May 2016 In Review

Krishna-MughalMiniature-VictoriaAlbertMuseumVampire Community News (VCN) – May 2016 In Review

Psychic Vampirism Is Not As Glamorous As Blood Drinking – Amador Vampyre
May 4, 2016
https://amadorvampyre.wordpress.com/2016/05/04/psychic-vampirism-is-not-as-glamorous-as-blood-drinking/

Cannibal (Garth Anderton) Who Bit Off Stranger’s Ear…
May 16, 2016
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3593180/Cannibal-bit-stranger-s-ear-pocket-told-police-chewy-saving-later.html

A Brief History Of Some Of The Many Occult Organizations Affiliated With Vampirism – Hesperus
May 17, 2016
http://houseofthedreaming.net/messageboard/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4946

How To Deal With An Energy Vampire
May 18, 2016
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jen-smith/how-to-deal-with-an-energ_b_10022636.html

Real Life Vampire (Merticus): This Guy Actually Drinks Human Blood – The National Student
May 22, 2016
http://www.thenationalstudent.com/Weird/2016-05-22/real_life_vampire_this_guy_actually_drinks_human_blood.html

How And Why To Think Like A Vampire – The Federalist
May 24, 2016
http://thefederalist.com/2016/05/24/how-and-why-to-think-like-a-vampire/

Psychic Vampyrism – By V.K. Jehannum
May 25, 2016
https://vkjehannum.wordpress.com/2016/05/25/psychic-vampyrism/

The Chaos Vampire – By Kate Gallwey
May 25, 2016
https://katescreation.wordpress.com/2016/05/25/the-chaos-vampire/

April 2016 In Review

IlluminatedManuscript-DemonicGrotesquesVampire Community News (VCN) – April 2016 In Review

Real Benefits Of Being Drained – Singing Tarot
April 3, 2016
http://www.theshadowsage.com/?p=1998

Elemental Feeding – OwnedByAlpha
April 4, 2016
http://www.theshadowsage.com/?p=2014

Drama Used To Psi-Feed? – By Damien Ferguson
April 4, 2016
http://www.theshadowsage.com/?p=2029

Eros Vampire Survey – By Damien Ferguson
April 6, 2016
http://www.theshadowsage.com/?p=2035

‘Vampire’ Killer Put To Death In Texas – USA Today
April 6, 2016
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/04/06/vampire-killer-put-death/82729244/

Infamous ‘Vampire Killer’ (Rod Ferrell) Speaks Out From Prison
April 11, 2016
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/vampire-killer-speaks-out-from-prison

Interview With The Vampire: 40 Years Of Remorseful Bloodsuckers – By Tony Sokol For Den Of Geek
April 12, 2016
http://www.denofgeek.com/us/books-comics/interview-with-the-vampire/254332/interview-with-the-vampire-40-years-of-remorseful-bloodsuckers

Gummies! And Other Blood Candy – By Damien Ferguson & Rei Tadashi
Aoril 12, 2016
http://www.theshadowsage.com/?p=2050

Slut Shaming, Sexual Vampirism And A Practical Approach To Other Naughty Things – Amador Vampyre
April 15, 2016
https://amadorvampyre.wordpress.com/2016/04/15/slut-shaming-sexual-vampirism-and-a-practical-approach-to-other-naughty-things/

Is Mediation Needed In The Vampire Community? – A Poll
April 18, 2016
https://www.facebook.com/groups/vampirecommunitynews/permalink/1111817755524489/?qa_ref=qd

The New Jersey Iron Garden, Reclaiming The Flame That Flourishes The Seeds – Madame X
April 21, 2016
https://www.facebook.com/notes/madame-x/the-new-jersey-iron-garden-reclaiming-the-flame-that-flourishes-the-seeds/1114206398639491

Coming Out To Others – By Damien Ferguson
April 26, 2016
http://www.theshadowsage.com/?p=2089

Real Life Vampires: Separating Fact From Fiction About People Who Like To Drink Blood – Medical Daily
April 26, 2016
http://www.medicaldaily.com/real-life-vampires-drink-blood-383126

March 2016 In Review

AmbrogioLorenzetti-EffectsOfGoodGovernmentInTheCity-Circa1338-1340Vampire Community News (VCN) – March 2016 In Review

Vampirism – By Damien Ferguson & Rei
March 1, 2016
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2016/03/01/vampirism/

Coming Out Of The Coffin (An Interview) – Sin City Vampire Alliance
March 1, 2016
https://alyraimmortalis.wordpress.com/2016/03/01/coming-out-of-the-coffin-an-interview/

