The History of Exorcism

Ancient History of Exorcism

The word exorcism is derived from the Latin exorcismus and from Greek exorkizein, which means to adjure. The concepts of exorcism and possession are universal and exist throughout all religions and cultural histories. Among ancient Babylonians and Egyptians, shamans would enter into altered states of consciousness to discover the spirit that was causing sickness and command it out. The shaman healing involves rituals and prayers in order to expel it from the person and make the spirit leave.

Going into other realms is the only way to perform a real exorcism and does not involve killing demons. How can you kill spirit? It is impossible, and is only a job for God. Anyone who claims their exorcism techniques kill demons is a fake and a scammer. True exorcism practices can still be found among tribal cultures today, and among very few qualified healers in the modern world. Many healers will remove ghosts and spirits, but very, very few are able to truly remove demons.

Christian History of Exorcism

However, the classic practice and name "exorcism" of expelling demons and spirits from people through a ritual, began at the start of Christianity. The New Testament contains text where Jesus himself performs exorcisms. (Mark 5:1-20; Matthew 10:1-8; Luke 9:1; Luke 10:17)

Jewish History of Exorcism

Some have concluded that exorcisms were even practiced among the Essenes, as was determined among the findings of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1949 in and around the Wadi at Qumran. The dead sea scrolls are generally dated to have been created between 150 BC to 70 AD. These scrolls are said to contain "four songs for the charming of demons with music." Yet only one seems to have been able to be preserved in it's entirety. That is Psalm 91. These four passages are clearly anti-demonic, however, proof that they were used in ceremonial exorcisms has still not been validated.

In the Kabbalah as well it is stated that one becomes possessed by an evil spirit called a dybukk and upon exorcism is said to leave through the big toe. However, a dybukk, is not necessarily a demon, but often a deceased ancestor. An exorcism in Judaism is most often performed by a Rabbi.

Islamic History of Exorcism

In Islam as well, the evil demons are broken down into five general categories: "jann", "jinn", "shaitans", "afrits", and "marids". In the Quran, Mohammad, the Prophet himself, attests to the existence of black magic and demons as evidenced in the Surah Falaq, one of a commonly recited prayer among Muslims. The Quran even tells the story of how a sorcerer tied 11 knots to put black magic on Mohammad, and with the recitation of the Surah Falaq, he blew on each knot. It is said in each recitation and blow, the knots unwound themselves and the continued recitation destroyed the black magic.

Of course, this was being done by a Saint/Prophet, so a simple prayer in his case was enough to destroy magic. Although Mohammad's feat is not classified as an exorcism, it can be considered a fight against darkness and is proof to the existence of evil. An Islamic exorcism is believed to be done by reciting the Quran, among other prayers.

Hindu History of Exorcism

In the Hindu Vedas, there are countless references to the demons, or asuras, and the battles that the Gods made with the demons. The origin of the Goddess Chandi is found in the second chapter of the Devi Mahatmya. It is stated that she herself was created when the Gods became upset with the long reign and battle with the demons. And out of the Light she came, with her warrior rage, and killed the demons who had control with her 18 arms containing bearing string of beads, battle axe, mace, arrow, thunderbolt, lotus, bow, water-pot, cudgel, lance, sword, shield, conch, bell, wine-cup, trident, noose, and a discuss. The Chandi homa is a Hindu ceremony that asks one of the fiercest aspects of the Divine Mother to destroy all evil in and around a person. Although very secret, and rarely performed, there are Hindu exorcism rites written in the Vedas that involve the use of cow dung to purify the person who is possessed.

Buddhist History of Exorcism

Buddhist priests are found also in Japan and are known to perform exorcisms. The priest carries a shakujo, which is a sacred stick designed with rings of metal to make vibrations of sound in which to scare the spirits away. In some Buddhist traditions, there are very elaborate ceremonies lasting for hours, involving whole villages of people, where head priests will put on different masks of the demons and dance to a point of laughter and feign death so to fool the demons.

When studying the history of exorcism clearing rites from all over the world, there seems to be common ground: discovering the name of the demon possessing the person and performing exorcism prayers. These two are the most crucial parts of the exorcisms. If the exorcist knows it's name, then they are able to cast the demon out in the name of God.

For help please click here and fill out the contact form.