The "imago" and the succubus/incubus
So after some work, I've determined that my wings have been drained to withering by something that could be called an "imago" or "shadow imago". In psychology, the imago is a subconscious image of someone else (typically a prominent person in their life, like a parent), an idealized concept of that person that someone carries unaltered from the original experience into the now (which often means from childhood into adulthood). This negative imago is named after that concept, but is not an idealized form. Instead, it is a shadow entity that carries the negative, "hungry" traits of that person.
The shadow imago emerges from a person who is not feeding their own needs, and it reaches out to a vulnerable subject to feed on that person's energy. It attempts to direct the subject's attention toward behaviors that would feed the aggressor's needs if performed in person. Unfortunately, it is a subconscious manifestation, and thus its desires are not normally acknowledged: the sufferer from whom the shadow imago emerges will continue to manifest this energy aspect until they are made aware of their problem in some way. Once direct recognition of the feeder's depletion emerges, the shadow imago tends to fade as attempts are made to address these unmet needs.
The victim of a shadow imago may, along with pain in any affected areas (if they're drained to the point of withering/collapse), fantasize about things they wouldn't normally think about, or may attempt to glut themselves on images or substances that aren't usually on their list of desirable things. Often, because this entity emerges from suppressed needs, it encourages sexual fantasies and activities in cultures and locales with a history of sexual repression. This is where the legend of the succubus or incubus comes from: the demonic entity that feeds on sexual pleasure, and may attempt to force itself on and/or drain its victim of vital energies.
Best practice for dealing with such an entity is to help it become aware of whatever blockage is keeping its origin-host (the sufferer from whom the shadow imago emerges) from fulfilling their deep needs and desires. This normally involves a confrontation in spirit, but can involve a confrontation face to face about a person's issues. Often, high rank or social class, or very strong ego, contributes to a resistance to dealing with the situation openly or even admitting that a problem exists. This can be a delicate social situation, especially if such a host is known to be abusive to others, and sometimes the only way out is to leave the area and cut off the host's access to the victim.
Once the entity is aware of the blockage, helping that blockage to clear away even somewhat can relieve the victim's suffering and potentially eliminate the attacks; if they continue, further measures will be needed, however. Consultation with the Divine is recommended in every case, whether by prayer, propitiation, dream ritual, or other means.
The shadow imago emerges from a person who is not feeding their own needs, and it reaches out to a vulnerable subject to feed on that person's energy. It attempts to direct the subject's attention toward behaviors that would feed the aggressor's needs if performed in person. Unfortunately, it is a subconscious manifestation, and thus its desires are not normally acknowledged: the sufferer from whom the shadow imago emerges will continue to manifest this energy aspect until they are made aware of their problem in some way. Once direct recognition of the feeder's depletion emerges, the shadow imago tends to fade as attempts are made to address these unmet needs.
The victim of a shadow imago may, along with pain in any affected areas (if they're drained to the point of withering/collapse), fantasize about things they wouldn't normally think about, or may attempt to glut themselves on images or substances that aren't usually on their list of desirable things. Often, because this entity emerges from suppressed needs, it encourages sexual fantasies and activities in cultures and locales with a history of sexual repression. This is where the legend of the succubus or incubus comes from: the demonic entity that feeds on sexual pleasure, and may attempt to force itself on and/or drain its victim of vital energies.
Best practice for dealing with such an entity is to help it become aware of whatever blockage is keeping its origin-host (the sufferer from whom the shadow imago emerges) from fulfilling their deep needs and desires. This normally involves a confrontation in spirit, but can involve a confrontation face to face about a person's issues. Often, high rank or social class, or very strong ego, contributes to a resistance to dealing with the situation openly or even admitting that a problem exists. This can be a delicate social situation, especially if such a host is known to be abusive to others, and sometimes the only way out is to leave the area and cut off the host's access to the victim.
Once the entity is aware of the blockage, helping that blockage to clear away even somewhat can relieve the victim's suffering and potentially eliminate the attacks; if they continue, further measures will be needed, however. Consultation with the Divine is recommended in every case, whether by prayer, propitiation, dream ritual, or other means.