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Vampire lifestyle refers to a subculture of people claiming that they are vampires, and that the associated lifestyle is one to be celebrated. While some claim that the drinking of blood is not a requirement, most who call themselves "vampires" advocate ritual blood consumption. Because the drinking of blood (in addition to related activities in the sect) carries extreme social implications and is also dangerous, the subject is considered highly taboo.

There are myriad websites and organisations dedicated solely to this topic, although few (if any) works exist in print. The belief is very broad and encompasses a large number of topics, ranging from the characteristics of vampires to ethical issues to creation of new vampires, and any combination thereof. Some critics have charged that such groups are cults, allegedly using cult-like methods to draw new members in.

While older occult and tribal cultures have similarly uncommon rituals, the "vampire lifestyle" is largely a social creation within Western culture, drawing from the rich recent history of popular culture related to cult symbolism and horror films. Thus the phenomenon appears to exist primarily in North America and Europe, and to a significantly lesser extent in certain parts of South America and Asia.

In what follows, the term vampire is used to refer to those referring to themselves to be vampires as part of this subculture. It is used interchangeably with vampyre and a number of other terms, which have more specific uses. It is important to note that members of the group may ascribe varying implications to each.

Identifying characteristics

Those who believe they are vampires also believe that they are part of a subspecies of Homo Sapiens. This "species" is variously ascribed a number of identifying characteristics, including

• A proximity-based sense for other vampires
• Thirst for blood separate from thirst for water
• Photosensitivity not related to melanin deficiency in the skin
• Instinctive decision-making as opposed to thought
• Improved night-vision (a few claim to be able to read or drive by starlight, while wearing sunglasses, which would be physically impossible under a typical understanding of medicine)
• Broader sensory range, and/or extra sensitivity
• Bouts of animalistic psychopathy referred to as "the beast"
• Improved immunity to disease (except for HIV/AIDS)
• Nocturnal bio-cycles / Insomnia
• Visual perception of auras
• A natural attraction to the sect
• Detractors and critics believe that they may have poor interpersonal skills when dealing with mainstream individuals or broader society

Note that not all "vampires" are said to have all of these characteristics, or even believe that some of them actually exist. It should also be noted that most of these characteristics are ascribed to the "species" by members of it themselves.

It is of interest to many outsiders that many members of the sect do not have long or sharp fangs as a rule, and that a majority do not. This is explained by the "prolonged interbreeding of vampires and humans" causing that characteristic to become diluted. Others suggest that the fangs are retracted when not in use. They do not usually profess that blood should be drawn through or using the teeth, or to have hollow teeth for that purpose. (Some adherents even have permanent or temporary prosthodontic devices to complete the illusion of vampirism.)

Types and variations

Members of the vampire sect fall into roughly two main categories: psionic (psi) and sanguarian (sang). Sanguarian vampires model themselves the closest to traditional mythology (see vampire) in that they believe themselves to be dependant on blood for both the supernatural powers they believe they possess, and (for many) their sanity. They generally accept either animal or human blood for this purpose, provided it remains unmodified and inseperate. Conversely, others believe that animal blood contains demons and must be boiled prior to drinking. Psionic vampires are said to be able to feed either on blood or psionic energy, having to start off with blood. Many members of the sect believe that psionic vampyres, by nature, have poor interpersonal skills, and that their behavior is often mistaken for a personality deficiency.

The differences between psionic vampires and sanguarian ones seems to have sprouted more than a few arguments over which one is better than the other, or whether the two types are even different at all.

Other types and variants include:

• Astral. These "vampires" believe that they only have any vampiric characteristics while dreaming (supposedly on the astral plane of existence). They believe that they can enter into people's dreams and feed on their energy there.
• Elemental. This type believe they can feed off the basic "elements" of ancient times directly, at small harm to anything depending on them.
• Emotional. These are believed to feed from emotional energy. How these differ from emotionally needy humans is unknown.
• Incubi/Succubi. These are a type of demon which coerce donations of blood or energy by the means of sexual violence. The larger vampiric community generally treats these people the same way a larger society would treat rapists and thieves.

There are also believed to be three types coexistent with the aforementioned, which are akin to rank:

• Royal. These are believed to possess all properties of vampirism at once and are also believed to be powerful enough to kill all the other vampires if they so desired.
• Pureblood. These believers do not purport to possess all the properties the royals do, however they believe they were born as vampires and are powerful enough to kill all the turns.
• Turn. These are "vampires" which have been created (or converted) from another "vampire" by means of a crude blood transfusion (equipment such as needles need not be used). They do not believe that they will inherit all the characteristics of the vampire who turned them. This type of member will have a more difficult time dealing with the symptoms they now believe they have, and that the "parent" can somehow revoke all of their power.

