Archive-name: religions/temple-of-set
Title: Balanone's Temple of Set FAQ
Posting-Frequency: monthly, quarterly to soc.religion.paganism
Last-modified: 2001/12/29
Version: 1.2.6
URL: http://www.bigfoot.com/~balanone/baltsfaq.html
Copyright: (c) 1997-2001 Temple of Set
Maintainer: Balanone
This is one man's FAQ document concerning the Temple of Set. Its
information is drawn from a number of resources, including electronic
discussions, hard copy correspondence, internal Temple of Set documents,
etc.
This FAQ is posted monthly to news.answers and alt.answers, and also to
alt.satanism, alt.pagan, alt.magick, and alt.magick.order. It's posted less
frequently to soc.religion.paganism, the Xepera-l mailing list, and other
appropriate forums. It can also be obtained from
ftp://ftp.xeper.org/pub/faqs/baltsfaq.txt. IMO the HTML version of this FAQ
is much more readable; it can be found at
http://www.bigfoot.com/~balanone/baltsfaq.html
This FAQ's answers are intentionally brief and concise, sometimes excessively
so, to keep this document's size down. More detailed information is available
in the companion document, "Balanone's Temple of Set REF." That REF can be
obtained from ftp://ftp.xeper.org/pub/faqs/baltsref.txt. It also has a (more
readable) HTML version, found at
http://www.bigfoot.com/~balanone/baltsref.html
Qualifications: Balanone has been an active member of the Temple of Set
since early 1976, and so is intimately familiar with Setian philosophy and
practice. While this document is just one person's statement, and not an
official statement from/by the organization, this person has the depth of
experience to be reasonably confident in his accuracy. Corrections,
additions, and differences of opinion from other members of the Temple of
Set are more than welcome, and within reason all such will be included in
this document.
Revision history: See "Balanone's Temple of Set FAQ/REF Changes", at
http://www.bigfoot.com/~balanone/baltsdif.html
Contents:
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Philosophy
2.1 Xeper
2.2 Initiation
2.3 Satanism
2.4 Left Hand Path
2.5 Metaphysics
2.6 Dogma vs Doctrine
3.0 Religion
3.1 The Temple of Set as a Religion
3.2 Set
3.3 The Gift of Set
4.0 Magic
4.1 Black Magic
4.2 Ritual Practices
4.3 Occult Studies
5.0 The Organization
5.1 Membership in the Temple
5.2 Relations with Other Organizations
5.3 Why the Temple of Set?
5.4 Our Reputation(s)
5.5 Pylons and Orders
5.6 The High Priest
6.0 Setians and Setianism
6.1 Activities
6.2 Setians
6.3 Why are we here?
6.4 Miscellaneous
7.0 Contact and Information
7.1 Formal and Official Contact
7.2 Informal Contact
7.3 Friendly and Neutral Others
7.4 Unfriendly Others
7.5 Getting More Information
7.6 Those Stories About Us
8.0 Miscellaneous
8.1 Miscellaneous Links
8.2 FAQ/REF Sources
>> 1.0 Introduction
The Temple of Set is probably best described as an initiatory magical order
of the Left Hand Path, a description which probably doesn't mean much to
those without occult backgrounds.
"Initiatory" means the ToS advocates self-advancement through a series of
levels of self-knowledge and similar attributes.
"Magical" means that the ToS openly works with magic (non-scientific cause
and effect), not stage magic.
"Left Hand Path" indicates that the path followed by Setians is one of
concentration and refinement of the self, leading toward more and more
individuality and more and more individualism, as opposed to the Right Hand
Path goals of growing toward some outwardly determined standard.
A slightly more detailed introduction can be found in the REF.
>> 2.0 Philosophy
2.1 Xeper
- Perhaps the best discussion of Xeper available online is Magus Don
Webb's, found at: http://www.xeper.org/pub/tos/xeper2.html
- Balanone: Setian Philosophy centers around the Egyptian concept of Xeper
(often spelled Khepher), personified by the Egyptian Neter (god?) Xepera
(Khephra), a concept that can be translated to "self improvement," or
perhaps "Be all you can be."
Though that statement above seems simple enough, the study and pursuit
of Xeper has proven complex and long, intriguing and challenging enough
to keep Setians occupied for a life time.
- Apr 28, 1996, Priest Roger Whitaker, Xepera-l:
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. Xeper such as it is
results in a deeper recognition of Self consciousness, i.e., the
uniquely human ability to sense its separateness within the body even
while it resides within it. This heightened sense of Self Being, itself
the result of polaric constituents - its me, in this other thing called
a body - becomes a building block of a personal methodology based upon
knowledge, intuition, learning and change as a result of the preceding.
