sneezing
According to a European folk belief, the soul flies out of the mouth whenever a person sneezes. A blessing should be said immediately to prevent the soul from being captured by a Demon before it can return to the body. In Islam, Allah instructs people to wish one who sneezes well. Folklore also holds that sneezing expels a Demon. Saying “Bless you” prevents the Demon from immediately reentering the person and protects him or her from evil.

The Encyclopedia of Demons and Demonology – Written by Rosemary Ellen Guiley – Copyright © 2009 by Visionary Living, Inc.