vampires, like other stuff – living or otherwise – fluctuate. Therefore, even vampiric life comes as part, a piece (Sztuka), of reciprocity.
since some theories of vampires claim that a forced entry, or an uninvited entry, reduces the vampire’s powers – i think
that perhaps the thinking here is much more general. a reduction in powers seem to connect with stuff in a wider space than simply vampires since there’s nothing specific for vampires that makes them susceptible to being weakened by forcing themselves. It seems there’s something other than simply vampires in this power-reduction theory.
The possible more general theory of power seems to offer a possibly visceral opening into sensations regarding reciprocal practices and processes.
I think it’s a question of reciprocity since there’s no talk of stuff like:
breaking in, sneaking unseen, coming in through an open door/window and so on – it is the Other’s agreement for a vampire to come in. Without the call inviting a vampire to come in, no matter how much vampires might desire a contact with the human – they need to answer, reciprocate, a call. Failing to do their part in this reciprocal process will come with a heavy price for the vampire.
This theory perhaps comes with and through some basic insights into biases humans come with.
It has to do with limitations of power, of violence and enforcement. Vampires are physically stronger than humans, they can do things humans can not consider – yet, they rely on a human agreeing for them to come in.
Ofcourse, once agreed, it’s not always the case that a human has a clear clue as to what they signed up for, however, i think from a more generalised perspective, we get a scheme here that connects with limits that come instantaneously when agreements come absent.
Let’s be very crude and go for something that possibly illustrates this point.
In some cultures, certain garments that – mainly women – wear, are said to be “inviting”. As if a particular way of dressing up calls upon another human to touch – and makes that touch permissible.
See, if the touch – the intrusion into another privacy, their body – was not deemed to be Invited, that touch would inflict a punishment on the invader. A punishment all human societies tend to recognise a need for[].
A way to avoid the power reduction comes though labeling a certain act – be it a manner of walking, talking, looking and so on – as Inviting. (let alone the fact an invite doesn’t come with a license to do whatever whenever however a human may fancy..)
[Even going to wars, an aggressor power will claim someone invited them to intervene in a conflict, or that they had no other choice but attack.]
I think a question that may hang around comes via whether these biases, these tendencies of dis-empowering the un-invited through various means, are indeed human specific.
My personal bias whispers that these tendencies might come cosmically – shared with other creatures and perhaps even stuff.
{{mistaken? me?? never???!!!}}