Rank: Duke; Sub-Prince; Prince
D/N: Diurnal
Star: Sirius
Date: Dec 31-Jan 9; May 15-20
Color: Mauve, Magenta, Brown, Green
Element: Earth; “the Watery Part of the Earth”
Animal: Viper; Cobra
Zodiac: Taurus 25-29; Capricorn 10-20
Tarot: 1 of Cups; 3 of Disks/Pentacls
Direction: West; North; Southwest
Qlipha: Gamchicoth (Jupiter)
Legions: 40
Country or Continent: America
Day: Wednesday
Trans-Sephirothic Veil: Ain
Trans-Qliphothic Veil: Bohu
Primary Planetary Attributions: Venus; Neptune; Saturn; Jupiter
Lesser Planetary Attributions: the Moon (Secondary); Mercury (Tertiary); the Black Earth (Least Significant Attribution)
Inferiors: Lepaca, Apolhun, Nebiros, Amon, Pruslas, Sargatanas, Barbatos
Attributions: Ruby, Cinquefoil, Vervain, Mugwort, Emerald, The Blood of a Sea Tortoise, Copper, Beryl, Lemon, Sandalwood, Dragon’s Wort, Mauve, Juniper
Above: Artistic Depiction of Astaroth for Pathworking and an Altar Piece
(Picture Credit: G.A. Roseberg)
It is our coven gnosis that Astaroth is an aspect of the entity which appeared to various cultures by the names of Ishtar, Isis, Astarte, Attar, Ashera, and Inanna. Both Stephany Conolly and the Coven of the Golden Sigil had verified this gnosis of ours through their own gnosis before we did. E.A. Koetting, however, disputes this consensus in his book Evoking Eternity.
Koetting argues that since the Astaroth of demonology is a baleful male entity rather than a loving woman, they must be separate entities. However, Astaroth’s appearance in demonology hearkens rather strongly to the varied cultural depictions of Astaroth, one of which was referred to as “She Who Walks on a Dragon” and created a certain species of serpent. Since the Astaroth of demonology traditionally manifests riding a dragon and carrying a serpent, the case for the one-ness of these divinities is clear. Peter Grey has interpreted the pentagram in Astaroth’s sigil as being a reference to her power, as Isis or Ament, over the realm of the dead. Astaroth’s appearances depict her as the queen of the dead and the underworld, and Qliphothic demonology paints Astaroth as one of the Qliphoth’s eleven rulers. Demonology and mythology both paint Astaroth as primarily Venusian in nature, just like Ishtar. Amon is one of Astaroth’s recorded inferiors, associating her with the Egyptian pantheon.
To best understand this deity, Attar, Astarte, Ishtar, Isis, Ashera, and Inanna must all be studied. Nonetheless, this article will restrict itself to covering Astaroth henceforth.
Above: OFS Demonolatry’s Sigil of Astaroth
Astaroth frequently appears to black magickians as female, but usually manifests as male. He is purportedly all-knowing, willfully revealing secrets and divesting answers regarding the past, present, and future alike. His auspices are useful in research projects and he can make the witch knowledgeable concerning any liberal science. He specializes in matters concerning friendship, romance, money, blood magick, luck, prosperity, initiation, murder, psychic vampyrism, sanguine vampyrism, atavisms within the causal, shapeshifting in the astral planes (atavisms in the acausal), clarity, divination in lucid dreams, skrying, sadistic pleasures, past life visions, communion with the Higher Self, hydromancy, pyromancy, necromancy, divination with bones, astral time travel, lust, practicality, predatory warriorhood, and warfare.
According to A Manual of Occultism by Sepharial, Astaroth’s legion of demons (the eighth legion) specifically pursues the persecution of Christians. I had had multiple intimations and intellectual reasons for considering eight as being magickally relevant to Astaroth, so the attribution of her to the eighth legion (by Sepharial) finally got me convinced.
Astaroth can initiate the magickian through all ten Qliphothic spheres as well as the Trans-Qliphothic Labyrinth (only seek that second one with guidance– it’s very dangerous).
Astaroth can impart the approval and good graces of powerful people to the witch. He can teach the magickian to empower thoughtforms for healing purposes and the pursuit of monetary wealth. He can create a powerful thoughtform—a guardian of the homestead.
Above: Channeled Sigil of Astaroth
According to The Book of Sitra Achra, Astaroth is the “Master of the Liminal Points of Crossing” and the “Lord of the Dark Gate” who may guide the sorcerer to and through the Abyss (that’s what lies beyond the gate). According to The Queen of Hell, once Astaroth opens his gate and the witch dares to cross it, she is stripped of ego and will experience “visions and manifestations.”
Astaroth liberates the sorcerer of the myriad restrictions placed upon her spirit by the physical-ness of our universe, opening the “Eye of Abaddon” such as to permit them to perceive the truths which lie behind the veil of causality.
While most grimoiric demonologists described Astaroth as hideous, The Book of Ceremonial Magic by Arthur Edward Waite describes the being as a “beautiful” man.
For my list of magickal chants to Astaroth, follow the hyperlink below:
https://vkjehannum.wordpress.com/2017/07/29/magickal-chants-to-astaroth/
-V.K. Jehannum
Agios Octinomos-Drakosophia
V.K. Jehannum 