StrigoiVii.org - Covenants of the Black Veil



Revised May, 22nd, 2008 Exhert from Sanguinomicon, 3rd Edition, The Scroll of Elorath - the Vampyre Prospectus. ...there are two types of laws; just and unjust. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws...a just law is a code [that] squares with the moral law...rooted in eternal law and natural law. - From Letter from Birmingham City Jail by Dr. Martin Luther King The Covenants known as the Black Veil are the foundation the Strigoi Vii Mysteries. It has been the source of Our ethics and power, Our sword, and Our shield. It exists for the preservation and prosperity of Our Mysteries, Family, and the Sanguinarium, and is endorsed by the Synod. Those who are not initiated into Strigoi Vii are not expected to uphold these tenets as they are not bound by them. However, We of the Strigoi Vii encourage even those who are not of The Family to recognize and respect the common sense inherent in the Black Veil. These simple guidelines provide Us with the freedom to maneuver unhindered through the mundane world. This is the ONLY edition of the Veil endorsed by the Ordo Strigoi Vii and is specifically designed for The Family and the Sanguinarium. Previous editions are of high merit; however, they have not fully captured or expressed in words how to avoid potential liabilities of the tangible Dayside realities of the everyday world. These realities must be first addressed in order to ensure the security and prosperity of The Family. Those initiated to Strigoi Vii Who violate these Covenants of the Family may face temporary banishment, or even suffer excommunication from the Sanguinarium. In reality, such individuals are ultimately betraying themselves by giving up the opportunity to achieve Zhep'r through their actions. This is known as the Malediction of Elorath. We Strigoi Vii are socially responsible individuals, and the consequences of Our actions may have various, often negative, repercussions as We become more visible to the mundane world. Those Who proudly bear the Legacy Ankh close to Their hearts, be They Strigoi Vii or Black Swan, make the statement that They are in agreement with the Covenants of the Black Veil. These tenets are innate common sense for the responsible members of Our Family. The Black Veil gives us the freedom and foundation to be powerful by being proactive and preempting issues that may get in Our way. There are five Covenants of the Veil. The first three are absolute and unbreakable laws of the Blood. The last two are codes of ethics which, when respected and adhered to, serve to empower both the individual and the Family. I. Covenant of Mundane Law Strigoi Vii are not criminals. Adherence to the laws of Our local governments, even if We disagree with them, is essential to provide Us with the freedom to explore Our nature. Criminal or illegal behavior will not be tolerated amongst the Strigoi Vii. By this we do not refer to minor legal infractions such as parking violations. We are referring to serious crimes such as drug dealing, murder, rape, theft, etc. Strigoi Vii are free-spirited and individualistic. However, all are expected to act with common sense and to practice social responsibility. It is the duty of every Strigoi Vii to conduct Themselves in a manner that will not bring negative consequences upon the Family. II. Covenant of Responsibility Strigoi Vii is for adults only. We must honor the need for minors to establish a skeptical, objective, and rational Dayside foundation before exploring and embracing the Nightside. Those who have not reached the age of majority (eighteen in the United States) must not be permitted or encouraged to explore Our Mysteries, participate in Vampyre ritual, or enter Our Sanctums under any conditions. Thus no minor shall ever be involved in Strigoi Vii, either privately or publicly, until they come of age. Those children curious about Our Mysteries should explore yoga, quantum physics, theology, paganism, magick, reiki, martial arts, and the works of philosophers such as Darwin, Frederick Nietzsche, and Ayn Rand. This way they build a solid foundation that shall better prepare them to pursue Zhep'r upon coming of age. III: The Covenant of Blood Strigoi Vii are not drinkers of Corporeal blood. From the perspective of the Strigoi Vii, the Art of Vampyrism occurs purely on subtle energetic level. The word "Blood" with a capital letter B is merely a metaphorical term for the subtle vital life-force, better known as Prana in Hinduism, Chi in Chinese medicine, or Ki in Japanese martial arts. The term Sanguine symbolizes the spiritual current and blood (heritage) of The Family. To satisfy Our spiritual hunger We practice other, more subtle, forms of feeding which We find much more efficient and pertinent to Our Mysteries. On a Dayside level the decision not to drink blood leads to a clear avoidance of legal liabilities and health risks such as blood-borne diseases including Hepatitis, Syphilis, HIV/AIDS, and many more. IV: Covenant of the Current & Quest The Strigoi Vii have a unified cause - the Current and the Quest The Current is the "Blood" that is the signature of those of Our Family. The collective duty of all Strigoi Vii is the Quest. We must search out those with potential to Awaken, yet who are not aware of that potential in their Blood. However, We never force a potential to follow Our way, as Vampyres are not rebels or mindless followers. Potentials must be allowed to come to The Family in their own way and in their own time. Always use one of the proven tools to supporting the Quest as to not degrade Our Mysteries. Give the Seeker a hint, let them feel the Calling, and come when, and if, they are ready. Never support or join an organization or individual that actively opposes The Family or Our Quest. Never enter into debates with the mortal minded or try and convert them or see Our ways, as such behaviour is in conflict with the Glamour and a waste of time and energy. Betraying the Quest is not only betraying the Family. It is betraying yourself. V: The Covenant of Secrets The Strigoi Vii is an open secret, hidden in plain sight. Secrets both protect and bind Us. Our Mysteries are Our own and those who wish to explore them should seek them out alone, through personal initiative and action. As a sleight of hand magician would employ the principle of Òhidden in plain sight, so does the Living Vampyre. Here are three examples of the Black Veil Covenant of Secrets: Firstly, take example from the Synod. Honour your Sorors' and Fraters' right of privacy, such as in respect to Their mundane identity. Never disclose any personal information to anyone, especially to the mortal minded, but even to other Family members, without Their explicit permission. The only circumstance under which the Synod would disclose the given name and identity of any Strigoi Vii is if such information was required under the legal jurisdiction of the proper authorities. Secondly, public discussion of Strigoi Vii and the Mysteries outside of the Sanctums, such as with the media, on social networking websites, in public, or with those not of the Blood is an obvious violation of this Covenant. At all times speak only for yourself, and never represent the Family outside of the guidelines of the Quest without first consulting the Synod and gaining direct endorsement. Leave that to those select members of the Inner Circle who are properly trained in public relations. Supporting this Covenant furthers the Glamour and Our Mysteries. Finally, and most importantly, never share or discuss the Sanguinomicon with someone who has not read it and had the opportunity to reflect upon its contents. Respect free will, and let Seekers gain the first impression of the Mysteries and formulate their opinion on their own. The Black Veil is Our Covenant and applies only to the Strigoi Vii. Employ these proven Covenants and you will have a solid foundation for Zhep'r. Do not debate with others who disagree or cannot see the common sense outlined here. As they are not in agreement, simply smile and say We must agree to disagree, for free will is the whole of the law. RETURN TO MAIN © Copyright 1997-2008 Ordo Strigoi Vii (OSV).

