Basically what I'm asking, aside from any insight and guidance on my situation, is what are YOU doing to fight the forces of evil?

St. Michael, first champion of the Kingship of Christ, pray for us!

John, as a Traditional Catholic, you ARE a force against evil.  Be a Traditional Catholic in every sense of the word.  Morning prayers, Rosary, evening prayers.  Don't think like a protestant as they substitute emotion for faith.  BE A TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC and the enemy will flee.  Believe that, my friend. Secondly, choose your chapel.  As you have probably read, there is much disruption now about modernism, Traditionalism, and the like.  Focus on the Traditional Church prior to Vat. II.  Be a Catholic and don't try to move ahead too fast.  Let God move you along as you are ready.  That is my humble advice.  

Thank you folks, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your very humble advice and guidance and recommending me prayers, sacramentals, etc. Any other thoughts on Spiritual Warfare, my situation, or similar ones are welcome :)

Has anyone read the book "Catholic Warrior," by Robert Abel? I am busy with a few books right now but looking through it at the local Catholic shop (which stocks all the traditional classics!) it's on my list of books to buy. Any book recommendations would be taken seriously. Instead of dope I have a prayer and study habit now lol  :reading:

You can recite this powerful prayer and use Holy water: (I have added the Latin and English translation below in red)

Exorcismus in Satanam et Angelos Apostaticos

In nómine Pátris, et Fílii, + et Spirítus Sancti. Amen.

Psalmus LXVII

Exsúrgat Deus et dissipéntur inimíci ejus: et fúgiant qui odérunt eum a fácie ejus.

Sicut déficit fumus defíciant; sicut fluit cera a fácie ígnis, sic péreant peccatóres a fácie Dei.

Psalmus XXXIV

Júdica Dómine nocéntes me; expúgna impugnántes me.
Confundántur et revereántur quaeréntes ánimam meam.
Avertántur retrórsum et confundántur, cogitántes míhi mála.
Fíant táamquam púlvis ante fáciem vénti: et Ángelus Dómini coárctans eos.
Fiat via illórum ténebrae, et lúbricuм: et Ángelus Dómini pérsequens eos.
Quóniam grátis abscondérunt míhi intéritum láquei sui: supervácue exprobravérunt ánimam meam.
Véniat illi láqueus quem ignórat; et cáptio quam abscóndit, aprehéndat eum: et in láqueum cádat in ipsum.
Ánima áutem mea exsultábit in Dómino: et delectábitur super salutári suo. Glória Pátri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
Sícut érat in princípio et nunc et semper, et in saécula saéculórum. Amen.

Ad S. Michaelem Archangelum. Precatio

Prínceps gloriosíssime coeléstis milítiae, sancte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio et colluctatióne, quae nobis est advérsus príncipes et potestátes, advérsus múndi rectóres tenebrárum hárum, contra spirituália nequítiae, in coeléstibus (Eph 6). Véni in auxílium hóminum; quos Deus creávit inexterminábiles, et ad imáginem similitúdinis suae fécit, et a tyránnide diáboli emit prétio mágno (Sap 2:1; Cor 6).


Proeliáre hódie cuм beatórum Angelórum exércitu proélia Dómini, sícut pugnásti ólim contra dúcem supérbiae lucíferum et ángelus éjus apostáticos; et non valuérunt, néque lócus invéntus est eórum ámplius in caélo. Sed projéctus est dráco ílle mágnus, sérpens antíquus, qui vocátur diábolus et sátanas, qui sedúcit univérsum órbem; et projéctus est in térram, et ángeli éjus cuм íllo míssi sunt (Apoc 12).


En antíquus inimícus et homicída veheménter eréctus est. Transfigurátus in ángelum lúcis, cuм tóta malignórum spirítuum catérva láte círcuit et invádit térram, ut in ea déleat nómen Dei et Christi éjus, animásque ad aetérnae glóriae corónam destinátas furétur, máctet ac pérdat in sempitérnum intéritum.


