Takeover: Demonic & Divine Possessions

Spoiler Alert: This isn't the usual corporate takeover.

Are your Eyes even Darker than Black? Do you speak languages that were unknown to you before, a cup of Latin maybe? Do you suddenly have knowledge of the Future or maybe you've got Super Strength out of nowhere? If you checked out on any one or all, then you should start to consider having an appointment with your local Shaman. Because I hate to break it to you buddy, but seems like the Place is under New Management.

Despite of the perception Science & Medicine have in this regard, many do believe in the reality of such cases, while others simply dismiss it. Whatever the viewpoints, the aim here is not to challenge any or all of them or to put our own, rather to understand the notion these viewpoints are in regard of. 

What is A Possession?

The Possession of Michael King. (2014)

A Possession (Spiritual Def.) is takeover & control of a mind, body or soul, not necessarily Human. And also not necessarily by an Evil entity. The concept of Possession is an ancient one & many cultures approach it differently. The usual belief is that an entity takes over to carry out its purpose & exits out as soon as it fulfilled but sometimes possessions can last much longer & may require an Exorcism or constant exorcism to banish the entity out. While in Christianity, possession are mainly associated with Demons & Evil Spirits, In Hinduism or other Asian cultures, even Deities can possess someone. But what they all agree on is that such cases are Undesirable & far from the truth & imagery portrayed in typical movie industries.

Who are these "Entities"?

Malevolent Entities

 Most Spirits & Demons (yeah, MOST, NOT ALL) are categorized as Malevolent entities. When it comes to Spirits, they possess the body to fulfill their wishes or finish a task that was left behind when they crossed threshold. They are sad, confused, angry & sometimes vengeful, usually leaving the body when they are done.

Annaliese Michel

But Demons on the other hand, OH BOY! They are a different gravy. Stronger than a neighborly vengeful spirit, Demons can break all Hell loose (no Pun intended). When possessed by a Demon, the victim's behavior changes radically & that too FAST! He/she experiences sudden & uncontrollable rage, the mind gets stocked with Violent thoughts. Acts so obscene that cross all limits of moral decency & even hygiene, some examples include:- Screaming, Cursing, Spitting, Vomiting, Urinating, Lewd Sexual actions or sometimes eating bugs as witnessed in the infamous case of Annaliese Michel, she had to go through 67 exorcisms and in July 1976 she succumbed to starvation & injuries. The Victim speaks tongues that he/she weren't familiar with before, gains super strength & even the ability to Levitate. 

An apparition of a little girl
is most common when it comes to
Demonic cases.

Demonic Possessions have been in the news since The Middle Ages. Anyone displaying any unusual behavior was assumed to be possessed. Remind you, this is also the time of mass hysteria concerning witchcraft. Witches were suspected to be responsible for demonic possessions, by using Black Magic, Ritual Sacrifices & even Ritual based Intercourses with Demons, sometimes Lucifer himself. The Possessed victim was subjected to Exorcisms or Executions. It is believed that Demons prey on the weaknesses of people: Lust, Greed, Rage & Sadness, even leading individuals to commit Suicide. 

Divine Intervention

Supernatural (2005-2020)

While Christianity focuses on possessions mainly caused by Negative entities, Hinduism, Islam & Latin American cultures believe that not only Demons but even Deities can descend down on a person. Nevertheless, in The Book of Acts, we find that after the resurrection of Christ, on the first day of Pentecost (i.e. 50th day after Easter), his Apostles were possessed by "Divine Flames" and commuting with God in a tongue previously unknown to them. In Hinduism, majority of the cases are associated with Goddess Durga, Goddess Kali and Bhairon Ji. In Islam, Pirs, saints & fakirs. In Latin Americas, the victim is the "Horse", "Mounted" by Ancestors, Angels or The Lord. The Commonalities we find these cases are:- 

• The possessed takes on characteristics of the deity: Preference for foods, clothes, perfumes, speech, colors.
• The possessed can experience extreme levels of Heat & Cold.
• Dancing unnecessary for hours.
• Suffer cuts & bruises without pain.
• The possessed has knowledge of their past life & prophesize about local or big events.
• The possessed has the ability to Heal.

