| Protection from Vampires |
| While immortal vampires may be only products of the collective unconcious and symbols to other truths about ourselves, can we truely be sure? Folklore from all over the world has dealt with how to protect ourselves from these creatures. Even if the immortal blood sucking demons of our childhood nightmares may not exist, there are certainly others who go under the definition of vampire. Not all of these people are the nice, respectable people that some are and occassionally protection is needed. From folklore to real life, practiciallity, this part of my site deals with how to be safe. There are some classic ways to kill the undead, and protect yourself from them, that most people are aware of. These are the things Hollywood and popular folklore has made common knowledge for years. The first, and most popular method appears to be a wooden stake through the heart. In most European countries this was the most common belife on how one goes about killing the undead. Many feel however that this method was not meant to kill the vampire, but rather simply to hold it to the earth and thereby preventing it from rising and causing problems. This theory could explain why the stake through the heart method was usually applied in conjunction with another more sever method. Another way in which the driving of a stake through the heart could work is that assuming the vampire is alive, and blood is circulating through it's body, then this would in effect stop the heart from beating and stop life. Also, the method of the removal of the heart is not as widely known, and nor does it appear to have been as widely used as the stake through the heart. If it were believe that the heart keeps the creature alive then of course removing the heart would cease life. Next there is beheading. This form of protection was commonly used in the past, usually in conjuction with the stake in th eheart. It is clear that this act was preformed and could prevent the vampire from rising from the grave again. Obviously, beheading it would prevent the vampire (even if she/he survived) would not be able to see, hear, or smell to hunt prey. It seems that when this method was empolyed the head was then placed at the vampire's feet. Buring was also used in fighting the undead. Once the body was burnt, the remains would often be seperated and then burried or sometimes placed in running water to be scattered in that manner. This was most likely believed to work because there would no longer be any body at all to rejuvinate! It's likely that this was considered a very foolproof was to destroy a vampre. Today many horror film fans and vampire fanatics alike are familiar with the use of blessed or holy weapons. While these are rare they can be found in folklore. A "sacred" bullet was sometimes fied into the vampire's coffin in Eastern Europe. Most likely this bullet was blessed by a priest of the Orthodox Chruch or maybe even just sprinkled with holy water. This was most likely effective more on a magickal basis than a practical one; unlike the aforementioned methods. There are other ways to protect yourself from the undead without "killing" them also. Usually these methods were applied as a precaution to keep them from rising from the grave; not applied after the fact. One of these precautionary measures is placing holy objects in the coffin. In Eastern Europe (which is largely Orthodox Chrisitan) it's common to bury the dead with a crucifix, an icon, or in some cases both. The purpose behind this is to sanctify a corpse, which makes it impossible for an evil spirit to enter it. In non-christian areas of the world everyday non-sanctified objects were buried with the dead for the same purpose; to act as a barrier. Often these sorts of items were placed either at a corpse's head or in his/her mouth. However, for most of us, these methods aren't going to help us in any way if we are (in the unlikely event) ever face to face with a vampire. Folklore gives us some ways to protect ourselves even then! Personally, I seriously doubt there would ever be a need for any of these precaustions but... never say never. Sharp objects are often said to repel them, although, I'm not entirely sure how or why this would work. Garlic and other foul-smelling things are also commonly thought to repel vampires. This goes on the basis of like repels like and since vampires (being corpses and all) were foul-smelling, naturally they would hate garlic and sulphur due to their strong odours. I think these things would probably repel a number of things, including people! Holy items are also thought to offer some protection. Assuming vampires are evil spirits which have possessed bodies of the dead then an object of religious power may ward them off. However, I think that this may depend upon the vampire's belifes and how charged the object was to being with. Distractions are another way to protect onself. People have placed nets and sprinkled seeds around their property to repel vampres under the theory that vampires are rather obssessive compulsive can cannot pass a net without untying every knot or counting or picking up every seed. I would think however this would probalby not be an effective means of protection for long because it's likely that at some point he or she will be finished and commence on their way to attacking. Mirrors are another common method of protection. In the occult mirrors are often used and in this case to reflect evil back to it's source. If