Balanone's Temple of Set FAQ
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Date:
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July 29, 1997
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Version:
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1.01
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Author/Editor:
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Balanone
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Copyright:
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1997, Temple of Set |
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'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".
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.
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. See the REF
document for additional discussion.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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 included 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.
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.
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 form
"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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
5.2 Relations with Other Organizations
By its bylaws, the Temple of Set as an organization can have no
formal relationships or ties with any other organization.
Individual Setians, however, can work with or have dealings with
other organizations and its members. There are two limitations:
1) an Adept II* of the Temple of Set cannot also be a member of
another religious organization, and 2) no Setian may be a member
of an organization which condones or takes part in the violation
of society's laws to the detriment of society.
That first limitation has often been a subject for discussion by
people who don't understand it or who want clarification. One
clarification I posted to alt.pagan in 1996 was,
"The Temple of Set wouldn't care if a Setian chooses to
participate in a Buddhist retreat, an Indian sweat lodge, a
Thelemic Gnostic Mass, a Passover Seder, a Pagan circle, or
whatever. Part of being an Adept Magician is being able to see
and mesh with whatever magic is taking place, understanding the
causes of the ceremony and participating in those causes as
appropriate to our own Will.
"However, if someone claimed to seriously believe in the wheel of
karma, and that Xeper is valueless because until we can learn to
avoid all participation in this world we're doomed to ride that
wheel cycle after cycle, then yes, that religious belief would be
opposed to the Setian principles of Xeper, and that person would
not be able to remain a member of the Temple of Set. The two
philosophies are simply incompatible."
The REF document includes sections which examine our history
regarding specific other organizations.
5.3 Why the Temple of Set?
The REF document examines the question "What does the Temple of
Set have to offer?"
5.4 Our Reputation(s)
Lupo the Butcher, in his "alt.satanism FAQ file", states/stated:
"The most vocal of groups which border upon Satanism, is the
Temple of Set of Michael Aquino and friends, which splintered
away from the Church of Satan in a disagreement over monetary
policy. They have a number of nasty habits, including the public
publishing of names, addresses and workplaces of former members
as a harassment tactic, disinformation regarding Satanic and
occult groups, including their own, and a good deal of "we are
the one true way" posturing."
See the section on Satanism for a summary
of the schism with the Church of Satan.
We do not normally publish the name, addresses, or any other
information concerning former members. We do not harass former
members. Thousands of exmembers have left the Temple of Set for
many different reasons, without any activity such as Lupo
complains about.
See the REF document for more information.
5.5 Pylons and Orders
5.5.1 Pylons of the Temple of Set
Setians who live in the same area sometimes organize a local
pylon in which they can meet together regularly for discussions,
study, ritual work, and other activities. See
http://www.xeper.org/pub/tos/pylons.html for a good
discussion of local pylons within the Temple of Set.
In addition to local pylons, there are correspondence pylons
which support the Xeper of Setians who wish to participate in
group discussions and activities by correspondence.
5.5.2 Orders of the Temple of Set
IV* Setians, Masters of the Temple, may found Orders within the
Temple of Set. If you were to think of the Temple of Set as a
college of higher learning, the Orders could be seen as
departments within the school, each concentrating on specific
flavors of exploration. They are places for the Adept to
specialize in pursuit of the specialized tools for their personal
achievement. Some Orders, like 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 REF document includes more information, specifically
concerning the Order of the Trapezoid.
5.6 The High Priest
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The High Priest of the Temple of Set at this time is Magus Don Webb.
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The High Priest is chosen by the Chairman of the Council of
Nine, and serves indefinitely until he vacates the position or
is removed from office by the Chairman.
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The High Priest serves as the President of the corporation.
See the REF document for more information concerning the High
Priest of Set.
6.0 Setians and Setianism
Setian is the generic term which applies to each member of
the Temple of Set. Setians is the term which applies to
two or more members, and to the entire membership together.
Setianism is a term which can be applied to the Setian
philosophy, the Setian religion, and/or the Setian way of life.
Some (many?) Setians prefer the terms "Setian philosophy,"
"Setian religion," and "Setian way of life" over the term
"Setianism." I find "Setianism" a convenient term to use when I
am referring specifically to the Setian way of life, or to any
combination of these ideas.
