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.
Furcas (also known as Ren Vacca) is depicted as a strong old man with white hair and a 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 horse, 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]
Notably, the 1563 edition says Forcas is an alias of the demon Foras, but in the 1583 edition of Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, Forcas is established as a unique demon separate from Foras. According to a translation by Joseph H. Peterson:
Foras [*Forras], alias Forcas is a great president, and is seene in the forme of a strong man, and in humane shape, he understandeth the vertue of hearbs and pretious stones: he teacheth fullie logicke, ethicke, and their parts: he maketh a man invisible, wittie, eloquent, and to live long; he recovereth things lost, and discovereth [discloses] treasures, and is lord over nine and twentie legions.
The etymology of his name may be derived from the Latin word furca, meaning fork,[6] or from Greco-Roman also meaning a sepulchre (tomb).[7]
- ^ Collin de Plancy. Dictionnaire Infernal. Paris, 1863, p. 280.
- ^ Furcas Esoteric Archives
- ^ Article view @ DileriumRealm.com
- ^ § 29. Furcas Esoteric Archives
- ^ Weyer, Johann. Pseudomonarchia Daemonum p. 8, ISBN 9780557050598
- ^ Furca (Latin); fork
- ^ Furca from the Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities AncientLibrary.com