Azazel is a demonic figure in Jewish legends who is associated with the ancient rite of Yom Kippur. During the ritual, a scapegoat was chosen and designated as "for Azazel," while another was chosen "for the Lord." The high priest symbolically transferred the sins of the Jewish people to the scapegoat designated for Azazel, which was then driven into the wilderness and cast over a precipice to its death. Azazel was seen as a personification of uncleanness, and later rabbinic writings sometimes portrayed him as a fallen angel.

The Apocalypse of Abraham, a Jewish pseudepigraphon, depicts the fallen angel Azazel as possessing special powers and an enigmatic "heaviness" against those who answer him. The text exhibits a dualistic view of the world, where good and evil realms are depicted as mirroring each other. The book's depictions of Azazel include his appearance under the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, where he feeds the intertwined protoplasts and possibly fashions his own presence in a dualistic correlation with the divine theophany.

In the ancient Jewish ritual of Yom Kippur, Azazel is seen as a demonic entity who presides over the wilderness and is the target of an elimination ritual performed to ward off impurity and effect atonement. The figure of Azazel has been interpreted differently in different texts and traditions. In the Book of Enoch, he is one of the fallen angels who teaches people metallurgy, jewelry, and make-up, leading to the world's corruption. In the Testament of Solomon, he is seen as a positive figure who can protect one from harm. The name Azazel has been used in Greek Hellenistic and late antique magic traditions, where its variability made it a perfect nomen magicum.

The figure of Azazel has also been interpreted in various ways in modern popular culture. In popular media, he is often portrayed as a demonic or evil entity, associated with themes of temptation, corruption, and rebellion. He is frequently depicted as a powerful and charismatic being, with some media portraying him as a seductive or alluring figure who tempts humans with promises of power or knowledge.

In some modern interpretations, Azazel is also seen as a symbol of individualism and non-conformity, representing the importance of standing up for oneself and pursuing one's own path in life. This interpretation often draws on the rebellious and questioning nature of Azazel's story, emphasizing his rejection of authority and his desire for freedom.

In conclusion, the figure of Azazel has played a significant role in Jewish and Christian literature, as well as in popular culture. He has been interpreted in various ways throughout history, with some traditions portraying him as a fallen angel responsible for teaching humans the arts of war and corruption, while others see him as a symbol of rebellion, individualism, and questioning authority. The complex and multifaceted nature of Azazel's character continues to fascinate and inspire modern-day practitioners, who explore his themes and symbolism in a variety of spiritual and philosophical contexts.