THE ARCANE ARCHIVE
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Subject: TEMPLE OF THE VAMPIRE
   
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   From: tofvampire@aol.com (TofVampire)
   Subject: Temple of the Vampire FAQ
   Date: 5 Sep 1994 20:01:05 -0400
   
   Box 3582, Lacey, Washington 98503 USA
   
   Yes, Vampires do exist. Thank you for your interest. The following
   information should answer your wider questions concerning who and what
   we are, and what that may mean to you.
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  THE HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE.
   
   The Temple of the Vampire is an ancient religion now registered with
   the federal government of the United States and possessing an
   international membership. Shrouded in secrecy, the Temple has been
   known in historical times by many different names to include The Order
   of the Dragon, The Temple of the Dragon and, in ancient Sumeria, as
   HEKAL TIAMAT (The Temple of the Vampire Dragon Goddess Tiamat).
   Membership until the present time has been closed except by personal
   sponsorship and invitation, subject to the approval of the Inner
   Council.
   
  THE MODERN TEMPLE
   
   The modern Temple is a carefully calculated experiment to more
   publicly reach those who may be of the Body of the Blood yet unaware
   of their full heritage. We seek only those who have become aware of
   their unique difference from the mass herd of humanity, those who
   resonate with the Dark of the Night, those who have recognized their
   nature as predators, those who sense there is something more to life
   and want to possess it.
   
  VAMPIRES EXIST.
  
   Vampires are the predators of humans. We have come from the human
   stock but represent the next stage in human evolution: we who accept
   and glory in our predatory nature. We fully accept our bestial
   instincts and origins while applying the power of our minds and Will
   to the achievement of our deepest desires through earthly and magical
   means. We are the Masters of the World. Our reach extends from the
   highest corporate executive offices to the most secluded country
   estates. Our membership includes virtually every profession and
   lifestyle. We have a rational plan for the world and for our own
   personal physical immortality. We are the few who truly rule this
   material world and those who throw their lot with us are wise indeed.
   Many are called. Few are chosen. Fewer, still, enter.
   
  THE RELIGION OF VAMPIRISM.
  
   Thus the religion of Vampirism has been and remains the Religion of
   the Rulers. Ours is a selfish and brutal philosophy dedicated to
   personal survival and triumph. We have no interest in humanity as a
   whole other than in how they may serve us. At the same time all other
   religions of the world were founded and continue to be directed by
   those of our kind. The religions we have created for humanity are
   designed to curb human pride and inculcate a slave mentality. The
   Vampire knows that there is no God who loves or cares for humanity for
   it is we who created and taught them their idea of God. In truth, we
   are the Gods of humankind while remaining atheists ourselves.
   
  DANGEROUS BUT NOT CRIMINAL.
   
   The Vampire is dedicated to the rational enjoyment of life. No
   pleasure is forbidden or sinful to the Vampire. At the same time the
   Vampire respects the reality of causality and is not a mindless
   hedonist. Therefore all members of the Temple of the Vampire are
   forbidden from criminal acts within the laws of their own society's
   government or governments. Any person found to be involved in criminal
   activity will be promptly reported to the appropriate law enforcement
   authorities, and immediately and irrevocably expelled from the Temple.
   There will be no exceptions.
   
  THE EARTHLY VAMPIRE.
   
   The Dayside of the Vampire's personality is that of the skeptical
   materialist who approaches life with a no-nonsense perspective. The
   key word here is doubt. We laugh in scorn at the humans who find
   themselves believing in the superstitious nonsense which our kind
   created for their control. The earthly Dayside Vampire is dedicated to
   personal, material mastery of life. While this seldom entails the
   seeking of monetary wealth to the exclusion of personal pleasure, the
   Religion of the Rulers leads one toward material success as a natural
   consequence of respecting the realities of the world as it is.
   
  THE MAGICAL VAMPIRE.
   
   In Ritual and other magical acts, the Vampire exhibits the Nightside
   of his personality. The key word here is belief. The Vampire learns to
   slip in and out of belief systems as they serve him, and absolute
   belief in magic is only engaged in when magic is actually used. The
   many powers of the Vampire (to include shapeshifting, flying, mesmeric
   power, superhuman strength and physical immortality) are accepted as
   real first within the Nightside of the Vampire's mind. Here, from the
   Will's connection to the Powers of Darkness, the fantasies of power
   become realities. These realities are manifested in what are called
   out-of-body lucid dreams and are approached by the sincere and
   dedicated application of the Higher Teachings of the Temple.
   
