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Just a brief post, an announcement!
A winner was chosen last night at 12am eastern time, for the Spiritual Satanist Newsletter contest. The winner was notified by email, but they have 10 days to claim their prize.. Otherwise I will have to draw another winner! Make sure you check your sign-up emails for a special notice!
I want to thank everyone for entering the contest and subscribing to the Spiritual Satanist Newsletter!!
I love this time of year, the fall feeling in the air, the change of wardrobe, and mostly, my favorite holiday, Halloween! As a Satanist this has always been a special time of year for me. I have memories of getting married on this day to my (departed) husband Bill many years ago. Halloween and the fall season always makes me feel renewed. So, how do Satanists celebrate Halloween? In this post we will explore how Satanists celebrate Halloween, and I present to you a special Satanic Halloween ritual just for you.
So where did Halloween originate? It seems as if many cultures throughout the centuries have their own way of celebrating the change of season and remembering the past.
A common theme for Halloween comes from ancient practices of honoring ancestors that have passed. During this time of year the earth enters into a dark phase, a kind of death where the life that we experienced during the spring and summer comes to a close.
The name of Halloween comes from a Christian word, meaning “hallowed evening”, referring to the night before the holiday, All Saint’s Day. On the day after all hallowed evening, Christians gathered and celebrated their favorite saints. Christians only gave us a modern word for the holiday though, as it’s roots run much deeper.
In earlier times the Celtic peoples celebrated in a similar way, with their own holiday to honor the dead.
Known as Samhain (pronounced sow-han), their celebration marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It was called All Soul’s Day, a night that the veil between the physical and the spiritual was at it’s thinnest.
Some historians also trace these kinds of celebrations back to ancient Roman times. A feast dedicated to the goddess of fruit, Pomona, celebrated the spirits of the ancestors.
This celebration lead into the weeks long observation of Paternalia. While this tradition was celebrated in February, it is believed by some that this festival could have been co-opted by Christians in later times.
After Christianity had taken root in Europe, they celebrated All Hallow’s Eve as a way to honor the saints. During the medieval era, it became tradition to dress up as one’s favorite saint. The tradition was modernized and commercialized in today’s world, where adults, children and families celebrate it as a fun time to dress up and to decorate their surroundings with witches, skeletons, spirits, and other spooky things.
The question remains, how do Satanists celebrate Halloween? A quick search on the net will show you, that there isn’t much information on how Satanists celebrate Halloween. This is especially true if you disregard the many Christian sites with misinformation and horrifying suggestions on how they think Satanists celebrate Halloween.
So, in my quest for Satanic knowledge, I decided to dig deeper and see what some of the more popular organizations in Satanism think about this special time of year.
The Church of Satan, (Anton LaVey, et al.) proclaimed that Halloween was one of the more important holidays of the year for Satanists. In an essay about Halloween, Magistra Blanche Barton said this of the dark holiday:
“Halloween is traditionally a time when the obscure portal into the realms of darkness, death and the supernatural is thrown open.”
Satanists should celebrate Halloween and appreciate the the magical benefits that this holiday offers. We are moving towards the darkness during this holiday, and this shift is welcome. The veil between the physical and the spiritual is at its thinnest point compared to the rest of the year. It is the perfect time to explore inner darkness.
Further on, they explain that Halloween is the fall climax, and it should be celebrated as a time when one’s inner self can be explored. Using costumes or dressing up allows you to, for one night, be who you want to be and to take on a different role than you may not be in every day life. It truly is a time of self indulgence!
The Satanic Temple also explained in an interview how Satanists should push for Halloween to become a real religious holiday. In an interview at the Polite Conversations podcast, the co-founder of the Satanic Temple, Lucian Greaves, explains his take on Halloween:
“For decades you’ve had extreme Christian groups declaring Halloween Satanic and therefore, trying to drive it out of the schools, trying to withhold people from having any celebration of Halloween, well, where a religious organization that self identifies as Satanists, I feel, we should have the right to have our holiday as it is and recognized as a religious holiday.”
I agree with Lucien’s sentiment. While he didn’t say how Satanists celebrate Halloween, he did focus on why we should. We should reclaim this holiday for our own. Much of us already appreciate the darkness in our own way and we don’t need a special holiday to remind us of this. But, we have a holiday to enjoy anyway, and Satanists celebrate Halloween in their own way. If the ‘religious right’ calls Halloween Satanic then can we have our holiday then? The treat is on us if they want to play that trick!
It’s also ironic that a holiday that was, for centuries, for the purpose of remembering Christian saints, became a tool of slander for modern religions. It shows how much they know about the history of their religion, I suppose. Once again, as with may things in Satanism, we can reclaim what they have scapegoated us for.
Feel free to take the opportunity to celebrate Halloween and dress up how you wish. In fact, a great way for Satanists to celebrate Halloween is to make it a night of self-indulgence. Make it a new tradition to treat yourself with a gift of something nice.
Because the veil is lifted during this night, it is a wonderful time to do a special ritual. In this kind of ritual you can honor Satan and embrace what it means to be a Satanist.
I created a special ritual that you can do along with me on Halloween evening. In this ritual we will open the gates, as the veil is lifted and as we move closer towards the time of Satan and Capricorn in December.
It is the moment when the world comes upon darkness and we recognize the darkness that we have within. Without this time of dying and darkness, we could not have the cycle of life and light. A ritual is a great way for Satanists to celebrate Halloween.
Suggested Tools:
A bonfire, if you can safely have one, or a single flame preferably from a black candle.
