subjects from an Osirian perspective.”
2E. The Conflict of Horus and Seth by J. Gwyn Griffiths. Chicago: Argonaut Publishers, 1969. (TOS-4) MA:
“This book contains both extensive quotes from Egyptian texts and analyses of later treatments of the legend by
Herodotus, Diodorus, Plutarch, and subsequent scholars. It remains the definitive work on the subject, with a 23-
page bibliography. It is out of print, and few copies exist, so significant material from it will be introduced from it as
pertinent in Temple of Set papers. #2E may be considered a companion volume to #2G.”
2F. The Dawn of Astronomy by J. Norman Lockyer. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1964. [More recently republished
at US$45 by Kessinger Publishing; P.O. Box 160; Kila, MT 59920 - phone (406) 756-0167.] (TOS-3) MA: “Lockyer,
an eminent British astronomer of the 19th century, developed a theory that the Egyptian gods - and the temples and
artifacts dedicated to them - were closely integrated with astronomical phenomena. Although he accompanied his
argument with extensive documentation, the theory was initially considered too radical to have substance. Recent
archæological discoveries have prompted the reprinting and reconsideration of this book.”
2G. Seth, God of Confusion by H. Te Velde. Leiden, The Netherlands: E.J. Brill, 1977. (TOS-4) (SKM-1) MA:
“This is the definitive analysis of Set in ancient Egyptian religion and philosophy. Essentially an archæological
reference work, it includes 150 pages of text, 6 pages of bibliographic entries, and a section cross-referencing Set to
major Egyptian texts. Reprinted [quality paperback] and revised from the original 1968 edition. Write for Brill’s
current catalogue, which also includes many other works of possible interest. In the U.S.A. write to: E.J. Brill, P.O.
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Box 467, 24 Hudson Street, Kinderhook, NY 12106. Overseas: E.J. Brill, Postbus 9000, 2300 PA Leiden, The
Netherlands. #2G may be considered a companion volume to #2E.”
2H. Cleopatra by H. Rider Haggard. NY: Harper & Brothers, 1888. Reprinted 1987 by Castle Books Division
of Book Sales, Secaucus, NJ (ISBN 1-55521-122-4) [Deutschland: Kleopatra. Arthur Schilbach Verlag, Leipzig,
1898.] (TOS-5) (LVT-5) MA: “Haggard, better known as the author of She and King Solomon’s Mines, also produced
this extraordinary account of Egyptian initiatory priesthoods and their relationship to the national government. The
plot revolves around the hypothetical survival of a native line of succession, protected by the Priesthood of Isis,
during the Ptolemaic era. Harmachis, last of this line is charged by the Priesthood to overthrow Cleopatra and
reestablish the Egyptian dynasties. What transpires involves many lessons concerning initiation, honor, and the
responsibilities of a true priesthood and priest-kingship. Aspirants to the Priesthood of Set should accordingly take
seriously to heart the central theme of this story.” JL: “The meeting of Harmachis with Cleopatra is that of one
magician encountering another and proving as did Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and The Wizard of Oz that an
‘evil’ can be overcome only by chance or a yet greater ‘evil’, bearing in mind that ‘evil’ is in the eye of the beholder.
The lessons of the central theme spoken of by MA for those aspirants to the Priesthood of Set are also extremely
important.”
2I. Ancient Egypt by Maurice Maeterlinck. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1925. (TOS-4) MA: “This
essay succeeds in capturing the atmosphere of Khem to a degree unmatched by other published works. Chapters on
life, the wisdom of the priesthoods, the secret religion, and the spiritual atmosphere of the land. [Maeterlinck is also
the author of #18D.]”
2J. Development of Religion and Thought in Ancient Egypt by James H. Breasted. NY: Charles Scribner’s
Sons, 1912. (TOS-4) MA: “Breasted was Professor of Egyptology and Oriental History at the University of Chicago,
and this book is composed of a series of lectures given at a theological seminary. Although some of the source
material is dated, this book covers the same ground as #2B with greater sophistication and detail. Egyptian texts are
quoted and documented with precision, and appropriate attention is given to non-Osirian aspects of the national
philosophy and to the integration of the religion with the entire state of being of Egypt.”
