Succubus and Incubus
The Dark Legends of Demonic Seduction
Throughout history and across cultures, stories have persisted of seductive spirits that visit humans in the dead of night, draining them of energy, vitality, or even their souls. These entities are known as the succubus and incubus demons of folklore believed to engage in intimate encounters with their victims while they sleep.
Rooted in myth, religious texts, and psychological theory, these supernatural beings have fascinated, frightened, and mystified humanity for centuries. But what are they really, and why have they endured in our collective imagination?
Origins of the Succubus and Incubus
The terms come from Latin: succubus meaning "to lie beneath," and incubus meaning "to lie upon." This reflects the classical descriptions of the two entities:
- A succubus is a female demon who seduces men during their dreams, often stealing their life force or causing illness and spiritual weakness.
- An incubus is a male demon who assaults or seduces women during sleep, sometimes believed to impregnate them with demonic offspring.
- References to such beings appear in Jewish, Christian, Mesopotamian, and Medieval European texts. One of the earliest succubus-like figures is Lilith, a spirit from ancient Mesopotamian mythology and Jewish folklore who was said to prey upon newborns and men, often seen as Adam’s first wife who refused to submit and was cast out of Eden.
Characteristics and Abilities
Succubi and incubi are typically described as highly attractive, often using supernatural beauty to lure victims into lustful dreams or waking visions. They’re said to:
- Appear in dreams or night terrors, often causing sleep paralysis.
- Drain energy or vitality through intimate contact.
- Manipulate emotions or desires, feeding on sexual energy.
- Shape-shift into familiar or alluring forms to increase their control.
- Leave victims feeling drained, depressed, or even physically ill.
In some versions of the myth, an incubus and succubus are actually the same entity changing form depending on the gender of their victim. Some accounts even claim that these demons collect genetic material in one form (as succubus) and use it to impregnate women in another form (as incubus).
Historical Accounts and Beliefs
During the Middle Ages, reports of incubus and succubus encounters were widespread, especially within monastic communities or among those suffering from unexplained illness or disturbing dreams. These tales often served as cautionary stories warnings against lust, temptation, or unclean thoughts.
In many cases, these reports were later linked to sleep disorders, such as sleep paralysis, a phenomenon where individuals awaken unable to move, often feeling a weight on their chest or sensing a presence in the room. In pre-scientific times, such experiences were attributed to supernatural forces including demonic visitations.
Psychological and Paranormal Interpretations
In modern psychology, encounters with succubi and incubi are often interpreted through the lens of sleep paralysis, lucid dreaming, or repressed desires. However, in paranormal and occult circles, some believe these entities to be real — spiritual parasites or interdimensional beings that feed on human energy.
Some theories suggest that succubi and incubi are not necessarily demons in the religious sense, but energy vampires or thought-forms (tulpas) created by intense emotional or sexual energy. Others believe they could be linked to shadow people, djinn, or spirits of a similar energetic nature.
Paranormal investigators occasionally report cases of homes plagued by sexual or oppressive spiritual energy — sometimes attributed to succubus or incubus activity.
Protection and Banishing
For those who believe in or experience encounters with these entities, various protective measures have been traditionally used:
Spiritual Cleansing: Use of holy water, prayers, or smudging to cleanse a space.
Protective Symbols: Crosses, pentagrams, or sigils to ward off dark entities.
Personal Empowerment: Meditation, grounding, and setting strong personal boundaries.
Seeking Help: Some turn to spiritual practitioners, clergy, or paranormal experts to assist in banishing or investigating ongoing attacks.
Pop Culture and Modern Influence
Succubi and incubi have captivated pop culture, appearing in horror films, urban fantasy, anime, video games, and paranormal romance. These beings are often romanticized or sexualized, portrayed as both terrifying and tantalizing — symbols of desire and danger.
TV shows like Supernatural, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and American Horror Story have depicted succubi/incubi as seductive predators, while games like Diablo and The Witcher include demonic temptresses as part of their mythos.
Final Thoughts
Whether viewed as ancient metaphors for lust, sleep disorders with a supernatural twist, or genuine paranormal phenomena, the succubus and incubus continue to haunt the human imagination. They embody our deepest fears about vulnerability, desire, and the unseen forces that may lurk in the dark corners of our bedrooms — and our minds.
As long as we dream, fear, and yearn, the legends of these shadowy seducers are unlikely to fade away.
Origins of the Incubus
The word incubus comes from Latin: incubare, meaning “to lie upon.” It directly refers to the incubus’ nature of pressing down or lying on top of its victim, often during sleep. The earliest references to incubus-type beings date back to Mesopotamian mythology, but they gained widespread attention in medieval Europe, where they were tied to notions of sin, temptation, and punishment.
