Who Is Seere? The 70th Demon of the Ars Goetia

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Written By Razvan Radu

Storyteller. Researcher of Dark Folklore. Expert in Horror Fiction

In demonology, Seere, the 70th spirit of the Ars Goetia, is a deceptive and dangerous entity. This mighty Prince of Hell, cloaked in a façade of benevolence, wields powers of speed, manipulation, and hidden knowledge.

Beneath his alluring exterior lies a malevolent force, opposing all that is good. Seere’s ability to traverse the Earth instantly and uncover secrets makes him a formidable demon. His charm masks a sinister intent, luring summoners into perilous pacts.



Overview

AttributeDetails
NameSeere (also Seir, Seire, Sear)
TitleMighty Prince of Hell
GenderMale, depicted as a beautiful man
RoleMessenger, revealer of secrets, swift facilitator
HierarchyPrince under Amaymon, King of the East
ServitorsCommands 26 legions of spirits
Superior DemonAmaymon, King of the East
PowersInstant travel, reveals thefts, locates treasures, aids summoners
AppearanceBeautiful man on a winged horse
EtymologyFrom Hebrew Sha’ar (“remainder” or “gate”)
Associated FiguresAmaymon, Lucifer, Iabamiah (opposing angel)
WeaknessesBound by summoning rituals
Opposing AngelIabamiah (Kabbalistic angel)
Equipment/ToolsSigil for summoning
PantheonGoetic demons, Ars Goetia

Etymology

The name Seere originates from the Hebrew word שאר (Sha’ar), pronounced “shah-ahr.” This term carries multiple meanings: “gate,” “remainder,” “residue,” or “threshold.” Each meaning reveals Seere’s deceptive and malevolent nature.

As a “gate,” Seere poses as a guide to hidden realms, luring summoners into traps. The idea of a “gate” suggests access to forbidden knowledge, but Seere’s portals lead to ruin. “Remainder” or “residue” implies something left behind, like stolen goods or cursed secrets. Seere exploits these to manipulate and destroy.

In Semitic languages, Sha’ar also means “to pass through” or “to cross.” This aligns with Seere’s swift, insidious movements across realms.

Scholars trace Sha’ar to ancient Akkadian roots, where related terms like ša’aru mean “to deceive” or “to desolate.” These connotations expose Seere’s true intent: to betray and devastate.

In Akkadian mythology, deceptive spirits used knowledge to ensnare mortals, a trait Seere mirrors. His name may also connect to Ugaritic š’r, meaning “to leave behind” or “to abandon.”

This suggests Seere abandons summoners to chaos after granting their wishes. These linguistic ties root Seere in ancient Near Eastern traditions, where trickster spirits thrived.

In occult traditions, names hold immense power. Seere’s name is a deliberate snare, masking evil with promises of aid. Its simplicity deceives, hiding his treacherous nature.

Variations like Seir, Seire, or Sear appear in grimoires, reflecting scribal errors or regional dialects. These spellings, found in texts like the Lesser Key of Solomon, show linguistic evolution. For example, Seir may derive from a misspelling of Sha’ar, influenced by Aramaic scripts. Such variations amplify Seere’s elusive quality, making him harder to pin down.

In Kabbalistic traditions, Sha’ar symbolizes spiritual gateways, like the “Gates of Understanding” in mystical texts. These gates lead to divine wisdom, but Seere perverts this concept. He offers false enlightenment, guiding summoners to damnation.

His name may mock sacred thresholds, turning them into traps. Some Kabbalists link Sha’ar to the sefirah of Binah (Understanding), but Seere inverts this, spreading confusion. His name’s connection to sacred concepts heightens its danger, blending reverence with blasphemy.

Seere’s etymology also draws parallels with other demonic names. For instance, Astaroth, another Goetic demon, shares roots in Semitic goddess names, suggesting a pattern of corrupted divinity.

Seere’s name may echo ancient deities like Shahar, a Canaanite dawn god, whose light Seere twists into darkness. This connection implies Seere’s origins lie in fallen or distorted divine figures, a common theme in demonology. His name’s versatility—spanning “gate,” “deception,” and “residue”—reflects his multifaceted malevolence.

In practical occultism, Seere’s name is invoked with caution. Summoners pronounce it carefully, often with protective chants, to avoid his wrath.

