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Balanone's Temple of Set FAQ |
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an interview
- whether there are copies of the Crystal Tablet available to be
mailed out immediately or whether they need to be printed first
- whether you are accepted or rejected (rejections tend to process
faster than acceptances)
Though some membership applications are processed in as little as two
weeks, it's not uncommon for incidental delays to extend the process to
two months. If you are concerned about the delay, you may send a polite
email or postal mail query to the Executive Director, who should be able
to tell you how far the application process has gone.
As James F Foster wrote on Xepera-l:
General rule of thumb- before complaining about something, ask
yourself: "What am I doing to fix it?" If you aren't doing much on
your behalf, why would anyone else?
Second general rule of thumb: Before complaining about someone else's
(lack of) performance, ask if there's a problem with the paperwork and
if there's anything you can do to help.
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/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
- The High Priest of the Temple of Set at this time is Magus Don Webb.
- 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.
- 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
- Executive Director -- can be contacted through the Temple's postal
address, or through email balfaq.ed@xeper.org).
- High Priest -- Magus Don Webb can be contacted through the Temple's
postal address, or through email (balfaq.hp@xeper.org).
- Dr. Michael Aquino -- the founder of the Temple of Set can be contacted
through the Temple's postal address or through email
(balfaq.maquino@xeper.org).
- Balanone -- this long-time member (and author of this document) can be
contacted through the Temple's postal address or through email
(balfaq@xeper.org).
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."
- 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.
6.2.3 Imposters
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then how should you look at
people who claim to be members of the Temple of Set and aren't? If you
encounter someone online (or offline) who claims to be Setian, how do you know
if they really are?
Our High Priest, Magus Don Webb, offers an excellent answer in his essay "How
to Spot a Setian" (http://www.bigfoot.com/~balanone/spot.html). My personal
answer is less meaningful, but they're techniques you might find useful.
* All members of the Temple of Set can be identified physically by their
colored cloisonne point-down medallion, and by their membership card (with
expiration date). If you have physical contact with someone who claims to be
Setian but who can't show you the membership card or medallion, that person
is not a member.
June 2001: Recently we've seen a couple of medallions being auctioned on
Ebay. If someone has our medallion, that is not proof they are currently a
member, and maybe not proof they ever were. But if they do not have a
medallion, then they aren't a current member.
* All online members of the Priesthood have a xeper.org email address.
(Example: Priest Thomas White's email address within our domain is
twhite@xeper.org) Anyone claiming online to be a member of the Priesthood
should be able to supply their name@xeper.org or alias@xeper.org email
address, and should be able to respond to any email sent to that address.
Anyone online who cannot give you an email address @xeper.org, or who cannot
answer mail sent to that address, is not a member of the Priesthood.
* The Executive Director's staff will confirm the membership of any Setian who
asks to have that membership confirmed. The member should send the email
from their email address of record to confirm@xeper.org -- this email will
be validated, and the confirmation will be sent to any email address
desired. Any person claiming to be a member online but not willing or able
to provide this confirmation is not a member.
While the Temple of Set and its members normally will not reveal, confirm, or
deny anyone's present or past membership in the Temple of Set, there are
exceptions:
* If members indicate it's OK, such as through the request method above, we'll
confirm their membership.
* Some members are very open and public about their membership. We'll confirm
those members' status.
* People who publicly claim to be members and aren't (in our view) are claiming
to be part of that second group. We will therefore provide the information
that such people are not members.
There have been a few people who fall into that last group, as identified by
members of our Priesthood. These include:
* Ravenwrld@aol.com -- I am told he has claimed to be the High Priest of the
Temple, and that he offers to sell the _Crystal Tablet_. The High Priest of
the Temple of Set is Don Webb. No member of the Temple may sell their Tablet.
(Past members may sell the copy they received from us -- it's their property.
However, they can sell only that one copy -- they are not permitted to make
additional copies for sale.)
* Reverend77x@aol.com -- I am told he has claimed to be a IV* member of the
Temple of Set. He is not a member.
* Lilithdarkmoon@aol.com and/or lilithvmp@aol.com -- I am told she claims to be
a former member. She is not.
* magussatanicus@aol.com -- I am told he claims to be a member of the
Priesthood in "German Chamber" and claims as well that
lilithdarkmoon@aol.com/lilithvmp@aol.com is actually Lilith Aquino. He is not
a member. There is no "German Chamber." Lilith Aquino does not use either of
those two aliases on AOL.
* Xeper879631179@aol.com -- While this person has not yet claimed to be a
member of the Temple of Set, he apparently has proclaimed himself the Magus
of Xem. Xem is an Aeonic Word within the Aeon of Set, and the Magus of Xem
was Magus Ronald K. Barrett. This is not Magus Barrett, and this person has
no membership nor recognition within the Temple of Set.
Finally, on reading Magus Webb's "How to Spot a Setian", one Adept mentioned,
Along those lines, I have encountered those who claim that they have been
approached by a Setian, which tried to "recruit" them. I find this very
funny. This right here shows that they have no idea what they are talking
about. I guess it makes them feel good to tell others that such a wonderful
organization as ours was wanting them to be a member. Anyone who really
knows anything about the Temple would know that does not go on.
I've asked a few, "and why would they want you?" Maybe not the polite thing
to say, but I can only laugh at these people.
The Temple of Set does not recruit. Individual members who feel that their
friends might benefit from membership might mention this to their friends, but
we do not ever try to recruit anyone, and don't even approach those people who
have no ties of friendship to us.
