Reverend Andy Howl

This year’s holiday marks the 55th anniversary of the founding of the Church of Satan, and my 20th anniversary of becoming its High Priest. It has been my honor to guide this organization into the 21st Century, maintaining the unadulterated legacy of our founder, Anton Szandor LaVey, in a trajectory that both expands and enhances his vision for the world’s first carnal religion. My focus emphasizes the radical individualism that is the heart of Satanism. My method is to both cultivate and inspire our exemplary members to show the validity of our perspective via their own unique achievements. Our members succeed in attaining and surpassing their myriad goals, or in strongly standing as firmly as possible when circumstances might crush those plans—rethinking, revising, but always eventually finding ways to hold earned ground. You are the thriving exemplars of the inherent power of Satanism as a tool towards self-deification. Our global cabal has never been larger, or more vital, and our Hellish throngs move the world according to their wills in such a multiplicity of means— you always thrill me with your excellence. As “music director and conductor” of this Infernal ensemble of brilliant soloists, I could not be more proud as we embody the score penned by Doktor LaVey, bringing our own uniqueness to its expression. To celebrate this significant occasion, I am publishing the introduction I wrote for THE SATANIC RITUALS. A South American publisher of exquisite volumes is releasing authorized versions in Spanish of both THE SATANIC BIBLE and THE SATANIC RITUALS. Since it had none, I was asked to write an introduction to the latter book, and I completed it on January 13 in 2020. The Spanish translation of this essay—“The Rite Stuff”—will appear in the new release, which may only be for sale in specific South American nations. More information will be forthcoming when these books emerge. For now, you can read my piece here, in its original English, and I have appended to it a PDF file of a Church of Satan handout from circa 1970 by Dr. Anton Szandor LaVey: “Some Helpful Hints on Developing a Satanic Ritual Chamber in the Home, or, The Family That Preys Together Stays Together.” Here you will find sage suggestions for creating ritual space in your lair, geared to your own parameters, both spatial and financial. Magister Lex Frost of Satanme is offering several limited edition products to mark this date. We had worked together this past Halloween on what was called the All Hallow’s Eve Sigil of Baphomet—in vibrant orange tones. We’ve created a cousin to that in striking shades of purple, keyed to those that adorn the exterior of The Black House here in the Haunted Hudson Valley. I trust you will enjoy these, which can be found here. Reverend Cardone’s The Satanic Playing Cards deck is nearing completion, and within it Anton LaVey and I are both being honored with portrait cards. T-Shirts bearing our portraits will soon be available—you can learn more about this exciting project here, and you can order the shirt with my portrait here. Stephen Romano, with the assistance of the Reverend Andy Howl, has created a virtual gallery based on The Devils Reign exhibition of 2016 in honor of this occasion. Special thanks to Katie Doherty, for helping to maintain the integrity of the project by releasing it on her platform, BLACKFLOWERS. You may view it here. Magistra Blanche Barton’s expanded version of her book The Church of Satan, WE ARE SATANISTS, is now being released. Within its over 700 pages, Magistra Barton emphasizes the breadth, depth, and diversity of our organization, fulfilling its subtitle: “The History and Future of the Church of Satan.” I mention two rituals that had been left out of THE SATANIC RITUALS in my essay "The Rite Stuff"—both of them are included as appendices in this book. Order yours now from Satanme. As we continue our adventure into the new century, headed towards that 99 year mark, we have braved situations when Satanism has been periodically targeted for oppression and wherein the fabric of our society has been shredded by a global pandemic, amongst other upheavals. While prognostication is typically a game for both prophets and profits, I feel emboldened to say that our future is assured. Our philosophy is sound, exciting, and fulfilling, and it has attracted the most fascinating, energetic and creative individuals who celebrate Satanism by celebrating themselves. I know our founder would find triumphant vindication in how we evolve his concepts to meet the challenges of the days and nights of the centuries to come. His score is surely a masterpiece. Hail Magus LaVey! Hail the Church of Satan! Ever forward! —Magus Peter H. Gilmore

Reverend Andy Howl

Wicked Walpurgisnacht!

Reverend Andy Howl on NPR’s “3 Song Stories”