Amdusias: The Duke of Discord and Musician of Hell

Amdusias (also spelled Amducias or Amduscias) is a powerful demonic entity recognized primarily in the tradition of Christian demonology and in the 17th-century grimoires. Classified as a Grand Duke of Hell, Amdusias is attributed with commanding twenty-nine legions of lesser spirits.

The demon’s primary powers are associated with music and sound, specifically possessing the ability to cause all manner of musical instruments to play without any human intervention. Furthermore, Amdusias can distort the sounds of nature, causing trees to fall at the command of the summoner.

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Key Takeaways

Attribute	Details
Name	Amdusias, Amducias, Amduscias, Amdusias
Title	Grand Duke of Hell
Gender	Male
Origin	Christian demonology; appears in 17th-century grimoires listing the hierarchy of Hell
Appearance	First appears as a man with the head of a unicorn, but can shift to a human form with a trumpet voice
Hierarchy	Grand Duke, holding a high rank and commanding 29 legions*
Superior Demon	Generally subordinate to the highest-ranking Princes and Kings of Hell, such as Lucifer or Belial
Servitors	Twenty-nine legions of lesser spirits and demons
Associated Figures	Often associated with musicians or those seeking knowledge in the occult arts related to sound
Powers	Causing musical instruments to play without being touched; commanding trees to fall; granting excellent servitors to the magician
Weaknesses	Subordinate to the power of God; bound by the constraints and rituals of the magician, who must be inside a magic circle
Opposing Angel/Saint	Generally, any Archangel, such as Michael or Raphael, whose authority is superior to all demonic entities
Equipment/Tools	Usually depicted with a trumpet or other musical instruments
Pantheon	Christian Demonology
Notable Myths	Primarily known through its listings in the Ars Goetia and Dictionnaire Infernal; no extensive unique narrative myths are recorded

Etymology

The etymology of the name Amdusias is uncertain. It lacks a clear linguistic root comparable to those of other demons whose names derive from Hebrew, Greek, or Persian origins. The name appears to be a neologism or a corruption specific to the grimoire tradition of the 17th and 18th centuries.

It has been speculated that the name may hold an internal meaning related to the demon’s ascribed powers, particularly its association with music and sound. The suffix ‘-as’ or ‘-us’ is a common ending in the Latinization of names for demonic and mythological figures.

Given its primary attribute is causing non-corporeal music, the name may have been constructed to suggest a discord, a disruptive force, or a master of auditory illusion. However, this remains speculative.

Amdusias is also mentioned in some texts as Amducias, a variation that does not alter its primary meaning or characteristics.

The fact that the demon’s appearance is often described as a unicorn-headed man (or that it possesses a trumpet voice) suggests that the name may have been linked to these specific visual and auditory characteristics by the texts’ original compilers. However, the exact etymological pathway is lost.

What Does the Demon Amdusias Look Like?

Amdusias is typically described as having a distinctive, unusual appearance in the major grimoires. The primary description states that the demon first appears as a man with a unicorn’s head. This formidable, hybrid form combines human and bestial elements, creating a visually powerful entity.

On the command of the conjurer, Amdusias is said to transform from this initial appearance into a human shape. This human form is distinguished by a particular vocal quality: the demon speaks with a trumpet-like voice (vox tuba in Latin). This characteristic reinforces its link to sound and music.

When summoned, Amdusias does not appear alone; it is typically accompanied by a cacophony of musical instruments playing without being touched.

The depiction of the unicorn’s head, an animal long associated with both purity and wild power in various European legends, is unique among the demons of the Ars Goetia. This seemingly contradictory iconography—a demonic entity bearing the head of a creature often seen as noble or magical—may highlights Amdusias’s specific power over sound and illusion, or simply its status as a Grand Duke.

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Historical and Mythological Background

The Grand Duke Amdusias’s mythology is not based on deep-seated religious traditions or older folklore. Still, it is entirely contained within the tradition of European grimoires dealing with demonology and ceremonial magic. Unlike figures such as Belial or Asmodeus, Amdusias does not feature in canonical religious texts, ancient myths, or complex theological narratives.

