Rank: Duke
Ruling Angel: Reiaiel
Associated Symbols: Vipers, dragons, angels
Associated Colours: Mauve, magenta, brown, green
Suggested Offerings: Ruby, vervain, mugwort, emerald, copper, beryl, lemon, sandalwood, juniper
Warnings: He is known for encouraging slothfulness and laziness.
Enn
Tasa Alora Foren Astaroth
Astaroth, one of the most powerful spirits in the Ars Goetia, is the twenty-ninth spirit in the Lesser Key of Solomon. A Great Duke of Hell, Astaroth commands 40 legions of demons and holds immense knowledge of past, present, and future events. He is known for his wisdom, ability to uncover hidden knowledge, and mastery of the arts and sciences. Astaroth is also associated with understanding spiritual mysteries, communicating with spirits, and providing guidance to practitioners in matters of strategy, philosophy, and intellect.
Historical Origins and Mythological Background
Astaroth’s name is believed to be derived from the ancient Semitic goddess Astarte, a deity associated with fertility, love, war, and the celestial realm. Astarte was worshipped in ancient Canaan and Mesopotamia, and her attributes were often linked to Venus, the planet of beauty and wisdom. Over time, the Christian demonological tradition transformed Astarte into Astaroth, a powerful spirit associated with knowledge, strategy, wisdom, temptation, and moral corruption.
In medieval grimoires such as Pseudomonarchia Daemonum and Dictionnaire Infernal, Astaroth is depicted as a Great Duke of Hell who provides deep knowledge of the cosmos, history, and spiritual matters. His connection to the past, present, and future makes him a potent ally for divination, while his insight into the arts and sciences allows him to guide practitioners in intellectual and creative pursuits. As a spirit of immense power and knowledge, Astaroth is often invoked by those seeking enlightenment, wisdom, and strategic guidance.
Appearance and Iconography
Astaroth is typically depicted as a humanoid figure riding a dragon or serpent, holding a viper in his left hand, and wearing a crown. His draconic mount represents power, mastery, and knowledge over the hidden and esoteric realms. Dragons are often symbolic of wisdom, strength, and the ability to navigate between worlds, reflecting Astaroth’s role as a guide through material and spiritual mysteries.
The viper in his hand symbolises cunning, wisdom, and hidden knowledge. Serpents are traditionally linked to transformation, healing, and the ability to uncover secrets, which aligns with Astaroth’s powers of divination and spiritual insight. His serpent symbolism emphasises his role as a spirit who can help practitioners unlock esoteric truths and navigate complex spiritual paths.
Astaroth’s crown represents his high status and authority in Hell, marking him as a ruler and teacher of immense wisdom. The crown also symbolises his dominion over intellectual and spiritual matters, underscoring his ability to provide guidance in both practical and philosophical concerns.
His presence is accompanied by a powerful stench and foul breath, making it necessary for magicians to hold a magical ring in front of their faces when summoning him to protect themselves from his noxious odour. Another option is to keep a distance from him.
Powers and Abilities
Astaroth’s primary power is his ability to reveal hidden knowledge, especially in philosophy, science, and history. Practitioners often call upon him to gain deep insight into complex intellectual topics, understand spiritual mysteries, or uncover the truths behind esoteric systems. Astaroth can provide knowledge about the past, present, and future, making him a potent spirit for divination. His insights are profound and often focus on broader, cosmic truths that can offer practitioners clarity in difficult or confusing situations.
In addition to his divinatory powers, Astaroth is a master of the arts and sciences. He can assist practitioners in honing their intellectual skills, improving their mastery over various disciplines, and gaining strategic insights into their work. Astaroth’s influence is particularly useful for scholars, researchers, and those engaged in creative or scientific endeavours. His ability to teach complex subjects, provide clarity, and offer guidance makes him a valuable ally for those seeking intellectual growth and understanding.
Astaroth is also skilled in strategy and leadership. He can help practitioners devise plans, overcome obstacles, and achieve their goals through careful planning and foresight. His strategic insight is particularly useful in competitive environments, where practitioners must outmanoeuvre rivals or navigate challenging situations. Astaroth’s guidance can help practitioners achieve victory through wisdom, careful planning, and intellectual mastery.
Another key aspect of Astaroth’s powers is his ability to provide spiritual guidance. He can assist practitioners in understanding spiritual mysteries, communicating with spirits, and navigating complex spiritual paths. Astaroth’s influence extends to both the material and spiritual realms, allowing him to guide practitioners through difficult transitions or major life changes. His spiritual insight can help practitioners gain clarity in their spiritual practice, unlock deeper levels of understanding, and connect with higher powers.
Summoning Astaroth: Ritual and Offerings
Summoning Astaroth requires respect, focus, and a desire for knowledge, strategy, or spiritual insight. His sigil, found in the Lesser Key of Solomon, is essential for invoking his presence, and his enn—”Tasa alora foren Astaroth”—is chanted to attune oneself to his energy. Practitioners should be clear about the type of knowledge or guidance they seek when summoning Astaroth, as his influence is profound and often touches on larger, cosmic truths.
