satanism 101

What is Satanism?

Satanism is not a single religion but an umbrella term encompassing diverse philosophies, spiritual practices, and organizations that use Satan—either as a symbol or deity—as a central figure.

The word "Satanism" evokes strong reactions, but the reality is far more nuanced than popular culture suggests. Modern Satanism is primarily a 20th-century phenomenon, though it draws on centuries of literary, philosophical, and religious sources.

The Two Main Types

Atheistic (Symbolic) Satanism

Views Satan as a powerful symbol representing individualism, rebellion against arbitrary authority, critical thinking, and human nature. Practitioners do not believe in any literal supernatural beings. Major organizations include the Church of Satan and The Satanic Temple.

Theistic (Spiritual) Satanism

Involves actual veneration or worship of Satan as a spiritual entity or deity. Beliefs vary widely—some view Satan as a fallen angel, others as a pre-Christian god, and others as a cosmic force. Practices range from formal ritual to personal devotion.

Key Points to Understand

  • Not "devil worship" as popularly imagined: Most Satanists do not believe in the Christian devil or engage in the activities depicted in horror films.
  • No criminal element: Legitimate Satanic organizations explicitly condemn illegal activity, abuse, and harm to others.
  • Philosophical diversity: Satanists range from strict materialists to spiritual practitioners, from libertarians to social activists.
  • Legal religions: Major Satanic organizations hold tax-exempt religious status in the United States.

History of Satanism

From medieval accusations to modern religious movements

3rd–4th Century

Satan in Christian Theology

Satan becomes established in Christian communities as a rebellious angel and chief of demons. The concept of an adversarial figure opposing God develops from earlier Jewish traditions.

1100s–1300s

Medieval Accusations

Christians begin accusing heretical sects (Cathars, Waldensians, Bogomils) and Jews of deliberately worshipping Satan. These accusations served political and religious persecution.

1307–1314

Knights Templar Trials

The Templars are accused of worshipping "Baphomet" and engaging in Satanic rituals. Modern scholars consider these charges politically motivated fabrications by Philip IV of France.

1420s–1430s

Birth of the Witch Stereotype

In the western Alps, various ideas coalesce into the unified image of the Satanic witch—one who makes pacts with demons, attends sabbaths, and commits infanticide. This stereotype spreads via the printing press.

1487

Malleus Maleficarum Published

German inquisitors Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger publish the "Hammer of Witches," establishing that all sorcery stems from Satan. This manual justifies systematic torture and execution of accused witches.

1400s–1700s

European Witch Trials

An estimated 40,000–60,000 people are executed for witchcraft across Europe. Approximately 100,000 are tried, with the majority being women. The Salem Witch Trials (1692) are part of this broader pattern.

1856

Éliphas Lévi's Baphomet

French occultist Éliphas Lévi publishes his famous illustration of Baphomet as an androgynous, goat-headed figure representing the union of opposites—not as a devil, but as a symbol of esoteric knowledge and balance.

April 30, 1966

Church of Satan Founded

Anton Szandor LaVey founds the Church of Satan in San Francisco on Walpurgisnacht, declaring Year One of the Satanic Era. He shaves his head and establishes the first organized modern Satanic religion, presenting Satan as a symbol rather than deity.

1969

The Satanic Bible Published

LaVey publishes The Satanic Bible, codifying his philosophy of rational self-interest, individualism, and rejection of conventional morality. It becomes the foundational text of modern atheistic Satanism.

June 21, 1975

Temple of Set Founded

Michael Aquino, a U.S. Army intelligence officer and former Church of Satan priest, leaves over disagreements about commercialization. He performs a ritual invoking Satan, who appears as the Egyptian god Set, and founds the Temple of Set with a theistic orientation.

1980s–Early 1990s

The Satanic Panic

A moral panic sweeps the United States and other countries, with widespread false accusations of Satanic ritual abuse in daycares and communities. The McMartin preschool trial (1983–1990)—the longest and most expensive U.S. criminal trial—ends with no convictions. Suggestive interviewing techniques were shown to have implanted false memories in children. The panic damages countless lives before being thoroughly debunked.

1999

First Satanic Church Founded

Karla LaVey, Anton LaVey's daughter, establishes the First Satanic Church to preserve her father's original vision following disputes over Church of Satan leadership after his 1997 death.

