The Cloven Hoof, Issue 131

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The Cloven Hoof

The Original Voice of Contemporary Satanism

Lughnasadh

XXXVIII Anno Satanas

Blanche Barton, editor


Once Again into the Abyss

When we revived this original newsletter of the Church of Satan in 1995 c.e., after a seven-year hiatus, it was because there was so much energy bristling through our Dark Continuum that Dr. LaVey felt it was time to utilize The Cloven Hoof, along with the grotto system which he revived at the same time, to focus and feed our best members. Two years later, our High Priest died and my life turned upside down. After publishing the LaVey tribute issue in 1998, my energies necessarily turned toward maintaining the Church of Satan and sustaining our son. I had battles to fight in the world above. Though I Constantly wanted to return here, to this secret lair of intoxicating ideas and speculation where we could share magical inspiration with each other, I never seemed able to find my way back. My travels along the Left-Hand Path led me down some isolated alleys, and practical concerns interfered with my Darker indulgences. I've been concentrating on Satanic matters, doing my job aboveground (as we all must) but the shadows beckon ceaselessly.

Now we have a new High Priest, Peter H. Gilmore, and a new High Priestess, Peggy Nadramia. I feel confident in their power to strengthen and further refine the philosophy to which Anton LaVey devoted his life. Our international grotto system is broader and better organized than ever before, our Internet presence is impressive, and with the implementation of our new online members-only SIGs, our leaders have provided us with ever more efficient ways to ferret out like- minded individuals for productive alliances. Accurate information about Satanism has never been this readily available to students, journalists and potential members. (Of course, there's also enough “Satanic” misinformation floating around in cyberspace to ensnare all but the most devilishly dedicated-but that's part of the game, isn't it?)

It's been almost five years since the last Cloven Hoof was released, but that time has only allowed the infernal flames to grow brighter and clearer within me, and within this delicious cabal we share. Though my Satanic allegiance has never wavered, for a time I wondered whether there was any point in continuing The Cloven Hoof. The earliest Church of Satan newsletters and information sheets were printed on brightly-colored paper, and were released every two months. They were more like bulletins than magazines, containing Dr. LaVey's thoughts, observations and humor, as well as pithy articles by other members, book and movie reviews, and pertinent, timely organizational information as needed. That was the basic format until 1988 c.e., when we suspended publication. Technology has progressed light-years since then. Now, for up-to-date news and policy statements, we have the official Church of Satan. website. We have several high-quality, widely- ada ap distributed Satanic magazines. For Luciferian real-time conversations, we have chatrooms and on-line buddy lists. And we have dozens of affiliating websites containing endless Satanic articles, opinions and speculation. What niche could The Cloven Hoof possibly serve?

After considered reflection, I re-read the opening editorial from the revived 1995 Cloven Hoof. In that, I spoke of a need for timely information (which the website is better suited to provide now), as well as an active tribunal, where we'd highlight Satanic principles seeping into the mainstream and outright LaVey rip-offs. I also promised we'd concentrate on the aesthetics of Satanism, blending sex and sarcasm," literacy and libido, to outrage and inflame. Even at that early point of Internet development, we saw a need for rumination and discernment, to bolster ourselves against the tidal wave of information at our fingertips. We don't want to sacrifice the ability to digest what we're being force-fed by the media and other outlets in the name of being "well-informed". The last general goal we proposed for The Cloven Hoof was to encourage diabolical rites of all sorts, to bring our Greater Magical skills to bear on our larger goals and reclaim our occult heritage. The reason we are Satanists instead of atheists or humanists is because we find the dark trappings of the Black Arts to be emotionally stimulating. We are often so disdainful of the ring-around-the-rosy rituals of the Wiccans, that we neglect our own Greater Magical experiments, fearing we might become too But we must remember that among Satan's greatest strengths are imagination, theatrics, pomp and the true paranormal perspective that can be evoked within our Intellectual Decompression Chambers. While the Wiccans and other “magick users” appropriate thes Devil's tools, they still lack the deeper understanding to make them work. We can re-read The Satanic Bible and Rituals, along with the exciting discoveries now being made in the fields of biochemistry, theoretical physics and other sciences, and successfully apply the methods that have been refined through the eons.

All this led me to the conclusion that there was. still a function to be served by The Cloven Hoof. I'm enthusiastic about reviving this newsletter once again. It will be modest in its presentation, but rich with ideas, observations and speculation. Now that the s general information requests are funneling through New York, I miss the immediate interaction with newer members, and the questions/issues that used to ariseba through correspondence with more established members. I'm hungry for that experience again. I would like to make The Cloven Hoof an opportunity for interaction, somewhere between the informality and immediacy of emails and the formality of the handful of excellent Satanic magazines that come out a few times a year. I enjoy teaching, sharing what I learned from my years with Anton LaVey, and am open to stimulating ideas, pulling together the various threads of Satanic wisdom as well as exploring new, unimagined avenues. You can help by submitting questions for a future Q and A column, by sending in well-written and conceived articles or essays, effective rituals you've tried, or even reviews of movies, books, music, wines, restaurants or haunted sites you think other Satanists would enjoy. I plan on keeping us to 12 pages so I may not be able to include every section every time, but with increased frequency, I'll always be on the lookout for quality material. (This issue turned out to be a little longer; it's been awhile, we had a lot to cover.)

Is it still cool to be Gothic and alienated? How do the emerging superstring, chaos and entanglement theories interact with our ideas about magic? What de facto Satanists from the past do you find inspiring? What aspects of creative anachronism are you applying in your life? Let's sit close to the fire in our secret grotto. Let's entertain wild notions and scare ourselves with the dancing shadows on the walls. We've entered into an entrancing and powerful pact, unlike anything Those Without will ever understand. I can't wait to see what happens next.

-Blanche Barton, ed.


Fumbling with the Combination Lock Principle?

By Jeb Webb

Sometimes it really seems like I was born either too early or too late to find my niche with the other eccentrics. I recently finished reading Issue 130 of The Cloven Hoof, and I must admit that I was deeply moved by many of the submitted personal accounts regarding Dr. LaVey. Like so many others who are not fortunate enough to have spent personal, quality time with the Doctor, I was envious of those who had. I always hoped to meet him someday when older and more accomplished than I am now (perhaps making a name for myself would keep me from ranking with the nuisances who were always trying to take his time). When it was already too late, I really wished that I had at least tried.

When Anton LaVey died I felt an immediate loss. Not only of a hero, but of the hope to meet him. As many have noted, it is a wholly selfish longing...if not somewhat vampiric. We all wanted to be graced with the presence of this incredible man who symbolized and codified the legacy that every Satanist is born into. We wanted to have a little slice of time- his time-to hold and remember as our own. Psychic vampirism at its ugliest.

