Category: Protection and Dangers

Do exorcisms work? Many people wonder about exorcisms when they’re dealing with paranormal and dark forces.

The answer is yes… and no.

I never thought much about exorcisms until I met demonologist John Zaffis.

I’m simply not interested in the subject of demons.

However, after a short, informal conversation with Mr. Zaffis, I was a believer. He had photos with red figures in them, eerily similar to some from my most baffling case, and he’s had lengthy experience with exorcists.

Since then, here’s what I’ve observed about exorcisms and exorcists.

Exorcisms rarely work the first time.

From what I’ve seen and heard, the initial exorcism may only provide brief relief, if any help at all. Results improve with subsequent exorcisms (usually by the same exorcist), and it’s not unusual to require a dozen exorcisms to see lasting benefits.

It’s best not to start down this path unless you’re willing to see it through. You cannot simply walk away from an irate, vindictive, defensive demon, or a client who is dealing with one.

Exorcisms are exhausting for everyone involved.

Exorcisms often involve spirits (or Satan, satans or demons) that can drain or at least draw energy from the victim, the witnesses and the exorcist. Physical health issues can be a concern, and it can be wise to involve a medical doctor or a professional healer in the process.

Mental and spiritual health are always issues for all participants in the exorcism. Without exception, if you’re involved in an exorcism, even as a silent witness, it’s vital to take precautions.

Exorcisms rely on personal and spiritual power.

The innate power of the exorcist can be vital. A person with numerous weaknesses or untested spirituality can become vulnerable during the exorcism. This is one reason why full-time religious professionals and profoundly spiritual people are usually the best exorcists.

Whether the exorcist’s skill has been acquired through training, experience or a natural/spiritual gift, the exorcist should be someone who does not falter, even for a split-second, during the process.

The ideal exorcist is a trained professional with extensive experience and a nearly blemish-free character. In lieu of that, from what we’ve heard, choose a trained professional with less experience but a sterling character.

The most unfortunate results seem to occur when the exorcist — despite training and experience — has been worn down by his or her work, and let character flaws develop.

That said, we wouldn’t risk an exorcism with an unsupervised apprentice exorcist, no matter how superior his or her knowledge and personal character.

Looking for an exorcist? Consult a professional.

In the past, I recommended specific professionals in the ghost hunting field. Unfortunately, some of the most trusted demonologists are gone now. Dealing with demons can take a terrible toll on a person’s body.

I have tremendous respect for genuine demonologists and clergy who help those possessed by demons.

I’m disgusted to see people boasting that they’re exorcists, and then – in essence – victimizing the helpless for personal and financial gain.

If you’re looking for an exorcist, check their references carefully.

Find out more at: If You’re Frightened and Need Help.

Photo by Marek Piwnicki 

Many ghost hunters have sensed ghosts, seen them, or even sensed messages from them. So, in a way, we’ve sometimes been “mediums.” That doesn’t mean we’re evil, or witches, or even making up stories from our imaginations.

It only means that we’re sensitive to “ghostly” energy.

Maybe that comes naturally to us. Maybe it’s something we acquire after many encounters with ghosts.

Either way, it’s normal.

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This is important

A medium is someone who acts as the go-between.  You’re in the middle, acting as the conduit between the ghosts’ world and ours.  Most mediums seem to be psychic, but not all psychics are mediums.

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In general, ghosts and spirits can’t take over a person without his/her permission.

Even misguided ghosts aren’t that powerful.

Really.

I’m not talking about demons or malicious spirits. That’s another topic. I’m seeing increased reports of demons and malicious entities, but it’s still a very small issue in ghost hunting.

When someone is dealing with a demon or possessions, I refer them to professionals.

Find out more here: If You’re Frightened and Need Help.

However, there are times when a medium — or someone developing his or her psychic gifts — feels an unwanted presence in their field of energy, or even in their mind.

Whether or not you’re psychic, always know where your boundaries are… and when they’ve been crossed.

Begin by studying how you feel without the influence of others, including spirits.

Start your day with a reality check

First, see how you feel when you start the day. I’ve talked about this in other articles, notably Baseline… Yourself.

Here’s a quick summary:

When you wake up each morning, pause before getting out of bed and do a reality check. I mean that literally:

• Check your emotions. Are you cheerful or grumpy? Calm or anxious?
• See how you feel, physically… healthy, allergies, etc. Do you feel energized, or is it especially difficult to get out of bed today?

