A year ago, Dispatches told the story of how children in Africa’s Niger Delta were being denounced by Christian pastors as witches and wizards, and then killed, tortured or abandoned by their own families. Following the introduction of the Child Rights legislation and an increase in financial support for a British charity providing a refuge for affected youngsters, the programme returns to find out what happened to some of the people featured in the first film.

How religion/superstition poisons everything, religion must die, all gods are fake, get over it.
You may think your christianity/religion is different.. but it’s not, it’s still terrorizing minorities, it’s still taking your money, controlling you, it’s still killing and causing wars. .. it’s still making a fool of you, a cancer on humanity.
In USA ~300 children have lost their life in recent years because parents did rely on faith healing bs, exorcism has killed many… the Vatican and the pope has an army of exorcists… imagine that, imagine that.
(1/5)

Via Atheistmedia

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A human-rights organization says the Saudi authorities are arbitrarily executing people for witchcraft.

Saudi Arabia is being urged by Human Rights Watch to stop meting out the death penalty for alleged witchcraft.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is calling on Riyadh to cease applying capital punishment, to codify its criminal laws and update the criminal procedure law.

“Saudi judges have harshly punished confessed ‘witches’ for what at worst appears to be fraud, but may well be harmless acts,” the rights group said. “Saudi judges should not have the power to end lives of persons at all, let alone those who have not physically harmed others.”

“There is no legal interpretation of these terms, and that’s part of the problem,” Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch told The Media Line. “Judges arbitrarily describe conduct – such as possession of an Amharic text – as ‘sorcery’ or ‘witchcraft.”

“What’s disturbing is that here in the 21st century, the Saudi government is still regularly prosecuting people for outdated, backwards concepts of ‘witchcraft’,” she said.

Hady Amr, director of the Brookings Doha Center and a fellow at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy said the severe punishments were a derivative of the strict form of religion practiced in the kingdom.

“Islam in general, and particularly the conservative brand of Islam practiced in Saudi Arabia and throughout the Gulf, does not accept any other supernatural forces other than the individual and society’s relationship with God,” he told The Media Line. “Anything that contravenes that is seen as blasphemy and against the will of God, so by severely punishing those practicing witchcraft, they are doing God’s will.”

Saudi has convicted several people in the kingdom over the past few years for practicing witchcraft or sorcery.

On November 9, Ali Sabat was sentenced to death by a Medina court for witchcraft.

The sentence was based on advice and predictions that Sibat gave on Lebanese television. The Saudi religious police arrested at least two other people on counts of witchcraft in the past month, according to local media reports.

Sibat was arrested in May 2008 in a hotel in Medina, where he was carrying out a pilgrimage before returning to his native Lebanon.

Local media report that the only evidence against him is the divinations and life advice he gave on a Lebanese satellite television station.

Other cases reveal a zero-tolerance policy towards what the Saudi authorities perceive as witchcraft.

Mustafa Ibrahim, an Egyptian pharmacist working in Saudi Arabia, was executed in November 2007 for sorcery in Riyadh. He was found guilty for trying to separate a married couple “through sorcery,” the Ministry of Interior said.

A court in Jeddah tried a Saudi man this month, after he was arrested for smuggling a book of witchcraft into the kingdom.

In a separate case reported by a local Saudi paper, the religious police in Taif arrested an Asian man for “sorcery” and “charlatanry” and accused him of trying to use supernatural powers to solve marital disputes and induce people to fall in love.

Saudi citizen Fawza Falih was sentenced to death for witchcraft in 2006 after a “discretionary” conviction. HRW protested the sentence in 2008, but the Minister of Justice Abdallah Al A-Sheikh responded that the organization had “preconceived Western notions of Sharia (Islamic Law),” and did not answer questions about the judicial process.

According to HRW, after it approached a high-ranking official at the Ministry of Justice in 2008 to define the crime of witchcraft and its associated evidence, “the official confirmed that no legal definition exists and could not clarify what evidence has probative value in witchcraft trials. Saudi Arabia has no penal code and in almost all cases gives judges the discretion to define acts they deem criminal and to set attendant punishments.”

HRW responded by saying that “Saudi judges should overturn witchcraft convictions and free those arrested or convicted for witchcraft-related crimes. King Abdullah should urgently order the codification of Saudi criminal laws and ensure it comports with international human rights standards.”

Whitson elaborated that HRW “are documenting the cases brought against people on these absurd grounds, seeking media attention to the disturbing practice, and urging the Saudi government to rein in its judges and pass a new penal code that defines once and for all what constitutes a crime in Saudi Arabia,”

Wajeha Al-Huwaidar, a Saudi rights activist and a member of HRW’s advisory committee said it seems as though the Saudis are living in the Dark Ages.
“Witchcraft was considered a big crime [in the past] and many people got burned alive or tortured to death for practicing witchcraft,” she told The Media Line.
“In the Saudi case, witchcraft has deep roots in the Islamic religion. Most Saudis believe that those who have this "magic" power are able to destroy families and cause diseases to others and even death,” she elaborated. “These beliefs made people feel witchcraft was a horrible crime and whoever committed it should be locked out or killed. Witchcraft is a common practice among ignorant and poor people all over the Islamic world but only Saudi Arabia punishes them in a very brutal way.”

The Media Line

Lyra’s Oxford ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Read by a Full Cast

Set a few years after The Amber Spyglass ends Lyra, a few years older but pretty much the same girl, still lives at Oxford College.  One night she and her daemon, Pantalaimon, are suddenly disturbed by a bird daemon, who has been separated from his witch. The daemon appeals to Lyra to help him find a cure for his witch’s mysterious illness, and he leads her into an alchemist’s house that is not what it seems.

Ali Sibat is not even a Saudi national. The Lebanese citizen was only visiting Saudi Arabia on pilgrimage when he was arrested in Medina last year.

A court in the city condemned him as a witch on November 9.

“Saudi courts are sanctioning a literal witch hunt by the religious police,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.

“The crime of witchcraft is being used against all sorts of behavior, with the cruel threat of state sanctioned executions.”

