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"Hail Satan", sometimes expressed in a Latinized version as Ave Satana or Ave Satanas, is an expression used by some self-identified Satanists [1] to show their dedication to Satan,[2] but has also been used for the purpose of comedy or satire.[3] The phrase is used by some heavy metal musicians and fans – often along with the sign of the horns – as well as by musicians in other genres, including Kurt Cobain.[4] Use of the "Hail Satan" sign in heavy metal music has been described by Henry Owings of Chunklet as being ironic in intent, rendering the gesture harmless,[5] however some evangelical Christians, such as Jeff Godwin and Jimmy Swaggart, believe that phrases such as "Hail Satan" in metal music encourages Satanism and may lead to criminal behavior.[6] Believers in backmasking think they can hear "Hail Satan" and other messages to Satan in some songs played in reverse, such as "Walk This Way" by Aerosmith.[7] The variation Ave Satani is sometimes used, because it was used by Jerry Goldsmith in the theme music to The Omen, but its declension is not correct, as it is declined either as a masculine noun of the first declension,[8] or a Greek loan word, and the ending -i- is for some forms of nouns of the second declension.


Cultural history

Anton LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan used the phrase as part of public rituals

The phrase "Hail Satan" is documented as early as 1812, where it was used by a character in a poem as part of a spell.[9] After the phrase "Hail Satan" appeared in the 1967 book Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin and the Template:Fy film adaptation of it, where it is said by Satanists when they believe Satan's will has been accomplished, and had also appeared in other films and in stock footage, the phrase became part of the common conception of what Satanists say.[10] Some film actors were reluctant to say it, and of those who did some felt they experienced negative life events afterwards, such as divorce.[11]

Coinciding with the its appearance in Rosemary's Baby, the phrase became a common greeting and ritual term in the Church of Satan (founded in 1966), both in it's English form, Hail Satan, as well as in the Church of Satan's Latin adaptation of it, Ave Satanas. When Ave Satanas was used, it was often preceded by the term Rege Satanas ("May Satan reign"). The combination "Rege Satanas, Ave Satanas, Hail Satan!" is found as a greeting in early Church of Satan correspondence[12], as well as in their 1968 recording The Satanic Mass,[13], and ultimately in their 1969 book The Satanic Bible[14]. (The same combination also appeared in 1969 in the non-Church of Satan record album by the rock band Coven, in a 10 minute long "Satanic Mass" of their own[15]). The phrase is used in some versions of the Black Mass,[16] where it often accompanies the phrase Shemhamforash and is said at the end of each prayer. This rite was performed by the Church of Satan [17] appearing in the documentary Satanis in 1968.[18] Some occultists accompany it with similar addresses to other gods or figures they revere.[19] Rituals involving the phrase tend to be more likely to be mentioned in the press at Halloween.[20]

File:Richard Ramirez.jpg
Serial killer Richard Ramirez shouted the phrase at his trial

"Ave Satani", the piece of music used as the basis for the theme song for The Omen (Template:Fy), written by Jerry Goldsmith, which won him an Academy Award,[21] has a title which is intended to mean "Hail Satan" in Latin, in opposition to "Ave Christi". (The song contains other Latin phrases inverting Christ, such as "Ave Versus Christi", meaning "Hail Anti-Christ", and "Corpus Satani", an inversion of "Corpus Christi", the body of Christ). The song has been described as hair-raising and has inspired cover versions such as those by Fantomas or Gregorian.[22] The music is used in comic portrayals of stock "sinister" characters, for instance in the South Park episode "Woodland Critter Christmas", which involves devil-worshipping woodland creatures, a version of the "Ave Satani" is heard in the background when the animals use their demonic powers; also the episode's commercial bumpers involving a squirrel saying "Hail Satan!" The chant is also parodied in the episode "Damien", where Damien is accompanied by the chant "Rectus Dominus Cheesy Poofs."

