Phenomena Issue 023 2011 03 March

2011·16 MB·English

ARE SCIENTIST
INTERESTED IN
UFO’S ?
EEsspp && ddrreeaammss
IINNCCUUBBUUSS OORR IILLLLNNEESSSS ??
GHOST’S OF GAWSWORTH
HIDDEN MESSAGES
LATEST INVESTIGATIONS
ORIGINS OF THE TOOTH FAIRY
AND MUCH MORE
EDITORIAL Contents

It’s been an interesting month. MAPIT & UPIA have
Page 2: The Robertson Panel: The CIA Consider UFOs.
secured two investigations at hotels in Wythenshawe
and Knutsford, UK in regards alleged paranormal Fran black discusses the CIA study of the UFO phenomena. The
disturbances. We have also been approached by a Robertson Panel was put together and concluded that a public
number of authors that would like us to review and relations campaign should be undertaken in order to "debunk" UFOs,
advertise their books. This issue has a number of good
and reduce public interest in the subject, and that civil UFO groups
articles, including an alleged incubus encounter and a
feature on Real Zombies, plus much more. should be monitored. There is evidence this was carried out more than
We hope you enjoy it. two decades after the Panel's conclusion.

SUB-EDITORIAL Page 3: Incubus or Illness?

Judith Jaafar recounts a case that came to her attention, in May 2000,
I was lucky this month to be invited to take part in a BBC through her then colleague, Malcolm Robinson of SPI (Strange
documentary called ‘Inside Out’, a weekly magazine
Phenomena Investigations). A very disturbed witness called Malcolm
show. The subject I was asked to participate in was the
UAV project at BAE Systems at Warton in Lancashire. I for help; and they discussed the situation and decided to take up the
was able to discuss UFO sightings throughout the North case in the hope of providing some support and perhaps helping the
West in association to experimental aircraft related to witness understand and come to terms with her experiences.
the site.

Page 7: The Shawe Abduction.
The overall slot offered some fantastic examples of amazingly
shaped unmanned crafts, seen by some for the first time. I have been rather skeptical for many years in regards the alleged
I must offer an apology to Ann Winsper this month; Last month’s alien abduction phenomena. However, in 1996 I came across an
magazine included the Chocolate girl of Thornton’s Chocolate shop in investigation that was to put my scepticism to the test. Physical marks
Chester. I worked with Ann a lot in the past, and have many of her
left on the ground, trees singed by heat and a witness recount through
articles stored for research purposes. Unfortunately I forwarded
Ann’s article to Steve instead of my own for submission. the use of hypnosis sent a shiver down my spine. Could this incident
Hey I’m not infallible. Sorry AW. really have happened? Steve Mera explains.

The world of the strange offers quite a lot this month. We have been
Page 11: ESP and Dreams?
working in depth with many associates regarding the Jerusalem UFO
ESP deals with extra sensory perception, and thus can get pretty
videos, Steve will be reviewing this in our news section. We have
also been looking into the recent Indonesian crop circles. Finally a weird. If you’ve ever seen the Sixth Sense with Bruce Willis, having
lull in media interest in animal and bird deaths, And there’s been ESP is like having a sixth sense. Unlike prophetic dreams or warning
several large cat sightings in the UK. Its also UK Conference silly dreams, ESP dreams do not emphasize on the future, but more with
season and there’s announcements with the same speakers, saying
the present and past moments that then unfold into the future. Tristan
the same thing, as well as the inevitable claptrap talking crowd
trying to make a name for themselves. Note: Not all participants fall Lee look at a number of interesting cases and explains.
into these categories, and I hope one day, the stand out lecturers
can be on a worthy event together. That would be worth seeing... Page 17: Ghosts of Gawsworth.
Dave Sadler and the UPIA team have recently been carrying out some
research in Gawsworth, Cheshire and find that it is rich in folk lore,
legends and tales of ghostly goings on. Dave visits the grave or
Maggoty Johnson, St. James Church and discusses the paranormal
happenings of Gawsworth Hall an ancient long, low, black and white
half-timbered manor house.

Page 19: Hidden Messages.
For a number of years I have has a mild interest in the subject of
UFOs ever since I saw one a number of years back. I have noticed
over the years a growing public interest due to TV shows, movies,
http://www.phenomenamagazine.co.uk
magazines and books. Recently whilst attending the US Super Bowl I

was surprised to see five alien invasion movie trailers for 2011. Is
A special thanks to all our contributors. If you would like to someone trying to tell us something? Kevin Baum wonders...
contribute yourself, please contact the Phenomena Magazine at:

[email protected]
Page 19: The Dead Walk.

THIS MONTHS CONTRIBUTORS It’s fair to say I’m a huge zombie fanatic. If it’s dead, walks and bites
I’ll be there watching, a bag of toffee popcorn in one hand and a Colt
Fran Black, Judith Jaafar, Steve Mera, Tristan Lee, Dave Sadler,
Jeff Patterson, Kevin Baum, Kate Jackson, Chris Polland, 45 in the other-just in case! You could say I think zombies are, “Dead
Dave Richardson, Colin Veacock, Alejandro Rojas, Bobby Elgee, good!” But there is a much more realistic side to these stories. Tales
Nick Colins, The Archives of Kenny Young & Paul Kimball. of real zombies, black magic, rituals and the dead rising from the

ground to do your bidding. Colin Veacock explains...
PHENOMENA MAGAZINE EDITOR: STEVE MERA -
[email protected]
Page 21: Scientists and UFOs: They ‘ARE’ interested.
PHENOMENA MAGAZINE ASSISTANT EDITOR: DAVE SADLER - There is a common misperception that scientists are not interested in
[email protected]
UFOs. It is often debated that if there really was something to this,

then scientists would be looking into it. The reality is that not only are
DISCLAIMER
scientists interested, they have been the main proponents of this
Due to UPIA and MAPIT protocols, personal or group promotion will
subject since the beginning of modern UFO research. Alejandro Rojas
not be accepted. All submitted articles to Phenomena Magazine
must be 'Original Work'. MAPIT / UPIA are not responsible for reveals some interesting facts.
articles that appear in the magazine which do not belong to the
individuals submitting them. MAPIT / UPIA do everything in their Page 23: Paranormal Investigation: Is there a Career in it?
power to credit individuals work and images. If you are aware of any
You would think that, as a Paranormal Investigator, the most popular
material featured in Phenomena Magazine that is not credited
questions asked are, ‘Are Ghost’s Real’?, or ‘Have you ever seen
correctly, then please inform us as soon as possible. The MAPIT
Copyright covers only articles wrote by MAPIT & UPIA investigators anything yourself’? But no... The most popular question asked is
and group logos found throughout the magazine. The views and often ‘How do I get a job in it’? Bobby Elgee, has been a paranormal
opinions expressed in any of the articles are those of the authors and investigator for five years and has seriously examined the possibility
do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of UPIA,
of paranormal investigation as a career. Here are his findings...
MAPIT or Phenomena Magazine.

