The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Top 10 Greatest Vampire Movies Of ALL TIME!
15:42 Sep 11 2015
Times Read: 489




10. From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

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Directed by Robert Rodriguez, From Dusk Till Dawn stars quite a few big names, including George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, and Salma Hayek. It has been coined a Mexican-crime-thriller-turned-vampire-horror-movie and has plenty of gore and vampire slayers to keep lovers of either genre entertained!

9. John Carpenter's Vampires (1998)

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Director John Carpenter is no stranger to the horror genre, but this is one of his lesser known works. John Carpenter's Vampires is a vampire western—an unusual mashup to say the least, but that is exactly why it's a must-watch!



8. Kiss of the Damned (2013)

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This erotic vamp flick is full of thrilling twists and turns; however, you won't find much gore or action here. Instead, Kiss of the Damned chronicles the daily lives of the vampire community, which offers quite the unique portrayal of the beings that are commonly portrayed as monstrous.



7. The Lost Boys (1987)

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The Lost Boys is an 80s classic! It's intense and has phenomenal characterization. There are a ton of themes at work here, including teenage rebellion, love, and friendship.

6. 30 Days of Night (2007)

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30 Days of Night is a comic book adaptation that thankfully translated brilliantly to film! It's visually stunning—mysterious, shady, and grotesque just like the comic. The story itself is a bit cliche, but at least its magnificent artistic touches are there to admire.



5. Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter (2012)

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Director Timur Bekmambetov brought Seth Grahame-Smith's bestseller to life. This is hardly the honest Abe you learned about in history class. In Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, the top hat wearing politician slings an axe to save his country from evil. Too cool!



4. Fright Night (2011)

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Yes this is a remake, and yes it is far superior to its predecessor! We partially have Colin Farrell to thank for that; his acting here is convincing and authentic.

3. Interview with the Vampire (1994)

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Interview with the Vampire pits leading men Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise against one another. Based on the best-selling novel by Anne Rice, this is a renaissance era film that will please fans of Twilight more than fans of vamp flicks that portray the creatures as ugly and evil. Like Kiss of the Damned, this film offers a lot of interesting insight on the day-to-day life of a vampire!



2. Nosferatu (1922)

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Nosferatu is considered the grandfather of vampire films and was extremely scary back in its heyday. Today the black and white, silent film may bore audience members, but its historically remarkable and worth a watch!

1. Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

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If you're looking for the best the vampire genre has to offer, Bram Stoker's Dracula would be it! Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, every last component of this film is simply impeccable, and it undeniably boosted the popularity of these creatures of the night. Bram Stoker would be proud.

10 More Fascinatingly Rare Disorders SHELBY HOEBEE J
03:20 Sep 01 2015
Times Read: 489






Humans are the product of millions of intricate processes that shape their lives from the moment of conception until their last breath. Most of the time these processes go on without a hitch, but other times they go awry. This list compiles some of the rarest and most bizarre disorders that afflict both infants and adults.10 Epidermolysis1

Known as an incredibly rare birth defect, epidermolysis (also known as the Butterfly Disease) causes the skin to basically slough off when disturbed. Because of the skin’s fragility, it’s common for sufferers to be covered in painful blisters and open wounds. These wounds frequently become infected, filling with pus and mucus. The skin is so sensitive that even something as simple as a temperature change can cause debilitating damage. Children that suffer from the Butterfly Disease tend to look like burn victims because of their bodies’ inability to produce collagen. If this disease doesn’t already sound horrible enough, the disorder isn’t exclusive to only the body’s outside tissue. Places like the mouth, esophagus, and stomach can be infected too, which keeps many sufferers from being able to eat and function properly. The disease is hereditary, but affects only about one in 50,000 babies. Aside from the obvious symptoms of epidermolysis, not much is known about the disorder and there is currently no cure for it.



9 Ectopia Cordis2

Every one in 100,000 babies are born with the birth defect known as ectopia cordis, where the baby’s heart is basically born outside the body. One of the oddest things about those who suffer from the disease is their appearance. In this disease, the functional, beating heart develops outside the chest cavity and is therefore prey to any number of risks and dangers. Unfortunately, many sufferers don’t have very long life expectancies, if they are even born at all. There is one miracle case of a man known as Christopher Wall, who was able to live and function properly with the condition for an incredible 33 years. Most cases of ectopia cordis can be diagnosed prior to birth via ultrasound, though some cases do slip past. There is unfortunately no cure and no possibility for surgery due to the delicate nature of the heart. 8 Hydrocephalus3

Translated as “water on the brain,” hydrocephalus is a condition where cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the ventricles of the brain. With the increase of fluid, the pressure on the brain and skull is increased as well. This usually results in skull enlargement, mental retardation, seizures, and tunnel vision. There have been several treatments developed to decrease the amount of fluid in the brain, though there is still no way to cure it completely. In India, an extreme case of hydrocephalus has been reported in a girl named Roona Begum, whose head has swollen to 94 centimeters (37 in) in circumference. Just for reference, the circumference of an average baby’s skull is about 35.5 centimeters (14 in). Her head got to the point where she could barely move, because she was carrying an extra five liters of fluid in her head. She was being taken care of in a two-room hut in India by her 18-year-old father, who was making a little more than $2 a day. Her head had grown so large she was unable to see because her eyelids had stretched so far upwards. Thankfully, over $60,000 has since been raised for Roona to receive the necessary surgery to release the liquid in her head. 7 Uner Tan Syndrome4

