How I prepare articles for the blog

Author: Masticina Akicta

Date: 29 August 2022

Plan your target Audience

First of all your blog requires a target audience. In this blogs case the vampire community and those interested. This creates the first filter, what makes a blog post fitting your blog? And what will your audience like? KNOWING your audience helps you plan for a good fun blogging/reading experience. In my case I hang around in discords of the vampire community, as vampire myself that is very welcomed. And next to chatting and offering advice I gather topics for these blog posts. 

How I prepare articles for the blog

How do you know what to write on a blog? How do you know when article is ready? What topics make sense and how much work is it to get it ready for prime time?

For every article I post there are two that failed. Disheartening or maybe it is smart. 

I see creating articles for the blog much like planting seeds and growing plants. And then deciding what plant is the strongest and worthiest. 

And yes if a plant/article fails to reach a certain level then it is stashed away.

From seed to Plant

Everything starts with an idea, a question, a need. Much like this blog grew out of questions how to get things running or why you would run a blog. An idea is the very basics, a need! Someone talks about feeding, or shielding, or safety in a group I am part of and I got an idea for a topic. I seed it then, work out the very basics, how much I need to research, and so on. I will never post it day one! It needs time to grow. 

Harvesting on the right time

Returning to it to add to it, trim it, edit it and making sure the idea is valuable enough I create this lovely little plant. It is never perfect, but it is just right. And then it is harvesting time and with a last check it is time to post it. Making sure the spelling is right, it contains everything it needs and isn’t too long. I found that readers don’t like to read too long, not in these days. And longer blog posts need to be cut in multiple parts. Be ready to do that if needed.

Dry Times

Some times are dry. I don’t post weekly on my blog and though I always gather multiple ideas to work on some of them have failed, died. Maybe the wrong time or maybe the topic is beyond me. One has to accept their own limitations after all. And I only can do so much. There are topics that require research I don’t have access too. Yes sometimes I co-work with others to fill that hole. If the topic is important. Else I rather refer to those who are much better at it. 

Make your own blog

So you got ideas, hopes, dreams, and see needs around you. You could make a blog too. The world would say you need to update regular and provide top grade content. It needs to be one of those mom blogs that every week has wisdom and… I disagree. I rather want quality over quantity! 

Having a folder full of ideas you work on is not a bad idea at all. Some take a while, others require research and help from outsiders too. 

In our community information needs to be rehashed and retaught. The younger generation also has a point in there. Definitely since the older generation is getting really old and websites and slowly but surely disappearing.

You’ll need to find a website to host it of course. I use blogger, ran by google. It is simplistic but it works! That is about as much as there can be said. Enough options to for instance tag or set up things. Still simple enough. Another option would be a wordpress blog or even something hosted somewhere else. Niftier and a bit more options. You don’t have to spend money to get your whole own domain and website running for a blog! As long as you are willing to do the other work in it too. 

Co Authors and Proofreaders

On certain topics I lack enough insight. I got enough insight to offer advice but it helps to ask the aid of someone closer to it or better trained. 

Also a proof reader to make sure the spelling, grammar and more important obvious mistakes are written out. English is a second language for me so inevitable some mistakes will slide through. A fresh set of eyes does wonders. 

Co-authors are always a great addition, with their own insight into the matters. For instance Red Dragon who helped me with the Donor Ethics post. It can’t hurt to ask someone to help you. 

Publish

The magical time is here, you took time to do research, write, maybe get that co author and work out a very nice post. Full of useful insight and information. You got it through the proof reader so no obvious errors are left in it. And it is greenlit and posted. Hooray! Your work isn’t over yet though.

Connect with other people within the community

It is important not to stay too much in the shadow. Find ways to share it within the community. And be active, so if people have questions you can show them your blog. And connect with other active community members. We might be a community of shadows but that doesn’t means we are dead. 

So connect with others, maybe co-author posts. And in discords that allow it share your blog posts. Don’t be shy! You write for a reason, people deserve to read it! And the right audience might use it and you end up with the connections. 

Don’t give up! 

Remember to Enjoy the Process

In the end you write for an audience but also yourself. So Enjoy the process.

Ethics within the Vampire Community

Author: Masticina Akicta
Contributors: TheRedDragon1966
Date: 10 May 2022

What are Ethics

Ethics are rules to life by, rules to be a good and trust-able person. Rules that others within groups expect to go by so everybody can work together. And some are enshrined in laws to protect society.
Some are personal ethics, and the ethics of every person can differ based upon upbringing, religion, situation, and other influences. 
Ethics can be connected to life choices, like being vegan or vegetarian. Or trying to be as green as possible in the way they life. Or support certain causes or try to cause change into the world that one deems as positive. 
Every society has some form of ethics, expected behavior. Do not steal and do not kill for instance. There are laws for that, but it is also an ethical issue. Help other people when they need it, a common one, not enforced by any state law. But many will try to follow such. In short ethics are personal rules to life by, some enshrined by laws to protect society, others are personal. 

Vampirism and Ethics

Vampires have many problems, one of them is that they need to feed. Their choice of source can be quite limited indeed, sanguinary vampires will have little choice but through blood. Be it from a donor or even animal blood. Getting this is a topic that many sanguinary vampires talk about and there are guides written by them.  
Eros vampires, the succubus and incubus feed during sex. Getting consent is obviously an important part here. And they also need to find willing playmates/donors.
Psychic vampires have a bit more choice in resources and methods. But they have a bad name because untrained psychic vampires use the worst methods. You heard of them, they are either very draining personalities or caustic. They cause trouble, and things never seem to be right around them. This raises emotions and hence energy in the people around them which they feed off. They are sometimes called emotional vampires. And many guides have been written by energy workers how to deal with them.
There are many ways to feed for psychic vampires. Finding one that is both ethical and with consent is difficult, but within reach.

Choice of Feeding - Psychic vampire

As a psychic vampire I have learned a lot of things about safe feeding methods. 
So, lets start there. The most ethical way to feed is to find a donor, a willing person who can consent and you two talks through it and make sure it is done safely. 
But you can’t find a donor? You and many other vampires. So, what are your other options?
One of the most troubling methods is to cause a ruckus or trouble then feed from the energy released by others. You won’t end up with many friends that way. It is why we have such a bad name. Do you really want to be known as that troublemaker? Or person who always has a hard time/issues? 
Another method is to learn to control your tendrils which is part of your energy system. The tendrils can be directed toward the donor. See and feel the energy then nibble. This is how to connect to a donor over distance. You can also use this method while out in public place and you can gather hovering energy that is freely released.
A highly unethical method, and many vampires have done it, is by using tendrils to connect to an unknowing/unwilling person and feed from them. I shouldn’t have to point out WHY this isn’t the most ethical way. Sanguinary vampires would point out that this is like running around with lancets and attacking people. 
Instead, an ethnical solution is to feed from a public area, not targeting one or any group of humans. This requires human activity and movement rich area. Different locations have different levels of energy, a disco/bar can be delicious depending on the night, a shopping mall or busy train-station is fine. Remember: keep it ethical do not feed directly from others, but feed from the area. There is a difference here. This is where learning to filter and process energy will help too. I have survived for years on this more ethical diet. 
Nature is another option, the energy is slow, very slow, but with a bit of training and adjustment can offer some food value. Yes, you are munching trees, and no it isn’t very tasty! But if worst come to shove, aka Covid, you can survive on it for a while. Just not thrive. The early months of Covid, no travel, no nothing, all I had was nature and trees. I survived not thrived! 

