The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

The witch bottle is a very old spell device. Its purpose is to draw in and trap evil and negative energy directed at its owner. Folk magic contends that the witch bottle protects against evil spirits and magical attack, and counteracts spells cast by witches.



A traditional witch bottle is a small flask, about 3 inches high, created from blue or green glass. Larger and rounder witch bottles, up to 9 inches high, were known as Greybeards and employed so-called Bartmann or Bellarmine jugs. Bellarmines were named after a particularly fearsome Catholic Inquisitor, Robert Bellarmine, who persecuted Protestants, was instrumental in the burning of Giordano Bruno and, in consequence, was labeled as a demon by his victims. Greybeards and Bellarmines were not made of glass, but of brown or gray stoneware that was glazed with salt and embossed with severe bearded faces designed to scare off evil.



A witch, cunning man or woman, would prepare the witch's bottle. Historically, the witch's bottle contained the victim's (the person who believed they had a spell put on them, for example) urine, hair or nail clippings, or red thread from sprite traps. In recent years, the witch's bottle has taken on a nicer tone, filled with rosemary, needles and pins, and red wine. Historically and currently, the bottle is then buried at the farthest corner of the property, beneath the house hearth, or placed in an inconspicuous spot in the house. It is believed that after being buried, the bottle captures evil which is impaled on the pins and needles, drowned by the wine, and sent away by the rosemary.



Sometimes seawater or earth are used instead. Other types of Witch-bottles may contain sand, stones, knotted threads, feathers, shells, herbs, flowers, salt, vinegar, oil, coins, or ashes. A similar magical deceive is the "lemon and pins" charm.



Another variation is within the disposal of the bottle. Some witch's bottles were thrown into a fire and when they exploded, the spell was broken or the witch supposedly killed.



This form of "bottled spell" dates back hundreds of years, and were prevalent in Elizabethan England - especially Anglia, where superstitions and belief in witches were strong. The bottles were most often found buried under the fireplace, under the floor, and plastered inside walls.



The Witch-bottle was believed to be active as long as the bottle remained hidden and unbroken. People did go through a lot of trouble in hiding their Witch-bottles - those buried underneath fireplaces have been found only after the rest of the building has been torn down or otherwise disappeared. The origins of this tradition have been dated at least to the 1500s. In ancient times the bottles were made of stone and originally contained rusty nails, urine, thorns, hair, menstrual blood, and pieces of glass, wood, and bone.

According to The "Dictionary of Sanguinese"



Awakening:

The physical and mental changes that occur when someone awakens to their latent vampire nature. The awakening typically occurs during or shortly after the onset of puberty, but in some individuals may take years to manifest. Those undergoing the awakening, undergo various mental and physical changes. These changes often include an increased sensitivity to light and particularly to sunlight, a growing affinity for night and darkness, having one's circadian rhythm become inverted and switching from a nocturnal to a diurnal sleeping schedule, and experiencing the first symptoms of the thirst. Many experience acute feelings of isolation and alienation during this process, as their changing nature distances them increasingly from their "normal" family and friends. Many seek out organizations or groups to help understand their desires and newfound feelings.



The Beast:

The primal, instinctive, animalistic, bestial nature of a frustrated or desperate vampire, where he or she gets really evil-minded and aggressive and wants to just go berserk, rip people and things apart for the pure "fun" of it, and feed violently. It's destructive and cold, and if you don't control it, then you will be under its control. This is different from just "vamping out" but that is when it's most likely to manifest.



Coven:

Groups of individual vampires or vampyre lifestylers, usually but not always located within a certain geographic area, who have banded together under a specific theme, set of ideals, traditions, common Sigil, havens, membership requirements, hierarchy and/or rites. Covens range in size from as few as three members to as many as hundreds. The organization and purpose of each Coven varies from fraternal (House Sahjaza); religious (Church of the Vampire -- not to be confused with the Vampire Church); or familial (Clan of Lilith). Some titles given to leaders of Covens include Elder, High Priest, Patriarch, Matriarch, or Coven Master. There are no requirements for forming a Coven other than a group of people getting together, choosing a sigil, name and theme.



Elder:

A prominent member of the vampiric community who is honored and respected for his or her experience, knowledge, willingness to help others, accomplishments and devotion. Elders are often those individuals who have helped establish a community, organize groups, or help network the community.



Feeders:

Another term for sanguinarians which distinguishes them by their need to feed upon blood.



Haven:

A Vampyre nightclub or other gathering place. Considered hallowed ground, the haven serves as the social hub of a given community, providing a place where all the community can gather and socialize. Often, special functions arranged by the vampiric community in an area are held at the local haven.



Immortal:

Term occasionally used to refer to or describe vampires. Though technically, it means incapable of death or dying, it is used much more loosely in reference to vampires, implying that they are not subject to aging, are impervious to disease and injury, etc., and that they are above and superior to "humans" or "mortals". God is immortal; vampires are not. Further, it has not been incontrovertibly proven to me that vampires do indeed experience a capability of an extended lifespan.



Lilith:

History's first recorded feminist, she was the first wife of Adam, and created as an equal. When she declined to submit to Adam as his subordinate, he went whining to God, and God cast her out of the Garden of Eden, then created Eve, allegedly from Adam's rib, and therefore supposedly subordinate to him; apparently she was, as he didn't whine for a third wife (but since this is not about Eve, I won't elaborate). Lilith was later demonized by patriarchal societies who felt threatened by female equality; still later, she was deified by others. Not a bad job for a lady, eh?



Neovampyre / Neovampire:

A person who is not a natural vampire, but who is a student of vampyric/vampiric skills, philosophies and/or magicks; i.e., a person who (for lack of a better word) "converted" to vampyrism.



Poser:

Someone pretending or claiming to be a vampire who is not, with the intent of deceiving others, by making false claims as to their powers, abilities, lifespan, etc.



Puppy:

A somewhat derogatory term for one who has developed an undue fascination, obsession or bond with a vampire and follows him or her around, trying to gain the vampire's attention or approval, and fawning over him or her, in a manner not unlike a puppy dog follows his or her master around.



Real vampire / Real vamp:

Someone who has a condition which includes but is not limited to a physical thirst or driving need for blood (which is non-erotic in nature; and in more significant quantity than is generally required or desired by other blood-drinkers, such as blood fetishists) or psi energy; increased physical and/or psychic sensitivities; sensitivity to light or sunlight and a nocturnal circadian rhythm; amplification and/or alteration of emotional states and feelings, etc.; and perhaps the (unsubstantiated*) potential for an indefinitely extended lifespan (which is not to be confused with "immortality"), although many vampires do maintain a youthful twenty-something look well into their thirties or even forties. It does NOT include the abilities to change shape, fly, command others' wills, heal instantaneously, accomplish superhuman feats of strength or speed, etc.



Sanguinarian:

Someone who has a physical thirst, need, craving for blood (which is non-erotic in nature) in more significant quantity than is generally required or desired by other blood-drinkers. Sanguinarians (a word from the Latin root "sanguinarius", meaning "bloodthirsty") apparently do not get the benefits from pranic energy, or else they are unable to feed psychically like psi and energy vampires, for whom blood and pranic energy are apparently interchangeable.



Sanguinese:

All the language: jargon, slang, doublespeak, plays on words, etc. used by vampires to be able to converse with on another, either privately or in public.



The Scene, or Vampyre Scene:

The "scene" is a general term for the social aspects of the vampire subculture including nightclubs, havens, events, businesses, societies, and even the online part of the subculture. Many vampires and vampyre lifestylers are a part of the vampiric community, but do not go out and socialize. Most of the current scene revolves around the Sanguinarium.



Wannabe:

A slang term, a contraction of the words "wants to be". Derogatory term for someone who wants to become a vampire, usually with unrealistic expectations of what it would be like. Most wannabes have a very romanticized vision of vampirism, and they seem to think it would improve their lives somehow or make them more interesting. Many are attracted by a false vision of a vampire's powers. They usually fail to look at the practical side of becoming a vampire, such as necessary changes in lifestyle, finding sources to feed from, and trying to hold a job while balancing one's vampiric nature with daily life.

SUNDAY

*Blessed Sun's Day!

*Light Yellow candles

*Burn incense of Mastic, Palaginia, Pepper, Dragons Blood

*Sunday is ruled by Sun

*Sunday's angels: Michael and Raphael

*Sunday's stones: Citrine, carnelian, tiger's eye

*Work with health, abundance, healing, confidence and hope, prosperity

*Dieties: An, Angus_Mac_Og, Apollo, Baal, Balder, Bel, Cernunnos, Creiddylad, Frey, Harvest_Lord, Lugh, Michael, Odur, Ra, Sekhmet are honored today.





MONDAY

*Blessed Moon's Day!

*Light White candles

*Burn incense of Myrtle, Camphor, Aloes

*Monday is ruled by Moon

*Monday's angel is Gabriel

*Colors of The Day: Silver, Grey, White

*Monday's Stones: Moonstone, amethyst, aquamarine, pearl, or crystal. Use an emerald for amulets

*Lucky Sign: Monday Is The Lucky Day For The Sign of Cancer

*Work with agriculture, domestic matters, long life, medicine, travels, visions

*Dieties: Aegir, Arianrhod, Artemis & Diana, Athena & Minerva, Bast, Blodeuwedd, Boann, Cerridwen, Crone, Eastre, Gabriel, Great_Mother, Hera & Juno, Idunna, Isis, Luna & Celene, Macha, Merlin, Nephthys, Ninhursag, Nyx & Nox, Persephone, Rhiannon, Thoth are honored today.





TUESDAY

*Blessed Tiu's Day!

*Light Red candles

*Burn incense of lignum aloes, plantain, Pepper

*Ruled by Mars

*Color of The Day: Red

*Tuesday's angel is Sammael

*Tuesday's Stones: Stones: Garnet, bloodstone, red jasper

*Work with destination, war, courage, surgery, physical strength, power, break negative spells

*Lucky Sign: Tuesday Is The Lucky Day For Aries and Scorpio

*Dieties: Ares & Mars, Blue_God, Gwynn_ap_Nudd, Horus, Ninlil, Oghma, Samael, Surtur, Tyr, Soorejnaree, Pingalla, Anna, Aine, Danu, Yngona, Bellona, Aida Wedo, Sun Woman are honored today.





WEDNESDAY

*Blessed Woden's Day!

*Light Purple candles

*Burn incense of Cinnamon, Cinquefoil, Mastic, Storax

*Wednesday is ruled by Mercury

*Wednesday's angels: Raphael and Michael

*Wednesday's Stones: Stones: Fluorite, aventurine, onyx

*Work with conjurations, predictions, knowledge, writing, eloquence

*Lucky Sign: Wednesday Is The Lucky Day For Gemini And Virgo

*Dieties: Anubis, Enki, Hag, Hecate & Carmenta, Hel, Hermes & Mercury, Maat, Morrigan, Nike, Odin, Raphael, Aset , Demeter, Ceres, Spider Woman, Bona Dea, Oya, Devi-Kali, Hella, Rhiannon, Coatlique, Maman Brigette, Sekhmet, Het Heret are honored today.





THURSSDAY

*Blessed Thor's Day!

*Light Blue candles

*Burn incense of Nutmeg, henbane

*Ruled by Jupiter

*Thursday's angels: Zadkiel, Sachiel and Zachariel

*Thursday's Stones: Turquoise, sodalite, lapis lazuli

*Color of The Day: Dark Purple, Indigo, Blue

*Work with Luck, religion, healing, trade and employment, treasure, honors, riches, wealth, legal matters

*Lucky Sign: Thursday Is The Lucky Day For Sagittarius And Pisces

*Dieties: Amon, Enlil, Nuada, Poseidon & Neptune, Sachiel & Sahaqiel, Thor, Winter_King, Zeus & Jupiter, Juno, Hera, Kwan Yin, Mary, Cybele, Tara, Mawu, Mlaba Mwana Waresa, Ishtar, and Nuit are honored today.





FRIDAY

*Blessed Freya's Day!

*Light Green candles

*Burn incense of Apple Blossom, Ambergris, Saffron, Verbena, Sandalwood, Myrtle

*Friday is ruled by Venus

*Friday's angel is Haniel

*Friday's stones: Emerald, Rose Quartz, Amber, Jade

*Work with Love, friendships, affection, partnerships, money, sex, protection, healing

*Lucky Sign: Friday Is The Lucky Day For Taurus And Libra

*Dieties: Freya, Diana, Aphrodite & Venus, Asherah, Auriel & Uriel, Bes, Brighid, Corn_Maiden, Dionysus & Bacchus, Elaine, Eros & Cupid, Frigg & Frigga, Hathor, Hestia & Vesta, Inanna & Ishtar, Nerthus, Sirtur are honored today.





SATURDAY

*Blessed Saturn's Day!

*Light Black candles

*Burn incense of Peperwort, assodilious, black poppy seed

*Saturday is ruled by Saturn

*Saturday's stones: Stones: Onyx, lodestone, jet, hematite

*Saturday's angels: Orifiel, Cassiel and Zaphiel

*Work with duties, responsibilities, protection, finding families, works of magic, buildings, meditation, life, doctrines

*Dieties: Bran_the_Blessed, Cassiel, Dagda, Demeter & Ceres, El, Gaia & Tellus, Hades & Pluto, Nammu, Osiris, Pan, Rhea & Cybele, Saturn & Kronos, Set, Star_Goddess are honored today.

Winter is a good season to perform fire magic. Fire has long been used to purify and protect magical tools, and it can activate or intensify magical workings. Walk around the perimeter of your house in a widdershins direction, burning herbs like sage or juniper to clear negative energies. Take a lit candle inscribed with magical symbols of good fortune and protection, and walk around the house in a sunwise direction. Pass your magical tools over the flame three times in a widdershins circle to clear any non-beneficial energy that has accumulated, re-energizing and consecrating them in a sunwise direction, while chanting these words:





Yours be the power of fire,

Yours be the might of ocean,

Yours be the energy of wind and mist,

And the unending Powers of the Earth.

The magic of the serpent Be yours,

The magic of the flame Be yours,

And the might of all the elements.

Summertime Offering

Gather the sacred herbs of summer, and make an offering to the spirits of the Earth. The Celtic ancestors recognized the healing and magical properties of many plants, trees, and herbs, and utilized these in daily charms for many purposes. These included bog violet, bramble, chamomile, colt’s foot, dandelion, elder, foxglove, ground ivy, heather, honeysuckle, mistletoe, mugwort, nettles, rue, sage, St. John’s wort, and tansy. Hold a small amount of the herb you wish to work with in your left palm and cover it with your right hand. Ask the spirit of the plant to tell you the magical and healing powers that it has and learn how to develop an ongoing relationship with it.



Herb of summer,

Sun, and Earth,

Tell me of

Your spirit’s work.

Herb of thunder,

Rain, and dew,

Show me how

To work with you.

Herb of Moon

And stars and wind,

Our partnership

Does now begin.





Rushes Ritual

In Britain, during July and August, the very first harvest was the harvest of rushes, which were gathered and used to carpet the floors of houses and churches. A procession known as a “rush-bearing” took place to the accompaniment of pipes, drums, and bells. Groups of young women carried bundles of rushes decorated with ribbons and flowers, or sometimes woven into the shape of triangles or spirals. Gather rushes from the water’s edge to carpet your sacred space, and place rush-weavings on your altar to honor and connect with the spirits of Earth and water in the waxing powers of the summer season:



Offerings from

The flowery Earth,

Gifts from the watery places

Where my footsteps

Tread the path of old,

These fragrant rushes

Strewn about

From where the Earth

And waters meet.

Their powers grow,

And thus grow mine.





Home Energy Ritual

This Full Moon falls upon the birthday of the Egyptian goddess Nephthys, she who is mistress of the house, making this an excellent time for some magical housework. Spend time today focused on your home’s energy. Slowly go through the rooms, seeing them with the eyes of a new visitor. Think about changes you would make to refresh the rooms and create a better flow of energy. As you go through the house, gather twenty-five items that have not been used for some time and are simply taking up space. Box up these items for donation to a charity, focusing on the idea of them bringing joy to someone else’s life. By doing so, you have released blockage from clutter in your home and freed up the energy once more. Mix up an incense of equal parts dragon’s blood resin, benzoin, and lavender blossoms; grind well in a mortar. Burn on a charcoal and waft the incense smoke through the house.



