Possession in a Pagan or Heathen Context
I'm sure at this point it is no secret that I am a seviteur of the Lwa. The phenomenon of being "ridden", "mounted", or (in horribly imprecise English parlance) "possessed" by the spirits is, without doubt, a defining feature of Vodou and many of the Afro-Caribbean Traditions.
I have also been a Pagan for over a decade, and find Paganism in my own life very complementary to Vodou. For me Vodou is a way of life relating to healthy and strong self, healthy and strong community relations, and healthy and strong connection with the spirits. Paganism, on the other hand, more strongly emphasizes harmony with the cyclical rhythms of nature, the seasons for example. I love pumpkins and trick or treaters at Halloween, bright colors and goodie baskets at Spring Equinox, the Maypole at Beltane, brightly adorned Evergreens and gifts at Yule, etc... It is not that either one entirely lacks what the other one offers, it is merely a matter of where I feel the emphasis and strength of each is placed: Spirit working (Vodou), and Nature Working (Paganism). Others who follow both traditions may disagree, but no matter.
Even before I became a Vodouisant I found references in Norse, Keltic, British/Irish and other "Pagan" or "Heathen" manuscript sources to apparent possessions of worshippers by the spirits of these respective pantheons. I have also found a few groups out there that believed that the "Great Rite" in its literal sexual manifestation should only be performed by individuals possessed by, or at least channeling, the deities involved. So there is some precedent for possession phenomenon in at least some Pagan or Heathen traditions. Yet it would not be unfair to say that this phenomenon, so common and essential a part of Vodou (or Santeria, Palo, or many of the Afro-Caribbean traditions), and evidently having some precedent in the ancient worldl, is virtually absent in Neopaganism and Neoheathenism.
But, it seems, there are some who are trying to bring it back. Consider this example brought to my attention not long ago (and which admits direct inspiration from the Afro-Caribbean Traditions)... http://www.northernshamanism.org/horsepath.html
I applaud the effort of this group, and any similar groups, to bring possession into a Pagan context. I know I think it would be profound for anyone seeking the Pagan path to be able to commune with the presence, power, and wisdom of a literal "God in the flesh". There are so many ways in which such experiences can contribute to us individually and as traditions. I would be remiss, however, not to warn of the dangers of abuse, even by this specific group, as highlighted by Freya Aswynn on her blog... http://www.aswynn.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&...
To those who might be interested, but wouldn't know what to expect (i.e. how to know whether the so called possession is phony and/or being used to selfish ends), I recommend applying the lessons of the following articles by Mambo Racine...
http://www.rootswithoutend.org/racine125/saysay.html
http://www.haitixchange.com/index.php/forums/viewthread/2632/
http://www.rootswithoutend.org/racine125/goddess.html
While these articles refer to the behaviors of the Lwa, and therefore are not perfectly applicable to possession within a Pagan or Heathen context, however the general guidelines of how to tell the real deal from the phonies, and what the spirits will or will not say or do, or will or will not ask you to do, can easily be applied.
I think this is an exciting development, and I look forward to the day when I can speak to Odin, or Dagda, or Cernunnos through the flesh of one of their devotees, especially as many of these spirits have never chosen to communicate with me directly through visions or however but that does not mean I should not wish to partake of experiences involving them. One thing is for sure... no one who came to such a Pagan or Heathen ritual would leave without the sense of having been witnesses to something profoundly good and powerful.
Does anyone here try to incorporate possession into their Pagan or Heathen traditions? If not, is this something that would interest you? If not, are you at least supportive of the idea, or would you balk at it?
I have also been a Pagan for over a decade, and find Paganism in my own life very complementary to Vodou. For me Vodou is a way of life relating to healthy and strong self, healthy and strong community relations, and healthy and strong connection with the spirits. Paganism, on the other hand, more strongly emphasizes harmony with the cyclical rhythms of nature, the seasons for example. I love pumpkins and trick or treaters at Halloween, bright colors and goodie baskets at Spring Equinox, the Maypole at Beltane, brightly adorned Evergreens and gifts at Yule, etc... It is not that either one entirely lacks what the other one offers, it is merely a matter of where I feel the emphasis and strength of each is placed: Spirit working (Vodou), and Nature Working (Paganism). Others who follow both traditions may disagree, but no matter.
Even before I became a Vodouisant I found references in Norse, Keltic, British/Irish and other "Pagan" or "Heathen" manuscript sources to apparent possessions of worshippers by the spirits of these respective pantheons. I have also found a few groups out there that believed that the "Great Rite" in its literal sexual manifestation should only be performed by individuals possessed by, or at least channeling, the deities involved. So there is some precedent for possession phenomenon in at least some Pagan or Heathen traditions. Yet it would not be unfair to say that this phenomenon, so common and essential a part of Vodou (or Santeria, Palo, or many of the Afro-Caribbean traditions), and evidently having some precedent in the ancient worldl, is virtually absent in Neopaganism and Neoheathenism.
But, it seems, there are some who are trying to bring it back. Consider this example brought to my attention not long ago (and which admits direct inspiration from the Afro-Caribbean Traditions)... http://www.northernshamanism.org/horsepath.html
I applaud the effort of this group, and any similar groups, to bring possession into a Pagan context. I know I think it would be profound for anyone seeking the Pagan path to be able to commune with the presence, power, and wisdom of a literal "God in the flesh". There are so many ways in which such experiences can contribute to us individually and as traditions. I would be remiss, however, not to warn of the dangers of abuse, even by this specific group, as highlighted by Freya Aswynn on her blog... http://www.aswynn.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&...
