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Since a number of years now, vampires who show traits which are not fully
classified as sang or psi exclusively are described as hybrids. This definition
has established itself fairly much and has reached a general acceptance.
In the first place, a hybrid classifies a vampire who has the ability
to both feed on pranic energy and blood. However, other kinds of hybrids
have been discussed, therianthrophe-vampire hybrids, for example.
Defining the hybrid
Let us look into the definition of the term “hybrid” itself.
The word “hybrid” has its root in the ancient Greek language.
The original word “hybrida” means “combined”, “crossed”
or “bundled”. As a technical term, it means that two different
things are combined in order to serve a specific goal, for example hybrid
vehicles using different sources of fuel. In biology, a hybrid is a
cross-breed creature that has been artificially bred out of species
that normally do not mix. Usually, such creatures are unable to mate
any further and hence do not generate their own offspring.
Applying the term in a vampiric context
In order to define a vampire as a “hybrid”, there are certain
preconditions that would need to be fulfilled.
First of all, a vampire would need to be a genetically distinguishable
species with traits that can be inherited. While especially in sanguine
families, over the last years it has been observed that there are family
histories of blood thirst, this is far from being scientifically proven.
In fact, we live with the definitions as “sangs” and “psis”
very well, but we all know that this definition basically explains our
different feeding methods and certain secondary symptoms, however without
creating a genetically defined species itself.
One of our main problems as vampires is: there is no test which you
can apply in order to find out whether you are a vampire or not, no
matter if sang or psi. There is a variety of conditions that - if they
are combined - suggests that we are on the right track. But we have
no final evidence. This makes it very hard for young awakening vampires
to finally admit into their nature. It makes it hard for older vampires
to help the younger ones to find their way in this life. Everybody who
defines himself as a vampire has come to terms with himself at some
point of time. And the vampiric community agrees to it when this person
shows the common traits that most of them develop.
Let us, assume for a moment that the traits vampires share were precise
enough to define a tangible entity. Let us assume the primary traits
were a necessary precondition in order to define for example a Sanguinarian,
same goes for the secondary symptoms. Then we had a clearly labelled
Sanguinarian, which is as close as we can get to a species as we can,
for now.
The problem we now encounter is the point where tertiary traits show
up. We know of people who define themselves as Sanguinarian but report
that they are able to feed on energy. We know of Sanguinarians who have
observable animal traits like theriantrophes. We know therianthrophes
who feed on blood, others simply don’t.
This is where it becomes complicated. Let’s create some examples
based on our clearly defined Sanguinarian.
Human hybrids
The need for blood itself can have several reasons. Not only vampires
consume blood, but also blood fetishists, for instance, do it. They
do not hunger for it, but they like it, enjoy it, lust for it on an
emotional or sexual level. This does, however, not make them a Sanguinarian-Human
hybrid. Also, this does not make them a Dhampir, for instance. An emotional
lust for blood is not comparable to the physical blood thirst since
it causes different reactions. In this example, already the first prerequisite
for defining a Sanguinarian does not exist, which would be the primary
trait of physical blood lust. Therefore, the blood fetishist and the
Sanguinarian have no common ground which makes them possible mates for
hybridization.
Therianthrophic hybrids
Fiction suggests that vampires and therianthrophes are on the same
level of being distinctive species. Our definitions of vampirism suggest
that Sanguinarians and Psi-Vampires would subsequently be subspecies
of the species vampire. In real life, things are frankly not as easily
defined.
Not every therianthrophe reportedly consumes blood. Many, however,
do. It is primarily their animalistic nature which defines them, the
traits of animal and man combined in one creature. Therefore, therianthrophes
and vampires lack the common ground of a defined need for blood or energy.
This does not exclude the possibility of a therianthrophe developing
Sanguine or Psi traits, or a Sanguinarian developing animalistic traits,
as reality has shown. It just gives us no common ground to classify
a Sanguinarian therianthrophe as a hybrid in the classical sense of
the word.
