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CHAI'TtR TWO<br />
SINISTER SYMBOLS<br />
the orifices of certain spi ritual mediums while they are engaged in<br />
their communications with the dead. Ectoplasm has been photographed<br />
and observed as a thick, white mist in the immediate area of poltergeist<br />
activity. Such a mysterious substance, which seems to be neither fully<br />
physical nor fully astral but directly in between, is said to be present in<br />
the blood of some individuals in greater or lesser amounts. This has<br />
been a great argument for the use of blood sacrifice in ritual, as being<br />
the substantial base for the manifestation of entities and the culmination<br />
of specific powers. In Magick in Theory and Practice, Aleister Crowley<br />
had dedicated an entire chapter to the subject of blood sacrifice and the<br />
transcendental applications thereof, in which he puts:<br />
For evocations it would be more convenient to place<br />
the blood of the \'ictim in the Triangle --- the idea being<br />
that the spirit might obtain from the blood this subtle<br />
but physical substance which was the quintessence of<br />
its life in such a manner as to enable it to take on a<br />
visible and tangible shape. Those magicians who object<br />
to the use of blood have endeavored to replace it with<br />
incense. For such a purpose the incense of Abramelin<br />
may be burnt in large quantities. Dittany of Crete is<br />
also a \'aluable medium. Both these incenses are very<br />
catholic in their nature, and suitable for almost any<br />
materialization. But the bloody sacrifice, though more<br />
dangerous, is more efficacious; and for nearly all<br />
purposes human sacrifice is the best.4<br />
Although many occultists, even Satanists of the LaVeyan brand,<br />
view this outlook on blood sacrifice as fanatical, there is no contest with<br />
the point that is made. Fresh blood acts as the carrier for "this subtle<br />
but physical substance which was the quintessence of its life." Whether<br />
this is the milky cloud that so many mediums have experienced, and<br />
e\'en more have fabricated, or something that is still unknown and<br />
unknowable is of little concern to the Black Magician who hungers for<br />
change and Ascent.<br />
Blood is present in some form in a good deal of religious ceremonies<br />
and spiritual rituals. What would Communion be like without the<br />
blood of Christ, to give only one example of a popular religion built on<br />
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