What follows are the writings by "Jashan A'al" (for aka see the list of 'real satanists'), pertaining to the subjects of Satan, Satanism, the Left-Hand Path, and related material. They were selected for their clarity and topicality, and the author provided permission for this website reflection of their work. A'al explains their background as arising from within the Church of Satan and breaking from it to find more common ground with the Theistic Satanists as spearheaded by those within and affiliated to the Church of Azazel.
"Satanism is not a unified entity. ... Satanism has several major traditions, or denominations, some of which are more popular than others, and all of which are very different from one another yet claim the title "Satanism." Satanic denominations are, in all likelihood, more dissimilar from each other than the majority of Christian denominations....
"...very few Satanists which I know really care that much about Christianity....
"Different denominations of Satanism, as well as different people within those denominations, use the title "Satanist" for different reasons! ... The one thing all of these views have in common is that the character of Satan ...appeals to them. ... Whatever Satan means to them, they like it.
"...most Satanists do not call themselves such as a reflection of the *core* of their spirituality, but rather the *effect* of their spirituality. That is, they are not worshipping the "Opponent," but the fact that they have dared to follow their own faith at all -- especially one so unlike the mainstream local religion (Christianity -- speaking as a US Satanist) that they are made by default into the badguy, the accuser, the opponent. ...
"...Satanists generally frown upon drug use, and especially on drug *abuse* -- it interferes with your mental abilities, which is undesirable. Sex is up to the individual, but should be consensual (children and animals are usually considered unable to consent -- so are people being "forced into sex cults"). ...Most Satanic organizations I know won't touch a minor with a 10 foot pole without extensive documentation that the parents are aware of what's going on, and accepting of it. ...Animal sacrifice [is] very uncommon, if it exists at all nowadays.
"...It's very difficult to say 'all Satanists believe (insert item here).' ... Take [the following] with a grain of salt...: 1. Satanists believe in [the] autonomy of the individual. ... [2.]Satanists believe in striving for perfection of self (power). ...DO something, BE something, ACHIEVE something...then you'll have respect. ... [3.]Satanists believe in 'gifts' unto the deserving. ...if you want something special, be prepared to show that YOU are something special, as well. [4.]Satanists believe in Lex Talonis. ...Satanists believe in personal responsibility and accountability; that is, one is fully responsible for one's own actions, and should be aware of and acknowledge that fact.... [5.]Satanists believe "Satan" represents the admirable qualities of mankind. ... Such things as pride, ambition, and seeking knowledge is not considered evil by Satanists...."
-- "The Foundations of Satanic Belief", by Jashan A'al,
reachable via http://www.jashan.net/contact.php ; the page itself was
http://spiralnature.com/spirituality/satanism/foundations.html
recorded May, 2001 (Copyright Webmaster "Last modified 16-11-00")
"Eclectic Satanism.... ...draws from diverse sources and combine[s] ideas into a type of "personal religion". ...All of these, provided they espouse the ideals of free-thought, independance, [sic] intelligence, and ambition, I view as valid pathways of Satanism. ...
"...the majority of Satanists don't agree with my view on this. It's a common ... mindset of Satanists that only THEIR denomination is the correct one, and that at very least, you can't be Satanic/Pagan or Satanic/Christian or anything like that.....
"... one can't really lay out the basic guidelines of what an Eclectic believes. About the only commonality is that the majority of [the beliefs of Eclectic Satanism] follow that of Satanism (as defined [above in 'The Foundations of Satanic Belief']) ..."
-- "Satanic Denominations - Eclectic", by Jashan A'al,
http://spiralnature.com/spirituality/satanism/eclectic.html
May, 2001 (Copyright 2000 CE Webmaster "Last modified 16-11-00")
"...Modernists do not worship Satan as a god or deity; theistically, they are atheists. They believe in neither a god nor a devil, nor spirits and 'supernatural beings.' ...