Uner Tan syndrome is a rather recent and rare disorder that was first seen in a case study of the Ulas family in Turkey. There have been some critics of the disorder, who claim that it’s not medically valid. Despite that, the symptoms of the Ulas family can’t seem to be explained. It was named after evolutionary biologist Uner Tan, who claimed this disorder to be one of evolutionary origins. Those afflicted with this disease tend to crawl on all fours like an animal, speak in grunts, and suffer from severe mental retardation. It’s also thought that people with Uner Tan syndrome actually suffer from cerebellar ataxia, though their sustained tendency to walk on all fours doesn’t fit the symptomology. Another odd aspect of those who suffer from Uner Tan syndrome is that it affects the whole family unit, and they seem to have adapted unnaturally well to walking on all fours. All four families that suffer from the syndrome can be found in Turkey, and there is still research being done to learn more about the disorder. A documentary was also filmed for BBC in 2006 known as The Family That Walks on All Fours to show their story to the public. 6 Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome5

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome in and of itself isn’t particularly remarkable, but the behaviors that it causes in those who are afflicted make it a very interesting disease. Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is a hereditary disorder with no known cure that’s characterized by a build-up of uric acid in all bodily fluids. This build-up leads to gout, bad muscle control, and kidney problems. Motor disturbances similar to those experienced by people with Huntington’s disease are also seen in people who suffer from this disorder. But the most remarkable behavior is the uncontrollable acts of self-mutilation that it causes. This behavior isn’t apparent in all cases of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, but it is very common and behaviors range from head banging to severe forms of nail, finger, and lip biting. Sometimes the self-injurious behavior becomes so bad that patients must have their nails or teeth removed for their own safety. People with Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome have also been observed gouging out their own eyes and scratching or hitting their faces. Thankfully, this is a very rare disorder that effect only one in about every 380,000 live births. With the correct restraint, precautions, and treatments, Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome can be controlled reasonably well. 5 Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia6

Also known as the vampire disorder, people who suffer from Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia often have pointed teeth, making them look eerily similar to the blood-sucking creatures of fiction. This disorder can also affect hair, skin, and nails. Severe cases of HED are characterized by thin, pale bodies with dark circles under and around the eyes, pointed or missing teeth, no hair, and signs of premature aging. Most people who suffer from HED must constantly manage and check their body temperature, while remaining out of the sunlight and heat for long periods of time due to their lack of sweat glands. This is the most common form of ectodermal dysplasia, affecting one in every 17,000 people, including actor Michael Berryman.4 Lamellar Ichthyosis7

Lamellar ichthyosis is a rare birth defect that causes babies to shed their skins like a reptile. When the babies with this disorder are first born, they are covered in a shiny, smooth skin known as a collodion membrane, which they later shed—leaving behind their actual skin, which is scaly and cracked. Risk of infection, dehydration, or hypothermia is high in babies with this disorder because of their lack of a protective outer layer and normal sweat glands. The scales—which closely resemble those of fish—tend to increase as the child grows older and cluster around places like the armpits and groin. While this doesn’t seem to put the baby in any sort of pain, it can have lasting psychological effect on the child due to their bright red, scaly skin. The disorder can also cause ectropion in the sufferer, which is the outward turning of the lips and eyelids. While this is a very rare skin disease, an even rarer form of it, known as bathing suit icthyosis, is showing up in people in South Africa. So far there have been less than 20 known cases. In bathing suit icthyosis, sufferers develop the same scaly lesions, though instead of appearing in the soft joints like the armpits, genitals, or elbows, they appear on much larger parts of the body, like the stomach, back, and head. There’s no known cure for this hereditary disorder, and more research is still being done to try and treat it. 3 Harlequin Ichthyosis8

Photo credit: OTIS Archive 1

Harlequin ichthyosis, the most severe form of ichthyosis, is when the keratin layer of the baby’s skin hardens and cracks. Most of the infant’s limbs may also be contracted or missing completely. This can also happen to the ears, nose, eyes, and penis. Because of the large scales of cracked skin, much of the baby’s range of motion is limited. There’s usually a very grim prognosis for those that are diagnosed with harlequin ichthyosis due to complications with infections that develop in the fissures. If the infants don’t die from infection or their inability to move, they usually succumb to dehydration or respiratory failure. In some rare cases, there are sufferers that make it past infancy, which is a feat in and of itself. A girl named Hunter Steinitz has made it to the remarkable age of 18 with this disease, though every day is a battle. She must constantly keep her skin moisturized with oils to decrease the cracking, and there is no cure for this hereditary condition. 2 Polymelia9

