Demonic Entities: Part 1 – Demons Around the World

Demonic Entities: Part 1 – Demons Around the World

I’ve been getting contacted by an increasing number of people who are dealing with demonic entities, and from what I hear from other psychics, I’m not alone. There appears to be an uptick in demonic hauntings and possessions. So, I figured it was as good a time as any to talk a little bit more about demonic entities: what they are, what they want, and how you can protect yourself.

Before we dive in, I’d like to remind my readers that I approach all thing paranormal as scientifically as I can. While it’s true much of the evidence for my assertions are historical accounts and personal experience, I do my absolute best to leave religion out of it of the equation altogether.

That said, religion can provide us a great deal of understanding as to the nature of demonic entities. The trick however, is not to get weighed down in determining which religion contains the absolute truth, but rather to find the similarities between accounts from the various religions of the world.

The English word “demon” comes from the ancient Greek word “daimon,” a word used to describe any spirit or divine entity or power. The word was neutral, having no inherent negative or positive associations.

It took on malevolent connotations only after the spread of Christianity in the region. With the rise of monotheism, all other deities (or daimon), were written off as false gods – a tactic practiced by Christianity’s immediate predecessor: Zoroastrianism.

Demonic Entities In Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is arguably the oldest organized religion on the planet. Evolving out of Indo-Iranian culture some 4,000 years ago, Zoroastrianism provided the basic mythos of demonic entities found in the Abrahamic religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Within Zoroastrian, demonic entities are called “Daevas.” They are believed to cause everything from immorality to illness – basically, everything you’ve read about demons in the Bible.

However, evidence suggests that the Deavas were simply a group of earlier, regional deities who were delegitimized by Zoroastrian religious authorities.

This practice of demonizing (pun-intended) the gods of polytheist religions by monotheist ones, can be seen throughout history.

The idea that the Daevas were a multifaceted group is supported by the use of the word itself. The similarity between the Old Persian word “deava” and the Sanskrit “Deva,” is no coincidence. Both languages are believed to have evolved out of the same Indo-European parent language.

The Sanskrit word “deva” means “divine” or “deity,” and in all likelihood, the Old Persian “deava” meant the same. However, while the Devas of the ancient India were often excellent in their nature, the Vedic religion is certainly not devoid of its own version of demons.

Demonic Entities In Hinduism

Hindu mythology is teeming with tales of supernatural entities of all kinds, Yakshas among them. While usually benevolent demigods of sorts, some are malicious, even sexually aggressive nature-spirits associated with forests and mountains.

Some accounts say the Yakshas haunt the wilderness like hungry ghosts, devouring mortals as they’re passing through these natural areas. While malevolence was not the sole occupation of the Yakshas, Rakshassa, on the other hand, are known man-eaters.

Rakshasas are believed to be shape-shifters, able to take the form of humans and animals. They are often depicted as large creatures, with fangs, claws, and red eyes. They are believed to drink blood from human skulls. Masters of magic, they are able to fly, appear and disappear at will, and create magical illusions. But even these blood-lusty beasts do have dimension to their character.

In some of the Vedic texts, Rakshasas fought in battle alongside both the forces of good and evil – although their willingness to do so may be attributed to their excitement at the mass of blood and flesh left for them on the battlefield. Regardless, it seems at least some of the ancient warlords were able to command the Rakshasas.

The ability to be commanded is trait we also see in Islam’s demonic entities.

Demonic Entities In Islam

In Islam, the term “Jinn” is used to describe demons as well as all other earth-bound spirits and supernatural entities, including angels. The word “jinn” means “to hide,” illustrating these beings’ ability to exist outside of the realm of ordinary sensation.

Most people are in the West are already familiar with the Jinn to some degree, in its singular form: “jinni” or “genie.”

Evidence suggests that long before Islam, the Jinn were worshiped as benevolent deities. After the advent of monotheism, the Jinn of pre-Islamic Arabia, were reduced to non-deity status, although they still encompassed both negative, neutral, and positive spiritual entities (such as angels).

According to Islamic texts, the Jinn once ruled the Earth, but were driven out by a group of angels after having become wicked and corrupt. Rule of the Earth was given to humans.

This idea of a ruling magical race being overthrown by mortals can be seen in a number of ancient cultures, perhaps most notably in the mythology of the Gaels.

Demonic Entities in Gaelic Mythology

In Gaelic mythology, the Earth (namely in the region of the Celtic nations), was once ruled by the Tuatha De Dannan (People of Dann or People of the Goddess Danu), a magical race who may have come from the Sky. These were the pagan deities of pre-Christain Ireland and Scotland. Nearly all were benevolent and intensely associated with nature and geographical areas.

According to legend, the Tuatha De Dannan were conquered by a race of mortals, and forced to give up their territory – moving into the Sídh or Fairy Mounds which still dot the Gaelic countryside.

The Tuatha De Dannan are among the ranks of the Aos Sí, a magical race comprised of deities, nature spirits, and even souls of the departed. In other-words, all disembodied earth-bound spiritual entities.

The Sí (pronounced “shee”), were neither inherently malevolent or benevolent, although after the introduction of Christianity to the region, their negative associations seemed to have taken precedence. This can be seen in the use of the word Bean Sí (lit. female faery), as being as being an omen harbinger of death.

Of course, not all fairy imagery was terrifying. Although not without their magical power, some of the wee folk of the Celtic countries are slightly less frightening in appearance.

While most people associate wee folk like the Leprechauns with Celtic countries like Ireland, it might surprise you to learn that nearly every civilization around the world has similar tales of small magical people.

Demonic Entities in Native American Mythology

Nearly every Native American tribe has its own stories and mythologies surrounding little people; many of which seem to overlap, suggesting very real experiences with these supernatural beings.

According to Wampanoag folklore, the forests are home to the Puk-Wudjie, a 3-foot tall fairy-type creature known to abduct people, push people from cliffs, and lure others to their death.

Even the Aztecs have their version of fairy folk. The Chanekeh were believed to lure people into the wilderness. Some unlucky victims would simply wander the woods aimlessly, only to return confused and unaware of where they’d been, while others were simply eaten by the Chanekeh.

Spotting the Common Themes

As we’ve seen, early versions of what we consider demonic entities were not inherently positive or negative, although no one could argue there were benefactors and villains among their ranks.

These more pronounced traits left our ancestors either worshiping these entities as benevolent gods, or avoiding them and their territory at all costs.

In almost every case, these entities seem to be connected to natural areas – particular mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, boulders, trees, and the like. Even to this day, these areas are associated with strange occurrences: everything from people hearing strange music or voices, to waves of intense emotions ranging from euphoria to despair, to unexplained disappearances and deaths.

Gods, Demigods, Demons, Deavas, Rakshassa, Jinn, Faeries – call them whatever you like. The fact is, tales of these demonic entities can be found in all corners of the world. They transcend race, religion, culture, and even continents.

Surely, this is reason enough for even the most diehard skeptic to take notice.

So, now that we have an idea of what demonic entities are, the question becomes: what do they want?

We’re going to delve into the matter in Part 2, so stay tuned!

The post Demonic Entities: Part 1 – Demons Around the World appeared first on Abbeygale Quinn: Michigan Psychic Medium & Sidereal Astrologer.