Heed the hymns of harlots as they swarm together

into a potent mass! Cate

Let us hunt down the agents of Hypocrisy and

tear out their tongues and hearts! Let us smash the pillars of Falsehood,

ye Weakness,

burn its self-denying creations,

And let Reason rule the Earth.

(Coda)

The power of creation and destruction resides

within them who acknowledge themselves. Behold bearded Life dressed in a robe of Death; for Delight, key to the vehicle of the Heart, is named Sin, a ferry ticket to Hell.

Orc mourns his standard-bearer

as the Mass of the Dead is screamed into the bowels of a weeping Earth.

Shemhamphorash!


Starting From Zero: Satanic Philosophy from the Ground Up by Kevin Filan

Most religious and ethical systems are based on a vision of things as they should be. Satanism is concerned with things as they are. Anton LaVey's worldview is based on easily observed, easily verified facts. That explains why so many Satanists say that their first encounter with The Satanic Bible was a confirmation of what they knew all along; common sense will lead any sane, rational person to LaVey's conclusions. (It also explains why some folks, unable to challenge these facts, claim that Dr. LaVey "plagiarized" them).

In a debate, you should concentrate on these simple points. If your opponent tries to change the subject, or otherwise refuses to respond, keep bringing the debate back to our basic beliefs. These core principles are the strongest weapons in our artillery; they are the truths they cannot refute. If we refuse to be distracted by noise and nonsense and stick to our principles we can win the argument every time. Starting from zero, forgetting the Nine Satanic Statements, the Eleven Rules of the Earth, and anything else Anton LaVey ever wrote, we can still find our way back to a Satanic philosophy with nothing more than these basic ideas.

1. Man is an Animal

Anyone who has ever taken a high school biology class knows this. We are, without question, members of the animal kingdom, hairless, hive- building primates with close family ties to various simians. Human behavior can be explained easily and thoroughly in terms of animal behavior. (Pair bonding, territorialism, pack behavior, sexual displays--you name it and we do it.) Those who doubt it need only read introductory textbooks on taxonomy, genetics, animal behavior (Konrad Lorenz is especially recommended), biology or ecology.

This point is so obvious that your opponent will rarely try to dispute it. Instead, he will claim man is somehow "different" than the other animals, that he is gifted with an "immortal soul" or that he is otherwise set apart. Make him prove it. Ask for evidence of man's "soul" for proof that man is “set apart” from the animal kingdom. Likely he will tell you some variant of “man is smarter than other animals". Point out that this does not prove the existence of an “immortal essence"; a computer with a Pentium II/400 processor is faster than a beat-up old 286/16, but we don't take that additional capacity as evidence for its soul. Keep asking them for one piece-ONE piece- -of evidence that man differs from animals qualitatively, not just quantitatively.

Sooner or later, if you keep this up, your opponent is likely to say some variant of "I believe on faith!" He may say, “You aren't capable of understanding..." or "You've oversimplified the situation..." or some such, but what he's really saying is "The evidence is against me but I want to believe." At this juncture further debate is probably pointless; telling a True Believer he should change his opinion is like telling a street person those voices in his head aren't real. Those who are watching the debate will know who won the point, and that is the important issue.

2. There is only the “Physical Realm”

We no longer explain lightning as “Zeus (or Thor, or Indri) throwing down his thunderbolt". We have found a scientific explanation for thunderstorms which does not require us to postulate angry gods. We no longer believe that influenza is caused by bad planetary conjunctions; germ theory explains the flu, and helps us treat it far more effectively than any astrological chart. Similarly, we have no need to create a “spiritual realm" if we recognize that man is just another animal, not an “immortal soul incarnated in flesh"

Bishop Berkeley and a few Buddhist cults aside, the physical world is pretty damned difficult to deny. We don't need to spend a lot of time proving that we exist, that the building we live in exists, that the planet we live on exists and so forth. Our opponents, on the other hand, must prove these invisible realms they've created. We have to make them provide evidence for their “spiritual plane

It's likely they will produce some "channeled" document as proof of their claims. Don't let them get away with it. Point out that their document is convincing only to those who want to be convinced- and that they're engaging in circular logic. (e.g. "God exists." "How do you know?" "This document was written by God himself." "How do you know that?" "Well, it says it was written by God himself, and I can't argue with God.")

Ask your opponent to describe this "spiritual realm" for you. Make them give as many specifics as possible. Then ask them how they arrived at their conclusions. If they try referring back to their

sacred documents, remember the pointer above. Sooner or later, they're going to crack and tell you, yet again, that they believe on faith. And once again, you can point out that your belief doesn't require faith, just common sense and an ability to see things for what they are.

3. Satan is a Symbol

We all know how much power symbols have in our day-to-day lives. Corporations pay enormous sums for symbols which will make us buy their products- the Marlboro Man, Ronald McDonald, Prudential's "Rock”. English teachers tell us to seek out the “symbolism” in literary works, and give poor grades to those who can't see Moby Dick as more than just a big white whale. Politicians seek votes by stopping protesters from burning the flag-symbol to some of American greatness and to others of American crimes.

We recognize Satan as a powerful, evocative symbol. Satan still gets a reaction out of folks, even in this post-Christian age. (Those who doubt it are welcome to check out the history of the last Marilyn Manson tours, or the efforts of Wiccans and other neopagans to distance themselves from Satanists.) We use that symbol to our own ends; sometimes we capitalize on the shock value and at other times we use Satan as symbolic of man's higher potential. Some folks may disapprove of our use, some may claim it's counterproductive and juvenile, but nobody can deny that Satan is a symbol, nor that this symbol can at times be useful.

Our opponents, on the other hand, are claiming that their gods are "something more” than just symbols: they believe that their deities are real, that they take a direct and personal interest in the lives of their followers, and that they have certain set taboos and requirements which we must follow lest we risk rejection or punishment. And, yet again, they have no evidence to back this up. Be sure to hammer this home.

4. There is nothing "sacred"

Symbols don't talk to people; they don't choose sides in petty internecine quarrels; they don't declare their followers to be the "chosen people" or any such hoo-hah. They don't say "You must not question me lest you be tormented in hell"; perhaps most important of all, they don't draw distinctions between “sacred” and "profane".

The concept of "the Sacred" implies that the material world and material philosophy is "profane". It implies that “divine revelation” is to be considered superior to rational findings. It implies something set apart, something which cannot be held to the standards of our day-to-day world. Ultimately, it implies a leader who determines how the "sacred" and the "profane" interact, and whose ideas, like the “sacred" texts, are not subject to rational considerations.

We in the Church of Satan recognize the carnal, material world. We recognize the laws which govern this world-the laws of thermodynamics, the laws of cause and effect, the laws of chemical reaction, the laws of logic. We think these laws are the “ultimate truth"...and we see no reason to say that some mass delusion is more truthful than that which we can deduce using our knowledge of these laws. Again, we find this self-evident, and don't understand how ar anyone could doubt it.

