B-SIGILS

Dictionary of Occult - Hermetic and Alchemical Sigils

BABALIEL

Demon - BABALIEL "second demon of war"

Mag. A sigil given by AGRIPPA 16C for one of the two demons associated with the planet Mars :

BABCHIEL See SPIRIT OF PISCES

BABYLONIAN SCRIPT

Occ. One of the many forms for this secret alphabet is recorded by VIGNERE 1586 :

This alphabet is one of the HEBRAIC SCRIPTS, and appears to he very closely related to the so-called CHALDEAN SCRIPT.

See SECRET SCRIPTS

BACCHUS

Ast. Sigil introduced by THIERENS 1931 for the 'planetary principle' of the Roman Bacchus, the Greek Dionysos :

BAEL

The first principall spirit is a king ruling in ye East, called Bael. he maketh men goe Invisible, he ruleth over 66 Legions of Inferiour spirits, he appeareth in divers shapes, sometimes like a Catt, sometimes like a Toad, sometimes like a man, & sometimes in all these formes at once. he speaketh very horsly.

BALAM

The 51 spirit in order is Balam, he is a Terrable, great & powerfull king, appearing wth 3 heads, The first is like a Bulls, The second like a Mans, & ye Third like a Rams head he hath a serpents Taile, & Eyes flaming; riding upon a furious Beare, carrying a goshawke on his fist, he speaketh wth a hoarse voyce, giving True answares of Things past present & to come, he maketh men to goe invisible & witty he governeth 40 Legions of spirits his seal is Thus [to be] Made, & to be worne as a Lamin &c.

BALM

Alc. Two mediaeval sigils recorded by DIDEROT 1763 :

BALNEUM MARIAE See GRADES OF FIRE.

BARBATOS

The 8th spirit is called Barbatos he is a great duke & appeareth when ye is in ,2 with four Noble kings and their companions in great troops, he giveth ye understanding of ye singing of Birds, and ye voice of other Creatures and ye [such as] barking of dogs &c, he breaketh hidden treasures open, that have been Laid by ye Enchantment of Magicians, & [he was] of ye order of vertues, [of] which some part beareth rule still &c he knoweth all things past and to come: and reconsileth friends & those that are in power, he ruleth over 30 Legions of spirits, his seal of obedience is this. wch were before you &c.

BARBIEL

Demon - BARBIEL "lord of ancients"

Mag. Several mediaeval sigils have survived for this demon, of which the one recorded by SCHEIBLE 1848 is the most simple :

The name is used also far the 'angel of Scorpi’, for which BRAHE 1582 records three sigils :

BARCHIEL

Demon - BARCHIEL of hell's electorate: "mechanic"

Mag. BRAHE 1582 gives two sigils for this demon

whilst AGRIPPA 1531 records a sigil which is linked with the geomantic tradition :

BARYTES

Alc. DALTON 1808

BATH

Alc. SOMMERHOFF 1701 gives sigils specifically for the Balneum Mariae

GESSMANN 1906 gives

but see GRADES OF FIRE for the more specialist sigils.

BATHIN

The 18th spirit is called Bathin, he is a mighty [and] strong duke & appeareth like a strong man wth ye Taile of a serpent, sitting on a paile couloured horse he knoweth the vertue of hearbes & precious stones, & can transport men suddenly from one Country into an other, he ruleth over 30 Legions of spirits his seal is thus to be made and to be worne before you.

BAZARACHIEL

Mag. Three mediaeval silgils recorded by SCHEIBLE 1848 for this demon :

BEELZEBUB

Mag, The sigil given by SCHEIBLE 1848 is merely an abbreviation

and this demon is more frequently depleted in the form of a fly, sometimes in a vestigial drawing, in reference ro the supposed meaning of his nane an Lord of the Flies.