Finding a Donor

The big D, donor that is! A person willing to give you blood, or energy. Better respect them for offering, and finding one is the big question.
There are a few websites that try to connect vampires and donors like The Black books: https://theblackbooks.net , and once people find out that you are a vampire some might become a donor. What can I say, vampires have that beacon thing, that won’t only attract other vampires but also donors and energy sensitives. Of course it is a bit of a freak magnet so buyers beware. Be double sure to check you you tell your true nature off.
A Donor should understand your needs, what their role is, and most important that it is done safe and with consent. In short, you talk through things, how it works, how to do it safe and tell them that they can say NO! I just saw some people from the BDSM community nod their head. Lets talk about the Donor Consent and rights.

Donor Consent and other matters

Before a donor can offer their energy and/or blood to you there are some issues. First, they need to understand what they are going to do. They need to consent and be able to consent. I am sure that some freshly awoken vampires will skirt that last part at times. Mostly as choices are little. 
What matters is that the donor knows what really is going on, that the method is safe, that you deal with the aftercare and that they can say STOP! They retain control. Yes, a vampire can be hungry but, the donor safety and health matters. 
A vampire also can decide depending on the situation if it is safe to feed. Sanguinary vampires highly probably require regular blood checks for blood born diseases. That is not a luxury! And if the vampire notices that the donor isn’t 100% stable or healthy, they should decide to post-phone the feeding. 
It sounds harsh to the vampires but treating people right opens up doors. 

A Sanguinary’s points of view

“A vampire may choose to seek out a human blood donor to alleviate symptoms and as a means of maintaining health and wellbeing. Often, a donor is chosen from within the vampire’s social circle such a family member, a spouse, lover, a friend, or an acquaintance. Exhausting these resources, the vampire may choose to advertise for a donor via a posted advertisement.
Both the vampire and donor need to be of legal age of consent, be mentally stable, fully competent, and able to understand and consent to the procedure of having blood drawn and subsequently ingested.
Please note that the legalities surrounding consent and the ingestion of human blood is complex is greatly dependent upon the country and region in which you live and well beyond the scope of this document.
The amount of blood ingested, frequency and methods utilized to extract same varies widely. Aftercare with the donor the next day to ensure they are feeling well and to check that a wound is healing properly. Discussion around how much aftercare; if any; is something that can be negotiated.
Blood screening to rule out underlying medical issues and contagious diseases should not only be expected but insisted upon by the parties involved. How often these need to be completed can be negotiated between the vampire and donor; and may be dependent upon the personal history and lifestyles. Be aware that when dealing with bodily fluids; even with the best of care, there are always risks. Do keep in confidence any personal disclosure of medical and personal information.
Abuse of any kind should never be tolerated or condoned. Including verbal abuse such as name calling, slander, ridicule, intimidation, verbal or physical threats, coercion, emotional, psychological, financial, sexual, or physical violence.
The nature of the relationship between vampire and donor is special and it cannot be understated as it is very much about consent, negotiation, and trust between the parties involved. People and situations are every evolving and thus negotiation and consent is an ongoing process. 
Remember, both vampires and donors are people. They have lives, careers, families, friends, and acquaintances and share the same emotions, feelings, and concerns as everyone else in society and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.“
- TheRedDragon1966

Donor Bill of Rights

One of the early things that rolled out of working together between different houses were things like The Black Veil, how vampires should behave, and The Donor Bill of Rights, how donors ought to be treated and their rights. The Black Veil is a topic of its own.
Neither of these are air tight legal documents but many vampires try to stick to these. 
The Donor Bill of Rights(External): http://www.neworleansvampireassociation.org/donor-bill-of-rights.html

Conclusion

Being a vampire and having needs is one thing, however, our behaviour should not cause others any trouble. We can find donors if we have them in the area. Psychic vampires can decide how they feed and from whom. They can also seek donors or find ways that don’t directly target other people. Some even feed or munch on trees. Sangs require a more physical resource, and this can be gained through temporal alternatives or finding donors. All this is to be done smartly, with care and ethical insight. Our needs don’t stand above those who can or are willing to offer it, and we need to take care of our donors too.

About vultures and psychic vampires

 About vultures and psychic vampires

Author: Masticina Akicta

Editor: Wren/Moonfeather

Date: 26 September 2021

The Balance of nature

In nature there is balance, things are born and die, and things grow and rot. In the world of energy this isn’t much different either and some of us are more suited for the “clean up” job than many trained and skilled healers. Gifted in ways some of them never have heard of.

The Vulture

The Vulture is a beautiful animal if you think about it. Sure the way that it lives and the fact that it eats carcasses can be seen as “icky”, yet it has a very important role in nature. Just like some insects and fungi clean up, so do the vultures, as they do so, they stop the spread of diseases like botulism to healthy living animals. Sounds useful right? 

Their stomach acid is so powerful that it dissolves bones and kills diseases that could otherwise kill creatures less suited to the job of cleaning up decaying bodies. 

The Role of the Psychic Vampire

Vampires exist, psychic vampires exist, and within the energy community, similar to vultures, we don’t have the best name because of the role we play.. Energy vampires are usually very capable in handling energy that makes most energy workers sick, because we are made for it. It is almost as if we have a natural knack for dealing with gunky yucky energy few can handle.   This natural resistance to harmful energies could make us rather useful long term if we were accepted more within the energy community. 

The world of energy has a flow, stagnancy is bad, and to keep things flowing something has to take and transmute the gunky stuff back into something useful. 

Tendrils that are attuned to feed can be used like sharp blades much like a scalpel in the  hands of a skilled physician operating on a wound. Notice I said the word SKILLED. Any intrusion in someone's energy can lead to long lasting damage if done incorrectly. 

Since the psychic vampire is instinctively aware of how to draw in energy, they can use their tendrils to hone in on the rot and draw it out by controlling the flow of the energy. 

