The Satanic Bible

Love this book. Very insightful and straight forward.

I'm not a Satanist but too many valid points to ignore. Easy to read, hard to put down. This is a case where you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.

Want a solid foundational understanding of Satanism and all that entails? Buy this book. Want information on rituals and Greater Black Magic... go elsewhere!Anton was a genius and a jester infinitely melded as to form a whole however on occasion one part blots out the other. Without a doubt this book is a pillar of clear thought and really should be required reading for anyone claiming an ounce of clear critical thinking. LaVey runs the gamut of carny, High Priest, and Poet throughout and it's a such a small book a night is required and it is an entertaining mental roller coaster ride. What is perhaps the curiosity of this book is that "Satan" is a dark force in this book whereas in later writings of others associated with the Church of Satan at weakest the view of Satan is presented in Agnostic fashion at worst and occasionally nears outright worshipMichael Aquino who wrote the introduction of this book 1972-1976 splintered off to form the Temple of Set in 1975 with great deal of the original Priesthood of the Church of Satan when it became apparent that LaVey was selling degrees in the organization to the highest bidder possibly to fund himself or the Church. Ranks in the organization now are handed out at the whim of the administrators at this time as they do not signify accomplishment after the post 1975 schism. Also, as Gilmore is the current High Priest the organization reflects more his idea of Satanism than Anton's at this juncture not that Gilmore doesn't have merits but you may find some of Anton's and Gilmore's writings taking different tangents on similar subjects. Gilmore's view seems to be that anyone who believes in a Satan as a deity is not a Satanist, but there are many that beg to differ on that point with many Satanists either believing in "universal dark force", "personally created dark force", or even the idea that the Satanist creates his own conception of these. None of these are issues in the TSB, and that is why it remains a valid starter text for anyone who wishes to know the truth of the matter.The chapters on the fundamental beliefs of Satanist are gold, but deeper in the Rituals are actually a mishmash of Crowley's, Dee and Kelly's, and Golden Dawn work in the ritual department. You perhaps would like to consider the sources before using this information. Anton had the sensibility to remove most of the Christian viewpoint from most of his translation of it, however one could legitimately argue modified Enochian Keys are junk. Curiously enough the tetragrammaton is used in the ritual text and sort of clues you out as to where some of the information as from as it really has little meaning to a proper Satanist.That being all said the first half of this book is a gold mine of personal improvement, quality of life advice, and philosophy that will jump start any proper Satanist in the right direction and is really a required read for all Left Hand Path readers. Let me say that the world lost a great man in LaVey's passing and that there are few people who can think so freely as him living on this rock.

Good book I look forward to reading.

When I picked up "The Satanic Bible," I expected lightning to strike or at least to get some judgmental looks from my cat. But instead, I found a book that's less about brimstone and more about empowerment, wrapped in a cloak of rebellion.Firstly, let's address the elephant in the room: No, reading this book will not turn you into a goat-sacrificing maniac. It's more like a philosophical deep dive into individualism, hedonism, and a touch of theatrical ritualism – basically, a self-help book with horns.The principles? Surprisingly practical. It's like Machiavelli and Nietzsche had a baby, and that baby decided to write a book. It talks about self-preservation, pride, and indulgence – all with a spicy twist of dark humor. It's the kind of book you read with a sly smirk, nodding along to the rhythm of your drumbeat.Rituals and ceremonies? They're in there, but they're more symbolic than anything. It's like Halloween and a philosophical debate had a lovechild. Don't worry; you won't need to renovate your basement into a ritual chamber – unless you're really into interior design.The writing style? Direct, unapologetic, and as subtle as a sledgehammer. Reading it feels like getting a pep talk from a devilishly charismatic figure who's half motivational speaker, half rock star.In conclusion, "The Satanic Bible" is not what you might expect. It's a celebration of self, draped in the mystique of the left-hand path. It's perfect for those who march to the beat of their drum and are looking for something a little... unconventional. So light some candles, pour yourself a glass of something indulgent, and delve into a world where the motto is "Do no harm but take no nonsense." Maybe don't read it in your local coffee shop – unless you aim for that 'mysterious stranger' vibe.