I have identified as a Satanist since my Junior Year in High School. It was 1993 when I first purchased a copy of The Satanic Bible and I immediately claimed the religion of Satanism as my own. I was content to know that I was aligned with the dark forces of nature and stood back watching in admiration as the proud members of the Church of Satan enforced their will on the greater world at large. I joined the U.S. Army in 1997 so I could attend college after my service was over, and while I was stationed in Fort Knox, KY, I learned of Herr Doktor’s death on October 29, 1997. As with any Satanist whose first introduction to the religion was through the biography and writings of Anton Szandor LaVey, I was dumbstruck. How could a sixty-seven year old man, the founder of the Church of Satan and codifier of the religion of Satanism be gone? What would the future of the organization and religion be? I knew that I needed to do more than to just stand back watching. I needed to step up.
I immediately filled out my packet for Membership—seeing it as an act of affiliation and support to the organization—and sent it into the Church of Satan’s headquarters, located at The Black House on 6114 California St., San Francisco, CA. I didn’t know if it would be received as I had no knowledge of the administration of the organization, or the turmoil that would inevitably arise in the wake of the High Priest’s passing. I received my welcome packet, dated December 10, XXXIII A.S. (1998) You cannot imagine the thrill of seeing my name on that membership card. This wasn’t just me declaring what I already knew, that I was born a Satanist. This was the Church of Satan recognizing me as one of their own. I was officially a Citizen of the Infernal Empire! It still brings tears to my eyes as I reflect back on it.
Years would pass by. My connection to the Infernal Empire never diminished. I completed my contract with the U.S. Army. Immediately after my service, I attended and graduated college with my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design, and I would begin working in my new profession. On February 6, 2011 I aired the first episode of my weekly podcast 9sense. I wanted to communicate Satanism after having listened to Magister Harris’ Satanism Today. I learned of its ending, and I knew someone would step up and try to fill the vacuum which that wonderful podcast left; and If I didn’t do it, someone less qualified would. It was received fairly well initially, and as the first year came and led into the second, it drew the attention of the Administration of the Church of Satan. I decided to submit my Active Membership packet and see if the organization found me worthy of involvement. On Halloween, October 31, XLVII A.S. (2012) I was elevated from Citizen to Second Degree, Warlock.
I continued producing 9sense Podcast and was honored to assist the High Priest of the Church of Satan, Magus Peter H. Gilmore with the redesign of the Church of Satan’s website, which included the redesign of the organization’s logo. The new website was launched in 2013 and on Halloween, October 31, XLVII A.S. (2013) I was elevated to Third Degree, Priest. I was so honored to be a Reverend of the Church of Satan. In the decade that followed, I paused 9sense Podcast to focus on a more singularly focused podcast called Speak of the Devil which I produced beginning September 21, 2016. Speak of the Devil spun off from individual interviews to singular topic deep dives and even game shows. It was wildly popular and then the Pandemic of 2020 struck. I believed my Satanic entertainment of 9sense warranted a return, so I rebranded 9sense and began producing it with a 9 Year Anniversary episode on February 2, 2020.
I simultaneously produced 9sense and Speak of the Devil for the next two years, finishing all of my original Satanic content creation on December 20, 2021. In the over a decade of my Satanic content production I have had the privilege of meeting some truly outstanding individuals. People who I consider my closest friends to this day, and people I truly enjoy creating content with. And while my Satanic content creation has ended, I was as productive as ever. From my passion with Homebrewing and Winemaking to Gardening, Hiking and Camping to fandom content creation. Professionally my career has excelled to the point where I am now a partner in my Advertising agency which has lasted through two recessions and a Pandemic. In my personal life, my children have grown into responsible, respectful, and productive adults in their own right. My wife, my high-school sweetheart, and I have a happy and healthy relationship of over twenty-six years. On Walpurgisnacht, April 30, LVIII A.S. (2023) I was elevated to Fourth Degree, Magister.
I have identified as a Satanist for thirty years. I have had the honor of being a Member of the Church of Satan for twenty five years, and an Active Member of the Church of Satan for eleven years. The majority of my life has been enriched by the religion of Satanism and while I struggle with imposter syndrome in my professional and personal life, I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am a Satanist. This religion has awoken me to my own insecurities, logical fallacies and shortcomings. It has provided me with the tools I need to improve upon myself in the areas that I feel need attention, and has opened the world to me through Satanic Magic and personal empowerment.
I don’t know if I will ever produce Satanic Content again, but I do know that I will live my life forever supporting the organization that has helped me shape myself into the man that I am today. I am so much more than simply a Satanist, but I am endlessly proud of being one.
Keep that Inner Flame Burning!
Ever Forward!
Hail Satan!
Magister Campbell