Vampirism and Vampyrism?

Vampirism and Vampyrism

Quotes, expressing a variety of opinions:

* "Vampyrism is merely a condition, primarily of the spirit. The essence of the vampyre is contained in the mind and soul. It is the touch of the Dragon upon the mindscape of the individual ." ShadowMind 1
* "Vampires are imaginary, reanimated, blood-sucking human corpses whose origins are grounded in religious myth." From this document
* "Today he's drinking people's blood... Tomorrow he could be smoking." A concerned Marge Simpson on The Simpsons TV program.
* "The vampire cult is the last and most damnable step in [the] exploration of Satanism". William Schnoebelen, conservative Christian author and lecturer. 2

About the colors:

The text and background colors in this section are very different from the those in the rest of our web site. This is in response to a comment by a leading vampyre who said that our website was composed of "...retina-searing pages....made to be viewed with sunglasses on. " We feel that pink or white lettering on a blood-colored background might be a good match to this topic. They will also be a little easier on vampyres' eyeballs, which are often unusually sensitive to bright lights and images.
Overview:

In this section, we differentiate between vampires and vampyres:

* Vampires are imaginary, reanimated, blood-sucking human corpses whose origins are grounded in religious myth. The public knows them by their appearance in novels, horror films, comic books, TV programs, etc. They are very scary individuals. Fortunately, they don't exist.
* Vampyres are real individuals who are certain that they have a condition requiring them to obtain additional supplies of energy in order to maintain their health. Some need to extract this energy from the blood of animals or humans. Others are able to obtain it from people by other means, or from nature itself.

Vampirism and Vampyrism:
Introduction:
Definitions of terms;
The religious connection
Definitions of terms:

Unfortunately, the words "vampire" and "vampyre" have multiple meanings which refer to very different phenomena. The main ones are:

* An imaginary supernatural being. These are found in ancient religious myths and in such creative fiction as horror novels, films, TV programs, comic books, etc. A common meaning is a "reanimated corpse that rises from the grave to suck the blood of living people and thus retain a semblance of life. " 1 They often are described as dying if exposed to sunlight, being repelled by garlic, having fang-shaped eye teeth, sleeping in coffins and being very difficult to murder. They can only be killed by driving a wooden stake through their heart -- or perhaps by shooting them with a silver bullet. There are other, similar, definitions.
* An actual individual who sincerely believes that they need to feed on either the blood or the energy of other people, animals, and/or things, in order to maintain optimum spiritual and/or physical health. They often form groups, called houses or covens, which are composed of vampyres, donors who supply blood, and individuals who are both donors and consumers of blood. The latter are called "kitras" in some vampyre groups.

Throughout the rest of this section, we will use the terms:

* "vampire" and "vampirism" to refer to the mythical and imaginary supernatural creatures.
* "vampyre" and "vampyrism," which are older English spellings, to refer to a movement made up of actual individuals.

This is a largely arbitrary choice on our part. Various individuals and groups reverse these definitions; some use either spelling to refer to both types of vampires/vampyres. Some feel passionate about their choice of terms. No consensus exists. We have adopted this nomenclature in order to make it clear to which group we are referring. 2

Having two meanings for the same term can causes a great deal of confusion: It produces misunderstandings similar to those surrounding the word "Voodoo:"

* Sometimes, Voodoo refers to imaginary evil activities which were largely popularized by Hollywood horror films.
* Other times, it refers to Vodun: a syncretistic religion which combines elements of Roman Catholicism with West African Aboriginal religious beliefs.

There are similar problems with other religious words, like Paganism which has at least seven very different meanings. The grandmother of all confusing terms is Witchcraft, which has at least 19 meanings, two pairs of which are contrasting self-antonyms. Common meanings range from the benign Earth-centered religion of Wicca to the imaginary evil religion of Gothic Satanism.
The religious connection:

Neither vampirism nor vampyrism are normally considered religions by themselves. You might wonder why we cover this topic in a web site devoted to religious tolerance. We include them because of their religious connections:

* Belief in the existence of vampires (the imaginary creatures) is based on ancient religious myths.
* Some vampyres (the real individuals) regard vampyrism as a spiritual pursuit. In addition, many vampyres follow The Black Veil -- a non-binding vampyre code of ethics. Ethical codes and spirituality are often components of religion.
* Some conservative Protestants within the counter-cult movement lump vampyrism with such religions as Wicca , other Neopagan traditions, and Satanism. They often consider all three as part of the occult, and as movements to be opposed.

References used:

1. J. Gordon Melton, "Preface: What is a Vampire?" The Vampire Book, Visible Ink Press, (1998), Page XXI. Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store .
2. A Google search for "vampire" netted 1.14 million hits; "vampyre" found 45,000 hits on 2005-SEP-24.

