The Demonologist: The Extraordinary Career of Ed and Lorraine Warren

By Gerald Brittle

The Sexton’s musings (spoilers are likely):

Originally published in 1980 this book looks at the career and teachings of Ed and Lorraine Warren. A major part of what they did with their lives was to educate the general population on things otherworldly as a way to help people protect themselves. Knowledge is power after all. I think the term used by Ed is fore warned is fore armed. They traveled the country giving lectures and answering questions. Some of this book is much like an interview, where the author is asking questions and the Warrens are answering them. It’s written in a very interesting style though. I recommend reading this one in order as the author segues into the next chapter by introducing it at the end of the previous chapter. Sometimes it’s subtle and sometimes it is not.

Beyond Amityville

Don’t let the title chapter fool you. There is indeed some information about the Amityville case but they only hint at it. It seems that they are reluctant to speak about this investigation and honestly this does not surprise me. There is so much speculation about what happened in that house. There was also a ton of media attention slapped on there for good measure. So don’t expect a case study here. This is more about how the Warrens worked rather than looking in depth at specific cases. Yes some details about Amityville were mentioned but nothing more than a sprinkling. Obviously I find all of the information given worthwhile and interesting but there is one thing that Ed mentions that really stuck out to me, something in all my years researching the realm of the otherworldly that I had never heard. This is that when an inhuman spirit takes on a guise and is caught either on video or in a photograph that some part of the illusion will be flawed. In the chapter he is showing a picture to a guest and it’s that of a child, when you look closely the child has no eyes. There is always something that you just can’t put your finger on immediately as to why the subject looks off, unnatural. I found that to be very interesting. There are pictures in this chapter of Ed and Lorraine.

Art and Apparitions

The Warrens first got involved in all of this simply by chance. Initially they were both artists and after Ed got out of the Navy they decided that they would use their creative side to support the family. Their chosen subject matter just happened to be haunted houses. They would read about places in the paper or hear about them on the radio and then go to the location, listen to the peoples story and make a decision as to whether they wanted to paint their story (for later sale at art festivals and in galleries). Through this they started getting more involved in actually investigation these occurrences and learning about what true otherworldly phenomena involves. Ed, living in a haunted house as a child, had been interested in the subject for years before adulthood. Lorraine was aware of her precognition but was still in the realm of the skeptic when it came to actual ghosts. In this chapter they discuss human spirits and how they manifest and why they manifest. They talk about how they learned about the difference between a human and inhuman spirit. The West Point case is mentioned specifically when discussing earthbound human spirits.

It’s interesting because at first neither Ed nor Lorraine considered the possibility of the demonic. In fact, they avoided cases the involved the telltale signs that perhaps this was not a human spirit that was being dealt with. They would do what they could to help the families that these entities plagued as best they could while keeping a safe distance. Soon, of course, after learning more about what they were dealing with, they became more involved in trying to rid the tormented of their tormentor by any means necessary, including brining in other experts in the field.

One interesting thing that is mentioned is the difference between ghost and apparition. A ghost is a manifestation of an entity with no recognizable features where as an apparition is a manifestation where features are recognizable such as facial features.

Annabelle

Oh Annabelle. The Warrens got involved with this case when they were contacted by an Episcopalian priest about a couple of young ladies that were experiencing some disturbing and violent phenomena. The story that is told in the chapter is very close to the one that the characters in the films tell but this is the real tale. Not the dramatized version made for film. It’s a little less dramatic but no less frightening. I find the subtlety is more terrifying than in your face. I will say that I am impressed that, for the most part, the story that is told in the film is so very close. I think that speaks volumes about the film makers.

I suspect that the dialogue throughout this chapter was taken from the interview tape as it is very specific in what was said. I have to smirk a bit when I “listen” to Ed talk. He is blunt, straight forward, no nonsense, I’m asking the questions kinda interviewer. When Patrick Wilson gets a little spicy/salty with his lines in the films with people that is not for show. I feel like he really captured the essence, professionalism and seriousness of how Ed conducted himself in these moments. I love it! Thank you Patrick Wilson for remaining true to Ed Warren.