2013

The Satanic Temple Founded

Lucien Greaves and Malcolm Jarry found The Satanic Temple in Salem, Massachusetts. Unlike the Church of Satan, TST emphasizes political activism, compassion, and religious equality while maintaining a non-theistic stance.

Present

Modern Satanism

Satanism continues to evolve with diverse organizations, online communities, and philosophical movements. Legal recognition, religious equality cases, and cultural visibility have increased significantly.

Branches & Traditions

Major Satanic and related organizations

Atheistic / Symbolic Satanism

Church of Satan

Founded April 30, 1966 · San Francisco, California · Atheistic

The Church of Satan was founded by Anton Szandor LaVey (born Howard Stanton Levey, 1930–1997) on Walpurgisnacht 1966, marking the beginning of organized modern Satanism. LaVey, a former carnival worker and occult enthusiast, drew from Ayn Rand's objectivism, Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophy, and various ritual magic traditions.

LaVeyan Satanism presents Satan not as a supernatural being but as a symbol of self-assertion, vital existence, undefiled wisdom, and rebellion against herd conformity. The philosophy emphasizes rational self-interest, stratification based on merit, and the rejection of conventional morality.

Key texts include The Satanic Bible (1969), The Satanic Rituals (1972), and The Satanic Witch (1971). The church uses ritual as psychodrama—a tool for emotional catharsis and psychological transformation rather than supernatural invocation.

After LaVey's death in 1997, leadership passed to Blanche Barton, then to Peter H. Gilmore (current High Priest). The organization maintains a hierarchical structure with degrees of membership but does not operate local chapters.

→ churchofsatan.com

The Satanic Temple (TST)

Founded 2013 · Salem, Massachusetts · Atheistic / Activist

The Satanic Temple was founded by Lucien Greaves and Malcolm Jarry in 2013 as a non-theistic religious and activist organization. Unlike the Church of Satan, TST emphasizes political engagement, community building, and advocacy for religious equality and separation of church and state.

TST's Seven Fundamental Tenets serve as ethical guidelines emphasizing compassion, justice, bodily autonomy, respect for freedom, scientific understanding, acknowledgment of fallibility, and noble action. These contrast sharply with LaVeyan Social Darwinism.

The organization has gained prominence through high-profile campaigns: installing Baphomet monuments to challenge religious displays on public property, establishing After School Satan clubs as alternatives to evangelical programs, and pursuing reproductive rights cases under religious freedom protections.

TST holds IRS tax-exempt church status and operates local congregations worldwide, offering a more community-oriented approach than the Church of Satan.

→ thesatanictemple.com

First Satanic Church

Founded 1999 · San Francisco, California · Atheistic

Karla LaVey, Anton LaVey's daughter, founded the First Satanic Church in 1999 following her father's death in 1997 and subsequent disputes over Church of Satan leadership. She established it to preserve what she considered his authentic pre-1975 teachings.

The FSC maintains LaVeyan philosophy with a more accessible organizational structure, emphasizing individualism and self-empowerment within the original framework.

→ churchofsatan.org

Theistic / Spiritual Satanism

The Satanic Church

Modern tradition · Theistic with esoteric influences

The Satanic Church bridges atheism and theistic practice. While sharing esoteric emphasis on individualism and ritual, it incorporates genuine belief in Satan as an actual spiritual entity worthy of veneration, and for atheists an symbol.

Rituals: The rituals are usually similar to the order of 9 angles, using david myatt's acasual theory without any politics or extremist influences or breaking scocietal taboos

→ thesatanicchurch.org

Traditional Theistic Satanism

Varied traditions · Decentralized

Traditional theistic Satanism encompasses diverse individuals and groups who worship Satan as a literal deity. Practices and beliefs vary widely—some view Satan as a fallen angel, others as a pre-Christian god, and others as a primordial force.

Major variations include:

  • Demonolatry: Working with demons as teachers, guides, and spiritual allies rather than beings to be commanded
  • Gnostic Satanism: Satan as liberator from the Demiurge (the flawed creator god of Gnostic tradition)
  • Polytheistic Satanism: Satan as one deity among many in a personal pantheon

This tradition is highly decentralized with no central authority. Many practitioners are solitary.

Luciferianism

Varied traditions · Can be theistic or atheistic

Luciferianism centers on Lucifer as a symbol or deity of enlightenment, knowledge, and liberation. It is distinguished from Satanism by emphasizing light, wisdom, and self-deification rather than darkness or transgression.

