Decarabia: The Demon Marquis of Birds, Herbs and Precious Stones
Decarabia, also known as Carabia, is a Fallen Angel and the sixty-ninth of the 72 Spirits of Solomon.
Within the infernal hierarchy described in the Ars Goetia, Decarabia holds the rank of Marquis and commands 30 legions of demons. He is associated with birds, familiar spirits, herbs, precious stones and the hidden virtues believed to exist within the natural world.
The Appearance of Decarabia
Decarabia initially appears in the form of a star enclosed within a pentacle.
When commanded by the magician, however, he assumes the form of a man. This transformation from a celestial or geometric figure into human shape distinguishes Decarabia from many other Goetic spirits, whose manifestations are more commonly described as animals, monsters or human-animal hybrids.
The star within the pentacle may symbolise hidden knowledge, celestial influence and the ordering of spiritual forces through ceremonial magic.
Decarabia and Magical Birds
Decarabia is said to cause magical birds to appear and fly before the magician.
These birds may remain with the practitioner as familiars. Despite their supernatural origin, they are described as behaving like ordinary birds: they fly, sing and eat in a natural manner.
In this role, Decarabia is connected with the traditional occult idea of the familiar spirit—an intelligence that may appear in animal form and accompany, assist or communicate with a magician or witch.
The birds associated with Decarabia may be understood as messengers between the visible and invisible worlds. Their flight suggests freedom of movement between earthly and spiritual realms, while their song may represent hidden communication, omens or knowledge delivered through nature.
Familiar Spirits and the Goetic Tradition
Familiars appear throughout the history of witchcraft, folklore and ceremonial magic.
Some were believed to be spirits disguised as animals, while others were described as supernatural companions given to witches or magicians. Cats, dogs, birds, hares and other creatures frequently appear in accounts of familiar spirits.
Decarabia’s familiars are unusual because they reportedly continue to behave like ordinary birds. This creates uncertainty about whether they are spiritual beings in physical form, enchanted animals or temporary manifestations produced by the demon’s power.
Knowledge of Herbs
Decarabia possesses knowledge of the virtues of herbs.
In older magical and medical traditions, the “virtue” of a plant referred to its hidden powers, qualities and possible uses. These could include healing, protection, purification, attraction, divination or magical influence.
Herbal knowledge played an important role in folk magic, witchcraft, alchemy and ceremonial practice. Plants were selected not only for their physical effects but also for their planetary, elemental and spiritual correspondences.
Through his knowledge of herbs, Decarabia is associated with the concealed properties of the natural world and the ability to recognise powers that remain invisible to ordinary perception.
Knowledge of Precious Stones
Decarabia also understands the virtues of precious stones.
Within traditional occult philosophy, stones and minerals were believed to contain particular energies and correspondences. Their colour, hardness, planetary association and place of origin could determine their magical or spiritual qualities.
Precious stones might be used in talismans, protective charms, healing practices, divination and ceremonial tools. Decarabia’s knowledge therefore concerns more than the material value of gems. It includes the hidden forces and symbolic powers attributed to them.
His offices connect him with a world in which birds, plants and stones are not considered lifeless or ordinary. Each possesses a spiritual quality that may be understood and employed by those with sufficient knowledge.
Decarabia in the Ars Goetia
Decarabia appears as the sixty-ninth spirit in the Ars Goetia, the first section of The Lesser Key of Solomon.
Like the other spirits in this grimoire, he is assigned a specific rank, appearance, office and number of subordinate legions. These details place him within a structured hierarchy rather than presenting him as an isolated supernatural being.
His traditional offices include:
- Appearing as a star within a pentacle
- Assuming human form when commanded
- Producing magical birds
- Leaving birds as familiar spirits
- Revealing the virtues of herbs
- Teaching the occult properties of precious stones
- Commanding 30 legions of demons
The Deeper Meaning of Decarabia
Symbolically, Decarabia represents hidden intelligence within nature.