More useful then you think

Let's say you got someone who has a lot of nasty, gunky energy in their system; how will you heal them? Drain out the gunk and replace it? Good idea, but  how many healers are adapted to handle the gunk naturally? How many are trained to cut through energy systems right into the source of the gunk? How many have the skills and experience to do this with only the slightest of wounds? 

How many will have to put up heavy shields or undergo rigorous grounding/cleansing to even handle such a procedure? Life isn’t always just about putting IN energy, sometimes you also have to drain the poison, cutting out the cancer with the sharpest of tools. 

You see where I am going. A healer + vampire make a great couple. The vampire targets the bad energy, easily cutting right through the energy system, to draw it out, and the healer puts in healing fresh energy and then helps seal the wounds in the energy body.

But for this pairing to work,  the healer has to trust the vampire, and of course the patient has to trust the situation as well. With so many preconceived notions and biases about vampires this isn’t  always so easy.

Additionally, as some say, aftercare matters so, someone (usually the healer side of the coin) will have to check up on the situation to see how things went and if the person is healing up well. 

Two sides of a coin

Some healers will deem vampires as utterly evil, but this is a question of ethics. Is the blade evil for being able to hurt? What defines evil are the choices the wielder of the blade makes. I am a person who believes in ethical feeding, which for me either means feeding from areas, not directly targeting people (i.e. ambient feeding); or from willing donors. Just because I am born with the tools of a hunter doesn’t mean I am automatically bad. The hunter hunts, that is its nature.

Now consider, some people have TOO MUCH energy so they need to off load it. To whom do they offload? This excess energy can be used to heal others, or even to sate the hunger of a psychic vampire.

So why can’t healers work together with vampires? Each using the inherent skills given to them to their fullest potential.  

Consider that there might even be things you learn from listening to those of us who are forced to work with and feed on energy to survive. Again, every person has to decide their own ethics on this. Just like with everyone else, no two psychic vampires are going to be exactly the same, and no two healers will be exactly the same, but by confronting our biases towards psychic vampires, the energy working community as a whole can benefit from cooperation- utilizing both sides of the coin, instead of just the side of the coin you find most appealing. Just as the vultures have their place, so too do we.

Walking on a Knives Edge

Author: Masticina Akicta 

Date: 14-05-2021

Walking on a Knifes Edge

This is written more then a year into the Covid situation. Covid has changed a lot, many places one could go before to find a lot of energy freely laying around are closed. Even lesser options are much harder these days. The once in a while travel by train isn’t doing to push me above surviving to midrange levels. And with that I am luckier then many others.

Nature can feed, yes but never seems to come up to the level human energy gets me.

I am lucky that train travel still is allowed in my country and train stations are usually capable to retain some energy. In Europe we use trains more. In some countries it is very common for people to use the train to go to their jobs, of school, or university. The thing is with schools shutting down, jobs limiting the amount of people that can show up and universities only opening up a little. The good times are over! Sure they are slowly opening but the big herds of people walking through train stations doesn’t happens as much as before.

As a psy-vampire I can go to a train station, draw energy through a filtering and cleaning system and get out life energy. Some call it bottom-feeding, but I am quite pride on the ways I have worked to long term be able to feed without needing direct donors. And with adjustments living like that is doable. I rather go to a club or a big event but hey gotta take what is given right? 

And then Covid came, no more clubs, no more big places where a lot of people get together and even though travel has opened up again and I can feed once in a while. Even train stations are not in the level to really feed m e up to the point I could easily before Covid. 

Some weeks I am on a knives edge, that hunger always in my mind. And making my tongue a bit sharper then I hope to have. I really don’t like to piss off other people. Not more then they deserve! 

Surviving not Thriving

I know my situation is better then some other vampires, after all blood and donors are much harder to find and get too. Many of us are stuck surviving, not thriving, some of us deep bouncing against the lowest levels we have been in a while. And yes even I with all the methods I have can’t find enough resources. Or at least not to the level that makes me thrive. 

Edging on that ever hunger, seeing the tank getting emptier and knowing that you are easier to topple or end up making rough mistakes. A thin skin, emotional less stable and sharper of tongue. It is surviving, not thriving. Also less fed our energy shifts and some people being to notice. Luckily I have a few tricks but yeah I wish I had fed better and hence more stable energy to do more stuff. 

Solutions

I think many of us know solutions that work for us. Sang’s have sources of blood, not the best choice and harder to get but there are certain 3rd options. A donor still is the best and getting that donor to you or being able to travel to them is going to be the only long term solution.

For psy-vampires having more then just human energy as sources is one way. Yes, munching trees, I know it isn’t what you want. But you survive… just not thrive. 

And me? The few train trips I still can take are my source for the human one… the rest is the vegan diet. 

Future

The future seems simple, vaccinations and getting the Covid virus down. That opens up access to things again, travel and that also means food for psy-vampires and donors for everybody.

I get it, vaccinations, ergh. But it seems the science behind it is solid enough and in areas that vaccinate a lot the spread is a lot slower. Nothing is 100% in life as they say. But one thing is sure, we have some weapons against this virus. And we have potential to open up certain things again for our needs.

Boxes are for Cats

 

Author: Masticina Akicta

Date: 17 November 2020

Boxes are for Cats

Isn't it cute? Getting out a fresh box and the cat will play in it or even sleep in it. Well, that is great for cats but it isn't for us. As cozy as that box might look. 

Putting yourself in a box is giving yourself an identity and limiting yourself based upon such identity. Accepting the walls around you as limitations isn't always the best way. Painting yourself in a corner is neither, that would be the far reaching effect of boxing yourself in. I wonder how schrodingers cat is doing. Ah! Back to the blog-post.

The thing is that just accepting and using a label doesn't means having to use all the trappings of a label. And that there are nuances, differences, and connections you as person can deal with that fall outside said label. 

The Power of Labels

Humans love to label things, tree, air, leaf, dog, cat, box. A label allows our brains to connect things together and give it values. To understand the world better. From young on we are taught how useful labels are. "The Red Ball." We have a ball and it is red! Language and Communication requires labels and identities. 

What does this mean for our community? Within the vampire community we use a certain set of labels to define ourself and to show others in the know what they can expect from us. It is a not so secret handshake, or if using certain words, a secret handshake that allow us to recognize others and understand where they come from.

Sanguinary vampires feed on blood. Psi vampires on life energy, hybrids have a preference for both. Med Sangs try to find out just what in blood makes it work. And Sexual Vampires feed through sexual acts.

Vampire itself means, at least in our inner culture, something different then the books and movies. But it is a term that makes us easier to find. A key that once people have entered the door they can learn more about our community and members. And our plight. 

Labels in short allow us to use words and within the community agreed upon meanings allow us to work together. And of course the expected meaning from outside the community.

Yet using those doesn't mean that all of us don't have individual differences. 