vampires, being only soul, do not have reflections then they may be repeld by this fact. If they do have a reflection they may also be afraid of or repeld by what they do see. These are a few of the common ways in which folklore gives us to protect ourselves from the immortal vampires. The methods of protection previously mentiond have been from folklore and aimed at protection against the immortal, blood sucking vampires for the most part. However, I am 99% sure most of us will never meet up with one of these creatures. Mortal blood drinkers, however, are the sort that most of us (though it still is rather unlikely) would meet up with. Most of these people are decent, kind, considerate, and polite beings and decidedly undeadly. For the most part they only drink from willing donors and they probably aren't violent people who set out to kill those from whom they drink. This isn't always the case though and if you engage in these practices in any way, please be careful. If you are considering being a part of this one thing to consider is AIDS. Weather you are a willing donor or the blood drinker, this is something you need to be aware of. Exchanging blood, and even in great quantities salaiva, can transmit the HIV virus. I would say be very, very careful and it's probably a good idea to be tested for AIDS regularly. Also, bacertia is abundant in the human mouth and having this bacteria come in contact directly with another's bloodstream is a very bad idea. This gives the body none of the advantages of the first lines of defense our body usually has. Never, ever bite someone (or allow someone to bite you) and most definately do not allow this to happen on the neck area! Our teeth were not made for ripping/cutting through flesh. Today they sell many instruments which (as long as they are properly sterilised) are much safer for this purpose. Of course, if you (or you allow someone) place your mouth over an open wound you will most likely cause an infection. Be sure when the wounds are made that they are not deep. Be very careful not to hit an artery or vein and if there is excessive/uncontrollable bleeding seek medical attention immediately. You will have a lot of explaining to do but this is most likely serious (and more serious than a nasty scar). If you choose to use needles and syringes (which I do NOT advise) be aware of the risks of this also. If even one airbubble enters the bloodstream this could cause death and ruptured veins are very, very painful as well as possibly deadly. Obviously, it is risky being a donor but it's also exqually as dangerious to be the blood drinker. Aside from the risk of AIDS and really any other disease your donor may have, there are other risks. Blood is a natural emetic (meaning it could and may induce vomiting). The amount of blood one must ingest to induce vomiting varies from individual to individual so no one is ever sure. I should think to vomit blood would most likely be a very awful and decidely disgusting thing. Also, be aware that in many parts of the world this could definately be considered a crime. Be very careful with this if you do decide to participate in any way. Psychic vampires are the sort of vampires most of us are most likely to have a run in with. Usually it will be of the unintentional, but not harmless, sort. While these people do not mean to harm others they very well may do and we should protect ourselves from them if the need should arise. Generally I reccommend doing a purification before any sort of magickal working or ritual, but be sure to do one before any of these. Prufication: Take a ritual bath (or shower) and concentrate on the water hitting/surrounding you. After a minute or so of silent mediation on this, imagine more than the liquid around you. See the water as an aura of sorts. With your eyes closed visualise your own personal energy field. Once you can see this look for any "dark spots", these are the impurities. See them slowly leaving and being washed away from you. Once you feel you have been cleansed of the impurites quickly get out of the tub, drian the water. Banishing: This is a purification for the room in which you will do your working because it too must be free of impurities. You will need a glass of water, a dish of salt (earth), a white candle (fire), and a stick of incense (Air). for the incense I recomend frankincense, dragon's blood, or anything else with protective or banishing properties. It's best if you set this up before your ritual bath so you will be able to move smoothly into the ritual. Plac eth eincesne on in the east, water in the west, the candle on the south, and the salt in the north. Once you have set up the room and are purified, dim the lights and being. Stand at the west facing the east, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and focus on feeling the energy around you. Then, open your eyes and light the incense stick. Carry it around the preimeter of the room (clockwise) and form a circle of smoke. As you do this say "I purify this space with Air." After you have done this return to your position behind your alter and place the incense (now burning) back in the holder on the east. Next, light the candle, pick it up, and walk clockwise around the room again saying "I purify this space with Fire." Again, return to your previous place behind the alter and replace the lit candle in it's holder at the south. Also, pick up the glass of water and walk clockwise around your circle with it while sprinkling