About Vampyres

Note about vampyres and vampires:

As stated in the vampire / vampyre menu, we use the term "vampyres" to refer to a real phenomenon involving real people. We use "vamp ire" to refer to imaginary mythical creatures who mainly inhabit horror movies and other works of imaginative fiction. This notation is used by some in the vampyre/vampire community, but its use is far from a consensus. In fact, some use the opposite definition; still others use both terms to refer to both types of vampires/vampyres.
More about vampyres:

The word "vampyre" has a lengthy etymology. The original source was the proto-Indo-European (PIE) word "to fly" which became, in succession, the Old Slavic word "oper," the Old Polish word "vaper", the German word "vampir," the English "vampyre." From this older English term emerged the modern English term "vampire." 1

As stated in the vampire / vampyre menu, we use the term "vampyres" to refer to a real phenomenon involving real people. We use " vampire" to refer to imaginary mythical creatures who mainly inhabit horror movies and other works of imaginative fiction. This notation is used by some in the vampyre/vampire community, but its use is far from a consensus. In fact, some use the opposite definition; still others use both terms to refer to both types of vampires/vampyres.

Vampyrism is a diverse community. The following text does not necessarily reflect the beliefs and practices of all vampyres.
Who and what are vampyres:

According to the Society of the Black Swan, there are two main types of vampyres. Both draw life force (a.k.a. pranic, chi, ley, psychic or spiritual energy) from others in order to sustain themselves. But they differ in the method that they use to tap into this energy:

* Sanguinarian vampyres: "Sanguinarian" comes from the Latin word "sanguinarius" which means "bloodthirsty." A sanguinarian or "sang" vampyre feels a strong craving to meet their energy needs by consuming blood. Normally this comes from other humans. They feel that their strength cannot be maintained at a high level in any other way. 2 If they are not able to feed on blood periodically, they expect to develop a weakened immune system, have less energy, and sicken. They may develop pain and depression. 3 Many vampyres have one or more donors who often draw their own blood as a gift. Most sang vampyres feel that a tablespoon or two of blood each week is plenty to sustain them.

According to a Wikipedia essay:

"The majority of sanguinarian vampires view their condition as being part of their inner nature (either spiritually or physically) and thus, often refrain from engaging in the dress, music or traditions common to vampire lifestylers. Most do not view themselves as ' Gothic.' Some look down on those who engage in vampire 'dress-up' as it promotes a distorted view of what they believe to be true vampirism. Many sanguinarians fear negative public reaction because of the image vampire lifestylers propagate. 13

* Psi vampyres: They crave and are able to draw life force (a.k.a. pranic, chi, ley, psychic or spiritual energy) from another person directly without consuming their blood. 1 They are sometimes called psi " psy or psionic vampires, soul suckers, [or] energy vampires." Some psi vampyres are able to tap into a donor's energy "...by eye contact, touch, sexual intercourse, intense conversation....dreams" and by drinking their blood. They can also extract energy from nature -- from " ...storms, raging oceans, earthly vortices and intense sunlight" and even the ionosphere. 4

Many sang vampyres are able to feed in the same manner as psi vampyres. However, they are normally unable to acquire as much energy as they need in that way. Many see psi feeding as a method of slowing their decline, rather than as a technique for maintaining their energy levels.

Many, perhaps most, vampyres do not engage in the dress, music or traditions commonly associated with vampyrism. They regard their condition as being part of their inner nature, either spiritually or physically).

Vampyres may experience "heightened sensitivities; light sensitivity; [and/or] a largely nocturnal sleep cycle. The heightened sensitivities are believed by many to include a number of psychic abilities, such as empathy, astral projection, clairvoyance, and energy manipulation. The sensitivity to light and the nocturnal body cycle are not so limiting that a real vampire cannot be up and out during the day, it is simply an effort for them to do so. " 5

Within vampyrism are found followers of all of the major religions, as well as secularists, freethinkers, and followers of alternative spiritualities.

Most vampyres believe that they are born with a latent vampyre condition which normally becomes active only after puberty. Rejecting the imaginative accounts in novels, films, etc, they believe that nobody can become a vampyre unless they are born with the condition.
Some misunderstandings about what vampyres do:

Crystal Angel comments: "You need not fear them anymore than anyone else you may encounter in that 'dark, eerie' night club you enjoy so much. True, they hold many secrets and mysteries behind their hypnotic eyes, but what is also true is that they may in fact end up being your best friend. " 6

Many misunderstandings by the public are based on a confusion between vampires and vampyres. Some of the attributes of vampires are assumed to be also true of vampyres. In reality:

* Sanguinarian vampyres do not sustain themselves solely on human blood; they also eat regular food. Some use animal blood, often from beef cattle. Pig blood is usually avoided because it is more likely to contain parasites and other nasty ingredients. All vampyres consume ordinary food and drink as their main sustenance.
* Vampyres do not shape shift into werewolves, bats or other animals.
* They are not immortal.
* They don't necessarily have any special powers.
* They can experience sunlight without any drastic side effects.
* They don't usually sleep in coffins.
* They are not frightened by Christian crosses.
* Garlic does not repulse them.
* They do cast reflections in mirrors.
* They have shadows.
* They can cross running water.
* They don't turn other people in to vampyres.
* They do not suffer a high mortality rate due to attacks from vampire slayers.

