The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

By Kris Aaron

[Reprinted from THE DRUID'S PROGRESS #5]



It's powerful stuff, human hemoglobin, both as a physical, life-giving

substance and tangible instrument for psychic workings. Almost all religions

emphasize blood in their rites ("This is the blood of Christ" during the

Christian eucharist, for example), but, sadly, paleo-pagans have one of the

ugliest histories of ritual blood sacrifice -- partially bad public relations

by the Christian churches, and partially based on unpleasant fact.



The major problem with the use of blood in magick rituals is that it was

almost always used in excessive amounts, and was inevitably taken from unwilling

participants. Blood is astonishingly powerful stuff, and it seems that early

pagan priests must have operated on the "If a little is good, a lot is better"

theory.



They were wrong. Blood, when used with the appropriate words, rituals, herbs

and the correct phase of the moon, undoubtedly did add quite a bit of horsepower

to the proceedings, but if taken under protest from an unwilling victim the

results could be similar to an extremely powerful car out of control at high

speeds -- it may go where the driver wants it to, and then again it may fly off

the road and do a tremendous amount of damage before stopping.



But when the people liked pagantry and teh priests liked power, the Gods and

Goddesses HAD to like blood -- and a lot of it. (It was also an easy way of

eliminating enemies of the state local loudmouths who challenged the

establishment and the prisoners of war who were getting expensive to feed).

Thusly, blood sacrifices became all the rage and a powerful, magickal tool was

distorted in an ugly, unpleasant way.



Neo-Pagans, thanklfully, are beyond the politically motivated aspects of

blood sacrifice, and that includes those of you out there with aspirations for

public office (bribery and a juicy contra fund work better than blood anyway).

However, to eliminate this incredible substance (blood, not the contra fund)

from all spells and ceremonies may be a mistake. There are times when a drop of

blood can be of extremely important use in saving a life.



Which brings us to the first and most important "rule" for blood in magick --

IT MUST BE YOUR BLOOD THAT IS USED!!! The person who is working the spell,

performing the ceremony or creating the charm is the individual holding the

power – and therefore she or he has the most powerful blood of anyone (or

anything) in the group, and should not be afraid to shed a few drops. NOBODY

ELSE'S BLOOD WILL BE AS EFFECTIVE AS THE BLOOD OF THE PERSON WHO IS PERFORMING

THE MAGICK!!!



I'm belaboring this point because it's undoubtedly the most important aspect

of blood use in Ritual magick -- if its you who wants the spell done, and done

right, YOU must shed your own blood, whether others are eager to volunteer or

not. Of course, if its a big, serious spell that requires more power than you

can summon alone, then everyone in the grove, coven or circle may wish to work

together equally and shed an equal amount of blood, but this decision is up to

each individual member of the groupand no-one must be pressured to spill a few

drops – the magick won't work (or worse will backfire in a most ugly way) if

those participating aren't fully enthusiastic about pricking their fingers.



How much blood? Like most things metaphysic, blood is an incredibly powerful

symbol, and a little goes a long way. The willingless to undergo a tiny bit of

pain (especially in our comfort-oriented culture) and the act of parting with

precious bodily fluids can bring forth tremendous forces that have little

relation to the actual amount spilled. It would seem that the more blood shed

the less one can focus on the act and its true meaning, and after a certain

point individuals simply kick back and try to let the power of the blood itself

do all the work. This is where the horsepower starts to get out of control.

Those working blood magick need to be in control at all times, with their minds

focusing and directing the strength from the blood.



So a few drops are certainly enough for any imaginable ritual ---at least if

those participating are hoping for a positive outcome.



When to use blood? Again, everyone's idea of "important" may differ, but

blood is VERY SERIOUS STUFF. Most cautious magick workers would hesitate to use

a blood charm for mundane benefits (if blood worked for lottery winnings we'd

all be awash in it). Consensus seems to have it that blood should only be used

to protect living creatures from dire threats to their life and health. This

does not mean that a blood charm should be used to protect one from an annoying

but harmless co-worker, or even from a boss who may be writing up your pink

slip. THere are other methods of protection and if these don't work on mundane

problems perhaps it's ones karma to go through a trying time.



Blood is used to keep yourself and those you love alive and healthy, not

prosperous and powerful. Blood is elemental and basic, and should only be used

for the basics, which don't include money and prestige. Did your significant

other buy a motorcycle that will do 162 mph? By all means make this person a

blood charm. Is a beloved familiar going in for surgery? Again the blood charm

or spell is appropriate.



