Who Is Ambolin, the Demon of Nighttime Dread

Ambolin is a lesser demonic entity that is mentioned in several texts of Christian demonology. The demon is characterized primarily by his subordinate position within the infernal hierarchy. He is classified as a spiritus familiaris (familiar spirit). He is noted specifically for being a servant of two of the most potent entities in the demonic realm: Asmodeus and Astaroth.

Unlike the 72 spirits listed in the Ars Goetia, Ambolin is not a crowned king or a duke, but rather a lesser, operative demon whose function is to attend to and execute the commands of his powerful masters. His role is fundamentally tied to the larger operations and domains of Asmodeus and Astaroth.

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Key Takeaways

Attribute	Details
Names	Ambolin
Title	None
Gender	Male
Role	Servant of the higher-ranking demons, primarily Asmodeus and Astaroth
Rank	Lesser demon; a spiritus familiaris
Hierarchy	Serves under Asmodeus and Astaroth
Legions	None
Powers	Functions as an attendant or familiar, carrying out the will of his masters
Associated Figures	Asmodeus, Astaroth, Balam, Paimon, Leviathan
Weaknesses	Bound by the authority of higher spiritual names and divine power
Opposing Angel/Saint	The Archangel Raphael (who bound Asmodeus)
Pantheon	Christian demonology, particularly the tradition related to the Lemegeton
Primary Sources	The Book of Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, the Grimorium Verum

Who or What is Ambolin?

Ambolin is a subordinate demonic entity, recognized within esoteric texts as a familiar spirit who carries out specific tasks for superior demons. His primary identity in demonology is defined by his service to the high-ranking demon Asmodeus, a King of the infernal regions and the demon of lust, gambling, and extravagance, and to Astaroth, a Great Duke who is a high-ranking spirit of idleness and vanity.

Lesser demons such as Ambolin function as key components in the infernal structure, acting as messengers, attendants, or operators on the terrestrial plane. While he is not credited with the ability to command legions himself, his association with figures of the stature of Asmodeus and Astaroth indicates that he holds a position of some functional importance.

“Ambolin” Meaning

The name Ambolin is obscure in its exact linguistic origins, reflecting its nature as a less-documented entity within the primary grimoires of the European occult tradition. Unlike the names of major demons such as Baal or Lucifer, which often have clear roots in Semitic or classical languages, the etymology of Ambolin is not clearly defined in mainstream scholarship.

One possible context for the name’s appearance is within the complex terminology and naming conventions of the Lemegeton tradition and related works. Names in these grimoires were often constructed or transcribed from various source languages, including Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, or were corrupted through transmission.

Given his association with The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, the name may potentially contain elements of Kabbalistic or Hebraic influence, though a direct, verifiable root remains speculative.

How to Pronounce “Ambolin” in English

The most conventional way to pronounce the name Ambolin in English follows standard phonetic rules for the arrangement of its syllables. The pronunciation is generally AM-buh-lin. The emphasis is typically placed on the first syllable, “Am,” with the subsequent syllables “bo” and “lin” being pronounced quickly and clearly.

What Does Ambolin Look Like?

Specific and detailed physical descriptions of Ambolin are absent from the known primary source texts, such as The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage and the Grimorium Verum. This lack of a detailed physical account is common for lesser or subordinate demons, particularly familiar spirits, whose primary role is functional rather than iconic.

Demons who serve as spiritus familiares are often described generally, if at all, as taking on forms that are convenient or unassuming to their masters or the magician who binds them. These forms can be highly variable and unstable, ranging from simple spectral manifestations to shadowy shapes, and from animal to hybrid forms.

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Origins

The earliest documented appearances of the demon Ambolin are found in texts that deal with the summoning and binding of familiar spirits. The figure’s primary origin can be traced to the tradition of European occultism, which coalesced around King Solomon and the binding of demons.

The most critical and relatively early source for Ambolin is The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage. This 15th-century text, allegedly translated by Abraham of Worms, details a system of magic designed to attain the “Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel” and subsequently to gain power over the demonic hierarchy.

