Marquis Naberius – [Demon]

Description

Marquis Naberius – [Demon.] – Aka: Naberius, Nabérus, Nuberus, Nebiros, Naberus, Naburus, Naberios, Cerberos, Cerbere, Cerbère, Cerberus, Kerberos. “The hundred-headed beast” – Latin: “Centiceps Bellua.”

• About this Demon: Said to be the most valiant of the Marquis in the infernal empire! Appears with 3 large canine heads, sharp black fangs, fitted in a regal-looking naval or military jacket. ‘When not in the form of a hell hound; he may instead appear as a crane, cock or as a raven.’ (or perhaps a mix of any one or several of the above.) In any case, Naberius speaks with a raspy voice(’s), but is supposedly quite kind, eloquent and amiable. He controls between Nineteen & Twenty nine legions of infernal demons & spirits which obey his command. Naberius was listed as the 24th demon in the Lemegeton (Ars Goetia). – also worth note is that In the Grand Grimoir; “Nebiros” is also listed the 6th head generals of lucifers infernal armies; where-in he is given the military title of “Camp Marshal & Inspector general.”

• [Summoning and Sealing.] •
Early Grimores promise that when summoned, Naberius could: “make men cunning in all arts and sciences, especially rhetoric & persuasion. He will also restore lost dignities & honours.” (on the contrary: he could also be tasked to assure the loss of them.) Others have mentioned that Naberius “teaches all the qualities of metals, minerals, plants and all pure (and impure) animals; he can also predict the future and he is one of the demons most efficient at necromancy. He helps people find the hand of glory.” Naberius was usually classified under the rank of “Marquis” thus, his mark or his sigil is best cast in the evening and sealed and with Silver. [his mark is pictured as below.] Naberius is often astrologically attributed to Saggitarus, Venus or the Moon. The recommended incense for spells and offerings is often said to be Jasmin.

• [Naberius’s Sigil from the Goetia.] •

•[A note of caution and a word to the wise: Many Grimoirs (and other such spell books) caution that those in the infernal monarchy are powerful, but also complete scoundrels, tricksters, frauds & liars. [Among other more colourful derogatory descriptors.]  to put it bluntly, the supposed power they offer is usually a lie, and deals made are almost always for their own interest or weighted in their own benefit. – Furthermore, Earlier books on the subject (such as  Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, 1577.) also mention that the included summoning instructions were very much incomplete or purposefully incorrect: “Lest a fool gets their hands on them.” (Essentially the included rituals were likely written incorrectly to begin with as ‘fail-safe’) thus, its quite unlikely they will work properly even if attempted. – (Most modern practitioners caution that you should be careful with this sort of such magic as it can seriously disrespect the demon you’re attempting to communicate with.) – Details also change between whichever Grimoire or spell book you decide to study and These “instructions” have also frequently been translated & re-translated over the decades (with additions and omissions happening fairly regularly (usually on the authors whim.] so, it’s doubtful that the included instructions are in any sense accurate or would be of much use if attempted regardless! – Today, the once controversial books & grimoirs on demonology and spells are widely considered fiction and are not considered as sacred texts. – Of course, I’m not saying this to discredit believers or discourage those who do practice or decide to attempt to invoke these spirits; and as many have pointed out,  knowing your foe is important! please rest assured, no offence or blasphemy is intended: Believe & do what you will! ] •

 

• History & Early Appearances: ‘Cerberus’ the hound of hell is basically one of the most well known monster myths of all time; any armchair mythologist will tell you that “Cerberus” is of course “The gigantic hound of hades whom guards the entrance to the underworld; typically stopping the dead from leaving (rather than the living from entering.)”  He’s probably best known from the Ancient Greek Myth About Heracles and his twelve labours (of which cerebus is the final.) — In old greek poetry by Hesiod; The dog has been said to have over fifty heads “of beasts of all sorts” in old pottery Cerberus is Typically depicted as a three-headed hound, with a mane of snakes, and a lion’s claws…. Eventually, three canine heads became the norm. (Probably because it’s much easier to illustrate.)

‘Naberius’ on the other hand is a demon, seemingly earliest named in 1583’s Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (‘The False Kingdom of the Demons’), by dutch Physician Johann Weye, who says the following about it;

“Naberius [Naberus], alias Cerberus, is a valiant marquesse, shewing himselfe in the forme of a crowe, when he speaketh with a hoarse voice: he maketh a man amiable and cunning in all arts, and speciallie in rhetorike, he procureth the losse of prelacies and dignities: nineteene legions heare (and obeie) him.”

some say that because “Nuberus” is also listed there it suggests that the author understood the two spellings signify distinct demons. However, Dictionary Infernal later clarifies that they are the same! (though I’d suppose the opposite could be just as likely as well.) I digress – the “Grand Grimoire” [original date and author are unclear; Different Editions date the book to the 14th or 15th century; others insist it was first printed in the 1700’s.] says the following about ‘Nebiros’

”Nebiros has the power to harm whomever he wishes; and causes the ‘hand of glory‘ to be found, he teaches all the qualities of metals, minerals, plants and all pure and impure animals; it is he who also has the art of predicting the future, being one of the greatest necromancers of all the infernal spirits: he goes everywhere; he has inspection over all infernal malice; he has under him Ayperos, Nuberus, Glasyabo-las, etc.”

…A couple hundred of years pass; & Cerbere/Naberius made his (arguably, most famous) illustrated appearance in the 1818-1863 “Dictionnaire Infernal” (pictured below) The book was originally written by french demonologist Jacques Collin de Plancy and first published (without illustrations) in 1818. – De Plancy would have only been about 25 at the time of writing, Much later on a revised version with 72 fantastic Illustrations where added in 1863; their inclusion skyrocketed the book into popularity, and it become Plancy’s most well known.

[‘Cerbère’ as they where depicted in the 1863 illustrated edition of “Dictionnaire Infernal”] – The canine heads from left to right appear to resemble a Dobermann, a CockerSpaniel & a Neopolitan Mastiff (all very popular breeds.) he wears a respectable, fancy, military jacket with a high necked, ribboned collar, something is tucked under his arm (a big captains hat, perhaps? a bit difficult to interpret.) what appears to be a rapier blade is tucked behind him [regardless of specifics, his outfit is an ensemble befitting of his title.] he has the legs, talons and tail of a raven.  – The following is said in the entry for Cerbère:

“Cerbère, Cerberus or Naberus is a demon. Wierus counts him among the marquises of the infernal empire. He is strong and powerful; when he does not have his three dog heads, he appears in the form of a raven; his voice is hoarse, yet he bestows eloquence and kindness; he teaches the fine arts. Nineteen legions obey him.
We can see that this is no longer the Cerberus of ancient times, that fearsome dog, incorruptible gatekeeper of the underworld, also called the hundred-headed beast, centiceps bellua, because of the multitude of snakes that adorned his three manes. Hesiod gives him fifty dog heads, but it is generally agreed that he has only three. His teeth were black and sharp, and his bite caused instant death. It is believed that the fable of Cerberus dates back to the Egyptians, who had their tombs guarded by mastiffs. But it is mainly the demon Cerberus that we must concern ourselves with here. In 1586, he formed an alliance with a Picard woman named Marie Martin. – See Martin.”

The dictionary ends the entry by pointing towards another entry about someone named ‘Martin (Marie)’ – further research shows that this was an alleged witch from a village in Neufville-le-Roi, Picardy, France. Who in 1586 allegedly ‘formed a pact with Cerberus’ & was soon ‘arrested‘ for having ’caused beasts and men to die by either Spells or Evil Magic.’ – I found an Earlier record of this in “Histoire de la magic en France.” [1818]) – in which the witch describes ‘Cerberus’ during her interrogations as;

”A man dressed in a short black robe, who held meetings near the hedges of Varipon near Nojon; (likely a french commune.) he called the witches and wizards by name. She also said that to please Cerberus, she did not go to Mass two days before casting her spells; that she had attended the meetings held by Cerberus, and that she had been taken there by her aunt.” She repeated the same nonsense to her clergyman and was executed by hanging on July 26th of the same year.” According to the book, earlier records of this incident can also be found in “De la Tranquillité d’esprit. Larondas Le Caron, 1588“

[Sadly as of writing, I could not find a legible copy of that 1588 book online, So my paper trail ends there. I’d bet someone from France could find more!] – I digress, With this context added, perhaps It feels a bit more clear as to why they would list Cerberus as a ‘demon’ rather than just the a greek monster?

The dictionary also has as fairly standard seperate entry for ‘Nabérus’ –

“Nabérus, also called NEBIROS, marquis of the dark empire, marshal of camp and inspector general of the armies. He appears under the form of a raven; his voice is hoarse, he gives eloquence, kindness and teaches the liberal arts. He helps find the hand of glory; he indicates the qualities of metals, plants and all pure and impure animals; one of the leaders of necromancers, he foretells the future. commands nineteen legions”

Finally, another interesting tidbit is in the entry for another demon “Glasya-Labolas” – adds:

“The grand grimoire claims that “Glasya-Labolas is a Sargent, whom Naberius sometimes uses as a mount.”

This is seemingly correct! (see above) although notably; the versions of the grand grimoire that I read, does not specify him as a “mount” but rather as of the demons under his command. (Still: Its quite amusing to imagine the three headed dog riding the winged one into battle. and what does this imply for other demons under command of others?)

[the other demon in question aka “Caacrinolaas”]

…Decades later; Some of Breton’s images were then added to a Reprinted translation of The Goetia [1904] by noted occultists, Samuel L. Macgregor Mathers & Aliester Crowly.] Breton’s depictions of the other demons in these books; more or less cemented as to how these particular demons ‘looked’ in the general public’s mind, and these still ring true as an influence in modern pop culture and related media today…. [Though Naberius’s picture was sadly not used in the reprint, his Sigil [above] and name where listed & thus preserved!] – The Goetia says the following:

“Naberius. – The Twenty-fourth Spirit is Naberius. He is a most valiant Marquis, and showeth in the form of a Black Crane, fluttering about the Circle, and when he speaketh it is with a hoarse voice. He maketh men cunning in all Arts and Sciences, hut especially in the Art of Rhetoric. He restoreth lost Dignities and Honours. He governeth 19 Legions of Spirits. His Seal is this, which is to he worn, etc.”

…As a fun foot note, the one pop culture appearance i could find for ‘Naberus’ was in episode 23 of Shigeru Mizukis “Akuma-kun” 1989 TV anime, however across his works mizuki seems to have been misnamed as “グラシャラボラス“ or “Glasya-Labolas”

As he appears in Akuma-kun; “グラシャラボラス“ or “Glasya-Labolas.”

As he appears in “悪魔くんの悪魔なんでも入門” again mislabelled!

[Art sticker & Bio by @samkalensky part of my demonology/dictionary infernal collection follow for many more!]