Succubus The Seductive Demon

In old folklore and into medieval legend, there was a demon who was the stuff of dreams. Or maybe nightmares. She would come in the night, seductive and enticing. A demon with the power to bring men to their knees. Beautiful, enticing and otherworldly.

In world legend she has taken on the persona of an evil ugly demon. In others, men can't look at her face because her beauty is too much too behold. She is the ultimate male fantasy. The Succubus.

When men sleep, she would appear in the corner of the room. As the night grew darker, She would crawl to the bed and slowly begin to seduce the man.

As he slept she would suck out his life force as she enticed him.

As his breath became heavier with passion, she would reach for a kiss, and his soul would slowly exhale to touch her lips as she drew it into her body.

Many men would believe that she was just imagination. Most would be asleep when she came calling, but many men awoke. Seeing her beauty they would be terrified, awed and aroused.

The Succubus would crawl up the man, all the time making him completely incapable of moving. Many victims would be in the grip of Sleep Paralysis.

Or so they thought. Throughout the ordeal she would continue to slake her thirst on his soul. Leaving him exhausted in the morning. Some would never wake at all. She was the ultimate soul snatcher.

Her name was Lilith. According to the Alphabet of Ben Sira (an anonymous medieval text) She was the wife of Adam.

Leaving the garden of Eden, she refused to return and supposedly mated with an Archangel. His name was Samael. According to the Zoharistic Kabbalah there were said to be four Succubi who also mated with this Angel.

All were said to be beautiful, but if you take a closer look they have many deformities. Bird claws, wings and snake tails were the most common.

As the legend progressed it took on another form. The Succubi were said to change into Sirens. This is understandable as the Succubus would sing to her victim just as the latter day Sirens did.

Over the centuries, the men of the cloth, such as priests and even rabbis, were said to say prayers to curb her entrance into this world, so that the Succubi would not attack the men of the villages.

Many wives would stay awake in their bedrooms just to keep their husbands safe. Its said that many were jealous, believing that their husbands had taken a lover.

Soon sleep would overtake the wives, and the Succubus would glide quietly past her, and latch onto her man.

The Fantastic Succubus Series By Richelle Mead.

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According to the writings of the Kabbalah, the other Queens of the Succubi gave birth to children. But Lilith did not.

The Queens were named Naamah, Eisheth Zenunim and Agrat Bat Mahlat.Demons are said to be unable to have children, so they would impregnate human women after taking the semen from the sleeping males.

Evidently the process would stop the baby being human, and instead would produce a child with hideous deformities.

The story of the Succubus is in many ancient writings.

From Arabic to Viking, Indian to Medieval Britain. The tale itself may differ slightly but the meaning of the demon was the same.

Lilith the Queen of the Succubi is still believed in many countries around the world today. Maybe there is something to the legend.

Just remember, when you go to sleep don't dismiss those erotic dreams that you may be having.

You may just have been visited by the Lilith the Demon Queen leader of the Succubus.

She may not want your love, but she will definitely take your soul.

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Comments

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on November 12, 2019:

Lol! Thanks Shawindi!

Shawindi Silva from Sri lanka on November 11, 2019:

OMG !! I haven't heard of this story !!!!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on November 11, 2019:

Thanks Tim, I had forgotten about that one! LOL!

Tim Truzy from U.S.A. on November 11, 2019:

Hi, Nell, a sexy demon trying to seduce me is not my idea of fun. lol. But this is a great and scary story which I was familiar with, but you went into much more detail. Always fun and thought provoking reading, Nell.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on February 27, 2014:

Hiya, its great to see you! where have you been? lol! thanks for reading, and I hope you are back? nell

pmccray on February 27, 2014:

Almost makes me want to take another spin on the old Hubpages. Beautifully written and presented as always. You've not lost your touch.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on January 21, 2014:

lol! thanks Audrey, yes me too, I used to get sleep paralysis, and it's a scary thing! thanks again, nell

Audrey Howitt from California on January 21, 2014:

Very cool! I don't know if Lilith has visited me--but maybe someone has!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on September 27, 2013:

Thanks Matthew, have a good weekend, nell

Matthew518 on September 27, 2013:

I agree 100% in that regard. Especially when you are talking about a subject like demons, the truth is likely not what anyone thinks it is. I don't think humankind was ever supposed to fully understand demons and their true intentions. I'll leave it at that.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on September 26, 2013:

Thanks for your continued input, you may be right. That's the thing about this sort of subject.

