Step into the arcane world of Ariton, a demon shrouded in mystery, known as Egin or Egyn in the annals of demonology. As a sub-prince of hell, Ariton reigns over the north, wielding the elemental power of water.
His legend, rooted in the 15th-century grimoire The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, speaks of uncovering hidden treasures, peering into the past and future, and conjuring visions that blur the line between reality and the ethereal.
Yet, his terrifying visage warns of the dangers lurking in such forbidden knowledge. Who is this enigmatic figure in the hierarchy of hell? Journey through his origins, powers, and place among the infernal ranks to unravel the secrets of Ariton.
Table of Contents
Key Information
The following table provides a comprehensive overview of Ariton’s attributes:
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Ariton (Egin, Egyn) |
| Title | Sub-prince of Hell, Demon King of the North |
| Element | Water |
| Direction | North |
| Hierarchy | One of eight sub-princes under Lucifer, Leviathan, Satan, Belial |
| Servitors | Commands 22 lesser spirits |
| Powers | Discovers hidden treasure, knows past/present/future, causes visions, manifests spirits, provides familiars, may revive the dead |
| Appearance | Frightful; summoning may cause fatal conditions like apoplexy or suffocation; exact form undisclosed |
| Etymology | From Greek arhreton (secret, mysterious), Hebrew ORH (lay bare) or OGN (delay), possibly linked to Aix (goat) and Azael |
| Associated Demon | Azael in Jewish demonology, tied to the scapegoat ritual in Leviticus |
| Role | Oversees northern quadrant; aids in divination, treasure hunting, and complex rituals |
| Symbolism | Linked to water (intuition, subconscious) and north (stability, hidden knowledge) |
Etymology
Where does the name Ariton come from? The name Ariton is a linguistic enigma, reflecting the demon’s elusive nature. Scholars suggest it may derive from the Greek arhreton, meaning “secret” or “mysterious,” a fitting nod to Ariton’s dominion over hidden knowledge and arcane treasures.
Alternatively, the Hebrew root ORH, meaning “to lay bare” or “to make naked,” implies a power to reveal what is concealed, aligning with his divinatory abilities.
Under his alternate name Egin or Egyn, the Hebrew OGN—meaning “to delay,” “hinder,” or “retard”—suggests an ability to manipulate time or obstruct events, adding a layer of temporal mystique.
Another intriguing theory connects Ariton to the Greek Aix or Aigos (goat), linking him to Azael, a demon in Jewish lore associated with the scapegoat ritual in Leviticus, where a goat bears the community’s sins into the wilderness.
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Historical and Mythological Background
Ariton emerges from the pages of The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, a 15th-century grimoire attributed to Abraham of Worms, who claimed to have learned its secrets from an Egyptian mage named Abramelin.
This text outlines a rigorous system of magic, including a hierarchy of demons where Ariton ranks as one of eight sub-princes, serving under the four great princes: Lucifer, Leviathan, Satan, and Belial.
As the demon of the north and water, Ariton commands 22 servitors, assisting in tasks like uncovering riches and granting prophetic visions. His association with water ties him to themes of intuition, emotion, and the subconscious, while the north symbolizes stability and hidden knowledge in many esoteric traditions.
Beyond the Abramelin grimoire, Ariton’s identity intertwines with Azael (or Azazel), a figure in Jewish demonology.
In Leviticus 16:8-10, Azael is linked to the scapegoat ritual, where a goat is sent into the wilderness to carry away the sins of the Israelites, symbolizing purification and exile. Some occultists, including Cornelius Agrippa, equate Ariton with Azael, suggesting a shared mythological thread of bearing burdens or revealing truths.
This connection enriches Ariton’s narrative, positioning him as a demon of both revelation and sacrifice, whose powers are sought in occult practices but tempered by his fearsome reputation.
Historical Mentions
Ariton’s documented presence is primarily in The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, with key references providing insight into his role and identity.
Below are detailed mentions from this grimoire, including exact excerpts, authors, and publication context:
| Source | Author | Year | Excerpt | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage | Abraham of Worms | Circa 1458 | “ARITON:–It is also often called ‘Egyn,’ or ‘Egin’. This name may be derived from the Hebrew root ORH, = to lay bare, to make naked. It may also be derived from the Greek word ARHRETON, = secret, or mysterious, in any sense good or bad. Egin, may be derivable from Hebrew, OGN, = to delay, hinder, or retard.” | Discusses Ariton’s etymology, highlighting Greek and Hebrew origins in the grimoire’s notes on spirit names. |
| The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage (Notes on Names of Spirits) | S.L. MacGregor Mathers (translator) | 1900 | “The Rabbins call this Spirit OZAL, Azael, which is a name used in Leviticus with reference to the Scape-Goat. Its derivation is from OZ, = a Goat; and AZL, = to go away.” | Connects Ariton to Azael, emphasizing the scapegoat ritual and Jewish demonological traditions. |
What the Demon Looks Like
Ariton’s appearance is a chilling enigma. Occult sources describe his form as so terrifying that summoning him risks fatal conditions such as apoplexy, epilepsy, or suffocation.
