Temple of the Vampire

Temple of the Vampire

The Temple of the Vampire is a religious organization that practices the religion of Vampirism. According to the temple, its faith is an ancient religion that has, through the centuries, been known by many names including the Order of the Dragon, the Temple of the Dragon, and the Temple of the Vampire Dragon Goddess Tiamat (ancient Sumeria). The modern public temple has attempted to locate those people who might be of the Blood—those who have realized their difference from the mass of humanity, who resonate with the Dark of the Night, who recognize themselves as predators, who know there is something more to life, and who wish to possess it.

According to the Temple, vampires exist as the predators of humans. Vampires emerge out of humanity and represent the next stage in evolution. Theirs is the religion of the elite—the rulers. They believe that vampires created the religions of the world to ensure humanity’s basic docility. The basic perspective of the temple is summarized in “The Vampire Creed”:

I am a Vampire. I worship my ego and I worship my life, for I am the only God that is. I am proud that I am a predatory animal and I honor my animal instincts. I exalt my rational mind and hold no belief that is in defiance of reason. I recognize the difference between the world of truth and fantasy. I acknowledge the fact that survival is the highest law. I acknowledge the Powers of Darkness to be hidden natural laws through which I work my magic. I know that my beliefs in Ritual are fantasy but the magic is real, and I respect and acknowledge the results of my magic. I realize there is no heaven as there is no hell, and I view death as the destroyer of life. Therefore I will make the most of life here and now. I am a Vampire. Bow down before me.

Today’s vampire exists in a double reality. What is termed the Daytime self is a material skeptic who laughs at superstition. The Nightside self practices magical and ritual acts. Through the techniques taught by the Temple, the vampire learns to move in the world of magical fantasy and there begins to realize the traditional powers of the vampire (from shapeshifting to hypnotic power to physical immortality). The strengthening of the Nightside self, in which the individual’s will is connected with the cosmic Powers of Darkness, leads to changes in the Dayside world in conformity to the Night-side realities. Vampiric rituals allow contact with the Undead Gods and lead to the sacred act of Vampiric communion. Membership in the temple is international and is organized in several levels. The Lifetime Member is one who has made a first step in contact and made a material donation to the temple.

After making application and being accepted, the Lifetime Member becomes an Active Member. After some degree of results in development of one’s vampiric powers, advancement to the level of Vampire Predator and entrance into the Second Circle of the Outer Temple is acknowledged. Further advancement may lead to becoming a Vampire Priest/ess. The priesthood has access to the innermost levels of temple knowledge—the hidden teachings. The Temple publishes The Vampire Bible, a manual of fundamental magical lore, available to lifetime members. It also issues a biennial publication, Bloodlines: The Vampire Temple Journal and the monthly Lifeforce: The International Vampire Forum.

Sources:

Tenatz see: Southern Slavs, Vampires and the