"... There are, as I see it, primarily three 'flavors' of Modern Satanism: Naturalist, Psychologic, and Symbolic. They are not necessarily mutually exclusive: [1.]...Naturalists view Satan as the natural force of the universe, the 'underlying current' of nature. The power which makes trees grow, earthquakes shatter, stars form and die....all these, the raw energy of 'What Is,' is Satan. As such it has no good or bad side in and of itself; it is everything. But, it is not intelligent or self-aware. Just like electricity or windpower, it exists without consciousness, but may be tapped by the conscious user (magician).... [2.] ...Satan as ...the primordial side of the human psyche which the majority of humanity seeks to control and eliminate, instead of accepting and utilizing. ... [3.] The Symbolists view Satan as a mental/mythic archetype ["much like Peter Pan, Uncle Sam, Zeus, or King Midas."], as the "Adversary" or the "Light-bringer." As such, the figure of Satan as an anthropomorphic being is completely fictional: he does not exist as such.... ... We identify with him, respect him, admire him.... ...important and good qualities [...] include pride, independence, free-will, intelligence, knowledge, truthfulness, and ambition. ... For some, the admirable qualities may include destruction, cruelty, hatred....
"LaVeyan Satanism was founded in the 1960s by Anton Szandor LaVey ... Officially, it is known as the Church of Satan, and is headquartered in San Francisco. ...
"Although it is true that Satanism existed before him, LaVey can be said to be (with relative authority) the "father" of Modern Satanism. Before LaVey went public with his new Church, and with his many works on Satanic philosophy (The Satanic Bible, The Satanic Rituals, The Devil's Notebook), Satanism was an underground, disorganized, and chaotic religion....
"The core philosophy of the Church of Satan is that of indulgence; of living one's life to the utmost of intellectual and material/carnal fulfillment. This includes fulfilling all of one's desires, so long as it does not involve the unwilling (children and animals are classed as unwilling)...."
-- "Satanic Denominations - Modern", by Jashan A'al,
http://www.spiralnature.com/spirituality/satanism/modern.html
May, 2001 (Copyright 2000 CE Webmaster "Last modified 16-11-00")
"Traditional Satanists are those Satanists who believe in Satan as a literal [extant] being, whether human, spirit, alien, or god. ...the commonality ...is that Satan is a definable (if vaguely) external force which has an existence and usually consciousness in and of itself. This may or may not be an active consciousness, but is a consciousness of some sort. ...
"The First Church of Satan .... ...espouses the view that the so-called deities of the world, such as Jesus, Lucifer, Satan, Jehova, Ra, Isis, et al., are Daemons...beings which are more highly-evolved than ourselves, but who are still very much involved in what we would call a "human life," as regards having passions, emotions, agendas, etc. They are a "further stage" in our evolutionary development, and some day (after many reincarnations of the spirit), those who are fit will become Daemons themselves.
"... [Nate Leved's] Church of Lucifer ...has more or less allied itself with the First Church of Satan....
"...the Children of the Black Rose is their very organized and well-documented philosophy of self-enhancement and evolution, the eventual aim being personal perfection and achievement of a "personal heaven" in the Astral Realm along with Lucifer, the Father....
-- "Satanic Denominations -- Traditional", by Jashan A'al,
http://www.spiralnature.com/spirituality/satanism/traditional.html
May, 2001 (Copyright 2000 CE Webmaster "Last modified 16-11-00")
Below are more recent expressions from Jashan's website (now defunct).
DEFINING SATANISM
=================
by Jashan A'al
...
_Religion or Philosophy?_
...
Philosophy -- "a logical and critical study of the source and nature of human knowledge" -- is closer both in meaning and in spirit to contemporary Satanic thought. The emphasis in all forms of Satanism on inquiry and reasoning rather than blind faith is stated repeatedly in Satanic writings.
[AUTHOR'S NOTE: A few of the many examples include: "Satanism demands study - not
worship!" - [LaVey,] "The Satanic Rituals"; "He who is slow to believe in anything
and everything is of greatest understanding, for belief in one false principle
is the beginning of all unwisdom." - [LaVey,] "The Satanic Bible"; "A Satanist
should not allow himself to be programmed by others. He should fight tooth and
nail against it, for that is the greatest enemy to his freedom of spirit."
[LaVey,] "The Devil's Notebook".]
...The terms "satanic" and "diabolical" in common parlance carry connotations not only of wickedness but of cunning -- the frightening aspect of the Christian devil, for those who believe in it, is not only its malevolence but its supernaturally keen intellect.
[AUTHOR'S NOTE: [Barton,] "The Church of Satan", p. 60.]
The amount of emphasis on and indeed praise of knowledge and wisdom in Satanism could easily be described as "love," and we find that Satanism as a belief system and way of life is much closer to philosophia than to religio in its essence.
_Semantic vs. Theological Origins_
...