If your opponent is a theist, he likely has a few "Sacred Cows"-a few "thou shalt not questions' hammered into him by his fellow cultists. Find them, and hammer on them. Force him to defend those beliefs which are "beyond all reason". If you do, you'll soon find out that his beliefs aren't trans-rational or post-rational...just irrational. Likely you'll see outbursts of fury; remember, these beliefs aren't based on logical considerations, but on emotional needs. You may see your opponent reduced to babbling "prayers" over and over like a mantra. He may even use violence-ranging from electronic “mail-bombings” to physical assault-in a desperate attempt to shut you up. Assuming you're able to defend yourself (and caution is always advised when dealing with True Believers), this is exactly the reaction you want. Once again you come across as the Voice of Reason, while your foe looks like a Drooling Fanatic.

Starting from zero and taking these four basic points, you can go a long way towards reconstructing most of LaVey's philosophy. You can present our views clearly and logically, and point out the flaws inherent in theistic "reasoning". Most importantly, you can understand exactly what we believe and why we believe it—and put these ideas into practice in your life!


Arsenal

Items of devilish interest

There's excellent Satanic material being produced now, most of it posted and reviewed on numerous websites. I've got a teetering column of valuable magazines and books I'd love to review for this section but much of what I've hoarded is now out of print or obsolete. If you've taken me off your mailing list, please put me back on so I can mention

I your magazines, books, recordings and other stuff. If you've sent things that are still current and you'd like reviewed, let me know. I'll grab just a few items out of the tower to review here:

-That anachronistic madman, Doran Wittelsbach of BUA Productions, has outdone himself again. The first issue of Bloody Beautiful was striking in presentation and content, and Issue #2 is no less so.. don't know where he finds this material, but I'm delighted he shares it so extravagantly with us. In #2 we are treated to lengthy articles on Al Bowlly (a much-neglected English popular singer of the 1930's), and McDermott and McGough (those two eccentric artist/photographers who live in the past-fascinating time travellers), as well as shorter articles on spats and derby hats (which my son loved), and a 6-page gallery of beautifully-illustrated sheet music (ranging from 1906-1941). You even get an Al Bowlly sticker to put on your car or school notebook, and a 9-inch record! To read Bloody Beautiful is to suspend time, to enter a rich and exciting total environment. Issue #1 is listed as still available for $10

but there's no price listed for Issue #2. Send $10 to BUA Productions, 1701 Broadway, #347, Vancouver, WA, 98663, USA, and you'll be delighted with either issue.

While you're at it, you might want to inquire whether there are any copies left of Mr. Wittlesbach's excellent book on Dr. Nixon: Isis and Beyond. Again, Mr. Wittelsbach is tireless in his research and lavish in his production. Gold-embossed cover, rare photos and interviews within. As those of us who admire Anton LaVey know, Dr. Cecil Nixon was almost a surrogate father to our young Magician-this book explains why. Nixon was erudite, crusty, cultured and talented, and a vital spectre haunting San Francisco's gallery of eccentrics. If this book is still available, grab it quick.

-While we're on the topic of anachronistic

publications, this fellow Michael Malefica Pendragon has winnowed out a perfectly cozy spot with his Penny Dreadful and Songs of Innocence publications. The first is subtitled "Tales and Poems of Fantastic Terror", the second covers the very best of today's Romantic fiction and verse". I am holding Issue 13 of it's a few years old—but I trust they haven't gone out of print already. In his opening statement, Pendragon- describes Penny Dreadful as “a late Victorian era publication. Tales and poems making references to 200 or 21 century persons, events or things will have a difficult time finding publication in her pages....It is as if Pound, Eliot, Joyce, Hemingway had never lived.” Pendragon has attracted some like-minded writers and poets to the pages of his magazines who do a good job evoking with dark imagery and rhymed meter. If you enjoy the tingles provided by Victorian and Romantic poets and short story writers, you won't be disappointed here. For an issue, send $5 to Michael Pendragon, P.O. Box 719, New York, NY, 10101- 0719. (This temporal misfit is also responsible for a more directly diabolical rant that I won't tease you with because I don't know if he has them anymore. But it's good. Just ask him about it with your order.)

PD in my hands, from Midsummer ANKARAS

--On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have a slick, glossy, full-color magazine which advertises itself as "the first great horror magazine of the 21" century". Are You Going? displays high production costs and seems to be covering recent lower-budget horror films. I haven't heard of most of them, but it seems to be an ideal magazine for low-budget horror aficionados. In Issue #4, they have an interview with well-known horror writer Tananarive Due, as well as a positive review of the DVD of a little gem the Doctor was fond of, Motel Hell. If you recognize the names Dante Tomaselli and Tom Savini, you might want to give this magazine a chance. Send $5 to Are You Going?, P.O. Box 163, Northport, NY, 11768.

-You know Reverend Matt Paradise produces an outstanding Satanic magazine, Not Like Most, and that he has a top-notch website, and that he continues to be an astute representative of the Church of Satan...but have you heard about The Book of Satanic Quotations? If not, you should have-so I will now tell you how vital it is that you get a copy posthaste for your bookshelf. True Satanists, I've noticed, have a wide range of interests and references in their brains as well as on their bookshelves. This little handbook reflects this eclecticism perfectly. As a test, I peeked at Flaubert, Bertrand Russell, and Carl Sagan--all are included, each with interesting, defiant quotes. It's a good book to carry with you, for ammunition or inspiration. Send $12 to Purging Talon Publishing, P. O. Box 8131, Burlington, VT, 05402.

Speaking of ammunition, there's a handy little book published in Australia called The Antichrist's Bible which you'll probably find invaluable if you still enjoy the sport of debating Christians. This is subtitled, "222 dark truths, contradictions and pagan connections behind the Gospels". Mr. Sinton really did his research and includes all those pre-Christian beliefs which fed into the formation of the Christian myths. Plus there are blasphemous observations and quotes sprinkled liberally through the text. My copy was published in January 2001, so you can find out if there are any copies left by contacting The Haunted Bookshop, 15 McKillop Street, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA, 3000. Or try their website: www.haunted.com.au.

-I suspect you'd enjoy Gavin Baddeley's new book, Goth Chic. Like his previous Lucifer Rising, he covers the topic at hand, but also wanders down some ancillary corridors-the attraction of evil, the thrill of fear, forbidden sex and, of course, Goth music. His style is always enthusiastic and engaging. Look for Goth Chic at all major bookstores.

-Nocturnal Reflections Grotto is still going strong, publishing a colorful newsletter now, titled The Devil's Reign. It emphasizes their affiliation with vampiric mythos, as well as their love of astronomy with upcoming astronomical events described-even a cute article about a pair of pet hedgehogs. There are Satanic poems, articles and resources galore, and events in the Vancouver area. I'm not sure if this magazine is available to those outside the grotto (I don't see a price anywhere), but, if interested, contact them at www.nocturnalreflections.ca to find out.

