In ancient Hebrew lore, there is a vampiric demon known as Ornias. It was one of many demons mentioned in the Testament of Solomon. It would appear to people in the form of fire, a lion, or a horrid winged creature. It would shapeshift into a beautiful woman and trick men into having sex with it, draining their sexual energy and potency much like an INCUBUS (see ENERGY VAMPIRE). Ornias would seek out men whose zodiac sign was Aquarius and strangle them to death, leaching off their life- energy as it did so. It did this because it resided in the constellation of Aquarius. Further the only way to save one of its victims before he died was to press the Seal of Solomon against the demon’s chest.

During the construction of King Solomon’s temple, Ornias appeared to one of the laborers, stealing half of his wages as well as draining the life-energy from one of his sons. The laborer sought the king for help and Solomon prayed to God for insight or intervention. His prayers were answered. The archangel Michael delivered to Solomon a ring with the seal of God upon it, giving the bearer power over demons. Solomon used the ring not only to stop Ornias from its daily muggings and assaults but also to bind other demons and use them as part of his labor force to build his temple.

Occasionally Ornias was summoned by magicians and witches who sought to divine the future, as this demon could be persuaded to fly up into the heavens and glean the future as it is written in the stars. As it would descend back to earth, Ornias looked like a shooting star. However, continued use of its abilities would cause his summoner to waste away.

Source: Ginzberg, Legends of the Jews, 151-153; Hanson, Secrets from the Lost Bible, 114-117; Rappoport, Myth and Legend of Ancient Israel, 88-90; Wedeck, A Treasury of Witchcraft, 172