August 2015 In Review

MichelangeloMerisiDaCaravaggio-SanGerolamo-c1606Vampire Community News (VCN) – August 2015 In Review

Real-Life Vampires: We ‘Feed’ During Sex – The Real-Life Vampires Of Atlanta – The Daily Beast
August 4, 2015
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/04/i-feed-once-a-week-the-real-life-vampires-of-atlanta.html

Vampirology Poll Ruffles A Few Feathers – Octarine Valur
August 4, 2015
https://savampyrenews.wordpress.com/2015/08/04/vampirology-poll-ruffles-a-few-feathers/

Can We Reverse The Ageing Process By Putting Young Blood Into Older People?
August 4, 2015
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/aug/04/can-we-reverse-ageing-process-young-blood-older-people

RIP Sanguinarius (Sangi) | 1970-2015 | Vampire Community Pioneer
http://merticus.com/vampirenews/2015/08/05/rip-sanguinarius-1970-2015-vampire-community-pioneer/

On Second Thought – The Real Vampires w/John Edgar Browning & Merticus – Georgia Public Broadcasting
August 5, 2015
http://www.gpb.org/on-second-thought/episodes/307

Gerçek Vampirler: Haftada Iki çorba Kaşığı Insan Kanı Içiyorlar – Radikal Turkey
August 6, 2015
http://www.radikal.com.tr/hayat/gercek_vampirler_haftada_iki_corba_kasigi_insan_kani_iciyorlar-1409855

PRAVA KRV Priča O Pravim Vampirima Koji Se “Hrane” Tokom Seksa – Blic Online Serbia
August 6, 2015
http://www.blic.rs/Slobodno-vreme/Zanimljivosti/580911/PRAVA-KRV-Prica-o-pravim-vampirima-koji-se-hrane-tokom-seksa

The Daily Beast Podcast: Interview With A Vampire (Merticus)
August 8, 2015
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/08/the-daily-beast-podcast-interview-with-a-vampire.html

Seeking Vampires For Cable Network TV Series
August 8, 2015
http://merticus.com/vampirenews/2015/08/08/seeking-vampires-for-cable-network-tv-series/

New Orleans HexFest Forced to Change Ritual Location
August 9, 2015
http://wildhunt.org/2015/08/new-orleans-hexfest-forced-to-change-ritual-location.html

Vampire Evolution: From Myth To Modern Day – By Eric Vernor (Corvis Nocturnum) & L. E. Carruba
http://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Evolution-Myth-Modern-Day/dp/0764348418

Religious Experiences Of Vampires – Research Survey – Dr. Emyr Williams
August 13, 2015
http://merticus.com/vampirenews/2015/08/13/religious-experiences-of-vampires-dr-emyr-williams/

Interview With A Real-Life Vampire (Merticus): Why Drinking Blood Isn’t Like In Hollywood – The Guardian
August 15, 2015
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/aug/15/real-life-vampires-interview

Vampyre Academy Reiki Survey – Octarine Valur
August 20, 2015
https://vampyreacademy.wordpress.com/vampyre-academy-formal-surveys/vampyre-academy-reiki-survey-aug-2015/

Blood Rave To Douse Amsterdam Dancers In Gallons Of Blood
August 20, 2015
http://www.nltimes.nl/2015/08/20/blood-rave-to-douse-amsterdam-dancers-in-gallons-of-blood/

Vampires… In A Town Near You? – The Time Traveler’s Dog
August 23, 2015
http://timetravellersdog.com/2015/08/23/vampires-in-a-town-near-you/

Psychic Vampirism: A Trend That Needs To End
August 26, 2015
http://thenephilimrising.com/2015/08/26/psychic-vampirism-a-trend-that-needs-to-end/

Lady Gaga’s “American Horror Story” Character Is Basically A Vampire – Cosmopolitan
August 26, 2015
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/news/a45393/lady-gaga-american-horror-story-cover/

There Will Be Bloed: Uncovering Holland’s Halloween Blood Rave – Vamped.org
August 30, 2015
http://vamped.org/2015/08/30/there-will-be-bloed/