We suspect that the greatest danger posed by the study of vampyrism may occur online. Vampyre webmasters seem to have a strong preference for very dark, tiny, colored lettering on black backgrounds. If you spend a lot of time reading their websites, you may suffer eyestrain.
Conditions and groups that are sometimes incorrectly confused with vampyrism:

* Hematolagnia: A small minority of people are sexually aroused by drinking human blood. They have a condition called hematolagnia -- popularly called a blood fetish. This is normally considered a paraphilia, and is one of many dozens of unusual sexual interests that is often their sole means of sexual gratification. Because of the public's frequent desire to be absolutely normal in their sexual practices, people with hematolognia -- or any other paraphilia -- are often despised and even feared.

Vampyres believe that they need to ingest blood in order to maintain their strength. They are not driven by sexual gratification. There is no real connection between vampyrism and hematolagnia.
* Porphyria: This is a group of at least eight rare disorders. They cause substances which are normally found at low levels to gradually build up in the human body . In most types of porphyria, the individual will have a strong reaction to sunlight. Areas of the skin which are exposed to the sun may burn, blister or scar. 7 Some of the myths about vampirism might have been originally based on individuals with a porphyria who would avoid sunlight and only come out at night.

Very few sang and psi vampyres suffer from porphyria. However, some people may confuse the two. Those who are familiar with the fictional stories about vampires might incorrectly assume that anyone who has an aversion to sunlight is automatically a vampire or vampyre. 7

* Renfield's Syndrome: This is a disorder named after the fictional character in Dracula who ate flies, spiders, etc. Richard Noll first developed the syndrome. He believes that it is triggered by an experience after a childhood injury when the young person finds bleeding or tasting blood to be exciting, Noll wrote that the syndrome progresses to include intentional scrapes or skin cuts to allow the collection of blood for drinking. This leads to eating or drinking the blood of insects, small animals, birds, etc. Finally, the person will exhibit sanguinarian vampyrism by obtaining and consuming blood from other humans. 8

This syndrome is a neat theory, but is not widely accepted by mental health professionals. It does not appear in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). That manual contains descriptions of generally accepted mental illnesses.

* Satanic Ritual Abuse: During the 1980s, a widespread belief surfaced that evil Satanists were abusing children and sometimes drinking their blood, eating their flesh, etc. This was called Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA).

During they heyday of the SRA panic, Satanism, Wicca, Thelema, vampyrism, various other occult activities, the Masonic movement, etc. became merged in the minds of many believers as a type of axis of evil. One source states that: " ' The Vampire cult' according to [counter-cult author William] Schnoebelen, is 'the last and most damnable step in [the] exploration of Satanism'." 9

The SRA panic had largely dissipated by the mid 1990s for two main reasons:
o Police forces had never been able to find hard evidence that SRA ever existed.
o All or essentially all memories of SRA were traced back to the use of self-hypnosis, or to therapists and counselors who used recovered memory therapy (RMT). RMT has since been shown to generate few, if any, real memories, and many false memories of events that never happened.

As of the late 1990s, Schnoebelen was "...still very much in demand as a speaker in the Evangelical-Fundamentalist counter-cult circuit, and his book offers to counter-Satanists the possibility of integrating Vampires into their view of a Satanist conspiracy. " 9 The linkage between SRA and vampyrism is probably still active among many conservative Protestants. However, it is a belief not widely shared by other faith groups or by secularists.

* Lifestyle vampires: Those who regard themselves as actual vampyres are often in a state of tension with others whom they describe as "lifestyle vampires." "Lifestylers" are viewed as individuals and groups who merely pretend to be vampyres and who have none of the spiritual, psychical, and physical experiences of real vampyres. "Lifestylers" are seen as attracting too much public attention to vampyrism. They also consume some of the supply of human blood which is always scarce.