But here it must be said that even the most powerful magick won't protect

individuals from themselves - it will only act as a defense against the

negligence, stupidity or outright malice of others, or as a petition to the

elements. Blood is the strongest stuff we know, but even it can't overcome the

charmholder's stupidity, incompetance or suicidal tendancies. For example, a

blood charm will keep an experienced rider on that 162 mph motorcycle safe from

a drunk in a buick and guide him or her to shelter during a vicious storm. But

it is a guarenteed fact of metaphysics tha the same charm won't work when the

begining rider forgets which is the clutch and which is the brake and

subsequently strains him - or herself through a chainlink fence. (The efficiency

of blood magick also decreases in direct proportion to the charmholder's alchol

intake, but its also been said that Baccus watches out for his own. However, if

any reader has a charm, spell or potion that cures dumb behavior please please

write in!)



Now, down to the nuts and bolts of the actual charm. Blood is simply an

additive and will work quite nicely with the magick, rituals and spells you are

currently using. All it requires is respect and an acknowledgement of the

incredible power contained therein. I have found that my normal spell and charm

making ritual accompanied by the words "May this be the only pain felt, the

only blood shed" works most satisfactorially. The phrase may have to be altered

appropriately, of course, if the charm is being made for someone undergoing

surgery -- always adjust for the need and the individual.



And speaking of individuals, the person or living thing receiving the charm,

spell or magick should have given his, her or its permission in advance for the

work to be done. Never never, never do blood magick for someone without their

full knowledge and approval -- otherwise, it may interfere with their beliefs or

karma and cause an incredible amount of damage, no matter that you only wanted

to help. Also, this is a good time to strongly advise against ritually mixing

your blood with someone else's (transfusions aren't magick and don't count).

Too often, relationships fall apart but there you are, still bonded to this

person who you'd just as soon be without. It's tough to undoi a blood mixing,

but if you insist on it as part of teh handfasting, marriage or life-bonding, be

very sure that you can at least remain good friends should circumstances change

and lust and love die off. Because with a blood bonding, you and the other

individual are going to be interacting with each other, in one way or another,

pleasant or awful, for a long long time.



Lesser points - blood magick needs cooperation from the recipient. To

paraphrase: The Goddesses and Gods Help Those Who Help Themselves. Don't waste a

blood charm on a suicidal person or a non-believer who is likely to down two

six-packs and test it by standing in front of an oncoming train - instead, drag

the individual to counseling RIGHT AWAY. And don't ask for too much; it confuses

the issue. Keep the phrasing simple : "Let this be the only pain felt, the only

blood shed, and keep my love from frostbite and hypothermia," if your love is

planning to climb Mt. McKinley in January. DOn't wander down a long list of

every possible injury; it dilutes teh chamr's true effectiveness and bores the

goddesses and gods.



Blood magick is very effective for living things -- people, familiars, trees

and the earth (in small areas). One charm per life, however, or the power is

diluted. Blood charms for inanimate objects confuse the issue -- they only seem

to work on living substances. Besides, most inanimate objects can be nicely

protected in other ways; your car in for an overhaul may need to be circled and

protected (more for your finiancial benefit than the car's, since most any

vehicle can be restored), but a living thing won't always come out of surgery

better than it went in.



And one last warning : ritual blood magick is bad public relations since most

people can't get past the word "blood" and won't hear you say "Its my own!".

Thanks to Charlie Manson and his little family, anything to do with bloodletting

is now associated with the most negative of behavior. Best to keep positive but

heavy magick to yourself or within the group, and only offer to do a blood charm

or spell for individuals who you are sure would welcome it.



Kris Aaron

Box 1304

Apache Jct., AZ 85220



***************************************************************

Note From The Archdruid:

Blood Sacrifice is forbidden in all official A.D.F. ceremonies

***************************************************************

Best performed on Saturday (Saturn's Day),

To bind a criminal / one who intends to do harm,

To bring someone to justice



Collect your materials, including a poppet you made to represent the person in

question.

Cast a circle.

Light a black candle and burn myrrh incense.

Sprinkle the poppet with salt water, saying



Blessed be, thou creature made of art.

By art made, by art changed.

Thou art not clothe (or wax, whatever)

But flesh and blood

I name thee ___________ (person being bound)

Thou art s/he, between the worlds, in all the worlds,

So mote it be



Hold the poppet and imagine it enmeshed in silver net, binding the person in

question.

Tie the poppet up firmly with red ribbon, binding all parts of it that could

possibly do harm.

Charge it, saying,



By air and earth,

By water and fire,

So be you bound,

As I desire.

By three and nine,

Your power I bind.

By moon and sun,

My will be done.

Sky and sea

Keep harm from me.

Cord go round,

Power be bound,

Light revealed,

Now be sealed.



Release the powers and open the circle.

Bury the poppet at the time of the waning moon, far from your home, under a

heavy rock.

Go home and have some juice and do grounding. And clearing meditation.