We all have different opinions, and even though some may be right and others wrong, I do believe that somewhere in the middle the truth may be there, thanks again, nell

Matthew518 on September 26, 2013:

So, you believe in psychic abilities, but not in spirits? Do you believe in angels, or are they made up too?

Regarding the ancients, they were much smarter than you give them credit for. Were the Egyptians ignorant? I'd love for any modern society to create the pyramids with the technology they had. The ancient pagans did believe in demons, but had a different viewpoint on them than we do today. I think you are referring to the Christians, in which I would agree. Regarding the succubus spirits, I've read of many who have had a long-term relationship with these beings. Night after night, the spirit comes to them, and gives them greater pleasure than a human ever could. Please, explain that. Are these people crazy? Are they imagining the same thing, night after night after night? I'd highly doubt that.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on September 24, 2013:

Matthew, I wrote this purely as a psychological article. There is no proof of these Beings, most of the incidents happen because people do not understand science and the way the mind works. Throughout history in all of the countries around the world we were all ignorant and stupid. We believed that everything had to do with demons etc, in this day and age we all know about Awakened dreaming, hallucinations and how the body reacts to various stimuli. There is not one case in the whole world that catagorically proves incubus, succubus, ghosts, demons and so on. Put the proof in front of me and I will admit it, till then we are both entitled to our opinions, but please don't say why did I write it? I am a writer for goodness sake! I write things that interest me! not all sports writers actually play sport, not all travel writers travel and so on, its just an interest. You would be surprised to know that I do believe in precognition and telepathy, how? because I am living proof that that does actually happen! nell

Matthew518 on September 24, 2013:

Nell, they do exist. Why on earth would you write an article on something which you yourself don't believe in? I certainly wouldn't write an article on the tooth fairy, because it doesn't exist! Succubus and Incubus are very real, with a little research, there are plenty who have had some sort of interaction with these beings, and very few of them come across as "crazy".

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on September 19, 2013:

As nobody ever really knows about these totally mythological creatures I don't see how on earth you can possibly say its rubbish! It doesn't even really exist! Duh! How the hell can you research something that does not exist? Um?? This is just one interpretation, as there are many others I don't think you are an expert on, erm, something invisible that once again, does not exist! So go insult somebody else!

Matthew518 on September 19, 2013:

From the research I've done, Succubus are nothing like that. They don't have babies with humans, nor do they drain you of energy, and certainly don't take your soul. People are told the most laughable things regarding sex spirits in general. Are they beautiful? Yes. Do they seduce the man? Yep. Do they harm them in any way? Nope. Many have had positive interactions with these beings, if you do the research. Eventually, the truth will get out there, instead of this rubbish. For the record, they aren't demons, but a form of vampire.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on April 25, 2013:

Hi paiva, I love Supernatural! lol! I think I watched every single series right to the end, yes the archangels are in it, I am sure they are based on reality, thanks so much for reading, nell

Paiva from Goa, india on April 25, 2013:

Has anyone here watched Supernatural, the TV series?

Lilith, Sameul, the archangels are characters in it...starting to believe that maybe there is something to it after all...

