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Bliden started the discussion "Vampire Magic" in the group Vampyre Temple on Pagan UnderWorld ------------ Into The Darkness Vampiric Magick Home Welcome Articles Astral Black Witchcraft Bone Collecting Cemetery Work Crystals - Gemstones Curses Curse Tablets Death Temple Divination Expressions of a Dark Sorcerer Herbs Incubi - Succubi Invocations-Rituals-Spells Mysterious Moon Music by LIPSHOK Occult Library Occult Terms Ouija Poetry & Dark Art Prelude To The Black Arts The Black Mass The Crow / Raven The Dark Arts Satanism Serial Killers Sex Magick Scrying Shielding Sigil Magick Stones - Metals Strange Sexual Beings Superstitions Vampiric Magick Vampyre Spirituality Vampirism Voodoo-Hoodoo Witchcraft Other Places The Guestbook Contact Graveyard Publishing © Into The Darkness Vampiric Magick Vampiric magic is a particular fringe skill of Necromancy focussed on helping the necromancer survive the ordeals of coming in contact with death essences. Instead of simply locking down and bearing the ill effects of death magic, Vampiric magics were born to shoulder some of the weight by allowing a degree of rejuvenation as well as the effects of necromancy to coexist. Only this much is the truth behind vampire tales and the vampire cults that exist around the world. Though there are no "vampires", per se, there are those necromancers that have refined the ability to use death to drain from the life forces of others. The precise means of doing this is up to the caster to discover but, through absorption of the life forces of other creatures, the necromancer can waylay many of the adverse effects of their art and retain a relatively normal degree of health and well-being at the expense of others. Though there is no proof that this kind of magic can actually extend life beyon d the normal duration, it has shown the power to counteract the negative effects of using death magics and to allow the practitioner to live normally. Historically, vampiric magic has taken many different forms. There are those that have consumed real blood in attempts to drain life, based on ideas as far back as the Bible's statement that ".. the life of the flesh is in the blood", sexual vampires (hearkening to Aristotle's claim that life is in the sexual fluids of either gender), and those that drain life force purely, somewhat reminiscient of the breathism and psychic vampire traditions. Vampiric necromancy does not mean you're a vampire, but is an appropriate metaphor for the nature of this skill. Direct Energy Vampirism Probably the most commonly practiced technique of vampiric magick is energy vampirism, also called psychic vampirism. Something that article doesn't go into are the many ways in which energy vampirism can be performed, for example via a servitor, in dreams, or by targetting a specific type of energy (e.g. sexual energy, energy produced by religious fervor, the energy produced by some disease or illness - used for healing - or whatever). Sexual Vampirism: Another form of energy vampirism, but typically practiced by those who have refined their tastes to prefer energy released through sex. While vampires are typically portrayed as dominant beings, sexual vampirism can be carried out equally well from a position of submission. Other Emotional States: In a similar way to the preference of some for energy released during sex, others have a preference for energy released by other emotional states, for example anger or grief. Reversed Energy Vampirism: One of very few uses of energy vampirism I've encountered that is actually intended to be beneficial to someone other than the vampire. The process is simple enough, but it can be extremely physically, psychically and emotionally draining if the donor energy vampire is low on energy for some reason, such as not having fed lately or through illness or injury. It is simply a reversal of the feeding process. Rather than pulling energy out of the subject and into himself, the vampire pushes energy from himself into the subject. Initially, a visualisation of occuring can help as a focus for the donor vampire, as can pooling the energy into one part of the body (the hands, for example) and from there transferring the energy into the subject. A vampire servitor can also be applied to this task, given instructions to feed the energy it collects into the chosen subject rather than into its creator or into a vessel. A vampire can use similar techniques to gather energy from its immediate surroundings and feed the subject from this, acting as a conduit of sorts. This technique can be used to aid in the healing process. Interestingly enough, it also seems that if a psychic vampire who feeds regularly gives energy to a sanguinarian vampire, this will eliminate indefinitely the sanguinarian's blood cravings and any negative symptoms which would normally occur if they didn't feed. Feeding on disease energy: drawing normally detrimental energies from the subject. Energy vampirism can and does occur on an instinctive level, but here I am dealing with it in the context of a willed magickal act, rather than as an innate part of one's nature. However, natural psi-vamps may also find magical vampiric techniques to be of use. Vampire Servitors A servitor, thought-form, or egregore is an artificially created incorporeal entity made for a specific purpose in order to carry out a magician's will. Most vampiric servitors are created with the intent of draining energy (generally from a specific target) and passing that energy back to the magician. Vampire Glamours The vampire is an intrinsically glamorous creature, able to alter others' perception of itself. Vampiric glamoury is most usually a part of energy vampirism. The vampire will create glamours in order to make its feeding more efficient. The most common example of glamoury of this sort may be found in sexual vampirism, where the vampire will project various attributes in order to make herself more alluring to her prey. Working With Vampiric Entities Vampiric magick, in my opinion, also includes such things as working with vampiric entities like incubi and succubi, as well as various deities. Attaining Vampiric Qualities Some forms of blood magick fall under the description, as do rites which are designed to endow certain properties of the vampire upon the operator. Magick For Use Against Vampires More common than any other form of magick relating to vampires, this is really rather irrelevant to this section. While a vampiric magician may well have cause to rid themselves of the attentions of vampires of various sorts, this is not intrinsic to the practice of magickal vampirism, and so will be dealt with in another article. Unlike mortal vampires (who also refer to themselves as real vampires), pracitioners of vampiric magick, although many have an affinity with the vampire archetype, generally don't feel that they have some innate need for energy or blood which must be fulfilled. They instead take up vampiric practices by choice, and often for a specific reason (e.g. as a form of magickal attack, to gather energy for a specific purpose, or because they find it pleasureable). (Author Unknown) Vampires & Magick It is apparent that vampires have existed among practioners of Magick throughout history. From the old Middle Eastern 'eaters of souls' to Morgana le Fey's habit of giving her followers rings by which she could siphon off their energies and live forever, to modern practitioners of black magick who give lessons in conscious vampirism on the Internet, stories of magical people who have engaged in vampirism abound. Magickal Adepts create an energy body called a magickal personna to house their consciousness on its journeys through the astral and other dimensions, giving vitality to their energy forms through meditation and ritual work. Some magickal practitioners also create though-forms called fetches or servitors; these thought-forms may be programmed to seek out information or absorb and neutralize harmful energies. Sometimes, the magickal personna or servitor can become so energized that they take on a life of their own, and even manage to survive pass the time of their crea tors' deaths. Most of what passes as vampire magick among vampire wannabies either attempts to imitate the effects of vampires upon others (taking their energies or seducing them) or is just plain old black magic designed to bring harm. Most real vampires have naturally strong psychic powers and do not indulge in magick to accomplish their feeding. Real vampires take other people's energies in order to survive, but they are not evil by nature (at least, not their own nature), other than those few vampires who are driven insane by their condition (though, as with any other group, there are both good and evil among them). The magick practiced by real vampires is instead designed to affect themselves, most often to bring about a transformation that will allow them to stop feeding on others. For some, this means trying to become just like everyone else, but for others, it means seeking the freedom to really be themselves by throwing off or even taking over the Beast within by accomplishing the Great Work of Alchemy and High Magick. Occasionally, the vampire is an entity which has gained the spiritual knowledge and power to transform the physical body at will. Ancient Mysteries speak of men and women achieving immortality by periodically absorbing extra life force from the cosmos, in some cases eventually transforming the dense physical body itself into a body of energy. Wise Men, Alchemists and mystics who stray from the Path of Initiation and become addicted to living off of the energies of others, instead of developing that energy for themselves, suffer an imperfect transformation. Such beings must periodically absorb energy from others to prevent their death. In cases where the transformation is not only imperfect, but also incomplete, the physical form may transform into an energy beast and become trapped at a particular physical location. Such beings have to wait like spiders in their web until an unsuspecting mortal passes by and is captured. Some of the more powerful of these poor souls can survi ve in this condition for hundreds of years. Often, there appears to be no real defense against the predation of the vampire. The strong psychic power of the vampire allows it to mesmerize its victims through telepathic suggestion. A house is a repository of energies of its inhabitants and, especially in cases where they engage in religious or spiritual activities such as praying or meditation, offers some sanctuary against the vampire; thus it is said that one must invite a vampire across the threshold in order for the vampire to gain entry. This, however, is not true of the strongest vampires. The cross, the host and blessed holy water probably became associated with a defense against the vampire due to their use in exorcism by Christians, and their efficacy depends on spiritual / psychic power of the one who blessed them and / or the one who wields them. This is not a case of good versus evil as is commonly believed, but of one energy overcoming another. Plants that are known to absorb negative energies, such as garl ic, onion or lemon, also work mainly against weaker vampires; their use is tied to their effectiveness in defeating the energy of magickal attacks. Similarly, other methods of defeating magickal attacks that are also thought to be effective against the energy of the vampire are crossing running water, surrounding oneself with a circle of salt or amulets of silver. Running water pulls energy forms along its path with great force, so that any magickal spells or astral forms trying to cross it are drawn into it and end up miles away. Salting has been used from ancient times to break down existing energies of a place, purifying it so that it becomes holy or consecrated. Silver takes a charge of psychic energy very strongly, hence its use to disperse other energies, sort of like a short-circuit. It is still a common