Phenomena Magazine is covered under the Creative Commons Latest News Items include: Bosses move haunted theme ride, My kids see Ghosts,
Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives ‘Free License’. Wikileaks & UFOs, The Jerusalem UFO Footage, The Reverand speaks out, Life After
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0
Death, Bownessie Sighting, NASA announce anomalous SETI signal and an 1800s UFO
Crash? Also - The origins of the Tooth Fairy. Book Review - The Crypto Terrestrials.

Page 1 DVD Review - Eyes of the Mothman. Advertisements and much more...
Phenomena Magazine: March 2011 - issue 23: www.phenomenamagazine.co.uk
The Robertson Panel: The CIA Consider UFOs
By Fran Black

T
A S H E
L
B T
M
O T
1918-1939 is sometimes called “the R S
golden age of aviation” because of the F P A
much technological advancement made
in aircraft. With World War II came
better, faster airplanes and more
experienced pilots. By the time the war
was over, air travel was becoming
firmly established across the world. The
skies became the highways of the
future. People started looking up in
curiosity. What they saw in the skies
was sometimes mundane, but
sometimes astonishing. The UFO age
had begun.

The early 1950s saw a surge of civilian
UFO reports. So serious had the
problem become, that normal
intelligence duties in the CIA were
being seriously impacted. Authorities
were worried that if the Soviet Union or
another adversary attempted to invade
the US, the lines would be clogged and
the government would be unable to act,
so serious had UFO hysteria become. motion pictures: The 1950 Montana This effort drew upon the resources of
Clearly, something had to be done. The and the 1952 Utah UFO Films, which renowned scientists as well as
CIA responded by forming a committee had already undergone 1,000 man hours celebrities and mass media. Even the
to investigate the thousands of UFO of detailed analysis by Navy officers influential Disney Corporation was
reports and choose a course of action. who had concluded that the depicted involved in the debunking effort.
The committee, headed by Howard objects were not any known aircraft,
Percy Robertson came to be known as creature, or weather phenomenon. From this point forward Ufology has
The Robertson Panel. been seen in disrepute among scholarly
Air Force Captain Edward J. Ruppelt circles, and UFOs have become a
Robertson was a distinguished and Major Dewey J. Fournet then subject of the fringe communities.
physicist, a CIA employee, and a addressed the panel, summarising the Finally, due to the suggestions of the
director of the Defence Department extensive work they had been involved committee, groups studying UFOs were
Weapons Evaluation Group. He drew with in UFO affairs over the preceding monitored by government agents and
upon six friends and colleagues of years. Ultimately, the panel spent spies in order to keep them from
scientific importance to fill the panel. twelve hours considering reports and influencing mass thinking. As late as
Some of the more famous scientists on investigations that Project Blue Book 1976 a CIA memo was discovered
the board were Luis Alvarez, who won and other committees had spent years telling how the agency was still having
the Nobel Prize for physics in 1968; investigating. They speedily found to report on the activities of UFO
and Samuel A. Goudsmit, who was a "explanations" for the reports. When groups.
head of one division of the Manhattan there was no answer to be found, they
Project and jointly proposed the theory swept the case under the table. The In the years following the Robertson
of the electronic spin. Other members Robertson Panel wasted no time in Panel at least two members expressed
were Frederick C. Durant, missile formulating their official report. They disappointment with its proceedings.
expert; Thornton Page, astrophysicist; concluded that 90% of UFO sightings Because of the panel's conclusions, the
Lloyd Berkner, physicist; and Allen could be readily identified with attention needed to acquire the data to The Robertson Panel
Hynek, astronomer. meteorological, astronomical, or natural even decide the nature of the UFO concluded that a
public relations
phenomenon, and that the remaining phenomenon has not been given the campaign should be
From the beginning, the panel was 10% could be explained with detailed subject. Thornton Page and J. Allen undertaken in order
biased against the idea of UFOs. In study. They furthermore stated that Hynek both lamented that the subject to "debunk" UFOs,
and reduce public
their first briefing, Robertson explained such study would be a waste of time. had not been treated with more
interest in the
that their purpose was to “debunk” seriousness. While Page expressed subject, and that
UFOs. At least one committee member, Their final recommendation stated passing interest, J. Allen Hynek went civial UFO groups
Thornton Page, was reprimanded for “That the national security agencies on to become a scientifically respected should be monitored.
There is evidence
his “excessive levity.” There has also take immediate steps to strip the voice in the subject of Ufology. There this was carried out
been some criticism that, while the Unidentified Flying Objects of the can be no doubt that the Robertson more than two
scientists on the panel were leaders in special status they have been given and Panel opened the era of government decades after the
Panel's conclusion.
their respective fields, these scientists the aura of mystery they have cover-up regarding the UFO
specialised in outer space. No scientists unfortunately acquired.” Based on their phenomenon; And yet, stripped of Critics (including a
few panel members)
were consulted who had expertise in recommendations, a public relations credibility and respect, there are still
would later lament
atmospheric conditions - which is committee was assembled to reduce those who insist on sharing their the Robertson Panel's
where UFOs are seen. The panel met in public interest in UFOs. Believers experiences. For no matter the cost, role in making UFO's
secret for four consecutive days. During subscribing to such notions were there are still those who look up into a somewhat
this time they viewed two amateur painted as foolish and irrational. the sky with curiosity... dstiusdreyp. u table field of