BEFAFES

Demon - BEFAFES "first demon of war"

Mag. One of two sigils for demons linked with the planet Mars, given by AGRIPPA 16C :

BEGINNING See ALPHA and MORTAL ADAM

BELETH

The 13 spirit is called Beleth, he is a mighty king and terrable, ridding on a pale horse wth Trumpets and all other kinds of Musicall Instruments playing before him, he is very furious at his first apperance That is whilest ye Exorcist allay his Courage, for to doe that, he must hold a hazel stick in his hand, streched forth towards ye South & East quarters making a Triangle without ye Circle, commanding him into it by ye vertue of ye Bonds & chaines of spirits hereafter following, & if he doe not come into ye by your Threats, rehearse ye Bounds & chaines before him, and then he will yeild obediance and come into it and do what he is commanded by ye Eorcist [Exorcist], yet he must receive him courteously, because he is a great king & doe homage to him, as the kings and princes doe that attend him, and you must [also] have allwayes a silver Ring on the middle finger of the left hand, held against your face as they do for Amaimon, This king Beleth causeth all ye love that possible may be, both of Men and women till ye Master Eorcist [Exorcist] hath had his mind fullfilled &c. he is of the order of Powers and governeth 85 Legions of [102v] spirits, his Noble seal is this wch is to be worne before you in the Time of working.

BELIAL

The 68th spirit is called Belial, he is a mighty king and powerfull; he was Created next after Lucifer, & is of his order; he appeareth in ye forme of a Beautiful angel sitting in a Charriot of fire, speaking wth a comly voice, declaring that he fell first & amongst ye worthier & wiser sort wchwent before Michael & other heavenly angels; his office is to distribute preferments of senatorships, and to cause favour of friends & foes, he giveth Excellent familiars & governeth 80 Legions of spirits. Note this kink [! king] Belial must have offerings sacrafices & gifts presented to him, by ye Exorcist or else he will not give True answares to his demands; But then he Tarryeth [will tarry] not one hour in ye truth except [unless] he be constrained by devine power & his seal is Thus wch is to be worne as a Lamin, before ye Exorcist &c.

BELL METAL

Alc. Mediaeval sigil for aes campanorum given in SIGNA 17C :

GESSMANN 1906 gives :

BELOCH

Mag. Name (perhaps confused with Beliar) and sigil given by HEYDON 1664 for spirit. Intended to represent the letter B in the secret alphabet of 'Angels and Genii’ :

BENJAMINE FLOWERS

Alc. Mediaeval sigils recorded by GESSMANN 1906 :

BERITH

The 28th spirit in order as salomon bound them, is named Berith. he is a Mighty great and terrable duke, he hath two other Names given to him by men of latter Times, viz: Beal & Bolfry, he appeareth like a souldier wth red clothing, ridding on a red horse & [having] a Crown of Gold upon his head he giveth True answards of things [concerning the] past present & to come; you [must] use a Ring as is before spoken of [with] Beleth in calling him forth; he can turne all mettals into Gold, he can give dignity & [can] confirm them to Men, he speaketh wth a very clear & subtill voice, he is a great Lyer and not to be Trusted much he governeth over 26 Legions of spirits his seal is this which must be worne as [a] lamin.

BETH

Occ, The second letter of the Hebrew alphabet (see HEBRAIC SCRIPT) for which very many derivative sigiliic forms are preserved within the tradition of secret alphabets, of which the most well-known are those recorded by BARTOLOZZI 1675 :

WIRTH 1927 equates Beth with the Tarot arcanum LADY POPE, and with the constellation Cassiopeia. In his list of pictorial derivatives for the the letter, he suggests an association with the idea of a Camel, but the vestigial drawing was almost certainly a 'house', a concept which is reflected in the sound-value of the letter :

BETHOR

Mag. Mediaevai silgil for planntary spirit of Jupiter recorded by TRITHEMIUS 1503

SCHEIBLE 1848

SHEPHERD 1971

BEZOAR STONE

Alc. Several variant forms of a simple graphic are given by GESSMANN 1906 :

BIFRONS

The 46th spirit is called Bifrons, he is an Earle and appeareth in ye forme of a Monster at first but after a while at ye command of ye Exorcist he putteth on ye shape of a man, his office is to make one knowing in Astrology & geomitry & other arts & siences, & Teacheth ye vertues of all hearbs, precious stones & woodes, he changeth ye dead Bodyes & putteth Them into one another [anothers'] places, & lighteth candeles seemingly upon ye graves of ye dead he hath under his command 6 Legions of spirits, his seal is this, wch he will owne and submit unto &c.

