"Laws of Vampirism - The Black Veil"

Bliden started the discussion "Laws of Vampirism - The Black Veil" in the group 
Vampyre Temple on Pagan UnderWorld

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Laws of Vampirism

1. DISCRETION
This lifestyle is private and sacred. Respect it as such. Use discretion in who 
you reveal yourself to, and make certain that your motives are to truly 
communicate about our culture and to engender understanding. By no means should 
you talk to others about yourself and our community when your motives are for 
selfish reasons such as self-promotion, sensationalism, and attention-getting. 
Do not hide from your nature, but never show it off to those who won't 
understand.

2. DIVERSITY
Our paths are many, even though the journey we are on is essentially the same. 
No single one of us has all the answers to who and what we are. Respect 
everyone's personal views and practices. We cannot let petty differences of 
ideology prevent us from maintaining a unified community; there are enough who 
would attack us from the outside.Our diversity is our strength. Let our 
differences in viewpoint enrich us but never divide us upon ourselves.

3. SAFETY
Use sense when indulging your nature. Do not flaunt what you are in public 
places. Feed in private and make certain your donors will be discrete about what 
happens between you. Donors who create rumors and gossip about us are more harm 
than they're worth. If you engage in blood-letting, put safety and caution above 
all other things. Blood-borne diseases are a very real thing, and we cannot risk 
endangering ourselves or others through irresponsibility. Screen donors 
carefully, making certain they are in good health both mentally and 
physically.Never overindulge or get careless. The safety of the entire community 
rests upon each member's caution.

4. CONTROL
We cannot and should not deny the darkness within. Yet we should not allow it to 
control us. If our beast or shadow or darkside is given too much sway, it clouds 
our judgment, making us a danger even to those we love. Never indulge in 
pointless violence. Never bring willful harm to those who sustain you. Never 
feed only for the sake of feeding, and never give over to mindless bloodlust. We 
are not monsters: we are capable of rational thought and self-control. Celebrate 
the darkness and let it empower you, but never let it enslave your will.

5. LIFESTYLE
Live your life as an example to others in the community. We are privileged to be 
what we are, but power should be accompanied by responsibility and dignity. 
Explore and make use of your Vampyre nature, but keep it in balance with 
material demands. Remember: we may be Vampyres, but we are still a part of this 
world. We must live lives like everyone else here, holding jobs, keeping homes, 
and getting along with our neighbors. Being what we are is not an excuse to not 
participate in this reality. Rather, it is an obligation to make it a better 
place for us to be.

6. FAMILY
We are, all of us, a family, and like all families, various members will not 
always get along. However, respect the greater community when having your 
disputes. Do not let your individual problems bring emotional strife to the 
family as a whole. Settle your differences quietly among one another, only 
seeking out an elder's aid in mediation when no other solution seems possible. 
Never bring your private disputes into public places and never draw other family 
members into the issue by forcing them to take sides. Like any normal family, we 
should always make an effort to present a stable and unified face to the rest of 
the world even when things are not perfect between us.

7. HAVENS
Our havens are safeplaces where everyone in the community can come to socialize. 
There are also often public places where we are likely to encounter people who 
don't understand our ways. We should respect the patrons of these places as we 
should also respect the owners of the establishments and always be discrete in 
our behavior. We should never bring private disputes into a haven. We should 
never initiate violence in a haven. And we should never do or bring anything 
illegal into a haven, as this reflects badly upon the community as a whole. The 
haven is the hub of the whole community, and we should respect it as such, 
supporting it without business and working to improve its name in the scene so 
that we can always call it home.

8. TERRITORY
The community is extensive and diverse. Every city has a different way of doing 
things, and a different hierarchy of rule. When entering a new city, you should 
familiarize yourself with the local community. Seek out the local havens. Learn 
what households have sway here. Get in touch with key members of the community, 
learn who is who, and show proper respect where it is due. You should not expect 
to impose your old way of doing things on this new scene. Rather you should 
adapt to their rules and be glad of their acceptance. Always be on your best 
behavior when coming to a new city either to visit or to stay. We are all 
cautious and territorial by nature, and only by making the most positive 
impression possible will you be accepted and respected in a new community.

9. RESPONSIBILITY
This lifestyle is not for everyone. Take care in who you choose to bring into 
it. Those who are mentally or emotionally unstable have no place among us. They 
are dangerous and unreliable and may betray us in the future. Make certain that 
those you choose to bring in are mature enough for this burden. Teach them 
control and discretion, and make certain that they respect our ways. You will be 
responsible for their actions, and their behavior in the community will be 
reflected back to you.

10. ELDERS There are certain members of our community who have established 
themselves as just and responsible leaders. These are the people who helped 
establish local communities, who organize havens, and who work to coordinate the 
networking of the scene. While their word does not have to be law, they should 
nevertheless be respected. They have greater experience than many others, and 
usually greater wisdom. Seek these elders out to settle your disputes, to give 
you guidance and instruction, and to help you establish yourself in the local 
scene. Appreciate the elders for all they have given you: if it was not for 
their dedication, the community would not exist as it does now.

11. DONORS
Without those who offer themselves body and soul to us, we would be nothing. We 
cannot be other than what we are, but it is the donors who sustain our nature. 
For this service, they should be respected. Never mistreat your donors, 
physically or emotionally. They are not to be manipulated or leeched off of for 
more than what they freely offer. Never take them for granted. Appreciate them 
for the companionship and acceptance which they offer us, which so many others 
would refuse. This above all: appreciate the gift of their life. That communion 
is sacred. Never fail to treat it as such.

12. LEADERSHIP
When you choose to take a position of authority in the community, remember that 
you do not lead for yourself alone. Leadership is a responsibility, not a 
privilege. A good leader must set an example for everyone through her actions 
and behavior. Her motives should be selfless and pure, and she should put the 
interests of the whole community before her own. The best leaders are those who 
serve to better the community and whose person and behavior gives no one -- even 
those outside of the community -- a reason to criticize them.

13. IDEALS
Being a Vampyre is not just about feeding upon life. That is what we do, but not 
necessarily what we are. It is our place to represent darkness in a world 
blinded by light. We are about being different and accepting that difference as 
something that empowers us and makes us unique. We are about accepting the dark 
within ourselves and embracing that darkness to make us whole beings. We are 
about celebrating the thresholds: body and spirit, pleasure and pain, death and 
life. Our lives should be lived as a message to the world about the beauty of 
accepting the whole self, of living without guilt and without shame, and 
celebrating the unique and beautiful essence of every single soul.

This is a widely accepted code of ethics pioneered by The Black Veil.

This site is sponsored by Graveyard Publishing © 2008-2012 All Rights Reserved

This Material is for educational purposes only
------------

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http://pathsofpaganunderworld.com/group/vampyretemple/forum/topic/show?id=3359215%3ATopic%3A439567&xg_source=msg

"Vampyrism within the Pagan Community"

Bliden started the discussion "Vampyrism within the Pagan Community" in the 
group Vampyre Temple on Pagan UnderWorld

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This is not a lecture about how to become a vampyre, feeding
techniques, or how to find a donor. I will not be disclosing deep
dark secrets or revealing anything more basic than what is needed to
know in order for total acceptance and unity within the
Pagan/Vampyre communities. While the two communities are often
intermingled they are not synonymous and should not be used
interchangeably. Living vampyres often turn to Paganism as a means
of finding spiritual balance within themselves, finding the
acceptance that they often do not receive from other more
traditional belief structures, and hopefully, meeting others that
are accepting of who they are, and maybe even coming across some
like themselves. This does not mean that all who are within the
Vampyre community are Pagan or that all Pagans want the Vampyre
community within their circles, rites, or groups. For many this can
lead to isolation, solitary practice, and frustration . What I am
hoping to accomplish with both communities is to form a bridge that
will lead to a greater understanding of the two so that it may
become in some fashion, greater unified. This is also to let both
members of the communities know that they are not alone in the
darkness. Darkness is after all, what we as vampyres personify. Our
very predatory natures separates us from others that are more
attuned to their lighter side.

For us it is a matter of finding the balance within ourselves and
within our spirituality as well. It is not only important for the
socialization of our kind, but also for the viability of our kind as
the balance between our light side or our dayside and our dark
natures, or our nightside is a fragile one.

For many people it is merely a matter of control over the more
negative aspects of the self or the ego, for us it is very
different. Still for many, the negative aspects do not include
considering a bleeding finger or a piece of raw meat as a healthy
part of life. This is what separates vampyres from someone
merely suffering from a spiritual imbalance.

Of course, the first thing that comes to mind of many that hear the
term vampyre is a thin, bone white corpse, trailing its’
shroud through a darkened cemetery under the light of a full moon.
Despite this lovely metaphor, it is far from the reality. Nor are we all
lost in a reality based on a roll of the dice and scripted plots. No
one who calls themselves vampyre has ever died in this lifetime to
be reborn into this nature. This is something that we are born with,
which is why many of us prefer the term living vampyre versus the
stereotypical Hollywood variety. There is no specific look to the
vampyre, we come in all shapes, sizes, nationalities, beliefs, and
careers. We are your neighbors, your pastors, your priestesses, your
police officers, your teachers, your gardeners, and your doctors.

Many illnesses have been mistaken or even blamed for vampyrism,
both by the mundane and the vampyre community, either as a means
of explaining something that can not be explained or through the
willful creation of such information as to protect the community.
People fear what they do not understand, and it is much more
acceptable to believe that the nice pale lady living next door
to you is suffering from a form of anemia than it is to believe that
they are someone suffering from vampyrism. Vampyrism itself is a
condition of sorts, not one but many, and can have many causes and
manifestations. There are as many different types of vampyre as
there are types of people. You may be surprised to know that many
members of the vampyre community are not predatory in the least and
want nothing more than a good thunderstorm to get what they
need. Nonetheless, the generally accepted definition of the vampyre
is someone who must partake of life force via blood or other form of
energy for the maintenance of life. The most commonly recognized
form of vampyrism is Sanguine vampyrism, the blood drinking vampyre.
The strongest concentration of prana is found in the blood and it is
the blood that certain types of vampyres must have in order to
maintain a healthy life. What exactly causes this is questionable,
as there is little research done among mundane scientist to
determine what it is specifically that makes us the way we are.
However we have some commonly displayed symptomology among
research groups within the community that relate to this as a
condition. Vampyres that are willing to discuss their condition with
members of the community often report symptoms beginning with severe headaches, 
dry throat, insatiable thirst, bleeding gums, difficulty
breathing, exhaustion, lethargy, UV and temperature sensitivity,
severe abdominal pain, hot and cold flashes, fever, tremors, seizure
or mild convulsions, black outs, bloody nose, tachycardia, anemia,
light sensitivity, pain in the eyes and skin, nausea and vomiting,
and a metallic taste in the mouth intensifying the desire for blood.
The severity and how we handle this is different for each of us and
is commonly referred to in some communities as beasting. There are
many medical illnesses that have some of the symptomology, but few
illnesses contain all of the symptoms at the same time. Many of us
undergo all of the above over a period of days, with a few not
exhibiting the totality but portionate symptoms.

Illnesses such as porphyria and Renfeild syndrome, as well as megaloblastic 
anemia have been blamed for this condition, however anemia is just a symptom of 
the whole not a cause of the problem.

Both porphyria and megaloblastic anemia are caused by the body
inability to break down and utilize vitamin B!2 and/or folic acid
resulting in several groupings of the illnesses. Since sanguine
vampyres are often tested for blood born pathogens and often go
through extensive blood work to rule out anemia, and the rarity of
cases of either illness among the sanguine community we can safely rule out 
either of these as being causes of the condition.

One of the self treatments of beasting is the administration of B12,
as well as folic acid naturally occuring in fresh uncooked vegetables and 
fruits. Many Sanguine vampyres are even vegetarian and manage to live 
successfully and episode free.

The next obvious cause would be psychological. This is often the
next step for an awakening vampyre to come to terms with what is
going on with their bodies and also a determining factor for the
realization that the person living with this condition is neither
physically nor mentally imbalanced. Clinical vampyrism may be
treated but the living vampyre will continue experiencing
pranic lags throughout their lives. Clinical vampyrism stops when it
is medicated and is defined as the pathological conditions in which
a person develops a compulsion to drink blood and is not followed
by the physical abnormalities experienced by living vampyres.

The term clinical vampirism” often refers to murders or other
violent situations where a persons primary goal is to acquire blood and may 
include such activities as autovampirism (drinking ones own blood), killing 
animals or people for this purpose, the eating of corpses or other violation of 
the dead, and cannibalism. None of these are aspects of normal vampyre behavior 
or community. One of the most popularly referred to clinical psychosis is 
Renfields syndrome in which a person believes he must have blood in order to 
live.

This is accompanied by a deep compulsion, asymptomatic of physical causes, but 
laden with sexual dysfunction, violent or abusive childhoods, and may also be 
plagued by such psychosis as schizophrenia, paranoia, violent or aggressive 
behavior, and sociopathic behavior.

The difference between the mental illness of clinical vampyrism and
the reality of vampyrism, is the part of the psyche that lives
within truth. We all know on some level who and what we are. We know innately 
that we are female, that we are male, that we are brown, or pale, or blond, gay 
or straight, or mundane or vampyre. It is merely the acceptance of that inner 
truth of knowing ourselves rather than learned behavior and accepted deviant 
gratification that separates those of us who know that there is nothing 
supernatural or evil about ourselves. Mental illness stems from a loss of 
reality, an imbalance whether spiritual or biochemical, and is not something 
that we are born knowing. It is something that we acquire throughout our lives. 
Vampyrism is something that we are born with.

This is not to dismiss psychological issues caused by vampyrism in
other areas of life. Many of us at some point go through various
total periods or awakenings, where our darker sides comes close to
the surface and pushes us beyond a state of complacency. In short,
we are faced with our own natures which can cause a spiritual crisis
if we are not careful. During these times we may experience
depression, a sense of being totally alone, isolation, solitary
study and practice, aggression, animosity, bouts of intense
spiritual study or a complete lack thereof with the entire
experience akin to a Dark Night of the Soul. This may be affected by
the natural onslaught of biochemical responses to the changes in
life, dietary changes, an emotional or spiritual imbalance, or
crisis that causes us to re~examine our lives or the causes
behind our condition. In this case the sooner a balance is achieved
the more stable the person becomes.

General treatments of Sanguine vampirism are meditation, yoga or
other physical exercise that help release aggression, vitamins B and
B12 (which is necessary for the healthy production and viability of
red blood cells), abstenance from drugs, caffeine, and alcohol, a
healthy diet and lifestyle, and mental and spiritual hygiene. Living
a stress free life is not possible in the day to day life of modern
society, however being as peaceful by avoiding as much stress as
possible, accepting what we can change and working around what we
can not is of vast importance to members of the vampyre community.
The other faction of vampyre is the energy vampyre, the psychic
vampyre, or the pranic vampyre that feeds instead on life force
without the interaction of plasmic influences. Symptoms include many
of the above primarily headaches with or without nausea and
vomiting, weakness, lethargy, sleep disorders (sleeping too much or
insomnia), and a general weakness of aura. Some theories state that
this type of vampyrism comes from holes in the auric field, while
others show an accelerated metabolism that may cause dysfunction on
a cellular level, causing the amount of life force to be diminished.
This results in the desire to take in amounts of prana from others,
since we certainly can not take it in ourselves if we are lacking
it. However, this form of vampyre is not limited to the taking of
life force but may also take in other forms of energy as well as
from a good thunderstorm, electrical appliances, the elements, and
emotions. For this type, having a healthy knowledge of positive
energy work and balanced living is a must.