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Phenomena Magazine: March 2011 - issue 23: www.phenomenamagazine.co.uk
Incubus or Illness...?
By Judith Jaafar
From time to time, and more often than you’d think, the British UFO Research Association
(BUFORA) becomes involved in a case that has nothing to do with UFOs, Aliens or alleged
Abductions. Judith Jaafar Investigates...
The following case came to my In late May of 2000 SPI received a call and poorly furnished and decorated, in
attention, in May 2000, through my from Elizabeth (pseudonym), a 47yr old fact many of the walls were bare plaster
then colleague, Malcolm Robinson of white English woman living in a and hadn’t been painted. I noticed this
SPI (Strange Phenomena council house in a suburb of west immediately, as lack of pride and effort
Investigations). The very disturbed London. She was in a deeply distressed in a “high strangeness” witnesses BUFORA is a non-cultist,
witness called Malcolm for help; we and disturbed state and reported that immediate environment (and in their scientifically-oriented
organisation dedicated to the
discussed the situation and decided to she had been subjected to the attentions person) has become such a common
investigation and research of the
take up the case in the hope of of an invisible entity that was raping feature in my investigations that it UFO enigma and related
providing some support and perhaps her on an increasingly regular basis. In merits study in and of itself. The anomalies. The UFO
phenomenon is wide-ranging and
helping the witness understand and demonology, this type of predatory aforementioned details are in no way
diverse in its characteristics and
come to terms with her experiences – at entity, if indeed an entity is the true intended to be critical or judgemental; I manifestations and can no longer
least that was my remit. The case agency, and is called an incubus, if draw them to attention only because be approached as a single
turned out to be very harrowing, and male, and a succubus if female. they may have a bearing on the nature phenomenon with a possible
single solution. In an effort to
much more complex than we at first of Elizabeth’s troubles. They could
gain greater understanding of the
envisaged. Malcolm Robinson removed Elizabeth had not slept for weeks, mean many things, but are certainly complexities of the UFO question,
himself mid-way through the certainly not in her bedroom at night, possible indicators in psychology of BUFORA employs the skills and
services of field investigators,
investigation and refused to answer the and had taken to trying to catch a few depression or other more serious forms
researchers and consultants,
witness‟s calls thereafter, even though hours on the living room couch during of mental illness. Within the spheres of many of whom work directly with
events were escalating. daylight hours. However, the attacks paranormal and psychical research, witnesses to collate the necessary
received wisdom tells us that disturbed data. BUFORA traces its origins
‘The attacks had increased in frequency and emotions coupled with a disordered or back to the London UFO
Research Association, founded in
dirty environment appear to attract 1959, one of eight British UFO
now she felt the entity with her at all times, unwelcome attention and provide a societies that amalgamated in
1962 as BUFOA (British UFO
fertile feeding ground for negative
even when doing such mundane things as Association). A key function of
energies or malevolent entities. BUFOA was to provide a national
shopping’. network of UFO investigators
Martin, Elizabeth’s 22yr old son, lived linked by latterly eleven regional
groups, and the first BUFOA
with her but was frequently absent and
Journal was produced in 1963.
He cites, in his own account of this had increased in frequency and now she I got to meet him only briefly on one of LUFORO and BUFOA merged in
case, that he believed Elizabeth to be felt the entity with her at all times, even my five visits. Martin was sceptical of January 1964 to form BUFORA,
now one of the oldest, continually
seriously disturbed and in need of when doing such mundane things as his mother’s claims and was impatient
active UFO research groups in
medical help, and his further shopping. She told us that she had with her, thereby denying her the the world. For more information
involvement would profit nothing. In made several attempts to contact support and understanding she so badly visit the BUFORA website at:
all conscience, I could not so easily religious agencies to help relieve her of needed. http://www.bufora.org.uk
walk away from someone who was so this burden, including inviting the local
clearly distressed and disturbed, so Anglican priest to bless her and her
decided to proceed with the case house. The vicar had come with three
investigation on my own without any women from the church, said some
further involvement with SPI. prayers, sprinkled holy water and asked
the “spirit” to leave.
Malcolm, despite his lack of interest in
pursuing an unfinished investigation, This did not help at all, and things got
immediately published on his website worse afterwards. Elizabeth had also
an account of his three visits to the been on a residential retreat with nuns
witness, although there were in fact five at a rural convent in an attempt to rid
such visits. Interested readers may herself of whatever it was that was
conduct a web search to find the plaguing her. She felt peaceful and
relevant material, although I believe the relaxed whist at the convent, but events
SPI website is no longer active. I have resumed as soon as she returned home.
thought long and hard over these years As a last ditch attempt, she had
about the wisdom (and the ethics) of contacted a paranormal organisation in
summarising this case owing to its the hope that a different approach
deeply personal and private nature, but would be more successful.
have decided in the interests of
accuracy and truthfulness that the On 21st June 2000 Malcolm and I made
results of my interaction with the our first visit to Elizabeth. Her house
witness ought to be recorded. was small and ordinary, not very clean

Page 3
Phenomena Magazine: March 2011 - issue 23: www.phenomenamagazine.co.uk
Incubus or Illness...?
By Judith Jaafar
He may have had his reasons, though, and foul disgusting, musky smell in her Malcolm and I later discussed at length
as we shall see shortly. Some general bedroom. Which was accompanied by the possibilities and probabilities in this
chatting followed, allowing witness and visions of small, human faces with case. Did some supernatural force
investigators to get to know each other intensely black eyes staring at her from genuinely oppress Elizabeth? Was she
over several cups of tea. Elizabeth had mid-air above her bed. suffering from a type of delusional
moved to her current address in 1992 psychosis?
from another nearby suburb after a Things just went from bad to worse
divorce from her husband, but after that. As soon as she lay down to Was she fabricating the whole thing for
maintained she had never had any odd sleep, she would feel invisible hands reasons best known to her? At the time
experiences in her previous homes. touching her all over, becoming I was training as a mental health
increasingly rough. Cold breezes would practitioner (psychotherapy and
Upon asking when these unpleasant play all around her and then her breasts hypnotherapy) and I was well aware of
manifestations first occurred, she told would be pummeled followed by a the mental health implications of this
us that they’d started in January of that weight descending onto her body. case.
year, for no apparent reason as far as Ultimately she would be penetrated by
she was concerned. I asked what else what felt like her to be a penis, all the ‘The details of her
was going on in her life at that time, while finding herself powerless and
and she appeared hesitant and unable to fight back. This would go on oppression exactly
embarrassed. By dint of some gentle and on until she was exhausted. It
matched those of the
cajoling, she finally admitted that she’d would then stop and allow her a few
Judith Jaafar was the vice chair been deserted by her lover around that hours of fitful sleep before starting
woman whose
of the British UFO Research
time and had been inconsolable with again. When asked if she felt sexual
Association (BUFORA). She
was also an accredited grief and longing. Some more gentle arousal, even against her will, during allegedly true story
investigator for the BUFORA probing revealed that she’d been having these episodes, she refused to give an
National Investigations a very secret, very passionate and all- answer. In the absence of a vehement was immortalised in
Committee (NIC). Judith was an
consuming sexual relationship with her “no”, one can only assume that she was
active member of BUFORA for
many years and conducted son’s best friend. She had been in love, too ashamed to answer in the the film, “The
investigations and research into and felt loved, for the first time in her affirmative. This is common in such
paranormal events and profound Entity”, which came
life, but as is the way with things, her cases, and also in incidents of
experiences. She was also
involved in a Witness Support son had found out and he was horrified childhood sexual abuse. out in 1981’.
Group during the 1990’s. Judith and enraged. The relationship ended
has spent many years actively there and then, not at her insistence, but At one point, while Elizabeth was in the
attending conferences and events
at her young lover’s. She was kitchen making tea, I had a look at her I asked the witness if she’d been to her
around the country and often
hosted and organised BUFORA devastated. Soon after this the trouble bookcase. I discovered around ten hefty doctor about these “symptoms”, or was
lectures in the London area. began. She couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, tomes on witchcraft, the occult and she taking any type of medication, but
and couldn’t do anything except obsess demonology, most borrowed from the she said no. I advised her to go to her
‘Within the serious boundaries
about her lost love. The first physical public library service. I mentioned this GP and ask for a referral (schizophrenia
of paranormal research, she
maintains a refreshing humour sensations began with pins and needles when the witness came back into the or sexual psychosis were on my mind),
towards the subject and moving over her head, then a sensation room, asking why she would have such but she refused this advice on the
researchers at large and has of something pushing down on her legs a collection of disturbing books in her grounds that any doctor would
contributed to many areas of this
whilst lying in bed. She felt a constant home. She assured me that this had automatically diagnose her as “mad”,
field of research with a
pragmatic, objective and positive “breeze” blowing around her head and never been an interest of hers in the without even considering the possibility
approach’. also the sensation of someone/thing past, but she had, in desperation at her of entity oppression. She was
gently stroking her hair. She began to situation, decided to do her own convinced that a spirit was plaguing
Gloria Heather Dixon
wonder if she was losing her mind research on the subject, hoping to gain her, and nothing would shake that
BUFORA Investigations
Co-ordinator when she started to detect a horrible some understanding. conviction.
It was not lost on me, however, that the
details of her oppression exactly
matched those of the woman whose
allegedly true story was immortalised
in the film, “The Entity”, which came
out some time in 1981, I believe. The
foul smell that signaled the “presence”,
the breeze blowing through the victim’s
hair, the touching, the sexual arousal,
the free-floating, strange faces, the
manhandling of the breasts, the pinning
down on the bed by a heavy weight, the
penetration, the pain and exhaustion…
and finally the self-loathing, all exactly
the same in both cases.