Unlike demons with detailed depictions, such as Astaroth’s angelic guise or Asmodeus’s three-headed form, Ariton’s lack of specific features amplifies his dread.
This absence of detail in The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage suggests that his true form may be too horrific for human comprehension, reinforcing his status as a demon to be approached with utmost caution.
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Powers and Abilities
Ariton’s powers are vast and multifaceted, making him a potent figure in occult practices.
His abilities include:
- Divination: Revealing events of the past, present, and future with uncanny accuracy.
- Treasure Finding: Locating hidden riches, both material and esoteric.
- Visions: Inducing prophetic or spiritual visions that offer insight or guidance.
- Spirit Manifestation: Summoning spirits and shaping them into any desired form.
- Familiars: Granting assisting spirits to aid practitioners in magical tasks.
- Necromancy: Potentially reviving the dead, though this ability is debated among scholars.
Role in the Hierarchy of Hell
In the intricate hierarchy of hell outlined in The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, Ariton is a sub-prince, one of eight serving under the four great princes: Lucifer, Leviathan, Satan, and Belial. As the demon of the north and water, he commands 22 servitors, who execute his will in magical operations.
Ariton collaborates with fellow sub-princes—Oriens (east), Paimon (west), and Amaymon (south)—in complex rituals that harness the cardinal directions and elemental forces.
Astrological Associations and Symbolism
Ariton’s connection to water and the north imbues him with rich astrological and symbolic significance.
Water, in esoteric traditions, represents emotions, intuition, and the subconscious, aligning with Ariton’s powers of divination and vision-inducing. Astrologically, water signs—Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces—resonate with these qualities, with Scorpio’s association with secrets and transformation particularly reflective of Ariton’s ability to unveil hidden truths.
His link to Azael and the goat may also tie him to Capricorn, an earth sign ruled by Saturn, symbolizing discipline, time, and karmic burdens, echoing the scapegoat’s role in bearing sins.
The north, often associated with earth in magical systems, further grounds Ariton in themes of stability and concealed knowledge, making him a bridge between the fluid and the solid, the seen and the unseen.
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Sigil
The sigil of Ariton is a vital component of the magical system in The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage. Encoded within the grimoire’s magic squares, this sigil serves as a focal point for invoking and commanding Ariton.
The text emphasizes that such sigils are potent only for those who have completed the grimoire’s rigorous initiations, ensuring their power remains guarded.
Comparison to Other Demons
| Demon | Rank | Appearance | Powers | Servitors | Brief Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oriens | Sub-prince, East | Horse with 100 heads or woman on elephant | Wealth, divination, flight, necromancy | Innumerable | King of the East, linked to air and wealth |
| Paimon | Sub-prince, West | Man with woman’s face, riding a camel | Arts, sciences, familiars, binding spirits | 200 legions | King of the West, master of knowledge |
| Amaymon | Sub-prince, South | Fiery, indistinct form | Chaos, destruction, elemental mastery | Unknown | King of the South, embodies fire and turmoil |
| Asmodeus | Sub-prince | Three-headed (bull, man, ram) | Lust, revenge, gambling, wrath | 72 legions | Demon of desire and vengeance |
| Beelzebub | Sub-prince | Fly-like or man surrounded by flies | Destruction, disease, lord of flies | Unknown | Prince of demons, associated with corruption |
| Astaroth | Sub-prince | Angelic with viper’s tail | Treasures, secrets, mathematical sciences | 40 legions | Treasurer of Hell, teacher of hidden truths |
| Magoth | Sub-prince | Form unknown | Limited details; serves in rituals | Unknown | Enigmatic sub-prince, lesser-known role |
Conclusion
Ariton, the demon of secrets and shadows, captivates with his arcane powers and enigmatic presence.
Rooted in The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, his role as a sub-prince commanding the north and water marks him as a pivotal figure in demonology. From unveiling treasures to granting visions, his abilities tantalize occult practitioners, yet his terrifying form demands respect.
Through his connections to Azael and the scapegoat ritual, Ariton embodies themes of revelation and sacrifice, offering a window into the complex hierarchy of hell.