I'm sure someone out there is thinking ok this is all fine and good
but what causes it. There are as many different stories of origins
as there are stars in the sky.

The stories of Lilith and Cain are two of the more popular ones at the moment, 
although there are also associations within many different cultural Fae and 
Deities as well.

Many believe that we are the offspring of various Deities, others
believe that we are cursed, the incarnation of once living witches,
sorcerers, or heretics, variable speciation, I've even read
pages of theorem aligning us with UFO's and genetic experimentation.
Whether any of these or all of these are true or not is irrelevant.
The important thing is to separate the truth from the myth. We do
not explode, obviously, from being in the sun. Many of us actively
enjoy both the sun's warmth and energy, even though we may not be
sunbathers. Too much time in the darkness is as unhealthy for us as
too much time within the light. There must be a balance and this is
as true for people living with this as with any other human being.
Garlic isn't a problem and neither is holy water, crucifix's or any
religious icon for that matter. Theology has been intermingled with
the condition of vampyrism because of either an explanation, a means
of control, or a path to overcome our natures. It is not an innate
part of vampyrism itself. We are human just like anyone else and
nothing of the supernatural.

We do however know, that at best a large amount of admitted vampyres do suffer 
from some type of physical abnormality, whether it be severe food or vitamin D 
allergies, abnormal physiologies, or unexplained red blood cell dysfunction 
which leads me to believe that other than a supernatural cause there is a 
perfectly logical explanation.

We know that for the most part, vampyrism seems to be
carried in the female genes. It also seems to not be a genetic
condition in itself but a combination of the spiritual and physical,
for instance a female vampyre may have several children with no
issue of vampyrism until several generations later. It seems to be
at best a recessive trait. In my studies, I have come across several
reasonings for this.

Either we are a the result of genetic programming that has maintained records of 
our more predatory and beastial ancestors (even though they may be repressed or 
recessive in nature), or we have chosen when we would incarnate as vampyres and 
when we would not, either through transmigration, or through spiritual blue 
printing. As a result, we tend to be attracted to deities that represent the 
Darkness in all of us, the
more chaotic natures and magicks, and through these we are able to
reconcile our spiritual attractions with our physical natures.

Throughout the ages we have been an ever present part of the Pagan
community, living with them sometimes as living representations of
gods,practicing along side them in circle, and dying along side them
during the Dark Ages and the Inquisition. Even today, like the
witch, we are persecuted and sometimes killed for virtue of being an
anomaly among the mundane. Thanks to negative media and
superstitious profiling, and of course, a few miscreants here and
there, we have acquired a rather nasty reputation as a community
irregardless of our individual natures. There is good and evil in
every person, it is up to us as individuals to use our free will to
make informed, logical, intelligent, and ethical choices.

Innately, we are not evil beings. We are only what we would have
normally been within the realms of the mundane. In short, an evil or
aggravating person will be that way regardless of his or her
condition. Personality is not key to this condition unless we
manifest our conditions into our personalities. As being a part of
society, we are also subject to the laws and responsibilities of
society. It is simply unacceptable to behave in a bestial
manner or to flaunt our bestial sides for shock value. Nor is it
acceptable to behave in a manner that places the rest of the
community at risk.

The 13 rules of community, or the Black Veil, are suggestions of common sense 
that are for the safety and tranquility of the vampyre~mundane communities. Any 
vampyre that behaves as a miscreant is ostrasized from the community and in some 
cases reported to the proper authorities especially in cases where there has 
been a violent crime committed. As both the takers and the givers of life, we 
are accutely aware of the sanctity of life and the part we play within it as 
it's protector.

In closing, I would like to say thank you for coming and listening
with an open mind and an open heart. Even though there is little
here that I have not presented elsewhere at different times, it is
imperative that we recognize that the two communities are always
coming in contact with each other, and even though there may be
variations we all have one goal. This being outer peace and inner
peace and the freedom to be who we are without prosecution.

Author Unknown

Titles and Vampirism

REGARDING TITLES
When it comes to titles, the factor that needs to be considered is knowing when 
titles are appropriate, and when everyone is being subject to a pointless 
exercise of "form over function." Going further, there is also the consideration 
of what is the nature of the titles in question.

When we speak of the Prime Minster of Canada, more often than not we are 
speaking of the office and the duties bound to the office, it is a title that 
conveys a function and holds substance. While we also use use it as a means of 
identifying the poor bastard in charge of that office, in which then we are 
using it as a title of identity (albiet a temporary one), this is only a 
secondary consideration.

When the President of the United States travels abroad, it is his function, not 
his identity, that commands cooperation. It's no secret to us or anyone else 
that GW is a despised man, who personal identity alone manages to taint the 
honorary identity of the office he holds. Were the title "President" to come 
without all the executive privilages of its current function, you would have 
little more than a pompous declaration (i.e. see the current english system of 
knights who are merely given a peice of paper and the right to preppend "Sir" 
onto their names).

NOW IN REGARDS TO THE VAMPIRE COMMUNITY
To continue with the current language, it is my personal view that vampirism is 
defined by function, not form. Such that I said earlier, a vampire is that which 
engages in vampirism. Vampirism loosely being considered a process of taking 
something from outside the self to sustain/transcend the self, and perhaps more 
rigidly being considered as much within the same type of selves (or species).

Based on this foundation, there are two types of persons who approach the idea 
and the community: Those who come saying, "I am." (form) And those who come 
saying, "I do." (function)

Of persons who say "I am," it is easy to see that they are approaching the idea 
of "vampire" as a process of identity. They are in love with the the cultural 
and entertainment ideals and image, and wish to be indentified as them. They 
seek other persons to validate their claims and support their identity, creating 
a social network in which contriving status becomes the next step once they've 
achieved the first step of acknowledgement.

Of persons who say "I do," it is easy to see that they are approaching the idea 
of "vampire" as a process of identification. They are acknowledging alchemical 
similarities between their behaviour and the archetypical concept of the 
vampire. They seek to discover their own motives and understand their particular 
situation for personal reasons: whether to improve the methods, dissolve 
unfavorable symptoms, escape the pattern entirely, etc. Other person's play a 
role not as a source of validation, but as a source of comparison to create a 
better understanding of the commonalities as a phenomenon, and the differences 
as a personal manifestation.

Because of my idea on this, I find zero use in organizations that contrive a 
group mentality. It creates social dogma and crushes the individual process that 
I perceive as an essential aspect of the circumstances. Especially those in 
which only seek to create guilded atmospheres for role-playing aesthetetes (if 
you are dressing up for the part, you are playing a role).

The titles as a result of individuals seeking identity and status to me appears 
to be a dreadful blight of persons who fancy themselves big fish in small ponds. 
That so many desperately try to size themselves up with the cheap trappings of 
email signatures and self-assignment, overall becoming a malignant form of a 
condition of identity. You'll find that persons will more desperately defend 
their titles the more they believe it defines them. "Form over function."

It seems necessary to remind everyone that each individual's reputation is borne 
of their actions and accomplishments. Calling yourself one thing or another 
doesn't hasten respect from those who can sincerely provide it. Semantics will 
not earn you anything. I respect several persons throughout the communitity for 
their accomplishments and/or their participations, who have been around a long 
time.

Sanguinarius for taking my original efforts and running farther than I had even 
conceived of, creating thee portal for any and all information on every possible 
tangent of vampires and vampirism. Memory for creating one of the largest forums 
for discussion on the topic, enabling a superior realm of community and feedback 
sans contrived social construct. Even the relative newb on the internet block, 
Michelle Belanger sticks her head out enough that I worry about her neck 
sometimes, and is a bold woman who is dangerously prolific at the keyboard, 
compiling information, and reaching out to people who would otherwise had never 
seen it.

These people don't need titles. What they have done preceeds them, and builds a 
reliable concept of who they are.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This article is presented as part of an ongoing effort to present other views 
outside of, as well as within, the online vampire community. Those of us who 
consider ourselves vampiric don't always look at things from the same viewpoint 
due to our life experiences. As such, the views and opinions contained in this 
article are entirely those of the author(s), and may not necessarily be shared 
by SphynxCatVP. The webmaster is not under obligation to update or otherwise 
keep current the contents of this article. Most importantly, only you can decide 
for yourself whether this article or any of the author(s) other views are useful 
or applicable to you - you are responsible for using your own reasoning and 
judgement, so judge wisely.
--------------------------------

A Rant on Hierarchy
Author(s): "S"
Why do vampires in this country insist on forming "courts," "covens," and 
"houses" that take on the trappings of feudalism? If we were European, Asian, or 
Indian it might make more sense. Those countries have long histories of 
caste-based societies, complete with all of the problems associated with them.

But we're Americans. Our nation was founded on the principle that all are equal 
in the eyes of our Creator and should be acknowledged as such by those around 
us. We waged a revolution to establish this philosophy as a fact and emerged 
victorious. Over the centuries, we have fought other battles, both military and 
civil, to expand the reaches of democracy so that all humans everywhere might 
enjoy the rights and responsibilities of this way of life. In some areas we have 
made tremendous strides. In others, the battle continues but we persevere, 
confident that our cause is just and that we will prevail.

Yet, in clubs and on the Internet, we revert to the very societal structure from 
which our countrymen struggled to free us. Is it a need for a sense of 
community? I don't think so. There are plenty of people, vampire and non-vampire 
alike, who do not feel the need to be addressed as Elder or Lord or Mistress. 
There are egalitarian organizations everywhere that welcome all without the need 
to elevate an elite cadre over the masses. Surely those who seek a sense of 
belonging can have their needs met by one or more of these groups.

Why do we persist in subjecting ourselves to an artificial hierarchy? Why do we 
continually adopt false titles that have no basis in merit and serve no purpose 
except to offer a flimsy excuse for the bearer to put on airs and degrade 
others? Oh, I've heard all the standard lines about honoring those who serve our 
community and offering titles as a sign of respect.
Those excuses are simply not good enough. I know plenty of people who have 
worked long and hard over the years to better the community. They hold no titles 
and do not care for any. So recognizing achievement cannot be the underlying 
purpose of adopting a title. Are the titles hereditary? Of course not, because 
we abolished such counterfeit structures when we declared our independence. So, 
why do we do it?
Is it so that we can feel powerful? We have long felt ourselves to be outcasts, 
have felt the need to hide our true selves from the eyes of the world - is this 
irrational drive to adopt an even more discriminatory order a product of our 
need to feel special? Why do we need to justify our collective existence by 
establishing a system of recognition that oppresses others as we have felt 
ourselves to be oppressed? Where is our pride? How does subjugating each other 
equate to unity? How can bigotry and snobbery ever generate harmony among us?

How many times have we heard the call to "unite the vampire nation" under this 
council or that order? How many of those groups have fallen by the wayside or 
degenerated into harmful cults? If it is unity we seek, how can we ever achieve 
it by allowing our peers to subjugate and tyrannize us while we prattle on about 
how our so-called leaders bring honor to us by upholding the "old ways"? Honor 
is not a prize to be won or a gift to be given. It is something we know to be 
true about ourselves. No one can bestow it where it does not already exist and 
only we can take it from ourselves. There is no honor in assuming the façade of 
an outdated power structure. To say otherwise is to belittle and demean the 
warriors who have fought and bled and died to give us the freedom to choose for 
ourselves who is worthy of our respect and admiration. It is those brave 
soldiers who are truly noble. It is those who cherish their liberty, bought with 
the coin of sweat, blood, and tears, and use 
 it to lift up all whom they meet who are the most honorable among us. Those who 
give selflessly and ask for nothing.it is they who display integrity.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that 
they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among 
these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
No pretentious title will ever hold the significance, contain the splendor, or 
bear the majesty of the philosophy that gave rise to those words. None ever 
could.

This site is sponsored by Graveyard Publishing © 2008-2012 All Rights Reserved

This Material is for educational purposes on
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"Methods of Vampirism"

Bliden started the discussion "Methods of Vampirism" in the group Vampyre Temple 
on Pagan UnderWorld

------------
Vampirism is the taking of the lifeforce of the human to empower the Vampire. In 
its essence, Vampirism is merely a more refined form of eating. The Vampire 
absorbs the lifeforce from the human. The human absorbs it from other animals 
and plants. The plants take it from the sun. The sun, too, is not the final 
source but a channel from other sources beyond the scope of this teaching which 
is reserved for the Inner Temple.

However, the chemical breakdown of nutrients and its places in the biochemical 
cycle (the Krebs Cycle) that transfers energy is not the complete story. Just as 
modern physicists are finally aware of the fact that much of the mass of the 
universe if "missing", biochemists remain unaware of the role of a "missing" 
element in the energy system of the human body. This missing element is the 
so-called astral universe which includes the astral bodies of all living things.

At the heart of eating is the concept of astral energy transfer. The actual 
transfer usually requires a discoincidence of the astral body from the physical 
which, in turn, usually entails a loss of consciousness. Hence after a large 
meal, most humans and animals will become sleepy because it is when they sleep 
that the true energy transfer occurs.

Another example of the role of sleep is energy absorption can be seen in those 
cases of extreme danger to physical survival. If a human is crossing a desert 
and dying of thirst, he may slump down to unconsciousness and sleep. When he 
reawakens, his energy level is renewed and he can continue the struggle. This 
happens because during unconsciousness his astral body separated to some extent 
from the physical body in order to permit the flow of stored energy into the 
various tissues of body and brain.

The most refined source of the lifeforce energy for Living Vampires is thus 
found in the astral bodies of humans while the humans are sleeping or in some 
other way not normally conscious. We often travel to the sides of sleeping 
humans to draw off the accumulated store of their life energy from the drowsing 
astral form which rests near.

To achieve this higher level of Vampirism requires the Vampire to be able to 
rise from his physical body in the astral with sufficient awareness and 
intention. The achievement of this conscious out-of-body travel requires will, 
practise and the assistance of The Undead Gods through Vampiric Communion. The 
Living Vampire who can perform the shedding of flesh in this way when desired is 
among Those Who Have Risen.

The Vampire Initiate aspires to this exalted level of Vampiric Mastery yet must 
gather the needed excess lifeforce from humans first. This lifeforce is offered 
up as a sacrifice, an offering to the Undead Gods in the magical ritual of 
Vampiric Communion. This Lifeforce offering attracts the Elder Gods and draws 
Them near to the aspirant so that he may be aided in invisible ways in his 
evolution to achieve astral control. The Loosening of the Astral Ties (which 
bind the astral tightly to the physical of most humans) is dealt with in greater 
detail as a mystery of the Inner Temple.

Yet how can the Vampire Initiate first obtain the life energies he needs in 
order to attract the Undead who will help him to then become an astral Vampire? 
The answer is surprisingly simple and, as with most effective truths, eminently 
instinctual.

When the human is conscious, the astral body shares the space of the physical, 
interpenetrating every part. However, the astral, in a normal healthy human, is 
usually somewhat larger than the physical body such that it will surround the 
physical to a distance
of often between a few inches to several feet. Those who have experienced a 
Loosening of the Astral Ties and are therefore more capable of seeing into the 
astral universe have, throughout the ages, reported the auras surrounding 
different humans. This is commonly seen in religious paintings of Europe's last 
fifteen hundred years which portray the so-called "halo" or "nimbus" about the 
heads and hands of historical religious figures (who quite commonly were 
actually Living Vampires).

Thus whenever you touch a human, you are also penetrating his astral body to 
some extent. With that penetration by your astral of his, it is now relatively 
easy to draw off some of his lifeforce energy. It will not permit the degree of 
flow, the "deep drinking" which is possible when preying upon the sleeping 
human, unencumbered by wither your physical or his but this lowest level of 
Vampirism is as least possible.