practice in some parts of Europe to place a silver coin in the mouth of the corpse to prevent it from becoming a vampire. Typically, the vampire is disposed of by being consumed in fire, having its head cut off or having a wooden stake driven through its heart. The bodies of strong vampires may resist the flames, until they are cut into pieces. Wooden stakes driven into the vampire's vitality reservoir kill the vampire only when they are of sacred types of wood, such as white thorn (hawthorne), rowan, elder, oak, ash, etc. Iron stakes are also effective. If a vampire is not very powerful, it can also die as the result of an exorcism or by remaining too long in direct sunlight. When a vampire is "killed," usually what has happened is the vampiric energy form has been dispersed. After a vampire is killed, the form vanishes but dried blood is left behind in cases where the vampire has recently fed off of another's blood. However, if the vampire is strong enough, it can form another energy body. One method used to discourage the vampire from forming another body from its own remains is to salt the r emains to disperse the energy. At any rate, one cannot be certain that a vampire will not find some way to return. Now let's examine some false ideas about vampires. In cultures with a strong Judeo-Christian influence, the vampire is often considered to be female. This belief is based on the teaching among Jews and Christians that women are agents of the Devil sent to tempt man, and therefore do not possess the spiritual nature of men. In other cultures, such as that of Finland, the vampire is most often said to be male. Vampires, of course, can be either male or female. The false belief that vampires are inherently evil has led to the false assumption that vampires cannot walk or rest on holy ground, such as a church. Actually, vampires are only precluded from such places when the energy of the place is stronger than that of the vampire. It was believed by the ignorant that mirrors do not reflect vampires because vampires don't have a soul and are evil. Mirrors reflect dense physical objects such a human bodies, but not the energy forms of vampires, which only appear to be solid (when th ey appear at all) to the mind's eye of the beholder due to telepathic suggestion by the vampire or psychic ability in the beholder. Vampires with real physical bodies can be seen in a mirror just like anyone else. Actually, when a mirror is functioning as a dimensional doorway, the vampire which cannot be seen with the physical eye, can be seen. Some people were falsely accused of being vampires because they were buried when they were mistakenly thought to be dead. In old Europe, graves were typically not very deep, and if someone awoke in such a situation and managed to dig themselves out of their grave, they could easily have been mistaken for a vampire. It was a common practice in the American Old West to bury someone with a gun so they could kill themselves if they awoke in a buried coffin and couldn't get out. At the other end of that spectrum, those who are transformed by contact with spiritual forces while alive sometimes leave behind corpses that do not decompose for a very long time. Today, a large number of false ideas about real vampires are being disseminated by writers of vampire stories, role-playing "vampires," the mentally disturbed and many apparently intelligent and educated people on the Web. Some of these "sound good but just ain't so" ideas include: the vampire virus, "you too can become a blood-drinking vampire," vampire races, crossbreeds, etc. Despite the gruesomeness of vampire folklore, many modern writers have transformed the vampire into an attractive character, and some have created quite extraordinary concepts of the vampire, blending truth and fiction into a powerful and believable mythos. Poppy Z. Brite became an instant underground legend with the 1993 publication of Lost Souls, while one of the most successful mainstream authors is Anne Rice, author of The Vampire Chronicles. These and other authors have capitalized on a renewed interest in vampires sparked by TV shows such as The Munsters (1964), The Addams Family (1964), Dark Shadows (1966) and Nightstalker (1972). All of these sources have helped to perpetuate many false ideas about vampires. Thus we have many types of vampires: the living, the dead and the undead, the energy thieves (psi-vamps) and the blood-suckers (sanguinarians). Lest we think that all vampires are monsters, however, let's not forget granddad and grandma, who just love to get a visit from their grandchildren because afterwards they feel so full of energy (relax, the grandchildren have plenty to spare). Or the person who is deathly ill and surrounded by loved ones and well-wishers, whose visits make them feel so much better for a while. Of course, the ultimate in your run of the mill vampiric activities is the exchange of energy that takes place between a male and female having sex. At the moment of climax, there is a brief burst of energy which emerges from us as consciousness momentarily alters its perception of reality. Here, each is giving and receiving in turn, feeding off of each other's energy to aid the evolutionary transformation of their consciousness. In spite of the fantastic advances in science and technology in the modern world, vampires are still very much with us today. Understanding that we are all victims of an energy vampire within us, and that even we ourselves may become vampires from time to time, is one of the mysteries of our Being. (Author Unknown) RITUALS AND TECHNIQUES OF VAMPIRIC MAGICK Three sections on magickal practices related to vampirism, including a discussion on the techniques of psychic vampirism, a ritual to attract and/or thank vampiric entities, and a report on the creation of a vampiric servitor (not fully tested at this point). The Practice of Psycho-Magickal Vampirism What is psychic vampirism? Basically, draining (and in the method I am detailing, absorbing) energy from other people, often against their will or at least without their knowledgeAnd what does it do for you? It increases magickal power and sensitivity, and makes one feel more energetic, adds to vitality. Many people do it unconsciously. For example, have you ever met someone who it tired and drained you just to be in the same room with? That is a perfect example of unconscious psychic vampirism. People who do it unconsciously don’t usually store the energy in themselves, but rather disperse it uselessly into their surroundings.So how does one perform psychic vampirism? Psychic vampirism is largely performed through visualisation and lots and lots of practice. One way to do it is to target a person and just visualise energy inside and around them. Some people can see it normally so they don't have to visualise - people who can see and manipulate auras will have a definite advantage here. You then try to pull the energy out of the person. Feel it gathering inside you, and see it leaving them. Feel the build up of energy revitalizing you, making you tingle with what feels like static electricity, and draw it all into yourself, feeling it invigorating you. That's more or less it. It's easier if you touch a person or drink their blood, or whatever. It takes some people a lot of practice, while others master it instantly. Potential Difficulties It’s worth noting that you have to be careful not to absorb all the negative psychic crap people tend to give off.. I’ve made the mistake a couple of times of just opening myself to ALL the energy in an area, and have briefly broken down as a result. Take care if you plan on practicing psychic vampirism, especially in an area with lots of people (e.g. tube trains). You will gradually get to know what is the ‘right’ sort of energy to absorb, and eventually do it automatically.Does it become addictive? It can do... blood addiction is more usual, although that can be replaced by psychic vampirism under certain circumstances. Psychic vampirism can be addictive, but as there is a ready supply of energy this is not a problem. Another way to get round that is to have a relationship with someone else who practices psychic or blood vampirism, and the exchange between the people involved seems to replace the craving almost entirely. It should be noted that in relationships of this sort, leaving your supporting vampire even for a few days can be painful and draining for everyone involved, as this practice creates an intense magickal link. For the same reason be very careful who you form this bond with. Example Exercise In Psychic Vampirism & A Variety Of Brief Details From Personal Accounts Performing the following is easier if you are actually biting or drinking* the blood of your victim or donor although it is possible when not in contact with that individual. This has also been successfully performed by one person injecting the blood of another (the blood was visualised as containing glowing red energy). Concentrate on absorbing energy from your victim. Visualise this energy pouring into you from the person as an electric stream. There is a special rush if energy is taken by force or when the victim is in a strong emotional state. From all reports and my own experiences of drinking blood, two people who are close will both gain from exchanging blood or energy. I find that if such an exchange of energy is going on between two people it is preferable that they are both in a sexual frenzy. In the case of two people exchanging energy, the two people will both gain from exchanging this energy. It seems that exchanging energy generally results in both parties feeling stronger, magickally, physically, and emotionally. However the feeding is performed, you should feel greatly invigorated physically and psychologically. Feeding can cause an almost amphetamine like rush. A Brief Ritual To Attract and/or Thank Vampiric Entities Get a black candle. It MUST be new. Set it up somewhere out of a draft where it's not going to fall over. It must NOT go out. Light the candle in the name of the entity. Say something like "I light this candle in the name of " in any language you want as long as you get the meaning across. Think about what you are saying when you say it. When the candle is lit, drip some of your own blood onto it. I usually use something like a 1 mil needle and then just drip as much as possible on to the candle.. As you do so, say something like "Hail " or "Io ." Let the candle burn down completely. IT MUST NOT GO OUT. What this ritual does is basically to attempt to attract the attention of the entity and then offer it some blood. You may feel its presence. You may get an immediate obvious response (voices in your head or emotional urges, for example). You may not get a direct response. This doesn't mean it hasn't worked. My other main use for this ritual is as a ‘thank you’ to a vampiric entity which has been involved in one of your rituals or has aided you in some way. Those who practice Ritual Vampirism involving regular use of certain vampiric entities are also recommended to perform this ritual every so often. N.B. Many, or indeed most, ‘demonic’ entities are vampiric to a certain extent, so this ritual would probably work for most beings of that sort, but you must be certain, in any case, that the entity will not turn on you, as the blood offering will make it extremely difficult to get rid of should this prove necessary. An Experimental Creation Of A Vampiric Servitor Possibilities: A vampiric servitor could take several forms, but I have currently chosen to follow up on the idea of a thought-form which drains energy from a set victim over a set period of time. This energy would them hopefully be passed on to the creator of the thought form at the end of this set period. A Servitor To Drain Energy From The Victim This version of the thought form would be more simple, but less useful. It would have an operational time of about a week to a month. A Servitor To Drain Energy From The Victim And Pass It To The Magician The more difficult