Vírus nequítiae suae, támquam flúmen immundíssimum, dráco maléficus transfúndit in hómines depravátos ménte et corrúptos córde; spíritum mendácii, impietátis et blasphémiae; halitúmque mortíferum luxúriae, vitiórum ómnium et iniquitátum. Ecclésiam, Ágni immaculáti spónsam, vaférrimi hóstes replevérunt amaritudínibus, inebriárunt absínthio; ad ómnia desiderabília éjus ímpias misérunt mánus. Úbi sédes beatíssimi Pétri et Cáthedra veritátis ad lúcem géntium constitúta est, ibi thrónum posuérunt abominatiónis et impietátis suae; ut percússo Pastóre, et grégem dispérdere váleant.


Adésto ítaquae, Dux invictíssime, pópulo Dei contra irrumpéntes spiritáles nequítias, et fac victóriam. Te custódem et patrónum sáncta venerátur Ecclésia; te gloriátur defensóre advérsus terréstrium et infernórum nefárias potestátes; tíbi trádidit Dóminus ánimas redemptórum in supérna felicitáte locándas. Deprecáre Deum pácis, ut cónterat sátanam sub pédibus nóstris, ne últra váleat captívos tenére hómines, et Ecclésiae nocére. Óffer nóstras préces in conspéctu Altíssimi, ut cíto antícipent nos misericórdiae Dómini, et apprehéndas dracónem serpéntem antíquum, qui est diábolus et sátanas, ac ligátum míttas in abýssum, ut non sedúcat ámplius géntes (Apoc 20).


Hinc tuo confísi praesídio ac tutéla

(si fuerit clericus: sácri ministérii nostri auctoritáte)
(si fuerit laicus: sácra Sánctae Mátris Ecclésiae auctoritáte),

ad infestatiónes diabólicae fráudis repelléndas in nómine Jésu Chrísti Dei et Dómini nóstri fidéntes et secúri agrédimur.



V. Écce Crúcem Dómini, fúgite pártes advérsae.
R. Vícit Leo de tríbu Júda, rádix Dávid.
V. Fíat misericórdia tua Dómine, super nos.
R. Quemádmodum sperávimus in te.
V. Dómine, exáudi oratiónem méam.
R. Et clámor meus ad te véniat.
(si fuerit clericus: V. Dóminus vobíscuм R. Et cuм spíritu tuo.)

Orémus

Deus, et páter Dómini nóstri Jesu Christi, invocámus nómen sánctum tuum, et clemántiam tuam súpplices expóscimus: ut per intercessiónem immaculátae semper Vírginis Dei Genitrícis Maríae, beáti Michaélis Archángeli, beáti Jóseph ejúsdem beátae Vírginis Sponsi, beatórum Apostolórum Pétri et Páuli et ómnium Sanctórum, advérsus sátanam, omnésque álios immúndos spíritus, qui ad nocéndum humáno géneri animásque perdéndas pervagántur in múndo, nóbis auxílium praestáre dignéris.

Per eúmdem Chrístum Dóminum nóstrum.
R. Ámen.

Exocismus

Exorcizámos te, ómnis immúnde spíritus, ómnis satánic potéstas, ómnis infernális adversárii, ómnis légio, ómnis congregátio et sécta diabólica, in nómine et virtúte Dómini nóstri Jésu + Chrísti, eradicáre et effugáre a Dei Ecclésia, ab animábus ad imáginem Dei cónditis ac pretióso divíni Ágni sánguine redémptis. + Non últra áudeas, sérpens callidíssime, decípere humánum génus, Dei Ecclésiam pérsequi, ac Dei eléctos excútere et cribráre sicut tríticuм. + Ímperat tíbi Deus altíssimus, + cui in mágna tua supérbia te símile habéri ádhuc praesúmis; qui ómnes hóminess vult sálvos fíeri, et ad agnitiónem veritátis veníre (1 Tim 2).

