Our Satanic Rituals: Delicious, Dynamic, Delightful

What a loaded phrase: “Satanic Ritual!” The immediate association in the mind of the general

public with the term is probably something out of a horror movie - arcane implements of

sacrifice, sacrilege, absurd and terrifying supernatural forces running amok behind the closed

doors of mansions, or maybe in the eerily squalid environment of a derelict, abandoned building.

Whether they feature silk-robed cabals of decadent ultra-wealthy, or greasy young societal

drop-outs out of their minds on “angel dust” and unleashing cruel and destructive forces they

are not prepared to comprehend or deal with, most people will immediately conjure up some

kind of imagery, and shudder. The assumed motivation for these ill-advised activities would be

power and thrills.

Power, and Thrills: the unstated assumption is that this is a different motivation

than “respectable” people have for doing rituals. But is it, really?

Whether a Baptism or Baby Shower, a Midnight Mass, High School Graduation, or Pre-Game

rituals sports players and fans do (that are clearly superstitious despite their strange reluctance

to accept this obvious fact), the most typical motivation for ritual is that it’s part of how we

humans build the bonds that we need to be happy and functioning members of our societies.

We savor and take time to adjust to our changing roles.

We mark and reflect on the passage of time.

We acknowledge and celebrate our identities

as members of whatever groups we are included in.

In the vast majority of cases, any presumed supernatural element of ritual can be seen as mere

theatrical or traditional trappings; being present in the moment to experience the ritual with your

fellow humans is the crucial part. But undeniably, Power & Thrills are also the goals of these

more acceptable rituals. They are fun, that’s the THRILL. They help make us calm and focused

and accepting of our roles, and accepted by others in them too, that’s the POWER. These are

not sinister motivations to look down on, people just pretend that they are when the people

doing the rituals are not people they trust or respect.

Part of what I absolutely love about our Satanic practice is the beautiful variety of rituals we are

crafting and sharing: Satanic Weddings, Remembrance Rites, and Seasonal Celebrations allow

us to enjoy these universal ritual forms (which as human beings we have an innate, automatic

and inalienable right to enjoy) in a way that reflects and respects our values. Un-Baptisms,

Reverse Exorcisms, and Satanic Masses give us the space to vent and revel in the rebellious

Satanic energies of rejecting, overcoming, and transcending the oppressive religious forms that

have been inflicted on us, individually or culturally, without our consent. Satanic Affirmations,

“throwing the horns” declaring “Hail Satan!” or “Ave Satanas!” and other such small and homey

forms of ritual allow us to deepen our practice and support our personal growth and well-being

in immediate and practical ways, bringing a wonderful microdose of POWER AND THRILLS in

a simple cup of tea, a lit candle, a friendly chat, or daily chant. They are yours to enjoy

-Minister Lina Ragana