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Asmodai in demonology
The importance given to Asmodai in demonology is less than in Judaism, being
considered somewhat lower to other hellish authorities by most Christian
demonologists (according to The Lesser Key of Solomon he is the thirty second in
rank), but all of them coincide on his duty, which is to exacerbate carnal
desire.
In the Testament of Solomon (dated 1st - 3rd centuries CE) , Solomon invokes
Asmodeus to aid in the construction of the Temple. The demon appears and
predicts Solomon's kingdom will one day be divided.
"My constellation (is like an animal which) reclines in its den in heaven; some
men call me the Great Bear, but others the Offspring of a Dragon. Moreover, a
smaller constellation accompanies my constellation, for the high position and
throne of my father is always in the sky. So do not ask me so many things,
Solomon, for eventually your kingdom will be divided. This glory of yours is
temporary. You have us to torture for a little while; then we shall disperse
among human beings again with the result that we shall be worshipped as gods
because men do not know the names of the angels who rule over us."
- Testament of Solomon 5:4-5
When Solomon interrogated Asmodeus further, he learned that Asmodeus was
thwarted by the angel, Raphael, as well as sheatfish found in the rivers of
Assyria. He also admitted he hated water.
In the Malleus Maleficarum (1486), he was considered the demon of lust, to which
agreed Sebastian Michaelis saying that his adversary is St. John. To some
demonologists of the 16th Century, that assigned each month to a demon,
Asmodai's power is stronger in November. According to other demonologists his
zodiacal sign is Aquarius but only between the dates of January 30 and February
8, he has seventy-two legions of demons under his command, and is one of the
kings of Hell (Lucifer being the emperor). They also add to his mission that of
inciting gambling, as he was said to be overseer of all the gambling houses in
the court of Hell; and some Catholic theologians compared him with Abaddon. To
other authors this demon is considered a prince of revenge and protector of male
homosexuals, homosexuality being one of his methods of seduction. In the
Dictionnaire Infernal by Collin de Plancy he is depicted with the chest of a
man, cock legs, serpent tail, three heads (one of a man spitting fire, one of a
ram, and one of a bull), riding a lion with dragon wings and neck, all of these
creatures being associated with either lasciviousness, lust or revenge.
Seraphim Angels
Seraphiel
Metatron
Michael
Vehuel Uriel
Nathanael Jehoel
Chamuel
Lucifer Abaddon
Asmodeus Astaroth
Leviathan Samael
Semyazza
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Angels
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