
Attributes
- •Architecture
- •Construction
- •Engineering
- •Fortifications
- •President Of Hell
- •Strategy
- •Warfare
39. Malphas
Rank: President
Ruling Angel: RehaelAssociated Symbols: Crows
Associated Colours: Light blue, yellow, green, purple
Suggested Offerings: Marigold, saffron, mulberry, holy thistle
Warnings: Might deceive you
Enn of Malphas: Lirach Tasa Malphas Ayer
Malphas is the thirty-ninth spirit listed in the Ars Goetia of the Lesser Key of Solomon. A President of Hell, Malphas commands 40 legions of demons. He possesses abilities in building, strategy, and espionage, making him skilled and resourceful in leadership, planning, and uncovering hidden information matters. Malphas demonstrates great cunning, able to construct strongholds and manipulate situations to summoners' advantage. Practitioners often invoke him seeking help with protection, uncovering secrets, or organizing plans in business or personal affairs.
Historical Origins and Mythological Background
Some believe the name Malphas derives from ancient roots meaning "raven" or "blackbird," connecting him to themes of stealth, intelligence, and resourcefulness. Medieval demonological texts like Pseudomonarchia Daemonum and Dictionnaire Infernal describe him as a demon who builds impregnable towers, strongholds, and defense structures and can skillfully execute summoners' will.
As President of Hell, Malphas holds prominent rank in the infernal hierarchy and demonstrates abilities to gather intelligence, build defenses, and carry out strategic operations. His influence spans physical and spiritual realms, serving practitioners needing assistance in constructing protective barriers, planning covert actions, or gaining insight into hidden knowledge. Malphas demonstrates deceptive nature and ability to manipulate situations to summoners' benefit. However, he requires clear intentions and cautious approach when called upon.
Appearance and Iconography
Malphas traditionally appears as a large raven or crow, a bird associated with wisdom, intelligence, and stealth. The raven's black feathers and sharp eyes represent his ability to see what others cannot, uncovering hidden truths and secrets. The raven's association with death and underworld also reflects his role as a spirit navigating darker aspects of knowledge and power, often operating in secrecy or shadow.
Some accounts show Malphas taking humanoid form, appearing as a wise and commanding figure conveying authority and leadership. His humanoid form reflects his strategic mind and ability to guide practitioners through complex challenges with precision and insight. His dual nature, both bird and leader, represents his versatility in navigating intellectual and physical aspects of strategy and protection.
The raven or crow also represents transformation, intelligence, and foresight, matching his construction and manipulation powers. His ability to build and destroy with equal skill highlights his role as a spirit of change and adaptation, able to create strongholds or dismantle obstacles depending on practitioners' needs.
Powers and Abilities
Malphas constructs impregnable buildings and strongholds. He helps practitioners build defenses, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, serving as protector. He proves especially useful for those seeking to safeguard homes, workplaces, or personal energy from harm. His power to create strongholds extends to building secure foundations for long-term success, whether in business, personal relationships, or spiritual practices.
Malphas excels as strategist. He guides practitioners in planning and executing complex operations, whether in business, leadership roles, or personal matters. He helps practitioners navigate tricky situations, overcome obstacles, and achieve goals through careful planning and foresight. He proves particularly skilled in outmaneuvering rivals or enemies, serving those seeking advantage in competitive environments.
Malphas demonstrates abilities in espionage and uncovering secrets. He assists practitioners in gathering information, exposing hidden motives, or uncovering secrets being kept from them. His ability to see what others cannot serves those involved in research, investigative work, or any situation where hidden information is key to success. He can also provide clarity in situations where deception is at play, helping practitioners understand the true nature of those around them.
Malphas can influence and manipulate situations to practitioners' advantage. He helps practitioners create opportunities, remove obstacles, or subtly influence others' actions to achieve desired outcomes. His manipulation skill proves especially useful in situations requiring diplomacy, negotiation, or subtle influence over others.