Dog ‘Vampire’ Held In Yemen
March 1, 2016
http://www.emirates247.com/crime/region/dog-vampire-held-in-yemen-2016-03-01-1.622712

The Red Cellar – An Introduction
March 2, 2016
https://theredcellar.com/2016/03/02/the-red-cellar-an-introduction/

A Treatise For The Most Of Us: An Argument For Honest Introspection & Mutual Understanding – By CJ!
March 2, 2016
https://theredcellar.com/2016/03/02/a-treatise-for-the-most-of-us-an-argument-for-honest-introspection-and-mutual-understanding/

Vampire Community Feeding Methods & Viewpoints – 2016 Snapshot (Poll)
http://merticus.com/vampirenews/2016/03/03/%EF%BB%BFexploring-feeding-method-distribution-viewpoints-within-the-vampire-community-a-2016-snapshot/

Consider The Med Sang Point Of View – By Syrf
March 4, 2016
https://theredcellar.com/2016/03/04/consider-the-med-sang-point-of-view/

We Might Not All Be The Same Kind Of Creature – Amador Vampyre
March 4, 2016
https://amadorvampyre.wordpress.com/2016/03/04/we-might-not-all-be-the-same-kind-of-creature/

Reflection On Psi And Sang In The Vampire Community – By Becka Wood
March 4, 2016
https://theindigolotusblog.wordpress.com/2016/03/04/reflection-on-psi-and-sang-in-the-vampire-community-becka-wood/

Satanic Vampirism – Torch Of Jehannum
March 4, 2016
https://torchofjehannum.wordpress.com/2016/03/04/satanic-vampyrism/

Community Segregation – An Interview With Steve Jones
March 5, 2016
https://alyraimmortalis.wordpress.com/2016/03/05/community-segregation/

My Awakening – Alyra
March 6, 2016
https://alyraimmortalis.wordpress.com/2016/03/06/my-awakening-2/

How Does The Herd Mentality Affect The Vampire Culture? – Madame Mystique
March 7, 2016
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2016/03/07/how-does-the-herd-mentality-affect-the-vampire-culture/

Chaos-Eating Psi-Vampire? Or Just An Abrasive Person? – Becka Wood
March 7, 2016
https://theindigolotusblog.wordpress.com/2016/03/07/chaos-eating-psi-vampire-or-just-an-abrasive-person-becka-wood/

Trio ‘Tried To Turn Their Friend Into A Vampire In Satanic Killing’ At Cafe Called Freak Shop
March 7, 2016
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/trio-tried-turn-friend-vampire-7510863

Guilt, Blood And Prana: A Modern Vampire’s Diet – Amador Vampyre
March 7, 2016
https://amadorvampyre.wordpress.com/2016/03/07/guilt-blood-and-prana-a-modern-vampires-diet/

Why Are Those Pesky Med Sangs Around, Anyways? – Amador Vampyre
March 8, 2016
https://amadorvampyre.wordpress.com/2016/03/09/why-are-those-pesky-med-sangs-around-anyways/

Suspected Gang Leader Behind ‘Vampire Murder In Satanic Ceremony’ Arrested
March 8, 2016
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/suspected-gang-leader-behind-vampire-7516405

Daley Catherine – Queen Of The Vampires – University Of Texas Interview
March 10, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVe4JKJlqQk

Some Of The VC And Trump Comparison – Becka Wood
March 10, 2016
https://theindigolotusblog.wordpress.com/2016/03/10/some-of-the-vc-and-trump-comparison-becka-wood/

Psy Vamps: Damaged Goods Or Vampirus Superior? – Amador Vampyre
March 12, 2016
https://amadorvampyre.wordpress.com/2016/03/12/psy-vamps-damaged-goods-or-vampirus-superior/

The Dark Side Of The Web: Do Vampires Really Exist? – Laura Connolly
March 14, 2016
https://lauraconnollyjourn.wordpress.com/2016/03/14/the-dark-side-of-the-web-do-vampires-really-exist-2/

The GVC & The Uneducated Comparisons Of Trump & McCarthyism – Belfazaar
March 16, 2016
https://www.facebook.com/notes/belfazaar-michael-bousum-ashantison/the-gvc-and-the-uneducated-comparisons-of-trump-and-mccarthyism/1063863193674297

Gather 2016 Registration – House Kheperu
http://kheperu.org/gatherings/registration/

Interview With The Vampire (A Local Interview)
March 18, 2016
https://alyraimmortalis.wordpress.com/2016/03/18/679/

The Beast: From Energy-Feeders’ Perspective
March 18, 2016
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2016/03/18/the-beast-energy-feeder/

Types Of People Within The Vampire Community – Father Sebastiaan
March 18, 2016
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/father-sebastiaan/types-of-people-within-th_b_9479504.html

