Vampyrism offers a spiritual path of acceptance of our most primal desires and emotions. As children we are born with an understanding of our most basic needs.
Time and society teach us that this self-centeredness is evil and to be denied. As vampyres, we embrace those physical and sexual urges and seek to channel their expression in an acceptable manner. We are not ashamed and do not deny that which we are - human creatures, filled with positive and negative energies and abilities. Our path allows us to control our passions while still giving an outlet for their power. We hunger for experience and communion with others like ourselves. Physical, sexual and/ or spiritual (pranic) feeding allows us to embrace our needs and fulfill them.
House DarkHaven embraces the duality of all nature.
Light and dark, physical and spiritual, pleasure and pain- all exist in balance to create our world. The ultimate dichotomy of life and death figures heavily in the vampyre mystique. The physical body may in fact age and decay away, but the vampyre recognizes the permanence of the spirit. By enjoying the pleasures and passions of the flesh while maintaining a sense of impermanence of the body , the vampyre enters a type of immortality, known as undeath. Hunger is recognized, sated and even celebrated but never mistaken for ultimate reality. Many vampyres believe in reincarnation, emphasizing the passage of the spirit from one body to another in a journey of undead experience. Even ghosts, angels, demons and other spiritual beings are known to connect to the physical world on occasion.
Embracing duality requires balance and control. House DarkHaven follows many of the teachings of newer vampire houses while retaining our own tenets and principles. To exist as a vampyre in today's culture means living in the twilight, balancing darkness and light in harmony. We offer the paths of Concubine, Warrior and Oracle for those in our inner circle, as well as that of Swan and initiate for those in our outer circle. Although no vampyre house is identical to any other in its rules and hierarchies, we do adhere in general to the Black Veil . Our family structure reflects the rites and tenets of past and current like-minded Houses.
HOUSE DARKHAVEN TENANTS
We maintain strict formality in appearance and etiquette. Modern society has lost the sense of reverence, wonder and anticipation that comes with established standards and rituals. The fanciest restaurants and major corporations allow jeans and T-shirts; churches eschew dress codes and promote "contemporary" services.
House DarkHaven requires all memebers to wear Victorian/Gothic/Fetish or similar garb when attending gatherings and rituals. Meticulous attention to dress and personal grooming provides the proper mindset nessessary for vampyre ceremonies. The body is to be celebrated and ornamented for its gifts of passion and life energy (blood).
To practice vampyrism requires the utmost discretion. Vampires are associated with Halloween monsters and horror films, not individuals choosing an alternative spiritual path. House DarkHaven requires a complete division of dayside and nightside in order to maintain secrecy. Each member has a nightside name to be used exclusively at family gatherings. Dayside names and issues are not to be discussed at House functions, nor are nightside identities to be shared with dayside associates. This is for the protection of our House as well as the dayside families of those members who have chosen to keep their night sides secret.
Respect for authority and accomplishment is expected from all House members and affiliates. The formalized structure of the vampyre house allows for an orderly channeling of the diverse powers and passions of members. Prevention of chaos in the darkness comes from strict enforcement of this hierarchy. Each level offers increased liberties and responsibilities the demonstration of vampyric nature. Violations are dealt with harshly; obedience is rewarded accordingly. Democracy has no place in our night side world, this is not to say that democracy between families is not to be expected.
The patriarch holds absolute control and wields it for the benefit and protection of his family.
