Asmodai; A Powerful King

By James Donahue

Like most kings of the Goetian forces, there is nothing simple about Asmodai's form. He has three heads; that of a bull, a man and a ram. In a recent drawing the human face has an almost skeletal appearance, lacking the flesh that the face would have.

The drawing also captures the lance, the suggestion of webbed feet, and the serpent's tail that is　said to be part of Asmodai's form. There is a large serpent's head showing directly under the demon which may explain why the old masters thought he sat upon a dragon. Also surprising is the set of bull horns directly over the three joined heads.

This spirit king is so powerful that he was feared, and always highly respected by those who dare to evoke him. It was said that he can spit fire from his mouth.

Old writings say that Asmodai is a master of mind control. He has the power to turn those who serve him into beasts for short periods if they ask. He can locate treasure, heal,　and start wars. This mighty spirit also is an alchemist, beast master, mechanician, merchant and navigator.

Other names for this spirit in Hebrew mythology are Asmodeos, Asmodeius, Asmoday, and Ashmedai. He is believed to be the undisputed and infinitely evil king of the demons. He was said to be the son of Naamah and the husband of Lilith although that might be disputed.

The Hebraic name Ashmedai, which means destroyer or evil spirit, is believed to have been taken from the Persian words Aesham-dev or Aeshma, the demon of concupiscence and wrath. In the Testament of Solomon, Asmodeus reveals himself as the demon pledged to plot against the newly wedded.

Whether he did or does all of these evil deeds is not known. What is clear, however, is that Asmodai is a spirit well known to many ancient cultures. He is a powerful　entity and his presence in the world can be felt by everybody.