Immortal Vampires – Kate Gallwey
March 22, 2016
https://katescreation.wordpress.com/2016/03/22/immortal-vampires/

Fantastic Claims vs. Objective Evidence: The Fun Of The Vampire Community – Amador Vampyre
March 24, 2016
https://amadorvampyre.wordpress.com/2016/03/24/fantastic-claims-vs-objective-evidence-the-fun-of-the-vampire-community/

Vampyre – The Dark Corners Of New Orleans – Photography Book By TC Photography Studios
March 25, 2016
https://neworleans-vampyre.com/

Vampires Come Alive At Humanities Conference – The Harvard Crimson
March 28, 2016
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/3/28/vampires-german-humanities-conference/

Sexual Motivation – Studying Sexual Vampires – CLAVIS
March 30, 2016
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1wMPeKYvwM4DieD8CWMp-6xTGsz-ku5NrBuf4LFbO6pA/viewform?c=0&w=1

Zen For Vampires – Amador Vampyre
March 30, 2016
https://amadorvampyre.wordpress.com/2016/03/30/zen-for-vampires/

Reflections – By Damien Ferguson
March 31, 2016
http://www.theshadowsage.com/?p=1949

January 2016 In Review

EmbossedGoldCircleArtVampire Community News (VCN) – January 2016 In Review


2015 Retrospective | A Year Of Movement Within The Real Vampire Community

January 1, 2016
http://merticus.com/vampirenews/2015/12/31/2015-retrospective-a-year-of-movement-within-the-real-vampire-community/

SAVA & The SA VC – A South African Success Story – Octarine Valur
January 1, 2016
https://savampyrenews.wordpress.com/2016/01/01/sava-the-sa-vc-a-south-african-success-story/

Psychic Attack? Eat It – The Amador Vampire
January 2, 2016
https://theamadorvampire.wordpress.com/2016/01/02/psychic-attack-eat-it/

The Thankless Job Of Being A Good Vampire In The VC – The Amador Vampire
January 2, 2016
https://theamadorvampire.wordpress.com/2016/01/02/the-thankless-job-of-being-a-good-vampire-in-the-vc/

An Interview With Kinesia: Looking Into The Sang Medical Research
January 3, 2016
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/interview-kinesia-sang-medical-research/

Been There Done That Ad Nauseaum – Belfazaar Ashantison
January 6, 2016
https://thegraveyardpress.wordpress.com/2016/01/06/been-there-done-that-ad-nauseaum/

Vampyrism – The Myth, The Fiction And The Truth – A Short Guide By Father Izak
January 6, 2016
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A70S4PU

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! – Comic Strip – Atlanta Vampire Alliance
January 6, 2016
http://www.gocomics.com/ripleysbelieveitornot/2016/01/03

The Pros Of Finding Baby Psy Vamps – The Amador Vampire
January 6, 2016
https://theamadorvampire.wordpress.com/2016/01/06/the-pros-of-finding-baby-psy-vamps/

Vampire Community Newbie Guide – The Shadow Sage
January 6, 2016
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2015/12/22/vampire-community-newbie-guide/

Vampirism In Mary’s Words – The Shadow Sage
January 6, 2016
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2016/01/06/vampirism-in-marys-words/

Psychic Vampire Primer – By Kate Gallwey
January 7, 2016
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2016/01/07/psychic-vampire-primer/

The Natural Function Of The Psychic Vampire In Daily Life – The Amador Vampire
January 8, 2016
https://theamadorvampire.wordpress.com/2016/01/08/the-natural-function-of-the-psychic-vampire-in-daily-life/

Shielding With A Remote Energy Source – The Singing Tarot
January 10, 2016
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2016/01/10/shielding-with-a-remote-energy-source/

Feeling Frenzy: Levels & Types Of Self-Reported Empathy In Online Vampire Community – Hesperus (CLAVIS)
January 12, 2016
https://www.academia.edu/20193409/Feeling_Frenzy_Levels_and_Types_of_Self-Reported_Empathy_in_the_Online_Vampire_Community

Police: Man (Justin Case Jacoby) Strangled Cat, Tried To Drink Its Blood
January 12, 2016
http://www.kcci.com/news/police-man-strangled-cat-tried-to-drink-its-blood/37393746

Additives In Blood Analysis And Human Consumption – By Lethenteron
January 13, 2016
http://sanguinarians.com/2016/01/13/additives-in-blood-analysis-and-human-consumption/

Rosemary Ellen Guiley Interview For Vampire World
January 13, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXVamfsHa3o

