Botis

The name Botis, also appearing as Otius, lacks a clear linguistic origin in classical languages. Its etymology remains obscure, possibly deriving from a corruption or esoteric reinterpretation within the magical traditions that codified these spirits.

Botis, sometimes Otis, is a demon described in the Lesser Key of Solomon (as the seventeenth spirit) and the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (as the ninth spirit) as a President and an Earl who initially appears as a viper before changing into a sword-toting, fanged, and horned human who discusses matters past, present, and future; brings favor from allies and enemies, and rules 60 legions of demons. In the Munich Manual of Demonic Magic, Botis appears as Otius, and is mostly identical except that he is...

The figure of Botis, as cataloged in the labyrinthine pages of grimoires like the Lesser Key of Solomon, presents a fascinating paradox for the modern seeker. Blavatsky’s definition, though rooted in the demonological classifications of her era, hints at a deeper symbolic resonance. Botis, appearing first as a serpent—a creature deeply entwined with primal wisdom, temptation, and transformation across mythologies, from the Garden of Eden to the ouroboros of ancient Egypt—and then as a horned, fanged human wielding a sword, embodies a potent duality. This is not merely a description of a supernatural entity but a symbolic representation of the very nature of esoteric knowledge.

The ability attributed to Botis to discuss matters past, present, and future, and to bring favor from allies and enemies, speaks to the Hermetic principle of correspondence. It suggests that by understanding the underlying forces and patterns that govern existence, one can gain a form of mastery, or at least navigate the complexities of human interaction with greater insight. The mention of ruling sixty legions of demons can be interpreted not as a literal command over infernal hosts, but as the vastness of the unconscious mind, the multitude of internal forces that must be acknowledged and understood to achieve inner harmony. The serpent’s shedding of skin mirrors the alchemical process of purification and rebirth, while the sword signifies decisive action and the cutting through illusion. To engage with such figures, even in their textual representation, is to confront the shadowy aspects of the psyche, to acknowledge the serpentine wisdom that coils within the depths of our being, and to wield the sharp clarity of understanding. This engagement, rather than being an act of summoning evil, can be seen as a form of psychological exploration, a journey into the archetypal forces that shape our perception of reality.

RELATED_TERMS: Serpent, Ouroboros, Archetype, Shadow, Gnosis, Knowledge, Transformation, Divination