Demons are supernatural entities whose sole purpose is to tempt mortals and sow seeds of destruction. Historically, the belief has been that there are powerful major demons and minor demons. Minor demons serve witches as familiars, because they are shapeshifters with the ability to take the forms of animals, little men (gnomes, trolls, goblins, elves, fairies, etc.) or make themselves invisible (1). Sinful past activities, inherited generational curses, and traumatic experiences create openings and invitations which allow demons to enter the body and influence thought (2).
In Japan, demons are called Oni and were mostly invisible, though some took on the form of animals. They tempted others into acts of sin and brought on misfortune (3). In Islamic theology, the Jinn were created two thousand years before Adam, but sinned against Allah (God) and were cast down from their original high position, the greatest Jinn was Iblis who was cast out by Allah for refusing to worship Adam (4).
- Russell, J.B. 1972. Witchcraft in the Middle Ages.
- McCloud, S. 2015. American Possessions: Fighting Demons in the Contemporary United States.
- Coterell, A. & Storm, R. 2001. The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology.
- Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia, volume 7