Ímperat tíbi Déus Pater; + ímperat tíbi Deus Fílius; + ímperat tíbi Déus Spíritus Sánctus. + Ímperat tíbi majéstas Chrísti, aetérnum Dei Vérbum cáro factum, + qui pro salúte géneris nóstri tua invídia pérditi, humiliávit semetípsum fáctus obédiens úsque ad mórtem (Phil 2); qui Ecclésiam súam aedificávit súpra fírmam pétram, et pórtas ínferi advérsus eam númquam esse praevalitúras edíxit, cuм ea ipse permansúrus ómnibus diébus úsque ad consummatiónem saéculi (Matt 28, 20).

Ímperat tíbi sacraméntum Crúcis, + omniúmque christiánae fídei Mysteriórum virtus. + Imperat tibit excélsa Dei Génitrix Virgo Maria, + quae superbíssimum cáput tuum a prímo instánti immaculátae suae conceptiónis in sua humilitáte contrívit. Ímperat tíbi fídes sanctórum Apostolórum Pétri et Páuli, et ceterórum Apostolórum. + Ímperat tíbi Mártyrum sánguis, ac pia Sanctórum et Sanctárum ómnium intercéssio. +

Érgo, dráco maledícte et ómnis légio diabólica, adjurámus te per Déum + vívum, per Déum + vérum, per Déum + sánctum, per Déum qui sic diléxit múndum, ut Fílium suum unigénitum dáret, ut ómnis qui crédit in eum non péreat, sed hábeat vítam aetérnam (Jn 3): céssa decípere humánas creatúras, eísque aetérnae perditiónis venénum propináre: désine Ecclésiae nocére et éjus libertáti láqueros injícere.

Váde sátana, invéntor et magíster ómnis falláciae, hóstis humánae salútis. Da lócuм Chrísto, in quo níhil invenísti de opéribus tuis; da lócuм Ecclésia Uni, Sanctae, Cathólicae, et Apostólicae, quam Chrístus ípse acquisívit sánguine suo. Humiliáre sub poténti mánu Dei; contremísce et éffuge, invocáto a nóbis sáncto et terríbili nominé Jésu, quem ínferi trémunt, cui Virtútes caelórum et Potestátes et Dominatiónes subjéctae sunt, quem Chérubim et Séraphim indeféssis vócibus láudant, dicéntes: Sánctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dóminus Déus Sábaoth.

V. Dómine, exáudi oratiónem méam.
R. Et clámor meus ad te véniat.

(Si fuerit clericus: V. Dóminus vobíscuм. R. Et cuм spírito tuo.)

Orémus

Déus caéli, Deus térræ, Deus Angelórum, Deus Archangelórum, Deus Patriarchárum, Deus Prophetárum, Deus Apostolórum, Deus Mártyrum, Deus Confessórum, Deus Vírginium, Deus, qui potestátem hábes donáre vítam post mórtem, réquiem post labórem: quia non est álias Deus præter te, nec esse pótest nísi tu Creátor ómnium visibílium et invisibílium, cujus régni non érit finis: humíliter majestáti glóriae tuae supplicámus, ut ab ómni infernálium spirítuum potestáte, láqueo, decéption et nequítia nos poténter liberáre, et incólumes custodíre dignéris.
Per Chrístum Dóminum nóstrum. Ámen.

V. Ab insídiis diáboli,
R. líbera nos, Dómine.
V. Ut Ecclésiam tuam secúra tíbi fácias libertáte servíre,
R. te rogámus, áudi nos.
V. Ut inimícos sánctae Ecclésiae humiliáre dignéris,
R. te rogámus, áudi nos.


Et aspergatur locus aqua benedicta
   


In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.