The ‘Vampire Girl’ Who Drinks Her Boyfriend’s Blood – Brisbane, Australia
January 13, 2016
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3393074/I-love-taste-texture-look-Inside-bizarre-world-self-proclaimed-vampire-drinks-boyfriend-s-BLOOD-feeds-thinks-s-cheating.html

“Vampire Girl” Drinks Her Boyfriend’s Blood, “Loves The Taste”
January 13, 2016
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/news/a52134/vampire-girl-drinks-her-boyfriends-blood-loves-the-taste/

Relatives Dispute Blood Drinking Claim In Cat’s Death (Justin Jacoby)
January 14, 2016
http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/relatives-dispute-blood-drinking-claim-in-cat-s-death/article_33cd9db2-5ec3-5ef8-ac8c-7f27cd2292bd.html

Toxic! – Deacon Gray
January 14, 2016
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2016/01/14/toxic/

Indicative Sub-Culture Survey Results – Real Vampire Life (RVL)
January 15, 2016
http://realvampirenews.com/interactive-study-programs/

Should We Talk About Turning? – The Amador Vampire
January 15, 2016
https://theamadorvampire.wordpress.com/2016/01/15/should-we-talk-about-turning/

Man Tried To Force His Ex-Girlfriend To Drink Blood From His Wrist
January 15, 2016
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3400820/Man-tried-force-ex-girlfriend-drink-BLOOD-wrist-broke-him.html

Why Are So Many Vampires Silent? – The Amador Vampire
January 17, 2016
https://theamadorvampire.wordpress.com/2016/01/17/why-are-so-many-vampires-silent/

An Interview With Author Kate Gallwey
January 18, 2016
https://katescreation.wordpress.com/2016/01/18/an-interview-with-author-kate-gallwey/

Facebook, The Vampire Community, And Reporting – Alexia Ashford
January 21, 2016
http://sanguinarians.com/2016/01/21/facebook-the-vampire-community-and-reporting/

Psychic Generators… And What Do You Mean That You Can’t Feel It? – The Amador Vampire
January 21, 2016
https://theamadorvampire.wordpress.com/2016/01/21/psychic-generators-and-what-do-you-mean-that-you-cant-feel-it/

Vampires Are Never Too Long In The Tooth – Tony Sokol
January 21, 2016
https://smashpipe.com/article/571

Sydney’s Modern-Day Vampires & Witches No Longer Lurk In The Shadows
January 22, 2016
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sydneys-modernday-vampires-and-witches-no-longer-lurk-in-the-shadows/news-story/e54817c61710a2f142e44abec5c51cc6

8 Tips For New Donors – Deacon Gray & Jade Oppress
January 22, 2016
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2016/01/22/8-tips-for-new-donors/

Real Modern Living Vampires… And Our Sub-Groups – The Amador Vampire
January 24, 2016
https://theamadorvampire.wordpress.com/2016/01/24/real-modern-living-vampires-and-our-sub-groups/

Crossroads 2016 – Real Vampire Life (RVL)
January 25, 2016
http://realvampirenews.com/crossroads-2016/

To Forum Or Not To Forum? – Damien & Rei
January 25, 2016
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2016/01/25/to-forum-or-not-to-forum/

Blood Bonds – Damien Ferguson
January 25, 2016
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2016/01/25/blood-bonds/

Spirit Servitors – The Singing Tarot
January 27, 2016
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2016/01/27/spirit-servitors/

The Witches’ Guide To Psychic Vampires – The Amador Vampire
January 31, 2016
https://theamadorvampire.wordpress.com/2016/01/31/the-witches-guide-to-psychic-vampires/

Some Of Lake’s Most Vicious – And Youngest – Killers To Be Resentenced
January 31, 2016
http://www.dailycommercial.com/news/article_8d8c8c02-ea85-5b13-b769-ce391ddf4193.html

On behalf of Vampire Community News (VCN) we’d like to welcome the new inductees of Voices of the Vampire Community (VVC) – Class Of 2016!

Alexia Ashford, Anya Rakoczy, Damien Ferguson, Jezabel DeLuna, Juanie Amador, Kate Gallwey, Kinesia, Lunah Valur Eir, Masticina, Rei Tadashi, Sarya Ingram & Traveler Asura-MacPhee

FATE Magazine – Issue 728 – Real Vampires

FATEMagazine-Issue728-October2015“The Modern-Day Subculture Of Real Vampires”
By Brad Steiger for FATE Magazine
October 2015 – Issue No. 728; Pages 30-38

FATE Magazine – Since 1948
http://fatemag.com/store/product/fate-issue-7278/

“FATE Magazine – The New Issue”
By Nick Redfern for Mysterious Universe – November 17, 2015
http://mysteriousuniverse.org/2015/11/fate-magazine-the-new-issue/

