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LBV
Several weeks ago I received a notice that Long Black Veil,
previously the tri-state area's premiere vampyre gathering, was
coming back for one night only on April 16th. I then received an
email that prior to the party, a small gathering would be held where
there would be some speakers on vampirism. I learned that the
designated speakers were Michelle Belanger the Founder of House
Kheperu and the author of the Vampyre Codex, Father "Sebastian" Todd
of House Sahjaza and Strigoi Vii fame (or infamy depending on where
the reader stands), and last but certainly not least the enchanting
Madame X, Matriarch of House of the Dreaming. The icing on the cake
was an email informing the reader that Don Henrie might be joining
the festivities.
I arrived early and alone. No sooner had I situated myself
inside the meeting place than Father Sebastian introduced himself. He
was personable and easy going. I had a pleasant surprise when I
turned around to meet Shishain Kaleanen of House Quinotar. The
speaking began with Father Sebastian and Ms. Belanger greeting the
audience and reaffirming the need for harmony and understanding
throughout the community, if not respect; a statement I feel is
valid. They both spoke about their respected establishments and their
purposes. Kheperu is a "wisdom tradition" that is dedicated
to "balance, education and transformation" (www.kheperu.org ). They
are often referred to as the scholars or monks of the vampire
community. Strigoi Vii is a collection of "traditions, philosophies
and teachings passed on to the community by the Old Covens of New
York City" ("V" p18 www.vampyrealmanac.com). A focus of Strigoi Vii
is to unite the ideas and teachings of vampirism under a new name and
an evolved theory of spirituality. The speakers made an analogy of
their institutions being yin and yang. House Kheperu focuses on
freedom and exploration while Strigoi Vii gives more leverage to
order and ritual.
I witnessed a Strigoi Vii ritual performed. This particular
ceremony was penned by Madame X. It was beautiful both in aesthetics
and in structure. (As I describe the ritual I will be describing the
procedures that I saw and related terms used in the Strigoi Vii
tradition. Please bear in mind that I am writing about this ritual
with an extremely limited knowledge of Strigoi Vii traditions.) There
were four types of roles which participated in the ritual; Ramkht,
Mradu, Kitra and Celebrants. The Ramkht is the priest or priestess,
Mradu are the guardians or warriors, Kitra are councilors or altars
of flesh and the Celebrants are those people who are not directing
the ritual but are still taking part in it. The actual setting up of
the ritual space is called Prelude. During the prelude of this ritual
a pentagram was drawn on the floor, candles on plates were placed
around the pentagram and the necessary accessories and tools needed
for the ritual were placed on a table next to the pentagram. An
Mradu lit the candles, placed water in the plate of one candle,
incense in the plate of another and votive candles on another plate.
This Prelude is meant to be done only by those who are directing the
ritual. Next the participants were cleansed by the Ramkht and the
Mradu before entering the Temple, or sacred space. The first member
entered the Temple and painted symbols on each of the candles in red
paint. The second partaker entered and blessed the candles with a
sword. The third member came in and blessed the space with incense
while the fourth followed suit with a large heavy bell. Then the
fifth participant entered the Temple. Three Kitra entered the sacred
space, each of them representing a goddess that is connected to
vampirism; Isis, Kali and Diana who is thought to be a reincarnation
of Lilith. The Kitra stood in the middle of the pentagram and held
clay vessels filled with red wine as offerings. The women and the
offerings were painted with protective symbols. The group then
invoked Elorath, the spirit of the vampire community in Strigoi Vii
tradition. The ritual was finished and then energy charged wine was
offered to all present.
Madame X entertained some questions about her ritual. Ms.
Belanger and Father Sebastian then had some question and answer time
with the group. When they were finished they invited Don Henrie to
share some thoughts with the gathering. Mr. Henrie was very gracious
and thanked them for allowing him to be present. He joked about Mad
Mad House and expressed his hopes that the vampire community would
grow. I later was able to steal Mr. Henrie's attentions away from
the crowd for a few moments outside of the Long Black Veil party. I
found him to be not only polite, but moreover, lovely. Don is a
gentleman, a real vampire and a good person. I hope that you all will
have occasion to meet him someday.
I also had a chance to purchase "V", the book on Strigoi Vii
traditions that is available to the public. I am slowly working my
way through and I hope to have an article on that for you readers
next zine. Be well all. Namaste.
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