Psalm 67

Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered: and let them that hate Him flee from before His Face!
As smoke vanisheth, so let them vanish away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

Psalm 34

Judge Thou, O Lord, them that wrong me: overthrow them that fight against me.
Let them be confounded and ashamed that seek after my soul. Let them be turned back and be confounded that devise evil against me.
Let them become as dust before the wind: and let the Angel of the Lord straighten them.
Let their way become dark and slippery: and let the Angel of the Lord pursue them.
For without cause they have hidden their net for me unto destruction: without cause they have upbraided my soul.
Let the snare which he knoweth not, come upon him: and let the net which he hath hidden, catch him: and into that very snare let him fall.
But my soul shall rejoice in the Lord, and shall be delighted in His salvation .
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

O most glorious Prince of the Heavenly Armies, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in our wrestling against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places (Eph 6:12). Come to the aid of men, whom God created incorruptible, and to the image of His own Likeness He made them, and from the tyranny of the devil He bought them at a great price (Wis 2:23, Cor 7:23).

Fight the battles of the Lord today with the Army of the Blessed Angels, as once thou didst fight against Lucifer, the first in pride, and his apostate angels; and they prevailed not: neither was their place found anymore in Heaven. But that great dragon was cast out, the old serpent, who is called the devil and satan, who seduces the whole world. And he was cast unto the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him (Apoc 12:8-9).

Behold, the ancient enemy and murderer strongly raises his head! Transformed into an angel of light, with the entire horde of wicked spirits he goes about everywhere and takes possession of the earth, so that therein he may blot out the Name of God and of His Christ and steal away, afflict and ruin unto everlasting destruction the souls destined for a crown of eternal glory.

On men depraved in mind and corrupt in heart the wicked dragon pours out like a most foul river, the poison of his villainy, a spirit of lying, impiety and blasphemy, and the deadly breath of lust and of all iniquities and vices.

His most crafty enemies have engulfed the Church, the Spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, with sorrows; they have drenched her with wormwood; on all her desirable things they have laid their wicked hands. Where the See of the Blessed Peter and the Chair of Truth have been set up for the light of the Gentiles, there they have placed the throne of the abomination of their wickedness, so that, the Pastor having been struck, they may also be able to scatter the flock.

Therefore, O thou unconquerable Leader, be present with the people of God and against the spiritual wickedness which are bursting in upon them; and bring them the victory. The Holy Church venerates thee as its guardian and patron; and it glories in the fact that thou art its defender against the wicked powers of earth and hell. To thee the Lord has assigned the souls of the redeemed to be placed in Heavenly bliss. Beseech the God of Peace to crush Satan under our feet, that he may no more be able to hold men captive and to harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that the mercies of the Lord may quickly come to our aid, that thou mayest seize the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and satan and that having bound him, thou mayest cast him into the bottomless pit, so that he may no more seduce the nations (Apoc 20:3).

Hence confiding in thy protection and guardianship,
(for priests: by the sacred authority of our ministry,)
(For laymen: by the sacred authority of Holy Mother Church),
we confidently and securely begin the task in the name of Jesus Christ our God and Lord, of driving away the attacks of diabolical deceit.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord, flee away ye hostile forces.
R. The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David hath conquered
V. May Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us,
R. Because we have hoped in Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer,
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
(for priests: V. The Lord be with you, R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray:

O God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we invoke Thy holy name, and we humbly implore Thy mercy, that by the intercession of the Mother of God Mary Immaculate ever Virgin, of Blessed Michael the Archangel, of Blessed Joseph the Spouse of the same Blessed Virgin, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and of all the Saints, Thou wouldst deign to afford us help against Satan and all the other unclean spirits and against whatever wanders throughout the world to do harm to the human race and to ruin souls, through the same Christ Our Lord,
R. Amen.