option, and the better. Would have a similar operational period. Independent Vampire Egregore Would not pass energy to the magician, would probably not be very targetable, would exist for an indefinite period of time as an independent entity, probably in casters immediate area, and very likely feeding from caster. Could possibly be kept, ritually fed on a regular basis and could be requested to feed from a specific individual. Needless to say, this is a dangerous and unreliable method. This form of egregore is most frequently created by accident. Testing Problems: It would be preferable to observe the test subject over period of time, unfortunately this has proved impossible, and the servitor will be tested via a cyber magick working. Results will hopefully be acquired shortly, but up to that point this remains an untested working. Result may be difficult to ascertain, as the victim can not be observed. Initial results will be from my perspective, although I may hear something about any effects on the victim shortly afterwards. I’d appreciate it if anyone else who tries this could let me know of any results they had and improvements they could suggest. Potential Problems: If the servitor is resisted by a magickal barrier it could start feeding from random targets, including possibly it’s creator. If the energy is not taken from the servitor and it is not destroyed, then it could potentially cause a problem for it’s creator. Casting Conditions & Possibilities: Object link will be a necessity Strong hate or hunger emotion (pref. both) will be necessary It would be necessary to program into the servitor that it should return empty-handed to the caster and/or dissipate if successfully deflected. At the end of the set period another ritual could (should?) be performed to take the energy from the servitor and to destroy it. For a more long-term approach, the servitor could be set to a lunar or seasonal cycle. Putting The Theory Into Practice Task of servitor: To gather energy from over a period of one week, then to return to give me the gathered energy. If resisted by a magickal barrier, return immediately. Creation Of The Servitor: A sigil representing the aim was created, and an image and name for the servitor were derived from it. The servitor I created was a vampiric dragon who went by the name of Sith, while an earlier servitor, which was also successful, was a vampire goldfish with damn big teeth. (Goes to show, you never can tell...) Charging & Releasing The Servitor: The servitor had to be charged with hate for the victim and hunger. The options for this include staying up over a long period and fasting, which is a method suited to this working as it results in physical hunger, and many people, including myself, are prone to angry fits under such conditions, making the hate aspect easier. Another option is to use fly agaric to achieve an altered state of consciousness, and then inducing the required vicious emotional state which under the influences of the psychedelic. A combination of the two is also a worthwhile approach. A state of emotionally charged gnosis is built up by whatever means are favored, and the obsession is focused on the servitor. An image of the servitor was previous affixed to a bottle. I drew a quantity of my blood and recited the following as I put the blood into the bottom of the bottle. "Sith. I offer you this energy as payment For feeding upon those I hold enmity towards And for sharing that which you take from them with me" Object link items for the victim (including a copy of his name written by him) were burned and the ashes were poured into the jar, as I recited the following: "Sith, feed upon this victim, , this object of my hate. Feed upon this hateful soul Drain him and weaken him for 7 days and nights Then return to me, and share with me the power you have taken Sith! Vampire! Dragon! Go forth and feast!" Draining And Banishing The Servitor: Upon the return of the servitor (at precisely a week from the time it left, should everything go correctly) it should be ritually drained, dissipated, and re-absorbed into the caster, or alternatively to be drained and kept for later use. If used at other points, the servitor should be called upon and targeted by offering it some energy and the ashes of an object link in a similar way as above. Other Vampiric Servitors, A Magician’s Documentation - Arawyn conThanatos Ok, I created a servitor and a sigil to program it. The sigil contained the specified statement of intent with the task. Then I consecrated the servitor. I did it with the method I put on my homepage under sigil magick (now that I've some experience with that second method I discovered that it's just the creation of servitors without material basis). Along with creating the servitor in the image of the sigil I also specified it further, for example, when it is vampirise energy from the victim, how much and where to store it. The servitor itself is now housed in a wooden disk which is linked to the crystal, where it stores the energy. I also linked the demise of the target with the that of the servitor. Since this will still take some time (I tried to arrange it for some point at the end of the year) I can't tell you yet how successful it is as yet. Suffice to say that the crystal contains more energy every week (unless I use it for something else). A week ago, the doctor diagnosed some sort of wasting disease and no medications he’s tried so far seem to work. The crystal is shaped like a primitive chalice (natural formed that way). I don’t know exactly what sort of it is, but it's red (inside) and black (outside) which served my needs quite well. NOTES: *Injecting, and even drinking blood are activities which hold a high risk of transferring diseases, including HIV. Injecting large quantities of an incompatible bloody type can also be extremely dangerous. Also, in certain countries (including the UK) these activities are illegal. This article is not intended to encourage any illegal or dangerous activities. **The names have been removed to protect the guilty :-) (Author Unknow) VampyrCraeft (It's is exactly what the name implies) VampyrCraeft is exactly what the name implies. It can best be explained as psychic or sanguine vampyres who are Wiccans/Witches or Neo-Pagan Practitioners of Magick. Vampyres rely on their natural abilities of energy manipulations and clairvoyance to aid in their magickal workings. It is important to understand that Vampyric Wiccans and Neo-Pagans do practice with moral and ethical responsibilities. Vampyric practitioners uphold the Wiccan/Pagan Rede of "An' it harm none, do what ye wilt", just as any Witch would. Therefore, it is obvious that as many vampyres as witches can equally abuse the craft - as intent is the most important aspect of all forms of magick. Unlike non-vampiric practitioners, Vampyres tend to be able to access their natural abilities and instantly shield or banish any unwanted energies. Therefore, purification of the sacred space for rituals is not a lengthy process or focus - Vampyres tend to simply ignore or dismiss any metaphysical properties by their own will. There is less spellwork involved in VampyrCraeft. Instead, Vampyres can visualize their goals, gather energy from outside sources, and focus and project their own energies faster than it took me to compose this sentance. The Sanguinarium defines Vampyrcraeft or Vampyrecrafte as: "In general, this is the magick practiced by vampyres. Many vampyres are pagan and follow the old ways, and the ways of magick are an integral part of their beliefs. Most vampyres practice numerous techniques associated with energy manipulation. Vampyrcraeft refers to magickal techniques specifically designed by vampires to take advantage of their unique abilities. Vampyrcraeft often has a dark flavor to it, although in general it is more of a balance between dark and light techniques." Just as the Elysian Mysteries are dedicated to the balance of dark and light of the year, many Vampyre Practitioners of the Craft feel the need to balance the dark and light aspects within themselves. The Vernal and Autumn Equinoxes greatly affect many vampyre's psychic and physical health, which are the days of equal light and dark in nature. Likewise, there is a certain amount of focus that many vampyres need to devote to balance the light and dark aspects of their abilities, personalities, and general health. Vampiric Orders In the Vampyric Community, there are many vampyres who practice a mystical or magio-religious form of spirituality based on their vampyric status in life. Various forms of Vampyre Magick include but are not limited to Sangomancy, VampyreCrafte, and the techniques of the Kheprian System. Epiphany Wycca is a semi-feminist tradition of Dark Wycca and/or Gothique observed by the members of House Scarlet Moon. This tradition upholds the Wiccan Rede and celebrates Nocturnal Sabbats and Esbats. Dark Wycca has come about due to the gothic movement and practitioners need to the balance of dark and light. Epiphany Wycca focuses on a Dark Goddess path. Practitioners tend to work with the Maiden Goddess Persephone, the Mother Goddess Lilith, Kali, and the Morrigan, and the Crone Goddess Hecate. Each member tends to find comfort with a different Vampyric Male Gods or DemiGods such as Set, Draco, Draconis, Cain, or more personal vampyric spirit guides. We also incorporate sigil work from the Goetia, Necronomicon, and the Ceremonial structure of Temple of the Vampire. Vampyric Gods and Goddesses Vampyres who correspond their with the Divine often tend to associate with Gods and/or Goddesses that posses a reknown vampiric quality. While many practicing Vampyres continue to acknowledge Pagan Deities the same as non-vamps, they may feel an attraction to Gods and Goddesses connected with the Underworld. Lilith. Lilith, also known as Lilitu, is the Dark Mother Goddess for many VampyreCrafte practitioners. She is considered the original vampire and a siren of ultimate beauty and seduction. The term succubus is often associated with Lilith. If she is not considered a Goddess, then she is definitely the spiritual forebearer for many vampyres. Lilith and her heirs were believed by the Israelites to feed upon infants and young men, drinking their life and their blood. Lilith was probably borrowed by the Israelites from Babylonian lore, where she appears as a wild woman who haunts waste places. She is traditionally depicted naked, with long flowing hair, wings and the talons of a bird of prey in place of feet. As the Lady of Beasts, she is often accompanied by wild animals, usually lions or owls. While many view Cain as the Vampyric God to Lilith as the Vampyric Goddess, many consider the male counter-part of Lilith to be the vampiric man-bird Gelal, noted in the ancient Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh. However, today the modern philosophy of the Lilith Tradition is a positive one; vampyre or not, many practitioners choose to acknowledge Lilith as a strong female figure and worship Her as a patron Goddess no longer affiliated with the death of children and the source of destruction as the Judeo-Christian myths portrayed. Many of the Lilians drink blood and also incorporate blood into their ritual. Greek God/dess Bloodlust. Many gods and goddesses in Greek stories had to supply spirits with the blood of humans and animals in order for these mysterious spirits to help them. Hera, the queen of the gods, took vengence upon a lover of Zeus by turning her into a creature of the night that devours her children or sucks their blood. Hecate.Hecate is a Pagan Goddess associated with the Underworld. She is a Triple Goddess and possesses all 3 aspects of the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone. She is associated with Vampyres due to her blood consumption. However, Hecate is most noted as the Dark Wise Crone who left the Underworld at night and haunted the crossroads with bloodthirst. Statues of her were set-up at crossroads; libations and offerings were made there to appease