57. Ose

Rank: President
Ruling Angel: Nemamiah

Associated Symbols: Leopard

Associated Colours: Orange

Suggested Offerings: Storax, yellow candle with black holder

Warnings: Can drive you mad

Enn

Ayer Serpente Ose

Ose (also spelt Oze or Voso) is the fifty-seventh spirit listed in the Ars Goetia of the Lesser Key of Solomon. A powerful, Great President of Hell, Ose commands 30 legions of demons. He is known for his ability to bestow wisdom in the liberal sciences, transform the appearance of individuals, and cause illusions, leading people to believe they are someone or something else. Ose’s power to alter perception and reality, combined with his intellectual gifts, makes him a potent ally for practitioners seeking knowledge, transformation, or mastery over illusion and deception.

Historical Origins and Mythological Background

In medieval demonological texts such as Pseudomonarchia Daemonum and Dictionnaire Infernal, Ose is described as a spirit who can grant wisdom in the liberal sciences and transform individuals into different forms or make them believe they have been transformed. His mastery of illusion and intellectual refinement aligns him with spirits of wisdom, transformation, and trickery.

As a Great President of Hell, Ose holds a significant rank within the infernal hierarchy, with power over intellectual growth and manipulating perception. His ability to cause transformations—whether physical, mental, or illusory—makes him a versatile spirit for those seeking to change themselves or their surroundings. Practitioners often invoke Ose to improve their intellectual abilities, alter their reality, or master the art of illusion and deception.

Appearance and Iconography

Ose is traditionally depicted as a leopard, symbolising his connection to agility, stealth, and transformation. The leopard’s spotted coat is often associated with camouflage and the ability to blend into different environments, reflecting Ose’s power to create illusions and alter appearances. His feline form emphasises his connection to speed, cunning, and the ability to move undetected through both the physical and metaphysical realms.

In some depictions, Ose takes on a humanoid form when summoned, symbolising his ability to communicate directly with the summoner and grant wisdom in the liberal sciences. His transformation from an animal form to a human one underscores his mastery of both intellectual and perceptual shifts, making him a powerful guide for those seeking to alter their understanding of reality.

The duality of Ose’s animal and human forms reflects his power over transformation and his ability to manipulate the seen and unseen aspects of existence. His image highlights his versatility in helping practitioners navigate intellectual growth and the art of illusion.

Powers and Abilities

Ose’s primary power is his ability to grant wisdom in the liberal sciences, particularly in philosophy, mathematics, and logic. Practitioners often invoke him to gain deeper insight into academic or intellectual subjects, enhance their critical thinking skills, or improve their understanding of complex concepts. Ose’s influence is particularly valuable for those engaged in scholarly or scientific pursuits, as he can help practitioners sharpen their intellect and approach problems with greater clarity and precision.

In addition to his intellectual gifts, Ose is skilled in the art of transformation and illusion. He can cause individuals to believe they have been transformed into something else, whether a different person, animal, or object. This power of illusion can be used to alter the way people perceive themselves or others, making Ose a powerful ally for those seeking to change their identity or manipulate the perceptions of those around them. His ability to create convincing illusions extends to both the physical and mental realms, allowing practitioners to use deception and trickery to achieve their goals.

Ose’s power to alter perception also makes him valuable for those seeking to navigate complex situations or avoid detection. He can help practitioners blend into their surroundings, disguise themselves, or manipulate how others see them. Ose’s influence is particularly useful for those engaged in stealth or espionage and those seeking to protect themselves from unwanted attention or scrutiny.

Another key aspect of Ose’s powers is his ability to reveal hidden truths. While he is known for creating illusions, Ose can also provide clarity by helping practitioners see through deceptions or uncover hidden knowledge. His dual nature as both a creator of illusions and a revealer of truths makes him a versatile spirit for those seeking to understand the complexities of reality and perception.

Summoning Ose: Ritual and Offerings

Summoning Ose requires respect, focus, and a clear intention, particularly in matters of wisdom, transformation, or illusion. His sigil, found in the Lesser Key of Solomon, is essential for invoking his presence, and his enn—”Ayer serpente Ose”—is chanted to align oneself with his energy. Practitioners should have specific goals in mind when summoning Ose, whether they seek to improve their intellectual abilities, alter their perception, or create illusions to achieve a desired outcome.

