Theistic Satanism: Home > Rituals, etc. > Standard ritual > Greetings



Greetings to the Princes and the Legions of Hell

by Diane Vera



Copyright © 2003, 2010, 2011 by Diane Vera. All rights reserved.



The "Greetings to the Princes and the Legions" are a part of my recommended standard ritual format. They are to be said immediately after the preliminary Invocation to Satan.

The Greetings should emphasize whichever one of the four elements (Water, Fire, Air, Earth) is most relevant to the aims of your ritual. By default, the version below emphasizes the element of Water and assumes you are doing a solo ritual in the northern hemisphere (north of the Equator). To emphasize a different element, or if you are in the southern hemisphere, or if you are doing a group ritual, rearrange the Greetings on this page accordingly:

Select element:  Select hemisphere:  Select ritual type:
Then click:

When you say the Greetings, you should already be facing your altar, facing West. Raise your left hand, either with fist clenched or in a "sign of the horns" salute, and say:

Hail, Ancient Serpent! Dragon of the primal sea!
God of the depths, who opens our eyes,
and rends the veils between the worlds!
Prince of the power of the Waters!
Hail, Ancient Serpent!

(By saying "Ancient Serpent! Dragon of the primal sea!" we are calling on the aspect of Satan associated with primal emotion, animal instinct, intuition, and the power of your subconscious mind. You may find it helpful to visualize a large serpent rising from a raging sea, to represent the element of Water. Also, as you say the greeting to the Ancient Serpent, recall what the air feels like just before a thunderstorm, and visualize both the Serpent and the sea exuding a similar kind of energy.)

Then turn to the South and say:

Hail, Iblis!
Fire-born One!
God of our innermost Will!
God of our deepest passions,
Prince of the power of Fire!
Hail, Iblis!

(Iblis is a name for Satan common among Muslims, who believe He was created from fire. Hence we use "Iblis" as a name for the fiery aspect of Satan, associated with pride, passion, destruction, and wrath against enemies. He also challenges us to face down our fears and thereby become stronger. If you find anthropomorphic visualizations helpful, then visualize Iblis as a fierce, bestial, stereotypically "demonic"-looking figure holding a sword, with a wall of fire behind Him, to represent the element of Fire. If you're not fond of anthropomorphic visualizations, then just visualize a large flame emerging from darkness.)

Then turn to the East and say:

Hail, Lucifer-Azazel!
Light which comes forth from darkness!
God of freedom, who sheds light
on all that is hidden and forbidden!
Prince of the power of the Air!
Hail, Lucifer-Azazel!

(Lucifer-Azazel is the Promethean aspect of Satan. He brings knowledge and encourages pride. You might find it helpful to visualize Lucifer-Azazel as a light emerging from darkness, like the flashes of inspiration emerging from the darkness of a person's unconcious mind. Alternatively, if you find anthropomorphic visualizations helpful, visualize Lucifer as a handsome, golden-haired young man in a white robe -- or perhaps a lab coat? -- surrounded by various devices representing major advances in science and technology. Behind Him, visualize a wind blowing, to represent the element of Air.)

Then turn to the North and say:

Hail, Belial!
Ruler of the Earth!
God of this world,
God of our flesh,
Prince of the power of Earth!
Hail, Belial!

(Belial is the aspect of Satan that encourages our desire for material wealth and power. Visualize Belial in whatever way best symbolizes, to you, worldly power, practicality, and success. Behind Him, visualize a rocky mountain, representing the element of Earth.)

Then turn to the West and say, again:

Hail, Ancient Serpent! Dragon of the primal sea!
God of the depths, who opens our eyes,
and rends the veils between the worlds!
Prince of the power of the Waters!
Hail, Ancient Serpent!

Stand in a relaxed position, still facing West. Look downward toward the floor between your feet. Visualize yourself looking all the way down to the Earth's molten core. Your arms should be down at your sides, hands open, receptive, palms somewhat downward, fingers extended somewhat downward and somewhat outward in whichever direction feels most natural and comfortable. (Practice this position before the first time you perform this ritual.) As you say the following, visualize hot, dark energy rising up from the Earth's core into your hands and feet. Say:

Hail, Dark One!
Infernal Mystery! Hidden Muse! Black Flame!
King of the Depths!
Mighty Liberator!
Ruler of this world!
Hail, Dark One!

(The Dark One is nameless and formless, representing the hidden depths.)

Still looking down, pause and contemplate the nameless Dark One for few moments.

Having greeted all the Princes, now do another round of greetings, this time to the Legions as well as to the Princes, who are spoken of as aspects of Satan.

Still facing West, say:

Hail, Legions of the West! Powers of Water!
I join with you tonight in service to our Lord Satan,
God of the depths! Dragon of the primal sea!
Hail, Legions of the West!
Hail, Ancient Serpent!

Then turn to the South and say:

Hail, Legions of the South! Powers of Fire!
I join with you tonight in service to our Lord Satan,
God of our innermost Will! Fire-born One!
Hail, Legions of the South!
Hail, Iblis!

Then turn to the East and say:

Hail, Legions of the East! Powers of Air!
I join with you tonight in service to our Lord Satan,
God of freedom! Light which comes forth from darkness!
Hail, Legions of the East!
Hail, Lucifer-Azazel!

Then turn to the North and say:

Hail, Legions of the North! Powers of Earth!
I join with you tonight in service to our Lord Satan,
God of our flesh! Ruler of the Earth!
Hail, Legions of the North!
Hail, Belial!

Then turn to the West and say:

Hail, Satan!
Hail, Ancient Serpent!

Stand in a relaxed position, still facing West. Look downward toward the floor between your feet. Visualize yourself looking all the way down to the Earth's molten core. Your arms should be down at your sides, hands open, receptive, palms somewhat downward, fingers extended somewhat downward and somewhat outward in whichever direction feels most natural and comfortable. As you say the following, visualize hot, dark energy rising up from the Earth's core into your hands and feet. Say:

Hail, Legions of the Pit! Powers of Darkness!
I join with you tonight in service to our Lord Satan,
Infernal Mystery, Hidden Muse, Black Flame!
Hail, Legions of the Pit!
Hail, Dark One!

Then raise your head and raise your arms to an approximately horizontal position, outstretched to your sides, and say:

Hail, Ancient Serpent!
Hail, Satan! Ruler of this world!

(Visualize the energy of Satan pervading the entire world.)

Then look up, raise both arms above your head, and say:

Hail, Satan!
Hail, Azazel!

(For some information about Azazel, see Azazel in Infernal names, directional correspondences, etc..)

You are now ready for the centerpiece of your ritual, whatever that may be, depending on the purpose of the ritual.


Important notes:

  1. For some information about the names Ancient Serpent, Iblis, Lucifer, Belial, and Azazel, see Infernal names, directional correspondences, etc.
  2. The following element correspondences are used, assuming you are in the Northern hemisphere:
  3. Prince Direction Element
    Ancient Serpent West Water
    Iblis South Fire
    Lucifer-Azazel East Air
    Belial North Earth

  4. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, the directions North and South are transposed from what they represent in the Northern hemisphere. Turn clockwise instead of counterclockwise, and greet Iblis in the north and Belial in the south instead of vice versa.
  5. On this page, the only difference between solo rituals and group rituals is that group rituals use the pronou "we" where solo rituals use "I".

Thanks to Sarah Harper for suggesting the lines: "... who opens our eyes, and rends the veils between the worlds!"



Back to: