Handguns and occultism have long been associated with each other in popular culture and various belief systems. The connection between firearms and the occult can be traced back to the ancient times, where weapons were often imbued with magical properties and used in ritualistic practices. In modern times, the link between handguns and occultism has become more prominent in certain subcultures and alternative spiritual practices. Some individuals believe that handguns can serve as powerful tools for self-defense and protection against malevolent forces, both in the physical and spiritual realms. These individuals may engage in rituals and ceremonies in which they bless or consecrate their firearms, associating them with sacred or supernatural powers. The use of handguns in occult practices can also be found in certain occult traditions and magical systems.
During the Song, smoke bombs, incendiary bombs, gunpowder grenades, and the usual shrapnel objects such as rocks were used in siege warfare.
University of Wisconsin Madison researcher and assistant professor Nick Buttrick studies the psychological relationship that millions of Americans have with their guns. Over the past 150 years, American gun owners have gone from viewing their weapons largely as utilitarian farm tools to weapons that provide both a feeling of physical security and a sense of psychological solace.
The use of handguns in occult practices can also be found in certain occult traditions and magical systems. Some practitioners may incorporate firearms into their rituals as symbolic representations of certain elemental forces or archetypal energies. The firing of a handgun during rituals may be seen as a way to release or direct magical energy, to invoke or banish certain spirits, or to create a specific atmosphere or state of mind.
Handguns and occultism
In China, military strategy focused on outsmarting the enemy, by whatever means possible. Fire was used as a weapon of war since it inspired great fear and confusion among the enemy. Those in charge of defense had to keep the danger of fire in mind and military guidebooks outline in detail the ways to prevent fires from spreading rapidly during attacks.
As an offensive weapon, fire was delivered to enemy camps in a variety of ways. Animals with unpredictable behavior, such as birds, were frequently used. To the left are oxen stampeding with burning hemp lashed onto their tails, and below is a fire cart. When used in combination with ladder carts, hook carts, battering rams and tanks, fire could be a particularly useful weapon.
Can you think of ways to counteract attacks by fire?
| Fire oxen source |
How effective do you think it would be to send burning hemp attached to animals into enemy ranks?
Chinese military strategists sought ways to create effects from a distance. For example, by Song times they had sophisticated methods for producing smoke. Gunpowder's potential to move objects therefore made it attractive to military strategists designing weapons.
Gunpowder was first used by people seeking immortality (though this esoteric use of it was probably not known to most Chinese). The first textual evidence of a proto-gunpowder formula is contained in a work dated about 850. So far as we know, Essentials of the Military Arts records the first true gunpowder formula and describes how to produce it on a large scale. Its first use in warfare was as an incendiary, or fire-producing, compound.
Gunpowder was of many different types. Chinese texts identify blinding powder, flying powder, violent powder, poison powder, bruising and burning powder and smoke-screen powder.
Starting from the Tang or the beginning of the Song, small packages of gunpowder wrapped in paper or bamboo were attached to arrows, which marked the first use of gunpowder in war (see the illustration at left). These would be lit with a fuse of some kind, so that the arrow became an incendiary, intended to set targets afire.
In the group of projectiles at left, the different styles correspond to two different types of javelin-propulsion methods. Note the arrow with the gunpowder chamber.
Two crucial innovations were needed before the Chinese developed rockets propelled by gunpowder. First, the idea of a counter-balance had to be conceived. A counter-balance would allow the rocket to move on a straight trajectory. The second innovation was a hole bored into the exact center of the gunpowder in the missile tube. This would allow the gunpowder to burn evenly and provide efficient thrust. This process of boring into the gunpowder was extremely dangerous. Both of these developments occurred during the 12th and 13th centuries.
Evidence of the first bronze hand-held gun dates to the early Yuan dynasty, but metal barrels were used as early as the Tang dynasty for fire lances that propelled gunpowder bombs intended to burn targets.
At left is the earliest excavated gun, from the early Yuan dynasty. A wooden tube would have been inserted in the wide mouth for extra range. The gun was mounted on a wooden housing.
Can you think of any similarities between this gun barrel and the "arrows" pictured above?
The earliest known bronze gun, ca. 1332 source
During the Song, smoke bombs, incendiary bombs, gunpowder grenades, and the usual shrapnel objects such as rocks were used in siege warfare.