October 2015 In Review

VisokiDecaniMonastery-Kosovo-14thCVampire Community News (VCN) – October 2015 In Review

Overview Of Vampire Community Web Traffic For Late October 2015
October2015-VampireCommunityWebTraffic
Gay Former Teen Prostitute Shares Life In New Orleans Vampire Cult With Chilling Detail
October 1, 2015
http://www.queerty.com/gay-former-teen-prostitute-shares-life-in-new-orleans-vampire-cult-with-chilling-detail-20151001

Tips To Keep Sang Donors Healthy – Giselle DeCavalier
October 4, 2015
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2015/10/04/tips-to-keep-sang-donors-healthy/

Meeting Up – Safety Tips For Donors – Giselle DeCavalier
October 4, 2015
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2015/10/04/meeting-up-safety-tips-for-donors/

Linking It All Together: Building Sanguinarian Hypotheses – VTOC
October 6, 2015
https://vtochicago.wordpress.com/2015/10/06/growing-hypotheses-sangs/

Accused Killer Feared Woman With Vampire-Like Teeth, Court Hears
October 7, 2015
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/accused-killer-feared-woman-with-vampirelike-teeth-court-hears-20151007-gk348h.html

New Study Confirms Existence Of Real-Life ‘Vampires’ – Men’s Health Magazine
October 9, 2015
http://www.menshealth.com/science-of-real-vampires

The Unity Question – Part 2 – Peace For Our Time – Real Vampire Life
October 12, 2015
http://realvampirenews.com/the-unity-question-part-2-peace-for-our-time/

What The Hell Is A Sexual Vampire? – Deacon Gray
October 13, 2015
https://thegraveyardpress.wordpress.com/2015/10/13/what-the-hell-is-a-sexual-vampire/

Sexual Vampire, Or Sex Addict? – Deacon Gray
October 13, 2015
https://thegraveyardpress.wordpress.com/2015/10/13/sexual-vampire-or-sex-addict/

Young Community Leaders: Goals And Expectations – Deacon Gray
October 14, 2015
https://thegraveyardpress.wordpress.com/2015/10/14/young-community-leaders-goals-and-expectations/

‘American Horror Story’ Taught Us All How To Vampire Last Night – MTV
October 15, 2015
http://www.mtv.com/news/2350674/ahs-vampire-guide/

The Day I Went To Work And Met A Real Vampire – Archana Reddy, MD
October 15, 2015
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2015/10/the-day-i-went-to-work-and-met-a-real-vampire.html

A Question Of Etiquette: Courts/Houses/Etc. – Rei Tadashi
October 17, 2015
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2015/10/17/question-of-etiquette/

Nocturnal Frequency Radio To Host Talk With House Of The Dreaming Matriarch Madame X
October 18, 2015
http://www.dailyoffbeat.com/articles/12064/20151014/vampire-house-interview-nocturnal-frequency.htm

Hybrid Vampires – Who, What, And Why? – Zero Nightskye
October 18, 2015
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2015/10/18/hybrid-vampires-who-what-why/

The Beast Inside – Damien ShadowSage
October 18, 2015
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2015/10/18/the-beast-inside/

Woman Killed Partner And Child ‘To Ward Off Vampires’
October 20, 2015
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/20/woman-killed-partner-and-child-to-ward-off-vampires

“Vampire” Slashes Open His Boyfriend’s Throat To Drink His Blood
October 20, 2015
http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2015/10/swedish-vampire-slits-boyfriends-throat-and-drinks-his-blood/

The People Who Drink Human Blood – BBC Future
October 21, 2015
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20151021-the-people-who-drink-human-blood

Meet The New-Age Vampires – They Call Themselves Sanguinarians And ‘Need’ To Drink Human Blood
October 23, 2015
http://www.indiatimes.com/news/world/meet-the-new-age-vampires-they-call-themselves-lifestylers-and-need-to-drink-human-blood-246543.html

Inside The Human Blood-Drinking, ‘Real Vampire’ Community Of New Orleans – The Washington Post
October 26, 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/10/26/inside-the-human-blood-drinking-real-vampire-community-of-new-orleans/

‘Real’ Vampires Exist And There Are Over 5,000 Of Them In The United States
October 26, 2015
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/world/real-vampires-exist-and-there-are-over-5000-of-them-in-the-united-states

Sanguinarianism & Me – Countess Alexia
October 26, 2015
https://countessalexia.wordpress.com/articles/sanguinarianism-and-me/

Plain Speaking – Part 3 – Peace For Our Time? – Real Vampire Life
October 26, 2015
http://realvampirenews.com/crossroads-plain-speaking-part-3-peace-for-our-time/