her appetite in order to limit her human consumption of blood. The Empusai were believed to be daughters of Hecate, who came out of Underworld at night with equal bloodlust. According to folklore, the daughters were known shape-shifters whose natural form was said to have one leg of a mule and one leg that was bronze. They took the form of beautiful women to seduce the men. Their reputation included preying upon shepherds in their fields at night and men who traveled at night. The daughter Goddess Empusa is the most reknown vampiric daughter of Hecate Cain. To many, Cain is considered the Father of Vampyres and holds a Demi-God status. The lore of Cain is based on the fact that Caine was the first murderer and that when God sent him out to wander in the world, He cursed Cain with immortality. Some Lilithian traditions link Cain with Lilith due to both being thrown out of the Garden of Eden. Cain has without a doubt been a dark individual in the tale of slaying his brother Abel in the Garden of Eden; however, it is unclear if he was ever clearly depicted as vampiric before then. Most Cainites drink blood, although they also supplement this with life-energy. Kali.KALI is a Hindu deity known as the Goddess of Death or the Dark Mother. She is described as a black voluptuous woman with bloodthirsty eyes, which human blood drips from her long tongue - thus the very strong connection for modern vampyric practitioners of all forms of magick. Human skulls hang on strings around her body, snakes writhe around her neck and in each of her 10 hands, there are weapons. Since Kali is the Goddess of Death, she had to destroy everything, including her husband, since no visible thing is eternal. Kali - Ma.Kali-Ma is distinct from Kali, as She is the ancient Hindu Goddess of change and transformation. Kali-Ma is the energy of destruction that brings forth the new life through death. By facing the energy of change, our lives are transformed. Set. Many practitioners in the vampyre community link vampirism back to the Egyptian God Set. Egyptologists have recently suggested that Set is just a deification of an Egyptian high priest from very early times, and that the rivalry between Set and Osiris represents a rivalry between competing temples. In the Setians' view, Set was a high priest of a temple who developed a ritual of death and rebirth that allowed the soul to achieve immortality. The Setians believe that the rites described in the Egyptian Book of the Dead are only improperly recollected versions of this ritual. Set chose 72 associates to undergo this ritual with him and to travel eternity as undying spirits which were eternally renewed. The vampiric condition was a side effect of this ritual. The Setians believe then that vampirism is a spiritual condition, and it represents immortality as the soul is immortal and capable of reincarnation. Through pastlife regressions one can recall itself. Setians feed prim arily upon life energy and generally abstain from the physical drinking of blood. Sangomancy Sangomancy is defined in the Scrolls of Elorath as "a path of mixing blood and chaos magick where each initiate takes the best from other paths and combines them into his or her own interpretation." Many adept Sangomancy practitioners find personal communion with the Dark Deities such as Kali, Siva, Oshun, Set, Nepthys, Hadit, Nuit, Babalon, Loki, Cernunnos, and Discordia. It is important to understand that these Deities are not "evil" and should never be invoked with any type of malice intended. Many Deities who are connected with the Underworld in Mythology are prone to "mark or scar" the practitioner for any misappropriations of harmful magick done in the God or Goddess' name. Children of the Angels The Nephilim.This definition is taken from Lexicon of the Sanguinarium. The Nephilim is a widespread belief within the vampiric community which asserts that vampyres are the descendants of the Nephilim. The Nephilim are demi-human beings who were sired by angels, as related in Enoch I, a book that was dropped from the Bible in the early stages of its canonization. Some Nephilists believe that the vampyric condition is genetically traceable to these otherworldly fathers. Others are content to suggest that the Nephilim simply represent a higher kind of being which came down and intermingled with humanity. As far as the beliefs of the second order of Nephilists are concerned, vampyres experience their condition because they are more spiritual than most beings, with a higher "vibration" or "frequency" to their spirit which somehow burns their bodies out quicker and makes it necessary to feed. Some Nephilists feed upon blood, while many others feed primarily upon life-energy. Most seem to incorporate blood into their magick and ritual. Vampiric Spirits Vetala. A Vetala is a type of vampire, the angry spirit of a dead person whose funerary rites were not conducted. Trapped between life and after-life, the vetala manifest their hostility by disturbing mortals, driving them hysterical, killing them, or killing unborn children. Vetalas may also live inside of the corpses of humans. They may also inhabit the carcasses of animals, re-animating them as though they were alive again. The Practice of Psycho-Magickal Vampirism What is psychic vampirism? Basically, draining and/or absorbing energy or vitality from people, often, although not always against their will or at least without their knowledge. Technically, what I'm describing here should more correctly be referred to as "magickal vampirism" at least in order to avoid confusion. What is a psychic vampire? In the words of Anton LaVey, "psychic vampires are individuals who drain others of vital energy". Psychic vampires can loosely be divided into two groups; concious psychic vampires and unconcious psychic vampires. Unconcious psychic vampires are, according to some, fairly common. A typical variety of unconcious psychic vampire (and they are often unaware of their vampiric actions) have been described as individuals who typically make others feel obliged to them for no reason other than possibly guilt, who leave one feeling emotionally drained almost by their very presence, and who, while specifically making no demands upon you, will having running about at their beck and call without offering anything in return. Other unconcious psychic vampires, who are possibly more accurately termed than the above, are those who, unknown to themselves, instincivly drain energy from those around them. The symptom of emotional (and sometimes physical) exhaustion after being in their presence for a while is typical. Unconcious psychic vampires often, instead of making use of the energy they take, disperse it uselessly into their surrounding environment. Concious psychic vampires are those who deliberate take energy from others, either by magickal means (for example, servitors), or by some instinctive ability, via the astral plane, or by direct energy draining, often from the victim's aura. This energy draining is the area I will cover in greatest detail in this essay. Another entity occasionally termed a psychic vampire is an incorporeal being which, while distinct from related entities such as succubi, draws energy in a similar way to their human counterparts. These frequently seem to be rogue thought-forms created from the subconcious of a disturbed individual (who may be able to communicate with them). What precisely is this energy you're talking about? The way I experience what I take and manipulate seems to be almost electrical. All animals give off electricity, and some, such as sharks, their relatives the rays, some reptiles, and others take advantage of this in their methods of feeding and mating. I'm pretty sure that's what I see and feel (and it is tangible - a lot of people can learn to feel it with only a couple of minutes of experimentation) around people (and animals), and that is what I seem to take. I'm not sure how this electricity (which I'm assuming it to be for the sake of the argument) is converted to a form which would benefit me (perhaps it's existing form is beneficial?). Interestingly, it seems to change depending on the emotional state of the victim. It's possible that what I'm taking isn't this at all, but that this is only a medium for something else. What results does psychic vampirism achieve? It increases magickal power and sensitivity, makes one feel more energetic, and adds to vitality. Some are of the opinion that it offers immortality. Used over a prolonged period of time, it can kill it's victim. How is psychic vampirism performed? Psychic vampirism is largely performed through visualisation and a great deal of practice. One way to do it is to target a person and just visualise energy inside and around them. This is basically training your self to see auras, energy fields and the like. People who can already see and manipulate auras will have a distinct advantage here, but seeing the things seems to be more a matter or practice than anything else. It's easier to see energy fields than coloured auras, and, oddly enough, it's easier to feel the charge of one than anything else. Upon visualising (or seeing) the energy of your victim, try to pull the it out of them. Feel it coming from them and gathering inside yourself. See stream from their body/aura into your own. Feel the build up of energy revitalizing you, making you vibrate with what feels like an electric charge, and draw it all into yourself, feeling it invigorating you. That's more or less it. Additional refinements are made by each individual within their own practice, so don't hesitate to experiment. Some find it easier if they touch a person, bite them, drink their blood, or whatever. It takes some people a lot of practice, while others master it instantly - it's a matter of developing a knack for it. Potential difficulties It's worth noting that you have to be careful not to absorb all the negative psychic crap people tend to give off. I've made the mistake a couple of times of just opening myself to all the energy in an area crowded with people who are likely as not under stress, and have suffered results from nausea, headaches and disorientation, to extreme emotional states such as panic or lonelyness. Some people get round this by only feeding when the victim is in a suitable emotional state, only feeding from specific types of people, only feeding from one person at a time in a secluded place, by setting up servitors or shields to filter out undesirable energy, or by doing this manually. I've found that extreme negative reactions only become uncontrollable if the vampire is exhausted, emotionally or physically. Does it become addictive to the vampire? It has been known to in some cases, particularly in those of unconcious psychic vampirism. In terms of intentional vampirism for magickal purposes, blood addiction is more usual, although that can be replaced by psychic vampirism under certain circumstances. In the case of psychic vampirism becoming addictive, it does not usually pose a problem, as sources pf energy are readily available to most. An interesting note on the subject of addiction is that in a relationship between individuals who practice magickal vampirism, and the exchange between the people involved on occasion has been known to replace any additional craving craving almost entirely in many cases. However, in relationships of this sort, separation even for a few days can be painful and draining for everyone involved, as this practice creates an intense magickal link. For this reason it is advisable to be very careful who you form this bond with. Can it become addictive for the victim? I'm working on it. It's very easy to get someone to come back for more if you come across as the fulfilment of thier fetishes and obsessions, especially if you give them a bit of pleasure while feeding, but I'm currently testing a technique of psychic vampirism that is addictive to the victim. Watch this space. What role do the emotions of the victim play in this? Extreme emotional states of any sort