2K. The Mythical Origin of the Egyptian Temple by E.A.E. Reymond. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1969. (TOS-4)
MA: “Primarily an archæological text, this book treats the actual construction of Egyptian temples from the myths
surrounding them. Major sections cover actual use of the temples - something rarely to be found in other works on
Egyptian religion - as well as the legends concerning the conception and construction of specific edifices. Reymond
is precise with his facts; the book is dry but thoroughly scholarly. Useful as a ‘hard archæological’ contrast to #2P.”
2L. Her-Bak (two volumes) by Isha Schwaller De Lubicz. NY: Inner Traditions, 1954. (TOS-3 alternative to
#2AB) (SHU-1) (LVT-1) MA: “Although speculative and intuitive rather than strictly historical, Her-Bak describes
the experience of Egyptian priestly initiation clearly, coherently, and consecutively. The two volumes are in the form
of a narrative story whereby a young Egyptian, Her-Bak, undergoes both exoteric and esoteric selection and
schooling. Included throughout the narrative are many digressions into the social, political, and cultural life of
ancient Egypt. A wealth of appendices provide more detailed discussions of some of the key concepts and points
addressed in the story proper. The reading of Her-Bak is a pleasant, reflective, and meditative experience - so much
so that one is occasionally relaxed to the point of sleep! Her-Bak’s Egypt seems to be suspiciously free of the
interpersonal strife that characterizes so much of human society. If there is a shortcoming to this work, then, it is
that it doesn’t come to grips with ‘low’ human nature in the way that #2H, #2M, or Waltari’s The Egyptian can do.
When all of life begins to seem like a Booth cartoon, read some Her-Bak. [For a more archæological treatment of the
Egyptian priesthood institution, see #2AA.]” JL: “MA’s description of the two volumes is concise and insightful. One
could wish de Lubicz had Dr. Aquino’s ability to say a lot in fewer words. The GM of the Order of Leviathan detests
the Her–Bak books with a passion, but admits grudgingly that the set holds more than its share of wisdom as Her-
Bak Xepers from urchin to initiate.” DW: “The Schwallers were French Romantics who undertook a magical and
philosophical interpretation of Egyptian culture and symbolism. I would include Schwaller on my list of Magi; his
Word was Al Khemi, which was later reUttered by Ronald K. Barrett as Xem. For one perspective on Schwaller see
his biography: Al Khemi: Hermetic, Occult, Political, and Private Aspects of R.A. Schwaller de Lubicz by Andre
Vandenbroeck (Hudson, NY: Lindisfarne Press, 1987).”
2M. Wisdom’s Daughter by H. Rider Haggard. NY: Del Rey #345-27428-8-195, 1922. (TOS-3) (LVT-2) MA:
“Another approach to the subject of #2L in the form of a novel concerning the Egyptian initiation of Ayesha, central
figure of Haggard’s She and its sequels. The novel’s orientation is first Osirian [Ayesha’s initiation is as a Priestess of
Isis] and ultimately theistic, but her use of her priesthood is quite Setian - thus leading her to the experiences
recounted in She and Ayesha: The Return of She. Her-Bak this is not!” JL: “Anyon
e whose only exposure to
Haggard’s She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed is #F2B is missing a great deal. The movie’s characters cannot hold a candle
to the actual Black Magician which Ayesha is. Members of the Order of Leviathan will benefit from seeing the mind
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of the Priestess [at least nominally of Isis] in motion as she plans for the present and future, invariably confounding
her foes. Time and circumstance are the servants of Ayesha, not her masters.”
2N. Mathematics in the Time of the Pharaohs by Richard J. Gillings. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1972. (TOS-4)
MA: “This is a scientific textbook; its chapters are filled with mathematical formulæ and calculations as the
Egyptians employed them. Apart from the purely technical evidence it offers concerning the high level of Egyptian
civilization, it may be considered an interesting cross- reference with #12E and #12F.”