Imagery: imagery of Satan as Saturn, devouring his children, as shown in the picture on the right. Alternatively find a picture of the Mouth of Hell, a painting of Satan or Baphomet, or simply a pentagram. This imagery is important this time of year as the winter and darkness devours life on the planet!
Chosen Gemstone: have an onyx, jet or any type of black stone on your altar or in your sacred space, or worn as jewelry
Items: have a pinch of dirt to use for your ritual, better if you have graveyard dirt, giving it an ancestral feel. If not, chose your pinch of earth from a place that is special to you. Have a small dish to put it in
Clothing: dress as you wish in your costume, or wear a mask, or simply in your robes or even naked if it’s appropriate to your environment. As long as you are comfortable!
Scents: patchouli, pine or any earthy scent, or if you prefer, oils in a burner
Drink: your ritual chalice, or cup with your choice of wine or even better, black coffee! It is black, bitter and awakening!
Time: Halloween night!
First, the setup of your ritual space, in a specific sequence:
In this ritual, you will
call upon the elemental and demonic quarters from east to south counter clockwise, Lucifer Belial, Lilith and Satan. From there you will do a ritual of thanks and recognition on Halloween night.
With your altar or ritual space facing south, gather and arrange the items on your altar
Face east and light your incense or oils in a burner
Face north and light your fire
Face west and pour your drink into your cup or chalice
Face south again and add the earth to your dish on your altar
Now, the Infernal Invocation!
First, Lucifer, the Air – hold up your incense facing east – Lucifer opens the gates of communication
“Lucifer, I call upon you, be with me tonight on this sacred evening
Hear my call, Demons and Lords of Darkness!”
Face north, holding your candle or facing the flames, and call to Belial, lord of fire and will
“Belial, at the gate of two worlds, open the Mouth of Hell and make ready my appearance before Satan!
Grant me passage into the darkness on this night!”
Face west – holding your chalice and call to Lilith queen of water and the night
“Lilith, Queen of the night, mother of Demons, I call to you!
As your child of the night I come before you in honor!”
Face South, holding your dish of earth – a call to Satan, lord of the Earth and the physical
“Satan I call to you, Lord of the world and all that is manifested!
I stand in your presence and declare myself at one with darkness!”
“I vow to walk the path of darkness and face all that is within –
as my ancestors had lived and died with purpose, so do I upon
this path.
I thank you, Satan, for bringing me the harvest of your knowledge,
wealth and power. I stand beside you in glory as i enjoy the earthly
pleasures of this night!”
“To Lilith! Queen of the Darkness!”
Raise your chalice and then drink
from it
“To Belial! Lord of the Flame”
Point towards the flame!
“To Lucifer! Lord of the East”
Face east!
And finally south to close your ritual!
“To Satan! Lord of the Earth!”
SO IT IS DONE
So, this is how Satanists celebrate Halloween! With enjoyment, costuming, and perhaps a Satanic ritual. In closing, whether or not you do this ritual, make sure to enjoy the rest of your Halloween evening with friends, 
and reflect on what it means for you personally to walk the path of darkness! For more information on Satanic holidays visit The Satanic Holidays page at SpiritualSatanist.com
By the way, as of this blog post time is running out to subscribe and enter the contest to win the 925 sterling pentagram. The contest ends on Halloween night eastern time. Contest and subscription are available here -> Subscribe to the Spiritual Satanist Blog
References:
Rogers, Nicholas (2002). “Samhain and the Celtic Origins of Halloween”. Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night, pp. 11–21. New York: Oxford Univ. Press.
COS Page on how Satanists celebrate Halloween: http://www.churchofsatan.com/halloween-xxxiv.php
Church of Satan Holiday FAQ page: http://www.churchofsatan.com/faq-holidays.php
Halloween Special on the Polite Conversations Podcast, Lucian Greaves of the Satanic Temple:
https://soundcloud.com/politeconversations/episode-16-halloween-special-with-lucien-greaves-of-the-satanic-temple 35:20 – 35-30
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How will you spend your Halloween evening?
I’ve been a Satanist going on 25 years. I’ve seen trends in Satanism come and go. But there are some common mistakes that new Satanists make that I have noticed in talking with new Satanists around the world, over the years.
The fact is, many new Satanists just don’t know where to go once they decide to become a Satanist. If you are new to Satanism, hopefully this will help you to not make the same mistakes that I’ve seen new Satanists make in the past.
Many people over the years have asked me, “I want to become a Satanist, where should I start?”. I usually let them know that the Satanic Bible is a good place to start, for several important reasons.
The Satanic Bible was written by Anton LaVey and it serves as the doctrine for the Church of Satan. I am not LaVeyan – by any means. The Satanic Bible is not a perfect document. It is pieced together from various sources. But the overall philosophy is something that Satanists should become familiar with when they first start out in the path of Satanism.
The Satanic Bible enables you to understand the idea behind the basic philosophy of Satanism. The spirituality of Satanism, however, is something that you create and experience on your own. The basics behind the the philosophy is what helps you understand how to live as a Satanist.
Without this knowledge, you are left wondering what Satanists are talking about on forums, or why they reference certain things. You want to be in the know, right? Learn how to speak the Left Hand language.
The Satanic Bible is not a large book, you can read it in a few days. You don’t have to study it, and you don’t have to agree with everything that’s written in it, just become familiar with it. This book will give you a basic understanding of the philosophy of Satanism and the ideas behind Satanism as a social movement.
