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Difference between revisions of "Diabolical pact"
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==Actual diabolical pacts== | ==Actual diabolical pacts== | ||
[[File:Haizmann-Pact.jpg|400px|thumb|Copy of a diabolical pact written in blood by Christoph Haizmann in 1669.]] | |||
A diabolical pact can be either oral or written. An oral pact may be made by means of invocations, conjurations, or rituals to attract the demon; once the conjurer thinks the demon is present, they ask for the wanted favor and offer their soul in exchange, and no evidence is left of the pact. A written pact consists in the same forms of attracting the demon, but includes a written act, usually signed with the conjurer's blood (although sometimes it was also alleged that the whole act had to be written with blood; meanwhile some demonologists defended the idea of using red ink instead of blood and others suggested the use of animal blood instead of human blood). | A diabolical pact can be either oral or written. An oral pact may be made by means of invocations, conjurations, or rituals to attract the demon; once the conjurer thinks the demon is present, they ask for the wanted favor and offer their soul in exchange, and no evidence is left of the pact. A written pact consists in the same forms of attracting the demon, but includes a written act, usually signed with the conjurer's blood (although sometimes it was also alleged that the whole act had to be written with blood; meanwhile some demonologists defended the idea of using red ink instead of blood and others suggested the use of animal blood instead of human blood). | ||
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The ''[[Malleus Maleficarum]]'' discusses several alleged instances of pacts with the Devil, especially concerning women. It was considered that all [[witch]]es and [[warlock]]s had made a pact with one of the [[demon]]s, usually [[Satan]]. | The ''[[Malleus Maleficarum]]'' discusses several alleged instances of pacts with the Devil, especially concerning women. It was considered that all [[witch]]es and [[warlock]]s had made a pact with one of the [[demon]]s, usually [[Satan]]. | ||
According to the 1580 book about [[witch]]es, ''[[De la démonomanie des sorciers]]'', the fundamental definition of a [[witch]] is someone who makes a pact with [[the Devil]]. | |||
According to some branches of demonology, there is a specific month, day of the week, and hour to call each demon, so the invocation for a pact has to be done at the right time. Also, as each demon has a specific function, a certain demon is invoked depending on what the conjurer is going to ask. | According to some branches of demonology, there is a specific month, day of the week, and hour to call each demon, so the invocation for a pact has to be done at the right time. Also, as each demon has a specific function, a certain demon is invoked depending on what the conjurer is going to ask. | ||
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* [[Johann Georg Faust]] (1466/80 – 1541) | * [[Johann Georg Faust]] (1466/80 – 1541) | ||
* [[Urbain Grandier]] (1590 – 1634) | * [[Urbain Grandier]] (1590 – 1634) | ||
* [[Christoph Haizmann]] ( | * [[Christoph Haizmann]] (1647 – 1700) | ||
* [[Rebecca Nurse]] (February 13, 1621 – July 19, 1692) | * [[Rebecca Nurse]] (February 13, 1621 – July 19, 1692) | ||
* Robert Johnson (8 May 1911 – 16 August 1938), a blues musician, who legend claims met Satan at a crossroads and signed over his soul to play the blues and gain mastery of the guitar. | * Robert Johnson (8 May 1911 – 16 August 1938), a blues musician, who legend claims met [[Satan]] at a crossroads and signed over his soul to play the blues and gain mastery of the guitar. | ||
==In popular culture== | ==In popular culture== | ||
The concept of making a deal with the Devil has often served as a metaphorical story to warn against the dangers of chasing money, fame, or immortality above all else. These stories often involve the individual making the pact being outwitted by the Devil and being forced into [[Hell]]. | The concept of making a deal with [[the Devil]] has often served as a metaphorical story to warn against the dangers of chasing money, fame, or immortality above all else. These stories often involve the individual making the pact being outwitted by the Devil and being forced into [[Hell]]. | ||
* ''The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus'', by Christopher Marlowe (1592) | * ''The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus'', by Christopher Marlowe (1592) | ||
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[[Category:Religious Concepts]] | [[Category:Religious Concepts]] | ||
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