Unfortunately the completeness of the Casaubon work is itself subject to question. Contemporary Dee
biographer John Aubrey said: “Meredith Lloyd sayes that John Dee’s printed booke of Spirits (i.e. the Casaubon
book) is not above the third part of what was writt, which were in Sir Robert Cotton’s library; many whereof were
much perished by being buryed, and Sir Robert Cotton bought the field to digge after it.”
Arthur Dee, John’s son, wrote of the Casaubon book: “It did great harme to the memorie of a great man and
was both ignorant and mischievous.”
Yet the published manuscripts seem to have been sufficiently intact to worry insiders in the government. A
British Museum copy of the Casaubon work contains a 1683 notation indicating that the government had considered
seizing all copies of the book, but that it had sold too quickly for effective action to be taken.
A crucial key to Dee’s philosophical camouflage may be found in a deciphering of his Hieroglyphic Monad,
still undeciphered but significantly republished in the year 1975 by Samuel Weiser, Inc. My opinion is that the keys
to the Monad and hence to the basis for the Enochian system will be found in the Pythagorean/Platonic (i.e. neo-
Egyptian) concepts to which Dee devoted such extensive research.
[A note may be inserted here: The claim has been made that Enochian per se predates Dee. This is completely
unsubstantiated and undocumented. Superficially Enochian is a jargon and possesses no unique grammar or syntax.
It can be written according to English, Hebraic, Latin, etc. grammar once one has made a rough catalogue of its
words from the Casaubon text. This was done by Aleister Crowley and resulted in the “Enochian” invocations he
appended to his Goetia.]
Philosophical camouflage alone will not solve our Problem #1. A variety of other techniques and mechanisms
must be devised as well, among them an intra-Temple communications system that does not rely on the mails [the
vulnerability of which was just demonstrated to us by the Canadian mail strike].
A diffusion of knowledge and source material throughout the Priesthood will make the Temple that much less
susceptible to impairment through the loss or incapacitation of one or more officials. A flexible administrative
structure will keep us “light on our feet” and able to plan for and react to changes in the social environment.
All these projects are already off the ground. For example, in-depth research into Enochian is being done by
Magister Ethel and Priest Holt. Intra-Temple communication systems for the future are being studied by the
Executive Director and Magister Grumboski. Selective diffusion of Temple concepts is being handled by Magistra
Wendall via the Scroll, and on a lesser scale by periodic newsletters & communiqués from a number of officials. An
exploration of the potential use of our nonprofit corporate administrative structure is being undertaken by Magister
Seago. Altogether this constitutes an important first step in a continuous and cumulative process.
Now let me address Problem #2 and work over Mr. Einstein. [In fact I won’t do anything to him that I didn't
do to Darwin in Genesis III; you can draw your own conclusions!]
The solution to Problem #1 can be only a temporary one, no matter how long we may be able to string it out.
Even if the Temple succeeds in preserving an internal freedom of operation amidst an authoritarian political
environment, the natural resources that enable scientific research to function at a high level of priority are
uncomfortably finite. Scientifically-assisted breakthroughs must be effected before human standards of living [and
hence funds resources for educational scientific research] are lowered.
The problem with Setamorphosis is that we don’t know what form it will take, how [if at all] we may influence
it, what scale it will occur on, or when it will be effected.
Yet the passage of the Book of Coming Forth by Night cited above does not license the Elect to sit on their
haunches and await the arrival of a good fairy with a sackful of ruby slippers. Rather the implication is that the germ
of Setamorphosis already exists within those who are recognized as Elect, and that they must isolate it and develop
it. [Here you may find it helpful to consult selected works of Colin Wilson, especially The Philosopher’s Stone and
The Mind Parasites.]
Unless it transpires that Setamorphosis will involve an Elect so numerous that it can control Earth [along the
line of Childhood’s End], or unless Setamorphosis itself enables the Elect to control non-Elect, Earth will proceed to
become increasingly inhospitable. Moreover there is more to the Star Trek syndrome than meets the eye: It is
impractical as a solution to Problem #1, but its strong psychological draw [of a “racial memory”-type] bears upon
Problem #2.
Merely building an Enterprise or two and larking off across the cosmos won’t cut the mustard. Life-support
systems would be finite and ultimately non-renewable. And the chances of finding a planet with precisely the right
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chemical, organic, and environmental constitution to sustain human beings is infinitesimal, particularly within the
operating lifetime of a sub-speed-of-light space vessel.
So we confront two questions: (a) Is faster-than-light travel possible? and (b) If so, what would be the
consequences?
