Tag Archives: Twilight

Of (Were)Wolf And Man

Werewolves would seem to be the next sensible topic after having already dealt with Vampires. Lycanthropy, the real-life condition of believing one has transformed into a were-wolf, has been reported as still existing, at least in a study conducted in the twentieth century, although it is described as a psychosis.

Much of what we think we know about werewolves has – surprise surprise – been invented in modern times by Hollywood and by certain bestselling horror and fantasy authors. Take for example this whole business about Lycanthropy being an infection that can be passed on through biting: a modern invention! The fact of the matter is that before Hollywood came along, traditional folklore was consistent in saying that the way to become a werewolf was through Magickal rituals – either voluntarily or involuntarily.

So for example you could be made subject to a curse, either by a black magician* or by falling foul of some superstition. However it is remarkable that many ways of becoming a werewolf are through voluntarily conducted rituals – “Self Initiation In The Werewolf Tradition,” as it were: e.g. drinking water from a wolf’s paw print, sleeping outside on the night of the full moon, etc.

We are therefore faced with the fact that a great many lycanthropes were in fact people who deliberately wanted to become wolves: and moreover, there are and have been occultists in the modern era wanting to do just that. Why should they want to? Why indeed did people of old want to? Simply – in order to derive benefit from taking on the characteristics of the Wolf – or other animal as appropriate.

The classic example is that of the Berserker, who by magic ritual purported to take on the strength and stamina of a bear or wolf when going into battle. The Berserker did not physically transform, but there is plenty of evidence to say that they did take on the characteristics – such as ferocity – of the animal in question.

Amongst modern occultists who advocate animal transformation – commonly referred to as “shapeshifting” – include shamans. One has to remember that in shamanism a “power animal” has an importance equivalent to “the Holy Guardian Angel” in ceremonial magick, so that a shaman in attempting shapeshifting by becoming possessed by his or her power animal is attempting to contact the higher self. Does a physical transformation take place? Despite the fantastical nature of the idea, when one takes clairvoyance into account it is at least reasonable that it appears to happen, especially if the onlookers are all caught up in the energy of the transformation ritual.

Another occultist who practiced this kind of magick was Austen Osman Spare – who called it “Atavistic resurgence.” His idea was that we all contain within ourselves the karmas from all previous stages of evolution, including animal stages. It was thus possible to magickally draw on this in order to take on the characteristics from a previous animal stage. Interestingly although Spare never claimed that he himself transformed in appearance, he did claim that his magickal use of atavism did on at least one occasion result in the apparition of bizarre thought-forms in the air around him.

Finally, it may be noted that one magical order did provide a full framework for creating Transformation rituals – the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. It is theoretically possible for an Adept to work a transformation ritual by creating an astral form and then taking it on for a while, then banishing it.

So all in all, perhaps the real psychosis of Lycanthropy is that there are some unfortunates who tried to take part in magical transformation or shapeshifting rites, but were not spiritually prepared for it – and then suffered the consequences.

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More on Vampires

Following on from my recent post on the subject, I thought I would present the following. I had previously speculated that the Supreme Banishing Hexagram of Binah Ritual ought to be good enough to get rid of any bloodsucking fiend. I have now come across an authentic Rosicrucian ritual for getting rid of Vampires and the Undead. This is taken from “The Sacramentary of the Rose+Croix” by Robert Ambelain – who implies that this is just the sort of theurgic ritual that would have been undertaken by the Elus Cohens (though I cannot attest to the veracity of this statement).


Exorcism against the dangerous Dead (vampires, ghosts, etc.)

The operator of the Exorcism comes next to the body of the presumed Vampire, sprinkles the tomb with Holy Water, or, if the body is outside the tomb, sprinkles the body itself. Put the blessed Crucifix on the dead’s chest or on the tomb and start the Exorcism.

Almighty God, Word of the Father, Jesus Christ, who gave to the Apostles the power to crush the Snakes and the Scorpions, and to annihilate all effort from the Enemy, You whose Power vanquished Satan and made him fall from the sky as fast as lightning, here I am, trembling and begging, I call Your Holy Name for You to forgive my sins, I, N……., Your servant, and for You to give me the necessary Faith and Power to attack this formidable demon sheltered in Your powerful arm, O You who reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. +

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew, Chapter VIII, 28ff – “When He arrived at the other side of the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could pass that way. “What do You want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, “If You drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake, and died in the water.”