The act of drawing the lifeforce from the victim's astral into your own is, at 
heart, instinctual and not teachable. At the same time there are specific 
physical-astral actions which go hand-in-hand which are learnable.

Here then are the fundamental secrets of Vampirism:
1. Contact.
2. Penetrate.
3. Draw in.
4. Break contact.

1. Contact.

Contact refers to the necessity for some part of your astral body to contact the 
astral body of the human. Any physical skin-to-skin contact assures just such 
contact.

2. Penetrate.

Your astral must penetrate into the astral of the human to enable the absorption 
of the lifeforce. The more your astral enters the human's astral, the more 
rapidly and "deeply" the force can flow.

3. Draw in.

With penetration, the Vampire must actually draw in the lifeforce of the human. 
This drawing in will usually accompany the inhalation of the physical breath by 
the physical body. Thus for physical contact Vampirism, it is best to inhale 
deeply. You will come to feel the fluid intake of the vaporous, liquid-like 
lifeforce as it enters you. In addition, tense and draw up the anal sphincter 
muscles with the inhalation as this stimulates the same
mechanisms involved astrally with Vampirism.

4. Break contact.

It is equally important to withdraw completely from the human's astral following 
the Vampiric act for at least two very good reasons. First, you do not wish to 
have a reverse flow of the precious lifeforce back to the human and, second, you 
do not want to cause the physical destruction of your prey by leaving a Vampiric 
tendril constantly draining the human's lifeforce into your own. We are not 
gluttons and remember the first Vampiric Principle: Never Waste Food!

In the beginning it is necessary to practise Vampirism consciously and with 
great intention. Over time, and as you develop Vampirically, the act of 
Vampirism becomes increasingly unconscious and automatic. You will find that in 
the presence of another Vampire this tendency for unconscious Vampirism will be 
inhibited. As part of the natural order of things, predators do not prey upon 
each other. This is not merely an issue of safety but of mutual self-respect. To 
treat a predator as one would treat prey is the greatest of insults.

When you perform the act of Vampirism, affirm aloud or silently the act as you 
do it. Firmly state the reality of your action as in, for example, "I now am 
taking your life energy, your blood, your soul." By adding verbal suggestion you 
are further aligning you mind as a predator as well as telepathically commanding 
the prey to acquiesce to your intention, to remain limp and yielding to your 
taking of the "blood".

Then fill your body to overflowing. Take and take and take until you can take no 
more! Gorge your inner body until, like a rising fountain, you can accept no 
more. And like a fountain of water rising up through your being, the spray of 
overflowing energy will rise above your head and then fall again upon and around 
you.

The signs of successful Vampirism are as follows to include:
1. Your vision clears, brightens and colours become more vivid.

2. You feel a refreshing, revitalising physical effect.

3. You feel a deep balancing calm within.

4. You experience an increase of physical strength.

5. Your dream recall improves such that you experience more dreaming while the 
dreams themselves intensify in experience.

6. You tend to attract the attentions of the Undead in magical ritual.

The developing stages of Vampirism are four:
1. Physical contact required.
2. Visual contact required.
3. Sympathetic contact required.
4. Contact by mind alone.

1. Physical Contact.

From the most casual handshake or brush in a crowd to intense sexual encounters, 
the key is the proximity of your astral body to that of your prey. Remember that 
physical contact is astral contact.

2. Visual Contact.

With sufficient experience at the physical level, the aspiring Vampire can draw 
the lifeforce from a human without physical contact in line-of-sight. The actual 
mechanism is the projection of an astral tendril or elongated astral "cord" 
which connects to the astral of the prey. The performance of this act usually 
feels as if the human were in physical contact with the Vampire's eyes, as if 
the eyes could literally reach out and touch the prey. This and the following 
advanced technique will be dealt with at the Second Circle level.

3. Sympathetic Contact.

The concept of the magic of contagion and sympathy is found within this level of 
Vampirism. By coming into contact with some physical item, such as a piece of 
clothing, a pen, a nail paring, which at one time was in physical contact (and 
hence, astral contact) with the prey, the advanced Vampire can draw lifeforce at 
a great distance. This level is dependant upon the degree of connection between 
the prey and the object as well as the development level of the Vampire.

The interpenetrating astral universe is responsible here by means of astral 
extensions. Like sticky threads which remain connected, more or less, with 
virtually everything the physical human touches (and, to a lesser extent, hears 
and sees) the astral web that surrounds all of us connects to our living astral 
bodies. The Vampire can learn to therefore follow this connection and draw 
lifeforce from a footprint, or even a signature.

4. Mind Contact.

Requiring Inner Temple training, the Vampire Adept can sense the existence of 
prey and directly draw upon the lifeforce without any apparent astral "bridge". 
This level of sophistication steps beyond the laws of physics as commonly known 
and relies upon the teachings of the Nine Laws of Magic, restricted to the 
Priesthood of UR.

Summary.

Vampirism is instinctual but can only be achieved through personal effort. Each 
Vampiric act self-instructs and broadens the capacity of the astral body to 
accept energy. With increased energy, the Vampiric powers begin to dawn. As 
always, if the Undead Gods should choose one for special aid, then the learning 
process is shortened, For such, the Temple's purpose has been achieved and the 
Vampiric Condition established. But the Gods are selective and They are pleased 
most by the best efforts to achieve on one's own. Therefore, learn, apply and 
perfect for in this way alone comes the possibility of attainment and true 
Initiation!

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"Vampire Nature - Michelle Belanger"

Bliden started the discussion "Vampire Nature - Michelle Belanger" in the group 
Vampyre Temple on Pagan UnderWorld

------------
The Nature Of Vampirism
By Michelle Belanger

This article has been circumlated around the Internet and now appears in the 
collection Sacred Hunger: Vampires in Myth and Reality asks hard questions about 
the nature of vampirism and its place in the natural scheme of things.

Being a vampire in this day and age is not an easy thing. It is hardly the 
glamorous life it is made out to be in books or movies. It is often a great 
liability, creating unwanted hassles, hate and distrust from those around you. 
Among the many real vampires I have had contact with over the years, I have 
learned that a number of them would change their nature if they could. But 
vampirism is hardly a choice. It is something we carry within us, and whether 
latent or realized, it affects every aspect of our lives. We cannot be other 
than what we are.

Because vampirism is so poorly accepted and so misunderstood, most true vampires 
find themselves isolated, confused, and constantly tortured by self-doubt. It is 
so much easier for us to disregard our personal experiences as delusion and 
simply pass our nature off as a fetish rather than accept the truth of what we 
are. It is a joyous and almost frightening moment when we finally realize that 
we are not alone, and that the lifestyle we are driven to lead is both a natural 
and a legitimate one.

But what is a vampire exactly? There are a lot of blood fetishists out there who 
call themselves vampires, but in my experience vampirism goes beyond mere flesh 
and blood. Just drinking blood does not make you a vampire. If we were to define 
vampirism through blood-drinking alone, then we would exclude a whole portion of 
the community who feed off a far subtler manifestation of the life force.

Vampirism is an essentially spiritual hunger, a need to reach out to others and 
drink in their very life. Call it prana or chi or orgone energy, it’s still the 
same: it’s that subtle electric fire that courses through us beyond the flesh. 
Blood may touch it and carry a rich store of it throughout the body, but it is 
so much more than blood.

Although it is spiritual, vampirism is not necessarily supernatural. We do not 
claim to be undead beings like Dracula or Lestat. We don't possess super-human 
powers. Much of our natural abilities can be learned by others skilled in 
magickal work. Our hallmark talent is energy manipulation, and that’s being 
taught these days in weekend seminars for Reiki and Chi-Gong. What we are and 
what we can do only seems esoteric to the uninitiated. It’s not really all that 
strange once you accept that there is energy moving within you and around you, 
constantly, and that some people are able to interact on that subtle energy 
level.
So what makes vampires unique, really? The only thing that sets us apart from 
the typical person is our need to feed upon the life energy of those around us. 
Our systems work upon an energy deficit which we must make up for. I believe 
that most of the energy manipulation powers we manifest were honed because we 
must rely upon them to sustain ourselves. Where others might live their entire 
lives oblivious to such potential within themselves, we have no choice but to 
rely upon it. It's a survival technique. All of the abilities and powers that 
might make us seem gifted beyond the ordinary person are just compensation for 
what some have described as a "psychic handicap."

Magickal workers, particularly Pagans and Wiccans, have criticized vampires a 
great deal in recent years because they believe what we do is wrong. They call 
us "energy thieves" and revile us as creatures that work against Gaia, the 
generative Earth Mother. They assert that our very nature is anathema to their 
primary law: An it harm none, do what thou wilt. In our defense, I think what we 
do is simply natural. Although it is a vulgar comparison, I believe that feeding 
is no more a wantonly evil or destructive act than eating a hamburger. It is 
something we must do to survive, and sometimes survival requires that one 
organism must prey upon another. Feeding upon others is just our nature, and I 
think denying our nature is a more potentially destructive act than accepting 
it.
Vampires feed upon life. It's not that strange a concept. Think of it as energy, 
if you must -- the biological electricity which runs our cells and allows our 
synapses to function. Other cultures have called it prana or chi, ruach or mana. 
It is that vitalizing force which healers and yogis can harness in such 
practices as Reiki, Tantra, Qui-Gong, yoga, and T'ai Chi. It is really only an 
alien concept to Western culture. The Chinese, for example, take it for granted 
that certain individuals produce more energy than others. It's part of the 
balance of Yin and Yang. Those who do not produce enough chi to maintain 
themselves take it from those who produce more than they can use. In the West, 
we call this vampirism. In the East, it's a simple fact of life.

The only reason vampirism is such a big deal in the West is because Western 
concepts of reality lack the spiritual depth of similar concepts in the East. In 
the West, we have sacrificed the notion that everything possesses vital spirit 
in favor of living in a sanitized and controllable technological world. It is, 
however, a world without a soul. In such a world where the natural exchange of 
energy between all living things is debunked as delusional and esoteric, of 
course vampirism is misunderstood. It has been marginalized into superstition 
and folklore. At best, even those who believe in energy manipulation and magick 
consider vampires "evil" and terribly misguided. The energy workers can use 
their own energy to heal. They can find room to believe in a positive exchange. 
Yet they find it hard to believe that anyone -- save the most base black 
magicians -- could have the capacity to take energy as well.

Vampires are real, and what's more, we are a part of the natural order of 
things. Everything must have its opposite to balance it out. For every light 
worker who gives energy to heal, there is one of us who must take energy for 
ourselves. It's Yin and Yang. And in order to understand vampirism and 
ourselves, we simply must accept that. And if you, my non-vampiric reader, can 
open yourself up to such "esoteric" concepts as Reiki, Feng Shui, and the world 
soul, vampirism really isn't as far-fetched as you think.

--Michelle Belanger

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Types Of Vampires

------------
Types Of Vampires

The most commonly accepted ideology of the real vampire community provides for 
two primary classifications of vampire; sanguine (sanguinarian) and psi 
(psychic). The delineation between these two types center around the actual 
“feeding” method utilized by the individual. Before one can begin to broach the 
subject of “real vampirism”, it is important to understand the distinction 
between these two groups of individuals and the modern adapted definition 
associated with the ascribed “vampi/yre” label. Moreover, it is important to 
note that individuals who refer to themselves as “vampires” do so with the 
knowledge they are living humans who one day will succumb to mortality. The 
mythological, folkloric, and contemporary literary descriptions of vampires are 
not applicable to “real vampires” as members of the vampire community have come 
to use the term today.

A vampire is essentially an energy feeder or blood drinker that may display 
various levels of psychic ability. While the causality, interpretation, and 
sometimes even the “proper” spelling of vampirism are debated, vampires are 
generally individuals who cannot adequately sustain their own physical, mental, 
or spiritual well-being without the taking of blood or vital life force energy 
from other sources; often human. Without feeding the vampire will become 
lethargic, sickly, depressed, and often go through physical suffering or 
discomfort. Vampires often display signs of empathy, sense emotions, perceive 
auras, and are generally psychically aware of the World around them. To a 
degree, the specifics of vampirism manifest differently on an individual basis 
and these nuances sometimes insulate the confusion in defining the vampiric 
range of ability and experience. The alternate spelling of “Vampyre” is 
sometimes used depending on the path from which one approaches vampiri
 sm. There are numerous vampiric Paths, Houses, Orders, Associations, and Groups 
within the vampire community that exist both online and offline; often each 
having their own unique philosophies, teachings, ethical tenets, and protocols.

Sanguine or sanguinarian vampires feed by the drinking of blood - either human 
or animal. Sanguinarian vampires can vary in their experience of blood hunger 
and in how often or in what quantities they need to feed, but the unique craving 
for blood and the physical symptoms associated with neglecting to drink blood 
are unifying features of sanguinarian vampirism. The consumption of blood from 
human sources is facilitated through a consensual agreement by verbal or written 
contract between vampire and donor. Not all members of the vampire community 
actually acknowledge the difference between psychic and sanguinarian vampirism, 
and there is a popular but not universally-held theory within the vampire 
community that the life force energy or "prana" contained within the blood is 
the source from which they feed, rather than any physical component of the blood 
itself. This theory is supported by the notably small amount of blood that 
vampires consume to alleviate their hunger; usual
 ly one to two tablespoons, but challenged by the fact that vampires who 
consider themselves primarily blood drinkers often do not display as many or any 
of the psychic tendencies that psychic vampires do, and more often report more 
physical symptoms, such as sense acuity and physical strength, than do the 
psychic vampires.

Psi Vampires are understood to feed psychically on life force energy. Psi (or 
psy) feeding is usually performed on a willing individual or from the ambient 
energies of a large group or crowd. This term is often mistakenly confused with 
the pop psychology use of "psychological vampire", used as a metaphor to 
describe specific socially manipulative behaviors. Psi vampire, refers to a 
vampire who feeds by some manner of energy transfer; this term may also be 
shortened to psivamp. Psy vampire, and "psychic vampire" are sometimes 
considered synonyms for psi vampire, but are also sometimes employed as separate 
terms with distinctive meanings. For example, "psi" is often employed as a 
synonym for ESP phenomena in parapsychology, and "psy" is short for either 
"psychic" or "psychological". Those who make distinctions between these terms 
may use these meanings as the basis for their reasoning.

Hybrid (Combo) or Psi/Sang Vampires claim to have no primary feeding method, 
being able to feed from either source at any time. Others report changing their 
primary feeding source from energy to blood, or vice versa, at various points in 
their lives. Some, but not all, vampires who can feed or have fed via both 
methods choose to describe themselves as Psi/Sang or Hybrid (Combo) vampires. 
Still other Community members go further to define sub-classes of vampirism 
based on the detailed methods and sources of psychic feeding. These classes are 
most often distinguished from one another based on the type of energy gained. 
Those who feed from natural or elemental energy, and those who feed from humans 
either during sexual contact, during magickal rituals, or during times of high 
emotional output may be described as specific types of vampires. Further 
subcategories of psi feeding energy exist, including terminology to describe 
those who feed from direct contact with the human aura, 
 those who feed from the ambient energy of crowds and public places, those who 
can only absorb certain kinds of emotions, etc.
Author Unknown

© Into The Darkness

Strigoi Vii

Strigoi Vii is the plural for Strigoi Viu, the Romanian word meaning, 
approximately, “living vampire witch.” This is the name We find best suited to 
describe Our Family, traditions, Mysteries and philosophies. Strigoi Vii is Our 
form of Vampyric witchcraft, sharing many elements with modern neo-paganism and 
other esoteric systems, yet still remaining very unique.