In another case the religious police are said to have arrested for “sorcery” and “charlatanry” an Asian man accusing him of using supernatural powers to solve marital disputes and induce others to fall in love.

Read the rest of the article here.

What is the difference between superstitious nonsense and religious belief? As far as I can tell, nothing. But let’s keep the State out of enforcing, protecting, and promoting such nonsense.

Aphrodite, please

uncross my sacred heart

in the shadows of my altar,

bless me, soothe me,

find me, take me, show me,

send me my sweet hot,

my Ares incarnate,

Adonis on earth.

i believe, i receive

your will be done

in perfect love

and perfect trust

Aphrodite knows

i conjure, my Pan,

my Ra, my sun,

my breath,

my father, Zeus.

no one can love you

like a witch so deep,

cracked open,

light shining, sex oozing,

priestess of love.

so mote it be.

Tom was getting used to the middle of the night phone calls and my time spent skrying into my black mirror and trancing out with my tarot cards.  Still, I was grateful to have a night alone.

Some journalists, although they’d never admit it, surround themselves with pictures of crime victims.  A producer I worked with, back in my TV days, once confessed that he asked a homicide victim for direction in solving her murder. “I’d say to her, Jennifer, I  know you’re out there.  I need your help.”

I prefer crystal balls and black mirrors.  I started out with a tarot reading that night.  Sometimes that gives you a lead.  I laid out a Celtic cross.  Queen of cups crossed by the 2 of swords.   Laila had two roads she could have taken. Beneath, her foundation, was was the Empress – a mother figure.  A motherless child perhaps.  Perhaps a foundation of no female role model had left her blind when it came to dangerous situations with men.  Above her was Justice – the law.  It all made sense so far.  Behind her was The Devil – addiction.  Her own?  Jared’s?  Laila was addicted to her work, certainly.  Maybe this whirlwind romance was a part of love addiction.  I sighed.

“Addiction?” I asked. “Or maybe it meant ‘watch your step,’” I smiled weakly.  I could feel her warmth.

Before her was Death.  It was clear she was transforming. How she viewed herself – ace of pentacles, fertile, full of ideas, ready to start a new life, a new home.  Family and friends, the 7 of swords – paranoia, concern.  My heart warmed up.  Their protectiveness touched her deeply. Even now. Hopes and fears – 2 of rods – good news, gifts from out of the blue.  “I hope for the same,” I whispered.  The outcome – The Judgment.  Her family awaited divine judgment.

“Okay, baby,” I said, climbing on my bed with the black mirror.

A black mirror must never be exposed to light. It’s a concave plate made of shiny, black glass and witches use it like a crystal ball.  Some witch upstate made this one.  When you stare into the mirror at just the right angle, you see clouds.  Then the clouds part and right before your very eyes, images as clear as HDTV, and sometimes even clearer, start fading in and out of the dish.

I watched the night clouds part.  A few stars dotted the sky.  And when they cleared, I saw the inside of a bar with mahogany walls and huge, old mirrors behind the bar itself.  Jared was chatting up one of the waitresses.  She seemed to be aurically pushing him away.  If only I could place the bar.  He could have been anywhere.  I tried to zoom in on the couple. They were outside now and she was handing him a ring.

* **

“Sean?”

“Jesus, Norah. It’s 11:00. I get up early to write.”

“I’m sorry. It’s important.”

“Okay, what’s up?”

“Well, I was skrying, like I’ve been.”

“Skrying. Norah, speak English and breathe.”

I laughed and tried to settle down. “It’s a wiccan and occult way of trancing out until you see things – like crystal ball gazing.  I was using a black mirror – I’ll explain it some other time.  It’s a black plate and you see things after staring into it.  Anyhow, I saw Jared in a bar and he was talking to a waitress. It was definitely a girlfriend situation. You need to find her.  Please?”

“I’ve already checked out his watering holes, babe.”

“Well, check again, Sean.  Look for a waitress or a bartender with shoulder length, wavy, dark hair.  She wears it in braids sometimes.  He proposed to her at one point, because I saw her place a ring in his palm and close his fingers around it.  They were standing outside the bar.”

“Street? Avenue? Steps? No steps?”

“I’m not sure.  It looks like maybe that bar with the harp outside on the upper west side.”

“Thanks, kiddo.  Thanks.”

I sighed.  “Better?” Sean asked.

“Much. Thanks for taking my call. Sorry. I wasn’t thinking again. Time for bed, eh?”

“Good night, Norah.”

***

It was the end of a pretty quiet night shift. For some reason, I’m always exhausted when things are slow. It’s an adrenaline thing, I guess – or just boredom.

My cell started playing, “May This Be Love,” a ringtone I’m sure everyone around me had grown sick of. It was Sean.

“Hey, Sean,” I said tiredly.

“Slow night, eh?”

“You guessed it. Whassup?”

“I’m outside that bar you saw – the one on 72nd and Amsterdam.”

“And?”

“And there’s a waitress here who fit that description, so I asked if we could talk after her shift.  You know, told her about the book and stuff. We met outside and – are you there?”

“Yeh, I’m all ears.”

“Okay, so she starts telling me how Jared was kind of a serial proposer.  She wasn’t the only one he proposed to and apparently he used the same ring over and over again,” he chuckled.

“Not one nibble?”

“Doesn’t sound like it.  She knew of one other woman, but she wouldn’t give up her name. Both of them told him he was crazy. She said he popped the question after dating her only a few weeks.”

“Goddess. Same as Laila.”

“Exactly.  I used to think he was doing it because he was in desperate financial straights, Norah, but I’m not sure anymore. He just sounds violent and nuts.”

“That’s my editor on the other line, Sean. Talk tomorrow?”

“Sure, baby.  Talk soon.  Have a good rest of the night.”

A man has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for being a clairvoyant . Lebanese satellite TV presenter Ali Sibat was found guilty of Witchcraft and will be executed for making predictions about the future on a TV show . Click Sky News for the story .

pictures from tumblr and google ;}

Yesterday I had the uncomfortable “pleasure” of sitting in an art class with a born-again Christian. This woman has had a tough life, and I can see that Christianity has become the crutch she needs to hobble through life, and I have no intention of criticising her for that. We do what we do to survive.

