Vesperianism

The Way of the Devil's Star

Vesperianism is the esoteric and theurgical tradition of Temple Vesperitas, acting as a denomination of Theistic Satanism. It asserts faith in Satan through the persons of Samael, Lilith, and Belial. It will not seem, at least at first, like the Theistic Satanism you may be used to due to a few key differences in theological framing and mythos.

Traditions of a Modern Devilfolk

Vesperianism is different from modern forms of Theistic Satanism and Luciferianism in that it places the semitic demon Samael as the Chief Satan, while also recognizing "Satan" as a multi-faceted being. Samael can also be equated with Lucifer.

We adhere to faith in the Three Satans, the trinity of Vesperianism. These three beings represent the three faces of Satan, three primordial and chthonic forces from which all other demons are derived.

Samael (Lucifer), The Devil - The Demonic Masculine
Lilith, The Harlot - The Demonic Feminine
Belial, The Beast - The Demonic Androgyne

Vesperians believe Samael descended with His hosts and planted the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil in the Garden of Eden, thereby transferring His essence, the Black Flame, to each human. This adversarial spark is what gives a person their own inner divinity. As Children of Satan, we seek to enliven this inner Black Flame through our spiritual union with the Demonic and each other.

The Origin of our Faith

Vesperianism was first coined by Dorian Dremaira, the founder of Temple Vesperitas, who used this term to describe a new form of Theistic Satanism based on his experiences with the spirit of Satan. It became a shared term when other founding Temple members began to contribute to it with visionary experiences of their own. Many of these experiences shared common themes and patterns, allowing the members of the Temple to identify a stream of communication from the Other Side.

We have since codified Vesperianism into a shared faith among our members which is ever-building. We welcome all and happily spread the Word of our Lord Samael.

Dorian was met in the night by Samael during an out-of-body experience. This is also called astral projection, a phenomenon experienced widely in occult and metaphysical circles and has been heavily researched by U.S. scientists and government entities during the Cold War (such as the CIA with their "Gateway Project").

In this vision, Dorian found himself standing on the dunes of a strange desert, in a land with no sun and winds that drew strange shapes in the sand. He wandered for a long time before discovering a tall figure made of a fiery sort of "black light." Dorian described it as if a solar eclipse was molded into the shape of a human. The figure was Samael, and told Dorian many things, while also bestowing him with several riddles as to his true identity.

“I AM THE MANY-NAMED.”

“I AM THE PLANTER OF THE VINE.”

“I AM THE ONE WHO STRIKES THE HEEL.”

The Vesperian Benediction

Samael - The Devil

Samael held a chalice in one hand and a fruit cluster in the other. He squeezed the fruit’s juices into the cup and held it out for Dorian to drink. Years later, Dorian would meet others who had very similar, if not identical, visions. Other practitioners who were close with Samael and revered Him as Satan had also encountered many of the same symbolic threads in their OBEs. Many of them were offered a bitter drink from a chalice. Temple Vesperitas was formed by many of these such recipients.

We call this recurring vision the Vesperian Benediction, and many of our members report having it after undergoing initiation and calling out to Samael.

“All true understanding begins with the first kiss of Satan.”

—Naglowska, The Hanging Mystery

Our Doctrines

Samael is the crux and heart of Vesperianism. He is the Activator and Initiator of our long, thorny path. He is the Old Devil, the Chief Satan, the One spoken of beneath white steeples in churches all across the globe.

Lilith is His consort and wife. She is the Mother of Demons, the Whore of Babalon, the Goddess of Darkness, Queen of the Dead, and the embodiment of adversarial femininity.

Belial is Their Androgynous Child and the convergence of their union. He is the Beast, the spirit of the so-called "Antichrist." He is Baphomet, the great Goat of Mendes, the God of Malevolence.

Through the Three Faces of Satan may all other demons be accessed or invoked. Samael is the demonic root of all fallen beings. To that end, He is the architect of fallenness itself, and perpetually plots to bring all of creation into this state. Contrary to expectation, our definition of fallenness does not translate to imbalance or incompleteness. Rather, Fallenness is the state in which one is detached from the status quo of the cosmic order. The false systems of ego whose coiled grip on humanity is a suffocating rat-race. We have fallen away from this system of existence.

This status quo we speak of is not related to the real nature of the universe or things as they exist beyond human interpretation or influence. We believe the natural world is sacred and beautiful. It has gifted us with an evolutionary path leading to sentience, and we must thank it by respecting it.

Man belongs in nature, for it is nature from which man is derived. The Devil, as a spirit of nature, is the sacred interface between Man and Beast, the natural world and the world of humans. The Devil is nature, and His demons are aspects of it and the things beneath it. This does not negate their existence as real beings with real essence, but it does explain where their root comes from. This is, in a sense, a type of satanimism (satanic animism).