Trans-Murder Trial: Gay ‘Vampire’
October 27, 2015
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/World-news-Trans-murder-trial-amfAR-gay-vampire-Russian-law/53232.html

What New Donors Need To Know – Damien ShadowSage & Rei Tadashi
October 27, 2015
https://damienshadowsage.wordpress.com/2015/10/27/what-new-donors-need-to-know/

The Vampire Craze In Popular Culture Isn’t Dead Yet – TIME Magazine
October 27, 2015
http://time.com/4061384/vampires-twilight-halloween/

I Let My Vampire Boyfriend Drink My Blood (Blut Katzchen) – The Doctors (Television)
October 27, 2015
http://on.aol.com/video/woman-lets-vampire-boyfriend-drink-her-blood-519198771

5,000+ Vampires Live In The U.S., Drink Donors’ Blood For Energy – NY Daily News
October 27, 2015
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/5-000-vampires-live-u-s-drink-blood-energy-article-1.2412910

Buffy Star Juliet Landau Launches Crowdfunding Campaign For Vampire Documentary
October 27, 2015
http://www.ew.com/article/2015/10/27/buffy-vampire-juliet-landau

Vampirologists Are A Thing? – J. Gordon Melton
October 27, 2015
http://starlocalmedia.com/opinion/blogs/blog_5/vampirologists-are-a-thing/article_a3e79714-7cc9-11e5-853f-7f3bcb2b6036.html

Real-Life Vampire Couple – Vanian & Ethereal Dark
October 27, 2015
http://wpor.com/mornings/real-life-vampire-couple/

Are Vampires Real? – John Edgar Browning – GA Tech
October 27, 2015
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69eNk_8Ndb4
http://www.news.gatech.edu/features/frightful-and-insightful

Interview With A Vampire (Merticus): Here’s What Real Vampires Do On Halloween – METRO UK
October 28, 2015
http://metro.co.uk/2015/10/28/interview-with-a-vampire-heres-what-real-vampires-do-on-halloween-5449290/

Real-Life Vampires Drink Blood To Sustain Survival – The Daily Meal
October 28, 2015
http://www.thedailymeal.com/news/drink/real-life-vampires-drink-blood-sustain-survival/102815

Bad Blood – M Dutch
October 28, 2015
https://thegraveyardpress.wordpress.com/2015/10/28/bad-blood/

Why ‘Real Vampires’ Fear Going To The Doctor – Everyday Health
October 28, 2015
http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/why-real-vampires-fear-going-doctor/

Meet The Real Blood-Thirsty Modern Vampires Of 2015
October 28, 2015
http://www.konbini.com/en/lifestyle/meet-blood-thirsty-modern-vampires/

DJ Williams – Self-Identified Vampires And Subtle Human Energy
October 28, 2015
http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/dj-williams/Content?oid=3634595

Merticus ‘Impersonated’ On Kevin & Bean Radio Show – KROQ; Los Angeles, CA
October 28, 2015
https://www.facebook.com/MerticusX/posts/1087517044591685
http://kroq.cbslocal.com/category/kevin-bean/

How A New Orleans Vampire (Belfazaar Ashantison) And A Cajun Chef Made Blood Sausage Together – Munchies
October 28, 2015
http://munchies.vice.com/articles/how-one-new-orleans-vampire-and-a-cajun-chef-made-blood-sausage-together

Dracula On The Couch: The Psychiatry Of Vampires
Myth, Medical Illness, Madness, & Modern “Real Vampires”
By Joseph M. Pierre M.D.; Health Sciences Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA (Los Angeles, CA)
Psychology Today (Psych Unseen)
Contributions from Merticus of Suscitatio Enterprises, LLC & Examinations of Research from Joseph Laycock, PhD and DJ Williams, PhD
October 29, 2015
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/psych-unseen/201510/dracula-the-couch-the-psychiatry-vampires

Lives Of Real Vampires: More Than A Diet Of Blood
By Merticus – Everyday Health Guest Contributor
October 29, 2015
http://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/hear-me-out/lives-of-real-vampires-seeking-acceptance-from-society-and-medical-professionals/

Interview: Michelle Belanger – Verbicide Magazine
October 29, 2015
http://www.verbicidemagazine.com/2015/10/29/michelle-belanger-interview-psychic-vampire/

What It Means To Be A Real Vampire In Houston
October 29, 2015
http://www.houstonpress.com/video/what-it-means-to-be-a-real-vampire-in-houston-Uf3CKH9z

Inside A ‘Real Vampire’ Community – New Zealand Herald
October 29, 2015
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11536203