I made no mention of the fact that I am pagan. She and another member were talking about Christmas and Jesus. This year I feel so distanced from Christmas both in any religious and commercial sense that I am continually shocked to remember that other people are gearing up for Christmas. It means absolutely nothing to me. I have no happy memories of families gathered round a tree, or of religious admonitions to bring good cheer and “be good”. Other years I might have still enjoyed the decorations and the carols, but this year it leaves me untouched; not in any cold-hearted, depressed way, but more in an “I’ve moved on” kind of way. I am more excited by the prospect of a full or new moon, by seeing the flood down by the river or the way the air seems to turn yellowy brown just before a storm hits.

I’ve been watching people scurry around doing their shopping, clocking up consumerist points to prove they care about the people on their ever-expanding lists. And the rest of the year? So little consistency, so much emotional hypocrisy (and no, pagans are not immune to such hypocrisy – at this time of year you see the residual Christian in many pagans as they scurry around kowtowing to the Jesus of Christmas past).

So, has it just become a social festival? A consumerist fest of gluttony and expenditure? It annoys and saddens me to see people taking out loans “to spread the cost of Christmas”. What’s so compulsive and socially dictatorial about Christmas that you should get in debt for it at all? Ridiculous.

No. Christmas in every sense will pass me by. If I have gifts to give, I give them at any time of the year. If there is food to be eaten, I will eat it when hungry, and if I wish to bask in the affections of my friends, I won’t wait until the adverts on TV tell me it’s time to do so.

Here’s looking to the solstice! To clear nights with sparkling stars. To frost and sleet. To floods and getting soaked walking in the rain. Here’s to mud and puddles, leaves and berries. Warm fires and hot cups of tea. Merry Winter!

©Tattooed Witch 2009

… The Witch of the Forest Grove called 101 Syndrome. Please read her entry first before carrying on here so what I will write makes sense to you.

I hold my hand up high and admit that I am one of those people trapped or surrounded by 101 books knowing fully well that they don’t get me were I want to go. Did you read the part where I said: were I want to go???? I don’t see a problem with 101 books if that is what fulfills your spiritual path and need. End off! For me, I have been running in circles for quite some time, but still carry on buying 101 books hoping for the next step on my path which never comes. Somehow staying in my comfort zone instead of broadening my horizon by venturing into the deep.    

The funny thing is that I have got two of the books mentioned on Sarah’s list for quite sometime, but I am honest to say that I have not read them yet. The Golden Bough fell into my hand a couple of months ago when I went to our local library. I am waiting for the White Goddess to be returned, but so far no luck. When looking around I found the Golden Bough in th same area, grabbed it and what do you know, it is a withdrawal that I can keep. Woo Hoo! Since then it is standing on my shelf gathering dust. Well, like so many others, but their time will come.

On Channel 4 now is “Dispatches – Return to Africa’s Witch Children”, I have just watched 5 mins of it and I am already deeply disgusted. Parents burning, pouring acid on, beating and burying their own children alive due to a belief in them being witches.

Not surprisingly this is all done in the name of God, in the name of Jesus. Seriously fucked up. Religion, combined with a lack of education really does make me sick. Watch it here:

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/episode-guide/series-43/episode-1

I hope you don’t enjoy this, I hope you are as disgusted as I am,

TWH

I keep banging on about the fact that you don’t need to buy any tools to walk the path, but then again, these are not tools but little treats. As you might have guessed, this is more work of the talented Carolina Gonzalez.

This lady is Called Santisima Muerte and is a Holy Death Altar Doll. For more information on this lovely lady please refer to Carolina’s site here

And to round it off I also bought a print of one of her original drawings called The Horned Goddess. More of her work can be found at The Hoodoo Shop

For now this is my little set-up in the bedroom away from prying eyes. It is not set in stone but always changing depending on what I find. This can be bought, made or found in nature like all the stones that you can see on the bottom shelf. Although, if I carry on like this it will end up as Carolina Gonzales shrine to her work before you get the wrong idea .     

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The Sin- A-Goons of Satanism :

Sinagouge of Satan:

Satanism Exposed By Grand Magister Blackwood and Others.

Recently I decided to retract an earlier criticism, but anger and hatred prevail in “The Sin-A Goons.”

I along with numerous Temples of Satan membership and clergy have been paying a visit to the Internet’s Chat Rooms visiting membership and clergy of the Sinagouge of Satan to get the following responses from their “wacky”leaders and clergy Mike Margolin and Knife Sotelo both

social misfits for certain.

Knife Sotelo a “wanna-be” rapper and gangster and worse “wanna-be” Satanic Leader remained silent through the mess that ensued when Theistic Satanists began to rip apart at the “soft underbelly” of The Singagouge of Satan lead by admitted Margolin, with claims as far fetched as Knife’s in the Rap Community.

First he was approached by a Black Moon Society Founder and Former Temples of Satan Founder the renown G. M. Wynter, after several questions that were not malicious and asked about the general belief system of the Sinagouge of Satan he was removed via banning from the conversation, shortly thereafter I attacked but not for what I have written but glib and pseudo intellectual “name calling” which I hedged off with kindness and a attempt to calm the situation.

Margolis was not the have the calm he continued to banter and attack, but before he did so he released some very damaging information I will share with those who take Satanism seriously.

Mike admitted to selling Crack Cocaine in front of myself and two Temples of Satan members, and also condoned the behavior as acceptable, he also expounded of his fondness for Marijuana and expounded on how he felt it perfectly fine to prescribe it anyone who doctors deemed fit to use it.

This behavior is not something of a Great Leader but someone who preys on people for friendship and provides little but more useless “besmirching”of the Satanic Community, which as we all know already has a bad enough past thanks to the former Howard Stanton L aVey and his “C.o.S. Goons.”

