The Blood Sacrifice – its symbolism and psychology (original) (raw)

Victimization as a form of sacrificial ritual is discussed. It is understood as an inferior and archaic method of ego emancipation by which the transgressor's unconscious suffering is transferred to the victim. Transfer of sin and guilt occurs. As a consequence, original wholeness is disrupted. The blood sacrifice originates as a defense against the fear of an overwhelming unconscious. Power over life and death is imparted to the institutions of consciousness. Identification with collective consciousness is promoted, which serves to strengthen feeble individual consciousness. The regressive bond to the unconscious is temporarily disrupted, but the sacrifice must be renewed. It is the real impetus behind Freud's death drive and also the destructive narcissistic relationship. Keywords: human sacrifice, rite of passage, self-mutilation, primal transgression, ego wholeness, flagellants, amputation disorder, sin transference, St Paul, Tezcatlipoca.