Amdusias in The Lesser Key of Solomon (Ars Goetia)

Amdusias is listed as the Sixty-Seventh Spirit in the Ars Goetia, the first book of the 17th-century grimoire The Lesser Key of Solomon.

The Ars Goetia assigns Amdusias the rank of a Grand Duke in the infernal hierarchy. It specifies that the demon is in charge of twenty-nine legions of Spirits. His primary power is to cause all manner of Musical Instruments to be heard with a great Sound, but not seen.

He is also noted for being able to command trees to fall or to grow up at the will of the conjurer. Finally, Amdusias is said to give excellent Servitors to the summoner, likely spirits who aid the magician in various tasks. The text warns that the demon speaks with a trumpet-like voice.

Amdusias in Pseudomonarchia Daemonum

In the earlier text Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (False Monarchy of Demons) by Johann Weyer (1577), Amdusias is present under the name Amducias.

Weyer’s description of Amducias is largely consistent with the Ars Goetia, listing him as a Great Duke who appears as a man with a unicorn’s head. Weyer mentions that the demon produces the most perfect discants and makes musical instruments sound that are unheard. The text also notes that at the command of the exorcist, he bendeth and inclineth trees, to fall to the ground.

Amdusias in the Dictionnaire Infernal

The 19th-century text Dictionnaire Infernal (Infernal Dictionary) by Jacques Collin de Plancy (1818, later illustrated in 1863) includes Amdusias in its comprehensive catalog of demons, providing a visual illustration that cemented his image.

The Dictionnaire Infernal reiterates the standard description: Amdusias is a Grand Duke who appears as a unicorn-headed man and gives concerts where all the instruments play without being visible.

The illustrator Louis Le Breton created a famous engraving for the dictionary depicting Amdusias as a humanoid figure with a unicorn’s head, and often shown surrounded by musical notes or instruments.

Historical Mentions

Text/Grimoire (Year)	Description	Excerpt
Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (1577) by Johann Weyer	Listed as a Great Duke appearing as a man with a unicorn’s head; gives perfect musical discants and makes instruments sound invisibly; commands trees to bend.	“Amducias is a great duke, and appeareth as a man with an unicorne’s head, but when he is commanded, he commeth foorth in a humane shape, and at the exorcists commandement, he bendeth and inclineth trees, to fall to the ground, he giveth excellent, and most perfect discants, and maketh instrumentes of musicke sound, which are not seene. He hath xxix. legions.”
The Lesser Key of Solomon (c. 17th Century)	The 67th Spirit, a Grand Duke who appears as a Unicorn-headed man; causes all musical instruments to sound invisibly; commands trees to fall; gives excellent servitors.	“The Sixty-seventh Spirit is Amdusias, or Amducias. He is a Duke Great and Strong, and appeareth at first like a Unicorn; but after, at the command of the Exorcist, he standeth up in Human Shape, and there be heard all kinds of Musical Instruments, not openly, but invisibly. Also he can cause Trees to bend and fall at the Will of the Exorcist. He giveth Excellent Familiars. He governeth 29 Legions of Spirits.”
Dictionnaire Infernal (1818) by Jacques Collin de Plancy	A Grand Duke who appears as a unicorn; can give concerts where all instruments play without being seen; has 29 legions.	“Amdusias est un grand-duc des enfers. Il se montre sous la figure d’une licorne. C’est lui qui donne des concerts où tous les instruments jouent sans être vus. Il fait pencher les arbres et les tomber à la volonté de l’exorciste. Il a vingt-neuf légions sous ses ordres.”

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Amdusias’s Powers and Abilities

The powers of Amdusias are uniquely focused on manipulating sound and the natural world, making him a specialist among the demons of the Ars Goetia.16 His specific malevolent influence comes from his ability to induce discord and confusion through auditory manipulation.

Amdusias’s principal power is the ability to cause all kinds of musical instruments to be heard with a great Sound, but not seen. This creates a disconcerting phenomenon of disembodied music, which can be interpreted as an auditory illusion or a powerful spiritual concert.

For the non-magician, this could be used to instill terror, madness, or religious doubt by leading them to believe they are subject to supernatural forces or to divine (or anti-divine) communication. His voice itself, described as trumpet-like, may be a mechanism for transmitting his commands or his discordant influence.