Revised May, 22nd, 2008

Exhert from Sanguinomicon, 3rd Edition, The Scroll of Elorath - the Vampyre Prospectus.

...there are two types of laws; just and unjust. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws...a just law is a code [that] squares with the moral law...rooted in eternal law and natural law.
- From Letter from Birmingham City Jail by Dr. Martin Luther King

The Covenants known as the Black Veil are the foundation the Strigoi Vii Mysteries. It has been the source of Our ethics and power, Our sword, and Our shield. It exists for the preservation and prosperity of Our Mysteries, Family, and the Sanguinarium, and is endorsed by the Synod. Those who are not initiated into Strigoi Vii are not expected to uphold these tenets as they are not bound by them. However, We of the Strigoi Vii encourage even those who are not of The Family to recognize and respect the common sense inherent in the Black Veil. These simple guidelines provide Us with the freedom to maneuver unhindered through the mundane world.

This is the ONLY edition of the Veil endorsed by the Ordo Strigoi Vii and is specifically designed for The Family and the Sanguinarium. Previous editions are of high merit; however, they have not fully captured or expressed in words how to avoid potential liabilities of the tangible Dayside realities of the everyday world. These realities must be first addressed in order to ensure the security and prosperity of The Family. Those initiated to Strigoi Vii Who violate these Covenants of the Family may face temporary banishment, or even suffer excommunication from the Sanguinarium. In reality, such individuals are ultimately betraying themselves by giving up the opportunity to achieve Zhep'r through their actions. This is known as the Malediction of Elorath.

We Strigoi Vii are socially responsible individuals, and the consequences of Our actions may have various, often negative, repercussions as We become more visible to the mundane world. Those Who proudly bear the Legacy Ankh close to Their hearts, be They Strigoi Vii or Black Swan, make the statement that They are in agreement with the Covenants of the Black Veil. These tenets are innate common sense for the responsible members of Our Family. The Black Veil gives us the freedom and foundation to be powerful by being proactive and preempting issues that may get in Our way. There are five Covenants of the Veil. The first three are absolute and unbreakable laws of the Blood. The last two are codes of ethics which, when respected and adhered to, serve to empower both the individual and the Family.

I. Covenant of Mundane Law

Strigoi Vii are not criminals.

