The Cloven Hoof, Issue 92

The Cloven Hoof

Vol. XIII, #4 91st Issue

92nd

Entire contents by Anton Szandor La Vey

How many rules have you broken lately? It's unnecessary to break any laws, while breaking rules-all over the place. A midget or dwarf, by his very existence, breaks the rule that one should be over an accepted height. His unasked-for nonconformity makes him very special and hence, very magical. Just as some are forced into nonconformity by unalterable physique, the Satanist must question the validity of his self-imposed outrageousness. The biggest crimes are committed in the mind. If thoughts could kill we should all be murderers, yet tiny social deviations involving style or fashion are avoided in the minds of most as crimes much worse than murder. For example, one might conjecture about the horrible punishments they would like to inflict upon an enemy, yet never consider exploring a pastime totally removed from their friends' or co-workers'. The reason I write so much about the relationship between Satanism and nonconformity is because true Satanism is the essence of nonconformity and vice versa. That's why it is important that those who call themselves Satanists do not get bogged down in the predictable guises of "regulation Satanists." It can well be argued that unless one's lifestyle is totally alien to anyone elses, a certain amount of conformity is present. Total alienation is not practical and usually no fun. Just enought to set you apart in a manner that evokes intrigue and speculation. Then, you can supply relief or fear, depending on your needs. The only problem--or, worse--dilemma which comes from advice like this is in personal interpretation of "just enough." To a timid soul, that can mean purchasing a bright green guitar or ordering Japanese beer (unless you happen to be Japanese). I once knew a guy who was given a red shirt and every time he wore it he was convinced everyone else was staring at him "kinda funny." To someone who is of the opposite extreme, just enough to be set apart from the herd might mean painting his house purple, his car purple, wearing exclusively purple clothing, and drinking only purple liquers. And then deducing that if he was unnoticed in a crowd it was because he did not have a purple cigarette in his hand. I must confess that I came quite close to redundant Satanic conformity in my early days of public imagery. I lived in a black house, had nothing but black cars, wore black clothes, and...it stopped there. Not that I came to dislike black. On the contrary. It began to lose its effectiveness. I began to feel boring to myself, others be damned. Now I employ black were it really works best, not as Satanic General Issue. Of course, one's audience dictates one's degree of outrageousness. Some people must be clobbered over the head before anything registers in their brain. Others will respond to the slightest deviation from the norm. What is flashy in London would go unnoticed in Las Vegas.

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In the U.S., Iowa has long been used by sophisticates as a scapegoat and symbol of stodgy middle America. Voters in Tiffin, Iowa, have just overwhelmingly defeated a proposal to adopt the Bible (not ours) as a supplementary school textbook. After the usual fundamentalist zealots succeeded in getting the proposal on the ballot, a record turnout of voters smashed the concept in what is clearly the first public victory over moral majority types since their emergence. Now that Iowa has led the way, perhaps less sophisticated areas like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco can gain inspiration. Ironically, no one can point to the "crime-ridden, vice-laden city of Tiffin, Iowa" as a likely spot for such blasphemous reaction.

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Public libraries are fast becoming temples of solitude. They offer one of the last refuges of undercrowded tranquillity. While most urban art centers, museums and concert halls have become meccas for prescribed culture, the public library is threatened with extinction and is a fine occult place to go on a rainy afternoon.

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I don't really mind it when someone I consider inferior tries to bring me down to his level. What annoys me is when he heavy-footedly attempts to elevate himself to mine.

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It always seems that things which "can't be done" are simply things which aren't being done.

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I just bought a remaindered book about cellulite and cut out the "before" photos for pinups.

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MESSAGES AND ERUDITION: CZZ686, The Law of the Trapezoid is explained in The Cloven Hoof Vol. VIII, #6. In our "Scared New World," the formula is more than apparent. SZZ948, "Gloomy Sunday" was not the only such song banned from air play. Other recordings included "Here Lies Love," "Black Moonlight," "Blue Prelude," "Remember My Forgotten Man," "Brother Can You Spare a Dime." ZZZ595, Yes, the Molehole Project was abruptly stopped and conveniently forgotten for decidedly Lovecraftian reasons. WZZ938, Ninja has strong parallels, I agree. Thanks for clip too.

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