Birds travel through the air and observe the world from above. Herbs contain medicinal and magical properties concealed within leaves, roots and flowers. Precious stones emerge from the darkness of the Earth carrying colours and structures formed over immense periods of time.
Decarabia brings these three realms together: the heavens, the living world and the mineral depths below.
He may therefore be interpreted as a spirit of concealed natural wisdom, revealing that power can exist within objects and creatures that appear ordinary.
The bird may be more than a bird. The herb may contain more than physical medicine. The stone may hold more than material beauty.
Study Demonology Beyond Lists of Names
Learning that Decarabia commands 30 legions and appears as a star is only the beginning.
Serious demonological study requires an understanding of the grimoires in which these spirits appear, the hierarchy that surrounds them, the symbolic meaning of their manifestations and the historical magical systems through which they were approached.
Inside the Occult World Mystery School, you can explore:
- The 72 Spirits of Solomon
- The Ars Goetia and The Lesser Key of Solomon
- Demonic ranks, offices, seals and legions
- Fallen Angels and infernal hierarchies
- Familiars and spirits in animal form
- Herbs, stones and occult correspondences
- Ancient grimoires and ceremonial traditions
- Magical protection, discipline and preparation
- The symbolism behind demonic appearances
Enter the Demonology Section of Occult World
The Demonology section of the Occult World Mystery School takes you far beyond brief descriptions found across the internet.
Inside, you can study the spirits of the Goetia in greater depth, explore historical texts, examine their seals and offices, and understand how demonology developed within religion, folklore and ceremonial magic.
You can also meet fellow occultists, witches, magicians and researchers who share your fascination with demons, spirit hierarchies, ancient grimoires and forbidden knowledge.
Ask questions. Share discoveries. Compare interpretations. Study alongside people who understand that the occult is not merely entertainment, but a vast field of history, symbolism and spiritual exploration.
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Decarabia reveals a world in which birds may become spiritual companions, herbs possess hidden virtues and stones contain powers waiting to be understood.
The question is how deeply you are prepared to explore that world.
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Do not stop after learning Decarabia’s name.
Discover the system behind him, study the other Spirits of Solomon and continue your journey into the deeper mysteries of demonology with the Occult World Mystery School.
From “The Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon the King” (1904) Written by S.L. MacGregor Mathers
DECARABIA. – The Sixty-ninth Spirit is Decarabia. He appeareth in the Form of a Star in a Pentacle, at first; but after, at the command of the Exorcist, he putteth on the image of a Man.
His Office is to discover the Virtues of Birds and Precious Stones, and to make the Similitude of all kinds of Birds to fly before the Exorcist, singing and drinking as natural Birds do. He governeth 30 Legions of Spirits, being himself a Great Marquis. And this is his Seal, which is to be worn, etc.
From the “Pseudomonarchia Daemonum” ( 1583 ) Written by Johann Weyer (Johann Wier)
Decarabia or Carabia, he commeth like a * and knoweth the force of herbes and pretious stones, and maketh all birds flie before the exorcist, and to tarrie with him, as though they were tame, and that they shall drinke and sing, as their maner is, and hath thirtie legions.
Original Text :
Decarabia vel Carabia, magnus Rex and Comes: venit similis *. Vires herbarum and lapidum pretiosorum novit: efficit ut aves coram exorcista volent, and velut familiares ac domesticæ morentur, bibant and cantillent suo more. Parent huic triginta legiones.
From the “Dictionnaire Infernal” (edition of 1863 ) Written by Jacques Auguste Simon Collin de Plancy
Original Text : Carabia ou Decarabia, démon peu connu, quoiqu’il jouisse d’un grand pouvoir au sombre empire. Il est roi d’une partie de l’enfer, et comte d’une autre province considérable. Il se présente, comme Buer, sous la figure d’une étoile à cinq rayons. Il connaît les vertus des plantes et des pierres précieuses ;.il domine sur les oiseaux, qu’il rend familiers. Trente légions sont à ses ordres.
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