william butler yeats Archives

HAPPIEST OF NEW YEARS!Tomorrow begins year LIII, Anno Satanas.The calendar year now drawing to a close may strike many as more chaotic than would be desired, the “storm and stress” effecting the world’s populace having been at heightened levels. Extreme weather conditions shattered numerous areas causing death and the destruction of human endeavors. Political contentions have lead to partisan extremism and international conflicts possibly bringing us closer to experiencing a nuclear war than we’ve been since the “Cuban Missile Crisis” of 1962. And intolerant theism continues to fuel the repression and slaughter of innocents in many nations. The first verse of Yeats’ poem The Second Coming, which I quoted a year ago, seems even more apt at this point.Yet as we Satanists witness this carnage and turmoil, it spurs us towards moving the anarchic world in ways that benefit ourselves and the individuals, concepts and causes we cherish. Our hard work, creativity and discipline must be focused—the global herd is exceedingly restive, making for dangerous times when fear readily shifts behaviors in radical ways. The social progressions toward tolerance and equity seem ever more fragile in the world tumult, challenging us all to be vigilant. The acceptance we Satanists have won in many nations over the past half-century could be evanescent, should repressive religious and societal views gain ascendancy.I’ve seen amongst our membership this past year many personal advances in skills leading to greater achievements in myriad chosen fields of endeavor. The copious well-wrought acts of creation amongst our far-flung meta-tribe are heartening—our kind are not daunted by the tidal surge in malaise that has manifested in many current cultures. I trust that in the exuberant sharing of so many personal visions that those who move in The Devil’s Fane energize innumerable individuals as they press ever forward with their passions. I’m proud of our colleagues whose vital existence reflects thoughts that Nietzsche expressed in Thus Spake Zarathustra:O Man, take heed!What does the deep midnight say?The world is deep,More profound than the day had thought!Deep is its woe.Pleasure is deeper still than heartache.Woe says: “Begone!”But all pleasure wills eternity. Wills deep, deep eternity.My dear comrades, may your invincible wills banish transitory heartache and woe while joy manifests as your deepest eternity.From our Black House in the Haunted Hudson Valley to all of yours, High Priestess Nadramia and I offer our blessings to you admirable individuals who enkindle our excitement!As is our tradition, we raise our glasses to our kind—Satanists, fellow secularists, and advocates of the best qualities of our species—marking the dawn of a New Year of health and prosperity to be filled with a surfeit of delight:“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

Basics of Satanism

Policy Statements

Essays & Interviews

Basics of Satanism

Policy Statements

Essays & Interviews

william butler yeats