6.1 Activities
What do Setians do? This topic is covered in the REF document.
6.2 Setians
6.2.1 Specific Setians
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Executive Director -- can be contacted through the Temple's postal address, or through email (ToS.ED.faq@tefnut.omnibbs.com).
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High Priest -- Magus Don Webb can be
contacted through the Temple's postal
address, or through email (Setnakt@aol.com).
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Dr. Michael Aquino -- the founder of the
Temple of Set can be contacted through the Temple's postal address or through email (Michael.Aquino.Glinda@tefnut.omnibbs.com).
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Balanone -- this long-time member (and
author of this document) can be contacted through the Temple's
postal address or through email (Balanone.faq@tefnut.omnibbs.com;
FIDO: Balanone at 1:203/2019; PODS: Balanone @ 93:9902/2019).
One frequently asked question is why Balanone signs his email
and posts with "PP" below his name. As stated in April, 1993
on the Base of Set echo and many other times, "That's as
close as I can get with this keyboard to the Egyptian
hieroglyph for Shuti (the double Maat feather),
symbolizing my personal dedication to Balance."
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A few others are mentioned in the REF document.
6.2.2 Questions about Setians
Are Setians Pagans? That's a question which depends heavily upon
your definition of "pagan." See the REF document for this
discussion.
6.3 Why are we here?
"Here" may be any digital forum -- you may be reading this on a
web site, a newsgroup, or FTP archive. I've tried to generalize
the answer to apply to most situations. For that matter, "here"
may also apply to Pagan gatherings, meetings in hotels, new age
fairs, etc. These questions are examined in the REF document.
6.4 Miscellaneous
There isn't much in this section, and it all resides in the REF
document at this time.
7.0 Contact and Information
7.1 Formal and Official Contact
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Postal Address:
Temple of Set
P. O. Box 470307
San Francisco, CA 94147
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Electronic Mail: At this time, you may send email to the
Executive Director c/o
ToS.ED.faq@tefnut.omnibbs.com; this address will probably
be discontinued at the end of the year, but an updated FAQ
should contain a current address at that time.
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The Priesthood of Set: To contact a member of the Priesthood,
send your request by postal mail to the Executive Director, who
will forward it to an appropriate member of the Priesthood.
(That member of the Priesthood may not indulge in electronic
mail capabilities, so postal mail is usually a requirement
here.)
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Copyrighted material
Almost all of the Temple of Set's internal documents are
copyrighted and intended for internal distribution only. We
do release some material for public consumption from time to
time, but other material is not released. We have problems
from time to time with people copying or publishing our
copyrighted material. We'd appreciate anyone and everyone who
helps us maintain our intellectual property rights.
See the REF document for comments concerning the Book of
Coming Forth by Night, Crystal Tablet of Set, and
other publications.
7.2 Informal Contact
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Electronic Mail mailing list(s)
Xepera-l@netcom.com is the only public mailing list hosted by
Setians. Moderation is minimal, topics can be anything of
interest to Setians, and participation is open to all who are
not openly hostile to the Temple or to Setians. To subscribe:
send email to
majordomo@majordomo.netcom.com with the line "Subscribe
Xepera-l" (no quotes) in the body of the message. The subject
line of the E-Mail is ignored. This is a robot subscription
E-Mail, so do not append messages for the mail list
administrator.
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Internet newsgroups
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alt.satanism
alt.satanism is a newsgroup for discussions of satanic
philosophy, religion, organizations, activities, etc.
Most Setians avoid the newsgroup because of the high
level of juvenile behavior that we run into there.
However, there are a few Setians who can be contacted
through that newsgroup.
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alt.pagan
alt.pagan attracts several Setians who belong to that
community. We prefer to avoid discussing simply Setian
philosophy and religion or Satanism in alt.pagan, since
those are more appropriate to alt.satanism, but the
relationships between Setian philosophy and religion and
other Pagan philosophies and religions are on-topic and
suitable for that newsgroup.
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soc.religion.paganism
soc.religion.paganism is a well-moderated newsgroup in
which the same topics can readily be discussed. There are
probably fewer Setians on this newsgroup than on the
other two, but there should be enough visiting
soc.religion.paganism to hold a meaningful discussion
when necessary.
