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Berith

In demonology Berith is a Great Duke of Hell, powerful and terrible, and has twenty-six legions of demons under his command. He tells things of the past, present and future with true answers; he can also turn all metals into gold, give dignities to men and confirm them. He speaks with a clear and subtle voice, and according to some authors he is a big liar when not answering questions.

To speak with him the conjurer must wear a silver ring and put it before his face in the same form as it is needed in Beleth's case and demons do before Amaymon.

He is depicted as a soldier wearing red clothes, a golden crown, and riding a red horse; according to other grimoires his skin is red too.

Books on the subject tell that he is called according to whom invokes him, being called Berith by the Jews (see below).

According to some demonologists from the 16th century, his power is stronger in June, meanwhile to Sebastian Michaelis he suggests murder and blasphemy and his adversary is St. Barnabas.

His name was surely taken from Baal Berith, a form of Baal worshipped in Berith (Beirut), Phoenicia.

Other spellings: Beal, Beale, Beall (so called by some), Berithi, Bolfri (so called by necromancers, Bolfry, Bofry.

See also The Lesser Key of Solomon, Ars Goetia.


In Alchemy Berith was the element with which all metals could be transmuted into gold, surely derived from the name of the demon Berith.