In 1985, the phrase received national news coverage in the United States when serial killer Richard Ramirez, known as the "Night Stalker", shouted "Hail Satan!" as he was led from the courtroom, while raising his hand with a pentagram drawn onto it.[23][24] Members of Ramirez's family denied that he said the phrase, believing that he said "We'll see,"[25] but "Hail Satan" was still being used by journalists over twenty years later as being characteristic of Ramirez.[26] In reviewing whether Ramirez was deprived of his due process and fair trial rights by being restrained by leg shackles, the Supreme Court of California itself highlighted Ramirez's use of "Hail Satan" to support its conclusion that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in ordering Ramirez to be physically restrained during trial.[27]

Some Heavy metal musicians use the phrase in song or performance

The phrase may be used ironically by heavy metal fans as part of their rebellious ethos, along with the sign of the horns.[28] Although this sign was once confined to the metal sub-culture, it has now become more mainstream, being used at an Avril Lavigne concert, perhaps without users being aware that "Hail Satan" is one interpretation of its meaning.[29] Heavy metal musicians may use it as part of their act or their songs, such as "Hail Satanas We Are The Black Legions" by Mütiilation. Heavy metal musicians, for instance Ozzy Osbourne, a member of the Church of England, rarely consider themselves to be Satanists, instead using it as part of their stage persona, a role they play.[30]

The ubiquity of the phrase has led to it being used in parodic imitation of evangelism,[31] as with the Mr. Show sketch "Hail Satan Network" which includes characters who are Satanic televangelists.[32] It received another humorous use when Bart Simpson was punished for using it to end the Pledge of Allegiance.[33]

Reputation

Some of those who believe in backward masking, along with some fundamentalist Christians, believe messages such "Hail Satan" may subliminally inspire people to do evil,[34] a view which may have received some reinforcement when the phrase was used as part of the vandalizing of churches,[35] however its use then may have been the expression of a general anti-religious sentiment indicated by its use along with slogans such as "Think, don't Pray."[36] Vandalism accompanying it may include the anarchy symbol or other slogans intended to shock, such as racial slurs.[37] It may accompany symbols such as a swastika, pentagram or inverted cross. Such vandalism is usually by rebellious young people rather than Satanists, whose activities are not often criminal.[38]

