Beleth

Greaterwell-documentedRenaissance/early-modern European ceremonial magicgrimoire tradition (Lesser Key of Solomon, Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, Dictionnaire Infernal)Western Europe (grimoire tradition)

Beleth is a high-ranking infernal king attested in Renaissance and early-modern grimoire tradition, described as commanding eighty-five legions of demons and as a spirit that ritual conjurers may summon, test, or bind for specific ends.

Origin

Beleth is attested within the taxonomy of Renaissance and early-modern grimoires. In the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum tradition as summarized in secondary sources, a mythic note links human contact with Beleth to Ham, son of Noah, who is said to have invoked him after the Flood and written a book with his help; otherwise Beleth's attestation and role derive from his listing and protocols in grimoire compendia.

Appearance

Grimoire summaries consistently report that Beleth rides a pale horse, that a variety of music is heard before him, and that he appears fierce when first manifested—this fierceness is said to be used to frighten the conjurer or to test courage. The provided excerpts do not give a fuller, consistent bodily description beyond these elements.

Abilities

Sources describe Beleth as a king who rules eighty-five legions of demons and as able to bind both men and women in 'foolish' or obsessive love until the conjurer's will is fulfilled. He is reported to assume a fierce aspect on appearance (interpreted as intimidation or testing of the conjurer) and his arrival is heralded by diverse music. Modern fictional sources attribute additional powers (e.g., shapechanging or longevity), but those are derivative and not corroborated by the cited grimoire summaries.

Weaknesses & Wards

Weaknesses

  • condition
    conjurer courage and proper preparation (the conjurer must be brave)
  • ritual
    procedural containment: must be compelled into a drawn triangle
  • ritual
    paying respect by holding a silver ring on the middle finger of the left hand against the face (Dictionnaire Infernal)

Wards

  • ritual
    drawn triangle (struck toward the south, east, and upwards) to contain and command Beleth
  • substance
    hazel wand (conjurer holds hazel wand during summoning)
  • ritual
    silver ring on middle finger of left hand held against the face to show respect to his rank

Community Record

Sources
  1. [1]
    Beleth — Wikipedia. Wikipedia article summarizing grimoire attestations (Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, Lesser Key of Solomon, Dictionnaire Infernal).wiki
  2. [2]
    Beleth — Thelemapedia. Thelemapedia entry summarizing traditional grimoire material concerning Beleth's rank, appearance, and ritual protocols.other
  3. [3]
    Marvunapp: Beleth (fictional/fallen angel entry). Modern popular/fictional account referenced in research notes; treated as derivative and not as primary grimoire evidence.literary
  4. [4]
    Pseudomonarchia Daemonum / Lesser Key of Solomon (summarized in secondary sources). Primary grimoire tradition cited in summaries: describes rank (eighty-five legions), the ability to bind lovers, hazel wand and triangle procedures, and the fierceness test.other
  5. [5]
    Dictionnaire Infernal (as cited). Citation in secondary summaries for the silver ring gesture to pay respect to Beleth's rank.other
well-documented