Stages of demonic possession

The stages of demonic possession typically include initial subtle influences, increased effects, possession, full possession, exorcism or release, and recovery. The specifics of these stages can vary based on religious, cultural, and psychological perspectives, and professional intervention is critical in addressing and understanding these phenomena.Possession doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process. There is not a scientific process for how this occurs, but by reviewing the stages I discuss below, you will see how the position happens at a slower pace over time.

Contrary to popular belief, possession is not demons entering a person’s body and taking over his or her soul. A person’s free will is never removed, only severely compromised. The goal is to break down the individuals’ free will, so they have no desire or ability to rid themselves of this parasitic style entity.

The stages of demonic possession are often described in various religious, spiritual, and psychological traditions.

**1. Initial Influence

Description:

• Subtle Effects: At this stage, the individual may experience subtle changes in behavior, mood, or thought patterns. These changes are often gradual and can be mistaken for normal psychological or emotional fluctuations.
• Signs: Minor disturbances in personal life, unusual thoughts or dreams, or a sense of being watched or influenced by an external force.

Symptoms:

• Unexplained anxiety or fear.
• Increased interest in occult or supernatural subjects.
• Discomfort in certain locations or situations.

This can also be called the manifestation stage. Manifestation is the first contact with a negative entity. This stage is quite non-invasive. However, it can leave deep emotional trauma. At this stage, it is still quite easy to escape.

**2. Increased Influence

Description:

• Stronger Effects: The influence becomes more pronounced. The person might experience more significant shifts in behavior, thoughts, or emotions.
• Signs: Increasing isolation from friends and family, irrational behavior, or intense feelings of dread or paranoia.

Symptoms:

• Unexplained changes in personality.
• Mood swings, depression, or intense anger.
• Increasing difficulty in maintaining normal daily activities.

This stage can also be called Infestation

The second stage called Infestation represents a state when the entity infests the life of its victim. It begins to affect His or her personal and daily life. The individual feels the entity is there even when not using the tools of communication, such as the Ouija Board. This entity can also manifest itself through the home. This is “haunted house” type stuff: footsteps, voices, apparitions, furniture or other objects moving without human agency, odors with no discernible source.

It can affect property, objects, or even animals as well as people.

At this stage, the victim can start to feel really uncomfortable, even harassed.  Yet it can still be solved by simple cleansing of the individual or area.

**3. Possession

Description:

• Dominance: At this stage, the demon or entity is believed to have taken a more dominant role in the individual’s life. This can manifest as a complete takeover of the person’s will or consciousness.
• Signs: Significant changes in behavior, loss of control over one’s actions, or speech that reflects a different personality or identity.

Symptoms:

• Altered voice or mannerisms.
• Knowledge of unknown languages or unusual abilities.
• Physical manifestations such as changes in appearance or strength beyond normal capabilities.

This stage is far more serious, and can also be called: Mounting or Oppression

During the third stage, the entity is preparing the vessel for complete inhabitation. The individual can feel as if the entity is entering the body. The more the victim fights it, the worse it will get. Those little episodes last only a few minutes or seconds. The whole stage can last for days or weeks… even months, depending on how strong the victim’s free will is.

Some sources call this stage “Oppression”. The entity will do and say anything in order to urge the individual to allow full possession. It will drive the victim crazy. The individual won’t be able to sleep or think clearly. Uncontrollable anxiety, anger or sadness are also very common. The goal is to break down the victim.

Occultists be warned – for individuals new to connecting with the Demons for short-term gain may be surprised that the Demon they summoned and have not been able to receive a magical result from, now desires to “take over” their body. They may feel the energy from the Demon and misunderstand this daemonic interest as the Demon desiring to help them with their spellcasting request. In actual fact the Demon has no interest in helping the individual, rather, taking over their body is the goal.

**4. Full Possession

Description:

• Complete Control: The entity is thought to have full control over the individual’s body and mind. The person may no longer have awareness or control over their actions.
• Signs: Severe and obvious changes in personality, direct communication from the entity through the possessed person, and potentially harmful actions directed at themselves or others.

Symptoms:

• Extreme manifestations of strength or aggression.
• Severe psychological and emotional disturbance.
• Display of knowledge or behavior that is inconsistent with the person’s previous self.

Riding or Obsession Stage: The fourth stage is a state when the spirit or entity fully possessed the individual. At this stage the afflicted person has a hard time functioning, being constantly preoccupied with thoughts of the demonic activity commandeering his or her life, and frequently with thoughts of suicide as well. Sleep becomes nearly impossible.

The entity can live and speak through the body of the victim. The possessed is basically only a passenger in his own body. He or she is aware of all the actions, but either can do very little or nothing at all.

The Demon will trick people into thinking that it has left and the individual can return to having a normal existence. After a period of time (from days, to months, or even years), the Demon will return. It’s almost like it treats the victim like a portal, where it can come and go as it chooses.

