Astaroth
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Astaroth(alsoAshtaroth,AstarotandAsteroth), indemonology,is known to be the Great Duke ofHellin the first hierarchy withBeelzebubandLucifer;he is part of the evil trinity. He is known to be a male figure, most likely named after the unrelatedNear EasterngoddessAstarte.
Background
[edit]The nameAstarothwas ultimately derived from that of 2nd millennium BCPhoeniciangoddessAstarte,[1]an equivalent of the BabylonianIshtar,and the earlier SumerianInanna.She is mentioned in theHebrew Biblein the formsAshtoreth(singular) andAshtaroth(plural, in reference to multiple statues of it). This latter form was directly transliterated in the early Greek and Latin versions of the Bible, where it was less apparent that it had been a plural feminine in Hebrew. Otherwise, the male demonAstarothis entirely unrelated to the benevolent goddessAshtoreth.[1]
Appearances in literature
[edit]The name "Astaroth" as a male demon is first seen inThe Book of Abramelin,purportedly written inHebrewc. 1458,and recurred in mostoccultgrimoiresof the following centuries. Astaroth also features as anarchdemonassociated with theqlippoth(adverse forces) according to laterKabbalistictexts, as he rules over the qlippa of Jupiter, known asGha'agsheblah.
Dutch demonologistJohann Weyeralso described Astaroth in hisPseudomonarchia Daemonum(1577) thus: "Astaroth is a great and a strong duke, coming forth in the shape of a foul angel, sitting upon an infernal dragon, and carrying on his left hand a viper", who also claimed to rule 40 legions. Additionally, he had to be approached by the conjurer with a magical ring on account.[2]He is similarly referred to in the 17th-century workThe Lesser Key of Solomon.He also makes an appearance in the notoriousGrimorium Verum(True Grimoire), as the infernal principality which rules the Americas.
According to somedemonologistsof the 16th century, August is the month during which this demon's attacks against man are stronger. According toSebastien Michaelis,he is ademonof the First Hierarchy, who seduces by means of laziness, self-doubt, and rationalized philosophies. His adversary is St.Bartholomew,who can protect against him for he has resisted Astaroth's "temptations". To others, he teachesmathematicalsciences and handicrafts, can make men invisible and lead them to hidden treasures, and answers every question formulated to him. He was also said to give to mortal beings the power over serpents.
Was mentioned as a co-signatory of a Diabolical pact withUrban Grandier.
According toFrancis Barrett(c. 1801), Astaroth is the prince of accusers and inquisitors. In art, in theDictionnaire Infernal(1818), Astaroth is depicted as a nude man with feathered wings, wearing a crown, holding aserpentin one hand, and riding a beast withdragon-like wings and a serpent-like tail.
Appearances in film
[edit]Ashtaroth is one of three demons summoned by Faustus to attack Benvolio inDoctor Faustus.
The "Star of Astoroth" features prominently in the 1971 Disney filmBedknobs and Broomsticks,where it takes the form of a magical medallion.
Astaroth is named in the 1976 Hammer horror filmTo the Devil a Daughter.
In the 1920 silent horror filmThe Golem: How He Came into the World,Rabbi Loewand his assistant summon Astaroth to animate theGolemresulting in deadly and destructive results.
Astaroth also appears in the 2007 television seriesBlood Ties,with his symbol displayed in the first few episodes.
The Solomonic seal of Astaroth makes an appearance in the 2017 filmPyewacket.
Astaroth symbolism is also prevalent in the 2018 filmAntrum: The Deadliest Film Ever Made,and a symbol of Astaroth appears in the movie over 170 times.
Astaroth is the title character in "Astaroth" / "Astaroth Female Demon", a film by the Brazilian director Larissa Anzoategui. The name of the company that made the film is also "Astaroth Produções"
Astaroth appears as the main antagonist of the 2022 movieR.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned.
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^abLon Milo DuQuette and Christopher S. Hyatt.Aleister Crowley's Illustrated Goetia(1992). New Falcon: Temple, AZ, USA, p. 52.
- ^"Johann Weyer, Pseudomonarchia Daemonum".esotericarchives.com.
Sources
[edit]- S. L. MacGregor Mathers, A. Crowley,The Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon the King(1904). 1995 reprint:ISBN0-87728-847-X.
