Bathin

Bathin Correspondences

Bathin’s attributes shape his correspondences, blending Goetic tradition with modern occult practice:

• Rank: Duke
• Direction: West (travel, endings)
• Element: Earth (herbs, stones) with Air undertones (swift movement)
• Color: Purple (nobility, mysticism)
• Day: Tuesday (Mars energy for action) or any daylight hour
• Planet: Mercury (travel, knowledge)
• Incense: Sandalwood (wisdom), Cedar (strength)
• Herbs/Plants: Mistletoe (protection, transition), Sage (clarity)
• Stones/Metals: Lead (grounding), Amethyst (spiritual travel)
• Symbols: Serpent, Pale Horse, Compass
• Tarot: The Chariot (movement, control)
• Offerings: Herbs (dried or fresh), small travel tokens (e.g., a coin from another land), lead items

Names: Bathin, Bathym, Mathim

Demonic Enn: Dyen pretore on ca Bathin

Bathin’s history as an Ars Goetia Duke ties him to practical magic—travel and herbal lore—rooted in 16th-17th century demonology. Summoning him requires daylight, focus, and respect, using symbols like purple and sandalwood to align with his energy.

Bathin’s Powers in Detail

1. Knowledge of Herbs and Precious Stones

Bathin is described as one who “knoweth the virtues of herbs and precious stones” (Ars Goetia), a skill echoed in Weyer’s text as understanding their “properties.” This power positions him as a master of natural wisdom, bridging the material and spiritual realms through the inherent qualities of plants and minerals.

• Herbal Expertise:
  • Scope: Bathin’s knowledge likely encompasses medicinal, magical, and practical uses of herbs—everything from healing (e.g., chamomile for calm) to ritual enhancement (e.g., mandrake for potency). In a medieval context, this would include rare or exotic plants like silphium (now extinct) or myrrh, prized for their potency.
  • Depth: He doesn’t just list herbs; he reveals their “virtues”—their hidden essences or energies. For example, he might teach that rosemary sharpens memory not just physically but spiritually, enhancing clairvoyance, or that vervain wards off evil when consecrated under specific stars.
  • Application: A summoner could ask Bathin to identify an herb to cure a specific ailment (e.g., feverfew for migraines), craft a love potion (e.g., rose and damiana), or amplify a spell (e.g., sage for purification). His insight might extend to growing conditions or harvest times for maximum effect—esoteric botany at its finest.
• Precious Stones:
  • Scope: This includes gems like ruby, emerald, sapphire, and less obvious “precious” stones like jet or amber, valued in medieval lapidaries for their properties. Bathin knows their physical traits (hardness, clarity) and metaphysical powers (e.g., amethyst for sobriety, diamond for invincibility).
  • Depth: He unveils their “virtues”—how they channel energy or influence fate. For instance, he might reveal that turquoise protects against falls (a medieval belief) by aligning with the wearer’s aura, or that moonstone enhances intuition by syncing with lunar cycles.
  • Application: A client could seek Bathin’s guidance to select a stone for a talisman (e.g., garnet for passion), heal a chakra (e.g., malachite for the heart), or even locate a gem’s source (e.g., an emerald mine). His knowledge might include cutting or setting techniques to unlock a stone’s full potential.
• Esoteric Layer:
  • Bathin’s dual mastery suggests a holistic understanding of nature’s alchemy—herbs as the living, mutable force, stones as the fixed, eternal counterpoint. This aligns with Renaissance occultism, where natural elements were seen as microcosms of cosmic order. He might teach how to combine them—e.g., pairing lavender with amethyst for dream work—creating synergies beyond human ken.
• Comparison: Unlike demons like Buer (who heals broadly) or Stolas (who teaches astronomy alongside herbs), Bathin’s focus is narrower but intensely practical, appealing to witches, apothecaries, or jewelers seeking tangible results over abstract theory.

2. Instantaneous Travel Across Countries

Bathin’s second power is his ability to “carry men suddenly from one country to another” (Ars Goetia), or as Weyer puts it, “transport men from one region to another with wondrous speed.” This marks him as a demon of movement, a rare and potent gift among the 72 spirits.

• Physical Travel:
  • Mechanism: The text implies a literal, rapid relocation—faster than horses, ships, or any medieval means. Imagine a summoner in Glasgow vanishing and reappearing in Paris within moments, gear intact. Bathin’s pale horse and serpent tail evoke speed and liminality, suggesting he bends space or time.
  • Scope: “Countries” could mean kingdoms (medieval usage) or modern nations—any significant distance. He might move one person, a small group, or even objects (e.g., a merchant’s wares), though the text focuses on “men.”
  • Application: A client could use this to escape danger (fleeing a siege), reach a distant lover, or deliver goods instantly—say, a healer rushing herbs to a dying patient across continents. The “suddenly” aspect implies no preparation beyond the summoning, a logistical marvel.
• Astral or Spiritual Travel:
  • Interpretation: Some modern occultists (e.g., Black Witch Coven’s broader approach) see this as astral projection—Bathin guiding the spirit, not the body, across realms. His serpent tail, a symbol of transformation, supports this: he might ferry the soul to other planes (e.g., the astral France) while the body rests.
  • Depth: He could teach the summoner to project consciously, visiting distant lands in spirit form to spy, learn, or influence—e.g., whispering to a rival in their sleep. This aligns with his herbal/stone knowledge, suggesting mastery over boundaries (physical or ethereal).
  • Application: A practitioner might ask Bathin to guide them to a lost ancestor’s homeland in a vision, retrieve forgotten wisdom, or scout a future destination—less tangible but profound.
• Limitations and Risks:
  • Physical: The Ars Goetia doesn’t specify limits—could he cross oceans or just land? Medieval summoners might test this to India or the New World (post-1492). Risks include disorientation or unintended destinations if intent wavers.
  • Astral: Astral travel might leave the body vulnerable, and Bathin’s “scary outlook” could unsettle the unprepared, requiring firm control.
  • Energy Cost: Such feats likely drain the summoner—rapid travel, physical or not, demands focus and vitality, a trade-off for his speed.
• Comparison: Bathin’s travel power outshines most Goetic demons—Gaap aids travel but lacks the “sudden” emphasis, while Seere moves “anything” instantly but focuses on objects, not people. Bathin’s human-centric transport is unique, blending Hermes-like swiftness with infernal edge.

