Birthday Celebrations

IS IT PURE OR
PAGAN?

Shaquille Blackwood
26th December, 2022
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE ORIGIN OF BIRTHDAYS 2

ANCIENT EGYPT 2
ANCIENT GREECE 3

BIRTHDAYS AND ASTROLOGY 4

HOROSCOPES 4

BIRTHDAYS AND SATANISM 5

BRIEF HISTORY ON ANTON LAVEY 5
DOCTRINE AND DOGMA 6
SATANIC HOLIDAYS 7
LAVEY’S OWN WORDS 7

OTHER IMPORTANT QUOTES 7

WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES 9

EXAMPLES OF BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS 9
1. Pharaoh: King of Egypt 9
2. Herod: King of Israel 9
3. Job’s Sons 9
HOW DID HOLY MEN OF GOD TREAT IT 10

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THE ORIGIN OF BIRTHDAYS

ANCIENT EGYPT

★ In ancient Egypt the Pharaoh was a priest, king and god to the Egyptians and this was a
root of the reason for their celebrations.

★ Originally, the birth of common people was not celebrated, but only the birthdays of the
gods; and later kings and great ones. As time went on, and since each day had a god
associated with it through astrology, as the common people observed these they began
to associate the celebrations with their own birthdays as well.

★ The Egyptians were very much interested and influenced by astrology. The course of the
stars and planets were charted and tracked, being used to forecast events and to bring
enlightenment on people or issues. (See Horoscopes)

★ These celebrations supposedly made the one celebrated a god1.

1
“Essentially when having birthday celebrations, and feasts and banquets, you’re making yourself the center of
attention, and you’re making yourself a god.”

2
ANCIENT GREECE

★ Cakes were tools of idolatry in worship of the moon goddess Artemis, also
known as the queen of heaven, Semiramis.

18
The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their
dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other
gods, that they may provoke me to anger. - Jeremiah 7:18

“The Greeks believed that everyone had a protective spirit or daemon who attended his
birth and watched over him in life. This spirit had a mystic relation with the god on whose
birthday the individual was born. The Romans also subscribed to this idea. This notion
was carried down in human belief and is reflected in the guardian angel, the fairy
godmother and the patron saint ideologies. The custom of lighted candles on the cakes
started with the Greeks. Honey cakes round as the moon and lit with tapers were placed
on the temple altars of Artemis. Birthday candles, in folk belief, are endowed with special
magic for granting wishes. Lighted tapers and sacrificial fires have had a special mystic
significance ever since man first set up altars to his gods. The birthday candles are thus
an honor and tribute to the birthday child and brings good fortune. Saying “happy
birthday” to friends and loved ones was society’s superstitious way of protecting them
from evil spirits. Birthday thumps, bumps, pinches, etc., were said to bring luck and send
away evil spirits. Party snappers, horns and other noisemakers were also intended to
scare off bad spirits” - The Lore of Birthdays (New York, 1952) by Ralph and Adelin
Linton, on pages 8, 18-20

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BIRTHDAYS AND ASTROLOGY
HOROSCOPES

“A Horoscope (also known as natal chart, astrological chart, astro-chart, celestial map, sky
map etc.) is an astrological chart or diagram representing the positions of the Sun, Moon,
planets, astrological aspects and sensitive angles at a time of an event, such as the moment of
a person’s birth.” - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horoscope

The word horoscope is derived from the Greek

words ώρα and σκοπος “ora and skopos”
meaning “time” and “observer”. It is used as a
method of divination regarding events relating
to the point in time it represents, and it forms
the basis of the horoscopic traditions of
astrology.

Deut 18:10,14 10 There shall not be found among you any

one that maketh his son or daughter to pass through the
fire, or that uses divination, or an observer of times, or an
enchanter, or a witch. 14 For these nations which thou shalt
possess, hearkened unto observers of times, unto
diviners: but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not
suffered thee so to do.

Gal 4:8-11; Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are
no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again
to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe
days, and months, and times, and years2. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you
labor in vain.

“Observe” - παρατηἐω (para-ti-eh-oh), means “to observe scrupulously”

Paul was rebuking their careful observance of days, months, times, and years.