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 28, 2013:

Hi rahulo, 'Anchhri' what a lovely sounding word, yes its fascinating isn't it? thanks so much for reading, nell

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 28, 2013:

Hi dghbrh, lol! yes that happens over here too! thanks so much for reading, nell

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 28, 2013:

Hi suzette, lol! I am actually reading a series of fiction books about a succubus at the moment, its very vampirish and a great storyline. There are so many of these myths and legends all over the world, all women should beware! haha! thanks as always, nell

Suzette Walker from Taos, NM on March 28, 2013:

Yikes, Nell! You know about such things???? I must be living in a cave over here because I have never heard of the Succubus before. What an interesting article and the photos are fabulous. You always come up with the most interesting hubs of anyone on HP, Nell. I have heard of the siren of the Lorilei in Germany, but never this. Women beware - safeguard your husbands!

deergha from ...... a place beyond now and beyond here !!! on March 28, 2013:

Nice and interesting really dear Nell. Current time even many ladies in reality act like what you described here as legends with all sense awake and snatch the husbands of other women.....LOL. But its real nice to know about Succubus here. Thanks for sharing and shared as well. Votes up up and away.

Jessee R from Gurgaon, India on March 28, 2013:

Legends are intriguing .... aren't they.....

In India... succubus demon beauties are a part of the hill folklore.... locally called " Anchhri " and described as the most beautiful of creations but also the most vicious....

It is said that if any male sees them then he goes blind for life..... and if they visit the dreams then as you said they suck out the life out of him... slowly and with the utmost passion..

Its interesting to note that how the same legends are told in different parts of the world in different contexts...

Very interesting article

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 23, 2013:

HI Deb, lol! thanks so much, yes I love my paranormal stuff, I am on the lookout for the next one now, have a great weekend, nell

Deb Hirt from Stillwater, OK on March 23, 2013:

Great work, Mel! Legends are of great interest to me, and this was sheer perfection. You sucked in the reader, just as Lilith sucked in an unsuspecting and sleeping man. Awesome and up!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 22, 2013:

Hi drbj, that's right, I remember reading a book that said, and I can't remember his name! lol!, was abducted each night by aliens, and he was firmly convinced. Even today people believe these succubus are real. Especially in very religious countries, I do agree with you, it is probably sleep paralysis, thanks!

drbj and sherry from south Florida on March 22, 2013:

Fascinating subject, Nell, and you held my interest throughout. Some psychologists believe that the stories of people encountering succubi in the distant past resemble strongly the contemporary phenomenon of alien abductions. Whether viewing oneself as being a participant in a succubus seduction or an alien abduction, the condition is usually ascribed to a form of sleep paralysis.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 22, 2013:

Hi Shara, lol! yes the wives have to watch out! thanks so much for reading, nell

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 22, 2013:

Thanks Eddy, glad you liked it, nell

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 22, 2013:

Thanks mary, yes me and my psychic stuff! lol! glad you liked it, nell

Mary Craig from New York on March 22, 2013:

I love it when you write new hubs Nell! You come up with the best subjects and this one is right up my alley....demons, mythology, the supernatural, not to mention a little religion thrown in the side. Wonderful job as always and perfect pictures to boot.

Voted up, awesome, and interesting.

Eiddwen from Wales on March 22, 2013:

Oh yes brilliant Nell and a sure 'Up up and away'!!!

Eddy.

Farhat from Delhi on March 21, 2013:

Hey nell, not in dreams but in day light through, eyes open wide ..the seductive demons are very active now a days...and snaching away men from their wives quite daringly..so, wives have to be very cautious or everything is lost....hahaha !!....indeed, an Interesting Hub Dear!!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 21, 2013:

Hi ruby, lol! could be ruby! it happens to all of us I think! seriously, I love all these great myths and legends, this one got me interested because of the books I am reading, thanks as always, nell

Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on March 21, 2013:

This is very interesting Nell. I love to delve into mythology. I guess vixens have always been around, i wonder if that's what happened to my ex? Hee....