BILE

Alc. BERTHELOT 1885 records the following sigil from an early Greek manuscript which is clearly a short—form for chyle :

BIQUINTILE

Ast. Sigil for the astrological aspect of 144° given by RAPHAEL 1900 :

SIMMONITE 1890 records a common abbreviation :

BIRDSEGGS

Alc. BERTHEL0T 1885 records a sigil from an early Greek manuscript :

BIRTHPLACE See RU.

BISMUTH

Alc. Mediaeval sigil given by SIGNA 17C

with a later version recorded by DIDEROT 1763 :

LUEDY 1928

SCHNEIDER 1962

BITUMEN STONE

Alc. SOMMERHOFF 1701

BLACKMAL

Alc. ALCHEMICAL 17C

BLACK SOAP

Alc. DIDEROT 1763

BLACK SULPHUR See BRIMSTONE and SULPHUR NIGRUM

BLACK TALC

Alc. Two mediaeval sigils recorded by DIDEROT 1763 :

BLEND

Alc. Mediaeval sigils recorded by DIDEROT 1763 :

BLISDON

Demon - BLISDON "the quick one"

Mag. Sigil for a demon linked with the planet Mercury, given by AGRIPPA 16C :

BLOODSTONE

Alc. Mediaeval sigil given by SHELTON 17C

with a some- what dubious alternative by FRANCKLYN 1627

BLUE

Alc. BERTHELOT 1885 records the following short-form from an ancient Greek manuscript

Two variants, presumably mediaeval, are given by DIDEROT 1763

But see also lapis lazuli under LAPIS

BLUE VITRIOL

Alc. SOMMERHOFF 1701

DIDEROT 1763

But see VITRIOL

BOBOGEL

Mag. One of two demons linked with the Sun, recorded by AGRIPPA 16C

BODY

Occ. Mediaeval sigil given by SIGNA 17C

A later form recorded by GESSMANN 1906 is presumably derived from the Latin corpus :

BODY ERECT

Occ. In her graphic system of symbolism, BLAVATSKY 1877 gives

but see also ONE.

BOIL

Alc. SIGNA 17C

SOMMERHOFF 1701

GESSMANN 1906

BOILED OIL

Alc. Mediaeval sigil given by GESSMANN 1906

BOILED WINE

Alc. Mediaeval sigil given by GESSMANN 1906

BOILER

Alc. Most forms for the alchemical cucurbita are vestigial drawings, though DIDEROT 1763 gives two sigils

BOLE

Alc. ALCHEMY 1650

SHELTON 17C

SOMMERHOFF 1701

GESSMANN 1906

KOCH 1930

SCHNEIDER 1962

See also ARMENIAN BOLE, RED BOLE and WHITE BOLE

BONES

Occ. The sigil recorded by CHASSANT 1884 from mediaeval sources is obviously a contraction for the Latin ossa

BORAX

Alc. A large number of sigils, most of them originally mediaeval derivatives, have been recorded: the most common are

WORLIDGE 1651

CROLLIUS 1670

VALENTINE 1671

FRESNE 1688

ALCHEMICAL 17C

SHELTON 17C

SOMMERHOFF 1701

DIDEROT 1763

POISSON 1891

GESSMANN 1906

LUEDY 1928

SCHNEIDER 1962

BORNOGO

Demon - BORNOGO "lord of power"

Mag. One of the two demons linked with the Sun, recorded by AGRIPPA 16C

BOTARION

Alc. The sigil recorded from an ancient Greek manuscript by BERTHELOT 1885 is probably intended to denote a Digestion Vessel

BOTIS

The 17th spirit is called Botis a great president and an Earle; he appeareth at ye [first] shew in ye form of an ugly viper Then at ye command of ye Magician he putteth on humane shape, with great teeth, Two horns, carring a sharp bright sword in his hand, he telleth of all Things past and to come and reconcileth friends and foes, he governeth 60 Legions of spirits his seal is this, that he obeyeth when he seeth it.

