demons

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Style of Eye - October 2007

demons

October 5th 2007 02:54

In religion, folklore, and mythology a demon (or daemon, from the Greek) is a supernatural being that has generally been described as a malevolent spirit, and in Christian terms it is generally understood as a Fallen angel, formerly of God. The word the demon, like angel, is a word that has been thrown around for centuries. Both are potent images, but, for some reason the imagery of demons tends to be more expressive and more imaginative than the imagery surrounding angels.

According to the Colombia Electronic Encyclopedia a demon is a “supernatural being, generally malevolent in character. In general, the more civilized pagan societies came to consider demons as powerful, supernatural beings who lacked the dignity of gods and who, depending on the circumstance, might be either benevolent or malevolent in their dealings with men. Some demons, like the Greek Pan, were nature spirits; others were guardians of the home or fields or watchers over travelers; still others were spirits of disease and insanity or dream spirits. Some demons were considered to be intermediaries between men and the gods.

It was not until the development of late Hebraic and Christian thinking that demons came to represent the unqualified malevolence so common in European demonology of the 16th and 17th cent. This period was a high point in the study of demons, in the speculation on their nature, number, and specific fiendishness. The list compiled in 1589 by a demonologist named Binsfield was considered to be highly authoritative; in it he listed the following major demons and their particular evils: Lucifer (pride), Mammon (avarice), Asmodeus or Ashmodai (lechery), Satan (anger), Beelzebub (gluttony), Leviathan (envy), and Belphegor (sloth). The widespread and ancient belief in demons is still a strong force in many regions of the world today.”

In the contemporary Western occultist tradition (epitomized by the work of author and self-professed Satanist Aleister Crowley), a demon, such as Choronzon - the "Demon of the Abyss" - is a useful metaphor for certain inner psychological processes, though some may also regard it as an objectively real phenomenon. Aleister Crowley, a figure popular among the modern Goth movement, also contacted the “abyssmal” demon Kokomo through the use of an Ouija board and had nightly conversations (nothing like a little diabolical pillow talk). Crowley often said his "pet demon" Kokomo threatened death upon mockery and if the board was destroyed.

Crowley died shortly after burning his Ouija board in an attempt to become possessed by demons.

I wonder if Kokomo looked anything like the wild and wicked illustrations seen below …?

I'm not gonna sleep well tonight ... my dreams will be hot and fevered ... although if any of those sexy demons plague my dreams then I'll try and sweat it out. My three favourite demon images here are two Boris illustrations; the demon lover bat-winged embrace and the silver haired demoness on the cliff edge, and the red demoness tearing her black brassiere apart ... oh, the humanity!

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Posted By: Raoul Duke - Category: art

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4 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Harry

October 5th 2007 03:09

World Art
Sydney Diary
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Brisbane Diarystar
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Demons are soooo much more interesting than Angels, and much more fun to draw I would think. I can see why artists are drawn to them.

Comment by Raoul Duke

October 5th 2007 16:31

Style of Eye

Harry, I share your point of view, most pointedly.

Comment by Lilla

October 5th 2007 21:27

Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald

Raoul,

This was an interesting post, thanks.

I particularly enjoyed reading about Binsfield's list, it was a missing jigsaw piece for my own research into similar things...

The pics are eerie and certainly helps one 'get the picture.' *chuckle*

Lilla ...

Comment by Raoul Duke

October 7th 2007 04:39

Style of Eye

Lilla, I'm glad I provided some diabolical enlightenment

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