Malcolm then took the step of
contacting a psychic medium, with
Elizabeth’s consent, and asking her if
she would come and meet Elizabeth,
find out what was going on and do
something about it. I was very much
against this approach, as I know that
such efforts often compound the
problem and in principle I prefer not to
work with those who claim themselves

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Phenomena Magazine: March 2011 - issue 23: www.phenomenamagazine.co.uk
Incubus or Illness...?
By Judith Jaafar
to be ‘psychic’, as their testimony is He was an earthbound spirit who liked mentally- ill woman, or a non-human
purely subjective and cannot be being where he was and did not want to force that is cunning and deceptive, or
validated, or denied for that matter, in go to the light. He had latched on to even a combination of both”.
any objective, empirical way. It all Elizabeth when she was mentally and
comes down to faith in the psychic’s emotionally at a low ebb in the “There is something we are missing
ability and an acceptance of whatever aftermath of her relationship break-up, here, and I am sure that Elizabeth has
they might feel and say. However, it and when she was experiencing not told us all the information about
was initially Malcolm’s case, and I unfulfilled, intense, sexual longing. herself that we must have in order to
could not dissuade him from this Jenny told this spirit that his actions make a proper and responsible
course. were predatory and despicable, that he evaluation”.
had to leave, and that “the light” would
‘I let out a cry of, be shown to him now. At this point the “I fully expect Jenny’s spirit
spirit threw himself on the ground, deliverance not to have worked. We
“Oh, my God,” as I
apologised for his actions and indeed researchers take on an enormous
went straight to the light that had responsibility when trying to handle a
watched spots of a
appeared like an elevator shaft in the case like this. Neither Malcolm nor I
beautiful aquamarine corner of Elizabeth’s bedroom. To are clinical psychologists, nor are we
facilitate this process Jenny had asked trained exorcists. But we are catapulted
colour play all over her guides to manifest the man’s father into a distressing case where we have
to help him “go over”. to make judgements about what is the
her face and head,
right way to proceed, because people
And so it was all sorted. Jenny at this like Elizabeth have nowhere else to
following the
point had administered psychic healing turn. I personally want Elizabeth to go
contours of her nose, to the witness and provided her with a to her doctor, but she won’t. What do
protective cocoon that would allow we do? Wash our hands of the whole
lips and brow’. nothing negative to come through from case and leave her to the hell that’s
the other side. She also advised her to she’s living in, be it created by herself
take positive steps to change her life, or not? If Elizabeth were to go to her
On the 8th of July 2000, we made get herself an interest or hobby, get out doctor and be wrongly diagnosed as
another visit to the witness’s home, this more and generally “smarten up” – all psychotic, it would be a travesty, and
time with Jenny (pseudonym), a well- very sound advice. Elizabeth was thus I understand her reluctance. But if
known clairvoyant medium from the smiling and looking decidedly bemused she is in need of psychiatric help and
south of England, accompanied by her by the whole thing, but averred that she we don’t try to ensure that she receives
grown-up son. Malcolm had, was feeling much better and that a great that help, then that would be a travesty
unfortunately, fully apprised Jenny of weight had been lifted from her. So far, also. This brings into focus a huge
Elizabeth’s take on the situation – I so good – or was it? The following problem that we have in Britain in
would have preferred to have given her paragraph is lifted from my initial paranormal and UFO research. More
minimal information. We spoke with thoughts on these events, as written at and more what we term "high
Elizabeth for some time and I had a the time. strangeness" cases are being reported,
chance to see how the psychic was and who in all honesty is qualified to
approaching the situation. Jenny then “I was totally unconvinced by Jenny’s deal with them? There are no diplomas
startled us by asking us to leave, as she well-intentioned performance. I have in spirit possession or alien abduction.
did not like performing ‘cleansings’ in never seen anyone so adept at asking If you leave it to psychologists, you can
front of an audience. We had no option leading questions and putting thoughts be sure before you even start what their
Legend has it...
but to retire to a local café for an hour, and words into another’s mouth. As an evaluations will be. They have been
The Incubus is a mythological
thus being denied any chance of investigator this angered me, although trained to think in a certain way, and creature described as a comely
documenting proceedings and, most I am absolutely sure that Jenny was believe in certain things. Very few have male demon. The Incubus,
importantly, observing the dynamic doing her very best to help Elizabeth. I the courage, or the curiosity, to depending on the myth, either
visits it's victim in their sleep (in
between psychic and witness. The was very concerned that she was embrace this kind of thing with open
dreams) or physically (coming
following testimony, therefore, comes reinforcing Elizabeth’s total belief in a minds, and open hearts. This is not to and going in the form of vapor
solely from Jenny and was related to us spiritual explanation for her distress, say that I believe all witness reports on or smoke). It lures it's victims
with sexual favors, inciting lust
when we returned from the café – and possibly making matters worse. If the paranormal can be taken at face
and intoxication (presumably a
Elizabeth herself had little to say after this didn’t work, then Elizabeth would value and a supernatural explanation state like drunkenness).
the cleansing. be plunged into even greater be arrived at. Not at all. The majority Depending on the version, the
depression. It all just seemed far too of weird experiences do have a natural Incubus feeds either on the soul
or upon the life of it's victims.
After Jenny had questioned the witness pat, far too easy to me”. or psychological stimulus, and this is in
The difference being that if it
for some time, Jenny’s spirit guides itself an interesting field of study. But feeds upon the soul, the victim
informed her that there were two spirit “I had an overwhelming sense of there will always be some cases where allegedly suffers eternal
damnation, if it feeds upon the
presences in the house – one good, and deception, either on Elizabeth’s part this just does not apply. We’ll keep you
life then the victim's soul is
one not so good. It was decided, by or on the part of the alleged entity, if it posted on Elizabeth’s case, but I can intact. In either case, the victim
whom I don’t know, that the benign existed at all”. guarantee you that there’s more to gradually suffers physical
presence was that of Elizabeth’s come, lots more.” deterioration like a wasting
disease. It is thought that if the
stillborn daughter of 28yrs ago, who Jenny was insistent that the possessing
victim is not "saved" from the
had grown up in the spirit world and entity was a human soul, lost and Now is when my stern and disinterested attacker they die. Some versions
was now attempting to protect her unloved. She did not believe in the objectivity takes a firm knock, suggest that the person becomes
so obsessed with the incubus that
mother. Elizabeth had been very existence of non-human entities. however, just when I thought I had put
they stop taking food and drink,
surprised and moved by this revelation, Hundreds of years of conventional the psychic’s performance into a some say that the person dies
and Jenny had encouraged her to wisdom about incubi and succubae sensible, sceptical perspective. At the from the incubus itself.
spiritually embrace this daughter and dictates otherwise. They are invariably end of this second meeting, we all got
The actual description of the
give her a name – Susanna. The other, manifestations of an evil that has never up to take our leave and were saying
Incubus is much like the modern
malevolent entity was a scruffy-looking been human, and are incredibly our goodbyes to Elizabeth. I reached version of Dracula or other
man of around 50 yrs, 5ft 9ins in difficult to banish. At the moment I can over to shake her hand and looked at vampires. A demonic parasite
which lulls it's victims with
height, gaunt and thin with long greasy, see two distinct scenarios emerging – her face whilst speaking to her. Quite
euphoria so that it can feed on
curly hair and a long wiry beard. that of a depressed, delusional, involuntarily I let out a cry of, “Oh, my the essence of the individual.

