THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SATANIC CULT INVOLVEMENT: AN ...

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6.4 Voluntary possession (demonic invocation)
An important distinction needs to be made between victims of spontaneous, involuntary
possession, and those individuals who consciously invite it. Involuntary or spontaneous
demonic possession is characterised by the malevolent infiltration· of a consciously
unwilling host. However, certain individuals employ rituals whereby spirits are invited to
possess them for some higher purpose. Spiritual 'mediums', for example, invite
themselves to be controlled by spiritual entities - usually spirits of the dead, or
'disincarnate' humans - in order to function as intermediaries between the mortal and
'spirit' worlds (Crabtree, 1985). Deliberate spiritual possession is not confined to occult
magic; 52% of the world's societies maintain some form of institutionalised practice of
deliberate spiritual possession (George, 1995). A form of benevolent voluntary
possession occurs in the Christian tradition when worshippers invite possession by the
Holy Spirit. 3
A third form of voluntary possession, magical invocation, is of particular relevance to
Satanism. Magical invocation is the ritual summoning of spiritual or demonic entities,
their manifestation occurring within the individual's being, rather than externally
(evocation). By deliberately identifying with the spiritual entities, possessed individuals
take on the qualities of the invoked entities, thereby gaining knowledge and power, and
strengthening the'god-related' qualities in themselves (Crabtree, 1985).
6.5 Demonic possession and its diagnostic status
The chief symptomatic complication reported by those Satanists who leave or attempt to
leave the cult is the experience of demonic possession. Demonic possession may,
however, occur in individuals who have had no experience of satanic involvement.
Consequently, it is important to distinguish between involuntary demonic possession that
Following the death and resurrection of Jesus, His disciples would experience possession by the Holy
Spirit and, while possessed, could perform miracles, 'speak in tongues' (glossolalia), and were endowed
with extraordinary courage, faith and wisdom (Crabtree, 1985). A number of Pentecostal-type churches,
including the Shakers, Mormons, and contemporary 'charismatic' Christians, evidence the same possession
phenomena as those observed in the early Christian church (Guiley, 1992).