We’ve all run into them. Maybe you’re one of them right now. New Agers and quasi-pagans who hail the “left-hand path“, “chaos” and/or some form of ‘Satanism‘. Classified by a certain anti-authoritarian mentality, dark overtones and just about anything that will allow a ‘break from the norm’, these folk are living a ‘reactive’ tradition that accomplishes the opposite of what it has set out to do. By separating from the ‘norm’ in a way that is based on the ‘definitions’ of the norm, the methodology is wholly stagnate – a stalemate toward paths of any real self-honest, unconditioned, non-filtered awareness of wholeness, ascension, transcendence or enlightenment. Am I being too harsh? Not at all — for they feed on such statements anyways — those that in turn fuel their own hatred of ‘normalcy’… Yes, you folk are indeed your own brand of PAGAN that you have worked so hard to separate from ‘ours’ — People Against Goodness And Normality (to reference the classic 80′s movie, Dragnet).

“Satanism is an obscure “left-hand path” intentionally shrouded in darkness as to remain nonconforming and outside of the mainstream. from the Hermetic mysteries, specifically those maintained by the Cathars and Templars, as well as the Thelemic system of Aleister Crowley, all of which have been accused of ‘devil-worship‘ by cowans.” (Excerpted from Arcanum Epica III or “A Complete Course Curriculum in Magick” by Joshua Free).

The problem with LHP (left-hand path), contemporary ‘Satanism‘ and its other cousin traditions is that they are not realized with self-honesty in any way, shape or form. They are all dependent on being the anti-thesis to ‘Christianity’ — the existence of the ‘Christian’ “devil” or “Satan“, regardless of where these concepts may have originated in a ‘pre-Christian’ traditions. In spite of the misconceptions applied… “Ancient, medieval and revivalist ‘Luciferians,’ ‘Children of Set,’ ‘Satanists,’ etc., all use the privacy of membership (initiation) to indulge in personal pleasures, hedonism (under ‘will‘), but they do not actually ‘worship‘ the Devil…” though in order to adopt the name and concept, it, much like all the Medieval Grimoires and Kabbalistic Magick — and even the ‘Black Mass’ — are all reactive employments that are dependent on the ‘Judeo-Chrsitian’ paradigm for them to have any substance, the same paradigm these folk are allegedly ‘avoiding’ or the ‘anti-thesis’ of — still they feed the ‘concept’ and ‘paradigm’ by participating at all! Disagreement, countering or being the anti-thesis are all still fragmentations of an existing ‘thinker-prover’ dichotomy that is within the paradigm, simply reacting against.

People are quick to assume that since the Mardukites have publicly worked under the guise of the ‘Necronomicon‘ that it is somehow representative of LHP and Satanism — further, there is the common belief that the paradigm-realm of the Sumerians and Babylonians is somehow ‘dark’ or ‘gothic’ in nature as compared to present-day (or contemporary) ideals, even those considered ‘New Age’. Keep in mind that at the time of the Enlilite Sumerians, there was no word for “religion”, only “life”. There was no question of ‘gods’ or polar-dualism of the original (archetypal) pantheon. All of this came much later, particularly after the initial Babylonian fragmentation of the earlier (Enlilite) idea, under the guise of “Mardukite Monotheism” (which is a misnomer in itself). The systems used to fragment the life-wholeness into factions was repeated endlessly over the last several thousand years, resulting in an infinitude of diverse methodologies, all of which are duplications from the original.

THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT MODERN SATANISM
by Joshua Free
Excerpted from Arcanum Epica III or
A Complete Course Curriculum in Magick

“Contemporary Satanism emerged on Beltane in 1966 by Anton Szandor LaVey (born: Howard Stanton Levey) who founded the ‘Church of Satan‘ (COS) in San Francisco, California (the organization has actually seen astounding underground membership by prestigious personalities, from Marilyn Monroe to Marilyn Manson!). LaVey, a carney, lion-tamer and eventually the ‘Black Pope‘ of COS, avidly participated in the establishment of the New Age Movement, albeit from an underground self-professed ‘left-wing‘ or ‘left-hand‘ paradigm.

He gave the name of ‘Satanism‘ to his metaphysical tradition because of the blatant hatred he had for established Christian organizations (the Churches more so than Jesus himself). The famous Baphomet logo was taken from the Templars (the Church’s own Gnostic Army that were later condemned as ‘Satanists‘ during the Crusades). LaVey made the ‘Sign of the Horns‘ ceremonially famous, a gesture now ignorantly used by millions of concert-going teenagers. Nearly one million copies of his “Satanic Bible” (1969) and “Satanic Rituals” (1972) have been sold.”

“What separates the mysticism of Anton LaVey’s Satanism from the more ‘love-and-light-embracing‘ right-wing paths of magick? In a pragmatic functional sense: very little. The same rules apply to the use of will and visualization, including the use of ritual concentration, objects of focus and catalysts (e.g. poppets) of sympathetic magick. LaVey even goes as far as to employ the Enochian Keys out of context (notoriously dangerous work for a magician). Although titled “Satanic Rituals,” his second book actually defines a distinction between “rituals” and “ceremonies” (and, of course, the book contains both).

A ritual, according to LaVey, is a working directed toward a specific goal or manifestation (as is found in spellcraft). Ceremonies, on the other hand, have no specific magickal context, such as the observation of seasonal sabbats, a handfasting rite or to pay respect to a deity. The primary difference between Satanism and the more mainstream New Age traditions is not about how the work is done but rather the ethical use of intention and will.” (Excerpted from Arcanum Epica III or “A Complete Course Curriculum in Magick” by Joshua Free).

THE NUTS & BOLTS… The use of “Satanism” to present a philosophical anti-thesis to an agreeably funked world is fine for every third Friday night (Hellfire Club, etc.) but the current student should not embrace this as a full-time lifestyle. Allegedly, LaVey had so much of this type of energy with him that the simple act of cutting a picture of someone during emotional conditions could effectively transfer curses (and while most curses are recipient-powered, LaVey definitely knew how to throw his energy). After many years of heart-problems (common with the channeling or targeting of ‘negative currents’ and either side of ‘psychic vampyrism’), LaVey died in 1997 (at the age of 67) on Samhain eve.

A COMPLETE COURSE CURRICULUM IN MAGICK
The most comprehensive course in magick and metaphysics for both novice and adept alike. Prolific writer, Joshua Free has developed a revolutionary literary contribution presented in a uniquely non-linear structure that naturally adapts and evolves to a seeker’s needs. Now, come initiate yourself and gain clear understanding of the harmonic unification of ‘secret knowledge’ that has received many labels throughout the ages: magick, occult, esoteric, pseudo-scientific and now, even quantum. Also known as the “Arcanum“.