Magic and Medicines #23: Exorcism

Magic and Medicines #23: Exorcism

From The Three Ravens Podcast by Three Ravens

April 13, 2026 · 1h 24m · Season 7 · Episode 77

About this episode

The episode discusses the history and cultural significance of Exorcism, exploring its roots in various religions and its portrayal in media.

We're back in the saddle after Eleanor's operation and talking all about the history of Exorcism! One of those complex kinds of topic we so enjoy discussing on Magic and Medicines , belief in Exorcism is rather predicated on personal faith, including in Demons or other supernatural entities. It's also a tradition impossible to separate from the seminal movie The Exorcist of 1973 due to that film's staggering cultural impact. Thing is, Exorcism is a practice which seems to predate the written word. Almost every world religion has a version of it, with several forms of modern Paganism also embracing concepts of spirit manipulation and cleansing. So, how should we think of Exorcism as distinct from what's contained in The Exorcist? Why is it quite so popular with Catholics, and was it always? Can anybody become an Exorcist, and what protects vulnerable people from being taken advantage of by hucksters and worse? Also, should we not be thinking about Jesus and his Twelve Disciples as Exorcists, considering Exorcism is one of the things they are most celebrated for in the Gospels? Does this, in turn, mean many heroes of mystic Jewish tradition were actually the first Ghostbusters? As…

People in this episode

Hosts: Martin Vaux, E

Topics covered

  • Exorcism
  • history
  • belief
  • supernatural
  • religion
  • cultural impact
  • spirit manipulation

Keywords

  • Exorcism
  • history
  • demons
  • supernatural
  • Catholics
  • spirit manipulation
  • The Exorcist
  • religion

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Exorcist

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