Astaroth: the demon of misfortune

Astaroth, the unfortunate demon.

Almost all the grimoires and forbidden books of the Middle Ages agree in stating that Astaroth He is a demon as powerful as he is unfortunate.

Astaroth himself—through his acolytes—maintains that he has been unjustly condemned to the underworld. And not only that, but he finds himself at odds with Satan regarding his performance in the administrative tasks of that region populated by reprobates and lost saints.

The name of Astaroth It comes directly from the Phoenician goddess Astarte, who in biblical myths is called Ashtoreth, a singular name, and Ashtaroth, a plural figure that refers to the multiplicity of statues and images of the goddess.

Although all demonological dictionaries speak of Astaroth like a demon, etymologically speaking we are in the presence of a woman in the plural, that is, a woman with multiple facets.

In fact, Astaroth’s first appearance as a male demon comes from The Book of Abramelin, dated approximately 1458.

The image accompanying this article belongs to Colin de Plancy and his Dictionnaire Infernal (Infernal Dictionary), where Astaroth appears as a winged man with dragon limbs who rides a werewolf.

Johann Weyer, better known by his pseudonym, Wierius, maintains that Astaroth’s appearance is so unpleasant, and his aroma so nauseating, that whoever finds it necessary to summon him must wear a silver ring hanging from his nose to isolate himself from his unbearable pestilence.

This odoriferous anecdote can be found in the cursed book: De Praestigiis Daemonum et Incantationibus ac Venificiis, which means something like: Of the illusion of demons, enchantments and poisons.

Wierius takes up the biography of Astaroth in another hateful book: Pseudomonarchia Daemonum: Liber officiorum spirituum.

In opposition to these observations, researcher Francis Barret argues in The Magus that Astaroth is actually the patron saint of inquisitors.

Despite his complaints and reproaches, Astaroth has a privileged position in the world. hell. He occupies the role of general treasurer, a position that he hates perhaps because it places him as protector of bankers and businessmen.

Perhaps due to his business dealings with these gentlemen, Astaroth He has earned the epithet Lord of putrefaction and corpse vapors.

More demonological dictionary. I Dictionary of female demons.

More demonological dictionary:

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