If one is to partake in drugs at least have the class to not admit to in the public eye, I am accepting of many things but as you have the right to do it, I have the right to be critical and or be safe from it.

I ask membership if your founder gets busted during a ritual, you may also be taken to the station, and alerting people of this behavior is like telling people you shoplifted yesterday at K-Mart®!

So think this was just a bad day at Margolin’s house I revisited the “self proclaimed” Mad Poet, and found out his background was based on Thelema, which in not way whatsoever fits into the slot of Satanism in anyway whatsoever and it is clearly stated by Golden Dawn Member Kale in this reprinted article as follows:

Hi Blackwood, to answer you question Thelema has no roots based in Satanism, and it is sad that anyone could even place the two together in this world, we share Crowley but even his text’s are constantly replaced by Golden Dawn Initiates and Adepts to further ourselves from Satanism.

Thanks

Kale Radcliff

Golden Dawn Adept (99)

So what is this organization or should I say disorganization, so far we have seen very little other than a few negative clergy booting people from chat rooms and carrying on about people and attacking people as they ask questions related to the Sinagouge of Satan.

I have also engaged in such behavior in the past myself but, grew out of it choosing my battles carefully and choosing them at my leisure, I answer questions now regarding the Organization and keep myself out except for releases correcting rumors, which often times are started by people like Mike and his gang of Sin-A-Goons of Satan.

It is sad that I have to root out these Pseudo Groups but perhaps the Sin-A-Goons of Satan are a affiliate of the Brotherhood of Satan where one can prosper and enjoy life thanks to some “fake doctrines’ they never produce other than to claim such.

There is no Secret Doctrines in Satanism, no chest waiting to be opened nothing new, but plenty of old and historical along with new stuff written because of the old, but it remains that the Sinagouge of Satan remains another group intent on leading some sheep to a “proverbial trough of falsehood.”

Sinful people!

Margolin describes his group!

When will today’s Satanist understand that Satanism is not about Vampires and Goth and come to realize as I and many of the Real Satanist’s do Satan however being a title created in Judaism is a Real Deity and he asks for no servitude but devotion and has little use for those who are unable to do anything but mislead people for self serving “ego trips.”

Satanism with Purity and Excellence

The Temples of Satan

Lets break down the text and explain truth to everyone here today!

Temples of Satan Clergy and myself will comment and explain most of this “outlandish and inane” introduction designed for those who are Satanic Sheep!

This religion is not based on those of the popular Satanists of our day, Hollywood or Christian propaganda, except for Aleister Crowley.

This was earlier dismissed by Kale, as being further from the truth, while some in Satanism enjoy Crowley or even “cross over” to Thelema there are no evident connections to the Real Satan in his works, while Crowley remains a Occult Icon, his works are subject to doubt and or question, and could never cornerstone any Satanic Movement or Community.

Magister Alexander

Temples of Satan

His connection with the Freemasons and the fact we took our name from a short story in his book Konx om Pax, called “Thien Tao; or, The Synagogue of Satan.”Cannot be denied nor can we deny being a by-product of the Thelemic family.

No one can deny his connection however his worked are not commonly taught to Masons and or Freemasons in gatherings and or lodges, they may have once been examined but are not typically expounded amongst membership.

John Poundstone

Freemason Since 1972

As members you have the right to believe in whatever you like as long as you don’t push your beliefs on others. The aim of this religion is the ultimate destruction of religions through the advancement of individual freedom and social responsibility. The philosophy of SoS undermines all existing religions including our own. Thus the SoS Philosophy is based on a paradox, much like the Tao.

Having no purpose is the “falsehood La Vey preached and Freedom is something of Liberty not always appropriate in circles of religions based on the Occult.

G.M. Dergsien

Temples of Satan Clergy

By not having any set reality or belief you are not trapped by their rules, and are free to start making your own. This is freedom, the breaking away from the status quo, much like when Satan broke ranks from God and became the first revolutionist. It’s funny how governments promote god worship when most modern governments owe their existence to Freemasonry and revolution, the dream of freedom, the spirit of Satan.

Rules and Laws by mankind are appropriate as long as they don’t remove our right to practice our religion, as we are free to allow you practices, we are also free to compare, discuss and disolve your falsehoods for the betterment.

Grand Magister Blackwood

Temples of Satan Founder

It’s no wonder governments and religions, actively partake in propaganda against Satanism for they truly fear being overthrown. As for America, Satanism is Americanism, for America supports freedom of religion in the same Masonic context that SoS does. Though certain religions in America attempt to combat this, our wonderful constitution, (written by Freemasons) prevents them from achieving their goals.

Propaganda comes from the Christian Church and not the government, Satanic Panic was launched by zealots from the media and disgruntled membership, who thus turned on the organization’s and was fueled by countless pyscho-babble spawned from Anton La Vey.

Magister Alexander

Temples of Satan Clergy

Enslavement in any form religious or otherwise is un-American. Therefore I declare any and all religious groups that do not support freedom of religion, un-American. Also certain fads or movements that harass people for their personal choices such as hairstyle, piercing, sex, tattoos, music and much more are also un-American. Yes SoS reaches far past the United States boarders. And no, unlike my government, I’m not trying spread the American culture to other countries. But I am trying to spread the Light of Phosphor, the light of freedom throughout the world.

Wow so your Pagan, and not Satanic interesting Mike!

Grand Magister Blackwood

Temples of Satan Founder

I obtained legal recognition for this mass manipulation scheme From the State of California and The Federal government of the United States of America, by utilizing my authority as an Ordained Minister of Universal Life Church Ministries (U.L.C.M). U.L.C.M., the Unitarians and the new Satanic unity movement, accept most faiths, but are predominately Christian or stylized Satanist in nature and actually exist to enslave you.

A Scheme? Perhaps better words could be laid out to the public!