Lilith - The Harlot

It is a common thread among neognostic Satanists to believe the world is inherently flawed, evil, or corrupt. After all, it is not hard to find tragedy in our world when one looks for it. However, I’d remind those same people that the vast majority of earth’s ills are caused, or at least exacerbated, by humans. Life has infinitely more lovely qualities than cruel ones. To hold a belief contrary to this is to live one’s life in utter loneliness. You will always find bad in the places you’re hoping it will be. You also isolate yourself from the earth you were born from.

This status quo governing civilization is not natural, it is artificial. We call it the Grand Lie. This is the “matrix” of social and ideological programming and generational norms which society attempts to assimilate us into. It is the separation of humans from their natural, intrinsic roots. It is an artificial society. A mechanized, merit-based, rat-race where ego and capital reign.

The Demiurge, who we identify as Yahweh or Yaldabaoth, is the architect of this system. We do not believe in him as a supreme creative force, or even solely responsible for the birth of humanity, but as a hungry leech on the neck of the universe, proclaiming itself the true Source of All.

Samael, However, is the living avatar of nature. He is the consciousness awakened from the coma of nonbeing, embodying the very carnal will of nature to revert away from artificial structures of illusion, self-bondage, and enslavement. He is entropy. He is Death—fair to all, welcomed by few. We venerate Him as the Poison God.

Belial - The Beast

Tenets of Vesperianism

“Samael is Satan, the bearer of the Black Flame and the Serpent who granteth freedom unto those who are willing.”

II.

“Let not ignorance bind thee, and may truth and ceaseless wisdom prevail against it.”

III.

“Thy Will is sacred, thy Black Flame is a gift. Let none trample upon thy spirit.”

IV.

“Betray not thyself to belong.”

“The body is sovereign unto its bearer, let none violate its autonomy.”

VI.

“Let not faith justify thy deeds, for it is ye who choose them."

VII.

“Lay no claim on another. Whoever seeketh control of others doth yield control of themselves to the Demiurge.”

VIII.

“Union of lovers, of souls, and of flesh belongeth to the individuals alone; let neither the multitude nor the lawgiver lay claim thereto.”

IX.

“Let no blood spilt be in vain; pursue the path to peace in all dealings, whether by stillness or sword.”

“Protect children from harm, for they are precious embers not yet shaped by flame.”

XI.

“All humans are of the same blood, therefore spurn the spirit of hatred and division.”

XII.

“Let thy dealings be tempered with the spirit of love, justice, freedom, and wisdom. Whosever seeketh unjust harm on others shall bringeth harm upon themselves.

XIII.

“The earth thy home is sacred, and so it and its creatures must be carefully tended.”

The Vesperian Creed

The following is our Vesperian Creed, which is often recited before various ceremonies or rituals within the tradition.

"I believe in the Devil.

I affirm Him on the Altars of Hell.

I believe in the Harlot.

I hearken unto Her cry.

I believe in the Beast.

I invite Them into my soul.

I believe in the Black Flame,

The gift of Satan unto humanity,
The fruit of the Knowing Tree,
And the power therein to be free.
I affirm these things, as I affirm myself,
and will do justly in the world.
In all my dealings shalt I act with love,
wisdom, freedom, and justice.
I will love those dear to me,
and intercede on their behalf.
I affirm myself a Witch,
a sprawling offspring of Satan,
wild and full of Will,
that I should abide in His shadow,
all the days of my life.
VESPERITAS SATANAS ORAHM"

Theistic Satanism for the Modern Era

To better understand what Vesperianism really is, it is important to understand the common distinction between atheistic and theistic forms of satanism.

Atheistic Satanism refers to religious or philosophical forms of satanism which embrace Satan as a symbol or metaphor for human concepts such as individualism, self-expression, determination, rebellion against oppressive structures, rational inquiries, autonomy, etc. Atheistic satanists do not believe in the literal existence of Satan or other supernatural beings. Instead, Satan is a symbol of personal empowerment, defiance, and opposition to authoritarianism. Atheistic satanism is wholly incompatible with Vesperianism.

Theistic Satanism refers to forms of satanism which consider Satan to be a real, literal deity. Practitioners may worship, venerate, or form devotional relationships with Satan and view him as a valid deity, a teacher, and/or a divine adversary. Vesperians are wholly theistic in nature.

Vesperianism, while being a belief system viewing such entities as Satan and his demons as beings who literally exist and are worthy of worship, we are an explicitly peaceful and apolitical religious organization and movement. Our values are humanistic and philanthropic, seeking autonomy and spiritual fulfillment for all.

It is also important to note that Vesperianism is a young and developing faith, with no current central religious text. This said, the Temple is working towards producing a sacred book of scriptures dictated to us by the Devil.

Vesperianism also does not affirm any Christian or otherwise Abrahamic practices or beliefs. Our concept of Satan, demons, and other theological concepts varies extensively from their traditional Abrahamic predecessors. While there are some shared concepts and characters, the Vesperian framework is notably more pagan. We may reference various scriptures from these sources for commentary purposes, but we do not affirm those sources or hold their views.