VALAC

§ Introduction

Valac (also recorded as Volac / Ualac and other spellings) is the Sixty-second Spirit of the Ars Goetia. He is one of the more visually distinctive entries: a childlike figure with angelic wings, paired with a dragon mount. This unusual imagery creates a striking paradox that has fascinated scholars and practitioners alike.

§ Rank and Authority

Rank: President
Legions: 38

As a President in the Goetic hierarchy, Valac holds a scholarly and instructive role, traditionally associated with revealing hidden knowledge. His domain centers on treasure discovery and the handling of serpents—both literal and metaphorical representations of hidden wisdom and controlled danger.

§ Appearance (Traditional Description)

He is described as a child with angel wings riding a two-headed dragon—an odd blend of "innocent" and "monstrous" imagery that reads like a deliberate paradox. This visual juxtaposition of purity (angelic child) with power (dragon mount) suggests themes of hidden potential and controlled chaos.

§ Powers and Attributions (Historical Claims)

Classical Goetia summaries credit Valac with:

• Giving "true answers" about hidden treasures
• Revealing where serpents may be seen, and bringing them without force (more "handler" than "conqueror")

Historically, that places Valac in a folklore zone: treasure lore + snake lore + the fantasy of safe control over danger.

§ Practical Use as Cultural Context (Non-Instructional)

Read as symbolism, Valac represents: finding what is buried, mapping risks, and gaining calm authority over "snakes" (literal or metaphorical). The imagery suggests discovering hidden value while maintaining composure in the face of potential threats—a metaphor for navigating complex situations with wisdom.

§ Pop Culture Notes

Valac/Valak is widely referenced in modern horror and pop occult lists, often detached from the older grimoire nuance. The spirit gained significant popular recognition through horror film franchises, though these portrayals often diverge considerably from the traditional grimoire descriptions.

§ Short Sources (Pre-1900)

• Johann Weyer — Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (1577)
• Reginald Scot — The Discoverie of Witchcraft (1584)
• Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis — Ars Goetia (17th-century manuscript tradition; pre-1900 transmission)
• Jacques Collin de Plancy — Dictionnaire Infernal (1818; illustrated ed. 1863)