Psalm LIXii – “Lord, deliver me from my Enemies and protect me from those who rise up against me! Deliver me from evil-doers and save me from bloodthirsty men. See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, O Eternal! I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me… Arise to help me; look on my plight… You, Eternal, God of Armies, God of Israel, rouse Yourself to punish all the Nations, show no mercy to wicked traitors… They return at evening, snarling like dogs and prowl about the city… See what they spew from their mouths, they spew out swords from their lips, and they say, ‘Who can hear us?’ But You, Lord, You laugh at them; You scoff at all those Nations…O my Strength, I watch for You; You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God…God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me.

But do not kill them, O Lord our shield, or my people will forget…In Your might make them wander about and bring them down. For the sins of their mouths, for the word of their lips, let them be caught in their pride…For the curses and lies they utter, consume them in wrath, consume them till they are no more…Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob…(Silence).”

“They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city…They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied…But I will sing of Your strength; in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. O my strength. I sing praise to You; You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.”

Psalm XCI – “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadows of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord: ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’ Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence…He will cover you with feathers and under His wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and your rampart… You will not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday…A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you…You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked… If you make the Most High your dwelling – even the Lord who is my refuge – then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent…

“For He will command His Angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone…You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent…’Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My Name. He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him…With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

The Exorcist takes the Sword in his left hand and the Sacramentary in his right.

Exorcism

I beseech you, ancient Serpent, Evil Spirit, Power of Darkness, by the Supreme Judge of the Living and the Dead, by the Creator of the World who has the power to push you to Hell, go away this instant from this human body. He orders you, cursed demon. He is the one who, from the Heavens, pushed you into the abyss of the earth, He commands you! He is the one who has the power to make you fall back. Listen, O Satan, and tremble so that silence accumulates on your head on the great Day of Anger… Get out this instant, vanquished, crawling and adjured in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead, and who will purify the world with the Fire. Amen. +

The Exorcist “pose l’Epee”, and sprinkles again the new Body, or if it has been exhumed, on the Tomb.

Then you begin the “Our Father”

“Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into Temptation, but deliver us from Evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Psalm CXXX – “Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word I put hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.”

The Exorcist again takes the Sword in his left hand and the Sacramentary in his right.

Exorcism

“I beseech you again, o you vile Spirit, deceitful Ghost, diabolical Invader, I beseech you + in the Name of Jesus of Nazareth, who, after the baptism of John, was led into the desert where he triumphed over you in your own territory. I beseech you to stop fighting against the one who God has created from the mud of the earth for the honor of His Glory! Make way for + Jesus Christ, who, for this man, spilled his Precious Blood. Make way for + the Holy Spirit, who, through the blessed Apostle Peter + made you fall with Simon the magician, who condemned you in Annanie and Saphire, who beat you through Herod, refusing to honor God, who, through his apostle Paul, plunged you into the darkness of blindness along with the magus Elymas, and who, by the same Apostle, made you go away from Pytonisse + with just one word.

Get out now and + go away, vile impostor. Your journey is the desert and your home is the snake. Here comes the Lord, your ruler, an ardent fire walks before him and his igneous sword springs out of the mouth of the One who must come one day to judge the living and the dead and purify the world with fire. Amen. +

God, who possesses mercy and forgiveness, we beg You for the soul of Your servant, N……. (or Your female servant N…….). Do not give him to the hands of the Enemy nor forget about him but order Your Angels to receive him and lead him to Heaven, his country. May he, after believing in you, not suffer the sorrow of hell but possess eternal joys. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord and Master and through Saint John His servant. Amen. +

God, whose mercy procures rest for the souls of the faithful, deign to bless + this tomb and give Your Holy Angel Doumiel the guard. Freed of all ties with sin, may the souls of all those whose bodies lie here be forever rejoicing with You and Your Saints. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord and Master and through Saint John His servant. Amen. +