Magister Tomlinson

Temples of Satan Clergy

As you can clearly see, I learned a little bit from their game and used it to turn the tide in Satan’s favor. Rather in your favor as consumers of prepackaged mail-order religions/realities. You can see although we are predominately Satanic/Thelemic/Masonic in nature SoS accepts all Religious Beliefs, Styles, Races, Cultures, Ideologies, Nationalities, Sexuality’s etc. etc. As long as those that wish to join accept the premise that each individual has the undeniable right to his or her choice of reality no matter what you’re personal religion or choice dictates. We do not try to sway you into accepting Atheism, Freemasonry, Satanism, or Thelemism, for that is not our aim or goal. Our aim and goal is freedom as it always will be.

So how about the Sinagouge of Universal Life Church and leave Satanism behind to the Real Satanist’s.

Grand Magister Blackwood

Temples of Satan Founder

We offer a system to surf realities/beliefs, as you will, without being engulfed, submersed, suppressed, or subservient to any of them including ours. We are a “Free” Church in all the possible definitions of the word. And freedom is only found in the mind, for the physical world and its systems, such as society bind us. With freedom comes a great responsibility to our neighbors in this society. For as seen so many times, one mans freedom becomes another mans slavery.

As Members of SoS I ask you to view reality/beliefs as the unalienable right of every one. But I do support your full-blown assaults on those that would infringe upon your rights, as long as you execute your attacks in a legal and productive manner. (We do not turn the other Cheek, unless it’s to buy time to smite with discretion). Hopefully by your mannerisms, diplomacy and actions more people might see that freedom is not evil and people can be socially responsible without a threat of hell, jail or ostracism. Please do remember it is their right to live and die in a fairy tale just as it is your right to live and die, as you will. Besides, tolerance is not acceptance, you don’t have to like someone or thing to tolerate them or it.

Now, one last thing, we ask you to abide by the laws of your countries and local governments as they pertain to you and to take an active role in changing them as you feel is needed.

But what about Freedom, Mike please did you have a speech writer for The President prepackage this for you or write this for you?

Wow so I get it your really another group of Reverse Christians who refuse to come out from “Mom’s Basement.”

Magister Alexander

Temples of Satan Clergy

 “Tune in, Turn on, Take over!” {Revised Timothy Leary saying}

 “Tune in.” Learn about your political system and environment.

 “Turn on.” Learn to use the system and your understanding of the environment involved.

 “Take over.” Manipulate and change the system and environment as needed for social advancement and freedom.

Interesting works well in a Anarchist State, but in Satanism?

Tim Franklin

Atheist

SoS has ambassador and priesthood positions. These are reserved for SoS members that accept the SoS religion as well with their own personal belief system. Members of other beliefs are not allowed this privilege, for they can obtain such status through other groups. Ambassadors and priest/priestess positions exist to serve the members, not to be served by them. For more information on these positions see: “Structure / Goals and more”.

Don’t forget to go to the Universal Life Church and buy your positions!

Grand Magister Blackwood

The Temples of Satan (Real Satanic Priestesses and Priests not U.L.C.)

SoS exists to give subcultures and minority religions a legal connection to their beliefs that can be used in a court of law if the need arises. Such as housing, job discrimination and harassment. And insuring religious rights while in the military services. SoS is also known as “The Hermit Path”. We exist for all the people in this world that enjoy their independence in all aspects of life. Until now this vast number of individuals lacked a legal connection to their religious rights. Governments and societies ignore the needs of the individual and cater only to mainstream groups they find acceptable for the society. By creating this religion I have forged a path that all may tread, thus giving the once voiceless a voice and the once weak, strength in numbers. SoS is not affiliated with any other satanic groups and is not bound by any other group’s authority. We do however have a close relationship with the E.G.C. within Ordo Templi Orientis, They were kind enough to grant us the right to use and adapt E.G.C. rituals for SoS needs and for this I’m eternally grateful, for we are the only satanic group to have a connection with an order of antiquity and Freemasonry. Yes I am an inactive O.T.O. member and they still have my love, respect and support, but my view of the world cannot be restricted by any one system, therefore I am a hermit.

Inactive membership in the Golden Dawn or O.T.O. means you didn’t pay your dues!

Perhaps instead of a “Bag of Weed” you should send the organization a check or money order Mad Poet!

Kale

Member Golden Dawn

SoS is for free thinking independent people. If you prefer a more closed-minded, stringent reality than SoS, our religion is probably not for you and I ask you please refrain from joining. SoS makes no claims as far as the “True Satanic path” or any “True Way”. I created this religion for people to think and grow for themselves and at their own pace with the power of like minded people to support them. We make no claims of superiority nor do we war with other groups, unless it‘s a case of defense. Never in the history of man has there ever been an organized religion set up in this manner. All our predecessors have bound their members in some way or another. “The Word of Sin is Restriction.” Therefore we do not demand our members uphold any system or belief.

Did he copy and paste this from The Temples of Satan and add some glib commentary.

Magister Alexander

Temples of Satan Clergy

We have no central temple or lodge. Our priests/priestesses and ambassadors often hold meetings and classes in their homes and online. Please be respectful guests for none of us accept money for our time and services this is also new as far as religions go. Our work and attendance is a “Labor Of Love” not monitory advancement. Since our birth on 1-29-99 we have received many attacks by other groups but we do not retaliate too much and when we do it’s usually with Satanic humor. For we understand that our system is a threat to all current systems of beliefs.

Your behavior speaks against your writing here and this was evident in front of the Temples of Satan membership who visited your forums and chat systems and of course as I figured as your life as in a drug induced state so should be your Organization, perhaps Knife will create a Rap Song about this attack, but as usual it will never sell, Jay Z and Dr. Dre won’t answer his calls.

Magister Alexander

Temples of Satan Clergy

So folks as you can plainly see another organization that is out there expounding the falsehoods and craziness that is Satanism, it is sad but perhaps if you seek truth, perhaps you desire purity and excellence just visit Real Satanism.

Thanks

The Temples of Satan

Exposing The Sinagouge of Satan.

I am watching my family from the balcony while they are flying a kite. They take their turn to play with it before it hits the ground (mainly for my daughter).

The weather this week has been an extreme up and down from days like spring to stormy days for kites. Now heavy rain is hammering against the house leaving behind a rice field in the garden.

