Step into the hidden world of the debtera — the enigmatic, half-sanctioned, half-feared ritual specialists of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. In this episode, JJ dives deep into the sacred highlands of Ethiopia to uncover a figure who is equal parts cantor, healer, scribe, exorcist, and yes… sometimes magician.

We explore what the debtera actually is, how they’re trained, why they live in the spiritual borderlands between priesthood and folk magic, and how they serve communities confronting everything from the evil eye (buda) to zār spirits to full-on demonic possession.

This episode also features a detailed look at the three stages of Ethiopian Orthodox exorcism — Meyaz (capturing), Masleflef (questioning the spirit through the host), and Maswotat (driving it out). These aren’t Hollywood theatrics. These are living, breathing, ritual systems practiced today at places like the Entoto Kidane-Mihret Monastery, where spiritual healing, theology, and human desperation collide.

Whether you’re curious about demonology, fascinated by ancient Christian traditions, or simply drawn to the edges where religion blurs into magic, this is an episode you do not want to miss.

Join me as we walk the threshold with the debtera — the man who chants by day, battles spirits by night, and lives in the liminal space between the holy and the haunted.

#debtera, #ethiopianorthodox, #tewahedo, #exorcism, #demonology, #southerndemonology, #folkhealing, #magicandfaith, #spiritualwarfare, #paranormal, #occultstudies, #hauntedhistory, #ancientchristianity, #demonicpossession

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In this joint episode of Southern Demonology and The TW Road Podcast, JJ and Chris dive into the unsettling intersection between faith, delusion, and obsession — what happens when spiritual experience spirals into full-blown psychosis.

From the apocalyptic frenzy of Rapture prophecies to the chilling order of Heaven’s Gate and the catastrophic end of Jonestown, the conversation unpacks how charismatic authority, unchecked belief, and isolation twist human devotion into tragedy.

But it’s not all doom and brimstone — along the way, the two trade blows over Star Trek, cult psychology, Maslow’s pyramid, and even the theological merits of Taylor Swift. What begins as a dark dissection of mass delusion expands into a larger reflection on modern echo chambers, the erosion of truth, and the human need for meaning — however dangerous that pursuit may become.

With humor and honesty, JJ and Chris remind listeners that belief is a double-edged sword: it can lift us toward transcendence or plunge us headlong into madness.

Access all of Southern Demonology's episodes, social links, and contact info at https://www.southerndemonology.com

#southerndemonology #spiritualpsychosis #cultpsychology #faithandmadness #heavensgate #jonestown #religiousdelusion #theology #demonology #southernhorror #occult #beliefsystems #podcast #truecrime #paranormal #rationalfaith #echochambers #religiousstudies

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In this gripping and heartfelt episode of Southern Demonology, JJ sits down with Chelsea, founder of Team Haunt Paranormal, for a wide-ranging conversation that’s equal parts eerie and inspiring.

Chelsea shares what it's like leading a team of investigators grounded in integrity, curiosity, and compassion. From strict no-provocation policies and walkie-ready safety protocols to ghostly voices that follow them across locations, Team Haunt doesn’t just hunt the paranormal—they honor it.

You'll hear:

• How Team Haunt investigates respectfully and methodically
• Why they never isolate a team member without unanimous consent
• The chilling story of a haunted house where the people were more terrifying than the ghosts
• An incredible spirit box voice that appeared across two different haunted locations
• The team's approach to debunking versus documenting hauntings
• Why they avoid apps, Ouija boards, and attention-seeking drama
• How haunted theaters, museums, and yes, even the Clown Motel top their wishlist

Whether you're a seasoned investigator or a curious skeptic, this conversation is packed with wisdom, warmth, and just enough of the weird to keep your lights on at night. Plus, you'll learn why relationships—not just with spirits, but among teammates—are the real reward.

🎧 Listen in and prepare to rethink what it means to explore the unknown—with ethics, empathy, and EVP gear.

🔗 Links & Contact

🔹 Team Website: teamhauntparanormal.com

🔹 YouTube: Team Haunt Paranormal

🔹 TikTok: @teamhauntparanormal

🔹 Email: teamhaunt@yahoo.com

💬 For more or to connect, reach out via SouthernDemonology.com or join the Discord community!

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In this mini-episode of Southern Demonology: Bite, JJ dives into a horror film that promised a lot but delivered very little: Bring Her Back. After riding the high of the brilliant film Sinners, JJ took a chance on this grief-driven horror flick that’s been making waves across social media. What followed was disappointment wrapped in well-acted, emotionally flat packaging.

JJ breaks down why Bring Her Back falls short—from its predictable plot and underwhelming take on necromancy to its emotional shallowness and pulled punches. If Hereditary is a relentless gut-punch, Bring Her Back is a soft poke followed by a nose-honk.