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Incubus or Illness...?
By Judith Jaafar
God,” as I watched spots of a beautiful his own. This was now a whole At this point we took a cigarette break
aquamarine colour play all over her different kettle of fish: no psychics, and Elizabeth went to the kitchen to
face and head, following the contours mediums or paranormal investigators, make more tea. David and I went to the
of her nose, lips and brow. They were just clued-up psychology at work. garden and discussed whether these
not lights, just spots of colour and new revelations were offered to us
‘Elizabeth mentioned
elliptical rather than round in shape, because she knew we were
moving in the way that projected lights psychologists, and this was just the sort
that she would see,
do over the walls and ceiling in clubs or of stuff she thought we would love to
disco’s. Before I could say anything, fairly often, strange hear. Could false memory syndrome be
Malcolm piped up, “Can you see them applicable?
too, the blue lights on her face?” We little lights in her
were both stunned, to say the least. We also discussed something that I
Jenny then informed us that this was bedroom, lights that have not mentioned so far, the fact that
the healing energy she had left with the witness had such enormous breasts
she associated with
Elizabeth. We studied the room, but that they would constitute a medical
there was nothing I could see that could deformity. I only mention this because
the unwelcome
have produced such an effect, nor any it could possibly have a bearing on how
light source that could have left an after presence in her home Elizabeth perceived herself, in a
-image on the retina. female, sexual sense. We decided to ask
and her life’. her about this, and ascertain if it were
As if that were not enough strangeness the reason for her visits to the
for one day, as I walked down the We arrived at Elizabeth’s house on the psychiatrist, as therapy is always
hallway behind Jenny’s son, I watched evening, a couple of weeks after offered before women go ahead and
this time elongated bars of a deep Jenny’s unsuccessful “cleansing”. agree to breast-reduction surgery.
golden-orange colour rippling up and David immediately noted the bare walls
down the young man’s spinal area on and general state of the house, First things first – the breasts. No, her
top of his beige sweater and trousers. I communicated to me by just a “look”. psychiatric visits were nothing to do
told him this as we exited the house, We settled down with cups of tea and with breasts, but to do with her life
and he informed me that his mother had started the psychologist’s case taking, “issues”, although she was indeed in
done healing on his back that morning
to alleviate a painful football injury. I
have seen nothing like this before, nor
since and am quite willing to concede
that Jenny does indeed seem to have
genuine paranormal abilities, at least as
far as healing is concerned.

As I expected, the mediumistic
intervention had not helped. Two days
after Jenny’s ministrations, Elizabeth
called Malcolm and told him that things
had escalated and were worse than
ever. He suggested contacting Jenny
and asking her to come for a second
visit, which she had offered to do
anyway, but Elizabeth was adamant
that she didn’t want this, and revealed
What is an Exorcism?
that she had not “taken to” Jenny
The Catholic Encyclopedia
defines exorcism as "the act of initially. Curiously, or perhaps not, this
driving out, or warding off, same reaction was evinced by witnesses
demons, or evil spirits, from to whom Malcolm had introduced an integral and very important part of the NHS “queue” for breast-reduction
persons, places, or things, which
are believed to be possessed or Jenny in the investigation of a haunting/ the therapeutic process. I was now at surgery at the local teaching hospital.
infested by them, or are liable to poltergeist case in south London. They liberty to ask questions and go down Was she on medication? No, and she
become victims or instruments of didn’t like her and didn’t want her routes I was previously unable to do wouldn’t take it anyway. What were
their malice." In short, it is a
coming to see them for a follow-up when accompanied by a paranormal her issues? Depression, lack of
ritual performed by a Catholic
priest to expel the devil from a visit. I was also present at the researcher with little idea of what is motivation, insomnia. What was the
person, place or thing. investigation of that case, and can well truly required in such cases. David said treatment? A six-monthly 10 minute
understand the witnesses discomfort, little at the beginning and allowed me visit with an Italian doctor at the local
There are several types of
exorcism in the Roman Catholic but that is the stuff of another report. to go with my instincts, possibly as an hospital, she understanding little of
Church, such as, a Baptismal appraisal of my abilities as a potentially what he said, and he understanding
exorcism - blessing an infant I decided to confide in David fully qualified clinician. We went over even less of what she said. Outcome –
prior to baptism to cleanse it of
(pseudonym) my tutor and supervisor, all the old ground (for David’s benefit), nothing of worth. This, of course, is
evil resulting from original sin.
A Simple exorcism - blessing a the man who, at the time, was guiding and then some new. And the new was what Elizabeth told us. It would be
place or thing to rid it of evil me through my postgraduate diploma in startling. Elizabeth obviously felt interesting to hear what the Italian
influence and a Real exorcism - clinical hypnotherapy. He is a man of comfortable, or forced, into revealing psychiatrist had to say, but that is not
performing the Rite of Exorcism
to rid a human being of many years experience in psychology, hitherto guarded secrets; she was seeing an option - medical records are
diabolical possession and quite the most adept hypnotist I a psychiatrist at a the local hospital, she confidential, totally. Did these hospital
have ever met. I gave him the bare had been sexually abused by her father appointments pre-date the onset of her
A "real exorcism" is what most
bones of the story (not wanting to as a child over a period of 10 years, she recent troubles? Couldn’t give an
of us think of when we think of
exorcism. In this case, the priest- contaminate his perceptions), and he had lived in Ghana when she was answer. But if these appointments were
exorcist is dealing with a human agreed to come with me to meet young, and her father had been every six months, then it’s obvious that
being who is possessed by the Elizabeth. Malcolm did not accompany involved, whilst in Africa, in black she had been to her GP some time ago
devil -- the devil is inhabiting
this person's body. me on this visit for personal reasons of magic. about something, and he would have

