For many centuries, members of society have regaled each other with tales of vampires and werewolves, shape shifters, dragons, and a long list of numerous other “mythical creatures.” I do not think I need to inform you that witches have never been included in that category, as our history blatantly spells out with the decades of witch burnings, not the least of which were the Salem Witch Trials. But, the big question buzzing around our modern culture is one of the most mysterious: Do vampires REALLY exist?

We have had a sudden explosion of vampire movies, books, and TV shows demonstrating our sudden, intense interest in the vampiric culture. We have many new takes on the old legends, like what happens to them when they are exposed to sunlight and ways to kill them. We have even seen races of offspring that vamps and humans would produce, and also a distinction between “living” vampires who only feed in small portions and age similarly to humans and “undead,” evil creatures who match the old ideals of these “demons” who kill to feed and feed to kill. Every corner we turn, we find a new spin on vampirism, and each angle is designed to make these once purely evil beings more enticing and appealing, even lovable.

Goths are considered to be our modern vampires. That is a stereotype. While many of us have the pale skin, wear dark clothes and/or makeup, listen to rock and metal music and have a strong fascination with the culture and lifestyle, many also either have no interest whatsoever in vampires, or they border on an obsession and basically play make-believe. That’s not to insinuate that vampires in some form do not exist, but I will get to that shortly. The point for the moment is that gothic and vampire cultures should not be intertwined as one and the same.

Now, to the point of this whole jumble of words: Do vampires REALLY exist? And if so, how does a person “be” one in today’s society? Answer number one: NO ONE knows for sure. Movies depict vampire societies as secret, hidden from humans and dangerous in one form or another to any humans who stumble upon the creatures of the night. Many musicians are writing song lyrics that sound as if they have secret messages to, from, or regarding vampires. And authors are using combinations of legends and their respective imaginations to create their own versions of these mysterious beings.

Let me ask you a question: How often do we hear a fictitious story that is not based on some grain of truth? If the tale exists, it is because someone saw, or experienced, something at least remotely similar to a legend or fictional story that resulted of that person’s encounter. Nothing is impossible, right? Answer number two: Whatever you do, vampire or otherwise, do NOT go out attacking even homeless people or ex convicts, ripping out their throats and draining their blood. Even IF you ARE a vampire, you are not exempt from the law and doing so would not be wise, even IF they are bad people. Trust me, in this vamp infatuated age, you can find more than enough willing volunteers practically swooning to be your feeders! However, this is also not wise OR encouraged in any way unless you know these people; there ARE plenty of viruses out there and none of them will give you pretty, shiny fangs and immortality.

Also, I would suggest that you continue to keep your identity hidden, unless drooling, mindless groupies are your thing, or you love confrontations with religious fanatics. I’d really hate to see an epidemic of “Vampire Burnings,” because I myself am a… rather big vamp fan. And, one more thing: Don’t TRY to be a vampire. You either are, or you aren’t, and you will know if you are. IF vampires exist, that is…