The results of Xeper are manifestations into the world of ideas, art,
science and culture. For the individual the results of Xeper become a
metaphysical departure point for developing a bond with the Prince of
Darkness by creating a matrix of linked ideas whose path leads towards
the Genesis of Self Being.
You'll find another comment or two concerning Xeper in the REF document.
2.2 Initiation
- What do those necklaces and medallions mean?
The Temple of Set is an initiatory organization, dedicated to the
initiation and growth of its members.
That dedication to initiation, to the philosophy of Xeper, and to Set,
is represented by our primary symbol, the Pentagram of Set (a point-down
pentagram within a circle). To help our members identify each other so
we can work together, and to help them identify which level of
initiation has been achieved by each other, we wear this symbol on
different colored medallions, normally worn on necklaces of some kind,
at formal gatherings.
There are six levels of initiation recognized within the Temple of Set,
each with its specific color medallion.
- The first degree member wears a white medallion. This is a period of
trial membership, in which the member begins to explore our
philosophies, our practices, and our society. The member can decide
whether our organization is one which will help the member's
personal growth, and if not he is welcome to leave at any time, with
our good wishes. Likewise, during this period we determine whether
the member will function well within our society, will benefit from
our activity, and will eventually be able to help others in the
organization with their personal growth. If not, then their
membership is terminated, hopefully with no hard feelings. We title
this degree "Setian," which is also the generic name for all of our
members. The term stands for all who pursue their self deification
while in contact with the philosophical and magical stream of the
Temple.
- The second degree wears a red medallion. This is a member who has
completed the trial membership and has been found to be compatible
with and a valued contributor to the Temple of Set, just as we have
been found to be useful to the member's own growth. More, through
hard work the individual has opened him- or herself to the forces of
Becoming within the body-soul complex. This is a place of great
excitement and achievement. We Recognize our Adepts by the quality
of their adventures and projects. This is where we differ form most
occult schools that would award degrees based on knowledge and
memory feats. These members are free to work with our philosophies
and to participate in our activities to the fullest. More members
are in the second degree than any other level of initiation. We
title this degree "Adept," declaring them able to pursue any and all
goals applicable to their personal growth.
- The third degree wears a black medallion. This is a member who not
only has shown all of the qualities of an advanced second degree
member, but who has also been chosen by Set to serve in his
priesthood. This member has demonstrated abilities in working with
and representing Set and the Temple of Set. We title this degree
"Priest." Another way of putting this: the Third Degree Setian has
become Resonate with the Work of Set. He or she is directly
empowered by Set and charged him to expand the Setian experience --
this includes everything form running the Temple, which belongs to
its Priesthood, to a variety of scholarly, artistic, or (obviously)
magical endeavors to increase the Setian mindscape. Third Degrees
can represent the Temple in most matters. If you have any questions
concerning the Temple of Set (the organization, our activities,
beliefs, or members), these members are the best qualified to answer
your questions.
- The fourth degree wears a blue medallion. The Fourth Degree Setian
is the founder of a school of thought in the Temple, which may
effect the general philosophical and magical actions of mankind as
well. These schools of thought are called Orders. Some such as the
Order of the Vampyre or the Order of the Trapezoid are well known
beyond the boundaries of the Temple walls, while others have lower
profiles. The job of the Fourth Degree is the discovery and
articulation of communicable methods of Initiation. The Orders bear
the same relationship to the Temple as departments do to a
University. They are places for the Adept to specialize in pursuit
of the specialized tools for their personal achievement.
- The fifth wears a purple medallion. The sixth wears a gold
medallion. The distinctions between these grades of initiation are
very meaningful within the Temple of Set, but for most purposes you
can consider them as variations upon the fourth degree.
Why do you turn the pentagram upside down?
or as flagg@tiac.net stated on alt.pagan on Jan 10, 1996, and I
responded:
ft> I know some satanists would like to THINK they are pagan, but if
this is the case, why the need to desacrate the Pentagram as they
did the Cross? I know the pentagram is not central to all pagan
beliefs, but there is still no need for this. All pagan faiths that
I know of respect the symbols of other religions.
Agreed. So why do you turn the holy and glorious Pentagram wrong side
up? It's a symbol of dynamic balance, resting actively on one point. Why
do you have to turn it over with its all-important balance point
pointing meaninglessly up into the air?
There is additional discussion of initiation and the Temple's degree system
in the REF document.
2.3 Satanism
Is the Temple of Set a Satanic organization?