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Phenomena Magazine: March 2011 - issue 23: www.phenomenamagazine.co.uk
Incubus or Illness...?
By Judith Jaafar
had to set up psychiatric referral, on the sneaky technique that he knew, but to mentioned to anyone, not David, not
NHS, at least some time before she no avail. Eventually he gave up, whilst Malcolm and certainly not Elizabeth.
contacted us, as it sadly takes ages to reassuring her that this was normal, and Yes, I had seen her other face, right
get a mental health referral, even if the that next time it would work, and there from the first visit, and it had
subject is suicidal, unless a sectioning would be a next time. We left it at that, discomfited me greatly. Just fleeting
order is issued. and had another tea break. David glimpses of what appeared to be
seemed edgy and uncomfortable, another intelligence behind her eyes,
We decided then to follow the clues she something I had never before cruel and mocking and in essence
had offered, and see where it took us. witnessed. apparently inhuman. It was the face I
The obvious question was about the saw when David was attempting to
alleged childhood abuse. Elizabeth told Next up was the revelation of the hypnotise her and he had obviously
us that she had been sexually abused by childhood life and sexual abuse in seen it too. Quite frankly, it was scary,
her father from the age of four until she Ghana, and how she knew that her and set off the “hairs on the back of the
was fourteen, at which time he had father had become involved in African neck” response. I have seen this before,
attempted to have full penetrative “occult” practices and how he would in very different circumstances, so
intercourse, as he regarded her at that disappear for evenings and days, perhaps wasn’t as surprised as might be
age to be “up for it”. This was when she refusing to tell her mother what he had expected. I had done some research on
managed to gather her strength and say, been doing. He had an extensive library the topic and found that this type of
“No, no more,” realising that she was of occult books that, whilst being transfiguration was common to both
about to be raped by her own father. unaware of their true potency, she had extreme psychological states (including
The family were living during this time nevertheless dipped into with her mental illness) and possession, if
in Ghana, as her father had secured a childish curiosity. She had an indeed the two are separable.
job there. No mention was made of her unarticulated feeling that she was
mother or siblings and this was a point somehow more involved than that. We discussed this briefly and David
I wanted to come back to in subsequent This, of course, gave the lie to her took his leave, agreeing that I should
meetings. earlier assertion, when I espied her contact him to set up the next meeting
books, that she had no knowledge of, or with Elizabeth. In the event, this second
‘Just fleeting interest in such subjects. There were psychotherapeutic visit never happened
good times also when she would – David refused to go back with me to
glimpses of what accompany her father to a local creek the witness, saying that he never
where they would swim and fish wanted to be in her company again and
appeared to be
together for hours. apologising for breaking the promise
that he’d made to Elizabeth to continue
another intelligence
Elizabeth then mentioned that she her therapy. I tried hard to cajole him
behind her eyes, would see, fairly often, strange little into staying with the case, but
lights in her bedroom, lights that she obviously he had been so spooked by
cruel and mocking associated with the unwelcome what he saw in that house that no
presence in her home and her life. inducement was going to be successful.
and in essence
David then suggested that we all go I had to relay this information to
upstairs and see what we could see in Elizabeth, who had been calling me to
apparently inhuman’.
Apparent signs of Demonic
her bedroom. The three of us stood in find out when we were coming back,
Possession.
her room as Elizabeth pointed out the and told her that David’s heavy work
We discussed with her, in light of this usual place for this manifestation, up in and family schedule precluded a further According to the Church, telltale
revelation, without putting ideas in her the corner above her wardrobe and just visit. She begged me then to try and signs of demonic possession
include:
head, the profound effect this might near the ceiling. Try as I might, I could arrange an exorcism, something she had

have had on her self-image as a woman, see nothing. We waited a while until been wanting all along, and a route I Speaking or understanding
and on her subsequent behaviour with Elizabeth excitedly exclaimed, “There had adamantly resisted. She knew I was languages which the person has
never learned (different from
men. She volunteered that as an adult they are! Can you see them?” I still a Catholic so therefore thought I had
"speaking in tongues," which is
she had only ever seen herself as a saw nothing, but David, my rock of some influence with the Vatican and considered a sign of religious
sexual object (huge breasts were a part rational objectivity, turned and nodded their trained exorcists, which of course ecstasy, not possession).
of this) and that she felt she had no to me in the affirmative, whilst saying I don’t have, but I do have knowledge
Knowing (and revealing) things
worth except as an object of sexual nothing to Elizabeth. I was stunned. We of the precepts of possession and
the person has no earthly way of
desire to men. Her ability to provide went downstairs, had a parting cup of exorcism. knowing.
sexual favours (without love) was a tea, and discussed the next visit, where
Physical strength beyond the
huge part of her life. A lot of discussion David had assured Elizabeth, in respect From this I know that exorcism is an
person's natural physical
ensued, too detailed to go into here, but of her entreaties, that he would absolute last resort for the Catholic makeup.
much of it about love for the self and definitely get to the bottom of her Church, and will only be sanctioned
love for others. troubles and hopefully banish them. after exhaustive medical and A violent aversion to God, the
Virgin Mary, the cross and other
psychological testing has come up with
images of Catholic faith .
At an appropriate point, David We weren’t a second out the front door no answers. I also know that there are
suggested that he hypnotise her and try when I asked him, “What was all that certain signs of possession that must be If you do a Google search for the
word "exorcism," you'll find ads
to get to the bottom of all these tangled about, the lights?” He assured me he in evidence before an exorcism is
for exorcists -- Wanda
issues, access the “part” of her that was had seen them, describing them like 5th contemplated, such as a distinct sense Pratnicka, for example, has "30
living all the issues, and determine how November sparklers and was astonished of presence (felt by all observers), years experience with 25,000
it was impacting on her present life. that I hadn’t seen them as well. David unnatural displays of physical strength, successfully performed
exorcisms." This makes demonic
She agreed, with some initial was absolutely the last person I would outbursts of foul language
possession seem like a pretty
diffidence, and I sat back to observe. have thought susceptible to suggestion, uncharacteristic of the person, displays common occurrence. But to the
Unfortunately it was a complete non- seeing as he used it as his stock in trade of psychokinesis and telepathy, Roman Catholic Church, it's
rare: It only finds true demonic
starter. I watched the fear in the eyes as and knew very well how the whole speaking in tongues (glossolalia),
possession in about one out of
David approached her, the tensing of dynamic worked. But his next unaccountable temperature variations in every 5,000 reported cases.
the body and the clenching of the fists. statement was really to shake me to the the vicinity of the subject, fear and
She was totally resistant, whilst core. He looked at me intently and said, loathing of any religious symbols or A word of warning...
It’s probably best not to believe
maintaining that she wished to be “Did you see the other face?” Other words, levitation and idiopathic
everything you read on the
compliant. David tried and tried, every face? Now this was something I hadn’t wounding, obscene sexual speech and internet...

