Shemhamphorasch

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Shemhamphorasch has many alternate spellings:

• Shemhamforash
• Shemhamphorash
• Shemahamphorasch
• Shemhamphoresh
• Shem ha-Mephoresh
• Shem ha-Mephorash - Arguably the most accurate transliteration.
• Shemhamphoresch

Literally (in Hebrew) "explict name", see Tetragrammaton. It is used to refer to the actual name of god, without desecrating that name in actually uttering it. In other uses, It refers to the name of the 72 names of God found in Exodus.

Contents 1 History 2 Numerology 3 Goetia 4 Tarot 5 Satanism 6 Angels and Demons 7 Notes 8 See also

[edit] History

The word literally means "divided name" and is based on a passage in the King James Version of the Bible referring to Exodus 14:19-21. In that passage, there are letters in original Hebrew in groups of three that form the names of 72 angels or intelligences or 72 Names of God.

According to About.com, "Shemhamforash is a corruption of Shem ha-Mephorash, (Hebrew, literally, "name of separation") an epithet of the 72 letter name of God derived from the book of Exodus by medieval kabbalists."

[edit] Numerology

The number itself is considered sacred for other reasons and there are several versions of the names of God given. The number 72 is a number which appears to have mythical meaning across various cultures. It is unclear how much is influence or coincidence however. The number of disciples Jesus sent out has often been disputed as being 70 or 72 depending on the text and translation. It is also the number of degrees divided in a 360 degree circle divided by the pentagram or the number of 5 degree heavy ticks on a 360 degree circle.

Being that 72 has many factors, it lends itself well to correspondence tables. Similar concepts of a divided circle for a variety of correspondences is seen in the Lo Pan, the compass used in Feng Shui in China. In fact, some compare it to the Ten Heavenly Stems and Twelve Earthly Branches system of 10 and 12 but instead use 70 and 72. This because of the Tree of Life and Twelve Tribes of Israel associations and the fact that both factor into the sacred numbers. In Taoism, there are 36 hells and 36 heavens and 72 hagiographies [1] and Promised Lands for each. [2] Many think this to be more than coincidental due to so many other similarities between Taoism (Oriental Occultism) and western magick (Occidental Occultism).

In the Babylonian-Mesopotamian numerology [3], the numbers of 10, 12, 60 and 360 hold importance. The use of 70 allows division by 5, 7 and 10 while 72 allows division by all other numbers between 1 and 10 (1,2,3,4,6,8,9). To be able to handle a variety of lists that exist in correspondence table work, this was found useful. Practically speaking, it allowed people to count on their hands and use them as mnemonic devices. Similar approaches were used by Giordano Bruno in his Ars Memoriae or the Art of Memory and Theatre of Memory system who was familiar with the concept. Philip Pullman, author of the book, The Golden Compass, created an alethiometer based on Bruno's[4] work with 36 images based on this very concept although it is not clear if the author had any knowledge of the divided name or the concept of the Lo Pan. Because of the tight relationship with Babylonian numerology, some believe the meaning of this word to be primarily Babylonian rather than Hebrew and believe it may have been a result of growing Babylonian influence on Hebrew culture surrounding the events of the captivity. Aleister Crowley, who contributed to the field of numerology in his analysis 777, (which was based on the works of Eliphas Levi (see the Tarot section below)) was concerned mostly with a Hebrew 22 letters and Hermetic tarot correspondence mapping.

Because of the pantheons or names people may attribute to deity such as in Islam, many are skeptical of these kinds of approaches by modern day numerologists to make such associations. They point out that Islam, an Abrahamic religion has 99 names for God which some numerologists counter can be resolved by introduction of the very divine number 11 (x 9). Note however the coincidence of the 72 virgins reward for being a martyr for Allah.

[edit] Goetia

Main article: Goetia

According to European magical tradition, King Solomon is said to have evoked seventy-two demons and confined in a bronze vessel sealed by magic symbols, and obliged them to work for him. These demons are catalogued in various magical grimoires, most notably in the Lemegeton, which gives descriptions of their powers, appearance and manner, as well as instructions for controlling them.