The Temple of Set as an organization was founded in 1975 by Dr. Michael
Aquino, in San Francisco. Its initial membership came from the Church of
Satan (that infamous "Satanic" organization of the carny Anton LaVey),
composed of CoS members who felt there was something real and important
about the magic they were exploring, and felt that Anton LaVey's antics of
that year were in contradiction to their own experiences. The Temple of Set
has grown a lot in scope and maturity in those twenty years.
Because of this history, and because of the many antinomian pursuits
followed by Setians, many people will call the Temple of Set "Satanic."
Many Setians do, too, but not all.
"Satan" is a name given to the Prince of Darkness, just like "Set" is a
name given to the Prince of Darkness. However, "Set" is a name given by a
religion which found Setian principles attractive and noble, and which
honored the Prince of Darkness. "Satan" is a name given to the Prince of
Darkness by Christianity out of fear and revulsion. The Christian Satan is
a twisted bastardization of the true Prince of Darkness.
"Satanism" is a term used by many to describe the Left Hand Path in the
West. We are a proud part of the tradition of spiritual dissent, differing
philosophically from the Church of Satan. Their take on the Left Hand Path
is the Immanent Path wherein godhood is achieved by the worship of the
carnal ego with no possibility of personal immortality save in some vague
connection to the organic stream. We are followers of the Transcendental
path, wherein person immortality is achievable by a strengthening of the
idealized Self. In an increasingly post-Christian world, the term
"Satanism" will become irrelevant.
More discussion concerning the Temple of Set and Satanism can be found in
the REF document. You may also be interested in essays concerning the
Prince of Darkness provided by Balanone
(http://www.bigfoot.com/~balanone/pod.html) and "Concerning our Patron" by High
Priest Don Webb (http://www.bigfoot.com/~balanone/patron.html).
2.4 Left Hand Path
The Left Hand Path is the tradition of spiritual dissent. It is a process
of using the ideas and actions of the Seeker to create or realize an
immortal, individual, potent, and powerful essence that will survive death.
The Left Hand Path is the quest for personal immortality, won by hard
effort without grace of gods, even of our role model, Set.
2.5 Metaphysics
This section is found only in the REF document.
2.6 Dogma vs Doctrine
The Temple of Set has no dogma, but it does have teachings. We're sometimes
accused of having dogma because of these teachings.
The REF document includes some discussion detailing the distinction I see
between doctrine and dogma.
There is some disagreement on this issue, primarily I believe because
people use different definitions for dogma. For example, in reviewing a
draft of this FAQ, Magus Don Webb, the High Priest, suggested I erred in my
statement above:
DW> Actually the Temple of Set does have dogma:
DW> 1. Being and Becoming are Good.
DW> 2. Being and Becoming can be enhanced by consciously chosen
activities including Magic.
DW> 3. The Temple of Set, if properly maintained and used as a tool can
be used to obtain Being and Becoming.
DW> That's about it.
>> 3.0 Religion
3.1 The Temple of Set as a Religion
Is the Temple of Set a religion?
Yes, although belief in the religion is not required of I* or II* members.
See the REF document for some discussion why I consider the Temple of Set
to be a religion.
* Fr. Ignatius asked on the Xepera-L mailing list, May 22, 1999:
> If ToS is a "legally recognized" entity, is it then tax-exempt? And are
> ToS Priests able to perform legally binding marriage ceremonies? I was
> wondering because I know that gov't recognition of one's path as a *real*
> religion has been an issue in the neo-pagan community for quite a while.
Yes, from its initial incorporation, the Temple of Set is a legal religious
corporation within the State of California, and it is fully tax exempt. (I
believe most of us would gladly do away with the tax exemption of all
religious organizations, losing our own if it meant that all Christian,
Jewish, Hindu, Scientologist, and other religions also paid their fair
taxes. But as long as they are tax exempt, we'll save our money this way
also.)
Yes, Setian Priests are able to perform legally binding marriage ceremonies.
3.2 Set
Set is the most ancient name for the Prince of Darkness, given to the
Prince of Darkness in ancient (pre-dynastic) Egypt. Whether Set exists as
an independent metaphysical being, or whether he's a symbol for man's most
individualistic attributes, is a topic always under discussion somewhere in
the Temple of Set.
You may also be interested in essays concerning the Prince of Darkness
provided by Balanone (http://www.bigfoot.com/~balanone/pod.html) and
"Concerning our Patron" by High Priest Don Webb
(http://www.bigfoot.com/~balanone/patron.html).
