#house of plancy

[luc3]

Black Elderberry. [French Folks Traditions]

In the 19th century, the peasants of France still attributed magical properties to the Elderberry, and its wood was sometimes used to make sorcerer's staffs and divinatory wands.

In the legend, Judas, after having betrayed Christ, would have gone to hang himself from an Elderberry branch. Thus, it is said in Vienne, that the person who breaks an elderberry branch in the garden of his neighbors will betray this one in the year, even without wanting it and without knowing it.

It should also be noted that in certain regions, Elderberry served as a panacea : everything was good in Elderberry for healing, in the past. But that following the curse linked to Judas, its powers had been supposedly removed.

Protective Magic :

Côtes d'Armor : Elderberries are planted near houses to ward off evil spells and snakes. It is also used to protect livestock (diseases and evil spells) by placing a branch in the cows' litter.

Yonne : Pick up a branch of Elderberry on the passage of the Corpus-Christi procession and then place it in an apple tree, it'll protect it against caterpillars. (?!)

Lower Brittany, Côtes d'Armor : You should never hit a cow with an Elderberry branch, it will make it sick, or cause its milk to dry up. Same thing for pigs. Moreover, if you burn Elderberry wood, you risk preventing the hens from laying eggs.

Magical Medicine:

Côte d'Armor : It is said that the Dlderberry is a "doctor", because the fairies took refuge in the flowers to flee the world when it became too mean. (a special one for my dear @lailoken )

Vienne, Vaucluse : the patient who touches an Elderberry will get better in the next few days, and to cure fevers you have to slip his name and date of birth into a previously hollowed-out elderberry tree.

The feast of Saint John is (of course) favorable to the Elderberry, whose virtues it multiplies.

In the Gospel of the Cattails it is said that warts are cured by rubbing it with an Elder leaf on the eve of Saint John, a leaf which is then buried. As the leaf rots, the wart dries out.

In Upper Brittany, Elderflowers collected on Saint John's Day are used to make an herbal tea to treat sick eyes.

Witchcraft :

Jura : We know the story of a sorcerer who introduced a little excrement from the person or animal he wanted to bewitch into a hollowed-out elderberry stick. He then fixed this stick in running water while reciting a prayer. The victim had stomach aches as long as the water agitated the stick.

In addition, Collin de Plancy in his Dictionnaire Infernal reports that : "when one has received some curse from a sorcerer whom one does not know, one hangs one's habit from one ankle and strikes on it with an elderberry stick; all the blows will fall on the back of the guilty sorcerer, who will be forced to come, in all haste, to remove the spell."

I learned SO MUCH HERE (snakes / little neighbors / sick eyes) while I came confident and persuaded to find other things in these quotes... Thus I'll continue to thank and pay tribute by posting the work of J. Fournier on the subject. (Once translated.)

Pic 1 @incroyables-plantes ; pic 2-3 @lherbier-d-elsa

Quotes arranged by me from the Dictionnaire de la France Mystérieuse by MC Delmas.

Also @graveyarddirt, I know you have some and you'll like it Sis' <3

[mask131]

Fragments of fright (8)

From Edouard Brasey's "The Great Encyclopedia of the Marvelous"

Vampires

Also called: Vampyrs, oupires (upirs), opyrs, nosferats, nosferatus, drakuls, vercolacs, vourdalaks (vurdalaks), strigoï (Romania), obours, grobkiks (Bulgaria), dhampirs (children of vampires in Serbia), cadaver sanguisugus, undeads, living deads

Vampires are undeads that leave their coffins or their graves at night to feed off the blood of the living, whose jugular veins they pierce thanks to their large canines. By doing that they extend their posthumous life, while condemning their victims to become vampires in turn. By this process, centuries after centuries, a "vampire bloodline" forms itself that might never stop. Collin de Plancy evoked "dead men, buried for several years, or at least several days, and that came back in body and souls, walking and talking as if they were alive. They infested villages, abused men and animals, and sucked the blood of their next of kin, exhausting them and causing their death. One could only be free from their dangerous visits and their infestions by exhuming their bodies, impaling it, cutting off their head, ripping out their heart, or burning them. Those that died from being sucked dry became usually vampires too." Vampires were said to drink human blood so greedily that the same blood spilled out of their mouth, of their nostrils and of their ears. When in the morning their returned to their grave, they could be found laying in a pool of blood. Collin de Plancy added that "It was said that these vampires, having a great appetite, devoured the cloth that surrounded them. It was also said that, when they left their graves at night, they went to their family or their friends, violently embracng them - sucking their blood while crushing their throat so they could not scream. Those that were sucked of their blood weakened so much, they almost instantly died. These persecutions never stopped at just one victim: vampires hunted down every member of their family, and every inhabitant of their village (because vampirism rarely appears in large cities). It is thus needed to stop this plague, by cutting the head or piercing the heart of the vampire. People found the vampire's corpse soft, flexible and fresh, even if the person had died for a very long time. Some people took the enormous amount of blood that poured out of these corpses, and mixed it with flour to make a bread - they pretended that by eating such a bread, they could protect themselves from the vampire."

How to recognize a vampire? The vampire usually has a corpse-like skin tone - but they can have red lips and red cheeks when they just gorged themselvs with blood. Their eyes are also red and burning-looking. Their canines are sharp, pointy and usually outgrow their lips. They are very hairy - with their eyebros joinign each other above the nose, and hair being found on their hands, even inside their palms (which is also a trait of the werewolves). Finally, vampires do not have reflections in mirrors, and do not have shadows when under a light. If they usually appear as human beings, they can turn themselves into animals (mostly bats), as well as into fog or smoke. Vampires can fly, and prefer going inside houses by using windows rather than doors - fortunately, they cannot access a place in which they weren't invited. They need a living being to invite them at least once into a given place for them to access it - afterward they can return there as much as they want.

How to become a vampire? Some are more predisposed to become vampires. Children born from the union between a priest and a nun, babies "nés coiffés", born "with a cowl", meaning born with the placenta over their head ; children born with teeth, children born with a birth-mark, children born with a harelip... Red-haired people are also vampire "candidates" (especially in Slavic countries), and so are seventh sons. Children dead without a baptism, or adults born in "state of mortal sin" or outside the sacraments of the Church can also become vampires. It is believed that if a pregnant woman is merely gazed at by a vampire during the three first monts of her pregnancy, then she will give birth to a vampire. But the most certain way to become a vampire is to be bitten by one, and to have your blood sucked by the monster.

Vampires in history: Greco-Roman Antiquity knew of vampiric entities, such as the lamias, but the explicit mentions of dead people (usually excommunicated) leaving their graves at night to torment their kin date back from 12th century England, in Walter Map's De Nugis curialium (1193), and in Guillaume of Newburgh's 1196 Historia rerum anglicarum. The only way to prevent the malevolent actions of those "cadaver sanguisugus" is to open their coffins, find their preserved and blood-filled bodies, and to pierce them with a sword before killing them. After a vampire epidemic of the 14th century which marked all of Eastern Europe and the Balkans (they were attested in Eastern Prussia, in Silesia, in Bohemia, in Moravia, in Serbia, in Poland, in Hungary, in Romania and in Greece), the next notable cases occured in the 18th century. One of such cases was Peter Plogojowitz, an Hungarian vampire accused of killing eight people in the village of Kzilova in 1725.

The next year, it was Arnold Paole who was accused of killing the cattle and the inhabitants of the Serbian town of Medwegya. The lieutenant Büttner investigated this case, which led to a document called "Visum et Repeum", published on the 7th of January 1732. A document which attracted the attention of the French duke of Richelieu, and of the French king Louis XV. The lieutenant wrote that Arnold Paole, member of the local nobility, had broken is neck five years before, falling from a hay cart. But Paole had said, before his death, that he had been the victim of a vampire near Cassoa, in Turkish Persia. To free himself from this evil, he had eaten the soil of the grave of a vampire, and had rubbed the same vampir's blood over him. Despite those attempts, Paole apparently returned beyond the grave to torment the livings as a vampire. His body was taken out of the earth - it was found perfectly preserved, the flesh of a reddish color, and the eyes filled with fresh blood. Blood also poured out of his ears and nose, staining his shirt and his shroud. Believing him to be a vampire, the villagers plunged a stake into his heart and burned the corpse.

