I’ve always been fascinated by Mary Shelley, but it’s not just her life story that draws me in – although the idea of writing a novel at 18 while traveling with your soon-to-be-ex-fiancé is enough to make anyone feel inadequate. It’s something more complex than that. One thing I find intriguing is how much Mary …
I’m trying to have a simple conversation with my girlfriend, Pandora, but she’s being completely unreasonable. We’re in the kitchen, and I’m attempting to explain why I left the cap off the toothpaste again. “It’s not that big of a deal,” I say, exasperated. Pandora scowls at me, her arms crossed over her chest. “It’s …
Among the seventy-two spirits recorded in the Ars Goetia, there are demons who command armies, shape desire, reveal hidden knowledge, and manipulate the natural world. Yet Samigina—also known as Gamigin—belongs to a more somber and reflective domain. He is not a figure of chaos or temptation in the traditional sense. Instead, he exists in the …
Cesare Pavese’s words have a way of getting under my skin. I’ve spent countless hours poring over his essays, translations, and poetry, and yet, every time I revisit them, I feel like I’m uncovering something new – or rather, something old that I never noticed before. It’s as if his writing is like a puzzle, …
Ugh, I’m having one of those days where everything is conspiring against me. I woke up late because my alarm didn’t go off—again—and now Pandora is breathing down my neck to get ready for her art show tonight. Like, I know it’s a big deal for her, but can’t she see I’m still trying to …
Among the seventy-two spirits cataloged within the Ars Goetia, Marbas stands as one of the most fascinating and paradoxical figures in the entire infernal hierarchy. Unlike many demons associated with deception, destruction, or temptation, Marbas occupies a domain that feels almost unsettlingly constructive. He is described as a President of Hell commanding thirty-six legions of …
I keep coming back to Lise Meitner, the Austrian physicist who fled her homeland during WWII only to play a crucial role in discovering nuclear fission. Her name is etched in my mind alongside those of Marie Curie and Rosalind Franklin – women who broke ground in male-dominated fields, leaving behind a trail of awe-inspiring …
I’m stuck in an elevator with Pandora, who’s frantically pressing the buttons like they’re going to magically fix everything. I swear, it’s like she thinks the elevator is just being stubborn on purpose. “Come on, come on!” she mutters, jabbing at the panel like she’s trying to win a prize. Meanwhile, I’m over here thinking …
Among the seventy-two spirits described in the Ars Goetia, Valefor occupies a particularly intriguing position—not because of overwhelming power or intellectual dominance, but because of the subtle and deeply human nature of his domain. He is not a king commanding vast armies like Paimon, nor a philosopher like Buer, nor a reconciler of truth like …
I’ll never forget the day I stumbled upon Jorge Luis Borges’ short story “Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius.” It was as if I had stepped into a labyrinth and couldn’t find my way out. The more I read, the more questions swirled in my head like leaves in a storm drain. What is reality? Is it …
The parking lot. A place where the competent and the incompetent converge, united by a shared sense of confusion. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve found myself in this predicament, wandering aimlessly through rows of identical vehicles, trying to recall where I left my own. As I pull into the lot, I’m immediately …
Among the seventy-two spirits cataloged within the Ars Goetia, the name Amon carries a peculiar weight—one that feels less theatrical than kings like Paimon and less chaotic than war-bringers like Leraje, yet somehow more unsettling in its precision. Amon is not a demon of spectacle. He is a demon of understanding. Of seeing things as …
Elizabeth Cady Stanton has been lingering in the back of my mind for weeks now, ever since I stumbled upon her name while browsing through a list of influential women from history. At first, I thought it was just another name, another faceless figure from a bygone era. But as I began to read more …
Another lovely day in paradise. I woke up to the sound of John Mercer snoring like a chainsaw in the next room. I’m pretty sure he’s secretly training for some sort of sleep-apnea Olympics. I got out of bed, staggered to the kitchen, and poured myself a cup of coffee. Ah, the sweet nectar of …
Among the seventy-two spirits recorded in the Ars Goetia, there are those who command armies, those who manipulate desire, and those who reveal hidden truths about time and knowledge. Yet Barbatos stands apart in a way that feels quieter, almost grounded—rooted not in grand displays of power, but in something older, deeper, and more intimate. …