Many great thinkers such as Aristotle, William Blake, Carl Jung, Friedrich 
Nietzsche, Ayn Rand with her philosophy of Objectivism, and Ragnar Redbeard 
(author of Might is Right), have expressed elements of Our Dayside perspectives 
in various ways. However, it must be noted that the Dayside Strigoi Vii 
philosophy is only partially revealed by these viewpoints or thinkers. Moreover, 
many of these authors unfortunately include mortal sentiments objectionable to 
the Strigoi Vii along with their more excellent philosophies. You can also see 
elements of Our Nightside and Twilight perspectives reflected throughout history 
in the esoteric realms, including the chaos magick of Peter J. Carroll, Sumerian 
and Egyptian magic, Hinduism, Bhuddism, the Thelema of Magus Aleister Crowley, 
shamanism, Gnostic teachings, Judo-Christian mysticism, esotericism, and 
Hermetic Magick from ancient times.

The process of syncretism is defined as reading between the lines and seeing the 
elements of Our Mysteries in disparate myths, stories, and thoughts, then 
putting them back together into greater and more practical truths. As Strigoi 
Vii that is what We do, seeking the truth and reason through Our own insight as 
well as that of other wise ones.

For the last millennia since the end of the days of traditional Khem, better 
know as today as Ancient Egypt, the Strigoi Vii have been in the shadows, 
working in secrecy on a solitary basis with Our ancestors. However, all of this 
is changing now. With the guidance of Our Ancestors, a new generation of The 
Family is finally deliberately reveling Our collective heritage. We are 
gathering together and slowly coming out of the shadows in order to take part in 
the future and embrace Our past as one.

The Strigoi Vii Black Veil

...there are two types of laws; just and unjust. I would be the first to 
advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility 
to obey just laws...a just law is a code [that] squares with the moral 
law...rooted in eternal law and natural law.
- From Letter from Birmingham City Jail by Dr. Martin Luther King

The Covenants known as the Black Veil are the foundation the Strigoi Vii 
Mysteries. It has been the source of Our ethics and power, Our sword, and Our 
shield. It exists for the preservation and prosperity of Our Mysteries, Family, 
and the Sanguinarium, and is endorsed by the Synod. Those who are not initiated 
into Strigoi Vii are not expected to uphold these tenets as they are not bound 
by them. However, We of the Strigoi Vii encourage even those who are not of The 
Family to recognize and respect the common sense inherent in the Black Veil. 
These simple guidelines provide Us with the freedom to maneuver unhindered 
through the mundane world.

This is the ONLY edition of the Veil endorsed by the Ordo Strigoi Vii and is 
specifically designed for The Family and the Sanguinarium. Previous editions are 
of high merit; however, they have not fully captured or expressed in words how 
to avoid potential liabilities of the tangible Dayside realities of the everyday 
world. These realities must be first addressed in order to ensure the security 
and prosperity of The Family. Those initiated to Strigoi Vii Who violate these 
Covenants of the Family may face temporary banishment, or even suffer 
excommunication from the Sanguinarium. In reality, such individuals are 
ultimately betraying themselves by giving up the opportunity to achieve Zhep'r 
through their actions. This is known as the Malediction of Elorath.

We Strigoi Vii are socially responsible individuals, and the consequences of Our 
actions may have various, often negative, repercussions as We become more 
visible to the mundane world. Those Who proudly bear the Legacy Ankh close to 
Their hearts, be They Strigoi Vii or Black Swan, make the statement that They 
are in agreement with the Covenants of the Black Veil. These tenets are innate 
common sense for the responsible members of Our Family. The Black Veil gives us 
the freedom and foundation to be powerful by being proactive and preempting 
issues that may get in Our way. There are five Covenants of the Veil. The first 
three are absolute and unbreakable laws of the Blood. The last two are codes of 
ethics which, when respected and adhered to, serve to empower both the 
individual and the Family.

I. Covenant of Mundane Law

Strigoi Vii are not criminals.

Adherence to the laws of Our local governments, even if We disagree with them, 
is essential to provide Us with the freedom to explore Our nature. Criminal or 
illegal behavior will not be tolerated amongst the Strigoi Vii. By this we do 
not refer to minor legal infractions such as parking violations. We are 
referring to serious crimes such as drug dealing, murder, rape, theft, etc. 
Strigoi Vii are free-spirited and individualistic. However, all are expected to 
act with common sense and to practice social responsibility. It is the duty of 
every Strigoi Vii to conduct Themselves in a manner that will not bring negative 
consequences upon the Family.

II. Covenant of Responsibility

Strigoi Vii is for adults only.

We must honor the need for minors to establish a skeptical, objective, and 
rational Dayside foundation before exploring and embracing the Nightside. Those 
who have not reached the age of majority (eighteen in the United States) must 
not be permitted or encouraged to explore Our Mysteries, participate in Vampyre 
ritual, or enter Our Sanctums under any conditions. Thus no minor shall ever be 
involved in Strigoi Vii, either privately or publicly, until they come of age.

Those children curious about Our Mysteries should explore yoga, quantum physics, 
theology, paganism, magick, reiki, martial arts, and the works of philosophers 
such as Darwin, Frederick Nietzsche, and Ayn Rand. This way they build a solid 
foundation that shall better prepare them to pursue Zhep'r upon coming of age.

III: The Covenant of Blood

Strigoi Vii are not drinkers of Corporeal blood.

From the perspective of the Strigoi Vii, the Art of Vampyrism occurs purely on 
subtle energetic level. The word "Blood" with a capital letter B is merely a 
metaphorical term for the subtle vital life-force, better known as Prana in 
Hinduism, Chi in Chinese medicine, or Ki in Japanese martial arts. The term 
Sanguine symbolizes the spiritual current and blood (heritage) of The Family.

To satisfy Our spiritual hunger We practice other, more subtle, forms of feeding 
which We find much more efficient and pertinent to Our Mysteries. On a Dayside 
level the decision not to drink blood leads to a clear avoidance of legal 
liabilities and health risks such as blood-borne diseases including Hepatitis, 
Syphilis, HIV/AIDS, and many more.

IV: Covenant of the Current & Quest

The Strigoi Vii have a unified cause - the Current and the Quest

The Current is the "Blood" that is the signature of those of Our Family. The 
collective duty of all Strigoi Vii is the Quest. We must search out those with 
potential to Awaken, yet who are not aware of that potential in their Blood. 
However, We never force a potential to follow Our way, as Vampyres are not 
rebels or mindless followers. Potentials must be allowed to come to The Family 
in their own way and in their own time.

Always use one of the proven tools to supporting the Quest as to not degrade Our 
Mysteries. Give the Seeker a hint, let them feel the Calling, and come when, and 
if, they are ready. Never support or join an organization or individual that 
actively opposes The Family or Our Quest. Never enter into debates with the 
mortal minded or try and convert them or see Our ways, as such behaviour is in 
conflict with the Glamour and a waste of time and energy. Betraying the Quest is 
not only betraying the Family. It is betraying yourself.

V: The Covenant of Secrets

The Strigoi Vii is an open secret, hidden in plain sight.

Secrets both protect and bind Us. Our Mysteries are Our own and those who wish 
to explore them should seek them out alone, through personal initiative and 
action. As a sleight of hand magician would employ the principle of Òhidden in 
plain sight, so does the Living Vampyre.

Here are three examples of the Black Veil Covenant of Secrets:

Firstly, take example from the Synod. Honour your Sorors' and Fraters' right of 
privacy, such as in respect to Their mundane identity. Never disclose any 
personal information to anyone, especially to the mortal minded, but even to 
other Family members, without Their explicit permission. The only circumstance 
under which the Synod would disclose the given name and identity of any Strigoi 
Vii is if such information was required under the legal jurisdiction of the 
proper authorities.

Secondly, public discussion of Strigoi Vii and the Mysteries outside of the 
Sanctums, such as with the media, on social networking websites, in public, or 
with those not of the Blood is an obvious violation of this Covenant. At all 
times speak only for yourself, and never represent the Family outside of the 
guidelines of the Quest without first consulting the Synod and gaining direct 
endorsement. Leave that to those select members of the Inner Circle who are 
properly trained in public relations. Supporting this Covenant furthers the 
Glamour and Our Mysteries.

Finally, and most importantly, never share or discuss the Sanguinomicon with 
someone who has not read it and had the opportunity to reflect upon its 
contents. Respect free will, and let Seekers gain the first impression of the 
Mysteries and formulate their opinion on their own.

The Black Veil is Our Covenant and applies only to the Strigoi Vii. Employ these 
proven Covenants and you will have a solid foundation for Zhep'r. Do not debate 
with others who disagree or cannot see the common sense outlined here. As they 
are not in agreement, simply smile and say We must agree to disagree, for free 
will is the whole of the law.

Psychic Vampire Personalities

Note: I thought this article to be very interesting and possibly something to 
reflect upon regarding vampiristic individuals and possible connections with 
past lives.

The Psychological dynamics represented by people who inadvertently portray a 
psychic attacker (energy vampire) fall into five major categories.This 
personality type is an accumulation of that individual's experience in their 
current life, as well as in prior lifetimes. Fear is the common denominator in 
these individuals, and you must learn to protect yourself from their negative 
influences. The five personality types are called ethereal, insecure, paranoid, 
passive-aggressive, and robotic.

The Paranoid Type
Betrayal is the main issue with a paranoid type. Their Karmic theme in past 
lives has possibly been that of warrior-like behavior, self-sacrifice, and 
victory in their battles. As a results of their experiences, they learned that 
there were enemies in the world who betrayed and possibly killed them in several 
incarnations. Paranoid types are soldiers still trying to win a war that no 
longer exists against an enemy and life is their battleground. Fear is 
everywhere and an ingrained part of their personality makeup.

Their energy fields tend to be more highly charged on the upper half of their 
body. They are especially fearful and distrustful of members of the opposite 
sex. Agression is the most common response to the world from a paranoid type. 
This aggression takes the form of physical behavior and energy projections to 
anyone in their path.

Paranoid Types constantly pick fights. They are seductive, but are incapable of 
long-term relationships. This person expects all others to betray them, and will 
assist in setting up others for this betrayal. A paranoid may initiate a 
betrayal as a preemptory strike.

To lose for a paranoid is to admit that they are bad. This is intolerable, so 
these people must win at any cost. They are hard workers, obsessive-compulsive, 
and are usually quite healthy physically. There is never enough time for them to 
accomplish their various goals.

Paranoid types insist you agree with their often-distorted view of the world. In 
reality, they want you to argue with them. This way they can win the argument 
and prove to themselves that they are good and you are bad. Never argue with 
this person. Refrain from making eye contact with them. Lower and soften your 
voice when you speak to them, and change the topic to something pleasant.

The Ethereal Type
Existential terror is the predominant issue of an ethereal type. Most often 
these troubled souls have been tortured to death in previous lives for their 
metaphysical beliefs or practices. Their only escape was to leave the body, 
so-out-of-body experiences are the norm with them today.
These individuals do not want much contact with others. They were afraid to 
incarnate in their present body, and show this fear by being unwilling to commit 
their consciousness completely into their physical body. Leaving their physical 
body often throughout the day is the most common method that ethereal types use 
to deal with problems. They have weak boundaries and spend as much time as 
possible on the spiritual realms. Since all time is simultaneous on other 
planes, these people find it difficult to relate to linear time.

The result of these inclinations is both withdrawal and aggression. They become 
aggressive and angry when forced to function on the earth plane. Their psychic 
attack on you is rarely premeditated, but, nonetheless you must protect yourself 
from these individuals.

The Insecure Type
Invasion and being controlled is the chief concern of the passive-aggressive 
type. During several past incarnations, they experienced being controlled and 
trapped in situations, and prevented from being able to express themselves in 
ways they wanted to. They may have been slaves, prisoners, or been victimized by 
religion or governments.

These souls absolutely desire freedom, but their fear prevents them from 
claiming it. they are angry and resentful for not feeling free, and lack a 
solution to this problem. Their response to the world is withdrawal, but with a 
subconscious wish to obtain permission from other people to come back into the 
world.

Passive-aggressive types lack autonomy. They constantly strive to involve other 
people in their lives. This individual makes demands and resists input at the 
same time. They live in the now, and never think about the future. 
Self-expression is unkown to them. It is common to observe others interfering 
with their development, completing their sentences, and taking them for granted.

This type of individual creates an internal world of unclear, undifferentiated 
fantasies and ideas, with fear at the core of this world. They imprison 
themselves and project loneliness, desperation, and resentment toward everyone 
they contact. It is impossible for them to express anger.

When you engage this type in conversation, they will request your advice. 
Unfortunately, all of your suggestions are wrong and you are of no help to them. 
These people ask but reject whatever is offered to them. Their classic response 
to your advice is, "yes, but.."

Robotic Type
The main issue of robotic types is authenticity. They are denying their true 
self. During previous lifetimes, they had to keep up the appearance of being 
perfect in order to survive. They were most likely in charge of running things, 
as they probably are now.

Their outer world is perfect, the inner world is denied, and there is no core 
essence. They constantly fear that something is missing and life is progressing 
without them. To deal with this reality, robot types try to become even more 
perfect. They have high-paying jobs, a good reputation, a perfect spouse and 
family, and look in perfect health.
The more inauthentic they act, the more meaningless the world appears. Others 
envy their lifestyle. People come to them with their problems. The robot types 
never attain satisfaction from life, and come across as a blank. they function 
as if on automatic pilot and are often removed from your conversation. Robot 
types never complain about the world. They are perfect and everything is 
beautiful. Appropriateness and being "politically correct" are more important 
than being than being real.
Dr. Bruce Goldberg

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This Material is for educational purposes only
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Vampire Terminology

------------
Vampire Terminology

Autovampirism:
The drinking of one's own blood.

Awakening:
The physical and mental changes that occur when someone awakens to their latent 
vampire nature. The awakening typically occurs during or shortly after the onset 
of puberty, but in some individuals may take years to manifest. Those undergoing 
the awakening, undergo various mental and physical changes. These changes often 
include an increased sensitivity to light and particularly to sunlight, a 
growing affinity for night and darkness, having one's circadian rhythm become 
inverted and switching from a nocturnal to a diurnal sleeping schedule, and 
experiencing the first symptoms of the thirst. Many experience acute feelings of 
isolation and alienation during this process, as their changing nature distances 
them increasingly from their "normal" family and friends. Many seek out 
organizations or groups to help understand their desires and newfound feelings. 
(See also "turning".)

Beacon:
A particular feeling or energy signature generated by vampires in general, but 
latent or potential vampires in particular. The beacon seems to exist to attract 
other vampires to the potential vampire so that they may instigate the awakening 
process. (See also "vampdar".)

the Beast:
The primal, instinctive, animalistic, bestial nature of a frustrated or 
desperate vampire, where he or she gets really evil-minded and aggressive and 
wants to just go berserk, rip people and things apart for the pure "fun" of it, 
and feed violently. It's destructive and cold, and if you don't control it, then 
you will be under its control. This is different from just "vamping out" but 
that is when it's most likely to manifest.

The Black Veil:
Also known as the "Thirteen Rules of Community". Composed by Michelle Belanger, 
Father Todd Sebastian and COVICA, this is a set of 13 common-sense guidelines 
for the Sanguinarium as well as the vampire community. It deals with such things 
as responsibility, etiquette, feeding practices, the lifestyle, discretion, etc. 
The Black Veil has undergone several major revisions since its first incarnation 
in 1997 in attempts to be made more applicable and palatable to the real vampire 
community and not just the Sanguinarium; in 2003, it was revised once again and 
cut down to just seven tenets.

Blood-Bars:
Rumored underground vampire havens, which have a members-only and very secretive 
policy. They are only open to properly initiated (usually through a coven) 
members of the community, if then. It is said they serve stored blood and/or 
have willing donors who provide blood over a bar.

