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King Baël

Baal is a Christian demon. His name also refers to various gods and goddesses who are not demons. This is a potential source of confusion. In this article the name Baal is used only to refer to the demon Baal, unless stated otherwise.

Other spellings: Bael, Baël (French), Baell.

The idea of Baal as a demon was created when Christianity turned ancient gods into demons and demonology divided the demonic population of Hell in several hierarchies. Baal, the Semitic god, did not escape, becoming an entity separate from Beelzebub.

According to demonology, Baal (usually spelt "Bael" in this context; there is a possibility that the two figures aren't connected) was ranked as the first and principal king in Hell, ruling over the East. According to some authors Baal is a Duke, with sixty-six legions of demons under his command.

During the English Puritan period Baal was either compared to Satan or considered his main assistant. According to Francis Barrett he has the power to make those who invoke him invisible, and to some other demonologists his power is stronger in October. According to some sources, he can make people wise, and speaks hoarsely.

While his Semitic predecessor was depicted as a human or a bull, the demon Baal was in grimoire tradition said to appear in the forms of a man, cat, toad, or combinations thereof. An illustration in Collin de Plancy's 1818 book Dictionnaire Infernal rather curiously placed the heads of the three creatures onto a set of spider legs.

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The Ars Goetia (Latin, probably: "The Howling Art"), often simply called the Goetia, is the first section of the 17th century grimoire Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis, or The Lesser Key of Solomon. Much of the text appeared earlier, with some material dating to the 14th century or earlier.
The circle and triangle, used in the evocation of the seventy-two spirits of the Goetia. The magician would stand within the circle and the spirit was believed to appear within the triangle. Some believe that the central circle of the triangle was actually a magick mirror, similar to a crystal ball as used for scrying.
The circle and triangle, used in the evocation of the seventy-two spirits of the Goetia. The magician would stand within the circle and the spirit was believed to appear within the triangle. Some believe that the central circle of the triangle was actually a magick mirror, similar to a crystal ball as used for scrying.

It contains descriptions of the seventy-two demons that King Solomon is said to have evoked and confined in a bronze vessel sealed by magick symbols, and that he obliged to work for him. It gives instructions on constructing a similar bronze vessel, and using the proper magic formulae to safely call up those demons. The operation given is complex, and includes much detail. The 'howling' of the title is believed to refer to the incantations made by the conjuror. The Ars Goetia differs from other goetic texts in that the entities summoned are to be compelled into obedience, rather than asked for favors.

The Ars Goetia assigns a rank and a title of nobility to each member of the infernal hierarchy, and gives the demons' 'signs they have to pay allegiance to', or seals. The lists of entities in the Ars Goetia correspond (to high but varying degree, often according to edition) with those in the Steganographia of Trithemius, circa 1500, and Johann Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum an appendix appearing in later editions of his De Praestigiis Daemonum, of 1563.

A revised English edition of the Ars Goetia was published in 1904 translated by Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, with an introduction by Aleister Crowley. It includes the Bornless Ritual, the seals of the spirits, their physical descriptions and actions. There are drawings done by Crowley for some of them. It has since become a relatively well-known book of magic (arguably, the most popular of the grimoires) and has even been featured in places like the graphic novel Promethea by Alan Moore.

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1. Lucifer

Meaning: Latin for "light-bringer" or "morning star."

Origin: Appears in the Latin Vulgate translation of Isaiah 14:12—“Lucifer, son of the morning.”

Significance: Often associated with the fallen angel who became Satan, though originally it referred to a Babylonian king’s downfall.

1. Helel (הֵילֵל)

Meaning: Hebrew for "shining one" or "morning star."

Origin: From Isaiah 14:12 in the Hebrew Bible—Helel ben Shachar, "Shining One, son of the dawn."

Significance: Pre-Christian Jewish texts didn’t equate Helel with Satan, but later Christian tradition did.

1. Lumiel / Luciel

Meaning: Variants of "Light of God."

Origin: These names are apocryphal or esoteric—found in mystic texts and some angelologies.