3.3 The Gift of Set
The Gift of Set means so many different things depending upon whom you
speak to. To some it's the gift of Intelligence, to some it's
Consciousness, to some it's the ability to step back from the current
moment/place to see/think about what's happening. To some it's the ability
to work (or at least conceive of) magic. etc. The Gift of Set is whatever
happens to separate us (those with potential) from animals (those without
quite as much potential), which is one of the grey areas that haven't been
clarified very well (some of us not seeing very much difference between
humans and "higher" animals).
There is more discussion of the Gift of Set in the REF document.
>> 4.0 Magic
4.1 Black Magic
What is Black Magic? How does the Temple of Set teach it?
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). Black Magic inverts the formula of religion
from "Thy will be done!" to "My will be done!"
The Temple of Set teaches both theory and practice of LBM/MBM/GBM, along
with individual and social ethical considerations to which the Initiate
must be sensitive in order to use such magical knowledge creatively,
constructively, and responsibly. [Descriptions of "Black Magic" as
involving human or animal sacrifice, rape, or other illegal or
reprehensible practices are merely Judaeo/Christian propaganda, and have no
basis in truth whatever.]
4.2 Ritual Practices
Setian ritual practice is generally not discussed in public forums.
However, some specific questions seem to require answers.
- Do you sacrifice animals (or children)?
No. See the REF document for a more detailed discussion of this, and for
other questions/answers concerning our ritual practices.
4.3 Occult Studies
Discussion of other occult studies (such as Astrology, Thelema and
Crowley), are found in the REF document.
>> 5.0 The Organization
5.1 Membership in the Temple
Note: Most of these sections are explored in more depth in the REF
document.
- Exploration
Joining the Temple of Set is a serious decision. Anyone who is
attracted to the Temple of Set through the things you see and hear
should investigate thoroughly before applying for membership.
- Affiliation
Application to the Temple of Set may be made to the Executive Director
or to any Priest of Set. Information about this procedure is provided
in the introductory letter.
- Assuming you're approved for membership (the Executive Director has
indicated that the majority of applicants are denied), you as a I*
Setian you will receive 1) the current edition of the _Crystal
Tablet of Set_, which includes all of the basic philosophical,
magical, and initiatory material any Setian would need to begin and
accomplish his initiation to the II*, 2) a I* Pentagram of Set
medallion, and 3) a year's subscription to the _Scroll of Set_
newsletter.
- You will have two years in which to achieve the II*, using the
information and inspiration provided by the _Crystal Tablet_, by
correspondence and other contact with Setians, and through your own
work towards Initiation.
- Following from our choice to avoid all practices that would create a
barrier between us and our self-created divinity, the Setian can not
in good faith hold membership in any other religious organization
after he has become an Adept. Membership in organizations that
advocate illegal action are likewise incompatible with Setian
affiliation. One cannot be for one's own Xeper, and be working to
restrict the Xeper of another.
- The application and its approval.
Though some applications are approved and acted upon quickly, other
applications for membership in the Temple of Set seem to take a very
long time. Our "staff" are all volunteers, and their administrative
activities within the Temple of Set are given appropriate
priorities, *behind* personal initiation, family, and career.
Therefore, be prepared for some delay in the processing of your
application. If the delay seems overly long, it's always helpful to
send a friendly query to the Executive Director asking about its
status.
One applicant asked on Xepera-l: "I sent off my letter of
application about three weeks ago now- and I still haven't heard a
word. Any idea how long it takes to get a response?"
- Adept Foster answered:
Once you've submitted your letter of application, it can take
anywhere from one to three months before you hear anything. I
know it sucks to have to wait that long without knowing, but
these things take time- especially when you consider exactly HOW
BUSY the Temple's Executive Director is (and that being the E.D.
is a full time job, ON TOP of a normal, *paying* full time job-
and then add in some time for family, other official Temple
matters and their own personal Initiatory work!) All told, I'm
surprised it happens as quickly as it does.
Just consider this a lesson in patience, and enjoy the
anticipation. :)
- My answer was:
It's highly variable, depending on how busy our volunteer
Executive Director is, and how busy her staff is, and how much
difficulty she has finding an available Priest for the interview
process. Then the question becomes how busy that Priest is,
whether he has email capabilities, etc.
You can send a quick email to her at balfaq.ed@xeper.org and
verify that she at least received your letter of application.
- Lewis Cawthorne asked on Xepera-l, Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998,
Subject: TOS & Recognition
Not to put the cart before the horse, but I do have one minor
concern, how would an Initiate in a small town in North Carolina
with some resources at his disposal for traveling to other places
for contact with other Setians but probably without adequate
resources to be able to make it to a normal pylon meeting should
one be within a reasonable distance of his location (which there
probably isn't) ever manage to have enough contact with a Priest
of the temple to be reconized as an Adept?