In his "Magia posthuma" published at Olmütz in 1706, Ferdinand of Schertz wrote about a case of Hungarian vampires - collected by a certain "M. Of the Island of Saint-Michael". According to this testimony, a person attacked by a vampire in Hungaria, due to having their blood stolen, become exhausted and lose appetite - they lose weight at an alarming rate, and died after eight or ten days, fifteen at best, without any fever and any other symptoms than their body becoming skinnier and drier. The person struck by this "black melancholy" are said to have the spirit so "troubled" that they see a white spectre, a white ghost following them everywhere, the same way a shadow follows the body. The author explains that when they spent winter in Valachia, two horsemen of the company he was part of died of this very sickness, and many more (who were also sufering from it) would have died if the caporal hadn't healed "their imaginations" by performing a local folk-remedy. The author notes this ritual to be extremely peculiar - a young boy is selected, and he has to mount without a saddle a black horse. The young man and the horse are taken to the cemetery and walk among the graves. If the horse refuses to walk over a given grave, it is considered to be the vampire's grave. It is opened and if the corpse looks "as beautiful and fresha as an asleep man", then it is has its neck cut with a spade - and it is believed that from the cut neck will flow in large quantities a beautifully ruddy blood. Once it is done, the beheaded vampire is placed back in its grave, which is filled again with earth. Then, the disease stops and the victims slowly regain their strength.

Vampires in literature and cinema: Numerous treaties about vampires were published throughout the centuries. In 1746, Augustin Calmet published a "Treaty about the revenants in body, the excomunicated, the oupirs or vampires, the broucolaques of Hungaria and Moravia". But the vampires entered in the world of literature in the 19th century, with nglish Romanticism. It was Lord Byron's The Vampyre ; it was Coleridge's Christabel, it was Keats' Lamia... More recently, Anne Rice offered the character of Lestat in "Interviews with a vampire". The most famous vampire is however count Dracula, from the novel of Bram Stoker of the same name, which inspired numerous movies: F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu in 1922, Tod Browning's Dracula in 1931 with Belga Lugosi, the numerous movies with Christopher Lee, and Francis F. Coppola's 1992 Dracula. In fact, "Dracula" is the diminutive form of "Dracul", which means "devil" or "dragon" in Romania. Stoker took inspiration from the historical figure of Vlad Tepes (born in 1431, dead in 1476), the fourth voivod of Valachia, considered a national hero who set free his province (located at the frontiers of Romania and Hungaria) from the Ottoman invaders. But his bloodthirsty cruelty and his brutal methods (he liked to empale his enemies by the hundreds on battlefields) gave him the double nickname of "Vlad the Impaler" and "Dracula". Made prisoner by the Ottomans during his last military campaign, Vlad was beheaded. His headless body was buried near his castle, before mysteriously disappearing - feeding a legend which was then perpetuated by bram Stoker's novel.

Vamps and vampires: There is, in vampirism, a strong erotic connotation. As such, male vampires (such as Dracula or Murnau's Nosferatu) seem to be mainly attracted to the blood of young women, while female vampires feed off young men. With the notable exception of Carmilla, the 1872 vampire of Sheridan Le Fanu, a female vampire who drinks from the blood of other women. Carmilla and his victim, Laura, feel for each other a strange and ambiguous desire - Carmilla feeds of Laura's blood and haunts her, while clearly wanting Laura to be "hers", to "belong" to her and for the two to be united in eternity, while Laura is at the same time attracted and repulsed by the vampire (though the seduction wins it over the disgust). A similar ambiguous sentiment can be found in Théophile Gautier's La Morte amoureuse (The dead lover), in 1836 - in this story, the countryside priest Romuald falls for the venonous charm of the beautful and dangerous vampire Clarimonde - there are notably mentions of the vampire's cold body creating "voluptuous shivers" on Romuald's own, and him being overtaken by the desire of having his blood drunk so that his "love might enter her body".

It is recognized that there is a form of sexual vampirism, that does not involve blood, and consists in emptying the victim of its "life-fluid". In this approach, the vampire-woman becomes the character we know today as the "vamp". The Shorter English Dictionary describes a "vamp" as a woman who tries to charm and seduce men (often for dishonest reasons) by using shamelessly her sexual charisma. The vamp is a literal "femme fatale" whose love causes a death - either physical or mental. Sexual vampirism is the embodiment of the "wedding of Eros and Thanatos" - and a French movie-maker, amed Jean Rollin, deeply explored this motif by creating over several decades numerous small fantastic-styled vampire movies, mixing eroticism and surrealism. Le viol du vampire (The vampire's rape) in 1968, La Vampire nue (The naked vampire) in 1969, Le frisson des vampires (Vampires' shivers, in 1970), Requiem pour un vampire (Requem for a vampire, 1971), Lèvres de sang (Blood lips, 1974), La Nuit des traquées (The night of the hunted women, 1980), La Morte vivante (The living she-dead, 1982), Les Deux Orphelines vampires (The two vampire orphans, 1995) and La Fiancée de Dracula (The fiancée of Dracula, 2000). There is also a type of psychic vampires who, consciously or not, "exhaust" their victim by their mere presence. These parasitic beings usually ignore their own nature, and act out of innocence. One can recognize them because of how people are exhausted, discouraged, bored or despaired in their presence - and these feelings stop as soon as they leave.

How to get rid of a vampire? To expose the body of a vampire to broad daylight can be deadly, because these beings of the shadow fear the rays of the sun. Vampires can only cross bodies of water during high tide, or when the sea is still and flat, undisturbed. Vampires fear the crucifixes, the sacred host, and holy water. The use of garlic is tied to a local Romanian superstition. People also had the habit of burying a vampire with his body laying on its belly - as such, if they woke up and tried to dig their way out of the grave, they would go deeper in the earth instead. People also filled the corpses' nostrils, ears and eeyes with incense, when they didn't place garlic in its mouth and anus. But the best way to get rid of a vampire is to plunge a sharp wooden stake in the vampire's heart while it is asleep in its coffin - then, the head must be cut and the corpse burned. The corpse can manifest signs of life during the process - it can scream horribly when the stake is plunged, and blood can flow from the cut neck. Finally, the ashes must be scattered, in a river or into the wind.

[justasleepylittleundine]

Alrighty! I told y'all I'd be coming back to add to this! Granted, I'm just finishing up the OG mission with Hotarubi house (Episode 5, I think????) so I may be missing some insight or context, but I've found that for those who we do have their incantations, almost all of them have some similarity or connection to the demon their stigma is supposedly associated with.

Let's break it down.

Jin Kamurai- Stigma: Bianerus (#24 Naberius)

Naberius appears as a three-headed dog or a raven. He has a raucous voice, but presents himself as eloquent and amiable. He teaches the art of gracious living. He has also been depicted as a crow or a black crane. Concerning his name, it is unclear if there is an association with the Greek Cerberus. It is said that in 1583, Johann Weyer considers both of them to be the same demon. He claimed: Naberius [Naberus], alias Cerberus, is a valiant marquesse, showing himself in the form of a crow, when he speaks with a hoarse voice: he makes a man amiable and cunning in all arts, and special in rhetoric [language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect on its audience, but often regarded as lacking in sincerity or meaningful content.], he procures the loss of prelacies [the superior rank of clergymen] and dignities [the quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed OR a high rank, office, or position]: nineteen legions hear (and obey) him.