Polymelia is a bizarre disorder in which the sufferer is born with an unusual number of limbs. There have been cases of these limbs being useful as well as non-functioning. Polymelia can occur for a number of reasons, including the incorrect splitting of limbs or the reabsorbance of a conjoined twin back into the body. Now, an extra arm or leg here and there may not seem like anything to get particularly excited about, but it’s the more extreme cases of polymelia that make it such a fascinatingly bizarre disorder. In Pakistan there was a case of a baby born with six legs, which was the result of a parasitic twin. Polymelia can result in an unusual number of any extremity—including the penis, in some cases—and proves to be a hassle for most sufferers. There are surgeries to remove the extra limbs, but some people find that their extra extremities—especially fingers—are actually quite useful. This condition can also be found in several types of animals.1 Pseudomamma10

Pseudomamma is basically when breast tissue develops in places other than the breast. This will usually occur along the milk line or other spots of the abdomen. In rare cases, however, pseudomamma will occur on stranger parts of the body—like the face. Recently, a very odd case of pseudomamma surfaced when a 22-year-old girl went to the doctor complaining of an odd growth on the bottom of her foot. Upon closer examination, the doctors found the growth to be a nipple, complete with an areola, hair, eccrine, and sebaceous glands. Most growths have no negative effects on their hosts, though they are usually removed for aesthetic purposes. Not all cases of pseudomamma are present at birth, and some develop randomly over a lifetime. Shelby is an undergraduate at Arizona State University studying psychology, biology, criminal justice and medicinal biochemistry. She is constantly fascinated by the mysteries of the world around her. She hopes to go on to medical school once she graduates to be able to search for and solve these mysteries.

10 Weirdest Diseases
03:17 Sep 01 2015
Times Read: 489






Blue-skinned people? Vampire Syndrome? When we were kids, we couldn't hear enough about illnesses, horrid medical conditions or weird diseases. Not much has changed since then. When we hear about an outbreak of a flesh-eating bacteria or some other rare sickness, we're fascinated. But now we're also terrified. Some rare diseases are very real and if you catch them, you're a goner. Here's a list with 10 of the most rare diseases out there.



1

Elephantiasis: grossly enlarged members





Lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, is best known from dramatic photos of people with grossly enlarged or swollen arms and legs. The disease is caused by parasitic worms, including Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and B. timori, all transmitted by mosquitoes. Lymphatic filariasis currently affects 120 million people worldwide, and 40 million of these people are seriously diseased. When an infected female mosquito bites a person, she may inject the worm larvae, called microfilariae, into the blood. The microfilariae reproduce and spread throughout the bloodstream, where they can live for many years. Often disease symptoms do not appear until years after infection. As the parasites accumulate in the blood vessels, they can restrict circulation and cause fluid to build up in surrounding tissues. The most common, visible signs of infection are excessively enlarged arms, legs, genitalia, and breasts.







2

Progeria: the 80-Year-Old Children





Progeria is caused by a single tiny defect in a child's genetic code, but it has devastating and life-changing consequences. On average, a child born with this disease will be dead by the age of 13. As they see their bodies fast forward through the normal process of ageing they develop striking physical symptoms, often including premature baldness, heart disease, thinning bones and arthritis. Progeria is extremely rare, there are only around 48 people living with it in the whole world. However, there is a family that has five children with the disease.



3

Werewolf Syndrome: the wolf people





When two year-old Abys DeJesus grew dark, hairy patches on her face, doctors said she has a condition known as Human Werewolf Syndrome. The disease is called werewolf syndrome because people with it look like werewolves - except without the sharp teeth and claws. In Mexico, a large family of men had hair that covered their faces and upper bodies. Two brothers were even offered a part in the X-Files but they turned down the offer.



4

Blue Skin Disorder: the blue people





A large family simply known as the "blue people" lived in the hills around Troublesome Creek in Kentucky until the 1960s. They were the blue Fugates. Most of them lived past the age of 80, with no serious illness - just blue skin. The trait was passed on from generation to generation. People with this condition have blue, plum, indigo or almost purple skin. (Source)



5

Pica: the urge to eat non-food substances





People diagnosed with Pica have an insatiable urge to eat non-food substances like dirt, paper, glue and clay. Though it is believed to be linked with mineral deficiency, health experts have found no real cause and no cure for this disorder.



6

Vampire Disease: pain from the sun





There are people out there who go to great lengths to avoid the sun. If they are caught in the sun, their skin will blister. Some of them have pain and blistering as soon as the sun touches their skin. Ok, so they're not actually vampires. They don't drink blood and sleep in coffins, but they do suffer from a rare disease that has vampire-like symptoms.



7

Alice in Wonderland syndrome: time, space and body image are distorted





Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS), or micropsia, is a disorienting neurological condition which affects human visual perception. Subjects perceive humans, parts of humans, animals, and inanimate objects as substantially smaller than in reality. Generally, the object perceived appears far away or extremely close at the same time. For example, a family pet, such as a dog, may appear the size of a mouse, or a normal car may look shrunk to scale. This leads to another name for the condition, Lilliput sight or Lilliputian hallucinations, named after the small people in Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels. The condition is in terms of perception only; the mechanics of the eye are not affected, only the brain's interpretation of information passed from the eyes.



