1 a: to expel (an evil spirit) by adjuration b: to get rid of (something troublesome, menacing, or oppressive)
2: to free of an evil spirit
The major introduction to exorcism for the average person came from William Peter Blatty's novel, The Exorcist. The novel was quickly turned into a movie, still dubbed today as the most frightening movie ever to garnish the Hollywood screen.
But exorcisms did not start with William Blatty. They go back to the beginning of time, and although the Roman Ritual is best known, the belief in evil transcends every major religion.
One of the first demon slayers was the Archangel Michael. Theories vary over why an evil spirit would want to inhabit the body of a human being and one can use their imagination to decide why.
There is much art, writing and unexplainable situations that touch the subject of exorcism. It seems that people's fascination with the subject still goes strong. The Exorcism ofEmily Rose, based upon a true story, was spoken of at the water cooler. While it stands as a courtroom drama, the gist of what the victim had experienced was clear.
Possibly exorcism awakens ancient fears in all of us. Maybe, it has not been proven to the fullest extend to be either truth or fiction. Science tells us there in an opposite for everything. There is light and dark, up and down, cold and hot, so why not good and evil? Certainly history can point to characters that dripped evil from the pores of the skin as well as those that gave everything to be kind, gentle and leave a postive mark upon mankind.
Saint Michael Slaying the Demon, 1518
Raphael
The Medicine man not only heals but rids one of evil spirits..
Handmade oil painting reproduction of 'Old Bear' medicine man of the Mandan Tribe, from a painting of 1832, a painting by George Catlin.
St. Anthony plagued by demons, as imagined by Martin Schongauer, in the 1480s.Click here to add text.
Sage sticks are often burned to ward off unwanted spirits or to protect one. It is used by many Wiccans.
