Connections between witchcraft and vampires from "summary" of The Secret History of Vampires by Claude Lecouteux
In this work, connections between witchcraft and vampires are explored, and the ways in which they interact with each other is examined. It discusses the historical relationship between the two, and how both have been used to explain the unknown in the past.- Throughout history, witches and vampires have been said to be closely connected. In folklore, it is believed that witches use their knowledge of the occult to gain control over vampires. According to traditional tales, they are able to exert power over them and force them into doing various tasks.
- It is understood that witches use their magical arts in order to attract and manipulate vampire spirits, and to attempt to influence their behavior in certain regards. Vampires have even been known to obey rituals performed by witches or enter trances at their command.
- Witchcraft and vampirism often featured together in superstitious stories; it was believed that vampires sometimes sought out witches and visited with them for consultation. The relationship between these figures has also been interpreted as a metaphor, suggesting that dark magic has an outsize influence over evil creatures like vampires.
- Some believe that magical powers can protect against vampires, so some of those who practice witchcraft attempt to create protective charms or spells against such creatures. They may seek guidance from certain occult books that discuss spells particularly pertaining to vampires.
- According to myths, the connection between vampires and witches is so strong that vampires are thought to attend midnight masses organized by witches on Walpurgis Night, in which they dance around fires. On these nights, powerful witches would summon not only demons but also vampires in order to get rid of them.
