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The Psychic Vampire Codex: A Manual of Magick and Energy Work
The Psychic Vampire Codex is the first book to examine the phenomenon and experience of vampirism completely from the vampire's perspecitive. It provides an inside view of modern Vampirism and an in-depth, insider take on the phenomenon of Psychic Vampirism. Psychic vampires are people that prey on the vital, human life energies of others and this is a cautionary guide for those looking to protect themselves from Vampires, and a compassionate guide for those who are Vampires - and maybe don't know it yet. Michelle Belanger gives a frank and honest account of what it's like to be a psychic vampire, an individual who feeds upon the vital energy of others. It is also an ethical guide to being a Vampire, offering answers, guidance, and support.
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2004
About the author
Michelle Belanger
65 books332 followersM. Belanger is a prolific author, performer, creator, and game designer. Since the 90s, you've seen their work through Marvel AR, the History Channel, Wizards of the Coast, Paizo, Onyx Path, Nox Arcana, Osbourne Media, Llewellyn Books, Crossed Crow, Titan, Tenebrous Press, and their own imprints. Belanger specializes in paranormal, Gothic, and atmospheric horror.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
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July 28, 2011Weiser is noted for it's high standards in publishing occult materials. This current work is about the phenomena of psychic vampires, people who can not produce their own personal energy so they have have to get it from other people by draining their auras or vital energy. They do this by sending out tendrils and drilling into the aura.
I have never seen an actual vampire but I do believe in the possibility of psychic vampires. Blood drinkers are not the same as psychic vampires and that is an important distinction. Michelle Belanger has gotten accolade from other pagan and occultists and she offers up some great information on energy work and healing. I pulled some useful stuff from this book.
Yet her credibility is strained when she says that her "Order of Khepuru" became psychic vampires way back when and were part of a big family. I just cannot buy into it. She has created her own paradigm of vampires. Warriors are tough shot who are strong well shielded and not prone to energy drains. Healer are in the middle prone to some energy deficits but their gift is taking in energy and recycling it and purifying it. They are also great healer. Priests are the weakest and they are connected to the spiritual deficits. I find the paradigm viable but we have to remember that this is her perception and there is nothing wrong with that.
The second half of the book deals with energy work. It has great techniques for grounding and and centering. The setting up of shields is very valuable as well. The explanation of tendrils and links and their impact on your future and future lives is interesting and shed light that once you are been victimized by a psychic vampire the links are still there. They may lessen in time./\ Yet the psychic vampire can exert a strong influence on their victim.
There are many orders of vampires that teach about ethical feeding and how to live life ethically that deals with their nature. If you want to find out about psychic vampires or if you are a vampire who has not yet awakened to their nature then this would be a great book to read.
For those doing magic energy work is the core. There is no magic without energy manipulation. At times I found this book rather difficult to get into. I give it 4 stars out of five
I have never seen an actual vampire but I do believe in the possibility of psychic vampires. Blood drinkers are not the same as psychic vampires and that is an important distinction. Michelle Belanger has gotten accolade from other pagan and occultists and she offers up some great information on energy work and healing. I pulled some useful stuff from this book.
Yet her credibility is strained when she says that her "Order of Khepuru" became psychic vampires way back when and were part of a big family. I just cannot buy into it. She has created her own paradigm of vampires. Warriors are tough shot who are strong well shielded and not prone to energy drains. Healer are in the middle prone to some energy deficits but their gift is taking in energy and recycling it and purifying it. They are also great healer. Priests are the weakest and they are connected to the spiritual deficits. I find the paradigm viable but we have to remember that this is her perception and there is nothing wrong with that.
The second half of the book deals with energy work. It has great techniques for grounding and and centering. The setting up of shields is very valuable as well. The explanation of tendrils and links and their impact on your future and future lives is interesting and shed light that once you are been victimized by a psychic vampire the links are still there. They may lessen in time./\ Yet the psychic vampire can exert a strong influence on their victim.