  THE TENSION BETWEEN THE WORLDS
  
   By developing and maintaining the opposing Dayside and Nightside
   perspectives, the Vampire produces a powerful stress between the
   worlds of truth and fantasy. The result is a growing capacity to cause
   change in the material world by magical means such that dreams of the
   Night leave footprints in the Day.
   
  TEMPLE DEVELOPMENTAL LEVELS.
  
   There are several divisions and levels within the Temple based upon
   the successful application of the Higher Teachings which are made
   available in order of development.
   
   A Lifetime Member is any individual who has made some material
   donation to the Temple such as money or other exchangeable objects of
   value. A Lifetime Member is eligible to obtain The Vampire Bible, the
   Vampire Ritual Medallion and the Vampire Temple Ring upon making a
   suitable minimum donation as listed in the "Current Offerings
   Available" sheet.
   
   An Active Member is a Lifetime Member who makes formal application for
   affiliation and is granted entrance by the Council for advanced study.
   This is considered the First Circle of the Outer Temple and carries
   the title of Vampire Initiate. The Vampire Predator is the Second
   Circle of the Outer Temple and is the title granted to the Vampire
   Initiate who successfully achieves specific results in Vampiric
   development both earthly and magical. The Priesthood of UR is the
   Third Circle of the Temple of the Vampire and is also known as The
   Inner Temple or the Temple of the Dragon. A Vampire Priest or
   Priestess has successfully demonstrated an advanced application of the
   principles of Vampirism and has sworn an Oath to serve the Temple.
   
   The Priesthood of UR is the Gateway to the Hidden Mysteries of the
   Temple from which this earthly world is quite literally ruled. These
   Mysteries are revealed to those who prove themselves worthy of such
   trust. The affiliations of the oldest organization on earth are, of
   course, numerous and far-ranging. (ET IN ARCADIA EGO . . . ).
   
  MAGICAL RITUAL.
   
   A Vampire is made, not born. This making comes from direct and
   personal contact with the Undead Gods. The original and correct
   purpose of all magical ritual is to attract and meet with the Undead
   in the sacred act of Vampiric Communion. The gatherings for Vampiric
   Communion have always drawn the human aspirants as well as Those Who
   Have Risen to remote and isolated settings and shall continue to do so
   until the end of the world.
   
  INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP ACTIVITIES.
   
   At all levels of the Temple, the sacred ritual magic ceremonies of
   Vampiric Communion (The Calling of the Undead) are entered into to
   achieve magical results. Vampiric Communion can be enjoyed in solitary
   ritual or in group ceremony. It is entirely possible for the solitary
   member to successfully pursue Vampirism without physically ever
   meeting another member. While there is no requirement for
   socialization, most members discover that not only is ritual
   strengthened by numbers but a thirst to be in the presence of those of
   our own kind can only be quenched by such meetings. For this reason,
   the Temple commonly conducts Conclaves, often annually, at various
   international locations to better enable contact between interested
   active members. Details are provided in a timely fashion for active
   members expressing an interest in such meetings.
   
  AFFILIATION.
   
   To acquire additional information on application for membership, you
   must submit a written letter and a token donation (usually $5 U.S.) to
   the Temple requesting current information. What you are now reading is
   the whole of what shall be made available through the Internet so as
   to retain control over those accepted as members. This Temple is not
   for everyone.
   
   Above all, the Temple exists to serve the Undead Gods. Those who
   simply expect to be entertained will be ignored. Those who refuse to
   make strong personal efforts to serve by study and application will be
   expelled.
   
   Vampirism is real and most ancient. Mortal life is swift and short. We
   may pick and choose amongst the billions to replenish the Elite. You
   have just this one opportunity for life undying. Your next actions
   will decide your future as either just another mortal lost to the
   winds of time, or as one who will join Us as a true Vampire, an
   undying Ruler of this earth.
   
   The choice is yours.
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