Rick Ross, whose work involves studying cults, referred to the murder trial of Scott Peterson, in which the defense made the claim that the killings were by a "Satanic cult" rather than the defendant. Ross called this a ridiculous manifestation of the Satanic panic, referred to it as a "Hail Satan Pass," similar to the Hail Mary pass in football,[39] a desperate and unlikely attempt.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Barton, Blanche (1992). The Secret Life of a Satanist: The Authorized Biography of Anton Lavey. Feral House. p. 86.
  2. ^ Ewing, Charles Patrick (1990). When Children Kill. Lexington Books,. p. 17. ISBN 0669218839.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  3. ^ Serilla, Scott (September 4, 2003). "'Run' to the 'Mr. Show' DVD". Michigan Daily. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  4. ^ Kurt St. Thomas (2004). Nirvana: The Chosen Rejects. Published by St. Martin's Griffin. ISBN 0312206631. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |co-author= ignored (help)
  5. ^ Henry H. Owings (2006). Chunklet Presents the Overrated Book. Last Gasp. ISBN 0867196572. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |co-author= ignored (help)
  6. ^ Blencha, Peter (2004). Taboo Tunes. Backbeat books. p. 54. ISBN 0879307927.
  7. ^ Black Dot (2005). Hip Hop Decoded. MOME Publishing. p. 17. ISBN 097723570X. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |co-author= ignored (help)
  8. ^ [1] Medieval Latin, p.517
  9. ^ William Barnes Rhodes (1812). Eccentric Tales. T. Tegg and W. Allason. p. 19. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |co-author= ignored (help)
  10. ^ Gunn, Joshua (2005). "Prime-time Satanism: rumor-panic and the work of iconic topoi". Visual Communication. 4 (1): 93–120. Retrieved 2008-08-16. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  11. ^ "A woman possessed". The Daily Telegraph. April 6, 2007. Retrieved 2008-08-13. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  12. ^ Published in Aquino, Michael (2002). The Church of Satan..
  13. ^ LaVey, Anton, The Satanic Mass, LP (Murgenstrumm Records, 1968)
  14. ^ LaVey, Anton (1969). The Satanic Bible (PDF). p. 75.
  15. ^ On the album, Witchcraft Destroys Minds and Reaps Souls, LP (Dunwich Productions/Mercury Records, 1969)
  16. ^ Melech, Aubrey (1985). La Messe Noire (PDF). London: Sui Anubis. p. 52. ISBN 0 947762 03 5.
  17. ^ Barton, Blanche (1992). The Secret Life of a Satanist: The Authorized Biography of Anton Lavey. Feral House. p. 86.
  18. ^ Gunn, Joshua (2005). "Prime-time Satanism: rumor-panic and the work of iconic topoi". Visual Communication. 4 (1): 93–120. Retrieved 2008-08-16. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  19. ^ Gardell, Matthias (2003). Gods of the Blood. Duke University Press. p. 284.
  20. ^ Tudor, Silke (November 6, 1996). "Night Crawler". SF Weekly. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  21. ^ Berkwits, Jeff (January 14, 2002). "The Omen/The Final Conflict: The Deluxe Editions". SciFi.com. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  22. ^ Howlett, Paul (May 20, 2003). "Pick of the day:The Omen". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  23. ^ Stewart, Robert W. (October 24, 1985). "Ramirez Says He's Innocent--'Hail Satan!'". Los Angeles Times. p. 1. {{cite news}}: |section= ignored (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  24. ^ "Court in Los Angeles Gives 'Night Stalker' Death in 13 Killings". Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  25. ^ Linedecker, Clifford L (2004). Woman, Thy Name Is... St. Martin's Paperbacks. ISBN 0312925050.
  26. ^ "Noise of the Spheres: Inspired by Videodrome, SST and Dick, NASA Space Universe Make a Cosmic Racket". Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  27. ^ People v. Ramirez, 39 Cal.4th 398, 451 (Supreme Court of California August 7, 2006) (""In court, during his arraignment in municipal court, defendant said, “Hail Satan,” and displayed a pentagram and the number 666 on his palm. Under the circumstances of the present case, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in ordering defendant to be physically restrained during trial."").
  28. ^ Henry H. Owings (2006). Chunklet Presents the Overrated Book. Last Gasp. ISBN 0867196572. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |co-author= ignored (help)
  29. ^ "A woman possessed". SF Weekly. April 21, 2004. Retrieved 2008-08-16. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  30. ^ "AT TEA WITH: Ozzy Osbourne; Family Man. Fights Fat, Is Good With Kids". Retrieved 2008-08-17.
  31. ^ "Noise of the Spheres: Inspired by Videodrome, SST and Dick, NASA Space Universe Make a Cosmic Racket". Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  32. ^ Serilla, Scott (September 4, 2003). "'Run' to the 'Mr. Show' DVD". Michigan Daily. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  33. ^ Corliss, Richard (June 8, 1998). "The Cartoon Character". Time magazine. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
  34. ^ Gorightly, Adam (2005). The Beast of Adam Gorightly: Collected Rantings (1992-2004). Virtualbookworm Publishing. p. 27. ISBN 1589397819.
  35. ^ Staff reports (August 4, 2008). "Church hit with satanic graffiti". wickedlocal.com. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  36. ^ "Satanic, Anti-Religious Graffiti Spray-Painted On Area Churches". Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  37. ^ "MOUNTLAKE TERRACE - "We're going to catch these guys."". Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  38. ^ "SATANIC ACTIVITY ON RISE BUT NOT USUALLY CRIME". Retrieved 2008-08-16.
  39. ^ Kamps, Garrett (June 2, 2003). "June 3: Cult Expert Calls Peterson Theory 'Ridiculous'". KTVU.com. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
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