Are Goths Really More Depressed Than the Rest of Us ‘Normals’?
August 30, 2015
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/30/are-goths-really-more-depressed-than-the-rest-of-us-normals.html

Real Vampire Community Academic Resources – Academia.edu

JeanMielot-IlluminatedManuscriptScribe
JOSEPH LAYCOCK

https://txstate.academia.edu/JosephLaycock
https://sites.google.com/site/joelaycock/

“Vampires as an Identity Group: Analyzing Causes and Effects of an Introspective Survey by the Vampire Community,” Nova Religio 14:1 (2010): 4-23.
http://www.academia.edu/4332137/_Vampires_as_an_Identity_Group_Analyzing_Causes_and_Effects_of_an_Introspective_Survey_by_the_Vampire_Community_Nova_Religio_14_1_2010_4-23

“Vampires as an Ascriptive Identity Group: Analyzing Causes and Effects of an Introspective Survey by the Vampire Community,” in Adam Possamai, ed., Handbook of Hyper-Real Religions. Boston: Brill, 2012: pp. 141-163.
http://www.academia.edu/4332414/_Vampires_as_an_Ascriptive_Identity_Group_Analyzing_Causes_and_Effects_of_an_Introspective_Survey_by_the_Vampire_Community_in_Adam_Possamai_ed._Handbook_of_Hyper-Real_Religions._Boston_Brill_2012_pp._141-163

“‘We Are Spirits of Another Sort’: Ontological Rebellion and Religious Dimensions of the Otherkin Community,” Nova Religio 15:3 (2012): 65-90.
http://www.academia.edu/4332109/_We_Are_Spirits_of_Another_Sort_Ontological_Rebellion_and_Religious_Dimensions_of_the_Otherkin_Community_Nova_Religio_15_3_2012_65-90

“Vampires Today: The Truth about Modern Vampirism”
Joseph Laycock, PhD – Praeger Publishers – May 30, 2009 – ISBN: 0-313-36472-9
http://www.amazon.com/Vampires-Today-Truth-Modern-Vampirism/dp/0313364729

JOHN EDGAR BROWNING
https://gatech.academia.edu/JohnEdgarBrowning
http://www.news.gatech.edu/features/john-edgar-browning

“The real vampires of New Orleans and Buffalo: a research note towards comparative ethnography”
http://www.academia.edu/11643020/_The_real_vampires_of_New_Orleans_and_Buffalo_a_research_note_towards_comparative_ethnography_

“Vampire and Vampirism,” in Encyclopedia of American Studies (Johns Hopkins University Press)
http://www.academia.edu/10627145/_Vampire_and_Vampirism_in_Encyclopedia_of_American_Studies_Johns_Hopkins_University_Press_

“The Real Vampire Community: A Concise History,” in The Vampire in Europe: A Critical Edition
http://www.academia.edu/9642592/_The_Real_Vampire_Community_A_Concise_History_in_The_Vampire_in_Europe_A_Critical_Edition

“Vampires of the Crescent City: A Case Study,” in The Vampire in Europe: A Critical Edition
http://www.academia.edu/9642645/_Vampires_of_the_Crescent_City_A_Case_Study_in_The_Vampire_in_Europe_A_Critical_Edition

“Conversations with Real Vampires [in New Orleans],” in The Vampire in Europe: A Critical Edition
http://www.academia.edu/356086/_Conversations_with_Real_Vampires_in_New_Orleans_in_The_Vampire_in_Europe_A_Critical_Edition

“The Dangerous Dead: Vampire Mythology in the House of Night Series”
http://www.academia.edu/4154500/_The_Dangerous_Dead_Vampire_Mythology_in_the_House_of_Night_Series_

DJ WILLIAMS
https://idahostate.academia.edu/DJWilliams
http://positivesexuality.org/meet-the-staff/researchers/

Do We Always Practice What We Preach? Real Vampires’ Fears Of Coming Out Of The Coffin To Social Workers And Helping Professionals
Critical Social Work, 2015 Vol. 16, No. 1
http://www1.uwindsor.ca/criticalsocialwork/Vampires
https://www.academia.edu/12761617/Do_We_Always_Practice_What_We_Preach_Real_Vampires_Fears_of_Coming_out_of_the_Coffin_to_Social_Workers_and_Helping_Professionals

Social Work, BDSM, and Vampires: Toward Empowering People with Non-Traditional Identities
http://www.academia.edu/11532033/Social_Work_BDSM_and_Vampires_Toward_Empowering_People_with_Non-Traditional_Identities

Selves, Symbols, and Sexualities: An Interactionist Anthology
Sage Publications, Edited by Thomas Weinberg and Staci Newmahr – 2014
Chapter 20: Intersections of Vampirism & Sexuality – A Narrative Description of a Vampire Feeding

Contemporary Vampires and (Blood-Red) Leisure: Should We Be Afraid of the Dark?
Leisure/Loisir – Volume 32 (2) (2008); Pages 513-539

MERTICUS
https://independent.academia.edu/Merticus
http://www.linkedin.com/in/merticus
http://www.merticus.com

Vampirism & Energy Work Research Survey (VEWRS)
An Introspective Examination Of The Real Vampire Community
http://www.academia.edu/10687957/Vampirism_and_Energy_Work_Research_Survey_VEWRS_

Advanced Vampirism & Energy Work Research Survey (AVEWRS)
Examining The Intricacies Of The Vampiric Condition
http://www.academia.edu/10687996/Advanced_Vampirism_and_Energy_Work_Research_Survey_AVEWRS_

Supplemental Vampirism & Energy Work Interview Survey (SVEWIS)
Ethnomethodological & Existential Phenomenological Research From An Emic Perspective
http://www.academia.edu/11398033/Supplemental_Vampirism_and_Energy_Work_Interview_Survey_SVEWIS_

VEWRS & AVEWRS Statistical Research Data & Charts
http://www.academia.edu/10688035/VEWRS_and_AVEWRS_Statistical_Research_Data_and_Charts

Diagnosed Physical & Mental Conditions Of Self-Identified Real Vampires
http://www.academia.edu/10688094/Diagnosed_Physical_and_Mental_Conditions_Of_Self-Identified_Real_Vampires

Definition Of Real Vampirism
Vampirism & Energy Work Research Study (VEWRS & AVEWRS)
http://www.academia.edu/10707092/Definition_Of_Real_Vampirism

Identity Groups & Ritualistic Occult Crime
PowerPoint Briefing For Law Enforcement & Academicians
http://www.academia.edu/11930334/Identity_Groups_and_Ritualistic_Occult_Crime

Qualitative Ethnography Of Otherkin, Therianthrope & Non-Human Identifying Subcultures
http://www.academia.edu/11407422/Qualitative_Ethnography_Of_Otherkin_Therianthrope_and_Non-Human_Identifying_Subcultures

HESPERUS
https://independent.academia.edu/Hesperus
https://www.facebook.com/groups/357086437822568/

Boiling Blood: Aggression as a Community Building Tool in the Online Vampire Subculture
http://www.academia.edu/10849876/Boiling_Blood_Aggression_as_a_Community_Building_Tool_in_the_Online_Vampire_Subculture

From Fictional Footnotes to National News: The Evolving Focus of Public OVC Fora from the Late Nineties to the Present
https://www.academia.edu/19309583/From_Fictional_Footnotes_to_National_News

VENETIA ROBERTSON
https://sydney.academia.edu/VenetiaRobertson
http://www.religiousstudiesproject.com/persons/venetia-robertson/

‘The Beast Within: Anthrozoomorphic Identity and Alternative Spirituality in the Online Therianthropy Movement,’ Nova Religio 16:3 (2013).
http://www.academia.edu/1851789/The_Beast_Within_Anthrozoomorphic_Identity_and_Alternative_Spirituality_in_the_Online_Therianthropy_Movement_Nova_Religio_16_3_2013_

‘The Law of the Jungle: Self and Community in the Online Therianthropy Movement’, Pomegranate: The International Journal of Pagan Studies, 14: 2 (2012)
http://www.academia.edu/5705986/The_Law_of_the_Jungle_Self_and_Community_in_the_Online_Therianthropy_Movement_Pomegranate_The_International_Journal_of_Pagan_Studies_14_2_2012_

