Michelle Belanger
Encyclopedia
Michelle Belanger is an American author, singer and prominent advocate of the vampire lifestyle
community, a self-described "psychic vampire", and an active speaker and commentator for those interested in vampires and vampirism. She has authored several books on vampirism, paranormal and occult research, has appeared in television documentaries about magic
and modern occultism, and formed a club or coven
for psychic vampires, called House Kheperu. Belanger has performed as a vocalist with Gothic music
bands, such as URN
and Nox Arcana
.
Belanger is also involved in BDSM
and polyamory
lifestyles. She is an advocate for alternative sexuality and kink (as well as safety and responsibility therein) and has spoken at scene events and conventions on topics such as erotic biting, knife play and erotic energy work. In her profiles for such events she notes she has worked as a fetish model and dominatrix
.
Born intersex
, Belanger had corrective surgery upon her birth. When referencing the event she says she prefers to use the term hermaphrodite
as she is fond of the poetic origins of the word.
and performed on URN's Desecrated Ashes (2003) and Dancing with the Demigods (2006). She also wrote the lyrics to several URN songs, "Esoterica's" and "The God Within." She also performed on Xyla's Esoterica (2007). Belanger performed as a guest vocalist on Nox Arcana
's Winter's Knight
(2005) which ranked #8 on the Billboard chart for Top Holiday Albums. She performed again with Nox Arcana as the lead vocalist on Blood of Angels (2006).
, released on the Monolith Graphics label in October 2006. Blood of Angels is the 6th album in the Nox Arcana discography, and their first full-length collaborative work. The album was recorded in just 5 days while Nox Arcana were simultaneously working on their 7th album, Blood of the Dragon
.
Unlike Nox Arcana's other releases, which are primarily instrumental with minimal narratives, these songs feature both lyrical and musical content on every track. Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski wrote and performed the music. Michelle Belanger wrote and performed the lyrics, which draw upon ancient Enochian
myths to tell a story about mythical Watcher Angels, who "abandoned Heaven for a taste of mortal love." According to the Enochian legend, the Watchers (also called Grigori
or "Fallen Angels") are celestial beings who were condemned to the earthly realm after uniting with mortals and sharing with them their mystical secrets. The theme of this album was the topic of the "Blood of Angels" discussion panel at Dragoncon in 2009.
The title track features a chant consisting of several angelic and demonic names from Christian mythology, as well as names from Jewish mythology and The Book of Enoch: Azazel
, Sariel
, Koshbiel
, and Shamsiel
, Ananel
, Sethiel
, Raziel
, and Zaquiel
.
Vampire lifestyle
The vampire lifestyle or vampire subculture is an alternative lifestyle, based on the modern perception of vampires in popular fiction. The vampire subculture has stemmed largely from the goth subculture, but also incorporates some elements of the sadomasochism subculture...
community, a self-described "psychic vampire", and an active speaker and commentator for those interested in vampires and vampirism. She has authored several books on vampirism, paranormal and occult research, has appeared in television documentaries about magic
Magic (paranormal)
Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical...
and modern occultism, and formed a club or coven
Coven
A coven or covan is a name used to describe a gathering of witches or in some cases vampires. Due to the word's association with witches, a gathering of Wiccans, followers of the witchcraft-based neopagan religion of Wicca, is also described as a coven....
for psychic vampires, called House Kheperu. Belanger has performed as a vocalist with Gothic music
Gothic rock
Gothic rock is a musical subgenre of post-punk and alternative rock that formed during the late 1970s. Gothic rock bands grew from the strong ties they had to the English punk rock and emerging post-punk scenes...
bands, such as URN
Urn (band)
Urn is a gothic / folk metal band based out of the Chicagoland area.-Members:Current membersDominic St. Charles - Lead Vocals, GuitarChristopher Lorton - GuitarJulian Umberger - Bass, Death and Backing Vocals...
and Nox Arcana
Nox Arcana
Nox Arcana is an American dark ambient musical group, formed in 2003 by Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski. Nox Arcana specializes in concept albums based on gothic fiction and classic horror literature. Such literary references include: H. P. Lovecraft, The Brothers Grimm, Ray Bradbury, and Edgar...
.
