The seat of Berith
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Berith the Serpent or Berith, is a Mighty, Great and Terrible Duke. He hath two other Names given unto him by men of later times, viz.: BEALE or BEAL and BOFRY or BOLFRY.
He appeareth in the form of a Soldier with Red Clothing, riding upon a Red Horse, and having a Crown of Gold upon his head. He giveth true answers, Past, Present and to Come.
Thou must make use of a Ring in calling him forth, as is before spoken of regarding Beleth. He can turn all metals into Gold. He can give Dignities and confirm them unto Man. He speaketh with a very clear and subtle Voice.
He is a Great Liar and not to be trusted unto.
Berith is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible in Judges 9:46 as the god of Shechem. The name comes from the word Bəʼērōt, meaning “wells”. The root word is bryt, which can take the meaning of world, universe, creation, creature. Bryt is where the English word "birth" comes from. Therein lies the basis for the concept of a primordial dragon who birthed creation: Tiamat in Sumerian culture.
Berith was so abhorant to the Israelites that this god became satan in Hebrew mythology and in later Judeo-Christian mythology. He is described as the seven-headed red dragon, that Old Serpent, in John's Revelation.
The seat of Berith is situated from Shechem (present day West Bank) to Beruit, Lebanon due north.
His mystical number is 26.
Sources
- 777 And Other Qabalistic Writings of Aleister Crowley, pp. 29 rev. ed.
- Goetia vel Clavicula Salamonis Regis, p. 21