Is it a demon or not?
This topic seems to become more and more glamorized with the onslaught of Hollywood movies that distort our understanding of demonic hauntings. Now, I enjoy horror movies like many others, and I can even accept some of the Hollywood exaggerations that come with it. However, the reason I am somewhat tolerant of it is because I know better. Studying the signs of a demonic presence requires acumen beyond that of a arm-chair enthusiast of paranormal movies & TV shows. Unless you have fallen victim to a demonic haunting there is no way you can truly know all that can entail its wrath. That is, by chance as a paranormal investigator, you happen to cross paths with one by means of your involvement in a case taken on by you or your team. But, how do you determine that what you are dealing with, in fact, is a demon? The process in doing so can be very arduous while taking its toll on each & every person involved. If you ever suspect you are up against a demonic spirit you better be ready for the long haul and bring your “A” game. It is not for the weak of heart.
Looking at this from a broad scope will best prepare you for the different beliefs, encounters, approach, and methods that have been applied for many millennia. Scores of religions and ancient people have formed their own beliefs / understandings of these entities and their experiences with them. With this comes many names and a plethora of “demons”, some of which are: Jinn, Se’irim, Shedim, Shedu, Asmodai, Haggadah, Samael, Shayātīn, Iblis, Vetalas, Yakshas, Bhūta, and Pishachas. Knowledge is key to identifying a demon sooner than later. The more you know, the better you are armed for whatever it may throw at you.
Signs of demonic hauntings can be, but not limited to:
- Unexplainable noises knocks, bangs, crashing, growls, and / or guttural sounds.
- Physical manipulation of objects, from being thrown around or at you, to an area being “trashed”.
- Electrical issues such as: repeated faulting lights and appliances, as well as fuses blowing or lights popping.
- Animals may begin to act in abnormally. Growling, barking incessantly, having “accidents”, and subjugating to an invisible force.
- Feelings of oppression, intense anger and disturbing thoughts while in the home or on the property. However, once you leave this area, you immediately “normalize”.
- Photo or video anomalies where photos & video frames prior to and post of the anomaly where light is absorbed and darkness is the background with images of some being in it.
- Foul or unpleasant smells that you cannot determine where it is originating or does not stay in the same area
- Attacks from an unseen force that leaves bruises and scratches on your body for which you cannot explain.
- Visibly seeing an apparition in the form of a human, but has deformed characteristics such as a missing eyes, warped face, and animal parts in the place of where human parts would be, just to name a few.
- Negative reactions to religious / holy artifacts and / or paraphernalia like that mentioned above.
If the majority of these traits are found, it would most definitely indicate that you are dealing with a demonic entity. Now the real work begins…getting rid of it. I will cover the steps you should take with my follow up article called “Dealing with and ousting a demon” in the near future, so stay tuned!
November 15th, 2010 at 4:26 PM
My question is what do you define as a demon? There are numerous types of entities which would fit the criteria you mention, and not all are “demons” in a magical sense.
Now, if you’re approaching this from a judeo-christian standpoint, then any non-angelic entity would be considered demonic.
Regardless of your basis of belief, it’s well known by magical practitioners that many problems with entities can be caused by the individual experiencing them. This can be either through poltergeist-like attacks (on others) or attacks on the self. In the latter case, I myself have experienced this attack by a “thoughtform” created through my own fears when I was a child in an abusive household. The entity in question was capable of creating sound, invoking terror in those who heard it, and in some rare cases, physical attacks leaving marks.
Thankfully this entity was later subdued and destroyed by myself once I realized that as its creator, I had full control over it, and it couldn’t actually harm me or others unless I let it overwhelm me.
Such entities can’t actually be “exorcised” by someone other than the person who created it, for any significant amount of time, because the emotions that created and fed the creature are still there. There are some exceptions to this, but only if measures are taken to educate the person who accidentally created the creature in the first place.
To me, this isn’t a demon. To me, demons are negative beings that were summoned or otherwise attached to a person who did not create them.
- sorry for the long reply, but I only just found you guys via Portland Craigslist, and this is something that is very personal with me.
November 16th, 2010 at 10:22 AM
First off, thanks for the excellent response! You share a different experience than I have heard of thus far. With regard to your question, I will address that as I would, by no means, have any interest in challenging your opinions which were clearly based on your personal experience. Before I do that though, I’d like to preface my responses by stating that, though moot, I do not intend to debate each person’s unique or personal belief and / or experience. Rather, I’d like to offer some documented characteristics / traits that have been associated to demonic hauntings, regardless of geography & religious standpoints. I, being “weak agnostic”, myself do not subscribe to any religion and reserve my belief that there is any sect in the world that is truly righteous. That being said, yes, you will notice that my wording, if you will, is most likely influenced on the society & personal upbringing which was Judeo-Christian. I do my best to learn all I can about the paranormal field and all that it encompasses while referencing it in my writings to offer a greater resource for a large audience. Any failure to do so, is not intentional via bias.
Question: My question is what do you define as a demon? There are numerous types of entities which would fit the criteria you mention, and not all are “demons” in a magical sense.
Response: I define a demon as a non-human entity, evil spirit that has never lived as a human. I make mention of many “demons” labeled throughout many cultures & belief systems, but I do not define their native magical attributes. I leave that up to those individuals who relate (on whichever level it is that they do) to a specific demon they are familiar with.
I welcome more questions and look forward to your response!
Respectfully,
Ben Robison
Founder / Tech Specialist / Investigator
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December 22nd, 2010 at 4:24 AM
Actually, the Judeo-Christian (which should be capitalized) definition of a demon is NOT what the first commentor defined it as. We do not define a demon as “any non-angelic entity.” That’s ludicrous and absolutely incorrect. Christians define demons as being former angels, but rebelled, fought a war in heaven, and were cast out. They were never human, they were once good, and they retain their former power(s). They hate God, humans and despise anything with life and especially those humans which reflect the glory of God. All humans reflect this glory simply by being created. However, those who, due to the choice of their free-will, decide to follow Christ, they become special targets of the demonic. Christian demonologists such as myself, also recognize that many cases are psychological in nature, do not involve demons, and would completely agree with the first commentor that cases like his own are without question, possible.
I think the writer of the post is simply referring to those cases which are indeed demonic, and not psychological. Several of the signs mentioned by the poster would NOT be present in a psychological case. But one thing that was not mentioned is the role of spiritual discernment in approaching a case and trying to determine it’s causal roots. However, one thing must always be remembered, a true exorcist does not know, until he is within the exorcism itself if a case is truly demonic. Only in the exorcism is the truth revealed, and sometimes even then it can be difficult if dealing with a powerful demon who wishes to hide. Several rituals may have to take place before the demon manifests.
April 19th, 2011 at 3:25 PM
I have had paranormal experiences most of my life and I feel I am haunted. I don’t know if it is from a demon or not but I feel it is not a positive presence. I have smelled awful smells, things have moved around me and I’ve gotten photographs where the light is totally absorbed in a black mist or dense matter with strange shapes or orbs within the mist (or partial things emerging from it). Things have quieted down a lot since I’ve taken up praying it away. I would like to read more on this topic and wondered where you’ve published this article. Thanks! Claudia