Jin is intent on ousting his father and take over position in the Institute, drawing a connection to the aspect of Naberius that “procures the loss of prelacies and dignities”. Prelacies refer to the high rank of a clergyman or other church-affiliated leader. “The loss of dignities”, in this context, could refer to the “quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed”; however, I believe it refers to another meaning: “a high rank, office, or position”. In other words, Naberius is a demon known to target those in a role of power and influence and thrives off ruining such men and stripping them of their power.

I also wonder if Naberius’s ability to “make a man amiable and cunning in all arts, and special in rhetoric” has any connection to Jin’s stigma forcing others to follow his command; rhetoric meaning “language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect on its audience”.

Tohma Ishibashi- Stigma: Argeas (#2 Agares)

Agares is a duke "under the power of the east," an "old man, riding upon a crocodile, and carrying a hawk on his fist," who teaches languages, stops and retrieves runaway persons, causes earthquakes, and grants noble titles.

Considering Tohma’s most… impactful attack and use of his stigma literally took down an entire building, I can definitely see a connection to Agares’s ability to cause earthquakes. I also do not think it’s a coincidence that Agares is known to grant nobles titles, and Tohma has situated himself to support Jin in his goal to, for lack of a better word, overthrow and replace his father. Considering Jin’s father’s position, I definitely would consider that a position of prestige and nobility.

Lucas Errant- Stigma: Iggnaim (#4 Gamigan, also known as Samigina)

A marquis who initially takes the form of a small horse before transforming into a hoarse-voiced human. The Lesser Key of Solomon merely leaves his duties at teaching liberal arts and giving accounts of souls that died in sin. The Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, Thomas Rudd's variant of the Ars Goetia, and the Dictionnaire Infernal go into more detail than the Lesser Key, with Gamigin forcing the souls of those who drowned into "airy bodies" to answer questions in either, with Weyer and de Plancy further claiming that Gamigan can do likewise for souls "which dwell in purgatorie (which is called Cartagra, that is, affliction of soules)"

With the information given by a cursory search, I can't find any connection between Lucas and Gaimigan. Will have to wait for developments.

Alan Mido- Stigma: Yagsal Olbalsa (#25 Glasya-Labolas)

He is the author and captain of manslaughter and bloodshed, tells all things past and to come, gains the minds and love of friends and foes causing love among them if desired, incites homicides and can make a man invisible. He is depicted as a dog with the wings of a griffin.

I mean… the “incites homicides”, “captain of manslaughter and bloodshed”... I think that’s telling enough. Though, does that mean that it was only after Alan became a ghoul that his tendency to lose himself in an almost berserker rage developed?

Leo Kurosagi- Stigma: Haxs (#44 Shax)

He takes away the sight, hearing and understanding of any person under the conjurer's request, and steals money out of kings' houses, carrying it back to the people. He also steals horses and everything the conjurer asks. Shax can also discover hidden things if they are not kept by evil spirits, and sometimes gives good familiars, but sometimes those familiars deceive the conjurer. He should not be bothered too often. Shax is thought to be faithful and obedient, but is a great liar and will deceive the conjurer unless obliged to enter a magic triangle drawn on the floor. He will then speak marvelously and tell the truth. He knows when lies are told and uses these to teach lessons. He is depicted as a stork that speaks with a hoarse but subtle voice; his voice changes into a beautiful one once he enters the magic triangle.

There are a lot of connections between Leo and the demon his Stigma incantation is named after. The lying and deception, the reference to theft. It’s also an interesting connection that Shax can discover hidden things, and it’s Leo’s stigma that allows him to learn about Alan’s and Tohma’s secret conversations.

Leo has also been shown to be observant and perceptive enough to pick up on other people's tells and read strangers easily enough.

Shohei Haizono- Stigma: Spurno (#20 Purson)

He knows of hidden things, can find treasures, and tells past, present and future. Taking a human or aerial body he answers truly of all secret and divine things of Earth and the creation of the world. He also brings good familiars. Purson is depicted as a man with the face of a lion, carrying a ferocious viper in his hand, and riding a bear. Before him, there can be heard many trumpets sounding. This demon blows internal trumpets, and is believed connected to the revelator to the Antichrist.

Similar to Luca, nothing really sticks out as a connection between the ghoul and his [hypothetically] demon. Will have to wait and see if the story reveals more.

Haru Sagara- Stigma: Bahnti (#18 Bathin)

A serpent-tailed and muscular man riding a pale horse, who knows the properties of plants and stones, transports people across countries, and rules 30 legions of demons. The German edition of The Grimoire of Pope Honorius describes Bathin (again by the name Machin) as teaching about and providing foreign plants and rocks.

The only connection I can really see between Haru and Bathin is the “transports people across countries” and that’s a very loose connection to Haru’s stigma ability which grants him speed and he’s been shown to carry others. I mean, he literally is always carrying Peekaboo.

Ren Shiranami- Stigma: Raothtas (#29 Astaroth)

“Astaroth is a great and a strong duke, coming forth in the shape of a foul angel, sitting upon an infernal dragon, and carrying on his left hand a viper" he is a demon of the First Hierarchy, who seduces by means of laziness, self-doubt, and rationalized philosophies. His adversary is St. Bartholomew, who can protect against him for he has resisted Astaroth's "temptations". To others, he teaches mathematical sciences and handicrafts, can make men invisible and lead them to hidden treasures, and answers every question formulated to him. He was also said to give to mortal beings the power over serpents.

We don’t know much about Ren’s stigma; however, we see a connection between Ren’s proclivity for doing his best to get out of doing any kind of work and Astaroth being a demon who “seduces by means of laziness, self-doubt, and rationalized philosophies”. These are traits we see Ren exhibit: his proclivity to avoid work of any kind, emphasized moments of self-doubt, and his habit to try to rationalize away his feelings or responsibilities.

Taiga Hoshibami- Stigma: Malab (#51 Balam)

He gives perfect answers on things past, present, and to come, and can also make men invisible and witty. Balam is depicted as being three-headed. One head is the head of a bull, the second of a man, and the third of a ram. He has flaming eyes and the tail of a serpent. He carries a hawk on his fist and rides a strong bear. At other times, he is represented as a naked man riding a bear. His name seems to have been taken from Balaam, the biblical magician.

From a cursory glance there doesn’t seem to be too much information on Balam. Will have to do more in depth research.

Romeo Scorpus Lucci- Stigma: Tiris (#12 Sitri)

He causes men to love women and vice versa, and can make people bare themselves naked if desired. He is depicted with the face of a leopard and the wings of a griffin, but under the conjurer's request he changes into a very beautiful man.

Yet another one where there doesn't appear to be much of a connection aside from a very weak argument that Sitri's appearance as a beautiful man could be seen as a connection to Romeo considering the man's vain temperament and focus on beauty [mostly his].

Ritsu Shinjo- Stigma: Acimo (#53 Camio, also known as Caim)

he is a good disputer, gives men the understanding of the voices of birds, bullocks, dogs, and other creatures, and of the noise of the waters too, and gives true answers concerning things to come.

Ritsu's family status and goal to become a lawyer tied with his temperament and tendency to debate and prove his position/argument could be a reference to Acimo's trait of being a good disputer.

Aside from that, not much else seems to stick out.

Subaru Kagami- Stigma: Talnandio (#71 Dantalion)

He teaches all arts and sciences, and also declares the secret counsel of anyone, given that he knows the thoughts of all people and can change them at his will. He can also cause love and show the similitude of any person, show the same by means of a vision, and let them be in any part of the world they will. He is depicted as a man with many appearances, which means the faces of all men and women. There are also many depictions in which he is said to hold a book in one of his hands.

I think there is room to argue that Dantalion being described as a "man with many appearances" could be a reference to Subaru's time as an actor, as I recall hearing a saying about how actors are people who wear many masks or "faces".

