Vampire Defense

“Evil is a point of view. We are immortal. And what we have before us are the rich feasts that conscience cannot appreciate and mortal men cannot know without regret. God kills, and so shall we; indiscriminately He takes the richest and the poorest, and so shall we; for no creatures under God are as we are, none so like Him as ourselves, dark angels not confined to the stinking limits of hell but wandering His earth and all its kingdoms.”  ― Anne Rice, Interview with the Vampire

The vampire is a loathsome creature, who appears in human form, and is sustained by drinking the blood (also known as "feeding") from living beings, like you and I.   Naturally, we want to defend ourselves from an immortal existence and there are many ways in which we can employ self-protection.

Today, one can easily find, online at auction or generally for sale, "Vampire Hunter Kits" - also known as - "Vampire Defense Kits".  Some kits may be vintage, but are not actually an authentic tool used during the height of this superstition.   These kits are most likely made in the 1930's or perhaps even later and were made to look older than they actually are.   These kits can even be "made to order", today.  Speculation is that they were produced after the publication of Bram Stoker's "Dracula" in 1897, and were more likely intended as souvenirs or novelties.    Buyer, Beware!

If the contents were indeed real, here are the many ways in which you may use to defend yourself against the un-dead. There are also many superstitions that may grant you some form of protection against these evil beings.  

"Apotropaics" or apotropaic magic are a means in which one may defend against evil or harm, and may deflect misfortune.  If you have a lucky charm, or sprinkle salt over your shoulder, or hang a horseshoe over your door, you are practicing this type of magic!  Common items, such as garlic or holy water that are supposedly used to ward off those who returned from the dead and are common in vampire folklore. 



Branch of a wild rose - may harm or ward off a vampire



Candles

Used for ceremonies like exorcisms, prayers, and seeing in the dark.



Crossbow and Bolts

Crossbows were useful when employed for range.  The tip of the bolt may be dipped in silver, however, silver is not effective means to ward off the vampire. 



Crucifix

A symbol of Christ, it was commonly held facing toward the vampire, who balked in its presence. Sometimes, it was attached to a chain from which the slayer could rapidly pull it out.  The crucifix was often made of silver.   This tool is one of the most important manners in which one can repel a vampire, and if it touches the skin of the undead, it will burn them similar to an acid.



Decapitation / Dismemberment

One of the easiest methods to kill a vampire is to simply lob off its head, and then to burn it along with the remaining body (which should also be dismembered). See "Fire". Decapitation was also the means in which one could expedite the departure of one's soul. 




Entry

It is common knowledge that a vampire will not enter your home, unless you invite him/her.  Once the invitation is extended, however, they may enter or leave at will. 



Eucharist 

Holy wafers are used to place over the lips of the dead, as a form of protection against vampirism; or, may be placed around the grave as a circle of protection so that the undead may not enter. 

Fire

The method of burning a vampire is used in conjunction with the decapitation and dismemberment method.  After the body is in pieces, the remaining parts must be thoroughly burned. 



Garlic

Garlic has been used in defense against vampirism, as they notoriously despise this herb and repel against it.  Consequently, garlic was placed into a deceased person's mouth to prevent a vampire from feeding upon the victim.




Graveyard

A vampire will not be able to use his power on consecrated grounds such as a church yard or a cemetery.  You will be safe to retreat to these places.




Hammer

Some hammers were fashioned with a crucifix styled into the head. Its size was approximately six to seven inches long, and was what is used to drive a stake into the body of the vampire.




Holy Water

This was used to sprinkle on the vampire for both protection of the hunter, the surrounding area in which they occupied, or used directly on the vampire to harm it.




Incense

The pungent odor arising from this may have been used ceremoniously, whether it be used for protection or to ward off the evil spirit which lay in the vampire’s body.



Knives and Daggers

Some were used for throwing while others were specifically used for close combat.



Lemon

In Saxon regions of Germany, a lemon was placed in the mouth of suspected vampires.



Metal Teeth Pliers

Nothing more than a common tool, these were used to remove the long teeth or fangs of vampires.  



Mirrors

Mirrors are used to ward off vampires when placed facing outwards, on a door.  You can also verify if the individual is indeed a vampire, as they do not have a reflection, or they may not cast a shadow which helps to substantiate their lack of having a soul.    



Mustard Seed

Sprinkled over the roof of one's home will protect you against these intruders.



Oils and Ointments

Commonly used as repellents, any consecrated oil or ointment can be used to place directly on oneself or an object



Prayer Book or Bible

Holy verses, quotes or readings may be used for performing exorcisms.




