This book was written because, with very few exceptions, every tract and paper, every
"secret" grimoire, all the "great works" on the subject of magic, are nothing more than
sanctimonious fraud - guilt-ridden ramblings and esoteric gibberish by chroniclers of magical
lore unable or unwilling to present an objective view of the subject. Writer after writer, in
efforts to state the principles of "white and black magic", has succeeded instead in clouding
the entire issue so badly that the would-be student of sorcery winds up stupidly pushing a
planchette over a Ouija board, standing inside a pentagram waiting for a demon to present
itself, limply tossing I-Ching yarrow stalks like so many stale pretzels, shuffling pasteboards
to foretell a future which has lost any meaning, attending seminars guaranteed to flatten his
ego - while doing the same to his wallet - and in general making a blithering fool of himself in
the eyes of those who know!
The true magus knows that occult bookshelves abound with the brittle relics of frightened
minds and sterile bodies, metaphysical journals of self-deceit, and constipated rule-books of
Eastern mysticism. Far too long has the subject of Satanic magic and philosophy been written
down by wild-eyed journalists of the right-hand path.
The old literature is the by-product of brains festering with fear and defeat, written
unknowingly for the a**istance of those who really rule the earth, and who, from their Hellish
thrones, laugh with noisome mirth.
The flames of Hell burn brighter for the kindling supplied by these volumes of hoary
misinformation and false prophecy.
Herein you will find truth - and fantasy. Each is necessary for the other to exist; but each must
be recognized for what it is. What you see may not always please you; but you will see!
Here is Satanic thought from a truly Satanic point of view.
*Anton Lavey's signature*
The Church of Satan
San Fransisco, Walpurgisnacht 1968