Mahazael
Mahazael is a demonic figure whose name, according to the Mathers edition of The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, is interpreted as meaning “the Devourer.” His identity emerges through a convergence of early modern occult sources, where he is closely linked to broader demonological and elemental hierarchies.
In his Three Books of Occult Philosophy, Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa identifies Mahazael as the Hebrew equivalent of the demon Egin, also known as Ariton, who is described as King of the North. This identification suggests that Mahazael is not an entirely separate entity, but rather a linguistic or cultural variation of the same spirit, adapted through different mystical and theological frameworks. S. L. MacGregor Mathers, in his commentary on the Abramelin material, appears to draw directly upon Agrippa’s work when presenting Mahazael as an alternate name or aspect of this demon.
Further insight into Mahazael’s role is provided by Godwin’s Cabalistic Encyclopedia, where he is listed as a demonic prince presiding over the element of earth. This elemental attribution associates Mahazael with solidity, materiality, hidden foundations, and the consuming or transformative powers of the physical realm. His title, “the Devourer,” aligns symbolically with earth’s capacity to absorb, conceal, and ultimately reclaim all forms.
Mahazael’s authority over the earth element is also attested in the 1505 Faustbuch, Magiae Naturalis et Innaturalis, where he appears again as a ruler governing this domain. The recurrence of Mahazael in both cabalistic and Faustian traditions suggests a durable presence within Western esoteric thought, particularly in systems that organise spirits according to cardinal directions and elemental forces.
Taken together, these sources present Mahazael as a chthonic and sovereign intelligence, linked to the North, the element of earth, and the hidden structures underlying material existence. Whether regarded as a distinct demon or as an alternate name for Egin/Ariton, Mahazael occupies a significant position within ceremonial magic as a ruler of earthly power, consumption, and foundational transformation.
SEE ALSO:
SOURCE:
The Dictionary of Demons written by Michelle Belanger.
NOTE:
Edited and revised for the Web by Occult Media, the 23rd of April 2021. We use British English spelling.
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