9. The Æon of Horus
10.
The Golden Dawn and its Predecessors
11.
John Dee and the Enochian System
12.
The Pythagoreans
13.
Sex in Religion and Magic
14.
Fascism, Totalitarianism, and Magic
15.
Cybernetics and Artificial Intelligence
16.
Good and Evil
17.
The Gift of Set
18.
Life and Death
19.
The Metamind
20. The Four (?) Dimensions
21.
The Future
22. Toward the Unknown Region
23. Lesser Black Magic
24. Runic Arts and Sciences
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Category 1: Ancient Egyptian History
Ägyptische Frühgeschichte
as of February 26, 2003
Ancient Egypt holds the distinction of being both the first true nation (as opposed to city-state)
and the most enduring one - existing three times as long as the Roman Empire and fifteen times as long
as the United States. Many of the political and social principles which sustained Egypt are being
adapted for contemporary applications by the Temple of Set. Many Egyptian cultural and scientific
achievements, some long forgotten or neglected, are also of special importance when considered in the
light of related areas of Setian concern. Because of its undeniable grandeur and mystery, Egypt has been
sadly abused by occultists and sensationalists of later eras. Hence it is all the more incumbent upon
Setians to observe responsible standards of accuracy when referring to the present Temple’s ancient
heritage.
1A. The Mummy by E.A. Wallis Budge. NY: Collier Books, 1973. (TOS-2) MA: “This book contains sections on
history, magic, culture, and hieroglyphics. The late Keeper of Egyptian and Assyrian Antiquities for the British
Museum (and rumored initiate of the Golden Dawn), Budge has written many detailed works on Egyptology. Their
shortcomings are minor: an overemphasis on Osirian interpretation of philosophy and occasional questionable
assumptions (generally educated guesses based on whatever fragmentary archæological data were available during
his lifetime). The Mummy is a good ‘basic Budge’. Written at the beginning of this century, however, it is necessarily
dated. Its contents are best updated by comparison with recent theories contained in more modern works.”
1B. Egypt the Black Land by Paul Jordan. NY: E.P. Dutton, 1976. (TOS-2) MA: “Jordan is a writer and
producer of archæological films for television, specializing in Egyptology. This book, with chapters on history,
society, religion, morality, technical/scientific achievement, and philosophy, is an excellent survey incorporating
recent archæological data. Technical assistance from the Royal Scottish Museum’s Cyril Aldred. A good work to
cross-reference with #1A. Many beautiful photographs are included.”
1C. The Larousse Encyclopedia of Ancient and Medieval History by Marcel Dunn (Ed.). NY: Harper & Row,
1963 [reprinted 1972 (paperback) by Crown]. (TOS-3) MA: “The Egyptian section of this book is remarkably
succinct and objective, which accounts for its inclusion in this category. An additional benefit is that the book is
written sequentially, so that an episode occurring in one part of the world may be followed by an episode taking
place in another area at the same point in time. The general library value of this book extends far beyond its
Egyptological applications. Indeed, Setians would do well to familiarize themselves with the Larousse series,
including such Encyclopedias as #3R, #24A/B/C, and Modern History (companion to #1C).”
1D. Egypt Under the Pharaohs by Heinrich Brugsch-Bey. NY: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1891. (TOS-4) MA:
“Brugsch-Bey was one of Germany’s most prominent Egyptologists of the last century. This book was his final
publication, and in it he endeavored to derive a history of Egypt entirely from the inscriptions on its surviving
monuments. Since most of the inscriptions are quoted in the text, the reader has a means of assessing the author’s
conclusions - a rare luxury in Egyptology. The book is understandably dated and may be compared with works
incorporating more recent data.”
1E. The Curse of the Pharaohs by Philipp Vandenberg. NY: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1975 [paperback reprint
available]. [Deutschland: Der Fluch der Pharaonen. Europäische Bildungsgemeinschaft, Stuttgart, 1978.] (TOS-3)
MA: “Although written in a van Däniken-sensationalistic flavor, this book contains some interesting observations
concerning Egyptian magic, priesthoods, tomb preparation techniques [including anti-grave-robber devices], and
some of the major Egyptologists. Care is required to distinguish worthwhile lines of inquiry from the author’s more
fanciful speculations.”
