A bronze ring traced the circle. The practitioner spoke the name from the Ars Goetia in a low, steady voice. The air thickened, and a horse appeared, white as bone, then a man with a calm, unlined face. He answered every question without evasion, without riddles. That is rare among the 72.
Orobas is a Great Prince of Hell who appears first as a horse and then as a man, known for giving truthful answers about past, present, and future without deceiving the summoner. He also grants dignities and preferments, and he never harms anyone who calls him. In a grimoire tradition where deception is the norm, Orobas stands out as the one spirit you can trust.
Where Orobas Appears in the Grimoires
The earliest known description of Orobas comes from Johann Weyer’s Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (1583). Weyer, a Dutch physician and demonologist, compiled a list of 69 demons based on earlier manuscripts. Orobas appears there as a Great Prince, commanding 20 legions. When the Lesser Key of Solomon was assembled in the 17th century, the list expanded to 72, and Orobas was assigned the rank of Prince, still with 20 legions.
His sigil, drawn in the Ars Goetia, is a geometric figure of intersecting lines and circles. The design is not decorative. Medieval magicians believed that the sigil contained the spirit’s essence, and that tracing it correctly forced Orobas to appear and obey.
The name “Orobas” may derive from the Hebrew orob (raven) or from the Greek orobas (a type of horse). Sources disagree. What is certain is that his dual form, horse and man, is unique among the Goetic princes. No other spirit shifts from an animal to a human shape in quite the same way.
For a complete overview of all 72 spirits and their ranks, see our guide to demonology and Goetia.
What the Horse and the Man Mean
The horse is not a random animal. In medieval and Renaissance symbolism, the horse represented raw instinct, strength, and the untamed will. A horse that submits to the rider is a horse that can be directed. Orobas appears as a horse first, then as a man, to show that he can be controlled by the magician’s authority. The man form is calm, rational, and honest. Together, they embody the union of instinct and reason.
That honesty is the core of his identity. Most Goetic spirits are described as liars or tricksters. Paimon speaks in riddles. Bune may grant wealth but often with hidden costs. Orobas, by contrast, “gives true answers of things past, present, and to come, and of all things that are past and to come,” according to the Ars Goetia. He also “bestows dignities and preferments, and confirms them.” The word “confirms” matters. He does not promise and then withdraw. He delivers.
This reliability made Orobas a favorite among Renaissance magicians who needed accurate intelligence, not poetic ambiguity. If you wanted to know who would win a war or whether a business deal would succeed, Orobas was the spirit to call.
How Practitioners Work with Orobas
Summoning Orobas follows the standard Goetic ritual. The magician draws his sigil on virgin parchment or engraved on a metal plate, usually brass or silver. The circle is inscribed with the names of God and the appropriate angelic seals. Orobas is called by his name and rank, and the operator demands that he appear in a peaceful form.
Because Orobas is truthful, the ritual does not require threats or coercion. Many practitioners report that he arrives willingly, often before the invocation is finished. The horse form is said to be gentle, not aggressive. The man form speaks in a clear, unhurried voice.
Offerings are simple. Frankincense or myrrh burned in a censer. A white candle. No blood. No animal sacrifice. Orobas does not demand suffering. He responds to respect and clarity of intention.
The questions asked of him must be precise. He answers literally. If you ask “Will I be rich?” he will tell you exactly how and when, but he will not volunteer the obstacles unless you ask. That is not deception. It is precision. The fault lies with the careless questioner.
For a complete breakdown of the summoning method, read our step-by-step guide to summoning Goetic spirits.
How Orobas Compares to Other Goetic Spirits
The 72 spirits of the Ars Goetia fall into rough categories: kings, dukes, princes, marquises, presidents, and knights. Orobas is a Prince, which places him in the middle rank. But rank does not determine reliability.
Vassago (also a Prince) is said to be of a “good nature” and to declare things past and future. He is the closest parallel to Orobas. Both are truthful. But Vassago does not grant dignities or preferments. Orobas does.
Buer (a President) heals all infirmities and teaches moral philosophy. He is honest but limited to medical and ethical knowledge. Orobas covers a wider range.
Paimon (a King) knows all arts and sciences but must be compelled to speak clearly. He often hides his answers in riddles. Orobas does not.
Bune (a Duke) changes the dead and makes men rich and eloquent. But Bune is known for being taciturn and sometimes misleading. Orobas is direct.
Agares (a Duke) makes those who run stand still and brings back runaways. He is useful but his answers are unreliable.
In short, Orobas is the spirit you call when you need a straight answer and a concrete result. He is not the most powerful. He is not the most famous. But he is the most trustworthy.
Common Misconceptions About Orobas
“All Goetic demons are evil.” This is a modern assumption, not a medieval one. The Ars Goetia treats spirits as neutral forces that can be commanded by divine authority. Orobas is explicitly described as “not of an evil disposition.” He harms no one.
“Orobas is a demon of lies because he is a demon.” The opposite is true. His defining trait is honesty. Renaissance magicians valued him precisely because he did not lie.
“His horse form means he is bestial or savage.” The horse in medieval symbolism was also a symbol of nobility, speed, and service. Orobas’s horse form indicates his willingness to serve the operator, not his wildness.
“You need to offer blood to summon him.” No Goetic spirit requires blood. That is a Hollywood invention. Orobas accepts incense and a clear mind.
FAQ
Is Orobas dangerous to summon? No. He is described as peaceful and does not harm the summoner. Standard protective measures (circle, divine names) are still recommended.
What does Orobas look like when he appears? First as a horse, then as a man. The man is usually described as calm, middle-aged, and dressed in simple robes.
Can Orobas grant wealth? He grants dignities and preferments, which can lead to wealth, but he does not directly produce gold. He opens doors.
Orobas is not the most famous spirit in the Ars Goetia. He does not command the largest legions. But for the practitioner who values truth over spectacle, he is indispensable. The horse and the man stand together, offering answers that hold. If you want to explore the full hierarchy of the 72, start with our guide to demonology and Goetia. For a deeper look at how sigils work, see the glossary entry on Solomonic seals. And for the complete ritual method, read our step-by-step guide to summoning Goetic spirits.