Concerns about donating and drinking blood:

Because of the medical dangers to both donor and vampyre, this web site strongly recommends against the practices of either drawing or consuming blood. Sharing of blood can pose a serious health hazard to both the Vampyre and the donor:

* There are many blood-borne diseases that can be transmitted from donor to Vampyre. One example is the HIV virus -- the virus that causes AIDS. Even a miniscule, unnoticed injury to the Vampyre's gums can allow the donor blood to enter the blood stream and infect the Vampyre.
* Blood cannot be safely drawn from a donor without trained medical assistance.
* Excessively enthusiastic donors may damage their health by donating too much blood at one time, or by drawing blood too frequently.
* Excessively enthusiastic vampyres might consume too much blood at one sitting. This could lead to an overdose of iron or other blood component.

If a person wishes to engage in blood donation in spite of the dangers, we strongly recommend that any they discuss the matter with their health care provider in advance. A course in First Aid may be very useful.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies suggests as a general guide:

* The donor should be in good health.
* They should weigh more than 45 or 50 kg (about 100 or 110 pounds).
* They should be aged between 18 and 65.
* They should meet the guidelines necessary to protect the health of both donor and receiver.
* Donate about 450 to 470 ml maximum. 10,11

BloodBook.com suggests additional requirements:

* The donor should be feeling well.
* Their pulse should be 80 to 100 beats per minute, and regular.
* Body temperature should not exceed 99.5 F or 37.5 C.
* Blood pressure between 160/90 and 110/60.
* The donor site should be free of any lesion or scar. 12

BloodBook.com has a list of nine factors that exclude a person from donating blood. They note that: "Blood donor requirements change very frequently. For up-to-date information.....call 1-800-448-3543. " 12
Vampyrism glossary of terms

Adra: A sponsor or mentor of a fledgling vampyre.

Ardetha: An individual who has been awakened as a vampyre as a result of a magickal ritual. This is a controversial belief. 1

Auto-vampirism: The act of drinking one's own blood.

Awakening: The process whereby a latent vampire realizes what their true condition is, and accepts it.

Beacon: A signal in the form of "a particular feeling or energy signature" 8 generated by both vampyres and "latent or potential" vampyres. Its main function is to lead vampyres to latent vampires in order to assist in their awakening.

The Becoming: The process of conversion from a non-vampyre to a vampyre.

Black Swan: An individual who is not a vampyre but who is close to one or more vampyres and is often a supporter of the community.

The Black Veil : A non-binding but widely accepted ethical guide for vampyres. (The first version of the Black Veil was called The Thirteen Rules of Community )

Blood bond: A feeling of attraction between a vampyre and a donor that is often felt only by the donor. The term also means an initiation ritual in which a vampyre joins a coven. It also refers to a marriage between two vampyres.

Blood Fetishist: An individual who is sexually aroused by the sight of blood. This is generally unrelated to vampyrism.

Blood Junkie: A pejorative synonym for a sanguinarian vampyre.

Bloodletting:

* Cutting or piercing skin to release blood. This can be a dangerous procedure unless conducted by a trained individual.
* In ancient times, a medical procedure falsely believed to cure diseases and disorders.

Blood lust: An overwhelming desire to feed on a donor's blood.

Bloodplay: Ritual activities, often of a sexual nature, involving blood.

Chi: Close synonym for prana, or life force. A Chinese term.

Childe: A pejorative term for an inexperienced vampyre.

Clinical vampirism: Synonym for Renfield's Syndrome.

Coming out of the Coffin: The process of revealing one's vampyrism condition to non-vampyres. This is analogous to gays and lesbians coming out of the closet, and Wiccans and other Neopagans coming out of their broom closet.

Coven: A group of vampyres.

Darkside (a.k.a. Dark side): Synonym for nightside.

Dayside: Mundane activities in the "real world."

Donor: A person, usually a non-vampyre -- who freely volunteers their blood or life energy to be consumed by one or more vampyres.

Dhampyri: an individual who exhibited symptoms of vampyrism prior to puberty.

The Dragon: Synonym for nightside.

Elder: A person who has been active in the vampyre community. for a lengthy interval, and who shares their knowledge with others.

Embrace: A mythical process of converting a non-vampyre into a vampyre by having them ingest the blood of a vampyre. This concept frequently appears in vampire literature, but is foreign to the beliefs of vampyres.

Energy signature: An individual's specific energy pattern which is uniquely theirs. This allegedly enables vampyres to recognize fellow vampyres.

Energy vampire: A vampire who obtains nourishment primarily or entirely by tapping into another person's prana or life force directly, without ingesting their blood.

Excommunication: The act of excluding a vampyre from a coven or from the entire vampyre community.

Feeding: An activity of vampyres in which they consume a donor's blood, or prana from a donor by other means, or elemental energy from nature.

Fledgling: a recently awakened vampyre with little experience.

Gaja: synonym for poser.

Golden Circle: Individuals who form a vampyre coven. This typically includes black swans, vampyres, and kitra.

Haematodipsia: Intense feeling haematophilia.

