The Unsorted BBS Collection/thegreatunsorted.tar/thegreatunsorted/misc/bloodsac.txt

Text File | 1989-11-30 | 11KB | 203 lines

           BLOOD SACRIFICES - BLOOD SPELLS - BLOOD CHARMS
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                          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
mototrcycle 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

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           Note From The Archdruid:
Blood Sacrifice is forbidden in all official A.D.F. ceremonies
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