Practical and Esoteric Implications

• Practical Use: Bathin’s powers suit survivalists, explorers, or craftsmen. A medieval herbalist might summon him to learn rare plant cures, a jeweler to craft potent amulets, or a fugitive to flee persecution—all immediate, hands-on benefits.
• Esoteric Depth: His abilities hint at mastery over nature’s secrets and spatial laws—herbs and stones as earthly anchors, travel as a transcendence of limits. He’s a guide for those crossing thresholds, physical or spiritual, making him a patron of transition.
• Synergy: Combining his gifts amplifies their impact—e.g., using a sapphire (protection) and sage (clarity) in a travel ritual to ensure safe passage, or astral-journeying to a stone’s origin to unlock its lore.

Contextual Power in Demonology

Bathin’s powers reflect the Ars Goetia’s blend of utility and mystique. Herbs and stones tie to medieval alchemy and healing (e.g., Paracelsus’s work), while travel echoes tales of djinn or fae—practical magic for a world of slow carts and perilous roads. Unlike Paimon’s broad scholarship or Asmodeus’s lustful chaos, Bathin’s focus is niche yet versatile, appealing to those who value knowledge and mobility over raw power. His serpent-horse duality suggests a balance of wisdom (serpent) and journey (horse), a demon who moves you forward—literally and figuratively.

Incantation to Summon Bathin

Preparation:
Perform this during daylight (preferably noon, his peak time as a Day Demon), with his sigil drawn on parchment, a purple candle lit, sandalwood incense burning, and offerings like mistletoe or a lead item present. Stand or sit facing west, the direction of travel and transition, with a clear intent (e.g., safe passage, herbal wisdom).

Incantation:
“Bathin, Mighty Duke of the infernal host,
Rider of the pale steed, bearer of the serpent’s coil,
I call thee forth from the shadowed realms!
By thy name, Bathin, and the sigil that binds thee,
By the virtues of herbs thou knowest,
By the precious stones thou unveilest,
By the swift winds thou commandest across the earth,
I summon thee now into this sacred space.

Serena alora Bathin aken—
Thy enn resounds, thy presence stirs!
Thou who ferries souls from land to land,
Thou who whispers the secrets of root and gem,
Appear before me, strong and true,
In form I may behold, in voice I may hear.
Bathin, Great Guide of the hidden paths,
Step forth from the ether, honor my call,
And lend thy power to my will!”

Breakdown of the Incantation

1. Opening Address:
   • “Mighty Duke of the infernal host” acknowledges his rank and authority, grounding the summons in Goetic hierarchy.
   • “Rider of the pale steed, bearer of the serpent’s coil” invokes his Ars Goetia appearance, visualizing his form to strengthen the connection.
2. Invocation by Name and Powers:
   • “By thy name, Bathin, and the sigil that binds thee” uses his name and sigil as focal points, traditional in Solomonic magic to compel presence.
   • Listing his powers—“virtues of herbs,” “precious stones,” “swift winds”—affirms his domains, signaling the summoner’s intent to engage them.
3. Enn Integration:
   • “Serena alora Bathin aken” is Bathin’s enn, a modern demonolatry chant attributed to him (popularized by practitioners like S. Connolly). It’s a vibrational call, enhancing the incantation’s resonance—think of it as his spiritual frequency.
4. Command to Appear:
   • “Appear before me, strong and true” balances respect with authority, requesting a form the summoner can handle (his “scary outlook” noted by Black Witch Coven might need tempering).
   • “In form I may behold, in voice I may hear” ensures clarity of communication, vital for his knowledge-sharing.
5. Closing Call:
   • “Great Guide of the hidden paths” honors his travel and wisdom roles, reinforcing the purpose.
   • “Lend thy power to my will” sets the stage for a specific request post-summoning (e.g., “Take me to Paris” or “Reveal sage’s secrets”).

How to Use

1. Recite Aloud: Speak with confidence, repeating the enn three times if needed to build energy. Visualize Bathin—his horse galloping through mist, serpent tail glinting—as you chant.
2. State Intent: After the incantation, pause, then say your request: e.g., “Bathin, transport me safely to [place] by thy swift power,” or “Teach me the virtues of this emerald.”
3. Close Respectfully: End with thanks—e.g., “Bathin, I honor thy aid. Depart in peace with my gratitude.” Extinguish the candle and dispose of offerings (bury the mistletoe, keep the lead).

Notes

• Tone: Firm yet reverent—Bathin’s not malevolent, but his ducal status demands respect. Avoid timidity; he tests courage.
• Flexibility: Adjust for intent—add personal flair (e.g., “By the herbs of my land”) if it fits your ritual.
• Safety: If his presence feels overwhelming (e.g., a sudden wind or unease), reinforce with, “Bathin, take form I can bear, and heed my call alone.”

This incantation blends Bathin’s historical roots with practical summoning, tailored to his unique powers.