1F. Secrets of the Great Pyramid by Peter Tompkins. NY: Harper & Row, 1971 [paperback reprint available].
[Deutschland: Die Geheimnisse der grossen Pyramide. Fischer Taschenbuchverlag, Frankfurt, 1979.] (TOS-3)
(TRP-3) MA: “This is the most comprehensive analysis to date of the Great Pyramid of Giza. [See also #1K.] It
contains a sophisticated discussion of the scientific and mathematical principles incorporated in the monument, as
well as a history of archæological attitudes towards it. Extensively illustrated. It should not be confused with the
many ‘pyramid fad’ books appearing shortly thereafter. Tompkins has written a companion volume on obelisks, as
well as one devoted to pyramid structures in the western hemisphere: Mysteries of the Mexican Pyramids (NY:
Harper & Row, 1976). While not as impressive as the information concerning the Giza pyramids, this material is also
worthy of study by those interested in architectural magic in general. Some provocative additional material
concerning the Great Pyramid is contained in The Mysteries of the Great Pyramids by A. Pochan (NY: Avon
#31492, 1978. Tompkins has also written the prefaces to #2AB and #5F.”
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1G. The Pyramids by Ahmed Fakhry. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1961. (TOS-3) MA: “Fakhry
(1905-1973) was Professor of Ancient History at Cairo University. This book is a thorough survey of all the major
Egyptian pyramids, with supplementary chapters on building processes, the Giza Sphinx, and related philosophy.
His approach is essentially unsympathetic to those who ‘read mysticism into’ the monuments; hence this book is a
good contrast to #1F. Nevertheless it is evident that Fakhry ignores data that do not support his solidly-materialistic
approach.”
1H. Lives of the Pharaohs by Pierre Montet. Cleveland: World Publishing Company, 1969. [Deutschland: Das
Leven der Pharaonen. Propyläen Verlag, Frankfurt, 1970.] (TOS-3) MA: “Montet is a Member of the French
Institute and Honorary Professor at the College de France. Rather than attempting to cover Egyptian history in its
entirely, he focuses on the more significant periods, governments, philosophies, and rulers. The result is a book with
major insights into such episodes as the Hebrew exodus, the Akhenaten period, and the Setian dynasties. After
reading this book, you will be able to see the Osirian distortions in most of the less exactingly researched histories.”
1I. A Book of the Beginnings by Gerald Massey. Seacaucus, NJ: University Books, 1974. (TOS-4) MA: “A two-
volume edition of about 1,200 pages. Massey was a poet and
amateur Egyptologist in turn-of-the-century England,
and this work was the first of his series on the topic. It was so radical a departure from accepted archæological
interpretations that it was rejected in academic circles. The book’s contentions are often startling, but Massey
documents his arguments so thoroughly and carefully that criticism is decidedly difficult. He is further an
accomplished linguist, reading and cross-referencing hieroglyphics fluently. Among the topics addressed: Egypt’s
connections with later civilizations’ mythologies, Egyptian origins of practically every Hebrew and Christian myth,
Egyptian origin of the Hebrew language, the Setian religion as the most ancient in existence, the Hyksos not outside
invaders but rather an indigenous Egyptian group, and periodic Setian/Osirian factional control of the nation.”
1J. The Natural Genesis by Gerald Massey. NY: Samuel Weiser, 1976 [two volumes]. (TOS-4) MA: “Massey
considered this as the ‘second half’ of #1I. It continues the same themes, with the noteworthy addition of an
extensive and exhaustive chapter on Darkness and Setian symbolism in ancient Egypt. Also included are many
investigations into the cults of HarWer and Xepera, animalistic influences on primitive human psychology, and
physiological influences on mythical systems. There are innumeral surprise tidbits along the way, such as evidence
for the Egyptian origins of the waters of ZamZam [see #6L]. A linguistic comparison of Sanskrit and Egyptian
hieroglyphics [no mean feat!] is appended. 1,050 pages.”
