Given my current position of pissing off a local group of Satanists (I still don't know what I did, by the way) I contacted a friend of a friend who is a Satanist and asked him to explain a little to me about what exactly I am dealing with.
I had to do this because even though I totally reject the concept of Satan or any kind of 'all evil being' what little I do know of Satanists is they employ magickal energy, and as with anybody who knows about magickal energy I want to be in full possesion of the facts before I react.
He was a very charming young man and seemed more than happy to tell me what I wanted to know - he has even offered to help me 'fight back' should the need arise.
He lent me a very interesting book outlining the basic meanings and types of Satanism availiable.
So, for your reading pleasure and understanding of this dark art I will include here a very informative passage:
SATANISM
Satanism and Dark Paganism are often confused; the subject of their similarities are frequently debated, even among Satanists and Dark Pagans alike.
However, as spiritual paths Satanism and Dark Paganism are very different.
Satanism is not easy to define as there isn't one generic form to use as reference. Also, as would be expected from a dark path, the views of Satanism will vary even among Satanists.
Despite this, there are certain classifications that can explain the types of Satanism that exist.
Gothic Satanism
Before we explore Satanism it is important to understand that modern Satanism (in any of it's forms) has nothing whatsoever to do with the type invented by the 15th century christian church giving rise to what is commonly known as the 'Witch hunts' of Europe.
Gothic Satanism, as this fictitious religion is known today was the collective thought projection of a religion that, at the time, believed even evil thoughts were a sin.
This form of Satanism never really existed in any tangible form, however it became a useful scapegoat to the guilt-ridden as well as a dangerous political tool of ridding oneself of one's enemies, not to mention a means of keeping the church in power.
Gothic Satanism still lives on today in the minds of some people who believe that a highly organised, international secret network of Satanists exist.
It may be argued that it is still being used as a political/religious tool to continue the fear of it's existance.
This organisation is said to perform rituals containing human sacrifice and sexual abuse, often involving minors, although there has yet to be a single documented case proving the existence of such a thing.
Sadly, there have been many localised instances of people attempting to enact such practices due to either psychosis or ignorance.
Explority Satanism and Fantasy
Due the negative yet often empowering images of Satanism, rebellious individuals (usually teenagers) become intrigued with Satanism and practice warped and often completely fictitious versions of it.
These people use this pseudo-Satanism as an outlet for their sexual frustrations and feelings of loneliness or emotional inadequacy.
Ironically, many own a copy of The Satanic Bible, yet perform animal sacrifices, a subject the book does not condone at all.
These same people are prone to misuse Dark Paganism and other dark paths in the same way.
It is very unfortunate that it is such people who tend to catch the public's eye, fueling further misunderstanding.
Modern Religious Satanism
Modern Religious Satanism can vary greatly among it's practitioners and there is no universally accepted system of belief or scripture. Some border on forms of Paganism while others are steadfast athiests. In fact, as ironic as it may seem, a vast majority of Satanists do not actually 'worship' Satan at all. There are also many differences on how Satanism is practiced between America and Europe.
Modern Religious Satanism is generally split between two distinct 'camps'. Theistic Satanism and Atheistic Satanism.
Theistic Satanism, such as that of The Temple Of Set, tends to honour such darker deities as Set or Satan.
Some theistic Satanists such as devotees to specific darker deities, have developed their personal spirituality to such an extent that the determining factor in distinguishing them from the more generic term "Dark Pagan" lies purely in semantics.
Also, some of these Satanists (usually most who members of The Temple Of Set) prefer to disasscociate themselves completely from the word 'Satanist'.
Atheistic Satanism, such as The Church Of Satan, does not believe in the existance of supernatural beings such as God or the Devil and is quick to deny any associations with Paganism.
To these Satanists, deities are the fictional and mythological creations of the human mind to help cope with the sometimes over-whelming mysteries of life.
To atheistic Satanists, the practicioner is his or her own deity, often celebrating their own birthday as a religious observance.
Satan is usually viewed as a principle or force of nature - the dark evolutionary force of entropy that permeates all of nature, providing the drive for survival.
Devil worship, in itself, is looked upon as being a Christian heresy and thus is frowned upon since it acknowledges the Christian view of God verses The Devil. In order to blaspheme the Christian god, one must first accept it's reality - something a Satanist would never do.
The Satan of Satanism holds little resemblance to the Satan of Christianity. Satanists blame much of the violence in the world on the suppression of natural behaviour, such as indulgence in carnal pleasure, which the major religions, particularly Christianity, deem sinful.
All forms of modern religious Satanism attempt to break free from the themes of guilt and self-sacrifice that Christianity has been known to over-emphasise, often hypocritically.
Modern religious Satanists in general promote hedonism, but not to extent of self-destruction. in fact, as a spiritual path, Satanists prioritise the self and promote practices that improve one's life - a trait common among dark paths.
- taken from 'Out Of The Shadows - An exploration of Dark Paganism and Magick' by John J. Coughlin.
Sian
Thanks for posting that Raymond it was really interesting.
I think I'd like to learn more about this subject
Raymond
Y'know what Sian? I think I would too.
I'm not saying I would ever become a Satanist myself, I would currently consider myself a 'dark Pagan' which means I'm naturally more inclined to the darker aspects of Paganism rather than the lighter aspects, and what I can make out from this book and my lengthy discussions with this fellow I was talking about the two are almost identical anyway.
It never hurts to be informed.