2
“Possibly after the Galatians received the knowledge of the truth, they still subscribed to the different pagan
superstitions that led them to scrupulously observe and serve special days dedicated to false gods out of the fear that
bad omen might overtake them.” (See highlighted notes on Ancient Greece)

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BIRTHDAYS AND SATANISM

BRIEF HISTORY ON ANTON LAVEY

Anton Szandor LaVey (born Howard Stanton Levey;

April 11, 1930 - October 29, 1997) was an American
author, musician and Satanist. He was the founder of the
Church of Satan and the religion of Satanism. He
authored several books, including The Satanic Bible,
The Satanic Rituals, The Satanic Witch, The Devil’s
Notebook, and "Satan Speaks!".

Many details of LaVey’s early life are disputed or

unknown, however, it is known that he dropped out of
high school to join a circus and subsequently worked as
a psychic (medium) and a nightclub organist.
Meanwhile, he developed in the occult and gained local
celebrity in San Francisco as a dark, mysterious figure
who rejected traditional Christian morality. Having
changed his name to Anton Szandor LaVey, in 1966 he
founded the Church of Satan, calling himself its high priest, on Walpurgis Night (April 30), a
traditional night of revelry in northern Europe and Scandinavia. Three years later he published
The Satanic Bible, in which he set down the teachings and rituals of his church.

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DOCTRINE AND DOGMA

The Satanic Bible is a collection of essays, observations, and rituals published by Anton Lavey
in 1969. It is the central religious text of LaVeyan Satanism, and is considered the foundation of
its philosophy and dogma. It has been described as the
most important document to influence contemporary
Satanism. Though The Satanic Bible is not considered to
be sacred scripture in the way that the Christian Bible is to
Christianity, LaVeyan Satanist regard it as an authoritative
text as it is a contemporary text that has attained for them
scriptural status.

The Satanic Bible is composed of four books: The Book of

Satan, The Book of Lucifer, The Book of Belial, and The
Book of Leviathan. The Book of Satan challenges the Ten
Commandments and promotes Epicureanism. The Book of
Lucifer holds most of the philosophy in The Satanic Bible,
with twelve chapters discussing topics such as indulgence,
love, hate, and sex. LaVey also uses the book to dispel
rumors surrounding the religion. In the Book of Belial, LaVey
details rituals and magic. He discusses the required
mindset and focus for performing a ritual, and provides
instructions for three rituals: those for sex, compassion, or
destruction. The Book of Leviathan provides four
invocations for Satan, lust, compassion, and destruction. It also lists the nineteen Enochian Keys,
provided both in Enochian and in English translation.

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SATANIC HOLIDAYS

In The Satanic Bible, LaVey writes that “after one’s own birthday, the two major Satanic holidays
are Walpurgisnacht and Halloween.” Other holidays celebrated by members include the two
solstices, the two equinoxes and Yule.

LAVEY’S OWN WORDS

“The highest of all holidays in the Satanic religion is the date of one’s own birth. Every man is a
god if he chooses to recognize himself as one. So, the Satanist celebrates his own birthday as the
most important holiday of the year. Despite the fact that some of us may not have been wanted,
or at least were not particularly planned, we’re glad, even if no one else is, that we’re here! You
should give yourself a pat on the back, buy yourself whatever you want, treat yourself like a king
(or god) that you are, and generally celebrate your birthday with as much pomp and ceremony as
possible. After one’s own birthday, the two major Satanic holidays are Walpurgisnacht and
Halloween (or All Hallows’ Eve). The solstices and equinoxes are also celebrated as holidays, as
they herald the first day of the seasons.” - Anton LaVey, The Satanic Bible

OTHER IMPORTANT QUOTES

“The celebration of birthdays is unknown in traditional Jewish ritual.” - Encyclopedia Judaica

