The Cloven Hoof, Issue 99

The Cloven Hoof

Vol. XIV, #6 99th Issue

November/December XVII A.S. Copyright 1982 C. E. by the Church of Satan; P. O. Box 896 Daly City, CA 94017; U.S.A.

Entire contents by Anton Szandor La Vey

A question recently received from a member touches on a favorite subject of mine. She asks if there is any such thing as a Satanic language other than Enochian. I presume what is sought is an occultic jargon with meaning discernable only to the initiated. The answer is yes, in every era there are Satanic tongues, in the strictest sense. Any language, unknown to others, in a social grouping. Jargon has replaced English in the U.S., for example. Hence, anyone who is "special" (and doesn't that include just about everyone?) speaks in a manner calculated to alienate or mystify those outside his or her peer group whever possible. Depending on one's lifestyle, languages like Computerese, Basic Jock, Street Speak, High Soap Opera, Good 01' Boy (Elementary Coors), etc. are heard throughout the land. There is a language for just about everyone who lives in an English-speaking country, but can't speak English--or won't. The reason for this is because until quite recently everyone had, as a second or secret language, whatever their native tongue happened to be. But most Americans no longer grow up with English as a second language. English is the first language learned (or was) and Jargon becomes the second. Now, to my questioner, I offer the foundation and formula for Contemporary Occult, i.e. the magical language of today. When Jargon, through ghettoization, becomes the first language, what happens? Where do you go from there, except to a foreign language? Which is precisely what most do. Jargon-laden English is invariably followed by a recently acquired foreign language; in other words, a person whose everyday speech is Off-Broadway Show Biz will learn French. One who speaks Soldier of Fortune will study German. Old Heavy Leather Bar speakers might opt for Japanese. Now I'll tell you what I speak when I don't want outsiders to understand me. It's a language so obscure in the U.S. that I can be certain only kindred spirits will know what the Hell I'm talking about. I speak genuine, out-of- style, archaic English. The same people who read and somewhat comprehend books written in this parlance seldom understand it when it is spoken. In order to learn the language one must have a comprehensive dictionary, plus a dictionary of synonyms and antonyms, or--as it is called in some circles--a thesaurus. For want of a better name, my own personal CO (Contemporary Occult) I call Fieldsian, after the late W.C., who employed it continually. It is actually archaic English laced with elegancies, otherwise known as hifalutin' or lah-de-dah English. In order to understand it, one must have certain prerequisites, indiginous to a genuinely Satanic lifestyle; a certain aloofness from mainstream thought, a sense of whimsy, an appreciation for variety, an awareness of subtleties. For example, suppose you are buying a used car from a salesman who is trying to discourage you from the car you really want and steer you to another car, more advantageous for him to sell. You want to share your observation with your partner and do so by saying: "Our ironmonger is waxing trepidation at every turn and seeks to dissuade the resoluteness being presented. Perhaps a soup con of feigned petulence is in order." Catch my drift? A couch becomes a divan of chesterfield or davenport. A smell, an effluvium; a bad smell, a noxious effuvium (pl. effluvia); rain becomes Jupiter Pluvius; a tip to a waiter or cab driver, a gratuity or small stipend, and if you are generous you are munificent--which is the opposite of niggardly (before you call me a racist, look it up). A lover becomes a swain, especially if one looks towards the nuptual couch, or marriage. Payment becomes an emolument or remuneration. Clothing is habiliments, food is gustatory sustenance or victuals. You don't go to a show, it becomes a cinematic diversion. An odd language, indeed, English. Our British affiliates reading this can disregard it, as many of their countrymen will understand anything they say, but when in the U.S. it's as esoteric as can be.

***

On to other forms of communication: computers. They're getting to be such a commonplace way of communicating, that it's now avant garde to write messages, letters, books, etc. in longhand, which, for those too young to remember, means that you use a pen or pencil. A great new book on the subject (computers and their history, not pens and pencils) is The Computer Network or, Confessions of a Computer Scientist, by my friend and colleague (who writes to me in longhand) Jacques Vallee. There are lots of diabolical tidbits within.

MESSAGES AND ERUDITION: EZZ666, White noise affects from within, black sound from without.SZZ926, A few others have received the same "hogwash". You're memory serves you right. It's the same creep, whose handful of nitwits dropped by the wayside, and is now trying to drum up business. CZZ895, John Wardley's robot is modelled after Al Bowlley, the Japanese Marilyn has only labial articulation and employs no voice sync interface bus.

RENEWALS: If address label reads 11/XV11 or 12/XV11, send $10 ($15 couples). ¿NOV SHMOZ KAPOP?