2O. Star Maps by Wm. R. Fix. London: Octopus Books, 1979. (TOS-3) MA: “In this book Fix, the author of
#1L, undertakes the somewhat more ambitious task of making sense out of Egyptian ‘out of the body’ writings,
specifically with regard to extraterrestrial life sources and life-after- death modes of existence. This book has strong
points [interesting analyses of various inscriptions, correlations to the work of Lockyer (#2F) and Lilly (#19N)] and
weak points [accounts of ‘astral’ experiences of dubious authenticity and relevance, i.e. Stanford Research Institute
(see #19W)]. Yet Fix brings to this study the same sincerity and tenacity evident in his earlier work; he is trying to
make sense of some admittedly perplexing data. His conclusion is that man is primarily a metaphysical and only
degeneratively a physical entity, and that his eventual triumph over the physical orientation will enable the initiated
intelligence to return to a universal/stellar mode of unrestricted existence and consciousness. In this theme Fix has
much in common with most of the initiatory texts and stories in this reading list category. This book could also be
classified in categories #18 or #19, but is placed here because of Fix’ many references to ancient Egyptian texts and
philosophies. A well-researched and argued hypothesis, not a definitive statement.”
2P. The Temple in Man by R.A. Schwaller de Lubicz. Brookline, Massachusetts: Autumn Press, 1949. (TOS-4)
MA: “De Lubicz, an alchemist [in the philosophical sense] became an amateur Egyptologist, residing near Luxor for
15 years. In this book he presents the thesis that Egyptian temple construction has certain geometric and
architectural relationships to the human body. Further - and perhaps more central to his Egyptological
contributions - he proposes that any study of ancient Egypt prenecessitates one’s personally assuming the
Egyptians’ philosophical outlook. Otherwise the monuments and writings convey distorted meanings. The clarity,
logic, and coherence of #2L (written by his wife) are the best possible testimony to this approach.”
2Q. Kingship and the Gods by Henri Frankfort (Editor of #2B). Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1948.
(TOS-3) MA: “A comparative study of the institutions of Egyptian and Mesopotamian kingship and their
relationship to the respective religious and magical codes of the lands in question. Relevant to the Temple of Set not
only because of the historical material contained, but also because of its indication that Platonic concepts of the role
of the philosopher-king originated in Egyptian governmental tradition.”
2R. Principles of Egyptian Art by Heinrich Schaefer (Emma Brunner-Traut, Ed.) (John Baines, Trans. Ed.)
Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1974. [Deutschland: Von ägyptischer Kunst, besonders der Zeichenkunst. Heinrichs
Verlag, Leipzig, 1922.] (TOS-4) MA: “From E.H. Gombrich’s foreword: ‘This book is more than a classic of
Egyptology. Its results must be of interest to art historians, psychologists, and philosophers who concern themselves
with systems of signs and their role in communication. It constitutes indeed the only attempt ever made of
analyzing an artistic style as a mapping procedure. Schaefer has successfully reconstructed the key we have to
consult if we want to interpret an Egyptian image in terms of what it is intended to represent. Put in another way, he
teaches us the rules of transformation we must apply if we want to translate an Egyptian representation into the
corresponding verbal description of a real or imaginary situation.’”
2S. The Opening of the Way by Isha Schwaller de Lubicz. NY: Inner Traditions, 1979. (TOS-3) MA: “A non-
fictional treatment of some of the main themes of #2L by the same author. As is the case with some of the
philosophical dialogues in #2L, the writing style is a bit on the dry side. Moreover the argument culminates in a
somewhat lame proposal for gnostic Christianity, which is presumably the result of the author’s feeling she has to
end up in some kind of mode acceptable to the mainstream of Western religious tradition [a mistake]. The reader
should not be put off by this, but should approach the text for what it does present competently.”
2T. Egyptian Language by E.A. Wallis Budge. NY: Dover Publications, 1973. (TOS-3) MA: “A small,
economical, and relatively easy-to-read introduction to Egyptian hieroglyphics. This book will not teach you to
become fluent in ancient Egyptian, however; for that you would have to undertake more extensive and exhaustive
studies. [Ten years of training was required of Egyptian scribes.] If you are not deterred, proceed to #2U and #2X.”