Haematomania: A strong psychological craving for blood.

Hematophageous: Having blood as one's only form of nourishment.

Haematophilia: An sexual attraction to the presence of blood.

Haven: A place where vampyres meet.

Hemeralopia: An inability to see in bright light

House: A group of vampyres who share common beliefs, rituals traditions, etc.

Human: A non-vampire. (this can be a confusing term because it implies that vampires are not human.)

The Hunger: An intense psychological and physical need to feed.

Hunter: An individual who attempts to harm either vampyres or persons perceived to be vampyres.

Incubus:

* A male vampyre who feeds on pranic energy while involved in sexual activity.
* An mythical male demon who seduced females in their sleep.
* See succubus.

Kindred: Fellow vampyres.

Kitra: An individual who is both a vampyre and a donor.

Klavasi. A vampyre who experienced a post-pubertal awakening. Most vampyres are klavasi.

Latent vampire: A vampyre who has not yet realized her or his condition.

Leech: A pejorative term for a vampyre.

Life force: Synonym for prana.

Mentor: An experienced vampyre who guides a fledgling.

Mortal: A non-vampyre. (This can be a confusing term, because all vampyres are mortal, just like the rest of the population.)

Mundane:

* A non-vampyre.
* Normal, everyday activities

Nightside: "The life of a vampire; being part of the vampiric community." 2

Of the Blood: Identifying an individual as a vampyre.

Porphyria: A group of medical disorders of which most will cause the individual will have a strong reaction to sunlight. Areas of the skin which are exposed to the sun may burn, blister or scar. 3 Vampire myths may well have originated as a result of the fear of sunlight by persons with porphyria.

Poser: A non-vampyre who pretends to be a vampyre by claiming to:

* Have come from a line of vampyres,
* Be immortal,
* Be unable to step over flowing water,
* Be unable to cast an image in a mirror, etc.

Prana: Life force. Sanguinarian vampyres obtain pranic energy through blood; Psi vampyres extract it from other person's emotional energy without consuming blood.

Psi vampyre: A vampyre who feeds off of the emotional energy of another person or persons.

Psychic energy: Forms of energy which may be pranic (from living things) or elemental (from natural forces)

Psychic attack: An action by a psychic vampire which drains prana from another individual without their prior consent.

Psychic vampyre:

* An individual who feeds off of the prana of others by tapping into their emotional energy.
* A vampyre with psychic powers.

Real vampire (a.k.a. RealVamp): A sanguine, psychic, psi, or energy vampyre who needs to feed off of other individuals or of nature in order to maintain their health and energy levels.

Renfield's Syndrome. A psychological disorder named after a fictional character in Dracula. Richard Noll proposed the syndrome. He suggests that children go through blood-related phases until full vampyrism is expressed after puberty. The theory is not widely accepted among mental health professionals. It does not appear in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). More info.

Role player: A synonym for poser.

RPG'er: An individual who considers themselves to be a vampyre because they play that role in a Role Playing Game

Sang: a synonym for Sanguinarian vampyre.

Sanguinarian vampyre: An individual who has a need to consume blood -- usually from human source(s) in order to maintain adequate physical and/or emotional energy. He or she may also tap into the emotional energy of others in addition to consuming blood.

Sanguine: a synonym for Sanguinarian vampyre.

Seeker: An individual who wants to be around vampyres. Often, they want to become a vampyre through the mythical process of embracing.

Sexual vampyre: A vampyre who feeds from the sexual energy released during sexual activity. They are rare among the vampyre community.

Shadow: Synonym for nightside.

Sire, Siring: The mythical act of creating a new vampyre by embracing.

Slayer: An individual who attempts to kill vampires. Sarah Michelle Gellar, "The Chosen One," played the role of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, on a TV program by the same name.

Source: A donor; an individual who willingly donates blood to a vampyre.

Succubus:

* A female vampyre who feeds on pranic energy while involved in sexual activity.
* An mythical female demon who seduced males in their sleep.
* See Incubus.

Thirst: Synonym for hunger.

Turning: The process of converting a non-vampyre into a vampyre, generally through blood ingestion or pranic energy exchange. Most vampyres believe that this is impossible. It is a common theme in vampire literature.

Twilight: Establishing an optimum balance between one's Dayside and Nightside activities.

Vamp: Synonym for either vampire or vampyre.

Vampire:

* A male or female, mythical, animated corpse found only in novels, films, comic books and religious myths who rises from its grave to feed off of the blood of animals or humans. 4
* A real female or male person who has a condition requiring them to feed off of the pranic energy of other humans or derive energy from natural forces. Non-vampyres regard vampyrism as a hobby, lifestyle, occultic activity, religion or condition.

Vampire bait: A poser or wannabe who attempts to lure a vampyre into their presence.

