Introduction to Romantic Satanism

by Michael Osiris Snuffin

The artistic and political movement known as Romantic Satanism challenged the traditional Christian concept of Satan as the source of all evil, recasting the Devil as a heroic rebel in a struggle against oppression and injustice. Works in the genre of Romantic Satanism were penned by some of the greatest authors of the 19th century, including Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron, George Sand, and Victor Hugo. However, the only literature available on Romantic Satanism, written by and for academics, is not very accessible to a general audience. In Introduction to Romantic Satanism, Satanic historian Michael Osiris Snuffin presents a clear and concise overview of this fascinating subject, describing the historical events that changed people’s attitudes about Satan and exploring the literary origins of the genre in Milton’s Paradise Lost. Using five themes of Romantic Satanism, Snuffin examines sixteen Satanic works written by influential English and French authors, from William Blake’s Marriage of Heaven and Hell to Anatole France’s Revolt of the Angels. These authors created a new concept of Satan for the modern world, portraying him as a noble revolutionary fighting against religious tyranny. Introduction to Romantic Satanism reveals this modern Satan, a figure more relevant to 21st century Satanic activism than the archaic Devil of Christian mythology.

Genres: Satanism, History, Occult, Religion

138 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2020

About the author

I have always had a passion for the written word, learning to read early and often. I got involved with my high school and college newspapers, writing opinion pieces and working on layout and design. I published my first magazine article at seventeen, and continued to write and publish articles through college. I graduated from The Evergreen State College in 1993, earning a BA in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in media and communications; there I studied media propaganda, literary journalism, and political science/economics.

In 1996 I started the research on tarot symbolism that eventually became my first book, The Thoth Companion. I also started giving public lectures and writing articles on the tarot and related subjects. When I began preparing my manuscript for submission, I discovered The Chicago Manual of Style, the bible of many book editors, and I developed an interest in editing. I realized I had a knack for editing work after helping Brandy Williams prepare her popular book, Practical Magic for Beginners, for submission to Llewellyn Publications in 2004.

While I had already taken a year of classes at North Seattle Community College to explore a possible career as a math teacher, my interest in numbers soon gave way to working with words. I eagerly enrolled in the Editing Certification Program at the University of Washington, which I completed in 2006. Unfortunately, after publishing and promoting The Thoth Companion in 2007-08, a medical accident left me with some serious health issues to deal with, delaying my debut as an professional editor for a couple of years.

I overcame those challenges and started preparing my second book, Conjuring Spirits: A Manual of Goetic and Enochian Sorcery, for release in 2010. During the publication process I also picked up a few clients, which led to more editing projects and opportunities. I truly enjoy editing work, and look forward to helping more authors and publishers make good books better.

In 2020, I published two more books: The Complete Conjuring Spirits, an expanded and revised edition of Conjuring Spirits; and Introduction to Romantic Satanism, An overview of the 19th century artistic and political movement that redefined Satan as a heroic rebel against tyranny, oppression, and injustice.

In my leisure time I enjoy reading books, researching, and writing. Particular topics of interest include cosmology, esotericism, Egyptology, symbolism, and linguistics. I have a large library, and I often browse used bookstores looking for new books of interest. I currently live in Tacoma, WA.

Reviews

[Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read introduction on Romantic Satanism and how it contributed to the rise of Satanic activism. Has great summaries on all the influential works of literature.

[Arachne Valentine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to Romantic Satanism and how these literary pieces played a role in early Satanic activism. Some of the literature was a little hard to follow but overall a great read.

[Gurudjieff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giving it 4 stars for an interesting overview and excerpts from literary works on the topic, but I disagree with the author's unnecessary take on modern politics expressed in the final chapter. Actually, more of a cheesy, leftie call to action than an objective take on the situation. As if Evangelical Christians are a serious authoritarian problem. Wouldn't that be the NWO globalists? And why exactly do you have the same cultural takes as them if you're a free spirited individual Mr. Snuffin? Perhaps you've been duped by the powers that be and should remind yourself of your very own interpretation of France's Revolt of the Angels in the preceding chapter. If Satan conquers Heaven he becomes the very authoritarian figure that he revolted against.

[Michael Snuffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the author of this book.

[Arden le Fey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I expected, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Now I want to read more Percy Bysse Shelley and Lord Byron.

[Brittany Gail Koutsunis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent

More so recommendations and highlights of literature that criticize Christianity and explain Satanism’s influences. Not a necessary book but a great resource.

[The Entity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you a Paradise Lost fanatic like I am? If the answer is yes, then this is the perfect handbook for you!