To those who might be interested, but wouldn't know what to expect (i.e. how to know whether the so called possession is phony and/or being used to selfish ends), I recommend applying the lessons of the following articles by Mambo Racine...
http://www.rootswithoutend.org/racine125/saysay.html
http://www.haitixchange.com/index.php/forums/viewthread/2632/
http://www.rootswithoutend.org/racine125/goddess.html
While these articles refer to the behaviors of the Lwa, and therefore are not perfectly applicable to possession within a Pagan or Heathen context, however the general guidelines of how to tell the real deal from the phonies, and what the spirits will or will not say or do, or will or will not ask you to do, can easily be applied.
I think this is an exciting development, and I look forward to the day when I can speak to Odin, or Dagda, or Cernunnos through the flesh of one of their devotees, especially as many of these spirits have never chosen to communicate with me directly through visions or however but that does not mean I should not wish to partake of experiences involving them. One thing is for sure... no one who came to such a Pagan or Heathen ritual would leave without the sense of having been witnesses to something profoundly good and powerful.
Does anyone here try to incorporate possession into their Pagan or Heathen traditions? If not, is this something that would interest you? If not, are you at least supportive of the idea, or would you balk at it?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by AmethJera on -
The Wiccan ritual of Drawling Down the Moon is a powerful connection for female (and some male transgendered persons) in which the Goddess "possesses" the high priestess for the purpose of imparting Universal knowledge. There is a parallel ritual for evoking the God into the high priest. This is a temporary state which lasts only during the specific ritual and circle cast, an example of a positive type of possession.
Spirit possession is quite different. Although I do not personally believe in Satan, I do believe that entities from a lower realm are capable of possessing an unwary individual who has not taken proper precautions to protect themselves, whose mind is wide open to assaults from these beings through the use of ritual or drugs (or both). One example is the use of popular 'talking boards', which can be used by anyone easily but which also pose a hazard if the user happens to actually make contact with a spirit who could be misrepresenting itself.This is a negative type of possession.
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Permalink Reply by Bayou Mage on -
is Drawing Down the Moon really a possession? so far everyone i've spoken to who was involved in such a rite has described it as being more a form of "channeling", where they share their body with the spirit, not possession in the vodou sense where the native consciousness is displaced during the experience. some have admitted that they were neither possessed nor even channeled anything during the experience. have you seen this phenomenon lead to full blown possession?
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Permalink Reply by Arachneh on -
Reply by Bayou Mage 8 hours ago
is Drawing Down the Moon really a possession?
It's supposed to be, in its fully realized form. Some BTW HPSs have addressed the coven in a different voice or written ritual material during the state, unremembered after the experience.
The written Charges of the Goddess/God are designed to be triggers enabling the experience, or to stand alone if full god-possession doesn't manifest.
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Permalink Reply by AmethJera on
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I have experienced personally, acting as high priestess during ritual. I am totally consumed by the Goddess, and when I ground, I have little idea what have taken place. I have never done this consciously, and have actually stepped aside to have another priestess do the evoking if I don't feel up to it. I have heard about others who just go through the motions and I'm sure some do, but I wouldn't.I consider that an insult to the Goddess.
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Permalink Reply by Bayou Mage on
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oh, i should add that "negative" possession is not the point of this discussion. i will take it as for granted that negative possession can occur, but i am not discussing negative possessions, only the positive type
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Permalink Reply by Bayou Mage on
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i should also add, to avoid confusion, that i am using the term "spirit" in this context to include "gods/deities", terms which i don't particularly like as they imply a high-and-mighty overlord type of being who would never deign to possess a lowly human being
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Permalink Reply by Arachneh on
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The Wiccan ritual of Drawling Down the Moon is a powerful connection for female (and some male transgendered persons) in which the Goddess "possesses" the high priestess for the purpose of imparting Universal knowledge.
Yep --- the invocations of Drawing Down the Moon/Sun are ritualized forms of god-possession.
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Permalink Reply by David Carron on -
This shite is dangerous as Calderon Farms practice it.
(I'm happy to site blog sources from a former member.)
These folks practiced ritual rape, unconsented piercings, multiple hours of physically extreme hanging/suspensions and blame the Gods for negative behavior.
There actions are not drawn from the lore in any serious capacity. Be smart, do your homework.
That said, there are less extreme and dangerous methods within the lore. Specifically, Seithwork where a seer journeys to Hela's realm to bring wisdom from the ancestors. Not to mention runes and other divination methods. Not as flashy but they get the job done.
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Permalink Reply by Bayou Mage on
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i agree that the calderon farms have abused the idea of spirit possessions to their own selfish ends. hence why i brought up freya aswynn's blog. still, the existence of some abuse by one particular group does not, i think, invalidate the entire concept
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Permalink Reply by Houngan Matt on -
Ive been enjoying reading her blog... I havent attended any of the rites at CF, but being here in Mass its hard to not know a few of the folks that congregate there; interesting people, but Im significantly less likely to go there now.
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Permalink Reply by Bayou Mage on
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thank you, Nathaniel. best reply yet
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