Naamah’s origins are obscure. Scholars do not agree as to the manner in which She first appears within mythology nor is it clear as to exactly how She became identified as a Demoness of sacred prostitution. The Zohar depicts Naamah as a fallen angel and one of the four brides of Samael alongside Lilith, Eisheth Zenunim and Agerath bat Machaloth. Within Zoharistic tradition, Naamah and Her sister Demoness, Lilith, were alleged to have visited Adam in the form of succubi—mating with him and bearing vast numbers of Demonic offspring. One such legend suggests that the Demon Prince, Asmodeus, was the product of the lovemaking between Naamah and Adam. Another telling of the story of Asmodeus’ birth implies that Agerath bat Machaloth, not Naamah, was the mother of the Demon whose father was King David.
Kabbalistically, Naamah’s role is very pronounced—at least within the context of the Qliphoth. She is aligned with the direction of Northwest, associated with Abaddon, and is depicted as a crouching woman with an animal’s body, eating earth as She crawls along the ground. Although this depiction may seem strange, it is rather fitting considering that Naamah is considered amongst most Demonolators to be a goddess of the earth. This consideration is further supported by the fact that Kabbalistically She is given rulership of the tenth anti-Sephirah of Malkuth (known upon the Tree of Life as “Kingdom” and associated with the Earth), known Qliphothically as “Lilith” but not to confused with the goddess, Lilith. Naamah also serves as a gatekeeper and psychopomp, meeting and guiding departed souls as they pass from their incarnate existence into the discarnate realm of Spirit. She exudes love and reassurance as She escorts each soul through the gate and beyond the Shadow of Death to the Otherworlds which lie in wait. She can serve as a spiritual gatekeeper as well—acting as a bridge between the unseen realms and the causal and safely communicating messages to the individual from the Otherworlds and the hereafter. She is also a Matron goddess of the creatures within the natural world, bringing healing and renewed life to all plants and animals in peril. She resides within a lush and fertile nocturnal garden filled with strange yet beautiful flora.
In addition to Her rulership of the tenth Sephirothic and anti-Sephirothic spheres of Malkuth and Lilith, Naamah is also aligned with the 31st Path known as Sekhel Temidi or the Path of Perpetual Intelligence upon the Tree of Life and the Element of Fire, indicating Her association with sexuality and passion. Naamah’s nature may thus be seen as primarily aligned with Earth, but secondarily incorporating aspects of both Fire and Water. Naamah is perhaps the most nurturing of the Four Queens and is ever-eager to provide comfort and reassurance to Her children. Thus I attribute to Her nature the Element of Earth as the primary Element and the Element of Water as the secondary Element—acknowledging the role of Fire within Her nature as a goddess of passionate love. Naamah also offers serenity to those who are troubled by worry and indecision. She helps us to slow down and examine the obstacles before us, reminding us of our strengths and abilities to solve all of life’s problems by having faith in our own Selves. She helps us to recognise those things in our lives which are detrimental to our wellbeing as well as those which benefit us or will do so in the future.
Naamah has long enjoyed a reputation as one of the most sensual and virtuous Demonesses of sacred sexuality. She has even been depicted within fictional literary works such as the novel Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey as a gracious divine mother goddess, inspiring within Her children passion, desire and an appreciation of sexual pleasure. This portrayal of Naamah is rather accurate as She is a goddess to whom all matters of human sexuality are sacred gifts. One is reminded of the line delivered by the Great Goddess of Wicca in which She says “all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals”. This is perhaps a perfect sentiment for Naamah. Those who seek Her mysteries should bear in mind that to appreciate the joys of the flesh is to pay homage to Naamah.
Primary Name: Naamah
Other Names: Na’amah, Nahemah, Maamah, Nahemoth
Mythological Source(s): Kabbalistic and Occult Traditions
Title: Demon Queen, Bride of Samael, Queen of the Earth
Role: One of the Four Demon Queens, Demoness of Sacred Sexuality, Protector of Women and Children, Goddess of Love
Sacred Animals: Bull, serpent, dog, lamb, owl, goat, sow, dove, rhinoceros
Mythical Beings: Gnomes, dwarves, elves, gorgons, minotaurs, succubi
Zodiacal Sign(s): All Earth Signs, especially Taurus
Planet(s): Earth, Venus
Element(s): Earth (Primary), Water (Secondary), Fire
Direction: Northwest (Kabbalistic), North (Traditional), East (Biblical), South (Agrippa)
Colours: Black and yellow
Soul Part: Guph (The Physical Body)
Sense: Touch
Musical Key: F
Kabbalistic World: Assiah
Kabbalistic Hell: None
Kabbalistic Palace of Hell: The Seventh Palace
Tree of Life Attributions: Malkuth
Qliphothic Habitation: Lilith (Queen of the Night)
Associated Demons: Lilitu
Vowel: A
Sounds: k, kh, g, gh
Environment: Geosphere
Season: Winter
Magickal Words: Psychompoiaps, Demogened, Zenobiothiz, Nerxiarxin
Consort: Samael
Children: Asmodeus (Speculative)
Parentage: Unknown (perhaps Rahab)
Trees: Oak
Herbs: Lily, olive, wheat, peach, fig, vervain, mallow, almond, honeysuckle, lemon, coriander, watercress, spinach, fuchsia, clover, mistletoe, iris, hyacinth, lilac, cherry, myrtle, daisy, pansy, periwinkle, apple, rose, thyme, verbena, corn, ivy, willow, cereals, oak
Stones: Quartz crystal, sapphire, garnet, carnelian
Incense: Dittany of Crete, storax, black copal, vertivert, sandalwood, musk, patchouli, oak moss, rose, myrrh, ambergris, benzoin, clover
Metals and Minerals: Bismuth, copper, red brass, green lapis, pearl, coral, glass
Tarot Cards: The Empress (Planetary), The Hierophant (Zodiacal), Judgment (Kabbalistic), the four Princesses, Pentacles, Queen of Pentacles
Ailments: Mental illness, bowel complaints, joints and bone disorders and injuries, reproductive difficulties and disorders, menstrual pain, sexual dysfunction, growth problems, hormonal disorders, throat and neck conditions and injuries, lethargy, sexually-transmitted diseases, stomach and digestive complaints, cancer, numbness, diarrhoea, constipation
Bodily Government: Excretory system, skeletal system, reproductive organs (especially the female reproductive system), throat and neck, tissues
Sins: Lust
Vices: Inertia, hypersexuality, gullibility, self-undoing
Virtues: Discrimination, scepticism, self-control
Holy Days: May 14 (Zodiacal), April 30 (Walpurgis Nacht/Beltane – Northern Hemisphere)
Time of Day: Midnight
Chemical Element: Sulphur, Antimony
Alchemical Process: Congelation
Symbolism: Circle, Alchemical glyph for Salt, inverted triangle, equal-armed cross, key, cube
Chakra: Root
Ritual Tools: Magickal circle, salt, altar, chalk, wax, lectern
Drugs: Hashish, aphrodisiacs
Powers and rulership: Love, sacred sexuality, lust and desire, comfort, healing, nurturing, safety, relationships, protection and wellness for animals and vegetation, comfort for the dying and departed souls, healing, introspection, reassurance, discernment, serenity, logically solving problems and dilemmas, soothing anxieties, self-confidence, willpower, altered states of consciousness, earth magick, geomancy, talismans, alchemy, physical strength, love magick, sex magick, knowledge of the afterlife, communication with the deceased, necromancy