Demons are those creatures people believe create misfortune and influence people to make bad decisions. Find out all about demons and decide if they are real or just figments of our imagination.
Demons and angels are thought by many to be those creatures that sit on our shoulder and influence us to do the right thing or to do evil. Some people believe we would never do anything bad if it weren't for demons. Some people say demons don't exist and people kid themselves about the way things really are. Who is right? Join SpiritualBlossom to learn about demons. Find out what some different religious traditions say about them and find out just what they do. Discover how to ward off demons and then explore what people who believe in demons have to say as opposed to what people who don’t believe in demons say about them. Decide once and for all- are demons real? Read on!
What is a Demon?
Demons are supernatural entities who are evil, immortal, and cause harm. The word demon comes from the Greek word “daimon” , but to the ancient Greeks, this was not malevolent. These were lesser entities or deities who guided people and they could guide us to good things or bad things. Some people even believed that these beings transported things between the gods and humanity. Others believe these beings watched over an individual from birth until death. Different cultures of people had different beliefs about what demons were.
Mesopotamia
Hebrews and Christians got their views of demons from the ancient Mesopotamians. These demons had less power than the gods, but they still had malevolent spiritual power. In ancient Babylon, a story says that after a horrible flood that the gods had inflicted upon humanity, they promised to never destroy humanity again. So, when the day came that they wanted to again, they got the demon Lamastu to kill human beings for them. To some Mesopotamians, you could become an evil spirit when you died miserably but other demons just seemed to exist on their own. They brought nightmares, bad storms, plagues, and even headaches. Interestingly, some demons were called upon for protection even though they could create great harm upon humanity. The demonic God Pazuzu for example, brought plague, but he also protected against pestilence bearing winds.
Japan
Japan has different views of demons. Some demons were more malevolent, and others were less malevolent. Traditionally in Japan there were different types of demons including Yokai and Yurei as well as lesser spirits like fox demons. Yokai for example we're spiritual creatures who often look like animals, but they also have human attributes. Some have no shape and they all have supernatural abilities like shape shifting. Traditionally in Japan there was believed to be a spirit inhabiting everything from the humblest rock to the mightiest river. Some Yokai predict disasters and others cause them. Like in Mesopotamia, the demons of Japan can do good or evil, and sometimes they are just spiritual beings that sought to live their lives. Read about the protective spirits called angels here: What is an Angel? Your Complete Guide
Hinduism
Hindus don't use the word demon. They use the word Asura. They are powerful demigod entities who can do good or evil. The Bagavad Gita said that all living beings in the entire universe have both good and evil or divine and demonic qualities within us. It is very rare to be all good or all evil, but if we fall to over indulging in such things as hatred, anger, or cruelty we can turn into a demonic Asura. The Shiva Purana says that Asuras were originally good, and became evil through their own misdeeds. Some demons in Hinduism, like Mahishasura wreaked havoc until the benevolent gods slew them. Another, Poothana was originally sent to kill Lord Krishna when he was an infant, but instead she ended up strengthening him.
Christianity
Most Christians believe that demons were originally angels who were created to serve their god, but they rebelled and were cast down from heaven with their leader, Satan. Some Christians believed that Satan and his rebel angels fell to earth and others believed they reside in hell and travel to earth to communicate with people. Either way, the belief is that they spend their time deliberately misleading human beings away from their father god. Their belief is that demons tempt human beings to do evil by giving them disturbing thoughts and encouraging them to act on impulses like anger, hatred, jealousy, or fear. To Christians, demons are not good at all, but pure evil. Read about one thing some people consider evil- the Ouija Board: The Ouija Board: Magic or Evil?
What Demons Do
While in some ancient stories, some demons just mind their own business, other stories say that demons are much more malevolent. Some demons cause harm but ultimately lead to their own downfall. For example, in Hinduism, there is a story about a demon named Ravana. A demon king of Lanka, he was very intelligent, strong, and even had 10 heads. He kidnapped the wife of Lord Rama and a terrible battle ensued. Instead of winning, he lost and was defeated. During the Heian period in Japan, Oni were depicted as troll-like beings who ate people. Another Japanese demon, the shikioji, could be conjured up to ward off other demons that caused illness or to ward off disasters. However, these demons couldn't be controlled, so conjure them up at your own risk! Read about an evil entity, the vampire here: Are Vampires Real?
In the Middle Ages, Christians believed the devil, or the supreme demon named Satan, could be called upon by his devotees, called witches, who were usually women. These witches could supposedly call upon Satan to bring death or disease upon their enemies, bad weather, crop failure, and they would use his powers to shapeshift into rabbits and eat their neighbor’s vegetables and fruits. They were believed to sometimes take Satan as a lover if they wanted to commit intimate acts that were frowned upon by the church, and they could use the power of the devil to be better at their work than they should have been. It is believed that between the years 1450 and 1750, between 40,000 and 60,000 people were executed after being accused of these acts. Are witches even real? Find out here: The Truth About Witches
Some people believe that demons possess other people and control their minds. They believe that a special priest must be called upon to cast this evil spirit out of a human victim's body and mind and this is called an exorcism. Some people believe that spirit possession is possible, but that all spirit possession must be willing, so no exorcism is necessary, the person just tells the spirit to leave. Some people believe that protective spirits do all good deeds, and demons and evil spirits do all bad things. This includes inciting human beings to anger and sending things like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and even forest fires. Read about the Zodiac Fire Signs here: What are Fire Signs of the Zodiac?
