Journal of Vampirology - 1985 - Vol 2 No 1

Magazine Overview

The Journal of Vampirology, Vol. 2, No. 1, published in 1985, delves into the intriguing premise that vampirism might have an extraterrestrial origin. The issue features articles exploring this concept, alongside discussions on related topics like Jack the Ripper and 'viscera-suckers'. The cover art depicts two primate skulls, hinting at the evolutionary and biological aspects of the journal's focus.

Editorial

The editorial welcomes readers to a new year of the journal, highlighting the central theme of extraterrestrial origins of vampirism. It announces upcoming articles for the year, including a continuation of the 'Epidemiology of Human Vampirism' series, a critique of contemporary vampirism, and an exposé on John George Haigh. The editor also addresses the publication of 'MEX' (Murder Exchange), a previous experimental issue, and discusses the financial challenges of producing it regularly, noting the need for subscribers to cover costs like press clipping services. The term 'hemophilism' is introduced as a coined word to describe individuals who use blood but lack supernatural vampire traits, distinguishing them from traditional vampires.

The Extraterrestrial Origins of Vampirism

This article posits that vampires, like other lifeforms on Earth, might have an extraterrestrial origin. It introduces the theory of Panspermia, championed by Svante Arrhenius and later Fred Hoyle, which suggests that life originated from extraterrestrial seeds or spores transported through space. Hoyle's work, particularly 'Diseases from Space', is cited to support the idea that new viral infections and historical plagues, like the Black Death, could be influxes of extraterrestrial disease spores. The article draws a parallel between the historical association of vampirism with the plague and the potential role of extraterrestrial organisms in both phenomena. It speculates that microscopic spores from space could have infected human corpses, feeding on them and leading to vampiric characteristics. The belief that victims of vampiric attacks became vampires themselves is explained by the organisms' preference for newly deceased bodies. The article also references Jack Finney's 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' as a fictional portrayal of alien seedlings that perfectly duplicate life forms. It further explores the possibility that a disease like the one in Richard Matheson's 'I Am Legend' could have been brought to Earth by a comet or planetoid. George Romero's 'Night of the Living Dead' is mentioned for its suggestion of a connection between a Venus probe and the resurrection of the dead. The article also touches upon Robert Dickhoff's 'Homecoming of the Martians', which interprets vampirism through the lens of 'nightmarish Gorgoneums' controlling humans via blood consumption. It discusses a short story, 'The Hollow Moon', where vampires inhabit the moon, and Clifford Wilson's theory that UFO occupants are demonic emissaries who may use human bodies and blood. The connection between animal mutilations and interstellar vampirism is explored through Riley Crabb's work, which describes entities from the Ashtar Command feeding on animal blood and flesh. Colin Wilson's 'The Space Vampires' is also mentioned, discussing creatures that drain life forces and the concept of 'space vampires'. The article notes that some individuals, like Joshua Pike, have exhibited vampiric cannibalistic behavior. Finally, it presents an alternate theory linking the extinction of dinosaurs to a comet impact and the subsequent 'Krakatau Effect', suggesting that small, nocturnal, omnivorous survivors might have evolved into modern lifeforms, including potentially the ancestors of vampires.

Australopithecus Africanus and Vampirism

This section explores the possibility that *Australopithecus africanus*, once thought to be an ancestor of modern humans but now considered an evolutionary dead end, might have been a 'vampire species'. The article suggests that these proto-vampires, with their predatory instincts and nocturnal habits, may have transitioned from carrion to living flesh and blood. Their large canines would have aided in shredding meat or drinking blood, and their nyctalopic (night-seeing) ability would have been advantageous. The text posits that their solitary existence and nocturnal hunting might have limited their reproductive cycle, while early humans, with their developing tools and fire, eventually overcame them. It is suggested that some *A. africanus* may have survived, interbred with humans, or given rise to the vampire of tradition, potentially explaining rare instances of humans developing an urge for blood as an atavistic expression.

Conclusion

The issue concludes by referencing the autopsy of Peter Kürten, the Düsseldorf Vampire, which revealed no obvious neurological abnormalities, suggesting the problem might be deeper, possibly linked to ancient evolutionary traits like those of *Australopithecus africanus vampirensis*.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the extraterrestrial origins of vampirism, the connection between ancient hominids and vampiric traits, and the potential role of UFOs and cosmic phenomena in these concepts. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unconventional theories, presenting speculative ideas and fictional accounts alongside scientific and historical references to explore the multifaceted nature of vampirism and its potential origins beyond conventional understanding. The journal seems to embrace a speculative and interdisciplinary approach, drawing from science fiction, mythology, and fringe theories to examine the phenomenon of vampirism.

This issue of the magazine, titled "The Mystery of Jack the Ripper," published by Saucerian Press in September 1984, delves into the infamous unsolved murders of 1888, proposing a connection to extraterrestrial or supernatural forces. The magazine explores the meticulous and brutal nature of the crimes, questioning if an "earth-surface man" could have committed them. It also examines other unexplained phenomena, including cattle mutilations and sightings of aerial objects, suggesting a common thread of "skymen" or advanced beings influencing events.

