Who is Sabnock?

Sabnock (also spelled Sabnach or Sabnac) is the 43rd spirit in the Ars Goetia, a section of the 17th-century grimoire The Lesser Key of Solomon. He is described as a mighty marquis of Hell who appears as an armed soldier with a lion’s head, riding a pale horse. His powers include building high towers, castles, and cities; furnishing them with weapons and ammunition; afflicting people with wounds and sores filled with worms; and providing familiars in the form of lions or dogs. He commands 50 legions of spirits and is said to be truthful and obedient to the summoner under a specific compellor (a ritual enforcer). These details come from traditional demonological texts, but summoning is framed as a dangerous, spiritually hazardous practice in those sources.
Traditional Method to Summon Sabnock

The Ars Goetia outlines a ritualistic process for evoking demons like Sabnock. This is not modern advice but a direct transcription of historical instructions from the grimoire. Practitioners historically prepared with purification, protective circles, and incantations. Warning: These rituals are rooted in medieval occultism and involve psychological risks, potential self-harm, or legal issues if misinterpreted. They are not endorsed or tested in a scientific sense—approach as folklore only.
Preparation

Purification and Tools: Fast for 9 days, abstaining from meat, wine, and sex. Bathe in holy water. Gather:
A magic circle drawn with chalk or blood (typically 9 feet in diameter, inscribed with names of God like Tetragrammaton).
A triangle of art outside the circle for the spirit to appear.
Virgin parchment with Sabnock’s seal (sigil): A complex glyph resembling a lion-headed figure with astrological symbols—draw it precisely from the grimoire.
Incense: Frankincense and myrrh.
A black-handled knife (athame), wand, and a scrying tool (e.g., black mirror or crystal).
The Lesser Key of Solomon or a Goetia excerpt.
Timing: Best during the hour of Mars (Tuesday, daytime) or when the Moon is in Aries or Scorpio. Avoid Fridays or lunar voids.

The Ritual

Cast the Circle: In a secluded, dark room at midnight, trace the circle clockwise with the knife while reciting Psalms 8, 18, or 51 for protection. Step inside and seal it with:
“I conjure thee, O Circle of Art, by the power of the Most High, that thou shalt enclose me from all evil spirits and harm.”

Invoke the Spirit: Face east, hold the sigil, and recite the general Goetic conjuration three times, adapted for Sabnock:
“I do invocate and conjure thee, O Spirit Sabnock; and being with power armed from the Supreme Majesty, I do strongly command thee, by Beralanensis, Baldachiensis, Paumachia, and Apologiae Sedes; by the most Powerful Princes, Genii, Liachidae, and Ministers of the Tartarean Abode; and by the Chief Prince of the Seat of Apologia in the Ninth Legion, I do invoke thee, and by invocating conjure thee. And being armed with power from the Supreme Majesty, I do strongly command thee, by Him Who spake and it was done, and unto whom all creatures be obedient… Appear thou visibly before this circle in a fair human shape, without any deformity or tortuosity. Come thou peaceably, visibly, and affably, now and without delay, manifesting that which I shall desire. For thou art conjured by the Name of the Living and True God, Helioren, wherefore fulfill thou my commands, and persist thou therein unto the end.”

If he delays, use the “curse” or “compulsion” (a stronger invocation threatening divine wrath).

Appearance and Binding: Sabnock may manifest as smoke, a voice, or his described form in the triangle. Once visible, bind him with:
“O thou Spirit Sabnock, I bind thee by the power of the seal and the chain of obedience. Thou shalt not depart until thou hast fulfilled my will.”
State your request clearly (e.g., “Build for me a tower of defense against enemies”).

Dismissal: After the task, license him to depart:
“O thou Spirit Sabnock, I thank thee for thy service. Depart in peace unto thy abodes, harming none, and appear no more unless summoned in truth and right.”
Erase the circle counterclockwise.

Variations in Other Texts

In Johann Weyer’s Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (1577), Sabnock is similar but emphasizes his role in causing ulcers—summoning follows the same Solomonic framework.
Modern occultists (e.g., in Aleister Crowley’s adaptations) add Thelemic elements like the Bornless Ritual for protection.

Risks and Modern Context

Historical accounts warn of possession, madness, or backlash if the circle breaks.