The Setian Discussions echo
(tagname: SET) is the only FTN (Fido Technology Network) echo
hosted by Setians concerning Setian philosophy or the Temple of
Set. Moderation is minimal, topics can be anything of interest to
Setians, and participation is open to all who are not openly
hostile to the Temple or to Setians. This echo is carried on the
FIDO North America backbone, and by most major hubs within PODS.
It is carried in Australia by both FIDO and PODS, and in Germany
(and perhaps other areas of Europe) by PODS. In prior years, the
echo was called "Base of Set" (its original name, as established
by Sinistar on the BBS known as Purgatory) and sometimes simply
"SET". If your local BBS or other network doesn't carry the echo,
the echo's moderator (Balanone) will usually work with the Sysop
and/or network to arrange access.
Balanone can be contacted through the email addresses listed
in this doc.
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World Wide Web sites and pages
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The Temple of Set's "official" World Wide Web site is
http://www.xeper.org/pub/tos/index.html; most sites dealing
with the Temple of Set can be found through links from this
site.
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The Order of the Trapezoid maintains its own web site at http://www.trapezoid.org/
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http://www.dnaco.net/~raensept/
is maintained by a Master of the Temple and contains many pages
and links related to the Temple of Set, Setian philosophy,
Setian religion, and related topics. It includes copies of the
general information letter and other public documents in
languages other than English.
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FIDO/PODS bulletin board systems: There used to be quite a few
bulletin board systems owned and run by Setians, but many of
them have disbanded or gone to mail-only operations. If anyone
needs to find a Setian-run or Setian-oriented bulletin board
system, contact Balanone who will do what he can to help you.
Rather than Setian-run bulletin board systems, it's much easier
to find a BBS which has access to the Setian Discussions echo,
either as part of the FIDO network or as part of the PODS
network. (PODS is dedicated to Pagan activities and discussions.)
Again, Balanone is willing to help anyone who needs to find a
local bulletin board system connected to either of these two
networks.
7.3 Friendly and Neutral Others
Though I've often quoted from others' responses to frequently
asked questions, still this document is just one person's
compilation concerning the Temple of Set. Anyone who needs a more
comprehensive view should contact one or more of the other
Setians (above, or better through Xepera-l), and perhaps one or
more people who aren't Setian. A few people who are active
online, whose independent views concerning the Temple of Set at
this time appear to be informed and reasonable, are listed in the
REF document. Please note that neither I nor the Temple of Set
have much influence over nor agree with everything these people
say.
7.4 Unfriendly Others
The REF document identifies a few people whose messages,
documents, or web pages you're likely to run into on the
Internet, and who are biased against the Temple of Set for a
variety of reasons.
7.5 Getting More Information
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General Information Letter
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The current General Information letter (including membership
information and policies) is available upon request. Write
to: Executive Director, Temple of Set, Post Office Box
470307, San Francisco, CA 94147, USA. Or provide a
postal - not E-mail - mailing address to:
ToS.ED.faq@tefnut.omnibbs.com
There are copies of that letter floating around cyberspace,
available on various FTP sites and on BBSs. Unfortunately,
most of them are out of date, since the introductory letter
is updated semi-regularly, and the files on these unrelated
sites aren't. The primary site known and guaranteed to
maintain a current copy is the WWW site maintained by Sutekh
Reshef, Priest of Set,
http://www.xeper.org/pub/tos Versions in other languages
can be found at
http://www.dnaco.net/~raensept/.
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Computerized archives
Over the years, a number of other files pertaining to the
Temple of Set were made available. These were generally
intended for limited distribution, but over time were
archived on various Internet and FTN sites along with
material about the Temple of Set which did not
originate from the Temple of Set. Many of these files
contain dated information; the accuracy and authenticity of
these is doubtful. In future revisions of this document,
comments about these files may be added (if you bring the
need for same to our attention).
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However, be warned that a lot of files of questionable
value are floating around the 'net. Check the source for
each document, and if you have questions about its value,
ask about it on the Xepera-l mailing list. The REF document
discusses at least one such example of this.
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Archives hosted by Setians
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Other FTP sites
7.6 Those Stories About Us
Despite our general policy of keeping a low profile, sometimes
rumors about us do get spread, generally by people who dislike or
fear us for some reason (perhaps because so little is known about
us, or simply because of our non-Christian belief system, or for
other reasons). If anyone (perhaps someone else at a location of
one of our formal meetings, or someone you meet on the 'net, or
some other acquaintance) should ask you any of the following
questions, it's good to be able to give them the correct answers.