2U. An Egyptian Hieroglyphic Dictionary (two volumes) by E.A. Wallis Budge. NY: Dover Publications, 1978.
(TOS-4) MA: “A reprint of the original 1920 dictionary, which is virtually unavailable outside of libraries. Though
flawed by some later discoveries in hieroglyphic translation techniques, this remains the most available and easy-to-
read publication of this type.”
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2V. Symbol and the Symbolique by R.A. Schwaller de Lubicz. NY: Inner Traditions. (TOS-4) MA: “An
introduction to the vital [as opposed to rational] philosophy espoused by the author in #2P. This book specifically
addresses the Egyptians’ use of symbol and symbolism in representing such concepts.”
2W. The Gods of the Egyptians by E.A. Wallis Budge. London: Open Court, 1904 (reprinted in two volumes by
NY: Dover, 1969). (TOS-3) (SHU-2) MA: “Budge’s survey of the principal Egyptian gods and groupings of gods.
Extensive and pertinent chapters concerning Set and Nepthys (who are usually treated rather superficially in other
books on this subject). A good cross-reference to #2A.”
2X. Egyptian Grammar by Sir Alan Gardiner. Oxford: University Press, 1927 (Third Edition reprinted
through 1979). (TOS-4) MA: “This 646-page hardcover book will teach you how to read and write hieroglyphic text,
but it is a difficult and demanding undertaking. There is a dictionary in the latter part of the book; while not as large
as that of #2U, it is generally acknowledged to be more accurate since it reflects advances in the field since Budge’s
time. Currently selling for about £17 in London.”
2Y. Sacred Science by R.A. Schwaller de Lubicz. NY: Inner Traditions, English translation 1982. (TOS-4) MA:
“This book - the most extensive work by this author - might perhaps be described as his version of the #2S
argument, supported by a non-fictional treatment of the principles espoused [pardon the pun] in #2L. It is
noteworthy for comparisons drawn to Pythagorean and Copernican thought. I would assess it as being somewhat
more speculative and subjective than a strictly-archæological analysis should be, and again the author’s inclination
towards an Osirian bias and a resultant Gnostic Christianity is - as in #2S - apparent.”
2Z. Egyptian Mysteries by Lucie Lamy. NY: Crossroad, 1981. (TOS-3) MA: “Lamy was a long-time student of
R.A.S. de Lubicz, and her superb Egyptian/hieroglyphic illustrations, both line drawings and color paintings, may be
found throughout his works as well as in the Her-Bak volumes. In this slim but elegant treatise on Egyptian
religious philosophy - also beautifully photo-accented and illustrated, she displays her considerable skill as an
author and philosopher as well. In keeping with what I am tempted to call the ‘de Lubicz style’, the discussion is
marked by serenity and quiet reverence for the concepts being treated; this is no ‘textbook’ that treats the ancient
Egyptians like so many interesting bugs to be dissected. 96 pages - about the size of one of the Hamlyn books. More
diverse than #2A in its treatment of philosophical concepts, and I would say more insightful as well - but not nearly
as systematically organized. This is a ‘browsing and enjoying’ book.”
2AA. The Priests of Ancient Egypt by Serge Sauneron. NY: Grove Press (Black Cat Edition), 1980. (TOS-3)
MA: “Serge Sauneron is a former Director of the French Oriental Archæological Institute in Cairo, and has
participated in excavations in Tanis and Karnak. In this 190-page book he focuses on the concept of the priesthood
as it evolved in the ancient Egyptian culture. Whereas #2L is more intuitive than archæological, #2AA is solidly an
archæological work. Chapters deal with: the priestly function, the world of the temples, the sacred activities, the
sacred wisdom, and the fortunes & misfortunes of the priesthoods. The rise and fall of various priesthoods over the
dynasties is also discussed in some detail, including the renaissance of the Priesthood of Set during the XIX-XX
Dynasties.”
2AB. Serpent in the Sky: The High Wisdom of Ancient Egypt by John Anthony West. NY: Julian Press, Inc.
(ISBN 0-517-56635-4), 1987. (TOS-3 alternative to #2L) MA: “An extremely lucid and concise summary of the de
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