This presentation by Bekah Rigby explores the concept of spirit possession, defining it as a ritual where participants act as mediums for invisible forces, typically in public forums. It examines the behaviors and rituals associated with spirit possession across various cultures and religions, highlighting its historical significance and purpose within indigenous societies. The document also contrasts modern Western views on spirit possession, framing it as often regarded as strange or a symptom of mental illness.

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Spirit Possession
Presentation by: Bekah Rigby

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Introduction
 How can Spirit Possession be studied?
 Those who study religions are limited to studying only what science
will allow, meaning they cannot prove or disprove Spirit Possession.
 They can study:
 The behaviors of the possessed
 The behaviors of the audience
 The ritual being performed

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What is Spirit Possession?
 Spirit Possession is a religious ritual in which one to several
participants in a public forum behave in ways that signify, to the
audience, that spirits have taken possession of them.
 Those possessed, in turn, become mediums for invisible forces
or beings.
 The manifestation of spirits and ability to communicate with
them.

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Discussion
 Are there behaviors and rituals similar to these in Christian
religions or other major religious traditions?
 Consider:
 Grace
 Saints
 Sacraments
 Meditation

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What is Spirit Possession
 Rituals
 Always performed in public
 During these public rituals, beliefs regarding Spirit Possession are
acted out for an audience.
 During the public rituals, the medium addresses the audience.

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What is Spirit Possession
 The medium enters into a trance, marked by 4 distinct features
 Dissociation, out of touch with normal environment
 Loss of muscle and motor control
 Behavior out of character from normal self
 Post-experience amnesia
 While in the trance, the medium displays behaviors distinct to a
particular entity or spirit and the audience is able to determine,
based upon those behaviors, which spirit it is.
 Can be marked by changes in face, voice, body language, attire,
and actions while in the trance

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Spirit Possession: History
 Where has Spirit Possession been practiced?
 Almost all cultures/religions have some sort of spirit possession.
 Varieties of spirit possession indicated by special labels
 Shamanism (Arctic, Siberian, etc.)
 Prophetic (Ancient Israel, for example)
 Mantic oracles and dansomaniac cults in Mediterranean religions
(ancient, medieval, and modern)
 Zarand bori cults in Africa
 Exorcist rituals (Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim)

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Spirit Possession: Purpose
 In small scale societies with indigenous religions:
 Practiced frequently
 Regarded as normal and approved method of communication with
spirits and deities.
 Provides mediums with:
 Income, career, and influence in community

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An Example of Spirit Possession
 Possession of Korean Shaman by Changun
 Click!

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Discussion
 Why, do you think, Spirit Possession’s role in modern
Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam is no longer common,
popular, or an approved means of communication with deities
or spirits?

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Spirit Possession: Western Views
 In Western modern society, the idea of Spirit Possession is
often viewed as:
 Weird, occult, strange, “primitive” or repulsive.
 In recent years, the concept has been seen as a symptom of
insanity, hysteria, or mental disability by psychologists