An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and
Supernatural Introduction | "R" Reading | Curse of the Pharaoh |
End-of-the-World Prophecies Index | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W |
Y | Z demon (or daemon, from the Greek daimon) A malevolent
spirit. Demons are often invisible, but can see, usually have
wings and can fly, know the future, can propagate (with other
demons or with humans), and can die. Demons come in all sizes,
so they can enter and inhabit the bodies of humans and animals,
but are inhibited from this by properly-selected charms and they
fear fire, water, light, salt, and certain herbs. Sneezing is
said to provide a demon with the opportunity of flying up one's
nose, thus the expression, “Bless you!” or “Bonne santé!” or
“Gesundheit!” as a response to a sneeze. It's not known to help,
but it can't hurt. The Lesser Key of Solomon, the Lemegeton
manuscript now in the British Museum, lists seventy-three demons
in hierarchial