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 21, 2013:

Thanks carol, it was purely because I am reading the fantastic series about succubus by richelle mead, so interesting, and really funny!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 21, 2013:

Hi billy, lol! nuns? oh poor you! haha! well on the same track but on the wrong train! hee hee! thanks as always, nell

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 21, 2013:

Thanks Vicki, lol! yes those darn pictures! I am sure many men would love this experience! don't worry, women get them too, they are called Incubbus! thanks as always, nell

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 21, 2013:

Hi Radcliff, lol! south park? that must have been quite some episode! thanks so much for reading, nell

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 21, 2013:

Hi Genna, lol! yes so true! thanks so much for reading it, and glad you liked it, nell

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 21, 2013:

Hi Angela, lol! I think many women feel that way! great to see you, and thanks

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 21, 2013:

Hi alan, long time no see! lol! yes I forgot to read the continuing stories, sounds great! Haha! I think most men have one of those dreams! you know what you got to do, stop playing the fiddle, erm, I mean violin!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 21, 2013:

Hi Jackie, thanks as always, yes Lilith is in many old legends, even in the bible I believe? or is that wrong? lol!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 21, 2013:

Hi Vinaya, that's interesting, it sounds like Lilith and the others cover all the world only with different names, thanks for reading, nell

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 21, 2013:

Thanks travmaj, lol! many man have met her I believe! yes the source must have come from a particular woman who someone got the name succubus, its gone on to name all women of a certain type! thanks so much for reading, nell

travmaj from australia on March 21, 2013:

So interesting - I think I know someone who met her - whoops!

Seriously, a fascinating piece and always intriguing how these legends evolve through time - there must be an original source, way, way back in time.

Vinaya Ghimire from Nepal on March 21, 2013:

In our culture we also have similar kind of seductress. I enjoyed reading on Succubus.

Jackie Lynnley from the beautiful south on March 21, 2013:

I have heard of Lilith and really have meant to look for her to see if she was real. Looks like she may be. A fun and interesting read as always!

Alan R Lancaster from Forest Gate, London E7, U K (ex-pat Yorkshire) on March 21, 2013:

I should be so lucky (we know a song about that, don't we)!

Ivar Ulfsson, the main character in the RAVENFEAST saga stories is visited at night by a witch, Braenda, who took a fancy to him when he was in Gwynedd, North Wales with Harold and Tostig. She also protects him from serious trouble. Not exactly a succubus, more a luvvubus really.

I've had weird dreams before now - involving the fairer sex - and woken up with a 'stiffy'. Trouble is, I can never recollect them afterwards. They're locked away in some sort of 'holding cage' of dreams that I've got no access to. I'll have to go and lie down now, Nell. Feeling a bit faint.

Just kidding. I feel (as) fit as a Stradivarius.

Angela Blair from Central Texas on March 21, 2013:

Wow, Nell -- this one was all new to me (and that's strange as I'm oldern' dirt!) Thanks for a wonderful read -- now you've got me thinking about husbands past! Best/Sis

Genna Eastman from Massachusetts, USA on March 21, 2013:

Ahhh…the devil made me do it. The term, succubus, is nowadays is given to women that are considered to be attractive seductresses that use men without morality, conscience or remorse. Some things never change. :-) I have always been fascinated with mythology. Great writing, Nell, about a very interesting topic.

Liz Davis from Hudson, FL on March 21, 2013:

The first time I heard of Succubus was in an episode of South Park. LOL how embarrassing! Anyway, this is so interesting. I love how you turn it into a warning at the end. Very cool.

Vickiw on March 21, 2013:

Hi Nell, pretty hard to compete with a seductress like that. The image of all these terrified men going to sleep at night and never knowing if they will be 'attacked' is quite funny. I bet you lots of them would love it! Lovely story! The pictures are guaranteed to damage the self-esteem of many women. Sigh . . .

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on March 21, 2013:

Well she is certainly seductive. I wish I had dreams like this....just sayin'

Instead, I dream about old nuns that once taught me in school...sigh!

Great coverage of a fascinating subject.

carol stanley from Arizona on March 21, 2013:

Awesome and alluring. Great job as always. A fun read and I always look forward to your next installment ...

