How to Get Rid of Demons

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 12, 2022 References Approved

If you believe that you have demons, you might feel scared and helpless. But you can take your power back. Many religious groups and spiritualists believe demons get their power from negative energy. It’s easy to fight back by controlling your negative energy, thoughts, and emotions. Using a few simple tools and the proper rituals, you can expel demons from your home too. With these basic rituals, you can keep yourself and your home demon-free.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Expelling Demons

1
Burn sage to clear out demons. Make sure all the doors and windows are open so the demons can get out, then light the sage and let it burn for 30 seconds before you blow the flame out. Allow the sage to smolder and the smoke to cleanse the space of negative energy.^{[1]
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- Waft the smoke into the corners of the room including the nooks and crannies so the negative energy can’t accumulate there.
- If you can’t smoke in your home or apartment, add a few drops of white sage essential oil to a spray bottle filled with water and mist the room.
2
Say a prayer to get rid of the demons. Whatever your religion, praying out loud can help you get rid of them. Say the prayer over and over as you move about the space so the demons are driven out.^{[2]
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- Psalm 23 is a popular verse to recite to radiate positive energy and drive the demons out.
- Chant your own prayer or mantra that repeats a positive intention while also banishing any demons. For example, you could say something like, “No demons are welcome in this space, I command you to leave. This is a place of light and love.”
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3
Bang pots and pans to scare away any demons in your home. Some people bang pots and pans together at the beginning of a new year to scare away the ghosts from the previous year. But you can also drive out any demons in your home by walking around the entire place banging pots and pans loudly.^{[3]
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- Try repeating a mantra or prayer while you bang the pots and pans.
4
Sprinkle holy water around your home. Many people believe holy water will drive away demons. Call your local church and ask them if you can have a bottle of holy water. Sprinkle some of the water all over your home, making sure you get the corners and windows.

Tip: If you can’t get holy water, say a prayer or repeat a mantra over a bowl of water to bless it.
5
Call a professional to help you get rid of the demons. If you’re unable to drive the demons away on your own, you can call a priest or spiritual healer to come help you. They can come to your home or meet with you to discuss possible causes and remedies.
- For example, a priest or healer may be able to pray over you to help you get rid of your demons.
- Look online for professionals near you, but be wary of scams. Don’t give them any money until you’re satisfied that they got rid of your demons.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Keeping Demons Away

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Avoid negative films or music in your home. If demons feed off of negative energies, then aggressive movies, music, graphic art, and other forms of violent or negative expressions can attract and feed them. Keep your space free and clear of negative energies.^{[4]
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- Keep your home and space full of kind and good energy by playing happy music and displaying art that moves you in a positive way.
2
Charge cleansing crystals under a full moon. Many people use crystals as a means of clearing away negative energy. Crystals placed in the light of a full moon are said to absorb the energy and “recharge.” They can then be placed around the house to ward off negative energy, which can help get rid of demons.^{[5]
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- Place the crystals on a windowsill or outside under a full moon.
- The best crystals for cleansing negative energy are kyanite, selenite, obsidian, hematite, and desert rose.
3
Sprinkle salt in the corners of your house and doorways. Salt has been used for thousands of years by different cultures to ward off evil spirits. Sprinkle salt in all of the corners in your home as well as the entrance to your home to keep demons from coming back and settling in.^{[6]
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- Add more salt every couple of months so there’s always a small amount present.
4
Wear an item or talisman that is important to you to protect yourself. Crosses, necklaces, and other religious items can hold power and keep demons away if they’re important to you. Wear them to protect yourself and keep them around your home to keep demons from entering.^{[7]
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- Wear your rosary to keep demons away.
- Some examples include a crucifix on a wall or a dream catcher above your bed.
- The item doesn’t have to be religious. For example, if a friend made a bracelet for you to protect you, that can work to get rid of demons, too.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Controlling Your Energy

1
Identify your negative thoughts to keep demons from gathering. Many people believe that demons feed off of negative energy, which means that you can get rid of demons by learning how to control your energy. That starts with recognizing and controlling your negative thoughts. If you’re able to recognize them, then you can counteract them.^{[8]
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- For example, if you look in a mirror and find yourself thinking that you’re ugly or a failure, take a moment to reflect and realize that these are negative thoughts.
- Even if negative thoughts happen automatically, you can learn to recognize them so you can stop them.
- Over time, you’ll get better at catching and preventing negative thoughts from happening.
2
Think positively to drive demons away. Whenever you identify or recognize that you’re having negative thoughts, try to replace them with positive thoughts. If demons feed off of negative energy and thoughts, then positive thoughts will get rid of them.^{[9]
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- For instance, if you’re looking in a mirror and you realize that you’re thinking something negative about yourself, like you don’t like your nose or your skin, try replacing it with something positive by focusing on what you do like about yourself.
3
Meditate to control your emotions and take away power from demons. If you let demons scare you or make you angry, they can use that energy to gain strength and power over you. To keep them weak and drive them away, practice meditation and clear your mind of negative emotional responses like fear and anger. Focus on a positive mental image, like a peaceful sunrise, so you can radiate positive energy.^{[10]
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- Don’t let demons consume your thoughts by worrying about them all of the time, or you’re giving them exactly what they want: control over your mind.
4
Talk to someone about your negative thoughts so you can control them. It may be helpful for you to talk to a priest, pastor, friend, or therapist about the negative thoughts that you’re having. They may be able to help you deal with them and keep them from coming back.^{[11]
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- Prayer is also a form of communication that may allow you to talk to a higher power about your negative emotions and thoughts.
Tip: If you’re having thoughts of suicide, reach out for help. Talk to a friend, family member, your doctor, or a therapist. If you’re in the US, you can call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.

Community Q&A

Question

My son is very troubled and physically ill. He is pale and sometimes vomits blood. Could he be possessed by a demon?

Community Answer

Take him to a medical doctor for an exam immediately. There are many things that could be physically wrong with him that are not demonic possession. There are parasites that can enter and live in the stomach and other internal organs that could cause these symptoms.
Question

What is a brown scapular?

Community Answer

A scapular is a holy Divine necklace that is meant to protect you from the front and back. They come in different varieties.
Question

Can they hurt me, why is it I'm having trouble breathing?

Community Answer

If you're having trouble breathing, go to the doctor. You may also be having anxiety/a panic attack because you're so worried about demons, so try to calm down.