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Incubus or Illness...?
By Judith Jaafar
actions, etc. Some of these, of course, opposed to manifestations of mental After tea all round and the exorcists
can be found in severe mental illness, malfunction. She agreed to meet the chatting to Elizabeth about her situation
but there is a “quality” about true subject and attempt to help her. and her religious faith, the business
possession by negative forces that is started in earnest and continued for the
unmistakable, or so conventional I called Elizabeth and asked if she next three hours. I had stated that I
wisdom dictates, and it is this, taken would be happy for Nancy to intervene. wished to take no part in the
together with all the above, that the She was grateful and enthusiastic, and proceedings and that I would be there
Church looks for before countenancing so the next visit was arranged. I was as an observer only, staying in the
an exorcism. Elizabeth displayed none still very much in two minds about this background and taking notes (Malcolm
of these characteristics. whole thing, concerned that taking such equally stayed in the background
action would exacerbate the situation, recording the events).
Before full-blown possession however, as had happened with the psychic. I
there are mounting degrees of suppose it all comes down to what you ‘Immediately the
affliction, the two distinct stages being believe, and Elizabeth surely believed
onslaught began, the
obsession and oppression. Could it be that this was what she needed. I gave
possible that Elizabeth, with her history Nancy Elizabeth’s details as she had
barracking and
of interest and possible involvement in intimated that she initially wished to
the occult, through her evil, abusive see and speak to Elizabeth alone in badgering of the
father had been tainted by something order to assess the situation. A few days
“other”, something that took over her later Nancy called me to say that there putative possessing
life when she was at a mental and was indeed work to be done, and that
entity to show and
spiritual low ebb? It is certainly an idea during her brief visit with the witness
that many people believe is possible, when she had been praying and asking
name itself’.
and one that I knew Elizabeth was for God’s assistance, loud banging and
convinced of. I wasn’t convinced rapping had been heard from
myself, but as a student of psychology I somewhere upstairs. Upon investigation At first it was simply all participants
was well aware that often beliefs wield of the upper part of the house, nothing praying together, including our witness
more power over people than reality untoward was found. She asked if and that went on for some time. Many
does. If Elizabeth truly believed that Malcolm and I would like to be present passages were read out from the Old
she was haunted by a discarnate entity, during the forthcoming exorcism, and and New Testaments mostly involving
would her parallel belief in the efficacy we readily agreed. supplication to God and Christ for
of religious exorcism be the very tool to strength in the face of demonic
fix the problem? On the 16th August 2000, Nancy met adversity. To me, as a bystander, it
us outside Elizabeth’s house at 7.30 pm seemed that this lengthy prayer period
I was dubious, ambivalent and very and we chatted whilst waiting for two was part of a “psyching up” process for
concerned not to do anything to worsen assistant ministers to turn up. Both the ministers, allowing them to divest
Elizabeth’s condition, nor interfere with were black, and I assumed Afro- themselves of the trappings of the
what little medical help she appeared to Caribbean like Nancy, and as we were normal day they had just had and to slip
be receiving. I had been unhappy with shaking hands and introducing into a very different mental and
the intervention of a psychic, so how ourselves, I had the distinct impression emotional state.
could I reconcile that with allowing the of being under somewhat cool scrutiny.
intervention of an exorcist? But she was I wasn’t to find out why till a little later Elizabeth seemed at ease with all of this
calling me incessantly begging for help, in the proceedings. I told them only and although she was not much of a
so I made up my mind to discuss the what I thought was necessary, that churchgoer, I did notice that she joined
matter with a work colleague of mine, Elizabeth believed she was oppressed the others in a halting attempt to recite
an evangelical pastor and deliverance or possessed by a sexually predatory the Lord’s Prayer. After the formal
minister (when not a company entity, and that the oppression had praying had ceased, Elizabeth was
manager). Nancy (pseudonym) was of started around six months before when invited to vacate the sofa she had been
Caribbean origin, an island woman of her love affair had ended. I deliberately sitting on and to sit on a dining chair
great strength and presence. We had withheld information about her sexual that Nancy had now placed in the
had several talks in the past about her abuse as a child in Ghana, partly as an centre of the room. Nancy’s request
religious work and some of the stories investigative protocol but mostly was stern and brooked no disagreement,
Some Facts. s h e t o l d me about deliverance were because this information was private in fact Nancy had suddenly become
Belief in the possibility of truly astonishing, and somewhat and it was up to Elizabeth to decide if stern and commanding in every way. I
demonic possession has waned
since the advent of sophisticated disturbing. I approached her with she wished to divulge it to strangers. noticed an immediate change in
medical knowledge. What had Elizabeth’s case, only relating a few
previously been considered to be
relevant details. She listened, and then
examples of control of an
individual by a spirit or devil are stopped me, saying that she would go
now commonly accepted as home and consult with a higher
numerous forms of mental authority and let me know whether she
illness, easily explained by
could be of assistance.
nervous system activity. If all
types of behaviour (including
emotional states and cognitive Little did I realise that the higher
states) are produced and
authority was God (female), who told
mediated solely by the brain,
there leaves no potential for Nancy that Elizabeth was both
such a phenomenon as demonic psychologically impaired and
possession to exist and such demoniacally possessed, and that the
cases would clearly be instances
doctors could only help her with her
of various illnesses. However,
neuroscience has not yet been emotional dysfunction once the
able to explain all of the invading entity had been expelled.
characteristics common to
Nancy believes she has the gift of
purported cases of demonic
possession. “discernment”, a Christian grace
bestowed on special people enabling
Meslissa A. Bromwell. them to identify spirits and demons, as

