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Field Guide to the Spirit World: The Science of Angel Power, Discarnate Entities, and Demonic Possession
A comprehensive examination of the many ways the spirit world affects our minds and the material plane
• Provides a detailed guide to the Afterlife and its inhabitants
• Reveals the spirit influence behind many mental disorders as well as psi abilities and creative genius
• Includes checklists of symptoms of spirit “overshadowing,” methods from the world’s top exorcists, and instructions on how to free unwanted spirits from the material plane
We are spirits housed in a body, and just as houses can be haunted, so can people. When the living succumb to dissociative states of consciousness, they become a magnet for lost but clinging spirits. Known as jinn , dybbuk , daemon , wuqabi , or simply the undead, they hover unseen on the earth plane, ready to inhabit the most suitable body available.
Documenting the life of wandering spirits and their impact on vulnerable human targets, Susan Martinez offers a radical departure from the standard psychological explanations for a host of pathological behaviors--including multiple personality, autism, epilepsy, migraines, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, PTSD, self-destructive urges, and strange outbursts--and reveals that hallucinations are often true impressions of spirit input. Martinez explains how mental health comes down to the delicate balance between self-control and spirit-control. When trauma triggers an escape response, the soul takes flight, leaving the mind susceptible to possession by discarnate entities. However, the spirit world can also bestow gifts upon those whose psyches are open, such as in the case of mediums, shamans, people who communicate with angels, and many of the world’s creative geniuses.
Martinez presents “overshadowing” by spirits as a universal, cross-cultural phenomenon, documenting modern and traditional accounts as well as corroborating indigenous beliefs. She examines soul decay, soul travel both before and after death, as well as how knowledge of the spirit world can offer positive treatments for disorders like schizophrenia and autism. Providing a detailed guide to the spirit world and its inhabitants, the author offers checklists of symptoms of “overshadowing,” methods from the world’s top exorcists, and instructions on how to free spirits so they can continue their journey into the beyond--all the tools necessary to forearm us against soul snatchers and other enemies of the Light.
• Provides a detailed guide to the Afterlife and its inhabitants
• Reveals the spirit influence behind many mental disorders as well as psi abilities and creative genius
• Includes checklists of symptoms of spirit “overshadowing,” methods from the world’s top exorcists, and instructions on how to free unwanted spirits from the material plane
We are spirits housed in a body, and just as houses can be haunted, so can people. When the living succumb to dissociative states of consciousness, they become a magnet for lost but clinging spirits. Known as jinn , dybbuk , daemon , wuqabi , or simply the undead, they hover unseen on the earth plane, ready to inhabit the most suitable body available.
Documenting the life of wandering spirits and their impact on vulnerable human targets, Susan Martinez offers a radical departure from the standard psychological explanations for a host of pathological behaviors--including multiple personality, autism, epilepsy, migraines, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, PTSD, self-destructive urges, and strange outbursts--and reveals that hallucinations are often true impressions of spirit input. Martinez explains how mental health comes down to the delicate balance between self-control and spirit-control. When trauma triggers an escape response, the soul takes flight, leaving the mind susceptible to possession by discarnate entities. However, the spirit world can also bestow gifts upon those whose psyches are open, such as in the case of mediums, shamans, people who communicate with angels, and many of the world’s creative geniuses.
Martinez presents “overshadowing” by spirits as a universal, cross-cultural phenomenon, documenting modern and traditional accounts as well as corroborating indigenous beliefs. She examines soul decay, soul travel both before and after death, as well as how knowledge of the spirit world can offer positive treatments for disorders like schizophrenia and autism. Providing a detailed guide to the spirit world and its inhabitants, the author offers checklists of symptoms of “overshadowing,” methods from the world’s top exorcists, and instructions on how to free spirits so they can continue their journey into the beyond--all the tools necessary to forearm us against soul snatchers and other enemies of the Light.
304 pages, Paperback
Published March 26, 2019
About the author
Susan B. Martinez
16 books6 followersSusan B. Martinez, Ph.D., is a writer, linguist, teacher, paranormal researcher, and recognized authority on the Oahspe Bible with a doctorate in anthropology from Columbia University.
(source: Editor's site)
(source: Editor's site)
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 12, 2019
I want to thank NetGalley and Bear & Co. for giving me the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.
I was really looking forward to reading this book because other books of this genre have been extraordinary and uplifting. I truly believe in angels, ghosts and other things but this author has truly irritated me regarding this matter.
This author comes off as really angry with the medical /mental health field and does not hesitate to voice her opinion on the matter. She constantly bashes particular medical fields while also making strong claims or accusations against them.
She states that certain ailments such as bipolar, anxiety and epilepsy are all caused by being possessed.
This attitude put me off and I ceased on any further reading of this book. I will not in good conscience recommend this book.
I was really looking forward to reading this book because other books of this genre have been extraordinary and uplifting. I truly believe in angels, ghosts and other things but this author has truly irritated me regarding this matter.