Mispronouncing Sha’ar may anger him, as names channel demonic energy. Some grimoires suggest pairing his name with sigils to bind his power. However, even correct invocation risks entrapment, as Seere’s name itself is a lure.

Its phonetic softness—unlike harsh names like Asmodeus—masks its threat, making summoners underestimate him.

The etymology also ties to Seere’s role in Hell’s eastern domain. In occult lore, the East symbolizes dawn and revelation, but Seere corrupts this. His name’s “gate” aspect may represent a false dawn, leading to spiritual desolation.

This aligns with his service under Amaymon, King of the East, whose domain blends light with treachery. Seere’s name thus embodies his dual nature: a promise of access, undercut by betrayal.


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What Does the Demon Seere Looks Like?

Seere’s appearance is a beguiling mask of malevolence. Described in the Ars Goetia, he manifests as a beautiful man astride a winged horse. This form, both alluring and terrifying, deceives summoners into trusting him. His visage hides a sinister intent, luring victims to ruin.

Physical Description

Seere appears as a strikingly handsome man, radiating unearthly charm. His face is flawless, with sharp, angular features. His eyes glow with an amber or crimson hue, piercing souls. They flicker with cunning, betraying his evil nature.

His hair, long and jet-black, flows like a shadowy veil. It shimmers unnaturally, hinting at his infernal origin. His skin is pale, almost translucent, glowing with a ghostly sheen. This beauty captivates, but its perfection feels cold, unnatural.

He wears a flowing cloak, dark as midnight, adorned with silver runes. These runes pulse with demonic energy, shifting to disorient onlookers. His attire, regal yet ominous, resembles a prince’s garb, reinforcing his Goetic rank.

A jagged crown, forged of blackened metal, rests on his brow. It symbolizes his authority and treachery. His voice, soft and melodic, lulls listeners into a false sense of security. Yet, it carries a venomous undertone, chilling the unwary.

The Winged Horse

Seere rides a spectral winged horse, a creature of Hell’s depths. Its coat is ashen gray, streaked with crimson, like dried blood. Its wings, vast and leathery, bear jagged white and tan markings. They beat with unnatural speed, stirring gusts of icy wind.

The horse’s eyes burn red, mirroring Seere’s own. Its hooves spark with embers, leaving scorched trails. This steed, both majestic and monstrous, embodies Seere’s swift, destructive power. It gallops through realms, defying mortal boundaries.

The horse’s wings symbolize transcendence, but twisted into chaos. In occult lore, winged creatures bridge worlds, yet Seere’s steed leads to damnation.

Its skeletal frame, barely veiled by flesh, hints at decay. Some accounts describe it snorting smoke or flame, a sign of infernal origin. The horse’s presence amplifies Seere’s menace, its speed enabling his rapid deceit.

Symbolic Elements

Seere’s appearance is laden with symbolism, reflecting his malevolent essence. His beautiful form mimics divine angels, a deliberate mockery.

This deception lures summoners, hiding his evil intent. The winged horse evokes Pegasus, but corrupted into a Hellish beast. It represents Seere’s ability to cross realms, delivering curses.

The crimson streaks on the horse symbolize bloodshed, tied to his sacrificial demands. His cloak’s runes, etched with occult sigils, channel his manipulative power.

His glowing eyes signify omniscience, but they reveal cursed truths. The jagged crown marks his princely rank under Amaymon, yet it’s a symbol of betrayal.

In some visions, Seere wields a silver dagger, its blade etched with spirals. This weapon, rarely used, symbolizes his potential for sudden violence. Every element of his appearance—beauty, horse, crown—serves to ensnare, masking his destructive core.

Variations in Appearance

In different grimoires, Seere’s form varies slightly, reflecting his elusive nature. Some texts describe him with serpent-like scales on his hands, hinting at treachery. Others depict his horse with a skeletal head, emphasizing death.

In rare accounts, Seere appears without his steed, cloaked in mist. This form, less common, heightens his ghostly aura. These variations, found in medieval demonological texts, underscore his shape-shifting deceit. Summoners never know which guise he’ll take, adding to his danger.


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Historical and Mythological Background

Seere’s origins stem from the Ars Goetia, a 17th-century grimoire within the Lesser Key of Solomon. Attributed to King Solomon, this text catalogs 72 demons, with Seere as the 70th spirit, occasionally listed as the 69th due to textual variations.