"Is this a cult?" No. Some people may define "cult" to mean any
non-Christian religion, and then yes, we don't believe in the
Christian religion. But most people reserve the word "cult" to
you mean something dangerous to society or its members, and no,
we're not a cult since we are beneficial to our members, and
we're not anti-social by any means.
The REF document contains more discussion on this topic.
7.6.2 Satanists?
"Are you Satanists?" A lot of people say yes, and a lot of people
say no. A lot of Setians say yes, and a lot of Setians say no.
See the REF document for this discussion.
7.6.3 Naziism and Fascism
Are you fascists? Nazis? No. See
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/4979/nazitrap.html or
http://www.necronomi.com/magic/satanism/fascist.set.txt for
one member's discussion of this question.
What about the Presidio stories?
On August 14, 1987 CE the San Francisco home of Lilith and Dr.
Aquino was raided by San Francisco Police officer Glen Pamfiloff
on a search warrant obtained as a consequence of the accusations
of Army chaplain Lawrence Adams-Thompson that the Aquinos had
kidnapped and sexually abused his stepdaughter as part of the
Presidio of San Francisco day-care witch-hunt.
These claims were investigated in depth by the SFPD, the FBI, and
the US Army CID. No charges were ever made in any jurisdiction,
and the evidence has shown Dr. Aquino and Lilith Aquino to be
innocent of any such activity. Full details can be read in the
alt.pagan post, dated Sun Jun 02, 22:14, From :
scratch@gladstone.uoregon.edu, Subj : Re: Curio courts the CAW.
7.6.5 Other Occultists
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Why should Wiccans, Druids, and other types of Pagans defend
those who call themselves "Satanists" against the Christian
majority?
I've never understood why Wiccans, Druids, and others might
think we want their defending. There are ethical and social
reasons to do it, and that's why Setians generally defend
other Pagans against discrimination and other forms of
attack, but Satanists don't need others to defend them --
Satanists would be happy if other Pagans would simply stop
buying Christianity's lies and attacking the Satanists as if
allied with Christianity's blind bigots.
There's a little more discussion of this in the REF document.
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"Are you witches?" That depends upon your definition of a
"witch." We do explore activities which many people would call
"magic," such as telepathy, divination, and methods of
strengthening our souls and spirits through mental and
spiritual discipline. However, modern witches usually believe
that their magical powers come from one or more gods or
goddesses, and many Christians believe these powers come from
the devil. We don't believe in any such gods or goddesses or
devils. Most modern witches claim we are not witches.
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Perhaps the most important point to know and remember about us
is that we believe a primary requirement of self-improvement
and individual Xeper is to be honorable and ethical. We do not
tolerate any illegal activity. We do not tolerate any illegal
drugs, and we frown upon excessive use of legal substances like
tobacco and alcohol. We believe in individual freedoms, and
respect everyone else's desire to live life the way they want
to, asking in exchange only the freedom to be able to live life
the way we want to.
We do enjoy companionship and camaraderie. At our various
conclaves, many of us will gather in private rooms, local
restaurants, and the hotel lobby, and we'll just talk for
hours, about almost anything. Some of our people will even
sometimes forget to go to sleep, being so wrapped up in
talking to people they see only once or twice a year.
We enjoy life, we enjoy growth, and we enjoy each other. If
you spend time with Setians, you'll find that most of us
smile a lot, honest smiles, reflecting the enjoyment we find
in life.
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What about Magda Graham? This is discussed in the REF document.
7.6.6 The Setian Illuminati
These topics are explored in the REF document.
8.0 Miscellaneous
8.1 Miscellaneous Links
8.2 FAQ/REF Sources
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Setian Discussions echo FAQ. author:
Balanone, version: Dec 30, 1996
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"More About the Temple of Set" web page. author: Balanone, version: Nov 25, 1996
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The alt.satanism FAQ file. author/editor: Lupo the Butcher,
Version 2.3, January 7, 1996
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Temple of Set alt.satanism FAQ. author: Dr.
Michael Aquino, version: Oct 10, 1995
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Misc email from Xepera-l mailing list
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Misc email from newsgroups and echos