesed
Tarot Key: The Hermit—"The Magus of the Voice of Light" and "The Prophet of the Gods."....
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Archangel: Hamaliel ....
Banish:....
Zepar—a soldier in red apparel and armor ....
Botis—a viper, or sometimes a human with sharp teeth carrying a sword....
Bathin—a strong man with a serpent's tail who rides a pale horse....
Alloces—a soldier with a red, leonine face and flaming eyes who rids a great horse....
Camio—a thrush, or a man with a sword who answers in burning ashes and coals of fire....
Murmur—a warrior with a golden crown riding a gryphon. He is accompanied by trumpeters.....
Good Times to Banish: When Mercury is in Gemini and Libra
Avoid Banishing: When Mercury is in Sagittarius and Pisces.....
Path 19—Teth Connects Geburah to Chesed
Tarot Key: Strength—"Daughter of the Flaming Sword," and "Leader of the Lion."....
Zodiac Sign: Leo....
Ruling Planet: Sol
Archangel: Verchiel....
Banish:....
Beleth—a rider on a pale horse, accompanied by many musicians. His breath is flaming and toxic.....
Laraekah—an archer in green.....
Eligos—a knight with a lance and banner bearing a serpent.....
Crocell—Beware! He has the appearance of an angel.....
Furcas—cruel ancient man with white hair and a long beard. He rides a pale horse and carries sharp weapons.....
Baalam—has the head of a bull, a man, and a ram, a snake's tail, and flaming eyes. He rides a bear and carries a goshawk.....
Good Times to Banish: When the sun is in Leo or Aries
Avoid Banishing: when the sun is in Aquarius or the day of a solar eclipse.....
Path 18—Cheth Connects Geburah to Binah
Tarot Key: The Chariot—"Child of the Powers of the Waters," and "Lord of the Triumph of Light."....
Zodiac Sign: Cancer....
Ruling Planet: Luna
Archangel: Muriel....
Banish:....
Buer—a centaur or archer.....
Gusion—he appears like a Xenophilus (probably a mistake for the term "cyanocephalus" which means "dog headed."....
Sitre—has a leopard's head and a gryphon's wings....
Bifrons—described simply as a monster. ....
Uvall—a dromedary camel.....
Haagenti—a bull with gryphon's wings.....
Good Times to Banish: When the moon is in Cancer or Taurus
Avoid Banishing: When the moon is in Capricorn or any day of a lunar eclipse.....
....Path 17—Zain Connects Tiphereth to Binah
Tarot Key: The Lovers—"Children of the Voice Divine," and "The Oracle of the Mighty Gods."....
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Archangel: Ambriel....
Banish: ....
Amon—a wolf with a serpent's tail, or sometimes a man with a raven's head and sharp teeth.....
Barbatos—he comes with four nobel kings and great troops.....
Paimon—a crowned king on a dromedary camel accompanied by many musicians.....
Sabnock—a lion headed soldier riding a pale horse.....
Shax—a stock dove with a sore throat (he apparently makes a croaking sound.)....
Vine—a lion on a black horse carrying a viper.....
Good Times to Banish: When Mercury is in Gemini and Libra
Avoid Banishing: When Mercury is in Sagittarius and Pisces.
Path 16—Vov Connects Chesed to Chokmah
Tarot Key: The Hierophant—"Magus of the Eternal Gods."....
Zodiac Sign: Taurus....
Ruling Planet: Venus
Archangel: Asmodel....
Banish:....
Gamagina—a little horse or ass.....
Marbas—a great lion.....
Valefor—a lion with the bellowing head of an ass.....
Raum—a crow.....
Focalor—a man with gryphon's wings.....
Vepar—a mermaid.....
Good Times to Banish: When Venus is in Taurus, Libra or Pisces.
Avoid Banishing: When Venus is in Aries or Scorpio.
Path 15—Heh Connects Tiphereth to Chokmah
Tarot Key: The Emperor—"Chief Among the Mighty," and "Son of the Morning."....
Zodiac Sign: Aries....
Ruling Planet: Mars
Archangel: Melchidael....
Banish: ....
Baal—appears sometimes as a cat, sometimes as a toad, and sometimes as a man—or as all three at once!....
Agares—an old man riding a crocodile and carrying a goshawk.....
Vassago—anoth old man who looks just like Agares.....
Phenex—a phoenix with many voices like children....
Halphas—another stock dove with a sore throat.....
Malphas—a crow with a sore throat.....
Good Times to Banish: When Mars is in Aries, Scorpio or Capricorn.
Avoid Banishing: When Mars is in Taurus or Libra.
Path 14—Daleth Connects Binah to Chokmah
Tarot Key: The Empress—"Daughter of the Mighty Ones."
Ruling Planet: Venus
Archangel: Haniel
Banish:
The Harab Serapel—the Ravens of Death who reject even their own
The Theumiel—the Fouled Substance of God
Good Times to Banish: When Venus is in Taurus, Libra or Pisces.
Avoid Banishing: When Venus is in Aries or Scorpio.
Path 13—Gimmel Connects Tiphereth to Kether
Tarot Key: The High Priestess—"Priestess of the Silver Star."
Ruling Planet: Luna
Archangel: Gabriel
Banish:
The Gamaliel—Misshapen and polluted images that produce vile results
The Ogiel—Those Who Flee from God
Good Times to Banish: When the moon is in Cancer or Taurus
Avoid Banishing: When the moon is in Capricorn or any day of a lunar eclipse
Path 12—Beth Connects Binah to Kether
Tarot Key: The Magician—"The Magus of Power."
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Archangel: Michael
Banish:
The Samael—the barren desolation of fallen and failed creation
The Theuniel—the Filthy Wailing Ones of God
Good Times to Banish: When Mercury is in Gemini and Libra
Avoid Banishing: When Mercury is in Sagittarius and Pisces.
Path 11—Aleph Connects Chokmah to Kether
Tarot Key: The Fool—"The Spirit of Ether."
Element: Air
Archangel: Raphael
Banish:
Oriens—the Demon King of Air who pollutes men's thoughts with suspicions and distrust.