You can pick up a copy here at my Left Hand Path Books Blog -> The Satanic Bible
I’ve known a few Satanists that came to me over the years saying that they rushed into their Satanic pact before they were sure what they were doing. They eventually quit Satanism but wanted to return.
Maybe they didn’t take the time to understand what is required to make a pact, or they didn’t have the confidence to live a Satanic life. Maybe they read somewhere that making a pact is easy and it’s all you have to do to become a Satanist. Well, its a little more complicated than that.
Yes, pacts are an important part of Satanism. A pact enables you to create a bond between you and Satan. It is useful for self-initiation into the Satanic path. But, just performing the pact ritual itself doesn’t make you a Satanist. It’s that moment when you know the time is right, when you have everything in order, that making a pact makes sense.
I suggest to my readers that a pact is serious business and it should be approached with caution and respect. A pact should be made after a period of time, when you have studied about Satanism and you have performed your own rituals. I usually suggest to wait a year before you decide.
Make Satanism a part of your life, but work towards the goal of having a pact. It’s so much more meaningful than just diving in without a direction or meaning, leaving you feeling empty. If you are going to swear your allegiance, know what you are swearing for. Don’t make a pact until you study, pray, ritualize and work with Satan in your own personal way for at least one year.
Read my page at the Spiritual Satanist Site, on Pacts and Satanic Dedication
This last point ties in with points #1 and #2. Research is an important and often overlooked facet of learning how to walk the Satanic path. Nobody out there really teaches you how to research. You just do it on your own hoping that you are going in the right direction. Some people never research at all and they feel that once the answer is handed to them, they might be satisfied and feel that there is no need to ask any questions.
For those of us with a sense of curiosity, the search for knowledge is never ending. You should take the time to research the things you read about. Don’t just take someone’s word for it without investigating. The nature of the occult makes it easy for authors to obscure their sources. With a little bit of work, you can uncover their sources and understand more than just what is on the surface. The lesson here is not to take things at face value. Do your own research and come to your own conclusions. That way, you will have not only knowledge, but also wisdom. This will carry you farther than just simple belief.
So to recap, the three biggest issues that new Satanists face are the facts that many skip the essential part of at least reading the Satanic Bible. Many new Satanists rush into pact making without considering the long term consequences. And many aspiring Satanists who come from a Christian background, are too willing to accept other’s stories about Satan, without taking the time to do their own research. If you are new to Satanism, considering these three important suggestions may help you to walk the Satanic path with more confidence.
Hey! There is still time to sign up for the Newsletter Contest, it ends in October on Halloween. You do not have to enter the contest to subscribe to the Spiritual Satanist Newsletter, it’s optional. Subscribe now!
This post explores some of the advantages in Satanism, and disadvantages of Satanism. These are common ideas that you will find in Satanism that we all have to deal with at some point. So what are the benefits and drawbacks of being a Satanist? 
Once you leave Christianity (and many Satanists come from a Christian path) you are free to live without the guilt of sin. For some this is an incredible relief. But for others, it can be difficult to leave behind the ways of thinking that held you back for so long.
Either way, Satanists aren’t burdened with the guilt of the Christian idea of sin, and this is something that not many paths can offer. So, enjoy your new found freedom, hopefully it will enable you to discover your true inner self.
It is often said in Satanism, “Responsibility to the responsible”, meaning that you have to take responsibility for your own development in Satanism. This is not easy to do if you have spent years being told what to believe and how to act by your former religion.
Once you take personal responsibility for your own path, it can be self-empowering in a way like no other. Until then, you are only living by other people’s rules, and why would you want to do that? Step up and take responsibility for yourself and your own actions.
Once you become a Satanist you enter into a new religious movement that is constantly evolving with the times. Unlike static archaic religions, Satanism is dynamic and always changing. You can be a part of a path that offer something new to learn and discover every day.
People in Satanism are working to currently change the pubic perception of this path through social outreach and positive media exposure. Honestly, it’s exciting to be a part of that!
And now, for the downsides of being a Satanist. It’s not all as good as it seems as new Satanists often find out.
Yes, thanks to centuries of Christian propaganda, you will be misunderstood by the majority of the population. With the recent media exposure of Satanism in a popular light, attitudes are slowly changing. But until then you will have to deal with what is called, “Christian privilege”, where Christians believe they have the right to define how society should live.
If you live in the United States, enjoy your religious freedom but be prepared to fight for it. You will have to decide if coming out is the right choice for you and your job and family life. See my article: Hiding Your Satanic Faith From the Public
Another disadvantage in Satanism is that we, as Satanists, are not so fortunate to be able to have meetups in every city and town in the world. While Satanism is growing it is still very much an underground movement. The best we can do in most circumstances is meet up with other Satanists online. Satanism has organizations all around the world, but they aren’t brick-and mortar churches.
In my post here at the Spiritual Satanist Blog, you can read why Satanism does not have Churches, explaining how it is not possible to have actual churches in Satanism. But that does not mean that Satanists do not meet up – in this day and age, arranging a meetup is quite easy through social media.
It is generally accepted that Satanism is the path of the self. Therefore, you won’t find that others are generous with their knowledge. As a new Satanist, you won’t find that other Satanists are readily willing (or able) to help you learn about Satanism. Take a quick glance at any Satanist forum and you will find that new Satanists who ask questions about Satanism are often brushed off, treated badly or simply told to go find out the answers for themselves. This can be frustrating to new Satanists but obviously, that’s what we all went through when we first started out.
