I put actually in quotes because, well, Baphomet doesn't exist. But I've been studying the motif of four headed ram gods in Egypt (Khnum, Banebdjedet, etc) and they were, in fact, rams, including the ram of Mendes. Herodotus called it a goat for some reason, which Levi ran with when making Baphomet. People even have posited the name Baphomet and Banebdjedet relate, though I'm not convinced either way.

This, of course, will range from who cares to mind blowing depending on the reader haha, but I found it fascinating. I'd also say any day that rams have cooler horns than goats, and Baphomets with ram horns look 10x cooler. It was also synchronic for me as I embrace Satanism again, my Egypt and Western sides aligning.

Hail the Ram of Mendes!

I'm still pretty new to Satanism and have been a lurker for a while; I have already read TSB and The Satanic Rituals and honestly it describes almost flawlessly how I've ever felt regarding my existence and religion, so I'm embracing the satanic self I've always been

BUT as a true satanist I want and have to keep studying, so I'm asking for more book recommendations regarding the religion! Or satanic fiction books, thank you all!!

like for comfort? kinda like how christian’s do with their god praying for strength and good things to happen? (not sure if i’m explaining this well) I already know most satanists don’t pray to anything because you worship yourself though

As I begin this post I feel an odd sense of apprehension. Not due to discomfort with Satanism (I'm not ignorant) but because you people are so knowledgeable about this subject and because you are assertive with people who are stupid, and rightly so.

So I'm trying to articulate clearly because I have a few questions that might seen stupid to you who know what you're talking about in depth.

So please pardon my lack of understanding. I am interested philosophically is Satanism and I have made some effort to understand some things that make less sense to me. I've read the Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey, and I read The Satanic Scriptures by High Priest Peter Gilmore. Very interesting and enlightening.

But if you folks, whom I respect, would help my understanding develop further by responding to my queries in this post I would greatly appreciate it. I am just a seeker. As follows:

1. Why is it called a church? Perhaps I err, but it seems more of a philosophy than a religion. In fact, it seems that most Satanists are atheist. And it seems more of a way to be than an institution.

2. The symbolism of Satanism resonates with me except for one - the inverted cross. Is this really a symbol used by Satanists or not? If so I don't get it. I'm not worried about hurting anybody's feelings, but it seems to only be a symbol of "anti" something instead of being significant. Peter Gilmore wrote that it bothered him that Satanists were portrayed in media as "reverse Christians." Using an inverted cross seems to invite that comparison. Then, oddly, I saw on the web site High Priest Gilmore conducting a ritual. He was in his awesome regalia saying solemn phrases that were being repeated by participants. I was surprised to hear him say, "Cursed are those who follow the Nazarene eunuch." Now if you don't want to look like a reverse Christian why would you say that? Plus, although I disagree with Christianity I still believe in showing respect for the different beliefs of others and would refrain from explicitly cursing them in a ritual promoting my belief. Am I wrong about that? I ask sincerely. Is such "religious tolerance" not conducive to Satanism?

3. Finally, and please remember I'm not intending to criticize - only to understand. I may be from a different background than you. Although I've studied some I'm still naive. Thus I appeal to help from you. One of the aspects of Satanism I like is that of being authentic and genuine. You people are not hypocrites, like so many religious people are. You have integrity. You are honest, even brutally honest sometimes. I respect that. As I've explored Satanism somewhat I noticed the showmanship of Anton LaVey. I think he was a genius. But I was really turned off by his circus-like antics. It seems pretentious to me. And I can't help that it makes me wonder about his true conviction. Please don't lay into me and slam me, just help me see truly if I do not. Please help me understand, if you can.

Thank you so much. I know this is long.

After some well-needed contemplation, I'm considering joining the Church of Satan because of what it represents and for their resources. I have learned a lot from this subreddit and the various people I've interacted with, having my beliefs challenged, and seeing a meaningful outlet for my Satanic beliefs. Ultimately, I want to build and learn from those who came before me rather than trying to reinvent the diabolical wheel.

For existing CoS members, what was your formative experience joining the church like and how has membership impacted your Satanic journey?

I believe this to be one of the most unofficially Satanic works in popular fiction, for several reasons. Have others read it? Do you agree?

This one was a free commission I did for a fellow LGBT member. If you like my art style or character design DM me and let me know if you want something..

Hi! Sorry to bother. I'm a TST Satanist, but my uncle was Laveyan. Ironically, we're both (ethnically) Jewish. ANYWAYS.

My uncle was the last of his generation, besides my mom, and all of them died too young and awfully. He was close enough in age to me - and I grew up living with him - so he was like an older brother to me. My mom, my uncle's son, and I have all agreed we want to commemorate him with a tattoo with his ashes in the ink and we've found a safe place and way to do this.

We all agreed to get different tattoos that we believe suit our relationship with him, and the artist will do them.

