Difference between revisions of "Demonology"
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==Black-eyed demons== | ==Black-eyed demons== | ||
| − | + | This is the most common type of demon seen on Supernatural, but it is not an homogeneous group. They appear to hold different ranks in demon society and display a range of abilities and powers. They are grouped together because when they possess a human, they can turn the hosts eyes entirely black at will. Most black eyed demons serve a higher ranking demon or entity. Both [[Lilith]] and [[Crowley]] have black eyed body guards; others serve as members of an entourage, like Lilith's 'personal chef'. They are subject to the typical demon weaknesses - holy water, salt, exorcism, the [[Colt]], [[Ruby's Knife]], and the [[Devil's Trap]]. Some of the more powerful black eyed demons, such as [[Meg]], are impervious to hallowed ground:<sup>[[1.21 Salvation]]</sup> | |
| − | + | :'''Pastor Jim:''' I know what you are. You can’t be here. This is hallowed ground. | |
| − | + | :'''Meg:''' Please. Maybe that works in the minor leagues, but not with me. | |
| − | + | [[Tammi]], the demon in [[3.09 Malleus Maleficarum]], is one of the strongest black-eyed demons encountered. Like the yellow-eyed [[Azazel]] and the white-eyed [[Lilith]], she can pin both Sam and Dean to a wall telekinetically. Tammi also stops a bullet from the Colt in mid-air when Sam tries to shoot her. She provides power to [[witches]] in exchange for their souls. | |
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| − | + | These stronger black-eyed demons often have an advanced knowledge of magic and spells that helps them achieve their goals. Tammi and Ruby both made extensive use of [[Hex Bag]]s. Meg uses a black altar to control [[daeva]]s in [[1.16 Shadow]]. Later, while she is possessing Sam in [[2.14 Born Under a Bad Sign]], she manages to resist exorcism for a time using a binding link with him. Both Meg and Brady communicated via the [[goblet of blood]] with the [[Yellow-Eyed Demon]] and [[Pestilence]] respectively. | |
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| + | As with most demons, their appearance can be accompanied or presaged by odd weather phenomena and electrical interference, as well as the presence of sulfur. In [[1.04 Phantom Traveler]], a demon is also associated with [[EVP]]. | ||
===Examples of Black-eyed demons=== | ===Examples of Black-eyed demons=== | ||
Revision as of 00:53, 24 July 2010
Demonology is the study of demons.
Contents
Background
Lucifer, the archangel, was banished from Heaven by God for refusing to worship humans. In defiance he took a woman and stripped away her humanity to create the first demon - Lilith. For this God commanded Michael to imprison Lucifer.
All demons were once originally human.
Culture
The demon Casey tells Dean that demons have a belief system just like humans, but while humans believe in God as a higher power, demons view Lucifer in the same regard. Casey tells him that no demon has ever actually seen Lucifer. 3.04 Sin City
It is unclear on what criteria humans end up in Hell other than selling one's soul to a Crossroads Demon. Once in Hell, people are tortured until they lose their humanity and become demons.3.09 Malleus Maleficarum
Dean spends four months in Earth time in hell, but he reports that time passes differently there, and for him it was more like forty years 4.10 Heaven And Hell. This makes 3 days on earth roughly equivalent to a year in hell.
There is obviously a loose hierarchy in Hell, with some demons more powerful than others. However, demon allegiances are, not unsurprisingly not always long lasting.
History
In 1972, Azazel made contact with Lucifer by sacrificing a dozen nuns at a convent and was then instructed to find a 'special child' who would help break The 66 Seals that were the lock to his cage. Azazel embarks on his plan and in 1973 makes a deal with Mary Winchester for the life of her husband.4.03 In The Beginning Ten years later he returns and feeds Demon Blood to an infant Sam Winchester.
Throughout Sam's childhood, Azazel has demons possess people in Sam's life, and keep an eye on him.5.22 Swan Song. When Sam leaves hunting for college, he appears to be trying to pursue a normal life. Later on, Azazel has a demon possess Sam's friend Brady in an attempt to corrupt him. When this fails Brady introduces Sam to Jess - they fall in love, and then her death is ordered by Azazel in order to propel Sam back into hunting - and the path to becoming Lucifer's Vessel.
Azazel finally takes Sam, along with other people he has recruited over the years. However one of them - Jake - kills Sam. It is Jake who helps Azazel open the Devil's Gate in Wyoming, losing demons on the Earth before the Winchester's can close it. Dean finally kills Azazel with the Colt
The first seal on Lucifer's cage is prophesied to be broken when "a righteous man spills blood in Hell." When John Winchester makes a deal with Azazel for Dean's life, the plan is that he will break the seal - but he resists. It is Dean, who sells his soul in exchange for Sam's life, who breaks in Hell and becomes a torturer.
