72. Andromalius: an earl of the Ars Goetia

How to read the labels Historical what the old sources say. Later tradition what later writers added. Modern modern practice and my own notes.

Andromalius is spirit 72 of the 72 in the Ars Goetia, the first book of the Lesser Key of Solomon. The 1904 edition by S. L. MacGregor Mathers and Aleister Crowley calls him an earl ruling 36 legions, and the first office it gives him is this: Andromalius brings back both a thief and the stolen goods.

He closes the catalog as a thief-catcher, a role that magic manuscripts gave him long before the Goetia. Each part below carries a label for its layer, explained in how to read a spirit page.

At a glance

The 1904 entry

Historical The full entry from the 1904 edition, with footnote numbers and the dash after the heading left out and the heading set in ordinary type:

Andromalius. The Seventy-second Spirit in Order is named Andromalius. He is an Earl, Great and Mighty, appearing in the Form of a Man holding a Great Serpent in his Hand. His Office is to bring back both a Thief, and the Goods which be stolen; and to discover all Wickedness, and Underhand Dealing; and to punish all Thieves and other Wicked People; and also to discover Treasures that be Hid. He ruleth over 36 Legions of Spirits. His Seal is this, the which wear thou as aforesaid, etc.

Andromalius, “the Seventy-second Spirit in Order”, appears “in the Form of a Man holding a Great Serpent in his Hand”. His offices are those of a detective and judge: “to bring back both a Thief, and the Goods which be stolen; and to discover all Wickedness, and Underhand Dealing; and to punish all Thieves and other Wicked People; and also to discover Treasures that be Hid.” The entry is followed directly by the story of the brass vessel.

Appearance

Historical Andromalius appears “in the Form of a Man holding a Great Serpent in his Hand.”

Offices in the Ars Goetia

Historical The offices of Andromalius, in the order the 1904 text gives them:

• Brings back both a thief and the stolen goods.
• Discovers all wickedness and underhand dealing.
• Punishes all thieves and other wicked people. Reported as history; not taught here.
• Discovers hidden treasures.

Source comparison: Weyer and Scot

Historical Andromalius does not appear in Weyer’s catalog or Scot’s translation.

Historical With no Latin to compare, the best guide is the note by Joseph Peterson, the modern editor of the manuscripts. He calls the spirit “Often seen in stand-alone spells in magic mss., where he is employed for detecting a thief or discovering treasure”, usually spelled Andromalcus, and points to a longer version of the same offices in Sloane MS 3824. (About Weyer and Scot.)

Name and etymology

Historical Peterson records many manuscript spellings, among them Andromalcus, Andromalce and Andrea Malchus. The 1904 heading has Andromalius.

Seal and images

Historical The seal above is Andromalius’s as printed in 1904, and by the rules of the Observations it would be made in copper and silver, the metals of his rank. Why seals were worn, why editions draw them differently and how to study one are explained in seals, circle and triangle.

Later tradition and modern practice

Modern As the last spirit, Andromalius closes many modern lists. Some modern practitioners approach him for justice and for recovering stolen property.

Lore about Andromalius’s personality, likes or chosen people is modern, not grimoire material; modern approaches explains where such claims come from.

Beginner’s quick reference

Before you burn or handle anything listed for Andromalius, read incense, plants and offerings.

Practical notes

Andromalius is an earl whose offices concern theft, wickedness, and punishment. I do not teach work to punish anyone. If you have been robbed, report it to the police. If you are interested in the history of how early modern people used magic against thieves, a common use of grimoires, Andromalius’s entry is a good starting point for study.

After the 72nd entry, the Goetia tells the story of the brass vessel (see seals, circle and triangle) and moves on to its Observations and ritual.

In the directory, Andromalius is not among the 30 spirits that fit the beginner criteria.

Try this: one question to study

Peterson calls thief-detection one of the commonest uses of spirits in magic manuscripts. List the spirits among the 72 who find thieves or stolen goods, starting with Seere (70).

What next

To compare Andromalius with other spirits of his rank, read Bifrons and Raum.

Later tradition In the Golden Dawn scheme of the decans, Andromalius is the night spirit of the third decan of Pisces, which belongs to the Ten of Cups; the day spirit of the same decan is Stolas (spirit 36).