SHAX (44)
Shax, also known as Chax or Scox, is a mysterious and cunning figure among the 72 Spirits of Solomon, ranked as the 44th spirit in the Ars Goetia. A Fallen Angel and marquis of Hell, Shax commands 30 legions of demons and is known for his deceptive yet versatile nature. His powers are as varied as they are formidable, making him both a dangerous adversary and a valuable ally, depending on the summoner’s intent and skill.
Appearance and Voice
When summoned, Shax typically manifests in the form of a large, elegant stork, a symbol that contrasts his destructive and deceitful nature. His presence is marked by a hoarse and grating voice, adding an eerie quality to his already imposing figure. This peculiar combination of grace and menace reflects the duality of his character—capable of both remarkable feats and devastating harm.
Powers and Abilities
Shax possesses a wide array of abilities that make him a highly versatile demon. Upon command, he can destroy a person’s eyesight, hearing, and understanding, rendering them vulnerable and disoriented. This power demonstrates his capacity for creating chaos and manipulation, often leaving his victims powerless. However, Shax’s abilities extend far beyond mere destruction.
He is notorious for his ability to steal, particularly from those in positions of power. Shax is said to steal money from kings and powerful individuals, but in a strange twist, he only returns it after an astounding 1,200 years. This act serves as a reminder of his capricious nature, where acts of theft and restitution are bound to his own inscrutable timeline.
Shax’s talent for finding hidden objects is highly sought after by summoners. He can locate anything that has been concealed, provided it is not guarded by other spirits. This makes him invaluable for uncovering lost treasures, secret knowledge, or concealed truths. However, his reliability in this regard depends heavily on the summoner’s ability to control him; without firm guidance, Shax may choose to deceive rather than assist.
Another notable power is his ability to transport objects or beings. When properly bound within the magician’s triangle of summoning, Shax can move anything from one place to another with remarkable precision. However, if he is not constrained, his deceptive tendencies may lead to unexpected outcomes.
Shax is also capable of stealing horses upon command, a trait that emphasizes his role as a demon of mischief and subterfuge. Additionally, he sometimes provides loyal and beneficial familiars to summoners, offering a rare glimpse of his potential for goodwill when treated with respect and caution.
Nature and Cautions
Shax’s deceptive nature is both a strength and a danger. While he is capable of remarkable feats, he is not always truthful and may deliberately mislead those who summon him, particularly if they fail to establish clear authority. His tendency toward trickery means that only the most skilled and disciplined magicians should attempt to work with him.
Despite his potentially harmful inclinations, Shax is not without redeeming qualities. His ability to find hidden objects and provide assistance when properly commanded makes him a valuable ally for those who seek lost knowledge or resources. Summoners are advised to approach him with a firm hand and precise instructions, ensuring that he remains bound by their will rather than his own.
Legacy
Shax represents the complexity of demonic forces in the Ars Goetia. His powers highlight the dual nature of infernal beings, capable of both profound harm and significant aid. As a marquis of Hell, he embodies the delicate balance of control and chaos, reminding summoners that power, when mishandled, can easily slip into treachery. For those who seek his aid, Shax offers immense potential—but only at the cost of vigilance, discipline, and respect.
From Demonologia ( october 2003 )
“Shax, alias Scox [or Shass or Shaz], is a darke and a great marquesse, like unto a storke, with a hoarse and subtill voice; he dooth marvellouslie take awaie the sight,hearing and understanding of anie man, at the commandement of the conjuror: he taketh awaie monie out of everie kings house, and carrieth it backe after 1200 yeares,if he be commanded, he is a horssestealer, he is thought to be faithfull in all commandements: and although he promise to be obedient to the conjuror in allthings; yet is he not so, he is a lier, except he be brought into a triangle, and there he speaketh divinelie, and telleth of things which are hidden, and not kept of wicked spirits; he promiseth good familiars, which are accepted if they be not deceivers, he hath thirtie legions.”
