PRESENTED BY JAGUAR SPIRIT
Possession
BY KAYLA BABOOLAL
I don�t remember much about the actual possession, seeing as I was six, and when I was taken over, I had no memory of how I acted or what I said, but my mom knew. Mama was flown to Canada to perform my exorcism. This part, I remember. This is also the hardest story for me to tell, and one I have kept closely guarded for 3 decades, but feel it is time to be told. The procedure took place in my bedroom, the bed was against the wall, and I could see myself looking through my eyes, but not feeling in control of my body, like looking through a viewfinder. I could hear a voice, male and deep, which emanated from within me. Mama had one lit candle, yet a red glow was coming from the corner of the room I was crouched in. She spoke to the creature. Her voice was steady, strong and determined. She used the incense and herbs and he shunned. He fought for my body, and she fought for my soul. Mama won.
From that moment on I was guarded, both spiritually and physically. Mama created a bundle that I was to keep on my person at all times, and additional bundles were made which mom was to place over all doorways in our home.
My initiation continues�
Ritual possession has been a common practice among indigenous people around the world for eons, and can be either partial or complete. Possession may be of an animal or human form depending on the culture and the purpose for the possession. It may be restricted to the medicine person/healer/shaman or in the case of several African based religions; it may be open to any participating in the ritual.
A partial possession may be viewed as direct channelling, where the participant is still aware of his/her actions. In the case of complete possession the participant is unaware of their actions, and would normally act in an uncharacteristic way. They may even speak a different language, or appear to be of a different sex or species.
These techniques, as well as safeguards to be considered will be outlined as this section develops. Practices from the Americans, Polynesia and African based religions (Santeria and Voudon) shall be discussed.
Non-ritual possession may be rare, but it is also a very real phenomenon. It can be a scary ordeal, as you are unprepared for it, and have no idea who the spirit is or what they are trying to accomplish. Others around you may notice a change in your behaviour, uncharacteristic of your normal temperament. You may feel out of control of your words or actions or you may have a feeling like you are remote viewing your own life. It is advisable to seek out council if you are concerned that a spirit is trying to co-exist within your body. The concept of un-ritualistic possession is so real that even the Roman Catholic Church has priests versed in exorcism. This is a topic I am still researching, as I hope to be able to learn how my Mama �fought� the spirit within me, so that I may be able to assist another in the future. Circle-round the healing process.