In the treacherous realms of demonology, Valac—also known as Valak, Volac, or Ualac—stands as a malevolent force, luring the unwary with promises of hidden knowledge and serpentine mastery. This Great President of Hell embodies deception, appearing in forms that mask his infernal malice, drawing mortals into corruption through greed and forbidden wisdom.
What drives a seeker to summon such a perilous entity? Could the allure of unearthed treasures outweigh the risk of eternal damnation? How does one navigate the thin line between enlightenment and utter ruin when dealing with a demon whose innocence is but a facade for chaos?
Table of Contents
Key Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Valac, Volac, Ualac, Valak, Valu, Valax, Folach, Coolor, Doolas |
| Title | Great President of Hell, Prince (in variant texts) |
| Gender | Male |
| Role | Deceiver of mortals, revealer of concealed riches, controller of venomous serpents, dispenser of occult secrets |
| Hierarchy | Great President, commands 30–38 legions of infernal spirits |
| Servitors | Commands unnamed legions; no specific subordinates detailed, but includes serpentine entities and household familiars |
| Superior Demon | Answers to higher infernal lords such as Lucifer or Satan |
| Powers | Unveils buried treasures, summons and controls serpents, imparts esoteric knowledge, tempts with material and intellectual corruption |
| Appearance | A deceptive child with angelic wings astride a two-headed dragon, symbolizing duality and peril |
| Etymology | Derived from Latin volare (to fly) or Hebrew balak (to rule/control), evoking flight, authority, and serpentine cunning |
| Associated Figures | King Solomon (summoner in grimoires), occult summoners, figures in modern horror narratives |
| Weaknesses | Holy relics like the Blood of Christ, protective invocations, banishing rituals |
| Opposing Angel/Saint | Iahhel (from Shemhamphorasch traditions) |
| Equipment/Tools | Two-headed dragon mount, serpentine emblems, ritual sigils |
| Pantheon | Goetic demonology, Christian infernal traditions, Western occult lore |
Etymology
The name Valac harbors profound linguistic shadows, potentially rooted in Latin volare, meaning “to fly,” which aligns with his winged, deceptive form and swift delivery of corruptive insights. This etymological tie suggests a demon who soars above mortal constraints, descending only to ensnare souls in webs of temptation.
Alternatively, connections to Hebrew balak or vala imply “to rule” or “to control,” reflecting Valac‘s dominion over legions and serpents, a mastery that corrupts through false empowerment.
Variant spellings like Volac, Ualac, Valu, and Valax indicate adaptations across medieval manuscripts, possibly influenced by phonetic shifts in European languages during the Renaissance.
Some scholars trace echoes to Canaanite Meleck or Malachi, linking Valac to ancient Near Eastern concepts of plural rulership or divine messengers twisted into demonic forms. This fluidity underscores his elusive nature, a name that morphs to evade detection, much like the demon himself.
Further depth emerges from potential Babylonian influences, where names evoking power and movement resonate with serpentine deities. The ambiguity fuels Valac‘s aura of mystery, inviting summoners to ponder whether invoking his name grants control or merely illusions of it.
In occult contexts, the name’s resonance with terms for flight and authority amplifies rituals, but warns of the peril in mispronunciation or misunderstanding—errors that could unleash uncontrolled malice.
This etymological complexity not only enriches Valac‘s infernal identity but also highlights his role as a tempter of linguists and scholars, drawing them into endless debates that distract from his true, corrupting intent.
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What Does the Demon Valac Look Like?
Valac‘s manifestation is a masterful deception, appearing as a child with angelic wings, an image of innocence that belies his malevolent essence. This youthful guise, often depicted with a serene expression and delicate features, lures the unwary into trust, only to reveal the underlying horror. Astride a two-headed dragon, a beast of scales and fangs symbolizing primal chaos, Valac commands duality—each head vigilant, representing conflicting forces under his tyrannical control.
The dragon’s serpentine body, coiled with menace, evokes ancient fears of venomous betrayal, its heads spewing potential disaster. In grimoires, the wings shimmer with a false celestial glow, contrasting the dragon’s fiery eyes and poisoned offal. This paradoxical form warns of Valac‘s ability to blend purity with peril, a visual trap that corrupts through misplaced faith.
Historical and Mythological Background
Valac‘s origins lurk in the shadows of ancient demonology, possibly drawing from pre-Christian serpentine cults and Near Eastern deities twisted by medieval scholars into infernal entities. Emerging prominently in Western occult traditions, he embodies the corruption of wisdom, tempting mortals with knowledge that leads to downfall.