According to Einstein’s second fundamental postulate of the Special Theory of Relativity, the velocity of light
is always constant relative to an observer, no matter how fast the observer and the light source are separating or
converging. A derived equation states that, when an object is moving with respect to an observer, the mass of the
object becomes greater, the amount of increase depending on the relative velocity of object and observer. At the
same time that the mass of the object increases, its length along the axis of its direction will decrease. At the speed of
light, the object’s mass becomes infinite and its length shrinks to zero. Since an “infinite-plus” amount of energy
would be required to raise the speed of an infinite mass beyond the speed of light, such hyper-light speed is not
possible.
Mathematically the Special Theory is consistent, because it treats the speed of light as a constant and
incorporates a series of equations which rely upon that constant and are consistent with one another. As the Special
Theory applies to sub-lightspeed phenomena, it is correct. The interrelationship of mass and energy relative to
186,000 miles per second (the Einstein speed of light constant) has been formulated as E=mc2 and put into practice
through nuclear fission.
The Achilles’ Heel of the Special Theory is that, while applying the principle of relativity to everything except
the speed of light, it treats the speed of light as an exception to the rule. An exception to a rule of physics is an
indication that the rule is inadequate to cover all known phenomena. (= Aquino Aphorism) Einstein’s
decision to treat the speed of light as a constant was based upon the difference between the speed of light and non-
light-wave-related phenomena being so vast as to make sub-186,000 light speed impossible to detect; and also upon
the inability of science to detect anything going faster than 186,000 mps.
Note my emphasis upon the word “detect”. Detection and existence are two different things. Now consider this
hypothesis: If light waves from a stationary source travel at 186,000 mps, and those light waves are the
only means
an observer located elsewhere has for detection of that source, what would happen if the source begins to move away
from the observer at 186,001 mps? The light waves that are the sole source of the observer’s information are now no
longer reaching that observer. The waves are now receding from him at 1 mps. As far as the observer can detect, the
light-source vanished when its speed passed beyond the speed of light. But did it? It did not. It still exists, and a
person riding along with it would still exist as well.
What about a light-source approaching at a speed faster than that of light? Following our line of reasoning, it
itself would arrive before an observer could detect it, because we do not possess the apparatus to detect emitted light
traveling 186,001 mps. If it were to smash into us, we would literally not know what hit us. If it were to s1ow down
to sub-light speeds upon reaching us, light waves subsequently emitted would inform us of its presence. [And
people wonder how UFOs could ever get into the vicinity of Earth without being detected?]
As an object passes an observer laterally and approaches the speed of light, it seems to compress. The
explanation for this is more complex, but it can be approximated by saying that the lateral movement/oscillation of
the emitted light waves is less detectable as the lateral speed of the light-source approaches 186,000 mps.
All this sums up to say that Einstein's Special Theory is valid for physical phenomena at speeds so slow that
186,000 mps might as well be a constant. It is not valid as an argument against +186,000 mps travel. In fact, its
provisions for relative motion, when applied to the “sacred” 186,000 mps figure, invalidate any absolute
measurement of that figure and hence destroy its significance.
So much for the Special Theory. Faster-than-light travel is just as easy as traveling 186,000 mps. You just have
to wind the rubber band a little tighter, that's all. [If you want to present this case to your local physics teacher and
he still insists the world is flat, don’t blame me.]
So the Temple has the option to build a faster-than-light Enterprise, and no special gymnastics are necessary
to produce “warp-factor” engines. Inertia in a vacuum and with negligible gravitational drag will remain constant;
the firing of additional rockets will constantly increase velocity, not maintain it. To travel increasingly faster than
light, just bum the engines proportionately longer.
That’s the minor problem. The major one, as cited above, is to find a closed environmental system (i.e. a
planet) capable of supporting human life without negative side-effects. Considering the painfully-long evolution of
even the most basic organisms to produce complex forms capable of surviving on Earth, this is a task of dismaying
difficulty. It is not necessarily unsolvable, but additional chemical and biological data must be assembled first. So
pro tem I will table it.
Are there other options open to us besides a star trek? Quite possibly. In “Genesis II” (Cloven Hoof #IV-7) I
addressed the concept of an antimatter universe to account for the existence of a “positive” one according to the
equation 0 = +1-1. There are two forms in which an antimatter universe could exist. The first and more easily
conceivable form is that of stars & planetary bodies of antimatter co-located in the “positive” space that hosts our
own solar system. Since space itself is merely a near-vacuum [containing extremely rarified (10-6 atoms/cc)
plasma], there seems to be no necessity for a “second space”. [Antimatter is necessary to logically explain the
existence of matter.]
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Antimatter bodies in “normal” space would not appear markedly different from matter bodies. They could be
detected only by the violence with which they would react to contact with matter. Should an object of antimatter
contact an object of matter, there would be an explosion releasing many hundreds of times more energy than a
hydrogen bomb of the same mass. That such explosions have not been detected to date is not improbable, given that
the universe is expanding.
