(two portraits of the demon Lucifuge Rofocale from occult grimoires)
Despite the similarity of names, Lucifuge is distinctly inferior in rank to Lucifer, the lord of hell. S. L. MacGregor Mathers ranked Lucifuge as the archdemon of Binah, the third sphere on the Kabbalistic Tree of the Sephiroth (see The Kabbalah Unveiled, plate IV). This is perhaps a higher standing than this demon merits.
Under his extended title Lucifuge Rofocale this demon figures prominently in the Grand Grimoire, where a black pack is described between the magician and the demon. The final part of the declaration by the demon to the magician gives a clear indication of the character of the transaction:
"I also approve thy Book, and I give thee my true signature on parchment, which thou shalt affix at its end, to make use of at thy need. Further, I place myself at thy disposition, to appear before thee at thy call when, being purified, and holding the dreadful Blasting Rod, thou shalt open the Book, having described the Kabalistic circle and pronounced the word Rofocale. I promise thee to have friendly commerce with those who are fortified by the possession of the said Book, where my true signature stands, provided that they invoke me according to rule, on the first occassion that they require me. I also engage to deliver thee the treasure which thou seekest, on condition that thou keepest the secret for ever inviolable, act cheritable to the poor and dost give me a gold or silver coin on the first day of every month. If thou failest, thou art mine everlastingly." -- LUCIFUGE ROFOCALE
One cannot help getting the impression that Lucifuge Rofocale went to law school at some period during his career. Woe to the magician if he should ever become poor after sealing this pack with the demon. The failure to yield up a gold or silver coin at the beginning of every month results in everlasting damnation. The magician is counting on the demon delivering the promised treasure, so that he will have a supply of this tribute thereafter, but if the demon delays the delivery of the treasure, the magician may find himself in a difficult position.
A common feature of black pacts was the book of spirits signed by the demon or demons involved. They did not actually sign the book, of course, but merely revealed their unique seals and signatures so that the magician could sign for them. Sometimes this occurred while the magician was possessed by the demon, so that afterwards the magician did not realize that he himself had made the signature in the book. The blasting rod referred to is the magic wand. The Kabbalistic circle is the ritual circle of evocation. The word "Rofocale" is the word of power by which the demon is summoned.
A version of the striking portrait of Lucifuge Rofocale shown at the top of this page was linked by A. E. Waite to the Olympic spirit of Sunday, Och -- see Waite's Book of Ceremonial Magic, plate 2, page 37.
(demon Lucifuge Rofocale as pictured in the Grand Grimoire)