There are many orders of vampires that teach about ethical feeding and how to live life ethically that deals with their nature. If you want to find out about psychic vampires or if you are a vampire who has not yet awakened to their nature then this would be a great book to read.
For those doing magic energy work is the core. There is no magic without energy manipulation. At times I found this book rather difficult to get into. I give it 4 stars out of five
August 12, 2019
From my perspective, this book seems to be largely a rationalization and romanticization for living a parasitic lifestyle. Draining energy from other people doesn't sound so unpleasant when you portray yourself as a misunderstood member of an ancient mystical order of psychic vampires, complete with past lives and a "historical" caste system that appears to be entirely fictional. The author admits that psychic vampires have a tendency towards elitism, but it takes a special kind of narcissism to feel superior to those on whom you depend for life (unflatteringly termed the "unawakened").
That said, the second half of the book does contain some useful tips and exercises for practical energy work, including meditation, aura reading, healing, psychic self-defense, banishing, and so on. If you can get past the author's self-righteous attitude (which I couldn't, really) the rest of the book is not without value to students of the occult.
That said, the second half of the book does contain some useful tips and exercises for practical energy work, including meditation, aura reading, healing, psychic self-defense, banishing, and so on. If you can get past the author's self-righteous attitude (which I couldn't, really) the rest of the book is not without value to students of the occult.
January 11, 2011
Even though I don't follow this path myself, I was very impressed with this author. A very thoughful read.
March 24, 2015
I found it very sublime and thank you so much, Ms. Belanger! Hugs!
February 22, 2026
2026
Just finished reading the new edition, a lot seemed to escape me in the 2021 reading, but this is a really fleshed out book.
Full of exercises while still being fairly streamlined, informative AND grounded, when you’d think it’d be the opposite. Kind of like a psychic vampire manual.
The parts on what you may run into experientially when working with energy I found validating.
I do wish more witchcraft books were in this style of writing and even those on reiki could do with following suit. Abnormalities in the aura that aren’t strictly blockages being just one example for the latter.
Just finished reading the new edition, a lot seemed to escape me in the 2021 reading, but this is a really fleshed out book.
Full of exercises while still being fairly streamlined, informative AND grounded, when you’d think it’d be the opposite. Kind of like a psychic vampire manual.
The parts on what you may run into experientially when working with energy I found validating.
I do wish more witchcraft books were in this style of writing and even those on reiki could do with following suit. Abnormalities in the aura that aren’t strictly blockages being just one example for the latter.
June 8, 2016
Aaand this is the last book in my spree of "I gove up" books. I'm stopping on page 100. It's not that this book is bad persay, but ot does nothing to catch my interest and reading it is like pulling teeth. I need to pass this book on to someone who wants to read it, and find something I want to read.
April 22, 2017
I came across this book once when I was a teenager and thought it was a load of bullshit until I came across it again, bought a copy and read it. It was like an awakening for me when I started reading. It helped me understand some of the long time struggles I have had my entire life!
September 1, 2026
The Psychic Vampire Codex is a strange book for me to rate because the parts I found most valuable aren't necessarily the parts suggested by the title. I came away considerably more interested in Michelle Belanger's model of subtle energy than in the Kheprian system of psychic vampirism itself. Whatever you ultimately make of the vampire identity, Belanger clearly spent an enormous amount of time observing how energy feels, moves, attaches, transfers, and interacts between people. Once the book gets into those mechanics, there is some genuinely excellent material here.
Belanger's model of the subtle body was probably my favorite part. Energy isn't treated as one vague glowing substance surrounding everyone. There are structures, flows, connections, cords, exchanges, different ways of perceiving energy, and practical consequences to how people interact energetically. I particularly liked the repeated reminder that psychic perception translates subtle information through the individual perceiver. If I see something symbolically as a cord while another person experiences pressure, color, temperature, emotion, or simply a knowing, those may be different translations of similar information. That is an important principle in psychic development generally.