You have to take it upon yourself to learn as much as you can, on your own. Ask questions carefully and research before you ask. In coming from a Christian background you may expect others to lay everything out for you and tell you what to believe, but that’s not the way it’s supposed to be. If you don’t know where to begin, most Satanists will tell you to read the Satanic Bible. That’s a good idea if you want to get a general idea of some of the common philosophies in Satanism.
So as you can see, there are challenges and benefits in Satanism. Before coming out as a Satanist you should consider them carefully. These are some of the common situations that I’ve experienced along the way in my own personal journey, and in talking with other Satanists. Yes, Satanism is a tough road and at times you will feel like you are all alone. But, know that you are not. There are many other Satanists in this world going through the same issues and emerging stronger and better for the experience.
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What do you think some of the advantages and disadvantages of Satanism are? Feel free to add to this post in the comments below!
My latest interview is here!
This interview at Carmilla Ravencraft’s Theistic Satanism blog was just completed, in August 2017, with Theistic Satanist and occultist Carmilla Ravencraft. Her blog is always an enjoyable read about Satanism, occultism and other taboo subjects.
This was an enjoyable interview where we discussed experiments in magic and summoning, feminism in Satanism, and my journey as a Spiritual Satanist, and also, the future of Satanism. Unfortunately her blog is unavailable so I’ve reprinted the interview here:
*** Brief Bio: My name is Venus Satanas, I have been a Satanist since 1992. My interests include Spiritual Satanism, Witchcraft and magic, and summoning. I began writing about Satanism in 2004, at my website, Spiritual Satanist (https://www.spiritualsatanist
*** Interview:
1. Can you share a little about your website and your work as an Independent Satanist?
I’ve always been independent, I just feel that independence is the best way to approach Satanism. I started out with Satanism back in 1992, when I found the book ‘The Church of Satan’ at the local library.
Even though I wasn’t raise christian the idea of Satanism appealed to me.
It seemed to confirm many of the things that I knew and thought about life, and so it felt right for me. It wasn’t until 2004, when I was able to write about my experiences on the ‘net. I created my Spiritual Satanist site by writing a few articles on Satanism. I did this so I could help other Satanists discover what it’s like to walk the path of Satanism.
I think Satanism should be independent – you don’t have to belong to a Church or organization to call yourself a Satanist. I have tried to show this in my teachings by letting others decide what is right for them regarding Satanism. I can’t tell people what to believe, that choice is up to them.
2. I am often contacted by people saying they don’t really believe in Satan, yet feel powerfully drawn to satanic images and ideas. What would you say to such people?
People have always had an attraction to the mysterious and unknown in life. It is this mystery that makes paths like Satanism so inviting. We want to know what is hidden in the dark. There has always been an allure to the things in life that are forbidden.
For some of us, it makes us feel alive. For others, it helps us understand what is within. The dark is a necessary part of life and to ignore it is to deny yourself the opportunity to learn and grow.
Satan represents many things to many different people. Overall there is a feeling that the imagery of Satan gives us a sense of freedom and self-empowerment. Satan allows us to connect with our animal, primal selves. This is often missing in today’s modern society, and it’s something that people naturally crave.
3. In a world saturated with patriarchal religions and male-dominated politics, do you feel satanism gives an equal voice to women?
Indeed, Satanism is dominated by males but I think that’s because it appeals to what guys like. It is very raw, animal and sexual in nature at times. But, there have been plenty of notable and important women in the Satanist scene.
Even from the beginning women like Diane LaVey helped to build the Church of Satan and compile their Satanic Bible, and rituals. She did the administration work for the church behind the scenes. We also have women like Lilith Sinclair who was instrumental in the success of the Temple of Set.
Today we have women like Diane Vera, Stephanie Connolly, and myself on the front lines of religious Satanism, Demonolatry, and Spiritual Satanism. There are other movers and shakers too in this scene and it’s great that we have a voice as well. So, being outnumbered is really of no consequence to me.
There is some movements of feminism in Satanism but mainly they are connected with the Church of Satan and their book, the Satanic Witch. I have a different feeling about that book, however, and you can find a discussion on that at this article, the Role of Feminism in LaVeyan Satanism (https://www.spiritualsatanist
4. There has been an obvious increase in interest in left-hand satanism. How would you describe the general spirit of satanism today?
Satanism today has evolved in many ways. Thanks to the internet and social media, people are talking about it and sharing ideas. This new generation of Satanists are fortunate to have so many materials available to them to learn from. At the same time, there is less time and dedication given to the craft. People from this new generation want instant results, but anything that is worth doing is worth doing well.
In the early 90’s we only had books and each other to learn from. Then the internet made forums and websites available. This is when people started moving away from the Church of Satan style of Satanism, (Atheist, LaVeyan) and into theistic, religious and Spiritual Satanism.
So, today we have a variety of ways to express the satanic current available to us today. Its been an exciting journey to see this evolution happen over the years. I addressed this evolution of Satanism in a recent post at my blog, Whats the Difference Between Spiritual Satanism and Theistic Satanism? (http://spiritualsatanistblog.
5. Would you share any particular spiritual/metaphysical/superna
The first time that I made a pact with Satan, I was only 13 years old. The feeling that came over me as I created the ritual and signed the pact was indescribable. It was the most incredible experience of my life and it changed my life in so many good ways throughout the years. I will never forget that moment. Its as if I were standing outside of myself, watching. I was frightened and curious and willing all at the same time. The experience was unforgettable.
