Possession - Meaning, Obsession, and Explanation

Brief Definition

Possession refers to the state in which a person is allegedly controlled by an external, often supernatural, force.

Brief Explanation

The term Possession stands for being possessed by spirits, demons, or other entities. Possession is used in religious, cultural, and psychological contexts.

What is Possession?

Possession is a state in which an external force exerts influence over a person's body or mind.

Detailed Description

The term Possession comes from English and means "Besessenheit" (obsession/possession) or "Inbesitznahme" (taking possession). In religious and spiritual traditions, Possession describes the belief that a spirit, demon, or other supernatural entity takes over a person's body and influences their behavior.

In many cultures, there are different ideas about Possession. While in Christianity it is often associated with demonic possession and exorcism, other religions also have positive forms, where gods or spirits are consciously invoked and temporarily take possession.

In psychology, Possession is often interpreted as an altered state of consciousness that can be explained by trauma, dissociation, or cultural conditioning. Nevertheless, the term remains strongly shaped by spiritual and mystical ideas.

In pop culture, especially in the horror genre and the gothic scene, Possession is also a central motif. Films, series, and literature use the theme to depict fear, loss of control, and the power of the unknown.

Related terms and synonyms include Besessenheit (obsession/possession), Inbesitznahme (taking possession), dämonische Besessenheit (demonic possession), Exorzismus (exorcism), Geistereinfluss (spiritual influence), and spirituelle Kontrolle (spiritual control). Possession symbolically represents the loss of one's own control and confrontation with supernatural forces.