The demon Ruby, working as part of Azazel's plan, get's close to Sam and gains his trust. She tries to encourage him to use his powers, but he resists. it is only in his grief stricken state after dean's death, when he has failed to rescue him, that she convinces Sam to use his powers ostensibly to save people from demonic possession, with the promise that he will one day be able to kill Lilith, who was responsible for Dean's death.
However, Ruby is playing Sam all along - it is actually Lilith's death, which finally frees Lucifer. The angels have been complict in letting this happen, as Michael wishes to kill Lucifer.
Sam finally allows Lucifer to possess him, and is able to overpower him and throw him, along with Michael back into Lucifer's cage.
Characteristics
Demons do not have bodies of their own. They appear as a ‘black smoke’ in their incorporeal form. Their presence may leave traces of sulfur. They manifest by possessing humans via Demonic Possession. Exorcism will drive the demon from its human host and return it to Hell. A possessed human may incur physical damage while the demon is present, including fatal injuries, but will be unaffected by it until they are dispossessed. A high volume of dispossessed individuals die; Dean commented that demons seem to enjoy wearing out their meatsuits. Humans possessed by demons exhibit black, red, yellow or white eyes depending on the demon involved.
Demons themselves, and people close to the gates of Hell (like Dean in episode 3.16 No Rest For The Wicked), see the "real" faces of demons, not just the body they use to walk the earth. It appears that angels can as well.4.09 I Know What You Did Last Summer
Some demons appear to be able to move freely between Hell and the mortal realm, e.g. Alastair. Others are trapped and can only escape through portals such as Devil's gates. Their other abilities and weaknesses vary depending on the rank of the demon.
Abilities
- Demons exhibit a range of powers, including:
- Mind control
- Telepathy and telekinesis
- Superhuman strength and enhanced endurance
- Higher level demons have shown the abilities:
- Pyrokinesis (known: Azazel, Brady; shown: Crowley)
- Injury to humans by thought (shown: Azazel)
- Destruction of objects with telekinesis (shown: Crowley destroys a light) and with the "Fiery White Light" (shown: Lilith, Samhein)
- Demons can see Reapers, and some can overpower or possess them.
- Can resurrect or heal people, but only if a deal is made.
Vulnerabilities
- Regarding possession,
- When a demon is exorcised, it returns to Hell.
- At the end of 2.14 Born Under a Bad Sign after Sam is possessed, Bobby gives the boys charms to protect against possession.
- In 3.12 Jus in Bello, it is discovered that Sam and Dean have had the protection symbol tattooed on their chests.
- Until Season Three, the only method of permanent dispatch was to shoot them with the Colt and one of the original bullets.
- In episode 3.04 Sin City Bobby rebuilds the Colt with Ruby's help so that it can kill demons with new ammunition.
- In episode 3.01 The Magnificent Seven the character Ruby introduced a Knife that could kill demons as well.
- Late in Season Four, Sam's powers also allow him to kill demons.
- It is speculated that Death's Scythe can also kill demons.
- While most have some vulnerability to Holy Water, higher level demons, such as Lilith and Azazel, appear immune. Some demons are also able to enter consecrated ground such as churches, as shown by:
- Meg in 1.21 Salvation
- Father Gil in 3.04 Sin City
- Alastair in 4.09 I Know What You Did Last Summer
- Azazel in the flashback scene in 4.22 Lucifer Rising
- Hex Bags can be used to help disguise a persons whereabouts from demons.
- There are several methods that can be used to trap or slow down a demon:
- Salt - Most cannot cross a line of salt and they feel intense pain when they come in contact with it. Hunters use it in shotguns to wound them.
- Iron - They cannot cross an iron line, and can be hurt with an iron rod.
- Exorcism - Removes them from the human host and returns them to Hell.
- Holy Water - Burns them like acid.
- Palo Santo - Burns in a similar way to Holy Water.
- Devil's Trap - A symbol that is marked on the floor or ceiling that can trap a demon within it.
Lucifer
Lucifer is not a demon, but an Archangel, who after his fall created demons. Many demons revere him as their creator.
Unlike demons, who can possess anyone, Lucifer, being an Angel requires the consent of his Vessel.
Demons
The following are demonic characters and types of demons featured on Supernatural.
Alastair
Alastair first appears in pursuit of Anna Milton in 4.09 I Know What You Did Last Summer and 4.10 Heaven And Hell. He reappears in 4.15 Death Takes A Holiday and attempts to break a seal, but is captured by the angels. He is destroyed in 4.16 On The Head Of A Pin.
