Satanic Cult Awareness Part 3: Identifying Satanic Rituals, Clues for Investigators, and Signs of Involvement
WARNING: SENSITIVE INFORMATION! PROCEED WITH CAUTION!
Satanic Cult Awareness: Gayland W. Hurst and Robert L. Marsh presented a guide.
In part one we looked at definitions, psychological manipulation, and types of torture. Find part 1 here:
In part 2 we looked at the Church of Satan’s Beliefs and Ethics, Associated Groups, and the full Satanic Calendar. Find part 2 here:
THE RITUAL
The steps taken before and during a ritual are described below. Keep in mind that each group may do things differently so this. is merely an example of how one group conducts itself.
1. Preparation of the ritual area
2. Dress in garb and jewelry (if clothing is to be worn)
3. Ring bell to begin ritual
4. Light flame on the altar
5. Hold invocation
6. Celebrant drinks from chalice
7. Conjuring of demons begins
8. Execute desire
9. Extinguish flame
10. Ring bell to end ritual. utter closing, "So it is done."
In most cases, rituals will be conducted within the circle to protect the celebrants from unruly demons. There are groups, however, who believe this to be unnecessary, feeling that they alone are in control of what happens during the rituals.
SIGNS OF PAGAN & SATANIC PRACTICES AMONGST TEENAGERS
PROFILE:
Male, intelligent (but an underachiever), creative, curiosity beyond the norm, low self-esteem, middle to upper-middle-class family, difficulty in relating to peers, boredom, alienation from family, and religion.
EARLY PHASES:
Abnormal level of stress, anxiety and fear, feelings of inadequacy or loss of control.
SIGNS OF ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT:
Obsession with fantasy role-playing games
Obsession with heavy-metal music
Books on occult
Objects used for spells or rituals: Candles, pentagrams, inverted crosses, symbols (666), stones, powders, oils
Symbolic jewelry
Excessive and unexplained paranoia of the world
Extreme secrecy
Self-mutilation (usually razor slashes)
Fear of discussing involvement
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
Because the outside world is frequently equated with satan, many cult leaders encourage their members to use any means necessary to advance their goals.
Theft of property or money is encouraged, as non-believers would just spend their money to gratify their senses.
Charity fraud is encouraged since this deception is approved by God.
The end of the world is predicted through some cataclysmic means, usually in a world war with communism. Therefore, automatic weapons must be stockpiled and drugs must be sold to enrich the cult.
Since the end of the world is near, traditional "moral" rules of society may be ignored in the service of the cult leader so that cult members may attain spiritual power.
A world government must be established through violent revolution.
Satanic influences must be beaten out of young cult members, as God does not like "bad children."
All authority figures are Satanic, particularly, the natural family, doctors, psychiatrists, and law enforcement personnel, and must therefore be eliminated.
INVESTIGATIVE SUGGESTIONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT:
Terrorist cults and cults which specialize in hate generally use many different names and have various front organizations. Develop as much information as you can, i.e. identity of leaders, their beliefs, recruitment techniques, etc. before taking any action. Many of these groups have automatic weapons stockpiled--know what to expect!
Some cults are using quasi-legitimate businesses as fronts for narcotics traffic. Determine whether such fronts are registered as a business or as a charity to solicit funds. Check local and federal courts for prior civil lawsuits and complaints… also, the Better Business Bureau, State Attorney General's Office, etc.
Many non-traditional satanic cults are using drugs, child abuse, human sacrifice, and forms of mind control to keep their members from defecting. Many of their criminal acts center around the personality of the coven leader. Determine what form of his/her teachings the group is following. Study their symbols, dates activities are performed, instruments used in the ceremonies, etc. Note the holidays honored by the cult; particularly--birthdates of leaders, the solstices of June 22nd, December 22nd, April 30, etc. In missing children cases, determine whether dates of disappearance occur on or near these holidays. Insure your inquiries are kept confidential as any public awareness will drive the cult into even greater secrecy.
Note that many traditional “white” witchcraft and satanic cults are legitimate, sometimes even helpful, to police in occult criminal investigations. Many are eager to give information on those cults engaged in criminal activity because they are giving them a "bad name". Be able to differentiate between such groups in your area.
Since the Mariel Boatlifts of 1980, many voodoo cults are now operating in this country. Understand the various signs and symbols connected with these groups; particularly--drawings of fowl, dolls, saints, painted rocks, coins, etc. Some of these groups are involved in narcotics, murder, extortion, and occasional human
sacrifice.
