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Vampire lifestyle

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The vampire lifestyle is an alternative lifestyle, based on the modern perception of vampires in popular fiction. It has been noted the Vampire subculture has stemmed largely from the Goth subculture,[1] but also incorporates some elements of the sadomasochism subculture. The subculture is so prevalent and involved as to result in the publication of at least two glossy magazines devoted to the topic, while the Internet remains a prevalent forum for the community.[2]

Active vampirism within the vampire subculture includes both blood consumption, which is commonly referred to as sanguinarian vampirism, and psychic vampirism, through which the practitioners believe they are drawing spiritual nourishment from auric or pranic energy.

Sanguinarians

Taken from the Latin sanguinarius [3] meaning 'bloodthirsty' a sanguinarian is someone who believes that their body has a craving (or need) for blood.

According to the published work by the occultist Order of Aset Ka on real life vampirism, the Asetian Bible book, a real vampire can't really be distinguished from being a sanguinarian or a psychic vampire; because what a vampire truly craves is vital energy, known among Asetians as Ka, an Ancient Egyptian concept. By this, it is defended the form of feeding, whether psychic or by the ingestion of blood, ultimately represents a choice from the vampire in his preferred ways to drain vital energy from a human being. [4]

It is debated[by whom?] whether or not sanguinarianism is Renfield's syndrome (also known as clinical vampirism) or another psychological condition altogether, as practitioners say they need blood other than their own to feel fulfilled. It should be noted Renfield's is not recognised by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and is thus usually classified as a delusional symptom of schizophrenia.

It is often stipulated[by whom?] that sanguinarians and psychic vampires cannot usually draw energy from the source used by the other type, but that there are those who can use both interchangeably.

Psychic vampires

Dion Fortune wrote of psychic parasitism in relation to vampirism as early as 1930 (considering it a combination of psychic and psychological pathology) in "Psychic Self-Defense".[5][6] The term "psychic vampire" first gained attention in the 1960s with the publication of Anton LaVey's Satanic Bible. LaVey, who stated he had coined the term,[7] used it to mean a paranormal entity within such a person allowing the psychic draining of energy from the environment. (i.e. people, elements or electricity)

The term is also used by Luis Marques in his work on vampirism and spirituality, titled the Asetian Bible, where the definition of a psychic vampire goes beyond his ability to drain energy, but is portrayed as a definitive condition of the individual's soul and a secret mark of a connection to a shared past.[8] This polemic view of the energy predator is based on an esoteric tradition known as Asetianism, which relies on predatory spirituality and the extensive use of Ancient Egyptian symbolism, whose teachings are strictly and thoroughly maintained by the occultist Order of Aset Ka.[9]

The theme of the psychic vampire has been a focus within modern vampire subculture. The way the subculture has manipulated the image of the psychic vampire has been investigated by researchers such as Mark Benecke[10] and A. Asbjorn Jon.

Health risks

For one person to consume another's blood presents a serious hygiene risk to both parties, with a major risk of sepsis from human bites and the possibility of transmission of blood-borne diseases including HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis.[11][12]

See also

References

  1. ^ Skal, David J. (1993). The Monster Show: A Cultural History of Horror. New York: Penguin. pp. 342–43. ISBN 0-14-024002-0.
  2. ^ Keyworth, David (2002). "The Socio-Religious Beliefs and Nature of the Contemporary Vampire Subculture". Journal of Contemporary Religion. 17 (3): 355–370. doi:10.1080/1353790022000008280. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. ^ p.260, Pocket Oxford Latin Dictionary, (Oxford University Press, 1994), Oxford
  4. ^ Marques, Luis. Asetian Bible. Aset Ka, 2007 ISBN 978-9899569409
  5. ^ Charles and Collins, Carr; The Story of Dion Fortune, Thoth Books, 1998, ISBN 1-870450-33-7, p150,
  6. ^ Fortune, Dion; Psychic Self-Defense, Weiser Books, 1930, ISBN 1-57863-151-3,
  7. ^ Robinson, Eugene (1986). "Anton LaVey". Birth of Tragedy. Retrieved 2007-03-31. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  8. ^ Marques, Luis. Asetian Bible. Aset Ka, 2007 ISBN 978-9899569409
  9. ^ Paranormal Encyclopedia article on the Order of Aset Ka.
  10. ^ Mark Benecke and Aleksandra Blak, 'Vampire Youth Subculture in New York City', presented as a conference paper at the Second World Dracula Congress (Poiana Brasov, Romania: 24-28 May, 2000).
  11. ^ "Human Bites". American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2002. Retrieved 2006-11-26. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  12. ^ Sowadsky, Rick (November 3, 1999). "Can you get HIV from drinking another persons blood?". Forum on Safe Sex and HIV Prevention. The Body. Retrieved 2006-11-26.

The Black Veil:

  • The Black Veil, 2nd Edition: [1]
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