Phenex is a Marquis of the Ars Goetia, ruling 20 legions of spirits.
Key facts
| Rank | Marquis |
|---|---|
| Legions | 20 |
| Powers | Knowledge & sciences, Eloquence |
| Enn (modern chant) | «Ef enay Phenex ayer» |
| Alternate names | Pheynix |
| Sources | Ars Goetia, Pseudomonarchia |
| Seal no. | 37 / 72 |
| External IDs | Wikidata · Wikipedia |
On this page
How it appears
A phoenix bird, with the sweetest voice of a child.
What you ask of it
He is an admirable poet, teaches all the sciences, and gives true and wise answers.
Provenance
Phenex appears in Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (1577) as Phoenix/Pheynix, with the image of the phoenix bird and the childlike voice. The Ars Goetia inherits him, numbers him as the 37th spirit, and preserves the warning about his song before commanding him into human form. Already attested in the Livre des Esperitz (15th c.) as «Fenix (f182r)».
The seal: printed edition and facsimile
Phenex'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
The warning to «the assistants/companions» is Weyer's; the Lemegeton speaks only of the exorcist.
How it is summoned
In antiquity
In addition to the common procedure, the source preserves: a specific ritual prescription.
Ancient operation: common procedure plus the documented detail in this entry.
- Draw the Magic Circle and the Triangle of Art, place the lamen bearing the seal of Phenex, and prepare the common Goetic operation.
- Recite the conjurations of the Goetia to call him by his name and rank of Marquis, keeping him outside the Circle.
- When he appears as a phoenix bird and utters sweet songs, give no ear to the melody and do not allow the assistants to be distracted by it.
- Command him at once to take human form; only then listen to his answers concerning sciences, poetry, and admirable matters.
- Frame the questions clearly and require true and sober answers, without taking his hope of returning to heaven as ritual doctrine.
- Once the consultation is concluded, give him the license to depart according to the Goetic formula and close the Circle.
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): «Ef enay Phenex ayer»
Source: Enn of modern demonolatry (lists circulated by S. Connolly, The Complete Book of Demonolatry, 2006)
Modern correspondences orient him toward poetry, eloquence, art, and study; these are contemporary devotional additions.
Modern experiences (personal gnosis)
In modern demonolatry, practitioners describe Phenex's presence as deeply inspiring and gentle in temperament, frequently approaching him as a creative mentor. According to S. Connolly, he is primarily worked with to overcome artistic blocks, perfect writing, and find eloquence, being perceived as an encouraging spirit that fosters poetic and musical expression.
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); tradición demonolátrica contemporánea.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Phenex?
Phenex 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 Phenex?
The seal image of Phenex 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 Phenex's rank in the Ars Goetia?
Phenex is a Marquis, ruling 20 legions of spirits according to the Lesser Key of Solomon.
How do you summon Phenex?
According to the ancient sources (the Lemegeton, the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum), Phenex 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 Phenex do? What is it invoked for?
He is an admirable poet, teaches all the sciences, and gives true and wise answers.
What sources does Phenex come from?
Phenex appears in Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (1577) as Phoenix/Pheynix, with the image of the phoenix bird and the childlike voice. The Ars Goetia inherits him, numbers him as the 37th spirit, and preserves the warning about his song before commanding him into human form.
What is the enn (chant) of Phenex?
The enn of Phenex circulating today is «Ef enay Phenex 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 · Knowledge & sciences
→ Where does «your demon by birthdate» come from? See how the different systems distribute the 72 spirits: Goetia Correspondences.
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