Certainly if they exist they are only a part a of a local population's Cabal.

Blood Bond:
1.) A strong, sometimes undesired, bond or attraction which can develop in a 
donor towards the vampire he or she is feeding; this bond can be a mutual thing 
between both the vampire and his or her donor, but often is felt only by the 
donor.

2.) A rite, ritual or ceremony marking a commitment to a coven or an individual. 
It is also a term to reflect a vampiric marriage.
Blood Doll:
Someone who gives blood in hopes of looking cool and/or who may have erotic 
desires fufilled by being fed on.
Blood-Drinker:
Anyone who drinks blood, regardless of motivation.
Blood-Fetishist:
Someone who is erotically attracted to the sight, taste or smell of blood; he or 
she generally has no physical need to consume it, and will usually be happy with 
small amounts. Blood-fetishism is often accompanied by other sexual fetishes, 
including sadism and masochism, and the blood is usually taken during sexual or 
fetish play, as in a bondage or domination situation.
Blood Junkie:
A derogatory term for someone who experiences the physical need to consume 
blood; a sanguinarian (see also "the Thirst", "sanguinarian" ). Particularly 
refers to one who has no control over his/her thirst and goes around feeding 
indiscriminately.
Blood Vamp:
A short form of "blood vampire", or sanguinarian.
Bloodletting:
The physical act of cutting or piercing the flesh in order to extract blood. 
This is commonly used for feeding as well as in bloodplay and fetishism. (See 
also "bloodplay". )
Bloodplay:
Similar to bloodletting, bloodplay is the act of using blood in sexual or fetish 
situations. Bloodplay can also refer to the integration of blood and 
bloodletting in ritual. (See also "bloodletting" .)
Bloodsharing partner:
A more appealing term for a donor. Some donors dislike being called "donors", as 
they feel it somehow belittles them or their role in their vampires' lives.
Cabal:
The far-underground "shadow" community of sanguinearians in a particular 
geographic location. Few even believe they exist and Cabals include the 
Bloodbars and other unknown things. Cabals are very selective as to who even 
knows who is a member.
Chi:
The Chinese term for life-energy. It is also often referred to as pranic energy 
or life force. Chi is the bio-electrical energy which runs our bodies on a 
subtle level. Energy vampires and many psi-vamps believe that they can 
manipulate chi and feed upon it to sate their hungers. It is believed by some 
that, to a certain extent, blood vampires also feed upon chi, for a great deal 
of this subtle energy is believed to be concentrated into the blood. (Also, 
"psychic energy", "prana", "pranic energy", "psi", etc.)
Clinical vampirism:
A psychological condition, such as Renfield's Syndrome, in which the afflicted 
person experiences a psychological urge to drink blood. This urge is often 
satisfied with their own blood, and sufferers of clinical vampirism typically 
bear slashes from razors and knives up and down their arms from where they have 
drawn blood from themselves. Particularly sociopathic forms of clinical 
vampirism drive sufferers to attack and sometimes (although rarely) even kill 
other people in order to drink their blood.

A related condition is known as SMS, or Self-Mutilation Syndrome. This newly 
named pathology is becoming alarmingly common in American youths. Sufferers of 
SMS, often known as "cutters", feel the need to cut into their flesh and watch 
themselves bleed. Some sufferers of SMS also drink the blood drawn out this way, 
although this is not standard for the disease. Most sufferers of SMS are 
redirecting feelings of anger, frustration, inadequacy, or emotional pain onto 
their bodies. (See "Self-Mutilation Syndrome", and "Renfield’s Syndrome".)
Court:
A monthly social event which is much like a "town meeting" for members of the 
vampiric community in a specific geographic area. Court is usually held once a 
month at a local tea or coffee house, lounge or haven, and only vampires and 
those within the community are welcome. This is an opportunity to socialize with 
others in the community. News and announcements are made, poetry is read, new 
members, elders, etc., are introduced. Here vampires are generally free to 
escape mundane society. The host of the court is usually a locally respected 
Elder who secures a date, time, venue, and promotes the event.

Combo:
A vampire who is capable of feeding on blood as well as psi energy. It seems to 
me that most real vampires are capable of feeding from both, or using blood and 
psi interchangeably. Ex., "I am a psi/sang combo." (Also, "Hybrid".)
Coming Out (of the Coffin):
He-he...couldn' t resist. This means the same thing that it means for Gays 
(except they come out of the closet...). Involves being open or frank with 
people about being a vampire, drinking blood, feeding upon energy, etc. Those 
who have come out in this way do not hide their lifestyle at all, not even in 
their daily lives. Many people in the vampiric community choose to be "in the 
coffin" and are not public about their lifestyle outside of the community or 
scene.

Coven:
Groups of individual vampires or vampyre lifestylers, usually but not always 
located within a certain geographic area, who have banded together under a 
specific theme, set of ideals, traditions, common Sigil, havens, membership 
requirements, hierarchy and/or rites. Covens range in size from as few as three 
members to as many as hundreds. The organization and purpose of each Coven 
varies from fraternal (House Sahjaza); religious (Church of the Vampire -- not 
to be confused with the Vampire Church); or familial (Clan of Lilith). Some 
titles given to leaders of Covens include Elder, High Priest, Patriarch, 
Matriarch, or Coven Master. There are no requirements for forming a Coven other 
than a group of people getting together, choosing a sigil, name and theme.
COVICA:
The now apparently defunct Council of Elders drawn from many different 
traditions whose purpose is to help network the community, standardize language 
and terminology, and encourage cooperation, if not outright unification between 
the diverse aspects of the Sanguinarium and vampire communities. COVICA stands 
for Council Of Vampyric International Community Affairs.

Cutters:
(See Cutting and Self-Mutilation Syndrome.)
Cutting:
There can be many reasons for someone to cut themselves and a lot of them are 
neither related to vampirism or 'attention seeking' as most people believe. For 
people with physical pain or problems with depression, cutting can be a powerful 
coping mechanism and there is no shame in it. You can find a lot of useful 
information on cutting at the following website. (See also Self-Mutilation 
Syndrome)

Donor:
Someone who gives or shares their blood or life-energy, without obligation. Many 
donors prefer to offer themselves to just one vampire, but some donors will 
offer of themselves to entire covens, provided their offerings are appreciated 
and not abused. (See also "source", "supplier".)

Elder:
A prominent member of the vampiric community who is honored and respected for 
his or her experience, knowledge, willingness to help others, accomplishments 
and devotion. Elders are often those individuals who have helped establish a 
community, organize groups, or help network the community.

Elorath / Scrolls of Elorath:
From House Eclipse: "According to the OSV, this is the great vampiric essence 
and the vampiric astral spirits, called by the Temple of the Vampire the Undead 
Gods. This is one of the inner teachings of OSV. Some say this term evolved from 
the word "el-or-ath", which is the Atlantian term for a vampiric spirit. 
However, this is--" untrue! In actuality, the word originated back in the days 
of the original Coven, then operated by Raphael Osiris, and the "Sanguinarium" 
was still "the Sanguinary", and is an acronym for "Eternal Lord Our Regent Aaron 
Todd Hoyt". Seriously.

Embrace:
A hug. Since turning or awakening someone does not involve any sort of hug, 
where the vampire wraps his arms around a person, drawing him or her close so he 
can bite them on the neck to feed or turn them into a vampire (a la Dracula or 
Christopher Lee), I am not going to define it as such, -- regardless of the 
misusage of the word by others. Embrace does not mean turning, but it is an 
incredibly romantic word for an event which, in a lot of people's minds, is 
extremely pseudosexual and erotic. (See "turned" and "awakened".) .

Emotional vampire:
(See "psychic vampire", sense 2, and especially "psychological vampirism".)
Energy signature:
The pattern of energy, vibes, or the feeling that is unique to each individual; 
a person's psi 'fingerprint' identifiable in real life or astrally and 
oftentimes left behind long after a person has gone. Vampires supposedly have a 
particular kind of energy signature, and those who can pick up on this can 
identify them as vampires. An energy sig is different from a presence, though 
you can feel the presence of someone's energy, too. (See also "beacon".)

Energy vampire:
An individual who has a need to feed upon the lifeforce of others. Most energy 
vampires feed upon chi or pranic energy and avoid drinking blood. Some 
intermingle energy vampirism with blood-drinking. Also referred to as 
psi-vampires, most energy vampires exhibit the same characteristics that 
distinguish other real vampires, including light sensitivity, a nocturnal 
lifestyle, and periods of the Hunger or Thirst. (See also "chi", "hunger", 
"psychic vampire", "real vampire", "thirst".)
Excommunicated:

Cast out of a coven or the vampiric community as a whole. (See also "Invisibles" 
, "Sin nomine".)

Family:
A term used by many people to describe their coven or their close circle of 
vampires and friends. Also, a general term for all members of the vampiric 
community.

Fashion vampyre:
This is not a type of actual vampire. Someone who does not have the vampiric 
condition, and who just dresses the part. The fashion vamps are only into the 
aesthetics (fangs, contacts, fashion) and not the philosophy or spirituality of 
the lifestyle -- think "fashion victim". (See also "wannabe" and "poser".)

Feeders:
Another term for sanguinarians which distinguishes them by their need to feed 
upon blood.

Feeding:
The act of consuming blood (or, in the case of psi or energy vampires, pranic 
energy) from someone (or an animal). (See also the "Hunger", the "Thirst", and 
the "Need".)

Feeding circle:
A group of donors, usually from three to seven, who feed a specific vampire or 
coven of vampires.

Grazing:
This is a type of lifestyle which is looked down upon by the rest of the 
vampiric community in which a vampire randomly and without discretion feeds upon 
unscreened donors or sources typically picked up in nightclubs and Goth bars.

Haematodipsia:
A strong form of haematophilia.
Haematomania:
A strong psychological craving for blood.
Haematophilia:
An erotic attraction to the taste, sight (or smell) of blood.
Haemosexuality:
(See "blood fetishist".)
Haven:
A Vampyre nightclub or other gathering place. Considered hallowed ground, the 
haven serves as the social hub of a given community, providing a place where all 
the community can gather and socialize. Often, special functions arranged by the 
vampiric community in an area are held at the local haven.
House / household:
A group of vampires united under a common theme, set of traditions, philosophy / 
beliefs, sigil and hierarchy/ structure. The purpose of a House or household can 
range from the merely fraternal, to the spiritual. The number of members in a 
house or household can be as few as three or number into the hundreds, although 
I generally think of "household" as having a smaller number and "House" as being 
the larger counterpart, perhaps consisting of a number of households.
Any group of several or more vampires can get together and form a household or 
House; there is not a requirement to be "approved" by some official council or 
board; becoming recognized and accepted by the rest of the community, however, 
is a matter of time, publicity, reputation of the members, their conduct, etc. 
Some of the more widely known, established Houses are House Kheperu, House 
Eclipse, House Sahjaza, House Quinotaur, House Nekhbet; there are many others, 
as well.