The Exorcist puts down the Sword and prepares the Incense which he then blesses. The Exorcist goes around the tomb and the Body by incensing them both. He then says:

Lord, may You visit, we beg of You, this tomb and this human body and chase away all obstacles from the Enemy. May Your Holy Angels guard it, keeping the Peace Your Servants, and may Your Holy Blessing + be always on us and on them. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Master, and through Saint John His servant. +

Lord God Almighty, whose Army of Angels surround with trembling, whose spiritual and ardent service we all know, Lord, may You look and + bless this tomb and this human body so that all evil passion, satanic possession, all murderous and bloody madness disappear and dissipate at the smell of this Incense, and may it have no more hold on Your Creature from now on, sheltered from the bites of the Ancient Snake and redeemed by the Precious Blood of Your Son who lives and reigns with You, God the Father, in the Unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. +

If the Body was in a leaden, wooden, or marble tomb, you then take it from it and the body is put on the soil of the tomb. You remove the wood or the metal which will be afterwards put into the fire.

The Exorcist then blesses a great quantity of salt which is sprinkled on the body.

Blessing of the Salt

I exorcise you, Creature of Salt, + by the Living God + by the True God + by the Holy God + by the God who wanted you to be thrown in the water by the prophet Elisha to heal the sterility of the water so that you become exorcised Salt for the rest and salvation of Believers. From all places where you will be sprinkled may all ghosts, prodigies, evil illusions, tricks, and
all wickedness of Evil Spirits to go away and disappear like all Vile Spirits, conjured in the Name of the One who will come to judge the living and the dead, and purify the world by Fire. Amen.+

Almighty and Eternal God, we humbly implore Your leniency and Your Mercy to bless + and to sanctify + this Creature of Salt which You created for man’s use so that those who will use it obtain the Salvation of the Soul and all which will be touched or impregnated by it be from now on purified of all impurities and of all invasion of the Evil Spirit! Through Jesus Christ Our Lord and Master and through Saint John His servant. Amen. +

The Exorcist sprinkles abundantly the tomb (or the body laying on the ground) and says:

“May this Soul and those of all defunct faithful rest in peace through the Mercy of God. Amen. +

“Lord, grant to them eternal rest…”

“And may the light which is never extinguished shine on them. Amen. +

If the acts of Vampirism were to continue and need to be burned as was done before in Central Europe, here is the blessing of the Fire of the stake:

Blessing of the Fire of Cremation

“Lord God Almighty, whose multitude of adoring and trembling Armies of Angels surround You and obey You spiritually with the ardor of the Fire, Lord, may You look + bless and sanctify this Creature of Fire so that it can devour all evil signs and all material support of the wickedness of the Enemy. May by this Fire all supernatural illnesses and disabilities, all magic, spells, charms, and evil be forever destroyed and disappear, forever removed from Your creatures redeemed by Your Precious Blood, O You, He who lives and reigns with God the Father in the Unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. +

“I thus bless you, Creature of Fire, and I sanctify you in the Name of He who created you and appeared to His servant Moses as a scorching bush. I bless you + I exorcise you + and I conjure + you, O Creature of fire, in the Name of He who made the Earth shake and has the power over all things so that you help me against the dark Spirits who, lifted from the dead to torment the Living, want to destroy in them the Image of He who vanquished and chased them into the Abyss. I thus order you, O Creature of Fire, in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Name of the four Archangels, Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, and Uriel, chase them away and punish them by burning them in the Fire of Hell, a Fire more scorching than sulphur.”

“Lord, may You bless and sanctify this Creature of Fire which is Yours, so that it becomes a Fire devouring the Demons with all their works and evil doings whatever they are, the ones already done or those to be done, may they be consumed, destroyed, and annihilated through these Holy Flames. All those works, all those things, all those spells, and all the power of the demons, in Your name, Lord, I destroy and annihilate them forever. It is why, Lord, we humbly beg Your Almighty Mercy and Your Infinite Kindness to give to this Creature of Fire such a power that not only this Fire bring to the Infernal Spirits the bitter souvenir of their terrible punishment but also because of their persistent stubbornness against You and Your Ministers, he torments them, he exterminates them, and chases them away. I thus bless + and sanctify + this Creature of Fire, in the Name + of the Father and of + the Son and of + the Holy Spirit. Amen. +

You then throw into the Fire the blessed Salt, in four throws, in the shape of a Cross.

