Who, what, why: Is there really a Satanic New Year?

[cronus]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazin ... r-25976883

Who, what, why: Is there really a Satanic New Year?

Suggestions that a piece of cloth stained with the blood of Pope John Paul II might have been stolen to coincide with "Satanic New Year" made the headlines this week. But is there really such a thing, asks Kathryn Westcott.

The cloth has been recovered and it is now thought the theft has nothing to do with Satanism. But the idea that devil-worshipers might mark the turning of their own calendar remains.

Italian religious studies teacher Giovanni Panunzio had been quoted earlier in the week as saying that the date of the theft coincided with a date in the Satanic calendar when "blood and crosses are symbolic objects to desecrate." So where does the notion that Satanists celebrate particular "holidays" come from?

A so-called Satanic calendar containing dozens of dates does exist. Its origins, however, are unclear. Versions of it can be found largely on websites belonging to Christian groups or TV stations. In a interview with the Christian Watchman Fellowship a few years ago, Dr Bill Ellis, an expert on folklore and the occult in contemporary culture, suggested the calendar first appeared in 1987 in a magazine article. "As critics later pointed out, the dates were borrowed uncritically from a wide range of sources, including the 15th Century witch-hunters' manual, the Malleus Malificarum," Ellis was quoted as saying.

The so-called calendar lists 2 February as the date on which Satanic sexual and blood rituals are carried out. The same date in the Christian calendar is Candlemas, which commemorates the purification of Mary after giving birth. Pagans, however, will be celebrating Imbolc - the awakening of the land and the growing power of the Sun.

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[nataliesaid]

The satanic new year would be the hands down best holiday to get in on, in my opinion. So I sure as hell hope so. Hedonism in HD. O.o

[pErvinalia]

What I want to know is, do we atheists hate the religion of Satan as much as the Abrahamic religions? Or is it a case of the enemy of my enemy is my friend?

[laklak]

Satanists have never tried to stop me from doing what I want, but Christians sure the fuck have. I'm down with Satan, he's a dude.

[Clinton Huxley]

February 02nd, you say? The MHs are both at a sleepover. Lady H and I could sacrifice a goat in the morning without getting mithered for breakfast? At last!

[JimC]

Retro me, satanus!

[Animavore]

Not egocentric or individualistic enough. Ones "new year" should follow ones own birthday.