Each of us is different in the end and with different life experiences leading us into the place we ended up. The Label allows us to quicker get another to understand things, but the truth usually is more subtle and it is understood that as individuals we all have our own experience within said label. In short, we don't fill the box equally! Boxes can differ, even if all are labeled Banana. How we deal with things and just what it means to us can differ, even within the same label. But on average we can agree that some labels have an use to pull us together.

The Power of Community

Communities drive us to work together, learn, study, support and teach others. For that we have learned to use certain language, labels. And yes with that from the outside it seems as if certain archetypes show up. The Labels, boxes, help us quicker to get insight. But the true insight always takes more time. 

Again, even if we use equal words and agree upon meaning. Just how we are affected by it and how we handle it differs.

The labels help community lead you to where you need to start. But in the end the search will require much inner research.

Finding your Own Identity

What matters is finding ones own Identity. And with that your strengths, weaknesses and of course your requirements to survive. Each of us is different after all but we share in the core many things. And talking to other can make you think, lead you to where you need to seek. Yet equally one is free to research many options. 

That takes time, and with that comes trappings and labels, finding out just what it all means. A Sang who feeds on blood will obviously require methods to feed safely and donors. Also deal with donor and blood safety. So the label sang should at least tell those in the know what you have to deal with. And lead you quickly to resources you need. 

How easy or bad it gets depends on the situation you as individual are in. And every individual is made up of multiple labels if you think about it. Again society loves to label things! 

Everybody is Different

As Brian once said, "You are all individuals." 

Everybody is different and yet we have many things in common. And we can find ourselves in those common realities. Just remember, the experience of one person doesn't has to be yours. Meaning that ones person easy way to get food might not work too well for someone else who doesn't has access to donors. Or the experience of a Psy vampire can and usually will be quite different from a sang vampire. Even among psy vampires the different methods and situations we are in make the insight we require different.

So keep your eyes and ears open and accept that everybody is on another path. Yet, through our common problems we can help each other out with advice and teachings. 

So when a new member shows up within the community the labels lead them to the place that they might find help. Yet in time they also should understand that they are more then just that label. And that everybody has their own issues and things to deal with. 

Strength through Diversity

Which leads me to this part, strength through Diversity! Differences lead to different ways of thinking, different strengths and weaknesses and yes also different needs. Meaning different solutions to fix problems and through working together and sharing insight the community reaches a better way to guide those who are new. 

This is for good and bad, disagreements are normal. But in the end we need to work together as a small community!

Teachers are Guides and so are You.

Other vampires can hand you information, show you the way to find information. Talk with you about the veracity of information you found and even safely teach you many useful skills. 

But you should be in command as student. And understand that every teacher is also a student in a long path through life. There are many new method and things you might be able to share with the community. 

I leave you with these words, remember your own identity and don't let others rewrite it. Instead grow into your true self and learn many new things. 

What is a Nightside Identity

Author: Masticina Akicta

Date: 18 October 2020

So what is a Nightside Identity

A Nightside Identity is a different Identity then you would use for your Family and Work. Much like a mask you would wear, a different name you use of your birth name.  This is done for many reasons, some obvious, some less obvious. 

Why have a Nightside Identity

Because you want your vampire activity not to bleed into the realm where your family or work can find it. Many people within the vampire community are not out of the coffin yet.

 The world can be very judgmental and people finding out you are part of the vampire community might raise questions. Not that legally there is anything bad about being member off the vampire community. It is just that some people are very judgmental and fear things they don't understand. It might affect your job chances or how your family treats you. 

Definitely if you are young, you rather not want to be institutionalized because your family disagrees with things.

It is about Safety Stupid

One of the things that the VC offers is insight in how to get blood, life energy and other things. It has a lot to teach about safe feeding, how to get and keep blood fine and methods that some might feel are troubling.

Just think of how your direct family would handle it if they learn you know a lot about drawing blood. Or knows you got a stacks of of needles. That won't go well with some people!

It would be the talk of the church, or talk in town if the town is small enough.

As much as some vampires can be out in public and teaching people about it. Not all can be out of the Coffin yet. 

There are also some people who want to hurt our community or members who are troubled and might endanger you. If they knew your real identity! 

Being Out and Proud

Some vampires are out, they are known! Usually their job also is within the pagan, occult or vampire community. A place where being not the usual is expected.

Be it writers or connected to jobs that are more open to things. Or at least not judging. Who judges the DJ who seems to have a rather interesting background, if said DJ makes great nights in the club! 

Or members of BDSM clubs who are known to be part of that world by some in the public. 

If a writer or artist is known to be part of the vampire community it can open up communications. Questions to them what the community stands for, what vampirism is and so on. There are good reasons for some members to be public. Obviously not everybody can be out of the coffin yet though. And some will never desire or can be out of the coffin. And that is fine. Safety first!

Out or In

So the question; Is it smart to have the world know about your vampirism and membership of the vampire community? That is up to you.

Obviously a few people will learn but there is a different between being out of the coffin totally or that only a few trusted people know it. 

This is a huge reason why we have a Nightside name, a mask we can wear to keep trouble from reaching our family and friends.

The reason why many strangers slide through the community. Their true name unknown. 

Finding your Tribe

Author: Masticina Akicta

Date: 22 September 2020

Entering a new Home

You move through the places of the internet, local area or meet people with the same interest. Maybe it is your sexuality, faith, or even something simple as your like for a sports team. You meet others of equal mind and insight. Maybe you are young and seek teaching, or a place among people who understand your situation where your family might not. A tribe is not always family or those predefined, but one that gathers together through law of attraction.

Home is a feeling, you know it when you find it. You just feel this is right. 

What is a tribe

A tribe is a group of people. We used to live in tribes, in small villages, Farm areas either we owned the area or as serfs to those in power. You can find small villages everywhere. These things are tribes. 

A church also can be a tribe, people know you and that share good and bad times. They are not direct family but through the group of faith you are bound. For good or for bad. 

And a tribe also can be online these days. So much is online, and Covid has made that even more obvious to many.  In the "good old days" manyh things were offline.. As long as there is a shared interest and reason to be there for each other to accept each other as member of an extended family. There is a tribe.

The Good and the Bad

Tribes come with good and bad things, sad but true. Some tribes help younger members out to deal with their situation, identity and allow them to grow in safety. They have teachings, insights and more.

But tribes also can become cults where your own ideas become wrong-think. And where you better follow someone else command/lead else you are evil. 

This is the problem every group has, how do you keep it inviting and deal with the influence without being corrupted by it. 

There is a saying "There were is power, there is corruption." And in many places such is showing. But a good leader tries to make sure such corruption has little to no chance. Ah that is another topic though.