I survived yesterdays party and tried to make an effort to at least sit with some of the others. Luckily the music and kids were to loud so I just read one of the magazines lying around. I am sure the next party will follow soon .

Otherwise not much has been happening. Santisima Muerte moved in this week , but more about that for a later entry. Also for a later entry, I would like to start a category called ~ Back to Basics ~ and who knows, maybe some of the blog readers will participate.  

Rituals have been a part of the world as long as humanity has existed.  From the annual celebration of our birth, to our daily behavioral patterns, we have all incorporated basic ritualistic activities in our lives.  Every culture on earth has certain customs they follow for births, weddings, religious rites, and funerals.  These actions, whether they are performed as festivities, for comfort, or out of habit, all have an underlying power that feeds our growth and wisdom.

In a spiritual sense, rituals are one of the most effective and reliable ways for people to honor and commune with the Divine. The act of ceremony not only gives a comfortable structure, but also allows us the time and focus to interact with Spirit and the divinity within ourselves.  Many practicing pagans and witches seem to fall out of ritual observance the longer we spend in the Craft. We begin to shortcut our practice, no longer taking the time and preparation needed to truly give honor to our spiritual path. By taking the quick and easy route, we are cheating ourselves out of the opportunity for great change.

Starhawk, one of the most prolific Goddess authors of our time says, “Any ritual is a chance for transformation.” Whether we are performing ritual to heal ourselves or in tribute, we are creating sacred space in order to change the energy that surrounds us. Each ring of a bell, each sage leaf burned, every prayer spoken, transmutes and re-develops our energy into a higher vibration.  The positive energy we create not only affects our lives, but creates a chain reaction of love and Divine connection which spreads throughout those we know and continues to vibrate throughout the world.

With the traditions in Goddess spirituality there are countless ways to effectively perform ceremony, whether you are working in a group setting or in solitude.  Generally speaking, the most powerful rituals you can perform are those created by your own hand; designed to suit your specific needs, desires, and the level of your spiritual connection.  Each practitioner follows their intuition to a certain degree, as the layout of the ritual is not as important as the faith and love that drive it. However, it is advisable to have a basic structure to follow within all your rites, regardless of purpose.

One of the best basic outlines for rituals, whether for solitary or coven use, is an excerpt from the book “To Ride a Silver Broomstick” by Silver Ravenwolf. It’s simple and to the point, works for personal or Sabbat/Esbat rituals, and is included below:

A.  Ritual Preparation

1.  Define purpose
2.  Write ritual
3.  Gather necessary tools
4.  Prepare area – (cleaning, sage, etc)
5.  Prepare body – (purification bath, donning special clothing/jewelry)

B.  Open Circle

1.  Find true North
2.  Set up Magickal ‘doorway’ / Cast Circle
3.  Call the Watchtowers / Elemental Quarters (East/ Air, South/Fire, West/Water, Earth/North)

C.  Invocation to the deities

1.  Align self with deity (evoke)
2.  Invoke deities

D.  Statement of Purpose

E.  Actual Rite

1.  Working
a.  Complete preliminary manual or visual task
b.  Raise power / energy
c.  Focus power / energy
d.  Ground power / energy

2.  Honoring
a.  Complete preliminary manual or visual task
b.  Dedicate cakes and wine
c.  Partake in cakes and wine

F.  Meditation

G.  Thanking the deities

H.  Closing the Circle

1.  Mentally and verbally dismiss the Quarters/ Close the circle
2.  Physically close the circle
3.  Clean up
a.  Disposal
b.  Washing of plates and glasses
c.  Putting away tools and other implements

There are many reference books you can use to help plan your rituals. Here are a few recommend titles, which are all available for purchase here:

• The Goddess Guide by Brandi Auset
• Women’s Rites, Women’s Mysteries by Ruth Barrett
• Living Wicca by Scott Cunningham
• The Outer Temple of Witchcraft by Christopher Penczak
• The Wiccan Book of Ceremonies and Rituals by Patricia Telesco
• Creating Circles & Ceremonies: Rituals for All Seasons And Reasons by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart and Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart
• Neopagan Rites: A Guide to Creating Public Rituals that Work by Isaac Bonewits

And there are endless online resources available. Try a Google search – not only will you find information for planning your own rituals, but you may find public pagan celebrations in your area.

Blessed Be!

Psalm 18

Occultic powers calling my name for evil die in the name of Jesus

Every witchcraft coven entertaining my case, I set you ablaze by the power of the Holy Ghost

Where is the God of Elijah, arise, kill every satanic prophet assigned against my life

Inherited battles hear the word of the Lord, die in the name of Jesus

Arrow of affliction fired against me,  I bury them today, in the name of Jesus

It’s been a while. Thanks to a nudge from Watching The Wheels I am back to blogging.

Sometimes there are moments when words are just an annoyance, like a bee buzzing too close to your ear and spoiling what would otherwise be a relaxing time in the countryside. I have been extremely wordy in the past, but these days are characterised by images, colours, fabrics, textures and silence. Not that I sit in solitude like a Trappist monk! I am just downloading another two series of The Good Life in audiobook form. It is the ultimate in comfort-listening for me while I’m embroidering or doing some other kind of craft work.

I have met magickians of the “highest order” who have deplored popular culture and proudly declaimed that they would rather read Aleister Crowley or Kenneth Grant than sully their polished minds with TV. Whenever I heard such comments, I always mumbled a non-committal, slightly self-conscious, “Mmhuh.” One wonders if said magickians would feel the same way if they actually had a “proper” job and worked for a living. I spend nearly every day at work translating technical texts from German to English for the manufacturing and construction industry; it is boring, academic and a real brain-strain. I enjoy a challenging read with the best of them (I am currently enjoying Solitude by Anthony Storr and Osho’s books on creativity and emotions) BUT my mind is merely that of a very little bear, so I LIKE to sit in front of mindless TV and allow my brain to chunter through its backlog while my conscious mind drifts and guffaws and lambasts personalities and characters in the TV world. “Uncle Al” as Thelemites so irritatingly call Aleister Crowley, is a good read, but doesn’t always hit the spot. Does this make me less serious about my path as a pagan and a witch? No.