Summoning Malphas: Ritual and Offerings
Summoning Malphas requires respect, focus, and clear intention to seek protection, strategy, or assistance in uncovering secrets. His sigil from the Lesser Key of Solomon is essential for invoking his presence, and his enn ("Lirach tasa Malphas ayer") aligns practitioners with his energy. Be clear about objectives when summoning him, as his influence can be intense and require careful direction.
Offerings to Malphas should reflect his connection to strategy, protection, and building. Items associated with construction, such as tools, blueprints, or architecture symbols, make appropriate tributes. Black or grey candles represent protection, stealth, and transformation in rituals. Objects related to intelligence and strategy, such as chess pieces, maps, or leadership items, match his powers of planning and manipulation.
Myrrh, frankincense, or sandalwood incense creates an atmosphere conducive to summoning Malphas. These scents connect to clarity, protection, and insight. Since his powers revolve around strategy, protection, and uncovering secrets, practitioners should be mentally focused and prepared to take action on guidance he provides.
Planetary and Elemental Associations
Malphas connects to Mercury, which governs intellect, communication, and adaptability. Mercury improves his ability to navigate complex situations and convey strategic information effectively. This connection allows him to aid practitioners in honing communication skills, facilitating negotiations, and improving intellectual agility in challenging circumstances. As a spirit of intelligence and cunning, he helps those seeking to outmaneuver obstacles or adversaries with clarity and finesse.
Elementally, Malphas links to Earth, representing stability, materiality, and practicality. Earth governs the physical realm, reinforcing his capacity to manifest security and resilience in endeavors. His Earth connection emphasizes the importance of creating solid bases from which to operate and protect oneself. Practitioners may incorporate Earth symbolism using stones, soil, or objects associated with grounding and stability to improve his influence in protection and strategic planning matters.
Practical Applications in Magic
Malphas's powers serve practitioners seeking protection, strategic insight, or assistance in uncovering hidden information well. His ability to construct strongholds benefits those seeking to protect homes, workplaces, or personal energy from harm. Practitioners can call upon him to build protection barriers, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, ensuring safeguarding against external threats.
His mastery of strategy serves those involved in leadership, business, or decision-making. Practitioners can call upon him to plan and execute complex operations, outmaneuver rivals, or achieve success in competitive environments. His tactical insight provides practitioners with clarity and foresight needed to navigate difficult situations and reach goals.
For uncovering secrets or gathering intelligence, his espionage abilities provide support. Practitioners can call upon him to uncover hidden information, expose deception, or gain insight into others' true motives. He proves especially useful in situations where hidden knowledge or secretive actions are key to success.
His powers of manipulation and influence serve those seeking to subtly guide situations to their advantage. Practitioners can call upon him to influence others, create opportunities, or remove obstacles blocking their path to success. He proves especially useful in diplomatic or negotiation settings, where subtle manipulation can lead to favorable outcomes.
Warnings and Precautions
Malphas is resourceful and influential, but practitioners should approach him with respect and clear intentions. His powers of strategy, protection, and manipulation require summoners to be mentally focused and prepared to take responsibility for action outcomes. Practitioners summoning him without clear goals or genuine need for assistance may find his influence difficult to control.
His connection to espionage and manipulation requires practitioners to use his powers ethically and with caution. Misusing his gifts, particularly in manipulating or uncovering secrets, can lead to unintended consequences or negative karmic repercussions.
Some sources say Malphas takes sacrifices kindly and willingly. However, he is also said to deceive if you are not careful. Offerings should be exchanges rather than gifts.
Conclusion
Malphas, the thirty-ninth spirit of the Ars Goetia, is a President of Hell known for mastery of building, strategy, and espionage. His ability to construct strongholds, uncover secrets, and guide practitioners in strategic operations serves those seeking protection, long-term planning, or insight into hidden knowledge. Those looking to safeguard defenses, organize complex operations, or gather intelligence can benefit from his guidance.