Adherence to the laws of Our local governments, even if We disagree with them, is essential to provide Us with the freedom to explore Our nature. Criminal or illegal behavior will not be tolerated amongst the Strigoi Vii. By this we do not refer to minor legal infractions such as parking violations. We are referring to serious crimes such as drug dealing, murder, rape, theft, etc. Strigoi Vii are free-spirited and individualistic. However, all are expected to act with common sense and to practice social responsibility. It is the duty of every Strigoi Vii to conduct Themselves in a manner that will not bring negative consequences upon the Family.

II. Covenant of Responsibility

Strigoi Vii is for adults only.

We must honor the need for minors to establish a skeptical, objective, and rational Dayside foundation before exploring and embracing the Nightside. Those who have not reached the age of majority (eighteen in the United States) must not be permitted or encouraged to explore Our Mysteries, participate in Vampyre ritual, or enter Our Sanctums under any conditions. Thus no minor shall ever be involved in Strigoi Vii, either privately or publicly, until they come of age.

Those children curious about Our Mysteries should explore yoga, quantum physics, theology, paganism, magick, reiki, martial arts, and the works of philosophers such as Darwin, Frederick Nietzsche, and Ayn Rand. This way they build a solid foundation that shall better prepare them to pursue Zhep'r upon coming of age.

III: The Covenant of Blood

Strigoi Vii are not drinkers of Corporeal blood.

From the perspective of the Strigoi Vii, the Art of Vampyrism occurs purely on subtle energetic level. The word "Blood" with a capital letter B is merely a metaphorical term for the subtle vital life-force, better known as Prana in Hinduism, Chi in Chinese medicine, or Ki in Japanese martial arts. The term Sanguine symbolizes the spiritual current and blood (heritage) of The Family.

To satisfy Our spiritual hunger We practice other, more subtle, forms of feeding which We find much more efficient and pertinent to Our Mysteries. On a Dayside level the decision not to drink blood leads to a clear avoidance of legal liabilities and health risks such as blood-borne diseases including Hepatitis, Syphilis, HIV/AIDS, and many more.

IV: Covenant of the Current & Quest

The Strigoi Vii have a unified cause - the Current and the Quest

The Current is the "Blood" that is the signature of those of Our Family. The collective duty of all Strigoi Vii is the Quest. We must search out those with potential to Awaken, yet who are not aware of that potential in their Blood. However, We never force a potential to follow Our way, as Vampyres are not rebels or mindless followers. Potentials must be allowed to come to The Family in their own way and in their own time.

Always use one of the proven tools to supporting the Quest as to not degrade Our Mysteries. Give the Seeker a hint, let them feel the Calling, and come when, and if, they are ready. Never support or join an organization or individual that actively opposes The Family or Our Quest. Never enter into debates with the mortal minded or try and convert them or see Our ways, as such behaviour is in conflict with the Glamour and a waste of time and energy. Betraying the Quest is not only betraying the Family. It is betraying yourself.

V: The Covenant of Secrets

The Strigoi Vii is an open secret, hidden in plain sight.

Secrets both protect and bind Us. Our Mysteries are Our own and those who wish to explore them should seek them out alone, through personal initiative and action. As a sleight of hand magician would employ the principle of Òhidden in plain sight, so does the Living Vampyre.

Here are three examples of the Black Veil Covenant of Secrets:

Firstly, take example from the Synod. Honour your Sorors' and Fraters' right of privacy, such as in respect to Their mundane identity. Never disclose any personal information to anyone, especially to the mortal minded, but even to other Family members, without Their explicit permission. The only circumstance under which the Synod would disclose the given name and identity of any Strigoi Vii is if such information was required under the legal jurisdiction of the proper authorities.

Secondly, public discussion of Strigoi Vii and the Mysteries outside of the Sanctums, such as with the media, on social networking websites, in public, or with those not of the Blood is an obvious violation of this Covenant. At all times speak only for yourself, and never represent the Family outside of the guidelines of the Quest without first consulting the Synod and gaining direct endorsement. Leave that to those select members of the Inner Circle who are properly trained in public relations. Supporting this Covenant furthers the Glamour and Our Mysteries.

Finally, and most importantly, never share or discuss the Sanguinomicon with someone who has not read it and had the opportunity to reflect upon its contents. Respect free will, and let Seekers gain the first impression of the Mysteries and formulate their opinion on their own.

The Black Veil is Our Covenant and applies only to the Strigoi Vii. Employ these proven Covenants and you will have a solid foundation for Zhep'r. Do not debate with others who disagree or cannot see the common sense outlined here. As they are not in agreement, simply smile and say We must agree to disagree, for free will is the whole of the law.

RETURN TO MAIN