Alastair is known to be a very powerful demon. He:
- Has white eyes (iris and pupil).
- Is a torturer in Hell.
- Can send angels back to Heaven.
- Is resistant to Ruby's Knife.
- Is resistant to an angel's power of exorcism, as shown when Castiel tries to expel him in 4.10 Heaven And Hell.
While initially immune to Sam's powers, Alastair is eventually killed by them.
Lilith
Lilith is the first demon created by Lucifer. She has white eyes. She is first mentioned in 3.09 Malleus Maleficarum. Her initial onscreen appearance is in 3.12 Jus in Bello. On that occasion, as well as in 3.16 No Rest For The Wicked, Lilith chooses to manifest inside a little girl. In later episodes Lilith does possess adult women. She is extremely powerful among demons, exhibiting both telekinesis and a destructive power that appears as a bright white light. Sam is immune to her powers.
Lilith controls a large number of demons, some of which constitute her 'entourage'. This group includes a 'chef' responsible for supplying Lilith with baby's blood. With the assistance of these demons, Lilith endeavors to free Lucifer by breaking The 66 Seals. Lilith held the contract that sent to Dean to Hell, where he broke the first seal, and she raised the Witnesses, selecting spirits that would attack hunters. Lilith is herself the final seal on Lucifer's Cage; her death at Sam's hand frees Lucifer.
Azazel
Azazel is one of the most powerful demons seen on Supernatural. His presence in an area will be presaged by cattle deaths, electrical storms, temperature fluctuations. It can stop clocks and disrupt electrical devices. His strength and telekinetic ability are profound. He has some distinctive characteristics and abilities that set him apart from common demons:
- Is pyrokinetic (controls fire).
- Is impervious to Holy Water.
- Has yellow eyes (iris and pupil).
- Unaffected by a salt barrier.
- Can possess other supernatural beings such as a Reaper.
- He has the power to cause internal bleeding and grievous wounds with his mind.
Azazel killed Mary Winchester, and made Sam one of his Special Children. It is later revealed that he did this on Lucifer's orders. He discovers the door to Lucifer's Cage in 1972, and after sacrificing a group of nuns is able to speak with Lucifer. The Devil orders him to find "a very special child". Azazel refers to Lucifer as 'father'. He is greatly respected by other demons, and commands multiple demons in his machinations. These subordinate demons include Meg and Tom, who he refers to as his children.
Like Crossroads Demons, Azazel can raise the dead, but only after he has sealed a deal with someone. After Azazel makes an agreement with Mary that would allow him access to baby Sam, he then raises John from the dead. He also saves a dying Dean after making a deal with John.
Azazel arranges for the Devil's Gate to be opened, and is killed by the combined efforts of Sam, Dean, and John's spirit at the site.
Crowley
Crowley is a leader of the Crossroads Demons, and has referred to himself as "king of the crossroads". According to Becky, he is Lilith's right hand demon prior to her death, and takes possession of the Colt from Bela. He keeps the Colt for over a year, and when Sam and Dean track him down to find the weapon in order to kill Lucifer, Crowley gives it to them freely. Crowley believes that once Lucifer succeeds in wiping out the human race, he will then destroy all the demons, who are lesser still than humans. His beliefs are backed up when Lucifer sacrifices several demons to raise the horseman Death saying, "They're just demons."
After giving the weapon to the Winchesters, and following their inability to destroy Lucifer with it, Crowley becomes a target for demon retribution. When he learns that Sam and Dean have another means of stopping the Devil, he decides to help. He leads them to Brady, who gives them the location of Pestilence, and after borrowing Bobby's soul, locates Death.
Ruby
Ruby is a black-eyed demon that makes her first appearance in 3.01 The Magnificent Seven. She saves Sam using a knife that can kill demons. It is revealed that Ruby was a witch that sold her soul during the Middle Ages, and became a demon in hell. She continues to follow and speak to Sam during Season Three, suggesting that she knows how to save Dean from Hell. After Dean's death, Ruby becomes a teacher to Sam, helping to use his powers and providing the demon blood needed to improve them. In the end, Ruby is revealed as a confidant of Lilith and she plays a critical role in the plan to free Lucifer by setting Sam up to break the final seal.
Seven Deadly Sins
In episode 3.01 The Magnificent Seven the Seven Deadly Sins, who were released when the Devil's Gate was opened, possess humans and start killing people. Bodily contact with one of the demons appears to imbue the person touched with the sin the demon represents. Thus a family starve to death in front of a television (Sloth), Isaac drinks drain cleaner (Gluttony), while Pride confronts Sam and Lust tries to seduce Dean.