"Human":
A term used for the purposes of distinguishing those who are not vampires. At 
best, this term is misleading because it implies that vampires are not human. 
(See "mundane".)
the Hunger:
The desire to feed, also identified as the Thirst or the Need. The Hunger is 
both a psychological and physical sensation. Physically, it manifests as an 
intense hunger or thirst -- but is not satisfied by food or drink. 
Psychologically, a vampire in the throes of the Hunger feels agitated and 
empowered at the same time. Pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, and sometimes 
even body temperature, increase in anticipation of the act of feeding. (See also 
"feeding", the "Thirst", the "Need".)
Hunter:
Someone that hunts, stalks, threatens, or does harm (whether it be physical, 
psychic, psychological, or emotional) to someone because he or she is a vampire, 
or because the hunter believes them to be so; or which gathers information to 
report those who are vampires. Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Blade fans are not 
included in this category; it applies to seriously unbalanced individuals who 
really are on some sort of holy hate crusade and intend to follow through with 
violence or action. (See also "slayer".)
Hunting:
Actively going out and seeking donors or sources in havens or in public. (Some 
even go to the mall!) This means bringing them home to feed or to eventually 
screen them. At one point, this was considered safe, but with the advent of HIV 
and AIDS, hunting indiscriminately is considered irresponsible and extremely 
dangerous; there still must be a period of screening time. Vampires who feed 
irresponsibly are looked down upon; and are sometimes "excommunicated" by their 
elders for this offense.
Hybrid:
A vampire who is capable of feeding on blood as well as psi energy. It seems to 
me that most real vampires are capable of feeding from both, or using blood and 
psi interchangeably, so is the term "hybrid" really necessary, or accurate? (See 
"Combo".)
Immortal:
Term occasionally used to refer to or describe vampires. Though technically, it 
means incapable of death or dying, it is used much more loosely in reference to 
vampires, implying that they are not subject to aging, are impervious to disease 
and injury, etc., and that they are above and superior to "humans" or "mortals". 
God is immortal; vampires are not. Further, it has not been incontrovertibly 
proven to me that vampires do indeed experience a capability of an extended 
lifespan. Check with me in about 20 to 30 years, and I should be able to tell 
you something more definite about that...
Incubus:
The plural is incubi. A male sexual vampire. See "sexual vampirism". 
Historically, the term was used to describe a reason for the sexual dreams a 
person sometimes experiences, and were thought to be caused by a demonic spirit 
which took the form of a female in order to drain a person of his or her energy 
and lead the defenseless person into sexual sin while they slept.
Invisibles:
Those members of the community who, having been ostracized and stripped of their 
name, are treated as if they no longer existed. Invisibles have committed some 
great crime in the eyes of the community, and for this they are no longer 
allowed to associate themselves with the rest of vampire culture. (See also 
"excommunicated" , and "sin nomine".)
Latent vampire:
Someone who is already naturally a vampire, but whose vampiric tendencies have 
not yet manifested. Apparently, some latent vampires may need to be "turned" or 
"awakened", while others may have their tendencies "activated" by indeterminate 
causes. Latent vampires sometimes seem to stand out to other, already 
established vampires through a phenomenon known as the "Beacon". (See also 
"awakening", "beacon", "turned".)
Leech:
1.) A small, bloodsucking worm;
2.) An incredibly rude and derogatory (well, at least disrespectful. ..) term to 
call someone who is a vampire.
Lilith:
History's first recorded feminist, she was the first wife of Adam, and created 
as an equal. When she declined to submit to Adam as his subordinate, he went 
whining to God, and God cast her out of the Garden of Eden, then created Eve, 
allegedly from Adam's rib, and therefore supposedly subordinate to him; 
apparently she was, as he didn't whine for a third wife (but since this is not 
about Eve, I won't elaborate). Lilith was later demonized by patriarchal 
societies who felt threatened by female equality; still later, she was deified 
by others. Not a bad job for a lady, eh?
It is theorized by some that, though entirely as human as Adam, since Lilith had 
her own complete set of genes and DNA, she is the progenitrix [female 
progenitor] of a separate strain of humans, which is nonetheless capable of 
intermingling with the more common Adam/Eve strain. It is theorized by some that 
this strain is where vampires come from. If this is so, then it could explain 
why vampirism seems to run stronger in some family lines, yet appear 
spontaneously or only sporadically in others.
the Long Night:
The name for the festival celebrated on the Winter Solstice. Occurring in 
mid-December, this night is the longest night of the year, and many households 
and covens gather together to celebrate this. It is a festival of community 
where everyone relaxes and socializes. It is also the traditional night to 
recognize new members of the community or a coven or to perform rites of 
passage.
Mentor:
A guide and teacher to a new or inexperienced vampire; the one who helped him or 
her through the awakening. (See also "sire".)
"Mortal":
A term used for the purposes of distinguishing those who are not vampires. This 
term is, at best, misleading because it implies that vampires are "immortal". 
(See "mundane".)
Mundane:
A term used to distinguish those who are not vampires from those who are. This 
is, I feel, more accurate that "mortal" or "human", and serves to distinguish 
those who are merely living normal, mundane lives and unencumbered with the life 
of a vampire. It is not a disparaging term.
the Need:
The need to feed. When experiencing the Hunger, one is said "to be in Need." 
Very strong feelings of the Hunger are referred to as "deep Need". (See also 
"feeding", the "hunger", the "thirst".)
Neovampyre / Neovampire:
A person who is not a natural vampire, but who is a student of vampyric/vampiric 
skills, philosophies and/or magicks; i.e., a person who (for lack of a better 
word) "converted" to vampyrism.
"of the Blood":
A term sometimes used to refer to someone as being a vampire.
Otherkin:
Someone who identifies with something other than his or her human side, such as 
a particular animal, mythological or fantastical being. He or she takes on the 
astral form of the animal or being when they are in the astral plane. Often, 
otherkin have physical attributes, mannerisms or thought-patterns identified 
with their particular being, such as fae having an elfin appearance, or wolfkin 
having a pack mentality. Types of otherkin include therians (were-beings) , fae 
or faeries, dragons, elves, angelics, and so forth. Some consider vampires to be 
otherkin, while others do not.
Parasite:
A completely insulting and derogatory term to refer to or call a psi-vamp or 
emotional vampire, implying that they are thieves and have no honor.
Porphyria:
An acute medical condition which has been postulated by some scholars to have 
inspired the vampire myths of the past. Sufferers of porphyria have pale, flaky 
skin and are very sensitive to sunlight. Their gums often recede excessively, 
giving their teeth an elongated and possibly fang-like appearance. Porphyria is 
caused by a deficiency in the enzyme which helps produce heme, a constituent of 
the blood which helps carry oxygen through the body. Dr. David Dolphin was the 
first to suggest that porphyria was the inspiration for at least some of the 
Mediaeval vampire myths, contending that some of the sufferers may have been 
driven to drinking blood in order to relieve their symptoms. As a result, the 
condition has come to be known in modern times as "the Vampire Disease". This 
appellation is very misleading, however, as porphyria only superficially 
resembles the vampirism of folklore and there is no supporting evidence to Dr. 
Dolphin's assertion that porphyria sufferers have bee
 n driven to drinking blood by their disease.
Poser:
Someone pretending or claiming to be a vampire who is not, with the intent of 
deceiving others, by making false claims as to their powers, abilities, 
lifespan, etc.
Pranic energy / Prana:
(Also "psychic energy". See "chi" and "psi".)
Primus:
A vampire, almost always an elder, who founded or is the leader of a large 
family or coven of vampires.
Psi:
A general term for the life-energy which is found within and throughout all 
living things. Also called prana, chi, pranic energy, psychic energy, etc. The 
life-force that surrounds and is contained in living things. This is the 
life-force that energy and psychic vampires feed upon. This energy is also 
contained in the blood and is believed by some to be an integral part of the 
transfer which occurs between a donor and a sanguinarian. (See also "chi" and 
"pranic energy".)
Psychic attack:
Any type of unwelcome paranormal or ethereal intrusion intended to cause harm or 
disruption to the recipient. Psychic vampire attacks are considered a form of 
psychic attack, especially when forced upon an unwilling victim. (See also 
"psychic vampire attack".)
Psychic energy:
(See "chi" and "psi".)
Psychic vampire, Psi vampire (psi-vamp, for short):
1.) Someone who "drains" life-energy (prana, chi, life-force, whatever) rather 
than blood from others. Psi-vampires may or may not consume blood as a means of 
extracting pranic energy.
Though the two terms refer to the same being, they do so with different meanings 
in mind. Some insist on calling psychic vampires "psi-vampires" , and insist 
that "psychic vampire" is incorrect, and then proceed to "prove it" by splitting 
etymological hairs. I disagree. There is a distinction which needs to be made 
between the two terms. "Psychic vampires" are called such because they feed 
psychically, as opposed to physically. However, it could be argued that psi is 
the auric or life-energy where as "psychic" is actually now thought to be shared 
thoughtwaves from a collective consciousness. So "psi-vampire" refers to what 
they feed upon, whereas "psychic vampire" refers to how they feed. Not 
infrequently, psi-vamps may also experience the Thirst in varying degrees of 
intensity, and in fact, there are many similarities in condition between the 
psi-vamps and the sanguinarians, with the main difference being, so far as I can 
see, the psi-vamps' need to drain pranic energy, and 
 ability to do so.
2.) A psychic vampire, in psychiatric terms, is someone who drains emotional 
energy without giving anything back, and can make the other person very tired, 
depressed, emotionally unbalanced, or worse, if too much is drained; an 
emotional vampire. Katharine Ramsland discusses this in depth in her book, 
Piercing the Darkness, (Harper Prism, 1998), pp. 190-196, referred to as "covert 
vampire". (See also "psychological vampirism".)
Psychic vampire attack:
An uninvited and unwelcome draining of one's vital energy, or chi or pranic 
energy. A psychic vampire attack occurs when a psi-vampire targets someone and 
feeds or attempts to feed. This can be done from casual contact, from across a 
room, or even through dreams. These attacks are not always just for draining; 
they can also be an attack on the mind itself, causing the target to hear, see, 
and feel things. Attacks of this nature can range from mild to very severe, 
sometimes leaving the victim despondent or even physically sick from being 
drained so. It's debated whether one can become a psychic vampire from repeated 
severe psi-vampire attacks. In general, though, this seems only to produce a 
condition known as sympathetic vampirism. (See also "sympathetic vampirism".)
Psychological vampirism:
These individuals often have a histrionic or narcissistic personality disorder 
and they are constantly drawing attention to themselves. They usually create 
dramatic situations and then demand emotional support from those around them. 
These individuals are emotional vampires. There is nothing metaphysical or 
spiritual in their condition, it is a simple psychological disorder. Yet it 
leaves the victims of these clingy, whiny people emotionally and mentally 
drained after dealing with them. These individuals are not to be confused with 
psychic, psi or energy vampires. (See also "psychic vampire", sense 2.)
Puppy:
A somewhat derogatory term for one who has developed an undue fascination, 
obsession or bond with a vampire and follows him or her around, trying to gain 
the vampire's attention or approval, and fawning over him or her, in a manner 
not unlike a puppy dog follows his or her master around. (See also "blood 
bond".)
Real vampire / Real vamp:
Someone who has a condition which includes but is not limited to a physical 
thirst or driving need for blood (which is non-erotic in nature; and in more 
significant quantity than is generally required or desired by other 
blood-drinkers, such as blood fetishists) or psi energy; increased physical 
and/or psychic sensitivities; sensitivity to light or sunlight and a nocturnal 
circadian rhythm; amplification and/or alteration of emotional states and 
feelings, etc.; and perhaps the (unsubstantiated* ) potential for an 
indefinitely extended lifespan (which is not to be confused with "immortality" 
), although many vampires do maintain a youthful twenty-something look well into 
their thirties or even forties. It does NOT include the abilities to change 
shape, fly, command others' wills, heal instantaneously, accomplish superhuman 
feats of strength or speed, etc.
*Some vampires believe the condition does include the potential for an 
indefinitely long lifespan, but this belief has not been incontrovertibly 
proven, to the best of my knowledge.
Rogue:
1.) A vampire or blood-drinker' s former donor or source who parts company on 
hostile terms and causes trouble;
2.) A vampire who can't handle things and becomes violent and/or irresponsible, 
posing a danger and threat to both him or herself and others.
Renfield's Syndrome:
"Some attention has been given to a condition named 'Renfield's Syndrome' in 
psychological literature, based on the fly-eating character Renfield in Bram 
Stoker's Dracula. Renfield's Syndrome is described as having four stages: a 
trauma or 'critical incident' in childhood in which the patient discovers that 
the taste and sight of blood is 'exciting' or attractive; 'autovampirism' , the 
drinking of one's own blood (autohemophagia) ; 'zoophagia', or the consumption 
of blood from animals; and finally 'true vampirism', in which the patient must 
have human blood, and may resort to stealing blood from medical facilities, or 
serial murder." -- Vyrdolak. (Apologies to Vyrdolak, whose site is the only site 
I could find with any information regarding this.) So far as I know, this is not 
an officially recognized mental disorder.
Roleplayer:
1.) Someone who engages in role playing games (RPGs).
2.) This is often used as a derogatory term for those who play Vampire: The 
Masquerade or similar vampire RPGs and/or who pretend to be a vampire in their 
free time when they are not. RPGers are also associated with posers and other 
fakes who dress the part and pretend to be something they are not. (See also 
"poser" and "wannabe".)
Sangomancy:
A form of vampyrecrafte, or vampiric magick, which specifically involves the use 
of blood in the rituals. (See "vampyrecrafte" .)
Sanguinarian:
Someone who has a physical thirst, need, craving for blood (which is non-erotic 
in nature) in more significant quantity than is generally required or desired by 
other blood-drinkers. Sanguinarians (a word from the Latin root "sanguinarius" , 
meaning "bloodthirsty" ) apparently do not get the benefits from pranic energy, 
or else they are unable to feed psychically like psi and energy vampires, for 
whom blood and pranic energy are apparently interchangeable.
the Sanguinarium:
The network of like-minded organizations, events, businesses, websites, 
individuals, havens (nightclubs) and resources for the greater vampire and 
vampyre lifestylers communities. Inspired by the "vampire connection" of vampire 
bars, nightclubs and safehouses founded in Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, the 
Sanguinarium serves to bring this vision to life as a real "Vampyre Connection". 
Many real vampires frown upon the Sanguinarium because of the non-vampiric 
lifestylers it attracts and the artificial pomp and aristocratic hierarchy it 
endorses.
Note: The Sanguinarium is not to be confused with Sanguinarius Organization for 
Real Vampires, which is the author's effort to help real vampires, blood 
drinkers, and vampiric people.
Sanguine / sanguin / sang vamp(ire):
These are shortened forms of the term "sanguinarian" . (See "sanguinarian" .)
Sanguinese:
All the language: jargon, slang, doublespeak, plays on words, etc. used by 
vampires to be able to converse with on another, either privately or in public.
Sanguivore:
A term that I am seeing more frequently, used to define sanguinarians, but which 
I feel is inaccurate, as sanguinearians do consume more than just blood. I would 
strongly recommend using the term to refer to those who consume only blood, and 
nothing else, as their main source of sustenance. I have not encountered any 
tangible proof that such individuals do exist, and I feel that this is highly 
unlikely.
the Scene, or Vampyre Scene:
The "scene" is a general term for the social aspects of the vampire subculture 
including nightclubs, havens, events, businesses, societies, and even the online 
part of the subculture. Many vampires and vampyre lifestylers are a part of the 
vampiric community, but do not go out and socialize. Most of the current scene 
revolves around the Sanguinarium.
Seeker:
Someone who is seeking after vampires, or knowledge of vampires, usually 
desiring to become one him/herself. Unlike a wannabe, the seeker has a more 
thoughtful approach to vampirism and is willing to learn all he or she can about 
the condition before jumping head-first into it.
Self-Mutilation Syndrome (SMS):
A psychological condition which has apparently begun to grow among American 
youth. Sufferers of SMS, also known as cutters, feel the need to cut into their 
flesh and watch themselves bleed. Some sufferers of SMS also drink the blood 
drawn out this way, although this is not standard for the disorder. Most 
sufferers of SMS are redirecting feelings of anger, frustration, inadequacy, or 
emotional pain onto their bodies. Some eventually get involved in body art and 
blood fetishism. (See also "clinical vampirism", "Renfield's Syndrome".)
Sexual vampirism:
A form of psi-vampirism where feeding is done primarily from sexual energy, or 
energy generated during sexual activity, with or without the exchange of blood. 
The feeding can be done intentionally or unconsciously / unintentionally. A 
common term for female vampires who feed exclusively through sex is "Succubus", 
a word which originally denoted a Mediaeval demon which was believed to visit 
the dreams of men and tempt them into sexual misconduct; the male version of the 
word, although not as widespread, is "Incubus". (See also "incubus", 
"succubus".)
Sigil:
The identifying symbol of a house, haven, coven, or individual. The sigil often 
has ritual or symbolic significance for the individual or members of the 
household. For example, the Sanguine Ankh represents members of the 
Sanguinarium.
Sin nomine:
Latin for "without name". A vampire who has been stripped of his or her name and 
recognition within the community for having committed some great crime in the 
eyes of the community. (See also "excommunicated" and "Invisibles" .)
Sire:
A term from Vampire: The Masquerade roleplaying system that has crept into 
general usage meaning the one who turned (or awakened) someone who is a vampire. 
(See "mentor".)
Slayer:
A loud-mouthed dumbass that makes public and obnoxious claims of killing people 
who are (or who the slayer thinks are) vampires. Just like hit-men for the 
mafia, those who may be real vampire hunters or slayers are NOT going to 
publicly announce what they do, as that's a surefire way to the Big House, or 
the Happy Hotel. At any rate, they'll get investigated. If they are posers, then 
they will continue to remain free and flap their lips a lot; if they are real, 
then the Law will deal with them accordingly.
Whatever the case may be, Sanguinarius urges you to report these individuals to 
the proper authorities. Maybe being investigated will put a reality check in 
their miserable lives and cause them to tone down their racist shitspeak. (See 
also, "hunter".)
Whether they are harming or killing people, or desecrating graves and corpses, 
or conducting illegal interstate commerce (ex., a site on the net, offering 
vampire hunting or slaying services in exchange for money or goods) -- even if 
they have had no takers!, -- they are doing or offering to do illegal things, 
and should be reported. I believe conducting illegal interstate commerce is a 
felony--?
It's one thing to be a fan of Buffy, or Blade, or Jack Crow, or whoever, and 
it's one thing to have a ROLEPLAYING persona of a vampire hunter, but if that's 
the case, then those who do need to put some sort of indication that this is the 
case!
Solitary:
A vampire who chooses not to be involved with a coven or House, and has little 
if any interest in interacting within the community.
Source:
Someone from whom a vampire will get blood. This is a neutral term that I prefer 
to use; I feel that it's more accurate than "donor", as the blood's not always a 
donation...
Strigoi Vii:
A term meaning "living vampires" in Romanian folklore, it is used by some to 
refer to the condition and philosophy of being a vampire. The movers and shakers 
of the Sanguinarium have appropriated the term for their use in describing their 
more spiritually oriented path, the Ordo Strigoii Vii.
Succubus:
The plural is succubi. A female sexual vampire. See "sexual vampirism". 
Historically, the term was used to describe a reason for the sexual dreams a 
person sometimes experiences, and were thought to be caused by a demonic spirit 
which took the form of a female in order to drain a person of his or her energy 
and lead the defenseless person into sexual sin while they slept.
Supplier:
Someone from whom a vampire will get blood. This is a neutral term; I feel that 
it's more accurate than "donor", as the blood's not always a donation...
Sympathetic vampirism:
A condition which sometimes occurs in individuals who have been fed from too 
frequently. This most often occurs in the donors or sources of energy vampires 
but can manifest itself among the sources used by sanguinarians as well. In 
general, the victim's resources become so depleted that they have to resort to 
vampirism themselves in order to replenish them. In addition to a need to feed, 
the sufferer of sympathetic vampirism may manifest symptoms commonly associated 
with real vampirism, such as heightened sensitivities and sensitivity to 
sunlight. Often, this condition causes some real vampires to mistakenly assume 
that their donors, -- or the donors thinking that they, themselves, -- have 
somehow been turned or awakened. But the condition is hardly permanent. This 
condition may last for a few weeks, although sometimes it can be drawn out for 
months or years. The best course of action is for the vampire or vampires who 
feed from the person to stop completely. Without the cons
 tant depletion of resources, the person's system should gradually correct 
itself over time.
Tease-the-Vamp:
A cruel "game" that non-vampires, or even other vampires, sometimes play where 
they tease or taunt a blood vamp with either thoughts of blood, or actual blood, 
which they have no intentions of giving to the vampire being teased. While it 
might be amusing to watch the vamp's reactions, this "game" causes misery for 
the poor vampire, and can result in his or her vamping out or worse, if it's not 
stopped.
the Thirst:
The craving, need, desire, urge to drink blood, experienced as an intense 
thirst-sensation and withdrawal-like symptoms. To say the least. This manifests 
not unlike an addiction, and is very difficult and annoying to have to deal 
with. (See also "the Hunger, "the Need", "Feeding".)
The Thirteen Rules of Community:
(See "The Black Veil".)
to Turn:
To make someone into a vampire. This is most likely a misunderstanding or 
misconception of the awakening process. (See also "awakening", "latent 
vampire".)
Turned:
Another term for becoming a vampire. Some groups believe that ordinary people 
can be turned into vampires, but this is most likely a misinterpretation of the 
awakening process. The method for this turning varies from group to group, but 
generally involves a rite of blood or energy exchange between the vampire and 
the person to be turned. If someone appears to have been turned, he or she was 
most likely a latent vampire to begin with. (See also "awakening", "latent 
vampire".)
Twoofing:
An alternate, less blatant, and less cheesy-sounding, term created as an 
alternative for the phrase "vamping out". (See "vamping out".)
Vampire:
A much-disputed term with many meanings, depending upon whom you're talking to. 
See also the definitions of "sanguinarian" , "blood-drinker" , "blood 
fetishist", "psychic vampire", "Vampyre Lifestyler", and "Vampiric Community". 
Here, it is used to encompass all of the above-listed groups into a general 
category. Also, here, it is not used to define any of those as some sort of 
supernatural or superhuman beings or someone who has returned from the dead 
(excluding being revived by medical procedures), and so forth. Anyone who makes 
those sorts of claims is lying.
Vampdar (a.k.a. Vampire radar):
A humorous play on the word "radar" and inspired by the gays' term, "gaydar", 
this term is used mostly by vampires who are experienced in meeting other 
vampires (live and in person) to describe the particular feeling they get. It's 
not something that can really be described well to others, but if you've 
experienced it, you'll know. (See also "beacon".)
Vampire aesthetic:
The art and style associated with the vampire. This includes figures with long, 
slender limbs and pale or bone-white skin, androgynous beauty, Victorian or 
Mediaeval styles and themes, trappings of lace and velvet, funerary décor, and 
overall dark and melancholy themes. Scenes of crypts, abandoned castles, and 
shadowy landscapes abound in artwork that appeals to the vampire aesthetic. The 
work of Gothic artist Joe Vargo of Monolith Graphics, which can be found on the 
Web at monolithgraphics. com, is an excellent example of this.
Vampire bait:
A poser or wannabe who is just screaming for a vampire to come after them. (What 
they get may be an entirely different situation than what they hope for or 
expect...)
Vamping out:
Experiencing an acute flare-up of the thirst. This also involves a change in the 
person's manner, breathing, pulse rate, thought patterns, etc., as their body 
gears up to go out and attempt to satisfy the thirst. This is a real thing, not 
a fantasy thing, and I won't let anyone else who does not really have this as a 
real occurrence claim it; to do so makes a mockery of those of us who really do 
have to deal with it! (If they don't have it and they claim it, then I wish it 
on them; let them have it!).
Vampiric community:
The community of people who identify with or have been identified with the label 
"vampire". This includes blood-drinkers, psi and energy vampires, and Vampyre 
lifestylers. The community also includes donors and sometimes the friends of 
vampires. (See "vampire".)
Vampyre lifestyler / Vampyre (spelled with a "y"):
Someone who incorporates fictional vampire imagery and trappings into his or her 
personal life, often cultivating a "Vampyric" physical appearance, including but 
not limited to a very pale complexion, a wardrobe made up predominantly of dark 
clothing, a style of dress which is modeled on Victorian or Renaissance 
fashions, black or blood-red lipstick, sunglasses, fangs, FX contacts, and a 
generally melancholy or lugubrious air. Lifestylers often form alternative 
extended families and social structures modeled on the "covens" or "clans" of 
vampire fiction and role-playing games. Many also utilize lingo and terminology 
taken from vampire fiction and RPGs. Some are real vampires in the sense of 
craving blood, while others are blood fetishists, and still others are just 
drawn to the "Vampyre aesthetic". This is an outgrowth of, but distinct from, 
the Gothic subculture.
There are some people, however, who use the term "vampyre" merely as an 
alternative spelling of "vampire", not necessarily indicating the vampyre 
lifestyle.
Vampyrecrafte:
In general, this is the magick practiced by vampires or vampyre lifestylers. 
Many of them are pagan and follow the old ways, and the ways of magick are an 
integral part of their beliefs. Most vampires or vampyre lifestylers practice 
numerous techniques associated with energy manipulation. Many also practice some 
form of magick, most oftenly ritual magick or chaos magick. Vampyrecrafte refers 
to magickal techniques specifically designed by vampires and vampyre lifestylers 
to take advantage of their unique abilities. Vampyrecrafte often has a dark 
flavor to it, although in general it is more of a balance between dark and light 
techniques.
Wannabe:
A slang term, a contraction of the words "wants to be". Derogatory term for 
someone who wants to become a vampire, usually with unrealistic expectations of 
what it would be like. Most wannabes have a very romanticized vision of 
vampirism, and they seem to think it would improve their lives somehow or make 
them more interesting. Many are attracted by a false vision of a vampire's 
powers. They usually fail to look at the practical side of becoming a vampire, 
such as necessary changes in lifestyle, finding sources to feed from, and trying 
to hold a job while balancing one's vampiric nature with daily life.
(Author Unknown)

