Greetings All! I hope everyone is currently enjoying the vernal equinox, and the very pleasant weather it has brought with it! This month, it is my esteemed pleasure to have the VC's own Brother Jeremy Wolf Blackfire, for my guest. Brother Wolf has contributed much to this organisation and community through outreach to others, by being a listening ear when someone needs it, to offering advice for the same reason, to answering questions to those who pose them, both on the list, offline, and via VC classes and other means. For those wishing to contact him, he is available most often by the AIM facility, under the name of SirMidKnightWoIf (the L being a capital i instead)..He can, alternatively, be e-mailed at SirMidKnightWoIf@aol.com, or contacted via the VC main e-list, or Associates list..

Silver: Greetings Brother Wolf, it is indeed a pleasure to have you here today :o)

Brother WoIf: I'm honored as usual to answer the call of the VC..

I thought we might begin with an introduction as to whom you are, for those in the community that are not yet acquainted with you..

Brother WoIf: Well as they should know, I am Wolf and I'm a Native American pranic sang, primarily. I live in Las Vegas where I have for the last 7 years after the birth of my daughter. I've been a part of the VC for a few years now, and enjoy helping those I can, while taking advantage of the teachings the Church has to offer.

Silver: At what point in your life did you discover you were a vampire?

Brother WoIf: It was at a very young age, before I really even knew much of anything, that incidents beyond my control gave me the taste of blood, and the energy it held. Though it was negative energy, it hyped me with many things I did not understand, from emotion to energy. From that day forth, I was changed...Not only by the events, but by curiosity of why I wished to taste blood again. And I did by slicing my arm, or taking advantage of a cut. (these were acts of immaturity and non comprehension so don't immitate this please)..Though I was in a sense awakened, I didn't know what I had awakened to for a few more years, though movies and TV fed my imagination, which slowly pointed me in the right direction of understanding and learning...I knew I was vampire, but not like the ones on TV..Of course, this was something I kept to myself and my little brother.

Silver: That sounds almost to the point of desperation..Did you have anyone else to relate with along the way, or were you on your own for the most part in finding explanations?

Brother WoIf: For the most part my own. In teen years, I ran into the vamp/goths, but they acted like the vamps on TV with exception of the powers. Growing up in foster homes was of little help, because most were Christian or Jehovah Witnesses, where such questions I knew would be considered evil. In the military, I met one other sang, and we fed from each other, and one of his friends...Again, not even spoken abou,t and we thought ourselves a little strange, but the crave was there as was the lack of energy. We made do, though still my knowledge of the vamp community was absent. My brother was also a help and vampiric, so he was support too, but just as in the dark about real vampirism as I was.

Silver: Why do you think so many people choose to see vampirism negatively? For example, there are others out there who have various methods of harnessing energies, from reiki to tai chi, and because they do that and either make use of it for themselves, or for other people, why would they frown on us for pretty much doing the same thing?

Brother WoIf: Well, without stating the obvious for most , (that being the teachings of the Bible) I think it's pure lack of understanding. Those who harness energy (monks, martial artists, healers of sorts to name but a few) have come into their arts through extensive teachings and strict lifestyles. Understand I don't dislike them, but actually have great respect for what they've been through to achieve such...But in centering themselves, they've closed off much of the world and its ways. They may not so much frown upon it, as they may not even know about it. Also....The media, Hollywood and literature, has portrayed the vampire as an evil creature of the supernatural...So many think we are just masquerading through life in the portrayed Hollywood vampire's shadow, and shun us as an unrealistic people in general, to include thinking of our ways as evil. They dont understand it as a condition , which I'm sure is a battle all real vamps face every day. But thats why we are here , to teach and bring understanding .

Silver: Well, this would then make it an issue of being non - educated on this topic..Are there ways that we may not be currently employing, that could help people better understand that this isn't a scare tactic or simply a way of gaining attention?

Brother WoIf: I think some positive TV. media would help...As you know, wiccans (and witches) have been spotlighted alot recently (1985+) from Ripley's Believe It Or Not, all the way to National Geographic. I think this helped them greatly with the world's assumed opinions of the witch. A good way would be to call press during one of our many community gatherings. If nothing else, it will at least get people thinking, and I'm sure many would jump online seeking truth. Other than that, I think we are doing, as a community, all we can - Reach to teach...That's what each of us can do right now!

Silver: How has working within the Vampire Church helped you within your own vampirism?

Brother WoIf: The VC was a gift from the spirits, if I dare say so. I had a little outlet to share what I learned, or inquire for what I needed to learn. The few vamps I knew at the time, all needed help learning...I had my questions too, one of the biggest being, is what I'm teaching really right?...I felt inside it was. Traveling the world and talking with so many, I had learned alot, and somehow naturally knew how to use it . I feared though I may be doing more harm than good, plus I needed much more of what I didnt know answered..When I began on the e - list, I listened and listed, and as you recall Silver, I talked with you for ages, as well as Moonslight...You answered many questions and confirmed quite alot.

Keeping active in the list, I was able to realize that, some of what I thought, had been misleading, and I was quick to apply that knowledge, and use it towards inner growth. I was also grateful to be able to share what I knew, adding new enlightenement to others. Being needed, I think, is also energy we vamps may crave, and the positive energy it gives out, acts like warming inner fires. I also find in the VC, that the more active I am, the more I feel worthwhile...It's added confidence, self - worth and positive spirituality to my life. I've become more outgoing and open about who I am. But the biggest, and maybe most important asset it's given me, is friends and family. I only hope I've helped them as much as they've helped me. I don't foresee leaving the VC anytime soon..I have much debt to the VC that demand through common courtesy and respect, needs to be repaid, and I am more than happy to do it.

