Llewellyn, 1989. (TOS-3) (TRP-4) SF: “This whole work really represents a historical footnote to the ‘runic trilogy’,
as an outline and practical discussion of the magical methods of the early 20th century German rune magicians. In
many ways this is the general and practical companion to The Secret of the Runes by Guido von List. The material
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contained in Rune Might can also act as an effective bridge between the Germanic tradition and the more usually
found ‘Western’ (really Southern) tradition.”
24I. A Book of Troth by Edred Thorsson. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn, 1989. (TOS-5) (TRP-5) SF: “As Black Magic
has existed, and does exist, in a variety of cultures and religious contexts - not only in those in which it is seen as a
spiritually criminal kind of activity - this work seeks to help reestablish the more general White Magical (or
Religious) tradition of the North. In this more healthy general context of former days, the practice of Black Magic
was more completely supported by the common faith - even if it was just as little understood - and would certainly
again find such support in a renewed system of the true faith of the North should it actually revive. It is to this end
that this book was cast upon the world.”
24J. Fire and Ice: Magical Teachings of the Brotherhood of Saturn, Germany’s Greatest Secret Occult Order
by Stephen E. Flowers. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn, 1990. (TOS-1) (TRP-2) SF: “This is a general and fairly
comprehensive introduction to the history, ideology, structure and rituals of the Fraternitas Saturni, which is a
Thelemite (but non-Crowleyan) lodge which has dominated the German occult scene since the time of its inception
in the late 1920s. With this book, I took a step out and back to my occult roots in the ‘mainstream’ western magical
tradition. One of the main reasons for undertaking this study and writing this book was to explore the way in which
an Æonic Word finds expression beyond the bounds of its Magus. A preface by Michael A. Aquino is scheduled to
appear in future printings.” DW: “Michael Aquino’s preface is available from Runa-Raven Press. Certain
technologies from this book have been adapted with great success by Pylons such as the Bull of Ombos and the
Black Phœnix. A good study of the Black Flame as perceived before the coming of our Æon.”
24K. Rune Song: A Practical Guide to Rune Galdor by Edred Thorsson. Smithville, TX: Runa-Raven Press,
1993. (TOS-1) (TRP-1) SF: “Rune Song is a combination book and tape package. I have for a long time seen that the
pronunciation of the now-exotic-sounding words and phrases of the Teutonic tradition was felt to be a major
stumbling-block along the way to learning the lore. This project is designed to remedy that problem. Pronunciation
of languages such as Proto-Germanic (the reconstructed language from which all Germanic tongues are derived),
Old English, or Old Norse is usually the kind of thing only learned in the Ivory Towers of Academia. With Rune
Song I hope to make this kind of information available beyond that sphere.”
24L. The Nine Doors of Midgard by Edred Thorsson. Llewellyn, 1991. (TOS-3) (TRP-1) SF: “This is a basic
curriculum in magical training which takes the student from the beginning, assuming no prior training, and in a
step-by-step fashion provides exercises and a curriculum of reading and other sorts of training so that by the end of
the complete program it is possible to be considered for Naming as a Thegn or Drighten in the Rune-Gild. This
program was ten years in the making, and will be published next year. In the meantime it is available for a donation
to the Rune-Gild.”
24M. The Book of Ogham by Edred Thorsson. Llewellyn, 1992. (TOS-1) (TRP-4) SF: “The first grand
experiment in the use of the Polarian method moving outside of the home base of the Germanic tradition into the
kindred Celtic tradition. No magical tradition has been subject to more bastardization than the Celtic, so creating a
useful synthesis according to my methods seems a worthwhile endeavor.” DW: “Persons interested in the matrix
which produced Ogham may wish also to consult Celtic Heritage: Ancient Tradition in Ireland and Wales by Alwyn
and Brinley Rees. London: Thames & Hudson, 1961.”