BOTTLE

Alc. The word in its nounal use is designated usually by a simple vestigial drawing, as in the mediaeval example given by GESSMANN 1906

which represents the ampulla of the alchemists- When a verbal use is intended/ then a sigil recorded by GESSMANN 1906 may be used which in fact means 'bottle when cleared'

Sometimes the sigils for LUTUM SAPIENTIAE arc used in a strictly esoteric sense for the idea of bottling and sealing, though this is probably n late and inappropriate use of the sigils.

BRACHIUM

Alc. Sigil given by MANSIONES 14C for the 7th of the mediaeval lunar mansions, called Al Dhira in the Arabic system

A sigil for the amulet relating to this lunar mansion (called finis Ceminorum) is given by ABANO 1303

BRASS

Alc. There is much confusion regarding the alloys of the alchemists, and this naturally reflects in the sigils. In some eases the sigils for aes refer to any crude metal dug from the earth; in order cases to the common alloy of copper and tin. The alley of copper and zinc is probably intended for the rmjority of the following sigils, but the meaning may only be derived from the context. For example, it is likely that the forms given by GESSMANN 1906 designate COPPER and even aes ustum.

VALENTINE 1671

SHELTON 17C

DIDEROT 1763

GESSMANN 1906

BRICK

Alc. The most common sigils are vestigial drawings, as for example those given by GESSMANN 1906

DIDEROT 1763

GESSMANN 1906

BRICK DUST

Alc. As with the sigils for BRICK , the most common forms are vestigial drawings, as for example those given by GESSMANN 1906 below. Sigils are also derived from the initials of the Latin farina laterum, as for example in the forms given by DIDEROT 1763

GESSMANN 1906

BRIMSTONE

Alc. A sigil is given under this name by KOCH 1930

but this is actually the late-mediaeval form for 'black sulphur ' - see SULPHUR NIGRUM - 'brimstone’ being the vernacular at one time for SULPHUR.

BRONZE

Alc. The observations under BRASS are relevant to this metal, though bronze is an alloy more easily identifiable through the sigil, being more commonly the a«s of the alchemists. However, confusion still reigns, and sigils for BRASS and COPPER are often employed in cases where bronze should be sigillated.

ALCHEMICAL 17C

GESSMANN 1906

BRORGES

Demon - BRORGES "archdemon of woe"

Mag. Sigil for the demon linked with the planet Saturn, given in AGRIPPA 16C

BUNE

The 26th spirit is called Bune [or Bime], he is a strong, great & mighty duke, & appeareth in ye forme of a Dragon wth three heads, one like a dog, The other like a griffin; The 3d like a man, he speaketh with a high & comely voice, he changeth ye places of ye dead, & causeth those spirits that are under him, to gather together upon their sepulcheres, he giveth Riches to a man & maketh him wise & eloquent, he giveth true Answards to yr demands, & governeth 30 Legions of spirits, his seal is this wch he owneth [oweth] obedience to. first

& Nota he hath another seal or Character wch is made Thus.

BUER

The 10th spirit is Buer, a great president and appereth in that is his shape when ye is there, he teacheth Phylosophy [both] Morall & Naturall, & ye Logicall arts, & ye vertues of all hearbes & plants, & healeth all distempers in Man, & giveth (familiars) good familiars, he governeth over 50 Legions of spirits and this is his seale of obediance wch you must weare when you call him to apperance.

BURNED ALUM See CALCINATED ALUM

BURNED BRASS See AES USTUM

BURNED COPPER See AES USTUM

BURNED HARTSHORN See HARTSHORN

BURNED LEAD See CALCINATED LEAD

BURNED PEBBLE

Alc. GESSMANN 1906

BURNED TARTAR See CALCINATED TARTAR

BURNED VITRIOL See CALCINATED VITRIOL

BUTMONO

Demon - BUTMONO "demon of greed"

Mag. Sigil for the demon linked with the planet Jupiter, given by AGRIPPA 16C

BY DEGREES

Alc. Mediaeval sigil for a term used in alchemy meaning 'gradually' or 'in stages', and having nothing to do with the terra used in its astrological sense. ALCHEMICAL 17C