Throughout the ages people believed that nightmares evolved from evil spirits who wanted to harm the sleeper in some way. The connection through demonology and nightmares varies from area to area and culture to culture. Some of the most common known demons which troubled the sleeper are the ones listed below:
Incubus/Succubus:
The incubus is believed to be a male spirit that attacks a female while she sleeps, usually looking for a sexual encounter of some sort. Molestation from an Incubus has been reported since the middle ages. The victim will begin to feel a heavy object lying on top of him/her making it extremely difficult to breathe, Feelings of the person being strangled is also very common.
(Incubus Left)
A succubus demon is very similar; it is the female version of the incubus. She would seduce men in their sleep, and then forced sexual relations upon them. While doing so, they would drain the like force out of their victims.
Succubus (Below)
(Incubus Left)
A succubus demon is very similar; it is the female version of the incubus. She would seduce men in their sleep, and then forced sexual relations upon them. While doing so, they would drain the like force out of their victims.
Succubus (Below)
Religion in Nightmare History:
Early Christians and other societies attributed such dark arts and nightmares to demon possession, demon attacks, and other forms of demonic influence like witchcraft. Some even believed that incubus and succubus impregnated women. Proof of such activity began with unplanned pregnancy for women, and physical deformities that were seen in the children being born or men with a strong resemblance to an animal were thought to be sons of Satan the evil spirits themselves with whom they had sexual encounters with.
.Other reasons religious groups believed that these spirits would attacks the sleepers was because of sexual sin. Examples of this sin included fornication, masturbation, pornography, and molestation.
Many people during that era were actually burned alive for having dealings with these evil spirits.
.Other reasons religious groups believed that these spirits would attacks the sleepers was because of sexual sin. Examples of this sin included fornication, masturbation, pornography, and molestation.
Many people during that era were actually burned alive for having dealings with these evil spirits.
Although some people still believe in such demonic entities and often accompany religion with nightmares, this belief was later dismissed as an outdated superstition by non religious people, and the emerging discoveries of psychoanalysis began to surface.