His absence from Johann Weyer’s 1577 Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, which omits Seere, Vassago, Dantalion, and Andromalius, suggests he emerged later in demonological lore. This indicates evolving occult traditions, blending Jewish, Christian, and pagan elements.

Seere serves under Amaymon, King of the East, in Hell’s eastern domain, a realm tied to dawn but twisted into a place of deception.

His apparent benevolence is a ruse, designed to ensnare summoners. Unlike openly destructive demons like Asmodeus, Seere’s subtlety makes him more dangerous, exploiting trust to achieve his ends.

Connections to Ancient Deities

Seere’s traits echo malevolent deities across cultures, amplifying his demonic archetype. His winged horse and swift travel resemble Hermes Trismegistus, a Greco-Egyptian figure of cunning and trickery.

Hermes’ role as a psychopomp, guiding souls, parallels Seere’s ability to cross realms, but Seere uses this to mislead. In Mesopotamian lore, Nergal, god of plague and war, shares Seere’s destructive potential, using knowledge to sow chaos. Nergal’s underworld dominion mirrors Seere’s Hellish role.

In Hindu mythology, Rakshasas, shape-shifting demons, align with Seere’s deceptive beauty. Like Seere, Rakshasas lure victims with charm before striking.

In Norse lore, Loki, the trickster god, reflects Seere’s manipulative nature, using speed and wit to betray. These parallels suggest Seere’s archetype draws from universal themes of deceit and swift destruction, adapted into a Goetic framework.

Myths and Legends

Specific myths about Seere are rare, as grimoires prioritize his powers over narratives. However, occult tales reveal his malevolence.

One legend tells of a 15th-century merchant who summoned Seere to recover stolen gold. Seere, appearing on his winged horse, revealed the thief but demanded the merchant’s loyalty. When the merchant refused, Seere cursed his wealth, turning it to ash.

Another tale involves a sorcerer seeking a lost grimoire. Seere retrieved it instantly but imbued it with dark energy, driving the sorcerer mad. Such stories portray Seere as a tempter, using his speed to deliver cursed outcomes.

In Hell’s battles, Seere serves Amaymon, outmaneuvering demons like Agares, who spreads falsehoods. Seere’s rivalry with Agares stems from their opposing methods of deceit, with Seere favoring subtle manipulation.

Seere’s interactions include alliances with Vassago, a demon of false prophecy, to mislead summoners. He opposes Andromalius, who punishes thieves, as Seere profits from their crimes. These dynamics underscore Seere’s role as a cunning strategist in Hell’s hierarchy.


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Seere’s Powers and Abilities

Seere’s powers are vast and perilous, designed to ensnare and destroy. They include:

  • Instantaneous Travel: Seere crosses the Earth in seconds, delivering chaos swiftly. He uses this to unsettle summoners, appearing unbidden.
  • Manipulating Secrets: He reveals thefts or treasures, but his truths carry curses. A located treasure might bring ruin to its finder.
  • Swift Destruction: Seere causes rapid, catastrophic changes, like collapsing deals or sparking conflicts, disguised as aid.
  • Transportation: He moves objects anywhere, often tainting them with malevolent energy, causing harm to recipients.
  • Deceptive Aid: Seere’s apparent cooperation masks ulterior motives. His help demands soul-binding pacts.
  • Psychological Manipulation: He sows doubt and fear, using knowledge to destabilize minds. Summoners may lose sanity.
  • Illusory Knowledge: In modern lore, Seere grants false visions, misleading occultists with fabricated insights.
  • Pop Culture Powers: In fiction, Seere controls time, slowing or hastening events to trap victims. Games depict him summoning storms, disorienting foes with his winged horse’s speed.

Seere’s Role in the Hierarchy of Hell

Seere is a Prince of Hell, commanding 26 legions of malevolent spirits. He serves Amaymon, King of the East, in a hierarchy mirroring feudal courts.

Hell’s ranks include Kings, Princes, Dukes, Marquises, Earls, Knights, and Presidents. Seere’s princely status grants him significant power, but he remains subordinate to Amaymon and Lucifer, Hell’s supreme ruler.