-While on the topic of vampiric associations, the Temple of the Vampire is going stronger than ever. Their representatives are usually the most intriguing ones quoted in these ubiquitous Contemporary Vampirism survey books. Within the Temple, they've produced new, sensually-pleasing versions of their main materials (I'm not at liberty to elaborate), they've expanded their website forums and are guiding our hungry seekers down some intellectually and psychically satisfying paths. If you're drawn to the darkly potent image of the Vampire but don't yet understand why, you owe it to yourself to fulfill your destiny. Contact the Temple by sending a SASE to TOV, Box 3582, Lacey, WA, 98509. Or find out more on their website: www.vampiretemple.com.

-Another grotto newsletter that has really blossomed over the past couple of years is The Trident, published by the Legion of Loki Grotto in St. Louis. I have enjoyed every issue of this newsletter. The editor has received some excellent articles on Latin in ceremonies, creating a pact, tips for Satanic men, along with a handful of worthwhile reviews. Their latest issue covered the enticing theme of SEX, with some fiction, articles on B and D, and true liberation. You look forward to this one showing up in your mailbox. For a sample issue, send $2 ($3 outside U.S.) to Legion of Loki, ATTN: The Trident, P.O. Box 140252, St. Louis, MO, 63114.

-As I was completing this, I received the latest issue of Bloodfire!. Editor Les Hernandez has put together another fine magazine, including an article on polyamorous relationships, handguns, lycanthropy, and some intriguing fiction. He's also releasing a full-Tes length album of Satanic punk! For information, send a SASE to Bloodfire!, Box 95, 350 Ward Avenue, Suite #106, Honolulu, HI, 96814.

--One more Satanic magazine of note is The Devil's Diary, released twice a year at Halloween and Walpurgisnacht. In Volume 4, Mr. Blackthorne includes a lengthy article on Aristotle, confessions of a vampire, an interview with "Lucifer" (a Satanic rock band), various pithy reviews and even a trapezoidal crossword puzzle. Well worth a look. Send $6 to The Devil's Diary, 2775 E. Valley Blvd., Box #119, West Covina, CA, 91792.

-There are a handful of Satanic (I mean actually Satanic, not just posturing) musicians out there who are succeeding in evoking a kind of timeless, magical suspension with their music. High Priest Gilmore is one (I hope I'm not letting the feline out of the sack by mentioning there's a CD soon to be released of HP Gilmore's music): I received Le'rue Delashay latest CD, "The Law of Octaves" recently, and have enjoyed it. He's playing with mathematics, patterns and musical conjunctions in a way that's classical yet contemporary. It's not rock. It's not gothic. It's classically-instrumented, darkly evocative music. If your curiosity is piqued, contact Root of all Evil Records, 636 N. Snelling Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55104, or call up their website, www.rootofallevil. com, for ordering information.

-Feral House just gets better all the time. You check their website weekly; you know the great stuff they've published lately. Reprints of Eisler's Man Into Wolf and Francis King's Sexuality, Magic and

Perversion-both difficult-to-find classics. There have been a couple of lavish books covering the wild days of Weimar Berlin, and the new Satanic Witch, with an impressive introduction by High Priestess Nadramia. just received a couple of glossy, oversized postcards, one announcing their latest release: It's a Man's World: Men's Adventure Magazines, the Postwar Pulps. This looks like any eye-popping collection of those racy, colorful mags from the 1950's, with wild adventure stories illustrated with Nazis ripping the clothes off lusty, terrified frauleins. Hubba, hubba. The other postcard lists new books on shadow governments, true vampires, and an expanded version of Lords of Chaos. Keep an eye on feralhouse.com. You don't want to miss anything.

-Have you got The Big, Fat One yet? If not, why not? It's COOP's great big sketchbook with over a thousand pages of his most private artistic impressions. Glimpse the inner workings of a man obsessed. You will see the astonishing range COOP has, and learn how an artist evolves. You'll answer that question that's been bugging you: "How long has he been like this?" Answer: All his life. For details on how to order, send a SASE to Aperient Press, P.O. Box 39997, Los Angeles, CA, 90039, or for more enticing artwork, contact their website at www.coopstuff.com.

-If I didn't review your magazine, book or recording, it's either because I ran out of room or haven't received an issue in awhile. Show me what you've got, big boy!

-I've got another request, as well. I'd like one of our readers near Pittsburgh, PA, to visit a particular restaurant I've heard about and send us a review. It's the Church Brew Works in Lawrenceville The restaurant is housed in a former Catholic Church that was scheduled for destruction. The architecture was so beautiful, someone decided to buy it and open a pub/microbrewry! It's become a decadent temple of indulgence, judging from the descriptions of some of the dishes they serve. Is it really the experience we would hope for? Let us know.


Jesus Loves the Little Children

by Reverend George Sprague Poci

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. And Jesus passed his love of children and young boys unto his priests, as we have all seen from the news concerning acts of pedophilia by God's chosen bugger men. What a lovely bunch, these Catholics! There are many aspects of this behavior that merit discussion, especially the manner in which the Catholic mafia, ahem, the Church hierarchy has devoted all its resources to hiding this nasty little secret.

Now, I realize it is highly popular to say all these priests are hiding something, and they are all whacked-out kid molesters. The fact is, a good many priests are not. But what is entrenched amongst all the clergy is a sense of blind obedience to his Popiness in Rome and the rest of that rot-gut mafia. And herein lies the problem.

To begin with, there are two kinds of molestation going on. First we have the good ol' child molester, ravage a little kid type of thing. Second, and the one less talked about, is homosexual activity toward teenagers. This last one usually gets lumped in with the little kids, but it is important to differentiate the two. Why? The reason for this rests on one of the feeble solutions offered by some of the more "progressive" Catholics. Please note the quotation marks. There's no such thing as a progressive by Catholic. These Nazarene cultists are so far behind they think they are first. Anyway, some Catholics suggest priests should be allowed to marry. I like this idea. But to suggest that this will solve the problem of pedophilia or any other sort of sexual antics is pure B.S. How many men out there lead hidden lives, hiding their homosexuality behind marriage? And how many child molesters, too?

Yes, the Catholic Church does attract men who are cheese weenies and have to hide behind those black robes to try to suppress their inadequacies. Yes, homosexuals and child molesters (notice I don't lump them together) find a nice little club to survive and thrive in. But the same would be true if priests were allowed to take wives. You see, the hierarchy would still go to bat for these animals, pretending that nothing happened and sweeping the whole thing under the rug. Essentially, you would be trading one group of sickos for another. The wives would just add a complexity to the situation that isn't there now

Whether it's two, two dozen, or two hundred child molesters, the Church thinks it is exempt from civil law. They insult my intelligence by not only transferring the perpetrator to another locality, but also telling us all to pray for Father Dickhard, so he can find his way back to the Lord. And when all Hell breaks loose, when all the evidence begins to come forth, what do they do? They take a vacation to Rome, forth, whi to the Vatican, to meet with the best living example of what the Church is: ancient, dumb, irrelevant, moldy, stupid and dying. That would be the Pope. And what solution do these people come up with? Well, they have to study the situation further. But meanwhile, any priest who engages in this sort of thing should probably be suspended. Probably?

