Being somewhat of a geek, (no! what!) I tend to binge watch TV shows from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Supernatural etc. So learning that the show was coming to an end got me thinking on some of the content and how I have googled many things from it – that’s the geek in me.
One of the recurring features are the use of Glyph and Sigils more specifically the Seal of Solomon. You know the one I am talking about.. The boys usually painted it on the ceiling or floor hidden under convenient rugs in blood.
Did you ever wonder about all the self-inflicted cuts they must had had on their hands or even if they kept up to date with tetanus shots?
Anyway, I have noticed some people tend to give me this blank look when I mention said Seal so I thought I would write a blog giving a basic outline of it and other forms used.
The Seal of Solomon was the signet ring of the Biblical King Solomon. It took different forms, depending on how you viewed it. The Star of David (Jewish King), or a Hexagram. There are several different forms but it basically consists of two inter-locking equilateral triangles forming a star. This in itself distinguishes it as different from the Star of David in the fact that thus arranged or drawn, the form takes on a three dimensional look, said to confuse and make the demons dizzy thus they were unable to harm Solomon.
Now what most Christian followers may not know is that the ring was supposed to give Solomon power over Demons, the Jinn (genie) and animals. It was given to the King directly from ‘God’ himself, was made of Brass and Iron and these two parts were used to give commands to both good and evil spirits. In many non-biblical accounts, King Solomon is known as a magician and exorcist, commanding over said entities. This definitely gives a different viewpoint to the wise King in the Bible does it not?
There is much mythology surrounding the ring and Seal. From Sinbad the sailor to the Kabbala this symbol has carried with it mystical power. It has surfaced in many rituals and appears on buildings throughout the world.
With this in mind we find that the symbol itself has been used within other mystic symbols and that the demons supposedly ‘summoned’ by Solomon can now be conjured using the Goetia, a Grimoire of the seventeenth century known as the Lesser Key of Solomon. The Ars Goetia is the first section and contains descriptions for the invocation or calling of seventy-two demons.
This Grimoire was translated from the Latin and made famous by S.L. MacGregor Mathers and published by Aleister Crowley (Hmm def. a hint of our own dear Crowley of Supernatural fame). These two gentleman are a whole different ball-game and I would suggest doing your own research on the Aleister Crowley yourself.
Another off shoot of the Seal of Solomon could be the Sigil of Ameth. Also called the Seal of the Truth, The Sigillum Dei or even the Great or Grand Pentacle. This is one crazy, elaborate symbol containing a very unusual six pointed star. Most hexagrams are constructed as in the Star of David by using two triangles, one upright and one upside down. The star in this sigil is made using ‘one line’. This generally means it is of powerful protection.. When drawing a pentacle for example, one would not remove the pen from the paper but keep the flow continuous. In the center of this symbol is a five pointed star and around this are the names of various angels and of ‘God’. This symbol is of Enochian magic and also used by Aleister Crowley. The sign was created by Dr. John Dee who supposedly saw it in a vision and believed it was given to him by angels. Though this is conjecture as the symbol is at least three centuries older than Dee.
We are also shown in the TV show, many different types of Sigils. These are symbols used in magic but usually not with half a pint of blood used in the drawing process. Sigils were used in the summoning of demons and angels and many can be seen in the fore mentioned book The lesser Key of Solomon. Below are just four of the 72 used to name the Princes of Hell...
These sigils were the equivalent form of the names and thus were supposed to give the magician or person summoning them, some form of control over said demons.
Ok so who wants to be first to try it? Me either.
Sigils today can be created using various forms found on the internet. They do not have to be names but can be a sentence or request. Usually these are personal sigils and no one but the creator of it will know what it represents. Some are created for general use and will state what they mean.
This is only a very brief insight to what is a huge amount of information. I would suggest anyone interested in deeper research, use the terms and names identified here and prepare yourself for hours of interwoven, cross referencing.
I would also strong emphasis that this is used for reference only.
Disclaimer - Faculty X does not take any responsibility for anyone who summons a nasty demon type critter from the pit.