I don’t often speak of my own personal experiences. Spirituality is personally experienced and everyone has their own way of relating to it. For me, the most revealing and important experiences have also come through dream work. When we dream our physical senses are dulled and our subconscious allows us to have spiritual insights that we just cant have when we are awake.
Having a dream about Satan can be an insightful way to see how you relate to the force of Satan. The dreams that I have had over the years have been personally revealing and enlightening, at times guiding me on the path in a useful way.
6. How important is ritual to you? Demonology? Could you describe some of your regular or most cherished practices?
I have saved rituals for special moments in my life. The most recent ritual that i did was for Lucifer, on Easter morning. This ritual was in praise of Lucifer, as the morning star rose in the sky. It seemed appropriate to me to celebrate Lucifer on that morning because of the symbolism of the eastern star.
The most important rituals that I have done have been life changing events. I performed my own version of a black mass before I signed my first pact with Satan. When I re-pacted with Satan in 2004 with a new purpose in mind, I was fully able to do a proper ritual since I had my own ritual space to work in.
Later on in 2010 I started working with demons, and I was fortunate enough to have my own ritual room to work with. I remember preparing for the ritual for an entire week beforehand. On the day of the ritual, I set everything up and opened the circle for summoning. Just as I began, my familiar cat Shadow had pawed the door open, and came and sat beside me in the circle. I guess he knew there was something special going on. The experience working with that demon was memorable and useful to me.
7. I have seen posts on the internet saying that Satanism is just a spiritual starting point for those fleeing xianity. In your case, that is obviously not true. Do you think Satanism is a pit-stop for many ex-xians on their way to a greater spirituality?
Yes, it’s true that I was fortunate to not have to deal with a Christian conversion when I became a Satanist. It was great to finally choose a path and to not have to fight to leave anything behind from my past. Many others are not so lucky.
Surveys done on Satanism have shown that most Satanists come from Catholic backgrounds simply because Catholicism is the predominant religion. Christians in general are the most exposed to Satan and Satanism, indirectly. But, many who enter the path struggle with leaving religion behind all together and decide to become atheist. For others they want to explore what’s possible, and out of the possibilities at least Satanism affords freedom.
8. Is there anything else you would like to say to the readers of this blog?
I would like to say that I really enjoy your blog, Camilla. It’s nice to see other Satanists who want to keep blogging. The kinds of thoughts you blog about are always interesting, entertaining and enlightening. Thank you for this interview!
This question is often asked in Spiritual Satanism, how does one pray to Satan? Prayer is a spiritual act that connects you to a force greater than yourself. Prayer can seem mysterious because you are sending your heartfelt message out there to the universe, hoping that Satan will listen. But, prayer doesn’t have to seem like a mystery. It can be a useful basic spiritual tool to help you to connect with the force of Satan.
Prayer can be a useful part of your spirituality in Satanism. Prayer can allow you to connect with the force of Satan, and to be guided by his power. The act of prayer can bring you comfort in times of need. Prayer can also focus your mind and bring you clarity. Prayer can give you a reason to stay true to your path and yourself. And prayer can also help you to feel closer to Satan.
In Spiritual Satanism you are not required to pray to Satan. There are no rules that state that prayer should be a part of your Satanic life. But if you do decide to use prayer, know that prayers to Satan are so much more than just a means to obtain what you want. Prayer is a two way street, a form of communication with the spiritually divine.
The basics of prayer to Satan are simple; you have to say the words not just with your mind but in your heart as well. You have to feel them in your heart, with your will. You have to know that when you pray to Satan, you are speaking with him, rather than at him. If you are sincere Satan will hear what is in your heart.
So, whether prayer is a part of your daily routine or you use it for special occasions, use this time to spiritually connect with Satan in your own private way. Open your heart to communication with Satan and you will soon see the benefits of being in spiritual union with the force of Satan.
For those of you who want to make Satanic prayer a part of your daily life, read about my new book, the Spiritual Satanist Prayer Book: Infernal Reflections. The Spiritual Satanist Prayer Book shows you how you can use prayer as a tool to become closer to Satan, Lucifer, Lilith and Belial.
Stop wondering how to connect with Satan when it’s just as easy as saying and feeling the mindful prayers that you will find in this book. This is a pocket sized book that you can take with you anywhere! Visit the Spiritual Satanist Prayer Book: Infernal Reflections page at the Spiritual Satanist site to find out more.
Today, I posted two prayers that you can use in your own journey in Satanic Spirituality. Visit the Satanic Prayers for Devotion page at SpiritualSatanist.com.
Have you found prayer to be useful in your own Satanic path? What kinds of prayers do you use?
Today I am discussing the main difference between Spiritual Satanism and Theistic Satanism. The two are often confused for each other but they are not exactly the same. The best way to compare them both is to contrast the work of the two main religious and spiritual leaders that have been the most active in the Satanic community in the past decade. This would be Diane Vera and myself (Venus Satanas!)
I have a lot of respect for the groundwork that Diane had laid forth for the Satanic community in general in the early 2000’s. She is well respected in her field and has enabled Satanism to branch out into a more selective experience. Gone are the days when we were relegated to only choosing the Church of Satan, or face being labeled an outcast devil-worshiper or worse, an “occultnik“.
The era of new Satanisms was lead by a few women who sought to create a new way of living through Satanism. While Theistic or religious Satanism probably existed during the 80s and 90s, as a social movement it was very much underground.
