The Encyclopedia Of Demons And Demonology

Faust 89
FURTHER READING:
Calmet, Dom Augustin. The Phantom World: Concerning
Apparitions and Vampires. Ware, England: Wordsworth
Editions in association with the Folklore Society, 2001.
Summers, Montague. The History of Witchcraft and Demonology.
London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner, 1926.
Thomas, Keith. Religion and the Decline of Magic. New York:
Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1971.
Tyson, Donald. Familiar Spirits: A Practical Guide for Witches
and Magicians. St. Paul, Minn.: Llewellyn, 2004.
Valiente, Doreen. An ABC of Witchcraft Past and Present.
1973. Reprint, Custer, Wash.: Phoenix, 1986.
Faust Legend of a learned but arrogant man who
makes a PACT with the DEVIL. The Faust legend was based
on the legend of THEOPHILUS and circulated widely in
Europe in medieval times. It was published as a novel in
the mid-1500s after the Protestant Reformation.
The best-known version of the story was published
in 1587 by a German publisher, Johann Spies. Translated
into English by 1594, the manuscript inspired Christopher
Marlowe to write his play, The Tragicall History of
D. Faustus, around 1601. In the late 18th century, Johann
Wolfgang von Goethe wrote his version of Faust.
The Early Story of Faust
Faust, the son of a husbandman, was born in Roda, Weimar,
Germany. He was raised in a Christian household.
Faust had a superior intellect and earned a doctorate in
theology. But he was vain and arrogant. He indulged in
gluttony and lust.
Faust began dabbling in MAGIC. One night, he went to
a CROSSROADS in the woods, cast a magic circle, and conjured
the Devil. The Devil appeared as a griffon or dragon,
then as flying lights, then as a burning man, and finally as
a gray friar who asked Faust what he wanted. Faust compelled
him to agree to go to his house the next morning.
By evening, Faust agreed to a pact presented by the
Devil. He agreed to three things:
• Faust would become the Devil’s property after a certain
number of years.
• He would sign an agreement to this effect in his
own BLOOD.
• He would renounce the Christian faith and defy all
believers.
In exchange, the Devil would fulfill every lust of
Faust’s heart and grant him the body and powers of a
spirit. In his arrogance, Faust thought the Devil might
not be as bad as others said.
The Devil revealed his name as Mephostophiles (ME-
PHISTOPHELES). Faust gave him the following written pact:
I, JOHANN FAUSTUS, Dr.,
Do publicly declare with mine own hand in covenant
& by power of these presents:
Whereas, mine own spiritual faculties having been
exhaustively explored (including the gifts dispensed
from above and graciously imparted to me), I still cannot
comprehend;
And whereas, it being my wish to probe further into
the matter, I do propose to speculate upon the Elementa;
And whereas mankind doth not teach such things;
Now therefore have I summoned the spirit who calleth
himself Mephostophiles, a servant of the Hellish
Prince in Orient, charged with informing and instructing
me, and agreeing against a promissory instrument
hereby transferred unto him to be subservient and obedient
to me in all things.
I do promise him in return that, when I be fully sated
of that which I desire of him, twenty-four years also
being past, ended and expired, he may at such a time
and in whatever manner or wise pleaseth him order,
ordain, reign, rule and possess all that may be mine:
body, property, flesh, blood, etc., herewith duly bound
over in eternity and surrendered by covenant in mine
own hand by authority and power of these presents, as
well as of my mind, brain, intent, blood and will.
I do now defy all living beings, all the Heavenly Host
and all mankind, and this must be.
In confirmation and contract whereof I have drawn
out mine own blood for certification in lieu of a seal.
Doctor Faustus, Adept
in the Elementa and in Church Doctrine.
Thus began Faust’s relationship with Mephostophiles,
whom he conjured daily inside his locked study. The DE-
MON always appeared in the guise of a friar. Mephostophiles
indulged Faust with the finest foods and then an
endless supply of women.
Faust also plied the demon with questions about the
formation of the world, heaven and HELL, and how the
ranks of demons came into being as a result of the fall of
LUCIFER.
Title page of Christopher Marlowe’s The Tragicall Historie
of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus (AUTHOR’S
COLLECTION)