From Pagan Ritual of Bloodletting a Medical Myth

Bloodletting, the ancient practice of removing blood to cure or prevent illness, dates back thousands of years. Though today it seems outdated or even barbaric, bloodletting was once a mainstream medical treatment rooted in a deeply spiritual and philosophical system known as humoralism. For Christians seeking true healing through Jesus Christ, it is essential to understand the origins of such practices and why participating in them—even in modern or disguised forms—can open the door to demonic torment and spiritual bondage.

The Founder and Origins of Bloodletting

Bloodletting as a practice does not have a single identifiable founder. It evolved over centuries, rooted in ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Greek, and Roman cultures. The earliest records trace back to the Egyptians around 1000 BC, but it was Hippocrates, often called the "Father of Medicine" (c. 460 – c. 370 BC), and later Galen of Pergamon (129 – c. 216 AD), who codified and expanded the theory of humorism that gave rise to bloodletting as a standard practice.

According to humorism, the human body was governed by four humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Health was believed to result from a perfect balance of these fluids. Illness, conversely, was thought to stem from an imbalance, especially an excess of blood. The solution? Drain the excess.

The Spiritual Roots of Humorism

The theory of the four humors was not just medical; it was deeply spiritual and philosophical. It arose from pagan Greek thought, heavily influenced by natural philosophy, astrology, and mysticism. Practitioners believed the body was governed by cosmic forces, seasons, and even the alignment of planets. Health was about harmony with the universe, not submission to the Creator.

These beliefs align with pantheistic and polytheistic worldviews, where gods and spirits controlled aspects of life and nature. Greek and Roman deities such as Asclepius, the god of healing, were invoked for cures. Healing was often sought through rituals, incantations, and sacrifices.

This system was not based on truth from God’s Word but on human philosophy, nature worship, and divination. Therefore, bloodletting and similar practices come from a false religious system—a system that bypasses the curse of sin and denies the need for salvation through Jesus Christ.

Can Christians Redeem Pagan Healing Practices?

The short answer is no. Scripture is clear that believers must not adopt pagan practices or attempt to “Christianize” them.

“Do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who…practices divination or sorcery…” — Deuteronomy 18:9-10

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” — Ephesians 5:11

Practices like bloodletting—especially those rooted in occult philosophies, false gods, and mystical energy manipulation—cannot be repackaged for Christian use. Healing does not come from manipulating the body’s fluids or balancing energies. Healing comes from Jesus Christ alone, the Great Physician.

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” — 1 Peter 2:24

To attempt to use methods rooted in pagan or occult belief systems is to open a spiritual door to demonic oppression. Many who have participated in New Age healing practices or ancient occult modalities report symptoms such as:

Death from releasing too much blood
Weakness
Persistent fear and dread

These are not just psychological issues—they can be spiritual infestations. Deliverance through Jesus Christ is often needed to restore peace and freedom.

A Call to Discernment

Christians must test everything by Scripture. If Jesus didn’t do it and His apostles didn’t teach it, it has no place in the believer’s life. Bloodletting and the occult philosophies that birthed it fall into that category.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” — Colossians 2:8

Instead of trusting in ancient philosophies and false gods, we are called to trust Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord who heals. He heals not only our bodies but our souls, minds, and spirits.

Methods of discernment:

• Who was the founder of this modality?

• What was his/her spirituality?

• What culture did it come out of?

• What were their beliefs?

• Who is their God or gods?

Many occult practices in Christianity need to be discerned. Another method of discernment is the Word of God. The word of God is our measuring stick. The more we read the word, know the word, and have a relationship with the Lord, the more we discern right and wrong. We perish from a lack of knowledge.

Hosea 4:6 declares, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.”

By Teresa Morin, President of Touch of God Int'l Ministries of Healing and Deliverance.

See list of occult practices.

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