Balam

Balam

Balam is the 51st spirit of the Ars Goetia and a great and powerful king (to some authors a duke or a prince) of Hell, commanding over forty legions of demons.

Demon of the Night … King Balam (Night Demon)

Dates: August 12th – August 22nd (Connolly) (Night Time) Alternate Dates: August 13th – August 23rd (Tikaboo) / December 3rd – December 7th (Runyon) Direction: West (North) Tarot: 7 of Wands Planet: Sun Metal: Gold Element: Earth Color: Yellow Plant: Oak Incense: Frankincense Zodiac: Leo

Demonic Enn: Lirach tasa vefa wehl Balam

Balam is depicted as being three-headed. One head is the head of a bull, the second of a man, and the third of a ram. He has flaming eyes and the tail of a serpent. He carries a hawk on his fist and rides a strong bear. At other times he is represented as a naked man riding a bear. His voice is hoarse and harsh.

History

Fall from Grace

Balam was among the many angels that resided in Heaven and as among the order of Dominions. He joined Lucifer's cause in rebelling against Heaven and God only to be defeated by Michael's Heavenly Host and later banished to the Abyss which became Hell. After the establishment of Hell's hierarchy and kingdoms, Balam was appointed as a king of his own dominion within the Inferno and was a great and powerful king among his forty legion of demons.

The Exorcist

Balam was once ensnared, in Yamsay, Oregon, by a mortal named Eustace Coupland, who made a deal with the demon. For his freedom Balam would show him where the riches of the Earth were in Yamsay. In addition Eustace would provide the demon with a fresh soul for him to feed on as a tribute once a year. Eustace was suppose to free the demon until the end of his days, however the man took his life before completing the task. Thus Balam was forced to remain imprisoned, however Balam had enough power to manipulate Eustace's daughter to bring him more sacrifices, even after her death. It was his intention to absorb enough souls to free himself from his prison.

Then Balam began to hear whispers from Hell, the death of the Devil and the imprisoned soul uprising. Realizing that the many lords of Hell had fled to regain power through the Qliphoth Tree, Balam began to quicken his pace for freedom so that he may walk the Earth once more. He compelled his slave to gather more children for him to devour.

Eventually his activities caught the attention of Ashley Strode of the B.P.R.D. She found him in an underground chamber beneath the Coupland's estate. Due to the cage he was in, he was compelled to reveal the truth to her. He attempted to claim her as his vessel so he may escape, however Ashley used her spiritual sword and slayed him ending his threat to the world at the moment

The Devil You Know

It later revealed that Balam was not sent back to Hell but merely sealed. As the gates of Hell were shut he was thus bond to the Earth. Yomyael released him along with many other demons encountered by the exorcist intending to carve her place on Earth once more. He was defeated by Hellboy in New York, who killed the demon and sent him back to Hell.

Power and Abilities

Balam was a powerful demon that commanded forty legions in Hell. Balam had the ability of limited precognition, mortals would worship and entreat him for power or glimpses of the future. He was also capable of shapeshifting. He gives perfect answers on things past, present, and to come, and can also make men invisible and witty. He sees through the 4th dimension, and can view anyone's future past or fate, given the right price. He often demands years off the life of those that request his services to extend his own

He answers questions concerning past, present and future events, and he is willing to reveal the secret of invisibility. He is an excellent teacher of the subtle art of cunning, and he imparts wit and finesse to whoever queries him on these matter.

This entity is often called upon during exorcism and cases of collective possession. He is able to detect anyone who is trying to lie or do wrongdoings by just observing them.

“The Fifty-first Spirit is Balam or Balaam. He is a Terrible, Great, and Powerful King. He appeareth with three Heads: the first is like that of a Bull; the second is like that of a Man; the third is like that of a Ram. He hath the Tail of a Serpent, and Flaming Eyes. He rideth upon a furious Bear, and carrieth a Boshawk upon his Fist. He speaketh with a hoarse Voice, giving True Answers of Things Past, Present, and to Come. He maketh men to go Invisible, and also to be Witty. He governeth 40 Legions of Spirits. His Seal is this, etc.”