Thirst

All vampires believe they are subject to an affliction called the thirst. This is a hunger for blood (or energy, depending on the type of vampire). This affliction has symptoms comprised of a combination of extreme desire for water, withdrawal-like symptoms, and a random and extreme psychosis and rash of animal instinct referred to as the Beast. Vampires believe that they have control over this affliction.

The time between feeding and the onset of another thirst is inversely proportional to the quality of blood. That from oneself or from animals is said to be worst, trumped by humans, then wiccans or other mystics. The best, naturally, is believed to come from other vampires.

This belief comes from the related one that the reason vampires need blood is due to the spiritual energy contained therein. The "normal person" is said to be spiritually stagnant, and therefore has a lower amount of spiritual energies. This also extends to psionic feeding.

Creation of new vampires

The genesis of a vampire can take many paths. Most involve a biological link to someone in the community. Note that, for this belief, being "fed" upon is not sufficient as a means of transmission. However, most have to do with blood, as it would be supposed.

Awakening

This form is only applicable to those with a "vampire" or two in their ancestry. Those who the believers think can be awakened are drawn from childhood to everything associated with blood and with vampires and may have a natural like of the darkness. They may feel even more drawn to the community by puberty, sometimes almost irresistibly, and this is the time in which they may "awaken". (Note that puberty is usually the time in which individuals attempt to be superior psychologically.) This may be done by the "vampire" accepting his nature, and convincing himself (or being convinced) that he is what he thinks he is. If a "vampire" is not awakened during this time they will be considered unawakened or latent; thus they will still give birth to potential unwakened "vampires". They will usually cease to experience any attraction to the lore or any symptoms of the affliction.

Birth

When a believer becomes a parent, it is believed that the offspring will be vampires. What sort and how much depends on the parents, in the following cases:

• Vampire (of one type) + Vampire (of the same type): This union is believed to create a more powerful vampire than the two parents who is awakened from birth, having the sum of their powers, approximately.
• Vampire + Non-vampire: This union is believed to create an unawakened vampire with less power than the vampire parent.
• Vampire (of one type) + Vampire (of another type): A lineage such as this is believed to produce a vampire more powerful than both of the parents who is a mix of the two types.

It should be noted that most characteristics of this affliction can be attributed to hereditary genetic mutations or diseases, thus the weaker symptoms with only one parent, the stronger from both, combination of both, et cetera.

Turning

If a believer intravenously administers a portion of their blood to a non-vampire, without the aid of needles, the non-vampire will be considered a "turn" and also believed to be "awakened". They will allegedly inherit a portion of the "parent" vampire's power. Some believe that needles or any other technology nullifies the vampirisim-carrying properties of the blood.

It should be noted that this activity significantly increases the risk of those partaking of contracting a blood-borne pathogen or disease! This activity is NOT recommended!

Food sources

Vampires, in order to "replenish their vampiric energy", will sometimes feed on the blood of other humans, however will also feed on other things such as themselves, animals, plants or the elements. Psionic vampires believe that they feed by meditating and willing the energy toward them, or occasionally by unconscious means.

All vampires believe that they occupy a higher position in the food chain and a different niche than humans do. Many also claim that they often become ill when eating food.

Humans

This is the most widely used form of food. Naturally, to outsiders this form of feeding is considered cannibalism, however vampires consider themselves a separate species that naturally feeds on human energy. It is not recommended by members of the vampiric community that a human be used more than three times by the same vampire, for it is believed that if this happens, the human will become inextricably bound and attracted to the vampire.

Psionic

Psionic vampires attempt to feed on humans by sapping their psychic energy in meditation. It is believed that the energy is shed naturally in small quantities, and thus it is possible to feed off a crowd in this way. However, feeding from one person singularily supposedly improves the quality of the energy, as does actually having physical contact with the prey (or "donor") during feeding. The person is usually reported as feeling unnaturally drained afterward.

The energy of common folk is considered stagnant and thus of poor quality, though that of wiccans and various other spellcasters and magi is considered far better (though none of these claim association with vampirism). The best is said to come from other "vampires", however this is not recommended for starting out.

