HISTORY [OCCult, 70s (70-3)] [_Witchcraft and Sorcery_, edited by Max Marwick, Penguin Books, 1970; contains no references to 'Satan' or 'Satanism', though it mentions 'the Devil' a few times. the bulk of its many anthropological essays presume that no Pagan remnant survived to present day and characterizes 'the witch' as troublemaker or evil-doer (as seen by the societies in question, not absolutely)] --------------------------------------------------------------- [_Modern Witchcraft_, by Frank Smyth, Castle Books, (1970) 1973; pp. 84-96; this text is mostly about Witchcraft, especially that of Gardnerians and Alexandrians (last chapter on Alex 'King of the Witches' Saunders); sensationalist writing style, probably very poorly researched] ...if these modern witches are sincere, the charge of worshipping the Judeo-Christian Satan cannot be laid at their door. In fact, modern 'Satanists' and 'Luciferians', whose cults are fairly evenly spread throughout Britain, France, Germany, and the United States, are united in their patronising, rather contemptuous attitude to the 'Gardnerian' type of witch. Although both witches and 'Satanists' share the belief that magic can be used to achieve actual physical results, witches reject all Biblical teaching out of hand, while the Satanists, through the very nature of their beliefs, accept both God -- 'Yahwe' -- and Satan, as with other superhuman beings. The term Satanist, curiously enough, was first used to denote those who believed nothing at all. John Aylmer, Bishop of London under Queen Elizabeth I, described the atheists of his day as Satanists in his pamphlet *An Harbour for Faithful and Truth Subjects* published in 1559. 'Satanists' of the modern type -- literally worshippers of Satan -- appear to have come into being in France some two hundred years before Aylmer wrote his pamphlet, when the first 'black masses' were celebrated. These were parodies of the Christian mass. Some, such as the 'Mass of St Secaire' which was practised in Gascony and Brittany, actually had this efficacy of the Catholic mass -- although it was a requiem mass said for the living. By this means it was believed that the person named during the celebration of the ritual could be brought to an untimely death. Other forms of 'mass' used a toad or piece of turnip instead of the Host, and a filthy mixture of blood, urine, and feces in place of the sacramental wine. For sociological and political reasons these early forms of black mass were popular throughout the Middle Ages. In many cases a hated political figure would be represented by the toad which, after being baptised in his name, was sacrificed painfully by the officiant -- thus wishing the same fate on the enemy, and at the same time allowing some vicarious relief to the feelings of the oppressed congregation [note that Crowley performed one of these toad-crucifixions! -- nocT]. [skipping the usual Mme. Le Voisin story. -- nocT] The 18th century probably marked the peak of Satanism, when rich young 'bucks' in every capital of Europe indulged in orgies of sacrifice to Satan, perverted sexual activities, and gluttonous hedonism of all kinds. La Voisin's impieties had found followers in Germany, Italy, and Britain, and in the first twenty years of the 18th century bodies of young aristocrats baned themselves together for the purpose of blasphemy and total sensual excess. The 'Hell Fire Clubs', as they were called, knew no frontiers and certainly no limitations.... The *Gazette*, on April 29, 1721, commented: 'The members of these clubs meet and in the most impious and blasphemous manner insult the most sacred Principles of our Holy Religion and affront Almighty God Himself.'... It was discovered that the principle Hell Fire Club in Britain had various headquarters; at Somerset House in Strand, in Westminster, and in a house in Conduit Street near Hanover Square. The President of the club was named 'King of Hell' and before long it became common knowledge that the 'King of Hell' in this case was Philip, Lord Wharton. The most famous of all British Hell Fire Clubs was that which met at Medmenham Abbey on the banks of the River Thames and went under the title of the 'Medmenhan Monks'. No one knows exactly the date of the foundation of this unholy 'order' but the figure most closely tied in with it was Sir Francis Dashwood, Baron Le Despencer, Chancellor of the Exchequer and landowner at West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Dashwood had a propensity for dressing in a monk's habit; the painter Knapton depicted him in 1742 dressed in monkish attire adoring the naked figure of Venus. Ten years later the Medmenham Monks were in full swing, with Sir Francis at their head and a membership comprising many of the most influential men of the day: John Wilkes, Montagu, Earl of Sandwich, John Churchill, Lord Melcombe, and George Selwyn were a few of them. Many stories are told of the wild and perverse activities of the 'Monks'. Defrocked priests officiated at obscene ceremonies, women and men were sexually assaulted, and