Vassago
Vassago (also Vasago, Usagoo) is the third Goetic demon described in the Lesser Key of Solomon (including Thomas Rudd's variant) as a prince "of a good nature" (despite being a demon) and of the "same nature as Agares". He rules twenty-six legions of spirits, and is summoned to tell magicians of past and future events, and locate lost objects. He is one of the few spirits found in the Lesser Key of Solomon but not in Johann Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum.[1][2] Vassago is mentioned in the Book of the Office of Spirits as Usagoo, appearing as an angel, "just and true in all his doings," with the powers of inciting the love of women and revealing hidden treasures, in addition to ruling twenty spirits.[3] According to Rudd, Vassago is opposed by the Shemhamphorasch angel Sitael.[4]
Depiction
One early description of Vassago was that he appeared "as an aged man riding a crocodile and carrying on his right wrist a Goshawk. His eyes are hollow and see into other dimensions, but he is blind in this dimension." Still another description is that Vassago appears as "a blood-red dragon, extending one slithe (30 feet) long." The creature was observed by this summoner as having large, red wings. It walked on four legs, had green eyes and white fangs.
Vassago in Literature
Vassago plays a significant role in the novel The Day After Judgement by James Blish, where an ambiguous relationship to the majority of the Infernal forces is implied. A psychotic serial killer character takes on the name Vassago in the novel Hideaway by Dean Koontz.
References
- ↑ Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis: The Lesser Key of Solomon, Detailing the Ceremonial Art of Commanding Spirits Both Good and Evil; ed. Joseph H. Peterson; Weiser Books, Maine; 2001. p.7-10
- ↑ The Goetia of Dr Rudd; Thomas Rudd, Ed. Stephen Skinner & David Rankine; 2007, Golden Hoard Press. p.100-109
- ↑ A Book of the Office of Spirits; John Porter, Trans. Frederick Hockley, Ed. Colin D. Campbell; Teitan Press, 2011. p.vii-xvii, 24
- ↑ Rudd, ed. Skinner & Rankine, p.366-376