However, I think the line about knowing the thoughts of all people and knows the secret counsel of anyone is a reference to Subaru's psychometry stigma.

Lyca Colt- Stigma: Ramsochisa (#35 Marchosias)

he is depicted as a wolf with griffin wings and a serpent's tail, spewing fire from his mouth. At the request of the magician, he may take the form of a man. He is a strong fighter, gives true answers to all questions, and is very faithful

While I think the wolf connection could be a coincidence, I think it's intentional; along with Lyca's straightforwardness and unhesitating honesty.

Yuri Isami- Stigma: Agnihaet (#48 Haagenti)

He makes men wise by instructing them in every subject, transmutes all metals into gold, and changes wine into water and water into wine. Haagenti is depicted as a big bull with the wings of a griffin

There is definitely a connection between the fact Yuri's stigma stimulates that grey matter and makes him super smrt and Haagenti's ability to "make men wise". And while I haven't met Yuri in-game yet, so my understanding of his character is practically non-existent, the alchemical abilities Haagenti presents with seems pretty on brand with Yuri's theme.

These are just my findings and thoughts after the most minuscule amount of research; however, I think I'm going to look more into this and if I come across anything new or interesting I'll definitely add on to the post!

So I realized a thing...

All of the ghoul's incantations are scrambled versions of a demon belonging to the Lesser Key of Solomon.

Jin Kamurai- Stigma: Bianerus (#24 Naberius)

Tohma Ishibashi- Stigma: Argeas (#2 Agares)

Lucas Errant- Stigma: Iggnaim (#4 Gamigan, also known as Samigina)

Alan Mido- Stigma: Yagsal Olbalsa (#25 Glasya-Labolas)

Leo Kurosagi- Stigma: Haxs (#44 Shax)

Shohei Haizono- Stigma: Spurno (#20 Purson)

Haru Sagara- Stigma: Bahnti (#18 Bathin)

Ren Shiranami- Stigma: Raothtas (#29 Astaroth)

Taiga Hoshibami- Stigma: Balam

Romeo Scorpus Lucci- Stigma: Tiris (#12 Sitri)

Ritsu Shinjo- Stigma: Acimo (#53 Camio, also known as Caim)

Subaru Kagami- Stigma: Talnandio (#71 Dantalion)

Lyca Colt- Stigma: Ramsochisa (#35 Marchosias)

Yuri Isami- Stigma: Agnihaet (#48 Haagenti)

Kaito Fuji, Towa Otonashi, Haku Kusanagi, Zenji Kotodama, Edward Hart, Rui Mizuki have not had their incantations revealed.

However, I am SUPER curious if their incantation signifies WHO they made their demon deal with!!

[leam1983]

On Fandom, Part Whatever

What kind of bugs me about fandom in general is how pointed interest in any given thing makes people see the object of their focus everywhere. Speak with a kid in his late teens or early twenties who's into Minecraft Let's Players? You'll get a bunch of asides related to VODs you've never watched or podcasts you never listened to. Post the pic of an owl on here? It's a crapshoot as to whether you'll get Owl House references or just people going Le gasp - Stolas!

And they're not even aware that Stolas dates back to Collin de Plancy's Dictionnaire Infernal - or at least, props to those who do. It just keeps coming in waves; there's always someone whose sense of recognition can be triggered.

The part of me that's an old curmudgeon at forty sort of wants to point the kids to any number of Demonology references and to basic sociocritical overviews of the later Enlightenment - which saw "grimoires" like De Plancy's sort of serve as an indirect critique of the time's monarchy. Stolas, Gusion, Buer, Allocer, Crocell - all of them are references to monarchic and aristocratic aspects, rendered as satire.

[histoireettralala]

The transformation of the county of Champagne.

Between the accession of Henry I in January 1152 and the death of Marie in March 1198, Champagne was transformed from a loose assortment of counties and quasi-independent lordships into a cohesive territorial state. Although the counts in their letters continued to identify themselves as "count of Troyes," they and their officials came to view their lands and fiefholders through the prism of the new castellany grid embodied in the rolls of fiefs. The count's castellanies, the new administrative districts centered on his towns and fortresses, encompassed all his fiefholders, from ordinary knights to barons with inherited castle lordships.In effect, a single polity consisting of the count's castellanies had subsumed Thibaut II' s collection of old counties and lordships. Geoffroy of Villehardouin, who surveyed the military disposition of the county through the rolls of fiefs, was the first to adapt his title to reflect the new political reality. Initially known as "marshal "and "marshal of the count," Geoffroy began to style himself "marshal of Champagne" after returning from the Third Crusade in 1194. Count Henry II, too, had begun to understand his title, "count of Troyes", in that expansive sense of all Champagne when he spoke of the lands "in my county", meaning not the old county of Troyes but rather all the lands under his authority, no matter their location or ancient title. Gislebert of Mons, the chancellor of Hainaut who was exceptionally well ­informed about Champagne , wrote in his chronicle (1195-96) that the "count of Troyes" was commonly ( vulgariter) called " count of Champagne." That sense of Champagne as a distinct polity, soon to become the "county of Champagne and Brie," was unimaginable before 1152.

Henry the Liberal's achievement, and Marie's in preserving it, was to construct the institutions of a new principality while retaining the loyalty of the barons through a traditional style of collegial governance. By recruiting his high officers from the old baronial lines- Chappes, Châtillon, Dampierre, Joinville, Plancy, Pougy, and Traînel- and by not overtly intruding into their inherited castle lordships, Henry co-opted the baronial class in the construction of his new state. The chapters of secular canons he founded in Troyes, Provins, Bar-sur-Aube and Sézanne, each with twenty to sixty or seventy prebends, furnished careers for well-born young men without a military or monastic calling, and served as a pool of literate personnel for the count's administrative needs. Even those without formal office, like Garnier of Traînel, served the count in a quasi-official capacity. Garnier and his brother Anselm III of Traînel, the count's butler, had been very close since the Second Crusade as co-lords of their inherited lands, and they often sat together at the count's court. In 1174 the count asked Garnier to arbitrate a complicated dispute between Larrivour and Montiéramey, two powerful monasteries not far from Troyes. In his sealed report to the count, Garnier related "what I saw and heard and what was done through my hand." Satisfied with Garnier's disposition of the matter, the count had Garnier's letter copied verbatim and sealed with his own seal; the chancellor presented the monks of Larrivour with both Garnier's original report and the count's sealed confirmation of the settlement. That symbiotic relationship between the counts and the region's wealthiest and most powerful barons assured their continuing support during Marie's regencies. Ultimately, the count's new administrative apparatus rested lightly on the barons, who continued to act as virtually independent lords within their own lands where they held court, oversaw their fiefholders, and conducted their own familial affairs without interference from the count.

Coincident with the rise of the comital state under Henry and Marie, and indeed fostered by it, were two related developments with far-reaching implications for the aristocracy. The first was the diminishing role of baronial castles within the county. The count's burgeoning towns, especially Troyes, Provins, and Bar-sur-Aube, whose regulated trade fairs made them vibrant commercial centers, marginalized the private castles. The prominence of the count's new principal residence in Troyes, with its attached chapel serving as his chancery, treasury, and mausoleum, was particularly dramatic. None of the baronial castle towns, not even Brienne, Joigny, or Bar-sur-Seine, which were located on the trade routes, could rival the count's towns in either size or economic or cultural importance. At the same time, the construction of fortified residences (domus, domus fortis) in the open countryside ended the dominance of the old castles. The new walled residential compounds, quadrangular moated sites with stout stone walls often reinforced by perimeter towers, began to dot the countryside from the 1170s. Whether they were built with the count's license, or were renderable to him, is not entirely clear, although many of the fortified residences in the castellanies of Meaux and Coulommiers facing the royal domain appear to have been licensed, perhaps even subsidized, by Henry I to strengthen the county's border in a region of few old baronial castles [...] Within a generation those walled compounds transformed the landscape, just as the construction of new villages and reformed monasteries earlier in the century had filled in the open spaces between the old towns, castles, and Benedictine monasteries.

The second development promoted by the rise of the comital state was the chancery's validation of women as fiefholders. Certainly women had held and disposed of fiefs much earlier in the century, as they had elsewhere. It was not fiefholding per se that was new but rather chancery conventions: whereas the scribes of Henry I's rolls of fiefs named only men and their male heirs as fiefholders (only 12 women appear among the 1899 fiefholders in 1178), a decade later the scribes of Henry II's rolls routinely included among the count's current fiefholders the wives and widows who held their dower fiefs and acted as custodians for their children's fiefs (in 1190, women held about 13,4 percent of recently transferred fiefs). In every subsequent inquest through the thirteenth century, women held between 17 percent and 20 percent of the count's fiefs- as their own inheritances, as dowers, or in custody for their husbands and heirs. Unlike the monastic scribes, who often represented wives as only consenters to the disposition of their own properties, the count's scribes recognized the actual role of women as fiefholders by right of inheritance, dower, or custody. What is particularly remarkable about the chancery's referencing of women fiefholders in the last decades of the century is that it coincides with the use of personal seals by highborn women, who had begun to seal letters patent, both jointly with their husbands and independently for their personal transactions.

Theodore Evergates- The Aristocracy in the County of Champagne, 1100-1300

[lightless-flame-official]

Every Literary Reference in The Magnus Archives (I think)

These are just the ones I noticed. If you caught references I didn't, feel free to add on! Since this'll be pretty long, it's all under the cut.

Character Namesakes:

(One or two of these may be a coincidence)

Algernon Blackwood - Martin Blackwood, Dr. Algernon Moss (mag 98)

Braham Stoker - Tim Stoker

Stephen King - Melanie King

M.R. James - Sasha James

Mary Shelley - Michael Shelley

Lucy Leitner - Jurgen Leitner, "Leitners"

Clive Barker - Georgie Barker

James Herbert - Trevor Herbert

Jaimie Delano - Eric Delano

Institute Names

"Count Magnus" by M.R. James - The Magnus Institute, Jonah Magnus

"The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allen Poe - The Usher Foundation

Pu Songling - The Pu Songling Research Centre

Direct References in Statements

Wilfred Owen, "Exposure" by Wilfred Owen - mag 7 (Wilfred Owen features in this episode and the statement giver, who served with him, references "Exposure".)

Misery by Stephen King -mag 17 (A passing mention of this book being shelved at the library.)

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer - mag 17, mag 70 (In mag 17, the statement giver finds The Boneturner's Tale which, though obviously modern, is kind of Canterbury Tales fanfiction, focusing on a character who is either traveling with or stalking Chaucer's pilgrims. In mag 70, a character can recognize Middle English due to having studied Chaucer in high school.)

The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster - mag 31 (The statement giver references a line from the play to help describe an avatar of the Hunt.)

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller - mag 38 (The statement giver's favorite book, a signed copy is among the objects stolen by the homophobic vase.)

Needful Things by Stephen King - mag 46 (The statement giver owns a small shop which he claims is often compared to the shop in Needful Things.)

"Antigonish" by William Hughes Mearns - mag 85 (The central figure of this poem, or something resembling it, gives a statement.)

Die Nachtstücke (The Night Pieces), "The Sandman" by E.T.A. Hoffman - mag 98 (The statement giver recalls having read "The Sandman" as a child and, in his adulthood, is haunted by something resembling Hoffman's Sandman.)

Five Go Down to the Sea by Enid Blyton - mag 147 (Referenced in passing as the only book Annabelle Cain took with her when she ran away from home as a child.)

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy - mag 147 (Referenced by Annabelle Cain as she waxes philosophic about free will.)

Leitners

(This list will, of course, only include real books referenced as Leitners. No Boneturner or Ex Altiora.)

The Dictionaire Infernal (Infernal Dictionary) by Jacques Collin de Plancy - mag 46

Malleus Maleficarum (Hammer of Witches) by Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger - mag 46

The Tale of a Field Hospital by Sir Frederick Treves - mag 68

The Key of Solomon by Solomon the King (purportedly) - mag 65, mag 70

The Seven Lamps of Architecture by John Ruskin - mag 80

Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe - mag 80, mag 91

Miscellaneous:

Dracula by Braham Stoker - mag 56 (The title of this episode, "Children of the Night" is taken from a line in Dracula, and is a pretty clever reference, if I do say so myself.)

Diana Wynn Jones - mag 81 (Referenced in passing as an author who Jon briefly liked as a child)

[justtryingmybestest]

Demons of Netherworld and their origin/inspiration PART 2 (Abnormal Class)

Note: Texts and photos are not mine. These information are copied from the Trivia column of each character in the Mairimashita! Iruma-kun Wiki. Enjoy.

1. Agares Picero

In demonology, Agares (also spelled as Agreas) is a Duke who rules the eastern zone of Hell, having 31 legions of demons under his command. He can make runaways come back and those who stand still run, causing earthquakes from the underground, destroy dignities (both temporal and supernatural), and grand noble titles to others. He is depicted as an old man riding a crocodile, carrying a hawk on his fist.

2. Allocer Schneider

In demonology, Allocer is a Great Duke of Hell, and commands over thirty-six legions of demons. He induces people to immorality and teaches arts and all mysteries of the sky.

3. Andro M. Jazz

In demonology, Andromalius is a Great Earl in hell with 36 legions of demons under his command. He can reasonably read, bring strength or punish, and uncover and discover hidden treasures, all wickedness and the relationship with the dishonest. He is described as a man holding a large snake in his hand. (Second photo source.)

4. Caim Kamui

In demonology, Camio (also spelled as Caim and Caym) is a President of Hell, having 30 legions of demons under his command. He is a good disputer, and can give men the understanding of the voices of animals (such as birds, bullocks, dogs etc.) and the voices of waters, give true answers concerning things to come. He is depicted as a thrush, but can change into a man with a sharp sword in his hand. When answering the summoner's question, he seems to be standing on burning ashes or coals. Camio's name seems to be taken from Cain - the First murderer according to the Bible.

5. Crocell Kerori

In demonology, Crocell (also spelled as Crokel and Procell) is a Duke of Hell, having 48 legions of demons under his command. He can teach geometry and other liberal sciences, warm bodies of water, create the illusion of the sound of rushing waters, and reveal the location of natural baths. He is depicted as an angel with a tendency to speak in dark and mysterious ways, and is associated with the element of water.

6. Gaap Goemon

In demonology, Gaap (also spelled as Goap and Tap) is a Prince of either the southern or the western zone of Hell (President or King in some versions). He can teach philosophy and all liberal sciences, cause love or hate, make men insensible and invisible, deliver familiars out of the custody of other magic-users, give true answer concerning the past, present, and future, carry and re-carry men and things from one nation to another at the summoner's will, and can make men ignorant. He also has control over the Water Elementals or 'water demons'. He is said to be better conjured to appear when the Sun's in a southern zodiacal sign, and should be honored with sacrifices and burning offerings. He is depicted in a human-like shape.

7. Purson Soi

In demonology, Purson is a Great King of Hell, who controls twenty-two legions of demons. has been said to knows of hidden things, can find treasures, and tells past, present, and future. Taking a human or aerial body he answers truly all the secret and divine things of Earth and the creation of the world.

8. Sabnock Sabro

In demonology, Sabnock from the Ars Goetia, Great Marquis of hell is known for building high towers, castles and cities, furnishing them with weapons, ammunition, etc. He is depicted as an armor-wearing warrior, who has the head of a lion and rides a horse.

