The Satanic Rituals

View books by Anton LaVey.

Worth reading - Rated
If anyone is an atheist like me and have read all the usual books like the God Delusion and fancy something else
strong but pallatable: this is the book for you. It is written as an amusingly jocular and light-hearted piss-take of Christianity. He says what we're all thinking - that no one in history has abided by all the 10 commandments. He has his own equilavent of the commandments and beleives most animals are better and less corrupt than humans. As a vegetarian, this seems quite true. Sers, its defo worth reading if just to see the look on the faces of commuters sitting across from you on the train! It's only cheap - buy it!

Poor and frankly exploitive - Rated
This book is a dreadful work exploring the rituals of satanic worship. On the other hand it is a mixed up bag of (dreadfully construxcted) languages in which not much of value is discussed or said at all. The book plunges Satanism back into the era of the ancient religions in which worship was merely a litany of compliments directed towards the God. The Philosophy of the Satanic Bible were interesting to read but this drivvle is actually quite insulting. Not only does it make the idea of Satan petty and idiotic but it also forces two thousand years of christian theology into the gutter. According to Western belief Satan is an immensely complicated creature who (if you actually read the Bible) is not guilty of evil, but solely of the crime of jealousy and therefore pride. This book however attempts to put Satan up there with the meaningless Ancient Gods attached to no satisfying Philosophy or theology. This book is pointless in every way shape and form. Read it if you like to think you are a Satanist, but if you really are then do a little research into the personality of the Western Satan before launching into any "teen-friendly" idiotic book about Devil Worship.

A History on Satanism. - Rated
This book is just what it says, under the title, a companion to the Satanic Bible. Thats not to say that this is merely an extension of the philosophical debate and instructional ramblings found in the 'Bible'. But for anyone interested in knowing more about Satanism and Satanic Ritual throughout history then this is a good read.

Before each ritual there is a few pages that summerise what the ritual means and details its origin. This, in my opinion, is the most interesting part of the book as it gives you more information about past Satanic culture such as the Yzeidis and the Knight Templars satanic rites.

If you liked the Satanic Bible, then buy and read this book to get a better picture of what Satanism is, and what it has become.

Its not for everybody.... - Rated
...of course Satanism isn't for everybody. This book ties up a few loose ends from the original Bible. It has lifted the scales from my eyes after disposing his first book and denying his philosophy which originally led me into despair. Written in 1974 it still can be very useful. La Vey's philosophy personifies self-sufficiency in the man animal which seeks to dominate his species.

Good book...for Satanists. - Rated
This book is a collection of 8 or 9 "dark" rituals either created by LaVey's Church of Satan or taken from different cultures. There's also some introductions and closing remarks on these cultures and the practice of ceremonial magic. And that's basically it.

This ISN'T a book for those who really want to read and learn about Satanism. That would be like trying to learn about Beethoven by looking at the sheet music for his 9th Symphony! Besides, those who believe everything on TV will be sorely disappointed that these rituals don't involve sacrificing animals, drinking blood, and all that other stuff you see in the B-movies!

This is a book for those who have already read The Satanic Bible, and may be interested in aspects and examples of group ritual, or at least in reading a little more about what LaVey has to say about Satanic ceremonial magic. Other occultists might like the book, if anything just to read another man's view of ritual & magick, and to see some more examples of ceremonies taken from different cultures. For me, I know I've seen less informative occult books that cost at least twice as much, so I say it was at least worth my $6.