A study of spirits

Banhisha Kundu

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The world has never been the same since 1952, when Edward Warren Miney and Lorraine Warren Rita founded New England Society for Psychic Research, the oldest ghosts and demon hunting community in New England. Edward was a former police officer and a World War II veteran, and went up to become the first paranormal investigator in the world, along with his wife Lorraine. He was a self-taught and a self-professed demonologist and author. 

Be it the Middle East or religion of Zoroastrians, the belief in demons or pishachas (in Sanskrit) has a very strong foundation. The work of Edward and Lorraine Warren has been adapted into many films and television series. From Annabelle to The Conjuring, these movies are based on true events that were investigated by the Warrens. The death of Edward Warren in 2006 may have marked the end of an era, but it made international universities begin unconventional courses in paranormal subjects.

Where to study

There are several universities around the globe that offer courses in demonology. Stanford University is the first to teach psychokinesis and extrasensory perception. Then, there’s University of Edinburg, which has been teaching parapsychology since 1985. Cornell University owns researches of precognition (knowing things before they happen) and University of Arizona conducts research projects in the subject personality beyond death (VERITAS research project) and demon communication and high-divine spirits (SOPHIA research project). 

The University of Virginia has Department of Psychiatric Medicine, established in 1967, and is the only university-sanctioned research programme of the country. Other than these, there’s Utrecth University, Lund University, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of Amsterdam where one can study parapsychology and demonology. The school of parapsychology offers an online/ cyber class and have foundation of parapsychology, study of exorcism and possessions, and investigative poltergeists among other courses.

Eligibility

After completing Class XII, one can apply in one of these universities. After graduation, one can opt for a master’s degree in this field from Swansea University, United Kingdom, which offers a course in Ancient History MA by Research. Dr William A. Lester, founder and director of the Institute of Metaphysics, once said in an interview, “18-24 months is usually the time period one needs to study these courses.

There is a lot of outside material, and of course the dissertation.” One can also learn and acquire knowledge about demonology, telekinesis, parapsychology, psychic methods from a book named ‘A course of Demonology for Paranormal Investigators’ by Dr Lynne Campbell.

Career and opportunities

This field involves a lot of risk, and thus, studying cases and doing research to find a pattern for better understanding is a must. One must have abundance of knowledge about demonology, exorcism, electronic voice phenomenon, etc., to become a demonologist. The New York Police Department (NYPD) hires demonologists as a crucial part of their team. An apt example is that of Sergeant Ralph Sarchie, who is NYPD’s in-house demonologist. Apart from this, one can become a paranormal investigator, spiritual healer, a specialist in paranormal vaastu or a professor and a lecturer.

Check out

To pay and register for courses, go to

• www.theschoolofparapsychology.ecwid.com
• History and Classics is part of the Research Institute for the Arts and Humanities (RIAH: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/riah/), which organises a large number of seminars, conferences, and other research activities
• https://www.indianparanormalteam.com/