Expressions Used in Satanism.

Hail Satan! A common phrase used by many Satanists, in order to express their dedication to Satan. This is an expression used by both atheist and theistic Satanists alike. Many Satanists from both denominations will also use the term Ave Satanas, or both of these together: Hail Satan! Ave Satanas! Know that Ave Satanas (also found as Ave Satana or Sathanas) equates to the same meaning as Hail Satan, it is simply a Latinized version.

Hail Satan, is not a modern invention, it actually is documented as far back as 1808, and found in a poem titled The Monk of Cambray. The poem is about an “evil” monk who makes a pact with Satan so to advance within the Catholic Church in order to become Pope. Ave Satanas (and its variant spellings) appears often in literature throughout the 1800s. Popular mentions still known in present day, would be the play titled “St. Clement’s Eve” (1862) and the novel titled “The Sorrows of Satan” (1895). In more modern times, the 1967 book “Rosemary’s Baby” , which later became a movie (classic), used Hail Satan. This made an impression upon Anton LaVey’s Church of Satan ( founded 1966). The Church of Satan also embraced the Latin version, Ave Satanas and would follow it up with Rege Satanas which translates to “Reign Satan”

Another term made popular by the Church of Satan but is used only by a few Theistic Satanists, is Shemhamforash. This is said at the end of every ritual and prayer, and is usually stated after Hail Satan; Hail Satan! Shemhamforash! Shemhamforash caught on with some modern occultists who might not work with Satan but will use in it alignment with other gods and rituals. This is a term which I debunked on my podcast Devil’s Coven, last Friday, Shemhamforash, has nothing to do with Satan. This is a Hebrew term which means “the explicit name”, and refers to the Hebrew God, most commonly “Yehweh”. We can only speculate that LaVey used this term either because he thought it sounded good in a romanticized way or he really didn’t properly research it and was oblivious to the fact that it’s translation “the explicit name” referred to Yehwah.

The fact that Satanists from both walks have been and continue to incorporate Shemhamforash into their Satanic rituals, proves how lazy most people truly are. To now take the time to do a simple research on the terms they are using rather than just rehash and reuse such terms taking everything at face value because a known Satanist put it out there. Even well seasoned Satanists and those who have founded Satanic groups and Orders, can make mistakes or even purposely present falsified information just for sensationalism and shock value. Satanists need to be diligent and rely upon their own research, and personal connection with Satanas.

The final term I will touch upon here, is Nema. I sometimes get asked by those new to Satanism, what does this mean? Nema is simply Amen reversed. Theistic Satanists have always used this. Nema is stated at the end of prayer and Satanic affirmations.

More details on these terms and their origins will be found in my upcoming book on Satanism and Witchcraft.

Copyright Kindra Ravenmoon.