Smoke of earth

And fire and air,

Clear my home

And make it fair.

Drive away

All harm and fear,

Only good

May dwell in here.

Lady Nephthys,

Bless my house,

Keep it free from

Bug or mouse.

Be welcome here,

Creatures of light,

While those unwelcome

Will feel thy might.

Protect me and mine

As we dwell within,

And keep us safe

As we journey about.

Perform this ritual when there is something in your life that you need to get over or leave behind, be it an attitude, a relationship, or a particular period of your life that needs to be over.



This ritual is best done alone. It is also best done outside. If you can find a remote spot with a good view of the east where you will be undisturbed for a few hours in the early morning, this would be ideal.



This ritual is symbolic of dying and letting go of things that are painful to you. It gets its symbolism from the traditional idea that a vampire will burst into flames when exposed to the sun; there have been numerous instances in fiction and in film where a vampire has "met the sun" and thus brought an end to his or her life. The idea is a powerful one of the flames of renewal, with a spin that makes it especially pertinent to those drawn to the vampire archetype.



All you need for this ritual is yourself, a small parchment which you will prepare ahead of time, a non-flammable bowl of sand (a large mixing bowl filled up half-way with play-sand works well), and a lighter or book of matches (a lighter is much, much easier than matches). Please note that it you live in a dry climate that is prone to wildfires, please take every precaution necessary to insure that your use of fire out of doors does not get out of hand and endanger anyone. It goes without saying that any rite that uses fire requires you to handle that fire safely and responsibly to prevent injury to yourself and anyone else.



The parchment that you prepare ahead of time will contain a statement or list that detail what you are symbolically “dying” to. You may want to prepare this a few days ahead of the vigil itself and carry it on your person for a while, really charging it with the energy of those ideas, attitudes, feelings, and so forth that you are trying to let go.



Try to pick a clear, cloudless day for the ritual. Ideally, the place where you will be performing the rite will give you a clear view of the sun -- some place where, once the sun rises, you will be bathed in its light. If it is at all possible with your schedule, stay up the whole night before you perform this rite. You can spend the whole night at the location of the final part of the ritual, but this is not absolutely necessary.



When you are ready to perform the ritual, get up a few hours before dawn, while it's still dark enough to see the stars. Take a ritual bath or shower to cleanse yourself and get yourself into a spiritual frame of mind. Put on new, clean clothes. You can drink some water, but otherwise you should fast, not eating, drinking, or smoking a cigarette until after you've performed the rite. When you are ready, take your parchment, bowl, and lighter and head out to the location you've chosen.



Spend the next two hours or so keeping a vigil at the spot you've selected. Sit down in the grass and meditate on what you want to leave behind and why. Reflect upon all the reasons you are doing this and go over in your mind each little thing that led up to this point in your life. Consider the words you have inscribed upon the parchment and what they mean to you. Then think about what it will be like to release yourself from these things, to let the flames swallow all of it, until it is only ash, blowing away on the wind.



As you start to see things grow lighter in the east, it's not uncommon to experience a certain amount of anxiety or even fear. Any kind of letting go and leaving things behind is like a little death, and it's perfectly natural to be frightened of death, even if you've chosen to meet it on your own terms. The most frightening thing about letting go of something you've gotten used to is the fact that you're never sure what might come next: so the fear of death is really a fear of the unknown.



As you watch the dawn approaching, consider these anxieties and fears. Remind yourself that soon there will be no going back. Once the sun slips over the horizon, you will never be quite the same person again -- the old you will be consumed by the fire, and something different will emerge. Wrestle with the fear and dare yourself to continue sitting there, to face the sun and all that it represents. Dare yourself to face the prospect of letting go.



As the sun slips over the horizon, imagine that you are a vampire just like in the movies and the books. Imagine that the rays of the rising sun indeed can scorch your flesh, are scorching it even now. As you feel the sun fall on your face, your arms, your hands, feel it burning you to ashes -- burning away the person you were and leaving something else behind.



Once the sun has fully risen over the lip of the horizon, take out the parchment. Read off the words you have written then -- out loud so all of nature can hear these words, or silently, reflectively to yourself. Once you have read the words on the parchment, take out the lighter. Strike the flame and say:





I let these things go.