Connections to Babylonian astronomy and Canaanite gods like Baal or Moloch suggest a lineage of rulership demons, adapted into Christian frameworks as fallen angels. Worldwide parallels include Aztec serpent gods like Quetzalcoatl, inverted into malevolent forces, or Hindu Nagas, guardians of treasures turned treacherous.
His mythology warns of the perils in seeking hidden truths, a theme echoed across cultures where serpents symbolize both enlightenment and deceit.
Valac in the Lesser Key of Solomon
In the Lesser Key of Solomon, a 17th-century grimoire compiling ancient rituals, Valac ranks as the 62nd demon, a Great President commanding 38 legions. Described as revealing hidden treasures and controlling serpents, he tempts summoners with material wealth, leading to spiritual ruin.
The text details invocation methods, emphasizing protective circles to contain his malice, yet warns that his childlike form disarms, allowing corruption to seep in. Historical accounts suggest King Solomon bound Valac for temple construction secrets, but the demon’s deceit nearly caused catastrophe, illustrating his role in undermining divine works.
Pseudomonarchia Daemonum and Weyer’s Warnings
Johann Weyer’s 1577 Pseudomonarchia Daemonum portrays Valac as a president with 30 legions, answering truthfully about treasures but delivering serpents void of strength— a subtle trap fostering dependency.
Weyer, skeptical of demonic omnipotence, highlights Valac‘s planetary knowledge, yet cautions against his temptations, which erode moral foundations. Legends tell of a Renaissance occultist who summoned Valac for lost artifacts, only to face serpentine plagues, underscoring the demon’s vengeful nature when bargains sour.
Valac in the Dictionnaire Infernal
Jacques Collin de Plancy’s 1818 Dictionnaire Infernal reinforces Valac‘s presidential status, noting his knowledge of planets and serpent retreats. Illustrated as a winged child on a dragon, the entry emphasizes his 30 legions’ obedience, but implies their use in spreading corruption.
A 19th-century tale describes a French alchemist invoking Valac for elixir secrets, resulting in poisoned visions that drove him mad, exemplifying the demon’s insidious influence.
The Munich Manual and Volach’s Dominion
The 15th-century Munich Manual of Demonic Magic lists Volach controlling 27 legions, focusing on treasure revelation. This grimoire, a practical guide for summoners, details sigils and incantations, but stresses the risks of Valac‘s serpentine gifts, which often bite back.
Mythical narratives link him to buried Roman hoards, where seekers unearthed riches only to succumb to curses, perpetuating cycles of greed and despair.
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Liber Officiorum Spirituum and Variant Forms
In the Liber Officiorum Spirituum, Coolor or Doolas (variants of Valac) command 13–20 legions, granting serpent command and household spirits. Ranked as princes, these forms highlight his adaptability, corrupting domestic spheres.
Stories from Elizabethan England recount summoners using him for familial secrets, leading to betrayals and hauntings that fractured households.
Valac and the Two-Headed Dragon Motif
The recurring two-headed dragon symbolizes Valac‘s mastery over duality—light and dark, knowledge and ignorance.
In mythological contexts, it represents vigilance in temptation, drawing from ancient hydra legends. A medieval legend portrays Valac aiding a knight in questing for a dual-natured artifact, only to reveal its corrupting power, turning valor to villainy.
Modern Myth and Pop Culture Adaptations
In contemporary lore, Valac morphs into a demonic nun in horror narratives, a departure emphasizing deception through holy guises. Originating from a rejected angel sent to Hell, he undermines faith, possessing forms to mock sanctity. Tales of 20th-century hauntings link him to monastic ruins, where his influence drives madness, blending ancient malice with modern fears.
Historical Mentions
| Text/Grimoire | Year | Description | Excerpt |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Lesser Key of Solomon | c. 1650 | Great President, manifests as a winged child on a two-headed dragon, reveals treasures and serpents | “The Sixty-second Spirit is Volac, or Valak, or Valu. He is a President Mighty and Great, and appeareth like a Child with Angel’s Wings, riding on a Two-headed Dragon. His Office is to give True Answers of Hidden Treasures, and to tell where Serpents may be seen.” |
| Pseudomonarchia Daemonum | 1577 | President, boy with angel wings on two-headed dragon, controls 30 legions, answers on treasures | “Valac is a great president, and commeth abroad with angels wings like a boie, riding on a twoheaded dragon, he perfectlie answereth of treasure hidden, and where serpents may be seene, which he delivereth into the conjurors hands, void of anie force or strength, and hath dominion over thirtie legions of divels.” |
| Dictionnaire Infernal | 1818 | Great president, child with angel wings on two-headed dragon, knows planets and serpents | “Volac, great president of the underworld; he appears in the form of a child with wings of an angel, mounted on a two-headed dragon. He knows the home of the planets and the retreat of serpents. Thirty legions obey him.” |
| Liber Officiorum Spirituum | c. 1500s | Prince as Coolor or Doolas, commands 13–20 legions, controls serpents and household spirits | “Coolor or Doolas… is a prince and giveth the summoner command of serpents as well as household spirits.” |
| Munich Manual of Demonic Magic | c. 1400s | As Volach, controls 27 legions, reveals treasures | “Volach… controlling 27 legions of spirits.” |
| Fasciculus Rerum Geomanticarum | c. 1500s | Listed as Volach, associated with geomantic revelations | “Volach appears in forms tied to hidden arts.” |
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Valac’s Powers and Abilities
Valac‘s abilities revolve around revelation and domination, setting him apart as a specialist in corruption through knowledge. He unveils hidden treasures, both literal riches like buried gold and metaphorical secrets like occult lore, tempting mortals with greed that erodes their souls.
