Taken Over

​In a previous post I wrote about the difference between invoking and evoking spirits. If you missed that post, the gist of it is that evoking is calling to you, invoking is calling IN to you. This topic opens the door for a discussion about possession. This is something that Hollywood has given a lot of hype to because there is a lot of profit in fear. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good scary movie, as long as you keep in mind that not everything you see is real.
 
I wanted to cover three main different terms used when discussing topics like possession and how they are different. I covered Invoking before (and I will again), but there is also horsing, and the kind of spirit or demonic possession you may be more familiar with. All of these things require a being/entity to take over your body. The difference here is consent.
 
Invoking would be when, during a ritual or rite, a priest or priestess calls into themselves the chosen deity. This is a ritual practice, and is usually done by an experienced priest/priestesses, and not to be taken/done lightly. This allows the deity to be a  fully participating member of the rite for whatever purpose they were invoked for, either as a participant in a part of the ritual, to be asked questions, or whatever the plan was.
 
Horsing is another form of invoking a deity or spirit to take over the body. The term itself comes from Afro-Caribbean practices like Voudon, Santeria, and others. Whether by this name, or another, many cultures around the world have used this practice to commune/communicate with their deities/spirits. This includes (but is not limited to) Norse, Egyptians, Indigenous Peoples, Ancient Greeks, and many more. In many cultures it would be considered a shamanic practice. There are rituals, offerings, and tools that may be required to accomplish “being ridden” (the act) as a “horse” (the one being ridden). This is a very difficult and serious spiritual event/occupation that requires an excellent rapport with the deities/spirits one wishes to commune with.
 
Most importantly, both invocation and horsing also require consent from both parties; the one wishing to invoke and the one being invoked. No deity or spirit will come and join you simply because you asked, or demanded that they do (I highly do not recommend demanding). Either of these could be practiced for a variety of reasons such as divination, healing, if the deity/spirit wishes to participate in something that requires a physical body, and of course, as practice (if they are willing to help one be a good/better physical host).
 
I have read stories of people participating in very ecstatic rituals where they then became possessed by a deity or spirit, even though that was not their intention to do so. This can get tricky, especially if you do not know the signs that it is happening. Just remember, you do have free will. At events like this there is likely to be no shortage of willing participants, so they can move on if you are not. That said, if you are new to it, or are afraid, it is best to sit out and observe rather than participate.
The last type of possession has nothing do with consent. This is the kind you may see in movies or read about in books. In this case, a spirit, dark entity, or demonic force forcibly takes over your body. This is not the immediate happenstance Hollywood would have you believe. Generally speaking there is a work up to this kind of event. Usually starting with what may seem like a haunting. Some unusual events, things seem off, etc.. This can become more prominent, maybe even violent over time. A more subtle way that these entities gain access to your mind and body is through something called obsession. This is like the little devil that whispers horrible things in your ear. While they do not outright control your body at this point, they know how to manipulate you to do things you may not otherwise do. They make you feel isolated and alone. By now they have been feeding on your fear or other negative emotions; wearing you down. It is after this stage that actual physical possession may occur.
 
A note about consent. We often think of it as actually agreeing to something; out loud or in writing perhaps. This works in the physical world, but in the spiritual world, consent can be a bit trickier. It may look like not taking authority over your body or physical space, or it could mean imagining the horrible things it could/may do to you or a loved one. This can seem like consent to a spirit/entity. Another reason they play on one’s fears. However, just like in the physical realm, one can always revoke their consent, even if they gave it unknowingly.
 
I would like to say that I did not write this post to scare anyone, or make them uncomfortable about the spirit realms. I do believe that knowledge is power, and in the balance of light and dark. I do tend to read a lot of from both sides. How do you feel about these practices? Have you ever experienced a consensual possession? Would you? Would you like more posts about darker topics?