Tune in for a spoiler-free rant that lands somewhere between cathartic and cautionary.

#southerndemonology, #bringherback, #horrormovie, #horrorreview, #paranormalpodcast, #necromancy, #griefhorror, #movieflop, #biteepisode, #horrormoviereview, #itfollows, #babadook, #hereditary, #talktome, #shyamalan, #horrorfail, #jjreviews, #wanderingroadpodcast, #undeadcinema, #disappointingmovies

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In this episode of Southern Demonology, JJ is joined by a standout voice in the paranormal field: a member of Team Haunt Paranormal, one of the most ethical and grounded ghost hunting groups out there. They dive into the true nature of hauntings—whether what we perceive as spirits are really human, inhuman, or something stranger altogether.

You'll hear personal stories of prophetic dreams, waking visions, and the haunted doll named Hector that wouldn’t stop turning on by itself—after being turned off. The conversation explores skepticism, belief, and the care it takes to separate fact from fiction in paranormal investigations. From the limitations of ghost-hunting gadgets like the Ovilus to the importance of responsible evidence-sharing, this episode balances mystery with method.

Whether you're a full-on believer, a curious skeptic, or just here for haunted doll stories and philosophical deep dives, this one’s not to miss.

Get access to all episodes, contact information, and social links at https://www.southerndemonology.com

#southerndemonology, #teamhaunt, #ghosthunting, #paranormalpodcast, #haunteddoll, #hectorthedoll, #ethicalparanormal, #supernaturalstories, #dreampremonitions, #paranormalinvestigation, #ghosthunters, #creepypodcast, #hauntedplaces, #spiritsightings, #demonology, #hauntedartifacts, #skepticalparanormal, #podcastclips, #trueghoststories, #paranormalevidence

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In this episode of The Southern Demonology podcast, your friendly neighborhood, ancient demonologist JJ is joined by Chris and Dean from the Wandering Road podcast to unravel one of the most infamous tales in paranormal lore: the story of Annabelle the haunted doll. Locked away behind glass in the Warrens' Occult Museum, Annabelle has terrified generations with claims of possession, violence, and demonic influence. Yet how much of the story is true and how much is a well-crafted narrative? Together, JJ, Chris, and Dean dive deep into the origins of the legend, the Warrens’ involvement, and the cultural impact of this raggedy icon of horror. Is Annabelle truly a vessel of evil or simply an elaborate hoax designed to captivate and scare? Tune in for eerie tales, skeptical takes, and some unexpected laughs as the crew sorts fact from fiction in the haunting case of Annabelle.

Get access to all episodes, contact information, and social links at https://www.southerndemonology.com

#southerndemonology, #paranormalpodcast, #annabelle, #haunteddoll, #warrens, #occultmuseum, #paranormallore, #demonology, #skepticalparanormal, #horrorpodcast, #ghoststories, #wanderingroadpodcast, #truehorrorstories, #creepypodcast, #supernaturalinvestigation, #annabellehoax, #hauntedobjects, #demonicpossession, #raggedyann, #paranormaldebunking

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What if demons weren’t just metaphorical adversaries or cinematic monsters—but living, breathing entities, tightly woven into the fabric of everyday life?

In this immersive episode of Southern Demonology, JJ takes you on a journey to the spiritual highlands of Ethiopia, where the line between sacred and profane is as thin as parchment. Through the lens of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, we explore a complex and terrifying cosmology: spirits that haunt, demons that possess, and curses that linger across generations.

From the fearsome twin serpents Barya and Legewon, to the malevolent Shotalay, to the enigmatic Zār and Buda, JJ unpacks how demons in Ethiopian belief are more than just evil—they are deeply human, shaped by class, history, and lived experience. You’ll also hear about Ayine Tila, spirits of madness, and Ye Digimt Menfes, curse-born entities acting as spiritual prosecutors.

But this isn’t just a catalog of the damned—it’s a deep dive into a worldview where healing, haunting, and holiness all co-exist. Rooted in ancient Semitic language and mystic tradition, Ethiopian demonology is a living system where theology, psychology, and folklore collide.

Whether you’re a theology nerd, a horror fan, or just here for the haunted ride, this episode will leave you questioning what you thought you knew about demons—and the people who name them.

🔗 Explore more episodes, contact information, and the full archive at southerndemonology.com

#SouthernDemonology, #EthiopianOrthodoxy, #Demonology, #ZarSpirits, #Buda, #AyineTila, #ProtectionScrolls, #Ge’ez, #OccultPodcast, #SpiritualWarfare, #AfricanTheology, #Folklore, #Mysticism, #Exorcism, #JJKnowsDemons

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In this Bite!, the mini-episodes of the Southern Demonology podcast that focuses on horror movies, JJ tackles the Rule of Jenny Penn and how it taps into the most ancient feat in all of us: mortality.

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