Exorcist - Revision history

Occultwiki: /* Tools */

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Tools

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	==Tools==		==Tools==
	Depending on the specific tradition the exorcist was trained in, as well as their own personal spiritual beliefs, persons employed to battle demons or other malevolent spirits typically typically wield items such as:		Depending on the specific tradition the exorcist was trained in, as well as their own personal spiritual beliefs, persons employed to battle demons or other malevolent spirits typically typically wield items such as:
	* religious texts		* [[grimoire\|religious texts]]
	* [[holy water]]		* [[holy water]]
	* holy relics		* holy relics
	* holy symbols		* holy symbols
	* magic symbols		* [[sigil\|magic symbols]]
	* invocations		* invocations

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	* a wand		* a wand
	* a [[bloodstone]] (to combat fear)		* a [[bloodstone]] (to combat fear)
	* an invocation called "~~The~~ Spirit's Chain"		* an invocation called the "[[Spirit's Chain]]"

	==Criticism==		==Criticism==

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			:''"Exorcism" and "Exorcist" both direct here.''
	[[File:Bishop-Exorcism.jpg\|350px\|thumb\|A Bishop exorcising possessed men of their evil spirits]]		[[File:Bishop-Exorcism.jpg\|350px\|thumb\|A Bishop exorcising possessed men of their evil spirits]]
	An '''exorcist''' is a person who is able to cast out [[the Devil]] or performs the ridding of [[demon]]s or other supernatural beings who have possessed a person, a location, or even an object. The term can also be used to indicate someone who has the ability to manipulate or otherwise control various demons.		An '''exorcist''' is a person who is able to cast out [[the Devil]] or performs the ridding of [[demon]]s or other supernatural beings who have possessed a person, a location, or even an object. The term can also be used to indicate someone who has the ability to manipulate or otherwise control various demons.

			Exorcisms have diverse roots in myths, [[Abrahamic religion]]s, [[African diaspora religion\|African magic]], Christian media, Classic Chinese Novels, and Japanese urban legends.

			==Concept of possession==
			The concepts of demonic possession and exorcism are found in the [[Bible]] and were practiced by the early [[Christianity\|Christians]], especially gaining prominence in the 2nd century.

			In general, people considered to be possessed are not regarded as evil in themselves, nor wholly responsible for their actions, because possession is considered to be manipulation of an unwilling victim by a [[demon]] resulting in harm to self or others. Accordingly, practitioners regard exorcism as more of a cure than a punishment.

			==Tools==
			Depending on the specific tradition the exorcist was trained in, as well as their own personal spiritual beliefs, persons employed to battle demons or other malevolent spirits typically typically wield items such as:
			* religious texts
			* [[holy water]]
			* holy relics
			* holy symbols
			* magic symbols
			* invocations

	==In Catholicism==		==In Catholicism==
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	By the twentieth century, the order had become purely ceremonial.		By the twentieth century, the order had become purely ceremonial.

			===Rite of Exorcism===
	The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that: "Jesus performed exorcisms and from him the Church has received the power and office of exorcizing." The 1917 Code of Canon Law explicitly stated that the solemn exorcism of a person believed to be possessed may only be performed with the express authorisation of the local bishop or equivalent.		The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that: "Jesus performed exorcisms and from him the Church has received the power and office of exorcizing." The 1917 Code of Canon Law explicitly stated that the solemn exorcism of a person believed to be possessed may only be performed with the express authorisation of the local bishop or equivalent.

	The Catholic Church's Rite of Exorcism was revised in 1999. Paragraph [[13 (number)\|13]] of its introduction states that a priest can be appointed by the local Bishop either for a single act of exorcism, or to the permanent position of 'exorcist'. The Rite then specifies that whenever it uses the word exorcist without qualification, it indicates a priest mandated in this way.		The Catholic Church's Rite of Exorcism was revised in 1999. Paragraph [[13 (number)\|13]] of its introduction states that a priest can be appointed by the local Bishop either for a single act of exorcism, or to the permanent position of "exorcist." The Rite then specifies that whenever it uses the word exorcist without qualification, it indicates a priest mandated in this way.

			==In non-Christian religions==
			In many [[African diaspora religion]]s, becoming possessed is not viewed negatively and spirits are actively encouraged to enter into the body of participants during rituals and worship ceremonies. In these cases, the spirit usually leaves the body after a few hours and the possessed person has no memory of what occurred during their possession.

			Practices encouraging spirit possession in Afro-Brazilian religions such as [[Candomblé]] and [[Umbanda]] have led them to be labeled as "[[black magic]]" by mainstream [[Christianity\|Christians]].

