Vivienne C.
Photographs: John Childermass
Have you heard that there is a new church in town? Perhaps you have seen posters about a Black Mass that took place last week?
Whether you had heard or even if you are completely unaware, this article will inform you of this new organisation in Hathian and Laveau. How did I find out about it, well… I came across it by seeing a mugshot of Dr. Céleste de Sade… she of the Mourning Wood Funeral Home (an article on this is coming soon – Ed). I was surprised to see her handcuffed and covered in fake blood so I set out the next day to HPD to find out what had happened.
A Party Gone Wrong?
Corporal Hiroshi was kind enough to welcome me and answer my questions. He described the incident as “bizarre” and that Céleste was arrested as she was quite high and screaming “Hail Satan” near the HPD HQ. He explained she was at a party and they weren’t sure what kind of the substance she had taken.
I reached out to Céleste to see how she was and asked about this party. She proceeded to tell me in no uncertain terms that HPD were drama queens who arrested her simply for having a good time. I posed more questions about the party and where it was and got an answer that it was the Black Mass at the House of Morningstar which is located near Batterie Beach.
My colleague John and I went there, curious as to what a ‘Black Mass’ was. The sight of the imposing building completely took us by surprise. It had similar vibes to the Addams Family house. A mysterious style with sinister looking robed men outside who did not speak but handed us candy which we of course did not eat.
The Satanic Church
We attempted, but couldn’t meet with anyone that day. John took pictures and I snooped around. Thankfully, Céleste was able to share the number of the party’s host, a Mr. Gin Crow, who in turn agreed to meet with me at a later date.
Mr. Crow is a charismatic leader, clearly born for the role of preaching. He began with the history of why he had chosen Satanic teachings. Coming from a multi-faith household, he had chosen neither of the religions practiced therein. His interest in the occult and paganism led him down a path of a different belief system.
“I suppose growing up as I did, there been a certain allure ta things verboten. After serving England for so long, I came here, got married, got a civilian job on the force. Never really was a practicing Satanist until I really started seeing how much corruption there is out there. A lot of people misunderstand what Satanism actually is. They think gory violent things like human sacrifice and evil. It is not about any of that. To me and to the people here, it’s about freedom. Individualism. The born right to mind and bodily autonomy”
Gin Crow
What Does House of Morningstar Stand for?
When I inquired about the doctrines of his faith, Mr. Crow was ready with an answer that was both clear and concise. Their church stands for and advocate for justice and individual freedom. The freedom to offend, the freedom of expression, the freedom to think and act as one wishes. They do not condone “unnecessary” violence. The necessity or otherwise of violence is a debate I would have loved to engage with, so you can imagine my restraint in remaining on topic!
As we delved deeper into our conversation, I heard more about the congregation where members of the community can openly discuss social and political issues. The sermons are not just a performance, since they discuss even contentious and sensitive topics such as abortion because of course it relates to bodily autonomy.
Vows of Silence
“We are not at current recognized as a legitimate tax exempt religious institution, such as The Satanic Temple be. We share a lot of the same principles as that ranch o’ Satanism, though I’m afraid we still be in our infancy stages o’ organization. We’ll get there. We do currently have a small congregation of faithful members. We have those who take vows of silence in service to the house. When they leave here, they are whoever they need to be out in the world. In here, though? They do this as a means of soul searching, if you will. It is not required, and not all our members choose to take the vow and serve in the way some do. I suppose you could compare what they do to Buddhist monks, if you’d like to put some perspective on it.”
Gin Crow
Mr. Crow plans to grow his congregation. However, they are not actively pursuing “nefarious conversion schemes” as he called it but to keep their sermons aka Black Mass open and give people purpose. While of course partying and giving them drugs, I am not sure, reader, what else happens at such parties.
I’m generally not fond of organized religion, as a spiritual person, I do think it is important to nurture what faith inspires when it comes to connection, freedoms, and values. If House of Morningstar is really creating the space for this, then I’m glad to see a church even if Satanic instead of a new gang. But I urge you, to always be critical of organizational toxic dynamics and red flags such as blind following, coercion, substance abuse and compliance without question. (If a church is handing out drugs making people yell ‘Hail Satan’ outside HPD… then I’m not sure they are in the good books… – Ed)
Stay safe Hathians!
All pictures can be found here.