DANIELLE KIRBY
https://rmit.academia.edu/DanielleKirby
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse/About%20RMIT/Contact/All%20contacts/Staff/by%20name/K/;ID=ralssyszuhh7;STATUS=A

Alternative Worlds: Metaphysical Questioning and Virtual Community Amongst the Otherkin
http://www.academia.edu/1962034/Alternative_Worlds_Metaphysical_Questioning_and_Virtual_Community_Amongst_the_Otherkin

Demystifying ‘Real’ Vampirism For The Rest Of Us

DemystificationTriangleDemystifying ‘Real’ Vampirism For The Rest Of Us
An overview of modern vampirism for the general public

Psychic and sanguinarian vampires are individuals who cannot adequately sustain their own physical, mental, or spiritual wellbeing without the taking of blood or vital lifeforce energy from other sources.  Without feeding a vampire will become lethargic, sickly, depressed, and often go through physical suffering or discomfort.  Such individuals generally consider “real vampirism” to be an extension of personal identity rather than a lifestyle.  While there are those who self-identify as psychic or sanguinarian vampires who adhere to the “vampire lifestyle” by adopting a vampire aesthetic, wearing prosthetic fangs, or participating in roleplay games, vampi(y)re lifestylers are not synonymous with those who believe they must feed on psychic or life energies and/or blood.  Blood fetishism and sanguinarian vampirism are likewise not synonymous and exist as their own distinct subcultures.  Blood fetishists are aroused by seeing, smelling, and touching blood whereas sanguinarian vampires believe that the drinking of small quantities of blood represents a health and quality of life issue – a need rather than a desire.

Real vampirism does not constitute a cult, a religion, a paraphilia, an offshoot of the BDSM subculture, a community composed exclusively of delusional or mentally ill participants, and is not what is depicted in fictional books, on television, or in movies.  The use of obsolete psychiatric diagnostic terminology such as “Clinical Vampirism”, “Renfield’s Syndrome”, and “Autovampirism” or the comparison of vampirism to the medical condition known as Porphyria is inaccurate and without merit.  Vampirism is not considered a religion by the majority of self-identified vampires whose most commonly reported religious and spiritual beliefs include Atheism, Paganism, Christianity, Satanism, Buddhism, Daoism, Shamanism, Magick, Occultism, Wicca, and Vampi(y)ric Spirituality.  Some in the media and in academia have chosen to characterize vampires as criminals who engage in subversive and dangerous practices.  Real vampires are mistakenly thrust into the same categories as ritual animal or human sacrifice, cannibalism, fetishism, fanatical religious expression, and labeled as unstable threats to themselves and others.  The overwhelming majority of self-identified vampires adhere to ethical and safe feeding practices, are of sound mind and judgment, and productively contribute to society.

Many self-identified vampires report that they suffer from asthma, migraine headaches, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and other endocrine system related disorders exceeding typical prevalence rates with comorbidity of possible adrenal or pituitary dysfunction.  Due in large part to increased sociological-based scholarship there persists a hope that not only will there be more awareness on the part of the general public as to the practices and beliefs of “real-life vampires”, but also increased interest from medical researchers.  Some sanguinarian and even psychic vampires would like to see genetic and other comprehensive medical testing conducted to help determine what about them, if anything, is truly aberrant from the rest of humanity.  Even those self-identified vampi(y)res not searching for answers through medical science only wish to be left to their own devices and exist among us without fear of ridicule or hostility.  Healthy skepticism and analytical thinking aren’t enemies of the vampire community – they are essential tools integral to the growth and understanding of vampiric identity.

Demystifying ‘Real’ Vampirism For The Rest Of Us
By Merticus; Atlanta Vampire Alliance [AVA] & Suscitatio Enterprises, LLC
February 10, 2013 – This article may be redistributed, translated, or adopted by other organizations provided there are no content modifications and full citation is included.
http://www.atlantavampirealliance.com/educational/demystification.html