			===Buddhism===
			The ritual of the Exorcising-Ghost day is part of Tibetan [[Buddhism]]. The Tibetan religious ceremony ''Gutor'', literally "offering of the 29th", is held on the 29th of the 12th Tibetan month, with its focus on driving out all negativity, including evil spirits and misfortunes of the past year, and starting the new year in a peaceful and auspicious way.

			Many Buddhist [[shaman]]s utilize a ceremonial knife called a ''phurba'' to perform exorcisms.

			===Hinduism===
			In [[Hinduism]], people can be possessed by ''bhoots'', ''prets'', or ''pisacha'', restless and often malignant beings roughly analogous to ghosts. The Atharva Veda is most focused on knowledge such as exorcism, magic, and [[alchemy]]. The basic means of exorcism are uttering a mantra and offering the yajna (a sacrifice done before a sacred fire). The devotional hymn known as ''Hanuman Chalisa'' advises conducting exorcisms by praying to Lord Hanuman, the most devoted follower of Rama.

			===Islam===
			In [[Islam]], the permissibility of exorcism, as well as models for its practice, can be traced to Hadiths reporting Muhammad and [[Jesus Christ\|Jesus]] performing exorcism rites.
			The Islamic prophet Muhammad taught his followers to read the last three surahs from the Quran:
			* Surat al-Ikhlas (The Fidelity)
			* Surat al-Falaq (The Dawn)
			* Surat an-Nas (Mankind).

			Islamic exorcisms might consist of the treated person lying down, while a sheikh places a hand on a patient's head and recites verses from the Quran, but this is not mandatory. The drinking or sprinkling of holy water (water from the Zamzam Well) may also take place along with applying of clean, non-alcohol-based perfumes, called ''attar''.

			===Judaism===
			The Jewish exorcism ritual is performed by a rabbi who has mastered the techniques of the [[Kabbalah]]. Also present is a minyan (a group of ten adult males), who gather in a circle around the possessed person. The group recites Psalm 91 three times, and then the rabbi blows a shofar (a ram's horn). The shofar is blown in a certain way, with various notes and tones, in effect to "shatter the body" so that the possessing force will be shaken loose. After it has been shaken loose, the rabbi begins to communicate with it and ask it questions such as why it is possessing the body of the possessed.

	==In ritual magic==		==In ritual magic==
	In many medieval [[grimoire]]s, the term "exorcist" is used as a title for any ritual [[magician]] who is performing sacred rites. This tradition was continued in more modern texts as well, specifically [[A.E. Waite]]'s ''[[The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts]]'' and ''[[Key of Solomon]]'' as translated by [[Samuel L. MacGregor Mathers]] in 1888.		In many medieval [[grimoire]]s, the term "exorcist" is used as a title for any ritual [[magician]] who is performing sacred rites. This tradition was continued in more modern texts as well, specifically [[A.E. Waite]]'s ''[[The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts]]'' and ''[[Key of Solomon]]'' as translated by [[Samuel L. MacGregor Mathers]] in 1888.

			Exorcists of this type often employ specific magical tools in their work:
			* the [[magic triangle]]
			* a wand
			* a [[bloodstone]] (to combat fear)
			* an invocation called "The Spirit's Chain"

			==Criticism==
			Critics of exorcism contend that so-called "possession" is often, in fact, undiagnosed mental or physical illness and the performance of an exorcism in such cases exacerbates the condition and can even be considered abuse.

			There have also been cases where exorcists have abused their position for financial gain. Researchers Nicole M. Bauer and J. Andrew Doole argue that by incorporating "medical-psychiatric expertise in the process of diagnosis," exorcists give legitimacy to demonic possession in modern society and present it as "a valid medical healing practice, superior even to medical solutions."

			==Famous exorcisms==
			* [[Urbain Grandier\|Loudun possessions]]
			* [[Christoph Haizmann]]
			* Louviers possessions

	==''The Exorcist''==		==''The Exorcist''==

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The Exorcist

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	''The Exorcist'' is the name of a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin and written for the screen by William Peter Blatty, based on his 1971 novel of the same name. It was the first installment in ''The Exorcist'' film series, and follows the demonic possession of a young girl and her mother's attempt to rescue her through an exorcism conducted by a pair of Catholic priests.		''The Exorcist'' is the name of a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin and written for the screen by William Peter Blatty, based on his 1971 novel of the same name. It was the first installment in ''The Exorcist'' film series, and follows the demonic possession of a young girl and her mother's attempt to rescue her through an exorcism conducted by a pair of Catholic priests.

	The resulting cultural conversation around the film, which also encompassed its treatment of Catholicism, helped it become the first horror film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. It was the highest-grossing R-rated horror film (unadjusted for inflation) until the 2017 release of It. ''The Exorcist'' has had a significant influence on popular culture and has received critical acclaim, with several publications regarding it as one of the greatest horror films ever made.		The resulting cultural conversation around the film, which also encompassed its treatment of Catholicism, helped it become the first horror film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. It was the highest-grossing R-rated horror film (unadjusted for inflation) until the 2017 release of ''It''. ''The Exorcist'' has had a significant influence on popular culture and has received critical acclaim, with several publications regarding it as one of the greatest horror films ever made.

