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"The Sorrowful" or "Weeper", Astarael's tone is described as being low pitched and mournful. The name of this bell might have been derived from the name of the Judeo-Christian angel of death, Azrael (lit. "Help of God"), or perhaps from the Hebrew הֶסתֶר (Hester) by way of the derived name Esther, with the name then meaning something like "God's Hiddenness/Secret".

Astarael is the most powerful and largest bell which will throw everyone who hears it, including the ringer, deep into Death. If rung properly with another bell, however, Astarael may not be deadly. At the second binding of Orannis, it was rung by Abhorsen-in-Waiting and Remembrancer Lirael.

The spirit of Astarael is mentioned when the Abhorsen-in-Waiting Lirael and Prince Sameth encounter it under the rose garden in the book 'Abhorsen.' The Disreputable Dog and the Mogget encounter the spirit as well but became unbound, as Astarael is forever cursed that her knowing self be outside what she created (i.e. the Charter). Astarael has a distinctive scent, consisting of overpowering Rosemary and undertones of Amaranth:

"It's rosemary," said the Dog shortly. "And there is amaranth, too, though you probably cannot smell it."

"Fidelity in love," said a small voice from Sam's backpack. "With the flower that never fades. And you still say she is not there?"

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