Belanger is also involved in BDSM
BDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
and polyamory
Polyamory
Polyamory is the practice, desire, or acceptance of having more than one intimate relationship at a time with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved....
lifestyles. She is an advocate for alternative sexuality and kink (as well as safety and responsibility therein) and has spoken at scene events and conventions on topics such as erotic biting, knife play and erotic energy work. In her profiles for such events she notes she has worked as a fetish model and dominatrix
Dominatrix
Dominatrix or mistress is a woman or women who takes the dominant role in bondage, discipline and sadomasochism, or BDSM. A common form of address for a submissive to a dominatrix is "mistress", "ma'am", "domina" or "maîtresse"...
.
Born intersex
Intersex
Intersex, in humans and other animals, is the presence of intermediate or atypical combinations of physical features that usually distinguish female from male...
, Belanger had corrective surgery upon her birth. When referencing the event she says she prefers to use the term hermaphrodite
Hermaphrodite
In biology, a hermaphrodite is an organism that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes.Many taxonomic groups of animals do not have separate sexes. In these groups, hermaphroditism is a normal condition, enabling a form of sexual reproduction in which both...
as she is fond of the poetic origins of the word.
Media
Michelle Belanger is a spokesperson for the modern vampire cult movement, giving talks on the student campus network, and has appeared in a number of television shows and films documenting the vampire subculture.Television
- The Secret Life of Vampires (A&EA&E NetworkThe A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
, 2005) - Vampire SecretsVampire SecretsVampire Secrets is a 2006 docudrama about the mythology and lifestyle of vampires, produced by Indigo Films for the History Channel, and narrated by Corey Burton....
(History Channel, 2006) - Hannity's AmericaHannity's AmericaHannity's America was a weekly American talk show on the Fox News Channel hosted by Sean Hannity. It was replaced in January 2009 with Hannity.-Overview:...
: "Night Neighbors" (Fox News, 2008) - Paranormal StateParanormal StateParanormal State is an American paranormal reality television series that premiered on the A&E Network on December 10, 2007. The program follows and stars the Pennsylvania State University Paranormal Research Society, a student-led college club...
(A&EA&E NetworkThe A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
) - Twilight Weekly:Spotlight (Reelz ChannelReelz ChannelReelzChannel is a digital cable television channel owned by Hubbard Broadcasting that airs programming about movies as well as syndicated programming. It features news and information on movies currently in theatres as well as information on movies released on DVD and airing on cable television...
, 2009) One episode.
Film
- Vampyres (Avalanche Productions, 2007) documentary based on the book Vampyres: When Reality Goes Beyond Fiction by Laurent Courau
Literature
Michelle Belanger has authored several books on the occult, paranormal experiences, critical essays and poetry, and has been quoted and credited as a researcher and occult expert in other books on these topics.Non-fiction
- The Psychic Vampire Codex (WeiserRed Wheel Weiser ConariRed Wheel Weiser Conari, also known in different periods in its history as RedWheel/Weiser, LLC and Samuel Weiser, Inc., is a book publisher with three imprints: Red Wheel, Weiser Books and Conari Books...
, 2004) - Sacred Hunger (Dark Moon, 2005)
- Psychic Dreamwalking: Explorations at the Edge of Self (WeiserRed Wheel Weiser ConariRed Wheel Weiser Conari, also known in different periods in its history as RedWheel/Weiser, LLC and Samuel Weiser, Inc., is a book publisher with three imprints: Red Wheel, Weiser Books and Conari Books...
, 2007) - The Psychic Energy Codex: A Manual For Developing Your Subtle Senses (WeiserRed Wheel Weiser ConariRed Wheel Weiser Conari, also known in different periods in its history as RedWheel/Weiser, LLC and Samuel Weiser, Inc., is a book publisher with three imprints: Red Wheel, Weiser Books and Conari Books...
, 2007) - Vampires in Their Own Words: An Anthology of Vampire Voices (LlewellynLlewellyn WorldwideLlewellyn Worldwide is a New Age publisher, currently based in Woodbury, Minnesota, a suburb of St. Paul. Llewellyn's mission is to "serve the trade and consumers worldwide with options and tools for exploring new worlds of mind & spirit, thereby aiding in the quests of expanded human potential,...
