Obyzouth

Obyzouth is a fearsome demon described in the Testament of Solomon as strangling newborns and killing sleepers in the night. She has no limbs, only hair, and comes to strike in darkness. The counter to her is the name “Raphael” written on papyrus and placed under the pillow — an early form of protective amulet against infant mortality and night terrors. She represents one of humanity’s ancient terrors: the unseen danger to infants in the darkness, the helplessness of a parent against invisible threats.