Vampiric hybrids
It gets even more difficult when we apply the same analysis process
to the existing common ground of Sanguinarians and Psi-Vampires. Here
we have a clearly defined common need which goes beyond the average
and which may manifest in physical consequences. The problem is, however,
we are not yet that far to define this need clearly enough to say where
it is rooted. We have no scientific evidence of the body of a Sanguinarian
lacking certain components which can be drawn out of the physical blood.
There is no hard scientific evidence either that pranic energy can be
drawn out of the blood or the human body as a full entity. This makes
the feeding observable, however not fully evident. We do it, we watch
others do it, but we have no scientific formula that defines action
and reaction.
When we now take a person that defines himself as Sanguinarian but
reports to be able to use pranic energy to feed on as well, this could
mean several things. Possibly, this person has developed psychic abilities
and uses pranic energy from other human beings, but does not really
“feed” on it. Maybe he utilizes it for energy work or magic,
but to him, it feels like feeding. Maybe this person is a Psi-Vamp by
nature but has been stuck with blood as their primary feeding source
and only detected the nourishing value of pure pranic energy later in
their life, yet prefers blood for the taste, or feeling. Such and many
other possibilities could be the reason. We simply don’t know.
Mixing preconditions and subsequent traits
As soon as we define a number of traits to be elemental in distinguishing
whether somebody is Sanguinarian, Psi-Vampire or any other kind of entity,
necessarily anyone, who does not share these prerequisites, does not
belong into the same group. This is why primary symptoms exist in our
language. These preconditions, however, are absolutely necessary to
start off somewhere. We cannot create a definition that caters to everybody’s
needs. If we did this, then everyone who desperately wants to believe
that he is a vampire would be a vampire. We have long agreed that this
is not the way to go, since it disables us of efficient support for
those who need our help.
As soon as we have defined primary and secondary traits, we are able
to describe someone that fits into our definition of a vampire. There
are, however, always those, who are different. Varieties in terms of
secondary symptoms are widely accepted. Not everyone who twoofs develops
a migraine. Many do. Others show other physical reactions. A vast majority
shares certain basic symptoms when twoofing. This makes the phenomenon
tangible and allows us to find solutions, coping strategies to give
support.
However, we have emphasized in the past that secondary symptoms are
just that, secondary. When a normal human being develops a migraine
and a weakness, this does not make him a vampire. A vampire who develops
the same symptoms knows the reasons for the symptom are based in primary
traits, which is: blood thirst being unsatisfied.
Tertiary traits are cans, no musts. They are observed on occasion,
but they are by no means shared by a vast majority. Therefore, they
are something like a wildcard which is worth continuing research on,
but no feature that distinguishes a species or a cross-breed between
suggested species. In this sense, the ability of a Sanguinarian to utilize
pranic energy does not make him a hybrid. The appearance of animalistic
traits in a Sanguinarian does not make him a hybrid. The same argumentation
may be applied for Psi-Vampire hybrids and Therianthrophe hybrids equally.
My conclusions
My experience has been that all the mentioned groups of creatures,
Therianthrophes, Sanguinarians and Psi-Vampires, and also any not yet
precisely defined additional creature, have certain traits in common
which are however not exclusively limited to any of them. Therianthrophes
may learn energy wielding and magic just like Sanguinarians and Psi-Vamps
do. Sanguinarians and Psi-Vampires may develop animalistic traits. Psi-Vampires
may utilize blood as a source for pranic energy. It is, however, their
primary traits that determine what they are. It does not limit them
to their symptoms, which is why there are such things as secondary and
tertiary features.
Therefore, I suggest that we look into these tertiary traits in a similar
way as we look into behaviourism. Sometimes, we develop traits, interests
and manners which are not necessarily suggested by our genetic code,
but which we learn from the extended contact with other beings or by
evolution. We do not yet understand the mechanics behind this phenomenon.
It can be reasonably assumed that all these traits and phenomena have
a certain common base. It is also reasonable to assume that we grow
up with these traits and develop them due to our nature rather than
learn them from other individuals. How this nature really works, this
is yet something to find out.
~Sasha (c) 2010
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