Based on the opinions of some who seek to find consistency of this association with the Shemhamphorasch, these demons may be sigils based on the reversing of the three lettered names of the angels. Using the reverse names and sigils, one would be able to call on the various demons for various favors which may result in destructive events. It is from this that it is believed Anton LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan, obtained the word mentioned below.

[edit] Tarot

The earliest known connection between the Shemhamphorasch and the Tarot was made by Eliphas Levi in his Clefs Majeurs et Clavicules de Salomon^[1] in which he divides the 72 names into pairs, and attributes each pair to one of the four court cards or ten numbers, or one of the 22 major arcana cards, making a total of 36 pairs.

This was further fleshed out in the Golden Dawn's Book T, which was renamed Liber 78 by Aleister Crowley when he published it in his occult periodical The Equinox. In the system promulgated by the Golden Dawn and Crowley, 36 pairs of angels (or "deacons") are each given rulership of a 10-degree segment of the Zodiac, and to these are mapped the number cards (excluding aces) from the four suits:^[2]

Card	Rulership	Angels	Card	Rulership	Angels	Card	Rulership	Angels
2 Wands	0°–10° ♈	Vaho'el Doni'el	5 Wands	0°–10° ♌	Vehuiah Yeli'el	8 Wands	0°–10° ♐	Nethahiah Ha'a'iah
3 Wands	10°–20° ♈	Hachashiah Aumemiah	6 Wands	10°–20° ♌	Sita'el "Aulemiah	9 Wands	10°–20° ♐	Yeletha'el Sha'ahiah
4 Wands	20°–30° ♈	Nen'a'el Neitha'el	7 Wands	20°–30° ♌	Mahashiah Lelaha'el	10 Wands	20°–30° ♐	Riyiel Auma'el
5 Pentacles	0°–10° ♉	Mabehiah Poi'el	8 Pentacles	0°–10° ♍	'Aka'iah Kahatha'el	2 Pentacles	0°–10° ♑	Lekaba'el Vesheriah
6 Pentacles	10°–20° ♉	Nememiah Yeila'el	9 Pentacles	10°–20° ♍	Hezi'el Eladiah	3 Pentacles	10°–20° ♑	Yechoiah Lehachiah
7 Pentacles	20°–30° ♉	Haracha'el Metzera'el	10 Pentacles	20°–30° ♍	L'aviah Hahauiah	4 Pentacles	20°–30° ♑	Kaveqiah Menada'el
8 Swords	0°–10° ♊	Vameka'el Yehah'el	2 Swords	0°–10° ♎	Yezela'el Mebha'el	5 Swords	0°–10° ♒	'Ani'el Cha"umiah
9 Swords	10°–20° ♊	Aunu'el Machi'el	3 Swords	10°–20° ♎	Heri'el Haqemiah	6 Swords	10°–20° ♒	Reha"u'el Yeiza'el
10 Swords	20°–30° ♊	Damebiah Menaqa'el	4 Swords	20°–30° ♎	La'uiah Keli'el	7 Swords	20°–30° ♒	Hahah'el Mika'el
2 Cups	0°–10° ♋	'Aia"u'el Cheboiah	5 Cups	0°–10° ♏	Levoiah Paheliah	8 Cups	0°–10° ♓	Vevaliah Yelahiah
3 Cups	10°–20° ♋	Ra'ah'el Yebemiah	6 Cups	10°–20° ♏	Nelaka'el Yiai'el	9 Cups	10°–20° ♓	Sa'eliah "Auri'el
4 Cups	20°–30° ♋	Haiai'el Moumiah	7 Cups	20°–30° ♏	Melah'el Chahoah	10 Cups	20°–30° ♓	"Aushaliah Miah'el

[edit] Satanism

Members who belong to the Church of Satan and other branches of Satanism sign letters and emails and conduct rituals with the Shemhamphorasch or Shemhamforash, an altered spelling. It is taken to mean a kind of desecration in closing or closing in the name of possibly the backwards reading of the angels and likely refers to the demons of Goetia in their hierarchies and with their own special titles like Marquis or President. The angels, on the other hand are organized into nine choruses but may differ from traditional lists of these angels. The relationship is unclear. There is a misconception that it may mean "Hail Satan" in Enochian, attributed to the founder of the 'Church of Satan', Anton LaVey. It is actually just a reference to these beings as one in purpose for assistance of the Satanist.

It is spoken in rituals (often followed by "Hail Satan!") performed by Church Of Satan members, and other Satanists who follow the rituals outlined in The Satanic Bible by Anton Szandor LaVey. The "Hail Satan!" that follows "Shemhamphorasch" in Satanic ritual is not a translation of the previous word. It is a separate utterance. It has been said (by the German ex-Totenkopf Grotto e. V.) that the origin of Shemhamphorasch could be found in the ancient Babylonian-Asryian language (possible spelling "Šem-ham-fo-raš"). It symbolizes to become one with the Powers of Darkness (the infamous 72 Infernal Names inscribed in LaVey's Satanic Bible).

[edit] Angels and Demons

This is only a partial listing of correspondences. There are often Psalms, detailed descriptions, tarot and in fact, far too many possible correspondences (repeated or unrepeated) to number. It is because of the flexibility (and numerical factorability) of the Shemhamphorasch that many consider it to be the key of creation of all things and all arts. By understanding how to use the Shemhamphorasch, it is said one can create or destroy or command the organization or disorganization of the elements into the creation of certain things in reality based on the realm of expertise of the angel or demon. The theories are numerous and so it is impossible to fully detail the thoughts regarding this system.

The table below has the names for deity alphabetized. [5]. The order of the demons is as they are found in the Lemegeton or Lesser Key of Solomon.

Subject	Names of God	Angels	Demons	Letters	Decan
1	Adonai Yahweh	Vehu*	Baal	VHV	Aries
2	Aleph Etz Adonai	Yeli	Agares	YLY
3	Ammi Shaddai	Sit	Vassago	SIT
4	Ari Shemoth	Aulem	Gamygyn	OoLM
5	Abba Nartoomid	Mahash	Marbas	MHSh
6	Adonai	Lelah	Valefor	LLH
7	Adonai Elohenu	Aka	Amon	AKA	Leo
8	Adonai Tsebayoth	Kahath	Barbatos	KHTh
9	Bath'Kol	Hezi	Paimon	HZI
10	Be-mid-bar	Elad	Buer	ALD
11	Bereshith Bara	Lav	Gusion	LAV
12	Binah Ruach Devekut	Hahau	Sytry	HHO
13	Chesed Tushiyyah Shiloh	Yezel	Beleth	IZL	Sagittarius
14	Chokmah Michaelilu	Mebha	Lerajie	MBH
15	Dabar Nartoomid Yesod Yeshai'iahu	Heri	Eligor	HRI
16	Daniel Elohai Ariel	Haquem	Separ	HQM
17	Derek Kedoshah Yirme'iah	Lau	Botis	LAV
18	Div-ray Hay-ya-mim Hay Yom	Keli	Bahtin	KLI
19	Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh	Levo	Saleos	LVV	Cancer
20	El, El	Pahel	Purson	PHL
21	El El Elyon	Nelak	Morax	NLK
22	El Shaddai	Yiai*	Ipos	YYY
23	Eli, Eli	Melah	Aini	MLH
24	Eloha Elohim	Chaho	Naberius	ChHV
25	Eloha Umma	Nethah	Glasyalabolas	NThH	Scorpius
26	Esah Meshiah	Haa	Bune	HAA
27	Ha Shem	Yereth	Ronobe	YLTh
28	Hakdamoth Hekaloth	Shaah	Berith	ShAH
29	Hod Ha-Melek Zedek Melchizedek Meshiah	Riyi	Astaroth	RYY
30	Jehezekel Malkuth	Aum	Forneus	AUM
31	Jehovah Yahweh Melchizedek	Lekab	Foras	LKB	Pisces
32	Jeshurun	Vesher	Asmoday	VShR
33	Joiel Qohel'eth	Yecho	Gaap	YChV
34	Kadumah Elohim	Lehach	Furfur	LHCh
35	Kadumah Kadmon	Kaveq	Marchosias	KVQ
36	Kether Etz Chaim Jehu	Menad	Solas	MND
37	Kodoish, Kodoish, Kodoish Adonai	Ani*	Phoenix	ANI	Libra
38	Layooesh Shekinah	Chaum	Halpas	ChOM
39	Makom Hyos Ha Kodesh	Rehau	Malpas	RHO
40	Melek B'nai Elohim	Yeiz	Raum	YYZ
41	Melek B'nai Or	Hahah*	Focalor	HHH
42	Melek ohev Tzedakah umishpat	Mik	Sabanack	MIK
43	Melek Shamayyim	Veval	Vepar	VVL	Aquarius
44	M'shi'hha M'shi'shi	Yelah	Shax	YLH
45	Nasi Shalom	Sael	Vine	SAL
46	Netzach Merkabah Eliahu	Auri	Bifrons	ORI
47	Ose Shalom	Aushal	Vual	OShL
48	Pesah Nartoomid	Milah	Hagenti	MIH
49	Rokeb ba-Arabot	Vaho*	Procel	VHV	Gemini;
50	Ruach Elohim	Doni	Furcas	DNY
51	Ruach Ha Koidesh	Hachash	Balam	HChSh
52	Shekinah	Aumem	Allocen	OMM
53	Shekinah-Esh	Nena	Caim	NNA
54	Shelomith Shalom	Neith	Murmur	NITh
55	Shem Shel Geburah	Mabeth	Orobas	MBH	Capricorn
56	Shema Yisrael	Poi	Gomory	PVI
57	Shemesh Yahweh	Nemem	Ose	NMM
58	Shillush	Yeil	Amy	YYL
59	Torah Eser Sephiroth	Harach	Orias	HRCh
60	Urim-Thummim	Metzer	Vapula	MTzR
61	Vay-yik-ra	Vamet	Zagan	VMK	Taurus
62	Vod ye-Dod Yod ye-Dod	Yehah*	Valac	IHH
63	YHWH	Aunu	Andras	ONV
64	Yahweh	Machi	Flauros	MChI
65	Yahweh Elohenu Yahweh	Dameb	Andrealphus	DMB
66	Yahweh Shalom	Menak	Cimeries	MNQ
67	Yahweh Shammah	Asau	Amduscias	AIO	Virgo
68	Yahweh Tsidkennu	Chebo	Belial	ChBV
69	Yeshiba Zaddkim, Yeshiba Harazim	Raah	Decarabia	RAH
70	Yoshua Yahweh	Yekem	Seere	IBM
71	Yotzer Meorot	Haiai*	Dantalian	HYY
72	Zohar Haddah, Zohar Metsuloth	Moum	Andromalius	MVM

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Levi, Eliphas (1926). Clefs Majeurs et Clavicules de Salomon. Paris: Chacornac Frères. First published 1895, 20 years after his death. Retrieved 19 October 2006.
2. ^ Crowley, Aleister. Liber 78: A description of the cards of the Tarot. Retrieved 27 October 2006.

[edit] See also

• About.com Shemhamphorasch
• Aaron Leitch's Shem ha-Mephorasch analysis
• Decans at Tarot.org
• 72 fold name of God at Tarot.org
• Heidrick's Magickal Correspondences
• Heidrick's Tarot
• PRS Gallery of Kabbalistic Art & Symbols
• Detailed Shemhamphorasch