Significance: Often used in occult or literary depictions of Lucifer before the fall.

1. Phosphorus

Meaning: Greek for "light-bringer."

Origin: Greek equivalent of Lucifer; the morning star (planet Venus).

Significance: In classical mythology, Phosphorus was a minor deity symbolizing the morning star, distinct from evil.

1. The Morningstar / Venus

Meaning: Refers to the planet Venus as seen before sunrise.

Origin: Ancient astronomy and mythology.

Significance: Venus is the brightest object in the morning sky—hence the title “morning star.”

Interesting Note: Jesus is also referred to as the “bright morning star” in Revelation 22:16, showing a complex symbolic overlap.

1. The Son of the Dawn

Meaning: Poetic phrasing echoing Isaiah 14.

Significance: Emphasizes celestial origins and a fall from heavenly grace.

1. The Shining One

Meaning: Emphasizes brilliance and splendor.

Origin: Often synonymous with "Helel" or "Lucifer."

Use: Describes the being before the fall—a luminous, beautiful figure.

1. The Lamplighter of God

Meaning: A poetic or mystical title, possibly referring to spreading divine light or knowledge.

Origin: Not canonical—more esoteric or metaphorical.

Significance: Suggests Lucifer’s original role as one who illuminated others.

1. The Anointed Cherub

Origin: From Ezekiel 28, where a lament for the King of Tyre is often interpreted allegorically as referencing Lucifer.

Meaning: A high-ranking angelic being, anointed by God.

Significance: Indicates authority and beauty before the fall.

1. The LightBringer

Meaning: A direct translation of “Lucifer.”

Use: Often used in modern or poetic language to focus on Lucifer’s role as a bearer of enlightenment.

1. The Angel of Light and Music and Enlightenment

Meaning: Describes the being as a divine artist and intellectual force.

Origin: Apocryphal and traditional Christian teachings (non-biblical) often assign Lucifer mastery over music and beauty in heaven.

Significance: Highlights the paradox—once a source of divine beauty, later cast down.

These titles together create a picture of a being who was once the pinnacle of divine artistry, wisdom, and beauty—before pride or rebellion led to a fall. They resonate with themes of tragedy, transformation, and duality—light becoming shadow.

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“That which is below is like that which is above, and that which is above is like that which is below, to accomplish the miracles of the One Thing.”

This timeless verse from the Emerald Tablet whispers the very foundation of Hermetic alchemy. It reveals a sacred symmetry between the cosmos and the self, where the movements of stars and planets mirror the currents of our inner world, and the laws that guide galaxies also shape the human soul.

Alchemy was never mankind’s invention. It is nature’s language of transformation, discovered by those who dared to observe deeply. In the falling of leaves, the distillation of herbs, the turning of seasons, nature performs the Great Work in plain sight. The ancient alchemists did not seek to overpower nature, but to harmonize with it. They mirrored her rhythms, understanding that true change begins not in the lab, but within.

The Philosopher’s Stone was never just about gold. It symbolized a radiant state of being, an inner jewel, formed in the crucible of body and mind, refined through awareness, discipline, and alignment. It was the alchemical heart of magic: the power to transform, to unify spirit and matter, above and below.

Paul Foster Case once wrote, “Equilibrium is the basis of the Great Work.” That balance isn’t philosophical fluff, it’s the lived reality of the awakened individual, aligned with both the cosmic order and the Earth beneath their feet. And in that harmony, the miracle of the One Thing reveals itself, again and again, in every breath, in every cycle, in every act of becoming.

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▪️Baphomet and the Hermetic Principles: The Depths of Symbolism

Baphomet, one of the most iconic and controversial symbols in the world of occultism and esotericism, carries numerous interpretations and philosophical parallels deeply embedded within the teachings of Hermeticism. Hermetic philosophy, emphasizing the connection between man and the universe, along with spiritual development, provides an unparalleled perspective for understanding Baphomet's iconography.