LaVeyan Satanists, which are perhaps the largest denomination, do not ascribe to the belief that Satan is a supernatural personage, whether god, demon, or something else. The viewpoint of LaVeyan Satanists ranges widely, but may generally be described as any one, or a mixture, of the following:
* Satan is a representation of the natural forces of the Universe * Satan is a representation of the "dark" aspects of human behavior * Satan is a literary "anti-hero" which represents admirable qualities of independence, wisdom, and achievement.
[The activity of "Satanists seek[ing] to redefine Satan as a "good guy" and claim it represents good qualities"] is not a modern movement and has been well-established long before the advent of contemporary Satanism, ranging from the serpent-admiring Gnostics of early Christianity, to Milton's Paradise Lost, to Beaudelaire's[sic] Litanies of Satan. Satan today adamantly exists as an energetic symbol of joie de vivre for many people - a vivid contrast to the dour self-denial of the monotheistic religions.
...
_Defining Satanism_
While it is true that the majority of Satanic denominations have more differences than commonalities, it is also true that certain core threads of belief are common to them all.
It is also true that defining Satanism is inherently problematic in that Satanism is a religion which exalts individuality and not only tolerates but encourages variation in personal beliefs. ...
In recognition of this, the following points are proposed as the essential components of Satanic belief. These are intended to be as broad as possible, to encompass the vast variety in Satanic philosophy, yet still concrete enough to allow a definite line to be drawn between Satanic and non-Satanic philosophies.
1. Man as Animal.
... A common extension of this belief is the selectivity of emotional response. LaVey phrased this as "kindness to those deserving, instead of love wasted on ingrates." Animals are naturally selective in who they bond with and share resources with, whether emotionally or materially. Satanists often share this quality and are conservative and loyal regarding the people to whom they extend their friendship.
2. Supremecy of the Here-Now
...Satanism places its emphasis on the so-called "vital existence" -- the known world and the present life. As spiritual realms and past/future lives remain items of speculation and questionable existence, Satanism chooses to deal with these items when/if they manifest. We regard the enjoyment of our current existence and happiness within our current world as of the primary importance; whatever afterlife a Satanist chooses to believe in, should be of secondary consideration. The Satanist -- like all animals -- lives for life.
3. Autonomy of the Individual
Animals see themselves rightly placed at the center of their own world, as does the Satanist. The most important individual in a Satanist's life is the Satanist themself. They are their own highest judge, their own ultimate lord, and the source of their own personal happiness....
4. Self-Betterment
... A Satanist recognizes that one can always seek to improve oneself, either physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, or materially -- and not only that one can, but that one should. Stagnation leads to death in the natural world.
5. Exaltment of Knowledge
... In pursuit of wisdom and personal happiness, Satanism stresses the importance of gaining and applying knowledge of all kinds. This supercedes and is considered superior to elements of hearsay, rumor, gossip, mythology, legend, dictates of authority, and blind faith.
6. Responsibility
... With the knowledge a Satanist attains, he or she must weigh each action and judge whether or not the results it garners are worth the responsibility entailed. A Satanist rejects claims such as "the Devil made me do it!" as a blatant attempt to escape personal accountability. ...
7. Belief in Magic(k)
Satanism acknowledges the existence of magic, whether individually conceived to be a supernatural force, a psychological phenomenon, or an extension of the known laws of nature.
8. Belief in Satan
The final thing which defines Satanism is, of course, belief in Satan itself. Note the word "itself." Satan takes on many forms and concepts depending on the personal views of the Satanist asked. The sole boundaries of what Satan is within the definition of Satanism, is that a Satanist holds Satan as a positive, central figure/concept in his or her philosophical mythos, and that their conceptualization of Satan is non-Judeo-Christo-Islamic.
_Sources_
[A'al,] Jashan[.] Theistic Satanism Page, http://www.jashan.net/sites/satanism/
Barton, Blanche. The Church of Satan. Hell's Kitchen Productions, New York, 1990
First Church of Satan, http://www.churchofsatan.org
Forsyth, Niel. The Old Enemy: Satan and the Combat Myth. Princeton University Press, 1987.
Hexham, Irving. Concise Dictionary of Religion. Regent College Press, Vancouver, 1999.
Gallop, David, trans. Plato's Defense of Socrate, Euthyphro, and Crito. Oxford University
Press, New York, 1999.
LaVey, Anton Szandor. The Devil's Notebook. Feral House Press, California, 1992.