I'll tell you what should happen. Heat an iron cross until it is white hot then shove it up their arses. In public, at St. Peter's Basilica. Okay, that won't happen. So excommunicate the bastards, turn them over to civil authorities and send them to jail for life. Let the jailbirds show them what they think about child molesters and sexual predators who force themselves on young teenagers. Isn't it grand, a kindergarten teacher who molests a child loses his job, gets tagged as a sexual predator, goes to jail. But let a priest of the great mafia, the Catholic Church, do the same and we are supposed to turn the other cheek and let God handle it.

And they say we Satanists are the bad lot!


The Satanic Family

I know there are several discussion forums available to Satanic parents now, but that won't stop me from creating my own and putting in my two cents. There are more and more Satanists developing lasting relationships (or trying to), forming families, having children...and a multitude of questions inevitably arise. Should I tell the neighbors? Do I have to redecorate every time neighborhood children visit, guiltily hiding all the spooky artifacts? What do I tell my child when she goes to school, about talking about our religion? I try to encourage him to always tell the truth; how can I instruct him to lie? What if it gets out that we're Satanists? Should he participate in religiously-oriented groups for certain enjoyable activities, even if I don't agree with the group's tenets? These are just a few of the broad topics we'll discuss here-so send in your articles, comments and questions

Satanists, though passionately involved in the real world, spend relatively little time addressing real- world concerns of family-oriented Satanism. Are we supposed to convert to something more socially palatable once we become parents? I hardly think so. Not all of our members are between the ages of 14 and 22. Many people pick up Dr. LaVey's books after they've already had children, after they already have a (non-Satanic) mate. How are they supposed to tell their loved ones of their new-found dedication to Darkness? Let us know how you handled it.

Since Xerxes and I learn at home (a luxury, I realize, that is sadly not realistic for many Satanists), I'll start with the basics and mention a few curriculum books and resources we've found valuable. Even if you can't teach your children at home, you can remain as involved in your child's learning as possible, meeting with teachers and supplementing where you judge necessary.

There are two broad methods for most homeschoolers: structured and "unschooling". The first entails sending away for a set curriculum of texts and workbooks and pretty much sticking with a day-to- day lesson plan. Some people call it playing school at home. The other method is "child-led" education, which advocates finding what interests the child most, then using that as a gateway topic to reading, math, history, etc. As usual, we Satanists find a third path; cha I'd call our method "eclectic unschooling". Xerxes has some distinct interests, usually something to do with history, weaponry, costuming, theatre arts, science or math. But I also keep one eye on what basic skills he needs to get along in the world, and what the educational standards are for our state. Xerxes is ahead in some things, and behind in other things. But that's true of any child. The nice part about homeschooling is if he knows more history than the average 10th grader, but can't read very well yet, I can tailor his lessons to challenge him in history and reading at his level.

What I like most about the unschooling notion is that it recognizes that the main purpose (and draw- back) of public school is that it expects all children to fall into lock-step with one another. Unschooling allows parents to engage that most important learning faculty: the imagination, Memorizing cold dates and factoids from a book is now recognized as one of the least effective ways of teaching. Engaging the imagination, through costuming, telling humanizing tales about how naughty or drunken or quirky historically important people can be, by teaching magical math tricks, makes learning so much more enjoyable, and your brain retains the information longer.

When looking for homeschooling or supplementary educational materials, be aware that there are two main (fast growing) markets. There are the homeschooling Christians, who tend to sprinkle in a lot more of their religious views amongst the verbs and addends than most of us would prefer for our kids. Then there are the ex-hippie, feel-good, love everybody types who have their own agendas to sell. The most objective books still might require some Satanic editing or explanation when presenting lessons to your children. Three books we find best as basic overviews to start from are What Your 3rd Grader Should Know (or 2nd grader or 4th grader, etc.), the Learn at Home books from American Education Publishing, and The Well-Trained Mind. The first two books are grade-level general books with curriculum suggestions and worksheets. They cover a broad range of topics from which you can pick and choose, depending on your particular needs. But the last book has such a devoted following that there are “well-trained mind” homeschooling groups throughout the country.

When I first picked up The Well-Trained Mind by the mother-daughter team of Jessie and Susan Wise at the library, I was thrilled! It outlines the classical education I wish I'd received as a child, an education I'm continuing on my own. Though the authors take a firmly Christian posture, they also have an academically rigorous, open approach to learning, emphasizing the Western canon (dominated by dead white guys), logic, literature, mathematics and values we'd largely agree with. Just don't go to their website expecting to see more great openness. The Wises are hardcore Christians, somewhat dismayed that their editors at W.W. Norton chose to tone down their religious fervor for the sake of attracting a mainstream audience. The best part of the book is the vast array of great catalogues, resources and websites they recommend for learning supplies, texts and workbooks. The Christian-related material is usually identified, but read carefully before you order.

That gives us a place to start our future discussions on child-rearing, family matters and homeschooling. I'll look forward to your comments, questions and articles. The Order of the Phoenix is finally out. Read it out loud together, the language is delicious to share. If you don't have children, read it to someone you love; why let the kids have all the fun?


The Other Myth of the 20th Century: German Freak Culture, Nihilism and Western Civilization, 1888-1945.

By Adan Flores

"Let's move to Berlin...they worship their freaks!” Peggy Hill, after discovering son, Bobby, in flagrante with a Styrofoam wig stand.

Of all the tortures humanity endured during the 1900's, by far the most humiliating was the necessity to scrape the perceived bottom of its carnal barrel to deal with its most desperate crises. Even the most cursory look at world history from the coronation of Wilhelm II to the suicide of Joseph Goebbels will bear me out. That's not to ignore the heliogabalisme sloshing around in the depths of the American id that elected Franklin Roosevelt four times and made superstars of men as diverse as Charles Steinmetz and Johnny Eck. Like Ampu-TEASE! magazine, these indulgences have their place. My focus here is to investigate the gestalt of a nation that would abandon its critical faculties, and its children, to the dubious mercies of Bunker-rats like Seppi die Steibfelz and Artur Axmann while gassing the charming and talented Lia Graf at the same time.

The most obvious reason for this deification of the psychologically (and physically) twisted lies in the thousand-year-old crazy-quilt of kingdoms, duchies and electorates that made up most of German-speaking Europe prior to the proclamation of Bismarck's 2nd Reich in 1871-with the concomitant bluster and fetishistic need to overcompensate typical of any alienated adolescent. Just picture Kaiser Bill as Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris with one working arm between them and the German military as a Trenchcoat Mafia with better ordnance in the high school parking lot that was fin de siecle Europe. And had a primatologist like Jane Goodall been at the peace-tables of Versailles, the world may have stopped to ponder the wisdom of antagonizing million-member troops of mutant, hairless chimps with half-digested Nietzsche and burning revenge on their minds.