Pistols

Everyone knows that bullets do NOT kill vampires.  Bullets - exclusively silver bullets - are used to kill werewolves, never vampires.



Running Water

Such as a brook or stream - vampires will not cross either.  I would caution you, however, to not rely on this as a means of defense, as a vampire can not only change forms, such as transforming into a bat or wolf, I would suggest that there is no reason why he would not leap over running water, if his thirst was great; or perhaps, his anger, high.



Stakes

Stakes were driven into the hearts of the vampires by use of the hammer.  A suspected vampire's grave could be unearthed and a stake would be driven through the corpse, to pin it to the ground. Holy water, Eucharists, and/or oils or ointments could be administered directly onto its body to prevent it from reanimating and could be either driven through the mouth, the heart or the stomach depending upon from what region the superstition came.  Popular choices of wood to make stakes were Ash, Hawthorne or Oak.



Sunlight

One of the most vulnerable aspects of a vampire is to expose them to sunlight, which may disintegrate them, instantly.  This is why they are only active at night.

Here is my shadow... from the streets of Chicago...

...and, here I am, also in Chicago, - and my reflection is real.  Whew!  Glad we got that nasty piece of business out of the way!

Spirits of Halloween

The Sun God has died and is returning to the womb of the "Great Mother".  The transition is powerful, as he begins to grow and prepares for rebirth at Yule.  The "veil" is now the "thinnest".  Enter Ye, Olde Spirits!  

To best describe "The Veil" as it pertains to All Hallow's Eve, would be an invisible world, shrouded in mist and mystery, from which the Dead exist or remain.  The Dead are more restless than ever, on this day as they have lingered between Heaven and Earth in a Spirit realm, awaiting this night; and, tonight, the veil is the weakest.  This will allow the spirits to pierce the mists and mingle with us, on our mortal plains.  At this time, there is no separation between these two worlds, and it is believed that the Dead wander freely among us.

Source: trinelibre.tumblr

According to our ancient and pagan ancestors, the veil is the thinnest today, between the living and the dead.  Fairies and spirits arose from earthen mounds and it was believed that tricks were played on the living.  To allow entry and departure of those spirits, windows and doors were left open all night so that the dead could return to their respective realm(s). 

Tonight, don't forget to open all of your doors and windows, a little before and after midnight, lest a spirit may remain.

After tonight is over, many of us may feel a sense of nostalgia, as we enter the winter months. Perhaps it is the build-up and the festive nature Halloween, itself, for which many have planned costumes and events.  Once this night is over, we begin to reflect back to the previous summer months and the carefree feeling that is connected to that season.  

Source: thelivelyplanet

Here in Vermont, our farms are harvested and rows of severed cornstalks are all that remain in our fields.  Hay has been bailed and stocked in the barns.  Pumpkins, mums and bright leaves are abundant; and,  their bright colors are a gentle reminder of the proverbial calm before the storm, as winter is imminent.  

We begin to plan for Thanksgiving and our respective families somehow seem dearer.  We remember those who have gone before us, and a certain sadness creeps into our hearts.  But alas! we trudge forth, as humility and faith replaces those feelings.  

We begin to dig out our mittens, scarves and hats....our winter coats and boots.  We locate the ice scrapers, brooms and shovels.  Last year's left-over bucket of salt is dug out of our garage and put near our front doors. Usually after the first snow fall, it dawns on us that we need to have our winter tires put on our cars and service stations suffer and influx of those, like me, who put this off until the inevitable occurs.  

A bit of Folklore....

"The Celts believed that many trees were inhabited by spirits or had spirits of their own. From this ancient respect for the power of trees came the expressions 'touch wood' and 'knock on wood' " 

Source: mysendoff.com

THE VEIL  

The veil shifts, and from the gossamer mists,

Spirits wake, to wander from the Underworld.

Pumpkins rise from their summer graves,

Among the bittersweet, bedeviled tendrils.

And vines of sour grapes are crushed to wine,

Strained sweet to sip from silver vessels.

The trees dismiss sanguine fruit and leaves.

The scent of Autumn fills our senses;

Seasons shift to bleed their yearly menses.

Blood red bleeds from the leaves of trees.

In admiration, we watch as they fall and swirl,

Summer's warm breeze and daylight fades,

Crows gather in murder, like shadowy thieves;

Silently perched, as if a Great Observer.

Since the dawn of all creation,

The spirits return from the fires that burn,

or slip through clouds and precipitation.

Original Poetry by © Denise Goodwin; 

HaAll rights reserved.

Have a safe and blessed holiday, my friends!