After completing that “baseline” check, it’s time to look ahead.  I like the phrase, “pave the road.”  That is, visualize how your day is likely to go, and how you’ll feel as you accomplish items (specific items) that you intend to complete.

During the day, pause regularly to see if you’ve accepted energy or emotions from people or the environment around you.

During each ghost hunt, pause regularly. See if you’ve been gradually accepting impressions from spirits. It’s best to notice this before it becomes a problem.

As you’re ghost hunting, if you feel imposed upon by spirits, re-center yourself.

• Revisit those morning feelings and emotions. Use them as as your reference point.
• Remember how you felt then, and do your best to re-experience those feelings.

Creative visualizations

Some psychics and ghost hunters use creative visualizations to protect their personal space. Here’s one way to do that.

• Imagine a real, physical room in the “psychic space” where spirits contact you.

1. 1. Create a visual sense of boundaries… physical walls with windows and a door. Imagine your perfect room in your perfect house, with perfect views out windows on at least three sides of the room.
   2. Make this very clear and very specific. Write it down, if that helps. Or, use a photo from a decorating magazine, or a place where you’ve lived or visited.
   3. Decide that you are the only person who can enter the room through the door. Perhaps its similar to a door in Star Trek, and only responds to your voice. The door always works. You can always leave the room and return to your own world easily and immediately.
   4. As a psychic, imagine that you’re opening only one of those windows (with a screen) to talk with the spirits. If, at any point, you want to close the window, you can. Or, you can turn your back on that window, and look out at least two other windows with happier views. Spirits cannot enter this room, but only communicate through the window. Make the screen electrically charged, if that helps. Imagine a line of salt along the window ledge, since — in folklore — ghosts generally can’t cross salt. (So far, that’s worked well for me.)
   5. Make sure the room seems real to you. It’s your spiritual haven in a “between-worlds” space. Mentally visit it every morning, and remind yourself of its decor, and how restful and safe it feels.
   6. Use this imagery whenever you are preparing to contact (or open to) spirits. Treat it very seriously; this space is as real as you make it. It is

Rely on spiritual protection if you need it.

As long as you’re dealing with ghosts — not demons — the following methods have been successful.

• Use tried-and-true spiritual protections, including crosses, pentacles, stars of David, holy water, sage smudges, and so on… they work.
• Sea salt seems to work well, too. According to stories, it’s a line that ghosts can’t cross. (Interestingly, some people report take kelp daily to reduce or prevent anxiety attacks. I use it myself when I’m stressed. Kelp’s composition is similar to salt’s.)
• If you say to a spirit, “I banish you from my presence in the name of [deity],” they usually go away.

You may need to repeat whatever you’re using regularly until the spirit/s get the point. Like persistent suitors who won’t take no for an answer, some spirits need to be told steadily and firmly that they are not welcomed.

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Warning: If you try any of those remedies and the situation becomes dramatically, frighteningly worse, stop immediately. Leave the site immediately and seek help if you’re feeling anxious. Do not go online and ask for help. Instead, find a trusted, mainstream spiritual professional – a religious minister – and tell them what’s happened.

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When you’re dealing with ghosts, there is nothing to be afraid of.

Keep in mind that, along with psychic gifts, people are also given psychic protection.

It’s mostly a matter of activating it.

Whether you choose a spiritual protection from your religion, or use creative visualization to keep spirits from intruding, there is little to fear as long as you remain alert and keep your boundaries in place.

Ghosts can be bullies, but ghosts aren’t dangerous. (Other entities can be, but that’s not what I’m talking about, here.)

Most spirits respond to what you say, out loud. As silly as it may seem, it’s helpful to say “Leave me alone,” or “Step back, you’re in my space,” if you need to.

Say it loudly and clearly, and be firm about it.

Most ghosts do not follow anyone home from ghost hunts. If they could leave the location that they’re haunting… well, they’d have left it long ago.  Something is holding them there, and it’s usually a self-imposed limit.

Daily “reality checks” will help you discern how you feel, and more quickly recognize external influences from the spirits.

Remember, if you reassert your personal boundaries when the problem is small, it’s easier to keep spirits from intruding where they shouldn’t go.