So you say your place of residence is swimming with vengeful spirits? Has a ghost gotten cozy on your sofa? Well that's unfortunate, because only two of the three kinds of Earth-bound spirits are able to be sent on their merry way/eliminated for good. Fortunately, these two types happen to be the most verbal/harmful: Ghosts and Demons. Also keen to note: although Shades cannot be exorcised, they are unable to interact with humans or objects on the physical plane, and simply exist to exist. They are easily forgotten, and thus, we shan't give a rat's patootie about them for the time being. Ghosts and Demons are a different story entirely.
Ghosts: The only way to put a wandering spirit to rest is to satiate their needs/convince them otherwise, so that they will ascend to Heaven willingly. It is difficult to do so, but those with a silver tongue have been known to talk ghosts out of being ghosts. Imagine that! More generous folk have managed to find lost possessions or completed tasks for the spirits haunting their homes so they are truly satisfied. If you please a ghost in such a way, it's said to be good luck.
Demons: These fellows are a bit trickier to negotiate with. It is almost certain that you will not be able to reason with a demon that they should go to Hell. Unless they are incredibly stupid, they will not listen to you. However, they have been known to strike up deals with humans, and have even worked side-by-side with them.
To properly exorcise a demon takes a rigorous amount of work. Firstly, you must be able to drive the spirit out of the stolen skin. This can be done various ways, but fire is usually a person's best bet. It ensures that the demon cannot return to their skin. Secondly, to weaken it, light can be employed to burn away at the sinew and muscles. Once these have been dissolved, disposing of the bones (again, fire works well) should polish off the malignant fellow for good.
To ward away demons, standard holy relics and objects may be applied; the standard crosses, salts, scripture, etc. will do the trick.
Happy hunting!
Ghosts: The only way to put a wandering spirit to rest is to satiate their needs/convince them otherwise, so that they will ascend to Heaven willingly. It is difficult to do so, but those with a silver tongue have been known to talk ghosts out of being ghosts. Imagine that! More generous folk have managed to find lost possessions or completed tasks for the spirits haunting their homes so they are truly satisfied. If you please a ghost in such a way, it's said to be good luck.
Demons: These fellows are a bit trickier to negotiate with. It is almost certain that you will not be able to reason with a demon that they should go to Hell. Unless they are incredibly stupid, they will not listen to you. However, they have been known to strike up deals with humans, and have even worked side-by-side with them.
To properly exorcise a demon takes a rigorous amount of work. Firstly, you must be able to drive the spirit out of the stolen skin. This can be done various ways, but fire is usually a person's best bet. It ensures that the demon cannot return to their skin. Secondly, to weaken it, light can be employed to burn away at the sinew and muscles. Once these have been dissolved, disposing of the bones (again, fire works well) should polish off the malignant fellow for good.
To ward away demons, standard holy relics and objects may be applied; the standard crosses, salts, scripture, etc. will do the trick.
Happy hunting!