tend to make feeding easier, and energy more obvious however, in my opinion, the most suitable is lust. Some people find the energy they are feeding on to be unpleasant if the victim is in a certain emotional state (for example, extreme depression). Others don't notice any difference. It's another aspect which appears to largely be a matter of taste. Additional Notes and Examples Performing the following is easier if you are actually biting or drinking the blood of your victim or donor although it is possible when not in contact with that individual. This has also been successfully performed by one person injecting the blood of another (the blood was visualised as containing glowing red energy). Concentrate on absorbing energy from your victim. Visualise this energy pouring into you from the person as an electric stream. There is often a special rush if energy is taken by force or when the victim is in a strong emotional state, fear and lust being notable. From all reports and my own experiences of drinking blood, two people who are close will both gain from exchanging blood or energy. I find that if such an exchange of energy is going on between two people it is preferable that they are both in a sexual frenzy. In the case of two people exchanging energy, the two people will both gain from exchanging this energy. It seems that exchanging energy generally results in both parties feeling stronger, magickally, physically, and emotionally. However the feeding is performed, you should feel greatly invigorated physically and psychologically. Feeding can cause an amphetamine like rush. Notes on Safety and Legality * Drinking blood can result in the transmission of various blood diseases, including HIV. Do not undertake blood drinking if you have mouth ulcers or similar wounds or sores, or is you suspect that the blood in question may be contaminated or diseased. Also note that in even moderate quantities, blood is an emetic substance. ** Injecting large quantities of blood of an incompatible type is highly dangerous. Don't inject mroe than a couple of hundred milliliters AT MOST. Also, take note of safe venal injection practices. Even a small air bubble can kill. The contents of the above document are for informational and entertainment purposes only, and the authors do not encourage performing any potentially dangerous acts that may be mentioned in it, particularly any which are illegal in the readers locality. We take no responsibility for any unfortunate results of practicing anything described in this document. (Author Unknown) The Art of Vampirism by Lord Egan [The author grants permission for individuals to post this Work on their websites, so long as nothing is altered.] Psychic vampirism is a form of natural selection, for it pits the will of one individual against another, testing psychological strengths and weaknesses. To the victor go the spoils and the reward is the vitality or life force of the one defeated. Before long, you may begin to experience increased energy, improved health, a sense of immortality or become prey to one more focused, balanced. We cannot insure your safety and it is not our purpose to debate the morality or ethics of such a treacherous game. One who boasts of vast power and superior strength is often a good target, because more often than not they are compensating for a weak ego. Another good choice is the person who uses guilt to manipulate others or feigns mental illness to justify vile behavior. Lord Egan's favorite prey are halfwits who screech about moral culpability and political correctness - these amateur vampires cowardly invoke religious taboos to fatigue others through unwarranted guilt and fear. If perchance you should expose one of these fools, they will quickly attempt to incite you into a long-winded, drawn out, pointless debate in an attempt to usurp your vitality via tediousness! Of course, these techniques have long been used by Christians and are now being employed by dabblers too timid to boldly release their vampiric essence. "Dracula" (pronounced drak-ool-ahh) is a Romanian expression which can be broken down; "dracul" means "the dragon" or devil, "a" added to the word means "the offspring of." Therefore, Dracula is the son of the devil. Caine, the first vampire, was said to be Dracul, the devil himself! This ritual employs the crimson effect insofar as we'd like you to imagine yourself as the daemon Caine. IMPORTANT: Do not anticipate results! You must have complete and absolute faith in the power of your psyche! Remain cool and confident and avoid obsession! Perform the ritual PASSIONATELY and with total singularity of purpose! Upon completion, blow out the candles and relinquish all thoughts pertaining to the ritual--that is, of course, until the next time. Above all, do not tell anything to anyone. Your victim must be kept totally ignorant about your nocturnal proceedings. Preparations The altar, positioned against the west wall, should be draped with a black cloth. Above and behind the altar, at eye level, hangs a black inverted cross. If you are using a photo, affix it to the wall, just beneath the crucifix. Upon the altar you must have the following items: two black candles with holders (additional lighting may be provided by black candles throughout the chamber), a ceremonial dagger, a human skull (or reasonable facsimile), a bell (the loud, clanging variety), and a chalice. Music Egan's favorite is Night On Bald Mountain by Mussorgski. A fabulous vampiress we know loves the theme from Miami Vice. Whatever you choose, remember that setting--the correct "tone" is extremely important. Do experiment. Elixir In this working the chalice must be filled with some red liquid which the celebrant enjoys. It matters not what it is. What is important is that it represents the blood of the sacrifice. The Black Flame As mentioned in Dante's Inferno, it must be placed in the center of the altar. A sterno can provides the bluish-black flame. Dress Black, of course! An amulet bearing the inverted pentagram must be worn. Rite Ring bell in following sequence--six times in the direction of the south, six times toward the east, and six times toward the north. Lift dagger and point it at crucifix--recite the invocation. Invocation "In nomine dei nostri Satanas Luciferi Excelsi! In the name of the Master Satan, His Excellency Lucifer, I command the forces of Darkness and the Infernal Power within!" (Trace the cross with the dagger--top to bottom, then right to left.) (Light the Black Flame--continue with invocation.) "The Black Flame is kindled, and the Gates of Hell swing wide open, revealing the dreaded daemon Caine who comes forth to work His Will upon creation! Beware foolish mortals, for it is my double which now comes and appears before ye! Behold! I am the god of yesterday, today, and tomorrow - the Guardian of Time and Eternity! Sovereign! Unique! Undefiled in Wisdom! Unmatched in Strength! I call upon the elements to serve me and the forces of creation to manifest my desires!!! Arise!!! Enter into this working by the words of which follow:" (Again, point the dagger at the crucifix--recite the Invocation of the Elements:) Invocation of the Elements "Caine! Dracul! I seize upon and manifest the power of the vampyre. Come forth Caine, that I may use your form to execute my Exalted Daemonic Will! Color my imagination with stirring legend and folklore! Cloak me in layers of invisibility and secrecy. Bestow upon me stalk and flight - the form of wolf and bat! Enable me with sharp fang that I may pierce deep, sucking hard and rich, fresh warm blood of my chosen sacrifice!" (Raise chalice towards crucifix as an Offering, dipping the index finger of your right hand into the liquid. As you speak your victim's name (below), run that finger over the rim of the chalice in a counter-clockwise direction.) "I partake of this chalice, the Vessel of Life, and gorge myself on the essence of him/her whose name is as this sound, (victim's name)." (Drink from chalice - drain it completely!) (You are now ready to summon forth the Four Crown Princes of Hell! As you pronounce each Name, trace the sign of the inverted pentagram in the air directly in front of you at full arms reach, using the ceremonial dagger. The Summoning "Come forth O' Mighty Prince! Accompany me! Make your presence known to me!" (face the south) "Satan!!" (face the east) "Lucifer!!" (face the north) "Belial!!" (face the altar) "Leviathan!!" The Grand Conjuration "Behold the spirit of Caine, leaving a black shadow over the earth. "Beware!! Beware!!" scream the ravens of the night!! By foot, by paw, by wing and claw, I hunt for quarry!! Through the angles of the curved dimensions I travel, flying out across the hot winds of Hell!! Concealed beneath my flowing cape, a crystal reveals where you hide!! I seek you (victim's name), I find you (v.n.), I track you down (v.n.)!! Behold my fangs as I dive for your throat!! Feel my sharp, pointed teeth as they pierce your tender flesh!! Huge leathery bat wings enfold you and surround you, making a prison from which there is no escape!! Hungry jowls tear into you, sucking deep!! Greedily gorging myself, I consume frantically all that there is!! Fresh life force now courses through MY veins!!" (The ritual now builds to a climax as you directly confront your victim - extend arms, fingers outstretched as if "reaching out" to his/her image. With the effort of your Supreme Will, repeat the following COMMAND several times until exhaustion ensues:) "I DRAIN YOUR DAYS!!! I DRAIN YOUR NIGHTS!!!" (continue) "With ever increasing power, the form of the Vampyre Caine does manifest itself!! Look upon me (v.n.). Set your eyes upon my hypnotic stare; you feel pulled - drawn towards my evil glare!! My gaze is as deep as a bottomless well ; you find yourself tumbling, falling - you fell!! All awareness is of me. You have forgotten who you are; you have no identity!! You are but a vassal, a vessel, a shell ; obey my commands - you are under my spell!! I drain you. I drain you again and again ; again & again & again & again. There is no end, 'til the last drop I've tasted. Your soul is now mine, (v.n.), you are wasted!! The Vampyre is, the Vampyre was, the Vampyre shall be; my essence will live through eternity, forever to speak the word which comforts those who dwell in the shadows. Abrahadabra! Abrahadabra! Abrahadabra! By the powers of darkness and shadow and light, I return to the world of the flesh and the living, ready to strike another night!! (Replace lid on sterno, covering the Black Flame.) (Ring bell in opposite direction to Opening - clockwise.) "SO IT IS DONE!!! (Blow out candles.) (END OF RITE) Vampire Ritual The Ritual Chamber. The Calling of the Undead Gods must be held where it will not be defiled by the eyes of the profane human. This is not merely to protect the Living Vampire who has not achieved immortality, but because the Undead will not be drawn in the presence of Those Who Would Rise while there are present those who are covered with the stench of mortality. Therefore, close the door and lock it. Seal the place of your Working from the casual and merely inquisitive. Let no one who is not an active member of the Temple be present nor participate in this most sacred of all acts of magic! Wrap the chamber in darkness. If the chamber is located in a natural setting at night, this is enough. Within a structure, natural or artificial, reduce all lighting to the minimum of just one or two candle flames. Less light is better and to work in absolute darkness is best. The Undead find the darkness comforting and appealing for many reasons. One superior source of light is to utilise the flame from a single container or canned heat such as sterno. If more light is required for the reading of notes during a group ritual, the use of a low wattage red light commonly used by photographic supply companies can serve without damaging the atmosphere. Symbols of Magical Ritual Your dress should merge with the theme of darkness and sacrifice. Come to the Undead as true witches and Warlocks. Many