Bennu: The Abrahamic Inversion

The grimoires took the Bennu, the sacred bird of Heliopolis, and made Him the marquis Phenex. Blasphemous names are not for invocation; they were made to slander the Original Gods. Approach the Bennu by His own name.

Fenix

The earliest known example of the later-called demon, Phenex (Phenix) was identified in the Livre des esperitz written in French as "Fenix." According to Jean-Patrice Boudet, there is evidence that the current form of the manuscript is from around the mid-sixteenth century, though the different documentsin it could be from the mid-fourteenth up to the seventeenth.

In his analysis comparing various forms of the demon, Boudet identifies the "Fenix" mentioned in the Livre des esperitz as being the exact same demon later referred to by Weyer as "Phœnix". There have been no fifteen-century entries found in either the previously referenced 1494 Florence catalogue referencing Fenix/Phoenix. Therefore, based on currently available information, the Livre des Esperitz would appear to be the oldest reference to the demon currently identified.^1,2

Fenix eſt un grant marquis qui aꝑt en belle figure et a la voix moult doulce... Et a xxv legions.

The French entry is less detailed than the later Goetic description. Fenix is a grand marquis. When he presents himself, he is very well formed, he has a very sweet voice. He is polite and greatly submissive: he quickly fulfills commands. He has authority over twenty five legions. The manuscript does not state that he will present himself as a phoenix. It states no singing in children's voices, no dangerous singing, no teachings of science, nor a poetical position. That part of the legend can be found in the next level of transmission.^1,2

Weyer's Phœnix

Johann Weyer was involved in transmitting the spirit in the 1577 Pseudomonarchia daemonum as Phœnix. Here the name is made literal: the marquis now appears as the phoenix bird and speaks with a child's voice. Before presenting himself fully he pours out very sweet songs; the exorcist and companions are warned not to give their ears to the melody, making him like a siren, and must immediately order him into human form. Once human, he speaks wonderfully about extraordinary sciences, is an excellent poet and is obedient.³

Phœnix magnus Marchio: apparet uti avis phœnix puerili voce ... Poeta est optimus & obediens.

Weyer also adds the claim that Phoenix hopes to return to the seventh throne after twelve hundred years, paralleling the journey of the phoenix, and reduces his command from the French twenty-five legions to twenty. The Discoverie of Witchcraft by Scot carries the same meaning into English.^1,3,4

In The seventeenth century Ars Goetia, Phoenix is listed as spirit #37. The Goetic manuscripts transmit Weyer's wording again. Phoenix is described as a Great Marquess that presents himself in the image of a phoenix-bird with a child's voice. Prior to revealing himself completely, he sings sweet melodic notes that are not to be listened to. Upon command, he transforms into human form and speaks of wondrous sciences. He is a fine poet and willing to comply with requests. He desires to return to the Seventh Throne after another twelve hundred years and holds sway over twenty legions. One additional item put into the Goetia regarding Phoenix is the seal or character to be worn by the operator.⁵

In the angelological arrangement attributed to Dr. Thomas Rudd, the thirty-seventh Goetic spirit is opposed or constrained by the thirty-seventh Shem-ha-Mephorash angel Aniel.⁶

Lenain's Aniel

Lazare Lenain designates Aniel as Dieu des Vertus (“God of Virtues”, or “God of Powers”) and lists the divine name as Abda. Lenain assigns Aniel to degrees 181 thru 185 and states that Aniel is invoked for victory and/or lifting a siege of a city. The good genius rules sciences and arts, reveals secrets of nature, inspires philosophers and sages. A person born under this influence is designated as a renowned scholar. The evil genius governs perverse minds and charlatans.⁷

Collin de Plancy repeats Weyer's tradition in his Dictionaire infernal under the French spelling Phénix, a Great Marquess of Hell. De Plancy’s contribution is helpful since it demonstrates a slight corruption of Weyer’s original data: While Weyer stated that Phœnix hoped to return to Heaven after twelve hundred Years, de Plancy states that Phénix hopes to return after one thousand.⁸

The modern spelling Phenex

The spelling now most familiar in English occult literature, Phenex, is much later than the demon itself. The 1904 Mathers-Crowley edition of the Goetia heads spirit thirty-seven as Phenex, with Pheynix as an alternative. The original name is just Fenix, the Old French spelling of phoenix.^9,10

His Psalm is 80:7 in the modern Hebrew/English systerm: “Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.” This is connected to Bennu's appearance into the world and his title as Lord of Jubilees.^7,11