Excerpt from Dr. Spriggan’s book “Faustian Friendships: The Lure of the Deal.”
Several legends, myths and fables focus primarily on a character purposely seeking out or approaching a vile being (usually a personification of Satan) despite knowing on a primal level to avoid them. This has always intrigued me, because throughout the study of the paranormal and supernatural, usually most are afflicted with the presence of the otherworldly. Be it a haunting of a ghost, the mischief of a gremlin, or the curse of a mummy, the majority of the stories are of unfortunate souls unwillingly plagued by the supernatural.
The stories where it is man or mortal seeking the supernatural are much more sinister in my opinion. Perhaps it’s the thought of someone actually willing to make a deal with a creature of unholy origin that makes these stories so chilling. It does brush the grounds of taboo, focusing on individuals searching for demons to further their own ends…a sort of perversion and betrayal of humanity, of one actually inviting in the evil.
The Devil and Tom Walker, The Picture of Dorian Gray and the play of Dr. Faustus are grand examples of those who sold their souls in exchange for power and knowledge. Yet these exchanges are always driven by greed, fear, or desire. Why is it that we never read of someone who would sell their soul to save a loved one? Or perhaps a bargain struck to avert disaster on a global scale? Why must it be greed and not compassion that fuels these diabolical meetings?
Perhaps that’s just it. If one would meet with the incarnate of wickedness out of compassion, the deal would not be struck because wickedness begets wickedness. While there are many philosophical debates on this subject, one must remember the true message: When shaking hands with the devil, expect to be burned.