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The Temple of Set is an initiatory occult society claiming to be the world's leading left-hand path religious organization. It professes Setian philosophy and magical practice.
History
The Temple of Set was established in 1975 by Lt. Colonel of the US Army Michael Aquino and certain members of the priesthood of the Church of SatanCite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). The term is deemed central to Setian philosophy and practice, having been introduced at the founding of the Temple of Set in 1975, when Aquino made the claim that the Egyptian god Set communicated the word Xeper in the sense of "Become" to him during the "North Solstice X Working" aka "The Santa Barbara Working." The Word was re-Uttered in 1996 by Don Webb in the more focused translation "I have come into Being."
Setians recognize several levels or degrees of initiation, and identify their members by their degree. These degrees are:
- Setian ( First Degree )
- Adept ( Second Degree )
- Priest / Priestess ( Third Degree )
- Magister / Magistra Templi ( Fourth Degree )
- Magus / Maga ( Fifth Degree )
- Ipsissimus / Ipsissima ( Sixth Degree )
The Priesthood of the Temple of Set is restricted to members holding the Third Degree or higher. Full membership comes about on recognition to the second degree, which has a time frame of around two years. Recognition is performed by members of the priesthood, though it is up to the individual to find a priest to work with towards this end. However, there is no set criteria for recognition and no obligation for the priesthood to work with new initiates towards recognition.
Some people who are not members of the Temple of Set find spiritual inspiration in Set, and may share some beliefs with the organisation. The belief system in general is referred to as Setianism.
Notes
- Aquino, Michael A. The Temple of Set
- Webb, Don. Xeper: The Eternal Word of Set
References
- Flowers, Stephen Edred (1997). Lords of the Left Hand Path: A History of Spiritual Dissent. Runa Raven Press. ISBN 1-885972-08-3
- Webb, Don (1996) The Seven Faces of Darkness: Practical Typhonian Magic. Runa Raven Press. ISBN 1-885972-07-5
- Webb, Don (1999). Uncle Setnakt's Essential Guide to the Left Hand Path. Runa Raven Press. ISBN 1-885972-10-5
- Webb, Don (2004). Mysteries of the Temple of Set: Inner Teachings of the Left Hand Path. Runa Raven Press. ISBN 1-885972-27-X
- U.S. Department of the Army (ed.) (2002). "Temple of Set" in Religious Requirements and Practices of Certain Selected Groups: A Handbook for Chaplains. University Press of the Pacific. ISBN 0-89875-607-3