Vamping out: An extreme attack of the hunger. It generally produces many physiological changes in the vampyre's body.

Vampire children: A pejorative term referring to children with xeroderma pigmentosum. This is a genetic disease that causes an extreme sensitivity to sunlight. Even ordinary exposure can cause skin cancer. They have no actual relationship with vampyres. 5

Vampiress: A female vampire.

Vampyre: A variant of the term "vampire" that is sometimes used to differentiate a real individual from a mythical vampire.

Vampyress: A female vampyre.

Vampyric community: All individuals who either refer to themselves as vampyres, or have been identified as vampyres.

Vampire lifestyler: A non-vampyre who who adopts "fictional vampire imagery and trappings into his/her personal life," often patterning themselves after a fictional character. 6

Vampire tap: An electronic connector which pierces through the insulating layer of a coaxial cable and makes contact with the inner conductor of the cable. It is often used in Ethernet networks that are linked by coaxial cables. They have no relationship with vampyres or vampires. They are also known as a piercing tap. 7

Wannabe: Pejorative term for a non-vampyre who wants to become one.

White Swan: An individual who opposes the vampyre community.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/vampire.htm

_________________
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http://www.myspace.com/chrstvampyre
Founder High Priest: TempleUVUP.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TempleUVUP
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TempleUVUP Book 1
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"Real Vampires"-how can this be anything but a contradiction in terms?
We all know about vampires. Stock characters of fiction, guaranteed
box-office draws, the media vampire has been familiar to us since
childhood. Generally speaking, our blood-suckers appear with a tongue
planted firmly in one toothy cheek-from Bela Lugosi hamming it up in
the 1950's, to last summer's teenage "vamp" movies, to Count Chocula
breakfast cereal, the media seldom treat the vampire as truly
fearsome. The stereotyped vampire traits are familiar to any child:
vampires have big fangs, sleep in coffins, are instantly incinerated
by sunlight, and are best dispatched by a stake through the heart. But
the most important "fact" that we all know of course is that there are
no such things.

Of course, in terms of the mythical, literary and cinematic
conventions, we are correct: there are no "legions of the undead"
stalking the unwary. We have explained the folklore with politics,
misunderstood diseases, and hysteria, the literary and cinematic
images with psychology, history, and sociology. We of the 20th century
are confident that vampires could not really exist. But then, most of
us are never forced to think otherwise. For a number of people, the
concept of vampires becomes a critical and often lifelong concern. To
live with, love, or befriend a real vampire is to encounter a set of
problems which may demand expanding the boundaries of one's accepted
reality. To come to terms with being a real vampire oneself is to face
a lifetime's karmic challenge.

Some people reading this article already know this. The rest are
probably thinking, "Real Vampires, give me a break! Sure, there are
some pretty weird people out there, but all they need is a good
therapist." Yes, there are people who take on all the trappings of a
gothic novel: dressing in black, claiming or pretending to be
"vampires" in the supernatural sense, wearing capes, sleeping in
boxes, even getting their teeth capped. There are more frightening
people who seek to torture or kill animals or human beings in order to
gain power, emotional release or sexual thrill, and who sometimes call
themselves (or are called) "vampires". But most of these individuals
are troubled people who have been attracted by the cultural myths
about the vampire: supernatural powers (because they feel powerless),
overwhelming sexuality (because most of them have sexual issues and no
true relationships), immortality (because they fear aging and death).
Individuals like these are the most recent "explanation" for
humanity's persistent belief in vampires. But beyond and behind all
the folklore, the psychological theories, the role playing, even the
traditional spiritual assumptions, lies the real truth about vampires.

The field of vampirology is complex and mysterious. There are many
aspects to the vampire phenomenon, and they would require several
books to fully explore. One aspect of vampirism which frequently
troubles magickal, spiritual and other small groups, the most common
form of vampire, is found among living people who share with us the
benefits and disadvantages of physical existence on this plane, yet
are not quite human. These people appear on the surface to be somewhat
eccentric members of society, yet their outward idiosyncrasies only
hint at how different they are from those around them.

Each of us incarnates for a lifetime with a certain way of relating to
the physical world through the vehicle of our physical body. A vampire
is a person born with an extraordinary capacity to absorb, channel,
transform, and manipulate "pranic energy" or life force. She also has
a critical energy imbalance which reels wildly from deficit to
overload and back again. This capacity for handling energy is a gift,
but the constant imbalance of her own system is the cause of the
negative behavior patterns and characteristics which may be notable
about a vampiric person.

