Forneus is a Marquis of the Ars Goetia, ruling 29 legions of spirits.
Key facts
| Rank | Marquis |
|---|---|
| Legions | 29 |
| Powers | Languages, Eloquence, Knowledge & sciences |
| Enn (modern chant) | «Senan okat ena Forneus ayer» |
| Sources | Ars Goetia, Pseudomonarchia |
| Seal no. | 30 / 72 |
| External IDs | Wikidata · Wikipedia |
On this page
How it appears
A sea monster.
What you ask of it
He teaches rhetoric and all languages, gives good fame, and makes one loved by friends and enemies alike.
Provenance
Forneus appears in Weyer (1577) as a marquis and sea monster who teaches rhetoric and languages. The Ars Goetia incorporates him as spirit 30 and preserves his social profile: good fame and the love of friends and enemies.
The seal: printed edition and facsimile
Forneus's main seal follows the printed Mathers–Crowley (1904) form; the Sloane MS 2731 manuscript facsimile is shown separately for comparison.
The main image and SVG/PNG downloads reproduce the printed form of S. L. MacGregor Mathers and Aleister Crowley's 1904 edition, using the normal vector pack documented on Wikimedia Commons (public domain/CC0). The Sloane MS 2731 facsimile remains separate for comparing manuscript variants; it is not used as the main image.
The FULL manuscript facsimile («Lemegeton, Clavicula Salomonis», Sloane MS 2731) is in our library; the original is held at the British Library (Sloane MS 2731).
How it is summoned
In antiquity
According to the Ars Goetia, the operation is the same for all 72 spirits:
- The magician draws the magic Circle and never steps out of it during the whole work.
- A few paces away he draws the Triangle of Art: there, and only there, must the spirit manifest.
- On his breast he wears the lamen bearing the demon's seal, engraved in metal.
- He recites the conjurations, calling it by its names and by the divine names.
- If the spirit resists or delays, the constraint and the 'chain of spirits' are used.
- Once the request is granted, he gives it the license to depart, and never before.
The ancient source shows him as a great sea monster; his office is to make one admirable in rhetoric, give knowledge of languages, good reputation, and favor even from enemies. It records for him no hour, orientation, offering, or particular defense.
Source: Ars Goetia (17th c.); already in Weyer’s Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, 1577
The common Goetic operation also adds, when needed: to constrain a resisting spirit (Wellcome MS 110, c74–c78), to show it the Pentacle of Solomon once manifested (Ars Theurgia-Goetia), to work in its planetary hour and day (by rank), and finally to give it licence to depart —and never before (Wellcome MS 110, c53). Practise the full rite at The Practitioner's Table.
What is the “chain of spirits”?
Modern · not ancient
- Print or draw its seal and place it before you on a clean surface.
- Light a candle and, if you wish, some incense; still your mind and set your intention.
- Intone its enn softly and repeatedly, eyes on the seal, until you feel a shift in the air.
- State your request clearly and respectfully, not as a command.
- Give thanks, let the candle burn down a little and close; modern practice is devotional, with no coercive conjuration.
Enn (modern chant): «Senan okat ena Forneus ayer»
Source: Enn of modern demonolatry (lists disseminated by S. Connolly, The Complete Book of Demonolatry, 2006)
In modern uses he is worked with for reputation, diplomacy, linguistic learning, and the softening of hostile relations.
Modern experiences (personal gnosis)
In contemporary demonolatry, practitioners describe Forneus's presence as fluid, calming, and of a deeply intellectual character, consistently aligning with his aquatic symbolism. He is usually worked with to gain eloquence in communication, resolve legal disputes favorably, or pacify tense environments, as he is perceived as capable of transforming hostility into mutual respect.
Personal gnosis (UPG): how contemporary practitioners say they experience it. This is subjective experience, not a historical source or doctrine; it does not come from the ancient grimoires and may not be real.
Source: S. Connolly, 'The Daemonolatry Goetia' (2010); reportes de gnosis personal (UPG) en la corriente demonólatra moderna.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Forneus?
Forneus is one of the 72 spirits catalogued in the Ars Goetia (the first book of the Lemegeton, 17th c.) and in Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (1577); it is listed with the rank of Marquis. It is not a deity or a biblical figure: it is an entry in these historical spirit-catalogues.
What is the sigil (seal) of Forneus?
The seal image of Forneus that we display and offer for download follows the printed Mathers–Crowley (1904) form, using the normal vector pack documented on Wikimedia Commons (public domain/CC0). The Sloane MS 2731 manuscript facsimile is provided separately because Lemegeton witnesses preserve variants.
What is Forneus's rank in the Ars Goetia?
Forneus is a Marquis, ruling 29 legions of spirits according to the Lesser Key of Solomon.
How do you summon Forneus?
According to the ancient sources (the Lemegeton, the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum), Forneus is summoned with the goetic rite: the Circle and the Triangle of Art are traced, its seal is engraved and worn, the candles are lit and the conjuration is spoken by the divine names; if it delays, it is constrained, and at the end it is given the licence to depart. This is historical-documentary material, not a how-to for real summoning.
What does Forneus do? What is it invoked for?
He teaches rhetoric and all languages, gives good fame, and makes one loved by friends and enemies alike.
What sources does Forneus come from?
Forneus appears in Weyer (1577) as a marquis and sea monster who teaches rhetoric and languages. The Ars Goetia incorporates him as spirit 30 and preserves his social profile: good fame and the love of friends and enemies.
What is the enn (chant) of Forneus?
The enn of Forneus circulating today is «Senan okat ena Forneus ayer». It is a MODERN demonolatry chant (late 20th c.); it does not appear in the old grimoires.
Of the same rank · Marquis
Of the same power · Languages
→ Where does «your demon by birthdate» come from? See how the different systems distribute the 72 spirits: Goetia Correspondences.
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