One indication of satanic cult activity is the appearance of mutilated animals, i.e. dogs, cats, cattle, etc. Have qualified medical examiners examine the cadavers for missing blood, sex, or other organs, and possible blanched sI~in on the back from electric shock. In some cases, the epiglottis on these animals will be frozen open just prior to death. Check with local humane societies on complaints against individuals torturing animals.
Crime scene searches of suspected occult crimes should be as detailed and thorough as possible. Photographs of the scene should be taken with the magnetic positions of the compass noted as satanic cults believe the “evil one” comes from the North and will lay small branches or sticks pointing south.
To understand the amount of occult activity in your area, check with
local libraries and bookstores which cater to the occult. Research
occult symbols in graffiti and tattoos on suspects.
Investigators should take a county map and overlay a drawing on an inverted star on the map. Information and past experience have shown this is used as an occult center of activity in the area. A good place to start looking.
OCCULT-RELATED HOMICIDE CLUES:
WHERE THE BODY IS LOCATED:
Most cult meetings or rituals are held in deserted isolated areas. Wooded areas away from people, desert areas, graveyards, abandoned buildings, churches, and/or residences.
POSITION OF THE BODY:
Note the direction of the body, whether the body is formed in the shape of a circle (facing inwards or outwards), it may be nailed to a cross or formed in the shape of one, it may be hanging from something like a tree either by its feet, hands or neck. If rigor mortis is present the body may still show signs of having been tied down (bondage).
MISSING BODY PARTS OR ORGANS:
In occultic blood rituals, many times parts of the human body and/or organs are removed. They may have been eaten (cannibalism) or kept for use in another way. Usually, the parts most often used are the head, heart, hands, genitalia, eyes, ears, nose, tongue, or lips. sometimes the cadaver will have appeared to have been boiled and the body fat within the cadaver will be missing. This will be determined at the autopsy.
BODY DRESSED OR UNDRESSED:
If the body was dressed in some form of ritual garb, i.e. a ceremonial robe or mask, etc. If nude, may also be a clue because many of these cults prefer to perform their ceremonies in the nude or as some of them call it, “Skyclad”.
STAB WOUNDS OR CUTS:
Particularly important, is the size and location of stab wounds or cuts, if done in patterns or symbols, if done to allow bloodletting or draining. Incisions to the sex organs, mutilation. Note the number of cuts/bruises if in numbered patterns (i.e. in 3's, 6's, 7's, or 13 / s). The location of human teeth marks or cannibalism.
INK MARKS OR TATTOOS:
Many times some groups will mark their own or the body of their victim with an identifying mark or tattoo, to show ownership or membership, it may be as a warning to other groups or individuals. Again look for patterns and/or symbols. It may even be a message written in an unknown alphabet or code.
PAINTED WITH A SUBSTANCE OR PAINT:
The body may have been painted entirely one solid color or many different colors or in patterns, depending on what ritual they were trying to perform (different colors for different things), or… it may be coated with some substance for much the same reason (different substances for different reasons).
BRANDED WITH A BRANDING IRON OR ANY BURNS:
The victim may have been tortured, or again for anything in item numbers five or six.
JEWELRY ON OR NEAR THE CADAVER:
Some occultic groups will wear certain items of jewelry depending on whether it identifies them as belonging to a certain group or is used for protection from or control of evil spirits or curses. Check for items like rings, charms, amulets, stones or talismans, etc.
JEWELRY THAT IS HISSING:
Perhaps the victim was known to wear or possess such objects as described above (#9) and they are missing. Take note about the head, neck, wrists, fingers, and ankles of the body to see if any such type of jewelry may have been forcefully removed (i.e. cuts, scratches, rope burns, etc.).
ANY CORDS OR COLORED ROPES ON OR NEAR THE BODY:
A. Check for implements of bondage.
B. Some groups believe their invoking magic and use colored cords or ropes in their ceremony (again different things for different reasons).
ANY IMPLEMENTS NEAR THE BODY:
See the following list of ritual items.
A. Candles (note colors)
B. Cords or ropes (colored)
C. Containers of salts or other substances
D. An alter or object with occult symbols on it (pentagrams, hexagrams, inverted crosses, etc.)
E. An athame, usually a handmade ritual knife with a black handle and etchings on it.
F. The presence and location of a drawn circle or triangle(note size).
G. A chalice.
H. The location of the four elements, earth, water, air, and fire.
I. Human and/or animal body parts or organs.
J. A book of shadows or a grimoire (book of spells).
K. A censer (incense burner).
L. A sword or ritual knives.
M. Any parchments.
N. A cauldron (an iron pot)
O. Any coins, statues, stones, or jewels.
P. Effigies or voodoo dolls.
OILS OR INCENSE ON THE BODY:
The victim may have in preparation for the ritual ceremony had some oil or potion poured or rubbed on their body. The same with perfumes. Incense also may have been burned at the ritual.
