Naphula
- Demon #60
- Vapula (or Naphula)
- Pronounced NEEF – lah
- Duke
- Governing 36 legions.
Other Names: Naphula
Direction: East
Dates: November 13th – November 22nd
Other date: Jan. 16-19
Zodiac: Capricorn 25-29; Scorpio 20-30
Tarot: 7 of Cups; 4 of Pentacles/Disks
Planet: Venus; Mercury
D/N: Nocturnal
Element: Air; Earth; Fire
Color: Dark Blue; Green
Gematria: 160; 166
Metal: Mercury, Copper
Plant: Papyrus
Incense: Sandalwood
Other favorite substances: Allspice, Walnut, Bistort, Mace, Papyrus
Demonic Enn: Renich secore Vapula typan
Perhaps one of the least popular of the 72, this spirit teaches crafts and trade-skills. In addition to the skills themselves, the spirit teaches how to apply the labor and how the tools and techniques operate.
Your experience with Vaplua
“For a simple example, if one were to inquire of it about wheels, the spirit could help in producing the wheel itself; explain why the axle needs to be centered, and various ways the wheel could be put to use. Having learned plenty about wheels, I sought to learn about the production of exquisite jewelry.
The approach of the spirit was heralded by the collection of a distinct darkness in the room, despite light streaming in from two large windows. It had the appearance of a large male lion, but thin and with the foreparts more suited to a man than an actual lion. From the rear of its arms sprouted wings covered in dense needle-thin feathers, curving upwards to a height of about two meters. The paws in the front were large and feline, but it moved them like human arms. Its first action was to eat a large bug that I had noticed crawling around before beginning the ceremony, and this was nowhere to be found later.
I mentioned to the spirit, once welcomed, that it is said to have the powers described above, to teach the philosophy and science of all handicraft professions. It replied by saying that it knew what it could do, but wanted to know what I wanted it to do. My response was that I desired the skill to make intricate items of exceedingly high value, to learn about what items would have the best and most marketable design, and how to deal with my customers.
The spirit remarked that I had possessed the skill already, but that I was “desperate for a tailor.” I assume it refers to my loose white linen robe and tall white mitre. The assertion that I possessed any noteworthy skill struck me as empty flattery (a characteristic of the, leonine spirits), and in response I pointed with the sword toward the box of sulphur and asafoetida, with the fastening chain inside, and asked if the spirit knew what it was. The spirit said that it did, and could see all of the items inside the box, mentioning the “weak chain.” I gather from this (admittedly with a possibility of error) that the spirit can assist in mechanics on account of its ability to see “through” opaque objects and understand the inner mechanisms.
I described my wishes in greater detail to the spirit with the tip of the sword resting on the lid of the ebony box. The spirit responded by asking how I would like to be instructed. I said that I would like for it to confer the skill upon me without delay, and requested its counsel on several specific items. The spirit extended its paw with apparent temerity toward the triangle, placed it on the ground there for only a moment while it consented, and then withdrew its paw immediately afterward.
Among other things, the spirit suggested that no “custom” work be done for anyone who has not bought jewelry from me already, that no item should be shown to people who cannot purchase it, and that a garnet could be made more valuable than a diamond with the proper presentation. Incidentally the image of the spirit (gryphon-winged lion) was a popular motif for 10th-5th century BC treasure-tomb art in Iran, from whence also comes the elder lore regarding garnets.
This spirit maintained a full grin on a wide face during its entire visit. It spoke with eagerness, and was not at all hostile although it disliked being threatened. It spoke quickly with great confidence, even humor, and was well- adjusted to civil conversation.”