The material on feeding is fascinating even if you don't identify as a psychic vampire. Reading about deliberately drawing energy from another person forces you to examine energetic exchange much more closely than most introductory books ever do. People influence one another constantly through attention, emotion, touch, sexuality, conflict, intimacy, crowds, and interpersonal bonds. Belanger takes that idea into a very specific metaphysical framework, but the exercises made me think more carefully about what energetic exchange might actually feel like from both sides and how one could distinguish deliberate exchange from suggestion or ordinary emotional contagion.
I was also impressed by how seriously ethics and consent are treated. Given the subject, that is essential. Belanger distinguishes unconscious feeding from deliberate practice and repeatedly emphasizes responsibility for what one does with another person's energy. I found the material on shielding, grounding, cleansing, healing, energy manipulation, psychic self-defense, and subtle connections useful well beyond the vampire context. In fact, I can understand why people who have no interest whatsoever in identifying as vampires still recommend this as an energy-work manual.
Where the book loses a star for me is the degree of certainty surrounding some of the Kheprian metaphysics. Past lives, energetic deficiencies, awakening, specific structures within the subtle body, and the larger spiritual mythology surrounding psychic vampirism are sometimes presented more concretely than I am personally comfortable with. I am happy to work experimentally with an energetic model, but I want a distinction between “this is what practitioners consistently experience within this system” and “this is objectively how the invisible anatomy of a psychic vampire works.” Those are very different claims.
The identity component also interested me less than the practical material. There is a lot here about the vampire community, Kheprian terminology, awakening, recognition, and the spiritual framework surrounding what it means to be a psychic vampire. I understand why that material is central to the book and why it was especially important when the Codex first emerged from the vampire subculture, but I found myself moving through those sections primarily to reach the energy work. Readers specifically exploring psychic-vampire identity may have exactly the opposite experience.
What I respect most is that Belanger takes an experience usually framed as predatory and asks whether greater awareness can turn it into responsible practice. That is actually a sophisticated idea. If someone experiences themselves as chronically drawing energy from other people, condemning the experience doesn't teach them how to recognize it, regulate it, establish consent, or develop healthier ways of interacting. Whatever explanation one ultimately accepts for the phenomenon, increased self-awareness and ethical responsibility seem preferable to unconscious behavior.
The Psychic Vampire Codex left me with more questions than convictions, and I mean that positively. I am not persuaded that every part of the Kheprian cosmology should be understood literally, but I found Belanger's observations about subtle perception, energetic exchange, cords, shielding, feeding, and psychic sensitivity extremely thought-provoking. I would recommend it almost as readily to someone interested in advanced energy work as to someone curious about psychic vampirism. I may remain agnostic about the vampire, but I am paying much closer attention to the energy.
Belanger's model of the subtle body was probably my favorite part. Energy isn't treated as one vague glowing substance surrounding everyone. There are structures, flows, connections, cords, exchanges, different ways of perceiving energy, and practical consequences to how people interact energetically. I particularly liked the repeated reminder that psychic perception translates subtle information through the individual perceiver. If I see something symbolically as a cord while another person experiences pressure, color, temperature, emotion, or simply a knowing, those may be different translations of similar information. That is an important principle in psychic development generally.
The material on feeding is fascinating even if you don't identify as a psychic vampire. Reading about deliberately drawing energy from another person forces you to examine energetic exchange much more closely than most introductory books ever do. People influence one another constantly through attention, emotion, touch, sexuality, conflict, intimacy, crowds, and interpersonal bonds. Belanger takes that idea into a very specific metaphysical framework, but the exercises made me think more carefully about what energetic exchange might actually feel like from both sides and how one could distinguish deliberate exchange from suggestion or ordinary emotional contagion.
I was also impressed by how seriously ethics and consent are treated. Given the subject, that is essential. Belanger distinguishes unconscious feeding from deliberate practice and repeatedly emphasizes responsibility for what one does with another person's energy. I found the material on shielding, grounding, cleansing, healing, energy manipulation, psychic self-defense, and subtle connections useful well beyond the vampire context. In fact, I can understand why people who have no interest whatsoever in identifying as vampires still recommend this as an energy-work manual.
Where the book loses a star for me is the degree of certainty surrounding some of the Kheprian metaphysics. Past lives, energetic deficiencies, awakening, specific structures within the subtle body, and the larger spiritual mythology surrounding psychic vampirism are sometimes presented more concretely than I am personally comfortable with. I am happy to work experimentally with an energetic model, but I want a distinction between “this is what practitioners consistently experience within this system” and “this is objectively how the invisible anatomy of a psychic vampire works.” Those are very different claims.
The identity component also interested me less than the practical material. There is a lot here about the vampire community, Kheprian terminology, awakening, recognition, and the spiritual framework surrounding what it means to be a psychic vampire. I understand why that material is central to the book and why it was especially important when the Codex first emerged from the vampire subculture, but I found myself moving through those sections primarily to reach the energy work. Readers specifically exploring psychic-vampire identity may have exactly the opposite experience.
What I respect most is that Belanger takes an experience usually framed as predatory and asks whether greater awareness can turn it into responsible practice. That is actually a sophisticated idea. If someone experiences themselves as chronically drawing energy from other people, condemning the experience doesn't teach them how to recognize it, regulate it, establish consent, or develop healthier ways of interacting. Whatever explanation one ultimately accepts for the phenomenon, increased self-awareness and ethical responsibility seem preferable to unconscious behavior.
The Psychic Vampire Codex left me with more questions than convictions, and I mean that positively. I am not persuaded that every part of the Kheprian cosmology should be understood literally, but I found Belanger's observations about subtle perception, energetic exchange, cords, shielding, feeding, and psychic sensitivity extremely thought-provoking. I would recommend it almost as readily to someone interested in advanced energy work as to someone curious about psychic vampirism. I may remain agnostic about the vampire, but I am paying much closer attention to the energy.
August 16, 2026
This book kept surfacing in discussion so I gave it a go. It contains some great information and techniques for energy work and I'd definitely suggest it to anyone looking to give that a go.
I personally enjoyed part one with the history of the coming together of this book as it tickled a sort of wiring of me for nostalgia for the 90s alternative lifestyle and pagan scenes. The Codex (Part 2) starts off a bit dull as it is all sort of information that is specific to the coven or organization of psychic vampires the author founded, but it gets better once the techniques come in.
There is quite the emphasis on consent for energy work and a sort of "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility" caveats in the vampirism parts, which I suppose is something since psychic vampires are sort of pariahs for indulging in something not exactly appreciated by the greater occult body.
I personally enjoyed part one with the history of the coming together of this book as it tickled a sort of wiring of me for nostalgia for the 90s alternative lifestyle and pagan scenes. The Codex (Part 2) starts off a bit dull as it is all sort of information that is specific to the coven or organization of psychic vampires the author founded, but it gets better once the techniques come in.
There is quite the emphasis on consent for energy work and a sort of "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility" caveats in the vampirism parts, which I suppose is something since psychic vampires are sort of pariahs for indulging in something not exactly appreciated by the greater occult body.
February 4, 2026
It was informative, but probably mostly geared towards fledglings than experienced practitioners.
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April 14, 2026Don’t bother.
March 5, 2017
some interesting concepts but I couldn't get into the book. DNF
August 27, 2008
As I read the Codex, I am constantly amazed by the grand design of psychic vampirism. I was not aware of the methods of feeding nor the ethical and moral viewpoint of the vampire community. As I continue to delve deeper, I find more and more that relates to me on a more personal level. Although I am not sure that I would ideally fit into the Kheprian structure, I do feel a certain kinship with this particular House. Psychic Vampires are more often than not, misunderstood in society. Where it is true that vampires feed upon the life force of another, there are many different methods of feeding and in most cases it is the sharing of these energies that sates our hunger. This is most certainly a book that you would have to read for yourself to understand completely. However even then it may be too complex for some.