8

Blaschko's lines: strange stripes all over the body





Blaschko's lines are an extremely rare and unexplained phenomenon of human anatomy first presented in 1901 by German dermatologist Alfred Blaschko. Neither a specific disease nor a predictable symptom of a disease, Blaschko's lines are an invisible pattern built into human DNA. Many inherited and acquired diseases of the skin or mucosa manifest themselves according to these patterns, creating the visual appearance of stripes. The cause of the stripes is thought to result from mosaicism; they do not correspond to nervous, muscular, or lymphatic systems. What makes them more remarkable is that they correspond quite closely from patient to patient, usually forming a "V" shape over the spine and "S" shapes over the chest, stomach, and sides.



9

Walking Corpse Syndrome: they believe to have died





It is a syndrome of mental depression and suicidal tendencies, in which the patient complains of having lost everything: possessions, part of or entire body, often believing that he or she has died and is a walking corpse. This delusion is usually expanded to the degree that the patient might claim that he can smell his own rotting flesh and feel worms crawling through his skin. The latter phenomenon is a recurring experience of people chronically deprived of sleep or suffering amphetamine/cocaine psychosis. Paradoxically, being "dead" often gives the patient the nation of being immortal.



10

Jumping frenchman disorder: weird reflexes





The main characteristic is that patients are extremely startled by an unexpected noise or sight. It's not just twitching when someone sneaks up behind you. Patients with this disorder flail their arms, cry out and repeat words. First identified in some of Maine's lumberjacks of French-Canadian origin, the odd reflex has been identified in other parts of the world, too.

7 Strange Ways Humans Act Like Vampires by Remy Melina
03:16 Sep 01 2015
Times Read: 489






Lifeslittle

In books, movies and television shows, vampires have sunk their fangs into pop culture's collective consciousness.



While true, undead vampires do not exist, some diseases and disorders show themselves in ways that are similar to vampiric characteristics. From sunlight intolerance to an aversion to garlic and mirrors, below are six illnesses that, to some extent, cause people to act like vampires:



7. Aversion to garlic





The fear of garlic, or alliumphobia, is a neurosis that causes people to become freaked out by the mere thought of the stinky plant. In clove form or sprinkled over a pizza, garlic will send alliumphobiacs running in the other direction. Just being in proximity of garlic is enough to trigger a severe panic attack or anxiety for a person suffering from this rare phobia.



The legend that vampires are repelled by garlic stems from its use as a way to ward off evil spirits in southern Slavic countries and Romania. It was believed that those who refused to eat garlic were vampires, and cloves of garlic were placed in the mouths of the deceased prior to burial to prevent them from turning into vampires, according to "In search of Dracula: the History of Dracula and Vampires," (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1994).



6. Biting mad



Rabies, or hydrophobia, is a disease that causes people to display several vampire-like symptoms, including the desire to bite others. The rabies virus attacks the nervous system and can also cause oversensitivity to sunlight and to other visual stimuli, such as mirrors. The word rabies means "rage" or "madness" in Latin, and was so named because people who contract it often become delirious, aggressive and suffer from hallucinations.



The disease can also affect portions of the brain that control sleep patterns, leading to insomnia, nocturnal sleeplessness and hypersexuality, behavior that shadows the image of a sinister Nosferatu creeping into a dreaming damsel's bed chamber in the middle of the night.



Bites from bats, which vampires are often depicted as turning into, are the most common source of a rabies infection, according to the Mayo Clinic. In fact, two strains of the rabies virus in several European countries can only be transmitted to humans by bats and are therefore known as bat rabies.



5. Hatred of mirrors



Although vampires are depicted as being invisible in mirrors, a real disases, Eisoptrophobia, also known as catoptrophobia, causes people to fear them. This can be brought on by a traumatic event, or formed as a result of deep-seated fears, such as seeing as seeing a horror movie involving mirrors as a child. For people with this disorder, the mere sight of a mirror can bring on an anxiety attack.



Some sufferers of eisoptrophobia believe that looking into a mirror will summon the supernatural, and some think they are being watched through the mirror. Others with the disorder can only stand to look at a mirror for a few seconds, and say that if they look at it for too long, they get the feeling that the person looking back at them is not really them at all, according to "An Excess of Phobias and Manias," (Senior Scribe Publications, 2003).



Vampires' legendary distaste for mirrors traces back to European myths that they don't have a reflection because they have no soul. Because being unable to stand the sight of a mirror is also one the symptoms of rabies, some believe that this vampire myth originated during a rabies epidemic that took place in Europe in the 1700s.



4. A thirst for blood?



In 1985, a scientist claimed to have found a disease that linked the myth of vampires to a very real genetic blood disorder called porphyria. People with porphyria experience the desire to drink human blood to alleviate their symptoms (the genetic disease causes abnormalities in a person's hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells), declared biochemist David Dolphin. His theory was later refuted and proven to be based on a misunderstanding of the disease.



However, one of the real symptoms of the rare disease is a sensitivity to sunlight, with blisters forming on the skin within several minutes of sun exposure. Another real symptom is red-colored urine, according to the Mayo Clinic, and may explain why historically, people may have suspected porphyria sufferers of drinking blood.



