49. Crocell: a duke 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.

Crocell is number 49 in the catalog of 72 spirits that opens the Lesser Key of Solomon. The 1904 edition by S. L. MacGregor Mathers and Aleister Crowley calls him a duke ruling 48 legions, and the first office it gives him is this: Crocell teaches the art of geometry and the liberal sciences.

He is an angel in form and a geometer in office, and his entry is full of the sound of water. 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:

Crocell. The Forty-ninth Spirit is Crocell, or Crokel. He appeareth in the Form of an Angel. He is a Duke Great and Strong, speaking something Mystically of Hidden Things. He teacheth the Art of Geometry and the Liberal Sciences. He, at the Command of the Exorcist, will produce Great Noises like the Rushings of many Waters, although there be none. He warmeth Waters, and discovereth Baths. He was of the Order of Potestates, or Powers, before his fall, as he declared unto the King Solomon. He governeth 48 Legions of Spirits. His Seal is this, the which wear thou as aforesaid.

Crocell “appeareth in the Form of an Angel” and speaks “something Mystically of Hidden Things”. His teaching office is plain: “the Art of Geometry and the Liberal Sciences”. The rest belongs to water: “Great Noises like the Rushings of many Waters, although there be none”, warming waters and discovering baths. He was “of the Order of Potestates, or Powers, before his fall, as he declared unto the King Solomon”, so the text presents his history as his own testimony.

Appearance

Historical Crocell “appeareth in the Form of an Angel.” He speaks “something Mystically of Hidden Things.”

Offices in the Ars Goetia

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

• Teaches the art of geometry and the liberal sciences.
• At command, produces “Great Noises like the Rushings of many Waters, although there be none.”
• Warms waters and discovers baths. Reported as history; not taught here.

He “was of the Order of Potestates, or Powers, before his fall, as he declared unto the King Solomon,” and governs 48 legions.

Source comparison: Weyer and Scot

Historical Scot’s translation of Weyer gives “Procell” (in Weyer’s Latin, “Pucel,” as Scot’s modern editor notes) as “a great and a strong duke, appearing in the shape of an angell,” who “speaketh verie darklie of things hidden,” teaches geometry and the liberal arts, makes great noises and the roaring of waters where there are none, and “warmeth waters, and distempereth bathes at certeine times.”

Weyer’s “distempereth” becomes the Goetia’s “discovereth.” Both give 48 legions.

Historical Weyer’s Latin puts the darkness in his form, not his speech: “apparet in specie angelica, sed obscura valde”, he appears in angelic shape, but very dark. Scot moves it to the voice, “speaketh verie darklie”, and the Goetia softens it to “Mystically”. The baths are “balnea recuperandæ sanitati servientia”, baths that serve to restore health, which he “distemperat” at certain times: he upsets their temper or heat. (About Weyer and Scot.)

Name and etymology

Historical Weyer writes Pucel, Scot Procell, and the 1904 text Crocell or Crokel. A long-tailed P read as a C would explain the change, but that is a guess.

Seal and images

Historical The seal above is Crocell’s as printed in 1904, and by the rules of the Observations it would be made in copper, the metal 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

Later tradition The change from Procell or Pucel to Crocell is probably a copying error, the P and C being easily confused.

Modern Crocell’s sound of rushing water has led some modern practitioners to work with him in meditation using recorded water sounds. Others link him with spas and healing baths. These are modern uses.

Lore about Crocell’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 Crocell, read incense, plants and offerings.

Practical notes

Crocell fits the beginner criteria well. He is a duke whose offices center on geometry and the liberal sciences, with no office of harm. A question about learning geometry or mathematics would suit a first contact. If you hear the sound of rushing water during practice, check the plumbing first. That is a joke, and also good advice.

In the directory, Crocell is one of the 30 spirits that fit the beginner criteria.

Try this: one question to study

Weyer says Crocell “distempers” healing baths and the 1904 text says he “discovereth” them. Decide which word the warming of waters, just before, fits better.

What next

To compare Crocell with other spirits of his rank, read Vual and Alloces.

Later tradition In the Golden Dawn scheme of the decans, Crocell is the night spirit of the first decan of Leo, which belongs to the Five of Wands; the day spirit of the same decan is Beleth (spirit 13).