9. Shax Lied

In demonology, the demon Shax is a Great Marquis of Hell and commands thirty legions of demons on evil horses. He is known to take away the sight, hearing and understanding of any person under the conjurer's request, and steals money out of kings' houses, only to return it 1200 years later if everything is still in order. He also steals horses and everything the conjurer asks. Shax can also discover hidden things if they are not kept by evil spirits, and sometimes gives good familiars, but sometimes those familiars deceive the conjurer.

10. Ix Elizabetta

I didn’t find anything about her. However, I read in a comment that her name might be based off of Xezbeth. In demonology, Xezbeth (alternately Shezbeth) is a demon of lies and legends, who invents untrue tales. Its name in Arabic is "The Liar". According to French occultist Collin de Plancy's Dictionnaire Infernal (1853), it is impossible to count the number of its disciples. (Second photo source.) 

For Valac Clara and Asmodeus Alice, check the Part 1. 

[nura-winderson]

so for reasons I happen to have a Demonomicon lying around in my house, so I figured why not check on our lovely Obey me! boys to see what folklore says about them?

*possible spoilers ahead*

Lucifer

The translation of the name is “Lightbringer���. The name was to be used to point out the planet Venus, the brightest object on the sky that fights the Sun’s light - explaining how this got transferred to the rebellion against God.

Christan lore refers to the this name as the synonim for Satan, and soon became a forbidden word to be even said out loud.

Hebrew lore remembers Lucifer as the prideful cherub of Eden, the garden of God, his body covered in gold, diamonds, ruby, emerald and several other gems. After God has named him to be the guardian of all living beings, he intended to meet with God as equals and therefore was precipitated first to Earth and later to Seol.

In the 19th century a luciferian religion has risen implying that Lucifer was the positive figure showing through the pages of the Old Testament and has marked Jahve or Adonai the evil entity, even claiming the Lucifer and his followers are the real creators of Earth.

Mammon

The demon of richness, greediness.

His name translates to “money, wealth”, originating from the middle-eastern word mammon, which can be even found in the Bible: “ No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon (money).” (Matthew 6,24). In some translations of the script not everyone has recognized the meaning of the word mammon, which resulted in some translations as a reference to an evil pagan entity, and the demon was born.

In Johannes Weyer’s Pseudomonarchia deamonum he’s remembered as the british embassador of Hell

Leviathan

Lord of the Seas, in Johannes Weyer’s Pseudomonarchia deamonum he’s mentioned as “Admiral of Hell” or “Minister of the Sea”.

His symbol of the most infamous of them all, even used as the emblem of the Church of Satan: a goat- or devilskull in the middle of a downwards pointing pentragram. The pentagram is surrounded by 2 rings and 5 hebrew letters: L V I T N, the hebrew name for Leviathan.

In ancient jewish folklore and also in the Bible he doesn’t appear as a demon but rather as the world’s greeatest aquatic monster. When God created the seas, he decided let Leviathan take the throne underwater and command the seas and all living beings in it. He feeds of aquatic dragons, and when he rages of hunger or thirst he causes water ripplings that take 77 years to calm.

In some folklore he’s mentioned and the gigantic entity that can only be seen in the horizon of the seas, his body so large noone has ever seen it entirely, and has been discribed as swimming in a circle around the oceans biting on his own tail (similar to Jormungand in Norse mythology).

In the Babilonian Talmud Rab Safra has once spotted an enormous being swimming in the ocean, his two horns had engraved inscription that read: “This tiny being which only lengths 300 miles is on it’s way to serve as food for Leviathan”

Satan

Does not have his own title, however the words “Satan” does come up in the chapters of Lucifer and Samael.

Asmodeus

Hebrew legends claim him as the serial killer demon birthed by Lilith and Adam. According to the apocryphal book of Tobit, Asmodeus, smitten with love for Sarah, killed six or her successive husbands on their wedding nights. Following instructions given to him by the angel Raphael, Tobias overcame Asmodeus and married Sarah. Later in the Testament of Abraham he again appears as preventer of spouses’ lovelife.

In other legends he’s not presented as evil as previously, rather as the demon of Ursa Maior he helps in different sorceries. For example in the Testament of Solomon he helped in buiding the Jerusalem Temple along with other enslaved demons. It is also said that when God punished Solomon for his overwhelming arrogance, Asmodeus was the one to claim the throne during his punishment in disguise.

Beelzebub

Lord of the Flies, one of the most infamous and powerful rulers of Hell. The first mention of him in the Bible is when Jesus performes exorcism and is accused of working together with Beelzebub, later even that he himself is the Lord of Flies.

The origin of the name has several theories, including Baal-zebub, God of Ekron, who’s messengers are represented as flies. Another theory points out that the ancient jew cultur had the “zabulus” expession which has a distorted verios of the greek “diabolos” which may has been combined with the phoenician Baal (god, lord), hence creating a “lord of devils”.

In both the Middle-East and Egypt several sacred artifacts have been discovered which gives an idea that some kind of fly-based cult may have existed. Plinius has also left records behind indicating that roman and syrian temples have presented sacrifies for flies and the Lord of Flies here names Achor.

In the Middle Ages Beelzebub was presented as the fallen monarch of the serafs, who stands just below Lucifer in the hierarchy of Hell. In other scripts however he is portrayed as standing just above Lucifer.

In Collin de Plancy’s Dictionnaire Infernal he’s illustrated as a fly who’s wings are covered in skulls and bones.

Belphegor

He also originates back to the Middle-East, his name probably comes from Baal-Peor, Baal meaning God or Lord and Peor being a mountain, he’s the Lord of Peor Mountain, possibly a regional pagan god.

In the Middle Ages he’s referenced as the wealth-bringing demon, later on additionally he’s the helper of those seeking technological or scientifical discoveries. In the Pseudomonarchia daemonum he’s mentioned as the french ambassador of Hell.

Machiavelli’s Belphegor is most likely to be thanked for his fame. In this comedy he’s sent to the human world to find out if spousal loyalty truely exists. He interviewes numerous married men and women only to claim that the rumors are false.

John Wilson’s comedy Belphegor of the Marriage of the Devil as the name implies even matches him up.

Italian and french tv series have also been created with him being the lead character, the latter became a movie later on.

Diavolo

Does not have his own title.

Barbatos

The 8th demon of Lemegeton, always surrounded by four demon kings and three demon legions. If made a pact with, he can provide excessive information on science and may lead to treasures locked away by magic. Knows all the secrets of past, present and future and can communicate with animals.

Simeon

Does not have his own title in the book, however he does appear in the Eastern Ortodox Church, claiming he is one of the 72 translators of the greek Old Testament.

Luke

Does not have his own title, but he might be the angelic verios of Luke the Evangelist who did become Saint Luke and is patron saint of artists, physicians, bachelors, surgeons, students and butcher.

Solomon

Does not have his own title, but King Solomon is referenced several times as the sorcerer enslaver of demons. The Testament of Solomon is not considered canonical in either jewish or christian lore however it does contain numerous theological and magical themes ranging from Christianity and Judaism to Greek mythology and astrology that possibly hint at a Christian writer with a Greek background. He posseses a ring with the Seal of God (a pentagram pointing upwards) which he received from the archangel Michael and which gives him the power to command demons.

He eventually gains power over Beelzebub who is considered pince of demons, hence Solomon is able to enslave any and all demons.

notes

i think it’s terribly interesting how Levi is a lot closer to gluttony as Beel. I have this headcanon that perhaps originally Levi and Belphie were supposed to be twins (they do look awful similar and think about the character design! they are the only ones with a tail instead of wings), but for some reason (that perhaps we can later learn from the continous story) the characters were swapped.

I also believe that Solomon will have a much bigger part of the story as he has right now.

[thyccandtyred]

I got this new book for my collection and wanted to put together a cute outfit inspired by it.