The echoes of the next 25 years continue to reverberate among the ruins of the reality actualized by this cabal of bucket-headed one-offs. The Thalidomide tragedy was only the most heartbreaking form of Hitler's revenge. Shamed and enraged by the desperation and credulity that had allowed them to be manipulated by a handful of cripples for over fifty years, the temporarily able-bodied masses of the West reacted with altruism in the truest sense of the word with all the buried resentment eroticized horror and peek-a-boo eliminationism implicit in what is paradoxically the most naked and socially-acceptable form of apartheid they could get away with. Offerings include thieving "charities, the legislated penury of disability payments, the "productive helotry of dead- end, low-paying jobs... and, of course, that masterpiece of Newspeak, “vocational rehabilitation". What a nest for social termites of all descriptions to plot their slow- motion gotterdammerung from! Although, I confess, the shabbiness of the Kultur that created and feeds this Moloch is starting to amuse me less and less.

What justifies my existence in the face of these saccharine frauds? As a purely intellectual Working read Lorenzo Milam's CripZen and de facto Satanist Jim Knipfel's Slackjaw back-to-back to catch an inkling of what makes Your Humble Narrator the smartest wallflower at the Totentanz. Leave Sgt. Schultz's mark-passing mantra behind, let the anti-life stampede find itself a higher cliff, treat the few treasured individuals in your world as the living gods. they are, and be on the lookout for ever-more exquisite pleasures. I know I will.


Solitary Refinement

by Zachary Simon

"Humans are social animals.” This statement is often used to better understand the psychology and even physiology of our species. The struggle for social success has been an almost universal experience among people throughout recorded history; however, this desire to be included within a larger group or society has been the cause of great amounts of anxiety. In this age of widespread information, more and more people are beginning to recognize the destructive potential of herd mentality, of valuing success over personal growth. Although avoiding the label of “outcast" or "loner" is still a top priority today, individuals are placing more importance on the quality rather than quantity of their allies. It has become more crucial to form and maintain interpersonal relationships than to comfortably assimilate into a circle of friendly acquaintances. But in the context of a mass society, person's social behavior is still thought to influence his ability to create and nurture close relationships. There are many who believe that everyone must constantly practice social skills and shun isolation in order to be successful on an interpersonal level. But just as outcasts often become leaders, couldn't many antisocial people simply be seen as more discreet in their choice of allies? Successful interpersonal relationships can be just as dependent on a person's quality of independence as on their social competence By consciously choosing solitary activities, a person's capacity for interpersonal relationships will actually improve.

The first argument someone might make to this idea would be that interpersonal communication is a skill and thus can only be truly improved with practice. It's very understandable that people associate those who prefer solitary activities with non-assertive, broken and generally inefficient speech. If a person spends the greater portion of his free time alone, how can he learn ways to verbally express himself and respond to the expressions of others? It's hard to imagine being able to build a personal relationship on exchanged letters, and even though actions often speak louder than words, body language is usually most expressive when combined with some sort of verbal message. There are plenty of romantic stories of married couples that have been together long enough to predict each other's thoughts and actions, but this kind of relationship is usually established after many years together. It seems only logical to suggest that solitary activities allow whatever speaking skills a person might have to atrophy, and thus leave them unprepared when those skills need to be strongest.

The main problem in suggesting that only social people have communication skills lies in the fact that it often doesn't take a monologue thick with eloquent metaphors and witty insights to make a powerful statement. Fast or smooth talkers are not always the most successful in their relationships. People can share their thoughts and feelings quite effectively with short sentences and simple terms. In response to the admittedly sound idea that good interpersonal communication requires practice; a person does not have to be an extremely extroverted, socialite to hone his speaking skills. One serious drawn-out conversation a week can be just as valuable, as many chit-chat sessions spread throughout the day.

Although pursuing solitary activity may not impair a person's ability for interpersonal communication, many still fear that it can weaken or even cripple a person's will for it. People attach negative connotations to the word "solitary” because it brings to mind images of hermetic, depressed and even psychopathic individuals. Work and school environments often cause solitary time to be associated with some kind of chore or punishment. It is thus a common practice to view the student who reads alone at lunch rather than socializing as lacking in communication skills or possessing some kind of emotional defect. Scientists studying social behavior will point to studies that show people who disfavor relationships with depressed or generally withdrawn people. According to a 1983 study by Strack and Coyne, non-depressed subjects who talked with depressed or mildly unhappy people came to feel more hostile, depressed, anxious, and were less willing to interact with their partner. Solitary activity could very well lead to a type of antisocial circle wherein isolation perpetuates itself. By choosing to be alone amidst a social society, a person has a greater risk of developing a withdrawn and even misanthropic personality. Observers rather than members are naturally more critical of a society, and the transition from critic to cynic to curmudgeon can take place in a relatively short period of time. Someone whose pursuits cause them to feel deviant is consequently less likely to form or maintain close relationships. How can solitary activities improve a person's capacity for interpersonal communication if they lead to a negative self- perception and a state that repels others?

In all likelihood, most people are aware of the implications of foregoing social activities in favor of more solitary pursuits before they make the decision to do so. It doesn't take long for an individual to realize whether or not he or she enjoys projects that require a certain level of solitude. People generally learn quickly the amount of solitary activities it takes for them to feel depressed or isolated, and are thus likely in moderation or with confidence. Someone who has experienced feelings of isolation and/or depression as a result of their favor for solitary activities is likely to appreciate interpersonal relationships more than someone who is almost always with a friend or group of friends. Although doing things by oneself may be characteristic of the shy introvert, psychological texts such as Understanding Human Behavior identify this type of personality as, “.......a quiet, retiring sort of person, introspective, fond of books rather than people. He is reserved and distant. except with intimate friends. Those who spend more of their time alone seem to measure their social success in terms of quality rather than quantity.

It can also be argued that those who consciously seek out a largely solitary existence will not likely have a great deal of interest in talkative. people, much less develop friendships with them. One of the most common criteria for forming relationships is that the individuals share a common interest or are able to relate on a deeper mental or emotional level, This is called the similarity thesis in communications studies. Simply put, solitary people gravitate to one another when in a public place. Two such people are better able to empathize with each other about the stigma and emotional vulnerability associated with opting out of most social activities. If both partners in a relationship like to make time for solitary projects; there will be less chance for conflict over how much time they spend together.

