Walk on the Third Side

( Although I am a member, I do not speak for the Church of Satan.)           I have a confession: I am crazy about Carl Jung. Everything from his study of semiotics to his idea of the collective unconscious strikes a chord with me that few others have. It is no surprise that the Doktor included Jung's seminal work, Man and His Symbols, as recommended reading for Satanists. Understanding Jung is a tool that Satanists can implement to explore the supernormal freeway of the mind that is greater magic.          When it comes to Jung, the idea that resonates with me the most is his exploration of the various archetypes that are seen the world over. These archetypes speak to us in ways that cross cultures, borders, boundaries, and languages. They are seen in symbols, sigils, and signs. They are felt in the sinews, hearts, and brains of those who heed them. Whether it is the rebellious Satan that represents the alien elite, spurring u...

  (Although I am a member, I do not speak for The Church of Satan)         I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Some people who know me may find it surprising, but I enjoy Mafia films. I love a good mob movie, no matter what kind of syndicate it is associated with.            Breaking Bad was a  binge-worthy good time.  A Bronx Tale  is a movie I have seen more times than I can count.  I adore Mario Puzo's writings, and Sega's  Yakuza game series enthralled me from start to finish. It got me thinking about how these various mafia groups function, and, being the Satanist I am, I tend to look at so many things from a third-side lens. Although Satanists are admonished from ever engaging in any illegal and criminal activity, I cannot help but see the Church of Satan as a kind of mafia of sorts.          To those who are fearful that we'll come rolling down in a blac...