Malphas is a President of the Ars Goetia, ruling 40 legions of spirits.
Key facts
| Rank | President |
|---|---|
| Legions | 40 |
| Powers | War, Familiars, Destruction |
| Enn (modern chant) | «Lirach tasa Malphas ayer» |
| Sources | Ars Goetia, Pseudomonarchia |
| Seal no. | 39 / 72 |
| Cardinal king | Amaymon · South (S) |
| External IDs | Wikidata · Wikipedia |
On this page
How it appears
A raven who then takes the form of a man, with a hoarse voice.
What you ask of it
He builds houses and high towers, gathers artificers, reveals the thoughts and desires of enemies and destroys them, and gives good familiars.
Provenance
Malphas appears in Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (1577) as a great president, like a crow that adopts human form. The Ars Goetia preserves his office as builder, revealer of enemy plans, and giver of familiars, together with the warning about sacrifices. Already attested in the Livre des Esperitz (15th c.) as «Malpharas (f182r)» and in the Liber Officiorum Spirituum (Folger V.b.26, 16th c.) as «Mallapus (no. 6)».
The seal: printed edition and facsimile
Malphas'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).
Documented ancient datum
«Gathers artificers» and «tears down enemies' buildings» are Weyer's; the Lemegeton says he REVEALS. Legions 40 (Lemegeton) / 50 (Weyer).
How it is summoned
In antiquity
In addition to the common procedure, the source preserves: a control caution.
Ancient operation: common procedure plus the documented detail in this entry.
- Prepare the Magic Circle, the Triangle of Art, and the lamen bearing the seal of Malphas, following the common operation of the Goetia.
- Recite the conjurations to call him by his name and compel him to appear outside the Circle, within the prepared space.
- When he appears as a crow or in human form with a hoarse voice, set forth the petition concerning houses, towers, artificers, enemies, or familiars.
- Do not offer him sacrifices as though they were a guarantee: Weyer and the Goetia say that he receives them gladly, but deceives those who give them.
- Require clear answers and limit the charge to what has been asked, especially if it concerns revealing or destroying the works of enemies.
- When finished, pronounce the license to depart and close the operation without prolonging dealings or promising an offering.
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): «Lirach tasa Malphas ayer»
Source: Enn of modern demonolatry (lists circulated by S. Connolly, The Complete Book of Demonolatry, 2006)
Modern demonolatry associates him with building, protection, strategy, and the overthrow of obstacles; such readings expand his ancient office.
Modern experiences (personal gnosis)
In modern demonolatry, contemporary practitioners typically work with Malphas to build solid foundations—both in material projects and within their "astral temple"—and to establish strong defenses against psychic assaults. His presence is described as that of a protective and constructive ally, yet with a severe and strict temperament. The practice demands treating him with absolute precision and deep respect, as it is warned that the relationship can become deceptive if approached without proper caution and formality.
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).
Frequently asked questions
Who is Malphas?
Malphas 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 President. It is not a deity or a biblical figure: it is an entry in these historical spirit-catalogues.
What is the sigil (seal) of Malphas?
The seal image of Malphas 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 Malphas's rank in the Ars Goetia?
Malphas is a President, ruling 40 legions of spirits according to the Lesser Key of Solomon.
How do you summon Malphas?
According to the ancient sources (the Lemegeton, the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum), Malphas 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 Malphas do? What is it invoked for?
He builds houses and high towers, gathers artificers, reveals the thoughts and desires of enemies and destroys them, and gives good familiars.
What sources does Malphas come from?
Malphas appears in Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (1577) as a great president, like a crow that adopts human form. The Ars Goetia preserves his office as builder, revealer of enemy plans, and giver of familiars, together with the warning about sacrifices.
What is the enn (chant) of Malphas?
The enn of Malphas circulating today is «Lirach tasa Malphas ayer». It is a MODERN demonolatry chant (late 20th c.); it does not appear in the old grimoires.
Of the same rank · President
Of the same power · War
→ Where does «your demon by birthdate» come from? See how the different systems distribute the 72 spirits: Goetia Correspondences.
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