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 21, 2013:

Thanks Cyndi, oh did I forget to say, women get them too? lol! the male version is called an Incubbus! thanks as always, nell

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 21, 2013:

Thanks christopher, that sounds terrifying! I do understand you though, I have had the sleep paralysis thing going on, and felt something crawl heavily up my body to my chest! scary, scary, scary! thanks as always, nell

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 21, 2013:

Thanks Martie, yes back then we believed but now of course with chemistry etc we have the answers, the Sumerian mythology sounds really interesting, I will have to go and take a look, thanks for reading, nell

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 21, 2013:

Hi Dana, Haha! Oh God so funny! yes I know what you mean, but they never called me a Succubus I think the word bitch was mentioned! lol! thanks Dana, have a great day!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 21, 2013:

Hi Larry! LOL! never heard of someone grossing out a ghost before! haha! never mind, I am sure the ghost wasn't traumatised! thanks for the laugh! nell

Cynthia B Turner from Georgia on March 21, 2013:

Hi Nell, You always provide such interesting information. I like the way you have presented this information on the succubus. Their existence has been believed through the centuries. If I were male, I might have a little concern :-) Well done.

Christopher Antony Meade from Gillingham Kent. United Kingdom on March 21, 2013:

I had a visit from one of those demons about thirty years ago. I woke up and she was sitting on my chest.

She was not attractive and beautiful though, but wizened and rather ugly. I prayed and she disappeared. She has never returned and I don't want her to.

A lot of people say these type of things have no reality. Believe me, they do.

Thanks for a very interesting, but chilling, hub Nell.

Martie Coetser from South Africa on March 20, 2013:

Very interesting, Nell! Also amazing how ancient people attributed everything to gods or demons or anything but themselves. Today we know that our own thoughts, desires, beliefs, memories, chemicals, hormones, etc are the instigators of our actions and even of our dreams.

I've studied in particular Sumerian mythology.... and what a clear light it was on the entire foundation of religion....

Voted up, well-written and very interesting...

Dana Strang from Ohio on March 20, 2013:

LOVE THIS! what a wonderful presentation of a subject i love. i have always been interested in myth0logy and religion.... i have been called a succubus myself. i blame silly boys taking on what they can't handle :)

Larry Fields from Northern California on March 20, 2013:

Hi Nell,

I probably don't need to be worried about this possibility. Here's why. I hope that I haven't told you this story before. Old saying: As we grow older, our memory is the second thing to go.

Many years ago, I rented out the basement of a large house. After I'd been there a few months, the guy who rented the upstairs apartment told me that the house was haunted. (He claimed to have the ability to see certain things that I could not see.) The ghost (who mostly hung out in the basement) would intrude on the bloke and his girlfriend at the worst possible moments.

Anyway... Shortly after I moved in, the ghost moved out. I grossed out the the ghost! What chance would a succubus have against a slob like me?

Voted up and interesting.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 20, 2013:

Hi quicksand, lol! cos its nighttime and the right time to scare you just as you are going to crawl into the sack, scared to death as the lights go out and then.......ARGGGGH! haha! she doesn't need a chimney just male hormones floating around the room! if you are tired of beauty, I can send you the hag version, waddya think? thanks for the laugh! nell

quicksand on March 20, 2013:

Hi Nell! ... Does she come in through the Chimney? If she does, she'll have to answer to St Nicholaus!

Even otherwise I am safe, because we aint got no chimney! LOL, we oft keep updating our security system too!

Quite apart from that ... my soul is tied firmly to my coronary arteries with a thick astral chord made out of celestial fiber!

Quite apart from that ... men tire of beauty fast!

Quite apart from that ... why do you chose this time of the day to scare us?

(: ----- WideGrin -----:)

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 20, 2013:

Thanks mr veg! lol! you be careful out there, you never know when Lilith will come knocking on your door! thanks for reading, nell

mr-veg from Colorado United States on March 20, 2013:

Nice one Rose :) .. Now I need to be careful in my dreams, should say seductive ones :D . I like it, voted Interesting and Awesome, sharing it !!