PART FOUR: Vampires and the Age of Ignorance

Throughout history the legend of the vampire has been used to "explain" other 
natural phenomena that primitive people who lacked scientific knowledge could 
not otherwise explain. Possibly the most astonishing belief which people 
associated vampires with was the Black Death during the Middle Ages in Europe.

The Black Death, as we now know, was actually Bubonic plague spread by fleas and 
rats. The plague (which came from the East, not unlike the vampire) may have 
killed as much as a third of the population of Europe in the 1300s. Some people 
of the day, however, associated the multitude of deaths with vampires. Somehow 
they believed that the deaths were the workings of these monsters; perhaps the 
vampires spread plague, they may have thought. In some cases people believed a 
deceased relative returned as a vampire and killed a victim (who actually died 
of the plague). Alternately, it was believed a dead enemy could return and kill 
someone turning the victim into a vampire as well. Many graves were dug up and 
the bodies of suspected vampires mutilated to "kill" the vampire.

Idiotic methods were used to "locate" the graves of vampires. For example, a 
virgin was placed naked on a horse, and the horse was paraded through a 
graveyard. If the horse (which was apparently more intelligent than the people) 
decided not to walk over a certain burial site, this was assumed to be the grave 
of a vampire. The body was immediately exhumed and mutilated to "kill" the 
vampire and, yes, thereby stop the plague which was devastating the region.

Some of the most foolish vampire beliefs involved the methods used for killing 
vampires or stopping the spread of vampirism. It is important to remember, 
however, that while these beliefs seem absurd today, in an age when ignorance 
ruled unchecked, desperate people became susceptible to the power of 
superstitions.

Corpses were sometimes buried face-down. If the corpse became a vampire it would 
actually dig deeper into the ground in an attempt to escape the grave, if it was 
facing the wrong direction -- or so it was thought. Wooden stakes were sometimes 
planted in the ground above the grave, so if the body rose it would stab itself 
on the stake -- hopefully through the heart.

Corpses were sometimes wrapped in a carpet or cloth to make it more difficult 
for them to rise from the dead. Alternately, the legs or arms were tied up with 
rope.

Large rocks were often placed over the grave to prevent the corpse's return. 
(Could this possibly be the origin of the modern tombstone?) And it is 
significant to note that some people consider the vampire to be a type of ghost 
which lives after death, transcending the grave. What better way to keep the 
ghost in the grave than seal it in stone?

The natural process of bodily decomposition after death sometimes convinced 
people that corpses were actually transforming into vampires: the hair and nails 
continued to grow, indicating continued life; the corpse bloated from naturally 
occurring gasses in the body, meaning it fed on the living; blood sometimes 
appeared near the mouth as a natural result of bodily decay, indicating the 
drinking of blood; the generally grotesque appearance of the corpse complete 
with pale skin, indicating a vampiric need for blood.

Ignorant people followed superstitions to thwart assault from vampires, too. Two 
of the most commonly known substances used to scare away vampires were the herbs 
"wolfsbane" and, of course, garlic.. It is theorized that people during the 
Middle Ages believed that the horrible smell of the dead was related to the 
cause of death, especially during the Black Death, and that the deaths were 
somehow related to vampires. It is not unlikely that herbs would be used to 
counteract the smell of death, considering the potent aroma of garlic. Also, 
throughout the ages garlic had been used as a medicinal herb even by the ancient 
Romans. Ironically enough, modern science also believes garlic can help people 
become healthier, in some cases.

graphic People developed curious beliefs relating to vampires. Some believed if 
a black cat or dog jumped over a corpse, the deceased could turn into a vampire. 
In Bukovinian lore a stake of ash wood should be driven through the chest of 
those who died by suicide; suicide being a presumed cause for vampirism. In 
several cultures, including old England, people who committed suicide were 
buried at a crossroads (a sign of the cross made by roads) to prevent the corpse 
from becoming a vampire.

Various people had their various methods for destroying vampires as well. In 
some Slavic nations a spike made of ash wood, if driven through the chest, was 
believed to kill a vampire -- this is everyone's favorite method, a stake 
through the heart. In different lands, however, the wood used sometimes needed 
to be from a certain tree. For example, oak wood did the job in Silesia, while 
hawthorn wood was required in Serbia.

Additionally, the heads of corpses suspected of being vampires were sometimes 
chopped off. Sometimes corpses were thrown into pools of water or burned.

These beliefs were based on the general ignorance of the population, but the 
greater tragedy of the vampire legend was that the actual ascendance of the 
belief of the vampire myth may have been helped through the deeds (and misdeeds) 
of organized religion.

The Church in Europe during the Middle Ages came to recognize the existence of 
vampires and changed it from a pagan folk myth into a creature of the Devil. The 
vampire, though clearly a thing of evil and a pagan myth, had its believability 
reinforced by preexisting Christian doctrines such as life after death, the 
resurrection of the body, and "transubstantiation." This was a concept based on 
the Last Supper and the dogma of Pope Innocent the III in 1215 A.D., that the 
"bread and wine" and its equivalent during Christian Communion literally 
transubstantiated into the actual body and blood of Christ. People who adhered 
to this belief, and who consumed the blood of Christ, would have little 
difficulty in believing the corrupted corollary to this -- the drinking of blood 
by evil demons, namely, vampires.

The Church during the Middle Ages gave credence to the belief in vampires, 
concluded that it alone had the power to stop vampirism, and then reinforced 
this position two centuries later in 1489 with its landmark book, Malleus 
Maleficarum. This work was actually designed to deal with the persecution of 
witches, but it could be applied to evil vampires as well. Unfortunately many 
innocent people fell victim to this document, and were tortured and executed for 
no good reason whatsoever. This book, known as The Hammer Against Witches in 
English, was used to help identify and persecute people who were supposedly in 
league with the Devil.

Two centuries after this, evidence that the Church still clung to a belief in 
vampires was found in the writing of the noted theologian Leo Allatius. As a 
Church scholar he studied the vrykolakas, the Greeks' concept of the vampire. In 
his 1645 work called On the Current Opinions of Certain Greeks, he concluded 
that vampires were often the result of excommunication. Proof of their vampirism 
is that the body does not decay, indicating that it cannot leave this earthly 
plane. A swollen body was also evidence of possible vampirism. As some bodies 
might not decay rapidly due to the type of chemicals in the soil or the cold air 
temperature, and since bodily swelling was the result of naturally produced 
gasses in a corpse, many a dead man was wrongly presumed to be a vampire. Oddly 
enough, incorruptibility --the failure of the dead body to decay -- was also a 
sign of holiness, even evidence of saintliness. The difference was that a 
vampire did not totally decay but did become grote
 sque in form with discoloration and bloating, while a holy body remained almost 
perfectly intact as if still alive. Also, vampires smelled bad during the lack 
of decay, whereas sanctified bodies did not. (Remember, you needed garlic to 
overcome the smell of the vampire's corrupting but non-decomposed, undead body.)

Furthermore, it was a common belief of early Greek Christians that a priest or 
bishop upon excommunicating an evil-doer could also prevent the sinner's body 
from decomposing, hence the soul would not be free to go to heaven and was left 
to dwell on earth until it received a pardon for its sins. In the western Church 
this belief was apparently also held. There was the case of the Archbishop of 
Bremen in the 10th century, St. Libentius. He was said to have excommunicated 
some pirates; the body of one of them was allegedly discovered many years later 
still undecomposed. It apparently required a pardon of its sins by a bishop 
before its body would dissolve to ashes -- so it was believed. The clergy thus 
had the power to make or break possible vampires through excommunication and 
absolution.

Leo Allatius may have been one of the first scholars to declare officially that 
vampires were under the power of the Devil and that they prowled at night.

Proof of the Church's power over vampires (and hence the power of the crucifix 
or holy cross to scare off vampires -- although more modern vampires appear to 
be less susceptible to this) dates all the way back, at least, to Medieval 
England. A writer named William of Newburgh discussed the case of a man who died 
in the 12th century A.D. Supposedly he rose from the dead to torment his wife. 
After causing much consternation with the local villagers and clergy, the bishop 
of the region pardoned the corpse in writing for all his past sins. The grave 
was opened and the actual written pardon was placed over the body of the 
"vampire." The people were surprised -- or maybe not -- to see the body was 
still in good condition without signs of decay, sure proof of vampirism. But 
fortunately for everyone, once the pardon was placed in the grave, the vampire 
visited no more. Note that this method of dispelling the vampire with an 
official Church document was remarkably more civil and legal
 istic than the ordinary way peasants would dispense with a vampire found in the 
grave -- by burning the corpse, ripping out its heart, chopping off its head, or 
giving it the old wooden stake through the heart.

In the early 1700s the Sorbonne university in Paris formally opposed the all too 
common practice in popular culture of mutilating corpses to prevent the dead 
from becoming vampires. The Sorbonne (which the renowned writer Voltaire had 
once been shocked to discover actually debated the legitimacy of the 
mythological vampire) finally took the apparently radical position at that time 
that the mutilation of corpses suspected of vampirism was a practice based on 
irrational superstitions.

The belief in vampires, however, did not go without intelligent criticism. Dom 
Augustine Calmet, a French Benedictine monk, actually wrote a book in 1746 which 
dared to question the existence of vampires, called A Treatise on Apparitions, 
Spirits and Vampires a.k.a. The Phantom World. Calmet challenged the rampant 
vampire superstitions of the day and required proof before acceptance of a 
belief. He especially doubted that vampires could perform superhuman tasks, such 
as rising from the dead. He also analyzed and critiqued the supposed vampire 
epidemics throughout Europe, questioning their basis in reality.

Eventually the centuries of ignorance and superstition gave way to the Age of 
Reason and Enlightenment and the rise of the scientific method. Eventually 
medical science was able to prove that plagues, such as the Black Death, were 
not spread by evil, metaphysical vampires but had a very physical, although 
microscopic, biological basis.

