Michael Psellus on the Operation of Daemons

by Michael Psellus, Marcus Collisson

Michael Constantine Psellus (1018-1178 C.E.) was one of the most notable writers and philosophers of the Byzantine era, the driving force behind the university curriculum reform designed to emphasize the Greek classics.

This essential book delves into the life and scholastic contributions of Psellus. Most importantly, it explains exactly how the ancient Byzantines perceived the nature of Daemons--a critical component to truly understanding The Key of Solomon, and other classic texts on magical Hermetic knowledge.

Genres: Occult, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Religion, Magic, History

95 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1050

About the author

Michael Psellos or Psellus (Greek: Μιχαήλ Ψελλός, Mikhaēl Psellos) was an eleventh century Byzantine monk, writer, philosopher, politician and historian.

Reviews

[sologdin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short dialogue by our friend Psellus, a merger of the classical idea of daemon as some sort of supernatural sentience with the parallel idea of supernatural malevolence. Often the latter is just the allegations of church propaganda regarding rival theologies.

The interlocutor with knowledge to dispense in this dialogue presents much of it as originating from a third person who can't be cross-examined--so it's hearsay--a favored technique of dialogues going back to Plato, and even then, this source is corrupted: "I was not very solicitous, my good sir, to retain either the substance or arrangement of that conversation, nor can I now recollect it" (68). The third party is "a monk in Mesopotamia, who really was an initiated inspector of daemonic phantasms: these magical practices he afterwards abandoned as worthless and deceptive, and having made his recantation, attached himself to the true doctrine, which we profess, and assiduously applying himself, underwent a course of instruction at my hands" (67). I assume that the reference to 'magical practices' points to the same tradition on which the Key of Solomon was based. We note that the abandonment of witchcraft was not for principled reasons but rather practical ones. Had it worked and the kindly monk were able to provoke unlawful love and discover hidden treasures within the massy entrails of the earth, what then?

The title, regarding the 'operation' (i.e., work/labor) of demons, indicates the general thrust of the entire project--both angels and demons were considered workers of magic and miracles (as discussed at length in the introduction, which also lays out the scriptural and linguistic basis to avoid conflating such spirits with Satan proper--the linguistics are distinct). The specifics on supernatural bodies, sexes, sexual practices, coprophagia, possession, and the like are more or less familiar, though this is likely one locus classicus for those familiar ideas.

Recommended for those impelled to unlawful and unnatural lusts.

[vorona · Rating 4 out of 5]

". . .there must be a vast difference, for the angelic, emitting a sort of extraneous rays, is oppressive and intolerable to the visual organs: but as to the dæmonic, whether it was once of this sort I cannot say, but so it would seem; (for Esaias disparagingly calls Lucifer “him that had fallen”) now, however it is an obscure and darksome sort of thing, saddened in aspect, divested of its kindred light; but the angelic nature is immaterial, and therefore is capable of penetrating and passing through all solids, being more impalpable than the sun's rays. . ."

demons offer a material pleasure as particles of temptation, always easier to bear than the intolerable light and difficult faith. suffering, despair, falling into sin is the easy way out

". . .he counted off six species of dæmons, and first he mentioned Leliurium, speaking in his barbarous vernacular tongue, a name which signifies Igneous. This order of dæmons haunts the air above us, for the entire genus has been expelled from the regions adjacent to the moon, as a profane thing with us would be expelled from a temple. . ."

:)

[Ellenore Clementine · Rating 1 out of 5]

very sad

There is a daunting part in this theatrical text that says basically the demons are above. So I do not really want to agree. I am aware that grit and color and shadow may be put on photographs to hurt their spirit, but I am hoping that the future is about reconciling injustice throughout all time to stale wars and sacrifices. I do not know for sure all readers will have the fortitude to withstand some of the polluted energy in this. However, to avoid demons winning mortal sins and death, please encourage psychiatric care.

[Joseph Riina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The content of the book itself is interesting, especially in the ways that ideas around demons have evolved in the last 1000 years. On the other hand, this printing seems pretty cheap, just copy pasted from somewhere else, with incorrect dates on the cover

[Elli Toney · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was like a horror novel about daemons and possession from 1682, which made it pretty cool to read. However, I have read similar concepts elsewhere, and it was predominantly just full of fear.

[S. Runyan · Rating 1 out of 5]

A bizarre book. Reminded me of The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis: somewhat of an entertainment, almost entirely a waste of time to spend reading for any minutiae of theological value.