WAX DRIPPING FROM CANDLES ON OR ABOUT THE BODY:
Quite often candles are used in ritual ceremonies. Special note should be made as to color, location, and amount of.
HUMAN AND/OR ANIMAL FECES FOUND ON OR CONSUMED BY THE VICTIM:
Particularly true to satanic cults is the use of human and/or animal feces in their rituals. Note the location of and check the insides of the victim’s mouth and nose for consumption of.
SIGNS OF HANDS AND FEET HAVING BEEN TIED OR SHACKLED, ROPE BURNS, ETC:
The victim may have been tied down or suspended from something. One group was known to have used a strong thin piano-type wire tied and pulled tight on an altar. The wires were attached to the victim's toes, fingers, and genitalia then a form of torture was used to make the victim jump or move thereby severing the attached parts.
STOMACH CONTENTS OF URINE, FECES, SEMEN, BLOOD, DRUGS, WINE OR POTIONS, ETC. NOT COMMON TO THE HUMAN BODY:
It's not uncommon for some cults during their ceremonial rituals for participants to ingest any of the above items, depending on what form of ritual was performed.
LUNGS WITH INGESTED MATTER (SMOKE, LIQUID, BLOOD):
Some cults while performing their ceremonies will use fire as one of their elements present (sometimes known as “balefire”). Other items burnt may be herbs, incense, beladona. If the sacrifice was forcefully made to drink blood or some other liquid, some may collect in the victims lungs.
THE ABSENCE OF BLOOD IN THE CADAVER OR ON THE GROUND:
For most religious cults blood is extremely important to them, they believe the life force or spirit is contained in the blood. The lack of blood present within the body is a good indicator of occultic involvement. These groups will drain the body and either drink or bathe in the blood. Most of the time they won't waste any of it.
SEMEN ON, NEAR, OR INSIDE OF CADAVER:
Acts of perverted sexual abuse are also common among various groups. Sex with a dead body (necrophilia) is a common initiation for new members to a group.
THE PRESENCE OF OCCULT RITUAL PARAPHERNALIA OR CHRISTIAN ARTIFACTS:
Another indicator of occult involvement would be desecrated items from a Christian or Jewish church or organization. Occultic symbols, i.e. pentagrams, hexagrams, swastikas, inverted crosses, etc.
MINI STORAGE LOCKERS:
If you suspect occult involvement, check for rental storage lockers belonging to suspects or victims. Many times the groups will store their ritual paraphernalia and supplies there.
BIBLICAL VERSES AND GRAFFITI WRITTEN IN BLOOD:
Most radical religious cults will use Biblical verses either in or out of context and/or the presence of graffiti written or drawn in blood.
NON-DISCERNIBLE ALPHABETS, WITCHES ALPHABET, CABALISTIC WRITINGS, ETC:
Many of these cults or groups will write or send messages in code or use strange or old alphabets like the Runic or Theban alphabet, including ancient Hebrew or Greek.
ANIMALS BODY PARTS:
The presence of and location of animal parts can help you determine the presence of and possibly the type of ritual occurred.
DRAWINGS OR PHOTOGRAPHS OF VICTIMS:
Many groups or individuals will want to keep a record of their ceremonies and also for use in blackmailing others into silence.
DATES OF RITUALS, CALENDARS, ETC:
Certain times and dates are as important to various cults as our religious holidays are to us. Some satanic or black witchcraft cults are religiously required to perform certain rituals on the dates.
COMPUTER TIES IN THE HOME:
If you suspect cult involvement and that the victim had computer ties in his home, we know many cults and groups are highly organized and use computers to amass information, send messages between members and to break into other computer systems for personal gain, thefts, secrets, etc.
PHOTOGRAPHY OF MOCK WEDDINGS, CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, OR SEXUAL ACTIVITIES FIXATED ON ANAL ABUSE:
Some groups will keep a photographic record of their activities or use such photos or films for blackmail purposes. Some cults take pleasure in desecrating known religious and/or social functions.
MARKS OF THE BEAST - THE ALPHABETICAL LETTER NUMBERS FOR HEAVEN AND HELL, 666, OCCULT SYMBOLISM, ETC:
Primarily used by satanic cults to show their allegiance to Satan or the Devil, and/or group membership. If the site is outside, your crime scene search should be extended to the nearest road to search for boundary and/or trail markers leading to the ritual site.
If a trail leading to the ritual site is located, always walk to the “left side” of the trail/path. Many times occult members will booby trap the marked trail or path to kill, disable you or to alarm the occult group.
The fourth and final part coming soon…