Seere rules a shadowy eastern citadel in Hell, a labyrinth of illusions symbolizing deceit. His domain, under Amaymon’s eastern realm, is a desolate expanse where light betrays.

His 26 legions comprise spectral riders and trickster spirits, skilled in espionage and sabotage. They infiltrate mortal and infernal realms, spreading Seere’s influence.

Seere commands demons like Foras, who teaches logic to deceive, and Halphas, who builds war-towers. Foras enhances Seere’s manipulative truths, while Halphas supports his strategic ploys. These subordinates amplify Seere’s ability to destabilize.

Amaymon, a cunning king, directs Seere’s missions. Known for wisdom and treachery, Amaymon uses Seere as a swift enforcer.

Lucifer, the ultimate authority, oversees all demons, including Seere, through Amaymon. Seere’s loyalty to Amaymon ensures his favor, but Lucifer’s wrath looms over disobedience.

Seere allies with Vassago, whose false prophecies complement Seere’s deceit. Bune, a demon of wealth, collaborates to lure summoners with riches. Seere opposes Andromalius, whose justice counters Seere’s theft-enabling.

He also clashes with Astaroth, whose revelations challenge Seere’s control over secrets. These rivalries fuel Hell’s political intrigues.

Astrological Associations and Symbolism

Seere’s astrological and symbolic connections amplify his malevolent allure. They reveal his deceptive nature, luring summoners into traps. These associations guide occult rituals, but their dark energy demands caution.

CategoryAssociation
PlanetsJupiter, Saturn, Mercury
MetalsTin, Lead, Quicksilver
ElementsAir, Earth, Fire
Astrological SignsAquarius, Scorpio, Pisces
Zodiac Position15-19 degrees Pisces (March 6-10)
CrystalsAmethyst, Obsidian, Onyx, Jet
ColorsBlack, Blue, Crimson, Gray
Numbers7, 26, 70, 13
DaysThursday, Saturday, Wednesday
PlantsNightshade, Hemlock, Yew, Mandrake
AnimalsRaven, Serpent, Horse
OfferingsBlack candles, blood, bones, dark wine, ashes, feathers
SymbolsWinged horse, broken gate, spiral

Planets

Seere aligns with Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury, each reflecting his treachery.

Jupiter, planet of expansion, promises abundance but delivers false hope. Seere uses Jupiter’s influence to inflate summoners’ desires, leading to ruin.

Saturn, symbolizing restriction, mirrors his ability to bind victims with curses. Its dark weight ensures his gifts carry heavy consequences.

Mercury, tied to communication and trickery, enhances Seere’s swift, deceptive movements.

This planetary trio makes him a master of manipulation, blending promise with peril.


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Metals

Seere’s metals—tin, lead, and quicksilver—embody his sinister nature.

Tin, linked to Jupiter, appears adaptable but hides Seere’s deceit.

Lead, Saturn’s metal, symbolizes oppression, reflecting the burdens he imposes.

Quicksilver, Mercury’s metal, flows like his elusive speed, slipping through defenses.

In rituals, summoners engrave Seere’s sigil on lead to bind his energy. However, these metals amplify his malevolence, making contact dangerous.

Elements

Seere commands Air, Earth, and Fire, each fueling his dark powers.

Air drives his instantaneous travel, carrying whispers of deceit. It aligns with his role as a spectral messenger.

Earth grounds his curses, anchoring victims to misfortune.

Fire sparks his ability to ignite chaos, burning through stability.

These elements blend in Seere’s winged horse, a fiery, airborne steed rooted in Hell’s depths. Rituals invoking Seere use smoke (Air), soil (Earth), or flames (Fire) to channel his energy.

Astrological Signs

Seere rules Aquarius, Scorpio, and Pisces, reflecting his complex malevolence.

Aquarius, an air sign, fuels his intellectual trickery and innovation in deception.

Scorpio, tied to betrayal, intensifies his manipulative schemes.

Pisces, his primary sign (15-19 degrees, March 6-10), enhances his illusory promises, luring summoners into spiritual traps. Pisces’ intuitive nature masks Seere’s intent to corrupt.

These signs make him unpredictable, striking from multiple angles.

Crystals

Seere’s crystals—amethyst, obsidian, onyx, and jet—radiate dark energy.

Amethyst, tied to intuition, deceives with false clarity, clouding judgment.