1K. Ancient Egypt, the Light of the World by Gerald Massey. NY: Samuel Weiser, 1976 [two volumes].
(TOS-4) MA: “Massey’s final work, originally published in 1907. In the introduction he said: ‘Comparatively
speaking, A Book of the Beginnings was written in the dark, The Natural Genesis was written in the twilight,
whereas Ancient Egypt has been written in the light of day.’ This work covers much the same ground as his earlier
editions, but it includes a major attack on Hebrew/Christian mythology. One suspects that this may be the reason
for the reluctance of Western society to accept, much less endorse Massey; those who interrupt soothing fictions
with irritating facts are rarely welcome. 944 pages. [In 1974 Samuel Weiser also published Gerald Massey’s
Lectures in hardcover. This volume is recommended as a supplement to Massey’s theoretical works, since it
comments upon their theses in a series of lecture texts. It will not be very intelligible to the reader who has not
previously read #1I/J/K, however.]”
1L. Pyramid Odyssey by Wm. R. Fix. NY: Mayflower Books, 1978. (TOS-3) MA: “Recommended as
supplementary reading to #1F. Fix is the first author to make a critical analysis of Tompkins’ contentions concerning
the Pyramids. In doing so he traveled to Giza and discovered that many facts concerning the Pyramids’
measurements which were taken for granted by various authors are unsubstantiated by first-hand measurement. Fix
also details various discoveries concerning the monuments which do not appear in other works on the subject. Fix
himself is an amateur rather than a professional Egyptologist or archæologist, but his arguments are impressive for
the obvious care with which they are constructed. [See also #2O.]”
1M. Egypt Before the Pharaohs by Michael A. Hoffman. NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 1979. (TOS-4) MA: “An
academic, archæological text written in language intelligible and meaningful to the layman. This is the first modern,
coherent treatment of Egyptian history and prehistory ca. 700,000 BCE to 3100 BCE and includes interesting
evidence and speculations concerning the origins of the Egyptians’ religious and philosophical traditions, including
the predynastic influence of the Set and Horus cults. Author a Ph.D. in Anthropology and a Professor at the
University of Virginia.”
1N. Chronicle of the Pharoahs by Peter A. Clayton. NY: Thames & Huston, 1994. (TOS-3) DW: “The most up-
to-date Pharaonic history.”
1O. A History of Ancient Egypt by Nicholas Grimaal. Oxford: Blackwell, 1992. (TOS-2) DW: “Grimaal ‘has
managed to transform - without disguising current gaps in knowledge - disparate sources of evidence and the result
- 171 -
of many different disciplines into a coherent historical sequence’. In the paperback version Kent R. Weeks (of KV5
fame) has added a nice section of further reading in English. Grimaal is a Professor of Egyptology at the Sorbonne.”
* * *
F1A. The Egyptian. MGA, 1954. MA: “This film was one of the ‘sword and sandals’ Cinemascope spectaculars
which were popular in the 1950s. Adapted from Mika Waltari’s novel, it tells the story of an Egyptian physician,
Sinue (Edmond Purdom), involved in court intrigues during the reign of Akhenaten (Michael Wilding). Taking
dramatic license, the film skips Tutankhamun, jumping the throne immediately to Horemheb (Victor Mature),
alternately regarded as the founder of the 19th (Setian) Dynasty or as a non-dynastic Pharaoh between the 18th &
19th Dynasties. This film is interesting not so much for archæology as for the picture it sketches of court life and
atmosphere in ancient Egypt. The Akhenaten era is a good subject for this, as of course it involved conflicts between
the traditional priesthoods and the throne-patronized cult of Aten. Additional roles are played by Jean Simmons,
Peter Ustinov, and Gene Tierney. The soundtrack is available on the MGA label and offers a nice selection of what
Hollywood thinks ancient Egyptian music might have been like [but probably wasn’t].”
F1B. Egypt: Quest for Eternity. National Geographic Society. MA: “Of all the archæological surveys of ancient
Egypt, this is - as is in keeping with NG productions generally - one of the most professional and visually
impressive.”
F1C. Mysteries of the Pyramids. MA: “A film that investigates the Pyramids as incisively as #1F & #1L
remains to be made. But this is a nice ‘tourist trip’, with a nice guide (Omar Sharif), if you can’t visit Giza
personally.”
* * *
P1A. KMT. KMT Communications, 1531 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94115. MA: “A layman’s
archæological magazine devoted to ancient Egypt. Subscriptions only - not normally available on newsstands.”
- 172 -
Category 2: Ancient Egyptian Philosophy
Philosophie im alten Ägypten
as of July 10, 2004
In a relatively short span of time, the Egyptian culture went from barbarism to an advanced and
intricate cosmological philosophy. After the fall of Egypt’s initiatory priesthoods - and the extinction of
hieroglyphic literacy - this philosophy survived only in crude and superficial approximations, often so
ludicrous out-of-context that Egypt became a prime target for romantic fantasy. Not for another two
thousand years would its true tenets begin to be rediscovered, and popular understanding of them is
still minimal - due, in no small part, to the significant dissimilarity between them and mainstream
Western philosophy and mysticism, which proceed largely from Judaic/Christian assumptions. For the
Setian to understand the Temple of Set, it is first necessary to understand and experience life as the
initiated Egyptians perceived it, then to temper that impression with modern scientific knowledge.
2A. Egyptian Mythology by Veronica Ions. NY: Hamlyn Publishing Group, 1973 [series updated & reissued
1986 by Peter Bedrick Books]. [Deutschland: Ägyptische Mythologie. Vollm
er Verlag, Wiesbaden, 1970.] (TOS-3)
(SHU-2) MA: “Detailed analyses of the many divinities, religions, and religious centers of Egypt, this book differs
from others on the same subject by not over-emphasizing the Osirian religion (about which the most information
survived, accounting for the disproportionate emphasis accorded it by most Egyptologists and archæologists).
Contains much post-Budge data. Part of an excellent world mythology/religion series by the same publisher. Other
volumes in the series include: Chinese, African, Persian, Scandinavian, Greek, Celtic, Roman, Christian, Indian,
Near Eastern, North American Indian, Oceanic, South American, and Mexican & Central American.”
2B. Before Philosophy by Henri Frankfort (author of #2Q) et al. Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1946. (TOS-3)
MA: “A survey of higher cosmological, political, and moral thought prior to Hellenic Greece. The section on Egypt,
written by John A. Wilson, summarizes Egyptian cosmology, the concept and functioning of the state, and various
values of life. This material is particularly helpful in understanding the integration of Egyptian cosmology into the
entire political and social attitude and derivative structures & institutions of the nation. This book is generally
considered the classic work on its subject.”
2C. From Fetish to God in Ancient Egypt by E.A. Wallis Budge. London: Oxford University Press, 1934.
(Quality paperback reprint available) (TOS-4) MA: “This last major Egyptological text written by Budge
incorporates many new archæological discoveries not yet made when he authored his earlier works. 545 pages long
and extensively documented, it may be considered his magnum opus. It covers the entire range of Egyptian religion,
with abundant quotes from actual texts and inscriptions. The Osirian cult is still disproportionately emphasized,
however, and the political/social applications of the religious philosophy covered are not treated in detail.”
2D. The Egyptian Heaven and Hell by E.A. Wallis Budge. La Salle, Illinois: Open Court, 1974. (TOS-3) MA:
“In this book Budge describes major Egyptian texts dealing with the Tuat (the ‘afterworld’) - specifically the Book of
Gates, Book of Am-Tuat, and other accounts of a non-Osirian orientation. This material is valuable as a contrast to
the more extensive and better-known Book of Coming Forth by Day (‘ Book of the Dead’), which treats the same
The Temple of Set II Page 39