Lets just say that it is hard for tribes to always stay as they originally were created. Sometimes they are co-opted as old leaders disappear, sometimes the leaders use false-words to draw people in. And sometimes the tribe is just a cult. 

What does this mean for the vampire community

So within the vampire community the Tribe is a place where others accept you as you are. As a vampire, donor, or swan.  Where there can be discourse, we can teach each other, we can learn things. Where we can talk with others about the troubles we are having. And many solutions are within the grasp of members.

The tribe has information, knowledge for those seeking it. We have older vampires who have been through things before, young vampires still learning and those facilitating groups.

But also some groups are more for drama and news sharing. MAYOR events! Not as much for calling it a home. But around the big busy city in what we connect with each other and share information and news. We have our own cozy little tribes that we call home. In a culture of cats it is almost inevitable that hissy fits will break out. Or big fights, or people will try to abuse power. It just is inevitable. 

What makes a tribe your home?

A tribe should feel safe, inviting, caring and understanding. It should offer things that can help you grow and get stronger and learn many things. And over time grow into a role to aid others who are fresh into the tribe. No matter the age everybody who finds their tribe within the vampire community will learn through time just what that specific tribe offers.

They are bound to find others who know more, and have tips, insight, and hopefully long term support.

The Power of Archetypes

Nobody is 100% an Archetype, they are mere tools, pure types of personalities and what they do. But many archetypes are pretty common, the teacher for instance teaches others. The Leader leads the group, the healer heals those who are hurt and so on. And you'll notice that as you survive longer in a tribe and definitely within the vampire community that you'll find your place among others. A seat to take in a way, you might find that you want to teach others and protect them above the other things. Or you have skills that help organize things and seem to make you a natural leader.

Every vampire once was young and knew little, some had a family who had vampires or understood vampirism to the point that they could teach their kids. But not all had. 

And if one finds their way finally to the vampire community and one of the little tribes where one can get training one soon enough. Donors and black swans find hopefully a little tribe where it is safe too. Safety over all. 

We grow into our roles to end up keeping an eye on groups to make sure the new members are safe and learning. And all is fine. 

Archetypes are bound to shine through. Some will roll into leadership positions, other teachers, other researchers, other support networks and more. We are all connected in that weave of thinking.

Leaving the Tribe

Sadly reality is that not always a tribe is good for you. There are many reasons why a tribe might change. For instance if the tribe turns poison, if it works like a cult and tries to extinguish all own thought and personality to be replaced with "right-think." If a tribe automatically deems you wrong and judges you without knowing truly who you are. 

Or you might just not feel at home. What if you are a psy vampire in a tribe of medsangs. And you really don't have much touching grounds with their topics and vice versa. Then maybe it is better to find a tribe that is mixed, or has vampires of all types.

I highly suggest that, diversity is strength after all. Mixed Communities always seem to have an answer on situations.

Retaining Yourself

It is important that in the end you retain your own identity even if one shares connections with others in a tribe. You are an individual, with your own strengths and weaknesses and that can be added to said tribe. Nobody is perfect and within our communities and with our nature hissy fits can happen. Just remember to retain your own identity.

Safety

And that is just it, whatever you do, don't lose yourself and remember to be safe and smart. In the end we are responsible for our own actions.

A Peaceful Summer

Author: Masticina Akicta

Date: 28 August 2020

Summer of Peace

Those who have been around in the Vampire Community long enough all know summers. It is when young people have vacation and more time for other stuff. So usually a glut of young people roll into our communities. In search for different things. 

And in some years it is more then other years. Depending if a movie or book with vampires got hot or not. 

I can tell you, vampires in fiction aren’t doing that well lately so we are in a slow time for people coming in through such desires.

New and Interested

Most people rolling into our communities are young. Some just love vampire books and movies, some are rebelling teens/young grown ups. And yes some actually are vampires or connected to our communities in ways that they stick. 

The thing is the ones that come in for the cool factor usually leave within a week or two. Our communities can be rather boring if there is no drama, no fights, no problems.

Don’t get me wrong, the vampire community and drama go together. But it isn’t always there. And a lot of older members are quick happy they don’t have to deal with drama all the time. We seen it before, we will see it again.

The Type of visitors we get

The word vampire itself has quite an allure. And like a flame attracts moths, we attract visitors of all kinds. 

The young vampire fiction lover; He/she loves the fiction, the clothing, the world, the powers, the everything. These usually don’t last long once they learn we deal with the human vampire version not the movie vampire version.

The bored ones; Like above, but less a fan of vampires but just bored and in search for something nice. Vampires draw drama right? Right? Not always! Boring human living vampires tend to scare them away.

The Researchers; Fun lot, wanting to know more, learn more. And our bigger community is open to having researchers around. If they ask nicely and behave. After all many of our members desire secrecy for good reasons.

The Troll; Every community draws trolls, it is inevitable. It is almost as If every community has a bridge somewhere. They usually don’t stay long once they learn how boring it really is. 

The Young Vampire; The reason many communities have an open door policy. Young vampires need to learn the basics, the ethics, the safety. The ways to feed and be safe to themselves and others. Having access to older vampires helps them along the road much quicker. 

The Otherkin; Inevitable an non-vampire otherkin will show up. But with their own communities being rather small they understand the position better. And many are quite respectful. If not seeking something the vampire community cannot fully offer. 

The Know-It-Better; No matter how short they have been part of the community they know it better. Fun lot, because usually they are dead wrong. But they simply know it better. And with that kind of mentally set off a lot of members who just want to feel safe and part of a family. So don’t last long before a moderator ushers them out.

What we offer

Knowledge and a Family. To young vampires and those just waking up to their reality we offer a place they are understood and offered insight and knowledge. Depending on the specific community you can find different things. Some are made for research.

Yes, we do research, the med-sang community. The Medical Sanguinary aka pure blood feeder community for instance does research into blood. How to store blood for longer, where to find it and of course Donor Safety.

The other community, due to its different ways of feeding is more spread in the ways of tries to improve things. But even there some basic methods are well known and there is materials one can find about these ways. Ways to feed, cleanse, filter and some extra little things. Tricks to make things easier.

Peaceful Summers are good news

I like peace. I used to jump in the chaos and drama. Free energy. But these days I do like to enjoy a bit of peace and “family” time. Be among friends and not have to deal with a lot of trouble. You get older you know. 

Also projects go a lot better if you don’t have to fight of trouble. 

Who are you within the vampire community

Who are you within the community

Author: Masticina Akicta

Date: 23 February 2020

Different Roles within the community

People are different, they are good and bad in different things and hence float to different things within our community. Nobody is good at everything and not everyone even decided it was there role but ended up with it. You’ll meet a lot of different types of people within the community, from those that are very active to those that show up to offer their insight only on certain matters. 

