Ipos: The Lion-Headed Prince of Hell

Ipos is the twenty-second spirit named in the Ars Goetia, the first book of the Lesser Key of Solomon. He is described as both a prince and an earl of Hell, commanding thirty-six legions of demons and possessing knowledge of events hidden within the past and the future.

His appearance is among the strangest in Goetic demonology. Ipos is traditionally depicted with the body or form of an angel, the head of a lion, the feet of a goose and the tail of a hare. The demonologist Johann Weyer offered a slightly different description, stating that Ipos may appear either as an angel or as a dangerous and deceptive lion.

These forms combine symbols of nobility, instinct, swiftness and cunning. The lion suggests authority, courage and predatory intelligence, while the angelic form creates a disturbing contrast between beauty and corruption. The goose feet and hare’s tail make his image even more unnatural, presenting him as a being assembled from conflicting elements rather than belonging to any single order of creation.

The Powers of Ipos

Ipos is said to possess a deep understanding of both the past and the future. Those who seek his knowledge traditionally approach him for insight into hidden events, possible outcomes and matters that remain concealed from ordinary perception.

He is also associated with wisdom, courage and intellectual sharpness. According to the grimoires, Ipos can make a person bold, witty and capable of speaking with greater confidence. His influence is therefore not limited to prophecy. He is also linked with the transformation of personality, especially the ability to think quickly, speak persuasively and act without fear.

This combination makes Ipos an unusual spirit. Many Goetic demons are associated with treasure, destruction, love, revenge or hidden knowledge, but Ipos is particularly concerned with the strengthening of the mind and character. He represents the dangerous attraction of intelligence without innocence: knowledge gained through contact with a power that is traditionally described as fallen, cunning and potentially deceptive.

Ipos as a Teacher of Courage and Wit

The courage attributed to Ipos should not be confused with simple recklessness. Within occult symbolism, courage is the ability to act despite fear, while wit is the ability to understand a situation quickly and respond with precision.

These qualities are valuable to the magician, but they can also become dangerous when joined with arrogance. Confidence may become domination, cleverness may become manipulation and prophecy may create obsession with controlling the future.

The figure of Ipos therefore reflects one of the central warnings found throughout ceremonial magick: power does not automatically create wisdom. The practitioner must possess discipline, judgement and self-control before approaching forces believed to influence the mind, emotions and will.

Ipos in Goetic Tradition

As a prince and earl, Ipos occupies a high position within the infernal hierarchy described by the Ars Goetia. His thirty-six legions indicate substantial authority, although the numbers and titles in the grimoires are better understood as part of a symbolic magical system than as a literal military census of Hell.

Like the other seventy-two spirits of Solomon, Ipos is traditionally approached through ritual structures involving seals, divine names, protective circles, conjurations and strict forms of command. The magician was not expected to summon such a being casually or without preparation.

The grimoires repeatedly emphasise authority, restraint and control because spirits were believed capable of deception. This is especially relevant to Ipos, whose alternate appearance as a crafty lion suggests that intelligence and eloquence may conceal predatory intention.

Stop Treating Demonology as Entertainment

Anyone can read a few lines about Ipos and imagine that they understand demonology. They do not.

The Goetic spirits belong to a vast system of grimoires, seals, hierarchies, planetary correspondences, magical authority and ritual practice. Without that structure, demonology becomes nothing more than names copied from one website to another by people who have never studied the tradition they claim to understand.

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From “The Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon the King” (1904) Written by Written by S.L. MacGregor Mathers :

The Twenty-second Spirit is lpos. He is an Earl, and a Mighty Prince, and appeareth in the form of an Angel with a Lion’s Head, and a Goose’s Foot, and Hare’s Tail. He knoweth all things Past, Present, and to Come. He maketh men witty and bold. He governeth 36 Legions of Spirits. His Seal is this, which thou shalt wear, etc.

From the “Pseudomonarchia Daemonum” ( 1583 ) Written by Johann Weyer ( Johann Wier )

Ipos (Ipes), alias Ayporos (Ayperos), is a great earle and a prince, appeering in the shape of an angell, and yet indeed more obscure and filthie than a lion, with a lions head, a gooses feet, and a hares taile: he knoweth things to come and past, he maketh a man wittie, and bold, and hath under his jurisdiction thirtie six legions.

From the “Dictionnaire Infernal” (edition of 1863 ) Written by Jacques Auguste Simon Collin de Plancy

Ipes/ Ayperos is a prince and count of hell, who commands 36 legions. He appears as an angel or lion with the head and feet of a goose and a short hair’s tail. Ipes knows of the past and future, gives men intellect and courage, and can tell of hidden treasures.

Original Text : Ipès ou Ayperos, prince et comte de l’enfer ; il apparaît sous la forme d’un ange, quelquefois sous celle d’un lion, avec la tête et les pattes d’une oie et une queue de lièvre, ce qui est un peu court ; il connaît le passé et l’avenir, donne du génie et de l’audace aux hommes, et commande trente-six légions.