Deity 101: Baphomet

Liz Ramos, under the supervision of Lucifer the cat, discusses the figure of duality, Baphomet

Greetings witches! It’s been a while since we have had a Deity 101 post, and I wanted to pick a deity that is often misunderstood. It is our duty as witches and scholars to educate ourselves and others and put a kibosh on misinformation – wise words our own Tommy Clark imparted on me when I saw him two weeks ago at the release party for his newest book The Curse of Katie Elder at Athenix bookstore in Little Falls, NY.

Before we dive in, I want to address the MASSIVE Baphomet in the room – in this article when I say Satanism or Satanists, I am referring to The Satanic Temple, which is an IRS Tax Exempt recognized non-theistic religious group in the United States, and NOT Church of Satan, which is not. When most people hear Satanism, they automatically move the Church of Satan and Anton LaVey, which was founded before The Satanic Temple. These are two VERY different groups of people. More to come in future articles  – stay tuned!

To throw in another curve ball, Baphomet is not a deity – he is a spiritual being and figure that represents balance and duality. He was first introduced to the world in 1098 during the Crusades, and it is speculated that this was a misunderstanding of the word “Mahomet” (Muhammad). Templar Knights could be tried and tortured for worshipping Mahomet as a false idol, when at this time he was seen as a bearded man. The half, man, half goat form that we know him as today was not created until 1856 by Eliphas Levi, and was included in the book Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie. Baphomet was designed to embody equilibrium and joining of opposites to create a complete unit. This means the masculine and feminine (as depicted through the male and female anatomy), as above/so below, as within so without, good/evil… you get the idea.

Today, Baphomet is celebrated by Satanists and occultists as a personification of alchemy and hermetic mystery, balance and duality, and expression of free will and choice. He still represents the joining of opposites and completed units. Baphomet A statue of Baphomet is located at The Satanic Temple in Salem, Massachusetts. You are allowed to take photos with him (I am planning to visit as I have membership to the Temple), and you do not need to be a member to visit.

No matter what your path is, it is important to do your research and learn the true history behind the messaging and symbolism. Practice safely, wisely, and well-informed dear readers!

Elizabeth Ramos is a magic practitioner who specializes in nature focused, healing, protective, and ancestral magics. She is a Reiki Master-Teacher and lives with her husband and their several Feline Leukemia Positive kitties in Upstate New York.

PLEASE NOTE: The views and opinions of the staff of Memento Mori Ink do not necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or Crystal Lake Publishing. Thank you for understanding.