	In 2010, the Library of Congress selected the film to be preserved in its National Film Registry, citing it as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."		In 2010, the Library of Congress selected the film to be preserved in its National Film Registry, citing it as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

Occultwiki at 18:34, 14 November 2024

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	In many medieval [[grimoire]]s, the term "exorcist" is used as a title for any ritual [[magician]] who is performing sacred rites. This tradition was continued in more modern texts as well, specifically [[A.E. Waite]]'s ''[[The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts]]'' and ''[[Key of Solomon]]'' as translated by [[Samuel L. MacGregor Mathers]] in 1888.		In many medieval [[grimoire]]s, the term "exorcist" is used as a title for any ritual [[magician]] who is performing sacred rites. This tradition was continued in more modern texts as well, specifically [[A.E. Waite]]'s ''[[The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts]]'' and ''[[Key of Solomon]]'' as translated by [[Samuel L. MacGregor Mathers]] in 1888.

	==~~In popular culture~~==		==''The Exorcist''==
	''The Exorcist'' is the name of a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin and written for the screen by William Peter Blatty, based on his 1971 novel of the same name. It was the first installment in ''The Exorcist'' film series, and follows the demonic possession of a young girl and her mother's attempt to rescue her through an exorcism conducted by a pair of Catholic priests.		''The Exorcist'' is the name of a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin and written for the screen by William Peter Blatty, based on his 1971 novel of the same name. It was the first installment in ''The Exorcist'' film series, and follows the demonic possession of a young girl and her mother's attempt to rescue her through an exorcism conducted by a pair of Catholic priests.

Occultwiki at 15:55, 13 November 2024

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	The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that: "Jesus performed exorcisms and from him the Church has received the power and office of exorcizing." The 1917 Code of Canon Law explicitly stated that the solemn exorcism of a person believed to be possessed may only be performed with the express authorisation of the local bishop or equivalent.		The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that: "Jesus performed exorcisms and from him the Church has received the power and office of exorcizing." The 1917 Code of Canon Law explicitly stated that the solemn exorcism of a person believed to be possessed may only be performed with the express authorisation of the local bishop or equivalent.

	The Catholic Church's Rite of Exorcism was revised in 1999. Paragraph 13 of its introduction states that a priest can be appointed by the local Bishop either for a single act of exorcism, or to the permanent position of 'exorcist'. The Rite then specifies that whenever it uses the word exorcist without qualification, it indicates a priest mandated in this way.		The Catholic Church's Rite of Exorcism was revised in 1999. Paragraph [[13 (number)\|13]] of its introduction states that a priest can be appointed by the local Bishop either for a single act of exorcism, or to the permanent position of 'exorcist'. The Rite then specifies that whenever it uses the word exorcist without qualification, it indicates a priest mandated in this way.

	==In ritual magic==		==In ritual magic==

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In ritual magic

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	==In ritual magic==		==In ritual magic==
	In many medieval [[grimoire]]s, the term "exorcist" is used as a title for any ritual magician who is performing sacred rites. This tradition was continued in more modern texts as well, specifically [[A.E. Waite]]'s ''[[The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts]]'' and ''[[Key of Solomon]]'' as translated by [[Samuel L. MacGregor Mathers]] in 1888.		In many medieval [[grimoire]]s, the term "exorcist" is used as a title for any ritual [[magician]] who is performing sacred rites. This tradition was continued in more modern texts as well, specifically [[A.E. Waite]]'s ''[[The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts]]'' and ''[[Key of Solomon]]'' as translated by [[Samuel L. MacGregor Mathers]] in 1888.

	==In popular culture==		==In popular culture==

Occultwiki: /* In popular culture */

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In popular culture

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:01, 5 March 2023
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	==In popular culture==		==In popular culture==
	The Exorcist is the name of a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin and written for the screen by William Peter Blatty, based on his 1971 novel of the same name. It was the first installment in The Exorcist film series, and follows the demonic possession of a young girl and her mother's attempt to rescue her through an exorcism conducted by a pair of Catholic priests.		''The Exorcist'' is the name of a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin and written for the screen by William Peter Blatty, based on his 1971 novel of the same name. It was the first installment in ''The Exorcist'' film series, and follows the demonic possession of a young girl and her mother's attempt to rescue her through an exorcism conducted by a pair of Catholic priests.

