A magician in the 17th century traced a circle on the floor, lit charcoal, and recited a conjuration. The spirit that answered had the head of a lion, the body of a serpent, and the feet of a goose. That spirit was Ipos. Ipos is a Prince and Earl of Hell in the Goetic tradition, one of the 72 spirits sealed by King Solomon. His domain is knowledge: he knows all things past, present, and future, and he grants courage and wit to those who summon him.
Where Does Ipos Appear in the Grimoire Tradition?
The earliest surviving description of Ipos appears in the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (1583) by Johann Weyer, a physician and demonologist who compiled the names and ranks of spirits from earlier manuscripts. Weyer lists him as “Ipes” and describes him as a Prince and Earl who appears with a lion’s head, a serpent’s body, and a goose’s feet. He commands 36 legions of spirits.
The more familiar version comes from the Ars Goetia, the first book of The Lesser Key of Solomon, a grimoire compiled in the 17th century from earlier sources. The Ars Goetia standardizes the 72 spirits and their seals. Ipos appears as the 22nd spirit. His seal is a complex geometric figure that the magician draws on parchment or engraves on metal before the conjuration.
The English translation by Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers (1904) and later the edition by Aleister Crowley (also 1904, as part of The Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon the King) made Ipos widely known in modern occultism. Both editions preserve the same description: Ipos knows all things, past and future, and he “makes men witty and valiant.”
For a broader view of the 72 spirits, see our guide to the Ars Goetia, which covers the full list of names and ranks.
What Does Ipos Look Like and What Does It Mean?
The appearance of Ipos is a deliberate symbolic puzzle. The lion’s head represents royalty, courage, and dominion. In the Goetic hierarchy, Princes are noble spirits with authority over legions. The lion also connects Ipos to the zodiac sign Leo, associated with the sun, leadership, and boldness.
The serpent’s body is the oldest symbol of hidden knowledge. In many traditions, the serpent knows the secrets of the earth and the underworld. For Ipos, the serpent body signifies his access to concealed wisdom, including the knowledge of past lives and future events. It also links him to the chthonic realm, the deep places where spirits dwell.
The goose’s feet are the most curious detail. In European folklore, the goose is a watchful animal, alert to danger and change. Some commentators see the goose feet as a symbol of travel between worlds, since geese migrate across great distances. Others read them as a reminder that even a Prince of Hell walks on common ground. The combination of lion, serpent, and goose creates a being that is at once regal, wise, and grounded.
To compare Ipos’s hybrid form with other Goetic spirits, read our entry on Goetic spirit forms, which analyzes the meanings behind theriomorphic descriptions.
How Is Ipos Used in Ceremonial Practice?
In the Goetic tradition, Ipos is invoked for two primary purposes: divination and courage. The magician who seeks knowledge of the past or future calls Ipos to reveal what is hidden. The magician who lacks courage or quick thinking calls Ipos to grant wit and valor. The grimoires state that Ipos “makes men witty and valiant” — that is the correct phrasing, and it describes a transfer of qualities rather than a vague boost of confidence.
The conjuration follows the standard procedure of the Ars Goetia. The magician draws the seal of Ipos on virgin parchment or engraves it on a plate of copper or silver. The seal is placed inside a triangle of art, a protective boundary outside the circle. The magician stands within the circle and recites the conjuration, often with incense of frankincense or sandalwood burning.
Ipos is considered one of the more cooperative spirits. He does not typically deceive or threaten, provided the magician treats him with respect. The grimoire instructs the magician to command him by the power of Solomon and to demand a clear answer. If Ipos appears in a frightening form, the magician may compel him to appear in a more pleasing shape, though the text does not specify what that shape might be.
After the working, the magician dismisses Ipos with a license to depart. The seal is stored safely. Some practitioners report that the effects of Ipos’s gift of wit last for days, sharpening the mind and quickening the tongue.
How Does Ipos Compare to Other Goetic Spirits?
Ipos shares his prophetic role with several other Goetic spirits. Buer, the 10th spirit, teaches philosophy and herbal medicine but does not specialize in past and future. Marbas, the 5th spirit, reveals hidden things and cures diseases. Ipos is more focused on time itself: the sequence of events from before birth to after death.
In rank, Ipos is a Prince and an Earl. Princes in the Goetic hierarchy are high-ranking nobles who command large legions. Earls are military commanders. Ipos holds both titles, which is unusual. This dual rank suggests that he governs both the courtly and the martial aspects of his domain. He is not a King like Paimon or a Duke like Astaroth, but his authority is considerable.
The 36 legions under Ipos place him in the middle tier of power. By comparison, Paimon commands 200 legions, while the lowest spirits command only 10. Ipos is not the most powerful spirit, but he is far from weak. His specialization in knowledge makes him a practical choice for the working magician.
For a full breakdown of ranks and hierarchies, visit the demonology and Goetia hub, which explains the structure of the 72 spirits.
What Do People Get Wrong About Ipos?
The most common misconception is that Ipos is a demon in the Christian sense, an evil entity that tempts or corrupts. In the Goetic tradition, spirits are not inherently malevolent. They are forces of nature, bound by the magician’s will. Ipos does not tempt. He answers questions and grants qualities. The moral character of the working depends on the magician.
Another misconception concerns his appearance. Some modern illustrations show Ipos as a purely monstrous creature, with exaggerated claws and fangs. The original grimoire describes him as having the head of a lion, the body of a serpent, and the feet of a goose. That is not a random monster. It is a precise symbolic statement. The goose feet are not a joke. They are a deliberate part of the spirit’s identity.
A third misconception is that Ipos can be summoned casually. The Goetic tradition requires preparation, purification, and respect. Calling Ipos without the proper circle, seal, and intent is considered dangerous, not because Ipos is evil, but because the magician may not be ready for the knowledge he brings.
FAQ
Is Ipos dangerous to summon?
Ipos is not considered hostile, but any Goetic working requires strict adherence to protective rituals. The danger lies more in the magician’s unpreparedness than in the spirit’s malice.
How do you summon Ipos?
You draw his seal, cast a protective circle, and recite the conjuration from the Ars Goetia during the appropriate planetary hour. The full procedure is detailed in the grimoire.
Can Ipos tell the future?
Yes. The grimoire states that he knows all things past, present, and future. He is one of the most reliable Goetic spirits for divination.
The Prince Who Knows
Ipos is not a spirit of terror. He is a spirit of clarity. The lion’s head, the serpent’s body, the goose’s feet: each part tells a story about the kind of knowledge he offers. It is royal, hidden, and grounded in the everyday world. For the magician who seeks to understand what has been and what will come, Ipos is a direct and honest guide.
For a deeper look at the 72 spirits and their seals, explore our guide to the Ars Goetia. To understand how Ipos fits into the larger hierarchy, visit the demonology and Goetia hub. And if you want to compare his symbolism with other hybrid spirits, read our entry on Goetic spirit forms.