Michael W. Ford, beginning in 1999, developed modern Luciferianism through over 27 books. His system rests on the Four Pillars (Balance, Power, Strength, Wisdom) and the Triad of the Morning Star (Liberation, Illumination, Apotheosis).

Ford co-founded the Greater Church of Lucifer as a physical expression of these teachings, though it later closed following vandalism, threats, and lease termination.

Key concepts include Samael (masculine principle of self-determined change) and Lilith (feminine principle of intuitive power). The philosophy emphasizes individualism, self-accountability, and pragmatic approaches to personal empowerment.

Temple of Set

Founded June 21, 1975 · San Francisco · Theistic / Esoteric

The Temple of Set was founded by Michael Aquino (1946–2019), a U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel specializing in psychological warfare who had been a Church of Satan priest since 1969. He departed over disagreements about commercialization and LaVey's atheistic stance.

On the summer solstice of 1975, Aquino performed a ritual invoking Satan, who reportedly appeared as the Egyptian god Set and revealed The Book of Coming Forth by Night, authorizing the Temple as successor.

The central concept is Xeper (Egyptian: "to come into being")—a philosophy of continuous self-transformation and conscious evolution through Black Magic, aiming for immortal consciousness rather than hedonism.

The Temple maintains a formal degree system (Setian I through VI), specialized Orders for focused study, and emphasizes intellectual rigor over mass appeal. Setians generally distinguish themselves from Satanists, viewing Set as a distinct deity.

→ xeper.org

Controversial / Fringe Groups

Warning: The following groups have been associated with criminal activity, extremism, or harmful ideologies. This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement.

Order of Nine Angles (O9A / ONA)

Emerged late 1960s–1970s · United Kingdom · Extremist

The Order of Nine Angles emerged in the UK by merging secretive groups (Camlad, Temple of the Sun, Noctulians) under figures including "Anton Long" (likely a pseudonym for David Myatt, a British neo-Nazi activist).

O9A promotes a syncretistic ideology blending Satanism, neo-Nazi beliefs, and occultism. It advocates "insight roles" (adopting transgressive identities), accelerationism (hastening societal collapse), and has promoted violence including human sacrifice.

Legal Status: O9A has not been formally proscribed as a terrorist organization by the UK government, though advocacy groups have called for this. Subgroups like Sonnenkrieg Division have been banned. U.S. prosecutors have labeled it an "occult-based neo-Nazi extremist group." It has been linked to multiple terrorism convictions in the UK (eight neo-Nazis between 2019–2021).

O9A is deliberately decentralized with no acknowledged leadership, operating through distributed texts and autonomous "nexions" (local cells).

→ o9a.org (for reference only)

Joy of Satan Ministries

Founded early 2000s · Online · Neo-Nazi / Theistic

Joy of Satan Ministries was founded by Maxine Dietrich (Andrea Herrington), whose husband Clifford Herrington was chairman of the National Socialist Movement (NSM), a prominent American neo-Nazi organization.

JoS promotes "Spiritual Satanism," viewing Satan as humanity's true creator and an ancient god predating Christianity. It incorporates antisemitic conspiracy theories (portraying Jews as "reptilian space aliens"), Holocaust denial, and claims Satan created the "Aryan race."

The organization has been widely criticized for using Satanism to recruit, particularly young people, into white supremacist ideology. It is rejected by mainstream Satanist organizations.

Beliefs & Philosophy

Core principles across Satanic traditions

LaVeyan Satanism — The Nine Satanic Statements

  1. Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence.
  2. Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams.
  3. Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit.
  4. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates.
  5. Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek.
  6. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires.
  7. Satan represents man as just another animal who, because of his "divine spiritual and intellectual development," has become the most vicious animal of all.
  8. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification.
  9. Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as he has kept it in business all these years.

The Satanic Temple — Seven Fundamental Tenets

  1. One should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason.
  2. The struggle for justice is an ongoing and necessary pursuit that should prevail over laws and institutions.
  3. One's body is inviolable, subject to one's own will alone.
  4. The freedoms of others should be respected, including the freedom to offend. To willfully and unjustly encroach upon the freedoms of another is to forgo one's own.
  5. Beliefs should conform to one's best scientific understanding of the world. One should take care never to distort scientific facts to fit one's beliefs.
  6. People are fallible. If one makes a mistake, one should do one's best to rectify it and resolve any harm that might have been caused.
  7. Every tenet is a guiding principle designed to inspire nobility in action and thought. The spirit of compassion, wisdom, and justice should always prevail over the written or spoken word.

