Blood Oracle
The Ongoing Divination of the Miraculous Blood of Saint Januarius
It always strikes me the way folk beliefs and practices are at all levels of the Catholic world, it is the mysticism and miracles that are the ongoing lifeblood of the faith, it is these mystical experiences that connect the faithful with the Divine in the world, and in themselves.
On December 16th The Blood Relic of Saint Januarius miraculously liquified for an unusual fourth time in a year ( The relic usually only liquifies 3 times within a year, one significant date is on the saints feast day on the 19th of September). Saint Januarius (or those of us who celebrate him in Italian communities know him as San Gennaro) is an important Saint in the region of Naples (He is also the cities patron). The Blood Relic has a long history and its recorded liquefaction begins sometime in the 1300’s. Even though what i find interesting about this miraculous event is that the Catholic Church has never taken a particular stance on this miracle, continuing to take neutral stance and allowing the display of the miracle to play out each year.
To The People of Naples the blood liquefaction also serves as a sign of the saints blessing and protection, it is a good omen, As Saint Januarius is a patron Saint of protection from Volcanic Eruptions (particularly the Eruption on Mount Vesuvius) That when the blood fails to liquify (especially on the three primary days of the year) it is considered a bad omen of the days to come and can signal particular disaster to come. In a sense the Liquefaction of the blood is an ongoing oracle, The Spirit being consulted is San Januarius himself.
The belief in the liquefaction of San Januarius Blood as a sign of a good omen is a common one, and it is well known throughout the Catholic world with little to no intervention from the hierarchy (some bishops have made comments about the practice being reduced to superstition). Naples is known for its folk tradition, and particularly it’s connection to necromancy, the anima sola, Divination and other folk practices, it is no wonder that one has been enshrined in the hallowed halls of the official Church, celebrated and loved by those of the region.
The Liquefaction of the Blood of Saint Januarius is a continued sign of the magic and mysticism of the Saints, it is also a sign that the saints continue to speak to us, through these practices that are enshrined by the institutional Church, and in practices of Divination by the people (there are manny forms of Folk Saint Divination and Ritual). What are the ways that Saints continue to speak in your own life?
