SATANISM is being kept alive and well in Truro – by a father of three who works at Poundland.
While children will be out trick or treating this Hallowe'en the day will be marked very differently in Phil Mawson's flat in the city.
He will be in his "crypt" with selected friends discussing the work of Satan.
He said: "We'll have an occult celebration with music and philosophical discussion. We might have a bit of ritual and then we'll probably go out in town."
Hallowe'en is the most important day on the occult calendar.
Mr Mawson said he had "dabbled" in satanic rituals but described himself as a "secular Satanist" who did not believe in any higher power.
He said: "We use all the language of Satanism and his name in invocation – the rituals are an enacted drama for personal power."
Mr Mawson, who wears a pentagram as a symbol of Satanism, was previously married for 25 years but divorced in 2003. He has three grown-up daughters.
On the evening Mr Mawson spoke with the West Briton he had to fit in tea with his sister and an appointment with his mother before meeting the photographer.
His Poundland employers have also made the most of his esoteric interests, previously putting him in charge of the Hallowe'en section in the Boscawen Street store.
Mr Mawson has created a "crypt" in his flat which is filled with Satanist paraphernalia including animal skulls.
Rituals
"People are amazed by my room and what's in there," he said.
"I do not carry out satanic rituals but I'm quite willing for others to come round and do so if they wish to."
But his Satanism does not prevent him from leading a good life.
"We do not need God to be good," he said.
"Satanists pride themselves in personal sovereignty; therefore they choose what morals they have for themselves rather than have them dictated by a higher body."