There is a haunting and wonderful picture at the end of this chapter of Ed and Annabelle. One that I have never seen before. I would love to do a piece for it.

Mention of the Annabelle case is in two other book that I have yet to read. So we will be revisiting this in the future. Different authors, different presentations of the account. We shall see.

Unnatural Phenomena

Here they talk about the differences between the parapsychologist and psychic investigator/demonologist. It’s interesting that it’s mentioned that the paranormal investigator is only interested in capturing phenomena scientifically (proving the existence of the paranormal) and not necessarily helping the individuals that are being terrorized. I’m not sure that this is the case anymore though. A prime example is “The House In Between” (love it)! They want very much to help her reclaim her home and the way that Steve Gonsalves (and everyone else, he just has more resources at his disposal) tries to do this is by finding out the “Why” of all the happenings. Based on the films and what I’ve read so far in this book I would have to say that they are dealing with earthbound human spirits and not something demonic….so that’s good. While the desire to find definitive proof is completely understandable, there is a living human element here that also needs to be addressed and I hope that this is always taken into consideration. I feel like both documented evidence and helping the living (and the dead) find peace can be achieved. I’m sure there are some that do it for selfish (money, recognition, etc.) reasons but I hope that these investigators are few and far between.

A Conjuring Book for Christmas

This chapter is an account of a case where the children in the Foster family were being terrorized. It turns out that Mrs. Foster decided to buy her daughter, who was 15 and interested in the occult, a book with dark ritualistic practices in it. In fact it was more of a manual of rituals (items needed, set-up, and words to be spoken). Apparently the girl actually performed a couple of “the easier ones that she had the materials for”. SMH! Essentially the mother saw it as a harmless hobby and the girl was just having fun scaring herself. I don’t understand why people think it’s okay to mess with these things. Even if you don’t believe the stories surrounding these kinds of things are not something that I would think most people would want in their lives so why would you even jokingly attempt to provoke it. They just got lucky that they were able to get the help that was needed. I truly believe that those children probably would have been killed had they not seen the truth and gravity of their situation. Good chapter!

Of Unworldly Origin

An interesting chapter about inhuman spirits aka the demonic. Here you will read a very brief background of what they are and how they strategize. If it is true that they are fallen angels than it is also true that they have been learning since the beginning of time and have knowledge that far surpasses anything living. One thing that I find somewhat amusing is that once again, the case that is mentioned in this chapter is of a person who through their own actions brought the demonic on themselves. In this case we have a bad man who was using them to punish those that he did not like. We’re not talking didn’t like because they raped and murdered his daughter but for simple things like they cut him off while driving or they had a disagreement at work. Normal things that every human experiences. Honestly though it is a good thing that they got the mirror away from him. Who knows what he would have done should the entities been able to influence him even more than they already were. People like him don’t need help being evil.

Infestation: The Process Begins

If you have seen the films then you are aware of the three stages of diabolical activity. Infestation (which this chapter focuses on), Oppression and Possession. There is a fourth but it is always a hope that Death does not occur. The strategy of the inhuman entity is discussed. Inciting fear is that main goal to the Infestation stage. Interestingly enough one can invite the demonic simply by being negative…if that‘s the case I’m completely screwed. Hell we all have times where we are depressed or simply down in the dumps or angry. It’s normal to not be positive all the time. Does this put us all at risk? Frankly trying to stay positive all that time is a drain…I mostly like to stay neutral…keep em guessing. I’m not trying to make light of anything being said here. I’m simply saying that the world being what it is makes us vulnerable to opening the doors discussed in this chapter.

The Foster case is used to look at the Infestation process in more detail. Specifically the fear incited by the inhuman spirit and how it gained strength when fear was at its peak. Earthbound human spirits, according to Ed, do not require fear to be able to manifest, where the demonic do. This is the stage where things start to happen and you can determine what you are dealing with. Or things maybe so subtle that you don’t know what is happening until it is too late and things progress into the Oppression stage.

