Caim in bird form as depicted in Collin de Plancy's Dictionnaire Infernal, 1863 edition.
camio seal
Camio (Also called Caim, Caym) is a Gaelic rendering of biblical 'Cain', who appears in a variation of the fantastical pedigree of Dardanus of Troy that is spun out in Lebor Bretnach, the Middle Irish language recension of the compilation called Historia Brittonum, known in the 9th century version by Nennius. The Lebor Bretnach, greatly modifies the genealogy given in Nennius, making emendations to earlier sources and tracing the line through Ham rather than Japheth with further spurious names:
- Dardain m. Ioib m. Sadoirn m. Peil m. Palloir m. Zorastres m. Mesraim m. Caim.
In the predominantly Welsh-speaking regions of Wales (Gwynedd, Dyfed and Ynys Mon), Cain, Caio, Caim and Cail are commonplace first names for males. These names are derivatives of an ancient Welsh name "Cai" which is recorded in the book of Welsh folklore called the Mabinogion.
Etymology[]
Camio is considered as a Gaelic rendering of biblical 'Cain', who appears in a variation of the fantastical pedigree of Dardanus that is spun out in Lebor Bretnach, the Middle Irish language recension of the compilation called Historia Brittonum (known in the 9th century version by Nennius). Some demonologists link it to a supposed Latin word 'Chamos', 'Chamus', said to be a name given to Baal Peor, and possibly corrupted from Hebrew 'Chium', an epithet given to several Assyrian and Babylonian gods. Epigraphy does not confirm this etymology. It could also be the demonization of a protective spirit (Mabinogi) in pre-Christian Celtic culture of Wales, Scotland and Ireland. In Wales, Caim became and continues to be to this day a commonplace first name for males which means "amddiffynydd" (Welsh for protector)
Rank[]
Camio appears in Ars Goetia, the first part of Lesser Key of Solomon as a Great President of Jinnestan, ruling over thirty legions of demons.
Appearance[]
Camio appears in the form of the black bird called a thrush, but soon he changes his shape into a man that has a sharp sword in his hand. When answering questions he seems to stand on burning ashes or coals. Other authors consider Camio a 'Prince' of Jinnestan instead and depict him as a man wearing rich and elegant clothes, and the head and wings of a blackbird.
Powers[]
He is a good disputer and grants the magician the power of eloquent verbal debate and persuasive argument. Camio also gives men the understanding of the voices of birds, bullocks, dogs, and other creatures, and of the noise of the waters too, and gives true answers concerning things to come.