Over the last year I mixed with pagans who deplored the idea of balance. They wanted chaos and everything of the Dark. They saw this dark, swirling energy as the primal power, a concentrated form of energy that they believed they could harness … a quick trip through Bagdad with an “I love George Bush” T-shirt on to buy olives at the delicatessen of enlightenment, as opposed to settling for the decent and safe-to-buy olives from Marks & Spencer… did anyone follow that analogy?! What I’m saying is: just because you throw yourself into things that other people fear, it doesn’t make you better or more enlightened. Sometimes the safe option is good. Sometimes listening to The Good Life provides greater balm for the soul than reading “Uncle Al”.

Pagan fundamentalism is just as unappetising and ignorant as any kind of fundamentalism. It is an attempt to make a safer world by dividing it clearly, cleanly and falsely into black and white, good and bad, dark and light, power and weakness, serious practitioners and dabblers. It is a sign of greater courage to accept the greys and beiges, to accept the slippers, hot milk and Jeremy Kyle/Ricki Lake days alongside the study of correspondences and LBRP practice. Thank the Goddesses and Gods that I no longer feel pressured to be part of the “Over-Achievers’ School for Witches”! I am what I am what I am. And that’s good. C’est si bon!

©Tattooed Witch 2009

we did it alone

inside the rain

queen of the may

lord cernunnos

i your morrighan

you my gawain

i ragnell

knew the answer

to your riddle

blood of my blood

fingers touch

ribbons cross

green then red

our promises

a year and a day

the ribbons will stay

on our altar

as the god and goddess

so will we underthesky

bone of my bones

around your chalice

the ribbons there

flesh of my flesh

unless before then

we no longer love

and untie them

our signal

of forever true

Billy Pappas, detail from 'Marilyn Up Close'

First in a regular new series where I post links of interest…

Historical novelist Mary Sharratt interviews Erika Mailman, author of The Witch’s Trinity:

While I had thought my book looked at an outdated belief mode while casting light on modern-day scapegoatism, it turns out I was really writing about something current. The same sorts of accusations ring out today as they did centuries ago, hitting the themes of hunger, infertility, and the mundane occurrence of random bad luck.

Newsweek ponders the ‘blah-blah’ of Lady Gaga, and the inevitable Madonna comparisons…

Pop’s intelligentsia has largely gone along with Gaga, anointing her, like Madonna, a dance maven who has something to communicate aside from great grooves…She writes strong melodies and gives us great photos, but unlike Madonna—who was willing to tie provocation to a discernible purpose in ‘Like a Prayer’—Gaga offers no synthesis.

(To be fair to Gaga, Madonna’s ‘Hanky Panky’ wasn’t exactly Shakespeare either.)

Artist Billy Pappas spent eight years on a pencil drawing of Marilyn Monroe – based on Richard Avedon’s famous photograph, it’s described as ‘the sharpest portrait the world has even seen.’ So, why Marilyn?

Marilyn belongs to all of us. Her visage is arguably the most ubiquitous in history. And her having already been the subject of countless artists made her image an even greater challenge through which I could introduce something new. I especially liked Richard Avedon’s portrait, engaging because it showed Marilyn’s thoughtfulness and vulnerability. Moreover, the Avedon portrait possesses a very soft—if any—focus. These characteristics made this particular image a perfect vehicle to serve as my point of departure.

We heard scrabbling in the attic
Dozens of tiny feet
Running to and fro
A cacophony of movement

Louder and louder it grew
We both looked up in dread
Knowing what was coming
As the ceiling started to sag

And then the cracks split open
And little bodies fell
Raining down upon our heads
Rodent showers at midnight

We jumped up and ran
But there was no where to go
We knew we had no choice
But to take matters into
Our hands

He grabbed the first one
He saw
And flew to the kitchen sink
Where he snatched up a butcher knife
And chopped off its little head

I handed him another
Which he dispatched with equal speed
Then another and another and another
Till the sink was brimming with death

I think we’ve got enough
He said
To send our message home
Then he opened a drawer and
Pulled out a pile
Of little wooden skewers

He boiled some water
And left the flame burning
Then began as I watched in amazement
Peruvian voo-doo witchcraft?
Shrinking the rodents heads
And mounting them on sticks

I stared at our macabre creation
And suddenly started to laugh
He followed suit and shortly
The only sound to be heard
Was the roar of demonic laughter
Our terrorist hearts’ delight

We got out the ladder
Climbed up to the ceiling
Where all the trouble had started
We peered inside with a flashlight
There wasn’t a sound to be heard

I handed them to him
One by one
He placed them in half a circle
Surrounding the gaping hole
Where they stood like silent sentries
Warning their brothers of doom

We came back down
Put the ladder away
And parked ourselves on the couch

Turned on the tv
Smoked another bowl
Fixed a midnight snack
Then fell into peaceful sleep

The next morning we looked
In the attic
To see if our plan had worked
But the space was completely empty
As if nothing had ever been there

We looked at each other in wonder
Did the soldiers bury their dead?
What really happened last night?
Was that just some really good weed?

We’ll never know for sure
I guess
The only thing I can tell you?

It’s been a good two weeks now
And all’s quiet in the attic…

As we approach the holiday season, many of my pagan friends feel a bit disconnected from the Thanksgiving celebrations. As an earth based spirituality and religion, Pagans always seem at odds during certain celebrations such as St. Patrick’s, which is an extremely large celebration for the city of Savannah. Well received in the areas of economy, development and growth for our city St. Patrick’s has become a synonym for Savannah tourists.