Diane goes into detail on what the Satanism scene was like during the boom of the early 2000’s internet era with her essay: Needed: New Kinds of Satanism. she rightly states that “Satanism is not and should not be a single ideology.”, and indeed, it is not. Satanism is a variety of things to many people. We all have one thing in common though, and that is a central focus on Satan.
As one of Satanism’s most vocal and respected proponents of Theistic Satanism, Diane Vera laid the groundwork for what was to come in religious Satanism as a social movement. She originally began teaching about religious Satanism with the Theistic organization, Cathedral of the Black Goat. After 2002 she branched out and created her own organization, the Church of Azazel and supplemental website. She is one of the few Satanists that has organized public religious meetups for Theistic Satanists. Her Church of Azazel served as an outreach and outlet for those interested in the religious worship of Satan.
I have also worked to bring Spiritual Satanism to the forefront through my website, my blog and my videos. With the new social attitudes concerning Satanism in the early 2000’s people were willing to take a spiritual route. Beginning in 2004, I started teaching about Spiritual Satanism, which diverges from Theistic Satanism on one main point. They are similar but they are not the same.
While Theistic and Spiritual Satanism may seem similar there is something that sets them apart. Theistic Satanism was made for the purpose of religious worship of Satan. It stood opposed to the atheistic, materialistic and philosophical views of the Church of Satan. Establishing the religious worship of Satanism was necessary to evolve Satanism in a useful and meaningful way for so many people.
Theistic Satanism provided a way for those who had a religious view of Satan to worship freely without judgment from their peers. Diane Vera talks about the Church of Azazel’s creed at her website, stating:
“The Church of Azazel embodies a unique form of polytheistic Satanism/Luciferianism. Its paradigm is rooted in both a reverence for Satan/Azazel and a strong appreciation for those aspects of the modern world that are under attack by the Abrahamic religious right wing. Its theology is based primarily on present-day realities and on the relatively recent history of religion, and is not concerned with prehistoric eras or with such questions as the origin of the cosmos.”
Theistic Satanism allows for the worship of Demons and Satan, but does not profess to have ancient origins. I can appreciate this. Too many groups and organizations try to legitimize Satanism by creating a history for it. However, since the acceptance of religious Satanism, and proliferation of Theistic Satanism Orders, Churches and Groups, there are religious Satanists who do believe in an ancient origin for Satan and Satanism. So the definition remains fluid, as always.
However, with Spiritual Satanism worship is not required nor is it part of the practices of Spiritual Satanists. According to my personal definition, Spiritual Satanism allows a person to experience Satanism on their own terms, without having rules, rituals, rites or dogma to guide their beliefs.
At my website, I discuss how Spiritual Satanism is not a religion but a spiritual way of life. It is an independent practice that does not rely on a mythology or a church or organization for motivation and self- fulfillment. Through this independence a Satanists is able to stand out above the crowd instead of being “one of the many”.
The Spiritual Satanist’s Relationship to Satan is described as being separated from religious worship. “Spiritual Satanism is the practice of living as a Satanist through spiritual expression. Spiritual Satanists are not obligated to worship Satan.” You can read the full excerpt at my essay: What is Spiritual Satanism?
There is and always be a need for people to socialize and share their religious or spiritual experience through groups. We can do that nowadays through various social network outlets. As you can see, the difference Between Spiritual Satanism and Theistic Satanism is that Theistic Satanism is religious, with included rites and rituals, while Spiritual Satanism is spiritual, left up to the practitioner to decide their own methods.
Theistic Satanism is religious and is compatible with those who want to seek an organization or church to belong to to fill their spiritual needs, while Spiritual Satanism is independent and breaks away from social conventions to be an personal path, without the need for worship. For more information on independent Satanism visit my site: What is Independent Satanism?
My conclusion is that Satanism was meant to evolve and change with the times. It is not static and archaic like the religions of the past. But, at the same time, religion should not be abandoned by those that need it for personal expression.
I’m also glad to blog today about Diane Vera, one of my favorite Satanists that I’ve followed throughout the years who remains an inspiration to us all.
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Around the time of the Summer Solstice this year, I acquired the final finishing piece for my altar! On one of my journeys out of town I decided to visit a magic shop in Jacksonville; there I found many nice things..but the best of all was this Baphomet statue. It fits perfectly in my small space I have set up for magic and ritual.
This is my first time owning a Baphomet statue, but it’s not my first time using the symbolism of Baphomet in my altar setups. Most times, I have hung a banner or an image above my altar.
The Baphomet is symbolic to Satanists for several reasons. In it’s history it has often been a misunderstood symbol. The best way to understand it is to see it’s opposite – the lamb. The lamb and the shepherd symbolism of Christianity is contrasted with the goat, a symbol used in Judaism as Azazel, the ‘scapegoat’, the creature that bore the sins of the people and was set free in the the wilderness.
So it was common for Christians to scapegoat other groups and religions with their chosen symbol of Satanism. This was seen with the Baphomet representing the god of the Templars who were falsely accused of being Satanic and were slaughtered by a king that sought to bury the fact that he owed them a fortune.
The Baphomet as a spiritual symbol was made popular by Eliphas Levi, from his book, the Transcendental Magic. In his symbolism it showed the Baphomet as a hermaphrodite, encapsulating male and female energies, light and dark, above and below. The symbolism is related to the archetype of Satan found throughout the world in various cultures, in dark and demonic gods. More than this, however, it is a symbolic of initiation:
Baphomet is not worshiped; it is God who is worshiped, this faceless God behind this formless form, this image which resembles no created being. Baphomet is not a God; He is the sign of initiation.” – Eliphas Levi, Transcendental Magic
What does this “initiation” mean? The Baphomet as a symbol of the void that comes into being, the nothing that becomes something, is the force of nature at work. In this we find the symbol of Satan as the force of nature, as the worldly god. It is from the darkness that light begins, so we are taken to the source, the beginning, the initiation.
