Deadly Deals with Demons: Three Haunting Historical Stories

Throughout history, there have been stories of people who made dangerous deals with demons—trading their souls for power, knowledge, or other desires. These stories often warn us about the consequences of letting ambition and fear guide our choices. In this article, we’ll dive into three chilling stories from history: The Witch of Berkeley, the legendary Faust, and Urbain Grandier. Each one involves a deal with the devil or demons, and each ends in disaster. Let’s see what happens when people step too far into the world of the supernatural.

The Witch of Berkeley: A Desperate Bargain

The first tale takes us back to medieval England, a time when people believed strongly in the supernatural and the power of the church. This is the story of the Witch of Berkeley, a woman who lived a life of wealth and influence, but not through honest means. She had used mysterious, and likely sinful, methods to gain her power.

As she grew older and closer to death, fear began to take over her. She feared what might happen to her soul after death. The idea of hell terrified her, and she desperately wanted to avoid the punishment she thought she deserved. She tried to make a plan to escape the devil’s grasp.

In her final days, she begged her children to help her prepare to keep her soul safe from demonic punishment. She asked for her body to be placed in a lead-lined coffin, wrapped in animal hides, and chained up tightly. The coffin would need to be placed inside the church itself for three days before burial, as she believed the sacred building would protect her.

Unfortunately, her plan didn’t work. Three days after her death, a violent storm hit the churchyard. Demons broke into the church, ripped open the woman’s coffin, and dragged her body away. Her coffin was found destroyed, with broken chains scattered around, and it was believed that her soul had been taken into darkness.

The story of the Witch of Berkeley isn’t just a spooky tale—it’s a warning. In medieval times, stories like this taught people about the consequences of sin and what could happen if you tried to escape your past. The Witch of Berkeley’s fate shows that no amount of preparation could save her from the consequences of a life filled with wrong choices.

Faust’s Deal: A Scholar’s Tragic Bargain

During the Renaissance, a time of discovery and curiosity, the legend of Faust was born. This was an era when people were hungry for knowledge and eager to understand the world. Faust’s story is about ambition taken too far—a man so desperate for power and control that he made a dangerous deal with a demon.

Faust was a brilliant scholar who had studied everything from medicine to alchemy, yet none of it satisfied him. He craved more—more knowledge, more power, and more control over his fate. In his desperation, he summoned Mephistopheles, a clever and manipulative demon who preyed on human desires.

Mephistopheles was no ordinary demon. He was charming and sly, with a love for leading people astray. He promised Faust everything he wanted—unlimited knowledge, wealth, fame, and pleasure—but at a terrible cost: Faust’s soul.

For 24 years, Faust lived a life of accomplished learning, luxury and indulgence. Thanks to Mephistopheles, his wishes came true, though often with dark twists that left him uneasy. The demon’s sharp wit and mocking reminders kept Faust aware that time was running out. At first, Faust reveled in his newfound power, but as the years passed, he began to feel empty. The things he thought would bring him happiness only deepened his despair.

When the end of his 24 years approached, Faust was filled with regret. He realized that his ambition had cost him his soul, and there was no escape from the deal he had made. In many versions of the story, Faust is dragged to hell, his cries echoing as he faces the consequences of his greed. Mephistopheles watches with triumph, having played his role perfectly.

However, in some versions, Faust repents at the last moment. His genuine regret and plea for forgiveness save him from damnation, leaving Mephistopheles bitter and defeated.

The story of Faust remains powerful because it speaks to a universal truth: ambition can consume us if left unchecked. It forces us to think about the sacrifices we make to achieve our goals and whether those sacrifices are worth it. Faust’s tale warns us that even the most tempting offers can lead to ruin, while Mephistopheles reminds us that danger often wears a mask of charm and intellect.

Urbain Grandier: The Priest, the Possession, and the Hysteria

Our final story takes us to 17th-century France, to a small town called Loudun. Unlike the previous two tales, which exist as myths, this story is a documented historical event. Here, a priest named Urbain Grandier found himself caught up in a terrible scandal. Grandier was a handsome, intelligent, and well-liked man, but he had made many enemies in the church and among local politicians. These enemies would play a major role in his downfall.

The trouble began when a group of nuns in Loudun started acting strangely. They claimed to be possessed by demons and accused Grandier of being responsible for their torment. The nuns said that he had made a pact with the devil and sent demons to possess them. The people of the town were shocked by the accusations, but they quickly began to believe the nuns’ claims. Soon, the whole town was caught up in the hysteria.

Exorcisms were performed to try to rid the nuns of the demons. During these exorcisms, the priests claimed to have discovered the names of the demons possessing the nuns. They said the demons included Asmodeus (a demon of lust), Behemoth (a demon of chaos), and Astaroth (a demon of betrayal). These names were meant to make the situation even more terrifying.

Despite the accusations, Grandier denied that he had anything to do with witchcraft or possession. However, the town’s leaders and church officials had already made up their minds. Grandier was tried, found guilty of witchcraft, and sentenced to death. He was burned at the stake, even though there was little solid evidence against him. Many believe his execution was more about politics and personal rivalries than about the supernatural claims against him.

The story of Urbain Grandier serves as a powerful warning about the dangers of fear, hysteria, and false accusations. It shows how fear of the unknown can easily spiral out of control, and how powerful people can use fear to destroy someone they see as a threat. Whether or not Grandier was guilty of any crimes, his death is a tragic reminder of how easily justice can be manipulated when people are driven by fear and hatred.

The Dangers of Making Deals with Demons

These three stories all share a simple but powerful lesson: making deals with dark forces always ends badly. Each tale shows someone trying to gain something valuable—whether it’s escaping punishment, gaining power, or protecting themselves—but they all pay a heavy price in the end.

The Witch of Berkeley tried to cheat her way out of punishment, but her careful plans couldn’t save her. Faust’s deal for knowledge and power only left him full of regret and despair. Urbain Grandier, trapped by lies and hysteria, was destroyed by forces beyond his control. Each of them underestimated the dangers of meddling with powers they didn’t understand, letting their desires or fears lead them astray.

These stories warn us to be careful what we wish for. They show that ambition, fear, or greed can blind us to the risks of giving in to temptation. No matter how clever or prepared we think we are, some forces can’t be controlled, and every choice has consequences. These timeless legends remind us to think twice before letting our desires lead us down a dangerous path.

If this caught your attention, you’ll love exploring our two fascinating collections of demonic sigils from the Ars Goetia, a section of the 17th-century grimoire The Lesser Key of Solomon (also called the Lemegeton). One collection presents the sigils in their original, untouched forms, while the other features Aleister Crowley’s 1904 interpretation, complete with ornate circular borders. Dive into the mysterious world of demonology and discover these iconic symbols in both their historical and reimagined glory!