Offerings to Ose should reflect his connection to transformation, wisdom, and illusion. Items associated with intellect or study, such as books, scrolls, or symbols of learning, can be appropriate tributes. Purple or silver candles, symbolising intellect, transformation, and the unseen, can be used in rituals dedicated to Ose. Practitioners may also offer objects related to trickery or disguise, such as masks or symbols of illusion, to align with his powers of transformation and deception.

Incense such as sandalwood, myrrh, or frankincense, which are often associated with clarity, wisdom, and transformation, can help create an atmosphere conducive to summoning Ose. Since his powers revolve around wisdom, illusion, and transformation, practitioners should be mentally and emotionally prepared for the shifts in perception and understanding that Ose may bring.

Planetary and Elemental Associations

Ose is often associated with the planet Mercury, which governs intellect, communication, and adaptability. Mercury’s influence enhances Ose’s ability to grant wisdom, manipulate perception, and guide practitioners through intellectual and transformational processes. The planet’s connection to learning and change aligns with Ose’s role as a spirit of both wisdom and illusion, making him a powerful ally for those seeking to alter their reality or improve their intellectual abilities.

Elementally, Ose is linked to Earth, representing stability, grounding, and the material world. Earth governs the realms of physical reality, structure, and the cycles of nature, reflecting Ose’s ability to influence how reality is perceived and his powers of transformation within the tangible world. Practitioners may incorporate Earth symbolism into their rituals by using soil, stones, or crystals, grounding their practices in the physical realm to manifest Ose’s guidance. This connection to Earth enhances Ose’s capacity to help individuals anchor their perceptions and transform their reality in practical, lasting ways.

Practical Applications in Magic

Ose’s powers are particularly valuable for practitioners seeking intellectual growth, transformation, or mastery over illusion. His ability to grant wisdom in the liberal sciences makes him an ideal spirit for those engaged in academic, scientific, or intellectual pursuits. Practitioners can call upon Ose to enhance their critical thinking skills, improve their understanding of complex subjects, or gain insight into philosophical matters. His influence is especially useful for those seeking to sharpen their intellect and approach problems with greater clarity and precision.

In addition to his intellectual gifts, Ose’s power over transformation and illusion makes him a powerful ally for those seeking to alter their reality or manipulate the perceptions of others. Practitioners can call upon Ose to create illusions, disguise themselves, or change how they are perceived by those around them. His influence is particularly valuable for those engaged in stealth, espionage, or situations where deception is necessary to achieve a desired outcome.

Ose’s ability to reveal hidden truths also makes him valuable for those seeking to see through deceptions or uncover hidden knowledge. Practitioners can call upon Ose to help them gain clarity, see through illusions, or understand the true nature of situations. His influence is especially useful for those navigating complex or deceptive environments and those seeking to protect themselves from manipulation.

Ose’s powers of change and illusion provide valuable support for those seeking to transform themselves or their surroundings. Practitioners can call upon Ose to help them alter their identity, change their appearance, or shift their reality to align with their desires. His influence is particularly useful for those undergoing personal transformations or seeking to adapt to new circumstances.

Warnings and Precautions

While Ose is a powerful and versatile spirit, practitioners should approach him with respect and clear intentions, particularly when invoking his powers of transformation and illusion. His ability to alter perception and reality requires that the summoner be mentally and emotionally prepared for the changes that may follow. Practitioners should carefully consider their goals and intentions, ensuring that they are ready for the shifts in perception and understanding that Ose may bring.

Additionally, Ose’s connection to both illusion and truth requires that practitioners use his powers ethically and with caution. Misuse of his gifts, particularly in matters of deception or manipulation, can lead to unintended consequences or negative karmic repercussions.

Conclusion

Ose, the fifty-seventh spirit of the Ars Goetia, is a powerful, Great President of Hell known for his mastery of wisdom, transformation, and illusion. His ability to grant wisdom in the liberal sciences, alter perception, and create convincing illusions makes him a valuable ally for practitioners seeking intellectual growth, transformation, or mastery over deception. Whether you are looking to improve your intellectual abilities, alter your reality, or gain clarity in complex situations, Ose offers powerful guidance and support.

By approaching Ose with respect, clear intentions, and appropriate offerings, practitioners can harness his abilities to gain wisdom, transform their surroundings, and master the art of illusion. As a spirit of intellect, transformation, and deception, Ose guides those who summon him toward a greater understanding of the forces that shape both the intellectual and perceptual realms.