Spotlight On Salem's Satanic Temple

The Satanic Temple: A Retrospective Reflection

So, I'm finally going to write about my visit to The Satanic Temple a couple of years ago. The trip was highly anticipated as I've been into the Left-Hand-Path for a good decade or so. (More like 13 years actually.) I made the usual transitional "lost journey" of switching religions a few times before I gave into atheism and then that flowed into agnosticism; and ultimately, this Satanic-Luciferian hybrid.) All of that is why I very much consider myself an eclectic occultist so, my visit to Salem was long overdue. And I made sure to pack in as much as I could in the short time that I was there. The museums, the churches, the burial grounds. Even the food was fanfreakingtastic and I am a finicky fuck to please. But, back to The Satanic Temple. It was a marvelous experience, albeit quaint, it was still awesome. Literally. AWE-some!

The ambiance is as goth as you'd come to expect. They're strict about their décor and merchandise and all visitors are advised to not even touch the walls. As beautiful as the bedroom is, it's blocked off but still accessible for photos. Then, I happened upon the spectacular Baphomet statue just sitting there in all its grandeur. It's solid throughout and seems like real bronze, and it was clean. Sweet photo op!!!!! I was so gitty! Everyone was!

A Baptist would have fainted (a seemingly common practice during Baptist sermons)... As a hotheaded Santera, If I had visited The Satanic Temple through the lens of Santeria, I might have felt the energy of the space differently—less about Satan as a Christian antagonist and more about forces at play. Pfft.. Why are Santeros so "sure" of themselves? lmmfao! (Chill, Santeria was my first taste of magic and ritual outside of mainstream Christianity. Spirits had power, ancestors had influence, and the world was far more mystical than the bible had ever let on)

Paganism: AKA Kinship

When I embraced Paganism, I finally felt the chains of Christian guilt loosen mainly because Paganism predates Christianity. A visit to The Satanic Temple through a Pagan perspective would have been curious, maybe even skeptical. I'm not so sure my Pagan self would've embraced TST as kin, or would she have giggled at the atheistic undertones? Shiiiiid. . .

Catholicism: The Weight of Ritual

Catholicism introduced me to goth opulence—ornate cathedrals, sacred relics, the incense-soaked air of ritual. There’s an undeniable beauty in Catholic tradition, and while I eventually moved on, I still appreciate its aesthetics and structure. Standing before the Baphomet statue in The Satanic Temple, I couldn’t help but draw comparisons to religious icons of the past. The same awe-inspiring presence, the same meticulous design—except this time, there was no demand for submission. Just admiration.

Finally, Satanism and Luciferianism: A Homecoming

Walking through The Satanic Temple as a Luciferian-Satanist felt like coming home. There was no oppressive doctrine or fear-driven obedience—only intellect, art, curiosities and rebellion. And the star of the show, de pièce de resistance . . . My Baphomet. Majestic; mighty looking and unapologetic. The very symbol that had once been demonized in my early religious years now stood before me as a testament to independence and enlightenment. THIS is the main reason for the vacay!
The space was small yet fortified all on its own and sure enough, the room buzzed with a mix of excitement and respect because it is a beautiful sight to behold. I wholeheartedly thought- in that moment —that that was where I was meant to be on that day. Although visitations have strict guidelines on preservation as they even ask that you don't touch the walls or windows, as the old saying goes, "look, but don't touch."

Easter Eggs All About the Place

One of the best things about The Satanic Temple? The little surprises lurking in every corner. It’s like an unholy Easter egg hunt—except instead of pastel-colored eggs, you find peculiar, sometimes unsettling, but undeniably delightful oddities that make you pause and go, “Well, that’s… something”, like this hooded idk wtf that's supposed to be, but I do know its origin/ creator is sinister. More weird shit like that is seen throughout the Temple. Just keep your eyes peeled as soon as you pass the sign-in log.

After years of diving into the occult, experiencing various belief systems, and witnessing my fair share of bizarre human behavior, I thought I had seen it all. But even I found myself staring at certain artifacts with the kind of wide-eyed curiosity usually reserved for kids in a movie theater. Some things made me chuckle; others made me question my own threshold for weirdness. Either way, it was refreshing to still be surprised by something.

I won’t spoil all the hidden gems, but let’s just say if you think you’ve built up an immunity to the unexpected, The Satanic Temple might just prove you wrong. From darkly humorous artwork to items that look like they were plucked straight out of a demon’s thrift store, there’s something for everyone—assuming "everyone" enjoys a good dose of the bizarre. And if you don’t? Well, at least the gift shop has some killer merch.

A Minus:

The only criticism would have to be the wet-behind-the-ears staff.

Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m all for young people getting involved in causes they care about. But when I walked into Thee Satanic Temple, the Mecca of modern Satanic philosophy, and saw that it was seemingly staffed entirely by teenagers, I had a moment of pause. Not because they were unprofessional or unkind—quite the opposite, actually. They were polite, well-spoken, and clearly knew their stuff. But something about the juxtaposition of a sacred space dedicated to the philosophy of enlightenment and, of mature cynicism… being managed by a bunch of bright-eyed youths? It felt a little off. I half expected to hear, "Welcome to The Satanic Temple! Can I take your order?"

Anyways, the house has an air of mystery and depth, having a history rooted in challenging authority. And yet, on a bustling autumn Saturday, I found myself being ushered in by a group that probably had a curfew. Shouldn’t a temple dedicated to a philosophy of wisdom and rebellion have at least a few grizzled veterans of the occult lurking around? Seasoned folks with the air of having seen things.

Now, I wasn’t expecting to be greeted by Lucien Greaves himself, descending from a cloud of incense like some unholy oracle. But maybe, a more knowledgeable presence? Some kind of eldritch wisdom in human form ya know, just for balance.

All in all, I'm very glad the founders of The Satanic Temple chose to relocate here. Sorry, but historically speaking, Detroit can't compare to Salem. Its past is second to none. You can immediately sense the antiquity upon entering the house—the creaks, the scent, and the intricate interior moldings all hint at a tangled history. *Speculative opinion through first-hand observance.

Before TST set up shop and opened to the public in 2016, 64 Bridge Street was home to the Dubiel Funeral Parlor. However, the structure itself was originally built for Jesse B. Edwards. Designed by Webb, the Italianate-style facade and interior date back to 1868. This property meets several criteria for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places under the U.S. Department of the Interior's National Park Service. I had to mention that to emphasize just how significant this location is. Salem is a whole different vibe, man!

Final Thoughts

My journey through faiths and belief systems has been long and, at times, chaotic. But standing inside The Satanic Temple, I felt a culmination of everything I had explored. From brave curiosity to submission to empowerment—each step led me to that moment. Salem wasn’t just a trip; it was a rite of passage. And The Satanic Temple? A marvelous, awe-inspiring affirmation of the path I had chosen. Lastly, do I recommend? Hell yeah! What are you waiting for?!

Yes, the entire house has a chillax vibe and I'm going to dish more deets on that in a sec, first familiarize yourself with the catalysts:

Salem had been calling me for years. I'm not some wide-eyed enthusiast. As someone who had spent over a decade walking the Left-Hand Path, my visit to The Satanic Temple (TST) felt like a long-overdue pilgrimage. But to truly appreciate the weight of this visit, I must rewind—to the spiritual labyrinth I wandered before finally arriving at my Satanic-Luciferian hybrid belief system.

My husband and I Sept. 30, 2023..

Cleverly, they decided to include an array of intellectually stimulating literature outside of the margins. Gems like Voltaire to Forensic Pathology to Freud— just to name a few.