There are a number of different kinds of focuses a Psi-Vampire can specifically make for themselves, that is useful to Psi-Vampires in particular.

The simplest and easiest to make or get are the three most functionally useful as well. Though maybe not the most powerful. I like to call the the Elemental focuses, because they can be used to augment a more complex Focus, or can be used by themselves. They are listed below:

	A tumbled but not too polished Amethyst stone: This will serve to protect you from not only other Psi-Vampires feeding from you, but also helps keep your energies in a state of protective readiness.
	A piece of copper: This acts like a magnifying glass when used in conjunction with your use of, and feeding methods with energies. Your powers will be more focused and quicker to manifest. As well as being able to feed with ease from a source. Copper is a good way for a new Vampire to discover their powers, and learn to make them manifest on command. [Note: Most pennies commonly in circulation are actually primarily made of zinc with only a copper coating. You probably should find something that's actually 100% copper if you're going to try this. ~Sphynx]
	A piece of silver: This tends to weaken or dampen the powers and feeding ability of a Psi-Vampire, this is useful to both old and new Vampires alike, to help them control the occasional outbursts of uncontrolled feeding, or keep your instincts in check. It can also be a weakness if used properly, A wound caused by anything with silver as part of it's makeup, (not alloys however) will take much longer to heal than usual. Or at least that is what I have found through experience.

(SphynxCat's Note: Your mileage may vary on the above three tips - they don't seem to matter one bit to me, either way...)

The next kind of focus, is what I like to call the specialized focus. It usually takes the form of an Amulet or small trinket which can be charged with certain qualities. There are a variety of uses for this kind of focuses, but each trinket or amulet or whatever, usually is only charged for one purpose or another. The two most common forms of This kind of focus are: The protective focus, and the feeding focus...

The protective focus usually requires it be made in part of Amethyst, and can be further augmented with either copper or silver as the purpose of the focus indicates. Copper will make it an active kind of focus, allowing you to magnify it's purpose when used. Where as Silver will make it a passive focus, which will not interfere with you or anyone else directly. Silver also makes it a protective focus to others in a way because it hinders you from harming others using any form of Psychic, or energy attack. This is best used by newly awakened Psi-Vampires, to keep there instinctual and subconscious feeding habits under control.

The feeding focus can take a number of forms, and does not require much more than a charging of energy to be used. All objects retain the energies of the event's and emotions that occur around them. These focuses act like either batteries, or fuel lines. The latter is usually made either partially,or wholly of copper and can take any form of carried object, like a necklace, or wrist band. It is simple and effective to use, and is best carried by Vampires who have trouble feeding for whatever reason. It is used to feed from specific people and things, I.e. you can't use it to feed communally from a group but if you choose to feed from one source, it will help establish a connection for your feeding.

The former type of focus, the battery type, can take any from and be made of anything... And is usually not carried on the person, except when being transported from one place to another. It can be of any size shape and characteristic. You could make a table lamp into this kind of focuses if you wanted to... But it usually requires a few alterations to work properly. The theory behind the Battery focus, is as stated above, All objects live or dead, retain the remains of the energies and events that passed. Which is one explanations behind a haunted dwelling, or poltergeist. Or why some things especially antiques seem to have a life of there own.

The best way for a beginner to make such a focus is as follows: For a collector Battery, one that just sits around and draws energy from people and things for you to feed on later, you must make it stationary, like a large stone or anything else that is not technically living, (you cannot for instance make fluffy your pet cat into a battery, but you can make her collar one). just drain it of what you can, just like if it was a person. Share some of your energy with it, and all the while concentrate on making it part of you. It is best if you somehow Create the object yourself or personalize it somehow, one such way would be to carve markings into it in any language you want, or even in gibberish. The important thing is that you are CREATING IT. Actually one of best ways to do this is to paint or draw a picture, pour your heart and soul into it, leave it someplace where it will be noticed, make sure to include markings on or hidden in it. Then wait, after a while people will have passed enough of there ambient energy on it, for you to feed from it. This is done as normal. An example of a good kind of this battery is the little glowing graphic below.

This particular example would be made of stone and the markings could be etched or engraved into it, or just plain old spray painted on.

The next kind of battery is the kind of like a personal battery... You can store up energy for a rainy day with one of these. It is usually small, and like the protective focus, it is best if made in the form of a necklace, or something easily carried. I like using my swords for this purpose, this way it has more than just a dual role. If I am practicing alone I can tap into the power in it so I can keep it up longer, but I also made it something of a collector focus as well, it may feed off of others during sparring, or when they are admiring it, or in a more darker role, a collective focus can tap into the release of energy during death or injury. Not that I have ever had the pleasure of using this focus in that way, but if one day I am caught out on a camping trip and set upon by Vampire hunters, well... you get the idea. In any event a personal battery focus is simple yet complex to make, because you have to learn how to put your energies into someone, or something else in order to make it work properly. The rest is simple, once you have charged the focus, you can make the energy available to you and only you at any time. The energy you put into it, should be protected like it was still inside of you, or it will be available for anyone else to feed upon, just feel the energy you place into harden like the energy in your personal shield. This energy will only respond to you afterwards if you have done this right.

A more broad category of focus, the charged focus, is something that uses your energies to perform some task. There are in infinite number of variations on this kind of focus, and they are much more difficult to make effectively. But the method for making these kinds of focuses, is not to dissimilar to making a magickal tool like those found in druidism or the qabala. Perhaps I will create a page in the future that will aid in making these Types of focus. But for now I think I have done enough.

In closing I would like to share a few tips on making and using focuses. Some focuses, like the elemental focuses are independent focuses, others like the battery, or protective focus, often require you to somehow use them consciously. In the end do what you feel is appropriate, I have found that there are very few rules when dealing with the supernatural, and the only reason I give rules here, is for the ease of grasping the concept for the first timers. I am well aware of better ways of doing some or all of what I have instructed here. But I have found these methods to be the easiest to teach as well as learn without actually having a class on it... Hmm online classes for stuff like this? I'll think about it, in the mean time keep looking for updates so forth and so on. Lastly, when making a focus, do not limit yourself to what I have written here, there a many other things and way to make focuses. Pick up a good book on stone magick or working. Find other minerals and materials that will really make your focus something special and specialized. Just go with the flow and you will be sure to make a focus that is best for you.

This article is presented as part of an ongoing effort to present other views outside of, as well as within, the online vampire community. Those of us who consider ourselves vampiric don't always look at things from the same viewpoint due to our life experiences. As such, the views and opinions contained in this article are entirely those of the author(s), and may not necessarily be shared by SphynxCatVP. The webmaster is not under obligation to update or otherwise keep current the contents of this article. Most importantly, only you can decide for yourself whether this article or any of the author(s) other views are useful or applicable to you - you are responsible for using your own reasoning and judgement, so judge wisely.

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