The Satanic Temple has announced that it will be dedicating its “largest satanic gathering in history” to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, citing the city’s alleged efforts to “unconstitutionally” exclude them from using public spaces.
On its website, The Satanic Temple asks people to register for SatanCon 2023, which will take place from April 28 to April 30 in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. The theme is “Hexennacht in Boston,” which translates to “Witches Night in Boston.”
“Hexennacht” is an ancient German holiday that takes place annually on April 30, commemorating the canonization of Saint Walburga, who was known for exorcising demons from sick people.
It is believed that lighting bonfires on Hexennacht can ward off these malevolent forces, and the holiday has also been linked to the Christian celebration of the feast day of Saint Walburga, which falls on May 1st.
Largest satanic gathering in history
Earlier this month, The Satanic Temple announced SatanCon 2023 on its Instagram, promising that the group’s 10th-anniversary celebration would be the “largest satanic gathering in history.”
The event will feature discussion panels, satanic rituals, and a satanic marketplace.
‘A weekend of blasphemy and remembrance in Boston,’ the website states whilst promoting the event as the ‘largest satanic gathering in history’.
The Satanic Temple has said the weekend marks the temple’s 10-year anniversary and will include talks about efforts to protect members’ reproductive rights, promote addiction recovery and build support for the group’s after-school club.
As part of the event, there will be vendors at a ‘satanic market’, entertainment, and a keynote speech delivered by Lucien Greaves, who is a co-founder of The Satanic Temple.
It is important to note that the Satanic Temple and its members do not perceive Satan as an evil being, but rather as a symbol of defiance against authority.
The organization, which established its first official headquarters in Salem in 2016, primarily advocates for the separation of church and state.
They have gained attention in the past for their efforts to place a one-ton statue of a goat-headed idol next to any monument commemorating the 10 Commandments on public grounds.
The Satanic Temple has held conferences in the past in Scottsdale, Arizona, dedicating the event to former Republican Mayor Jim Lane and former Republican Councilor Suzanne Klapp, who had previously denied a request for a satanic invocation at a City Council meeting.
Satanic Temple dedicating ‘largest satanic gathering in history’ to Boston mayor, will require masks and other COVID-19 precautions
According to the organization, all registered guests must adhere to the guidelines set in place to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance.
This includes wearing a mask and providing proof of a COVID-19 vaccination.
Specific details regarding the mask requirements are provided by the temple, which states on its website that “attendees must wear an N-95, KN-95, or disposable surgical mask. Gaiters, bandanas, and cloth masks will not be permitted.”
What is the Satanic Temple?
The Satanic Temple may sound like a group of devil-worshiping cultists, but in reality, it is a highly organized and influential religious and political activist group.
Founded in 2013 by Douglas Misicko, also known as Lucien Greaves, the Satanic Temple has gained a significant following and has chapters in several countries around the world.
Apparently, the group does not in reality worship Satan. In fact, the symbol of Satan is used as a metaphor for the ultimate outsiders who challenge oppressive norms and values, and as a symbol of rebellion against authority.
One of the main goals of the Satanic Temple is to promote the separation of church and state and to challenge the dominance of certain religions in the public sphere.
They’ve been involved in a number of high-profile legal battles, including a campaign to have a statue of Baphomet, the group’s goat-headed, winged deity, placed next to a monument of the Ten Commandments on the grounds of the Oklahoma State Capitol.
But the group’s activism isn’t limited to legal battles. They’ve also been involved in social justice campaigns, including providing reproductive healthcare services, supporting the First Amendment rights of marginalized groups, and advocating for the rights of children in the criminal justice system.
Despite the criticism and backlash it has faced, the Satanic Temple remains a formidable force, using the power of symbolism and the law to challenge authority and fight for social justice.
So the next time you hear about the Satanic Temple, don’t immediately write them off as a group of demonic worshippers – they may surprise you with their commitment to making the world a better place.
