The Temple of Set II
Page 27
Straits Times (who has recently written a book on the Chinese Army; P.L.A. ) was able to interview Marshal Chu
Teh, one of the driving forces that created the P.L.A. One of the questions, in so many words, was ‘How did the
collapse of the Roman Empire in the year 300 effect or affect the East?’. Marshal Chu pondered the question for
only a few seconds and replied, ‘It is too soon to tell.’” I am telling everyone to stay cool and just wait.
For the most part, I think most folks are going to do this, for a number of reasons; 1. They are scared of getting
in the way of “two of the Biggies slugging it out.”, 2. They will just give up and die on the vine. O.K. I am not too
concerned about this lot. Perhaps they are the “chaff” you referred to. As we know, there are resignations starting to
come in: you, Lilith, Dale, Shai, Harris, some others as well. My letter is on the drafting board.
Gumbo Ya Ya - or, What is Happening in “the Network”
On the 11th and 12th of July a meeting of all concerned in the Ohio area will be held at Warlock Huddleston’s
place in Mt. Vernon. Warlocks Huddleston and Zabrecky have been in constant contact with Warlocks Shai,
Andrews, and Rev. McQuown. From what I can gather from Art Zabrecky’s last phone communication, it looks like
quite a mob from the Midwest will be there. I have instructed him and Ratley to make a full report to you. I have
also indicated to them to immediately write you and tell you themselves their feelings regarding this whole matter
(favorable to you, by the bye). But I want you to hear it firsthand from them, and not secondhand from me. That is
why my charge to them. As you know, Warlock Zabrecky has phoned the Santa Barbara “hot line” several times. He
seemed upset that you did not directly answer him. Art can be a hit impatient at times. I indicated to him the press
of your work and this current situation, and also delivered a short lecture on common sense. He saw the point. You
shall be hearing from him and Tom shortly.
Shai called for the second time last night when I was conducting the Harris’ on the 50-cent tour of Carpathia.
We had a good chat, and he indicated to me again his original reasons for dropping the III°, and now the final act,
his resignation from C of S, Inc. Please tell the lovely Lilith that we also talked of “Semper Barley” and happier
times. My eyes got a little wet around the edges. Must be the dust and “chaff”. Mike is such a good friend.
Incidentally va multimisc, dear Priestess Lilith for the copy of your letter which came yesterday in the bag. You
speak for all of us.
From our friends in Canada, much of interest. Long telephone call from Stu Munro last night. Incidentally Stu
(“Cheech” to his friends) was most appreciative to receive the entire packet rather than just the letter.
To digress for the nonce: Had things continued to run at their usual pace, Priestess Wendall and I would have
been in contact with you regarding Stuart Munro’s possible appointment to the II°. There is good reason for this.
Currently the Eastern Canada Regional Agency is a shambles. I was compiling a report to you on this matter, but
just didn’t have all the facts yet. It really breaks my heart to report that [and this guy I considered a friend at one
time] Stephen Hollander is just not doing the job. He refuses to respond to contacts from the people in. his agency.
This policy of non-contact has been in effect since the final gavel at East VI. Needless to say, our Canadian friends
are up in arms about this. Prior to these events I had received a stack of complaints over the way Hollander [and
Lynne Jarman] were conducting their meetings, the subject matter covered, and his general holier-than-fucking-
thou attitude. People in the Ottawa-Hull area actually stopped coming to meetings. Now I wonder who was
boycotting whom.
Anyway, Stu indicated to me in a letter of a week or so ago that he was ready to become a working member of
the Church, and was wondering just what he could do. As you know, Stu is the Director of the Motorcycle Safety
Program of the Canadian Ministry of Transport. Fact is, he wrote the course. Currently he has been traveling all over
the continent, as not only has Canada accepted the program but the U.S., Great Britain, France, Switzerland, the
Netherlands, Belgium, etc. are very interested. Stu will be in Paris on the 20th.
Incidentally when he was in Washington, D.C., he “recruited” the executive secretary of one of the “big wheels”
in the Secretary of Transportation’s Office. He felt very frustrated as he had no one in the D.C. area to refer her to.
He said she is a real firecracker and a Compleat Witch. I told him to have her contact the Central Grotto P.O. Box.
What else could I do?
I have as yet to hear from Jzamon in Massachusetts, or “Bear” Brownell in Nova Scotia. If I know them as I
think I do, they are listening, pondering, and waiting. Which would be pretty damn good advice for anyone.
Back to “Bits and Pieces” for a bit: letters and telephone calls. Four people indicated that they felt there were
“gaps” in the 17 pages that were sent in “the packet”. This I could not answer. However I do not believe this is the
case. If it is, then O.K., whatever your reasons are, they are yours. I feel they felt there were gaps as in one case only
one page of a letter was included. Well, hell, what was of value was on that page. There was no reason to reproduce
the entire letter.
- 124 -
To date, 12:30 P.M., 17 June; 12 people feel that this is the culmination of “the great joke” Anton LaVey started
in 1966: “This is the Big Rip-Off, and now he is going to split.”
