Temple of Set

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'Michael Aquino and Lilith Sinclair, late 1970s'


Contents

The Temple of Set

The Temple of Set is an initiatory left hand path order that emerged and separated from the Church of Satan in 1975. [1] The Temple of Set reveres the Egyptian god Set as a symbolic representation of Satan. Their religious symbol is a pentagram within a circle, called the Pentagram of Set.

History

Nine years after the Church of Satan dissolved its original membership, the Temple of Set formed from some of the members of the Church of Satan. Temple of Set was organized in 1975 by Lt. Colonel of the US Army, Michael Aquino, and his wife, Lilith Sinclair. Aquino, a native of San Fransisco, received his B.A. degree from the University of California in 1968. He also served in the 82nd Airborne as a Second lieutenant. [2] The original inner order of the Temple of Set, called the Council of Nine, was created by former leaders of the Church of Satan, to oversee the activities of the organization. The Temple obtained tax-exempt status in 1975.

Since its creation in 1966, the Church of Satan had lost sight of the original goals as an organization. Some also felt that the Church was being used for advertising and profit. Some members of the Church of Satan were focused on the material aspects of Satanism, while others in the Church were after more spiritual pursuits. Also, some members claimed to be atheist, but in private they had spiritual and metaphysical interests in Satan and demons. It was disagreements like these, that caused members to leave the Church of Satan and create the newly formed Temple of Set.[3]


The temple of Set was the first Satanic organization to identify as Theistic Satanists. According to Aquino, "The Temple of Set has always considered itself the religious/authentic continuation and evolution of the original 1966-75 Church of Satan, as we made quite clear from the moment of our founding".[4]

According to Aquino, The Temple of Set was a more dynamic social order than its predecessor. He says in his book, 'The Temple of Set' "The Church of Satan was a fairly simple, linear story, to which a relatively small number of individuals made specialized contributions over a brief period of time. The Temple of Set may be more likened to an explosion within the heads of a great many individuals of rich and diverse backgrounds, yielding a mix of ideas that would constantly be shared, reconsidered, and compounded." [5]

Philosophy

The religious documents that form the foundation for the beliefs dogma and practices of the Temple of Set are the Crystal Tablet of Set.

The teachings of the Temple of Set focus on enlightened individualism, a way to spiritually develop the self in positive and beneficial ways. This is known to the Temple members as Xeper(compare, Thelema) The force known as Xeper represents the force of empowerment to Setians. Priest Roger Whitaker commented on this force, saying "Xeper describes a methodology for manifestation. You cannot separate yourself from the force which motivates one to Xeper. It is ingrained within the many and varied paths which lead to it."[6] Xeper is also described as the force of self awareness or self consciousness that allows the adept to manifest their desires.

The Temple of Set also focuses on the teachings of Lesser and Greater Black Magic. This style of magic is best described as the magic of the will. According to one author, "Black Magic is consciously-directed alteration of one's environment through obscure natural (Lesser Black Magic) or non-natural (Medial Black Magic) means, or apprehension of the Forms/Principles of the natural/non-natural universe (Greater Black Magic)."[7]


Organization

Degrees

The Temple of Set uses rituals similar to the ones used in the Golden Dawn. There are six initiatory degrees, Setian I°. AdeptII°, Priest or Priestess of Set III°, Magister or Magistra Templi IV°, Magus or Maga V°, and Ipissimus or Ipissima VI°.[8] The Temple allows its members to create Pylons, which are groups that are intended to help other local Temple members. Also, there are specialized Orders that are organized and run by the Magister Templi members.[9]


Priesthood

Michael Aquino served as Ipissimus VI° and High Priest until Don Webb took over the duties of management. Magus Don Webb served as High Priest from 1996-2002. In 2002, Magistra Zeena Schreck was chosen to be the high priestess but she rescinded the offer and eventually left the temple of Set. Zeena Schreck is the daughter of Anton LaVey who represented the Church of Satan after 1975.

After Zeena Schreck left in 2002, Magistra Patricia hardy was selected by the Council of Nine to be the high priestess of Set. By 2004, she was the High Priestess and representative of the Temple. [10]

Publications

  • The Book of Coming Forth by Night. Michael A. Aquino. (1975)
  • The Church of Satan, Michael A. Aquino. (1983)
  • The Diabolicon, Michael A. Aquino. (1983)
  • Jeweled Tablets of Set Michael A. Aquino. (1983)
  • The Scroll of Set Michael A. Aquino. Monthly Newsletter.
  • Uncle Setnakt's Essential Guide to the Left Hand Path Don Webb. Runa Raven Press. (1999)
  • Mysteries of the Temple of Set (Inner Teachings of the Left Hand Path) Don Webb. Runa Raven Press (2004)
  • The Temple of Set Michael A. Aquino. (2006)
  • Seven Faces of Darkness: Practical Typhonian Magic Michael A. Aquino, Don Webb. Runa Raven Press. (2006)

References

  1. ↑ Michael Aquino. The Temple of Set. (2006) Referenced from http://www.fnord.org.pl/dorrek/e-booki/Rozne/Aquino_M_A-Temple_of_Set.pdf
  2. ↑ Michael Aquino. The Church of Satan. Introduction. (2009) Referenced from http://www.xeper.org/maquino/nm/COS.pdf
  3. ↑ Michael Aquino. The Temple of Set. p.6 (2006) Referenced from http://www.fnord.org.pl/dorrek/e-booki/Rozne/Aquino_M_A-Temple_of_Set.pdf
  4. ↑ Michael Aquino on the COS Funds. (2000) Letter to Kevin Filan. Referenced from: http://www.luckymojo.com/satanism/firstchurchofsatan/cosfiles/Aquino_on_corp.html (accessed 9/2/09)
  5. ↑ Michael Aquino. The Temple of Set. pg 4-5 (2006) Referenced from http://www.fnord.org.pl/dorrek/e-booki/Rozne/Aquino_M_A-Temple_of_Set.pdf
  6. ↑ Priest Roger Whitaker, Xepera-l (1996) Referenced from http://www.faqs.org/faqs/religions/temple-of-set/
  7. ↑ Balanone's Temple of Set FAQ Referenced from http://www.faqs.org/faqs/religions/temple-of-set/
  8. ↑ Michael Aquino. The Temple of Set. (2006) Article 3. Membership p.184 Section 3.01 Initiatory Referenced from http://www.fnord.org.pl/dorrek/e-booki/Rozne/Aquino_M_A-Temple_of_Set.pdf
  9. ↑ The Temple of Set. Referenced from http://www.xeper.org/pub/xp_main.htm
  10. ↑ Michael Aquino. The Temple of Set. (2006) pg. 52-56 Referenced from http://www.fnord.org.pl/dorrek/e-booki/Rozne/Aquino_M_A-Temple_of_Set.pdf


Links

The Temple of Set

Balanone's Temple of Set FAQ

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