We are a clan a cats, we don’t always agree. Actually we don’t agree a lot. But we all have our strengths and weaknesses.

The Leader

The leader, either by desire or just pushed into the seat is a person people look up to. Being active within the community and in connection with others. Their job is to keep the community from falling apart. And within a clan of cats, that is quite a job. They obviously need to have the charisma and the ideas that pull others in. Not everybody is born to be a leader. But may will join in a cause once a leader has shown up. 

The Media Supporters

The media supporters are the vampires well known by the media. They are not always leaders themselves and their viewpoints might not always be liked. But the Media knows when and where to find them if needed. And yes more and more vampires are showing up in the Media. And no not all wear fangs, white make-up and red lenses. Some are very like anybody else in how they present themselves. There have been a few pieces that are very mundane to read. Not offering maybe the juicyness the Media at times desires.

Writers

Our community wouldn’t have gotten far without the influence writers had, good or bad. Not only did the fictional vampire books draw attention to our communities but much more important the writers that wrote guides for psychic vampires and sang’s. A few books are even written from outside but with respect to our community and members. And of course some less respectful.

These non fictional books offer great guides for young vampires to deal with the first hurdles and many are great to show the outside world about our lives and communities. 

Teachers

The teachers job is to make sure the students safely understand the basics and improve how they do things. Helping their chances to make life for themselves and others a lot better. There are certain basics that with the right training a young vampire learns much quicker and much safer. 

For instance how to safely get blood from a donor and how to store it safely. How to deal with psychic vampirism, sensitivities to sunlight and that gnawing hunger inside. And the oddities many of us end up with. 

And of course donor aftercare. All these things need to be taught. 

Student

A student has found the community, the books and hopefully a group willing to teach them. And hopefully can learn the teachings of safety, ethics and respect. All of us have been here and it is our job to aid those who are here are the moment.

Depending on the type of vampire a student will need different information and support.  

Researchers

The researchers can both be outsiders and insiders. From the outside they tend to be psychology or sociology students/professors that want insight in our world. And within the measure of safety and respect are given.

From the inside there are projects that help our members on the long term. From statistical research showing just how normal we are as a group and what needs might follow. From research and questionairies to what the community should offer its members. Down to research in how to keep blood fresher long for sanguinary vampires.

In short a lot of hard work is done to make sure our community improves and gets a lot smarter. 

Visitor

The humble or not so humble visitor. Not a vampire nor an outsider probing into our community for research reasons or Media Support.

But a visitor, that finds vampires really interesting and wants to learn more. Many come in, ask a few questions, and walk out. There are always visitors in the public groups. Always! Some are trolls and others become strong allies or at least have respect for the time and energy we spend offering insight.

Mental Support Providers

Though true mental support should be done by local organizations. A lot of vampires who have need to talk about things find the public community rather harsh. For them more semi private groups exist that offer a listening non-judging ear. Lead by those who have insight in mental issues.

I repeat, true mental support should come locally by professionals. But these Mental Support Providers are there to offer members of our society a step in between of being part of the Greater Vampire Community in a safer surrounding. And a step to getting professional help outside out community when and where needed. The mental support people have a deeper understanding of the issues, many times not directly connected to vampirism, that need specific ways to deal with. 

Technical Support

Where would we be without our websites, forums, discord servers and more. A lot less organized. Many of the groups employ someone not directly connected to the vampire community. You got a technical problem, ask ahead. Don’t come to them to complain about inter-vampire politics.

They earn a place here since they are the unsung heroes of keeping the technical side of our communities afloat.

So be nice to your webmaster, discord admin or the ones running the groups. Many times it can be a troubling job trying to fix whatever is broken again. And many of the leaders do not have the skills required for such. 

Multiple Roles

Many of us are more then one thing. So obviously we take multiple roles. Some of are both Researchers and Teachers, or Writers and Teachers. Or do Media Support and write. Many are overlapping. We grow and change, and find ourselves in different seats. The thing is, all of us have things to offer to the community. 

Co-operation

Co-operation is the key to success. Since none of us is everything on the list we need each other for our own specialties. And hence we need to work together. 

When multiple people gather together, it is inevitable that we pick the roles that fit us the best if we are allowed. Like anywhere else it is a lot of tiny gears spinning that make things work. And there is nothing wrong with knowing just what gear you are and just how you offer support to the community and its people. 

The Power of Community

The Power of Communities

Author: Masticina Akicta
Date: 7 December 2019

You are not alone

You are not alone, no matter what you have, what you have to deal with in life. No matter where you were born, how you grew up, what happened in your life. You are not alone! There are others like you, no matter you fate or what happened. There are others who have dealt or are dealing with the same.
The human species is a social species and you should understand there are others like you out there. Even if it is only recognition and being able to talk about things you can’t talk about to others…
It is natural to desire to get close to others that understand your situation. That go through the same. In our human society we tend to “tribe” up together with those that share certain things. Sociologists will tel you that we are still quite a tribal species. And that no matter with how many we live, we tend to draw to a limited group of people we call our tribe. No matter how big the city, how many thousands live in a small area. We always try to get together with equal minded.

The Power of Community

As pointed out, humans are social species. Even knowing that you are not alone can help you feel a lot better. And connecting with others like you and sharing your troubles and good times with them will make things much better.
Alone we can only do so much, deal with so much and all of us have weaknesses and strengths. It is when we work together, aid each other, offer hope an insight. That we can strive for more, many heads and hands make big events possible.
Being alone makes life a lot harder, that is obvious. Being with others can offer people who can help you up when you fail. That give you insight and teach you methods to make things work better. That help you cover up your weaker sides.
It also means that things you can’t do others might. And of course the same back to the other side. There is strength in being together and working together. Learning from the older members, gaining insight and at times just being able to talk to others like you.
But communities aren’t always the best, snakes live in bushes after all. Always remember to keep an eye on your own limitations and how far things should go. You being part of a community should not over-ride who YOU are and what YOU stand for.

Finding Communities

In the time of the Internet finding a community, website or group with a name is easy as it comes. There are discord groups, forums, or subforums on websites that deals with other things. But there is a sea of places out there and the quality differs. Some are created by experienced people, others by young ones. Some are very targeted others are a hangout everybody seems to be able to join. Some have a reason and a goal and others are there to connect with others. Like islands in a big sea we all seek our own island, places to belong and call home.
The old methods, knowing someone who knows someone else still is strong. Finding someone who knows more about the communities and how to be safe will be very useful. People who went before you that can tell you where you probably fit the best. Still, such can only be advice.
So the question for the ones leading a community should be what their main goal is, what they stand for and how to get there.
My suggestion is to find out quickly how the place is ran:
Are there actually appointed leaders or mentors?
Are there people you can talk to and that have an obvious sign for such?
Are the rules obvious and do the owners deal with the safety of the members?
How do the members talk and act among each other?
Are there friendly greeters around?
Is the community active around a time you are to?
What connections does the community seem to have?
What does the community offer?
Does it feel safe?
How does the community deal with troublesome members?