From: "Koyote", Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998
(All of this is from the p.o.v. of a first degree Setian with
little face to face contact due to where I am and my job hours- I
work most on weekends.)
Recognition, you should remember, is just that- Recognition. The
work must be done by you. Communicating that can take many forms
other than direct F2F. Publishing articles in the various
newsletters, communicating with other Initiates via direct email,
phone conversations, and attending larger gatherings (which occur
in the continental US many times each year) are all adequate.
From: "fun fear", Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1998,
As an isolated Setian, I had similiar concerns, but I must agree
with Koyote. The Internet is a wonderful tool for contacting
Priests and Priestesses, and as Koyote suggested, writing articles
for _The Scroll of Set_ is equally rewarding. Also, there are
several correspondence Pylons available.
Beyond this, I have realized that one should _embrace_ one's
isolation. Just look to Set as an example: the apotheosis of the
different and isolate! You have _two years_ to get Recognized --
plenty of time to explore, make contacts with the Priesthood, and,
if worthy, become Recognized. You don't need a group to hold your
hand to do it, I hope! Embrace the isolation, ebrace the Darkness!
From: Balanone , Date: Sun, 20 Dec 1998
It's a challenge. That hypothetical Initiate would have to Work
at it -- corresponding with as many Setians as possible at the I*
and II* levels (for breadth of perspective) and with several
members of the Priesthood. He would have to take responsibility
for maintaining correspondences, for establishing new ones to
replace old ones that move on, and for demonstrating to the
Priesthood his level of knowledge, his activity and study, and
his advancement, along Setian lines.
It's a job. It's not easy. Magister L. was the only Setian in
Finland, and he had to work to overcome the difficulties inherent
in demonstrating his Xeper into the II*. Magister W. faced the
same challenges in Germany some years earlier. Magister K and
Magister A in the British Isles had it almost as bad, but at least
English was their native language (though they had to deal with
many curve balls tossed by our writing most Setian materials in
American English rather than British English).
It's not easy, as Priestess N, Adept B, Priest C, Adept D,
Magistra H, Priest R, Priest W, and several others can report
(several were the only Setians in their state, and a couple were
the only Setians in their country).
It's not easy, but it can be done, as these have shown. Only you
can tell whether you're up to the task.
From: Christopher Merwin, Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1998
As a Temple Initiate from a small town in North Carolina I think
perhaps I can help you with some of your queries. Due to the
widespread distribution of Temple members many Pylons are
organized based around correspondence, with email and Pylon
newsletters as the primary form of communication. In fact, due to
the highly private and individualistic nature of most Setians this
is our prefered means of communication. ... The ability for you to
meet face to face with other Initiates is left completely up to
you and the other Initiates involved. The largest obstacle to
being a Setian in the Carolinas is the local attitudes toward
other non-christian religions, which any intelligent and sensitive
individual should be more than capable of handeling.
- Departure
You may choose to resign from the Temple of Set at any time for any
reason. The great majority of people who leave the Temple of Set do so
simply by not paying their annual dues, and letting their memberships
expire. Many others send a simple and courteous resignation letter to
the Executive Director or any Priest.
A few members are automatically expelled upon the completion of two
years of membership during which they did not achieve the II*. There are
surprisingly few of these to my mind, probably because the Executive
Director and Priesthood do such a good job of screening applicants.
Fewer members resign because they encounter something within the Temple
of Set which they don't like, and fewer still are expelled because they
prove to be incompatible with Setian philosophy or life.
- Rejoining
Despite the claims of a few who state otherwise, the Temple of Set does
not pursue those who leave the Temple of Set. Whether that separation
was friendly, unfriendly, or automatic and impersonal, we feel anyone
and everyone should be allowed to go their own way, as long as they
don't interfere with our Xeper or the organization.
A few people who leave the Temple of Set do apply to rejoin the Temple.
Setians who have left the Temple of their own accord may be allowed to
rejoin on a case-by-case basis. The Temple is not designed as a
revolving door, but we do realize that may not have entered the Temple
at a time conducive to their development. Those that left impersonally
or on an amicable basis are usually welcomed back without hesitation.
Those who caused problems during their earlier membership or after their
departure are carefully examined before they are welcomed back into the
Temple of Set.
- How long does the application process to the ToS usually take?
The application process time is highly variable, depending strongly on
- whether there are any delays in the mail (especially for overseas
applicants)
- the time availability of our volunteer staff (expect longer delays
during conclaves and gatherings)
- whether your application is sponsored by a member of the Priesthood
(which generally speeds up the process greatly)
- whether there is a local Priest readily available to contact you for