Helping an individual during this time can be frustrating, as you may help the individual during a time when they are not under the daemonic attack. The individual feels free! But after sometime, the demon can return.  I like to say that people who are experiencing this type of spiritual attack need to think of “SPIRITUAL CLEANSING/CHECKUPS” a part of their annual health checks.

**5. Exorcism or Release

Description:

• Intervention: In this stage, attempts are made to remove the demon or entity through rituals, prayers, or other forms of intervention. The success of this stage can vary, and it often depends on the tradition or method used.
• Signs: The individual may show signs of distress or resistance during the exorcism process, and there may be observable changes in behavior as the entity is addressed.

Symptoms:

• Physical and emotional upheaval during the ritual.
• Temporary or permanent changes in behavior following the ritual.
• Reports of the entity leaving or being expelled from the individual.

Full Possession: The final and the most dangerous stage – Full Possession. It is very rare, but it happens. After repeated episodes of short-term possessions, the victim fully allows the entity to take control, to merge as one, and permanently co-inhabit his or her body.

In possession, a person is so physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually broken down by going through the other stages that demonic spirits are able to seize occasional control over that person’s actions.

When clients come to us, or I should say when family members of individuals who fully possessed, alert us to the situation, it is dangerous for everybody.

I have seen only a few cases where an individual is born under the influence of full possession. In this case, it is often found that the individual has lived their life with the Demon. When the Demon is removed, the individual does not feel free or happy, as many feel they have lost a part of themselves, or a part of themself is missing. Sadly this individual has the ability to connect with other spirits of the same type to fill the void. Often individuals in this scenario are born, live their lives, and die under full demonic possession.

For us as a group, we have to assess the situation carefully and decide the best way to tackle the entity or legions. Black which Coven has a unique way of handling the situation, and we have a high success rate of helping the individual read themselves of the parasitic entity. This may be performed over several sessions.

With possession, the after care process is extremely important. The individual is still open for all different types of spiritual attack. The after-care program looks slightly different in each case.

**6. Aftermath and Recovery

Description:

• Post-Exorcism: Following an exorcism or attempt to remove the entity, the individual may need to undergo a period of recovery. This phase involves dealing with any residual effects of the possession and reintegrating into normal life.
• Signs: Emotional and psychological recovery, with support from mental health professionals or spiritual advisors as needed.

Symptoms:

• Emotional or psychological healing and counseling.
• Continued monitoring for signs of residual influence or lingering effects.
• Rebuilding relationships and resuming normal life activities.

Considerations

1. Religious and Cultural Perspectives:
   • Different Traditions: The stages and interpretations of possession can vary widely among different religious and cultural traditions. Some may have additional or different stages based on their beliefs and practices.
2. Psychological Explanations:
   • Mental Health: Many symptoms associated with possession can also be explained by mental health conditions, such as dissociative disorders, schizophrenia, or other psychological disturbances. Professional mental health evaluation is essential in addressing these issues.
3. Ethical and Safety Concerns:
   • Professional Help: If possession or similar phenomena are suspected, it’s crucial to involve professionals, including mental health experts, medical doctors, and religious or spiritual leaders, depending on the context.

6 Forms of “Satanic” Activity

In Hostage to the Devil, Malachi Martin, a famous Catholic Exorcist, mentions a type of demonic attack called “familiarization”. He writes:

“The possessing spirit in “familiarization” is seeking to “come and live with” the subject. If accepted, the spirit becomes the constant and continuously present companion of the possessed. The two “persons”, the “familiar” and the “possessed”, remain separate and distinct. The “possessed” is aware of his “familiar”.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demonic_possession

Catholic exorcists differentiate between “ordinary” Satanic/demonic activity or influence (mundane everyday temptations) and “extraordinary” Satanic/demonic activity, which can take six different forms, ranging from complete control by Satan or some demon(s) to voluntary submission:

1. Possession, in which Satan or some demon(s) takes full possession of a person’s body without their knowledge or consent, so the victim is therefore morally blameless.
2. Obsession, which includes sudden attacks of irrationally obsessive thoughts, usually culminating in suicidal ideation, and typically influences dreams.
3. Oppression, in which there is no loss of consciousness or involuntary action, such as in the biblical Book of Job in which Job was tormented by a series of misfortunes in business, family, and health.
4. External physical pain caused by Satan or some demon(s).
5. Infestation, which affects houses, things, or animals; and
6. Subjugation, in which a person voluntarily submits to Satan or some demon(s).

If these priests spend more time in helping their followers &/or people improve the conditions of their lives, and less time trying to scare them into submission of finances into the Church, the modern person would stay with the Church. Instead, people want help from daemons AND be in good graces with the church – leading to the current amusing mess! All I can say is the truth is there for everyone to see!

Do you know of another stage? Or have you experienced possession? Let us know by email or make a comment below.