Finding your place

Communities aren’t all about what you can get out of it, but also about what you can offer such community. Now, don’t worry just because some members been there long and know their way around and how to do things doesn’t means you need to be as good as them. Learning things takes experience and time, and many years ago they were like you just entering the communities themselves, learned through good and bad experiences and finally settled. It can take a while before you find your own strength and just what you can offer back for what they had done for you. And nobody should feel required to give back… though communities do grow on participation.
So take your time, get to know the people, find out what is going on before you jump right into helping out.
And there is one thing that is always helpful, aiding other young fresh members into finding the right places to go. Sharing experiences.

Common Red Flags

Communities don’t just bring good, but sometimes also bad things. Some can be quite cult like. So lets go through a few, and far from all, Red Flags.
The Leader only talks to his/her direct underlings. Leaders can be quite busy, so talking to every member is very hard to do. And in big communities and with very busy leaders it can be very hard to ever see them. Still, a leader that doesn’t walks on the work-floor easily loses sight of things. You need active people available to chat with.
There seems to be some kind of war going on. Unsaid or said out loud… it seems that there are two or more different parties fighting. Do you want to be on a battlefield?
The Leader has special training to offer that has to be super secret and nobody can even know you get it.
People in power offer you aid, teachings and more… if you just join their little war.
There seems to be a cult of personality where one leader or very few can’t do wrong and are idolized.

Cult of Personality

A cult of Personality is a special case of hell. It is when one leader or very few share a cult like power and influence. What they do is perfect, their plans are awesome, their vision is godly, blah blah blah blah.
And they can offer the lesser people the road up to become almost as great as them. One suggestion… don’t drink the lemonade.
The best leaders are those that show some weaknesses and let others know how they can help them. The best leaders work together and are willing to share the blame and the gain. This means understand that each of them has strong and weak sides.
A cult of personality is a terrible thing… and falling into that hole will do horrible damage to you mentally long term. Just because someone seems to be able to have it all, do it all, and is awesome don’t think that such is the truth.
Actually how more perfect the person how more worried you should be.
A cult of personality isn’t just one flag, it is a whole wood full of it! Run!

Suggestions

The thing with communities is that every one is different. And if I post it on this blog the invite link might be disabled at a point. So, but VCN is a good place to start. It is quite central to the vampire community and even though locations like germany, africa and asia have their own central hubs. For many western European's and yes for many americans it is one of the great hubs. Even if it is used many times to find other hubs closer to you.
After all best is something local, if it is active and offers a lot.
I am part of Darkened Mirror, which has both a forum and a discord. In the seemingly harsh world of the vampire community. Where members are fighting like cats, it helps to have a place where support and insight is offered in a more softer warm way.

Vampire Beacon: What is it?

What is a vampire Beacon

Author: Masticina Akicta

Date: 9 October 2019

What is a Vampire Beacon

A vampire beacon is the energy a vampire sends out. As a vampire gets stronger in their realization and control over their gifts on an energy level they begin to “shine” like a light house in the darkness. Even a young vampire will have a faint beacon, faint enough that with some training another vampire might pick it up. But also faint enough that such isn’t always assured and faint enough so that not every energy worker picks it up.

It requires experience to know what a beacon is, how it feels and how it affects things.

How does it work

The energy of a vampire is different. And I am certain the same goes for witches, empaths and other energy users. Each person has their own energy signature, and vampires have a specific kind of energy signature to it. So an energy worker with enough training and/or experience should be able to pick up the “vampire” code. But to many they won’t pick it up. After all, what they don’t know they probably won’t pick up as easily. Unless it shines out as brazen as a lighthouse that is.

But it isn’t really that strong either, vampires will affect the world around them through their energy and the way they do things. And the vampiric beacon is specifically part of our energy kind. It exists in medsangs, sangs, psy vampires and more. It is the signature of a strong vampiric energy being. But also unawoken have a faint beacon, much like a firefly into the night. It is there but faint.

Why do vampires have it?

Anyone who works with energy is changed by it. Witches, Spiritworkers, Empaths… all of them carry some kind of signature. This post is all about the vampire one. It helps us identify each other. And that has many potential great things to offer. It is like a signature we can send out. A secret handshake. A “You belong to our secret club.”

It draws in energy sensitives and unawoken vampires. It leads those who are at the begin of their path to us. Even if they don’t understand it yet. The beacon, like a light house, draws people in. Seeking something even if they don’t know what they are seeking.

So it isn’t odd of a vampire ends up being asked by a stranger about things. Because, in ways we are not strangers. And, if your beacon begins to shine so bright you attract unawoken ones or just awoken ones. Be prepared, it is going to happen. Every big vampire we have out there once was a small little firefly. And as a small firefly gathers in power they will be noticed more easily.

To us, it is the secret handshake. The way we know by second nature that we deal with another vampire. And with that comes how we treat others. Some will be teachers willing to teach you. Others will notice you and maybe give you a hint or give you the space. And some might warn you to behave if you don’t.

Understand, we tend not to walk up to teach other, giving a handshake or a hug and welcome you to our family. After all, that is silly and crazy. What if you don’t know what you are and we invite you like that. Crazy I tell you! But our energy signatures can give little hints.

Will I become a beacon

Many years of growing into your own vampirism, learning the tricks, adjusting the energies your light will shine brighter. And yes one day maybe you find someone walk up to you with a question. Or you might notice a little firefly, feel a tang in the energy around you. And notice someone who seems rather hungry or out of balance. It might just happen.

But it isn’t something gotten in a year. No, it tends to take a long while growing into your own vampirism before you are steady enough to be even able to help others. And maybe become a teacher to them, or lead them to a community of equal kin. But the beacon lights slowly, and once its light strongly, hopefully you’ll know how to handle it.

Only time and experience and lead to the right use of such.

What is the Vampire Community

What is the Vampire Community
Author: Masticina Akicta
Date: 30 August 2019

What is the Vampire Community
Mos Eisley spaceport: You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. - Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi
I am not saying that the vampire community is wretched but, it definitely has it scum pits. So yeah, welcome to a whole new world. And yes sand gets everywhere!