From Tikaboo

“Balam (a.k.a. Balaam) is a Great and Powerful King. He appeareth with three Heads: the first is like that of a Bull; the second is like that of a Man; the third is like that of a Ram. He hath the Tail of a Serpent, and Flaming Eyes. He rideth upon a furious Bear, and carrieth a Boshawk upon his Fist. He speaketh with a hoarse Voice, giving True Answers of Things Past, Present, and to Come. He maketh men to go Invisible, and also to be Witty. He governeth 40 Legions of Spirits.”

From “The Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon the King” (1904) Written by S.L. MacGregor Mathers

BALAM. -The Fifty-first Spirit is Balam or Balaam. He is a Terrible, Great, and Powerful King. He appeareth with three Heads: the first is like that of a Bull;the second is like that of a Man; the third is like that of a Ram. He hath the Tail of a Serpent, and Flaming Eyes. He rideth upon a furious Bear, and carrieth a Boshawk upon his Fist. He speaketh with a hoarse Voice, giving True Answers of Things Past, Present, and to Come. He maketh men to go Invisible, and also to be Witty. He governeth 40 Legions of Spirits. His Seal is this, etc.

From the “Pseudomonarchia Daemonum” ( 1583 ) Written by Johann Weyer (Johann Wier)

Balam is a great and a terrible king, he commeth foorth with three heads, the first of a bull, the second of a man, the third of a ram, he hath a serpents taile, and flaming eies, riding upon a furious [very powerful] beare, and carrieng a hawke on his fist, he speaketh with a hoarse voice, answering perfectlie of things present, past, and to come, hee maketh a man invisible and wise, hee governeth fourtie legions, and was of the order of dominations.

Original Text: Balam Rex magnus and terribilis: prodit tribus capitibus, primo tauri, altero hominis, tertio arietis: cauda adhæc serpentina, oculis flammeis, equitans in urso fortissimo, and accipitrem in manu portans. Raucam edit vocem: perfectè respondet de præteritis, præsentibus and futuris: reddit hominem and invisibilem and prudentem. Quadraginta legionibus præsidet, and fuit ex ordine dominationum.

From the “Dictionnaire Infernal” (edition of 1863 ) Written by Jacques Auguste Simon Collin de Plancy

Balan, who commands 40 legions, is presented with a serpent’s tail, eyes that shoot fire, and three heads: a bull, a man, and a ram. He is usually shown carrying a sparrowhawk on his wrist and riding nude and horned upon a bear. His voice is hoarse and harsh. Balan can tell of past/present/future events, teaches cunning, finesse, and the easy way to see without being seen. He was once in the heavenly order.

Original Text : Balan, roi grand et terrible dans les enfers. Il a quelquefois trois tôles : celle d'un taureau, celle d'un homme, celle d'un bélier. Joignez à cela une queue de serpent et des yeux qui jettent de la flamme. Mais plus ordinairement il se montre à cheval, nu et cornu, sur un ours, et porte un épervier au poing. Sa voix est rauque et violente. Il répond sur le passé, le présent et l'avenir. — Ce démon, qui était autrefois del'ordre des dominations, et qui commande aujourd'hui quarante légions infernales, enseigne les ruses, la finesse et le moyen commode devoir sans être vu.

From the Luciferian Goetia by Michael Ford

“Balaam is a darkened Angel, who when the human head speaks, the bull head hisses and speaks in tongues. He is a divinatory spirit, who reveals answers of the past and present and that which may come. He also teaches astral invisibility and how one may project by dreams. “

From the Daemonolatry Goetia by S. Connolly

“Invoke Balam to get over social awkwardness or to find the inner reasons for shyness or discomfort. Leave a piece of gold in offering to Balam (And his sigil) on the altar to keep magickal works secret until they manifest the desired results.”