Exorcism

We cast you out, every unclean spirit, every satanic power, every onslaught of the infernal adversary, every legion, every diabolical group and sect, in the name and by the power of our Lord Jesus + Christ. We command you, begone and fly far from the Church of God, from the souls made by God in His Image and redeemed by the Precious Blood of the Divine Lamb. + No longer dare, cunning serpent, to deceive the human race, to persecute God's Church, to strike God's elect and to sift them as wheat. + For the Most High God commands you, + He to Whom you once proudly presumed yourself equal; He Who wills all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of Truth commands you. (1 Tim 2:4)

God the Father + commands you. The Son of God + commands you. God the Holy + Ghost commands you. Christ, the Eternal Word of God made flesh, commands + you, Who humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death (Phil 2:8), to save our race from the perdition wrought by your envy; Who founded His Church upon a firm Rock, declaring that the gates of hell should never prevail against her, and that He would remain with her all days, even to the end of the world. (Mt 28:20) The sacred mystery of the Cross commands you, along with the power of all mysteries of Christian Faith. + The exalted Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, + commands you, who in her lowliness crushed your proud head from the first moment of her Immaculate Conception. The Faith of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul and the other Apostles + commands you. The blood of martyrs and the devout prayers of all holy men and women command + you.

Thus, cursed dragon, and you, diabolical legions, we adjure you by the living God, + by the true God, + by the holy God, + by the God who so loved the world that He gave up His only Son, that every soul believing in Him might not perish but have life everlasting;" (Jn 3:16) cease deceiving human creatures and pouring out to them the poison of eternal damnation; cease harming the Church and hindering her liberty.

Begone, Satan, inventor and master of all deceit, enemy of man's salvation. Give place to Christ in Whom you have found none of your works; give place to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church acquired by Christ at the price of His Blood. Stoop beneath the all-powerful Hand of God; tremble and flee when we invoke the Holy and terrible Name of Jesus, this Name which causes hell to tremble, this Name to which the Virtues, Powers and Dominations of heaven are humbly submissive, this Name which the Cherubim and Seraphim praise unceasingly repeating: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord, the God of Hosts.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
(For Priests: V. May the Lord be with thee.
R. And with thy spirit.)

Let us pray.

God of heaven, God of earth, God of Angels, God of Archangels, God of Patriarchs, God of Prophets, God of Apostles, God of Martyrs, God of Confessors, God of Virgins, God Who has power to give life after death and rest after work: because there is no other God than Thee and there can be no other, for Thou art the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, of Whose reign there shall be no end, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy glorious Majesty and we beseech Thee to deliver us by Thy power from all the tyranny of the infernal spirits, from their snares, their lies and their furious wickedness.
Deign, O Lord, to grant us Thy powerful protection and to keep us safe and sound. We beseech Thee through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

V. From the snares of the devil,
R. Deliver us, O Lord.
V. That Thy Church may serve Thee in peace and liberty:
R. We beseech Thee to hear us.
V. That Thou may crush down all enemies of Thy Church:
R. We beseech Thee to hear us.


Holy water is sprinkled in the place

 :dancing-banana:
Mary rescued you.  Cling to her by clinging to the Rosary.  Have a blessed Rosary on your person at all times.

I have a history with the occult...

good evening John.

Without violating any privacy of yours, do you care to elaborate on the occult? Were you in to New Age (meditation/crystals/ metaphysics)...
Left Hand Path with involvement in a local group??? ... were you in a more organized group (typically with business professionals) with perhaps, Ceremonial Black Magicians/ Chaos Magick???

and to your question their are several strategies (overall) and specific tactical maneuvers (if SHIF) at the top of my head; to fight back...

in reading your thread, I don't know where you stand and don't want to elaborate without your permission ... your post is different (at least for me, in a good way). if you don't feel comfortable, it's cool.

What are folks thoughts on spiritual warfare, especially regarding someone with a past in the occult. I am a new convert but am a Catholic for life, no question about it. I am only now, by the Grace I've been granted, getting my life together and totally surrendering to Our Lord. I have begun using the prayers of the Auxilium Christianorum.

This is why the Church in this life is called the Church Militant. Whether you have a history with the occult or not it is still a kind of warfare with the powers of darkness.