It's an English translation of Infernal Legends by J. Collin De Plancy (originally printed 1861). I've have Abracax House's print of De Plancy's Infernal Dictionary. It's great insight into how the subjects of demons, witchcraft, and the occult were viewed in the 1800s but definitely told from De Plancy's Catholic point of view.

Essentially, the book is a compilation of short tales regarding people who make pacts with devils.

[jaybirdmorgan]

InkTober-Vember 26: Torngarsuk Torngarsuk is a powerful Sky God in Inuit myth, and has been celebrated throughout Greenland and Northern Canada. Sometimes taking the form of a one-armed man, a human-seal hybrid, or a gigantic finger-like being (?), Torngarsuk most commonly appears as a great and powerful polar bear. He is the master of whales, dolphins and seals, and is the head of their clan. He is said to appear as visible only before medicine men or shamans, who call upon him for aide when someone falls sick. Most of these shamans have spirit familiars, often housed in bottles fashioned from leather, who may act as intermediaries between the human and Torngarsuk. Every description of Torngrasuk I could find online was clearly copy-pasted from the same source, likely because the wording is just vague enough to discourage someone from feeling confident in re-describing the aspects of this God. This is weird to me, as it seems that Torngarsuk is one of the most powerful characters in many versions of Inuit mythology, so you'd think there'd be a lot to say about him, especially from folks directly connected to the source material. I'm sure there is, especially as Torngarsuk's charges, the cetaceans and pinnipeds, are both important parts of Inuit life and culture. Two other folks did take note of Torngarsuk over the years. The first was a French Occultist named Jacques Albin Simon Collin de Plancy, who included him as a Demon in his 1818 Dictionnaire Infernal, alongside the likes of Astroth, Orobas, Behemoth and Lamia (throwback!). The other was H.P. Lovecraft, who actually included him in the famous 'Call of Cthulhu.' Both of these interpretations take a very diabolist view of this exceptionally cool sky bear who talks to whales and helps to heal the sick. (at Chinatown, Victoria) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4rOS7_FdOI/?igshid=jujx2m0m4z1h

[mythicallore]

... What was that sound?

"This happens all the time," says Darren Evans, a bystander joining the paranormal investigating team of Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures. The target: Zozo, an ancient demon who makes his presence known by rapping on walls and moving objects, and might be doing so in the empty hallway upstairs.

Evans isn't rattled by the sound; he's used to his house making strange noises. For years, he claims that Zozo has stalked, harassed, and tormented his family. Evans even claims to have been possessed by Zozo, who is an ancient supernatural presence who has wormed his way through history, wreaking havoc on participants since the pre-Biblical days. Evans is a self-proclaimed "Zozologist," who regularly tells his stories at paranormal conventions, on supernatural-themed podcasts, and across 236 pages in a recent book. For this television appearance, he's leading a team into the darkness, into the unknown.

Zozo's origin story is riddled with supposition, fabrication, and a hive-mind belief system that keeps his power alive and thriving -- despite giant gaps in its history. But since 2009, Zozo has been a popular internet fixture, so notorious that he's inspired feature films, books, podcasts, and been the focus of entire episodes of both the aforementioned Ghost Adventures and SyFy's Paranormal Witness. A YouTube search of "Zozo demon" turns up more than 80,000 results, with videos ranging from emotional personal encounters to timeline histories to alleged, full-on possessions. Internet lore has one explanation for how it crept out of the shadows; facts tell us something very different.

The demon's story is intertwined with Darren Evans, a man whose stringent belief in the unseen -- and whose obsession with Led Zeppelin -- helped birth a modern urban legend that gains traction with each passing year, its foothold coagulating into an accepted, inescapable truth.

Who is Zozo?

The Zozo demon (sometimes stylized as ZoZo or ZOZO) is a mysterious trickster entity known for stalking people through Ouija boards. Those who claim they've made contact with Zozo – who also goes by Zaza, Mama, Oz, Zo, Za, and Abacus – say he often shows himself by guiding the planchette into figure-8 formations, before frantically zooming back and forth between the "Z" and "O." His interactions start out friendly, but grow malicious; he's known for cursing at and threatening contactees, sometimes personally. While he's often wrangled by a Ouija board, some believe that saying his name out loud can also summon Zozo from the depths of hell.

Zozo believers claim the demon has ancient origins, either African or Sumerian, depending who you ask. While those claims can't be substantiated (they may be confusing Zozo for Pazuzu, a Mesopotamian wind demon who famously appeared in The Exorcist), a supernatural entity called "Zozo" was referenced in the 1818 French text Le Dictionnaire Infernal. The demonological encyclopedia, written by French author Jacques Auguste Simon Collin de Plancy, recounts the story of a young village girl who claimed she'd been possessed by three demons named Mimi, Zozo, and Crapoulet.

But according to the website The Paranormal Scholar, accurately translating the text of Le Dictionnaire Infernal shows that the girl's story was faked. "She rattled nonsense," de Plancy wrote, adding that the girl had been publicly beaten years before for faking possession, and was eventually imprisoned for her fibs. He goes on to describe what he believed to be genuine cases of demonic activity, ending the Zozo extract with the sentence: "Nonetheless, there are real cases of possession."

Zozo's first-known textual appearance was technically a non-appearance, but this hasn't stopped people from using Le Dictionnaire Infernal as "proof" of Zozo's existence. A number of websites and videos still cite it as fact, bolstering the belief that Zozo predates the event that seemingly willed him into existence.

Darren Evans (right) on a 2014 episode of Ghost Adventures | Travel Channel

A legend is born

In 2009, an Oklahoma man named Darren Evans recounting his experience with a demon named "ZOZO" on a website called True Ghost Tales. In the post, Evans admits to an adolescent fascination with the occult, citing many Ouija board incidents through the years. But Zozo, he said, was different. The entity consistently showed itself to Evans, "too many times to count," pretending to be a kind spirit before shifting into threatening language, including curses in what "looked like Latin or Hebrew."

"I was genuinely fascinated and startled by how many times 'ZOZO' showed up, even in many different states and many different Ouija boards," Evans wrote. He claimed that the demon also made threats against his toddler daughter, nearly drowning her in a bathtub and later infecting her with a mysterious illness. "We almost lost her, and that was when I began to suspect demonic attack."

Evans' post garnered a great deal of interest, with other readers alleging similar Ouija encounters with Zozo. He eventually set up a website to collect stories, which steadily gained popularity. A film production company called One World Studios took notice of Evans story, acquired the rights, and in 2012, released the independent feature I Am ZoZo, which featured a cameo appearance by Evans. A YouTube video promoting the film -- titled "Scariest Ouija Board Demon ZOZO Possessed Girl" -- went viral; it currently has more than 5 million views. The comments still debate its validity, despite a promoted link to rent I Am ZoZo below the video's description. "Oh my gosh, [you're] not meant to joke with this. She was laughing and insulting Zozo, so that's why this happened," one comments reads. "The thing was going around in a figure eight. That's bad," says another.

In 2014, Evans and his family appeared on an episode of the Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures. The show's paranormal team, led by host Zak Bagans, visited Evans' house in Oklahoma, which he claimed to be plagued by Zozo. During interviews, he added new details to his original story, including the temporary blinding of his daughter, which he blamed on the demon.

In 2016, Evans co-authored a book, The Zozo Phenomenon, with leading paranormal expert Rosemary Ellen Guiley. He once again added new details about his first encounter with Zozo, claiming that he came in contact with Zozo in 1982 after discovering a Ouija board in his then-girlfriend's basement. Engraved on the back? "ZOZO."

According to The Paranormal Scholar, earlier that year in a phone interview with a New Jersey newspaper, Evans told the same story about a mysterious Zozo-engraved Ouija board, only that time, he claimed "Zozo" was written on the front, "where 'Ouija' is normally written," not on the back. Both of these mentions were the first time in the seven years that Evans had been talking about Zozo that he mentioned an engraved board.