Oppression: The Strategy Revealed

Some interesting information in this chapter. It describes the oppression stage and how the demonical entity ramps up from small things like knocking on doors and running the halls to causing psychological and personality changes in individuals, causing physical harm and doing everything it can to break that person down so that possession can occur. They examine two cases, the more brief one being the Amityville case which the Warrens were not part of until after the family had fled the house. The other case involved a “haunted” farm house where it was discovered later that the diabolical influence started waaaaay before the two ladies ever moved into the house. In fact, they probably would have never even bought the house in the first place.

The appearance of the demonic is also discussed. Although it seems that it’s true form is very very rarely exposed, as anonymity is a demons best defense, we mostly have blacker than black forms that appear. Although Ed seems to have been privy to the unfortunate real appearance of the demonic he is not quick to describe what he has seen. I probably can’t blame him.

Obsession is another stage which intermingles with the oppression stage. To some it is separate and to others is it part of oppression.

A Family Under Attack

Here we have the account of another family that is being terrorized by an inhuman entity and the church, at first, turns them away. Of course the activity is going to cease when the holy men come over, remember anonymity is the inhuman entities best defense. Finally Mr. Beckford found help in his own back yard. A monastery retreat was right next door. One of the monks was able to get him the contact information for Ed Warren. Finally someone believed them. You know, what good are these clergy? There is such hypocrisy within organized religion it’s disgusting. And now that Ed and Lorraine are both gone where are people supposed to turn now? It’s disturbing to think about honestly. Based on what these people went through it’s bloody well expensive to have an inhuman spirit infesting your life. There are pictures of some of the incidents taken during the investigation at the end of the chapter. Some of them are of the levitation of objects within the Beckford’s home. This chapter outlines the experiences of the family before the Warrens got involved.

Deliverance

I need to start out by pointing out that it only cost him “over five hundred dollars” to repair the slashed tires and engines of their vehicles. I know this is not what this chapter is focused on and that cost is relative but damn…it would cost thousands of dollars now. That’s just crazy to me.

Now this is where the Warrens get involved and after doing their investigation illicit help from the church. Having been part of hundreds of cases they have connections to members of the clergy. The amount of damage done to this family’s safe space is absolutely unbelievable. This kind of destruction and persistent torment would break anyone down. This chapter talks about the time after the Warrens got involved all the way to resolution. I’d imagine though that this is something that you probably carry with you forever.

A Servant of Lucifer

This chapter discusses the difference between a Devil and a Demon, demonic attack and oppression. It also goes into the aftermath of one of these cases. How it effects the people involved, what is often needed to help them recover and how societal norms/rational influence how a person deals with that has happened to them.

Possession is also discussed. What it is and how it effects the human body. There is also mention of the occult museum that is on the premises of their home as well as a case of possession that Ed ended up becoming part of as the possessed was taken by her boyfriend to one of the Warrens lectures. He suspected that she had been influenced by an occult practice. Turns out he was right. The practice was her own doing and as it turns out the ritual was performed so that she could get her hooks into him. I wonder what it is like to find out that your relationship is the outcome of a black magic ritual. Personally I think the entitled little bitch should have been forced to suffer the consequences of her actions but I’m not as forgiving or tolerant as the Warren’s. She is lucky that someone took pity on her and saved her worthless ass. And if I were the boyfriend, I would have kick her ass to the curb after learning what she had done.

I will say that this chapter does not paint the girl in a good light and rightfully so. Unfortunately I feel like we are raising more and more entitled individuals as a society today.

The Entity Returns

The entity in question is the one that the previous chapter was talking about. And as it turn out the dumb bitch went back to blood sacrifice and get herself possessed again. Ed had mercy and decided she was oppressed into doing those things. I on the other hand think she enjoyed the power it gave her and wanted it back in her life. Entitled, spoiled rich kids who have had everything handed to them don’t cope with the harsh reality of the real world. So another exorcism had to be performed. I still think they should have let her rot…but I’m not nice (mostly because I don’t buy that she was influenced to do those things, I think she did them of her own free will).

