Goetic Demons

From the Lesser Key of Solomon and beyond a who’s-who of demons developed into a standardized catalog. The number varies but it’s usually 72 (the same number as cards in the tarot and nodes in the Kabbala’s Tree of Life). There’s some minor differences in the lists…different inclusions, different names, different powers and details, but there’s enough similarity in the lists that a reasonably standard list of goetic demons exists today. 

Unless you’re into ritual magic, reading through the Goetia isn’t much fun. It’s a long list of “this demon is associated with this astrological sign, can be conjured either at this place or this time, and offers these abilities.” Rather than a list of colorful personalities like the Greek Gods, most of the Goetia are just magic spells wrapped in some basic descriptive text that could have been procedurally generated by an app. There are a few exceptions! But in general while the Goetia contains some of the better-known demons, it’s also got a lot of filler. 

One concept to look for: ghosts. Because of scribal error, intentional duplication, or legends that separated or grew together, there’s some duplication within the Goetia and in less name-brand demons (Stratton-Kent, Pandemonium.) 

Most of the weird and colorful depictions of the Goetic demons come from the 19th century Dictionniare Infernal and are more informed by the whimsy of its artist, Le Breton, than 16th century source material. 

We won’t be listing all the Goetia here, that’s what the internet is for, but will touch on a few highlights.

 

Astaroth

Astaroth

One of the world's most powerful goddesses, now a mid-level demon
Bael

Bael

#1 in the Goetia, and in our hearts.
Belial

Belial

How can one demon be "worthless" and "#2 in Hell, second only to Luucifer?"
Belphegor

Belphegor

The Demon Prince of Sloth and possibly the king of phalluses?
Buer

Buer

President, doctor, herbalist, pinwheel
Bune

Bune

A goetic dragon with a strange relationship with the dead
Caim

Caim

A chatty president of hell
Cerberus/Naberius

Cerberus/Naberius

The 3-headed guardian at the gates of Hell
Flauros

Flauros

When you're having demon problems...call a demon. Duke of hell, big angry leopard.
Furfur

Furfur

Thunder! Lightning! Bambi!
Gemory

Gemory

A rare moment of female representation in the Goetia. Maybe.
Leonard

Leonard

Grand Master of Sabbats and Satan's personal assistant
Marbas

Marbas

Lionish engineer who can change the shape of others
Marchosias

Marchosias

Fire-breathing, winged wolf, someday to return to Heaven...
Ornias/Orias

Ornias/Orias

Incubus, Succubus, or snake lion. The spirit that introduced Solomon to demonology!
Paimon

Paimon

Gender-ambiguous king of the West, now in theaters!
Purson

Purson

Goetic lion, associated with trumpets, strumpets
Sitri

Sitri

It takes effort to make love magic even creepier, but he'll take the challenge.
Stolas

Stolas

Fan-favorite demon of astronomy
Sucax

Sucax

The demon of winning a widow's heart...if he had a moustache, he'd twirl it
Vine / Royne

Vine / Royne

Building towers and fulfilling monogamous relationships...also, Hell's official witchfinder.
Zagan

Zagan

King, bartender, counterfeit coin specialist