I am so excited to announce that my new book on Satanic practice is finally published! It's available now on Amazon.com; the title is Compassionate Satanism: An Introduction to Modern Satanic Practice. You can find it here on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and ebook versions:
And here is a list of non-Amazon sources where you can buy the paperback: Non-Amazon Retailers
My hope is that this book will help me give back to the religion that has brought me so much joy and positive transformation. It's taken me a long time and a lot of pushing through pain to get here, but with the help of my supportive worldwide Satanic community, I've finally been able to bring this creative project to fruition!
The Long Road to Publication
I published my first book, a collection of essays on Satanism called The Happy Satanist: Finding Self-Empowerment, in 2015. Publishing it despite my chronic back pain seemed like a huge accomplishment; I figured I'd made my one mark on the world and my encroaching disability would prevent me from doing anything more. Besides, at the time, I had to switch my focus to my new job as founding Chapter Head of The Satanic Temple's Seattle Chapter (one of only five Chapters in existence at that time). Building a Satanic community completely from scratch took all my energy.
But in 2017, I started thinking about writing a second book. With my chronic back pain, I had very little time each day in which I could write, but I saw a gap in the information available and I felt driven to fill it, pain and exhaustion be damned.
I had written an article series on my blog to help guide the folks starting the newly-founded TST Oregon chapter; I thought they might benefit from my own experience in TST community-building. When the community guide got shared and used by many other Satanic groups as well, I started to think I should expand on it to eventually create an entire book about TST-style Satanic practice.
The Happy Satanist had been well-received, but I had written most of the essays in it before the Satanic Temple was founded, so they were based to a certain extent on LaVeyan Satanism, the world's first and (at the time) only fully-fleshed-out Satanic tradition. When The Satanic Temple burst onto the scene in 2013, I immediately recognized the religion I had longed for forever ─ and by 2017 I had resolved to spread my love for TST in book form, no matter what challenges I faced.
Becoming involved in The Satanic Temple had transformed my life for the better in so many ways, and finally given me the caring, compassionate Satanic community I had yearned for over a lifetime of loneliness. In gratitude to the TST movement, I wanted to give back to the community by doing what I do best: writing an easy-to-understand guide. And thus a new book, focused on personal Satanic practice as pioneered by The Satanic Temple, was born.
Five years later, I'm delighted to announce the publication of Compassionate Satanism: An Introduction to Modern Satanic Practice! At over 400 pages, it's quite the hefty tome; not only did I write from my own perspective as a practicing Satanist, but I also interviewed other Satanic practitioners about their own experiences. My hope is that Compassionate Satanism will help both beginners and experienced Satanists understand more about our nascent religion and get fired up about its many possibilities for fulfilling, individualized practice.
Here (following) is a look into some of the book details.
The info from the book's Amazon.com description page:
Compassionate Satanism: An Introduction to Modern Satanic Practice
Discover the benefits of nontheistic Satanism, the dynamic religion taking the world by storm! Get started with this comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide to modern Satanic practice by an experienced Satanic insider.
Drawing on her years of leadership in The Satanic Temple (now with over 300,000 members worldwide), award-winning author Lilith Starr demystifies the rapidly-growing Satanic religion based on compassion, reason, and justice and provides a clear road map for building Satanic practice. Learn to tap into your own power, create your own unique, meaningful religious practice, stand up against tyranny and oppression, and find a supportive Satanic community that accepts you just as you are. With a Foreword by Lucien Greaves, Co-Founder of The Satanic Temple. Learn about:
The benefits of religion without superstition
The narrative of Satan as revolutionary hero
The Seven Tenets' system of humanitarian ethics
Reclaiming the power of the Outcast
The origin and meaning of Satanic symbols
The role of nontheistic Satanic ritual (and how to create your own rituals)
Developing self-compassion and self-empowerment
Coming out to friends and family as a Satanist
Taking action against tyranny and injustice
Finding your local Satanic community
This extensive guide to modern Satanism also includes a collection of Satanic ritual scripts, a number of in-depth interviews with practicing Satanists, and a section on Satanic holidays. Perfect for beginners and Satanic sophisticates alike!