My instinct was just some baphomet variation, and maybe simple is the way to go. However, I was curious as to what others might suggest if I gave more context. I will always miss and love him, but he was a cantankerous bastard in life. He was thorny and difficult, stubborn and sometimes really mean. But he accepted me for being transgender, and there was never any doubt we loved each other as family, and would do anything for each other. We also shared a love for Rob Zombie he helped nurture in me.

Any tattoo ideas? No pressure, sorry to bother you.

Hm, perhaps I’m using the wrong terminology. A healthy ego that isn’t neurotic might be a better way of putting it? What you think?

I came to this conclusion after realising that life is inherently meaningless, there is no standard of right/wrong, good/bad. Something that Satanism proudly and rightly espouses.

But I found that my ego died more after realising this, not less. I actually found myself doing things for myself and others just out of my heart and Will and not because it I “right” or I shouldn’t, just that there’s no reason to, it’s just passion. I could do something “Bad” and feel the same way.

I also found I didn’t judge people, because I understand all of our selfishness, and at the end of the day, none of it really matters lol.

So paradoxically isn’t that just letting go of your ego? Or am I missing something here.

For context, I've been more than well informed about Satanism for quite some time. I've read all of the canonical literature and academic works on the subject. The thing is, for years I chose to identify my religious-philosophical approach to life as Luciferian. Honestly, Luciferianism is at heart pretty eclectic and that can be appealing for an individualist, but over the years there were some things that made me realize I'm actually a Satanist, and should identify as such. Here's a few of those things that led to that realization:

• I'm an atheist, and would like to mainly interact with other atheists whenever I'm feeling "communal", as in willing to occasionally chat a bit with other like-minded people in a religious-philosopical context. The thing about Luciferianism, due to it's eclectic spirit, participating in Luciferian spaces tend be a stew of all kinds of beliefs. While there are Luciferian atheists, they practically get drowned out by the endless variety of mysticism and spirituality. I'm not a spiritual person, and when participating in a religious space I prefer to have that space predominantly on the same page when it comes to that.

• Explicit Satanism is a major influence on my own worldview and development. I remember reading The Satanic Bible years ago, and it acted on my psychology like a self-correcting mechanism. It seems like ever since I read The Satanic Bible those years ago I've been exactly who I really am, which allowed me to build something sustainable on that foundation of self-knowledge.

• Satan is a huge symbolic anchor for me, my experience, and how I process that experience. As I've pointed out Luciferianism is quite often all over the place, but with Satanism you get Satan plain and simple, and more importantly Satan leads back to You rather than down some rabbit hole of mythology, occultism, etc.

• Adding onto my previous points, Satanism being a "carnal religion" should have been a turning point for me much sooner, but due to being a little invested in my own spiritual pipedreams I had to wait and let time reveal the reality that there isn't a mystically inclined bone in my body. I'm a very physical, ear-to-the-earth kind of person. I'd even say I revere physicality the same way spiritual folk revere gods, or spirits and so on. For me existence, including my own, isn't some question mark waiting to be erased by a metaphysical answer. Life is life, which offers more than enough to chew on with curiosity and contentment. If I ever felt something lacking, it never occured to me that afterlives, immortal souls, spiritual entities, and mystical states were needed to compensate for whatever that was.

So yeah all that being said, I choose to embrace my horns. Hail Satan!

Celebrating my existence and hailing myself :))

So, I’m somewhat new to actual Satanism (former evangelical, came through the nonsense of TST)… and I had put off TSB prescribed ritual until today. I wanted to share my experience and thoughts.

First off, my urge to try it, as laid out in TSB, was inspired by Magister Bill of Satansplain and again today by Warlock Robert Shirley on the latest episode of the Neutral Wisdom podcast. Being Halloween, it was an important day to consider my first formal ritual, and a lot of events in my personal life made it feel like the time was right.

I didn’t have all the necessary components, but I gathered what I had, improvised on the rest, and followed the map laid out in TSB per LaVey as best I could. I chose 12:00 to begin (noon - as I was off work today and home alone, so I could conduct ritual without concern of being interrupted or overheard). I conducted the full 13 steps and manifested my intentions. I had heard Magister Bill say to set aside 20 minutes as a small commitment for your first time… Let me tell you, this seemed like WAY longer than I needed and assumed I’d be done in 10 minutes or less. My first ritual took 40 minutes and seemed to go by in the blink of an eye!

Second, and most importantly, is the feeling of confidence and personal power I feel afterwards. I did a compassion ritual for myself because I’ve always seen myself (and experienced) as someone who didn’t have any “luck” on their side and didn’t deserve anything different. After the ritual, I am convinced otherwise. I DO deserve good things in my life, and I’m convinced they will come. Ritual was easy, empowering, and absolutely worth it. I’m sharing my experience to encourage those still sitting on the fence, those who agree with TSB’s philosophy but not seeing / connecting to its guidance in higher magic… TRY IT!

Today is the perfect day. Just do it.

Hail Satan!

Happy Halloween!

I would love to do a ritual or spell for protection against enemies.