In
demonology
Demonology is the study of demons within religious belief and myth. Depending on context, it can refer to studies within theology, religious doctrine, or occultism. In many faiths, it concerns the study of a hierarchy of demons. Demons may be n ...
, Halphas (listed in Skinner & Rankine's edition as ''Malthas'', and in the
Crowley/
Mathers Mathers is an English surname and may refer to:
* Edward Peter Mathers (1850–1924), British journalist and newspaper proprietor
* Edward Powys Mathers (1892–1939), British translator and poet
* George Mathers, 1st Baron Mathers (1886–1965), S ...
edition as ''Halphas'', ''Malthus'', or ''Malphas'') is the thirty-eighth
demon
A demon is a malevolent supernatural entity. Historically, belief in demons, or stories about demons, occurs in folklore, mythology, religion, occultism, and literature; these beliefs are reflected in Media (communication), media including
f ...
in the ''Ars
Goetia
(, ) is a type of European sorcery, often referred to as witchcraft, that has been transmitted through grimoires—books containing instructions for performing magical practices. The term "goetia" finds its origins in the Greek word "goes", ...
'' in the ''
Lesser Key of Solomon
''The Lesser Key of Solomon'', also known by its Latin title ''Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis'' or simply the ''Lemegeton'', is an anonymously authored grimoire on sorcery, mysticism and magic. It was compiled in the mid-17th century from mater ...
'' (forty-third in
Johann Weyer's
Pseudomonarchia Daemonum
The ''Pseudomonarchia Daemonum'' () first appears as an appendix to ''De praestigiis daemonum'' (1577) by Johann Weyer.Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (Liber officiorum spirituum); Johann Weyer, ed. Joseph Peterson; 2000. Available online aEsoteric Arc ...
), ranked as an earl.
Most manuscripts describe Halphas as a hoarse-voiced
stock dove (though Weyer and
Collin de Plancy's ''
Dictionnaire Infernal
The ''Dictionnaire Infernal'' () is a book on demonology, describing demons organised in hierarchies. It was written by Jacques Collin de Plancy and first published in 1818. There were several editions of the book; perhaps the most famous is th ...
'' describe him as a
stork
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long, stout bills. They belong to the family Ciconiidae, and make up the order Ciconiiformes . Ciconiiformes previously included a number of other families, such as herons and ibise ...
), who supplies weapons and ammunition for towers (Weyer and de Plancy have "towns" or "villes" instead), sends men to war, and commands 26 legions of spirits.
According to Skinner & Rankine, Halphas is opposed by the
Shemhamphorasch angel Haamiah.
See also
*
Goetia
(, ) is a type of European sorcery, often referred to as witchcraft, that has been transmitted through grimoires—books containing instructions for performing magical practices. The term "goetia" finds its origins in the Greek word "goes", ...
References
Sources
*
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*
Goetic demons
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