3. "Count" Dracula



Arithmomania is the obsessive need to count things, and has a little-known, but deeply rooted, presence in vampire tales. For centuries, it was believed that besides garlic and crosses, one fool-proof defense against vampires was math. To deter a vampire, one only had to throw a handful of rice or seeds and run away, as the vampire would be unable to resume the chase until he or she had counted every single grain.



During the Middle Ages, people poured poppy seeds in the coffins of loved ones before burying them in holy ground, hoping that it would distract a vampire from biting the deceased, according to "Mindsamaze," (Hodgson Press, 2008).



This explains why Count von Count, the calculator-hating, cheerfully spooky vampire-like Muppet on "Sesame Street," is obsessed with numbers and counts anything that comes his way, sometimes resorting to counting his own fingers when there is nothing else around to count. While the character is more silly than scary on the children's show, every one of the Count's counting sessions are followed by a sinister crack of thunder and a flash of lightning.



2. Flaunting fangs



Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia is a rare genetic disorder that affects tooth development. It causes a person's teeth grow in abnormally, and at a later than average age. In some cases, many of the person's teeth are absent except for the canines, which in effect appear to be protruding, and the teeth that do grow in are pointed, according to the National Institutes of Health.



Every human has canine teeth, the sharpest, pointiest teeth in the mouth that are used for biting food rather than chewing it, which is mostly the job of the back teeth. While vampires have been depicted with eerily long fangs for centuries, it wasn't until the late 20th century that vampires began to be shown with retractable fangs.



Fans of the show "True Blood" are familiar with a vampire's tendency to swiftly sprout fangs only when they are about to feed, while hardcore "Twilight" fans, or "Twihards," are aware of the fact that Stephenie Meyer chose to portray her vampires completely without fangs.



1. Scorched by sunlight



An extremely rare genetic disorder, xeroderma pigmentosum, or XP, causes a person's DNA to be unable to effectively repair the damage caused by ultraviolet light. One in a million people have the disorder in the United States, according to the Xeroderma Pigmentosum Society (XPS). People with XP develop severe sunburns when exposed to even a small amount of sunlight. While the seriousness of the disorder varies, in extreme cases, all exposure to sunlight is strictly forbidden.



When a person with XP is exposed to direct sunlight, their skin can blister and develop oozing, raw wounds on its surface. Even some indoor lighting, such as incandescent light bulbs, emit UV rays and should be avoided, according to the XPS. Other symptoms of XP include a painful eye sensitivity to the sun, causing them to become irritated and appear bloodshot, as well as a glossy white thinning of the skin.



Sorry, Twihards, none of XP's symptoms include sparkling in the sunlight like Edward Cullen. While Edward seems to be an unusual vampire due to his ability to handle sunlight, older versions of vampires, including John Polidori's 1819 short story "The Vampyre" and James Malcolm Rymer's "Varney the Vampire," published in 1845, were able to walk in sunlight without a problem. Traditionally, vampires are nocturnal creatures because it is easier for them to stalk human prey at night.

Handfasting & Wedding Celebrations
03:13 Sep 01 2015
Times Read: 489








A Handfasting Ritual

In the Clans of old, a Celtic Priest or Priestess performed a "promise" ceremony called a Handfasting. The name comes from part of the ritual where the Shaman binds the hands of the couple together for the duration of the ritual. Some believe the phrase "giving one's hand in marriage" started during this ceremony.



Handfasting Binding RopeA Handfasting was not necessarily made for life. Celtic tradition stated that a couple would remain in the bond for nine years. (Yes, that's historically correct. Nine years!) At which time the couple may chose to renew their vows, but only if they both agree to another nine year commitment. Although this was the common tradition, there were variations across the many clans of the green isle. The variation in time frames had a lot to do with the successful fertility of the couple. The bond was designed for procreation, in addition to caring and love. Sometimes the procreation was all it was designed for. If the couple continued to be childless, one or the other partner had the right to bow out of the union and seek fertility else where.



A couple may chose to:

Join for three years and renew their vows only if both agree.

Join for six years and renew their commitment only if both agree.

Join for a nine month trial. If after the trial they both agree, the couple bonds for three years. At the end of this time, the couple can decide to renew again, but this time for a life-time commitment.

Join for 1 year and a day trial. At the end of this period the couple can decide to renew for a life-time. This is the most common time frame used today. The final day of the 1 year and a day commit will be the date of the wedding, if you wish to conduct your service with historic accuracy.



Today, a Handfasting is celebrated as an announcement and celebration of a promised union. This event formalizes the promise made by the intended couple through their engagement. It honors the commitment they have given and accepted to provide for and care for their newly formed family with honesty, trust, support and love. The ceremony is much like a wedding services in that the couple is joined hand in hand and provide their oath of intent and agreement to wed. Today the wedding typically takes place 1 year and a day after the Handfasting ceremony. But this is not set in stone. Some couples simply like to make a formal announcement and celebration out of their engagement and this ritual is the perfect event to share the news and joy with family and friends, while adding a bit of pomp and circumstance to the event.



The Wedding Ceremony

Traditional Wedding RitualMinisters at the Center are licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia to perform wedding services. We have performed services in Virginia and North Carolina. Provided with enough lead time, we can work with other State/County for licensure as well.



