"Blood Fascination" April 6, 2003

Note, this article reflects my understanding of THAT TIME, spring of 2003!

Some people might be revolted by the dietary needs of my and other (more famous) writers little clans of vampires. It's one of the things that makes their lives difficult, to say the least.

But one thing I've been startled to learn via the web is the existence of HUMAN VAMPIRES. Some even consider themselves transformed humans, the process brought about via a virus. No scientific proof was offered of it, but their beliefs are quite fascinating, none the less.

Their lot not as difficult as the fictional vampires I've envisioned, they do eat regular food and don't have the rapid incineration under the sun. Although they do report increased sensitivity to the sun and belief their immune system suffers if they don't have small regular doses of donated blood. Yes, they stress heavily that it is from willing donors who have been tested for communicable diseases.

Later, being impressed with this age's expressions of blood fascination, I sought after learning ancient expressions of blood fascination.

The ancient Taurobolium, defined as the ritual sacrifice of a bull in early Greek and Roman mystery cults, such as Mithraism or Magna Mater is one example. It involves the idea that one can be purified by blood. The one who would be purified for priesthood descends into a pit or trench under which a framework holds a bull whose chest is hacked with blows from a spear.

In Hymns, X, 1028-40, Prudentius, a Christian, (thus his obvious revulsion) describes it thusly:

Here, as is ordained, the beast is to be slain, and they pierce its breast with a sacred spear; the gaping wound emits a wave of hot blood, and the smoking river flows into the woven structure beneath it and surges wide. Then by the many paths of the thousand openings in the lattice the falling shower rains down a foul dew, which the priest buried within catches, putting his shameful head under all the drops, defiled both in his clothing and in all his body. Yea, he throws back his face, he puts his cheeks in the way of the blood, he puts under it his ears and lips, he interposes his nostrils, he washes his very eyes with the fluid, nor does he even spare his throat but moistens his tongue, until he actually drinks the dark gore. Afterwards, the flamens draw the corpse, stiffening now that the blood has gone forth, off the lattice, and the pontiff, horrible in appearance, comes forth, and shows his wet head, his beard heavy with blood, his dripping fillet and sodden garments.

Another translation, found elsewhere, is worded thusly: ''The victim is removed, the cover taken off, and the ‘the pontiff, dreadful to see’ is extracted from the pit. He is hailed ‘with the idea’ that vile blood...has purified him while he was hidden in these shameful depths.’

So here we have an ancient blood drinker, full of faith in the blood's ability to work magic.

Prudentius was appalled by this ritual, and indeed, the Christians cleaned it up a bit. In the rite of communion, many believe the wine is turned into the magical blood of Jesus Christ. So then, Christians become SYMBOLIC blood drinkers, if nothing else.

The real science of what our blood does is magical enough in itself. The average human contains five liters of blood. This blood contains red blood cells which carry oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body. It is important that fresh blood from the aorta goes directly to the brain, because the brain needs oxygen constantly otherwise we get irreversible damage. Another important organ for the blood to pass through is the lung. Here waste carbon dioxide is replaced with fresh oxygen.

It takes one to two minutes for the blood to entirely circulate through out the human body. Along with oxygen, it also brings glucoses and hormones to the various organs in the body. Another vital function is carried out by the white blood cells, who act as soldiers to protect the system against invaders, in the form of germs.

This scientific knowledge we now possess reveals blood 'magical' enough in its action. But imagine what early humans, who did not fully understand its purpose, thought of it. It is only natural they'd subscribe supernatural purposes to it. And don't we still, those who drink the blood, believing it will strengthen their immune systems?

Some may say it is all 'psychosomatic', their reaction of feeling 'very weak and prone to illness' and experiencing 'aches and pains' if they don't have the blood. But our immune systems can be just that suggestible. Placebos would not work if they weren't. It is just the mystery of the mind that we can have that much control over it. Belief can make things happen within this delicate system.

Stress takes a terrible toll on the immune system. If a particular belief alleviates that stress, then beneficial results are seen. We humans, we do not fully understand what we are yet. But one thing is a constant. Blood will always fascinate us, for we will always wonder about its powers. Some will be forever convinced of more or extra. And oddly enough, possibly our minds can make it so.

We humans, with our varied obsessions, are strange, but incredibly fascinating creatures, aren't we?

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