This author comes off as really angry with the medical /mental health field and does not hesitate to voice her opinion on the matter. She constantly bashes particular medical fields while also making strong claims or accusations against them.
She states that certain ailments such as bipolar, anxiety and epilepsy are all caused by being possessed.
This attitude put me off and I ceased on any further reading of this book. I will not in good conscience recommend this book.
December 28, 2018
Field Guide to the Spirit World reads like research and is not for those that have a mild interest in the spirit world, ghosts, or the paranormal. It's more of a theological work with a slant towards the old world view that mental illness is created by demons and spirits and that is where I had a great issue with the content and the message. I would hate to see the world go back to treating those with mental illness as those they needed an exorcism. It appears as though the author has an anti-science agenda. I tend to believe that there is a place for science and the spiritual to coexist, and that science has proven to be very effective in the treatment of mental illness. I could only recommend this to a theology or seminary student who was interested in an alternative point of view.#netgalley #fieldguidetothe spiritworld
December 19, 2018
I didn't finish this book.
I am very open minded and love to read about other research and supernatural phenomena. Clearly, the author has an issue with science and is very angry. I understand that and can get past that while understanding her bias to look objectively at the material she is presenting. I kept going as she bashed psychology and psychiatry even though that is my field of study. But within the first chapter, she began making claims that epilepsy, dissociative indent disorder, and other medical issues could be caused by possession, I stopped immediately. This is the kind of statement that set back care by decades! People with these issues died from exorcisms and stoning! Why would you promote bringing that back?
At that point, I stepped back. I would not be able to objectively read the material covered in the book.
I am very open minded and love to read about other research and supernatural phenomena. Clearly, the author has an issue with science and is very angry. I understand that and can get past that while understanding her bias to look objectively at the material she is presenting. I kept going as she bashed psychology and psychiatry even though that is my field of study. But within the first chapter, she began making claims that epilepsy, dissociative indent disorder, and other medical issues could be caused by possession, I stopped immediately. This is the kind of statement that set back care by decades! People with these issues died from exorcisms and stoning! Why would you promote bringing that back?
At that point, I stepped back. I would not be able to objectively read the material covered in the book.
December 22, 2018
Very interesting book on a variety of paranormal experiences. From NDE, out of body experiences and spirit walking and how many outside influence's affect this. There are chapters on the afterlife, possession and UFO phenomenon, among many others. Are some psychological and health problems caused or made worse by the world of spirits? The author explains soul decay, soul travel before and after the death of the body, also how understanding this may help with positive results for autism and PTSD. These are controversial facts that some will disagree with. You have to read it and make your own conclusions. I received this book from Net Galley and Inner Traditions for a honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
December 18, 2018
This is one of those books I'd recommend to any paranormal researcher or anyone experiencing paranormal or psychic attacks. I enjoyed the author's style as it reminded me a bit of Colin Wilson. The book recounts fascinating cases of near death experiences,demonic possession, haunted places and more. The author brings up a great question are these related to conditions such as autism,multiple personality disorders and other mental conditions?
My thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley.com for supplying me with a copy for this review.
My thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley.com for supplying me with a copy for this review.
February 1, 2019
An interesting and comprehensive glimpse into many aspects of the spiritual realm outside of our own. It would be a good source for anyone researching near-death experience, multiple personalities, possessions and the mental consequences of those, what happens to the soul after death and more. While a bit dry at times, I found it a good reading experience overall. The author does speak from her own POV and seems to discount current scientific mental health related standards so make of it what you will. Thank you to NetGalley for sending me a copy of this book for review.
May 25, 2019
A painful, confusing book. The author rails against the mental sciences, records tables of serial killers and constantly quotes a bible titled "Oahspe"
???
What is this obscure bible? It sounded like this was the author's holy text.
Nothing is a chemical imbalance or flawed coping mechanisms, it's all demons and possession.
???
One of the bright points of the book, she did site her sources.
???
What is this obscure bible? It sounded like this was the author's holy text.
Nothing is a chemical imbalance or flawed coping mechanisms, it's all demons and possession.
???
One of the bright points of the book, she did site her sources.
March 11, 2019
This book truly .are me angry. Do we return want to go back a hundred years ago and claim medical issues are possession and these people end up tragically killed or locked up. Maybe this author should study history and see what happens when things like that happened and hundreds of people had that happened. I would gladly give this negative stars but I can't.
March 11, 2019
It was just ok... The author was very critical and judgemental which made it hard to read. I voluntarily read this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 8, 2020
Ok, so how you read this book will determine whether it is 5 stars or 1 Star.