Common Philosophical Themes

  • Individualism: Most Satanic philosophies emphasize the sovereignty of the individual over herd mentality.
  • Self-empowerment: Taking responsibility for one's own life and development.
  • Skepticism: Questioning authority, tradition, and received wisdom.
  • Carnality: Acceptance of human nature and physical existence rather than denial.
  • Anti-dogmatism: Rejection of blind faith and unquestioned obedience.

Theistic Satanist Beliefs

Theistic Satanists hold diverse beliefs about Satan's nature:

  • Fallen Angel: Satan as a rebellious angel who chose independence from the Abrahamic God.
  • Pre-Christian Deity: Satan as an ancient god (often identified with Set, Enki, or other deities) demonized by Christianity.
  • Cosmic Force: Satan as an impersonal force representing chaos, individuation, or transformation.
  • Gnostic Liberator: Satan as the bringer of knowledge who freed humanity from the tyranny of an ignorant creator god (Demiurge).

Rituals & Practices

Ceremonial and devotional practices

LaVeyan Ritual

In LaVeyan Satanism, ritual is understood as psychodrama—a theatrical performance designed to produce psychological and emotional effects rather than supernatural results.

  • Greater Magic: Formal ritual performed in a ceremonial setting, using specific tools, invocations, and symbolism to focus will and emotion toward a goal.
  • Lesser Magic: Manipulation and psychology applied in everyday life—the art of influence, seduction, and getting what you want through understanding human nature.

The Black Mass, as practiced in the Church of Satan, is a blasphemous psychodrama mocking Christian ritual, often featuring a nude woman as the altar. It serves as catharsis and rebellion rather than worship.

Theistic Satanic Practices

Theistic Satanists engage in genuine devotional practices:

  • Invocation: Calling upon Satan or demons to be present during ritual.
  • Evocation: Summoning entities to manifest externally.
  • Offerings: Presenting items (candles, incense, food, drink, blood) to honor spiritual entities.
  • Meditation: Contemplative practices to commune with Satan or develop spiritual abilities.
  • Pact-making: Formal dedication or agreement with Satan, often written and signed.

Temple of Set — Setian Practice

Setian practice centers on Black Magic as a tool for Xeper (self-becoming):

  • Working: Formal ritual operations, such as the Leviathan Working for self-deification.
  • Meditation and Study: Intellectual development through philosophy, history, and magical theory.
  • Initiation: Progressive advancement through degrees with corresponding tests and transformations.

Luciferian Practice

Modern Luciferianism (per Michael W. Ford) emphasizes:

  • Self-deification: Rituals aimed at awakening the divine within oneself.
  • Balance of Forces: Working with both Samael (masculine/active) and Lilith (feminine/intuitive) energies.
  • Meditation: Techniques for developing will, focus, and spiritual awareness.

Symbols & Meanings

Iconography of Satanic traditions

Sigil of Baphomet

A goat's head inside an inverted pentagram, often surrounded by Hebrew letters spelling "Leviathan." First appeared in this form in Stanislas de Guaita's 1897 La Clef de la Magie Noire. Adopted as the official emblem of the Church of Satan. Represents Satan, the material world, and rejection of spiritual transcendence in favor of carnal existence.

Baphomet

The winged, androgynous, goat-headed figure drawn by Éliphas Lévi in 1856. Originally represented the union of opposites: male/female, mercy/justice, human/animal, spirit/matter. Features include an upright pentagram on the forehead (representing light), arms pointing to white and black moons (mercy and justice), breasts, scales, wings, and a torch between the horns. Used by The Satanic Temple in their famous statue.

Pentagram

A five-pointed star. Upright, it traditionally represents spirit ruling over the four elements and has been used in many traditions including Christianity. Inverted (two points up), it represents matter over spirit and is associated with Satanism through the Sigil of Baphomet.

Sigil of Lucifer

A geometric symbol featuring a V-shape with an X below it, sometimes within a triangle. Derived from Grimorium Verum (18th century). Used primarily in Luciferianism to represent Lucifer as the light-bearer and symbol of enlightenment.

