Incubus and Sucubus mythology
The details of incubus / succubus attacks range from mild to horrible. Victims generally claim to feel the presence of some entity above them, making it difficult to breathe. In extreme cases, the individual may feel asphyxiated … even strangled. Other people claim to have seen hideous images, including black shapes, snakes, demonic shapes, and even the smiling, malevolent face of the incubus / succubus. There have been reports of heavy pressure on the chest, the sensation of biting the teeth, or painfully crooked limbs. People have said that their eyes were open during the attack, but that they could do nothing except darkness … unable to gasp or scream, unable to breathe, feel or hear anything. The details of not being able to move and being dragged into bed make reading uncomfortable, but not nearly as terrible as mental anguish. Some people report feeling an evil presence (or even presences) and feeling imminent death. Imagine not being able to see who or what is attacking you. Or in the worst case scenario, breathing fresh air into your lungs after an attack, relieved that your ‘nightmare’ is over … only for the attack to begin again, worse this time because you are awake and more aware. of presence.
The male version of this demon is the incubus, and while he drains a woman of her own strength, he has an even more sinister agenda. It is supposed to mate with its victim to produce more incubi. The result of this supernatural union is known as a cambion, and when the child is born it appears to be stillborn because it does not show any obvious signs of life. Their eyes can blink and their limbs can move; He can even speak, but he has no pulse and his breathing is invisible. Around the age of seven, the child will begin to behave like a normal human child, but there are big differences. A truck is not only very beautiful; he often displays an evil character bestowed on him by the demonic father. He is also highly intelligent and capable of persuading even the most determined human to carry out his wishes. Merlin, the wizard of the classic King Arthur legends, was supposedly the product of an incubus and a mortal woman, and some legends claim that Merlin’s mother was actually a nun.
At one point there was a concern regarding the gender of the incubi and succubi – it was claimed that they were actually a demonic entity with the ability to change their sex depending on the gender of their victim. He would transform into an incubus after being with a man, and use the seed he had collected on the female victim. If the woman conceived, the result would still be a change, because although the child’s genetic origin was human, demonic intervention guaranteed paranormal development.
Stories about Incubus / Succubus demons have been told throughout history and around the world. Here is a selection of some of the more well-known characters:
Jewish folklore tells of Lilu, an incubus who visits women while they sleep. His female counterpart is Lilin. These demons were a particular source of anxiety for mothers because they were known to kidnap children. Ardat Lili was another succubus who visited men at night to ensure the continuation of her demon race. The incubus was Irdu Lili, who visited human women to ensure that they produced their offspring.
El Trauco is a mythical dwarf residing on the Chilean island of Chiloé, who despite his horrible appearance has the ability to seduce women. His piercing gaze is feared by male islanders because it has the ability to kill. However, there have been times when a strong-willed man has been able to enlist the services of El Trauco for a year, simply by first fixing his own gaze on this incubus. However, these stories are rare because El Trauco can sense the human presence long before the person is seen. His magnetism is so powerful that some selected women (usually sleeping) will instantly fall in love with him, helped by the fact that he disguises himself as a wealthy landowner or even a priest.
El Trauco’s wife is the equally terrible La Fiura, an incredibly ugly and shameless little woman who will cast a sickness spell on anyone who rejects her advances. His breath is so disgusting that it will scar a human and render animals lame. Despite this, she is an irresistible temptress who, after using her victims, will drive them crazy.
Encantado is a Brazilian shapeshifter who spends his days as a Boto dolphin frolicking in the Amazon River. At night he takes the appearance of a handsome young man who seduces young girls. He always wears a hat, because his head retains a prominent dolphin appearance when in human form. Enchanted is very fond of parties and music and, despite coming from a utopian world, yearns for the pleasures and hardships of human life. Enchanted can also cast a spell on a person to make them do his bidding or turn someone into an Enchanted. In their most extreme form, they can inflict disease, insanity, or death on their victims. Fortunately for these freshwater dolphins (yes, they do exist) it is considered bad luck to kill a Boto. And don’t make eye contact with one, or you’ll suffer nightmares for the rest of your life.
Zanizibar, an island off the coast of the African country of Tanzania, is the abode of choice for Popo Bawa, an incubus who selects male victims. His name means “bat wing” and refers to his shadow rather than his physical appearance, which varies thanks to Popo Bawa’s shapeshifting powers. During the daylight hours he looks like an ordinary human being, but at night he transforms into a shadowy ghostly figure with a hideous odor. It makes itself known by clawing at ceilings and windows with long claws. He also threatens his victims with more prolonged and ferocious assaults if they dare to tell someone that Popo Bawa has decided to visit them. However, it is claimed that he gets angry if someone denies his existence.
Liderc from Hungary is born from the first egg of a black hen and is sometimes called a “miracle hen”. Liderc flies through the night skies like a blazing light, spreading flames over the land below. Upon landing, it will shapeshift into a human and access houses through locks and chimneys, visible to its victims as a dead relative or loved one. He brings illness and death to his victims, in addition to making the house very dirty before leaving. Birch branches and burning incense can prevent Liderc from entering the house, but some claim that he is very fast and hides in cemeteries. Another story claims that Liderc attaches himself to a victim, reshaping into an incubus or succubus depending on the victim’s gender. In a twist on vampire legend, he can drink his host’s blood, weakening and tiring the victim. This Leader likes to accumulate gold, so his human companion becomes rich. This creature can be exorcised by sealing it inside a tree hole or by persuading it to perform a difficult task, such as carrying water with a strainer or moving sand with a rope. A second version of the Liderc is much smaller and lives in boxes, pockets of discarded clothes, between rags or in glass bottles. Once again, the human will become rich, and may even encounter mystical powers … but in exchange for his soul.
The “Hexanhammer” is a book written during the 15th century. Also known by its Latin name Malleus Maleficarum or “The Hammer of the Witches”, it contains information related to witchcraft and includes a section on the five methods used to stop the attacks of a succubus or incubus:
Exorcism – An ancient and very common practice, whereby a priest or other religious leader invokes God and, along with religious symbols such as holy water and crosses, casts out the demon. On occasion, angels and / or archangels may also be called in to assist with the exorcism.
Sacramental confession: a sacred rite designed to protect by bestowing a blessing of spiritual grace through Christ; similar to baptism or confession.
Angelic greeting – “The greeting of the angels” requires the intervention of Mary, Mother of Jesus, repeating two verses from the Gospel of Saint Luke in the New Testament.
Excommunication: Spiritual leaders will expel the afflicted individual from the community until the demon leaves or until the victim requests spiritual intervention.
Transportation: moving the victim from his home to another place or city where he will be safe from the devil.
Unfortunately, it appears that not all succubi / incubi will respond to attempts to expel them. A Franciscan friar named Ludovico observed: “They do not obey exorcists, they do not fear exorcisms, they do not show reverence for holy things, at whose proximity they are not in the least intimidated.”