The vampire community is one where you easily can find yourself into the court of egos. Of fighting cats, of people who are utterly against each other. And of media hording people good and bad. Of people taking sides and so on. But, also it is where we have teachers, places that are safe, where you can learn in relative safety and help the many things that can help a vampire learn the tricks safely. And yes feed safely to, very important to sanguinary vampires. So, as much as it seems as if this at times is Mos Eisley, it also is a little bit of a haven. You just gotta find your place.
The community also is split, there are disagreements and socio-political situations that have lead to different groups to exist. For instance South Africa has its own Vampire Community. The Americans seem to pick up a little bit of the European and Canadian slack. But there is also the Germans and before I even go further. There are a lot of players on this board. So let me just keep it simpel. When we talk about the VC, we talk about vampires, donors and supporters working together. But also VC can mean a local thing, like South Africa has its own VC. Which deals with South African vampires and their plights. Though in the core does the same, teach young vampires and offer certain level of support and information.


What does the Vampire Community Stands For
The VC, in the best case stands for teaching people, vampires and non vampires about vampirism. Offering support, insight and safe methods to feed. It has access to ways to find donors, deal with donors and offers many years of written materials and insights of older vampires. This obviously will help the young vampire, donors and supporters on the road. It also offers certain contact points for Media to contact us and talk about matters. For instance if they want to make a series for television and it won’t be the usual Media Hungry Crap. But actually wants to look deeper into the issue. Few vampires are out in public, for obvious reasons!
In the worst case it is cats fighting over little. Grudges hold for very long, different groups disagreeing with each other and a political push and pull.  You gotta take the good with the bad.

Drama
Oh this, drama, delightful drama. Yeah it happens. Big names, big egos. Sometimes a fight happens and sometimes things go to far and damage is done. It, is inevitable, vampires are a lot like cats. You can keep buying new cat trees, they will still fight over the same spot. And sometimes some really troubling stuff happens. Dangerous to young vampires to say the least.
What I want to say here is, judge someone on their actions and do not give full support or always believe someone. Drama happens, things flame up, damage is done, best to stay out of it while you are young. Hell if you are older you probably can smell the Bovine Excrement from miles away. And know not to get close! Many times it is just Fireworks, yet another fight, yet another night. At times it is a real life soap.


That Sounds Dangerous
Maybe, but there is also a lot of good. There are places where one can learn about vampirism. How one can feed safe and with consent, how to find donors. You can hook up with the right people to help you on the way and things can get running just fine. They can offer you classes, a social cohesion and a home within the strange world of real vampirism.
Also, you might find friends there, a listening ear that understands what you are going through.
It is just that there are also very strong minded people who might come out a bit sharp. It happens in every community. So finding the right people can help you a lot. Staying out of trouble can help you a lot. Not jumping directly into a drama storm is suggestible. Even though as young vampire I did that. But, you get older and hopefully a bit smarter.

Tips
Take your time.
Read and learn as much as you can.
Take nothing you are given as 100% truth, do your own research too.
Don’t let yourself be swindled in supporting a side of a war you don’t even know what the stakes are in.

Copyright 2019 Masticina Akicta

Recognition, Acceptance and Research(RAwR)

Recognition, Acceptance and Research(RAwR)
Author: Masticina Akicta
Original Date of Publishing: June 2018

To become better one has to understand what they are. A simple basic reality. So the first step in our ways to improve is to RECOGNIZE what and who we are. Until we recognize who or what we are we can’t really make any decisions or adaptations. Many members might remember, or try to forget, how they were are young fledgeling, sorry to use a term like that. But ones who found out what they are tend to make odd choices. We all been there!

Recognize
To recognize can be by meeting others who are like you. Or by finding information about certain things that make you think very deeply. Linking the connection between YOU and IT. And no matter what it is that moment or recognition is a spark that will either shadow your life or change your life. Not only you but also someone else might recognize it, you might meet someone that slides you a hint. Or asks you certain questions that make you think. One that seems to know more, or has answers to questions that you have. That seems to be ahead of you. What if they truly knew more! If you took a moment to sit back.. Would you begin to put together the puzzle pieces? That is up to you!

Acceptance
The Second step is to accept it, to truly adjust and learn one has to accept many things about themselves. If one recognizes something but doesn’t accept these they force it deep into their shadow. By denying your nature it will only grow stronger and fight you. And if you cage the beast, pardon that expression, it will one day break out and it will be terrible. The first step to make our lives better should be to recognize what we are and make smart choices. And before you ask, many tried, and failed to fight it. Best is to work with it, but that is a whole other topic.
In live we have to accept good things about ourselves and bad things. And sometimes things that look bad don’t have to be. It all depends on how you look at life. Everybody after all has a shadow, things they don’t like about themselves or things that society might not have the best idea off. Yet the trick is know yourself and adjust how you life. Just simple advice here, yet it takes years to fully understand what it means. KNOW YOURSELF!

Research
The third step is simple, Research! Indeed Research, once you feel that twinge, and feel a connection you can dive deep into matters and read up, connect to others within said communities. And begin your path of growth. Finding the resources and connecting with others who might have the information you require. See meeting others!
 First year(s) will be a bit rough, so much to learn and to adjust to. But in the end by accepting who and what you are and learning how to deal with it. You can truly become yourself. Expect many forks in the roads, paths walked that proof wrong and bad choices. Such is the way we learn and walk.

Meeting Others
You are usually not alone in whatever you are. Funny how that goes, and you can find communities, many online and if you look deep enough offline. Where in relative privacy we can talk about many issues and find solutions. Definitely in some communities it is a strong aid to be connected. Some communities, like the vampire community, have laid out networks of information, support and places where you safely can chat with others who understand. And that is a very important step into your future years.
You can share experiences, learn what probably works, find people like you and feel better about yourself. Find out that whatever troubles you is shared and hence you might just make friends for life. What more can you hope for?

What can the Community Do?
When meeting the community prepare to not only deal with those steps yourself but also see them in others. It isn’t only YOU that have to deal with them. But also it is happening to others. So if you see someone in the stage of asking questions ask yourself, “Is this person Kin? Are the questions pointing that they are waking up and beginning to seek help?” You can aid others just as once others might have aided you. By guiding to the right information, offering advice and most important listening even if they are still unstable. Those who don’t yet know their path might have many questions and try many things. We should be open to listen to them and even though we can’t offer direct support at times, we can offer advice and an open ear.
We all are different yet share certain common things and it is us listening and giving advice where needed that can steer a young kin not to make the mistakes we have made in the past. Though remember, we are not all equal and advice that works for you doesn’t always works for others. Be sparingly with it and smart, let them find things out on their own terms. Yet like a child, don’t just let them fall into the shark tank either. If one always is stopped from making mistakes they never learn, yet one wants to keep them alive right? Not to mention even if our paths look rather equal they still can be different.
But overall be patient, young ones tend to make stupid mistakes, we all did, some of us still do. Making humans is mista, I mean making mistakes is human. Lead them well, give them room to grow, room to make mistakes but try to have a bit of patience. There are some good kids out there that are misunderstood. A little bit of love and support can go a long way.

- Masticina Akicta