Solitary time provides the opportunity to develop skills and talents that may create and strengthen bonds with others. Although a person may not be practicing communication skills directly, by honing his or her ability in some type of art or craft, the individual will have something tangible to contribute to a relationship. Choosing to spend larger portions of time alone with a musical instrument puts a person closer to developing a partnership with other musicians, as well as attracting admiring music fans. The same principle can be applied to all art mediums. Though initial instruction is usually required, solitary practice time is essential to become proficient at any art. Even if a person is repelled by these hermetic tendencies, the talents developed during solitary activities are almost universally attractive. Stereotypes of the withdrawn, unstable artist aside, creative. individuals who collaborate on a compelling project can develop a relationship just as deep as any romance.

Is sleeping or daydreaming just as relevant a solitary activity as practicing a musical instrument or creating a work of art? People are shaped by how they spend their time. Even non-social activities that may not appear overtly productive can provide a chance to grow, preparing one for future interaction. Time spent by oneself will logically lead to contemplation of the world without and within. A person usually has to be away from others for significant self-examination to occur, as the process can be confusing and generally unpleasant. Sending a child to a corner of his room is a common example of how isolation is often required to initiate contemplation. Those who seek solitary time will have more frequent and positive opportunities to "figure themselves out" By examining one's own motives and reasons, actions and reactions, one will be better prepared to apply that knowledge to future interpersonal relationships. People who are more aware of various aspects of their own personality are more likely to be assertive and honest in communication, and people who recognize their emotions are better able to share them. A sense of individuality makes connections to others more meaningful, as studies on romance have indicated. Although solitude can cause anxiety, it can also bring greater efficiency and insight into an interpersonal relationship

In spite of the stigma against "loners" and constant societal pressures to be around others, solitary activities can actually increase a person's ability to form and maintain interpersonal relationships. There's a chance communication skills may weaken and emotions fester during prolonged human separation, but individuals who enter isolation aware of these dangers are likely to achieve more growth than those who seek out friends whenever possible. Fear of solitude can be just as debilitating as a fear of social interaction. If people can recognize the difference between antisocial and nonsocial activities, they will be better able to build creative talents and obtain a healthier self-knowledge. There is a common saying: "You have to love yourself before anyone else can love you." But it's hard to love someone you don't know.


The Great Satan

by Reverend Chris Trian

Hell, YES! We are the Great Satan and should be damned proud of it. Despite the millennial madness plot to theocratize the world, we STILL stand forth as a bastion of a secular society. Now, I'm just a Reverend in this outfit. And that's all the title I'll ever require. But I hereby COMMAND every Satanist, especially every American Satanist, and most particularly every member of the Church of Satan to REJOICE in the present-day domestic and international shenanigans. There VILL (the "V" is no typo) be no trembling in our boots, wringing our hands, or any fear of the "Christian Right" whatsoever! Not to mention Osama ben Whooiee, or Sadam the Same, or whatever paper tiger is stuck up in front of us. Whatever anthrax, bio-warfare, HARP weather control system or plan to tattoo the "Mark of the Beast" or the Ten Commandments on every (naturally, sodomized) youngster's posterior is a home grown phenomenon and one that should have us rolling in the aisles. We are not, I repeat NOT (“No, no and again no” to quote Mein Kampf) to take the whole thing seriously. The situation is hopeless, but not serious. And it plays right into our hands.

Yes, indeed! It's Helter Skelter, Armageddon, the Apocalypse, the End Times, end game, rear end and any other kind of baboon's ass END OF THE WORLD you can imagine. And high time, too!

The pens are breaking down and the sheep are running amok. The molecules that hold the mind- control mechanism are de-constructing The Soft Machine has broken down and "the man who squats behind the man" is earnestly reading a Green Hornet comic book. This shithouse is coming down!

We have a fake presidency, a theocratic military police state in the making, we ARE the Third Reich, nobody dares challenge us. Blow jobs count more than genocide. The population is waking up and getting mad as hell (please see the classic movie, "Network"):

Remember Charlie's supposed plan? It's HAPPENING. Remember all those Native American curses ending in "We'll get it back someday"? Well, they will, my friends. Just ask that fighting warrior Rev. Steven Johnson Leyba of the United Satanic Liberation Front. I recently attended one of his events and met half a dozen other Satanic Apaches! That boy really STARTED something.

And as all the chickens run helter skelter, we move in on every front imaginable to help Satanize this great country so it can be worthy of the name the Ayatollah dubbed it. Don't get me wrong. There can only (MUST only) be a small, select number of us. But that is why we can precisely shape the New World Order (a term probably coined in the caves). There are only wolves, sheep d goats. The goats run the wolves to keep the sheep in line. That is a one- sentence definition of history. And it is as it should be. Read your Enochian Keys; they spell it out perfectly.

How we go about it is up to each of us. As Dr. LaVey said, “They'll know what to do when the time comes 'round”. Well, the time's come 'round. I'm a painter and a writer. I have my weapons. I've been sharpening them for years. How it comes about (i.e., questions of globalization vs, non-globalization) is not the point. The N.W.O. is inevitable. Globalization is inevitable, Race mixing is, too. The "urge to merge" beats the "urge to purge" because sex ALWAYS runs the game, and we are as yet one species. As we SPECIATE, it will be along cerebral, not skin color, lines. Got it???

But we can mold the chaos; we can shape the whirlwinds of change. We can create our own New World Order. The future is ours for the taking. The idiots, the old dinosaurs, the popes and the pederasts and fake Satanists will try DESPERATELY to take it, too. We have no mandate. Dr. LaVey hated that word. What we have is the OPPORTUNITY. And the definition of success is when opportunity meets the prepared". And I'm with the Doctor on seeing nothing wrong with the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Just change "Zion" to "Satan"-sounds like a plan to me.

So whatever is your thing as we used to say, it's time to DO IT! Don't hold back now, in the name of Satan. Get on that Internet. Don't be paranoid. An old Norse saying goes, "Fear availeth a man (woman) nothing FDR said, The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" which is one of the best statements from a leader of all time.

It's not the time to go around scaring people, The government is doing a fine job of that. Be POSITIVE. Be unique. Be creative. Weave your spell of how the imaginary world should be. Take a tip from Anne Rice and J. K. Rowling. A bit white-light, but it's no time to quibble. Satan is bigger than which way a pentagram points. If you think people invented God, you're one of us in spirit. The rest is just a matter of deeper levels of study and dedication. Remember the big picture, which is to change the way people THINK, so that we reclaim our power as animals with brains and thereby re-link with the evolutionary process and ensure our mutation and speciation. In other words, we have to turn into something else or DIE OUT! That is Nature's imperative.

To close, seize the day, the night, their dreams, and every other goddamned thing. And fight to save Mother Earth. As far as I'm concerned, the life of a gnat is more precious than that of most humans. If we lose our biosphere, it won't matter what we puny killer apes believe or think we think.

Hail Satan! Forward HARCH!


