Satanism Today - An Encyclopedia of Religion, Folklore and Popular ...

Stay Tuned 253
were able to gain knowledge from demonic
sources whereas witches were those who practiced
magic for evil ends.
See also Demons; Spells
For Further Reading:
Marwick, Max, ed. Witchcraft and Sorcery. 1972.
New York: Viking Penguin, 1982.
Rush, John A. Witchcraft and Sorcery. Springfield,
IL: Charles C. Thomas, 1974.
South Park: The Movie
South Park is a 2000 movie developed from the
popular television series. This mature cartoon film
depicts a nature-loving, homosexual Devil who is
the passive lover of Saddam Hussein. The film
begins with South Park’s children learning profanities
from a Canadian R-rated movie. A V-chip is
eventually implanted into the skull of one of the
children to send an electrical shock into him
whenever he swears. After the U.S. military is
rendered impotent by Satan and the whole world
was being destroyed, the electrical energy from the
V-chip is amplified by a profuse string of profanities
and then focused upon Hussein, defeating him
and saving the world.
Late 16th century English spell, presumably based on one
described by Michael Scot (or of that type), of the Tau
Sigil, the Seal of Solomon, and a magical circle. (Fortean
Picture Library)
Spellbinder
In this 1988 film a Los Angeles lawyer becomes
interested in an attractive young woman after
rescuing her from a man who attempted to stab
her. Reticent at first, she eventually informs him
that she is trying to escape a devil-worshiping
black magic Satanic witch cult.
Spells
A spell is a series of words or incantations accompanied
by a ritual with the purpose of altering the
outcome of destiny. Throughout time and place,
those with supernatural powers have been able to
cast spells for both harm and benefit to themselves
and others. The successful casting of a spell has
three essential components: the sorcerer, magician,
or witch who is to perform, a ritual, and the
actual spell. The importance of the wording and
pronunciation of the spell varies as one moves
geographically around the globe. For example, in
Ancient Egypt the words were the most crucial
elements in the casting of a spell. In Western
magic, however, it is the level of power invoked by
the combination of the spell and the ritual that
provides a spell with strength.
See also Hex; Sorcery
For Further Reading:
Marlbrough, Ray L. Charms, Spells, and Formulas.
St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn, 1987.
Mickaharic, Draja. A Century of Spells. Youk Beach,
ME: Weiser, 1988.
Stay Tuned
In this 1992 film a suburban couple, played by
John Ritter and Pam Dawber, buy a super large
screen T.V. and satellite dish from a sleazy store,
Hellvision. When Ritter tunes in he finds weirdly