Astaroth answers questions about the spirits’ fall and the reason for his own. He arrives as a harmful angel riding a dragon-like infernal beast, with a viper in his right hand and breath from which the caller is told to keep a distance. [1]
Astaroth’s infernal mount resembles a dragon, and the angel carries a viper in his right hand. The historical encounter warns against letting him approach too closely because his breath can do harm. The magician holds a magical ring near the face as protection. His character must also be worn as a lamen: otherwise he will neither appear nor obey. [1]
The mighty duke answers truly about past, present and future, reveals secrets and teaches the liberal sciences. Asked about the spirits’ fall, he will explain it and give the reason for his own. Forty legions are under him. [1]
The claim of an unwilling fall
Scot’s account makes Astaroth’s explanation more personal. He talks of the spirits’ creator, their sin and fall, and says he did not fall of his own accord. The later notice promises the reason for his fall but does not include the assertion that it was unwilling. [1][2]
S. L. MacGregor Mathers, translated; Aleister Crowley, edited, The Book of the Goetia of Solomon the King (1904), first-edition facsimile supplied by Keep Silence. Shemhamphorash, entry 29; printed pp. 19–20, PDF pp. 16–17
Reginald Scot, The Discoverie of Witchcraft (1584); Brinsley Nicholson’s reprint of the first edition (1886), Project Gutenberg transcription. Book XV, chapter II, Astaroth; Nicholson’s 1886 reprint, pp. 319–320.
