Phenex The Songbird That Consumes Its Victims

By James Donahue

The 37th spirit Phenex appears in the form of a bird in open wing. It also is a songster, but its music is the unexpected sound of a singing child, as described by the old magicians who have evoked and captured its images.

Our son experimented with evoking and drawing Phenex in a remote viewing session some years ago while alone on the second floor of an abandoned Masonic building. He told a strange story of a small bird that flew into the room and crashed head-on into a window next to where he was conducting the ceremony.

He wrote that “the stunned bird landed upon the idea template and from its beak a drop of blood landed directly in the drawn eye of Phenex.”He said the bird recovered and he guided it out of an open window and it flew off into the trees.

The Goetia Spirit Phenex is often identified as the mystical Phoenix, the bird associated with fire. The story is told that after being consumed by flame of his own making, the Phoenix rises from the ashes. Some say that a singing child sometimes appears under the shadowed wing of this spirit.

 Phenex holds the rank of Marquis. He rules over 20 legions of demons.

Johann Wier's Pseudomonarchia daemonum, written in 1583, describes this spirit as follows:

"Phoenix is a great marquesse, appearing like the bird Phoenix, having a child's voice: but before he standeth still before the conjuror, he singeth manie sweet notes. Then the exorcist with his companions must beware he give no eare to the melodie, but must by and by bid him put on humane shape; then will he speake marvellouslie of all woonderfull sciences. He is an excellent poet, and obedient, he hopeth to returne to the seventh throne after a thousand two hundreth yeares, and governeth twentie legions."

The spirit’s specialty is poetry and writing of letters. He teaches all of the sciences and will answer questions.

Phenex is a night flier the mostly black feathers that fall away as he flies. His long tail is decorated with red-orange and yellow feathers.

While he gives the appearance of being a gentle spirit, Wier's warning against "giving ear" to the bird's song must be heeded.

Other old writings state that the songs of Phenex "will hypnotize his victims (including the summoner) who will then willingly enter the demon's mouth to be devoured. Care must always be taken when dealing with him."

Phenex is a practitioner of the College of the Mind. His skills include alchemy, beast master, healer, mechanician, merchant military scientist, navigator and troubadour.

The demon's weapons are its beak and claws. Phenex is ever hungry for human flesh and will attempt to sing, except when bound, so as to draw victims close to his mouth where they can be eaten.