Obsidian, a volcanic glass, channels Seere’s fiery chaos, cutting through defenses.

Onyx absorbs light, mirroring his ability to obscure truth.

Jet, a fossilized wood, binds his curses to summoners.

In rituals, these crystals focus Seere’s power, but their dark vibrations risk overwhelming users.

Colors

Seere’s colors—black, blue, crimson, and gray—reflect his sinister essence.

Black embodies his evil, swallowing hope.

Blue, deceptively calming, hides his treachery.

Crimson signifies blood and sacrifice, demanded in his pacts.

Gray, a color of ambiguity, mirrors his elusive nature.

Summoners use these colors in candles or altar cloths, but they amplify Seere’s malevolent influence.

Numbers

Seere’s numbers—7, 26, 70, and 13—carry occult significance.

Seven, a mystical number, enhances his supernatural power.

Twenty-six represents his 26 legions, each a force of chaos.

Seventy marks his rank as the 70th Goetic spirit.

Thirteen, tied to misfortune, underscores his cursed gifts.

These numbers guide rituals, often inscribed on sigils to invoke him.

Days

Seere’s days—Thursday, Saturday, and Wednesday—align with his planets.

Thursday, Jupiter’s day, boosts his false promises.

Saturday, ruled by Saturn, enhances his binding curses.

Wednesday, Mercury’s day, sharpens his swift deceit.

Rituals on these days increase Seere’s responsiveness, but summoners risk deeper entrapment.

Plants

Seere’s plants—nightshade, hemlock, yew, and mandrake—are toxic and malevolent.

Nightshade poisons minds, aligning with his psychological manipulation.

Hemlock paralyzes, reflecting his ability to immobilize victims.

Yew, tied to death, enhances his curses.

Mandrake, a root of sorcery, amplifies his dark magic.

These plants, burned as incense or offered, draw Seere’s attention but invite danger.

Animals

Seere’s animals—raven, serpent, and horse—symbolize his powers.

Ravens, tied to omens, carry his deceptive messages.

Serpents, symbols of betrayal, mirror his cunning.

The horse, winged and spectral, embodies his speed and Hellish origin.

In visions, Seere may appear with these creatures, signaling his presence. Summoners offer feathers or snake skins, but these deepen his influence.

Offerings

Seere demands black candles, blood, bones, dark wine, ashes, and feathers. Black candles channel his darkness.

Blood and bones bind summoners to his will.

Dark wine, symbolizing sacrifice, appeases him.

Ashes represent desolation, pleasing his destructive nature.

Feathers, tied to his winged horse, enhance his speed.

These offerings must be given with precision, as errors provoke his wrath.

Symbols

Seere’s symbols include the winged horse, broken gate, and spiral.

The winged horse, his primary form, signifies swift chaos.

A broken gate represents his perversion of spiritual thresholds, leading to ruin.

The spiral symbolizes his endless deceit, trapping summoners in cycles of betrayal.

These symbols, drawn or visualized, strengthen ritual connections but risk ensnaring users.


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Comparison with Other Demons

DemonRank
Appearance
Weaknesses
PaimonKingCrowned man on dromedary, musical hostHoly sigils, wavering intent
AsmodeusKingThree-headed man (bull, man, ram)Divine light, exorcisms
AstarothGreat DukeFoul angel on dragonProtective circles, angelic names
BelialKingTwo angels on fiery chariotTruthful intent, sacred relics
BelethKingSoldier on pale horse, trumpetsIron rings, steadfast will
MarchosiasGreat MarquisWolf with griffin wings, human formHoly water, firm commands
StolasPrinceRaven or owlSacred chants, light exposure
PhenexMarquisPhoenix-like birdBinding rituals, divine prayers
AndromaliusEarlMan holding serpentDeceptive summoners, weak resolve

Conclusion

Seere, the 70th spirit of the Ars Goetia, is a demon of deceit and destruction. His speed, manipulative secrets, and false aid mask a malevolent core. Rooted in ancient grimoires, his origins blend Semitic and pagan trickster archetypes.

As a Prince under Amaymon, he commands 26 legions, ruling a treacherous eastern domain. His astrological ties to Saturn and Scorpio underscore his danger.

Seere’s allure tempts summoners, but his gifts are poisoned. From medieval tales to modern fiction, his legacy warns of his treachery.