Furthermore, Amdusias has the capacity to command trees to bend and fall at the will of the Exorcist. This grants the summoner power over a specific part of the natural world, demonstrating a tangible, destructive force.

This power links him to discord in nature and the breaking of established order. The ability to give excellent Servitors allows the demon to tempt the summoner with lesser spirits, offering aid in magic or daily life in exchange for the necessary spiritual or moral payment.

Power/Ability	Description	Source	How It Tempts/Corrupts Humans
Invisible Music	Causing all musical instruments to play with a great sound, but remain unseen by any observer.	Ars Goetia, Pseudomonarchia Daemonum	Tempts humans with the illusion of divine or magical prowess, or causes mental confusion and fear by auditory hallucination.
Command Over Trees	The ability to cause trees to bend and fall to the ground at the will of the conjurer.	Ars Goetia, Pseudomonarchia Daemonum	Corrupts by offering direct, destructive power over the physical world and nature, appealing to vanity and dominance.
Granting Servitors	Provides “excellent Servitors” or lesser familiar spirits to the summoner.	Ars Goetia	Tempts the summoner with easy access to spiritual assistance for mundane or magical tasks, promoting a reliance on demonic aid.
Trumpet Voice	Speaks with a loud, brassy, and distinct voice, similar to a trumpet.	Ars Goetia	Its imposing voice may be used to deliver unsettling pronouncements or demands, instilling fear or a sense of false importance in the summoner.

How to Counter Amdusias’s Powers

Countering the powers of a high-ranking Duke like Amdusias, as detailed in the grimoires, relies heavily on spiritual authority and ceremonial preparation rather than physical action. Since Amdusias is primarily concerned with invisibility, sound, and natural destruction, the necessary protection must address these areas.

According to the Ars Goetia tradition, the primary defense against Amdusias is the Magic Circle and the Holy Pentagram (or Hexagram). These are drawn on the ground and worn on the person, respectively. The Circle serves as an impenetrable boundary, created and consecrated by divine names, which the demon cannot cross. The demon is bound by the power of God and the authority of the summoner acting under that power.

To counter the demon’s invisible music and illusory nature, the summoner is advised to have firmness of purpose and knowledge of the divine names that subjugate all spirits. The physical presence of the Sacred Lamen (breastplate), typically bearing the seal of King Solomon and other holy names, is believed to offer general protection against all spirits listed in the Ars Goetia, including Amdusias.

If Amdusias were to attempt to command trees to fall, the ritual integrity of the Circle would theoretically be sufficient to protect the person within, as the demon must obey the constraints placed upon it.

Amdusias’s Role in the Hierarchy of Hell

Amdusias holds a respectable and powerful rank within the infernal hierarchy, specifically designated as a Grand Duke (sometimes called a Great Duke). In the structured system presented by the Ars Goetia and Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, Dukes are a significant category of command, often possessing unique and powerful abilities that influence the physical world.

As a Grand Duke, Amdusias is a commanding officer, holding dominion over twenty-nine Legions of Spirits. A ‘legion’ in this context is generally considered to be a substantial number of lesser demons, reinforcing Amdusias’s authority and influence in the infernal realm. This makes him a significant military commander.

Amdusias is subordinate to the Kings and Princes of Hell, the highest ranks such as Lucifer, Belial, Beelzebub, and other figures designated as Kings in the Ars Goetia (e.g., Bael, Paimon, Zagan).

However, among the ranks of Dukes, Amdusias is generally considered equal in standing to others such as Gremory, Vapula, and Focalor, differing only in specific powers and the number of legions under command. His distinct powers over music and nature give him a specialized role, perhaps as a master of auditory and natural chaos or an agent of discord within the infernal administration.

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Astrological Associations and Symbolism

Amdusias is a figure deeply embedded in the astrological and elemental correspondences detailed in the Western Esoteric Tradition, particularly within the context of the Ars Goetia system. These associations were used by magicians to determine the most auspicious time for summoning and to aid in creating the necessary ritual tools.