Human Living Vampires --(HLV's)

General Information
These are individuals who, while they firmly assert that they are essentially 
human beings,
and to all external appearances are exactly that, nevertheless have pronounced 
vampiric characteristics.
That is to say, Human Living Vampires feel that they have a need,
compulsion, or involuntary tendency to "feed" upon some substance
or some kind of energy produced by other living things, primarily other people.
HLV's fall into two main classes: those who experience blood-lust or 
blood-craving,
and "psychic vampires" or "psi-vampires".
There is considerable debate among these individuals as to whether they do or do 
not share
"secondary symptoms" (such as sensitivity to sunlight) in common (See Secondary 
Symptoms, below).
Blood-craving HLV's tend to regard their need for blood as a
liability, sometimes an extremely severe one.
Psychic vampire HLV's usually have a somewhat more positive attitude toward 
their perceived energy-draining ability,
but often complain about the negative effects of these tendencies on their lives 
as a whole,
especially when the energy-draining is uncontrolled.
Within these two larger categories, there are several subdivisions among 
self-defined HLV's.
There are also a number of different "theories" proposed by HLV's to explain
their own origin, or the cause(s) of their conditions.
No HLV claims to be immortal, invincible, or possessed of
supernatural abilities (other than the extent to which psychic
abilities such as clairvoyance or astral projection might be called 
"supernatural").
Although some report enhanced strength, stamina, resistance to disease,
and so forth, in no case do these traits exceed the limits of human norms.
Human Living Vampires are human beings who are born, grow up, age,
and fully expect to die at the end of a conventional lifespan.
They are prone to any illness or injury that afflicts human beings.
They can and do have children.
They have normal nutritional requirements
(although some HLV's report unusual food cravings, allergies or aversions)
and in all other ways are bound by natural law.
Most are anxious to insist that being an HLV brings no glamour or special 
privileges,
but simply makes the everyday existence of relationships, jobs, and home life 
that much more challenging.
Many HLV's have difficulty understanding why a normal human would ask to be
"turned" into what they are and react to such requests with a certain amount of 
antagonism.
HLV's are strongly tied into human culture and society,
although many of them will express feelings of alienation.
In some cases, this may have as much to do with other factors
(high intelligence, sexual orientation, non-mainstream religious beliefs,
affinity with other counter-cultures such as the Goths, and so on)
as with the self-defined vampirism.
Many HLV's cling to bits and pieces of the 20th Century Vampire Myth,
at the same time that they urgently attempt to debunk this Myth in their 
writings.
In particular, "viral" explanations for their origins are quite popular,
along with "scientific" rationales in general.
However, for the most part, HLV's are far less concerned with explaining
themselves on any grounds, than they are with coping with the specific needs
and abilities that they identify as impacting upon their lives.
This is their primary focus, and the motivation for their forming networks
and support groups and "coming out" in public as HLV's.
All explanatory "theories" are considered to be tentative, even relative to the 
individual,
and many explicit statements to this effect are made by various HLV's on their 
websites.

Blood Vampires
I am using the term "blood vampires" here to refer to those
self-defined HLV's whose main vampiric tendency is a compulsion, or need,
to consume blood for reasons that are not primarily related to eroticism or 
emotional satisfaction.
Amy Krieytaz has coined the term "sanguinarians" for such HLV's.
Blood vampires do not experience any psychic vampire
tendencies of which they are consciously aware and tend to be rather bewildered
by the reported experiences of self-defined psychic vampires.
Blood vampires feel a physical craving to consume blood, and most do so on a 
regular basis.
Most desire human blood, and many blood vampires have
arranged for "donors" to supply them with fresh blood.
Some blood vampires describe a life-long fascination with blood and 
blood-drinking,
while others experienced an abrupt awakening of blood-craving
which they may or may not be able to trace to a certain event.
The amount of blood consumed, and the frequency of consumption, varies highly 
among blood vampires,
but few consume more than tiny amounts at a time, usually obtained through 
slight cuts or punctures
made by lancets or razor blades on willing human "donors".
Often, the "donors" themselves undertake the making of all cuts or wounds.
Many blood vampires insist that "donors" undergo
testing for blood-borne diseases, including HIV and hepatitis.
Some blood vampires consume animal blood, but this is unpopular
and usually considered an inferior substitute for human blood.
Because of the obvious difficulties in finding trustworthy or consistent 
"donors",
or other sources of fresh blood, many blood vampires are highly concerned
with the problem of "blood famine" or blood deprivation.
Online discussions for HLV's often address the issue of blood deprivation
and ways of alleviating symptoms.
These discussions sometimes result in more frustration than assistance,
however, when blood vampires are urged to "psi-feed" as a substitute for 
drinking blood
and find this suggestion impossible or incomprehensible.
More material substitutes for blood that are reported include
"blood" drained from raw meat, rare meat itself,
milk and dairy products, and even chocolate.
Blood-drinking HLV's believe strongly that their need to consume human blood
is not merely psychosomatic, but none of them has been able to
present any workable theory as to just why they require blood.
This remains an open area of inquiry.
Blood vampires are divided into two primary categories,
by intensity of their need for regular blood consumption.

Severe or "bloodlusting" blood vampires experience the
most critical and physical blood cravings.
They report a need for larger amounts of blood than most blood vampires or 
psi-blood
feeders consume at one time, and require it more often.
They also report the strongest feelings of physical "withdrawal"
when prevented from consuming blood,
sometimes so extreme as to resemble narcotics withdrawal.
Some severe blood vampires believe that
blood consumption may in itself be addictive, with higher amounts
consumed resulting in an irreversible higher degree of need.
Some severe blood vampires talk about the strength of their inner
compulsion to obtain blood by any means possible,
and the difficulty of keeping such antisocial impulses in check.
The phrase "The Beast" has been used to describe this almost overwhelming
"shadow self" that threatens to take over when a severe blood vampire
is suffering from blood deprivation, or when he or she has a source and that 
source is threatened.
While I have not yet heard any of these blood vampires describe giving into "The 
Beast",
they seem to agree that it requires their constant vigilance to keep under 
control.
Moderate or "blood-craving" blood vampires are satisfied with smaller amounts of 
blood from "donors"
and do not experience the same intensity of withdrawal symptoms,
or inner compulsion as severe blood vampires.
They may be satisfied for far longer periods of time with various substitutes,
and their need for blood may be more intertwined
with complex emotional and sexual feelings.
However, they are not merely blood fetishists,
because they do report a physical need to drink blood.

Psychic Vampires or Psi-vampires
This is a multi-layered and somewhat conflicting category.
The most succinct way I can describe human living psychic vampires
is the following: psychic vampires are living people who feel a
pronounced need to enhance their natural state of being by
drawing, absorbing, "draining" or "feeding on" some kind of "energy".
Most psychic vampires claim that the kind of energy they
require is life force, or "pranic energy", that is to say, a specific
type of energy produced by living things and the biosphere as a whole.
While this is the most common "energy" craved by psychic
vampires, other types of "energy" that are identified, and
differentiated from "pranic energy", include sexual energy, psychic
energy, emotional energy, magickal energy, negative energy,
astral energy, and atmospheric energy (for example,
thunderstorms), and there are others mentioned, as well.
These "energies" are given conflicting and overlapping definitions,
however, and the explanations of what "energy" is, exactly, and
how the psychic vampire uses it tend to vary from one individual to another.
Most psychic vampires "feed" primarily from other human
beings, but a great many report being able to "feed" from
non-human living things and from other sources.
In some cases, this is an emergency substitute, but some psychic vampires
attempt to "wean themselves" away from human sources altogether for different 
reasons.
Some psychic vampires hold (and this is simply their opinion) that it is more 
"evolved"
or advanced to progress beyond feeding on humans.
Some psychic vampires report an ability to absorb "energy" from
material sources, including fresh vegetables, rare meat and blood.
Although many psychic vampires have an interest in blood-drinking,
they do not seem to crave or lust for it as do blood vampires.
It remains an open question whether psychic vampires
who have an interest in blood, but who do not actually drink it,
may not be reacting to the power of suggestion,
and feel interested in blood because they self-identify as vampires
and on some deep level associate vampires with blood.
But this is a question that psychic vampires themselves will need to puzzle out.
(See Psi-Blood Feeders for a discussion of psychic vampires who crave blood.)
Like blood vampires, psychic vampires feel that they must "feed"
on the energy they require on a regular basis, and many report
physical feelings of discomfort if they are denied access to a source.
Symptoms of "energy deprivation" include extreme fatigue, depression, mood 
swings,
immune system suppression with an increase in illnesses,
uncontrollable "draining" of non-targeted sources, negative reactions from
others close to the psychic vampire, insomnia and anxiety.
Psychic vampires often discuss methods of finding energy sources
and "feeding" reliably and harmlessly, and these methods vary to a high degree.
I could not give a fair representative sampling, but some examples
include psychic vampires who "feed" during sex, those who "feed"
on large crowds, those who draw energy from the natural world
and visit parks or wilderness when "hungry", and those who "feed"
by finding people in highly energized states and either calming or further 
provoking them.
Unlike blood vampirism, psychic vampirism may be diagnosed
either subjectively by the vampire or objectively by observers.
Symptoms that one is a psychic vampire oneself include mood
swings, dizziness, alternations between high energy and fatigue,
headaches, a distinct feeling that one is pulling or drawing energy
or emotions from other people, and similar feelings.
But more and more people are being "diagnosed" as psychic vampires by other
self-defined psychic vampires, on the grounds of numerous criteria.
These include observed effects of the suspected psychic vampire on others
(fatigue or depression in the presence of the psychic vampire,
a sensation of phantom "tendrils" or attachments,
a sensation that something is being pulled or drawn out of the body or aura)
and direct psychic perception of the aura or energy field of the suspected 
psychic vampire.
Psychic vampires are developing a completely independent subculture of their own
and have their own acknowledged leaders and their own vocabulary.
They are also developing a consensual agreement on what being a psychic vampire 
feels like,
both to the psychic vampire and to others around him or her,
especially psychically sensitive others.
Some psychic vampires identify what they call an "energy signature"
that allows them to interpret whether another person is a psychic vampire,
as well as what specific type they are and how they function.
Such signatures are often read and interpreted during direct
contact over such media as online chat or the telephone.
Training methods adopted from modern magical traditions,
standard psychic development disciplines, meditative paths such as
Taoism and other sources are being introduced to help psychic vampires learn
to control their "feeding" and learn to "manipulate energy".
There are an increasing number of websites aimed specifically at psychic 
vampires and their concerns.
Psychic vampires proper fall into two main categories:

Conscious
Conscious Psychic vampires are fully aware of what they are and have
identified as psychic vampires at least on some level.
While they may not be able to completely control their "draining" tendencies,
they do try, and seek methods of learning how to do so more effectively.
When they have achieved at least some feeling of mastery,
they often offer to teach and support other nascent
psychic vampires by sharing what they have learned.
They tend to have strong and volatile personalities.

Unconscious
Unconcious Psychic vampires do not understand what they are,
and tend to wander through life in a state of blissful ignorance or denial.
They may or may not be aware of the effect they have on others,
although they can see the results.
Unconscious psychic vampires may stumble across a vampire website
or other forum and experience a shattering moment of truth when it all clicks 
together.
They may also be "diagnosed" by conscious psychic vampires and
urged to face what they are and learn to control their tendencies.
Of all vampires, unconscious psychic vampires tend to be most
noticeable to ordinary people, who see them as clingy,
attention-seeking, demanding, inconstant individuals.
In some cases, these assessments are not supported by actual behavior,
but are a materialist's rationalizations of the psychic perception of
the vampire's energy draining, for which the average person has no context..
Either way, unconscious psychic vampires do tend to
have rocky and difficult relationships, home lives and personal
interactions until they come to some kind of understanding of what they are.

Silver

Silver acts as an inhibitor for us psi-vampires. Lots of people wonder why a 
psi-vampire would want to wear something that inhibits their abilities. Here are 
the reasons why.

When a psi-vampire first awakens they have little control over their abilities 
(if they even realize what they are yet) and their bodies need energy and they 
do not know how to get it so their bodies instinctively start draining those 
around them, this is why their friends and family become suddenly tired all the 
time and or depressed.

It is always suggested to a young vampire that they wear silver that is touching 
their skin until they learn how to feed consciously on their own. This protects 
those around them.

Also the older vampires or elders and hi elders that have too much energy on 
full moons and new moons will wear silver so that their presence will not be too 
hard on sensitives or other psi-vampires that happen to be near or talking to 
them (even over the net). This is the reason I occasionally wear it myself.

For some psi-vampires that have nils or awakened humans as lovers and are afraid 
of accidentally draining them during sex will wear silver to protect them. Most 
do not even tell their lovers why they wear the silver, it is one little 
sacrifice that we make for them that they have no knowledge of.

For women who cant wear silver openly you can do as I did and put some in your 
bra.

Copper

Copper is used to amplify our abilities. Here are the reasons why one of us 
would wear this.

If we are using our abilities to try to heal others or give energy to a friend 
who is sick we would want to wear the copper, normally in a bracelet that we 
used to help focus our energy or amplify our power levels like a magnifying 
glass amplifies your eyesight.

Another reason we would wear copper is that if we feel threatened by another of 
psi-vampire we will wear the copper to increase our powers as much as possible 
for self-defense.

Copper is also used for protection especially if it is in the form of an ankh.

Sometimes where we have a nonvampiric lover we will have them wear copper while 
we wear silver when we are having sex.

Amethyst

Amethyst is used to make a safe haven for us and also it is used for protection.

If you think you are being attacked by a psi-vampire and you want to keep them 
out of your home simply get an amethyst stone (tumbled stone is the best) and 
put this in your dwelling. A psi-vampire can not phase, dream walk, nor enter in 
astral form into any dwelling with an amethyst in it unless they have been 
invited in more than once.

We can not physically enter such a dwelling (except with great difficulty and it 
feels like we are suddenly blind because we are cut off from our senses) without 
an invitation as well. The myth about invitations and vampires probably started 
here but I'm not sure on this point.

If you want to be safe from any form of aura draining or magical attack wear 
amethyst in your jewelry. If you are a male and don't feel comfortable wearing 
jewelry you can always carry a tumbled amethyst stone in your pocket.

There are 3 tools for getting around the physical discomfort of sunlight

For all the psi-vampires and sanguinarian vampires that get physically sick from 
sunlight, these three tools will help you considerably. The general symptoms are 
nausea, migraines, cramps, dizziness, sluggishness, body temperature drops, and 
some even pass out.

V8, especially the V8 splash drinks will greatly reduce all of the symptoms 
caused by daylight. V8 works because of the vitamin A in the carrot juice which 
your body needs. If you become vitamin A deficient you will become sunlight 
sensitive and for some reason sunlight seems to deplete our bodies store of 
vitamin A. I personally only drink the strawberry-kiwi or the tropical twist 
flavors.

I can not eat grapes or have anything with nutrasweet because my body has a hard 
time breaking down the complex sugars in them and I always wind up with a 
headache.

GATORADE will stop the migraines you get from the sunlight. The reason we get 
migraines when we do go out and about during the day is because the sunlight 
throws off our bodies electrolytes and the Gatorade fixes this problem.

HOT CHOCOLATE will get rid of the cramps and migraine if it has gotten to the 
point where your muscles have cramped up from the pain. Hot chocolate works 
because the chocolate makes your body produce endorphins which are pain killers 
and because it is a hot liquid it gets your muscles to relax.

The only other natural thing I know that makes your body produce endorphins is 
sex.

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