I found this book at the library, in the nonfiction shelf near The Amittyville Horror. It purports to be a scientific book. The author even has PHD after their name. If you read this as a scientific work, and you have any scientific background, you will realize how utterly horrible this book is. It recommends using electric shock therapy, torture, beatings, exorcism on all forms of mental illness. All of it’s “scientific data” is brief mentions of cases. All are assumed paranormal. No evidence to the contrary is even presented. Not scientific at all. Not controlled, randomized studies. The case of Sybil, refered to throughout the book, has been dispelled by herself. 1star as a scientific book.
I read this as a dark fantasy/ light horror. I love paranormal. I love fantasy. I love weird ideas that drive Horror. I often wonder why the Christians call schizophrenics possessed rather than calling those with multiple personalities possessed. The later seems to make more sense. Lots of info, on a broad number of spiritual afflictions. Very interesting, and entertaining. I’m sure that I’m possessed. Great job. 5 stars.
I found this book at the library, in the nonfiction shelf near The Amittyville Horror. It purports to be a scientific book. The author even has PHD after their name. If you read this as a scientific work, and you have any scientific background, you will realize how utterly horrible this book is. It recommends using electric shock therapy, torture, beatings, exorcism on all forms of mental illness. All of it’s “scientific data” is brief mentions of cases. All are assumed paranormal. No evidence to the contrary is even presented. Not scientific at all. Not controlled, randomized studies. The case of Sybil, refered to throughout the book, has been dispelled by herself. 1star as a scientific book.
I read this as a dark fantasy/ light horror. I love paranormal. I love fantasy. I love weird ideas that drive Horror. I often wonder why the Christians call schizophrenics possessed rather than calling those with multiple personalities possessed. The later seems to make more sense. Lots of info, on a broad number of spiritual afflictions. Very interesting, and entertaining. I’m sure that I’m possessed. Great job. 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2019
Don’t waste your time.
January 1, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this book. The first half was good but she lost me at the reincarnation is a hoax chapter. This is what happens when you have a researcher and academic write a book about the paranormal. As an energy healer and psychic medium, I have many direct experiences with topics that she addresses in the book. Reincarnation is real...and I challenge Martinez to hire a reputable hypnotist that specializes in past life regression and she can then let me know if it really is a hoax. There's a difference between studying an topic and actually experiencing it and knowing the truth of it.
Another complaint is her seemingly obsession with serial killers as examples of people who may be possessed. This is definitely plausible but I don't care to delve into the dark details of a serial killer's MO all the time. The best part of the book is the connection between mental illness and possession and attachment which other shamanic traditions already know and practice.
Like her take on reincarnation, she is wrong about her take on angels: they are not people who have passed on. Angels are completely different beings.
As for the title, I must have missed the discussion on Angel Power because the whole book was about discarnate and demonic entities.
Another complaint is her seemingly obsession with serial killers as examples of people who may be possessed. This is definitely plausible but I don't care to delve into the dark details of a serial killer's MO all the time. The best part of the book is the connection between mental illness and possession and attachment which other shamanic traditions already know and practice.
Like her take on reincarnation, she is wrong about her take on angels: they are not people who have passed on. Angels are completely different beings.
As for the title, I must have missed the discussion on Angel Power because the whole book was about discarnate and demonic entities.
September 30, 2020
This is very good guide. I really relate to the point of view that psychological issues can sometimes find their origin in the spirit world, or that the spirit world can cause psychological ailments. The sections for each entity having a lore section and a section on the advised on dealing with such entities. This is a book that can be read straight through or jumped around in. I read it straight through making notes on topics to research further. This goes into my collection of similar guides.
August 25, 2019
I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I have had a love and dislike with the spirit world my whole like. I found this while I was looking for books to review for my blog. I see there are things I have missed to try understand the Spirit World. I think about to my encounters after reading this and it made a little more sense, but I still have questions. I know not can be answered about world that still holds a lot of mysteries.
December 3, 2020
This entire book argues that all mental conditions, from depression to anorexia to schizophrenia to ADHD to psychopathy and compulsion to commit murder are caused by evil spirits and that anyone who believes there are scientific alternatives is a just a killjoy who lacks imagination. I wish that was printed on the dust jacket so I could have saved some time.
There were a couple interesting paragraphs about serial killers, but I'm a great audience for paragraphs about serial killers.
There were a couple interesting paragraphs about serial killers, but I'm a great audience for paragraphs about serial killers.
April 7, 2020
Informative
Many years ago I listened to a then famous radio show. There were 2 guest speakers both psychiatrists from South America.
They claimed many people classified as psychotic were actually possessed or tormented by evil spirits. So this book May provide further evidence for their hypothesis.
Many years ago I listened to a then famous radio show. There were 2 guest speakers both psychiatrists from South America.
They claimed many people classified as psychotic were actually possessed or tormented by evil spirits. So this book May provide further evidence for their hypothesis.
January 26, 2025
Don't commune with disembodied entities without reading this work or something like it - one that approaches mediumship from the perspective that Earthbound souls should be ushered to their rightful place.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews