Also called Empousa, Empousai (plural).
Their story
Empusa was a phantom sent by Hecate, who could take many shapes: a cow, a mule, a beautiful woman, a dog. In Aristophanes's Frogs she appears to Dionysus on his way to the underworld, with one leg of bronze and one of dung. In Philostratus's life of Apollonius, an empusa disguised as a bride is unmasked by the sage.
Best times to give to them
- At the crossroads, in connection with Hecate
- None traditional
What they like being given
- None are traditional; Hecate's Deipnon at the dark moon was the old way of keeping such spirits content
- A candle lit while reading or retelling the story
How to honour them
- Honour Hecate at the dark moon, as the Greeks did, to keep her restless followers away.
- Reflect on how fear changes shape to trick us.
How they can help you
- Understanding night fears
- Seeing through illusion
Symbols
- bronze leg
- donkey leg
- changing form
Sources
- Aristophanes, Frogs 285-295
- Philostratus, Life of Apollonius of Tyana 4.25