The Jack the Ripper Case

The article, authored by Commander Alvin E. Moore (USNR), details the five canonical murders attributed to Jack the Ripper between August 31 and November 9, 1888, in London's East End. The victims were prostitutes, and the murders occurred on weekends when the area was crowded. The precision of the throat slashings, the removal of organs, and the apparent lack of blood in some cases are highlighted as evidence that the killer may not have been human. The author points out that the killer was likely left-handed based on the direction of the throat slashes. The article describes the gruesome details of the murders of Mary Anne Nichols, Annie Chapman, and Catherine Eddowes, noting the surgical-like precision of the mutilations. The final murder, that of Mary Kelley, is described in similar detail, with her body's organs arranged in a circle. Moore questions how such acts could be performed so silently and efficiently, suggesting a "skybeing" with the ability to appear and disappear quickly.

Moore also references a letter purportedly from Jack the Ripper, which he interprets as an admission of taking blood. The article speculates that the murders might have been a cover-up for a blood-extraction activity. The author posits that the killer's hatred of prostitutes was a convenient cover for this purpose, as they were readily available and unprotected.

Further strangeness surrounding the Ripper case includes clues suggesting a "gigantic evil influence." These include the timing of the murders during the new moon, which is linked to the moon's gravity and potential influence on "skymen" visits. The arrangement of the five murder sites in a cross is also noted as a possible part of a cover-up. A significant event mentioned is the stampede of thousands of sheep in an area near Reading six days before the last Ripper murder. The article suggests that animals are sensitive to "skymen" and "skycraft," and this stampede was an instinctive attempt to survive. The author draws a parallel between this event and the murder of Mary Kelley, which occurred only 40 miles east of the sheep panic.

Other aerial phenomena reported in late 1888 include "mirages of Sweden" and a "phantom city" seen in the sky over Alaska, which witnesses described as having ancient mosques or cathedrals. The author dismisses these as mere mirages, suggesting they indicate a projected image or a "spatial city" from a great distance.

Viscera-Suckers and UFOs

The issue then shifts to discuss cattle mutilations, citing approximately 10,000 cases. While UFO activity is associated with these events, no entity has been observed performing them. The article dismisses the idea of cult rituals due to the lack of tracks. The carcasses are frequently drained of blood, with puncture wounds in the throat, and scavengers avoid the meat. Lips, ears, tongue, reproductive, and digestive organs are removed with laser-like precision, often intercellularly, with no cell damage.

One theory presented is that of Tom Bearden, who views these phenomena as "exteriorized psychokinetic effects" arising from the collective unconscious, possibly linked to Cold War tensions and a symbolic intention of Soviet invasion. The article also references George Andrews' book, "Extraterrestrials Among Us," which discusses "the killing ones" from Scottish folklore who drained cattle and humans of blood. This lore suggests that these beings were not allowed to dominate in ancient Scotland but became a threat with the advent of Christianity and the decline of magic.

Andrews also describes a grotesque accident where the upper half of a human body, severed at the waist, was found after a car collision, suggesting it might be an example of human mutilation by the same forces responsible for cattle mutilations.

Walter Uphoff shows the author a thesis by Maximo D. Ramos on "Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology," which discusses a "Viscera-Sucker" demon. This demon is described as human-shaped, flying at night after detaching its lower body, and sucking out organs and fluids with a fine, thread-like tongue. The article hypothesizes that a Mexican vehicle might have struck a flying Viscera-Sucker.

The article notes similarities between Mexican and Filipino cultural backgrounds, particularly their tendency to populate nature with demons rather than projecting them onto their psyches, as is common in Western culture. It references C.G. Jung's ideas on the need for unconscious spiritual reality and how UFOs might represent this. Jacques Vallee's "Passport to Magonia" is cited, suggesting that UFO activities and other phenomena are technologically disguised versions of ancient folklore.

The issue concludes that with the rise of "eco"-consciousness and increased influx of Third World peoples, an "exteriorization of our internal demons" is occurring. UFO manifestations are becoming more organic and are being sighted in conjunction with Bigfoot. The Viscera-Sucker incident is presented as an example where the technological aspect has been eliminated due to the cultural base.

News Footnote

A news item from USA TODAY (September 26, 1984) reports that Brian Dussault was acquitted in Anchorage, Alaska, under a new stringent mental illness law. He claimed he killed his wife because she had been taken over by "small, square, red-crystal beings from another planet."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the unexplained, the mysterious, and the potential for extraterrestrial or supernatural involvement in seemingly human events. The editorial stance appears to be one that questions conventional explanations and explores alternative, often sensational, theories connecting historical crimes, folklore, and modern unexplained phenomena like UFOs and cattle mutilations. The magazine seems to advocate for an open mind regarding the possibility of non-human intelligence and influence on Earth.