I will encourage everyone to prepare for Saturday October 13th.

This year, it will be exactly 700 years since Philippe Le Bel's issued orders to exterminate the Order of the Knights Templar were put into effect.

I will encourage everyone to perform whatever L'Air d'Epais they are practicing, synchronised to go down at whatever local time is simultaneous with 1800 hours in France.

I'll get right on that.

Actually, it was the successful departure of the Templar fleet with its treasures that I would prefer to remember.

Or to quote the French king, "What?!"

They're all dead anyway. I didn't know any of them. I wasn't on the list of people to be exterminated. I've got some football to watch on Saturday, can't we reschedule this sometime after football season?

If I remember by then. I'll have wine :P

I don't understand why a Satanist should celebrate such event. Could you explain what is the significance for our religion?

Yes I would also very much like to know. I believe the Knights Templars were Devil Worshipers though. My guess is that their general attitude and philosophy (minus the Devil Worship) is considered Satanic.

Dr. LaVey referred to the Templars as a "Noble group of gentlemen" and goes on to say in TSR,

"The Templars had been exposed to the dualistic concepts of the Yezidis in the Near East. They had seen pride glorified and life praised as never before, when they entered the Courtyard of the Serpent and the Sanctuary of the Peacock, where indulgence became tantamount to greater power. As a result, they developed what was destined to become one of the most significant rites of Satanism."

I don't know if I would go as far as calling it an "important anniversary date" but it is the event that "L'Air Épais" singles out as being unjust.

I wouldn't call that in-signifcant.

Thank you.

Let us see.

Reputed to have worshipped the Baphomet.

Denounced as evil and heretical by the Christian Pope.

Warriors.

Battle-hardened crusaders.

Financiers of European royalty.

Cloaked in mystery for 700 years.

Spirited off their treasures from under the nose of the French king.

Not bad.

7 9

Indeed.

In western history, there is hardly any ONE single group of individuals who are shrouded in more mystery, dread and suspense. Every other "occult order" since then have claimed to be connected, or related, to the Knights Templar.

How many volumes of books have been written about the Templars? How much speculation has been done? How much fantasy and imagination has been "sacrificed", speaking in terms of "psychic energy", on this idea that is the Knights Templar?

I have no doubt that the Doktor himself would have had a thing or two to say about the relative strength of performing L'Air d'Epais in synchronicity with a date which is very significant in connection with what little REAL information we have about these mysterious battle-monks.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7029513.stm

This may be biassed, but it looks interesting.

While I agree that the Knights Templar should be remembered, the only anniversary coming up that I really care about is that of Dr. LaVey's death. As I try to perform variations on the ceremony that I have already established (just to insure that it doesn't become stale, and really does justice to the man) it will require much preparation on my part. Besides, Halloween is also right around the corner. This is really the busiest time of the year for me. Had I been aware of this a month or so ago, I might have worked it in.

HAIL SATAN!
HAIL LAVEY!

Personally, I prefer to celebrate Dr. LaVey's birthday.
That day I light a black candle and meditate about his life and accomplishments. Then I eat Hawaiian Pizza.

I, too, celebrate his birthday. However, that is not coming up any time soon. My focus is on this time of the year.

And for me it it is not a celebration (his death) but rather a time to reflect on what I know of the man from his writings. On this date I read TSROTE, TSS, and then I play the entire Black Mass CD. I light the black candle for both. It also is one of the very few times of the year that I indulge in alcohol.