Membership

Membership
LaVeyan SatanismAssociated organizationsThe Church of SatanFirst Satanic Church

Prominent figuresAnton LaVey Blanche Barton Peter H. Gilmore Peggy Nadramia Karla LaVey

Associated conceptsLeft-Hand Path Pentagonal Revisionism Suitheism Might is Right Lex talionis

Books and publicationsThe Satanic Bible The Satanic Rituals The Satanic Witch The Devil's Notebook Satan Speaks! The Black Flame The Church of Satan The Secret Life of a Satanist The Satanic Scriptures

The Church of Satan has two types of members: Registered Members and Active Members. Registered Members are simply people who have been inducted as members of the Church, and there are no requirements to achieve this position. To be deemed an Active Member, a person has to be involved with the Church and local members. Active Membership is divided into five Degrees:
~ First Degree - Satanist
~ Second Degree - Warlock/Witch
~ Third Degree - Priest/Priestess
~ Fourth Degree - Magister/Magistra
~ Fifth Degree - Magus/Maga

Active Members begin at the First Degree. One must apply and be approved for an Active Membership, and this is subject to one's answers to a lengthy series of questions. One cannot apply for higher Degrees, and the requirements for each degree are not open to the public. Promotion to a higher degree is by invitation only. Members of the Third through Fifth degrees constitute the Priesthood and may be addressed as "Reverend." Members of the Fifth degree may also be known as "Doctor."
Individuals seeking membership must be legally defined as adults in their nation of residence. The only exception made is for children of members who demonstrate an understanding of the Church philosophy and practices who wish to join. Their participation is limited until they reach legal adulthood.

Registering as a Member
The Church of Satan does not solicit membership. Those who wish to affiliate can become a Registered Member for a one-time registration fee of two hundred dollars ($200) in United States currency. Affiliates receive a red card declaring them as a member of the Church of Satan to other members.

Dis-affiliation
Church of Satan members may resign and terminate their affiliation at any time by sending a written, dated, and signed letter stating “I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Satan,” along with their membership card, to the Central Administrative Office, and their file will be closed.
Administrative termination
Memberships may be terminated at the discretion of the ruling body of the Church of Satan consisting of the High Priest, the High Priestess and the Council of Nine.
Agents
The Church of Satan authorizes some Active Members as Agents, qualified to represent the Church of Satan and to explain the philosophy of Satanism to the media and other interested parties.

Priesthood
Members of the Priesthood act as spokespersons for the philosophy of the Church of Satan, which include the titles of “Priest”/“Priestess,” “Magister”/“Magistra,” “Magus”/“Maga.” Members of the Priesthood make up the Council of Nine, which is the ruling body of the Church of Satan. The Order of the Trapezoid consists of the individuals who assist in the administration of the Church of Satan. The High Priest and Priestess act as administrative chiefs and primary public representatives; each position (High Priest and High Priestess) is held by a single individual at a time. The current High Priest is Peter H. Gilmore, the current High Priestess Peggy Nadramia.
The Church of Satan evaluates active members for the Priesthood by their accomplishment in society—mastered skills and peer recognition within a profession—rather than by mastery of irrelevant occult trivia. While expected to be experts in communicating the Satanic philosophy, members of the Priesthood are not required to speak on behalf of the Church of Satan, and may even choose to keep their affiliation and rank secret in order to better serve their personal goals, as well as those of the organization. Membership in the Priesthood is by invitation only.
Past & present Church of Satan Priesthood
~ Anton LaVey - Founder & High Priest 1966 - 1997
~ Diane Hegarty - Co-Founder & High Priestess 1966 - 1984
~ Zeena LaVey - Daughter of Anton & Diane, High Priestess 1985 - 1990
~ Karla LaVey - Daughter of Anton & Carole, High Priestess 1990 - 1997
~ Blanche Barton - Anton's Assistant, High Priestess 1997 - 2002, now Magistra Templi Rex
~ Peter H. Gilmore - High Priest 2001 - Present 5th Degree Magus
~ Peggy Nadramia - High Priestess 2002 - Present