Twenty-five people feel that about two years ago or so, and they are basing this on rereading past issues of the
Agents Bulletin and the Hoof. Anton LaVey delegated too much authority to the wrong people in Central Grotto, a
corps of “yes-persons” developed, each one out to grab what he or she could, and things got out of hand.
I remember way back one Hallowe’en year VI, after the gate buzzed open and I trudged up the brick stairs, “the
Boss” related in so many words, “This is what I have created. Now it is up to you - the II°, III°, and other degrees - to
‘carry the ball’.” Now get this: “I have other fish to fry.” So help me, Hastur, sir, he said it!
I’ve got to say it, otherwise I’ll bust: “Beluga caviar and Stolichnaya vodka” - Bullshit!
Five people commented on paragraph 1 of page 1 of your letter dated 2 May. They wanted to know if the
“accountant” you were referring to is an accountant who does the books of the Church, or an accountant who does
the personal books of Dr. LaVey and his family. Or are both accounts one and the same?
Everyone so far has commented on the two pages of the proposed Hoof for May/June X. They all thought you
did a nice job of easing the pain, however somewhat less than 50% did express some verbal eyebrow-lifting at you
even wanting to “go along with the gag”. Sorry, sir, but that is what was said. Hell, some people just do not know
how to read.
All did say you handled as well as could he expected considering what was a-brewing.
The general opinion of the LaVey letter of 27 May is “Pooey on the LaVey letter of 27 May!”. One delightful soul
from one of our southern states observed, “Well, well, it is certainly a great step from Manichewitz(?) and Lox to
Beluga and Stolichnaya.”
All cheered your letter of 31 May. Nineteen [give or take one or two, ca
n’t really remember, as I did not keep
score on these] did wonder why the telephone was not used during this interchange that, of course, led to what has
now happened.
The Diane LaVey letter of 4 June. Almost all agree that this is vitriolic, contradictory, and an immediate,
hysterical lashing-back at you in that you did dare to question the papal infallibility of him. It was bitter, vicious,
“witch-bitch cat infighting”, and also showed the true colors of Central Grotto at its worst.
Reports as early as last year from the Eastern area indicated to me that there was some great concern as to the
direction the Church was taking with regard to “this over-ego, power-mad, headlong rush the Church and its leaders
seem to he taking.”
Let’s stick with this a little longer. Take another look at paragraph 3 on page 2 of Diane’s letter. Some of the
now-embarrassing things that occurred during the “early prankish stage” of the development of the Church are still
coming home to roost. Because of some of the drivel that was handed to Wolfe, who slavishly included it in “that
book”, we lost three excellent members here in Winnemucca - two, mind you, being rather well-placed in the police
department. We also lost a good, older husband and wife team in Reno/Sparks because of this.
Now I know damn well [or think so] that Anton LaVey really did lead Wolfe down the garden path when all this
was going on, just as he led the poor chap that did that thing in the recent issue of Argosy.
Now, about “those photographs”: When I was speaking to the students of Nye Hall, University of Nevada at
Reno, the minister of the Campus Methodist Church quietly handed me a page torn from a girlie magazine. “How do
you explain this, sir?” I had to satisfy my ego by countering, “Try it, you might fill your church this Sunday.” I was
not proud of my answer. And I sure as hell did not mention that particular encounter in my report to Central.
Last night Warlock Harris showed me a magazine which was published several years ago, and will probably he a
valuable collector’s piece in the future, showing the High Priest and others cavorting with all sorts of naked young
lovelies. I will say everyone seemed to be enjoying each other’s company. But, and with all reverence to Sir Francis
Dashwood, there is a time and a place for everything. And really there are times when a photographer should not
be present. I am no prude, mind you. I like my “meat and potatoes” sex, and I also like my “chilled vodka, pepper,
cracked crab, and Arab coffee” sex as well. But I shall never make a public display of it!
All wondered at why Diane wrote the letter. Was Dr. LaVey too overcome or too indifferent to answer? Or make
a statement of position? Why Diane? [Why Diane indeed?] That breaks my heart.
When I was down there, I was completely bowled over as to how charming and what a wonderful hostess she
was, how she welcomed me to her home as though I were a loved and valued member of the family. Unfortunately,
having just gone through a dreadful emotional experience, I overreacted and basked in the blaze of the LaVeys like a
little lost puppy who had been brought in out of the rain and in front of the kitchen stove was given a warm dish of
milk. That was Mistake Number One.
“Circus of Dr. LaVey” - that raised a few eyebrows!
Holy Toledo, the fence around Central is a fine idea. Ask Mark Harris about security measures here at
Carpathia. Also ask Margaret Wendall about the eggs, smashed bird feeder, cosmetic smears on sidewalk and wall of
house, and, most wretchedly, the mutilated body of a little rabbit that was thrown on her lawn!
“Little place on the Napa/Sonoma County border” - Everyone commented on that one. The general roar that
was most heard was, “Not according to Wolfe!”
“Just don’t let us know who considers ...” etc. This was greeted with howls of laughter and snorts of glee. One
well-knowing gent commented on the phone, doing a rather good impression of Dr. LaVey’s voice, “I am Oz the
Great and Terrible. What do you want, tin man?”