I let them go,

And they are ashes

Carried upon the wind.





Light one edge of the parchment. Hold it as the flames lick toward the center. Hold it as long as you can without getting burned. When only a tiny edge held in the tips of your fingers drop it into the bowl of sand. When the last ember has died, carefully pick up the charred parchment. Crush it in your hand and blow these away on the wind. With that final breath, expel everything and anything connected to what was written on the parchment that you have held inside you: all pain, all doubt, all attachment. Let all these things drift away on the wind with the ashes of who you were.



When you are done, face the risen sun. Feel its heat upon your flesh and know that it has burned away something you needed to let go anyway. Take a moment to reflect on this in silence, then gather up your things and return home.

DISCRETION

Respect yourself and present yourself so that others also respect you. Take care in revealing your nature. Explain what you are, not to shock, but to teach and to inform. Do not flaunt what you are, and know that whether you want them to or not, your actions will reflect upon the rest of the community.



Share your nature only with those with the wisdom to understand and accept it, and learn to recognize these people.





DIVERSITY

Among us, there are many different practices and many points of view. No single one of us has all the answers to who and what we are. Respect each person's individual choices and beliefs. Learn about them and share what you know. Our diversity is our strength, and we should not allow misunderstanding to weaken our community.



Find the path that is right for you and uphold this freedom for others.





CONTROL

Do not allow your darkness to consume you. You are more than just your hunger, and you can exercise conscious control. Do not be reckless. Always act with a mind toward safety. Never feed because you think this makes you powerful; feed because this is what you must do.



Be true to your nature, but never use it as an excuse to endanger those around you.





ELDERS

Give respect to those who have earned it. Anyone can claim a title, but a true leader will prove him or herself through dedication, hard work, and great deeds. Even so, leaders should be guides and not dictators. Look to them as examples, but always decide for yourself what you must do.



Respect the person, not the position, and understand that your choices are always your own.





BEHAVIOR

Know that there are repercussions to every action, and that you alone are responsible for your decisions. Educate yourself about risky behaviors, then always act with wisdom and common sense. Do not allow others to abuse you, but also, do not selfishly abuse.



Respect the rights of others and treat them as you would be treated.





DONORS

Feeding should occur between consenting adults. Allow donors to make an informed decision before they give of themselves to you. Do not take rapaciously from others, but seek to have an exchange that is pleasant and beneficial for all.



Respect the life that you feed upon and do not abuse those who provide for you.





COMMUNITY

Reach out to others in your community. Exchange ideas, information, and support. Be hospitable to others, and appreciate hospitality when it is extended to you. Do not engage in illegal activity, for this can endanger us all.



Seek to nurture our community and support all those who do the same.





SAFETY

Use sense when indulging your nature. Do not flaunt what you are in public places. Feed in private and make certain your donors will be discrete about what happens between you. Donors who create rumors and gossip about us are more harm than they're worth. If you engage in blood-letting, put safety and caution above all other things. Blood-born diseases are a very real thing, and we cannot risk endangering ourselves or others through irresponsibility. Screen donors carefully, making certain they are in good health both mentally and physically.

Never overindulge or get careless. The safety of the entire community rests upon each member's caution.





LIFESTYLE

Live your life as an example to others in the community. We are privileged to be what we are, but power should be accompanied by responsibility and dignity. Explore and make use of your vampire nature, but keep it in balance with material demands. Remember: we may be vampires, but we are still a part of this world. We must live lives like everyone else here: holding jobs, keeping homes, and getting along with our neighbors.

Being what we are is not an excuse to not participate in this reality. Rather, it is an obligation to make it a better place for us to be.





FAMILY

We are, all of us, a family, and like all families, various members will not always get along. However, respect the greater community when having your disputes. Do not let your individual problems bring emotional strife to the family as a whole. Settle your differences quietly among one another, only seeking out an elder's aid in mediation when no other solution seems possible. Never bring your private disputes into public places and never draw other family members into the issue by forcing them to take sides.

Like any normal family, we should always make an effort to present a stable and unified face to the rest of the world even when things are not perfect between us.





