Society has been fascinated with Vampires for centuries. Stories and legends of blood thirsty creatures of the night known as vampires have been feared and passed down for generations.
Origins of vampires vary depending on who may be telling the story. Vlad the Impaler has been pointed to as he source and “father” of all vampires. The eternal punishment of Judas Iscariot and other biblical tales that date back to the Garden of Eden have been told as an explanation for what we know as vampires. But Are Vampire Real?
First we should take a look at it means to be a vampire. Vampires have throughout history been thought of as the undead. They are often believed to feed themselves with both human blood and energy. Stories of Real Vampires date all the way back to ancient Babylon where there were vampire like demons referred to as Lilu. This more than likely derived from the name “Lilith”. Who according to Jewish texts was the first woman created for Adam, but rebelled against God and was unhappy in her role as a woman. She was cursed and banished from Eden where it is said that she later married Cain, the first murderer and often referred to as the prototype of the wicked man. Together their unholy union resulted in the birth of demons known as incubus and succubus..Or vampires according to some.
Vampires have often been compared to the Incubus and Succubus Demons that are believed to drain their victims energy to the point of exhaustion and even death. The demons are said to approach humans in their dreams and even have relationships with them. There have been people executed in the history of this world that were accused of having sexual relationships with incubus or succubus demons. How exactly the accusations would arise, would vary. But ultimately the situation would almost always end the same..With death.
The legend of the vampire has been romanticized through both film and books. The powers that are said to be possessed by vampires are alluring and fascinating to many. The ability to live forever, control the opposite sex and superior strength and speed are things that almost all of us would like to have. The weaknesses of alleged vampires are just as intriguing. The wooden stake through the heart can be traced back to the cruel and sadistic Vlad Tepes or “Vlad The Impaler”, who was said to impale his victims on large wooden stakes. He would have many victims in a grisly garden or sorts that he would sit among and eat his dinner. He is said to have drank the warm blood of his victims and enjoy the serenade of their screams and moans along with his lunch. One theory of a vampire’s disliking of silver is said to originate with the betrayal of Christ for 30 pieces of silver. Judas Iscariot who was the betrayer of Jesus, is said (according to some theories and tales of vampire origins) to have been transformed into the first and original vampire as punishment for this ultimate and earth shattering crime. The Holy Bible simply ends the story of Judas with his immense depression and suicide. Some vampire mythology however, continues the tale.
Throughout the years a vampire culture has began to emerge. You may be surprised at the number of people that believe that they are a vampire and live life as such. There are complicated hierarchies, rules and codes. There are people who serve as “donors” that help to supply these modern day vampires with things that they may need. There are also different types of vampires. The two main types are Sanguinarian or “Sangs” and Psychic Vampires or “Psi Vamps”.
Psychic Vampires
Psychic Vampires are said to feed from the life energy from other humans. Rather than blood, these vampires are believed to drain surrounding humans from precious energy and what many say is our life force. The term “psychic vampire” hit the spotlight in the 1960’s when it was used in “The Satanic Bible”. In the book, Anton LaVey (the founder of the church of satan) described a psychic vampire as “a spiritually or emotionally weak person who drains vital energy from other people.” However, the modern psi vamp is not generally associated with Satanism and many are firm in their stance that they are not at all evil. Their counterparts, known as Sanguinarians are among the most controversial of modern day vampires for their participation in the consumption of actual human blood.
Sanguinarians
The true act of Vampirism (which is generally defined as the consumption of blood) is dangerous. This is even made clear by many of the modern day vampires in our society. Gone are the days when vampires would stalk and attack their victims. In modern day society there are donors who willingly give their blood to Sangs. They will most often inflict wounds on themselves with sharp objects in order to provide the blood. Very rarely if ever is a donor bitten by the vampire. The biting process poses many more risks to the donor because of the amounts of bacteria that can be found in the human mouth. Not that this has stopped some more “traditional” modern day vampires from participating in the act.
The term “Sanguinarian” is loosely translated to mean “blood thirsty”. Although human blood is preferred, many Sangs have partaken in animal blood to curb their cravings. The consumption of animal blood is often less acceptable and frowned upon within the vampire community.
Some have blamed Renfield’s Syndrome as a cause for sanguinarian vampires. This syndrome is also referred to as “clinical vampirism” This is thought to be a mental disorder in which the sufferer has an overwhelming obsession with blood and believes that he or she must drink blood in order to sustain their own life.
Modern day vampires will tell you that they are normal functioning members of society like anyone else. They have jobs, families and even like the same television shows as many other average people. Many display no out of the ordinary traits or habits from an outside perspective. Vampirism is a lifestyle that does not often affect the daily routines and responsibilities of modern day vampires. Members of this growing subculture can be found just about anywhere. They can be your next door neighbor, mail man or just about anyone else. As the culture continues to grow and new generations of vampires are born, it will continue to refine it’s systems, enforce new rules and further immortalize itself as one of the most interesting lifestyles on earth.
Are Vampires Real?
So are vampires real? It depends on what your definition of “Vampire” actually is. Are modern day vampires sleeping in coffins and turning into bats? Not usually. Do they possess out of the ordinary strengths or abilities? Many within the vampire culture say yes. But mostly they are just people like you and I who have chosen to follow what their hearts and minds have told them. You can learn more about the culture of modern day vampires at the following links, although there are countless websites dedicated to vampires and the vampire subculture.
Vampires.com Vampirewebsite.net