Leviathan Cross (Sulfur Symbol)

An alchemical symbol for sulfur: a cross with an infinity symbol at the bottom. Sulfur was associated with fire and brimstone in Christian tradition. In Satanism, represents the eternal nature of the human soul and connection to the material world.

Inverted Cross

Originally the Cross of St. Peter—Peter requested to be crucified upside-down, feeling unworthy to die as Christ did. In Satanic contexts, it represents rejection of Christianity or inversion of sacred symbols. However, it remains a legitimate Catholic symbol of humility.

666

The "Number of the Beast" from the Book of Revelation. In Satanism, embraced as a symbol of rebellion against Christian authority. Some scholars argue the original reference was a coded criticism of the Roman Emperor Nero.

Set's Star of Set

A symbol used by the Temple of Set, representing the Egyptian god Set as the isolate intelligence and source of individual consciousness distinct from the natural order.

Comparison of Satanic Paths

Key differences at a glance

Organization Founded Type Satan Conceived As Primary Focus Political Stance
Church of Satan 1966 Atheistic Symbol Individualism, rational self-interest, stratification Apolitical
The Satanic Temple 2013 Atheistic Symbol Activism, compassion, religious equality Very active
First Satanic Church 1999 Atheistic Symbol Original LaVeyan philosophy Apolitical
The Satanic Church Modern Theistic Deity LaVeyan philosophy + genuine worship Varies
Traditional Theistic Varies Theistic Deity Personal spirituality, devotion Varies
Luciferianism Ancient / Modern revival Both Deity or Symbol Enlightenment, self-deification Generally apolitical
Temple of Set 1975 Theistic Set (distinct deity) Xeper, conscious self-evolution Apolitical

Key Philosophical Differences

Church of Satan vs. Satanic Temple

  • CoS: Social Darwinism, stratification, "might is right"
  • TST: Egalitarianism, compassion, social justice
  • CoS: Rejects political activism
  • TST: Activism is central mission
  • CoS: Individualistic, no local chapters
  • TST: Community-oriented, local congregations

Satanism vs. Luciferianism

  • Satanism: Often emphasizes carnality, earthly existence
  • Luciferianism: Emphasizes light, wisdom, spiritual ascent
  • Satanism: May embrace transgression, opposition
  • Luciferianism: Focuses on illumination, apotheosis
  • Some practitioners identify with both

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Satanists worship the devil?

Most Satanists do not. The majority of organized Satanism (Church of Satan, The Satanic Temple) is atheistic—practitioners do not believe in any supernatural beings, including Satan. They use Satan as a symbol of individualism, rebellion, and human nature. Only theistic Satanists venerate Satan as an actual spiritual entity, and their beliefs vary widely about his nature.

Do Satanists sacrifice animals or humans?

No. Legitimate Satanic organizations explicitly prohibit and condemn any form of animal or human sacrifice. Anton LaVey's Satanic Bible specifically forbids harming animals or children. The Satanic Temple's tenets emphasize compassion toward all creatures. Claims of Satanic sacrifice are rooted in medieval accusations and the debunked Satanic Panic of the 1980s, not reality.

Is Satanism illegal?

No. Satanism is a legally recognized religion in the United States and many other countries. Both the Church of Satan and The Satanic Temple hold IRS tax-exempt status as religious organizations. Religious freedom protections apply to Satanists as they do to members of any other religion.

What's the difference between the Church of Satan and The Satanic Temple?

Both are atheistic, but they differ significantly in philosophy and practice. The Church of Satan (1966) emphasizes individualism, social stratification, and political non-involvement. The Satanic Temple (2013) emphasizes compassion, egalitarianism, and political activism for religious equality. TST explicitly rejects LaVeyan Social Darwinism while maintaining Satanic symbolism.

What is the Satanic Panic?

The Satanic Panic was a moral panic primarily in the 1980s–early 1990s involving widespread false accusations of Satanic ritual abuse in daycares and communities. The McMartin preschool trial (1983–1990) was emblematic—the longest and most expensive U.S. criminal trial ended with no convictions after suggestive interviewing techniques were shown to have implanted false memories in children. The panic has been thoroughly debunked by investigators and scholars.

What does Baphomet represent?

Baphomet, as drawn by Éliphas Lévi in 1856, represents the union of opposites: male and female, mercy and justice, human and animal, spirit and matter. It was not intended as a devil figure but as a symbol of esoteric knowledge and cosmic balance. In modern Satanism, it represents Satan as a symbol of rebellion, individuality, and rejection of arbitrary authority.

