Today in the U.S. many celebrate the secular holiday called “Thanksgiving.” It originated as a harvest festival and the traditional imagery has been inspired by legends about Calvinist separatist Pilgrims who emigrated from The Netherlands to the “New World” in 1620. These staunchly Christian folks supposedly included select nearby indigenous pagans in their festivities, now and again. However, the interactions between these European immigrants and the Native Americans was, sadly, often quite negative as this article about their Plymouth Colony details.
Honoring the fruits of the hard work done towards survival of the gelid North American Winter months in Massachusetts was a de facto proclamation of the wisdom of being in harmony with the cycling of Nature. Similar holidays abound in pre- and non-Christian societies. They are typically enjoyed as opportunities for relaxation, conviviality, and earned excess.
The American holiday has evolved into an occasion for gathering with family and friends—oft times with travel involved—and extravagant feasting. Being Satanists, we naturally support participation in sumptuous banquets, however, we are guided by our principle of “indulgence, not compulsion.” This is a day we might spend with individuals who delight us, and perhaps efforts will be made to journey to be with those whom we do not often encounter in person during the course of a year.
Attending large family gatherings might occasion mingling with folks we enjoy, those whom we just tolerate, or others whom we might find nettlesome. We may thus savor the opportunity to enjoy renewed fellowship or to deal out our own forms of justice, perhaps gently tweaking those who irk us even while warmly embracing the ones who’ve add richness to our lives. In this partisan age, excluding political discussions might be a wise way of keeping the day congenial.
Satanists may seize this day to celebrate our prosperity, our joy in existing, and our precious liberty. We can make this a time to thank ourselves for boldly mastering our lives to the best of our abilities, sharing our vital existence with those whom we cherish. Being our own joyous gods, we can readily be beneficent, offering amity to those in our company. Whether you are with friends, family, or enjoying your own splendid company, may those of you who choose to celebrate enjoy a truly indulgent “Gluttony Day”!
—Magus Peter H. Gilmore