---- The Satanic Bible. Avon Books, New York. 1969
---- The Satanic Rituals. Avon Books, New York. 1969
---- Satan Speaks! Feral House Press, California, 1998.
MessadiŽ, Gerald. A History of the Devil. Kodansha America, New York, 1996.
Pagels, Elaine. The Origin of Satan. Vintage Books, New York, 1996.
Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus, American Edition, New York, 1996.
Satan's Playground, http://slickaz.tripod.com
Strivelli, Ginger. Personal correspondence posted on the Sword and Shield message board at
http://forums.delphiforums.com/swordnshield/
Webster's II New Riverside Dictionary, New York 1996.
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Copyright © 1995-present Jashan A'an
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A BASIC PRIMER ON SATANISM
--------------------------
by Jashan A'al
_What is Satanism?_
Satanism is a term encompassing many different religious and philosophical paths which have among them certain commonalities, being:
1. Admiration of Satan as a (usually non-Biblical) life-positive rolemodel
2. Belief in the supremecy of the here-now life
3. Belief in the autonomy and, in turn, responsibility of each human being
4. Seeking of continual self-improvement and self-fulfillment
5. Exaltment of knowledge and wisdom as a means to those ends.
Two additional points which are widely shared but not universal among the Satanic paths: 6. Belief that mankind is but one among many species of animal 7. Belief in the reality and efficacy of magick and/or prayer
...
Satanism is much more a philosophy than a religion. It can, in fact, be combined with other religions as an "add-on," much like Taoism or Buddhism. Since Satanism itself holds no official stance on theistic matters, so long as you belong to a religion which is morally and philosophically compatible with Satanism, there's technically no reason you can't, say, worship Thor and hold Satanic values as well.
[_Commonalities_] ... all Satanists have some manner of positive tie to Satanism. ...
...
Satanism sees Satan as a life-positive rolemodel, on the other hand. Someone (or something) which empowers us, celebrates us, and nurtures our lives. Someone who helps us fulfill our potential and be happy. Whether this is the "enlightened one" motif of Lucifer or the "shock you out of your complacence, in-your-face" appeal of the classic Satan, it does something to help you move forward, better yourself, appreciate your life, and do something that many people seem unable to do -- be happy.
[_Emphasis on This Life, Here and Now_]
...
[_Autonomy_]
Satanism is very big on the concept of individuality and self-determinism. We revere the greatest anti-authoritarian in the world, after all. Often you'll hear Satanists say something to the effect of "We are our own gods," or "We worship ourselves." This is basically just another way of saying we prize personal autonomy. Satanists generally don't hold a god, prophet, divine messenger, or whatnot as being in control of their lives. We don't like being told what to do, even if it's by Grand High Lord X of the Council of Elder Gods.
...Satanists are loathe to interfere with another person's autonomy. It's really not our place to try to press standards (even our standards) on others, or to tell others they must conform to our aesthetics, etc., and nor do we enjoy it when others attempt to do that to us. So you go your way, I'll go my way, and we'll get along fine on the basis of the shared mutual respect for our respective self-determinism.
...Praise and blame go where they are due in Satanism, not shoved off on a mysterious Benevolent Lord or Wicked Tempter. Satan doesn't make you do anything. Satan merely gives you the keys; which doors you walk through (and what lies on the other side) is purely up to you.
[_Self-Improvement/Fulfillment_]
...
Those who appreciate their life and their abilities are more likely to fulfill their obligations and dreams in life. Someone who has seen the benefits of hard work in their own life may work harder in other areas; they will reap the rewards there as well. When you strive -- not for the sake of striving, but for a tangible end -- you have a sense of accomplishment, of success, of happiness when complete. Fulfillment. Contentment. Peace. The two aspects of improvement and fulfillment are intimately intertwined. Satanism encourages its practitioners to obtain both.
[_Exaltation of Knowledge and Wisdom_]
...
[_Satanism and Adolescent Behavior_]
... Satanism is not about shocking your parents or getting a reputation as a bad boy -- despite popular opinion to the contrary. Satanism is about living your life to the fullest, finding your path in life, and unashamedly pursuing what delights and contents you. It is about rejecting the mindless conformity of modern pop-culture and being who you want to be. It is being ambitious, proud, joyous, and free. It is about truly living.
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Copyright © 1995-present Jashan A'al
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SATANISM AS A POSITIVE PATHWAY OF LIFE
...