the resulting scandal shocked every court in Europe. And yet Dashwood's best -- or worst -- efforts were exceeded by those of his counterparts in Ireland.... [specifics about various Hell Fire Club exploits omitted in favor of direct Satanism references.] But the perverse emotions which had caused the debauches of the old Hell Fire Clubs did not die out so quickly. Satan continues to be worshipped and -- as the brutal murder of American actress Sharon Tate at the hands of a 'Satanist' cult shows - his followers are still capable of vicious- ness and cruelty. More often than not, however, the modern Satan worshipper is after sexual thrills rather than murderous ones. Rome, according to many occultists, has long been the centre for Black Masses in Italy, while Paris also caters for Satan's brood. It is interesting that both cities possess a high proportion of Roman Catholics, and it is tempting to speculate on whether this fact adds an element of extra spice to the proceedings.... [description of a Black Mass omitted] The evening ended with drunken dancing, drug taking, and general sexual activity, the partners circulated freely. Kordeiv, nauseated and frightened by what he had seen, left early and never returned. He was fortunate; few Satanists would risk a member leaving their clutches and telling the police of what he had witnessed, and apart from physical violence they often use blackmail to prevent such an event. During the orgy a series of pictures are taken and the newly initiated member is solemnly warned that they will be made public should he not do as he is told. In any case Satanist cults often blackmail the new initiate to raise money for their organisa- tion. In all, Satanists groups appear to be extremely unpleasant at best. At worst they are highly dangerous and, as author Denis Wheatley [popular occult thriller writer; wrote a cute English story formulaic of horror-Satanism called _The Satanist_, which I recommend -- nocT] has often pointed out, are never to be lightly dallied with by anyone who values his freedom. The Continental Satanists, such as the ones described above, are now widely imitated in America. The parody of the Mass is not hard for anyone to perform, black candles, robes, and the rest of the paraphenalia are obtainable by most people who desire to set up in practice on their own and -- perhaps most important of all -- the 'permissive society' in its boredom with normal sex readily yields up would-be participants in the obscene ceremonies. It is perhaps typical that only in England, in stolid, down to earth Manchester, self-confessed Satanists attempt to give their beliefs a gloss of respect- ability. Here, in suburban homes, an extraordinary group who call themselves the 'Order of Satanic Templars' meet on several nights a week to worship Satan, who to them is still a glorious Prince of Heaven. The Order of Satanic Templars is led by a bespectacled, dark suited man who refers to himself as 'Ramon'. A plasterer by trade, 'Ramon' has dabbled in most religions during the last twenty or so years, and, dissatisfied with them all, finally decided to organise his own particular branch of Satanism. He refers to his group as a 'coven' and claims that affiliated 'covens' and claims that affiliated 'covens' exist throughout East Lancashire and Cheshire. Ramon's principle labour of love at the moment is his three volume 'Bible' which he refers to as the 'Black Book of Satan'. It contains a history of occultism, a list of rules for members attempting services at the Order's 'temple', several Satanic hymns -- two or three of which are adapted versions of Christian hymns -- and an account of his own philosophy. 'We believe,' says Ramon, 'that Satan, although thrown out of heaven, was reinstated as the son of God and is directly in contact with him. We are a bit evil now and again -- if any of our coven members offends he is either reprimanded, given corporeal punishment, or is expelled from his coven and cursed. But we only do this sort of thing for our members' own good. We really believe in love, the sanctity of woman as the child bearer and procreator of life, and in worshipping Satan our master. We don't go in for Black Masses or public intercourse or anything like that.' Ramon has worked out a highly complex hierarchy with which to rule his little empire. He, as Head of the 'Order' is aided by a council composed of chosen members of the other covens, and together they decide on policy and business matters. They wear black gowns -- Ramon insisted on his wife re-designing the ones worn by male members as they were, he says, 'too effeminate' -- and even children are allowed to attend meetings. 'We have the greatest reverence for children, and we would never go about naked in front of them, or do anything to harm them.' To give him his due, Ramon's organisation seems very far removed from the wild and dangerous Satanists of other countries. Nonetheless, the ordinary people of Manchester apparently give him a wide berth. ----------------------------------------------------------