This year’s holiday marks the 56th anniversary of the founding of the Church of Satan, and the 20th anniversary of Maga Peggy Nadramia becoming its High Priestess. It has been both my pride and honor to have this exemplary Satanic Witch beside me at the helm of this organization, sustaining the legacy of our founder, Anton Szandor LaVey, while expanding and enhancing his vision for the world’s first carnal religion into the 21st Century.
Maga Nadramia’s extraordinary leadership as High Priestess of the Church of Satan—the longest reign in our history for this eminent position—has made clear her impressive skills in cultivating a camaraderie amongst our members. Her finesse in offering praise, guidance, and, at times, discipline—always supporting the numerous talented and vibrant individuals that comprise our Infernal cohort—has earned her the affectionate moniker “Mama Satan.”
Peggy’s diligent organization, as well as her perceptive analyses of the numerous documents in our archives, stand as a foundation, a touchstone for all who would come to ponder this unique body of individualists and its pioneering founder, Magus LaVey. These essays will delight readers with their candor, humor, and accuracy regarding the formative years of our treasured Church of Satan. They can be found here.
Her dedication to our organization and philosophy—of which her grasp had been praised by Dr. LaVey as equal to his own—has required a monumental commitment that few are capable of delivering. Yet she has done so with a grace, a nobility, and a warmth that is uniquely her own. From the days of the rise of the Internet, she has pioneered a singular voice in the cyber realms that established our presence with wit, clarity, and dignity. Peggy has been unstinting in her efforts, and thus today we enjoy a flourishing global cabal that is unique in its diversity, depth, and richness.
Standing by my side for these very many years, as we both took up the responsibility of making it certain that the Church of Satan would not only survive our founder’s passing, but thrive and attract a continued influx of notable outsiders, has been her pride. Such unwavering fealty is a rare thing in any age, and even more so in the maelstrom of our contemporary times. Peggy has always been an inspiring individual, whose productivity, brilliance, empathy, and sharp critical faculties, have energized myself, and all those with whom she interacts, to be the best beings that our capabilities will allow.
Our philosophy has proven to be 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 continually evolve his concepts to meet the challenges of the days and nights of the centuries to come. The world has truly become a surrealist canvas, yet Satanism exists as the tool that can assist we diabolists to navigate its non-euclidian angles to prosper, while madness plays havoc across our globe.
Peggy has, through her perceptive administration over the decades, made of the Church of Satan a garden of earthly delights, nurtured by her wisdom and strength. May you all continue to bloom as your highest capacities allow, for our garden flourishes with magnificent, fantastic intensity. Peggy’s magic, manifested in all of us, is breathtaking to behold. So now join me in saying:
Hail Maga Nadramia!
Hail Magus LaVey!
Hail the Church of Satan!
Shemhamforash!
Hail Satan!
So it is done!
—Magus Peter H. Gilmore, Walpurgisnacht LVII A.S.
