Tomorrow begins year XLVIII, Anno Satanas.
This past year has seen many wonders and horrors, which is natural for our species capable as it is of such glories and monstrosities. Through a remote robotic device the Red Planet has been explored and it seems that we will learn some fascinating facts about our neighbor world. Here on Terra things proceed in the usual manner: Indifferent Nature has again caused disruption of human endeavors, and rabid humans have unjustly destroyed others before self-immolation.
The naive scramble for quick answers to tragedies, damning scapegoats while neglecting penetrating analyses which could find them far more responsible than they dare admit. Truths about the mysteries of existence and the intricacies of human behavior are never easily won. They require minds open to exploration, unhindered by conventional assumptions so that greater knowledge might continue to be attained. Satanism encourages the opening of doors leading to areas of thought often forbidden by the timorous. Undefiled wisdom is always our goal.
Satanism also challenges its adherents to be responsible for their actions. Many religions find blaming others to be standard procedure, hurling accusations when events of natural disaster or of human madness shatter the routines to which they’ve become accustomed. Accountability for them is never an easy bill to pay, especially when evoking “Evil” becomes their method for avoiding uncomfortable facts, thus preventing any practical solutions. And so the symbol of Satan as author of disruption is evoked by many fearful folk, who cower, rather than facing the challenges that life has presented.
Yet Satan is increasingly being embraced by thoughtful people as an emblem of individuality and self-determination. Our global meta-tribe thus expands as rebellious secularists find inspiration in imagery associated with The Prince of Darkness. When they shout “Hail Satan!” they know that it is not some mythical adversary that they salute. These words champion their own uniqueness and vigor for living.
And again, the members of the Church of Satan have made us proud through their myriad creative efforts, demonstrating that Satanism is founded on living passionately. Each find ways to positively leverage their lives, bringing joy to themselves and those they cherish. As I’ve noted before, we Satanists are the happy people, and our delight in darkness often kindles a brilliance of deeds that enflames our many subjective worlds. Misery is not our way. Exuberance is.
And so, as is our tradition, we raise our glasses to our kind, Satanists as well as fellow secularists, in celebration of the advent of a New Year of continued growth and prosperity:
“Here’s to champagne for our real friends, and real pain for our sham friends!”
Joy to the flesh—forever!
Shemhamforash! Hail Satan!
—Magus Peter H. Gilmore