The Zoso symbol from 'Led Zeppelin IV' | Atlantic Recording Company

The part where one of the most legendary rock bands of all time factors in

As if the cracks in Evans' story weren't enough, The Paranormal Scholar uncovered another fascinating revelation: the "Zozo" font on the cover of Evans's The Zozo Phenomenon appeared to be lifted from the "Zoso" symbol, an ancient glyph representing Saturn that was widely used by Led Zeppelin frontman Jimmy Page. Though Page has never revealed what Zoso means to him personally, it's possible that his being a Capricorn -- a sign ruled by Saturn -- has something to do with it.

Evans also happened to be an on-the-record mega-fan of Led Zeppelin, a band long been associated with Satanism and demonology. For a time, his Zozo website even linked directly to the official Zeppelin website and had a link to purchase Jimmy Page's autobiography.

Evans, for his part, has attempted to counter the claims that he fabricated his story. He claims the root word "Zo" -- appearing in both Zozo and Zoso -- has some sort of "magical power," which he believes explains its recurring nature. In a blog post from earlier this year, he posted more historical "proof" of Zozo's existence, once again citing Le Dictionnaire Infernal and a Nigerian paranormal website, Nairaland, where in 2005 a user named Makaveli wrote of a friend's encounter with a demon called "Zo-Zo." (Curiously, in the Nigerian languages Hausa and Igbo, "Zozo" translates to "come up.") He found mention of a demon named Zozo in a 1966 play by Jacques Audiberti, and in an 1876 issue of the Catholic Review, where Saint Bernardino of Siena mentions a "Mass of Zozo," some sort of Satanic ritual.

There's little consistency between Evans's personal accounts and his sourced material that relates any one Zozo to the other. Furthermore, none of these instances explain why, before Evans' 2009 True Ghost Tales post, "Zozo demon" yielded next to zero results in Google's search function. If Zozo encounters are such a shared experience, no one felt comfortable enough sharing their own run-ins until Evans came forward with his viral anecdote.

A scene from I Am Zozo | Image Entertainment

Zozo lives on

Even with such traceable and flimsy origins, Zozo lives on in the collective subconscious, seemingly unstoppable. Like Slender Man and other Creepypasta concoctions, his mythology is so entrenched in the niche corners of the web that you'd be hard-pressed to convince believers in his non-existence. From Reddit to YouTube vlogs to message boards, many people remain utterly convinced that they've had Ouija board run-ins with Zozo.

In the 1970s, scientists attempted this on a large scale with a project known as the "Philip experiment." Hoping to manifest a nonexistent "ghost" through fear responses, the scientists created a fictional character named Philip and held a séance with a test group. After feeding the group Philip's story, they tried to conjure his spirit. The experiment was successful: through sheer force of belief, the participants felt the table vibrate, heard rapping sounds, and said they sensed a presence.

Zozo could be like Philip, a presence people decided to believe in and have now willed into existence. It's strikingly similar to Slender Man, who, despite being wholly and obviously fictional, inspired two Wisconsin schoolgirls to stab their friend, hoping to sacrifice her to the figure they were convinced was real.

Perhaps Zozo is real, and Darren Evans is merely the conduit through which we were introduced to him. In lore, demons are known to disappear for long stretches; it's possible his 2009 emergence was by some hellish design, and he's here to prey on the specific fears of a new generation, one who can spread his word through the viral capillaries of the internet, where any unsuspecting soul might stumble on his wrath.

[theladyinthegraveyard]

                 LOUDON POSSESSIONS ( 1630 – 1634)

It was a mass possession of Ursuline nuns in Loudon ( France) which the main accused was Father Urbain Grandier, accused to be the source of their demonic possessions. The Mother Superior Jeanne des Anges and the sisters has been possessed during a period of four years. This case is one of the most interesting since it opened a debate over witchcraft and also the possibility that Grandier has been executed for his political believes and missteps. 27 nuns claimed to be possessed, in 1634 Grandier has been executed but the exorcisms for the nuns continued until 1637. The Ursuline convent was established in 1626 by 17 nuns from really noble families. Some of them were sent them because their families could not find suitors of comparable rank to marry them. These nuns purchased an house no one would because it was haunted, and they settled the convent there. There was no furniture and they slept on the floor. In 1627 was appointed as Mother Superior Jeanne des Anges, daughter of a baron. The parish priest of St. Pierre – du – Marche in Loudon, a town in Poitiers, was Father Grandier. He was handsome, wealthy and enjoyed the support of noble people. He inspired admiration but also envy. Grandier was often arrogant and and townspeople suspected him of fathering a child by Philippa Trincant, daughter of the King’s solicitor in Loudon. He even courted Madeleine de Brou, daughter of the King’s councilor. In June 1630 Grandier was arrested and found guilty by his enemy, the bishop of Poitiers. Since he had important political connections he was restored to his clerical duties. Jean de Laubardemont, one of his enemies, along with a capuchin monk, Father Tranquille, called to the cardinal Richelieu’s attention a satire on him that Grandier was supposed to have written. Grandier was arrested as a witch. Experts continued to doubt that the possessions of the nuns were real. Most of the nuns that denounced to be possessed failed the test of knowledge of foreign languages not known to them prior to their possession. The nuns failed tests for clervoyance, levitation and supernatural strength. The case against Grandier was also being used against the Protestant Huguenots. After the Protestant Reformation, Catholics and protestants battled each other in possession cases to demonstrate their own power. Even Grandier’s lover came forward with accusations of adultery, incest and sacrilege. The mother superior claimed to be possessed by Isacaaron, devil of debauchery. Pillet de Mesnadiere, one of cardinal Richelieu’s personal physicians, determined where some of the demons resided in the body of the possessed nuns.

Jeanne des Anges: Leviathan in the center of the forehead, Beherit in the stomach, Balaam under the second rib on the right side, Isacaaron under the last rib on the left.

Agnes de la Motte – Barace: Asmodeus under the heart and Beherit in the stomach.

Louise of Jesus: Eazaz under the heart and Caron in the center of the forehead.

Claire de Sazilly: Zabulon in the forehead, Nepthali in the right arm, Elymi on one side of the stomach, the enemy of the Virgin in the neck, Verrine in the left temple ,and Concupiscence of the Order of the Cherubim in the left rib.

Seraphica: a bewitchment of the stomach consisting of a drop of water guarded sometimes by Baruch and other times by Carreau.

Anne d’Escobleau: a magic bayberry leaf in the stomach guarded by Elymi.

Elizabeth Blanchard: a devil under each armpit, the Coal of Impurity in the left buttock, devils under the heart and under the left breast.

Françoise Filatreau: Ginnillion in the forebrain, Jabel throughout the body, and Dog’s Tail in the stomach.

Father Grandier was forced to exorcise the nuns himself and the nuns replied in Greek ( but they have been previously coached to do that). One of the most interesting items from the exorcisms and trial was the alleged pact between the Devil and Grandier, allegedly stolen from Lucifer’s cabinet of devilish agreements by Asmodeus and presented to the cour as proof of Grandier’s complicity. Written backward by Grandier, it was signed in blood. Co signers of this pact were Satan, Beelzebub, Lucifer, Elimi, Leviathan and Astaroth and the recorder, Baalberith, countersigned the pact. The royal commission passed the sentence on August 18, 1634. Grandier was burned alive but even under extreme torture he supported his innocence. He has been promised to be strangled before burning but it was not true. One monk who witnessed the execution reported that a large fly buzzed about Grandier’s head, symbolizing that Beelzebub, the lord of the flies, had appeared to carry Grandier’s soul to hell.

Source: Aldous Huxley - The devils of Loudon 

Image: second part of the pact made by Grandier. This image is from Dictionnaire infernal by Collin de Plancy