Happiest of New Years!
Tomorrow begins year XLIX, Anno Satanas.
This past year has been one during which we’ve witnessed and experienced pivotal changes. New homes, new jobs, new relationships and other significant events have invigorated our close friends and associates as well as the broader circle of our ever-widening fellowship. Our motto “Ever forward!” has been demonstrably put into action with productive results that merit joyous celebration! And profuse thanks to you fine ladies and gentlemen who have been with us personally to share our own recent landmarks.
As always, the Church of Satan is its members and our vivacious infernal citizenry has continued to do us proud. From those who may be open about their affiliation to those for whom it is wiser to fly under the rabble’s radar, much “moving and shaking” has been going on. We’ve been excited by the extraordinary quality of the people who have joined our cabal to champion the philosophy that fuels their outstanding achievements. A horned salute to you all!
We’ve lately observed a proliferation in electronic media of those clamoring for attention using “Satanist” as their title, but who show a poor apprehension of the philosophy crafted by Anton Sandor LaVey. Their range is global. From third world regions to the technologically advanced nations, these self-deluded Devil-fans have easy Internet access, eagerly displaying their shortcomings. Discrimination becomes ever-more crucial for the curious—particularly if they consider themselves to be journalists—when examining what is being offered so as to separate the diamonds from the dross.
I had written of this trend in an essay published in The Satanic Scriptures titled “I Am The Light and The Way” and here are pertinent thoughts:
“We spawned a movement, filled with actual people, called Satanism. But now the Church itself stands above and apart from that movement, as many people are currently attracted to parts of our philosophy and symbolism, yet do not grasp the integrated totality of our core ideas. …Of course, we know such herds are fickle, and will change their allegiance when the next trend is presented to them. So be it. We will be stronger still once this tide has receded. The authentic Satanists will endure while the extras move on to some other show…Our principles will be the script for the evolution of the movement, for anyone who claims to be a Satanist must now define himself in relation to our philosophy. Whether he embraces it or rejects it, we are the bottom line.”
Our articulate members have stood up when appropriate to correct distortions of our philosophy, whatever their sources, and so the legacy of our founder is well-defended by those who use it to to enhance their lives. We may be a small percentage of the populace, but we Satanists are passionate about carrying the torch originally ignited by Anton Szandor LaVey.
We move forward into a new year whose beginning is graced with a new moon, a first night of darkness triumphant—a time often used by our kind as proper for ritual in our own evocative citadels. The Black House has seen many of you cross its threshold this year past, and the magic you’ve taken from its shadowed halls is being manifestly turned to the creation of abundant achievements. So, from our lair in the Haunted Hudson Valley to all of yours, High Priestess Nadramia and I offer our blessings to those deserving individuals who continue to inspire our admiration!
As is our tradition, we raise our glasses to our kind, Satanists as well as fellow secularists and proponents of the best qualities of our species, in celebration of the advent of a New Year of continued growth and prosperity:
“Here’s to champagne for our real friends, and real pain for our sham friends!”
Joy to the flesh—forever!
Shemhamforash! Hail Satan!
—Magus Peter H. Gilmore