Very appropriate for Satanism! We as Satanists have adopted this symbol and have identified with it as part of our Satanic culture. I’m glad to finally have a Baphomet statue for my altar. Show your Satanic pride and get your very own Baphomet Statue for your altar from Amazon!
Enjoy this archived interview with the esoteric website, MagicNexus.com from 2008. We discuss Satanism and magic and the future of Satanism in general.
MagickNexus.com had the privilege of sitting down with the lovely Venus Satanas of SpiritualSatanist.com to discuss Magick and Satanism from a more Spiritual, as well as Theistic stand-point…
magicknexus.com: For those who aren’t familiar with your YouTube videos, how did you find Satanism- or was it Satanism that found you?
Venus Satanas: I got into Satanism back in 1992, after searching through mythology and writings. I sis a lot of creative writing at the time, and I went to the library for research on mythology when I found a book, The Church of Satan. I read it, studied it and it resounded within me and I knew it was the path for me. I was 13 at the time, which seems to be about the age that many Satanists find the path. I was not raised in a Christian household, so my situation was not really one of rebellion; it was more like an exploration of the possibilities of witchcraft, magic and the occult.
magicknexus.com: What is Spiritual Satanism, and how does it vary from the more modern/LaVeyan approach?
Venus Satanas: According to what some LaVeyan Satanists claim, Satan is a symbolic and archetypal image which represents the darker, more earthly natures of humanity. I think a lot of Satanists are interested in LaVeyan philosophy but unfortunately the LaVeyan method is not really focused on the esoteric. Many claim to be atheist, and use a type of ritualized psychological magic.
Where my approach is different is that I do not like the current definitions for Satanism. Theistic Satanism is often labeled as devil or Satan worship, which involves the myths of Christianity into the practice of theistic Satanism. In my practices and beliefs I do not focus on the Christianized aspects of Satanism. I like to be diverse and include other dark gods into my pantheon. Theistic Satanism is the acceptance in the existence of Gods or spiritual beings, not just Christianized devil worship.
magicknexus.com: What is The Left Hand Path? How does it differ from other paths?
Venus Satanas: The labels of left hand and right hand describe a spiritual method or way. I think that the left hand path is different from other paths because its major focus is on the self, and on autonomy. In the truest sense the one who is in the left hand path is not dependent on a god for support, guidance or approval. The god is within, compared to ‘right hand path’ where the focus is on an external force or god which is guiding. The Satanist looks within for guidance. The right-hand might focus on methods of enlightenment through abstinence or control, and the seeker of the left-hand may experience enlightenment through self-expression, satisfying desires, or by breaking social taboos. There is a clear difference but my belief is that both paths contain much potential.
magicknexus.com: How does Elitism relate to Satanism?
Venus Satanas: I think elitism relates to Satanism through group organizations who want to control the social aspects of their membership, sometimes extending this outside of the organization to affect others. An example is the clear denial of independent and theistic Satanism by the church of Satan, who denies that anyone else but the members of their church are Satanists. It’s a kind of fundamentalism that is promoted in some satanic organizations. In some ways this is a very common thing; there is competition between the orgs. But fundamentalism is something that I like to avoid. I don’t believe that a Satanist is ?made’ because of what group they join or what publications they read.
magicknexus.com: in your biography, you mention a time where you first came to the internet only to find it filled with misconceptions from the Christian front, as well as misconceptions made by angst-filled youngsters. How important is it, would you say, that it has been for you to educate people about what Satanism is?
Venus Satanas: It has been very important to me, and in a lot of ways my website has been my outlet for spiritual writings. I don’t feel that I have all the answers but I do like to share my experiences and ideas with others in hopes to inspire this generation of Satanists to reach for something better than what we have today. I enjoy spending my time researching Satanism and developing new ideas and methods that I like to share with others. After being involved in Satanism for so long, I know what it is like to walk this path alone and if my experiences can inspire others to walk their own path then that is the greatest contribution that I can offer.
magicknexus.com: What is the importance of Secrecy in Occultism?
Venus Satanas: The word ?occult’ means secret or hidden. This describes the nature of occult. The general secrecy of the occult creates a kind of fear in the public. The public gets to know exoteric information, things that are common knowledge. There are some organizations that have documents, information and writings which are only known to the inner members of an esoteric Order.
magicknexus.com: Is there something you would like to see the occult community (online and in the ‘real world’) take part in, or do more of?
Venus Satanas: Yes, I would like to see less in-fighting and fundamentalism and more focus on knowledge. The occult, magic and witchcraft are dismissed by the public as fringe, but to me it seems that Wiccans and pagan have been getting more exposure on tv and in the public media. It would be good if other areas of the occult got positive media as well. Along with this there should be better standards of books and websites. There is misinformation inside the occult and outside of the occult as well.
magicknexus.com: In one of your essays (from SpiritualSatanist.com): you talk about ‘Independent Satanism’ as being self-initiation versus initiation which is sought out in a group structure- What are the benefits of individual study, in contrast to a group setting; and what are the known benefits (as well as disadvantages) of a group?