Soren Kierkegaard. His name has been floating around my mind for months now, ever since I stumbled upon his works while searching for inspiration for a creative writing project. At first, it was just the familiar feeling of overwhelm that comes with diving into someone else’s ideas – too many words, too many concepts, and …
Just another lovely day in paradise. I woke up feeling like a king, mostly because I’d finally gotten a full night of sleep after a grueling week of doing absolutely nothing productive. From the kitchen, I could already hear John Mercer making some kind of noise that sounded like a smoke alarm arguing with a …
Among the seventy-two spirits recorded in the Ars Goetia, few names carry the same weight, presence, and strange reverence as Paimon. He is not simply another demon listed in the hierarchy—he is a king, one of the most powerful rulers within the infernal order, commanding vast legions of spirits and surrounded by a court that …
I’ve been thinking about Emily Carr a lot lately, ever since I stumbled upon her paintings in an art history course last semester. At first, I was drawn to the vibrant colors and bold brushstrokes, but as I delved deeper into her work, I found myself increasingly fascinated by the complexity of her personality. There’s …
The mailbox. A humble, unassuming fixture of suburban life. Or so I thought. As a generally even-tempered individual, I’ve always approached problems with a level head and a dash of humor. But the more I ponder my current predicament, the more I find myself slipping into an abyss of absurdity. It started innocently enough. A …
Among the seventy-two spirits recorded in the Ars Goetia, there are those who terrify, those who deceive, and those who command immense destructive power. And then there is Buer—a figure so unusual that he almost seems out of place among the infernal ranks. While many demons are associated with chaos or temptation, Buer is something …
W.E.B. Du Bois’s words have been seeping into my consciousness for years, like a slow-moving river that I’ve never quite managed to follow to its source. It started with phrases like “double-consciousness” and “the color line,” which seemed to articulate a tension I recognized in myself—the feeling of being split between inner identity and the …
The laundry machine. A device so mundane, it’s a wonder anyone gives it a second thought. Yet, here I am, pouring my thoughts onto the page, consumed by its sheer incompetence. It started innocently enough. I tossed in a load of dirty clothes, added some detergent, and closed the lid. The familiar hum of the …
Among the many figures described in the ancient grimoires of demonology, Gusion stands apart not because of brute force or theatrical terror, but because of something far more unsettling—certainty. In a world defined by uncertainty, doubt, and unanswered questions, Gusion represents the impossible idea that everything can be known. Listed among the seventy-two spirits of …
The microwave. Can’t live with it, can’t nuke last night’s leftovers without it. I mean, what’s a guy to do? I trudged into the kitchen, still in my bathrobe, and opened the fridge to grab a frozen burrito for breakfast. Why not, right? It’s not like I’m trying to win any culinary awards here. As …
Jane Austen. I’ve spent hours reading her novels, but it’s not the plots or characters that have me stuck – it’s her voice. It’s like she’s speaking directly to me, but from a different time, with a language that’s both familiar and foreign. As someone who writes for myself, to process my own thoughts and …
In the shadowed hierarchy of spirits described in the ancient grimoires, there are demons who command armies, demons who reveal hidden knowledge, and demons who shape the natural world itself. Yet among them exists a category far more intimate and unsettling—those who influence desire, attraction, and the private emotions that most people prefer to keep …
Samuel Beckett’s words have been lingering in my mind for a while now, like the faint scent of old books that refuses to fade. I’ve been reading his work sporadically over the past few years, drawn back to it whenever I’m feeling lost or uncertain about my own creative path. His writing is like a …
I woke up to a lovely Tuesday morning, ready to tackle another day of existence. As I reached for my phone to check the time, I noticed a notification from the package delivery service. “Great,” I thought, “my new socks have finally arrived.” But, as I opened the app, my excitement was short-lived. The notification …
In the strange and intricate hierarchy of spirits described within the Ars Goetia, few figures embody contradiction as vividly as Beleth. Counted among the seventy-two demons of The Lesser Key of Solomon, Beleth is not merely another infernal entity cataloged for ritual summoning. He is a king—one of the highest-ranking figures in the entire demonic …