Envy possesses Walter, who is killed in the process, but is exorcised by Tamara. After Gluttony kills Isaac, his body is possessed by Wrath, but is immobilized by Tamara with a stake of Palo Santo. Sloth is trapped under a Devil's Trap and exorcised by Bobby, while Lust is subdued by Dean with Holy Water. Wrath and Lust are later exorcised by Bobby. Gluttony, Greed, and Pride are killed by Ruby with a demon-killing knife.
Samhain
Samhain is also known as the origin Demon of Halloween. In 4.07 It's The Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester he is summoned and possesses the dead body of a school teacher and witch, Don Harding. His irises turn milky white, but the pupils stay black. Samhain was first exorcised and imprisoned in hell centuries ago. He is later exorcised in 2008 by Sam Winchester.
Mother Of The Anti-Christ
A demon possessed Julia Wright who gave birth to Jesse, a cambion. This particular demon was seen in 5.06 I Believe The Children Are Our Future. Its current status as of now remains unclear; Julia was able to exorcise it from herself.
Crossroads Demons
A Crossroads Demon makes bargains with people, granting a wish in exchange for claiming their life and soul at a later date. Deals are sealed with a kiss. They:
- Have red eyes (all except for a black pupil)
- Have made deals with:
- Robert Johnson in 2.08 Crossroad Blues in 1930
- George Darrow, Sean Boyden, Silvia Growman and Evan Hudson in 1996 in 2.08 Crossroad Blues
- Dean in 2.08 Crossroad Blues and 2.22 All Hell Breaks Loose: Part Two
- Mr. Pendleton in 5.10 Abandon All Hope
In 3.05 Bedtime Stories, Sam summons a demon, hoping to force her to release Dean from his contract with the Colt. She reveals that 'someone higher' than her holds the contract and describes herself as 'a saleswoman'. Sam kills this demon with the Colt, and stabs another that he summons in 4.09 I Know What You Did Last Summer. On this occasion, it is revealed that Crossroads Demons can refuse the offer of a soul if they choose. Higher ranking demons who can also make deals include Crowley, Lilith, and Azazel.
Black-eyed demons
This is the most common type of demon seen on Supernatural, but it is not an homogeneous group. They appear to hold different ranks in demon society and display a range of abilities and powers. They are grouped together because when they possess a human, they can turn the hosts eyes entirely black at will. Most black eyed demons serve a higher ranking demon or entity. Both Lilith and Crowley have black eyed body guards; others serve as members of an entourage, like Lilith's 'personal chef'. They are subject to the typical demon weaknesses - holy water, salt, exorcism, the Colt, Ruby's Knife, and the Devil's Trap. Some of the more powerful black eyed demons, such as Meg, are impervious to hallowed ground:1.21 Salvation
- Pastor Jim: I know what you are. You can’t be here. This is hallowed ground.
- Meg: Please. Maybe that works in the minor leagues, but not with me.
Tammi, the demon in 3.09 Malleus Maleficarum, is one of the strongest black-eyed demons encountered. Like the yellow-eyed Azazel and the white-eyed Lilith, she can pin both Sam and Dean to a wall telekinetically. Tammi also stops a bullet from the Colt in mid-air when Sam tries to shoot her. She provides power to witches in exchange for their souls.
These stronger black-eyed demons often have an advanced knowledge of magic and spells that helps them achieve their goals. Tammi and Ruby both made extensive use of Hex Bags. Meg uses a black altar to control daevas in 1.16 Shadow. Later, while she is possessing Sam in 2.14 Born Under a Bad Sign, she manages to resist exorcism for a time using a binding link with him. Both Meg and Brady communicated via the goblet of blood with the Yellow-Eyed Demon and Pestilence respectively.
As with most demons, their appearance can be accompanied or presaged by odd weather phenomena and electrical interference, as well as the presence of sulfur. In 1.04 Phantom Traveler, a demon is also associated with EVP.
Examples of Black-eyed demons
- Airplane Demon from 1.04 Phantom Traveler
- Meg!Demon (possesses Meg Masters and Sam)
- Ruby
- Tom
- Trucker
- Duane Tanner
- Seven Deadly Sins
- Casey
- Father Gil
- Tammi
- Lilith’s Chef (possesses Cindy McClellan)
- Brady
Acheri Demon
Ava can summon Acheris. Ava uses the Acheri Demons against the other Special Children. Sam says they are demons that manifest as children. He dispels it using an iron rod. It cannot cross a salt barrier.2.21 All Hell Breaks Loose: Part One
