Gertrude Stein has been on my mind a lot lately, ever since I finished reading her novel “The Making of Americans” for my modernist literature class. At first, I found it challenging to connect with – the repetition and simplicity…
I was driving to the grocery store, minding my own business, when I saw it. A car in the next lane over, cruising along at a leisurely 35 miles per hour in a 40 zone. Now, I’m not one to…
Ronove is a demon who rarely inspires fear at first glance, and that is precisely why his influence is so profound. In the Ars Goetia, Ronove is described as a Great Marquis and Count of Hell, commanding legions and specializing…
John Locke has been lingering in my mind for weeks, ever since I stumbled upon his name while researching the Enlightenment thinkers. At first, I thought it was just another dusty old philosopher from history class, but as I started…
The fluorescent lights above my cubicle seem to hum in mocking synchrony with the air conditioner, a constant reminder that I am trapped in this soulless office. My gaze falls upon the coffee machine, its LED display flashing a smug…
Berith is a demon who understands ambition better than most humans ever will. In the Ars Goetia, he is listed as a Great Duke of Hell, commanding twenty-six legions and appearing as a red-clad soldier or nobleman, often crowned, riding…
I’ve been thinking a lot about Marina Tsvetaeva lately, and I’m not entirely sure why she’s stuck with me. Maybe it’s because her life was like a never-ending storm – dark, turbulent, and full of contradictions. Or maybe it’s because,…
The neighbors. They’re at it again. I’m not even sure what “it” is, but I know I don’t like it. This morning, I was sipping my coffee and staring out the window, enjoying the peaceful morning sunlight, when I noticed…
Astaroth is a demon who does not need to threaten, shout, or seduce openly. His power operates through something far more dangerous: persuasion that sounds reasonable. In the Ars Goetia, Astaroth is named as a Great Duke of Hell, commanding…
Blaise Pascal. I’ve always been fascinated by him, but not in the way you’d expect. It’s not his mathematical genius or his contributions to science that draw me in – although those are impressive, don’t get me wrong. What really…
My girlfriend walked into the room, dropped her purse on the floor, and said, “Hey, I’m home.” That’s it. That’s the entirety of the statement. No acknowledgement of my presence, no inquiry into my day, just a declaration of her…
Forneus is a demon whose influence is felt long before his presence is recognized. In the Ars Goetia, he is named as a Great Marquis of Hell, commanding legions and appearing initially as a terrifying sea monster before assuming human…
I’ve been thinking a lot about Rachel Cusk lately, specifically her essay “A Life’s Work: On Becoming a Mother”. I read it for the first time during my senior year of college, when everyone around me seemed to be figuring…
The coffee shop. A place where the masses gather to indulge in a ritual as ancient as it is mundane. Yet, as I stood in line, waiting to place my order, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of injustice.…
Foras is one of the most misunderstood figures in demonology, largely because he does not conform to the expectations people bring with them when they encounter the Ars Goetia. He is not grotesque, not theatrical, and not driven by indulgence…
Goethe’s words have a way of lingering, like the scent of old books on a dusty shelf. I’ve always been fascinated by the way his thoughts seem to unfold, layer upon layer, each one sparking new questions and connections in…
Asmoday, also known as Asmodeus in the Ars Goetia, is not merely a demon of lust, as popular culture often reduces him. He is far more complex, far more intelligent, and far more unsettling. In Goetic demonology, Asmoday is a…
I’ll be honest, I stumbled upon Emil Cioran’s work by chance, browsing through a used bookstore’s philosophy section during my senior year of college. His book “The Trouble with Being Born” caught my eye, and I bought it on a…
Gaap is a demon whose reputation is built not on terror or spectacle, but on competence. In the Ars Goetia, he is described as both a Prince and a President of Hell, a rare dual authority that immediately signals complexity.…
Willa Cather’s writing often felt like a mystery to me, even as I devoured her novels and short stories in college. Her style was so distinct, so precise – every word seemed weighed with significance. But the more I read,…