6 Facts About Real-Life Vampires – Bustle
October 30, 2015
http://www.bustle.com/articles/120066-6-facts-about-real-life-vampires

Real Life Vampires: Meet A Guy (Merticus) Who Actually Drinks Human Blood – Irish Examiner
October 30, 2015
http://www.irishexaminer.com/examviral/real-life/real-life-vampires-meet-a-guy-who-actually-drinks-human-blood-362351.html

2015 Zombethics Symposium – “Vampires: Exploring Death Through Lens Of The Undead Elite” – Emory University w/Joseph Laycock & John Edgar Browning
October 30, 2015
http://zombethics.com

Iron Garden – October Gathering – Mischief Night
October 30, 2015
https://www.facebook.com/events/1656018171350176/

Life Among The Vampires – John Edgar Browning – The Atlantic
October 31, 2015
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/10/life-among-the-vampires/413446/

There Are Such Things! Vampire Studies Symposium 2015 – North Central Texas College
October 31, 2015
http://www.nctc.edu/vampiresymposium

Halloween Sur Bayou: L’étrange Communauté De “vampires” Buvant Vraiment Du Sang Humain
October 31, 2015
http://www.atlantico.fr/decryptage/halloween-bayou-etrange-communaute-vampires-buvant-vraiment-sang-humain-nouvelle-orleans-2415514.html

Halloween, Viaggio Tra I Veri Vampiri Di New Orleans
October 31, 2015
http://www.lettera43.it/fatti/halloween-viaggio-tra-i-veri-vampiri-di-new-orleans_43675220839.htm

A Halloween Message To The Vampire Community From The Office Of Merticus
October 31, 2015
http://merticus.com/vampirenews/2015/10/31/a-halloween-message-to-the-vampire-community-from-the-office-of-merticus/

Pitfalls, Mousetraps & Elders Of The Vampire Community

VictorMousetrapLately I’ve been asked ad nauseam for an opinion on the following topic so here you go…

The Vampire Community is a convoluted ball of hypocrisy that has devolved in many areas into a form of perverse entertainment — many playing their own angles to nurture disruptive goals and longstanding vendettas.  Any truth to be found is measured in shades of gray and who can convince what mercurial faction or personal friends to side with them while everyone involved conveniently ignore facts to support their own version of reality.  If one delves too deeply into the outcries of dissatisfaction they may find themselves lost in the minutia, manipulated like pawns and trapped by madness.

After more than a generation of existence we should consider the inescapable reality that we are a fractious, stubbornly independent and often egotistical lot who have embraced the label of ‘vampi(y)re’ as an extension of our personal identity.  If you are not happy within your own personal life you do not need to look solely towards the Vampire Community as the beacon of hope, means of an escape or a friend group who will be there to encourage your development.  We do not hold the master key that one needs to be successful — that begins with finding the inner strength to develop your own voice and take control of your life.

Before contemplating accomplishing anything of significance on a large scale we need to first work towards understanding why many have stepped into the shadows decrying ‘elders’ and ‘cookie-cutter groupthink’, establish defined goals that are realistic to achieve and make a good faith effort to educate the uninformed as to how the Vampire Community has developed during the last few decades.  This includes examining similar projects which either failed or faded from our chronically short-term memories.  Setting aside for a moment the notion of serving as an elder, council member, ambassador, representative of an embassy, et. al. one should ask themselves what have they individually done – not just talked about doing – to improve problems they have identified within their local or greater community.

Back channel lines of communication between groups and individuals already exist.  Choosing to use them and engage with others you either do not personally care for or trust is the true crux of the issue that needs to be remedied.  Mutual cooperation among all vampires, groups and organizations along with other grandiose ideas would do well to take a back seat to focusing on personal growth, education, research into our own identity and learning to initially support one another as individuals rather than as a collective horde bound by artificial hierarchies.

I would like to remind everyone that perhaps the greatest source of confusion when attempting to conceptualize or define what it means to be a ‘real vampi(y)re’ stems from a confluence of various diverse movements within the Vampire Community (or the overall subculture alongside mythos, folklore, philosophical adaptations from spiritual, cultural and fundamentally disparate groups) approaching the subject at differing points in time, direction and originating influence(s).  One’s self-identity with the loosely defined concept, condition, state of being, et. al. of ‘vampirism’ is entirely dependent on the individual and no more or less valid than the next person.

