Satanic Bible - Anton Szandor LaVey

Anton LaVey and the Birth of the Church of Satan

Known to many of his followers as the "Black Pope," Anton LaVey began his journey to become the High Priest of the Church of Satan at the age of 16, playing the organ at a carnival. His path was clear early on.

On the last night of April 1966, Walpurgisnacht—the most important holiday for witches—LaVey shaved his head in the tradition of ancient executioners and announced the founding of the Church of Satan. LaVey saw a need for a church that would celebrate the human body and carnal desires as objects of pleasure.

"The worship of hedonistic things produces joy," he stated, "and therefore should be a temple of praise and pleasure." This vision led to the founding of the Church of Satan and its doctrines, which focus on the liberation of human nature and the celebration of self-expression.

Called "The Black Pope" by many of his followers, Anton La Vey began the road to High Priesthood in the Church of Satan when he was only 16 years old, playing organ in a carnival. From that time early in his life his path was clear. On the last night of April, 1966—Walpurgisnacht, the most important festival of the Believers in witchcraft—LaVey shaved his head in the tradition of Ancient Executioners and announced the formation of The Church Of Satan. They had seen the need for a church that would recapture man's body and his carnal desires as objects of celebration. "Since Worship of fleshly things produces pleasure," he said, "there would then be a temple of Glorious indulgence . . ."