Sanguinarian

Sanguinarian vampires believe that they feed on humans directly from the blood. It is generally accepted as code of ethics that the blood is taken willingly. Although it can be removed by a doctor using needles, it is mostly taken from open cuts or wounds. Cuts are usually made along the arm or directly behind the shoulder with a razor blade or a lancet; biting is considered very unhygienic and the neck is never used due to the danger of such a practice. A very small amount of blood is actually required.

Animal

Animals are generally considered dangerous, unhygienic and poor food by the vampiric community. The reasons differ for both major types of vampire; psionic vampires will find very little energy as animals are believed to have less intricate, lower quality energy. Sanguinarian vampires may feed off of animals, however it is believed that animals make good hosts for demons because they are vacant. Therefore, some believe the blood must be boiled to remove the demons (who reportedly dislike heat) before it is consumed. Animal blood is generally regarded as swill by the vampiric community.

Plant

Plants are not useful food sources to sanguinarian vampires. However, some psionic vampires believe they can find small amounts of energy in most plants (and large amounts in others like redwoods). It is believed that feeding from a plant will most likely kill it. A few sites suggest that one feed off specific plants rather than weeding the yard or garden. On the other hand, some psionic vampires believe that natural things constitute the basis for energetic beings; still others may say that the natural world is a link to the astral plane. These vampires believe that natural/plant energy is a very potent energy to feed upon.

Elemental

This, of course, is of no use to Sanguinarian vampires as the elements do not have blood or anything comparable to it. The basic elements are fire, earth, air and water. Many ancient peoples believed that everything was made up of combinations and forms of these. Psionic and elemental vampires believe that the elements are full of energy and can be fed from, however it is not recommended for those not wishing to do harm. It is supposed that drawing from elements is an activity which has a radial effect from the area in which it is done, and weakens or changes everything in the area made up on the specific element. For example, feeding from earth may supposedly affect local plants, and using water may likewise kill fish.

Additional senses

Most members of this sect believe themselves to have some sort of sensory amplification or extrasensory perception. The purported effects are:

• Improved night-vision, to the point of being able to see without even moonlight.
• Stinging of the skin when exposed to sunlight.
• A sense for other vampires.
• Broader range of senses.
• Instinctive prescience. A select few believe that they are able to instinctively predict the immediate future with 100% accuracy, and thus act very quickly by instinct.
• Perception of Auras.

Lifestyle

Members of these sects have distinctly different lifestyles from vampires. It includes different habits and different dress norms and even different social norms/faux-pas, and can be considered a subculture. However, by most vampires, this is not considered an actual type of vampirism. It is usually referred to using the word "vampyre." The distinguishing factors between vampires and vampyres are that vampires foremost possess the thirst. Vampires also may possess extrasensory abilities, and vampyres possess none of these.

Fashion

Vampyres generally are drawn to darker, gothic dress, with a distinct focus on chains, lace and dark colours. Some people believe this is either to hide a black aura, to emulate 1700's high fashion or 1800's Victorian fashion, or to blend in with darkness. However, as with most style, there is no definite practicality to the dress.

Organised activity

There is a fairly large amount of organised activity in this sect, however it is surprisingly not governed by a single person or organisation. For one reason or another, most of its activity takes place over the Internet and from a distance. Activity on the internet is generally over the following mediums:

• "Help" or Informational sites
• BBS chat systems (which are surprisingly pervasive)
• Instant messaging

There are an inordinate number of sites dedicated to vampirism, however many of them possess blatant lack of fact. Other, more serious sites denounce these, purport superiority of one type over another or over all humanity, and/or offer a large amount of information which may or may not be in accordance with the general consensus of the community. A number of these sites also act as a classified system, with people posting advertisements requesting blood. However, the general consensus among the vampiric community on vampiric visibility is that it should not exist. Members are strongly discouraged from recruitment, except in specialised circumstances.

Also, there are a large number of extreme detractors to the belief, including most Christians, Jews and Muslims. They tend to believe the activity is cannibalism, paganism and many other sins. There is concern in the general public for those who are found to be participating in the cult. However, because of the isolated nature of vampires, for most, this does not become an issue.

External links

• Staking Claims: The Vampires of Folklore and Fiction.,
  from Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal
• Vampires, from The New England Skeptical Society
• Mother of `vampire cult' leader pleads guilty, from F.A.C.T.Net
• SphynxCat's Real vampires Support Page Information about the vampire subculture
• Temple of the Vampire “Test Everything. Believe Nothing.”

• Otherkin
• Subcultures
• Vampires