For a time it seemed to me that the existence of “Black Holes” argued for their being a gate between the
“normal” universe and an entirely distinct one.
According to conventional theories, a Black Hole is a neutron star/“white dwarf” that continues to collapse in
upon itself to a density where the ratio of gravity to surface area would be so strong that escape velocity would have
to exceed the speed of light. Furthermore the strong gravity continues to “tighten” the mass of the Black Hole
continuously, resulting in an infinitely small concentration of the original mass. Logic would indicate that the
process would have to lead “somewhere” - perhaps into the “second” universe of anti-material existence, where a
proportionate expansion would take place. [The alternative to this - and the conventional Black Hole theory - is an
infinitesimal “point” of mass with the gravitational force of the original star ... which would suck into itself any other
chunk of mass passing close enough.]
Black Holes, however, are relatively unknown quantities. No sample Black Hole which could not just as easily
be a neutron star has manifested itself. [If Black Holes are infinitesimal points, this is not surprising.] So Black
Holes remain theoretical. Nor would a Black Hole make a very comfortable gate into a “second” universe, since a
traveler would be processed into a zero-dimensional pancake en route. To the Temple of Set Black Holes - if and
when their existence is verified - will be significant only if they constitute proof that a “second” universe should in
fact exist.
Setamorphosis from matter to antimatter in the normal universe wouldn’t seem to accomplish anything. Like
Alice going through the looking-glass, we would merely become mirror-images of ourselves, unable to come into
contact with matter. Setamorphosis into a different universe “opposite” this one through a gate less uncomfortable
than a Black Hole might be somewhat more interesting.
Acceleration past the speed of light will not in and of itself serve as any sort of a gate. [It might have, except for
the invalidation of the Special Theory of Relativity where the restriction on 186,000+ mps speeds is concerned.]
And the existence of Black Holes remains mathematically impossible, since a zero-dimensional point cannot contain
even an iota of mass, much less all that contained in a star.
But, if a Black Hole phenomenon should prove to be a rupture into a “second universe”, then we may find that
intense concentration of mass beyond a certain density forces such a rupture. If such a rupture can be made
passable to mass that has not itself undergone concentration, we’ve got our gateway. States the Book of Coming
Forth by Night:
HarWer I was when I was once part of the Cosmos and could achieve identity only by becoming what
the Cosmic order was not. By HarWer I cancelled the imbalance, leaving a Void in which true Creation could
take form as Set.
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A11: Setamorphosis II
- by Michael A. Aquino V°
Vernal Equinox 1976
Since I sent you the original Setamorphosis letter at the Winter Solstice of X, there has been quite a discussion
about the concept. The purpose of Setamorphosis II is to summarize some of the points that have been brought out,
to introduce some refine
ments to the original concept, and to identify additional considerations that may merit
discusion and research. I anticipate that Setamorphosis II will eventually be followed by III, IV, V, etc. as the
Temple of Set refines and systematizes the concept and components.
Summary of Discussion & Actions to Date
(1) From the Priesthood I have received no negative comments concerning the overall tone or philosophy of
Setamorphosis. This is significant because the concept involves some potentially-controversial assumptions and
conclusions.
The idea that Earth civilization is entering a period of over-saturation and crisis, for example, is by no means
generally accepted by analysts and forecasters.
The exclusivist and elitist tone of Setamorphosis might have raised some objections from readers on grounds
of compassion and humanitarianism.
The technological, financial, and cooperative requirements raised might have seemed ridiculous for an
organization that is presently just getting underway.
Finally it is a “long mental stretch” between ancient Egypt, traditional concepts of magic, Satanism, and
spaceships capable of faster-than-light/interdimensional travel! Some might have thought that the Temple was
simply biting off far more than it could ever hope to chew.
(2) As it turned out, however, the comments I received from you were positive. You took the ball and ran with
it. In individual letters you addressed various parts of the concept, suggested corrections & refinements, and
brought out considerations which the initial document did not raise. You discussed the concept with each other, and
with selected I°/II° Initiates. Finally, through the Executive Director’s office, a Department of Contingency Planning
(DCP) was formed to coordinate a continuing study of the First Problem of Setamorphosis.
This is where we stand right now, and it is nothing short of phenomenal when one considers that only four
months have elapsed since the Setamorphosis concept was introduced.
(3) The question of communications was brought up almost immediately. The membership of the Temple is
spread out rather loosely across great geographic expanses. What will be our primary and alternate methods of
communication, both now and in the foreseeable future? Why? Do we have a projected rate of organizational
The Temple of Set II Page 36
