When it comes to learning about a spirit’s name, you’ll often encounter two things. A name that has clear roots and can be traced (somewhat) to its origins, or a name, such as Gusion’s, that’s a bit of a rabbit hole.
Suffice to say, it can be difficult to trace the etymology of his name directly, but there are interesting theories worth diving into.
Many occult historians, including Jake Stratton-Kent, suggest that the name Gusion is a linguistic corruption of the name Geryon or Geryones.
Who is Geryon? In Greek mythology, he was a giant who either had three bodies or three heads. Geryon can also be found in Dante’s Inferno, where he is depicted as the “Monster of Fraud.”
Dante describes him as having the face of a “just man”, appearing mild and trustworthy, while his body is that of a serpent bearing a scorpion’s sting.
While this connection is just a theory, there are still some symbolic links between Geryon and Gusion. The concept of having a “just face” mirrors Gusion’s office of granting honor, dignity, and reconciling friendships.
Next, we move to the realm of Goetic Gematria, or the application of Hebrew numerology to the 72 spirits of the Ars Goetia.
In studies within this system, specifically those of author Brian Pivik, Gusion is linked to the Mesopotamian city of Gozan, which is known as a place of “exiles and strangers.”
One of Gusion’s theorized variants is Gusayn, which has Semitic roots and relates to the word Guz or Gauzan, meaning “to cut off” or “to pass through”.
This theory not only links Gusion to “exiles and strangers”, but also makes sense when it comes to his office. He is known as the patron of those in exile, those between worlds, and those who are seeking dignity in a place that considers them as outsiders.
In the original Latin of Johann Weyer’s Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, Gusion is said to appear in the form of a Xenophilus (a stranger or foreigner).
Most occult scholars, however, have theorized that this was a scribal error. Joseph Peterson, the editor of the most authoritative version of the Goetia, argues that “Xenophilus” may have been a typo of Cynocephalus or a Greek word meaning “dog-headed”.
“C” and “X” were visually similar in medieval texts, and errors weren’t uncommon; in fact, this has led to some interesting theories over time.
Given this context, it has been suggested that this name connects Gusion to the Egyptian god Thoth, who was often depicted as a dog-headed baboon. It may seem far-fetched, but it also fits Gusion’s role as the “expounder of questions”; a trait he shares with the Egyptian god.
In the Ars Goetia, ranks are tied to the Heptarchy (the seven classical planets) and Dukes are almost universally aligned with Venus.
As a Duke, Gusion operates under the influence of this planet. In the Goetic sense, Venus isn’t solely associated with romance and mostly governs social cohesion. This includes reconciling friendships and granting both honor and dignity.
In terms of ability, this gives Gusion influence over the attraction and repulsion between people in both social and professional hierarchies. This is why many practitioners approach him for assistance during job interviews and even court cases.
Each spirit in the infernal hierarchy has their own office or “administrative role” assigned to them. This role typically mirrors their powers and abilities.
Because Gusion answers questions of the past, present, and future, his role within the hierarchy is similar to that of an archivist or a diplomat. How does this work?
Many have interpreted his command over a vast legion as akin to having access to an expansive network of informants. If he is capable of giving answers to any question, regardless of time period, it is because his legions have been observing and keeping records of the flow of time.
Gusion’s status as a Duke gives him the gravitas to intervene between two warring parties. It doesn’t matter whether they are human or spirit; he can still enforce a truce. In this role, he doesn’t just ask for peace; his very rank allows him the legal authority within the Goetic system to actually demand it.
When it comes to Gusion’s legions, you’ll find two different numbers: 40 and 45. Originally, in the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, the Duke was described as having 45 legions in his command.
By the time the Ars Goetia was compiled, however, many legion counts were either rounded or standardized. It should also be noted that 40 is a significant biblical and kabbalistic number, which is said to represent a period of preparation or a period of “testing” (think 40 days in the desert, 4 days in the wilderness).
So which one is it? It all depends on the system you’re following. Regardless of the number, Gusion certainly holds a great degree of influence and power with his legion numbering from 266,640 to 299,970 spirits.
In this text, Gusion is the 11th spirit listed and is described as a “Dux magnus & robustus” or a “Great and Strong Duke”. Despite this early emphasis on his strength, however, there is greater focus given to his intellectual office rather than his physical one.
Johan Weyer establishes Gusion as an incredibly wise spirit, someone who “answers all things”, specifically questions regarding the past, present, and future.
When it comes to his appearance, Gusion is described as appearing in the form of a Xenophilius (a stranger from a distant land), though as we’ve discussed earlier, this is theorized to be a corruption of Cynocephalus, meaning dog-headed.
With the older manuscripts, on which Weyer based his descriptions, now lost, there is no real way of confirming whether his interpretation is accurate.
While Gusion’s description in the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum focused more on his objective office, the Ars Goetia added a layer of mystique and ceremonial magick to his persona.
Aside from the changes in his legion number, one of the most obvious changes is the small yet significant spelling change from Xenophilus (a stranger / lover of strangers) to “Xenopilus”, alluding to his appearance as someone who looks like they’re from a foreign land.
The grimoire also adds a bit more context to his ability of answering all questions. He isn’t just a spirit capable of providing facts; but someone who interprets them much like a consultant would.