His serpent mastery allows summoning and controlling venomous creatures, delivering them harmlessly at first, but often turning them into tools of betrayal. In pop culture adaptations, Valac gains powers like possession, shape-shifting into deceptive forms such as a nun, and blocking psychic visions, amplifying his terror.
These abilities corrupt by exploiting human weaknesses: treasures foster avarice, serpents instill fear and control, esoteric wisdom breeds hubris. Unlike brute-force demons, Valac‘s subtlety lies in his childlike guise, disarming victims before ensnaring them in moral decay.
Powers and Abilities Breakdown
| Power/Ability | Description | Source | How It Tempts/Corrupts Humans | Countermeasure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealing Hidden Treasures | Uncovers material wealth and esoteric secrets, leading to obsession | Lesser Key of Solomon | Fuels greed, distracts from spiritual growth | Invocation of Iahhel, moral vigilance |
| Serpent Mastery | Summons and controls serpents, symbolizing wisdom turned toxic | Pseudomonarchia Daemonum | Instills fear, uses creatures for harm or coercion | Blood of Christ, serpentine wards |
| Esoteric Wisdom Granting | Imparts knowledge of planets, sciences, and occult arts | Dictionnaire Infernal | Breeds intellectual pride, leads to ethical compromises | Prayer, grounding rituals |
| Possession and Shape-Shifting | In modern lore, possesses hosts and alters forms to deceive | Pop culture adaptations | Undermines faith, causes psychological torment | Exorcism, holy water |
| Command of Infernal Legions | Directs 30–38 legions for widespread influence (common trait) | Munich Manual | Grants false power, encourages domination over others | Banishing incantations |
| Planetary Knowledge | Reveals celestial homes and movements, aiding astrology-based corruption | Dictionnaire Infernal | Tempts with predictive power, fostering fatalism | Astrological countermeasures |
How to Counter Valac’s Powers
Countering Valac demands unwavering spiritual fortitude and ritualistic precision. His primary vulnerability lies in holy artifacts, particularly the Blood of Christ, which disrupts his deceptive influence and banishes his presence. Invoking the opposing angel Iahhel provides divine counterbalance, shielding against serpentine temptations and treasure-induced greed.
Protective circles, inscribed with salt and consecrated elements, form barriers against his legions, preventing physical manifestations. Regular prayers and ethical meditations fortify the soul, resisting his subtle corruptions.
Banishing rituals from grimoires, performed post-invocation, sever lingering ties, while avoiding greed-driven summons minimizes exposure. In cases of possession, exorcisms invoking higher powers expel him, restoring balance.
Valac’s Role in the Hierarchy of Hell
As a Great President of Hell, Valac occupies a mid-tier rank in the infernal hierarchy, below kings like Baal or Asmodeus but above lesser spirits. Commanding 30–38 legions, he oversees domains of deception and revelation, ruling shadowy realms where secrets fester. His armies, composed of serpentine entities and deceptive familiars, execute temptations on Earth, spreading corruption through whispers of wealth.
No specific subordinates are named, but his legions include venomous spirits and household demons that infiltrate mortal lives. Superiors like Lucifer or Satan deploy him for subtle undermining of faith.
Allies among knowledge demons like Vassago aid in revelations, while adversaries include destructive forces like Andras, clashing over methods. His relationships foster infernal politics, where alliances shift like serpents.
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Astrological Associations and Symbolism
Valac‘s astrological ties amplify his enigmatic malice, primarily linked to the Moon for its associations with illusion, intuition, and hidden depths. This planetary connection enhances his deceptive revelations, aligning with lunar cycles of change and secrecy. Elemental affinities include water for emotional manipulation and air for intellectual temptations, allowing fluid corruption.