Grimoire

Now that Summer Solstice is over, let's look ahead to our next cross-quarter day (Lammas Night or Lughnasadh-the night of July 31"), in order to devise some Satanically-pertinent rituals or reminders. Some new Satanists are perplexed, sometimes frustrated, that there isn't more magical dogma within Satanism. What holidays am I supposed to celebrate? What rituals am I supposed to perform? How am I supposed to do it? More advanced Satanists explain, “All you need to know is in The Satanic Bible and Rituals.” All the dogma you need is there. All the dogma you want is there. The ritual tools, the symbol, the five ingredients of magic, the Thirteen Steps, the holidays. If our practices were any more explicit, you would feel too constrained, and wouldn't have the freedom to create rituals that are directly emotionally charged for you. Wiccans have books chock-full of rituals for each of the eight traditional points on the magical calendar. For Lughnasadh (pronounced "loo-nus-uh”), the Wiccan books refer to it as the First Harvest. They recommend you dress in yellow and green (yuck!), dance around outdoors with flowers in your hair, and adorn your altar with fresh corn and other vegetables, as well as fresh bread. We're to evoke the Goddess and God and give thanks (yet again) to the Earth. Oooh, not likely. Since we are no longer an agrarian society, this kind of cavorting doesn't seem very potent. And unlike the Wiccans, most of us don't gain strength from reiterations of the Death and Rebirth of the God myths (images many of them use for their Turning of the Wheel). Satanists have to go back to original mythological resources and discover the blood and darker truths behind these celebrations. Like us, our forebears used complex, robust personalities to explore extremes within ourselves. Once we scrape away the veneer of sweetness and light from these ancient stories, we find the genuine Philosopher's Stone which can alchemically transform our rituals.

The Celts (among whom the myths of the god Lugh originated) were a brutal, frightening people. Speaking of their leaders, the Druids, Gerhard Herm writes in The Celts, they were much more than the scholarly ‘wise men of the oak' that many of their historians have made them out to be. They took part in mysteries that may seem sinister to us, leading people that saw no frontier between the human and the infernal, practiced ecstatic rites, self-abasement, orgies, blood-sacrifices, made head-hunting sacred out of religious conviction and indeed possessed the shamanistic traits that centuries-old reports ascribe to them. Their gods were just like themselves." Lugh gave his name to the Gaelic month of August ("an Lunasdal”), also to the cities Lyon, Liegnitz and Leyden. He was one of the greatest of the Celts 69 deities, embodying the essence of the noble warrior. He was also a magician who mastered all the useful and decorative arts. He played the harp, wrote poetry, built houses, forged iron and, with the help of magic, won battles. He was identified with Wotan in various details (the accompanying ravens, the infallible spear, he discovered runes and thereby acquired magical powers), but fought on horseback. Like Odin or Wotan, Lugh is regarded as "the great Shaman".

Janet and Stewart Farrar (whose witchcraft is. older than the current Wicca and still has some sexual/demonic roots intact) describe Lugh as “a fire and light-god of the Baal/Hercules type, his name may be from the same root as the Latin lux, meaning light (which also gives us Lucifer, the light-bringer They call Lugh the Celtic Lucifer. He could also be associated with Prometheus, in stealing either some agricultural or metalworking secrets from the Elder Gods for the benefit of his tribe. As with other ancient rural celebrations, Lughnasadh includes echoes of the wedding-sacrifice, with the physical games and athletic contests and dancing traditionally associated with this day interpreted as both wedding and wake-revels. The conjoining of the male (sky) element and the female (earth) element (1.e. sex in the corn fields) to ensure healthy crops, flocks and babies is preserved in the Robert Burns poem, "It was upon a Lammas Night" (check the soundtrack for the movie The Wicker Man").

Since this day was a celebration of Lugh's marriage, it can be remembered that Celtic gods often had fierce women at their sides. Arduinnia was a hunting goddess (where we get the name Ardennes"), Belisama was identified with the Roman Minerva (the flashing-eyed battle goddess the Greeks called Athena), and Nemetona was a goddess of war.

From these ancient elements, we can derive more contemporary Satanic rituals that we would find stimulating. If your interests are in the arts, you could concentrate on Lugh's aspect of the poet/warrior, much like Apollo (who was also, to the Greeks, the God of Light)-a musician, a healer, the sponsor of the oracle of Delphi...but he could also be cruel and pitiless. You might call the spirit of Lugh into you, evoking that spark of inspiration, that fire of the mind, that comes from direct congress with the gods. To approach the myths from another direction, you could emphasize the strength of a man and woman standing together against the world, how strong individuals can find one another and defeat all that would stand in their way. (If you are holding a private ritual with a lover, the sexual possibilities are obvious.) You might take the elements of the sacrifice, that anything you wish to accomplish requires discipline and sacrifice-the larger the goal, the greater the discipline required. Perhaps it is a good time to restate your plans and summon up the warrior spirit within you, that frightening, blood-soaked, screaming, bestial Celtic warrior that shocked Caesar in order to mercilessly attack your objectives.

The important thing to remember is that these images are there for you to utilize, to evoke the power within you to fulfill your goals with laser-like precision and, to whatever extent you understand these immortal mythic beings, use them as private conduits for even greater power.

One final thought from Why People Believe Weird Things by Michael Shermer (this is a quote from Carl Sagan he used to open the book): "It seems to me what is called for is an exquisite balance between two conflicting needs the most skeptical scrutiny of all hypotheses that are served up to us and at the same time a great openness to new ideas. If you are only skeptical, then no new ideas make it through to you. You never learn anything new. You become a crotchety old person convinced that nonsense is ruling the world. (There is, of course, much data to support you.)

"On the other hand, if you are open to the point of gullibility and have not an ounce of skeptical sense in you, then you cannot distinguish useful ideas from the worthless ones. If all ideas have equal validity then you are lost, because then, it seems to me, no ideas have any validity at all."

Next time, I'd like to include a letters column (if anyone submits questions), a random selection from my bulging bookcases (“From the Devil's Bookshelf”), reports from/suggestions for grottos, a rundown on recent LaVey rip-offs (our ever-popular “By Any Other Name" column), and many other thought- provoking articles and reviews.

Enjoy your summer. The longer days provide extra hours to indulge in the Elements-ocean, river or lake play, gardening, sailing, hang-gliding, hiking, camping, daydreaming with cherished friends.... The Solstice means the Fire God is at his peak power, but even at that moment, the Darkness begins its inexorable climb toward dominance. The more intense the light, the deeper the Shadows. Revel in the Flames, and in the haunting shapes they cast.

Nov Shmoz Kapop?


The Cloven Hoof is $5/issue. Subscriptions aren't available now (until I convince myself I can stick to a publishing schedule), but you can send $5 ahead of the next issue and you'll be put on the list to receive it as soon as the ink is dry. We still have Issues #127-#130 available for $5 each. (Issue #126 is temporarily out of stock. #127, #128, and #130 are photocopies.)

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