The question that we as followers of an earth based religion need to ask is what we can do during this holiday season to make it a time of thanksgiving. If history has taught us anything is that, we can change things for a better future and with that high vibration; we resonate in a higher level of consciousness allowing ourselves to write new stories as well as history. To begin lets talk about the all-Pagan symbolism that we will able to find at most American homes during this holiday. Turkey: Symbolic of harvest and shared blessings of Mother Earth. Native American Indians view the turkey as a both a symbol of abundance and fertility. The turkey was the guest of honor (sacrificial, that is) in various fertility and gratitude ceremonies. The Creek tribes (like the Yamacraw Indians) that still practice the turkey dance during its annual fire festivals. Rabbit: Although not mentioned in accounts of the feast, was one of the foods available to the Pilgrims in 1621. Rabbits and hares are new life, fertility, intuition, balance and rebirth.

Apple: Avalon is from a Celtic word meaning apple. The apple tree is the Celtic tree of life. Symbolic of love, purity and wisdom.

Pumpkin: Represents the sun to some Native Americans tribe. Symbolic of power.

Wheat: Often use in magical workings for prosperity and abundance. Always have some hanging in your kitchen for prosperity.

Corn: Represents the power of people, fertility and healing. The oldest corns date 7000 years back and were grown in Mexico. Americans taught pilgrims how to grow corn and help them survive the bitter winter of 1620. It is certain that corn were a part of the first thanksgiving dinner.

In addition, let us not forget the cornucopia according to the dictionary: 1. A goat’s horn overflowing with fruit, flowers, and grain, signifying prosperity. Also called horn of plenty.2. Greek Mythology The horn of the goat that suckled Zeus, which broke off and became filled with fruit. In folklore, it became full of whatever its owner desired.3. A cone-shaped ornament or receptacle.4. An overflowing store; an abundance

Savannah, GA’s weather never disappoints we enjoy what some call Indian Summers until late November. It is at this time that you are packing your summer items and those items that perhaps do not fit and that you no longer want. A good old fall cleaning session before the new goodies arrive in December please, do not forget those less fortunate and give the Goodwill a hand.

To fight hunger in Savannah follow this link.

http://www.examiner.com/x-26588-Savannah-Paganism-Examiner

Sources:
Animal-Speak, Ted Andrews, (Llewellyn Publications, 2002)
The Dictionary of Native American Mythology, Sam D. Gill & Irene F. Sullivan, (Oxford University Press, 1992)

Following my videos on Give me the Truth Part 1 and Part 2 and my post on ‘Did God actually say that?‘ I realise that the things mentioned in these posts happen predominantly in charismatic circles where I came from. Now let me say from the very start that not everything in charismatic churches is bad as there is bad in every church and I would agree with John Macarthur when he says:

I’m very much aware of the fact that not everyone who is associated with the Charismatic movement is engaged in the kind of extreme error that we will be, from time to time, referring to.  There are people who are more moderate.  There are people within the Charismatic movement who, themselves, are very, very concerned about the heresies and the aberrations that exist within that movement

However, there are so many things in there which is error that we cannot ignore it.

Here are some classic examples

Now there may be somethings below that you may not agree with but on the whole, I think that John Macarthur hits it right on the head. You can listen to each sermon by clicking on the appropriate link or download it by right clicking on the link and saving the files. 

Does God Still Give Revelation?

Does God Still Give Prophecies?

Proper Biblical Interpretation

Does God Do Miracles Today?

The Third Wave

How Do Spiritual Gifts Operate?

What Was Happening in the Early Church?

Does God Still Heal?

Speaking in Tongues

What Is True Spirituality?

Does God Promise Health and Wealth? Part 1

Does God Promise Health and Wealth? Part 2

Does Experience Determine Truth?

The late John Updike’s eponymous work, The Witches of Eastwick (1984), is magical realism par excellence. The mystical and the supernatural are woven into the mundane with so much deft and ease, the little spells and tricks cast by the witches seem a given in the lyrical world Updike has created. Sukie nonchalantly turns milk into cream for her coffee, Lexa wills a foraging squirrel to die just because she can, and Jane, in almost cavalier clichéd fashion, can fly to spy on her neighbours. All this is staged in fictitious Eastwick, Rhode Island, a sleepy American suburb replete with post World War Two battles over civil rights, women’s rights, and the Vietnam War.

Contrary to the idea that being a witch is liberating or self-empowering, and even though Updike continually poeticizes the female psyche, this work is neither sympathetic to women, nor the human condition for that matter. In the proposed situation and premise of The Witches of Eastwick – what would the modern woman do if bestowed with powers centuries of civilizations past have vilified and executed females for possessing? – Updike paints a bleak literary scenario.

The manifestation of power, independence, and talent is squandered in the witches’ mediocre attempts at parenthood, financial ineptitude, and creative failure. Where in this misogynistic novel is the smart, successful woman? The witches are consumed instead by petty grievances, and disdainfully victimize other women (while the men are off abusing their power in the backdrop of Vietnam too, of course). The only woman who has any political convictions whatsoever is bludgeoned beyond consciousness (literally) by her disgruntled husband. This is not before the witches had reduced her diatribes to mere fluff though– feathers, thumbtacks, and other dusty sweepings start spilling out of her twisted mouth days before her violent demise.

Joined in their lust for consummated cruelty, the witches of Eastwick can be likened to the horrifyingly sublime nature of, well, Nature (which is much rhapsodized in excruciatingly beautiful detail by Updike). As Lexa muses, “Nature kills constantly, and we call her beautiful” so too can we describe the witches of Eastwick. Equally callous is Van Horne, the oft-suggested devil who drives the story forward with his arrival and subsequent orgiastic trysts, where ass-kissing (his) and phallus worship (his) by the coven is de rigueur. Much can be said about his using the women and later running off with his brother-in-law to do a little unholy supplication of his own too.

Perhaps the question isn’t so much what women would do if they had supernatural gifts, but what the world would do when faced with powerful witches. John Updike’s foray into the magical speaks starkly of our reality and its gender politics – Eastwick, and the world in allusion, has no room or imagination for women of greater (and greater use of) power. The muttered curses, social disquiet and political rumblings of the Eastwick majority still reverberate and bubble away in the early 21st century, ascending to a vehemently persistent hiss of “Burn witches, burn!”

Contributed by: Diana Long