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Vampires – the Truth

As the world’s greatest expert on the occult, I often hallucinate that people are asking me whether there is any truth to this vampire mullarkey. Well, gentle reader, the answer is Yes … though not in the way depicted by certain books and films.

The modern vampire as a literary concept (“modern” here being the operative word) – of which Dracula is the definitive example, and the Twilight movies the latest continuance – derives from Eastern European folklore of the seventeenth century onwards. However the more general concept of bloodsucking monsters or demons (in humanoid form) dates right back to ancient times and spans the globe – to such an extent that one is tempted to speculate that each culture, no matter how remote, has evolved its own version of a Vampire or vampire-like monster.

It is here that the occultist ought to be on guard. If different cultures do independently come up with Vampire myths, this would suggest either or both of two possibilities. Firstly – the Vampire-idea is an archetype of the collective unconscious. Secondly – all these separate Vampire-like beings are actually based on something from real-life.

Now we may scoff at the second possibility easily enough by saying “where’s the evidence?” The first though is somewhat more serious, because it tends to suggest that in a certain way “there is a vampire in all of us” – lurking in the dark and mysterious depths of the psyche.

There have been various attempts made – in real-life – to release this “inner vampire” with varying degrees of success. On the one-hand witness the Vampire subculture which is a part of the Goth or S&M scene – which in extreme cases apparently involves actual blood-drinking. Bizarre though this lifestyle choice appears, there are however occultists who allegedly use black-magick  to transform themselves into actual vampires. There was a method published by the occultist Dion Fortune, who described it in her novel The Demon Lover (and less explicitly in her previous book The Secrets of Doctor Taverner) and also wrote about it in her non-fiction work, Psychic Self-Defence.

The method apparently is this: it requires great control of one’s astral body. Whilst astrally projecting, the putative-Vampire attempts to absorb the life-force of a victim. In this way the putative Vampire can (it is alleged) live on independently of the physical body. The Vampire in question in Doctor Taverner and described more fully in Psychic Self-Defence attached itself to a living host (i.e. not its original self) who was its regular source of “nourishment.” As you can imagine, this left the host feeling tired and run-down all the time, however it also led to a more serious side-effect: the host started having blood-cravings himself, in order to restore his own vitality.

The literature of the Golden Dawn also suggests that “astral vampires” can be created accidentally, by creating an astral form and allowing an evil spirit (or possibly just a socially-maladjusted one) to take possession of it. This is said to be one of the things that can go wrong if the order’s rituals for Invisibility or Transformation are performed badly. Such an astral vampire would then attach itself to a human host – causing the same sort of unpleasant effects as that described by Dion Fortune.

So, how does one actually get rid of Vampires? Well, one could theorise that if the Vampire-idea is archetypal, then so too are traditional Vampire-defences. However, if the theory that Vampirism is caused by unpleasant astral entities is valid, then a more scientific method is to exorcise the alleged fiend. The Golden Dawn suggests that the Supreme Banishing Hexagram of Binah Ritual should be powerful enough to get rid of even the toughest bloodsuckers: although Dion Fortune states that the method used by Doctor Taverner’s real-life counterpart involved absorbing the astral being into his own aura and then digesting it – a method so strenuous that he was left unconscious for three days after attempting it.

(This gives me an idea of how to establish its validity by experiential proof. Kidnap a Goth from off the streets of Camden and perform the Banishing Hexagram of Binah Ritual at him. If he loses all his taste in clothes and music and turns into a Chav, it obviously worked!)

More seriously though, if the Vampire-idea is indeed an archetype, a far more constructive approach would be delve into the unconscious and confront the inner-Vampire, in a sort of active imagination cum quasi-shamanistic type venture. Perhaps that is indeed the real-truth behind Vampire stories – the quest to tackle the Vampire in its lair is actually a metaphor for finding the Darkness within oneself.

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