Next, we have Collin de Plancy’s work which introduced a unique visual element that both confused and redefined Gusion for close to 200 years.
What is it, you may wonder? It’s the way De Plancy depicted Gusion (Gusoyn in this text) as a camel. Many agree that this happened due to one of two things: a transcription error or a (very) creative liberty taken by the book’s illustrator, Louis Le Breton.
Despite the confusion it may have caused, there is still something symbolic about this visual. Camels are associated with long-distance journeys and are shown to “carry burdens”.
As such, occultists in the 19th-century began to view Gusion as a spirit of endurance and trade. The first true departure from his original intellectual and diplomatic roots.
When viewed through the lens of contemporary Demonolatry, Gusion’s transformation becomes more metaphorical. In her writing, Connolly identifies Gusion as an Earth spirit, shifting his office into the physical world with practical applications.
He is said to help with job stability, social status, and material reputation, to name a few. Aside from this, many modern practitioners see him as a stabilizing energy, often choosing to work with him to find “blunt truths” about themselves or a situation.
In this capacity, Gusion is said to use his office of divination to clear away any self-deception and allow the person to see things exactly as they are.
Ford’s writing about Gusion is very interesting in that they lean heavily into his Cynocephalus form and explicitly link him to the Egyptian god Thoth.
He describes Gusion as a spirit of the High Mind and interprets his ability to grant “honor and dignity” as a form of willpower. In working with Gusion, he believes that a practitioner can learn to project an aura of authority and expertise, essentially engineering their social environment to their advantage.
A lot of Ford’s writing focuses on the self and this is no different. He views Gusion’s ability to reconcile different warring parties as an ability to reconcile the inner self; aligning the subconscious mind (past) with current desires (present), and future goals.
Depending on how you interpret a spirit’s abilities, Gusion’s powers may seem gentler and less physically destructive than others. His role is defined primarily by being a diplomat and an oracle, and his influence is mostly intellectual and social in nature.
Gusion is the spirit you should approach if you need help with divination, reconciliation, and social advancement.
A spirit’s sigil serves more than one function. While it may seem decorative on the surface, it also helps practitioners connect with the spirit’s energy and frequency.
In some cases, it can also serve as a shield; allowing a practitioner to withstand the often overwhelming energy of the spirit they are communicating with.
The seal of Gusion, like other spirits in the Ars Goetia, mirrors his nature and office. It has a nice balance and appears architectural in structure. A stark contrast to the other “busier” sigils of spirits such as Paimon and Asmodeus, for example.
Is it important to learn and understand Gusion’s sigil? Yes. Aside from allowing you to meditate better using it as your central focus, learning about his sigil also shows your sincerity towards working with him as a mentor.
When it comes to Goetic spirits, overlaps and similar offices are quite common. It doesn’t mean, however, that a spirit’s abilities are not unique. Instead, they bring something different and can influence a practitioner in a way that is completely their own.
That said, here are some spirits that are related or similar to Gusion.
Like Gusion, Astaroth is a Great Duke who answers questions about the past, present, and future. They differ when it comes to their energy and methodology, however.
If the ability to bestow honors and dignities felt familiar for you, then you might’ve been thinking of Paimon.
Many practitioners work with both Bael and Gusion when it comes to social navigation, but they do have opposite methodologies for achieving the same goal.
New practitioners looking to work with Gusion should be prepared to look at their own timeline with absolute honesty. Since he governs the past, present, and future, there is nothing one can hide from him.
That said, once this part of the process is over, positive changes will slowly begin to appear. A shift in perspective, internal clarity, and social standing are just a few things that can be expected.
Here’s what to keep in mind if you’re working with Gusion for the first time.
One of the most common ways to align with his frequency in modern practice is to use his Enn. This isn’t a command, but an invitation. Gusion’s enn is: “Deyan avage secore Gusion”.
There are a few ways to use this, depending on your preference. Some practitioners use it in vibratory chanting meditation. They would repeat his Enn like a mantra, using a low and rhythmic tone. It also helps to focus on his sigil while doing this.
For a more discreet approach, especially if you’re looking for his assistance while at work, repeating the Enn mentally before a big meeting or interview can call his energy to you.
Practitioners who have worked with Gusion before speak of his energy as one of the most stable and safe, especially for beginners. However, his personality is quite blunt.
He’s the type to hold up a metaphorical mirror to those asking for his assistance, forcing them to see why the situation has failed in the first place. If you’re at fault, Gusion will make that reality impossible to ignore. No, you can’t reason your way out of it either; he knows your past, present, and future.
Lastly, he is said to communicate directly with intentional focus on the task at hand. He isn’t the type to engage in small talk, so compose yourself properly when communicating with him.
Offerings aren’t just a way to show your sincerity and gratitude; they also ground the spirit’s energy into the physical world. Here are some of Gusion’s favorites:
While you can choose to communicate with him at any given time, timing your rituals according to his frequency can help you better maximize the “signal.”
Are you ready to work with Gusion? If so, be prepared for a reality check. He will not give you the polite version of the truth, but the one you need to truly hear.
If you feel stuck, especially in a cycle of self-doubt, you can also ask him for an assessment. Yes, there will always be uncomfortable truths, but once you accept it, he can assist you in rebuilding and preventing the cycle from repeating itself.
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