will shroud themselves in black capes and robes while others will shroud their bodies in only the darkness of the night itself! In any case do not dress to distract your mind from the task at hand but to enhance its purpose. Jewellery is as much an option of clothing but if you are not of the priesthood wear no iron, for the qualities of iron can offend the Undead Gods. The wearing of the Winged Skull of UR as ring of medallion pleases the Undead and enhances the power of the ritual. An altar is any flat surface to rest the few implements of ceremonial magic upon and represents the firm foundation of the earth upon which we move and live. When possible, place the altar to the west. Above the altar, position a mirror at eye level or higher. The mirror acts as a visual point of concentration, often acting as a gateway to the astral. The wand can be any wooden rod or staff. The purpose of the wand is to help focus the will of the celebrant. Candles offer light when needed and are black to symbolise the powers of darkness or red to symbolise the blood of the lifeforce. Incense also rests upon the altar. Frankincense and other scents traditional to funerals and death are appropriate. The chalice represents the human body and the liquid within symbolises the lifeforce of the body. The black-hilt knife (athame) or sword is held only by the priesthood and acts as a symbol of the taking of lifeforce (as a weapon) and as a reminder to the priesthood of an Inner Tem ple Mystery. Drums, rattles, bells and gongs can be used especially well in a group ceremony. With modern stereo equipment the celebrant need not wait for the auditory power of a thunderstorm. Care must be taken that the words of the celebrant not be overpowered by other sounds, however. Group Magical Ceremony. The Calling of the Undead always possesses more power in a group due to the increase of available life energy for the sacrifice. In any such group ritual it is necessary that only one celebrant leads through the Seven Steps of Ritual while the others support the celebrant as a proper congregation. The Seven Steps of Ritual. 1. Entering the Chamber. 2. The Declaration of Self. 3. The Calling to the Four Winds. 4. The Sacrifice. 5. Vampiric Communion. 6. Restoration of Power. 7. Leaving the Chamber. 1. Entering the Chamber. The place of magical ritual may be indoors or outdoors but must be secure from interference from the profane. Lock the doors or post guards. Disconnect telephones. Close shades, curtains, etc. Have all ceremonial tools prepared and positioned ahead of time. Entering the place of magic enables you to separate yourself from the profane world of everyday life. The physical act of going into the chamber enhances the mental and emotional decision to enter into Vampiric Communion. It is best to be able to use the magical chamber for this purpose alone, as this further sanctifies the room but it is better to have communion than not in every case. Again, you do not merely enter a physical chamber but enter a chamber free of disbeliefs. Here you choose to fully believe in and accept the realities of magic and the Undead Gods you shall summon. Here you leave behind your doubting scepticism and open yourself fully to the celebration of that which you are: a Living Vampire, Master of the Worlds both Seen and Unseen, Magician Supreme and Dedicated Worshipper and Servant to Those Who Have Risen! 2. The Declaration of Self. Facing west toward the mirror (the dominant focus of the direction of the ritual should be toward the west, if possible) the celebrant of the ceremony briskly claps hand twice in rapid succession. This is a sign that all attention be directed fully upon the ritual. Then the celebrant declares his status as a Living Vampire and the purpose of the ceremony in his own words. One example: "Hear me Now! I am a Vampire, a predator of humans! I have entered herein to Call the Gods of the Undead into this sacred place. I have gathered lifeforce from humans. I am filled to overflowing! I offer up this life essence to the Vampire Gods, Those Who Have Risen. I am here to feed and be drained! I am here to die and be reborn. I am here to rise from death into life! I am here to strengthen my bond with the true gods of this world! I am a Vampire!" 3. The Calling to the Four Winds. The celebrant of the ceremony faces each of the four pints of the compass in the following order: south, east, north and west. At each direction, the celebrant raises a wand or staff or other wooden implement toward that horizon and, in his own words, calls the Undead Gods to come forth to join in this ceremony. The Calling must be honest, direct and filled with emotional power. Here is just one example: Face the south – "Oh Great Undead Gods! Oh most powerful and Ancient Vampires! Oh true Masters of this earth! Join me here! Be with me in this place! I Call you now!" Face the east – "I call to you, the only true gods, and offer up to you my life essence! Come! Feed upon me! I call You now!" Face the north – "I seek Your Company! I seek Your Wisdom! I seek Your Power! Enter freely into this place for You are most welcome! I Call You now!" Face the west - "Set aside your doubts for I am sincere! I offer up to You my life! Take! Eat! Drink of me! For I am Yours to use as You will. I Call You now!" 4. The Sacrifice Here the celebrant directs the accumulated lifeforce to the Undead Who are present. If the celebrant has not developed sufficient astral awareness to directly sense the Presence of Those Who Have Answered the Calling, he should direct the force through the mirror. The mirror acts here as a Gateway to the other world. In a group ceremony, the other participants should direct their lifeforce sacrifice to the celebrant, focusing upon the midsection near the solar plexus. In such a group ritual, the celebrant then acts as a lens to further focus and project the stream of life to the Undead Who may first visually manifest as images in the mirror. The lifeforce is exhaled through the mouth with a long, slow and controlled hissing sound. The Living Vampire literally pumps the lifeforce out of his body in a continuous stream of power by repeating this sequence of (1) inhaling deeply through the nostrils and then (2) exhaling slowly and completely through the mouth. The effort to expel energy must continue with no thought of personal survival. Exhaustion is to be expected. The effort needs to continue until there is good evidence that the Undead are accepting the sacrifice. The more one can give and the more one empties self of the lifeforce, the more return flow of transformation and aid can be received. Remember that nothing is free and the Undead must be moved before you offering before They may choose to assist in True Initiation. The members of the Priesthood of the Temple are initiated into a Higher Sacrifice which has the outward form of less effort but requires an inner discipline of a Higher Order. Such is revealed at the right time to those found worthy through their dedication and personal sacrifice to the Temple. Some of the Signs that indicate the Presence of the Undead include: 1. The feeling of moving air, as in a cool breeze (The Coming of the Winds). 2. Tingling sensations in the fingertips and face in particular. 3. Unusual pulling sensations at the solar plexus. 4. Sudden upsurge of mixed emotions of joy, love, worship, fear, etc. 5. Feeling of cobweb strands being laid over face or hands. 6. Ringing in ears. 7. Visual sense of the room filling with misty vapour. 8. Sensations of being touched or stroked. 9. Hearing one's name spoken aloud. 10. Classic poltergeist effects (levitation of yourself or objects in the chamber). 11. Visually sighting the Undead present first in the mirror, then in the chamber. 12. Dreams of flying, falling or travelling through tunnels after the ritual. 13. Astral projection following ritual into the Presence of the Undead. 5. Vampiric Communion. As the Undead accept the "Blood" of sacrifice, and exhaustion nears or arrives, there comes a subtle shift. The Vampire Gods present having taken Their fill, judge the participant(s) as to their worthiness for transformation and Higher Initiation. Even to simply be in the Presence of the Elder Gods, however, does accelerate personal evolution. To those found worthy in their efforts, the Gods may choose to release the rarefied higher energy of Their Own Essence in a return flow. If this happens (as will almost always occur in the presence of an Inner Temple member of the priesthood) then the participant(s) will discover a renewal of energy and vitality. This Rain of Mercy may be weak or strong and may take place at any time during the ceremony. 6. The Restoration of Power. As Communion ends, the celebrant drinks from the chalice and declares again his chosen status as a dedication. Here is an example: Raise the chalice before the mirror. "This is the blood of my victims past, present, and yet to be. I drink the life essence of those who exist only to serve my will. I drink this in remembrance of that which I am, Vampire, the predator of humans." Drink from the chalice. Lower chalice to altar. Face the mirror and clap again twice, briskly. 7. Leaving the Chamber. If a member of the priesthood is present, the sword of knife is drawn and directed to each of the four pints of the compass in memory of the Most Ancient Pact and as a Mystery of the Priesthood, the Words and Names are Spoken. Then the celebrant extinguishes all remaining fire and proclaims the Closure with words such as: "So it is done." Without another word, leave the chamber and go into a place of brighter lights. Eat and drink to restore a more normal sense of life. If in a group, celebrate and make merry. The ritual is at an end. Achieving the Vampiric Condition Achieving the Vampiric Condition requires attracting and obtaining Communion with the Undead, those Vampires who no longer walk in flesh but are astrally free. These Undead Gods have shed the limitations of the physical body and can communicate with and appear to those who still have living physical bodies. The achievement of becoming a Living Vampire or, even higher, of entering the ranks of the Undead Gods upon the death of the physical body, relies upon this Communion with the Undead. It is Their intentions and Their desires which must be accepted and appeased. Enter now into the suspension of disbelief. Enter the world of fantasy without prejudice. For true magic requires release from the limiting beliefs of what is real and unreal, possible and impossible. For the key to magic and the achievement of magical power comes from loosening the grip of the closed mind and embracing the reality of other worlds. Here you now open the Gates of Power and summon the Undead Gods through the ritual of The Calling. The Sacrifice. In true magical ritual the Undead are summoned to be present with the Living Vampire for the purpose of Communion. To entice the Undead by means of offering lifeforce energy is the key to successful magical ritual. Further, only the Living Vampire's personal store of lifeforce will serve this purpose. Do not believe that sacrificing the life of any other being will serve any purpose in ritual magic! Further, the destruction of a physical life does not serve any purpose whatsoever and is wasteful of the lifeforce. Such waste it abhorred by the Elder Gods and can, in fact, incur Their wrath. Never murder humans. Never waste food. Never incur the wrath of the Undead. At the same time, the successful Living Vampire will offer his own gatherings of lifeforce as a gift and an enticement to draw the attention and thirst of the Undead. In the presence of these true Gods, the Living Vampire is himself gradually transformed or even taken, body and soul, with the Gods into Their abode. Although it is relatively rare for such immediate translation to the full Vampiric Condition to occur, it is not unknown. Again, the Undead Gods do as They will! Thus, the fullest preparation for magical ritual is to gather lifeforce from humans through personal effort in order to have a worthy sacrifice to offer the Undead Gods. This site is sponsored by Graveyard Publishing © 2008-2012 All Rights Reserved ------------ To view this discussion, go to: http://pathsofpaganunderworld.com/group/vampyretemple/forum/topic/show?id=3359215%3ATopic%3A439666&xg_source=msg