Sian
Knowledge is power apparently.
I've been told power brings money, which would be nice.
Personally I'd like to learn a bit more because of a naturally inquiring mind, plus it all helps in the pub quiz!
Waffle King
I had a girlfriend who was a satanist, we'll so she reckoned, she was pretty weird and most of the erm, practices we're quite, interesting
Bravo
Sian it's not money you seek.
It's what you can do with it that you want. And most of those things you don't actually need money for.
Raymond
I think a lot of people (especially younger people) who claim to be Satanists are Satanic in name only.
It happens in Witchcraft as well. It's the shock value. It makes you different, exotic, 'instantly' interesting.
I see it all the time when I tell people I'm a Witch and they say with a cheeky grin "Are you a White Witch?" to which I simply reply "No".
I don't say that for the shock value (well alright, maybe a little bit) I say it because it's true, I'm not a so-called 'White Witch'.
Raymond
Bravo wrote:
Sian it's not money you seek.
It's what you can do with it that you want. And most of those things you don't actually need money for.
Very true. But it has to said, money does buy one thing that you can't get for free, and that's freedom.
Sian
Bravo wrote:
Sian it's not money you seek.
It's what you can do with it that you want. And most of those things you don't actually need money for.
A week and a half from my wedding with £200 of unexpected wedding bills to pay... I seek money!
I jest. I am quite happy being moderately poor. As long as the 2nd hand non fiction book store stays open and cadburys keep thier prices reasonable I will be fine.
What I want to know is, what do satanists actually do?? The post says alot about what they don't do, what they don't believe but not much if anything about what they actually do believe and do about it.
Raymond
From what I can make out there are two forms of 'real' satanists. The ones who worship Satan (and their definition of Satan seems to be very different from everybody else's definition of him) and those who don't.
Those who do see him as the crative force in nature (much the same way as Pagans see the Goddess). To them he is neither good or bad, he just is.
Those who don't worship him seem to be more into self-worship and improving their own lives, (not neccessarily a bad thing in itself).
All the rest are a bit mad and probably seen too many dodgy horror movies.
Anyway, the point is, this bunch I seem to have pissed off aren't so much of a threat anymore.
I've been round to the house where the leader lives (yes, hiding in the bushes) and watched them and most of the people coming and going seem to be kids.
I would say they're a bunch of people who probably practice Satanism as the leader of the group makes it up as she goes along.
That doesn't mean I don't see them as a threat. I don't care what they call themselves or who they worship - a basic understanding of magick could cause me no end of problems.
Let's just say I'm not as concerned about this lot as I was this time last week.
Sian
Have you asked them what you have done?
If not... are you going to?
Raymond
No.
For three reasons.
Firstly, the lady in charge of this group isn't exactly approachable. She's got a mouth like an old navvy and looks like a white, female Mike Tyson. Not the sort of person I'd like to be seen chatting to on the street.
Secondly, if they do know anything about magickal working, by me turning up at the door and interacting with them is giving them physical links to me (very bad) and thirdly, by talking to them about the whole ridiculous business makes it look like I'm worried by their activities and that is just handing them all the power they need, not to mention massaging their egos.
Sian
That's fair.
I'm not really up to speed on all this magick and stuff.
So what is the plan? Surely not just wait and see?
Raymond
Mostly, yes.
They haven't done anything so far - I would know. One of the first things to suffer when somebody is working negative magickal energy against you is your own magickal workings basically amount to piss.
I did some work on Friday for something and this morning it happened (and I might add, it happened even better than I wanted it to) so no problems in that department.
Magickally speaking I rarely throw the first punch. I've sent them a little warning and if they are magickal people they would know by now not to piss around. I think they think they're dealing with a 'Lightsider' Witch because I don't look or dress like your average 'Darksider' Witch.
Time will tell.
evergreen
I found that fascinating- I can also relate to the dark pagan... wow who would have thought...
and Raymond I think they know you are a bit dark... they are threatened by you.... lets face it you are strong with the force hehe
and Raymond your gut getting much better !
david hobbs
I told you it was done by kids.
Nothing to worry about at all.
Raymond
When I said 'kids' they looked like early to mid twenty-somethings.
The woman in charge certainly isn't a 'kid'. Of all of them she's the one I'm most cercerned about. She really is a horrible woman and if she does have an understanding of magick then I could have a bit of a fight on my hands.
Anyway, no matter. I've been up against bigger and better in the past.
david hobbs
To my shame anyone under 35 looks like a kid to me
Raymond
.....anyone under 55!
Samjaza
There seems to be more seperate cults allied under a satanic banner than the fractured christians.
Nice article though.
Satan was derived as an accuser and the same as in The Koran as "Iblis" who refused to bow to Gods creation of humans and was tehrefore cast out. However doing a deal with God, he was giving respite to tempt humans and cause trangression to the unfaithfull.
As a satanist then, it would follow that the aim of Satanists would be to turn their flock and themselves away form the idea of "God" and indulge instead in pleasures of flesh and wordly things.
Not sure i'd agree with the classical formation of Satans fall from grace. I tend to believe in the pseudo and Buddhist view. Creation is inherently evil, therefore its creator must also have been inherently evil. Purity would not create something that became the cause of suffering?
billy nomates
i am interested in the last bit of what you said,sam.........
can you expand on this please?
it seems that we do live in a world where the majority suffers........
some have said to me that we cant have a world without good and bad......