Second Edition, Volume 3 pg.723

“The various customs which people today celebrate their birthdays have a long history. Their
origins lie in the realm of magic and religion. The customs of offering congratulations, presenting
gifts and celebrating - complete with lighted candles - in ancient times were meant to protect the
birthday celebrant from the demons and to ensure his security for the coming year… down to
the fourth century Christianity REJECTED the birthday celebration as a pagan custom ” -
Schwäbische Zeitung (Magazine Supplement Zeit Und Welt) of April ¾ 1981 pg 4

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“The ancient world of Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Persia celebrated the birthdays of gods, kings,
and nobles. Authors Ralph and Adelin Linton reveal the underlying reason for this. In their book
the Lore of birthdays, they write: Mesopotamia and Egypt, the cradles of civilization, were also
the first lands in which men remembered and honored their birthdays. The keeping of birthday
records was important because a birth date was essential for the casting of a horoscope.” - The
Encyclopedia Americana (1991 Edition)

“NONE of the saints can be found whoever held a feast or a banquet upon his birthday, or
rejoiced on the day when his son or daughter was born. But sinners rejoice and make merry on
these days. For we find in the Old Testament that Pharoah, king of Egypt, celebrated his
birthday with a feast, and that Herod, in the New Testament did the same. But the saints not
only neglect to mark the day of their birth with festivity, but also, filled with the Holy Spirit, they
cursed this day, after the examples of Job, Jeremiah and David.” - Origen of Alexandria, In 245
AD Treatise on Leviticus

“Originally, the idea of birthday greetings and wishes for happiness was rooted in magic. The
working of spells for good and evil is the chief usage of witchcraft. One is especially susceptible
to such spells on his birthday, as one’s personal spirits are about at that time. Dreams dreamed
on the birthday eve should be remembered, for they are predictions of the future brought by the
guardian spirits which hover over one’s bed on the birthday eve. Birthday greetings have power
for good or ill because one is closer to the spirit world on this day. Good wishes bring good
fortune, but the reverse is also true, so one should avoid enemies on one’s birthday and be
surrounded only by well-wishers. “Happy birthday” and ”Many returns of the day” are the
traditional greetings” - The Lore of Birthdays, Linton, p.20.

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WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES
EXAMPLES OF BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

1. Pharaoh: King of Egypt

20
And it came to pass the third day, which was the Pharaoh's birthday (HEBREW: ‫יום‬
“Yom”/ ‫“ יָלַד‬Yalad”), that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of
the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. 22 But he hanged the chief
baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them. - Gen 40:20,22

2. Herod: King of Israel

6
But when Herod’s birthday (GREEK: γενἐσια “Geh-neh-sia”) was kept, the daughter of
Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. - Mark 6:21

21
And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday (GREEK: γενἐσια
“Geh-neh-sia”: A day observed in memory of the dead; celebration of one’s birthday,
birthday festival) made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; -
Matt 14:6

See footnote about king Herod.3

3. Job’s Sons

4
And his sons went and feasted in their houses, everyone one his day (HEBREW: ‫יום‬
“Yom”); and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. - Job 1:4

In scenarios 1 and 2, both kings held feasts, and both had people killed (The Baker and John the
Baptist). King Herod also died on the basis of his pride (Acts 12:21-23) we can see that often being
celebrated can cause long-term pride that displeases God. We should always seek to give God
the glory.

3
King Herod the Great (Herod Antipas’ Father) was not a Jew by blood. His family had previously been converted to
Judaism, but he descended from the posterity of Esau. Herod was an Edomite who the Roman government sat over
the Jews as the king of the Jews.

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HOW DID HOLY MEN OF GOD TREAT IT

1
A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of one’s death is better than the day
of one’s birth. - Ecclesiastes 7:1

1
After this Job opened his mouth, and cursed his day (HEBREW: ‫“ יום‬Yom”). 3 Let the day perish
wherein I was born, and the night which it was said, There is a man child conceived. - Job 3:1,3

14
Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.
15
Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, a man child is born unto thee;
making him very glad. - Jeremiah 20:14-15

1
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them,
I am the LORD your God. 3 After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do:
and after the doings of the land of Canaan, wither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye
walk in their ordinances. 30 Therefore ye shall keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any of
these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves
therein: I am the LORD your God. - Leviticus 18:1-3,30

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