"A reversed pentagram, with two points projecting upwards, is a symbol of evil and attracts sinister forces because it overturns the proper order of things and demonstrates the triumph of matter over spirit. It is the goat of lust attacking the heavens with its horns, a sign execrated by initiates."
Aspects of Modern Satanism
a) Power: Power is the ultimate goal of Satanism for all of it's followers. With the erosion of cultural icons such as the church and conventional philosophies Satanism might flourish especially in persons with no religious background whatsoever. See Video on the growing threat of Satanism below.
b) Isolation: Isolation of individuals to gain control over them such as in a rural settings. This is not only true of Satanism for it is true of many cults that might require deprogramming of members. Deprogramming may be required to decrease the grip that these cults have over others.
c) Closing: The cutting off of connections to family, friends and the outside word in order to gain control much like modern cult it is embodied by the reversed pentagram. Psychological control and debasing of others is a reliable feature. Another example might include the closing off of an alleged criminal wrongdoer for trial by several judges or politicians in the more mythological aspect of these cases.
d) Sacrifice Animal or less common human sacrifice as an offering to Satan is very common and sometimes the only evidence that may be found by police. There is ample evidence of both infant and human sacrifice in antiquity and in modern times as well.
e) Materiality & Sexuality: The pursuit of materiality and sexuality without any inhibitions or societal norms. This includes offenses like child sexual abuse and incest or rape and other offenses against the law and especially involving moral depravity that most people would find disturbing.
f) Mirroring: Similar in structure and kind to Christianity -- except for this notion of mirroring. That is for the 7 great virtues Satanists appear to have similar sacraments where the meanings are all reversed.
g) Murder: Murder can occur both within a cult when members decide to flee or when an actual sacrificial subject is found. When dead bodies are found and suspected to be involved in Satanic worship it is usually animal sacrifice. Removal of organs is a common practice and for both humans and animals. It is believed that when human sacrifices are used bodies are burned because of the need to eliminate evidence. Missing persons cases do lend support to the hypothesis of there being killing of victims of Satanism in certain remote regions. Kidnapping and murder of infants is usually the sine que non of the High Satanic mass. There is some evidence of travel to foreign countries by Satanists to participate in Satanic rituals under a collusion of silence.
h) Torture: of an unwitting person. There is substantially more evidence of this by Satanic cults. Inducing isolation, deprivation especially social deprivation or poor protien-intake and sleep inducing mental subservience. Subservience to a powerful singular leader is common. Murders also can occur when individuals find themselves learning about violations of the law by their fellow Satanists. At this point the accusatory member could face grave danger. These types of scenarios are quite well documented. Different cults have been documented across Canada and the United States and the rest of the Western world.
i) Philosophy: that is coldly rationale and devoid of any pity whatsoever. The Satanic view of human beings is that they should dominate and use one another and that harm is acceptable especially for the more powerful against the less powerful. Desecration of Christian religious artifacts or reversalism of worship of pagan idols that are diametrically opposed to Christian ideals is common.
j) Sheep: The sheep parable. This is the quintessential ritual where a pure soul is sought for the grand goal of disposing them at the right time. The goal is to control the person and have that person repudiate some Christian aspect of themselves and to suffer physical and spiritual pain. This has always been designed to show directly the power of the Satan to subjugate a Christian again with power motif. If circumstances are right such as securing a private geographical spot and no authorities they may conduct a Satanic sacrifice of an adult or child.
In the 1980's Satanic cults were thought to be rampant across North America in the so-called Satanic panic. Although many documented cases of Satanism have been found and well-documented the religion itself is highly secretive because many of their rituals would constitute violations of the criminal code. There is ample evidence of renewed practice of Satanism in the last decade with university educated persons and secularists that are predominately atheist and looking for existential and/or alternative spiritual meaning in their lives. Most of the major Abrahamic religions of the world would vilify Satanism and person's practicing Satanism. New scholarly books on Satanism, active practice groups and annual retreats suggest that this cult has experienced growth.
Satanic cults no doubt occur and are present in Canada. Satanic cults are not widely known and prevalence because of the illegal nature of many of their rituals. Satanists are highly secretive and the base rates are likely underestimated. Satanic cults can be found across the continent at similar base rates. A key difference are studies including (1) practicing Satanists as part of a formal church compared to persons that (2) are philosophical Satanists. The philosophical Satanists have an abundance of scholarship most written in the last decade with landmark publications. If philosophical Satanists of the kind that might be of interest to artists and academics are considered then there is substantial credible evidence of the increasing absolute numbers of Satanists.
There are recent indications that these types of cults are growing quickly in certain demographic groups such as Canada as Canada has moved to a majority secular society. Several forms of Satanic worship have been practiced for several thousand years before the start of Christianity ago in ancient Mesopotamia. The Satanic cult is more informal compared to Christianity however it is a religion in the truest sense. There are many scholarly books written about Satanism from Satanist's perspective. There alsiso ample theological and psychiatric evidence procured by Christian believers that are highly critical of Satanism.
Clinical psychologists provide an ethic of care and a benevolent relationship between their clients and themselves. Clinical psychologists have never really ever been told by their practice associations historically that they must take on a particular client of a particular demographic. Furthermore, if a clinical psychologist encountered a Satanic client they would not be required to make or schedule appointments for a number of other reasons.
The demographic itself might be prone to violence and Satanists by nature may not fit well with the Judeo-Christian values that underlie most of the ethical principles associated with clinical psychology and common to most Abrahamic religions. Whether therapists accept clients with these belief systems most would find their religious practices disturbing to the vast majority of persons. If Satanic clients have committed serious crimes and have not yet been prosecuted the therapist would be obligated to mandatorily report to the authorities any such crimes and any discussion would be forensic in nature.
