Theistic Satanism
| Theistic Satanism | |
|---|---|
| Family | Satanic / Theistic |
| Origin region | Modern Western esoteric and Satanic communities |
| Founding period | Modern and contemporary forms especially from the 20th century CE onward |
| Estimated adherents | Unknown; usually practiced by small groups or solitary practitioners. |
Theistic Satanism is theistic Satanism is a family of religious movements and personal paths that treat Satan as a real deity, spirit, patron, or supreme figure rather than only as a symbol.
Overview
Theistic Satanism is not one centralized religion. It includes many different theologies, rituals, and ethical systems. Some theistic Satanists understand Satan as a liberating deity, adversarial teacher, fallen angel, pre-Christian god, or cosmic principle. Others combine Satanic devotion with demonolatry, Luciferianism, occult magic, or anti-Christian symbolism. It should be distinguished from LaVeyan Satanism and The Satanic Temple, which are generally non-theistic.
Key beliefs
- Satan as a real spiritual being, deity, patron, or divine adversary
- Personal sovereignty, rebellion, transformation, and forbidden knowledge
- Diverse moral systems, ranging from devotional ethics to antinomian self-assertion
- Possible reverence for demons, Lucifer, Lilith, or other figures depending on the path
- Rejection or inversion of some Christian theological categories in many forms
Practices
- Devotional prayer or offerings to Satan
- Ritual magic and invocation
- Meditation on Satanic symbols
- Pacts or dedications in some forms
- Study of occult, biblical, and anti-clerical literature
Places of worship
- Home altar
- Private temple
- Occult lodge
- Online or small-group community
Sacred texts
- Modern theistic Satanist writings
- Occult grimoires
- Personal revelations or ritual journals
- Biblical and apocryphal reinterpretations in some paths
Holidays and observances
- Personal dedication days
- Solstice or equinox rites in some groups
- Dark moon observances in some practices
- Tradition-specific feasts
Branches and related traditions
- Luciferianism - Sometimes overlapping, though not identical.
- Demonolatry - A related practice involving reverence or ritual work with demons.
- LaVeyan Satanism - A distinct atheistic Satanic philosophy.