* * *
Supplementary Works
- by Stephen E. Flowers VI*
There is a corpus of writing which is often essential to the fullest understanding of the depth of the Germanic
tradition, and which is not covered in the standard reading list of the Temple of Set. For a guide to these writings, I
have provided this supplementary reading list. These works provide a larger context for the understanding of many
works in Runelore, and give us a deep level basis for the understanding of the Northern (Indo-European-based)
Tradition of the Black Art, which is distinguished in many ways from the Southern (Middle Eastern-based)
Tradition.
24N. The Well and the Tree by Paul C. Bauschatz. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 1982. (TOS-3)
(TRP-4) SF: “To date this is the most valuable study on the Germanic conceptions of time and the structure of the
cosmos. It is a highly scholarly text which nevertheless contains many insights of direct magical use. Reviewed in
Runes #VII-2 by Rebecca Lance IV°/M.Tr.” DW: “A good book for the Setian to look at the force of What Has Come
Into Being ( Xeper) which the ancient Germans called ‘Weird’, and its powerful influence on What Is To Be. Helpful
in throwing off mundane ideas of ‘fate’ and a fixed future.”
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24O. Gods of the Ancient Northmen by Georges Dumezil, ed., tr. E. Haugen, et al. Berkeley: University of
California Press, 1973. (TOS-4) (TRP-3) SF: “This book outlines the connections of Germanic myth and religion with
the Indo-European tripartite socio-religious structure. This is not merely a ‘survey’ of Germanic mythology like
other books with similar titles. It is an invaluable text to dispel notions that the gods are merely the simple
personifications of natural forces, or the ‘deifications’ of mortal men.”
24P. The Myth of the Eternal Return, or Cosmos and History by Mircea Eliade. (= Bollingen Series 46) tr. W.
Trask. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1971 [1954]. (TOS-2) (TRP-4) SF: “All works by Eliade are
recommended, but this one is the one with which you should start. It explores the mythic meaning of ‘time’,
‘history’, ‘the center’, etc. The ideas contained in this book are fundamental to real understanding of mythic
traditions, and necessary to learning ‘to think mythically’.”
24Q. The Road to Hel by Hilda R. Ellis (Davidson). Cambridge: University of Cambridge Press, 1943. (TOS-4)
(TRP-4) SF: “This is an important study of the Teutonic concepts of death, the soul, and the other world(s).”
24R. Teutonic Mythology by Jacob Grimm, tr. J.S. Stallybrass. New York: Dover, 1966. 4 vols. (first published
1835). (TOS-4) (TRP-4) SF: “Although some of this work is now out-of-date, it remains a veritable treasure-trove of
material from every Teutonic tradition. It includes discussions of all the deities and beings, cosmology, magic,
herbs, etc.”
24S. The Poetic Edda by Lee M. Hollander, tr. and ed. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1962. (TOS-3)
(TRP-2) SF: “This is the best translation of the Elder Edda into English. Not only is it quite accurate, but it also
gives a real feel for the form of the Old Norse poetry - and can in turn serve as a model for the composition of
&nb
sp; modern Eddic verse in English.”
24T. A History of the Vikings by Gwyn Jones. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1968. (Also a second revised
edition.) (TOS-4) (TRP-4) SF: “This is the best general history of the Viking Age available in English. It may be
important for some Initiates to gain a fuller understanding for the lives and values of this last great pagan culture of
Europe.”
24U. In Search of the Indo-Europeans: Language, Archæology and Myth by J.P. Mallory. London: Thames &
Hudson, 1989. (TRP-4) SF: “This up-to-date survey of the whole spectrum of Indo-European studies is essential to
understanding the roots of Teutonic thought and society. It is from these seeds and from these roots that the
Teutonic tree blooms; understand the seed and you understand the very core of the fruit.”
