The Scroll of Set - Issue Number 2
Issue Number 2
Volume I-2
October 1975
Editor: Margaret Wendall IV°
Copyright © 1975 Temple of Set
[1] The Book of Coming Forth by Night :Historical Commentary
= by Michael A. Aquino V°
[See the Ruby Tablet of Set for the most current edition.]
[2] Aphorism
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live - Goethe.
[3] Temple of Set Regional Publications
The following is a current list of the regional and intra-Temple publications of the Temple of Set.
Each of these publications differs in format and content, not only from the others but from the Scroll of Set as well.
Cavernus and Straight From Hell are edited by Priest Robert J. DeCecco, Framingham, Massachusetts. Straight From Hell contains serious articles on many subjects of interest to all Setians along with local news.
Children of the Night is edited by Priest William F. Murray, Winnemucca, Nevada, and is a sometimes irreverent, sometimes serious look at life.
The Magic Cat, edited by Magistra Margaret Wendall, San Jose, California, will tell you how to
“get involved” as well as local and regional news of interest to Setians.
Voice of the Dragon, edited by Magister Robert Ethel, Falls Church, Virginia, contains serious articles on a variety of subjects, also poetry and reviews.
Please include your Temple of Set membership information when inquiring about subscriptions to these publications. Some have modest subscription fees to defray the costs of printing and postage; others are free [although a few stamps probably wouldn’t be returned!].
[4] What is the Temple of Set?
= by Michael A. Aquino V°
[See the Temple's Membership Informational Letter for the most current edition.]
[5] About Degrees
There have been quite a few III° and IV° elevations since the founding of Temple of Set, and it might seem that we’ve been going around the room promoting ourselves. This is not at all the case
of course, but an explanation might be in order here.
The Temple of Set, whether it likes it or not, has been faced with “cleaning the house” of the Church of Satan in certain matters. One of these is the degree system, which, as most of you know, had degenerated into near-rigidity and court favoritism.
For the Temple of Set, it has been and will be - a question of assessing the individual thoroughly and recognizing his or her expertise as properly due.
Such evaluations are being made by those officials who know the individuals best. So we have seen a relatively large number of degree corrections in the past couple of months. As the Temple of Set proceeds with its programs in the future, there won’t be any more “flurries” of this type, simply because all degrees will be conferred at the points in time when they are deserved.
[6] Book Reviews
= by Stuart Munro II°
Dogs of War by Frederick Forsyth is a great novel. It is also a remarkable handbook if you’re
considering armed insurrection, gun-running, a coup d’etat or just financial shenanigans in Europe. Forsyth is a Setian, and it comes through in his philosophy. The book has some very nasty parts, but it’s about the world today, and that has more than a few nasty parts, too.
A book that would be of benefit to all Setians is Supernature by Dr. Lyall Watson, published by Coronet. It is subtitled, “The natural history of the supernatural”, and the 350 references - all scientific and technical papers - are worth the price of the book alone. Watson is a noted biologist, and he asks questions I’ve heard few other scientific people ask. However not only does he deal with many of the scientifically taboo subjects, he weaves the whole universe into an incredibly cohesive unity. Quite remarkable.
[7] Translations
[... of the heiroglyphs in the text and surrounding the Seal of Set in the Book of Coming Forth by Night. See the Ruby Tablet of Set for these translations.]
[8] Handy Household Hints
If you get a scratch on the enamel of your pentagram, which can happen to the best of them, spray a little clear enamel on it. You can get this at most any hardware or art-supply store. In fact, a coating of this clear enamel will help to protect your pentagram from scratches.
[9] Bits and Pieces
I’d like to thank all of you who have taken the time to send in suggestions for content for the Scroll . I’d especially like to thank you for your contributions! If you don’t see them here, it doesn’t mean they won’t be used. It is merely felt that background information on the Book of Coming Forth by Night and on the Temple of Set in general will be of more benefit to more people right now than even the very long and beautiful paper on the phoenix that was received.
Three columns have been suggested: a forum for III°+ officials to express ideas which they feel would benefit the entire membership, a letters-to- the-editor section, and editorials. Some do not want book or movie reviews; others want them only if they’re signed and contain a real review. Beginning with this issue the latter policy will be used. But the Scroll has other important information to get out, so reviews will only be a small part of the content.
I’ve been asked what kind of artwork and cartoons might be submitted. Let your imaginations
flow! After all, wouldn’t a picture or two have made this a better issue? And a picture can indeed be
worth ten thousand words. How about a sketch or two of your altar, for example, or a line drawing of Set?
One member has brought up a serious question that could happen to almost any member. In fact, if
it has happened to him, it has happened to one other! The membership number on the computer
run doesn’t agree with the number on his receipt. I’d love to help, but I don’t have the membership
data, except for a computer run once a month to use for mailing labels. So if I get a question such as this one, I must forward it to the Executive Director. The moral of all this is: When you move, please send both the Executive Director and the Scroll a notice of your new address. If your question pertains to your membership alone, you’ll save a lot of time if you send it directly to William F. Murray III°, Winnemucca, Nevada.
[10] Bits and Pieces
If you haven’t received your pentagram pendant yet, don’t fret. Because of the poor service given by
the U. S. Postal Service, pentagrams and membership cards will be shipped by the Executive
Director to the III°+ official nearest you, who will contact you when these are received. The hold-up is the membership cards, which are still at the printer’s.
Just be patient a little longer, and all will be made right. In fact, you will be surprised at how beautiful they will be. Extra pentagram pendants will cost $7.00.
The Temple isn’t planning to run a mail-order house, but if you would be interested in smaller pentagrams (1/2” to 1” in size) for various purposes such as rings, earrings, pins, pendants for less formal use, etc., contact the Executive Director. If there is enough interest, the Temple may make
them available at a most modest cost.
[11] National Conclave
The First National Conclave of the Temple of Set will be held on November 1, 1975 in Santa Barbara, California. The deadline for registration is October 26, but it is suggested that you register
early if you plan to attend. Dinner prices were published in the last issue of the Scroll , but the 15% surcharge for the use of the banquet room at Squire Richard’s will be added to the total bill, not each individual check.
The banquet/conference itself will be held on November 1, 7-9 p.m. A ritual will be held at midnight. The site will depend on the number of people attending.
Saturday daytime and Sunday can be used for group discussions and/or sightseeing. Those of you who will attend from the East Coast especially ought to plan time for sightseeing, for, of all the cities of California, Santa Barbara has perhaps best kept the Spanish-American atmosphere of the state as it was 200 years ago.
Ideas are welcomed for topics for discussion. When you request your registration packet, feel free
to make suggestions.
Registration forms, dinner and motel costs, and brochures giving ideas for places to see and things to do in and around Santa Barbara may be requested from Magistra Lilith Sinclair, Summerland,
California.
SS197510.pdf
Th3 Scr0ll of S3t Issue 2