drops of water on the floor with your fingers saying "I purifiy this space with Water." Once again, return to your place behind the alter and return the water to it's position in the west of your alter. Now, preform this with the dish of salt; as you walk around the circle drop pinches of salt around saying "I purify this space with Earth." REturn to your place behind the alter and the salt to it's position in the north. After this is done close your eyes and clear your mind. Take three deep breaths and turn your face upweards. Visualise a ball of light directly above you glowing. With each inhalation see the ball of whilte light get closer to you until eventually it comes down through the top of your head and intot he centre of your chest. You want to both see and feel it; it should make you feel a source of warm energy pulsating within you. Once the light is in you, imagine it growing with each exhalation and quickly it should grow to be a sphere of light surrounding you and the alter. Keep expanding your sphere until your mind fills the circle you have created. Now, you will need to select a symbol that represents protection to you. This can be anything; a cross, start of David, pentacle, pentagram, faery, whatever you feel. Once you have the symbol visualise it being about the size of your hand and floating inside your chest where the energy ball was. Let it be a glowing soft golden colour and open your eyes once you can clearly see it. Next, with your eyes open this time see the symbol floating to the east of your circle and make it grow ti about two feetish tall and glowing blue. Next, turn to the south and visualiase the symbol floating there. Repeate this visualiseation in the west and north also. Then, viseualise the symbol flat above you at the top edge of your circle of light to seal the sphere. To finish this concentrate on the circle and the symbols around you and say "I stand now in sacred space. Only light may enter this purified area." Breaking Ties: For the next part of this ritual you may leave teh candle and incense burning and move to a place where you can comfortably sit down or lie. Be sure you do not fall asleep during this meditation however. This is to breakt he ties formed between you and a psychic vampire. One only needs to preform this rite when suffering from REPEATED psychic vampire attacks. To being take three deep breaths with your eyes closed and become aware of the astral body which surrounds you. Once you can sense this look for areas in your aura that may seem "wrong". Those areas may have tendrals from the vampire attached to them; you will have to see if you can sense them. Before you do anything make sure you can see them and you know where they are coming from. Once you have deteremined this and determined then are doing you harm then with your right hand imagine you are cutting or otherwise severing these bonds. After you have cut all the tendrals spend a few moments feeling your new energy. Astral Body Programing: While psychic vampires basically teach their astral body to feed off others, a person can teach their astral body to defend and ward off such attacks. If psychic vampires are a problem for you then this rite will need to be prepeated in conjuction with the others about once a month. You do not need anything for this rite and if being done in connection with the rite above then you may stay seated where you are take a few cleansing breaths before moveing on. To being, close your eyes and concentrate on your astral body. See a body of white light surrounding you and concentrate on feeling it's presecne. Feel how your astral body expands and contracts with your breath. ONce you have a good conscious control of your aura, have it expand with each inhallation but not contract allowing it to grow larger and larger. Once it gets about two feet away from your skin it will no longer look like your body shape but a large oval encasing you. This is about when you should stop expanding. Spend some time focusing on the astral sheild surrounding you. Next, concentrate on the fact that the sheild surrounding you cannot be penetrated. Repeat this several times saying "I am sheilded from all psychic attack; I am protected from all harm." or something similiar. Use this as a mantra and keep repeating as you continue. Viusealise your aura of light growing brighter with each exhalation. Do this for about three exhalations and then see astral needles forming on the surface of your aura. Add more needles as you repeat the mantra a few more times. Then stop repeating the mantra and concentrate on the appearance of your now enlarged astral body. It should look something like a porcupine. Now repeat "these spikes shall repel all harm, by day and night" or something seimilar for three exhalations. With the next exhalation say "When danger is near, these spikes shall appear!" and see your astral shell decrease in size with each exhalation. As it gets within about a foot of your body it should start to resemeble your shape again. Once your aura has resumed it's normal shape meditation for a little bit on the fact that from this point your astral body will swell and form the protective spikes if you are under a psychic attack. Now slowly open your eyes and get up. You will not need to ground yourself in some way. Some practioners have grounding rituals but if you do not watching television, eatting, drinking warm liquid, or going for walks outside (sometimes even hugging a tree) is good for that. |