24V. Volsunga Saga by William Morris, tr. Introduction and glossary by Robert Gutman. New York: Collier,
1962. (TOS-3) (TRP-3) SF: “Gutman’s introduction provides a fine historical, literary, and artistic background to
this great saga of the Teutonic peoples. Gutman compares the Volsunga Saga with the German Nibelungenlied and
with Wagner’s treatment of the same themes. The saga itself is one of the most important sources for understanding
the values of the Viking Age, and it certainly shows us how the Norsemen viewed their own broader Teutonic
heritage. The story of a clannic line - with its divine descent (from Odhinn), and its vicissitudes, flowering and
decline - is the Teutonic soul epitomized. The saga is of central importance to all seeking the inner meaning of Xeper
in the context of the Teutonic tradition.” DW: “Recommended for its portrayal of Xeper, as well as the polar concept
of the individual where one axis is ‘myth’ and the other ‘history’. Helpful for anyone planning to leave a magical
legacy on this Earth.”
24W. The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturlson, tr. A.G. Brodeur. New York: The Scandinavian American
Foundation, 1929. (TOS-4) (TRP-3) SF: “This is by far the best and most complete translation of the Younger Edda
in English. It includes not only the Gylfaginning, but also the Skaldskaparmal (which is not completely provided in
the Jean I. Young translation. Especially useful are Brodeur’s interpretations of the proper names in the text.”
24X. Egil’s Saga by Snorri Sturlson, tr. H. Palsson and P. Edwards. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1976. (TRP-4)
SF: “This saga is the greatest study of a rune magician from the elder age. There are many mysteries contained in
this saga - some of them not quite so obvious as the many times in which Egill uses rune magic and poetry to alter
the objective universe.” DW: “Good portrait of a Black Magician.”
24Y. Myth and Religion of the North by E.O.G. Turville-Petre. New York: Holt Rinehart & Winston, 1964.
(TOS-4) (TRP-3) SF: “Turville-Petre’s book is the best survey of old Scandinavian religion in English, and an
excellent one by any standard. He discusses the sources of our knowledge, all the divinities, the divine kings, heroes,
guardian spirits, temples and objects of worship, sacrifice, death, and cosmogony and cosmology.”
24Z. Runarmal-I: The Runa Talks (Summer 1991) by Stephen Edred Flowers. Smithville, TX: Runa-Raven
Press, 1996. (TOS-1) DW: “This is the essential text for persons seeking Runa. It is much more universal than Magus
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Flowers’ other books, and contains the essential relationship between Xeper and Runa. I consider it one of the most
important magical texts working in the world today.”
24AA. Northern Magic by Edred Thorsson. St. Paul: Llewellyn, 1992. (TOS-3) DW: “An easy-to-read
introduction to Gothic magic through the ages. Also a good introduction to magic generally for novices.”
24AB. Green Runa by Edred Thorsson. Smithville, TX: Runa-Raven Press, 1996. (TOS-3) DW: “This is a
collection of Magus Flowers’ writings 1978-1985. It has many useful nuggets, such as: the importance of learning
languages, a magical endeavor which Runa-Raven now supports by keeping a collection of learning aids for sale; ‘A
Curious Curse Formula’ revealing the secret of the Nine Angles as an operant technology; material on holy signs;
‘Rune-Wisdom and Race’ (a good essay for debunking the charge that you’re a Nazi if you study the Runes); the Rite
of Sumble; etc. A great supplement to any of Magus Flowers’ works. A magical biography of Magus Flowers by
James A. Chisholm, Honorary K.Tr., is included.”
24AC. The New Comparative Mythology: An Anthropological Assessment of the Theories of Georges
Dumezil by C. Scott Littleton. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1973. (TOS-3) (SKM-3) DW: “This is the best
introduction to the work of Dumezil, who opened the way for studying Indo-European peoples. The discovery of the
threefold division that underlies the thought of ancient Germans, Latins, and Iranians was Dumezil’s contribution to
the Reawakening (though he may have been influenced by #24E). Very little material on the Germanic peoples in
this book, but very useful for understanding the Weird of the Indo-Europeans.”