, 2007) - Walking the Twilight Path: A Gothic Book of the Dead (LlewellynLlewellyn WorldwideLlewellyn Worldwide is a New Age publisher, currently based in Woodbury, Minnesota, a suburb of St. Paul. Llewellyn's mission is to "serve the trade and consumers worldwide with options and tools for exploring new worlds of mind & spirit, thereby aiding in the quests of expanded human potential,...
, 2008) - Haunting Experiences: Encounters with the Otherworldly (LlewellynLlewellyn WorldwideLlewellyn Worldwide is a New Age publisher, currently based in Woodbury, Minnesota, a suburb of St. Paul. Llewellyn's mission is to "serve the trade and consumers worldwide with options and tools for exploring new worlds of mind & spirit, thereby aiding in the quests of expanded human potential,...
, 2009) - The Ghost Hunter's Survival Guide: Protection Techniques for Encounters with the Paranormal (LlewellynLlewellyn WorldwideLlewellyn Worldwide is a New Age publisher, currently based in Woodbury, Minnesota, a suburb of St. Paul. Llewellyn's mission is to "serve the trade and consumers worldwide with options and tools for exploring new worlds of mind & spirit, thereby aiding in the quests of expanded human potential,...
, 2009) - The Dictionary of Demons: Names of the Damned (LlewellynLlewellyn WorldwideLlewellyn Worldwide is a New Age publisher, currently based in Woodbury, Minnesota, a suburb of St. Paul. Llewellyn's mission is to "serve the trade and consumers worldwide with options and tools for exploring new worlds of mind & spirit, thereby aiding in the quests of expanded human potential,...
, 2010) - Chasing Infinity: Essays on the Nature of God, the Universe, and Religious Experience (CreateSpace, 2010)
- House Kheperu Archives: The Outer Teachings of House Kheperu (CreateSpace, 2011)
Co-authored books
- The Vampyre Almanac (Sanguinarium Press, 2000) with Katherine Ramsland.
- V: The Book of the Strigoi VII (Aangel Publishing, 2003) with Father SebastiaanFather SebastiaanFather Sebastiaan is an American, event coordinator, host of the Endless Night Vampire Ball events, co-founder of the Ordo Strigoi Vii, founder of The Sanguinarium social network and a personality in the vampire subculture....
, Layil Umbralux, Madame X.
Fiction
- The Enchanted Wood illustrated by Kimberlee Traub (Shadowfox, 1996)
- These Haunted Dreams (Dark Moon, 2006)
- Wicked Kisses (Darkmoon 2007)
- This Heart of Flame (Stonegarden, 2009)
Poetry
- Soul Songs from Distant Shores (Emerald Tablet Press, 2006)
- This Ritual of Me (Emerald Tablet Press, 2008)
Music
Michelle Belanger performs with several bands. She tours with the Chicago-based metal band URNUrn (band)
Urn is a gothic / folk metal band based out of the Chicagoland area.-Members:Current membersDominic St. Charles - Lead Vocals, GuitarChristopher Lorton - GuitarJulian Umberger - Bass, Death and Backing Vocals...
and performed on URN's Desecrated Ashes (2003) and Dancing with the Demigods (2006). She also wrote the lyrics to several URN songs, "Esoterica's" and "The God Within." She also performed on Xyla's Esoterica (2007). Belanger performed as a guest vocalist on Nox Arcana
Nox Arcana
Nox Arcana is an American dark ambient musical group, formed in 2003 by Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski. Nox Arcana specializes in concept albums based on gothic fiction and classic horror literature. Such literary references include: H. P. Lovecraft, The Brothers Grimm, Ray Bradbury, and Edgar...
's Winter's Knight
Winter's Knight
Winter's Knight is an album released by Nox Arcana on Monolith Graphics in 2005. The music is predominantly instrumental with a darker medieval flair, and is one of the Top 10 Gothic Christmas or Solstice albums....
(2005) which ranked #8 on the Billboard chart for Top Holiday Albums. She performed again with Nox Arcana as the lead vocalist on Blood of Angels (2006).
