Archdemon

In some Occult and similar writings, an archdemon (also spelled archdaemon) is a spiritual entity, prominent in the infernal hierarchy as a leader of the infernal host. Essentially, the archdemons are the evil counterparts of the archangels.

Description

Archdemons are described as the leaders of demonic hosts, just as archangels lead choirs of angels.

Historically, what an archdemon is and the names of those demons has varied greatly over time. Based upon the writings of Saint Paul (Col. 1:16; Eph. 1:21) the angelic court had been constructed by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite and comprised nine orders of angels with three orders each to three hierarchies. The First Hierarchy: Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. The Second Hierarchy: Dominions, Principalities and Powers. ( The Scriptures mentioned above are out of context for this particular article. Those Scriptures speak about how the God of Isreal made all Terrerestrial and non terrestrial things for the man humans call the Christ and how he used this person to build them. Meaning, all things on this planet and on other planets (governments and authorities included), belong to this particular man. The God of Isreal told this man to make these things. And when he made them, they were for himself. Hence, all things are for the Christ. Also, those Scriptures say that this Christ is more powerful and more prominent than any human or non human could ever be. This includes earthly and non earthly kings. That is what those Scriptures pertain to.....Candace S. Williams).

In the Occult tradition, there is controversy regarding which demons should be classed as archdemons. During different ages, some demons were historically "promoted" to archdemons, others were completely forgotten, and new ones were created. In ancient Jewish lore, pagan gods of neighboring cultures were classed as extremely pernicious in order to protect Jews from worshiping them; therefore, Ba'al and Astarte were among the worst enemies of God. During the Middle Ages these characterizations were no longer important, but still persisted. New ones emerged, mostly revolving around Satan and the Antichrist.

Given that devils were rebellious angels who had fallen, they maintained their rank as ex-angels within their new roles. Alphonsus de Spina in 1459 believed that specifically one third of the original angelic court became devils; specifically 133,306,668. However, accounts have varied throughout history and Johann Weyer altered the figures to 7,405,926 demons and 72 princes of hell. Some examples of archdemons over time include Belial, Ashtaroth, Asmodeus and Lucifer.

Demon Kings of the Ars Goetia

The Lesser Key of Solomon, an anonymous 17th century grimoire, lists 72 of the most powerful and prominent demons of Hell in its first part, the Ars Goetia. Satan himself is not mentioned among them considering his overall dominion of Hell as the Prince of Darkness. Below him, The Ars Goetia suggests, are the four kings of the cardinal directions who have power over the seventy-two, next the kings, and onward with other demons with lower monarchic titles. The four kings of the cardinal directions are the primary point of contention between different editions and translations, and occultist writers. The common composition of the kings is:

• King of the East Amaymon
• King of the West Corson
• King of the North Ziminiar
• King of the South Gaap
• King Bael
• King Paimon
• King Beleth
• King Purson
• King Asmodey
• King Viné
• King Balam
• King Zagan
• King Belial

References

• Robbins, Rossell (1959), The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft and Demonology, Crown Publishers Inc., ISBN 0-600-01183-6
• Bane, Theresa (2010), Encyclopedia of Demons in World Religions and Cultures, MacFarland, ISBN 978-0-7864-6360-2