24AD. Black Runa by Stephen Edred Flowers. Smithville, TX: Runa-Raven Press, 1995. (TRP-4) MA: “A
personally-chosen selection of Magus Flowers’ essays for the Order of the Trapezoid during 1985-1989.”
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A13: The First Year
- by Michael A. Aquino V°
Scroll of Set #I-10, June XI/1976
It has now been almost a year since the reestablishment of the Temple of Set. I would like to review that year for
you, touching upon both the highlights and the problems we have experienced. Then I will outline the plans we have
for the next year, as well as some long-range projections. If you would like to discuss any of this material in greater
detail, feel welcome to contact the Priest or Priestess of Set nearest you.
At this time last year the situation was chaotic. The Church of Satan had disintegrated, and absolutely no plans
for a successor organization had been made. Until the appearance of the Book of Coming Forth by Night on the
night of June 21-22, almost no research into pre-Satan concepts had been done. Nor, upon close examination, would
the old administrative/ executive structures of the Church of Satan have been of any use to the Temple of Set. In
fact, they were practically non-existent, because the structure, Priesthood, program, membership, and policies of the
Church of Satan could be - and were - changed at a moment’s notice by decision of Anton LaVey.
Creating a new organization that would be merely a carbon copy of the old one was out of the question, else we
could eventually expect to encounter the same problems as the Church of Satan. Moreover, the Æon of Set embodies
a sense of purpose or direction ( Xeper) that did not exist in the aimless, hedonistic Age of Satan. The Temple of Set
would have to be designed to grapple with problems and undertake projects that would have been completely
beyond the reach of the Church of Satan, as well as of any previous religious/ philosophical group.
And so we faced two general tasks: (1) Creation of the structure of the Temple of Set, and (2) Defining and
introducing the direction in which the Temple should be moving.
The groundwork for the first task was laid in July, when the Priesthood worked out and approved a written
framework for the Temple consisting of eight Articles of Incorporation and ten By-Laws with 79 sections. These
provisions were given the force of law by incorporation of the Temple of Set within the State of Cal
ifornia. By
October the Secretary of State formally approved the Temple of Set as a legitimate religious institution, thus
granting us full rights as a tax-exempt, non-profit organization.
This was, however, just the beginning. In the Church of Satan the Priesthood had no voice in the running of the
organization, and the Council of Nine was merely an informal sounding-board for the High Priest. In the Temple of
Set the Priesthood has had to accustom itself to possessing and using a great deal of influence over the entire
Temple, and the Council of Nine is now in a position where it holds ultimate responsibility for the administration of
the Temple - being distinct from and superior to the office of the High Priest.
Hence there was an urgent need for the high-speed transmission of information throughout the III°+ levels of
the Temple. To meet this need I sent out a series of bulletins from my office, keeping the Priesthood advised on
moment-to-moment developments. I have also corresponded extensively with our officials, amassing a 12-month
file of letters that is about the size of a major city’s telephone book! Individual officials have also been
communicating just as extensively with one another - something that never happened in the Church of Satan. The
effect of this is extremely important, although it may not be automatically apparent to the general membership: It is
that every initiate to the Setian Priesthood, whatever his location, possesses a full and reliable understanding of the
design of the Temple of Set and its position at a current point in time.
All administrative services of the Temple to the general membership are now being coordinated through a new
office - that of Executive Director. Priest William F. Murray, who holds this position, has made it the veritable
nerve-center of our operations, controlling and/or coordinating finances, supplies, insignia, special research
projects, records, and an endless parade of special-action developments.
Working closely with the Executive Director are a growing number of specialized departments, councils, and
commissions across the continent. Data-processing is handled by Magister Grumboski in Michigan. The Scroll of
Set is edited and published in San Jose, California, by Magistra Wendall. Plans for a research data bank are being
The Temple of Set II Page 61