One core concept that Satanism espouses is that we are each our own higher power; we are each our own God. There is no invisible puppet master in the clouds which pulls strings and shapes our destiny for good or for ill. What we are and what we become is totally up to our own efforts. ...
Satanism also emphasizes that a great deal of what most consider to be "paranormal" or "magickal" is, in actuality, applied psychology. The power of a properly-focused human mind is immense, and can generate effects in reality which are beyond what can properly be explained by science. Translation? I was capable of much more than I thought I was capable of. There was no need of otherworldly guidance; no necessity to bow before a corpse on a stick. I had the willpower necessary to better myself. In fact, I'd had it all along. I just needed to tap into it.
Liberty... self-expression... happiness. Modern Satanism very much promotes the idea of individual autonomy and constructive anti-socialism. Not, as I had been before, rejecting all human contact for no reason. But rather, identifying what truly made me happy -- what and who I truly was in life -- and pursuing it....
Knowledge and ignorance are another central theme of Satanic philosophy....
I was ... assured (and convinced via demonstration) that knowledge is power, and, as Aristotle said, "the educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living differ from the dead." ...
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_WHAT *IS* SATANISM?_
...
And this [a good person] is what Satan is. That is what Lucifer is, Belial is, Lilith is. This is what all the names whispered in hushed cirlces are. Freedom. The freedom to be, and the freedom to not be. It is having the knowledge and confidence in yourself to know what you want, to know how to get it, and TO get it. ... "Where there is a will there is a way."
...
...[Satanism] is indeed about arrogance, and selfishness, and materialism. It is also about satisfaction, happiness, success, and truth. ....
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POINTS OF FAITH
_12 Points of Self: The Gods, the Satan, & the Universe_
...
7. 'Satan' is a collective term which applies to a group of lesser gods which have formed an alliance with one another. There is no singular entity called 'Satan,' but many who answer to the name. The 'Satan' embraces many distinct gods within it, including Lucifer, Legion, Belial, and many others.
8. The gods of the Satan are the rightful rulers of this realm and serve to maintain and protect it.
9. The Satan are friendly towards mankind and enjoy our struggles and successes; to this end, the attributes of freewill, knowledge, curiosity, invention, and autonomy are all championed by them.
10. There are core beliefs and practices in Satanism which are correct and necessay for 'true Satanism.' Satanists who do not express these core beliefs I may regard as good-intentioned, but likely misguided, ill-educated, or just plain-out wrong.
11. It is not necessary to be a Satanist to be a good person; any religion (or lack thereof) which encourages a person to follow a vaguely Satanic path (free-thought, skepticism, individuality, autonomy) is likely a good path -- even if they don't know or acknowledge that these are 'Satanic' traits.
12. There are gods which are associated neither with the Satan nor with Yahweh, and likewise people who are neither; this is not a "black or white, your side or my side" deal.
5 Points of Difference
Yahweh and the Satan
1. The god known as Yahweh (Jehovah, Allah) is a lesser god who seeks to grow beyond his station and 'conquer the world.' He is a tyrannical god whose own holy books portray him as vengeful, wrathful, law-obsessed, and cruel.
2. Over time Yahweh has succeeded in 'conquering' many of the ancient gods, but that a steadfast group of gods hold a traditional alliance against him and actively stand against his tyranny (the Satan).
3. The teachings of Yahweh and his followers are unconditionally false; their Heaven and Hell do not exist; their god is not the highest god; his laws are not mankind's laws; Satan is not a fallen angel or an evil being; there shall be no apocalypse unless it is made by human hands.
4. Yahweh is not powerful enough to conquer the Satan; whether the Satan lack the power or merely the interest to conquer [Yahweh], is unclear.
5. It is not the duty of the Children of Satan to wage war against Yahwehists; but rather to light the path to truth and help those who would escape their chains and remove their blinders.
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A DICTIONARY OF SATANIC TERMINOLOGY
...
Demon
A "minor spirit" or energy, less powerful than a god and perhaps closer to the 'mundane' realm in its sphere of influence. Satanists tend to use the word demon in the older, original sense of "a tutelary spirit" or "inspirational muse," which originates in the Ancient Greek term daimon or daemon. It should be noted that the word demon is not negative in origin nor is it used negatively in Satanism. The word only obtained its connotations of evil after the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Theoretically, one could use the word demon, angel, and spirit more or less interchangeably.