Under possession, the victim is the Deity, worshipped & served with Honor. However, their prophesies or "Word of God" aren't taken seriously (Funny yet Broody).

Exorcisms

St. Francis Borgia exorcising Demons..
(By far one of the most famous artworks regarding Exorcisms.)

If the possessions last for longer than usual, an order for Exorcism is issued by The Catholic Church for a certain individual. The Protestants on the other hand, reject the whole idea of possessions. In Northern India, Mehandipur Balaji, is the central point to banish the malevolent out. The victim is tied to walls, pillars & sometimes giant boulders using heavy duty metal links, while the priests chant out holy hymns & shlokas. 

The job of exorcising evil comes with it's own risks. An Exorcist is a certified individual who has the power to banish the entity out recognized by The Catholic Church or any other head institution for that instance. Those present at the exorcism-the exorcist/s and the witness/es are also at danger of getting harmed or possessed. Demons can throw personal secrets, fears & vices right in their faces. There have been incidents where the entity has followed the exorcists & witnesses back to their homes causing even more havoc. Good Health & Strong Faith are considered as the most important values while dealing with possession cases.

Dr. Scott Peck (1936-2005)

A Case:-

Dr. M. Scott Peck, a Harvard Graduate Psychiatrist recalls an instance in his book People of the Lie, that one of his patients were "possessed". In middle of the exorcism, that the patient became a snake (not literally, rather his behavior), with writhing body & reptilian eyes, even making efforts to bite the exorcism team members. An ageless, evil heaviness, or the true Serpent seemed to be in the room. Everyone felt such a presence which was relieved when the exorcism succeeded.

Signs & Stages of a Possession

Signs

• Displaying super human strength
• Fits & Convulsions
• Recoiling when presented by Holy objects
• Being able to converse & understand languages previously unknown to the victim
• Prophesying

Stages

1. Infestation: When demon enters & begins to exert influence.
2. Oppression: Victim makes immoral choices; weakens.
3. Possession: Victim surrenders to the alien entity.
4. Full Possession: The entity takes full control over the body & mind. The victim has no awareness of his choices & acts.

Demons are Fallen Angels, meaning they can't possess without consent. However, the consent of the victim can be acquired subliminally by manipulation. Thus, consent doesn't have to be given in a conscious state of mind. 

Conflicting Views

The present day perspectives regarding possession are mainly identified as psychological disorders-Schizophrenia, Hysteria, Multiple Personality Disorder, Dementia & other mental disturbances. There have been studies that conclude cases of "Possession" found in individuals already suffering from some other form of mental disorder, calling on the need for medicine. 

Legal Cases have been lodged against families of the victims & exorcism members on the grounds of Violation of Human Rights, Manslaughter, Assault, Wrongful Confinement & Death by Negligence. 

"In 2003, an autistic 8-year-old boy in Milwaukee, Wis., was killed during an exorcism by church members who blamed an invading demon for his disability; in 2005 a young nun in Romania died at the hands of a priest during an exorcism after being bound to a cross, gagged, and left for days without food or water in an effort to expel demons. And on Christmas Day 2010 in London, England, a 14-year-old boy named Kristy Bamu was beaten and drowned to death by relatives trying to exorcise an evil spirit from the boy." Source: Live Science

However, ability to understand languages, levitation, predictions & monstrous strength are yet to be explained by Science.

Conclusion

Dr. Richard Roth, who was asked for medical help in case of Anneliese Michel said, "There are no injections against The Devil". Is there even a speck of truth in cases of possession? We don't know. The questions regarding The Paranormal are yet to be answered. The thing about the Supernatural is that it's explained & unexplained at the same time. And the latter is what excites us & fills us with awe. Even the Skeptics. But what we know is that we live in a time where demonic possessions are denied & yet these are the times where we express the demons within us in the most destructive forms.

-Bhavesh Arora