Today in the U.S. many will celebrate the secular holiday called “Thanksgiving.” It originated as a harvest festival, and the pervasive imagery has been inspired by legends about Calvinist separatist Pilgrims who emigrated in 1620 from The Netherlands to the “New World.” These staunchly Christian folks supposedly included, now and again, select nearby indigenous pagans in their festivities. However, the interactions between the European immigrants and the Native Americans were often quite negative. Various virulent pathogens were unknowingly brought to North America which, in many situations, devastated the local populaces. This article about the Plymouth Colony covers many important historical details which should be better known.
Thanksgiving 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, guided by our principle of “indulgence, not compulsion.”
The immediate days after this holiday currently present a purchasing frenzy, wherein merchants—both in actual stores and online—offer discounts whipping that consumerist American trait to ever more delirious levels of excess. Again, “indulgence, not compulsion” should be kept in mind when considering what actual bargains might be worth your funds. And, the support of local small merchants is always a fine habit, as this is often the season wherein their businesses might generate the income to keep such unique venues going so that they can provide you with their fascinating wares throughout the year.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) completed his Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68, in 1808. The work is an inspirational depiction of an idealized rural setting, with a first movement that in some ways presages minimalist music, a second movement tone painting of a peaceful brook—along with birdsong to set the mood, a third movement lusty dance of country folk, who are then scattered by the graphically depicted thunderstorm of the fourth movement, only to have the sunshine return to rejoicing in a fifth movement song of thanksgiving to provide an uplifting conclusion. Disney’s FANTASIA provided a wonderfully Art Deco Greek pagan panoply of images, which has its charms. I offer a link here to a performance of the finale by the great contemporary conductor Paavo Järvi, leading the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. Beethoven’s work extols the glories of Nature, and the final movement offers the sense of joy after surviving a trial, literally a thunderstorm, but we know there are many trials life can toss our way for which we might feel gladdened to have passed through, with self-determined victory.
We Satanists might seize this day to celebrate our prosperity, our joy in existing, and our precious liberty. We usually 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. May those of you who choose to celebrate—in whatever manner suits your tastes—enjoy a healthy, thoughtful, thankful, as well as selectively indulgent, “Gluttony Day.”
—Magus Peter H. Gilmore