About the Author:
Author Lilith Starr writes about modern nontheistic Satanism and personal Satanic practice. Her first book, The Happy Satanist: Finding Self-Empowerment, is part of The Satanic Temple's Recommended Reading list and has been featured by Satanic book clubs around the globe. Her second book, Compassionate Satanism: An Introduction to Modern Satanic Practice, is the first comprehensive guide to modern Satanism by a Satanic insider. In 2020, she was awarded The Satanic Temple's first Anatole France Literary Excellence Award.
In addition, Starr is a pioneer in Satanic leadership and community-building; in 2014, she founded the Satanic Temple of Seattle, one of the Satanic Temple's first five Chapters, and her writings on Satanic community have helped many other Chapters get their start as well. She holds a B.A. with honors in English from Harvard University and an M.A. in Journalism and Communications from Stanford University. She lives in Seattle.
A sample page spread:
The Table of Contents:
Contents
Foreword (by Lucien Greaves)
Introduction
Section 1: The Rise of Satanism
Section 2: The Narrative of Satan
Section 3: Modern Satanic Ethics
Tenet One: Compassion Tenet Two: Justice Tenet Three: Inviolability Tenet Four: Freedom to Offend Tenet Five: Scientific Understanding Tenet Six: Fallibility Tenet Seven: Guiding Principles
Section 4: The Outcast Awakens
Satanic Feminism
Queer Satanism
Freethinkers and Atheists
Section 5: Tools for Practice
Satanic Ritual
Satanic Symbology
Section 6: Personalizing Your Practice
Self-Compassion
Self-Responsibility
Break Your Chains
Coming Out as a Satanist
Satanic Self-Expression
Section 7: Taking Action
Section 8: Finding Satanic Community
Benefits
Finding a Satanic Group
Starting a Community
Leadership Tips
Activities for Satanic Groups
Section 9: In Conclusion
Appendix 1: Satanic Voices
Satanic Practice Overview
Coming Out as a Satanist
Satanic Artists
Satanic Altars
Satanic Tattoos
Choosing a Satanic Pseudonym
Appendix 2: Sample Rituals
Personal Satanic Dedication
Satanic Invocation
Unbaptism Ritual
Satanic Destruction Ritual
Initiation Ceremony
Winter Solstice Self-Affirmation Ritual
ĪNFLAMMŌ: A Winter Solstice Ritual
Satanic Wedding Ritual
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Satanic New Moon Ceremony
Satanic Remembrance Ritual
Appendix 3: Satanic Holidays
Appendix 4: Recommended Reading
Footnotes
The first editorial reviews:
"Along with that growing list of Temple canon we can happily add Lilith Starr's Compassionate Satanism, a thoughtful, beautiful exploration of Modern Satanism by one of our first establishing chapter heads who helped us to grow and cultivate the diverse, robust, rapidly expanding worldwide community we boast today. Now, at long last, Satanism has arrived ... no longer mythic boogeymen, but a movement, a cultural upheaval, a religious revolution. To understand how we got from there to here, this book is an excellent place to start." - Lucien Greaves, Co-Founder of The Satanic Temple
"I envy future Satanic beginners who will have this guidebook from the start."
- Dresden Visage, Go Hail Yourself
"Informative and moving, Compassionate Satanism is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring modern Satanism through the eyes of an empathetic and knowledgeable guide." - Professor Jennifer Hawk
If you do choose to read Compassionate Satanism, my hope is that it proves helpful in your own explorations of this individualistic religion. Satanism turned my life around and finally made me feel like I was home, among an accepting and supportive community ─ my beloved, close-knit Satanic family. May my book provide useful info and an enjoyable reading experience for you as well!
HAIL SATAN!