Silver: One thing I have seen alot of, are people trying to combine vampirism with their beliefs..Why do you suppose they do this?

Brother WoIf: It's only natural, I think. Our condition is unique, and unwanted in any religious group, as far as I've seen. Negative responses to who we are, make many draw backs, and close themselves off to avoid hurt, both physically and emotionally. Vampyrism is a catalyst in many life decisions, that we make...It has to be in order to find what we need, and obtain it morally...So many, find comfort in trying to incorporate their beliefs (spiritually/religiously) for comfort, and I'm sure because some feel what they do, may affect, what may or may not await, after we die. Some do it in hopes that it may enhance their spirituality and awareness in the world right now.

We all know that control and centering of our energies is crucial...Beliefs as much as vampirism, can give us both energy, and ability to center it...So, slowly it melds that way. I'm no doctor - I say this from experience with people, and how they think...For most minds, follow similar action by association, ways of thinking.

Silver: Hmmmm, those are some good, valid points..And I can see how that would tend to work that way..Sometimes people ask us how we take in energies, can you describe how you gain them and how you feel once you have?

Brother WoIf: Well, being a pranic/sang, sexual sang, or romantic vampire as some prefer (vampire terminology seems to still be in scrutiny, so I covered whatever label people have set for my type, lol) depending on your morals, of course, but with me, it requires a deep relationship with another. At this time, those feeding options are not available..But as I said, I am primarily pranic/sang, but I am quite capable of feeding in ...well, I can't count the ways, for I find new things all the time that offer energies that can sustain me. I gain such energies by first just walking about, or remembering things that give me a charge, and seek them. Some examples, positive emotion from a concert, energy from thuderstorms (I fly off walls when they come) even meteor showers or crashing waves. I relax open my arms and close my eyes...The energy is there, I feel it like fire in my chest...I draw it and center it, control my impulse to run amok, for when draining, it is fresh, like the feeling you get after being sick , energized and hyper to go expend it. Remember their are 1000,s of sources of energy...Just remember what your body and mind responded to..Then go and see if harnessing it is within your means..You may be suprised.

Silver: That's great that you have other options available to take care of your needs, and maintain your health..I appreciate the time you have given to me, and not wishing to hold you up, I have one final question for you.. If someone who was questioning their vampirism came to you, what advice could you offer them?

Brother WoIf: Well, someone questioning their vampirism, is someone who is "awakening", someone who thinks their awakening, and may not be, or, someone who thought they were a vampire, and living as such, but now find they may not be. Three different problems, all similar symptoms. No easy answer, but advice I can offer....Get 3 of the closest people who you have confided in, and can seriously address this uncertaincy. Then ask these few things..What was going on in my life the first time I thought I may be vampire? How did my first feeding make me feel, and did it really help? What was going on in my life the first time I doubted, and more importantly, what was the doubt I had? From those questions, you and the group, should, through discussion, and insight, find the source of your problem, to the end of whether or not you are vampire, or maybe just a low protein intake...Which may mean you should get a physical, and/or address emotional problems, for we all have our problems, though you should never be ashamed...You may wish to dig deeper, and seek help. Remember, in life what really matters in the end, is your happiness...And the ability to share it with as many as you can.

Silver: Brother Wolf, your time and advice have been very valuable this eve, as well as what you have given to both this organisation, and the vampiric community on the whole..I thankyou again for having met with me to discuss these issues, and hope that wisdom and knowledge will be imparted by those who seek it, and help to those in need..Thanks again :o)

Brother WoIf: May I say, I've enjoyed this, and thank you for the honor of being able to share with my VC family..You're quite welcome..

Silver's Final Thoughts ~

Greetings all, and to all, a blessed Vernal Equinox..One hopes that now, with matters as they are in the Far East, that we will see the importance of human life, and not simply disregard it as being unimportant, but see ALL life for what it IS - important, special, and precious..Life is too short for hatred and intolerance. In this time, as in any time, we should embrace one another, and love one another in spite of our differences, rather than judge, or be prejudiced because of those differences..As the coming of spring puts forth new life, and gladdens our hearts, so let us shed the old Self, and put on a new Self..One that is inspired by difference, and sees the beauty in ALL, regardless of from whence it comes..Intolerance and hatred can be combatted by simply attempting to understand better, and see within a different light..In this community, hatred is a huge factor, which is why it is necessary to make information available to educate those against the unknown..In this manner, we eliminate, albeit slowly, the misconceptions and fears generally associated with vampirism..And this, MUST be one goal that we persevere, if for no other reason, than to impart an understanding of what vampirism is..And on that note, I leave you all with this quote, as I do every month, in the hopes that you will benefit from the wisdom it imparts..

"Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward. They may be beaten, but they may start a winning game"...

-Goethe

And so, like those chessmen, being slowly and deliberately moved, towards achieving a common goal of education and acceptance, we move forward..We may not win very many, but we start the process of achieving tolerance, respect, and above all, understanding..Until next month..

Dark Blessings..

Silver ~

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