Guest host Rich Berra (email) welcomed Father Bob Bailey, the "Paranormal Padre," for a discussion on exorcisms and his paranormal investigations. Father Bob is a Catholic priest who has dealt with demonic cases, though he is not an official exorcist. Only priests appointed by a bishop can perform major exorcisms on possessed individuals. His work focuses on minor rites like cleansing homes, deliverance prayers, and spiritual intervention in cases of oppression or obsession. He stressed the need to rule out natural causes first. These include mold, faulty wiring, psychological issues, or environmental factors.
When the signs point to real paranormal or demonic activity, such as shadow figures, unexplained noises, or objects moving, Father Bob said he engages in spiritual warfare. This involves holy water, relics, incense (frankincense and myrrh), scripture, and religious provocation. He stressed that sage does not expel evil spirits; blessed incense is the proper tool in Christian tradition. Despite the dangers, Father Bob said his faith is his strongest armor. He prepares spiritually for days before entering affected locations.
Father Bob described a case that deeply affected him. An investigation at a convenience store unleashed a malevolent force in his assistant's home, resulting in attacks from what he called an incubus. He reported objects moving, physical scratches, nightmares, and disturbing recorded phenomena. Deliverance required both ritual prayer and the emotional authority of the assistant's wife confronting the entity. These experiences led Father Bob to form support groups and, later, the Holy Sword Apostolate. This group combines spiritual discernment with psychological and medical assessment to help families facing paranormal disturbances.
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In the latter half of the program, astrologer Debra Silverman discussed integrating astrology and psychology, highlighting its role as a form of medicine. She described astrology as an ancient, sophisticated framework for understanding the psyche that complements psychology. She noted Carl Jung practiced astrology, believing psychology was incomplete without astrological principles. Silverman called astrology Earth's oldest science, rooted in mathematics, observation, and archetypal patterns. She argued astrology offers a structural language for the quirks, temperaments, and ego dynamics that make up each person's "operating system."
Silverman described astrology as medicine because in her view it leads to self-awareness, acceptance, and relief from suffering, particularly the loops of worry, self-criticism, and emotional reactivity that dominate many minds. In astrology, Mercury represents the mind's habits, while the Moon describes emotional temperament. When people identify too closely with mental chatter or unexamined patterns, they feel trapped. Astrology, she explained, activates the observer—the internal witness who steps back, recognizes these loops, and interrupts them with humor and perspective. This shift, she suggested, makes entrenched patterns less painful and more workable.
Silverman emphasized astrology's longevity and reliability, showing its ongoing relevance, even to skeptics. She described it as a tool for restoring faith, curiosity, and resilience in times of overwhelm or disconnection. Silverman stressed that modern life and technologies like AI risk dulling awareness, making it important to reclaim internal intelligence through practices like astrology that strengthen attention and self-regulation. Astrology, she said, helps people understand innate traits, embrace quirks, and navigate life with greater compassion and consciousness.