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Incubus or Illness...?
By Judith Jaafar
Elizabeth – she looked scared and what they really thought. They told me Didn’t believe it to be appropriate.
hesitant. She nevertheless complied and it was quite normal for the demon(s) to Apart from her persona as a minister,
the exorcists gathered round her, all of hide at the first session, hoping to trick she was a highly intelligent, skilled and
them exuding a sense of purpose and everyone into thinking that the person compassionate woman. This I decided
power which I would think anyone possessed was just mentally ill, and that to put my faith in.
sitting in Elizabeth’s chair might have exorcism was not going to be effective.
found slightly intimidating. Malcolm had declined to be further
‘I had a real sense of
involved in the case as he couldn’t be
Immediately the onslaught began, the bothered any more with Elizabeth’s
foreboding about this
barracking and badgering of the constant phone-calls for help and had
putative possessing entity to show and next visit, which I put decided that she was mentally ill, so I
name itself. The “spirit of was on my own again. There were no
schizophrenia” was particularly down, at a conscious pleasantries this time, straight to work.
mentioned, even though the commands Elizabeth was questioned about how
to the entity to name itself had been level at least, to she had been feeling in the intervening
unsuccessful. The Bible was held to the days between visits – still under attack
ambivalence about
witness’s head many times, whilst but feeling less depressed and much
entreaties were made that the blood of more hopeful for the future. They
the nature of the
Christ be allowed to flow down over decided it was a good start. Strangely, I
witness and exorcists alike. (I asked “treatment” to which was asked if I had brought any Catholic
Nancy about this later, as I was paraphernalia with me, to which I
unaware of such a particular invocation I had acquiesced and, answered no, but that wasn’t strictly
in any Catholic ritual. It seems this is true. The Modern Theory.
to be honest, Liberal Christians and assorted
the preferred protective mechanism for
skeptics generally deny the
Evangelicals, where Catholics would facilitated’. Because of the sense of foreboding I existence of indwelling evil
use saints and angels and a crucifix). had been experiencing (and maybe a spirits controlling the minds and
lack of faith in my own rational bodies of humans. They often
view exorcism accounts in
At one point during proceedings, loud They were all three convinced that objectivity) I had retrieved my Rosary
Scriptures as having no
banging noises were again heard from there was indeed a demon latched on to beads off my bedroom mirror and grounding in reality. The
upstairs, but this time we managed to Elizabeth, and equally convinced that slipped them over my head to be worn descriptions simply represent
how authors from the 1st century
ascertain that they were coming from they would get it to reveal itself next unseen under my sweater. There was
interpreted the events. i.e. the
the adjoining property and were totally time. During this conversation I also method in my apparent madness, but gospel writers described stories
unrelated to the exorcism. Demands discovered why the other two women those are stories for another time. The about demons being commanded
were made for the entity to leave and were wary of my presence – I was a hard chair was placed in the centre of to leave their victims. Actually,
Jesus may have simply been
return to the Pit whence it came etc. Catholic, and they had no truck with the room and Elizabeth was told to sit
using his faith-healing abilities
etc., exactly like all of us have seen in Catholics, perceiving us, I suspect, to in it. This time she balked and said she to cure sufferers.
films or TV programmes about be not much better than demons had back problems and the chair caused
Conservative Christians who
exorcism. All the while I was watching ourselves. I had a quiet smile to myself her discomfort. The response from
accept the Bible as infallible
Elizabeth who was becoming more and and thought, “So much for Christian Nancy, “Satan doesn’t deserve comfort. have a range of opinions
more uncomfortable and distressed, but solidarity in the face of the Devil”. Sit in the chair designated for you.” concerning demon possession in
also remaining resolutely silent. There However, after meeting me and Wow, we were off and running! The modern times. Two extremes
are:
were no howls or screams, no abusive observing how I comported myself and prayer ritual started, the three exorcists

or blasphemous language, no attacks on how much I cared about Elizabeth’s stationed around the witness, Possession is no longer
the ministers and interestingly no mental and spiritual welfare, they encompassing her like an impenetrable common: This is the belief that
demon possession, and thus the
“other face”. In fact, as much as the decided I was “all right” and perhaps barrier. I was seated at the other end of
necessity for exorcism, was
exorcists were behaving as expected, Catholics weren’t so bad after all. In the room, well back from proceedings, widespread only during the
Elizabeth wasn’t. I began to doubt the fact, I was the only Catholic they’d ever on the sofa. ministry of Jesus and shortly
wisdom of this course of action, and had occasion to deal with, so where afterwards. It is very rare or non
-existent today. Perhaps Jesus's
was glad when Nancy called a halt to they got their prejudiced opinions from I was listening intently, whilst thinking
presence on earth caused Satan
proceedings at 11pm. I do not know. my own thoughts. Elizabeth was much and his demons to become
more agitated than last time, although unusually active. Or perhaps,
Jesus and the apostles cured
Nancy explained to Elizabeth that the Next visit they were going to mean real silent. She was rocking and fidgeting in
many possessed people in order
invading demon was very strong and business and up the ante, as the stakes the chair and turning her head towards to prove to the public that Jesus
cunning and was hiding deep within were high and they’d never engaged in me for support. She didn’t like this at was the Messiah. With the
and that they would need to come back an unsuccessful exorcism to date. For all. I had to make a decision – do I establishment of the Christian
church, the need for exorcisms
to continue and hopefully finish the me that last statement could mean many intervene and stop the process, or do I
faded. Thus, one can assume that
deliverance process. I intervened at this things, and I was mildly disturbed by it. let it continue? I decided to move near contemporary reports of
point and asked Elizabeth if that was Was it a case of convincing some poor, her and hold her hand, a conciliation possessions by evil spirits are all
(or essentially all) invalid. What
what she wanted, because she could dysfunctional soul that they were between two opposites. Her hand was
appears to be demonic
stop everything right now if she possessed even when they weren’t, and icy cold, and I mean icy, as was her possession is really caused by
wished. She stated that she did indeed then driving out a non-existent entity? gaze. I didn’t know whose hand I was mental illness. Exorcisms are
want the women to come back as soon It made me wonder whether I wanted holding. Nancy intimated to me with potentially dangerous and
abusive to their victims.
as they possibly could, as she felt their Elizabeth to be possessed or not – her eyes that I should retreat back to my

intervention was helping. I was which was the lesser of the two evils? corner, in a glance that conveyed more Possession is still common:
surprised, to say the least. We left then, meaning than a thousand words. I This is the belief that demon
possession and the necessity for
having arranged an evening of the next I had a real sense of foreboding about obeyed. I was obviously the weak link
exorcism is as valid today as it
week for a follow-up visit and with this next visit, which I put down, at a in their understanding of what they was in 1st century Palestine.
Elizabeth having been instructed to conscious level at least, to ambivalence were doing, or so I thought. Many people who are being
start reading from a prayer book that about the nature of the “treatment” to treated by psychiatrists and
psychologists and other therapist
Nancy had left for her, and to get all the which I had acquiesced and, to be A moment later, as I was writing down
are in fact demon possessed and
books on demonology and witchcraft honest, facilitated. But I knew Nancy some notes, I became aware that all can only be cured by exorcism.
out of her house, even if she had to well and was confident that she would three exorcists had, at exactly the same Uncounted millions of pounds
are being wasted by the mental
burn them. Once outside the house I do her best to help and would not put time, slipped into a strange, yet familiar
health profession in useless, or
spoke to the women and asked them anyone through such a procedure if she sounding language. even dangerous therapy.

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