Bliden started the discussion "Vampire Spirituality" in the group Vampyre Temple on Pagan UnderWorld ------------ Vampyre Spirituality Psychic vampires were first mentioned in the Flying Rolls (instructional texts) of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Dion Fortune elaborated on this concept in her book Psychic Self Defence, which came out early in the twentieth century. In this book Fortune speaks of defence against astral vampirism: Astral entities that prey on the vital energy of their victims. Later in this book Fortune speaks of unintentional psychic vampires: People who unintentionally draw energy from people around them. Katherine Ramsland discussed this phenomenon in Piercing the Darkness (Harper Prism, 1998). A few books, such as Konstantinos’s Vampires: The Occult Truth, speak of intentional psychic vampires. Such people consciously take energy from those around them. These books were written about psychic vampires, not by them. It was only a matter of time before such psychic vampires came forward to do so. The most recent example of this is Michelle Belanger’s Psychic Vampire Codex. For t he purposes of this article, I’m going to use the Elorathian spelling, Vampyre, in reference to this spiritual path in order to differentiate it from the vampires of myth and literature. In reality, about half of this community retains the traditional spelling. Some individuals were recognized as vampiric as early as the nineteenth century. However, their vampirism was generally looked upon as an affliction. In the 1960s, the television series Dark Shadows portrayed the vampire Barnabas Collins in a sympathetic light. Such sympathetic portrayals of vampires in fiction and film opened the door for individuals to conceptualize the vampire as something other than hated and evil. The novels of Anne Rice furthered the idea of the vampire as a potentially sympathetic being. These influences caused individuals with vampiric qualities to begin exploring their natures and their spiritual implications. There was no Vampyre community at this early stage, but there were several movements that allowed for at least a minimal expression of one's vampiric traits.. One was the underground fetish scene, particularly in New York City: In this venue many individuals recognized the energetic exchange between dom and sub. Blood play was also accepted within this culture. This permitted both psychic and sanguine vampires an outlet for some of their needs. Another movement that allowed for expression of vampirism was the Gothic subculture. Goths viewed the vampire as a romantic figure. Many Vampyres were subsequently drawn to the Goth community, which allowed them to further explore the aesthetics and philosophies of Vampyre spirituality. Another venue, already mentioned, was the fantasy role playing game Vampire: the Masquerade, which itself was inspired by the novels of Anne Rice. This game provided a social venue where Vampyres could experiment with their identities without fear of ridicule. Although Vampyres understood the games to be make-believe, they nevertheless attracted individuals with an interest in vampires and the occult. This, in turn, allowed people with shared interests to connect and explore those common interests outside of the game. Many Vampyres were also drawn to the Neo-Pagan movement because it allowed them to acknowledge the spiritual side of their natures. Pagans and Vampyres share beliefs in magick, reincarnation, and the existence of energy. Belanger states that “In the eighties and nineties (and even the 70s), when vamps were participating in Pagan circles for some place to express their spirituality, they did so ‘in the coffin’ so to speak -- they didn't typically reveal their natures to the other members of the group, largely because the rift of misunderstanding often got us barred from circles. But over time, vampires participating in strictly Pagan systems felt that their dark side wasn't being acknowledged.” When Vampyres started creating their own spiritual groups they adapted many concepts from the Pagan groups they used to associate with. For example, Vampyres have borrowed the festival dates of the Wheel of the Year used by Wiccans. Vampyres interpret this cycle differently from Wiccans, however. Vampyres see things in terms of a cycle of two polar opposites which are nevertheless part of the same whole. For some Vampyres this is expressed as the concepts of Dayside and Nigthside (more on this below). For others, Darkside and Lightside have more to do with spirit and flesh, death and life. These four different communities each contributed to the Vampyre community which subsequently developed. Much of the interaction between Vampyre and donor holds lingering traces of the dom/sub relationship from BDSM. This is especially evident in the Elorathian treatment of Kitra (more on this below). Vampyres borrowed many of their aesthetics from the Gothic movement. Much of their fundamental understanding of magick and ritual is derived from their Neo-Pagan roots. The initial social structure as well as certain terms can be traced to the game Vampire: the Masquerade: This is likely because it was through such games that many Vampyres first got together and began socializing with one another openly. A Vampyre (also known as a Sanguinarian) is a person who lives a Vampyre lifestyle and has a what they describe as a vampyric condition. A vampyric condition requires them to replenish themselves by consuming the energy and/or blood of others in an ethical and/or consensual manner. Vampyres of the Elorathian traditions refer to this process as Communion. A person from who a Vampyre gets blood or life energy is referred to as a “Source.” This is true whether the donation of energy is voluntary or not. Someone who shares their blood or life energy with a Vampyre without obligation is known as a “Donor.” Most Donors are monogamous, offering themselves to only one Vampyre. Coming to a realization of one’s Vampyre nature is referred to as “Awakening.” Vampyres believe that Awakening typically occurs during or shortly after puberty, though it can occur later. Symptoms of Awakening include: Sensitivity to light (especially sunlight), affinity for darkness/night, switching sleeping patterns from nocturnal to diurnal, and thirst. Once awakened, Vampyres describe the following symptoms of their condition: -A real need to consume the blood or life energy of others -Heightened psychic abilities such as astral projection and powers of divination -Sensitivity to light.. This sensitivity does not prevent them from being in sunlight, though many report susceptibility to sunburn/sunstroke. -Tendency to a nocturnal sleep cycle -Increased healing abilities -Possibly lengthened lifespan. The process of embracing one’s Vampyrism is referred to as “Becoming.” Becoming is marked by a rite of passage: This can involve the exchange of blood or energy with a mentor or a ritual of death and rebirth. There are a number of key concepts relevant to all Vampyres. These include: -Spiritual immortality and rebirth: Vampyres believe in reincarnation and some of their rituals, such as the blood bond (see below) are intended to create links between incarnations. -Life-force: This is manifested as either prana or blood. -Energetic connection and exchange between individuals. -Affinity with night, darkness, and shadows. -Rapport with spirits: Influenced by their concept of spiritual immortality and individual divinity, this principally refers to the spirits of the dead. -Death as change. -Exceeding human limitations: The idea of becoming more than human. The Ankh, also known as the Crux Ansata, or AnX, is the ancient Egyptian symbol of sexual union and immortality. Ankh means “life” or “hand mirror”. Vampyres have adopted the Ankh as their symbol, due to its symbolism of life and eternity. Egyptian mythology and symbolism makes its way into many Vampyre practices. Inspiration is drawn from this ancient source due to its antiquity, its reverence of the dead and personal immortality, and its mythic connection with forgotten wisdom. Other symbols used by Vampyres include skulls, skeletons, or coffins: To Vampyres these symbolize the power or triumph over death. Vampyres have organized themselves into Covens, Households and Traditions and have developed complex languages, mythologies, philosophies and spiritual systems. The mythologies chosen by a particular group affect their philosophies and practice. Examples include the Strigoi Vii, Cainites, Khlysty, Lilitu, Nephilists, Order of the Dragon, Setians, Starseed Vampyres and Xanastasians. Vampyre covens or houses can be as large as several hundred people: The term “house” is more frequently used to describe Vampyre groups than the term “coven.” Smaller groups may be referred to as Covens, Circles or Clutches, larger groups may be referred to as Legacies, Households and Clans. There are no requirements for forming a Vampyre coven other than a group of people with common interest getting together and choosing a Sigil, a name and a theme. Becoming recognized by the greater community is more of a challenge, since it takes time to earn their respect. Some of the better known Vamp yre houses are: House Sabertooth, House Omallie, Mavenlore, Della Noir, Blackdove, House Kheperu and Trylesta. A person initiated into one or more Houses is referred to as a Kithal. The founder or leader of a large family or House of Vampyres is referred to as a Primus. A Household is a large group or collection of groups who use one Sigil to identify themselves. Households have their own established rules of order, rituals, and beliefs. Examples include House Sabretooth, House Agasti and House Kheperu. In House Sahajza, a population of Vampyres in a geographic area is referred to as a Grotto. The underground culture is referred to as the Cabal. A Vampyre council of Elders is referred to as a Jhatyet. The code of conduct and etiquette of the Sanguinarium is the Black Veil, which was originally created by Michelle Belanger in 1997. It was derived from the earlier Thirteen Rules of Community created by Father Sebastian Todd, founder of the Elorathian traditions. The Black Veil is recognized by all of the various traditions of the Vampyre community. It encourages respect between differing Vampyre traditions and encourages sensibility and discretion in their lifestyles. The latest version, updated by Belanger in 2002, has seven tenets: 1. “DISCRETION: Respect yourself and present yourself so that others also respect you. Take care in revealing yourself. Explain what you are, not to shock, but to teach and to inform. Do not flaunt what you are, and know that whether you want them to or not, your actions will reflect upon the rest of the community. Share your nature only with those with the wisdom to understand and accept it, and learn to recognize these people. 2. “DIVERSITY: Among us, there are many different practices and many points of view. No single one of us has all the answers to who and what we are.. Respect each person's individual choices and beliefs. Learn about them and share what you know. Our diversity is our strength, and we should not allow misunderstanding to weaken our community. Find the path that is right for you and uphold this freedom for others. 