The center provides a variety of Wedding Services for spiritual and non-spiritual couples, as well as, Gay and Lesbian couples. Whither you're an atheist, agnostic, Metaphysician, Pagan or any other spiritual denomination we can work with you to customize the best ceremony for you.



Today there is no set process or outline for a wedding ceremony. Some couples prefer the traditional wedding as conducted through modern Christian or Jewish ceremonies. Others prefer no mention of spirituality, God or GreatSpirits. While others enjoy incorporating their personal spiritual perspectives into their marriage rite. Here at the Center we are open and tolerant of ideas that couples wish to include or omit from their personal marriage ceremonies. While there are some requests that we may turn down out of respect for our own beliefs, we are willing to discuss your ideas to make your service the best and most memorable event for you, your family and friends. We provide guidance, and facilitation for both the Rehearsal and Wedding ceremony itself.



If you would like to review an outline of our wedding ceremony program; click here. Any of the following ideas can be incorporated and customized into your ceremony program.



Ritual & Ceremony Ideas

Here are some ideas and processes you could incorporate into your Handfasting or Wedding service. You can incorporate one or more of these sections into your own service. Or work with us to customize your own ideas to make your services the most memorable for you.

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Unity CandlesCandle Lighting also called Union Candles or Unity Candles.

3 candles are used. Two small tappers and one larger pillar candle. This process is done before the exchange of rings. The couple individually states their intentions (these are not vows), this is the time to express your love, the reasons you want to join together and be a bonded partnership. After the intention is stated, the person lights his/her candle and places it into a holder on either side of the pillar. After the exchange of rings, the couple picks up their individual taper and together they light the pillar. Showing the bond of their commitment igniting the light of the large soul. The soul/spirit of their union.



Rope binding.

A rope made of natural fibers (cotton, vines, a garland of flowers for instance), measured 3 feet in length. As the couple begins the statement of their promise to each other, their wrists are bound together by the rope. They remain tied during the exchange of rings and the final kiss. They are presented to the gathering as a bonded couple, and then they can be 'freed'.



Sand Pouring also called Union Sand or Unity Sand.

Unity Sand symbolizes the flow of life as a process of balance between two lives. Initially thought to be a tradition from south West Native Americans, it's practice can be found in many cultures around the world.



Unity SandToday couples enjoy this idea of pouring colored sand into a single glass vase or container to symbolize their respect, love and commitment to balance as their two lives become one.



Traditionally two different colors of sand are used. Couples can choose to mix the sand together fully, or take turns making a pattern in the single glass vase. Another practice includes the use of a 3rd color either held by the minister or the bride, to signify the spiritual aspect of the couples life and commitment.



Exchange Of Rings.

This is more of a modern tradition worked into an old pagan practice. Rings were not always exchanged during a marriage. The cost of such luxuries was better spent on caring for the family. Today it is a common practice and can easily be added into a binding ceremony.



Exchange Of Life.

A more common pagan practice. The exchange of life is an exchange of blood. The couple is ceremoniously cut or pricked and they exchange and intertwine their blood to become one life.



Exchange of Life Force Some couples do this in combination with the Candle lighting. After the main pillar is lit, the blood is drawn from the ring finger of the left hand of both by a prick, usually with the tip of an athame. The blood is then dripped together onto the flame of the pillar. Allowing the union of blood to seep into the wax and become permanently joined. Gods willing, the dripping of blood does not extinguish the flame - which is a sign of good fortune. If it does, it's a sign that this could be a stormy union which will need work from both sides to succeed.



Another method is to fill two small pendant type vials with the blood of your mate. And exchange those pendants to be worn by your partner. Always having a piece of their life with you at all times. Once again the prick or small cut is made with an athame. The vials are chosen by each partner (they are rarely identical). The groom gives his vial, hung on a chain, to his bride who holds it as he fills it with his life force. When complete, the vial is sealed and then he places the chain around her neck. The same process occurs for the bride as she gives the gift of her life to him. (This is one of my favorite rituals to add to a Handfasting, but many couples are squeamish about the exchange of blood. - So it's important to note, these ideas are solely up to you as a couple. Don't feel as though you have to do any of this.)



Then there's the exchange of blood from body to body. Making a small ritualistic cut on the tip of the middle finger (yes middle finger - which symbolizes the sexual union of the couple) on the left hand , again with a ritual athame, and joining those cuts together as an exchange of blood from one partner to the other and vice versa.



Broom jumping.

A ceremonial broom is prepared, typically by the hand maidens. The broom does not have to be a certain length. It can be a traditional broom from any hardware store, a special crafted broom made of natural materials, or even a small broom intended solely as an ornament.



Jumping The Broom When the couple steps before the Shaman, the broom is ceremoniously placed behind them, setting a symbol for a doorway or wall that separates the couple from the world outside. The bristles are placed behind the groom, the hilt behind the bride. This sets a balance of masculine/feminine energy with the couple. The bristles being feminine, the hilt being masculine.



This is now their spiritual space and no one may cross into it without permission. After the ritual when the couple is ready to be presented to the gathering and world, they turn to the broom and 'hop' over it's wall, walking into public as bonded couple.