HAVENS

Our havens are safeplaces where everyone in the community can come to socialize. There are also often public places where we are likely to encounter people who don't understand our ways. We should respect the patrons of these places as we should also respect the owners of the establishments and always be discrete in our behavior. We should never bring private disputes into a haven. We should never initiate violence in a haven. And we should never do or bring anything illegal into a haven, as this reflects badly upon the community as a whole.

The haven is the hub of the whole community, and we should respect it as such, supporting it without business and working to improve its name in the community so that we can always call it home.





TERRITORY

The community is extensive and diverse. Every city has a different way of doing things, and a different hierarchy of rule. When entering a new city, you should familiarize yourself with the local community. Seek out the local havens. Learn what households have sway here. Get in touch with key members of the community, learn who is who, and show proper respect where it is due. You should not expect to impose your old way of doing things on this new community. Rather you should adapt to their rules and be glad of their acceptance.

Always be on your best behavior when coming to a new city either to visit or to stay. We are all cautious and territorial by nature, and only by making the most positive impression possible will you be accepted and respected in a new community.





RESPONSIBILITY

This lifestyle is not for everyone. Take care in who you choose to bring into it. Those who are mentally or emotionally unstable have no place among us. They are dangerous and unreliable and may betray us in the future. Make certain that those you choose to bring in are mature enough for this burden. Teach them control and discretion, and make certain that they respect our ways.

You will be responsible for their actions, and their behavior in the community will be reflected back to you.





LEADERSHIP

When you choose to take a position of authority in the community, remember that you do not lead for yourself alone. Leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege. A good leader must set an example for everyone through his actions and behavior. His motives should be selfless and pure, and he should put the interests of the whole community before his own.

The best leaders are those who serve to better the community and whose person and behavior gives no one -- even those outside of the community -- a reason to criticize them. They must strive to be above reproach.





IDEALS

Being a vampire is not just about feeding upon life. That is what we do, but not necessarily what we are. It is our place to represent darkness in a world blinded by light. We are about being different and accepting that difference as something that empowers us and makes us unique. We are about accepting the dark within ourselves and embracing that darkness to make us whole beings. We are about celebrating the thresholds: body and spirit, pleasure and pain, death and life.

Our lives should be lived as a message to the world about the beauty of accepting the whole self, of living without guilt and without shame, and celebrating the unique and beautiful essence of every single soul.





Written by Father Todd circa 1998 and revised by Michelle Belanger in 2000 & 2003.

Pillow Charm

Get a good night’s sleep with this simple dream pillow enspelled with the Earth’s energy. In a small bowl, place one teaspoon each of vervain, lavender, and patchouli, and one quarter-cup of buckwheat. As you add each ingredient, pause a moment to imagine yourself waking up well-rested and eager to greet the day, then add the herb and mix it with the rest in the bowl. Hold a small piece of smooth obsidian in your hands for a moment, charging it to bring you pleasant dreams. Add the stone to the bowl of herbs for a moment, then stuff a small, tightly closing drawstring bag with the mixture. Tuck in a safe spot under your pillow.





Wellness Massage Oil

Massage is good for both body and soul, and certain aromas can change your whole outlook on life. This special oil relaxes you as it gets your energy flowing and can be used both as a perfume and massage oil. Blend six teaspoons of extra-virgin or cold-pressed olive oil with nine drops of the essential oils of cedar and chamomile. As you pour the blended oils into a brown or cobalt glass bottle, visualize yourself filled with light, revitalized by the Sun and these sacred herbs. You are purified and strengthened by this oil. Placing your hands around the bottle, fill it with this energy. Keep in a dark, cool place and warm slightly before using.





Peach Wood Prayer Stick

Peach wood has many magical uses. It has been valued in Asia for its ability to repel negativity and to make magic wands. This spell uses peach wood to create a prayer or spell stick. August, when peaches are in season, would be a perfect time to do this. Obtain a slender branch from a peach tree (this may be deadfall or removed in a respectful manner). When the Moon is in a waxing phase, pray over it and carve your initials into it. Think of your magical purpose, then hide the stick until the Full Moon. At this time, cleanse the stick in the smoke of a protective herbal incense such as sage. Your peach spell stick is ready to use. Include your peach stick in any spell by holding it as you speak a charm, or use it to direct power to a specific location. Peach wood is especially good for love, fertility, or good luck spells.