3. “CONTROL: Do not allow your darkness to consume you. You are more than just your hunger, and you can exercise conscious control. Do not be reckless. Always act with a mind toward safety. Never feed because you think this makes you powerful; feed because this is what you must do. Be true to your nature, but never use it as an excuse to endanger those around you. 4. “ELDERS: Give respect to those who have earned it. Anyone can claim a title, but a true leader will prove him or herself through dedication, hard work, and great deeds. Even so, leaders should be guides and not dictators.. Look to them as examples, but always decide for yourself what you must do.. Respect the person, not the position, and understand that your choices are always your own. 5. “BEHAVIOR: Know that there are repercussions to every action, and that you alone are responsible for your decisions. Educate yourself about risky behaviors, then always act with wisdom and common sense. Do not allow others to abuse you, but also, do not selfishly abuse. Respect the rights of others and treat them as you would be treated. 6. “DONORS: Feeding should occur between consenting adults. Allow donors to make an informed decision before they give of themselves to you. Do not take rapaciously from others, but seek to have an exchange that is pleasant and beneficial for all. Respect the life that you feed upon and do not abuse those who provide for you. “COMMUNITY: Reach out to others in your community. Exchange ideas, information, and support. Be hospitable to others, and appreciate hospitality when it is extended to you. Do not engage in illegal activity, for this can endanger us all. Seek to nurture our community and support all those who do the same.” Michelle Belanger founded the Khephrian Order. The Egyptian word Kheper means “transformation” or “becoming”, and gives us a hint as to the essence of what Khephrians believe. Khephrians believe that Vampirism is a condition of the spirit which manifests through successive incarnations. Their philosophy involves taking a potentially harmful and destructive tendency and transforming it into a mutually healing experience. The Black Veil refers to this concept as the Twilight Pillar, and originated with the Temple of the Vampire group.. It refers to mastery over or balance between the two aspects of one’s nature: One’s primal or magickal/spiritual nature, referred to by Vampyres as “Nightside”, and one’s civilized or mundane nature, called “Dayside.” Some Vampyres refer to their true nature as “the Dragon” within them. Others refer to it as “the Beast” or “the Shadow”. Kheprian beliefs can be summarized as follows: -Emanations of Divinity: Khephrians hold that the Universe is a result of Divinity seeking to explore itself. It emanates downward into manifestation and then re-ascends to reunite with the greater union. For Divinity to be known, each being must connect with their own Divine aspect in their own terms. -Realized Godhood: Khephrians believe that we are all aspects of Divinity. The Divine is our higher self. Uniting with our higher selves harnesses the sum of all we have been, bringing about realization of Godhood. -Reincarnation and Awakening: Khephrians believe that we reincarnate, our Higher Self enriching itself with each incarnation. An Awakened individual can tap into the shared knowledge and memories of previous incarnations. -Subtle Reality: Khephrians believe that through a process they call Awakening (see below) one can refine the subtle senses to perceive and interact with that beyond material reality, manipulating energy, communicating with spirits, and experiencing extra sensory perception. -Spiritual Hunger: Khephrians believe that all beings must nourish their subtle aspects. The Khephrian Order has established a list of virtues that they expect their followers to adhere to. These include: honesty, sincerity, balance, respect, discretion, patience, and courage. Khephrians do not tolerate illegal or criminal behaviour, underage sex, or the use of illegal drugs. Vampyres have borrowed elements from Neo-Pagans, examples being their adaptation of the Circle casting ritual used by Wiccans. Vampyre rituals vary in a number of key ways from other Neo-Pagans: -Vampyres tend to move energy counter-clockwise rather than clockwise as Wiccans do in Circle. -Vampyres do nocturnal rituals. Of course Wiccans do nocturnal Esbats, but celebrate many Sabbats in daylight hours. Vampyres perform their major seasonal celebrations at night or at dusk. -Vampyres seem to place less emphasis on the natural world than most Neo-Pagans and have more of a connection to what Belanger calls the “urban jungle.” -Most Vampyre rituals are performed not in the open air but in nightclubs, private homes, or “salon noirs.” The initial calendar of Vampyre festival dates was compiled by Michelle Belanger, drawn from her Khephrian tradition and from informal celebrations already in use in the community. The Strigoi Vii later modified this calendar, re-naming festivals such as like Akhemu Sekhu (Night of the Immortal Stars, see below) and inventing new celebrations such as the Crimson Festival and the Bast Festival. For the most part, Vampyres follow the Pagan Wheel of the Year recognized by Wiccans, altering it to make it more relevant to their perspectives. As I mentioned earlier, this may be due to the fact that many Vampyres have practiced other Neo-Pagan systems. “Most Pagan festivals are about light and life, nature and growth,” Belanger explains, “Vampires resonate with death, change, decay that renews fertility. These specifically seem to be two diametrically opposed forces, but [Vampyres] recognize them as two parts of a whole, two integral aspects of a complete cycle.” There are differences in the rituals celebrated by various Vampyre groups, but all of them celebrate some form of Beltaine. Though not all Vampyres celebrate the Endless Night festival, all celebrate some form of Samhain. Only a few Vampyre groups actively celebrate the other two cross-quarter dates: Imbolc and Lammas. The other two festivals that are common to all Vampyre traditions is the winter and summer solstices. The longest night and the longest day of the year are extremely significant to Vampyres. The winter solstice is seen as the peak of the Darkside of the year, the time when Vampyres feel more comfortable, more powerful, more “in their element.” The summer solstice is the exact opposite: Vampyres feel out of their element and long for shorter days to come. Very few traditions within the Vampyre community observe the equinoxes. House Kheperu acknowledges them as the true turning points from one side of the year to the next. Khephrian rituals for these two days involve passing the High Priest position between the Priest of the Lightside and the Priest of the Darkside. The Priest of the Lightside is one who resonates best with light, life, and the world of flesh, and accordingly, runs the rituals for the Lightside of the year. The Priest of the Darkside resonates with darkness, death, and the realm of spirit, and runs the rites for the Darkside of the year. The following dates make up the Vampyre calendar: Endless Night Festival (October 31): Khephrians refer to this night as Im Kheperu (the night of transformation). It represents the power and balance of the Twilight Pillar. Many Vampyres consider this day to be their New Years Day. Grand masquerade Quabals are often held to celebrate this day. This is a day that all Vampyres publically wear the faces that they normally reserve for private. It is a time for Vampyres to revel in their Nightside selves, acting and dressing according to their nature. Endless Night is also the name of the largest gathering of Vampyres in North America. It is held in either New York or New Orleans on the weekend closest to Halloween. This gathering was founded by the Sabretooth Coven of Sahjaza and Father Sebastian Todd. It is comprised of the Vampyre’s Ball, preceded by the Dark Bazaar. Long Night/Night of the Immortal Stars (December 21): This is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. On the Long Night, Vampyres gather with their “family,” honoring and celebrating those bonds. The Strigoi Vii call this the Night of the Immortal Stars and celebrate the Nightside on this date. It is considered to be the peak of the Dark Side of the year. Traditionally this is the night that new Vampyres are recognized or rites of passage are performed, such as raising someone from Calmae to Elder. Imbolc (2 February): For the Kheprians, Imbolc is a transition ritual, the last gate of the Darkside of the Year when the disembodied make their final contact before some of them begin the transition to be born once more in the flesh. On one hand, it's a rebirth ritual, on the other, Vampyres mourn the loss of the spirit they have grown accustomed to knowing. They honor them by speaking their names and offering gifts of energy. Crimson Festival (February 14): This is the night of St. Valentine’s Day. For the Ordo Stigoi Vii, Imbolc is replaced with the Crimson Festival. On this day Vampyres celebrate and remember their deepest passions, romance, and loves past and present. Partnerships and marriages are celebrated on this day. This is also considered a day to celebrate the seductive and glamorous aspects of “the Hunt.” Dragon Festival (April 30): This festival, the Vampyre equivalent of the Wiccan Beltaine, is celebrated by all Vampyre groups. This evening celebrates the transition from Nightside to Dayside.. It is about inner-self, responsibilities and life. It is also known as Im Sekhemu: Vampyres believe that their awareness and power reaches a peak in the days preceding Im Sekhemu, after which their power wanes until Im Kheperu. Im Sekhemu focuses more on lust and passion than fertility. The Sekhrian tradition, for example, lifts a rose above the ritual chamber, lowers the lights, and encourages members to express themselves through energetic and more physical exchanges to whatever extent each person is comfortable. Summer Solstice/Maiiah Festival (June 21): This is the summer solstice. Vampyres gather with their blood relations and dayside friends, honouring those connections.. Some groups use the Summer Solstice to honour donors as well, because it is through their help that Vampyres can endure the times when they feel weakened by our natures. The Summer Solstice is a time of reflection concerning the Dayside natures of the Strigoi Vii. Maiiah is the Strigoi Vii version of the Hindu concept of Maya (“illusion”), referring to the illusory nature of the world we perceive. It is a time to reflect on overcoming weaknesses.. Lammas/Bast Festival (August 1): Michelle Belanger wrote to tell me that “Lammas, standing at the opposite point in the year from Imbolc, is the last gate of the Lightside of the Year. As Imbolc is one final acknowledgement of the realm of spirit, this is one final acknowledgement of the realm of flesh. We Kheprians acknowledge those they knew in this life who have passed on. Like Imbolc, this is a double-edged ritual -- physical death allows one to take up a new existence as unburdened spirit, but the particular combination of spirit and flesh that was the living person we knew will never occur exactly the same way again. So both of these rites, at least in the Kheprian system, acknowledge the dance of life and death, body and spirit, and hold both joyous and mournful sentiments.” The Strigoi Vii replaced Lammas with the Bast Festival. Bast was a feline Goddess from Egyptian mythology. This festival celebrates the predatory aspects of Vampyres, and is considered the twin to the Strigoi Vii’s Crimson Festival. It is typically celebrated away from civilization: Deep within a forest or in a desert area around two bonfires. The celebrants separate themselves into two groups: One represents predators (hawks, cats, bears, eagles, lions, etc.) and the other prey (rabbits, birds, deer) and a simulated hunt is enacted. Two other days are significant to the Strigoi Vii: Both are birthdays. One is the person’s birthday, called their Dayside birth. The other is the anniversary of their re-birth or awakening as Strigoi Vii, called their Nightside birth. Author Unknown This site is sponsored by Graveyard Publishing © 2008-2012 All Rights Reserved This Material is for educational purposes only ------------ To view this discussion, go to: http://pathsofpaganunderworld.com/group/vampyretemple/forum/topic/show?id=3359215%3ATopic%3A439392&xg_source=msg
