Vassago

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Vassago (also Vasago, Usagoo) is a demon described in demonological grimoires such as the Lesser Key of Solomon and the Book of the Office of Spirits.

Lesser Key of Solomon[edit]

He is the third demon in the Lesser Key (including Thomas Rudd's variant) as a prince "of a good nature" and of the "same nature as Agares".[1] He rules twenty-six legions of spirits, and is summoned to tell magicians of past and future events, and locate lost objects. He is one of the few spirits found in the Lesser Key of Solomon but not in Johann Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum.[2][3]

According to Rudd, Vassago is opposed by the Shemhamphorasch angel Sitael.[4]

Other works[edit]

Vassago is mentioned in the Book of the Office of Spirits as Usagoo, appearing as an angel, "just and true in all his doings," with the powers of inciting the love of women and revealing hidden treasures, in addition to ruling twenty spirits.[5] Sloane MS 3824 mentions Vassago in invocations to summon spirits that guard treasure,[6] and in the "Experiment of Vassago"[7] and the "Experiment of Agares," both intended to capture the named spirits in crystals.[8]

Vassago is mentioned in the novel Hideaway by Dean Koontz, and in its film adaptation.

Murderer and vampire-themed cult leader Rod Ferrell used "Vassago" as a "vampire name" and burned a V representing this alias onto his victims; Ferrell did not know how to spell or pronounce Vassago's name correctly, and typically called himself "Vesago".[9]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Bane, Theresa (2012). Encyclopedia of Demons in World Religions and Cultures. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 324. ISBN 978-0-7864-8894-0. OCLC 774276733. Retrieved 2018-12-04.
  2. ^ Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis: The Lesser Key of Solomon, Detailing the Ceremonial Art of Commanding Spirits Both Good and Evil; ed. Joseph H. Peterson; Weiser Books, Maine; 2001. p.7-10
  3. ^ The Goetia of Dr Rudd; Thomas Rudd, Ed. Stephen Skinner & David Rankine; 2007, Golden Hoard Press. p.100-109
  4. ^ Rudd, ed. Skinner & Rankine, p.366-376
  5. ^ A Book of the Office of Spirits; John Porter, Trans. Frederick Hockley, Ed. Colin D. Campbell; Teitan Press, 2011. p.vii-xvii, 24
  6. ^ Elias Ashmole, ed. David Rankine, The Book of Treasure Spirits, Avalonia books, 2009; pp.32-42, 46, 84, 87-90
  7. ^ Ashmole, Rankine, p. 140-144
  8. ^ Ashmole, Rankine, p. 150, 152
  9. ^ Investigating Religious Terrorism and Ritualistic Crimes, Dawn Perlmutter, CRC Press, 2004, p.177