In this work, Ambolin is explicitly listed as a servant demon under the command of two of the Eight Sub-Princes, who are subordinate to the Four Grand Princes of Evil (Lucifer, Leviathan, Satan, and Belial).

Was Ambolin Ever Mentioned in the Bible?

Ambolin is not mentioned in the Old or New Testaments or the Apocrypha. The demon is likely a product of later Jewish and Christian esoteric traditions, specifically emerging within the body of occult literature known as grimoires and works of ritual magic that developed during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Ambolin in Grimoires and Other Texts

The primary documentation of Ambolin is found within two key grimoires of Western esoteric tradition, which detail the summoning and control of demons:

Source	Quote
The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage	“The Names of the Spirits which he saith are under the Eight Sub-Princes: AMBOLIN [listed under Asmodeus, Maggot, Ashtaroth and Beelzebub]”
Grimorium Verum	“[Referring to various spirits, including Ambolin in later appendices/editions]… servants of the greater spirits.”

Powers and Abilities

Ambolin’s powers are functional and derived from his position as a spiritus familiaris. His abilities are designed to facilitate the execution of their malicious intentions and operations.

Ambolin’s powers and abilities include:

• Serving as a Dedicated Attendant: His primary power is to act as a direct and tireless servant to his masters, Asmodeus (King of Lust and Wrath) and Astaroth (Duke of Idleness and Rationalization).
• Executing Commands: He is empowered to carry out specific, practical tasks and commands given by Asmodeus and Astaroth, which are often directed toward human corruption and sin.
• Facilitating Vice: Given his association with Asmodeus, Ambolin is implicated in the promotion of lust, gambling, extravagance, and general hedonism among mortals.
• Inducing Sloth and Vanity: Through his service to Astaroth, his powers extend to fostering idleness, vanity, and the rationalization of evil, making humans susceptible to profound self-deception and moral decay.
• Aiding in Infernal Communications: He may serve as a messenger between his masters and other lesser demons or bound human agents.
• Granting Wealth or Secrets (Indirectly): Since Asmodeus and Astaroth are associated with the giving of treasures and knowledge (though always with ruinous consequences), Ambolin’s powers are used to help channel or dispense these dark gifts to those who perform the requisite dark pacts.

Ambolin vs Other Christian Demons

Demon Name	Associated Sin/Temptation	Rank/Origin	Key Traits/Powers
Balam	Idolatry, deception	King (Ars Goetia #51)	Knowledge of past, present, and future; grants invisibility; three heads (bull, man, ram)
Paimon	Worldly pride, carnal desires	King (Ars Goetia #9)	Grants Dignities; commands 200 legions; knowledge of all arts and sciences; appears on a dromedary
Purson	False piety, materialism	King (Ars Goetia #20)	Discovers hidden things; answers questions of Earth’s creation; grants good familiars; appears as a man with a lion’s face, riding a bear
Zagan	Corruption, deceit	King and President (Ars Goetia #61)	Transmutes liquids (wine to water, blood to wine); makes men witty; appears as a bull with griffin wings
Gremory	Lust, infidelity	Duke (Ars Goetia #56)	Reveals past, present, and future; finds treasures; procures the love of women; appears as a beautiful woman riding a camel
Belial	Lawlessness, worthless things	King (Ars Goetia #68)	Instills pride and sin; grants high titles; appears in a fiery chariot
Beelzebub	Gluttony, sloth	Prince of the Seraphim (Binsfeld’s)	Commands vast armies; associated with flies and disease; high-ranking demon of corruption
Mammon	Greed, avarice	Prince of Tempters (Christian Demonology)	Personification of wealth and material desire; incites the love of money
Leviathan	Envy, heresy	Prince of the Seraphim (Binsfeld’s)	Controls the seas; demon of the abyss; associated with massive, untamable chaos
Orias	Sorcery, divination	Marquis (Ars Goetia #59)	Transmutes men into any form; gives dignities; knows the courses of the stars
Valefor	Theft, temptation	Duke (Ars Goetia #6)	Lures people into stealing; appears as a lion with a man’s head
Banshee	Misery, grief	Lesser spirit (Celtic/Irish Folklore)	Forewarns death through wailing
Pazuzu	Plague, drought	Ancient Mesopotamian Demon	Bringer of famine and pestilence; often invoked against the demon Lamashtu