Psychic Vampires are very different from those of myth and old folklore. Whereas there are some who feel the need to sate their hunger with physical blood, they are greatly outnumbered by those of us who seek to feed upon energy rather than blood. For energy is the true life force.
***Update*** My dog ate my homework! No, seriously... I laid it on a shelf, the cat knocked it off and my dog literally ate the book. So, I am going to buy it again so that I can finish it.
Psychic Vampires are very different from those of myth and old folklore. Whereas there are some who feel the need to sate their hunger with physical blood, they are greatly outnumbered by those of us who seek to feed upon energy rather than blood. For energy is the true life force.
***Update*** My dog ate my homework! No, seriously... I laid it on a shelf, the cat knocked it off and my dog literally ate the book. So, I am going to buy it again so that I can finish it.
March 3, 2014
This was a wonderful guide for a beginner energy worker. It opened my eyes to so many parts of myself I consciously had no idea existed. I was pleased to see that even going in to it as a skeptic, by the end I had learned so much about myself, my relation to energy and how to manipulate it. It was also interesting to hear a lot of my beliefs written down for me word for word. Overall an excellent guide and an interesting read for the skeptic or the unawakened.
May 20, 2009
I agree that Belanger is pompous and maybe a bit of a media whore...But all and all this is a good book. It came out at a time where there was very little literature for otherkin let alone psychic vampires that wasn't "anti-parasite" For anyone that knows the information in this, the book might be a little long winded but it’s a great book for beginners.
April 12, 2010
This is a good book for any beginning energy worker - it shows you both sides of the spectrum in a way that many are too afraid to approach.
However, I disagree with many of Michelle's ideas and beliefs, so while the book is good, the underlying tones that she leaves you with are not to my tastes.
However, I disagree with many of Michelle's ideas and beliefs, so while the book is good, the underlying tones that she leaves you with are not to my tastes.
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February 28, 2014Stilted did not car for it kinda like torture, i read Shogun in less time and would prefer to read it again over reading a quarter of this book again.
i think more people put it on the shelf and say it is a good book than actually read it and think it is a good book it is a lot of speculation written in an authoritative tone. while we avoid actual knowledge.
D, ,
i think more people put it on the shelf and say it is a good book than actually read it and think it is a good book it is a lot of speculation written in an authoritative tone. while we avoid actual knowledge.
D, ,
January 31, 2012
I found this to ber a very well written and informative manual. It contained useful background information and helpful step by step exercises. i would recommend this book to anyone interested in energy work.
February 17, 2012
This book was an interesting read for an Anthropologist. It delves deep into a modern subculture of Vampire's or Vampyre's. It was a little dry for my tastes but very well rounded as it covers all bases!
January 20, 2008
I skimmed over most of the first part of the book (dealing with modern cultural history stuff) and went straight to the codex. It is the "energy work 101" manual that I refer back to now and again.
to-sort
September 24, 2008amazon.com
January 20, 2009
As shocking as it is to read something written by someone who believes they are a vampire, I have to say she makes a good case for it. This book fascinated me, and I keep opening it again and again.
November 14, 2010
While crazy and egotistical in places, it did have some valuable information. Can I give it both a 1 star and a four star?
November 22, 2010
Excellent resource. The chapters on working with energy are invaluable.
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February 11, 2011Great read for anyone who felt like they didn't belong in this world.
July 23, 2012
The initial chapters seemed self-aggrandizing, but the "meat and potatoes" really spoke to me.
November 17, 2013
Good material to help one learn what they may be
December 11, 2015
Interesting take on energy work. I've read a number of books by this author and find it interesting how she teaches some of the same concepts in different ways depending on the audience.
August 31, 2016
Best book I have ever read or seen on energy vampires.
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January 30, 2008An interesting read, not sure I buy into the premise of it. But interesting nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews