Andras
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In demonology, Andras is a Great Marquis (a Prince to other authors) of Hell, having under his command thirty legions of demons. He sows discord among people.
Alternatively named Andra-inanyas.
In demonology, an unpleasant demon whose only directive was to hunt and kill men, aided by his henchman Flauros.
According to the Goetia, Andras was a Grand Marquis of Hell, appearing with a winged angel’s body and the head of an owl or raven, riding upon a strong black wolf and wielding a sharp and bright sword. He was also responsible for sowing discord, and commanded 30 infernal legions. He is the 63rd of the 72 spirits of Solomon.
Andras was considered to be a highly dangerous demon, who could kill the conjuring magician and his assistants if precautions were not taken. A misstep outside the magical protective circle could mean instant death for the conjurer(s), and Andras was always trying to lure them out.
Andras was also believed to be very skilled in using people's own anger against them, being able of infecting humans with uncontrollable dooming rage. For this reason he was allegedly summoned quite often by military leaders, to use his abilities to incite wars that last for decades, redefining peoples and continents. In addition, due to the subtle nature of his work, Andras was supposedly extremely difficult to detect.
The German demonologist Johann Wier, in his 'Pseudomonarchia Daemonum', says of Andras:
"Andras is a great marquesse, and is seene in an angels shape with a head like a blacke night raven, riding upon a blacke and a verie strong woolfe, flourishing with a sharpe sword in his hand, he can kill the maister, the servant, and all assistants, he is author of discords, and ruleth thirtie legions."
Another demonologist, Collin de Plancy, also mentions Andras in his writings:
"Grand Marquis of Hell. He appears to have the body of an angel and the head of a wood owl, and to be riding a black wolf and carrying in his hand a pointed saber. He teaches those whom he favors to kill their enemies, masters and servants. He stirs up trouble and dissension. He commands thirty legions."
Other sources declare that Andras was the one who played on high with the storms, the warrior-god whose smile is the lightning, who, in order to give freshness to the meadows, hurls down the waters which crush the ripening wheat, and seems, to the agriculturist, a cruel magician.
[edit] In Popular Culture
- Andras appears as a minor enemy near the beginning of the video game Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin. He resembles a winged man with a raven's head, riding on a wolf and brandishing a fiery sword. He can either stab downwards with the sword or have his steed breathe fireballs.
- Andras is listed in a sample of a Satanic incantation in the song "Symphony for the Devil" by the band PIG.
- Andras appears in Alan Moore's comic book series Promethea where he is summoned with the demon Marchosias by the magician Benny Solomon to put a hit out on the title character. Promethea defeats Andras and Marchosias in a fight at a nightclub. Later, Benny Solomon summons Andras again when he calls on the entire Ars Goetia to kill Promethea. True to the description given above, during his brief incarnation in the series Andras attempts to lure Benny Solomon out (and is rebuffed) and also seduces a taxi driver into suicide (the cabbie had molested his granddaughter, and Andras hands him a pistol and tells him "you know what to do"). Moore depicts Andras as given above - an angelic body topped by an owl's head, riding a black wolf and wielding a fiery sword.
- The music label Andras Klang. Owned by the band a ferret named polo.
- Andras appeared in an episode of Charmed, in which he magnified the anger of the three Haliwell sisters, ultimately provoking them to use their powers against each other.
[edit] See also
[edit] Sources
- S. L. MacGregor Mathers, A. Crowley, The Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon the King (1904). 1995 reprint: ISBN 0-87728-847-X.