While there is limited public documentation specifically detailing the names of demons associated with exorcisms conducted in Vienna, some historical accounts and folklore can offer insight into common demons that have been linked to cases of possession in that region. Here are a few demons historically associated with possession, especially during periods of heightened fear of witchcraft and supernatural influences in Europe, including Vienna:
Specific Demons Associated with Possessions in Vienna
- Asmodeus: Known as a demon of lust and desire, Asmodeus has often been invoked in cases where individuals exhibit obsessive behaviors related to sexuality and relationships. His mention in possession narratives may commonly reflect struggles with temptation and interpersonal conflicts.
- Legion: This demon, mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, symbolizes multiple entities inhabiting a person. The idea of “Legion” often surfaces in discussions of possession, representing a person overwhelmed by various demonic influences.
- Baal: Frequently described as a powerful demon associated with chaos and earthly desires, Baal’s presence has been noted in possession cases, particularly where power dynamics and control are at play.
- Lilith: While often recognized as a figure in mythology rather than a traditional demon, Lilith has been associated with the darker aspects of femininity and seduction. Her influence may arise in cases where women express behaviors deemed socially inappropriate or rebellious.
- Leviathan: This demon, symbolizing chaos and rebellion, may be invoked when discussing possession cases associated with emotional upheaval, particularly linked to feelings of rage, anger, or lawlessness.
Historical Context in Vienna
During the 16th and 17th centuries, Vienna, like many other parts of Europe, experienced a climate of fear regarding witchcraft and demonic influence. Several noted cases during this period resulted in accusations of possession, which were often followed by exorcism rites performed by clergy. Specific names of demons involved were frequently generalized and reflected the societal fears of the time rather than detailed individual accounts.
Demonic Possession in Vienna
- Anna Maria Schreiber (18th Century):
- Background: Anna Maria Schreiber was a young girl from Vienna who became famous for her supposed possession. In 1720, she exhibited symptoms of violent behavior, unexplainable movements, and vocalization of strange sounds.
- Exorcisms: The case garnered considerable attention, leading to multiple exorcism attempts by local clergy. Reports from the time describe her as being subjected to rituals employing holy water and prayers, often in the presence of large crowds, as her case stirred public interest and fear of demonic influence.
- Outcome: While the outcomes of such cases can be ambiguous, Anna Maria’s case is often cited as an example of how individuals experiencing mental distress were labeled as possessed, resulting in public spectacles rather than psychological evaluation or support.
- Friedrich von Spee (1591-1635):
- Background: Friedrich von Spee was a German Jesuit priest and poet who lived during a time of witch hunts in Europe, including in Vienna. He is known for his critical writings on witch trials and the persecution of those accused of witchcraft.
- Writings: In his work, “Cautio Criminalis”, Spee argued against the validity of confessions obtained through torture, often linked to accusations of demonic possession. His writings raised awareness about the mistreatment of individuals accused of witchcraft and emphasized the need to question the notion of possession and its underlying causes.
- The Possessions at the Court of the Empress Marie Therese:
- Historical Context: Marie Therese of Austria, empress from 1740 to 1780, ruled during a time when belief in demonic possession still influenced many aspects of society. Various court cases involved accusations of possession that were taken seriously.
- Judicial Action: Reports from that era indicate that several women accused of witchcraft were subjected to exorcisms, highlighting the persistence of supernatural beliefs within the judicial framework of the time.
- Elisabeth Plainacher:
- Teenaged girl possessed of more than 12,000 DEMONs, allegedly sent by her grand-mother. The Vienna Possession case has political over-tones of anti-Protestant propaganda. In 1583, a 16-year-old girl in the village of Manx near Vienna, Austria, began suffering from severe cramps. She was determined by local authorities to be possessed and was sent to Vienna to the Jesuit chapel of St. Barbara for EXORCISM.
- After eight weeks of intense daily exorcisms, the priests succeeded in expelling 12,652 DEMONS, one of the highest numbers on record in demonic possession cases.
- The thousands of demons who had possessed her made her so heavy that she could scarcely be carried from place to place. The wagoner who transported her every day from the hospital to the chapel said that she seemed to be made of lead and iron, and the horses sweated profusely in pulling her cart. The priests, of course, sought to assign blame.
- The girl told them that she was often in the company of her grand-mother, Elisabeth Pleinarcher, who took her to Lutheran weddings and church services. The priests pressured her to state that Pleinarcher kept demons in the forms of flies in a bottle, and she had used these against the girl. The confession enabled Kaspar Neubeck, the bishop of Vienna, to arrest Pleinarcher.
- Elsa’s daughter Margaret died in childbirth, and Elsa took all four of the surviving children into her own care while Margaret’s widower went his own way. Three of these children would die in her care; the fourth became an epileptic in her teens, finally leading Margaret’s (Catholic) former husband to accuse his mother-in-law of bewitching everybody.
- The 70-year-old woman was imprisoned and tortured until she said that her grand- daughter’s story was true that she had accomplished the possession by sending the DEVIL into an APPLE that she had given the girl to eat. Pleinarcher also confessed to attend- ing SABBATs for 50 years. She had copulated with the Devil in the forms of a cat, a goat, and even a ball of thread. Pleinarcher was tied to the tail of a horse and dragged through Vienna to the Richplatz, where she was burned alive.
- Not long after the execution, a Jesuit priest, Georg Scherer, preached a lengthy sermon about the case, urging Viennese officials to increase their diligence against WITCHCRAFT.
NOTE – it is important to know that exorcisms still happen in Vienna and throughout Europe. However it is rather a private topic and people do not want to discuss this matter in the media for obvious reasons. If you wanted to look into this matter further you may be able to find information in local newspapers.
Visit the websites of major Austrian news outlets such as Der Standard, Die Presse, or Kurier. Use their search functions to look for articles related to “demonic possession,” “exorcism,” or “spiritual cases.”