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Rank in the Hierarchy of Hell

Ambolin has a subordinate and functional rank within the intricate hierarchy of Christian demonology. He is classified as a spiritus familiaris (familiar spirit), placing him a lot lower than the Kings, Dukes, Marquises, and Presidents who command legions of lesser spirits.

In the system documented in The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, this relationship is clearly delineated:

• The Four Grand Princes of Evil (Lucifer, Satan, Leviathan, Belial) are at the apex.
• The Eight Sub-Princes (which include Asmodeus and Astaroth) serve under the Grand Princes.
• Ambolin and other named familiar spirits serve under the Eight Sub-Princes.

Ambolin is essentially a dedicated, high-value servant who executes the wills of his two masters, who are themselves Princes of Hell. While he does not possess the independent authority to command legions of his own, his direct association with two of the most influential entities in the infernal court grants him access to and involvement in powerful operations of malice.

His rank is operational—he is an agent of implementation rather than a figure of independent authority, focusing his activities on the specific execution of sins related to lust, gambling, sloth, and vanity.

Mystical Correspondences

Attribute	Details
Planet	Mars (via Asmodeus), Venus (via Astaroth)
Zodiac Sign	Aries, Scorpio (via Asmodeus)
Element	Fire (via Asmodeus/Wrath)
Direction	South (via Fire/Wrath)
Color	Red (for wrath/lust), Blue/Green (for sloth/vanity)
Number	9 (for its association with the 9th degree of the 9 Archangels of the Qliphoth)
Crystal/Mineral	Diamond or Ruby (associated with destructive passions)
Metal	Iron or Copper (for war/veneer)
Herb/Plant	Wormwood, Mandrake (plants associated with bitterness and forbidden lore)
Animal	Goat or Dragon (via Asmodeus), Dove or Serpent (via Astaroth)

The mystical correspondences of Ambolin are largely derived from the combined attributions of his two high-ranking masters, Asmodeus and Astaroth, as Ambolin is too minor a figure to possess unique, distinct correspondences in the foundational texts.

This amalgamation of traits creates a highly volatile and contradictory profile, underscoring the entity’s dedication to chaos and diverse forms of human ruin.

From his master, Asmodeus, Ambolin inherits strong associations with the celestial body Mars and the element of Fire. Mars, the planet of conflict, energy, and aggression, fuels Asmodeus’s roles as the demon of wrath, lust, and gambling.

This Martial energy directs Ambolin’s potential influence toward impulsive, destructive, and passionate actions. The corresponding zodiac signs, Aries and Scorpio, signify the volatile energy of new passion and the hidden depth of destructive obsession, both of which are central to Ambolin’s assigned tasks.

Conversely, his service to Astaroth introduces the passive and deceptive aspects of Venus and the element of Earth (due to Astaroth’s association with the West and his Duke-like domain).

Ambolin’s Sigil

Unlike the 72 spirits of the Ars Goetia, which each possess a distinct magical seal for binding and control, the lesser, familiar spirits, cataloged in The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage and related works, typically do not have individual seals.

Summoning and Rituals

Since Ambolin is a spiritus familiaris of Asmodeus and Astaroth, his appearance is contingent on the successful summoning and binding of his masters. Rituals targeting Ambolin directly are not detailed in the major grimoires. Instead, the purpose of knowing his name is to command him once his master is already subdued.

In works like The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, the ultimate goal is to attain the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. Once this is achieved, the ritual magician is then given authority to command the demons.

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