[fatherbowdern]

No. Not the devil himself. A mythological demon named Pazuzu was in charge of Regan. A quick read that’s pretty succinct is here.

[Witch of Endor]

But its pretty clear there were multiple entities possessing her non?

[howdythere]

So the demon was lying when it addressed itself as so?

Its amazing that the book took a real mythological creature for the movie, that does in fact exist, although when you look it up on Wikipedia, there are two entries for Pazuzu. One if the historic creature, and the other one is credited as a fictitious character.

Is it suppose to be the historic character or just something Blatty made up himself? The statues look pretty similar.

[Benocles_Czar]

howdythere,

I wrote, in great detail I might add, about this issue in my essay “The Exegesis of William Peter Blatty: Catholicism, Exorcism and Pazuzu” (in my forthcoming book AMERICAN EXORCIST). I believe that Blatty intentionally used Pazuzu to raise a little considered, but credible theological suggestion. Pazuzu is a god in mythology. In ancient times, some gods worshipped were in fact demons. And demons were once angels. You are just going to have to read my book to see where this train of thought leads… lol

Cheers & God Bless
Benjamin Szumskyj
Editor, AMERICAN EXORCIST

[fatherbowdern]

dsea and howdy, Ben is right and I only led you to a “mini-explanation” of Pazuzu. This explanation really pertained to The Exorcist’s version of Pazuzu with a little more information on the mythological beliefs. I have Ben’s book on its way, so this will be of interest to me on the theological as well.

Why? Think about how Blatty thought to use Pazuzu in his novel! 🙂

Pazuzu is the deity of disease and petulance. The question that arises is the first exorcism with Pazuzu and Father Merrin on the mound in Northern Iraq. I believe it was to protect the world from another plague. Ben?

[howdythere]

What was he/she?

[Witch of Endor]

As for the question about there being two Pazuzus one “real” and one “fictional” which one was featured in the movie? Consider this: You could ask the same question about any movie about Adolph Hitler!

[Benocles_Czar]

fatherbowdern,

It’s a good theory, one of many. I’ve listed several in my essay… lol

Cheers & God Bless
Benjamin Szumskyj
Editor, AMERICAN EXORCIST

[fatherbowdern]

dsea, good point on Hitler! Pazuzu may be called “fictitious” just as he is in the game Dungeons & Dragons. But they all point back to the mythological deity.

Best bet: I’ll read Ben’s theories and let you know! 🙂

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