#4: LUCIFERIANISM: ICONOCLASTIC ILLUMINATION



PERIOD : Early Modern; Modern. Classical Antiquity for Lilith.

SOURCES : Blavatsky’s Lucifier; Levi’s Dogma and Ritual of High Magic; Treatise on the Left Emanation.

REAL-WORLD ABOUT : “Luciferianism” refers to a few doctrines inspired largely by the Biblical figure Lucifer, and sometimes Satan, or related figures like Baphomet or Lilith. I should first mention incorrect accusations: “Satanism” and “Devil Worship” more commonly came as allegations than self-identities, charges used to suppress rivals, “heretics”, and “witches”. Most who identify as “Satanists” believe in atheistic LaVeyan Satanism, who do not believe in Satan as such, but rather see him as a defiant symbol of individualism against orthodoxy. Similarly, some critics accuse Yazidis of “Devil Worship” for their “Peacock Angel” resembling Lucifer, though in their account the angel both fell and found redemption.

Nevertheless, some actual Esoteric reverence does exist. First appeared the Gnostic Luciferianism of Ophite Cultus Sathanas, which drew upon Theosophy and espoused the idea of the Fallen Angel Lucifer as the True God and Jehovah as the Demiurge. Luciferians emphasize what they see as the positive Enlightenment virtues of Lucifer, the rebellious Lightbringer angel. And as well the Serpent of Eden, whom they perceive as liberating knowledge, in a role comparable to that of Prometheus. Next appeared those who revere Levi’s figure of Baphomet, an intersex humanoid “Sabbatic Goat“. Allegedly worshiped by the Knights Templar, Baphomet reflects a “Union of Opposites” and principles of Astral Light and Spiritualist Magnetism moving toward a utopian world. In D&D lore, Baphomet corresponds to the Demon Prince of Beasts.



Another related figure, Lilith, who abandoned Eden to avoid submission to Adam and so became cursed as a child-consuming demoness, symbolizes feminine rebellion. A fearsome figure, Jewish occult incantation bowls invoked Lilith to protect families from her. The later Treatise on the Left Emanation discusses Lilith as the wife of the Fallen Angel Samael (Satan), and relates to myths around Leviathan. In negative depictions, some identify Lilith as the tempting Serpent of Eden, while Kabbalah’s Tree of Life identifies her as a seductress demon associated with lamia, night hag, and succubi lore. But some modern Pagans revere Lilith as chief of the witches or Queen of the Underworld, and some theistic Satanists invoke Lilith as a goddess of independence, a mother figure, or wife of Lucifer. Lilith lore often fuses with that of the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar.

HOW IT IMPACTED D&D : AD&D’s Lilith as consort of Baalzebul; 5e’s Glasya, Baphomet, and Zariel, plus Night Hag, Succubus.

WHY ADD IT TO YOUR CAMPAIGN : Rumors of “Satanism” dealing with animal mutilations and child kidnappings can incite plot but have little basis in Luciferianism and many see these tropes as overused. Actual Luciferianism offers many opportunities to develop for your DM’ing and worldbuilding purposes though. You can use the standard D&D cosmology of these figures as ancient menaces, or as ambiguous messengers instead. You can invoke themes of Fallen Angels or False Gods, the Temptation or the Torchbearer. As a DM you can use Baphomet as defender or destroyer, Lucifer as iconoclast or infidel, Lilith as harbinger or horror. Maybe even make it complex, have elements of both: Lawful Good versus Chaotic Good, Lawful Evil versus Chaotic Evil.

A Devil’s Advocate approach works wonders. Rather than using stock Satanry, I recommend your Luciferian NPC’s possess legitimate-sounding thoughts and criticism: these entities have high Charisma regardless of their morals so have them employ Gnostic arguments, give good rationale for dismissing authority or divinity. Uncertainty and unorthodoxy build mysteries for the party to unravel. You can even get a bit Postmodern with it and give the party the role of the Morningstar, see where they take the responsibility of bearing the light of knowledge in a dark and ignorant world.

