"Gothic" refers to a lifestyle which blends modern and historic elements of darkness and power. Goths often love the color black, also other dark and powerful colors like purple, blue, and burgundy. A Goth dressed as a Goth is pretty hard to miss; the outfit may hark back to Victorian or even Dark Age garb, with white lace and black scarlet-lined cloak, or it may draw on modern times with leather, more lace, chains, and sharp spiky studded collars or wristbands which is more akin to the "Punk" scene.

There are a number of Gothic clubs, bars, and other gathering places, mostly in large cities; and there are some Gothic events such as conventions and other gatherings. While many Goths cherish their solitude and love to haunt lonely places, most of them do enjoy the company of other Goths and similar like-minded people.

Goths may frequent cemeteries, read horror stories (one subgenre of which is even called "gothic" horror) especially the classics like Marry Shelley's "Frankenstein", tell ghost stories, have a keen interest in the processes of death or decay, study psychology (especially criminal psychology), enjoy the sight or taste of blood, appreciate old architecture including mausoleums and cathedrals, delight in reminding people that everyone has a dark side, consider rain and fog "beautiful weather" and avoid the sun, live a nocturnal life as much as possible, appreciate wild places, see social game rules as arbitrary and sometimes ludicrous constructs, collect death symbols (especially merry macabre ones like dancing skeletons), read mythology about death deities, struggle openly (as opposed to secretly) with powerful desires, believe in confronting rather than avoiding fears and challenges, and generally find appeal in things that most folks consider somber and unattractive, even disgusting.

There are many more markers of this type, as there are for any culture, and most individuals have some subset of these rather than all of them. In fact I doubt that anybody has them all, and of course this is just a partial list. Some people have a sizable subset of these markers without necessarily identifying as Gothic, although they may follow a similar path.

Some Goths may find the idea of being a "Vampire", or being bitten by a vampire, appealing. Many value the concept for its dynamic potential, for in much of the best literature the vampire is a creature striving to maintain its humanity against dark and powerful urges. The vampire becomes a symbol of struggle, transformation, freedom, desire, passion, and power. It also ties in with the ancient feminine blood mysteries. In some ways, for instance, role- playing a vampire can teach a person a lot more about what it means to be human. Vicarious experience is still a great way to learn ... and a lot less dangerous than some of the other options.

Not all Goths however are interested in vampirism, though many are; and not all Vampire mavins are Goths. Given the similarity of content (i.e. the fascination with darkness, desires, power, and forcing people to deal with things they'd rather ignore, like death) it is no surprise that these two sub-cultures overlap. Yes, some modern "vampires" really do drink blood, and believe it or not a lot of them are ethical and they have no shortage of eager "donors" who derive some pleasure or other desired experience from this. Suffice it to say that this, like most activities, can be done well or badly depending on the participants.

(Now on to "Gothic Wytche"....~Monsieur Macabre~).

Gothic Paganism or Wytchecraft is a relatively new path arising from the overlap between the Gothic and Neo-Pagan cultures. Some Goths have discovered Neo-Paganism, and some Pagans have discovered Gothdom, and from this has sprung a fresh tradition which incorporates both ancient and modern motifs. A sizable number of Gothic Pagans or Wytches have come to their path because they got sick of the predominant attitude rambant in the general Pagan, Wiccan, and New Age communities that Dark equated Evil. Gothic Wytches often encounter stiff resistance from the rest of the Wiccan and Neo-Pagan community and sometimes even among other so called "Goths".

So much like the Fundie Xtians, many Wiccans and Neo-Pagans have come to believe that the world is all sweetness and light. They hate being confronted with "darker" powers and passions, with the inevitability of death, with the wild and the untamed side of nature and life. They don't like to admitt that we all posses a darker side to our nature, and they desperately wish to pretend that it doesn't exist. But darkness is not Evil. Ignorance is Evil! And by confronting our deepest selves, we can draw on our inner strengths.

Gothic Wytchecraft spans quite a variety of disciplines. Followers may choose their Deities from almost any pantheon, given that they usually gravitate towards those with darker aspects. Popular Animal Totems in this tradition include anything commonly maligned and feared, such as the Bat, Scorpion, or Wolf. For those with an interest in herbalism, favorites are powerful beneficial plants which turn deadly if misused: Belladonna, Foxglove, Mistletoe, etc. Some Gothic Wytches practice Ceremonial Magick, often of a Thelemic, Chaos, or Classical Wytchecraft style. A few follow a more Satanic or Luciferian nature of Magick.

Gothdom and Gothic Wytchecraft are about self-exploration and self-expression. These people understand that the Dark is simply the natural complement of the Light, and not necessarily bad or evil, but offering its own wisdom and benefits. Denying strong emotions like rage or fear does not banish them; only confronting them can and repressing them just causes bigger trouble later on. By working with our "Shadow Selves", we Gothic Wytches learn acceptance and control, and gain mastery over our own power. We each must take responsibility for our own actions.....including the consequences thereof.

Gothic Wytches wish only to explore more of whom and what we are, and by delving into the Darkness that most fear, we develop our strengths and character. Oftimes, we are willing to face a lot of ugliness and pain in order to do that. But we believe the rewards are well worth the eforts. One must pay heed to the voice one hears in their heart, and if it leads one into the Darkness, then one must trust that there is a valid lesson to be learned by such. In the end, we all must walk our own paths. No one can do so for us. For some, that path leads through the shadows that we eventually come to know as Kindred.

--"Gothic Paganism" [copyright 1998 Elizabeth Barrette, first posted to FIRE listserv, revised for web publication July 1998].

Thus, for us it's just "Halloween" all year long!

By "Gothic" Wytche and/or Warlock, for some of you the works of "Konstantine" probably will come to mind! Though his books "Nocturnal Witchcraft" and "The Gothic Grimoire" can be very good starting points for beginning your sojourn into "Gothic" Wytchecraft, personally I found he leaned a bit too "New Age Wiccan" in the presentation of his magickal exercises in these books! His other works like "Summoning Spirits" etc., that were more of a Ceremonial Magick bent, have impressed me much more!

*Note*: Queer in the original definition of the word as in "Unusual" or "Strange" not pertaining to Homosexuality as it's used today!
-- Monsieur Macabre~

Titled "Haunted When It Rain's", the 'Sleeping' People in this video are actually recently deceased loved one's. In Victorian times (and a bit later) it was common practice for families to take "Family photo's" with the recently deceased. It's very sad, yes...and kinda creepy...I know, yet for grieving families, it was a way to cope with their loss as well as remember. Oh, btw...please disregard the ending!! I think this was originaly intended to scare and/or creep people out!