Another tradition has the groom raising the broom from the hilt and standing it on the bristles, allowing his bride to walk through the doorway he will now protect. He follows her and once on the other side, gives her the broom as a gift. She accepts the broom as a gesture to care for their home (more than just a physical building, in this case, home is the family, their union and so on).



Staff n Broom

Concept is the same as broom jumping. But instead of just 1 symbol, 2 are used. And once again, the size doesn't matter. The broom for her, as a sign of nurturing for the family, and the staff for him as a sign of guiding the way. Remember these gestures are based on the old days, when a woman's job was in the house and the man's job was protecting the family and providing. In this case the broom is decorated by the brides family and the staff by the grooms family. It's important that the wedding couple themselves do not participate in the selection or decoration of the symbols. These are items "passed on" to the couple so that they may stand on their own and care for their own newly created family.



Sword n Broom

This is the one I actually prefer to conduct. And size does matter. But both items must be the same length (which includes the bristles of the broom and hilt of the sword). At a minimum the sword and broom should be at least 3 feet long. The broom is prepared by the grooms family, the sword by the brides. This is an exchange of ideas and energies from one family to the other as a means of blessing the union.



Crossing the Sword & BroomBoth items are laid at an angle; a "V" shape, with the bristles and point directed toward the gathering. The brides family places the hilt behind the groom and the bristles pointing to the brides family. The grooms family places the hilt of the sword behind the bride and the blade pointing toward the grooms family. The broom is laid first, so that the point of the blade is laid ontop of the bristles of the broom.



When the couple has been joined, the bride raises the sword and offers it to the groom as a sign of her willingness to protect their union and her new family. The groom accepts the sword as a sign of his willingness to work with her in that protection, leading the fight if needs be.



He then raises the broom from the hilt and presents it to her as a symbol of his willingness to nurture their union and care for their family. She accepts the broom as her willingness to work with him in that care, taking the lead if needs be. A statement of promise is made to the partner as the item is presented to them. Additionally an acceptance of responsibility to that promise is made by the opposite partner when receiving the gift.



The exchange is completed by unbinding the wrists during the exchange of rings, and seamlessly moving the rope to bind the broom and sword together to show they are willing to take on both duties and share responsibilities as needed throughout their union. In many cases, I have gone to a couples house after this type of exchange, and seen the ceremonial items hung on the wall in an X pattern, still tied by the ceremonial rope.



Be Creative

There are many traditions from around the world that can be incorporated into a wedding ceremony. Don't be afraid to discuss them with your officiating minister. This is your wedding and you should make it memorable for day. Simply consider holding respect for the guests who are gathered, your families and the position of the minister officiating the wedding.



Each service is unique and each request can be dealt with on a case by case basis. There maybe aspects you want to conduct in private, before or after the public ritual. There maybe items you want to exchange that are personal and meaningful to you or your families that aren't traditional in a wedding service. Each of these can generally be worked into your service for your special day.

Weddings and Other Blood Rituals
03:12 Sep 01 2015
Times Read: 489






Copyrighted by Lorna Tedder. Originally published in Third Degree of Separation.



I started off the mundane New Year with a wedding, one I wrote (channeled?) and conducted. Yes, my first ever as a High Priestess.



The Long-Awaited Honest-to-God Secret to Being Happy

It was also the most unusual wedding I’ve ever been to. Probably because most weddings don’t include a blood ritual, but hey, that’s what the bride and groom wanted.



The couple didn’t want a regular wedding. They wanted a spiritual blending, a binding of their souls to one another, not just for this lifetime but forevermore. Not until death-do-us- part, but for all lifetimes to come.



I had serious reservations about a binding of this sort and their motivations, but after much prayer, I was told, “Give them what they’ve asked for.” I was told to stay neutral, told not to judge, told to make it so for them. And then leave immediately. I made certain they understood the ramifications and the seriousness of their vows and gave them three chances to back out. They said they understood; they didn’t back out. Me, I felt totally Zenned out the whole time.



I don’t think I’ve felt such a strong and persistent level of Spirit present since my Third Degree Elevation. The guests were wrapped in blankets, but my hair was damp with perspiration from the energy surge. Almost three solid hours of energy zapping through me, from the time I arrived and started creating sacred space until I pronounced the binding done.



The ritual itself was somewhere between a handfasting and an initiation, with the two of them taking their vows to be bound not to the Gods but to each other. I’m not sure I would have the guts to do that—I’d have to be damned sure I loved a man unconditionally before making that kind of vow because it’s far more serious than a legal marriage. And yes, I know full well that it is indeed better to rush upon the blade than to enter such a union with fear or doubt in the heart but rather in perfect love and perfect trust.



As for the blood oaths they took to each other, I’m thinking that all weddings should include them. Really! I’ve been to wedding receptions where the bride and groom crammed wedding cake in each other’s mouths and smeared icing on each other’s faces in what sometimes seemed rather mean-spirited. But give a couple a sharp instrument? Woohoo! Let the fun begin!