Ways to Ward off Demons
If you believe that demons are real, you're in luck. There are ways to ward them off. Even though they are considered to be immortal spirits, they are not all powerful, and human beings have the ability to get rid of them. There are different ways of getting rid of them. Sometimes all you have to do is say a prayer and the demon will disappear. Other times your good deeds through proper thoughts and behavior can hold demons at bay. Sometimes all you need is a little bit of magic to get rid of a demon.
Prayers
Believe it or not, a simple prayer to your mother goddess or father god is enough to ward off any malevolent spirit. “Mother/Father, protect me against the evils surrounding me. Help me find my inner strength so I can be stronger than evil, and if there is something I am weaker than, shield me from it,” is a powerful prayer you can use. Some spirits like Pazuzu can be prayed to for protection from other demons. For example he protected mothers and children against Lamashtu, who bound the strength of men, ate people, and harmed mothers and children. He also protected against mighty wind demons. In ancient times, images of his head were placed in doorways or worn on pendants and a simple prayer in writing accompanying such an image could say “Pazuzu Protect us”.
Good Deeds
Some people believe that the things we say and do align us with good or evil. So, when we are behaving in evil ways, we attract evil spirits. When we behave in good ways, we attract good spirits. Some people believe that the temptation to do bad exists all around us and we can choose to do bad things even if we're focusing on the good if we allow it. So, to ward off demons, just redirect your mind when your thoughts shift to the bad. Other people believe if they stay active in their spiritual communities by attending worship services and doing charitable works, it will ward off demons. Do you know the difference between right and wrong? Find out here: Do the Right Thing- Knowing the Right Thing to Do
Magic
Besides prayers and good deeds, you can use magic to ward off malevolent spirits. Images of your matron goddess or patron god can ward off evil, but certain crystals are also said to. Any black semi-precious stone like hematite or onyx is said to deflect any malevolent energies and protect the wearer. Plants with thorns like roses or blackberries are said to keep out evil also. Holy water can be made by mixing pure water with salt and a prayer over it such as “ I bless this water in the name of holiness and purity to cast out all negativity or malevolence which may be seen or unseen.” Then sprinkle this holy water wherever you feel there may be evil spirits or energy.
The most powerful magic you can use to ward off evil is your own form of exorcism ritual to cast out malevolence. First decide where you believe the evil spirit resides. Is it inside your home, inside your mind, outside somewhere, or possessing an object? Next all you have to do is tell it to leave. The clothes you wear, the incense or candles you burn, or the words you use are not nearly as important as your attitude. You have the power to control what resides in your home, what lies within you, or what is near you. Nothing has the right to be near you unless you allow it. So, with this in mind, simply tell the evil spirit, ”Get out!” and expect it to leave. If you assert yourself spirits will respect you. Learn how to be assertive here: Learn to Be Assertive and Speak Your Truth
Are Demons Real?
Some people say there's no such thing as an evil spirit that causes problems, and other people say that there are. Religious people have their explanations for demons, but skeptics have their scientific explanations also.
Religious Belief
Religious people share one thing in common, that all have faith. They have faith that what they are told is the way that things are, and it's very difficult to convince them otherwise. They have always been told that spirits exist, and that good and evil exists. They have also been taught the mythology and folklore of their religions. Within that mythology lies countless stories about encounters with good spirits, evil spirits, and the good and the harm that they can do. Some people say that they have met demons in real life. Some people say they have even witnessed demonic possessions, and they have felt a malevolent presence before something horrible happened. To them their belief in the things that they have felt as the only proof they need for the existence of demons.
Scientific Explanation
Some people say that belief in demons is simply a misunderstanding of science and nature. They say that belief in good and evil spirits developed as a way to try to explain nature and science in ancient times, and modern science has explained things so we know that good and evil spirits don't cause natural things to happen. Some people say there is no demon that does things like harm mothers and children, bad things just happen. Some people say there is no devil that transforms people into rabbits so they can eat other people's gardens. Rabbits just eat vegetables in people's gardens. Some people say the belief that you have a demonic possession in your mind is proof of a psychiatric disorder and a doctor can treat that. They also say that temptation lies all around us and we have the choice to accept or refuse the temptation, that's not demons.
So, are demons and evil spirits real, or are they people’s way to explain the evil that people do and forces of nature that cause harm? It all depends on what you believe. You might believe demons are the cause of all bad things, or that bad things happen because we make bad decisions and sometimes, nature is a force to be contended with. Even if you do believe that demons and evil spirits are living beings, you still don’t need to be afraid of them. You can ward them off with prayer, good deeds, or magic. The forces of evil, in whatever form they take, might exist, but they are not stronger than the kindness in our hearts, the good we can do, and the love of our higher power.
If you sense malevolent forces or have been the victim of evil deeds, you might feel lost. Reach out to one of our psychics for a reading to find out how to bring peace back to your life today.
About the Author: Lady Saoirse has studied magic and lore for most of her life but started walking her own Magical Path after being spiritually reborn in the desert. Today she is a High Priestess for The Temple of the Goddess, she is a psychic advisor and spiritual counselor, she shares her gifts as a Psychic and Content Writer for Mysticsense and SpiritualBlossom, and she writes for The Green Egg Magazine and PaganPages.Org emag.