In this case of a closed Satanic meeting with a ritualized infant murder usually with an embossed knife any subsequent legal consequences would be moot because of the duress associated with this event as any lawyer would tell you. Similarly if the event in question took place 2 years prior this would be bizarre with an unusual timeline of events unless a lawyer such as a judge were involved or let's say 3 lawyers.
LOGIC: (1) There simply is no story especially if a 3 year old was accosted at their daycare bleeding profusely from where subsequently after an assault by two pieces of teacher trash. Ask (Dr. Rinaldi) about this bleeding? Were you there that day? Were you helping Dr. Stewin. (2) Factor in the made up two car collisions. Two nutcase ladies running their cars into me and my daughter. So I guess you simply do not have any story. 3) The clincher is that a university of professor (Dr. Das) was sanctioned for fraudulent data. Given that without any facts there is no story. And most Canadians I am sure don't want anyone to terminate the life of a 9-month-old in excellent health which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison under the Criminal Code in Canada. Not guilty find someone else to make these types of allegations against.
For example, disappearing infants (e.g., 9 months male infant in perfect health) are highly unusual circumstances and would constitute a mandatory report to the Canadian Psychologists Association for a serious violation of the ethics code and the Criminal Code. It is possible and previously reported that the High Mass may be much more prevalent than previously thought suggesting that infanticide by Satanism is indeed the top-most sought after ritual. Breeding farms for infants have been found. Such facts would make the therapeutic context fraught with difficulties working with Satanists. There is no known prescription or medical treatment offered by the practice of Satanism that would constitute a medical cure for any disease. Moreover therapy clients cannot be compelled to engage in Satanic services against their will because freedom of religion. In sum there is not much room in the profession of clinical psychology for involvement in these types of activities. Remember an organized group of Satanists is a dangerous group of people and not only could they kill you -- if there are enough of them Satanists can encircle in an effort to destroy the unwitting person through other means.
Summary
Clinical psychologists routinely make final decisions about what clients to accept and which to not accept in Canada and these guidelines are provided by the Canadian Psychological Association. The clinician should consult their psychological associations about appropriate referrals from such groups if at all. Prior histories of proximal trauma by psychologists may suggest that the Satanic client be referred to another therapist. Also if such prospective clients intimidate, exhibit violence towards the therapists or make threats about the clinician and the autonomy of their practice this is a major problem. These are minor irritants though that are easily dispatched.
Psychologists may have contractual arrangements with groups of clients that may include within it some numbers of self-professed Satanists. Psychologists never have to tolerate violent situations where they could be injured or killed at the hands of a Satanists. In untoward events then one should notify their provincial licensing association and explicitly provide a rationale for the non-provision of services and seek consultation from one's colleagues. Psychologists do not need to fear retribution if they deny a referral especially to a client with an extensive criminal record and a history of dangerousness. Safety of the clinician, their other clients and the practice setting always comes first.
There is evidence of a renewed vigor making Satanism a viable religion and this includes a recent set of writings and a re-interpretations of core Satanic readings. Also with growing secularism in Canadian society there is growth of this religion in areas like academia, the arts and politics. An example a recently much touted book on Satanism has been written by a young graduate of law school and a licensed lawyer graduating from an Ivy league college. Satanism is the opposite of Christianity. At is core is deceitfulness, adulation of power for it's own sake and defilement and debasement of human nature. [I am not sure whether there is a place for Satanist lawyers].
Questions for Clinical Practice
1) As a clinical psychologist should I schedule a self-professed Satanist or other dark religion? Who sets the agenda?
2) Are there dangers to one's practice for scheduling of clients that come from dark religions and should clinicians feel compelled by community groups to treat such clients?
3) Are there dangers to providing restricted clinical knowledge to clients that may subsequently use that information to harm others? This is akin to the clinical psychologist refusing to treat the psychopath. This is because the practitioner of Satanism would be inclined to hurt and not heal others with knowledge of therapy.
4) Do clinical psychologists have the right to decline services to a client because of the client's dark religion?
5) What additional information might a clinician require before they make a decision on whether to accept such a client?
6) Anecdotal research across the continent suggests that health professionals such as clinical psychologists or physicians involved in practicing Satanism risk licensure revocation from their boards. How do clinical psychologists minimize the risk of being perceived as aiding criminal code violations? Are these forensic psychology cases or regular clinical cases?
Here is an excellent link to the Martensville Daycare Scandal which was settled between 2002-2005 in Saskatchewan after the Satanic claims were found to be a "complete fabrications". Martensville satanic sex scandal - Wikipedia Within North America there are no major cultural icons that would be deemed Satanic. This is because the preponderance of Christian believers in the past histories of the formation of Canada and the United States. Founders of Canada and the United States were avowedly Christian and Satanism would be anti-thetical to their beliefs. Satanism is a secular religion and with the rise of secularlism in Canada there have been many people with no religious beliefs that have sought existential or religious refuge with Satanism. The data tends to suggest that informal adherents of Satanism are likely rising in numbers. Informal practice of Satanism with a core philosophy often occurs without leaders and may form small splinter cliques of up to 10 persons involved in a cult. Although Satanists are allowed to believe what they want to like anyone else their criminal behaviors when performing rituals will more often than not lead the them to the attention of the authorities sometimes with very macabre stories.
References
Truscott, D. and K. Crook. (2021). Ethics for the Practice of Psychology in Canada. University Press: Edmonton.
Here is a video news story November 8, 2024 on Satanism