In Christian tradition, the incubus was portrayed as a servant of Satan a sexual predator whose goal was to corrupt purity and lead souls astray. It was believed that an incubus could impregnate women with demonic offspring, often referred to as cambions half-human, half-demon beings.
Characteristics of an Incubus
Descriptions of incubi vary, but certain traits appear consistently across folklore and reported encounters:
Male form, often highly attractive or overwhelmingly frightening.
Supernatural seduction, usually during sleep or in altered states of consciousness.
Paralysis or helplessness, similar to the modern experience of sleep paralysis.
Physical effects, such as exhaustion, bruises, or emotional trauma upon waking.
Repeated visitations, often increasing in intensity or aggression.
While early lore described them as grotesque or monstrous, later tales and modern pop culture often romanticize incubi, portraying them as darkly alluring figures who wield charm and psychic power.
The Incubus in Religion and Witchcraft
During the Middle Ages, accusations of incubus visitations were not uncommon, especially among women in religious institutions. Reports were often linked to spiritual weakness, possession, or even the presence of witches. In the height of witch trials, claims of women being visited by incubi were sometimes used as evidence of consorting with demons.
In demonology, the incubus is considered a lesser demon, often under the command of higher infernal beings like Asmodeus or Samael. Some grimoires and exorcism texts include rituals specifically aimed at banishing incubus demons from afflicted individuals or locations.
Protection and Prevention
For those who believe they’ve encountered an incubus, various protective methods are recommended:
Spiritual Cleansing: Burning sage, using holy water, or invoking protective prayers.
Protective Symbols: Crucifixes, salt lines, or protective amulets under the bed.
Empowerment Rituals: Grounding exercises, meditation, or assertive affirmations before sleep.
Seek Professional Help: Whether spiritual (from a clergy member or spiritual healer) or psychological (from a therapist), assistance is available.
What Is a Succubus?
The term succubus originates from the Latin word succubare, meaning “to lie beneath.” It reflects the nature of the demon’s interactions—typically occurring while the victim is asleep or trapped in a state of sleep paralysis. The succubus is believed to take on a highly attractive female form, often appearing in dreams or shadows, to seduce and siphon energy, life force, or even a person’s soul.
While medieval lore painted her as a grotesque, bat-winged creature, modern depictions often portray succubi as alluring enchantresses—drawing victims in with beauty, charm, and an overwhelming psychic or emotional pull.
Characteristics and Abilities of a Succubus
Dream Infiltration: Succubi are most commonly said to visit men during sleep, entering dreams or manifesting during sleep paralysis.
Seduction and Draining: They seduce victims into intimacy, then feed on their life force or sexual energy.
Shape-Shifting: Succubi can assume various forms, often appearing as someone the victim finds attractive or familiar.
Emotional Manipulation: Victims often feel obsessive thoughts, depression, or dependency after encounters.
Physical Effects: Reports include feelings of exhaustion, phantom touches, unexplained bruises, and recurring nightmares.
In some lore, the succubus collects male essence and, transforming into an incubus, uses it to impregnate women with demonic offspring known as cambions.
Succubi in Religion and Occultism
The Catholic Church once regarded succubus encounters as symptoms of demonic oppression or possession. Many accounts from the Inquisition era describe people being punished or exorcised for claiming to have interacted with such spirits.
In occult texts and grimoires, succubi are often ranked among the lesser demons—dangerous but subordinate to greater infernal powers like Lilith, Asmodeus, or Beelzebub. Rituals for protection or banishment were often detailed for those believed to be afflicted by these beings.
Modern Explanations and Interpretations
Today, experiences attributed to succubi are often understood through the lens of sleep disorders, particularly:
Sleep Paralysis: A state where the body is immobilized upon waking or falling asleep, often accompanied by hallucinations and a sense of dread or pressure.
Lucid Dreaming & Night Terrors: The mind may conjure intense imagery or emotional experiences that feel supernatural.
From a psychological perspective, succubus encounters may also stem from repressed desires, trauma, guilt, or subconscious fears. But in paranormal communities, many still believe these entities to be real spiritual parasites or interdimensional beings that feed off sexual and emotional energy.
Paranormal Theories and Investigations
Paranormal investigators and spiritualists report rare but disturbing cases involving succubus-like activity:
Apparitions of shadowy, feminine figures near the bed.
Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVPs) capturing seductive whispers or disturbing sounds.
Victims experiencing repeated dreams or waking encounters with the same entity.
Feelings of obsession, lust, or fatigue that worsen over time.
Some believe succubi are related to energy vampires, djinn, or astral entities that attach themselves to vulnerable or emotionally open individuals.