It was very telling. And also, rather amusing for the audience who couldn’t stop giggling rather inappropriately! They would have to draw each other’s blood to continue with the blood oath. They wanted to know, would I, as the facilitator of this ritual, make the cuts for them? Nope. They had to be willing to do it themselves. The bride went first, pleading forgiveness and offering up kisses and then stabbing the hell out of his finger.



He took at least 15 minutes to work on her finger. He squirmed for so long about doing anything that might hurt her that she asked if she could prick her own. No. They had to be willing to do each other. He finally made a shallow enough dip into her finger that he finally got a tiny pink dot under the skin and squeezed it until he got a single drop of blood to the surface. Finally!



But it was good to know how far he would go to keep from causing her pain and how much it hurt him to do anything that might hurt her. I think it’s a good indicator of things to come.

Blood Magic: Binding: Blood Binding...
03:10 Sep 01 2015
Times Read: 490






Blood magick is the act of using blood as a tool when making a protection amulet, performing a ritual, casting a spell, binding, hexing or cursing. In this series we will discuss possible pros and cons about the use of blood in each instance.



But before we get to the good stuff let me just say, PHYSICAL ailments, like HIV and other blood-born illnesses are real. I strongly urge all magickal practitioners to use only their own blood, and only collect the blood by medically sanitary means. For women, it’s easy to catch the menses blood and use it in place of any of the cut blood in any of the examples given. Menses blood is the most powerful and most intimate of all. For men it is difficult to give blood and involves greater dangers in the way of blood-born illnesses and diseases because he must be cut open.



On the SPIRITUAL side of things let me just say that blood includes your life essence. The bond of blood can backfire. Using blood binds you to the intent and outcome of the magick work, in the spiritual sense. Blood magick can be eternal and forever through lives and deaths and time upon time. Be careful with it. Forever is an immeasurable amount of time.



BINDING –



There are two types of blood binding: blood brother binding and couple binding.



Blood Brother bindings are common. A few drops of blood from two individuals are mixed together to symbolize the mixing of destinies. The blood is then redistributed between the two involved. The slicing of the hand then the handshake mix and redistribute the blood without the use of a receptacle. These rituals are worded to specifically prevent the permanence of the eternal couple bonding.



Marriage ceremonies are a type of blood brother binding. The mixing of the blood was the public version of the private sex act that consecrated the marriage. There is a carryover in modern law that states a marriage may be annulled without consequence if it was never consecrated. The early Christian church replaced any participant blood with the blood of Christ but the words “’till death do us part” remain. It was stated that the two who desired union were only permitted to remain together in this life but belonged to Christ eternally. The words spoken during the binding ritual are so very important! Your intent is to be bound to this person for this life until your spirit leaves your body. A blood brother, or sister, is a partner for life, specifically this one, and this one only.



To bind oneself to someone for all of eternity is a HUGE decision. Truthfully, I advise against any such bond. As our spirits manifest in new bodies over eons of time our spirit grows and changes. There are infinite possibilities and binding yourself for eternity, to anyone, reduces the scope of your future lives.



Partnerships aid in growth and change. I know my partner and I have both grown and changed together. We learn from each other and help each other in every situation we face. We are stronger because of each other and beside each other. I know that we are meant to be together in this lifetime. I do not know if we are meant to spend the next lifetime, or the one after that together. I’m sure I’ll find out, but I just don’t know. So we are not eternally bound.



The nearest comparison to a blood bond that I can think of, in modern times, is the Mormon Celestial marriage. In a Mormon Celestial ceremony the couple is bound together in the temple before the eyes of their god for all eternity: their vows are unbreakable, even by death. The forever family is a result of this vow. The couple will be bound for all eternity to one another.



A blood bond can do this. If you choose to perform this kind of binding you must have the consent and participation of a willing partner. If your partner is coerced in any way the blood they shared with you will carry a secret curse. The blood taken from one who does not wish it is potent in many ways. Firstly, you have committed a crime that is punishable by law. Secondly, the blood carries the life essence and will of the person it came from. If you intermingle your life essence and will with that of an unwilling participant who wishes you harm in any secret compartment of their heart you have opened yourself up to the depths of their wrath.



I hope you are seriously considering the consequences of performing an eternal blood bonding ritual.



If you are still intent on performing this ritual and your partner is too, go ahead. It is much like a hand-fasting ceremony. With friends and family present for protection and to aid in the power of your bond draw a square with corners aligned to the cardinal directions on the floor with chalk. Cast your circle inside the square. This is called and Earth Square.



Pierce your left ring finger and drip seven (magic # unifying the mortal and spiritual realms) drops of blood into a sterile container. Your partner should do the same. Mix the blood up with both of your cut fingers. Touch your partner with the bloody finger on the third eye, heart and navel. Allow your partner to do the same to you. Say any words of your own design to convey the power of the bond to each other. Open the circle. You and your partner are now eternally bound with no chance of ever, ever, ever breaking the bond. You have been eternally bound to your partner forever. I know I sound redundant but I want to drive the immensity of this binding home. Forever is forever, not even a time comprehensible by our collective unconscious because humanity has only been on the scene for a second in the grand scheme of things.



This knowledge is powerful. It comes with a powerful responsibility, too.