- 125 -
All of us who know, love, and respect Lilith have no comments to make regarding the last three paragraphs on
page 1. Other than the remark that her and “Lana” (?) “used to giggle over this”. Hell, I was led to believe that “Lana
Green” was the nom de plume of who ever was currently secretary. Have I been the victim of a falsehood? Same deal
with “Kincaid”.
Nobody was too excited about the remark that she felt you had on purpose written your letter with the idea that
“others see it”. Everybody said, “So what?” Hell, it’s just like me. You can show this particular letter of mine to
anyone you want to. I am not ashamed of anything I have written to anybody.
Your letter of 10 June is a monument of tact, diplomacy, and, yes, heartbreak. All agree that you, or any of us,
have the power to “lift the Mandate”. You chose to do it.
The “general letter” to the membership of the 10th naturally had to follow. To not have done so would have been
a violation of your “Mandate”.
More to follow ... Thus ends Part One of the tender and true-to-life story of Just Plain Beau, Warlock of
Winnemucca. Brought to you by Garcia’s Guacamole - great for eating and shining green shoes.
Respectfully,
Salutari Satan!
William F. Murray
Warlock II°
- 126 -
A9: Paul Kantner & the Jefferson Starship
- by Michael A. Aquino VI°
____________________________
Part I: Return of the Pantechnikon
First published: Runes #I-3
November XVIII/1983
A week or so ago I received a surprise phone call from an NBC reporter in Los Angeles asking me what I knew
about sinister/occult messages being “reverse-mastered” on rock music albums. “Nothing to be gained by it, even if
it is occurring,” I said, “since it would be far more effective to insert magical messages straightforwardly.” “Do you
know any group that does that?” asked NBC. “Sure,” I said. “The Jefferson Starship’s been doing it for over a
decade.” “Yes, we heard that you had some connection with the Starship,” said NBC. “Anything to that?”
Suddenly I had visions of Charles-Manson-and-the-Beatles “exposes”, followed by Jerry Falwell picketing the
Starship’s Earth-base over on Fulton Street. “Paul Kantner and I corresponded briefly in ’75-78,” I said, “but that
was about it. None of the Starship are or were affiliated with the Temple of Set, and none of them has been involved
with conventional Black Magic.” NBC sounded disappointed, but gradually perked up as our discussion led into
some of the other exotic interests of the Temple.
In fact the story of the Temple of Set and the Jefferson Starship is a good deal weirder than Charles Manson’s
fixation with “Helter Skelter”, and far more Black Magical in the bargain. As with so many other things concerning
the Temple, however, it is so complicated that an answer to Mr. NBC would have churned up his phone bill well
beyond its already 3-hour bite ...
18 years ago in August a new band opened in San Francisco at a small nightclub named the Matrix. Calling itself
the Jefferson Airplane, it soon became the most prominent band of the Haight-Ashbury “acid rock” culture. The
themes of its songs [and first 6 albums] were those of the late 1960s: love, political protest, and psychedelic fantasia.
Flying my loudspeaker-equipped psychological warfare chopper around Vietnam in 1969-70, I used to treat U.S.
fire-support bases to a sky-blasted (12-horn/12,000 watt) tape of “Volunteers of America” or “Somebody to Love”
before my trademark, Simon & Garfunkel’s “Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine”.
In 1970 I returned to San Francisco, was ordained to the Satanic Priesthood, and encountered a very singular
new album which I wrote up in the Nineveh Grotto’s Blacklist newsletter. Bearing Paul Kantner’s name and
“Jefferson Starship” (rather than “Airplane”), it was called Blows Against the Empire. Kantner’s compositions,
arranged in a loose sequence, told the story of a group of young counterculture Americans, increasingly alienated
and frustrated by the climate of the Johnson/Nixon era, who ultimately decided to hijack an orbiting starship just
constructed by the government and go streaking off into the cosmos en route to the Andromeda Galaxy. At the end
of the accompanying libretto booklet was a proclamation:
- 127 -
We intend to hijack the first sound interstellar or interplanetary starship built by the people of this
planet. A time of 3-7 months will be needed for tantronic conversion of the machinery to make it usable for
practical travel - involving light years. We need people on Earth now to begin preparing the necessary tools.
There will be room for 7,000 or more people. If it seems that your head is into this, please write & talk about
something for a bit. You will not be contacted immediately. Please just prepare your minds & your bodies.
Experiment - move your mind. Practice telepathy & telekinesis - if you feel it. Search out Atlantis. It
lives and breathes inside of you. Join us - a plunge into reality.
- Starship Foundation
Unfortunately Blows Against the Empire was rather ahead of its time. The fad of the day was not space
migration but the “Jesus Freak” movement. The “Jefferson Starship” went back to being the Jefferson Airplane, and
for the next 4 years produced 4 albums - Sunfighter, Bark, Long John Silver, and Baron von Tollbooth & the
Chrome Nun - characterized by increasing musical expertise and a kaleidoscope of themes and images. By now