Thread: Questions.

I studied LaVeyan Satanism 2 years ago and I have recently decided to pursue this interest once more, but I have 2 questions.

1. I was reading about spirit guides in the Ghost section of the forum. Do LaVeyan Satanists believe in/have spirit guides? Can we contact them if we wish and still be a Satanist?
2. When performing rituals and calling upon these Satans and Demons, is this just symbolic? Or simply even theatrics? Or is LaVey being hypocritical and actually believing in these beings?

I would figure it varies on what level you are into it.

The hand-book says that they believe in magic but are atheists. I would go into it just treating it like a metaphor that you believe in.

I think it is similar in theory to the Luciferian approach of Michael Ford and others.

Originally Posted by S0urceror

I would figure it varies on what level you are into it.

The hand-book says that they believe in magic but are atheists. I would go into it just treating it like a metaphor that you believe in.

Hm, okay, thank you. I was planning on doing a ritual later tonight, and was a bit dumbfounded, as in the beginning of the Satanic Bible Dr. LaVey keeps saying how there is no God or Devil, just humans and the carnal force inside of them, and yet part of the ritual is invoking Satan and repeating demon names

The idea is that Satan and demons are not external, but rather are found internally within oneself. The internal carnal force is what stirs them into action. My apologies in advance to any Satanists if my take on this is wrong.

Originally Posted by Ghost of Shaolin

The idea is that Satan and demons are not external, but rather are found internally within oneself. The internal carnal force is what stirs them into action.

Everything I've studied involving LaVeyan Satanism points to this. You are your own God. No external force has power over you. Ritual in LaVeyan Satanism is purely for dogmatic effect - to help the human mind in accomplishing what it wants.

Originally Posted by HystericalConfession

I studied LaVeyan Satanism 2 years ago and I have recently decided to pursue this interest once more, but I have 2 questions.

1. I was reading about spirit guides in the Ghost section of the forum. Do LaVeyan Satanists believe in/have spirit guides? Can we contact them if we wish and still be a Satanist?

No.

2. When performing rituals and calling upon these Satans and Demons, is this just symbolic? Or simply even theatrics? Or is LaVey being hypocritical and actually believing in these beings?

Are they just symbolic? Yes.
Was LaVey being hypocritical? No, LaVey was very upfront about their theatrical usage. The purpose of the Calling of the Names is the creation of a heightened emotional state in the mind of the sorcerer, not to page gods, demons, or spirits.

Originally Posted by Asin

Everything I've studied involving LaVeyan Satanism points to this. You are your own God. No external force has power over you. Ritual in LaVeyan Satanism is purely for dogmatic effect - to help the human mind in accomplishing what it wants.

Yes and no.

The purpose of Satanic Ritual is to effect change in a situation through magical means. And while some Satanists perform the Satanic Rituals solely for aesthetic reasons or to relieve themselves of unwanted emotional baggage, the purpose of GBM, from a Satanic standpoint, remains the same, the causing of fortuitous changes for the individual through an act of concentrated willing.

I will take a hot pastrami sandwich.

Originally Posted by Iza

I will take a hot pastrami sandwich.

Denied. Meat is murder!