Fanged creatures secretly prowl among us, lurking in obsidian shadows, quietly watching us from behind dark sunglasses, their narrowed gazes fixed upon luscious prey. The vampire’s excruciatingly sharp needle-like fangs flash under the moonlight as he grabs his victim, one hand over her mouth, the other tightly wound around her waist. He strikes deep and violently. The victim moans with ecstasy begging for more even as the tears stream down her cheeks. Really? Is this merely heart-throbbing fantasy? Are fictional vampire movies and books based in truth? What is pure fiction or folklore and what is not? If there is such a thing as vampires, what are they like? What is the vampire reality?
In the 1960’s, real vampire Houses were far underground and rarely known, even amongst the real vampire community. Occasionally, Satanist and Wiccan covens harbored a vampire member or two. In 1975, The Temple of Set (members are known as Setians), an offshoot of the Church of Satan, came into being and established The Order of the Vampyre. The Order of the Vampyre is still active and thriving to this day. There are many vampire organizations and sects that have arisen since the 1970’s, a few being the Temple of the Vampire, the Vampire Church, Temple UVUP, the Red Order of Set, the Ordo Azariel, the Aset Ka, the Black Order of the Dragon, and the Strigoi Vii.
There are numerous vampire Houses, Covens, Courts, Councils, and Halos. There are a few Houses and Councils in the United States who have blood ties to Eastern Europe. One Council dates their lineage to Vlad Tepes’ Order of the Dragon. For those who do not know, Vlad Tepes III (or Vlad Drakul) was the infamous Prince of Wallachia, also known as Count Dracula. The Tepes’ were known as the House of Drakul. Drakul means devil or dragon. This is of note as vampires have been known to be of the Devil himself in folklore.
Not all vampires belong to an organization. Many vampires, in fact, 75% according to the survey conducted by Suscitatio Enterprises, LLC, are Independents or Ronins (http://www.suscitatio.com/forum/gallery/1_09_09_10_7_50_25.jpg). Alas, not all vampires are Setians, Luciferians, Wiccans, Satanists, or any type of occultist for that matter. Vampires come from all walks, from Atheist to Christian to Zen Buddhist.
The Atlanta Vampire Alliance in conjunction with Suscitatio Enterprises, LLC have been researching real vampirism and the vampire community since 2005. Suscitatio Enterprises, LLC, a research group comprised of real vampires, conducted two surveys, one in 2006 that was answered by over 950 persons and a second in August 2006; these surveys are the Vampire and Energy Work Research Survey (VEWRS) and Advanced Vampirism and Energy Work Research Survey (AVEWRS), respectively. Over a three-year period, 1,450 surveys were completed with over 670,000 answered questions. Preliminary and final analysis of selected questions have been released through their website and in an academic paper by Joseph Laycock published in August 2010. Additional analysis continues as more correlations and future studies are being implemented in 2011-2012 (http://www.suscitatio.com).
It is important to note that vampire/vampyre is a self-determined label but a very apt one for today’s modern vampire subculture (Vampires Today: The Truth About Modern Vampirism by Joseph Laycock). In the 1700’s, there were three unifying beliefs regarding vampires: 1) vampires were real, 2) vampires were bloodsuckers, and 3) vampires must be destroyed. The legendary archetype has evolved and today’s vampire is neither undead nor a murderer. The modern vampire is an individual who needs either blood or life force energy to maintain physical and mental health. Many vampires have willing donors. The vampire without a donor must rely on substitutes for fresh human blood such as rare steaks and the blood collected during the brief cooking process. Those who are psychic vampires feed in various ways, many by physical touch or by sexual relations with their donors. Some vampires can feed by astral visitation or dreamwalking.
Are you wondering how one becomes a vampire? I am sure you are. Only a few have claimed that they were turned or chose to become vampires. The overriding belief in the vampire community is that vampires are born as such and awaken during puberty although awakening can happen much later in life. Awakening is often a difficult process, with mood swings not unlike wild hormonal fluctuations. The sanguinarian (blood-drinking vampire) will have a strong and unrelenting craving for blood. He may gnash his teeth and chew the inside of his gums. Fortunately, there is support in the Online Vampire Community (OVC) as well as the real life community for those who are awakening. Sometimes a donor can be found but most Houses do require classes in anatomy, safe cutting techniques and after care. Testing for blood-borne pathogens is universally mandatory, requiring both vampires and donors to submit test results to the House leader about every three months.
Many vampires are nocturnal creatures but must be awake during daylight hours because of family or occupation. Don’t be surprised, however, if you see vampires online in the wee hours of the morning. Vampire chat rooms and radio are usually buzzing with activity during this time. Though there are a few who sleep in coffins, vampires generally prefer a comfy mattress. Sunlight and extremes of heat are a problem for many. Migraines and fatigue are very common.
Despite a few drawbacks, vampires are regal and beautiful creatures, often charismatic and gifted. They do not live forever but may age more slowly and gracefully than their non-vampire counterparts.
So, dear vampires, I invite you to respond with your own vampire reality. Are you sensitive to sunlight? Do you lurk at night? Do you sleep in a coffin? Please tell us what is unique about your own existence. Daring and intelligent readers, has this blog left you wanting more? Are you surprised by what you have learned? Do you look forward to interviews with real vampires and their donors?
Next: Interview with Merticus of the Atlanta Vampire Alliance
References:
Special thanks to Merticus of the Atlanta Vampire Alliance and Suscitatio Enterprises, LLC
www.atlantavampirealliance.com
www.suscitatio.com
Vampires Today: The Truth About Modern Vampirism by Joseph Laycock
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