The Myth of the Apex Predator

In certain Left Hand occult paths of vampyrism one is encouraged to adopt the self image of the "apex predator". This predatory mindset is primarily built around the practice of feeding and is usually focused on the exploitation and domination of other people without their consent using a mystical philosophy to excuse unethical behavior. This exploitation is used to build individual power or to appease faceless “undead gods” in the quest for apotheosis and very often involves dehumanizing people in order to justify preying on them.

It’s not my place to dictate anyone’s ethics or morality but there are a few problems I see with this philosophy as it relates to a spiritual path, even a darker left hand spiritual path. This behavior reinforces dependency on the same people you regard as lesser and you create a prison of addiction for yourself, becoming a parasite. There is also the issue of there always being a bigger fish; if you go around taking from whomever you like you will eventually come across someone who is more skilled or more powerful than you are and the backlash could be unpleasant energetically or even socially. If you live by the sword you eventually die by the sword.

Aside from the energetic aspects, this mindset is psychologically dangerous. Exploiting people as prey creates a false sense of superiority. Any of us that have been around in the vampyre communities for a while have seen this and have possibly fallen into it ourselves. When someone discovers that they have the ability to feel empowered by feeding on others it becomes a kind of self-medicating for insecurity. One’s self-image becomes tied to how vampyric they are, and this is equated with feeding on others.

When relationships exist solely to prey on people they become shallow and people can tell when they are being used. People will eventually get tired of interacting with you and you will become isolated. Constantly manipulating people is mentally exhausting and it will drain you just as you drain them. Despite the personal narrative of being the superior apex predator you are still a human being and humans are social creatures. No one is an island and social isolation will eventually take a toll on your mental health.

On that note, unethical behavior is a fast track to being ostracized from the greater vampyre community. Word travels fast and once it’s known that you’re an unethical or manipulative person you will most likely be shunned by most groups or houses because they have their own people and reputations to protect. Associating with predatory people reinforces stigma and negative stereotypes about vampyres and the vampyre community. If your behavior extends into cult-like physical coercion it could even result in legal consequences.

A true predator is skillful, relying on discipline and honoring the prey. This is true for mundane hunting practices extending back into prehistory as well as metaphorical hunting in the context of vampyrism. The prey is how you survive and feed yourself and others. Your existence is entirely reliant on the food source and that deserves respect. Without the prey you starve. These same principles apply to consenting human donors as well. Anything else is parasitism: lazy, desperate, and destructive.

Even if you don’t believe in karma in a spiritual sense, what goes around eventually comes back around. When you exploit or abuse people you’re pulling yourself into a constant cycle of conflict and drama. Any observation of vampyre community drama will show that smear campaigns and retaliation are fairly common, sometimes justified and sometimes not. That kind of drama can end up making you a victim of your own questionable actions. What goes around comes back around.

With all of these reasons why you should not be an unethical “apex predator” out of the way I would like to offer an alternative: the vampyric path as one of discipline. The Vampyre is hunger and darkness, but the Vampyre is also transformation and evolution.

Feeding can be consensual with willing donors and this will make it more fulfilling because there are no walls to break down or barriers to overcome. There are no manipulations. What is taken is given freely. The predator/prey dynamic can still exist as a part of consensual ritual, energy work, or even kink play. This kind of relationship maintains respect for the donor and does not devolve into parasitism.

The honorable predator can be an archetype useful for mastering the self by turning the predatory gaze inward. Hunt your own illusions and delusions, hunt your own weaknesses. By hunting the worst aspects of yourself you break apart stagnation and continue the process of transformation and evolution. This is the true path of personal empowerment and it does not come at a cost to those around you but actually raises them up as well. We cannot help others until we help ourselves and if we have no intention of helping others then what even is the point of community?

Taking without consent makes one a parasite, not a predator. Hunger should teach discipline, not make one a thief. Getting lost in one’s own illusions of grandeur only increases stagnation. Becoming known as unethical and exploitative opens you up to wider negative consequences. Being ruled by your own darkness and hunger rather than integrating it makes you a slave to base impulses. If the Vampyre truly wishes to be a superior being it should seek to become something respected and admired, not loathed and derided.