Furcas

In demonology, Furcas (also spelled Forcas) is a Knight of Hell (the rank of Knight is unique to him), and rules 20 legions of demons.[1][2] He teaches Philosophy, Astronomy (Astrology to some authors), Rhetoric, Logic, Chiromancy and Pyromancy.

This article is about the mythological demon. For another demon and President of Hell also called "Forcas", see Foras.

Image of Furcas from Collin de Plancy's Dictionnaire Infernal

Furcas is depicted as a strong old man with white hair and long white beard, who rides a horse while holding a sharp weapon (pitch fork).

Furcas is a knight and commeth foorth in the similitude of a cruell man, with a long beard and a hoarie head, he sitteth on a pale horsse, carrieng in his hand a sharpe weapon, he perfectlie teacheth practike philosophie, rhetorike, logike, astronomie, chiromancie, pyromancie, and their parts: there obeie him twentie legions.

— Johann Weyer (1583)[3]

The etymology of his name may be derived from the Latin word furca, meaning fork,[4] or from Greco-Roman also meaning a sepulchre (tomb).[5]

References

1. Collin de Plancy. Dictionnaire Infernal. Paris, 1863, p. 280.
2. Foras Esoteric Archives
3. Article view @ DileriumRealm.com
4. Furca (Latin); fork
5. Furca from the Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities AncientLibrary.com

Sources

• S. L. MacGregor Mathers, A. Crowley, The Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon the King (1904). 1995 reprint: ISBN 0-87728-847-X.