Hemp or cotton would be soaked in oil, ignited, and catapulted outward. Bombs made of iron shells resembling gourds in shape could shatter a city wall. Gunpowder bombs were a mixture of gunpowder and shrapnel such as charcoal and iron scraps. The range of such "firing balls," or bombs, could be from ten to a hundred yards.
The Essentials of the Military Arts also lists the formula of a gas bomb, which could contain poisonous elements. This would have been used in tunnel warfare, a significant aspect of siege activity. It was also in the 13 th century that bombs started to be used as land mines.
| "Thunderbolt-ball" source |
Can you visualize which of the bomb types would be best to use in the "whirlwind catapult"?
Can you think of any other methods that could transport a bomb?
Non-explosive smoke bombs had been in use since antiquity. Pictured above to the right is an example of a "thunderclap" bomb of the eleventh century. This one, known as the "bamboo fire hawk," had gunpowder and small stones wrapped inside bamboo and hay.
Why would the gunpowder mixture be wrapped in hay?
Flame-throwers
While Europe, by 675, had a single-acting force-pump contraption that could spurt flames, much like a syringe shoots liquids, it was not a true flame-thrower. For a true flame-thrower a continuous streaming of flames has to be achieved. The Chinese were able to do this by the use of a double-action piston-bellow, which would force the kerosene out of the barrel on both the forward and backward strokes of the pump handle.
Below is an illustration of a flame-thrower from The Essentials of the Military Arts . We see a tank, a pump, and an ejector. A continuous stream could be maintained because of the use of a double-acting piston-bellows.
Can you figure out the structure of the flame-thrower from the illustrations? Where do you think the kerosene would have been put?
The "eruptor" to the right fired cast-iron shelled gunpowder bombs, some of which would explode only on contact, hence its name, the "flying-cloud thunderclap eruptor."
What are some of the things you notice about this fire-lance that make it different from modern cannons?
Gun regulations are politically thorny because when you’re talking about gun control, you’re also talking about attacking a very fundamental piece of gun owners’ psyche. That’s hard politics when guns are something that’s key to the identity of nearly a third of the population. People don’t like giving up core parts of who they think they are. When you look at gun violence in this country, you have to look at what you’re trying to prevent and where most of the deaths are happening. Gun suicides and accidental shootings are a tremendously large problem, and these are deaths that are in some sense preventable.
It is important to note that the connection between handguns and occultism is predominantly a symbolic one and is not universally accepted or practiced within occult or spiritual communities. Many practitioners do not condone or endorse the use of firearms in ritualistic or magical practices, instead focusing on other tools, symbols, or methods. Furthermore, it is essential to approach the topic of handguns and occultism with a critical and respectful mindset. It is necessary to understand that the use of firearms, regardless of any symbolic or spiritual associations, carries significant ethical, legal, and safety considerations in both mundane and ritual contexts. In conclusion, the association between handguns and occultism is a complex and multi-faceted topic. While some individuals may view firearms as potent tools in their spiritual practices, others may reject or disapprove of such connections. It is ultimately up to each individual to explore their own beliefs and make informed decisions about the use of handguns in any context, including occult practices..
Reviews for "Understanding the Spiritually Charged Ammo: Handguns and Occult Blessings"
1. John - 2/5 stars - "Handguns and occultism was not what I expected at all. The blurb made it sound like an intriguing mix of action and the supernatural, but it just fell flat for me. The main character was dull and lacked depth, and the plot felt disjointed and confusing. The occult elements were thrown in haphazardly and didn't add anything to the story. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend it."
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "I found Handguns and occultism to be a complete waste of time. The writing was amateurish, with awkward dialogue and repetitive descriptions. The characters were so one-dimensional that I couldn't connect with any of them. The supposed occult elements were laughable and didn't make sense within the context of the story. I regret picking up this book and would advise others to stay away from it."
3. Robert - 2/5 stars - "I had high hopes for Handguns and occultism, but it turned out to be a letdown. The pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening, and then sudden bursts of action that felt forced. The author tried to create suspense, but it just didn't work for me. The occult aspects seemed poorly researched and lacked authenticity. Overall, this book failed to capture my interest and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping supernatural thriller."