Prince Stolas - [Demon]

When summoned, Stolas comes forth as a 'Night-Raven' [an old word for Owl.] wearing a twelve-pointed crown, shortly he will take on the visage of a man before the exorcist. Entries in early grimoirs usually promise that if summoned Stolas will impart knowledge of Astronomy, he can also grant absolute understanding about the virtues of herbs, plants, and the worth of precious stones. - Being classified in the hiarchy as a "Prince", Stolas's Mark [Symbol or Sigil, pictured below] is best sealed using Tin. - It is advised that the summoner/evoker wear his sigil/symbol otherwise else he will not do you any homage, favours, etc. - Stolas is often said to be most powerful during mid-march and is often Astrologically attributed to Jupiter & Pisces. The supposed recommended incense for related spells and offerings is Cedar.

• [Stolas sigil from the Lemegeton: Ars Goetia.)]•

• [ A Note of Caution: 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 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 practitioners caution that you should be careful with this sort of magick as it can seriously disrespect the demon you're attempting to communicate with. ) - Details will also change between whichever Grimoire or spell book you decide to read. 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! - Of course, this isn't being said to discredit believers or discourage those who do practice or decide to attempt to invoke these spirits: no offence or blasphemy is intended. Believe & do what you will! ] •

• History & Early Appearances:

•[Stolas as he appears in dictionary infernal]•

•[a higher quallity version of Louis le Breton's illustration]• 

Stoals made his earliest & most famous illustrated appearance in the 1863 edition of "Dictionnaire Infernal." - The book was originally written by Jacques Collin de Plancy & earliest published (without illustrations) in 1818. - [De Plancy would have only been 25 at the time of writing.] - It has been said that De Plancy likely wrote said dictionary with his 'tongue firmly in cheek' with the capricious intent to reveal that religion & churches where overly superstitious. - (However: ironically, the man grew to believe his own writings and later in life became an enthusiastic devout catholic. (much to the surprise & bemusement of his fans.) - Later in 1863, 69 fantastic Illustrations where added by artist by french naval painter, Louis le Breton these skyrocketed the book into popularity, and it become his most well known. - Several Years later in Britan, Some of Breton's images were then added to a 1904 Reprint of a Renaissance-era grimoire known as the Lemegeton or The Lesser Key of Solomon by occultist, Samuel L.Macgregor Mathers & Aleister Crowly - in their reprint and translation of the Goetia. - Stolas along side his sigil was listed as the thirty-sixth out of seventy-two demons in the infernal monarchy; (who where allegedly summoned & banished by the wise King Solomon.) Breton's depictions of the demons in these books; more or less cemented as to how these particular demons 'looked' in the general public's mind & today still ring true as an influence in modern pop culture and related media today. – Stolas is also mentioned in the earlier 1583 edition of Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum.

[stolas entry in the 1904 goetia]

In pop-culture: A few modern famous depictions of Stolas include the Shin megami tensei series, Castlevania series & of course the Hasbin Hotel series. - The Lemegeton, (the book containing the goetia.) is also an item which appears in "The binding of Isaac" videogame series.