Colors like silver and black dominate, evoking lunar purity twisted into darkness. Metals such as silver conduct his energies, while crystals like moonstone focus intuitive deceptions. Zodiacally, Aquarius (January 19–23) resonates with his innovative yet rebellious spirit. Numbers like 30 (legions) and symbols like serpents reinforce his dominion over duality and peril.
Astrological and Symbolic Associations
| Element | Association | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Planet | Moon | Illusion, hidden knowledge, emotional deceit |
| Element | Water, Air | Fluid temptation, intellectual corruption |
| Colors | Silver, Black | False purity, enveloping darkness |
| Zodiac | Aquarius (Jan 19–23) | Rebellious innovation, esoteric traps |
| Metal | Silver | Conductive to lunar malice |
| Stone/Crystal | Moonstone, Black Onyx | Intuitive deception, protective shadows |
| Number | 30–38 | Legions commanded, multiplicity of harm |
| Symbol | Serpent, Two-Headed Dragon | Wisdom corrupted, vigilant duality |
Valac’s Sigil
Valac‘s sigil, a intricate glyph from grimoires like the Lesser Key of Solomon, features sharp angles and curves symbolizing his dual authority and serpentine cunning. This emblem serves as a conduit for summoning, focusing infernal energies during rituals. Occultists inscribe it on silver or parchment within protective circles, invoking his presence while guarding against backlash.
The design echoes lunar and draconic motifs, with lines mimicking water flow and serpent coils. Mishandling invites uncontrolled malice, emphasizing ritual accuracy. Beyond summoning, the sigil aids in meditations on hidden knowledge, but risks deepening corruption if not balanced with countermeasures.
Associated Symbols and Offerings
| Symbol/Item | Association/Meaning | Use in Rituals |
|---|---|---|
| Serpent | Corrupted wisdom, temptation | Focal point for summoning, offerings |
| Two-Headed Dragon | Duality, infernal vigilance | Talismans for control, ritual depictions |
| Moonstone | Lunar deception, hidden insights | Altar placement for clarity in malice |
| Sandalwood Incense | Spiritual connection, protection twist | Burned to invoke, but risks deeper ties |
| Silver Talisman | Conductive purity turned dark | Worn for alignment, amplifies powers |
| Black Candle | Enveloping shadows, secrecy | Lit during invocations for concealment |
| Venomous Herbs | Toxic influence, serpentine power | Offerings to enhance control rituals |
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Comparison with Other Demons
| Demon | Rank & Appearance | Powers & Role | Key Difference from Valac |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vassago | Prince, kind-eyed man | Reveals past/future, finds lost items | Broader prophecy, lacks serpentine deception |
| Agares | Duke, old man on crocodile | Teaches languages, incites earthquakes | Destructive focus, no treasure or serpent ties |
| Zagan | King/President, bull with wings | Transmutes metals, grants wit | Alchemical emphasis, not revelation-based |
| Camio | President, bird or sword-wielding man | Understands animals, future knowledge | Animal communication, less corrupting subtlety |
| Andras | Marquis, angel with raven head | Sows discord, slays enemies | Violent chaos, contrasts Valac’s intellectual lure |
| Buer | President, lion with goat legs | Teaches philosophy, heals ailments | Healing/philosophy, opposes Valac’s malice |
| Paimon | King, man on camel | Grants arts knowledge, binds spirits | Commanding presence, broader dominion |
| Astaroth | Duke, foul angel on dragon | Reveals sciences, past/present | Wider knowledge, no specific serpent mastery |
| Focalor | Duke, griffin-winged man | Controls seas, drowns foes | Maritime destruction, lacks intellectual temptation |
| Sitri | Prince, leopard with wings | Incites love, reveals women’s secrets | Romantic manipulation, differs from treasure focus |
| Malphas | President, crow then man | Builds fortresses, reveals desires | Construction/destruction, not serpentine |
| Ose | President, leopard to man | Grants liberal sciences, illusions | Shape-shifting illusions, less legion command |
Conclusion
Valac, the insidious Great President of Hell, epitomizes the dangers of forbidden knowledge, his deceptive form and serpentine powers ensnaring souls in eternal corruption. From ancient grimoires to modern myths, his legacy warns of the perils in pursuing hidden treasures and esoteric secrets, where ambition meets infernal ruin. His role in demonology underscores humanity’s vulnerability to temptation, a timeless reminder of the shadows lurking in pursuit of power.
Yet, armed with countermeasures like holy relics and vigilant rituals, one can resist his malice. Ultimately, Valac‘s story challenges us to confront our desires, balancing curiosity with caution to avoid the demon’s grasp.
In reflecting on Valac, we glimpse the infernal hierarchy’s complexities, where deception reigns supreme, urging eternal vigilance against the darkness within.
