Cuneiform, The Mystery of Ancient Tablets

In the darkest corners of human history, where time and oblivion intertwine, lies a writing system that has fascinated scholars, occultists, and seekers of the arcane: cuneiform writing. This ancient method of communication, used by Mesopotamian civilizations, was not just a tool for recording transactions and laws but is also believed to have been a bridge to the divine and the infernal. 

In the depths of esoteric circles, where the darkest secrets are still jealously guarded, rumours circulate that cuneiform was the language used by demons to communicate with humans, and that even today, those who master its use can invoke forces that defy human comprehension.  

Well, the rumour is true. 

Cuneiform writing, whose name comes from the Latin "cuneus" was developed by the Sumerians around 3200 BC in the region of Mesopotamia, now Iraq. Initially, it was used to record commercial and administrative transactions, but over time it evolved to include literature, mythology, and religious rituals. One famous set of cuneiform texts is the Maqlû series, a set of incantations intended to combat witches and curses.

The rituals inscribed in cuneiform aimed to maintain order in a world constantly threatened by spiritual turmoil. These incantations and texts provide us with more evidence of humanity’s desire to control forces beyond its understanding. 

Demons and Cuneiform

Cuneiform is the first language used to record knowledge about demons. Indeed, it's the first language that demons and humans shared, making it sacred and somehow official to us. 

Cuneiform texts, particularly from Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians, contain some of the earliest recorded references to demons. These ancient civilisations believed in a world full of spiritual beings - benevolent (Šedu), malevolent (Alû) or neutral (Udug). 

Cuneiform Incantations were performed by priests (šipu) or healers (asû) and used for various purposes, including but not limited to:

• Healing Rituals: To cure diseases believed to be caused by lower spirits or curses.

• Exorcisms: To drive out evil entities from a person or place.

• Protection Spells: To safeguard homes, temples, or individuals from supernatural harm. 

• Summoning and Binding Spirits: Some texts contain specific instructions for invoking and controlling spirits.

• Divination and Omens: Many incantations were used alongside rituals to predict the future or understand deeply divine messages.

Cuneiform incantation tablets are among the oldest surviving magical texts, revealing a deep belief in supernatural forces. These texts are impressive and sophisticated and reveal a complex demonology knowledge that influenced later religions including -surprise, surprise- Jewish, Christian, and Islamic beliefs about demons. 

But early Sumerian cuneiform left out a lot unwritten...

Mesopotamia, The Exorcist and Pazuzu

Remember the film? Who doesn't. 

The Exorcist (1973), directed by William Friedkin and based on the novel by William Peter Blatty, is one of the most iconic horror films in cinema's history.

While there isn’t a direct, explicit link between cuneiform and the exorcism as portrayed in The Exorcist, there are symbolic and historical connections that can be drawn between ancient demonology, cuneiform, and the themes explored in exorcism rituals.

The demon defamed in the film is Pazuzu, a powerful and unsettling entity from Mesopotamia. In ancient Mesopotamian belief, he was called upon for protection. You won't find Pazuzu among the standard list of spirits in grimoires as you won't find Lilith either.

To us, Pazuzu is a high-rank demon, but we rarely work with him. Respectfully, he can unpredictable because of his dual nature, and we prefer to left him unbothered unless necessary. Do you disturb your boss with random questions? Well, this is the same.

In difficult times, Pazuzu was evoked in rituals either to appease him or ask for his mercy. Pazuzu was known as the King of the Lilu Winds, meaning he had dominion over the forces of the air, and his role in these matters was not taken lightly. However, we also know that amulets and figurines bearing Pazuzu's alleged image were placed in homes, especially for pregnant women and newborns.

In The Exorcist, Pazuzu is presented as a purely evil entity, the demonic force that possesses the young girl Regan. But there is no clear evidence that Mesopotamians believed Pazuzu could possess people. 

I heard a few times that there's theories that suggest Pazuzu wasn't actually the demon possessing Regan, but Lamashtu, his rival entity associated with nightmares, disease, and the killing of infants. 

For sure, there is a lot of confusion around the demon in the film. Were the creators trolling us? Pazuzu and Lamashtu could be the same? 

William Peter Blatty, the writer of the book that later inspired the film's adaptation, chose the ancient and forgotten demon and made Pazuzu widely known in modern culture with a terrifying twist. Were you under the impression that Pazuzu was made up and designed entirely for the movie and not based on anything real? Wrong. As I explained in this article, writers and film creators do their research just in case, but to a degree, knowing that any entity will look the part. 

In order to give his fictional exorcism a deeper historical context, the author researched ancient mythologies, particularly those of Mesopotamian culture. The possession itself reflects Mesopotamian beliefs about spirits entering human's body to cause illness, madness, and eventually death, portraying it through a Roman Catholic context. The use of an ancient, exotic and forgotten demon added mystery and accuracy. Blatty found the concept of Pazuzu’s nature to be fitting for his story. After that, it's fair game. Everything is permitted. 

That's why the fan theories perplex me. Of course Pazuzu protects kids and he wasn't actually the most accurate option for the film. But who cares, from the creator's point of view? The Exorcist is intended to be a Christian film that ultimately reinforces its dogmas of faith and sacrifice, and the power of God over evil. The doubting priest struggles with his faith but ultimately sacrifices himself to defeat Pazuzu, mirroring a Christ-like redemption.

To Friedkin and Blatty, I don't think the demon actually mattered all that much. 

Final Disappearance of Cuneiform

The rise of alphabetic writing pushed cuneiform into obscurity. Although fascinating, we must admit that cuneiform was too complex to survive: for example, often didn't distinguish between first and second person and it had hundreds of symbols representing syllables and words, making it extremely difficult to learn and use.

Cuneiform became obsolete as well because of the shift to papyrus and parchment. Cuneiform was written on clay tablets, which were durable -for posterity's sake- but bulky and impractical for large-scale writing. The writing was mostly used by priests, scholars, and temple scribes, but the vast majority of it was intended to be ephemeral. Papyrus and parchment were lighter, easier to store, and much more efficient. 

By 100 CE, cuneiform was completely forgotten and remained officially forgotten until the 19th century, when secret societies deciphered it. However, rest assured, some fragmented knowledge survived in esoteric traditions, religious texts, and secret teachings. Devoted occultists kept cuneiform teachings recorded and alive.

While cuneiform writing itself was lost, the Mesopotamian magical ideas and demonology survived.