Demonolatry
A Left Hand Path religion which honors and worships demons. This overlaps with theistic Satanism to the extent that many of the demonic figures appear in both mythologies, although the specific beliefs about those demons (and the manner in which they are worked with or contacted) varies. In demonolatry Satan is often seen as being the primordial force of the Universe; the "divine energy," if you will, that enables all other actions. As such Satan is sometimes not seen so much as a god as a cosmic, impersonal force. However, whereas a Satanist focuses their honor and worship primarily on Satan, a demonolator recognizes Satan but may work more closely with another demon or demons. Satan is not necessarily a focus point for a demonolator.
The two most common Demonolatric hierarchies (lists of demons with which one works) are the [Lemegeton:] Goetic and the [1963, Richard:] Dukante.
Demonology
The study of demons and demonic lore. This is not a religion itself and indeed can be done by any member of any religion. Any Christian involved in "spiritual warfare" will likely have some demonology in their background, as will ritual magicians using the Goetia. Demonology includes the study of the names of demons, their history, and characteristics. It may also include studying how to interact with them.
Devil Worship
The worship of the literal spiritual figure of the Devil (usually identical to Satan). Depending on one's belief in the nature of the Devil, this term can either be synonymous with Anti-Christianity (worship of the Christian Satan) or with Theistic Satanism (worship of a non-Christian concept of Satan).
Diabolism
Per the dictionary, "the worship of demons (especially Satan)." In most Satanic usage, I have seen this used as an alternative term to Theistic Satanism, along with the less common deviltry. I do not recommend this term as an alternate for demonolatry.
...
Left Hand Path A general "umbrella term" for religions which share the following basic characteristics:
- A belief that individuals are, or can become by various methods, akin to gods and "higher powers" in their own right.
- Emphasis on the empowerment and success of the individual as the goal of life and spirituality.
- A view that spiritual and tangible rewards earned through individual skill, talent, effort, and perseverence.
- A view that there either is not an afterlife, or that one's place in the afterlife is directly determined by one's actions (not by a god)
Most Satanic-related religions are considered "Left Hand Path." See more at Wikipedia: Left Hand Path and Right Hand Path.
Luciferianism A religion or philosophy which focuses on the figure of Lucifer either superior to, or in lieu of, the figure of Satan. Depending on who one asks, Luciferianism is either a specialized sub-type of Satanism or a distinct, if very similar, religion. In all types of Luciferianism that I am aware of, Lucifer and Satan are seen as distinct individuals.
...
Satanism
Satanism is a term encompassing many different religious and philosophical paths which have among them certain commonalities, being:
Two additional points which are widely shared but not universal among the Satanic paths:
Some of the more common variants of Satanism are:
Modern Satanism:
Perhaps the single largest branch of Satanism today, founded by Anton LaVey in the 1960s. It is atheistic in nature and acknowledges no higher power nor any spiritual realm. It draws heavily from the ideas of Ayn Rand's Objectivism, Neitzsche's philosophical works, and social darwinism. It also acknowledges the effectiveness of magic, which is seen as being a scientific (although not yet understood) force. The Satanic Bible, The Satanic Rituals, and the Church of Satan are all specifically texts for this tradition, and LaVeyan Satanism has influenced (and often served as the bedrock of) most other Satanic philosophies. Modern Satanism's "official" organization is the Church of Satan, with an offshoot known as the Satanic Church. Modern Satanism -- specifically, members of the Church of Satan -- often hold the stance that they are the only right and proper branch of Satanism and that all other varities are 'pretenders to the throne' who have no claim to the term 'Satanism' and no right labelling themselves as such. Also called: LaVeyan Satanism, Atheistic Satanism.
Theistic Satanism:
The second largest branch of Satanism today, although it appears to be gaining in popularity. Theistic Satanism is a loose grouping of religious paths, often held by small, non-connected groups, which recognize Satan as a literal spiritual being and worship or honor him/her/it as a god. The concepts of what Satan exactly is depends on which variety of theistic Satanism being considered. Some of the more well-known groups of Theistic Satanists as of this writing are the First Church of Satan, Cabal of the Black Goat (and Church of Azazel, both maintained by Diane Vera), Joy of Satan, and the Horned Order's Magickal Existence (HOME). Also called: Traditional Satanism, Diabolism, Devil-Worship, Spiritual Satanism (Joy of Satan only)
Hollywood Satanism:
Not truly a form of Satanism, but rather a form of Christianity (specifically, anti-Christianity). This is the 'Satanism' commonly portrayed by Christian writers, Hollywood film-makers, and tabloid newspapers. Hollywood Satanism specializes in the portrayal of sinistering underground networks of Satanists (or, alternatively, secret elite power networks of Satanic world leaders) who perform organized criminal acts of the most heinous nature, such as sacrificing infants, mutilating animals, torturing and killing people, and engaging in cannibalism. Much of this is simply a modern manifestation of the much older Blood Libel myth. Also called: Gothic Satanism, Christian Satanism, Anti-Christianity.
