The Seal of Zepar is the engraved signature of the 27th spirit of the Ars Goetia, a Great Duke of Hell who governs love, desire, and fertility. It is a geometric diagram used in ritual to command or petition Zepar, traditionally drawn on parchment or engraved on brass.
Origins and History
The first printed appearance of Zepar’s seal is in the 17th-century grimoire The Lesser Key of Solomon, compiled from older manuscripts around the time of King James I. The earliest known manuscript of the Goetia, the Harleian MS. 6483 (c. 1640s, British Library), shows the seal drawn in pen and ink — each line precise, each spirit’s seal unique.
The tradition is older. The seals descend from the Clavicula Salomonis (Key of Solomon), a grimoire tradition circulating in manuscript form across Europe from at least the 14th century. In that system, each spirit’s seal was a talisman drawn in animal blood or on virgin parchment at a specific planetary hour. The Goetia formalized this.
The name Zepar is obscure. Some scholars derive it from Hebrew tzephar (a bird of prey), but the etymology is speculative. Johann Weyer recorded Zepar as the 18th spirit in his Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (1577), describing his office: he causes women to love men and brings them together, but also makes them barren. For a broader overview of the Goetic hierarchy, see our demonology and Goetia hub.
How is the seal of Zepar used in ritual?
The seal functions as the spirit’s name written in a visual language the practitioner does not need to understand — only to reproduce exactly. The ritual begins with drawing or engraving the seal on the correct material. Traditional instruction specifies pure brass or parchment made from virgin lamb skin. Both materials are attested in manuscripts.
The seal is placed inside the triangle of conjuration, not the circle. The circle is the boundary the magician never leaves. The triangle, set outside the circle, is where the spirit is compelled to appear. The seal sits at the center of that triangle, oriented east. The magician holds the seal in his left hand during the summoning, touching it with the wand or ring.
The words matter as much as the image. The Conjuration of the Spirit, printed in the Goetia, names Zepar by his seal and rank. The magician recites it three times, each time louder, each time holding the seal toward the triangle. If Zepar does not appear, the magician repeats the process after tracing the seal again in the air with the ritual sword.
Traditional sources advise against performing this without extensive preparation. The Goetia warns that spirits of this rank can deceive, appear in terrifying forms, and refuse to depart if the magician falters in the divine names. For a step-by-step breakdown of the ritual frame, see our dedicated ritual guide to Zepar.
What do the symbols on Zepar’s seal mean?
The symbols on Zepar’s seal have been interpreted by several esoteric writers. Arthur Edward Waite, in The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts (1898), described Goetic seals as “transcripts of a language which is not of earth.” He did not translate them. More recent writers in the modern esoteric tradition assign specific meanings based on Cabalistic squares used to construct the original seals.
The central cross is likely a form of the Tau cross, a Solomonic symbol marking the spirit’s authority. The two crescent lines are unusual — they may reference Zepar’s association with the moon, which governs cycles of fertility and barrenness. The small marks inside the circle are numerical, corresponding to the letters of the spirit’s name totaled through Hebrew gematria.
No definitive reading exists. The seal was designed to be reproduced, not interpreted. The power lies in precision, not meaning. For more on the symbolic language of these diagrams, visit our glossary of Goetic seals.
How does Zepar compare with other Goetic spirits?
Zepar is one of several Goetic spirits associated with love and desire. His closest parallel is Siton (the 34th spirit), who also causes love between men and women. But Zepar’s office includes a specific command over women’s bodies: he can render them barren or fertile. This is not a power attributed to Siton. It places Zepar closer to spirits who govern biological transformation, not just emotional attraction.
Another comparison is Bune (the 26th spirit), who governs wealth and eloquence. Bune does not involve love. A practitioner seeking wealth would turn to Bune; one seeking to alter desire or fertility would turn to Zepar. The seal is distinct, and the ritual requirements differ.
A third spirit worth noting is Vapula (the 60th spirit), who governs mechanical arts and knowledge. His seal bears no resemblance to Zepar’s, and his domain is entirely separate. This illustrates how each Goetic seal encodes a unique function, no two seals share the same pattern.
Common misconceptions about the seal of Zepar
Many believe the seal of Zepar is a talisman to be carried for luck in love. This is incorrect. The seal is a ritual tool for summoning, not a charm. Carrying the seal without the ritual framework does nothing, according to traditional sources. The spirit is not bound to the seal unless activated through the full conjuration.
Another misconception is that Zepar is a demon of lust. The Goetia specifies that he causes love, not merely lust. He makes women love men, and that can include marriage, devotion, and long affection. It is not limited to sexual attraction.
A third misconception is that the seal can be printed from a computer and used. Traditional manuals insist on hand-drawing or engraving during a specific planetary hour. The seal of Zepar is traditionally made on a Tuesday in the hour of Mars or a Friday in the hour of Venus, depending on whether the goal is coercion or persuasion. No reliable source grants exceptions.
A fourth misconception is that the seal alone can protect the magician. In reality, the seal binds the spirit only when combined with the circle, the triangle, and the correct divine names. Without these, the seal is inert.
How to draw the seal of Zepar correctly
Drawing the seal requires a steady hand and exact proportions. The outer circle must be perfectly round, with a diameter of roughly four inches. Inside, the central cross extends to the edges of the circle. The two crescent lines curve inward from the top and bottom, meeting the cross at right angles.
The small dots and dashes inside the circle are not decorative. Each corresponds to a letter in Zepar’s name when converted to a number. The practitioner should count them carefully, a missing dot can break the seal’s efficacy.
The traditional medium is black ink on white parchment. Some manuscripts specify the ink be mixed with myrrh or saffron. The drawing is done in one continuous motion where possible, without lifting the pen. This is why many practitioners practice on scrap paper first.
FAQ
Can I use the seal of Zepar without the full Goetic ritual?
Traditional sources say no. The seal is a binding agent for the spirit, not an independent charm. Without the circle, triangle, and conjuration, the seal has no function.
What metal should I engrave the seal on?
Brass is the standard. Silver is used for lunar spirits, but Zepar is not lunar. Brass holds the planetary correspondence of Mars and Venus, both appropriate for his office.
Is Zepar dangerous to summon?
The Goetia lists him as a Duke, not a King. Dukes are powerful but bound. The danger lies not in Zepar himself but in the ritual frame overstepping the magician’s authority. An incomplete circle can leave the magician exposed.
The seal of Zepar is a precise tool. It calls a spirit who can alter human desire, but it calls the magician first. Anyone who draws it should understand what they are drawing. For the one hundred and sixty-eight words of the conjuration, and the months of practice that precede it, the seal is the voice. Everything else is preparation.
For deeper study, return to our guide to Goetia and demonology and explore the symbols of Solomonic seals. You may also find our article on the ritual use of the triangle of conjuration helpful for understanding the full ceremonial context.