Blood dripping fangs, dark cloaks, and perhaps a deep soothing voice, are attributes most would associate with the word vampire.\u00a0 The word vampire can be traced back as far as ancient Sumer with their version of the word akhkharu, and although the word may have originated there, many existing arguments exist as to who was the original vampire (NRG).\u00a0 Some would argue Cain from the Bible.\u00a0 Some would suggest Lilith, who has her roots in the Judaic tradition as well as Sumerian.\u00a0 Nevertheless, all vampire stories were originally created to explain away problems with childbirth and the death of loved ones (Melton 446).\u00a0\u00a0 Then, one may wonder, how did the vampire morph into the Dracula stereotype we see plastered everywhere today?<\/p>\n
Mainstream society has happily absorbed the ideas of immortality and romanticism, and the idea of the vampire may seem appealing because of them.\u00a0 This fascination is shown by the wide availability of vampire literature and the assortment of movies.\u00a0 Bram Stoker\u2019s depiction with the infamous Count Dracula is probably the best example.\u00a0 As a result, people are exposed to the possibility of vampires existing among us today.\u00a0 As exciting the thought may be to the many role players and lifestylers, one must understand the glamour and wonder of such a condition is not all it is thought out to be.<\/p>\n
The Vampire Church defines real vampirism as a \u201csanguine, psychic, and or energy vampire\u201d(\u201cLexicon\u201d).\u00a0 Characteristics include but are not necessarily limited to the following:<\/p>\n
1. The individual has a real need for blood or life energy (\u201cLexicon\u201d).\u00a0 In theory, these individuals need the extra energy because for some odd reason, their bodies simply cannot produce enough energy on their own through normal bodily processes and functions.<\/p>\n
2. The person may have heightened sensitivities including empathy, astral projection, clairvoyance, and energy manipulation (\u201cLexicon\u201d).\u00a0 It could be easily deduced then that someone who has to constantly process energy would become an expert of sorts in other areas involving energy transfer and usage.<\/p>\n
3. The party in question may or may not have sensitivity to light and may wish to remain nocturnal.\u00a0 However, contrary to popular belief, this sensitivity does not disable the person from being out and about during the day.\u00a0 It may just diminish his or her ability to do so (\u201cLexicon\u201d).<\/p>\n
With the above characteristics stated, many wonder why there is more than one type of vampire.\u00a0 Vampires are categorized by the means in which they obtain energy to function normally.\u00a0 Some strictly use one method of obtaining what they need while others may utilize all three methods.<\/p>\n
Sanguine vampires can be compared to the traditional personification of a bloodsucker.\u00a0 Sanguines obtain blood from donors and use the energy found within the blood for their own means (\u201cLexicon\u201d).\u00a0 However, unlike the Hollywood stereotype, sanguines do not require mass amounts of the life giving substance, and they do not need to permanently hurt or damage human life.\u00a0 While the amount needed can be debated, some sources state that only 1-2 teaspoons is required.\u00a0 Additionally, the vampire community as a whole strongly enforces screening of willing donors and the use of healthful procedures to procure the blood.\u00a0 In other words, biting is strongly discouraged due to the germs involved.\u00a0 One is usually asked to implement a syringe.<\/p>\n
Psychic and energy vampires are not so different that one cannot talk about them in the same sentence.\u00a0 These vampires feed off of psychic energy or the life force of others.\u00a0 Some prefer this method due to the obstacles and dangers found by seeking out blood.\u00a0 Depending upon the individual, some choose to seek out the energy of willing human beings while others will look to the elements.\u00a0 On the other hand, some of these individuals like to prey off the emotions of others and sometimes without their consent (\u201cLexicon\u201d).\u00a0 These vampires who drain others without prior consent are referred to as psi vampires and are frowned upon by the community and people in general.\u00a0 Many people will complain of at least one person in their life who would fit this description, and because of such complaints, one could argue that many around us are vampires in their own right.<\/p>\n
Vampires have been mentioned from the beginning of time, and with popular culture keeping these creatures in the limelight, it is no surprise that some argue that real vampires exist amongst us.\u00a0 These individuals are not the Hollywood stereotype although they may share some of the characteristics of the stereotype.\u00a0 Some vampires could be linked to the traditional blood drinkers who may suffer an adversity to sunlight while others use the life force of others to meet their energy deficient needs.\u00a0 Whatever the case, the real life community exists and is now out in the open due to our fascination with the fanged beings of night and immortality in general.<\/p>\n
Works Cited <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cLexicon of Terminology.\u201d\u00a0 Vampire Church.\u00a0 10 October 2006.\u00a0 Vampire Church.\u00a0 23 November 2008.\u00a0 <http:\/\/www.vampire-church.com\/lexicon.html<\/a>>.<\/em><\/p>\n