Venus Satanas: Well there are several; Self-initiation is a more difficult path but it allows for you create the methods that you want to create. In a group setting a certain method is taught and attainment comes with the training and grade initiations. There is no success guaranteed but they have specific methods that are based on the groups teachings and beliefs. Working freelance, independently, there is no guarantee of success but I think that some magicians want to design their own method instead of merely emulating someone else.
magicknexus.com: A lot of people new to occultism are often unsure of where to start out at, or where to go for guidance; the majority of people new to occultism kinda’ “feel the waves” before finding the more serious vehicles of power- would you say this process of “blind seeking” is a necessary step towards achieving further understanding?
Venus Satanas: Yes I think that learning comes from mistakes. Well, it comes from learning about the mistakes and seeking improvement. If by waves, you mean results, then yes. Some are scared out of their mind and others let it be a turning point for further exploration. I am the one to believe that our destinies are not handed to us at the beginning of our life; we have the choice to do what we want, and to take the actions we want to take. So, there is no guidance beyond the constant search of knowledge and experience that can only come with dedicated time and effort to learning and producing real magic.
Happy Zombie Day!
As we draw nearer to the Christian holiday of Easter once again, as Satanists we are reminded why Christians celebrate Easter. It’s one of their most important holidays besides Christmas.
But, what does the holiday really mean? This holiday can have a spiritual significance for you as a Satanist as well, once you understand it’s general meaning. The tale of Christian Easter is focused on the death and resurrection of a god. This tale is not unique to Christians, as you will see.
There are many stories from around the world about the dying and reborn god. for instance, in one of the more popular tales, we can go back to ancient Egypt and their belief in Osiris, who died and rose from the dead. In the story, the king Osiris was tricked by his brother, Seth to lie down in a lead box which was thrown into a river. In mourning his wife, Isis, searched for him until his resting place was finally found. The gods rewarded Isis for her faithfulness and they resurrected Osiris. The festival for this was usually around April 3rd, where after a three-day celebration the final ceremony was conducted, in which Osiris was found and resurrected. It is theorized that this ritual was linked with their fertility and harvest cycle.(1)
Many of these myths have a common theme and purpose and are based on agricultural and natural happenings between winter and spring. Grains were harvested in fall and they bloom again in the spring, and the folks of the time related that to the symbolism of the action of the god dying and being resurrected. Many of these stories have several versions as well, so there is a variety of mythos much like what the Christians have.
Could us as Satanists have our own legend too? I think the closest thing is the fall and rise of Lucifer, as told in their Bible. But even before Lucifer was demonized by Christians and it was written in their Bible, the Lucifer of Roman times, as the son of the goddess of the dawn, was hailed in a similar fashion, as a god that rises in the east and falls in the west.
The eastern star can be a focal point for you on early Easter morning, if you wish, doing a ritual to honor Lucifer as a fallen and risen god. Lucifer as a living god is a force that many of us relate to as Satanists but on his own, as a liberator from the darkness of ignorance. Just as Lucifer liberates us from the night, his star heralds the dawn letting us know that morning, and a new day has arrived.
This is a quick, basic ritual that you can do for Lucifer. In my teachings, I relate Lucifer to the powers of the Air, The planet Venus, and the dual sign of Libra, being both morning and evening star. For this ritual, the color is Blue, and the herb/oil to use is lavender. These are only suggestions for you to use, of course, based on common associations of elemental and planetary magic.
Outdoors, early in the morning while the eastern star is still visible, burn some fresh dried lavender or light lavender incense. Light a blue candle that has been mindfully anointed with Lavender oil; Hand draw the sigil of Lucifer on a piece of paper or parchment. Face the eastern star and say this as you light your candle.
Morning star of Lucifer, bring your light,
Help me escape the ignorance of the night,
Show me the way through your divine power!
On this Easter morning at this early hour!
You can also supplement this evocation with any saying that you wish instead of the one that I have provided. If you like, burn your sigil after your evocation, the smoke from it will rise towards the stars. Alternatively, keep it on your personal altar as a memento of this moment in time.
Spend some time meditating on the symbolism of Lucifer and the beneficial things Lucifer can bring your life. I like to think that Lucifer brings us wisdom and clarity, just like the symbolic scales of Libra allow for a person to carefully consider an issue and make an educated decision. Lucifer brings balance, being at the midpoint between night and day. Lucifer’s appearance before dawn is symbolic of the idea that comes first that that leads to full realization. Allow Lucifer to enter your heart and renew it. Lucifer is the knowledge and wisdom of the spirit. Allow the spirit of Lucifer to raise your consciousness. Hopefully through this symbolism, as a Satanist, you can celebrate Easter by giving notice to Lucifer.
What you may find interesting is that even Christians have a problem with their version of Lucifer. As the morning star, Lucifer is mentioned outside of his Isaiah verse (fallen son of the morning..) stating: – “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright ‘Morning Star.’” Rev 22:16.
Most English translations title the “Lucifer” in the Revelation verse as “Morning Star” while they leave the original Isaiah verse as “Lucifer”! While this verse is found in the basic king James version of their own bible you will find that many Christians deny the association between their Jesus and Lucifer, even though it is in plain sight as bright as the star of the morning.
(1) Reference: Osiris Mythos, Theosophical society: https://www.theosophical.org/publications/1426 [accessed 4/15/2017]
For more information on Proposed Satanic Holidays visit SpiritualSatanist.com – In my discussion there I speak about also doing a ritual for Lucifer during the Spring Equinox.