Journal of Vampirology - 1988 - Vol 5 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: JOURNAL OF VAMPIROLOGY
Volume: V
Issue: 1
Date: 1988
Publisher: John L. Vellutini
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the Journal of Vampyrology, published in 1988, is dedicated to exploring the paranormal aspects of vampirism. The editor, John L. Vellutini, states his intention to continue publication despite personal challenges and highlights the issue's focus on the supernatural implications of vampirism.

Editorial

The editorial section reveals the editor's internal debate about ceasing publication but ultimately deciding to continue. He aims to publish five issues that year, with this particular issue focusing on the paranormal aspects of vampirism. The issue includes Vellutini's own contribution, a reprint of an excerpt from Ethelbert Forbes Skertchly's "Cagayan Sulu, Its Customs, Legends and Superstitions" (originally published in 1896), and a portion of Michael Hervey's account from "Strange Happenings" (1966), which is presented as a bizarre epilogue to Skertchly's narrative. An article on the African origins of vampirism is tentatively scheduled for the next issue.

The Paranormal Aspects of Vampirism (by John L. Vellutini)

This article delves into the historical and occult perspectives on vampirism. Vellutini notes that in the 17th and 18th centuries, purported vampirism was widespread, with the peasantry believing in reanimated corpses and the intelligentsia attributing it to premature burial or soil properties. However, with the rise of spiritualism in the 19th century, occultists and theosophists began to assert that vampirism was a grim reality. Adolphe D'Assier, in his "Essai sur l'Humanité Posthume et le Spiritisme" (1883), is quoted extensively, describing vampirism as a phenomenon where the "fluidic being" or astral body remains with the corpse, taking over its functions and continuing a struggle for existence, often by imbibing blood.

D'Assier explains that the absorbed blood is transmitted to the corpse, preventing putrefaction and maintaining a semblance of life, including the growth of hair and nails. He notes that the remedy was to destroy either the phantom or the corpse, with burning the body being the common practice. The article also references Z.T. Pierart, who described the "astral form" potentially re-entering a buried body, leading to suffocation or the person becoming a vampire. Pierart's concept of an "invisible cord of connexion" is linked to the "silver cord" of Eastern doctrine, described by Benjamin Walker in "Beyond the Body" as an extremely strong and elastic link.

The article further explores the phenomenon of glows of light associated with astral bodies, likening them to will-o'-wisps and ignes fatui in folklore. It mentions beliefs about African witches emitting lights during nocturnal flights and the concept of "viscera suckers"—bodiless heads with phosphorescent entrails.

Ludovico Sinistrari's "De Daemonialitate et Incubis, et Succubis" (circa 1700) is cited for its emphasis on demonic assaults and the possibility of human progeny from unions with Incubi and Succubi. Sinistrari lists historical figures like Alexander the Great and Plato as having demonic sires.

Ralph Shirley, writing in "The Occult Review," describes a case of a vampire-cum-incubus where a woman was visited by her deceased lover's entity, leading to the breaking of her engagement. The article suggests such cases are often dismissed as hallucinations by medical professionals.

Brad Steiger is mentioned for his book "Haunted Lovers," which recounts a woman's claim of becoming impregnated by her deceased husband's spirit. The article also includes an account from Franz Hartmann about a miller who captured and burned an invisible entity that was draining the life from his servant boy, suggesting it was an "ectoplasmic formation."

Dion Fortune's "Psychic Self-Defence" is referenced for a case involving a teenaged youth and a cousin involved in necrophilia, where a psychic entity was involved. The article suggests a connection between psychic attacks, vice, and the predisposition to such phenomena.

Other Accounts and Beliefs

The journal presents several other accounts and beliefs related to vampirism and similar phenomena. It discusses the case of Eleonore Zagun, a Romanian peasant girl who exhibited poltergeist-like phenomena, including inexplicable marks and scratches on her body, which she attributed to a creature named "Drakul." The article notes that Orthodox and Moslem Gypsies believe vampires desire female companionship and can engage in sexual intercourse, leading to the birth of "Vampijerović" or "Vampirić" children who possess the ability to detect vampires.

Brad Steiger's "Haunted Lovers" is again cited for a case where a woman claimed to have been impregnated by her deceased husband's spirit, leading to a spiritual birth. Franz Hartmann's "Vampires" article is referenced for an instance where a miller captured and destroyed an invisible entity that was draining the life from his servant boy.

Colin Wilson, in "Space Vampires," posits that "obsessing" entities are extraterrestrials who drain life-blood. He suggests that these beings, like the legendary vampires, need to drain vital energies to maintain their existence, comparing it to soldiers lost in the desert needing to survive.

The article also touches upon vampirism via one's astral double, a belief attributed to human witches. It mentions A. Osborne Eaves' treatise on psychic vampirism, which discusses entities in the astral planes, including Black Magicians and the spirits of the deceased, who may feed on emanations from blood and alcohol or lure humans into excesses to gain control.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the multifaceted nature of vampirism, extending beyond the traditional folklore of blood-drinking corpses to include psychic vampirism, astral entities, demonic influences, and even extraterrestrial theories. The journal adopts an open-minded stance, presenting various historical, occult, and anecdotal accounts without necessarily endorsing them as factual, but rather as subjects for study and contemplation within the realm of the paranormal. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into phenomena that challenge conventional understanding of life, death, and the supernatural.

This issue of the Journal of Vampirology, Volume 1, Number 4, published in 1984, focuses on occult theories related to vampirism and witchcraft, exploring cross-cultural beliefs and offering psychological perspectives. The cover headline, "The Berbalangs Will Get You, If You Don't Watch Out!" by Michael Hervey, introduces a central article on a peculiar group from Cagayan Sulu.

Witchcraft and Bilocation in Europe and Africa

The issue begins by discussing witchcraft in Europe, suggesting that many occurrences might take place in the astral world or dreams, with physical bodies remaining at home. It posits that the connection between the physical and astral forms is looser in African witchcraft, leading to more frequent and visible apparitions. The possibility of evil persons consciously directing their soul-bodies to harm enemies is raised, with attacks sometimes made on the ethereal body rather than the physical one.

S.F. Nadel's description of witchcraft among the Nupes of West Africa is cited, detailing how witches feed on the 'rayi' or 'anima' (soul) of a sleeping victim, causing illness. The victim's 'shadow soul' or 'fifingi' is devoured at a gathering place, while the physical body remains asleep. This process is described as a shadow feeding on shadows, with invisible beings meeting at night.

Group Metamorphosis and Shapeshifting

E.F. Skertchley's account of the Berbalangs of Cagayan Sulu is presented, suggesting that entire communities may possess the ability to metamorphose. The article references 'group metamorphosis' in the Awka region, where certain 'quarters' of towns have inhabitants who can turn into animals like leopards and snakes. Similar beliefs exist among the Ibo of Owerri Division, with specific families or 'quarters' transforming into elephants or leopards. The Uzuzu-Uzuama, Mboaha, and Oratta are mentioned as groups with these abilities. In the Okigwi District, the power, called 'Ehihi,' is inborn, with tutelary spirits assuming animal shapes. The favorite affinities include python, bush-pig, antelope, and monkey. Children can also develop this ability. The Keaka are believed to possess 'affinities,' sometimes passing into the fetus during intercourse, particularly if the father has performed certain 'medicine' rituals.

Critiquing Occult Explanations of Vampirism

The article critically examines occult explanations for vampirism, questioning the reliance on human testimony without concrete evidence. It argues that these theories often ignore contributing factors such as mental illness, disease, premature burial, soil preservation, social unrest, and the influence of organized religion. The phenomenon of 'Voodoo death,' where individuals die from fear due to a self-fulfilling prophecy, is presented as an example of the power of negative suggestion, applicable even in civilized societies.

Regarding astral projection, the article discusses D'Assier and Pierart's attribution of this ability to vampires, but finds their evidence unconvincing. The physical descriptions of vampires, such as plumpness and the growth of hair and nails, are explained as natural processes of bodily decomposition, including swelling from gases, hair and nail growth, skin slip, and adipocere formation.

The contention that a vampire's astral double can exsanguinate victims is dismissed as fanciful, with a suggestion that perhaps the vampire's 'shadow' feeds on the victim's 'shadow,' similar to beliefs about witches.

Astral Projection and Psychic Vampirism

While astral projection and travel among the living are acknowledged as a possibility supported by various cultures, the article expresses doubt that individuals in an astral state can cause serious harm. It notes that this ability is often ascribed to witches and wizards who are believed to molest the living. Astral projection is sometimes achieved through topical application of 'medicines' made from narcotic and stimulatory herbs.

Psychic vampirism is discussed as encounters that leave individuals feeling emotionally and physically drained. However, the author suggests this is more likely due to mental exhaustion from engaging with boorish individuals or those seeking sympathy, rather than an actual absorption of bio-energies.

Psychological Explanations for Paranormal Phenomena

The article explores psychological explanations for phenomena attributed to disincarnate entities, citing cases like Carlotta, Clarita Villaneuva, Eleonore Zagun, and the miller's servant. It suggests that the human brain, with its capacity for credulity and self-deception, can produce seemingly inexplicable phenomena, including ESP, telepathy, psychokinesis, and poltergeist activity, possibly stemming from negative stimuli like hatred or sexual repression.

The experiences of three women with male entities are presented as potential self-generated poltergeist phenomena, possibly linked to sexual abuse or rape fantasies. The case of Eleonore Zagun, stigmatized as a witch and placed in an asylum, is examined, with the possibility that her experiences were a traumatic effect of her childhood, including an invisible playmate nicknamed the 'Devil.'

Hysteria is presented as a condition that can manifest in diverse phenomena, including self-inflicted injuries and foul odors. Schizophrenia is also linked to witchcraft phenomena, with schizophrenics sharing symptoms with hysterics and potentially producing olfactory, haptic, visual, and auditory hallucinations.

Purpura, a hemorrhagic disease, and chronic nightmares, known as 'Old Hag' attacks, are suggested as possible explanations for beliefs in incubi and succubas. The article also touches upon child abuse as a potential factor in abnormal behavior patterns, leading to multiple personalities.

The Berbalangs of Cagayan Sulu

The article "The Berbalangs Will Get You, If You Don't Watch Out!" by Michael Hervey recounts the story of Mr. Forbes Skertchley's 1896 report on the Berbalangs of Cagayan Sulu. Skertchley described them as ghouls who eat human flesh, digging up graves for entrails. When the supply is limited, they enter a trance, and their astral bodies, appearing as heads with winged feet, invade houses to feed on the entrails of occupants, causing their death. Berbalangs are identified by narrow, slit pupils like a cat's and are heard approaching with a moaning noise and the sound of wings.

Skertchley claimed the Berbalangs were planning to invade Asia, America, Africa, and Europe, promoting 'cocoa-nut pearls' as a defense. He distributed these pearls, which he claimed were picked by left-handed native virgins and retained their magic powers regardless of how many times they changed hands. He also advised using a kris with lime juice and sprinkling lime juice on food and graves.

The author of the article, Michael Hervey, recounts his own experience with his guide, Matali, hearing and seeing what they believed to be Berbalangs. Later, Hervey visited the village and found it deserted. He discovered his friend Hassan dead in his house, with a look of horror on his face, an event he could not explain.

Skertchley disappeared in February 1899, while en route to Tibet, leading to claims that he was spirited away by the Berbalangs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of witchcraft, vampirism, and other paranormal phenomena, exploring both traditional folklore and modern psychological interpretations. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, acknowledging the existence of such beliefs and experiences while also seeking rational, often psychological, explanations. The article questions the unquestioning acceptance of occult theories when rational alternatives exist, suggesting that such acceptance is futile and hinders a lasting understanding of legends like vampirism. The issue highlights the persistence of these beliefs across cultures and time, while also emphasizing the importance of scientific scrutiny and psychological insight.