Offerings to Astaroth should reflect his connection to knowledge, power, and the esoteric. Items associated with wisdom, such as books, scrolls, or symbols of learning, can be appropriate tributes. Blue or purple candles, symbolising intellect, spiritual insight, and the divine, can be used in rituals dedicated to Astaroth. Practitioners may also offer items related to power and authority, such as crowns or sceptres, to align with his status as a ruler and teacher in Hell.
Incense such as frankincense, sandalwood, or myrrh, which are associated with clarity, wisdom, and spiritual connection, can help create an atmosphere conducive to summoning Astaroth. Since his powers revolve around both intellectual and spiritual insight, practitioners should be mentally prepared for the depth of knowledge and guidance Astaroth may provide.
Planetary and Elemental Associations
Astaroth is often associated with the planet Venus, which governs love, beauty, and wisdom. Venus’ influence enhances Astaroth’s ability to offer deep knowledge, guide practitioners through spiritual and intellectual pursuits, and help them achieve success through strategy and foresight. Venus also represents harmony and balance, aligning with Astaroth’s ability to offer clear, insightful guidance in complex or confusing situations.
Elementally, Astaroth is linked to Earth, representing stability, grounding, and the material world. Earth governs the tangible and practical aspects of life, aligning with Astaroth’s ability to provide guidance on matters of wealth, success, and long-term planning. This connection to Earth reflects Astaroth’s influence in helping practitioners achieve practical results and navigate complex, real-world challenges. Incorporating Earth symbolism, such as stones, crystals, or plants, into rituals can enhance Astaroth’s stabilising and grounding presence, making it easier to manifest intentions in the material realm.
Practical Applications in Magic
Astaroth’s powers are particularly valuable for practitioners seeking knowledge, wisdom, or spiritual guidance. His ability to provide insight into the past, present, and future makes him an ideal spirit for divination, whether practitioners are seeking clarity about personal matters, strategic guidance in professional situations, or answers to broader cosmic questions. Astaroth’s divinatory powers can help practitioners understand the hidden forces shaping their lives and make informed decisions about their future.
In addition to his divinatory abilities, Astaroth’s mastery of the arts and sciences makes him a valuable ally for those seeking intellectual growth or mastery over their chosen field. Practitioners can call upon Astaroth to improve their understanding of complex subjects, gain new insights into their work, or unlock creative potential. His guidance can help practitioners achieve breakthroughs in their studies or work, allowing them to reach new levels of mastery and understanding.
Astaroth’s ability to provide strategic guidance and leadership skills is particularly useful for those in competitive environments or high-stakes situations. Practitioners can call upon Astaroth to help them devise plans, overcome obstacles, and achieve victory through careful planning and foresight. His influence can help practitioners navigate complex situations with confidence and clarity, ensuring that they make the right decisions to achieve their goals.
Astaroth’s deep knowledge of the spiritual realm makes him an invaluable guide for those seeking spiritual guidance. He can assist practitioners in understanding spiritual mysteries, communicating with spirits, or navigating difficult spiritual paths. His influence can help practitioners gain clarity in their spiritual practice, unlock deeper levels of understanding, and connect with higher powers or spiritual beings.
Warnings and Precautions
While Astaroth is a powerful and wise spirit, practitioners should approach him with respect and a clear intention for gaining knowledge or spiritual insight. His powers of divination and spiritual guidance require that the summoner be mentally and emotionally prepared for the truths that Astaroth may reveal. Practitioners should be ready to confront both the positive and challenging aspects of the knowledge they seek, as Astaroth’s influence can uncover deep and sometimes uncomfortable truths.
Additionally, Astaroth’s connection to knowledge and strategy requires that practitioners use his guidance responsibly. His insights can be powerful tools for success, but practitioners must be mindful of how they use this knowledge, especially in competitive or high-stakes situations.
Astaroth is also known for encouraging slothfulness and laziness. Practitioners need to stay strong and avoid temptation.
Conclusion
Astaroth, the twenty-ninth spirit of the Ars Goetia, is a powerful Great Duke of Hell known for his mastery of knowledge, divination, and strategy. His ability to provide deep insight into the past, present, and future, combined with his profound understanding of the arts and sciences, makes him a valuable ally for practitioners seeking intellectual growth, spiritual guidance, or strategic success. Whether you are looking to unlock hidden knowledge, improve your intellectual abilities, or gain clarity in your spiritual practice, Astaroth offers powerful guidance and support.
By approaching Astaroth with respect, clear intentions, and appropriate offerings, practitioners can harness his abilities to gain wisdom, master the arts and sciences, and achieve success through careful planning and foresight. As a spirit of knowledge, strategy, and spiritual insight, Astaroth guides those who summon him toward greater understanding, intellectual mastery, and success in both material and spiritual pursuits.
Illustration and Sigil of Astaroth