Element	Association/Meaning
Zodiac Sign	Aquarius (Governs approximately January 20 – February 18)
Tarot Card	5 of Swords (Often associated with defeat, loss, or dishonor)
Planet	Jupiter (Often associated with rulership, power, and high rank, fitting for a Duke)
Metal	Tin (The traditional metal of Jupiter)
Element	Air (Associated with the mind, sound, and swift movement)
Direction	North (One of the four Cardinal Directions often used in elemental-based ritual)
Candle Color	Blue or Purple (Colors often associated with Jupiter and high spiritual/royal status)

The association with Jupiter and the element of Air aligns with his title of Grand Duke and his power over sound (Air), suggesting a powerful, commanding, and swift influence. The 5 of Swords Tarot card often represents discord and disruption, which is fitting for a demon whose power is to create invisible, disembodied chaos through music.

Amdusias’s Sigil

The Sigil of Amdusias is the specific abstract symbol used in ceremonial magic to represent and contact the demon. In the tradition of the Ars Goetia, this sigil is not an artistic representation but a magical glyph derived from the demon’s name or rank, intended to serve as a spiritual signature.

The sigil must be properly drawn or engraved on a metal talisman (often Tin, the metal of Jupiter) or traced on the ritual circle. By focusing on the sigil and invoking the divine names of authority, the magician is believed to gain power over the demon.

The visual nature of the sigil helps the magician to focus their intent, acting as a link or telepathic bridge to the entity. In the grimoires, the proper formation of the sigil is considered essential, as an improperly drawn sigil may lead to the demon refusing to obey or becoming hostile.

Symbol/Item	Association/Meaning	Use in Rituals
Sigil of Amdusias	The demon’s unique magical signature or seal	Essential for successful evocation and commanding the demon in the circle.
Tin	Metal associated with the ruling planet, Jupiter	Used as the material for creating the demon’s protective or commanding talisman (Lamen).
Trumpet/Musical Notes	Symbolic of his power over sound and his trumpet-like voice	May be used in the ritual space to represent his ability to appear or as an offering to please the Duke.
Air (Incense)	The elemental association of Amdusias	Incense smoke, which rises on the air, is used to facilitate the manifestation of the spirit.

Similar Demonic Entities

Demonic Entity	Title/Rank	Primary Power/Influence	Relationship to Amdusias
Banshee (Folklore)	Spirit/Fairy	Foretells death by wailing or screaming (auditory omen)	Shared focus on auditory warning/distress and invisible presence.
Malphas	President	Builds houses and towers, causes discord among foes	Shares a power over physical creation/destruction (buildings vs. trees).
Gremory	Duke	Reveals the past, present, and future; procures the love of women	Shares the rank of Duke and commands legions of spirits.
Vapula	Duke	Teaches handicrafts, professions, and philosophy	Shares the rank of Duke but his focus is on intellectual rather than auditory skills.
Focalor	Duke	Drowns men, sinks warships, controls winds and sea	Shares the rank of Duke but focuses on water and destruction instead of earth/air.
Murmur	Duke/Earl	Teaches philosophy and forces the souls of the deceased to answer	Shares the rank of Duke and commands legions.
Aeshma	Daeva	Demon of Wrath and the Wounding Spear	In Zoroastrianism, sometimes associated with discord and frenzy, similar to Amdusias’s chaotic sound.
Asmoday	King	King of Lust, gambling, and wrath	A King who commands legions and can teach secrets, representing a higher, more traditional rank.

Conclusion

Amdusias is established within the traditions of The Lesser Key of Solomon as a Grand Duke of Hell, wielding specialized and theatrical powers over sound and a specific degree of control over the natural world. Unlike many demons with ancient mythological roots, Amdusias is primarily a construct of European grimoires, symbolizing an unseen auditory force of chaos and the subjugation of nature.

His distinctive appearance as a unicorn-headed man with a trumpet voice focuses on his unique nature among the infernal nobility. The ritualistic methods designed to control him—namely the magic circle and sacred symbols—highlights the belief that even the most powerful Dukes of Hell are subordinate to divine authority as channeled by a knowledgeable magician.

Amdusias remains an important figure in the study of Western Esoteric demonology, a classic example of a spirit defined by its specific, highly visual, and auditory powers.