A Satanist night school in rural Somerset
Well it wouldn't be during the day, would it? Anyway 24dash.com has a report on the hoo hah in the village of Worle. Whoever would have thought that Somerset was a hotbed of such things? Turns out the place is a glorified suburb of Weston Super Mare, having had a look on google earth.
The writer has managed to round up a few outraged, if anonymous, locals to complain, but no vicar. Maybe he or she is big on the ecumenical approach. Far and away my favourite bit is the course leader commenting "I've run the course six times before in Coventry and never had problems like this".
I expect the attendees are over excited Goths and headbangers in the main, and who have read a few too many sleeve notes namechecking Aleister Crowley. I supect they would be better off with Denis Wheatley novels, frankly.
A quick scoot to Wikipedia suggests that Satanism has almost as many variants as the reformed Church (anyone for Gnostic Luciferianism, or Modern Luciferianism?), but unpicking the theological differences seems like a bit of a struggle. However, it looks like Luciferians aren't big on the old human sacrifice at midnight business. I'd been hoping to find out what they expect from any afterlife, but no dice alas. A bit more digging turned this up: "It is more accurately described as a conscious effort of constant self-improvement through learning and effort. Small steps of self-betterment, as visible through an increase in material or emotional well-being: a promotion, a car, a new lover, a steady relationship, etc. Magick may or may not be used towards these ends; usually it is lesser magick (wish-magick) which is employed".
Hmm, so it is crossing your fingers (whoops...) and hoping to win the lottery only with a bit more ritual. If yer man can spin this out over a 10 week course, I'm impressed.
The writer has managed to round up a few outraged, if anonymous, locals to complain, but no vicar. Maybe he or she is big on the ecumenical approach. Far and away my favourite bit is the course leader commenting "I've run the course six times before in Coventry and never had problems like this".
I expect the attendees are over excited Goths and headbangers in the main, and who have read a few too many sleeve notes namechecking Aleister Crowley. I supect they would be better off with Denis Wheatley novels, frankly.
A quick scoot to Wikipedia suggests that Satanism has almost as many variants as the reformed Church (anyone for Gnostic Luciferianism, or Modern Luciferianism?), but unpicking the theological differences seems like a bit of a struggle. However, it looks like Luciferians aren't big on the old human sacrifice at midnight business. I'd been hoping to find out what they expect from any afterlife, but no dice alas. A bit more digging turned this up: "It is more accurately described as a conscious effort of constant self-improvement through learning and effort. Small steps of self-betterment, as visible through an increase in material or emotional well-being: a promotion, a car, a new lover, a steady relationship, etc. Magick may or may not be used towards these ends; usually it is lesser magick (wish-magick) which is employed".
Hmm, so it is crossing your fingers (whoops...) and hoping to win the lottery only with a bit more ritual. If yer man can spin this out over a 10 week course, I'm impressed.
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on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 4:56 pm.
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Way too retro.
You were right to mention Aleister Crowley and Dennis Wheatley. I don't think there's been much movement on the Satan front since those heady days.
One imagines there's a heaving Satanist scene in Croydonia.
V - although the Hammer film 'The Devil Rides Out' is thoroughly entertaining, with a marvelously campy villain in Charles Gray: "I won't be back, but something will". And Paul 'Yes Minister & Jerry in the Good Life' Eddington as a supporting actor.
GC - you betcha. The Fairfield Hall is hosting Witchfest International 2006: "The largest Witchcraft festival held in the World within recorded history, is to be held in Croydon, London on the Saturday November 4th 2006. The number of tickets available for this event ave been reduced by 20% to prevent overcrowding. There are more talks and workshops than ever before given by the most famous Witchcraft/Wiccan authors and experts in the world".
All that for a mere £15 (if you are a member of Children of Artemis) and bookended by John Mayall on the 2nd and Croydon festival music performers on the 7th.
I hate to think the google hits for this that I'll be getting now.
I went to a white witch wedding a couple of years ago, but it was very tame compared to this. The happy couple maded a magic circle of bog oak and wore long gowns and recited their own vows under the moonlight. There was a bit of dancing too, but fully clothed. I think the white witch movement is quite strong around here. How about Croydon?
A pal of mine has been to a pagan wedding (and I'm off for a jar or two with him shortly...) a while back, and found it very hard to keep a straight face. I'll seek further and better particulars.
You would have thought that the activities of Matthew Hopkins in East Anglia might have put them off a bit. No idea what goes on in these parts by way of left field religions / cults et bar the event I've just mentioned.
How come you are off to the pub and not tuned in to 18 Doughty St?
If you are looking for sickness try Scotton Pinkney.
Ellee - 'fraid even Iain & Tim are no substitute for a jar or two.
Meanwhile, I have a new nark....
PH - oh aye.
why oh why in this day and age to people still insist on lumping withcraft and satanism in the catagory! Satanism is a made up religion by the catholic and christian church to scare people out of being pagan...then some nut nuts took it seriously and decided to become satanists...bad bad people..its not very nice...however they did pinch a few bits from wichcraft ie madjik/spells...but satanists dont use them the way its intended and has increased the bad name that witches/druids/pagans have had for several thousand years, like i said thanks to the church. all o the witches i know are very lovely, harmless peaceful people who dont belive in satan or god!!!
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