On “How To Perform An Exorcism”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQLnIv3Y6Dc&t=3083s

So I know this looks weird.

For the sake of transparency, I was looking for something to listen to while I did an enormous amount of laundry and this had been sitting in my watch later folder for a good while. It seemed about the perfect length and I figured it was gonna be interesting but not interesting enough to make me stop and listen more closely and risk becoming distracted from my laundry… something I’m too easily tempted to abandon. I’m a horror fan and also someone interested in the stories and myths of religions (taken separately from religions beliefs themselves,) and I was right to think I’d find something of interest in this essay. So here’s my review/recap of “How to Perform an Exorcism” by Horses on YouTube, brought to you by my laundry.

First of all, this video is not religious. That may seem contradictory with the subject matter but Horses (great name imo) makes it clear right away that he’s examining this topic not to analyze and put forth some greater take on religion, Christianity, or catholicism, but as a guy literally explaining what the beliefs are within the catholic church and Christian mysticism surrounding demons and exorcism, what Christian mysticism is in the first place, and the history surrounding some of these practices and beliefs. All discussions of religious beliefs are taken as fact for the sake of understanding the beliefs themselves, their history, philosophy, and methodology.

I’m not going to go super in-depth into this essay as it spans a lot of ground and is quite honestly, not the most engaging thing I’ve ever listened to. But the main points are as follows:

• Diabolical Intervention = “Intrusion on human life by a demon or the devil.” It is first understood by Christian mystics that demons are literally real and can interfere with humans both physically and spiritually. They can’t change your free will but they can persuade you through performing seemingly miraculous feats, making promises, scaring you, etc. They can also inflict demonic obsession and/or possession.
  • Obsession is similar to temptation but “the soul is aware of an external force trying to exert violence upon it, but the soul also maintains its own agency.” Obsession can be internal or external; internal affecting primarily the imagination or intellect, potentially imposing duties or goals that a person would usually find disgusting, and external affects via visions, noises, perceived smells, changes in tastes, and physical sensations such as invisible pleasant touches or injuries appearing by themselves.
  • Possession, on the other hand, is an external attack on a person and the full taking over of their body by satanic forces. During a possession, there are two periods: the period of crisis and the period of calm. Periods of crisis look like what one would typically think of when picturing demonic possession (convulsions, screaming, speaking obscenities and blasphemes, and displays of supernatural power, etc.) Victims lose consciousness during this period and do not typically remember anything they have said or done. Periods of calm are characterized by episodes where it may appear as if the demonic forces have subsided but the presence can still appear as a mysterious chronic illness with no cause, no real means of identification, and no means of relief. Possession is not always continuous.

• Proof of possession. It’s understood that true possession is very, very rare, many mental and/or physical illnesses can look like possession, and that sometimes humans and the human body are just capable of really weird things.
  • Real possession must have many of the true symptoms, such as speaking in a language one has had NO exposure to or knowledge of, telepathy/the repeated accurate perceiving of hidden or distant objects one would have NO ability to see, the manifestation of supernatural powers (levitation, walking on walls or ceilings, superhuman strength, etc.)

• How to perform an exorcism: Exorcisms may only be conducted privately by priests who have been granted the power of exorcism by bishops. Exorcists must first conduct an investigation, after which if it is judged that an exorcism is required, the exorcist undergoes preparation, including a period of prayer and fasting by all parties involved if possible. The exorcism must take place in a holy place if possible. Victims are not to be restrained, instead, they must “bear it completely.” Loved ones or relevant individuals may be present at the ritual at the discretion of the exorcist.
  • The exorcist must recite a specific prayer immediately before beginning the ritual. The exorcist must wear a specific garb as well.
  • Once at the venue, the exorcist must stand with the victim and all those present, and speak a call-and-response prayer which requires the participation of the entire group.
  • The exorcist then sprinkles holy water over the victim and other attendees.
  • The exorcist then kneels and recites a series of prayers and solms, repeating some if they wish.
  • The exorcist then displays the holy cross to the victim and says a specific phrase.
  • The exorcist breathes onto the face of the victim and recites a specific phrase.
  • The exorcist recites two formulas (scripts.) The first speaks to God and asks for protection for the victim. The second speaks to the devil and commands him to leave the victim. The exorcist then may recite other formulas if they wish/feel it is necessary.
  • The exorcism is concluded by giving thanks to God

• Christian Mysticism. Horse basically breaks down what mysticism means and has meant throughout history and Christian mysticism within this context comes to mean the study of the hidden knowledge within the text of the Bible. In a broad sense, Mystics have the goal of achieving unity with God.
  • Mystics believe in a version of God that is fundamentally indescribable and unknowable while also seeking true unity with God.
  • Mystics believe that unity with God may result in divine phenomena, including but not limited to visions, prophecy, and the stigmata which are considered gifts from God.
  • Mystics pursue religious ecstasy which is a trance-like state that can come in two forms; the delightful and the violent. With delightful ecstasy, the soul is no longer in the body but the body experiences euphoria. Violent ecstasy causes the body to suffer greatly (bones dislocate, internal pain, muscles instantly drying up, the body goes cold, a person may even appear to be dead) and there is a days-long recovery.
  • Mysticism faced persecution and decreasing popularity during the Reformation and the simultaneous increased emphasis placed on “modern” science. Mysticism continued, however, to have life and success in more secluded areas of practice such as monasteries and convents, as well as in Eastern Orthodox churches. Quakerism and Pentecostalism are included as a sect that held onto areas of mysticism. 
  • Early Mystics were often hermits, medieval Mystics were often monks or nuns, and today anyone can be a Christian Mystic so long as they have access to the Bible and/or the internet.
  • Mystic practices come in the form of prayer and contemplation, reading the Bible to uncover its secrets, engaging in the spirituality of silence, and ideally, practicing self-depravation.
  • Christian Mysticism also has a decent emphasis on divine phenomena and those come in many, many, many shapes and forms, each with their own subsection identifications.

In conclusion, this video covered a lot of ground… maybe too much ground. I think Christian Mysticism could have been a video of its own or at least covered in less depth. There wasn’t a crazy tone switch between talking about demons and exorcism to mysticism, but at a certain point, it did feel like I was listening to a different video than the one I started. I recommend this video, at least the first half, to anyone who loves learning just for the sake of learning. This is a cool rabbit hole to go down if you’re into history, mythology, theology, or even horror movies.