Growing up I was convinced by the adults around me, the movies in theaters, and the men on t.v. that I had to be serious. I had to take everything seriously. I was told countless times to grow up, ironically in the midst of me actively growing up. So I did. I rarely cracked a smile. I furrowed my brow a lot. I was a dark and mysterious man… well that or a pretentious douchebag.
I discovered Satanism through The Devil’s Notebook and The Satanic Bible, and I immediately applied the seriousness I took myself and my appearance to the religion. It’s no wonder I didn’t ‘get it’ on first reading. Satanism is about color, fun, living as yourself, not being uptight and serious all the time. Of course you have to know your audience, but you can let your hair down and have fun, hell, it’s encouraged!
If this is the case, why do I see so many Satanists taking themselves so seriously? Don’t they realize that they don’t look like the wise old man on the mountain, they look like pretentious douchebags. And this goes for you too first phasers, with your excessive black makeup and ‘sigil of baphomet just threw up all over you’ style. Simmer down! This isn’t an ‘Am I Evil?’ contest, it’s your life. Find your groove and own it, but always remember to take a moment and laugh. Laugh at yourself for all your quirks and foibles. Laugh at others you find funny, whether they are trying to be or not. Most of all, stop trying so god damned hard, and just have fun!
“Anyone without a sense of humor is too pretentious to be a good magician.” – Anton Szandor LaVey
Hail Satan!