(Scott, Discoverie of Witchcraft , pages 222-3)
The meaning of this convoluted bit of prose seems to be that Shax is generally regarded as faithful in all dealings, except that he will lie if given the chance. To forestall this single weakness of character, he must be first put into the ritual triangle,and then he is constrained to speak the truth. It is difficult to judge how much utility there is in a Demon who only fetches the money he stole after twelve centuries have elapsed – presumably it depends on how frequently he steals, and over how long aprotracted span of time. For example, if he steals every day for twelve centuries, then he may be expected to come up with a treasure every day upon request.Collin de Plancy must have been amused by the description of Shax as a horse thief,since he caused this feature to be played up in the illustration for his book. In the Lemegeton and in Mathers’ edition of the Goetia , it is said that Shax “appeareth in the forme of a Stock-Dove”
(Sloane 2731).
A stock dove is a European wild pigeon.Collin de Plancy obviously agreed with the version of the text given in Scot. There is nothing remotely pigeon-like about the Demon’s beak in de Plancy’s picture, but the bird does vaguely resemble a stork.
From “The Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon the King” (1904) Written by S.L. MacGregor Mathers
SHAX. – The Forty-fourth Spirit is Shax, or Shaz (or Shass). He is a Great Marquis and appeareth in the Form of a Stock-Dove, speaking with a voice hoarse, but yet subtle. His Office is to take away the Sight, Hearing, or Understanding of any Man or Woman at the command of the Exorcist; and to steal money out of the houses of Kings, and to carry it again in 1,200 years. If commanded he will fetch Horses at the request of the Exorcist, or any other thing. But he must first be commanded into a Triangle, Ò, or else he will deceive him, and tell him many Lies. He can discover all things that are Hidden, and not kept by Wicked Spirits. He giveth good Familiars, sometimes. He governeth 30 Legions of Spirits, and his Seal is this, etc.
From the “Pseudomonarchia Daemonum” ( 1583 ) Written by Johann Weyer (Johann Wier)
Shax, alias Scox, is a darke and a great marquesse, like unto a storke, with a hoarse and subtill voice: he dooth marvellouslie take awaie the sight, hearing and understanding of anie man, at the commandement of the conjuror: he taketh awaie monie out of everie kings house, and carrieth it backe after 1200. yeares, if he be commanded, he is a horssestealer, he is thought to be faithfull in all commandements: and although he promise to be obedient to the conjuror in all things; yet is he not so, he is a lier, except he be brought into a triangle, and there he speaketh divinelie, and telleth of things which are hidden, and not kept of wicked spirits, he promiseth good familiars, which are accepted if they be not deceivers, he hath thirtie legions.
Original Text : Chax, alias Scox, Dux est and Marchio magnus: Similis ciconiæ rauca voce and subtili. Mirabiliter aufert visum, auditum and intellectum jussu exorcistæ: aufert pecuniam ex qualibet domo regia, and reportat post mille ducentos annos, si jussus fuerit: abripit and equos. Fidelis esse in omnibus mandatis putatur: ac licet se obsecuturum exorcistæ promittat, non tamen in omnibus facit. Mendax est, nisi in triangulum introducatur: introductus autem loquitur de rebus divinis and reconditis thesauris, qui à malignis spiritibus non custodiuntur. Promittit insuper se collaturum optimos famulos, qui accepti sunt, si non fuerint deceptores. Huic subjacent legiones triginta.
From the “Dictionnaire Infernal” (edition of 1863 ) Written by Jacques Auguste Simon Collin de Plancy
As duke and high marquis of hell, Scox/Chax commands 30 legions. He appears as a stork with a raucous voice, and is known to be deceitful. He steals horses, and takes the silver in the houses he possesses only to return it 1200 years later if everything is still in order. If he is confined to a triangle, he will speak truth on supernatural matters, point out hidden treasures not guarded by evil spirits, and obey the exorcist. If he is not confined, he will lie and not always obey the exorcist.
Original Text:
Scox ou Chax, duc et grand marquis des enfers. Il a la voix rauque, l’esprit porté au mensonge; il se présente sous la forme d’une cigogne.
Il vole l’argent dans les maisons qui en possèdent el ne restitue qu’au bout de douze cents ans,toutefois il en reçoit l’ordre. Il enlève les chevaux. Il exécute tous les commandements qui lui sont donnés, lorsqu’on l’oblige d’agir de suite; et quoiqu’il promette d’obéir aux exorcistes, il ne le fait pas toujours. Il ment, s’il n’est pas dans un triangle; si au, contraire il y est renfermé, il dit la vérité en parlant des choses surnaturelles. Il indiqué les trésors cachés qui ne sont pas gardés par les malins esprits. Il commande trente légions.
