Blood magic menstruation is a concept that combines the mystical and biological aspects of menstruation. It is rooted in the belief that menstruation has a deep connection to female power and magic. In some cultures and religions, menstruating women are believed to possess a heightened spiritual energy that can be harnessed for various purposes. The term "blood magic" refers to the use of blood in rituals and spells, often associated with witchcraft or occult practices. It is believed that blood contains life force and carries powerful energies. This belief is extended to menstruation, as menstrual blood is seen as a potent source of magic.
I hope women everywhere feel the tight restraints of menstrual blood stigma begin to loosen and fall away.
There are companies beginning to establish whereby a woman collects her menstrual blood each month that is then deposited into a menstrual blood bank that can be there for her should any of her organs or tissues become damaged she can use her own menstrual stem cells to heal herself. In ancient times menstrual blood was seen as a potent elixir, a life giving substance that could heal and be used as medicine for longevity and regeneration.
This belief is extended to menstruation, as menstrual blood is seen as a potent source of magic. In many ancient cultures, menstruating women were revered as sacred and considered to be in touch with mystic forces. They were often segregated during their menstrual period and had special rituals and practices to harness their power.
Blood Magic: The Anthropology of Menstruation (Paperback)
Examining cultures as diverse as long-house dwellers in North Borneo, African farmers, Welsh housewives, and postindustrial American workers, this volume dramatically redefines the anthropological study of menstrual customs. It challenges the widespread image of a universal "menstrual taboo" as well as the common assumption of universal female subordination which underlies it. Contributing important new material and perspectives to our understanding of comparative gender politics and symbolism, it is of particular importance to those interested in anthropology, women's studies, religion, and comparative health systems.
Thomas Buckley is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. He Specializes in North American Indian ethnology and history, with particular interests in religion and language. Alma Gottlieb is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her area of interest is Africa, with emphasis on gender, religion, and family structure.
- Social Science / Anthropology
- Social Science / Gender Studies
"The first book on the anthropology of menstruation to be published by a major university press.”
— Becky Vorpagel
"A major innovation is the deliberate and consistent focus on women’s views and their participation in social responses to bodily processes."
— Terence Hays
“Reclaiming the female body, retrieving it piece by piece from the grip of patriarchal culture and medical practice, has been a central feminist goal for each of the last two decades. Menstruation . . . is now front and center on the feminist agenda as a topic that needs to be rethought . . . Blood Magic . . . [is] among a larger set of books that are seeking simultaneously to dismantle the traditional formulations and to replace them with a woman-centered set of understandings . . . [the book]. . . not only clear[s] and point[s] the way for a new woman-centered scholarship on menstruation but demonstrate[s] its significance to the feminist agenda.”
“The first major collection on anthropological interpretations of menstruation. . . The editors contribute a lengthy, useful introduction to this biological phenomenon and the interpretations given to it by different peoples; moreover, they provide discussions for each section . . . A well-edited and useful contribution to the continually growing literature on the cultural constructions of gender.”
— L. Beck
“Menstrual taboos have long been a favorite subject of ethnographic inquiry, but in the past their study has suffered from both an ethnocentric and male-centered bias. Burdened by their own set of ‘menstrual taboos,’ ethnographers have too often assumed they knew what those of another culture meant. Blood Magic, a collection of essays by nine fieldworkers in anthropology and related disciplines, marks a welcome departure from earlier studies in a number of ways. It derives its perspective from women’s studies in recognizing the need to focus on women’s experiences as well as those of men, and in recognizing the importance of female fieldworkers to do this. This is the first book-length collection of essays to grow out of recent cultural anthropological research on menstruation. Never before has the study of menstruation been so well informed by a combination of fieldwork and theoretical approaches to the study of gender and the symbolism of the body. This is the first book-length collection of essays to grow out of recent cultural anthropological research on menstruation. Never before has the study of menstruation been so well informed by a combination of fieldwork and theoretical approaches to the study of gender and the symbolism of the body . . . This is a well-constructed and well-researched collection, grounded in received anthropological theory, yet looking far beyond it.”
— Jennifer Livesay
It's something we painstakingly hide, cover, soak up and medicate away throughout our reproductive lives. It's seen as a nuisance. The amount of time, mental and physical energy we put into making sure ABSOLUTELY NO ONE EVER sees a single drop of our blood is quite frankly, exhausting (also super grateful to be with a man that appreciates and is unfazed by menstrual blood and makes me feel even more feminine and beautiful when I have my period - shout out to the other partners who do this too!).
It was believed that their blood had the ability to invoke fertility, protect against evil spirits, and bring about healing and transformation. Some modern practitioners of witchcraft and paganism also incorporate blood magic menstruation into their practices. They may collect and use menstrual blood in spellwork, rituals, or as an offering to deities. This is seen as a personal and intimate form of magic, harnessing the power of one's own body and natural cycles. It is important to note that the concept of blood magic menstruation is not universally accepted or practiced. It is largely based on personal beliefs and cultural or religious traditions. Some may view it as empowering and transformative, while others may see it as taboo or controversial. Regardless of personal beliefs, it is crucial to approach the topic of blood magic menstruation with respect and understanding. It is a deeply personal and sensitive subject for many individuals, and it is essential to honor their beliefs and experiences in discussions surrounding this topic..
Reviews for "Shattering Stigma: Embracing Blood Mafic Menstruation"
1. John - 1/5 stars - "Blood magic menstruation was a complete disappointment. The plot was poorly developed and lacked any substance. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it impossible to connect or care about their journey. The writing style was also extremely distracting, with grammatical errors and awkward phrasing throughout. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written fantasy novel."
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "While I found the concept of Blood magic menstruation intriguing, the execution was a letdown. The pacing was slow and the story dragged on unnecessarily. There were several plot holes that were left unresolved, leaving me unsatisfied by the end. The characters fell flat and their motivations were unclear. The writing itself was decent, but it was not enough to salvage the overall disappointment of the book. I would advise potential readers to borrow this book from the library rather than wasting money on it."