Real vampires do not necessarily drink blood-in fact, most of them do
not. Blood-drinking and vampirism have been confused to the extent
that for the average person, a vampire is defined as something that
drinks blood (such as a "vampire bat"). But when we look beyond casual
assumptions to the details of common beliefs, we find something quite
different. Throughout both folklore and literature, there is an
understanding that vampires require energy or life force. Many old
folktales accept that vampires suck blood, yet never describe this
actually happening. The victims slowly decline and waste away, and the
survivors assume that some evil fiend is draining them of blood. They
know that the Bible says, "the blood is the life", and anyone who was
losing their life force must be losing blood. Yet, in many instances
the vampire's "attack" does not even involve physical contact. In
others, it is clearly sexual energy which is exchanged.1

Fresh blood is the highest known source of pranic energy (life
force).2 Human beings have practiced blood-drinking for many reasons
throughout history, but drinking blood alone does not indicate that a
person is a vampire. Only real vampires can directly absorb the pranic
energy in fresh blood, and for this reason some real vampires are
attracted to blood and find different means of obtaining it.3 However,
it is a rare vampire who cannot absorb energy in much more subtle
ways. This is the mechanism that causes real vampires to inflict harm
on others and themselves if they fail to recognize what is happening
and do conscious work on transforming their inner natures. Vampires
are no more likely to be either malicious or spiritually aware than
the general population, but without awareness, they can spend their
lives making themselves and others unhappy, and will continue to
incarnate in this pattern until they take action to change it.

There are a number of external symptoms of vampirism, but it is
important to realize that some of them are found in ordinary human
behavior. Real vampires are identifiable partly because they have a
majority of the symptoms, not just one or two. But more significantly,
real vampires are distinguished by a certain quality to the energy.
While anyone reading a description of the symptoms and behavior
patterns might find a few that apply to people he knows, or even to
himself, real vampires have a way of standing out vividly to everyone
who interacts with them. There are few people who do not know at least
one vampire.

Physically, vampires are usually "night people"" on a biochemical
level. They have inverted circadian rhythms, with body cycles such as
temperature peaks, menstrual onset, and the production of sleep
hormones in the brain occurring at the opposite time of day from most
people. They have difficulty adjusting to daytime schedules and
frequently work nights. They tend to be photosensitive, avoiding
sunlight, sunburning easily, and having excellent night vision. Their
vitality ranges widely, and they can be vigorous and active one day,
depressed and languorous the next.

They frequently have digestive trouble. Even those with cast-iron
stomachs have many issues with food that are rooted in their constant
hunger for energy. Contrary to the image of the vampire as thin, many
real vampires are troubled by obesity because of a hunger that makes
them food addicts, and a system that is sluggish in processing
physical food. They are also sometimes troubled by other substance
addictions for the same reasons, but since their systems are tuned to
pranic energy more than to processing physical substance, they may not
be as sensitive to drugs and alcohol as an ordinary person would be.

Emotionally and physically, vampires are unpredictable, moody,
temperamental and overwhelming. The major distinguishing
characteristic of real vampires as opposed to ordinary people who
share those qualities is the vampire's intensity. Vampires are
extremely intense people. They are frequently given nicknames such as
"the black hole." When others talk about them (usually to complain
about them), vampires are often described by such terms as "needy,"
"attention-seeking," "grandstanding," "manipulative," "exhausting,"
"draining," "monopolizes the conversation," "jealous," "huge ego," and
so on. A vampire's emotions are deep, fervent, and powerful, and she
usually displays great psychic ability and has uncontrolled magickal
and psychic experiences. Vampires are also empaths, and while they
remain unconscious of their natures, they are frequently "psychic
sponges" who simply absorb vibrations from everywhere, with the
expected emotional instability resulting.

A "hungry" vampire -- one whose energy level is imbalanced to the
deficit side -- becomes an involuntary psychic vortex, drawing all
pranic energy in the area towards her. When the energy does not flow
in fast enough -- and it is typical of vampires that the energy never
flows fast enough for them -- she will begin manifesting behavior
patterns to increase the amount of conscious attention she gets from
others. For this reason, some vampires develop a pattern of being
aggressively confrontational, or of constantly antagonizing people
with whom they have relationships. Nearly all vampires, whatever ploys
they use, have a talent for attracting (or distracting) the attention
of everyone present.

Once a vampire overloads on energy, she reverses her behavior
patterns. She may become morose, silent, withdrawn and introverted.
Some vampires become maniacally cheerful when they are satiated, but
even their good moods seem to annoy others, and it is more typical for
vampires to be infamous as wet blankets. "Hungry" and "overload"
phases can occur within a few minutes or last for days at a time.
Vampires are commonly loners, in part because they feel so different
from those around them, but also because they have a need to control
the degree of contact they have with sources of energy.

