Rituals: Should they be Simple or Complex?

A question from a fan at my Facebook page, about connecting with the force of Satan:

Hi Venus, Just writing to ask, what are the best ways that you have found to engage with the powers of Satan? I know that there are many ways best suitable for the individual personally, but do you feel that simple methods work better, or is it commonly necessary to practice a more so complex form of ritual magick for even the simplest of encounters with the presence of Satan? Can you be specific? Thank You.

There are many ways to connect with this force. The best way is the way that works for you. You may have to experiment to find out what this is. It takes time and practice to really know if something is working for you. In the meantime, it can’t hurt to give it a try to see if its something that will work for you.

You asked about simple vs. complex rituals. I have found in my practices that as time went on, my rituals were very complex and involved, and throughout time, they became more simple and direct.

For example, my first rituals that I did, were planned to be performed on a certain day, and during that week everything was prepared for it. This helped me to be mentally prepared, too when the time came to do the ritual.

Also, I would use incantations or speeches that I wrote to use during the ritual, as a way to evoke Satan into my ritual space. Special clothing and music was used to heighten the mood and to enable my mind and spirit to be at one with what I was doing. I have always gotten results from rituals like this. Even if the result was the experience that came from doing it.

Outside of ritual there were other ways that I used to connect with Satan as well. Things like meditation, being in nature, or listening to certain music enabled me to feel ‘in the spirit’. Reaching out to Satan is easy because that force is always there – you just have to take the time to reach out to it and connect with it whenever you are ready.

The rituals that I do now are very simple compared to what I have done in the past. I keep a simple altar. You can see the pictures of it at my shop. The rituals that I do now only include the lighting of a special candle, and the meditative focus on the image of the Baphomet. Satan is such an important part of my life that I don’t feel that I need to go ‘overboard’ in my expression, but I do feel the need to give recognition and respect to that force that has helped me in so many ways.

So my recommendation is to start out with rituals that enable you to reach out to that force. Over time you may feel that you need those same rituals less, or that you want to re-think your approach regarding ritual expression. Whatever you do, your ritual should be personalized, something that you create for your own needs. And don’t be afraid to experiment or to let your ritual work evolve into something as simple or as complex as you need.

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