With modern-day obeah men, psychics and mediums actively pursuing clients by placing newspaper ads and establishing their own websites, some religious leaders are warning people who use these services to be careful.

“You endanger not just your life but your family, because you are dealing with the spirit world,” explains Victor Whittley, the pastor of Mount Salem Open Bible Church in Montego Bay.

Whittley says he had not been aware, until the Sunday Observer called him on Thursday, of Professor Aba’s presence in the neighbourhood. Aba, who says he is an occultist, says he has had more than 1,000 clients in his Montego Bay office since he opened his doors about a year ago.

Obeah, which can be traced back to Jamaicans’ African roots, is illegal and has long been frowned upon by mainstream religions.

Just last year, Whittley says, he held a series of teachings on the occult.

During these sessions, he says, he warned his congregation to stay away from places which offer these services. In his 18 years as pastor of the Mount Salem Open Bible Church, he says, he has seen the harmful effects of visiting an obeah practitioner.

“Normally these spirits come back to your home and they will affect you and your family negatively,” he says. “You will find you can’t sleep at nights, you are tormented, you can’t concentrate properly, you see things and hear voices. I have dealt with people who have gone to those places and they get deliverance.”

But those who use Aba’s services say they have benefited from the occultist’s intervention. Spangler, who spoke to the Sunday Observer by phone, said he was first introduced to Aba by a friend. His friend, he says, got a job with Aba’s help and so did he after he took the occultist’s advice and wore “something” to the job interview.

The item, he explained, supposedly compelled the interviewer to look favourably on his application.

This time, Spangler was returning for a different reason.

“Me and my wife separated (last) December. I want (us) to get back together again,” he said.

But like many of his peers Donald Stewart, a pastor from Portmore, believes it is demonic activity that drives the apparent success of businesses like Aba’s.

“It is a strategy of the Devil to allow things to work sometimes, using greater spirits to remove lesser spirits so that you are drawn into a trap. It will open up your own family through whatever demonic spirits have been operating,” he said.