Real vampires are not the demonic fiends of Christianized folklore,
but as long as they refuse to accept their inner nature, their bad
reputation is not undeserved. Unconscious vampires have a tendency to
reach adulthood with less than the average level of social skill and
general finesse, and tend to be selfish and self-centered. The demands
of their own energy systems are so distracting to them that it is
difficult for them to pay attention to the needs of others. Their
relationships tend to be disasters. Different vampires develop
different patterns according to what works best for them in their life
situation, but several patterns are common. The "femme fatale" or
"lady-killer" vampire forms a continuous series of sexual connections
with one partner at a time, dropping each unfortunate lover as they
become too exhausted (or defensive) to support the vampire's energy
needs. Other vampires form a long-term relationship with a single
person: either another vampire whose energy cycle complements their
own, or a person who derives satisfaction from being a psychic servant
or martyr. A common pattern, especially in young adults, is to
continuously join social, religious, political and magickal groups and
either blow them apart or end up being thrown out. Vampires may go
through roommates, housing situations, magickal groups, jobs and
lovers like so much Kleenex.

Many people find that they feel "creepy" or "weird" around a vampire.
This is usually due to the effects of one's own life force being drawn
towards the vampire's vortex. Most people feel uncomfortable and
distracted when their energy is pulled away from themselves. In
addition to this, a common result of such an energy drain is for the
aura to pull in tightly towards the body, and this causes a prickling
sensation on the skin -- the "creepy-crawlies."

It is no more common for vampires to be psychopaths or killers than it
is for any random person on the street. However, a prolonged, or very
involved, relationship with a vampire can put a severe strain on the
emotional and psychic energy systems of an ordinary person. Folklore
suggests that victims of a vampire become vampires themselves. In
reality, people who have been seriously "drained" -- that is, have had
their own energy pulled off balance into a deficit -- also become
psychic vortices which pull life force away from other living things.
However, they are never as powerful as a true vampire, and unlike
vampires, quickly recover and stabilize. True vampires are born the
way they are -- no one can be "turned into a vampire." However, years
of energy depletion can lead to health problems ranging from
depression and malaise to a suppressed immune system and
susceptibility to serious illnesses. Most people will break off the
relationship before it gets that far.

Many vampires are attracted to magickal paths. In a magickal working
group, their ability to wreak havoc is increased because of the
psychic openness and trust that exist there. But there can be a
benefit, as well. Some vampires become aware of their true natures and
choose to undertake serious work to transform themselves. As soon as
they begin doing so, they become more acceptable working partners and
companions. Once in control of their capacity for handling energy,
they become extraordinary magicians and healers. Their ability to hold
the attention of others gives them the potential to be fine leaders
and teachers. Ultimately, the purpose of vampires is not to plague the
universe but to facilitate its healing. Vampirism is the dark, or
unfocused, side of a certain kind of psychic talent, one which has
been developing for many lifetimes. It is destructive only when a
vampire either refuses to face the truth about herself and work with
her abilities, or when she chooses to play out a sinister role because
of the illusion of power it gives her.

Because of this, many of the vampire characteristics described above
are far less evident in the most powerful vampires, the ones who have
done considerable work on their inner selves. Many of these are
poised, pleasant, competent individuals, with great personal power.
They have come to terms with who and what they are, and no longer
exhibit the negative qualities associated with "psychic vampirism." 4
Unfortunately, unconscious vampires are far more common than evolved
ones, and it is these troubled souls who more usually appear in
magickal groups.

There is no "generic advice" to give those who believe they may be
dealing with a real vampire. Those who are so inclined might try to
help a friend or fellow group member explore their inner nature and
come to terms with their destructive behaviors. Those who feel
victimized can choose to end the relationship. Each case is different,
and can only be judged by the individuals concerned. But it is
important for anyone involved in magickal or psychic work to
understand that vampires are a real phenomenon, and that, like all
perils, they should not be greeted with fear or anger. Nothing is evil
by nature -- only by choice. Terror of discovery (followed by ridicule
or rejection) inhibits the self-development of many real vampires.
When they reach out for friendship, they are often reaching out for help.

A person who believes she may be a real vampire herself has a long and
difficult process ahead of her. The most important step on her path is
complete self-awareness: of her relationships, patterns, energy
levels, and all other personal qualities. The most challenging work
may often be summarized in the simplest of terms. Knowledge,
awareness, and control are the lessons real vampires must learn in
order to harness their abilities. If real vampires are not the
immortals of fiction, they can at least be confident of one thing: for
better or worse, they will keep the qualities they develop for many
lives to come.

(The author welcomes inquiries from readers with a personal interest
in the subject of vampirism. She is available at
vyrdolak@net1plus.com. Readers wishing for more information about
vampire lore in general are referred to the Bibliography.)

_________________
Rev JP Vanir theUVUP ChrstVampyre
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Founder High Priest: TempleUVUP.org
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