	The resulting cultural conversation around the film, which also encompassed its treatment of Catholicism, helped it become the first horror film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. It was the highest-grossing R-rated horror film (unadjusted for inflation) until the 2017 release of It. The Exorcist has had a significant influence on popular culture and has received critical acclaim, with several publications regarding it as one of the greatest horror films ever made.		The resulting cultural conversation around the film, which also encompassed its treatment of Catholicism, helped it become the first horror film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. It was the highest-grossing R-rated horror film (unadjusted for inflation) until the 2017 release of It. ''The Exorcist'' has had a significant influence on popular culture and has received critical acclaim, with several publications regarding it as one of the greatest horror films ever made.

	In 2010, the Library of Congress selected the film to be preserved in its National Film Registry, citing it as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."		In 2010, the Library of Congress selected the film to be preserved in its National Film Registry, citing it as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

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	[[Category:Esoteric Vocations]]		[[Category:Esoteric Vocations]]
			[[Category:Christianity]]

Occultwiki at 02:00, 22 January 2022

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	An '''exorcist''' is a person who is able to cast out ~~the~~ [[~~devil~~]] or performs the ridding of [[demon]]s or other supernatural beings who have possessed a person, a location, or even an object. The term can also be used to indicate someone who has the ability to manipulate or otherwise control various demons.		[[File:Bishop-Exorcism.jpg\|350px\|thumb\|A Bishop exorcising possessed men of their evil spirits]]
			An '''exorcist''' is a person who is able to cast out [[the Devil]] or performs the ridding of [[demon]]s or other supernatural beings who have possessed a person, a location, or even an object. The term can also be used to indicate someone who has the ability to manipulate or otherwise control various demons.

	==In Catholicism===		==In Catholicism==
	In principle, every Christian has the power to command demons and drive them out in the name of Christ, but in a Roman Catholic context, an exorcist is usually a cleric who has been ordained into the minor order of exorcist, or a priest who has been mandated to perform the rite of solemn exorcism.		In principle, every [[Christianity\|Christian]] has the power to command demons and drive them out in the name of [[Jesus Christ\|Christ]], but in a Roman Catholic context, an exorcist is usually a cleric who has been ordained into the minor order of exorcist, or a priest who has been mandated to perform the rite of solemn exorcism.

	Since at least the third century, the Latin Church has formally ordained men to the minor order of exorcist. These exorcists routinely performed ceremonies over adults and infants preparing to be baptised. The office of Exorcist was not a part of the sacrament of Holy Orders, but as a sacramental was instead first conferred on those who had the special charism to perform its duties and later to those studying for the priesthood.		Since at least the third century, the Latin Church has formally ordained men to the minor order of exorcist. These exorcists routinely performed ceremonies over adults and infants preparing to be baptised. The office of Exorcist was not a part of the sacrament of Holy Orders, but as a sacramental was instead first conferred on those who had the special charism to perform its duties and later to those studying for the priesthood.
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	==In ritual magic==		==In ritual magic==
			In many medieval [[grimoire]]s, the term "exorcist" is used as a title for any ritual magician who is performing sacred rites. This tradition was continued in more modern texts as well, specifically [[A.E. Waite]]'s ''[[The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts]]'' and ''[[Key of Solomon]]'' as translated by [[Samuel L. MacGregor Mathers]] in 1888.

	==In popular culture==		==In popular culture==
	The Exorcist is the name of a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin and written for the screen by William Peter Blatty, based on his 1971 novel of the same name. It was the first installment in The Exorcist film series, and follows the demonic possession of a young girl and her mother's attempt to rescue her through an exorcism conducted by a pair of Catholic priests.		The Exorcist is the name of a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin and written for the screen by William Peter Blatty, based on his 1971 novel of the same name. It was the first installment in The Exorcist film series, and follows the demonic possession of a young girl and her mother's attempt to rescue her through an exorcism conducted by a pair of Catholic priests.

	The resulting cultural conversation around the film, which also encompassed its treatment of Catholicism, helped it become the first horror film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. It was the highest-grossing R-rated horror film (unadjusted for inflation) until the 2017 release of It. The Exorcist has had a significant influence on popular culture and has received critical acclaim, with several publications regarding it as one of the greatest horror films ever made. ~~English film critic Mark Kermode named it his "favorite film of all time."~~		The resulting cultural conversation around the film, which also encompassed its treatment of Catholicism, helped it become the first horror film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. It was the highest-grossing R-rated horror film (unadjusted for inflation) until the 2017 release of It. The Exorcist has had a significant influence on popular culture and has received critical acclaim, with several publications regarding it as one of the greatest horror films ever made.

	In 2010, the Library of Congress selected the film to be preserved in its National Film Registry, citing it as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."		In 2010, the Library of Congress selected the film to be preserved in its National Film Registry, citing it as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

	[[Category:Esoteric Vocations]]		[[Category:Esoteric Vocations]]