Can I be a Satanist and still believe in God?

This depends on the tradition. Atheistic Satanism (Church of Satan, TST) is incompatible with belief in any deity. Theistic Satanism involves belief in Satan as a deity, which some practitioners hold alongside belief in other gods (polytheistic approach) or in opposition to the Abrahamic God (dualistic approach). Luciferianism can be theistic or atheistic.

Is Satanism related to Wicca or Paganism?

They are distinct traditions. Wicca is a nature-based religion typically involving worship of a God and Goddess; Wiccans explicitly do not worship Satan. Paganism is an umbrella term for various polytheistic and nature-based religions. While there may be overlap with some forms of theistic Satanism (particularly those viewing Satan as a pre-Christian deity), most Pagans do not identify as Satanists.

How do I become a Satanist?

There is no single path. Church of Satan membership involves applying and paying dues; active membership is not required to practice the philosophy. The Satanic Temple offers both free membership and paid membership with benefits. Theistic traditions often involve self-dedication rituals. Many Satanists are solitary practitioners who simply live according to Satanic philosophy without formal affiliation.

Is Satanism dangerous?

Mainstream Satanism (Church of Satan, The Satanic Temple, Temple of Set) is not dangerous. These organizations promote personal responsibility, critical thinking, and explicitly condemn illegal or harmful activity. However, some fringe groups (notably the Order of Nine Angles and Joy of Satan Ministries) promote extremist ideologies including violence and have been associated with criminal activity. As with any belief system, discernment is necessary.

Books & Resources

Recommended reading and further study

Primary Texts

  • Anton Szandor LaVey — The Satanic Bible (1969) — Foundational text of modern atheistic Satanism
  • Anton Szandor LaVey — The Satanic Rituals (1972) — Ceremonial practices
  • Anton Szandor LaVey — The Satanic Witch (1971) — Lesser magic and manipulation
  • Peter H. Gilmore — The Satanic Scriptures (2007) — Essays by the current High Priest of the Church of Satan
  • Michael Aquino — The Church of Satan — History from a founding member's perspective
  • Michael W. Ford — The Bible of the Adversary — Modern Luciferianism
  • Michael W. Ford — Apotheosis: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Luciferianism

Academic Studies

  • Asbjørn Dyrendal, James R. Lewis, Jesper Petersen — The Invention of Satanism (2015) — Scholarly analysis of modern Satanism
  • Massimo Introvigne — Satanism: A Social History (2016) — Comprehensive historical study
  • Jesper Petersen (ed.) — Contemporary Religious Satanism: A Critical Anthology (2009)
  • Ruben van Luijk — Children of Lucifer: The Origins of Modern Religious Satanism (2016)
  • Per Faxneld — Satanic Feminism: Lucifer as the Liberator of Woman in Nineteenth-Century Culture (2017)

Documentaries

  • Hail Satan? (2019) — Documentary about The Satanic Temple
  • Satan Wants You (2023) — Documentary about the Satanic Panic

Official Websites

Community

Finding connection and like-minded individuals

Joining an Organization

If you're interested in formal affiliation, major organizations offer different paths:

  • Church of Satan: Membership requires application and one-time fee. Active participation is not required; many members practice privately. No local chapters exist.
  • The Satanic Temple: Offers free basic membership and paid membership with additional benefits. Local congregations exist in many cities for those seeking community.
  • Temple of Set: Selective membership requiring application, interview, and demonstrated interest. Formal initiation process with advancement through degrees.

Online Communities

For those preferring online engagement or exploring before committing:

  • Official forums and social media of major organizations
  • Reddit communities (r/satanism, r/SatanicTemple_Reddit)
  • Discord servers (search for "Satanism" or specific organizations)
  • Academic groups studying new religious movements

Solitary Practice

Many Satanists practice independently without organizational affiliation. This is entirely valid. Key resources for solitary practitioners:

  • Study foundational texts of your chosen tradition
  • Develop personal ritual practice
  • Engage with philosophy through reading and reflection
  • Connect online while maintaining independence

Safety Note: Exercise caution when joining any group. Legitimate organizations do not require illegal activity, sexual favors, large financial contributions, or isolation from family/friends. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts. The fringe groups mentioned in this guide (O9A, JoS) should be avoided.

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