▪️Baphomet and the Hermetic Law of Duality
Perhaps the most striking characteristic of Baphomet is the representation of duality. The figure embodies both male and female traits, as well as the connection between the heavens and the earth, reflected in the following motifs:
- The upward- and downward-pointing hand gestures symbolize the linkage of the heavens and the earth.
- The masculine and feminine aspects emphasize balance, resonating with the Hermetic "Law of Polarity," which posits that all things have their opposites, and these opposites complement each other.

This symbolism speaks to the harmony between the human soul and the universal energies, which is one of the fundamental goals of Hermetic teachings.

▪️"As Above, So Below": The Cosmic Unity
The Hermetic principle perhaps best known, "As Above, So Below," is evident in Baphomet's depiction. Baphomet embodies the unity of the universe, encompassing both spiritual and physical dimensions. The horned head signifies cosmic wisdom and divine inspiration, while the earthly features reflect its connection to nature and the material world.

This analogy helps illuminate the close relationship between the macrocosm (the universe) and the microcosm (the human soul), presenting them as mirror images of one another.

▪️Alchemy, Fire, and Transformation
The connection between Baphomet and alchemy is particularly significant from the perspective of Hermetic teachings. The flame often seen atop Baphomet's head symbolizes enlightenment and spiritual transmutation. Alchemy, as both a material and spiritual process, transforms the base aspects of an individual into "gold" (knowledge and wisdom).

Baphomet’s hand gestures, illustrating the alchemical principle of "Solve et Coagula" (dissolve and coagulate), indicate that transformation and balance are essential for spiritual growth. This aligns with the Hermetic doctrine's emphasis on renewal and transformation.

▪️The Symbolism of Balance and Wisdom
In Baphomet's essence, opposites achieve harmonious balance. Hermetic principles stress that achieving balance is the key to ascending to higher spiritual planes. Baphomet embodies this balance: the harmony between celestial and terrestrial energies, masculine and feminine aspects, and the material and spiritual worlds.

Baphomet, in alignment with the Hermetic principles, is not merely a symbol of the occult world but also a philosophical reminder of the profound connection between the universe and human nature.

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OCCULT

"secret, not divulged," from Middle French occulte and directly from Latin occultus "hidden, concealed, secret."

“The world is not prepared yet to understand the philosophy of Occult Sciences – let them assure themselves first of all that there are beings in an invisible world, whether ‘Spirits’ of the dead or Elementals; and that there are hidden powers in man, which are capable of making a God of him on earth.”

~ H. P. Blavatsky. 1831 - 1891

ESOTERIC

intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest.

The first records of the word esoteric come from the mid-1600s. It comes from the Greek esōterikos, from esōterō, meaning “inner.” Esoteric information is that which can only be understood by an inner circle of people, such as those with in-depth knowledge of an obscure subject.

"All the great world religions, though divided by the superficial differences of their exoteric creeds, unite in their esoteric knowledge. It is this Secret Doctrine, which all the faiths of the world share in common, that interests all sincere students of religion. The quest of essential wisdom is the great work of life."

~ Manly Palmer Hall. 1901 - 1990

“Occult Philosophy means love of wisdom, and the lover of wisdom is a seeker for knowledge; he desires to know the secrets of nature and the mysteries of spirit life, which may be found at the very foundation of his own soul. Occultism means the wisdom of truth, in other words the self-realization of God in the soul of man. It is not “man” but the God in man who knows his own divine self, and it therefore does not rest with the will and pleasure of man to become a disciple, but this depends on the awakening of the spirit in him. Materialism argues and deducts, speculates, makes additions and multiplications, and by logical reasonings seeks to prove that for such or such reasons this or that cannot be otherwise than so or so; but true wisdom requires no arguments, no logic or reasoning, because it is already the self-knowledge of the One from whom all other things are deriving their origin. It is the highest and most exalted kind of rationalism, for there can be nothing more rational than to know the divine fountain of All and become All Powerful.”

~ Lauron William De Laurence. 1868 - 1936

Oil painting by Sebastian Haines