THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SATANIC CULT INVOLVEMENT: AN ...

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attractive. For individuals who experienced themselves as weak, powerless and vulnerable
as children, it is quite understandable that a perceived world of magical power should be
so enticing. Individuals familiar in some way with the supernatural world thus appear
predisposed to exploring Satanism as the ultimate sphere of occult influence.
14.2.2. Process of satanic involvement and initiation
As Satanism is a secret cult, the process of becoming a member is a protracted affair in
which potential Satanists are observed and screened over a period of time to assess their
suitability. This screening process typically occurred in the context of friendly
relationships with individuals who, unbeknown to the subjects, were members of satanic
organisations. Subjects were either identified as outsiders, and befriended by Satanists, or
were approached by Satanists affiliated to the same alternative youth subcultures. After
their initial encounter with Satanism, subjects were typically required to wait a period,
ranging from weeks to months, before becoming members. The purpose of this time
period is to give potential new members the opportunity of seriously considering whether
or not to join the cult, and to give existing cult members further opportunity to assess the
aspirant Satanists' suitability. The perception that cult members known to the subjects
have extraordinary charisma, power and influence over others makes the prospect of cult
membership extremely attractive.
Having made a decision to join the cult, all the subjects were required to undergo a formal
ritual initiation. The initiation rituals included the following core aspects: (1) The
rejection and denigration of the Christian God, and sacrilegious violation of Christian
symbols; (2) cutting oneself and using the blood to sign a pact pledging oneself to Satan
and the destruction of Christianity; (3) an animal sacrifice in which the blood is collected,
and the initiate required to drink the blood, symbolising the acceptance of Satan into one's
life.
This symbolic incorporation of Satan, via the ingestion of blood from an animal identified
with the god, is a powerful ritual that facilitates introjective identification with Satan,
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