6.2.4 Who is a Setian?
Various people continue to call themselves Setian even though they are not
members of the Temple of Set. The question as asked on the Xepera-L mailing
list in May, 1999 was:
> If one can be a *Satanist* without being a member of CoS, can one be a
> *Setian* without being a member of ToS?
My answer:
* If you mean "Can someone believe in the Prince of Darkness as Set without
being a member of the Temple?" Then yes, they can.
* If you mean "Can someone actively seek and accomplish Xeper without being a
member of the Temple of Set?" Then yes, they can.
* If you mean "Can someone practice Setian forms of magic without being a
member of the Temple of Set?" Then yes, they can.
* If you mean "Can someone be recognized as and called a Setian by theTemple
of Set's administration, Priesthood, or general membership without being a
member of the Temple of Set?" Then no, they cannot.
This evoked the question "Why not?" I responded with the following two
definitions:
Setian (n)
A member of the Temple of Set.
setian (adj)
1. action, statement, or belief inspired by the philosophy of Xeper and/or
the being or idea of Set.
2. action, statement, or belief compatible with inspiration by the
philosophy of Xeper and/or the being or idea of Set
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
- Postal Address: Temple of Set, P. O. Box 470307, San Francisco, CA 94147
- Electronic Mail: At this time, you may send email to the Executive
Director c/o balfaq.ed@xeper.org
- 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.)
- 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
- "My name is ... and i wish find a Setian Priest in my area to inquire
as to joining the Temple."
Information on how to join the Temple of Set is readily available at
the Temple's web site, by following the General Information and
Admissions Policies links.
To ask the Executive Director if she can help you contact a Priest of
Set in your area, a) find her email address above, b) send her your
request, including your postal address and/or phone, so our local
Priesthood can contact you (they may not have email).
- Electronic Mail mailing list(s)
Xepera-l 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.
Visit its informational web page for subscription information.
- Internet newsgroups
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- FIDO/PODS echoes
The Setian Discussions echo (tagname: SET, and previously named "Base
of Set" was the only FTN (Fido Technology Network) echo hosted by
Setians concerning Setian philosophy or the Temple of Set. Moderation
was minimal, and topics could be anything of interest to Setians.
Participation was open to all who were not openly hostile to the Temple
or to Setians. This echo was carried on the FIDO North America
backbone, and by most major hubs within PODS. It was carried in
Australia by both FIDO and PODS, and in Germany (and perhaps other
areas of Europe) by PODS. Unfortunately that echo closed down in 1999,
and is no longer operational.
- World Wide Web sites and pages
- 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.
- The Order of the Trapezoid maintains its own web site at
http://www.trapezoid.org/
- FIDO/PODS bulletin board systems: There used to be quite a few bulletin
board systems owned and run by Setians, but it seems that all have them
have disbanded or gone to mail-only operations. We also used to host a
Setian Discussions echo, as part of the FIDO and PODS networks. (PODS
is dedicated to Pagan activities and discussions.) That echo is no
longer operational.
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
- General Information Letter
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: balfaq.ed@xeper.org
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
a Priest of Set, http://www.xeper.org.
- 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).
- 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.
- Archives hosted by Setians
- ftp://ftp.xeper.org
Reference: mailto://webmaster@xeper.org
Note: This is the only FTP site both managed by a Priest of
the Temple of Set and dedicated to the Temple of Set at this
time to our knowledge. The reliability of other FTP sites
will be lower -- they will not be as accurate nor current.
As other Setian sites are identified they will be listed at
http://www.xeper.org
- Other FTP sites
- FTP://ftp.lysator.liu.se/pub/religion/satanism/ToS
10/1997: the most recent files found were dated 1994.
9/1999: The site URL has changed (capitalization only),
and the most recent files at this time are dated 1996.
It does have a 1994 copy of the Temple's reading list.
- FTP://nic.funet.fi/pub/doc/religion/occult/magick/thelema/ToS
(this is the original slopoke tree moved to funet)
- Obsolete FTP links (no longer useful)
- FTP://etext.archive.umich.edu/pub/Quartz/occult/set
Reference: mailto://ftp@etext.archive.umich.edu (Paul Southworth)
October, 1997: I could not find the Quartz/occult directory
November, 1997: It appears that all files dealing with the ToS have
been removed from this site because of their age.
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.
7.6.1 A Cult?
"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.bigfoot.com/~balanone/nazitrap.html
or http://www.necronomi.com/magic/satanism/fascist.set.txt for one member's
discussion of this question [as of July 6, 1998, the necronomi.com copy was
not found online].
7.6.4 Presidio
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
- 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.
- "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.
- 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.
- 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
- FBI Special Agent Kenneth Lanning's /Investigator's Guide to Allegations
of "Ritual" Child Abuse/:
http://www.necronomi.com/magic/satanism/FBI-ritual-abuse-report.txt and
http://www.bigfoot.com/~balanone/lanning.9201.html [as of July 6, 1998, the
necronomi.com copy was not found online]
- The Temple of Set's Reading List from the Crystal Tablet of Set (an old
version, but better than nothing):
ftp://ftp.lysator.liu.se/pub/religion/satanism/ToS/Reading_list/
8.2 FAQ/REF Sources
- Setian Discussions echo FAQ. author: Balanone, version: Dec 30, 1996
- "More About the Temple of Set" web page. author: Balanone, version: Nov
25, 1996
- The alt.satanism FAQ file. author/editor: Lupo the Butcher, Version 2.3,
January 7, 1996
- Temple of Set alt.satanism FAQ. author: Dr. Michael Aquino, version: Oct
10, 1995
- Misc email from Xepera-l mailing list
- Misc email from newsgroups and echos
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