To frame this another way…

  • Some vampi(y)res have medical and/or mental conditions which they’ve yet to find a satisfactory answer for.
  • Some vampi(y)res have medical and/or mental conditions which they’re in denial over.
  • Some vampi(y)res incorporate magickal or ritual practices with a spiritual blend of ‘vampirism’.
  • Some vampi(y)res are left-hand path leaning ‘vampire’ spiritualists or esotericists.
  • Some vampi(y)res don’t believe ‘vampirism’ has anything to do with religion and/or spirituality.
  • Some vampi(y)res believe their soul is inhabited and/or are fallen angelic or demonic ‘vampires’.
  • Some vampi(y)res believe ‘vampirism’ to be an evolutionary advancement in certain humans.
  • Some vampi(y)res believe ‘vampirism’ is caused by a virus because they read certain websites.
  • Some vampi(y)res simply enjoy the ‘lifestyle’, wearing fangs, and dangling an ankh around their neck.
  • Some vampi(y)res really wish they could emulate fictional (perhaps even folkloric) ‘vampires’.
  • Some vampi(y)res felt a void in their life and have ‘attempted’ to fill it with ‘vampirism’ and the O/VC.
  • Some vampi(y)res have no clue who or what they are and don’t care either way – ‘vampire’ sounded good.
  • Some vampi(y)res have no desire to define their own identity because they never learned to think for themselves.
  • Some vampi(y)res are still searching for their own answers (physiological, medical, spiritual, or otherwise).
  • Some vampi(y)res are completely deluding themselves (regardless of whether ‘vampirism’ exists or not).
  • Some vampi(y)res really wish they could close their eyes and wake up somewhere else.
  • Some vampi(y)res won’t be here this time next year because they will no longer identify with ‘vampirism’.
  • Some vampi(y)res are just bat @&*# crazy.
  • Some vampi(y)res think ‘vampirism’ is a combination of ‘everything’ because they think this is an appealing idea.
  • Some vampi(y)res will think I didn’t cover some element of their own personal experience in any of the above.
  • Some vampi(y)res will be correct in this thinking.

I am personally indifferent to anyone and everyone who either ‘trusts/doesn’t trust’, ‘likes/doesn’t like’, ‘respects/doesn’t respect’, or ‘considers me an elder/doesn’t consider me an elder’ in the context of their professional interactions with me through the Vampire Community.  Furthermore, how long one has been participating in the community is completely irrelevant to any personal opinion or measure of respect I may hold when weighed against the merits of one’s contributions or actions.  I am far from perfect and will not pretend to hold anyone to a standard that would require or encourage that they ‘bow’ or ‘kiss a ring on my hand’.

While I personally consider the application of such doctrine disingenuous to the practical expectations of our, or any contemporary, ‘society’ I have not, and will not, intentionally dishonor those who believe in such formality or respect given by them to any existing elected or title bestowed vampi(y)re.  I embrace the individually and rich history of our community and thereby the right of free-thinking adults to form whatever institutions, guiding precepts, rituals or beliefs they wish to follow.  With this comes an acknowledgment of those who came before me, those who have come after me, and an objective evaluation of what ideas formed the basis of various segments of the community and which of these ideas can still be improved upon today.

In keeping with this view, I do not feel it is within my right nor ethically responsible to compile any list of individuals I would deem as ‘elder(s)’ and place this information in a publicly accessible group, forum, website or resource for newcomers and interested parties to reference.  It is my belief that the attempted creation of any singular authoritative ‘elder listing’ would never obtain universal or even widespread acceptance without the presumption of personal biases and individual allegiances.  I believe that opinions regarding the suitability of individuals to mentor and teach others rest in the hands of the seeker to discern; and that we as a community should provide the necessary tools for them to be able to independently make this evaluation through the lens of safety and abuse awareness.  I will continue to focus my efforts on the compilation of resources, strengthening communication infrastructure and placing those who seek answers in touch with responsible individuals from their local areas who are willing to lend a hand.

Attitudes of entitlement, deep-seated mistrust, intentional deceptions or duplicity, wanton ignorance and purposefully baiting others to engage in negative rhetoric are not improving any of our lives or friendships.  Such behavior is simply narcissistic and predatory vampires using their fellow vampires as prey.  Rather than investing energy into destabilizing the efforts of other individuals and groups, those who are sincere in their claims of wanting to help should use their talents and time towards assisting those who are in the most need of direction and support.

I do not believe the majority of problems some perceive as prevalent within the Vampire Community derive from a present lack of organization, communication or information availability.  No matter how all-encompassing or elegant a system that is designed, it is only as effective as the people involved and their willingness to continually invest time, effort and monies despite any setbacks they may encounter.  Any system, council or organization’s ability to garner participants is only as effective as the level of respect afforded to its creators and in turn that respect offered unconditionally back to the members themselves.

Pitfalls, Mousetraps & Elders Of The Vampire Community
By Merticus – January 15, 2014