XXII - ASTAROTH

22 - Astaroth, Diabolus - Male, previously female. Mentioned in Munich Manual of Demonic Magic, The Cambridge Book of Magic, Hygromanteia, The Magus, The Discoverie of Witchcraft, The Book of the Office of Spirits, Three Books of Occult Philosophy, The Grimoire of Pope Honorius, Grimorium Verum, The Book of Abramelin, The Book of Oberon, Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, The Lesser Key of Solomon, and Dictionnaire Infernal.

From the Munich Manual

[I have been sofar unable to acquire a copy]

The Cambridge Book of Magic

I was unable to find a citation in my copy of this text, it is possible my copy is incomplete.

From The Magus

“In the eighth place are the accusers or inquisitors, whose prince is Astaroth, that is, a searcher out; in the Greek language he is called Diabolus, that is, an accuser or calumniator; which in the Revelation is called the "accuser of the brethren, accusing them night and day before the face of

God."

From The Libre Officorum

The [3rd] is called Astaroth; he can teach the 7 artes liberall, & to give true aunswere, of all thinges past, present & to come, & he appeareth very horribly, rydinge upon an Infernall dragon bearinge a serpent in his hande out of whose mouth cometh a great stinge, therfore suffer him not to come within your circle for he is perillous, & will put you in daunger.

From the Book of Abermelin

“ASTAROT: From Hebrew, OShThRVTh, = flocks, crowds, or assemblies. Usually written "Ashtaroth". Also a name of the Goddess Astarté; Esther is derived from the same root.”

From Pseudomonarchia

Astaroth is a great and a strong duke, comming foorth in the shape of a fowle angell, sitting upon an infernall dragon, and carrieng on his right hand a viper: he answereth trulie to matters present, past, and to come, and also of all secrets. He talketh willinglie of the creator of spirits, and of their fall, and how they sinned and fell: he saith he fell not of his owne accord. He maketh a man woonderfull learned in the liberall sciences, he ruleth fourtie legions. Let everie exorcist take heed, that he admit him not too neere him, bicause of his stinking breath [lit. "because of the intolerable stench which he exhales"]. And therefore let the conjuror hold neere to his face a magicall [silver] ring, and that shall defend him.

From the Lesser Key

The 29th spirit in order is Named Astaroth, he is a Mighty & strong duke, & appeareth in [the] forme of an unbeautifull angel, ridding on an Infernall like dragon, and carring in his right hand a viper (you must not lett him come to neare yu least he doe yu damage by his stinking Breath. Therefore ye Exorcist must hold ye Magicall Ring nere to his face and yt will defend him he giveth true answares of things present past & to come & can discover all secreets; he will declare willingly how ye spirits fell, if desired, & ye reason of his own fall. He can make men wounderfull knowing in all Liberall siences; he ruleth 40 Legions of spirits, his seal is as this [shown], wch weare as a Lamen before yu, or else he will not obey you.

Heres a quote from The Book of Abramelin:

I will here give a very exact description of many spirits, the which (names) either altogether or in part, or else as many of them as you may wish, you should give written upon paper unto the eight sub-princes, on the second day of the conjuration. Now all these (spirits) be those who will appear on the third day, together with their princes. And these (spirits) be not vile, base, and common, but of rank, industrious, and very prompt unto an infinitude of things. Now their names have been manifested and discovered by the angels, and if you should wish for more the angel will augment them for you as far as you shall wish; seeing that their number is infinite.

Appearance: Hurtful angel riding a dragon, carrying a viper, depicted with clawed hands.

Subrace: Outcast, rank unknown, likely fairly high

Abilities: Rotting breath, Divination, Education

Legions: 40

Rank: Duke

Notes: Astaroth is named in the Lodun Posessions, A ring defense is necessary for summoning. Pseudomonarchia says he will willingly speak of the other demons and the reasons for their fall.

Name is derived from the canaanite deity Astoreth, helenized as Astarte.The phoenicians recorded her name as As-Dar-Tu, the femminine form of Ishtar. In hebrew, her name is recorded as Ashtarot which is what eventually became Astaroth. 

Astarte was connected with fertility, sexuality, and war. Her symbols were the lion, the horse, the sphinx, the dove, and a star within a circle indicating the planet Venus. Pictorial representations often show her naked. She has been known as the deified morning and/or evening star. This draws clear parallels with the greek Venus and roman Aphrodite. 

The descriptions here paint a VIVID picture. The references to “Unbeauty” are fascinating. I love the idea of an angel that is outwardly beautiful, but rotting from the inside. A disconcerting figure who would sit neatly in the uncanny valley. As for his role, “He is called the Accuser of Brethren” Astaroth is obviously the Attorney General of hell.

Brand of the Inquisitor - The marked is able to compel others to tell the truth. Truth is ripped from the victim in vivid detail. When under the influence of compulsion, the victim feels as if they are rotting from the inside, and only speaking unbound will relieve the pain.