The ritual paraphernalia that she handed over during the first exorcism carried with it the inhuman spirt that continued to manifest in an attempt to intimidate Ed. Of course it didn’t work. So it communicated with him by inhabiting the body of a young lady who was brought by her father to see Ed. It seems that many spirits have used this young lady in this way. Ed determined that she was a medium that was being used as a tool for the demonic realm to communicate with the human realm and that this ability and knowledge came from experience that she had in a past lifetime. I mean she was performing rituals at the age of six according to her father. It’s unlikely that if she were a normal 6 year old she would be able to obtain that knowledge. I understand that she was born this way but I’d imagine that it would be hard to consider such a young girl capable. Though her body is young her soul is old. I have never heard of something like this and it’s unfortunate that she is either going to have to change her ways of her own accord or continue to suffer the random possessions etc. Makes you wonder what her parents did to deserve a child like this. Maybe nothing which is a frightening thought.   

A Soul in Hostage

This chapter starts out by talking about what happened to Anneliese Michel. There are some facts that Ed reveals that I had never read about before. Honestly this does not surprise me since in the media it was essentially a man hunt. Pointing fingers and blaming the priests and exorcism for her death. It’s a heartbreaking scenario.

It seems there is a progression to this book in that we started by talking about earthbound human spirits, then moved into the demonic inhuman spirit and now we are into a discussion on devils.

This chapter also discusses the difference between those that are truly possessed and those that are suffering from mental illness. There is a fine line and honestly the truth of the human mind is so far from being understood that really we have no business discounting anything.

The chapter continues with the details of what needs to occur for an exorcism to take place and some details about what happens during the exorcism ritual. Nothing too specific but some of the more common occurrences. An informative chapter. Actually the book itself has been full of very good information that makes the reader somewhat uncomfortable. I will say that I am saddened that I will never have to opportunity to meet Ed or Lorraine.  

The Enfield Voices

This is a case that many people are now familiar with thanks to Conjuring 2. The movie aside it was also documented by several individuals and highly publicized while it was going on. In fact, this book was written while the case was in progress. Ed was still working in his investigation to get evidence to have the church enter the picture and disburse the entities. Prior to the Warren’s involvement that phenomena was occurring for three years. Can you imagine? Transcript of an interview with the entities in the home are part of this chapter.

There is also a discussion of what the Warrens do to prepare for cases and how they protect themselves. According to Lorraine if they did not protect themselves the way that they do it is certain that they would both be dead by now. Hell it’s not for lack of trying on the part of the negative entities as we’ve read throughout the book of all the different incidents that have occurred both before and after a case.

I am saddened that I will never get to learn from either Ed or Lorraine other than in books like this and random things I can find. I think it’s amazing that people were able to learn from them first hand, not just in there one off lectures but also in their class at Southern Connecticut State College.

One More Question, Please

The questions are never ending when it comes to this subject. We are all curious in our own way about these things. It frightens us mostly because we don’t know the answers and we have this need to know. The unknown drives us crazy, it makes us irrational and closes our minds to possibilities.

This last chapter sort of sums up what to look for and how you can avoid allowing negative entities into your life.

Closing thoughts:

 This book was first published in 1980 and it is frightening to think about what our world is like today and how, most likely, we have become more vulnerable to the demonic simply because we have become more entitled, more lazy, more deceptive, and more stupid over all. Not ignorant but stupid (although ignorance is definitely present just not necessarily at the fault of the individual, one can’t learn about something if you are not aware of it after all). We have so much information at our fingertips anymore that we can easily become more informed, more knowledgeable, less ignorant. We choose not to which in my opinion is stupidity at its best. All of these things are food for negativity to enter our lives. Whether you believe or not is inconsequential. I don’t get the impression that many of the individuals mentioned in the cases here were believers until it affected them directly. This is the human condition unfortunately. What we need to do is live our lives with our hearts, minds, and eyes open.   

Happy Devouring!

The Sexton