@tiefling very interesting read - I wonder if there are accounts of people that went through an exorcism and if anyone asked afterwards how they got possessed in the first place? (Just going on along the Consent line - an entity like you describe them in the blog post doesn't sound like it's inherently strong enough to just yeet you aside and possess you at will without some "cooperation"?)

(also sorry, but the Catholic hedge witch made me almost choke on my tea )

@tiefling that's an interesting view. I'll admit I've not researched as much as you because eww Catholicism and tbh I was terrified of being possessed when I was brought up in that faith. Apparently doing such eeevil things as listening to rock music or playing D&D was enough to summon demons into your body. :/

But yesh, it's funny how many people apparently get possessed by Satan himself - like surely he has better things to do?

Entities seeking to stay in the world makes sense, as does exorcism as just the culturally dominant form of banishment magic, which exists in all magico-religious cultures.

I don't invoke spirits but I do evoke them and work with them. Sure there's malevolent stuff out there but most are just doing their thing. Decent warding and protection magic usually keeps out anything you want to keep out. That said, there's definitely stuff I'll nope out at - not touching an ouija board thank u.

As always, really interesting perspective!

@tiefling
I don't know how much you've read about the zār/zāraya, but you might find them interesting. Exorcism isn't generally thought of as an effective ritual in those cases, as zār possession is often permanent. And they aren't malevolent by default, either.

One of the common goals is to placate the spirit and ultimately negotiate it becoming a waqabi (guardian spirit).

Another note, from an anthropological standpoint is that many of the exorcisms that have been performed tend to be only those where the spirit allegedly incites anti-hegemonic views (most often in people belonging to lower economic classes). Those that don't cause this are seen as "holy communication" and used to support the status quo. This is a different tangent altogether though.

#witch #witchcraft #FediCoven #demons #possession #exorcism #occult #paranormal

@tiefling

For most of human history, demons, daemons, and spirits have just been ethereal entities we call up for aide or beings that simply exist to protect the natural world.

In either case they were natural and here.

I wonder how much human expansion has caused them grief and confusion much like the animals of this world. Simply for being viewed as lesser and powerless over us