Warlock
In Satanism, a generic term for a male practitioner of magic; i.e. a witch. In many Pagan religions this term is considered insulting and the word witch is used for both genders.
Witchcraft
...In Satanism, the term witch often refers to a female whereas warlock is the preferred term for a male. Note that in Satanism the term warlock does not have a negative connotation, and that Satanism rejects the concept that witchcraft is a religion or synonym for Wicca.
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ABOUT THIS SITE
_ABOUT SATANISM_
ABOUT SATANISM
Satanism .... ...is an umbrella term used to describe several religious paths which share common imagery and beliefs. Compare this to the term "Abrahamic," which can be used to describe the diverse religions of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity; all of which are related and share a certain history and core beliefs, but all of which are distinct religions.
Satanism has two primary branches: the so-called "Modern" and "Traditional" (or, my prefered labels, LaVeyan and Theistic). The Modern branch was founded in 1966 by Anton LaVey, the author of The Satanic Bible. It is an atheistic path which does not acknowledge the existence of any manner of gods or spirits -- not even Satan. Theistic Satanism, on the other hand, has no singular founder and has a very controversial and much-debated history. This website deals exclusively with Theistic Satanism.
_ABOUT JASHAN_
I have been a Satanist since 1995. I began my path as a LaVeyan/Modernist and gradually, through study and personal experience, drifted over to the Theistic/Traditional camp.
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SATANITY, SATANISM, DEVILRY, AND INFERNALITY
The Gospel of Satan: the story of Jesus and the angels, from the perspective of the God of this World
Satanism Bibliography: composite booklist of relevant sources on Satanity and devildom, by category
Satanic Blood Pact: explanation of how, why, and when to make a blood pact with the Devil
Adversarial AEon Begins: the particular and specific incident of a Satanic Blood Pact described
Manifesto Satanika: a generalized Satanic sociopolitical manifesto, with a helpful elaboration
nocTifer: a tender-hearted Satanian (nagasiva yronwode) in all avenues of expression
Bookmarks in compilation from the Magus of the AEon of the AdversaryMAGIC, SPELLS, AND DIVINATION
Hoodoo in Theory and Practice by cat yronwode: an introduction to African-American rootwork
Southern Spirits: 19th and 20th century hoodoo accounts, with ex-slave narratives & interviews
Association of Independent Readers and Rootworkers: readings and hoodoo services
Hoodoo Library facilitating an education on conjure, and help procuring modern sources
Herb Magic: illustrated descriptions of magic herbs with free spells, and a way to obtain them
Free Spells from eclectic witches, Coven Kyklos, in their Book of Shadows, called "Spiritual Spells"
Lucky Mojo Spell Archives: love spells, money spells, luck spells, protection spells, and more
Mystic Tea Room: tea leaf reading, teacup divination, and a museum of antique fortune telling cups
Tarosymbolismatrix Tetraktypisciseferoticus: the symbolic foundation of a novel Tarot deck
Change Oracle: rudiments of Yijing (I Ching) and several means of using it for readings
Lucky W Amulet Archive by cat yronwode: an online museum of worldwide talismans and charms
Usenet FAQ Archive: arcane and spiritual FAQs and REFs, brought to you by Lucky Mojo
YIPPIE: the Yronwode Institution, bearing the standard of indigenous ethnomagicologyOCCULTISM, MYSTICISM, AND RELIGION
Arcane Archive: thousands of archived usenet posts on religion, magic, mysticism, and spirituality
Missionary Independent Spiritual Church: inter-faith; candle services; Smallest Church in the World
Sacred Sex: essays and articles on neo-tantra, karezza, sex magic, and sex worship
Aleister Crowley Text Archive: a multitude of texts by an early 20th century occultist