Glossary - exWitch Australia (formerly 'Born Again Pagan')

PAZUZU (aka P'azuzu)

An Old Mesopotamian Demons that appears variously in Assyrian, Sumerian and Babylonian lore and is often depicted with four wings and a fearful countenance, with a scorpion's tale and rotting genetalia.

In Babylonian Demonology, Pazuzu is the son of Hanpa, father or brother of Humwawa. He is the Lord of the evil spirits of the air. Pazuzu, "Lord of the wind Demons," spreads fever and cold and horrible diseases. Loosely, he might be described as a "Bringer of Plague."

There are a vast variety of charms and spells to ward off Pazuzu's influence, and he himself has been called upon and made offerings to in order to ward off his influence and that of other devils. Pazuzu was used on amulets to banish the baby killing Lamaschtu. He is also called upon to aid in curses, particularly by modern Chaos Magicians.

PLEASE NOTE:
One of the major problems with 'defining' Paganism and/or its beliefs and practices is that it is an 'organic' movement, in that it is undergoing constant change and re-evaluation from within, and as such any 'one-size-fits-all' approach to understanding Paganism will be found wanting.

Due to the very 'organic' nature of Paganism, and the many differing Paths and Traditions within it, in many cases no one definition may be universally accepted by all Pagans. Therefore, where such cases of possible conflicting and/or contradictory meanings of certain terms occur I have endevoured to give not only the generally accepted meaning, but also any major 'variations' in belief and/or practice.

Christians who believe this difference in meaning of certain key terms, beliefs and practices to be unique to Paganism need to remember that such conflicts also arise within the Body of Christ - the Church. Take for instance the differing practices amongst Christians concerning Baptism and the different attitudes towards women in the clergy.

- Jean-Luc