Blood of Angels
Blood of Angels is a musical collaboration between Michelle Belanger and the musical group Nox ArcanaNox Arcana
Nox Arcana is an American dark ambient musical group, formed in 2003 by Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski. Nox Arcana specializes in concept albums based on gothic fiction and classic horror literature. Such literary references include: H. P. Lovecraft, The Brothers Grimm, Ray Bradbury, and Edgar...
, released on the Monolith Graphics label in October 2006. Blood of Angels is the 6th album in the Nox Arcana discography, and their first full-length collaborative work. The album was recorded in just 5 days while Nox Arcana were simultaneously working on their 7th album, Blood of the Dragon
Blood of the Dragon (album)
Blood of the Dragon is a musical album incorporating an interactive puzzle. The music is mainly instrumental, with a classical, symphonic, and at times tribal Celtic sound...
.
Unlike Nox Arcana's other releases, which are primarily instrumental with minimal narratives, these songs feature both lyrical and musical content on every track. Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski wrote and performed the music. Michelle Belanger wrote and performed the lyrics, which draw upon ancient Enochian
Enochian
Enochian is a name often applied to an occult or angelic language recorded in the private journals of John Dee and his seer Edward Kelley in the late 16th century. The men claimed that it was revealed to them by angels...
myths to tell a story about mythical Watcher Angels, who "abandoned Heaven for a taste of mortal love." According to the Enochian legend, the Watchers (also called Grigori
Grigori
The Watchers is a term found in the Old Testament Book of Daniel, and later sources, which is connected to angels...
or "Fallen Angels") are celestial beings who were condemned to the earthly realm after uniting with mortals and sharing with them their mystical secrets. The theme of this album was the topic of the "Blood of Angels" discussion panel at Dragoncon in 2009.
The title track features a chant consisting of several angelic and demonic names from Christian mythology, as well as names from Jewish mythology and The Book of Enoch: Azazel
Azazel
Azazel or Azazael or Azâzêl is a term used three times in the Hebrew scriptures, and later in Hebrew mythology as the enigmatic name of a character....
, Sariel
Sariel
Sariel is one of the archangels mainly from Judaic tradition. Other possible versions of his name are Suriel, Suriyel , Esdreel, Sahariel, Juriel, Seriel, Sauriel, Surya, Saraqael, Sarakiel, Jariel, Suruel, Surufeland Sourial.Suriel is sometimes identified with Ariel, Metatron, and Uriel...
, Koshbiel
Kokabiel
Kokabiel , also spelled Kôkabîêl, Kôkhabîêl, Kakabel, Kochbiel, Kokbiel, Kabaiel, or Kochab, considered the 'angel of the stars,' is a fallen angel, the fourth mentioned of the 20 Watcher leaders of the 200 fallen angels in the Book of Enoch...
, and Shamsiel
Shamsiel
Shamsiel , also spelled Samsâpêêl, Shamshel, Shashiel or Shamshiel, was the 16th Watcher of the 20 leaders of the 200 fallen angels that are mentioned in an ancient work called the Book of Enoch...
, Ananel
Hanameel the Egyptian
Hanameel the Egyptian was a Jewish High priest in the 1st century BCE. He was appointed by Herod to fill the office of high priest made vacant by the ignominious death of Antigonus . Hanameel was an Egyptian according to the Mishnah , and a Babylonian according to Josephus...
, Sethiel
Selaphiel
Saint Selaphiel the Archangel or Saint Sealtiel, Selatiel , sometimes identified with Salathiel from the Second Book of Esdras. He is one of the seven archangels in Eastern Orthodox tradition, and in traditional folk Catholicism...
, Raziel
Raziel
Raziel |God]]") is an archangel within the teachings of Jewish mysticism who is the "Keeper of Secrets" and the "Angel of Mysteries"...
, and Zaquiel
Zaqiel
Zaqiel was the 15th Watcher of the 20 leaders of the 200 fallen angels that are mentioned in an ancient work called the Book of Enoch. The name is believed to mean "purity of God" . The Ethiopian text reads "Zavebe"; Michael Knibb translates his name in the Ethiopic Book Of Enoch as being "God has...
.
External links
- Michelle Belanger homepage
- Shadowdance Podcast (2008)
- Llewllyn Press
- Chasing Infinity Podcast
- [ Allmusic profile]