The Temple of Set II

by Michael A Aquino

  crime to let the cats kill each other, though.

  When a cat died, its family went into great mourning, even shaving their eyebrows. The cat’s body was either

  mummified and buried in special cat cemeteries, or cremated with great pomp. Cat mummies are so numerous

  today that a museum with an exhibit on Egypt should have at least one.

  Several goddesses have been likened to Bast: Rat, the female counterpart of Tem; Mut, the Lady of Asheru; lusa-

  aset at Heliopolis; Hathor; Isis; Sekhmet and Menhet in Nubia; and Mut and Uatchet at Memphis. Whereas these

  goddesses do share Bast’s attributes, Bast is the only goddess to whom the domestic cat was sacred.

  Sekhmet is represented as a lioness crowned by the solar disk and the uræus. She sometimes holds an ankh and

  a sceptre. Bast is represented in many ways, but always with the head of a domestic cat. Sometimes she is seated,

  her tail wrapped around her front paws. Sometimes she is a mother cat surrounded by kittens. Sometimes she is

  pictured wearing one earring. In human-cat form Bast is often standing, holding a sistrum (a musical instrument

  with a sound similar to a cat’s purr) in her right hand, a basket over her left arm and an ægis in her left hand.

  Bast is also represented with the disk and uræus of Sekhmet, but Bast is seldom a lioness and Sekhmet is never

  a domestic cat. All of this might make Bast sound pretty “white light” were it not for the nature of cats, and a

  coincidence: Bast has also been associated with Taurt, sometimes represented as Set’s wife; and in the sky Bast was

  represented by Gamma Draconis - Set’s star. The circumpolar stars and those close to them were reserved for “gods

  of darkness~ in Egypt from the time when night was darkness save for the light from the heavens. In this one

  124 Of Lower Egypt. Some authors call this the Vll Nome. The number of Nomes increased as Egypt progressed from the Old to

  Middle to New Kingdoms.

  - 264 -

  respect Bast always retained the character of Sekhmet; and even the most gentle and purring domestic cat is capable

  of all the ferocity of a lioness.

  Herodotus tells us that the annual festival at Bubastis was celebrated during the second month of inundation

  (Paini, 5/26-6/25125 ), which would immediately precede the North Solstice beginning the astronomical period of

  Set. Herodotus was also struck by the fact that the Temple of Bast was visible from every point in the city of

  Bubastis. It stood in a hollow and was surrounded by the city, which was amphitheater-shaped due to the various

  buildings which had been razed for new construction. Since many pharaohs and other wealthy individuals

  commissioned buildings in Bubastis, the “hills” must have been quite high. Even though Bubastis was an important

  city, this razing and rebuilding has apparently made Bubastis an archeological site far more important than the city

  itself was.

  As far as we know, it was in Egypt that people first adopted small cats as household pets, although cats of many

  kinds figure in almost all of the religions of the world. It also seems likely that Bubastis is the only city dedicated to

  the worship of the domestic cat. It’s from the city and its caffre cat goddess that Bubastis Pylon takes its name, in

  honor of the domestic animal whose independence, inquisitiveness, beauty, mystery, and depth of personality make

  it most “Setian.”

  References

  Budge, E.A. Wallis, The Egyptian Book of the Dead. NYC: Dover.

  - The Gods of the Egyptians. NYC: Dover.

  - The Mummy. NYC: Collier Books, 1974.

  Herodotus (George Hawlinson, Trans.), The History of Herodotus. London: J.M. Dent & Sons Ltd, 1930.

  Lockyer, J. Norman, The Dawn of Astronomy. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1964.

  Michalowski, Kazimierz, Art of Ancient Egypt. NYC: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., p. 497.

  Patrick, Richard, “Enter the Cat” in A Treasury of Cats. NYC: Octopus Books Ltd, 1973, pages 6-19.

  * * *

  If you’re interested in the role cats have played in other religions, you might want to read The Cult of the Cat by

  Patricia Dale-Green (NYC: Weathervane Books, 1972). It’s also available in a paperback edition, but the hardbound

  edition is worth the extra cost for the pictures.

  125 Some authors give April and May; I use the calendar in Budge’s The Mummy.

  - 265 -

  A20: Non-Partisan Political Aspects of the Setian Philosophy

  - by Howard M. Sinnott III°

  Scroll of Set #II-1, September 1976

  The human race has the potential to destroy itself and all traces of its civilization within a matter of minutes.

  Movies that have come out recently seem to show a preoccupation with destruction and doom. For rational, sane

  people, this cataclysm is a frightening aspect, to be avoided by any way possible.

  The Temple of Set is dedicated to the survival of civilization and of its membership. We are an elitist

  organization; we realize that not all people are truly equal, but are indeed unique. Some people are talented and

  gifted, visionary and intelligent, while others, most, I’m afraid, are never meant to see beyond their own noses. We,

  the elite, must endeavor to lead the masses on a path that will save them, if possible. Our first duty, however, is to

  ensure our own survival and prosperity.

  It would be realistic to point out that our members are few; it is our quality that sets [sorry about that pun] us

  apart from the rest of the religions. Even with our higher quality of people, it is ludicrous to think that we can save

  the world. Right now we might be lucky to save ourselves.

  We cannot, however, allow ourselves to be dominated by pessimism. We live in a political climate that allows us

  to exist, for which we can be grateful. The Temple of Set supports this political system that allows each person to

  profess his or her own religious beliefs; without compulsion to change. In fact, on this point, we must always

  jealously guard this precious right, because it is a right that zealous self-appointed saviours and prophets do not

  recognize. Since every person has the right to blind himself by his own illusions, we do not begrudge anyone’s

  religious beliefs. We surely wouldn’t want everyone to become Setians and thus bring unqualified persons into our

  Temple. Set chooses his Elect, not the other way around.

  What of the other political issues, you may ask. There are many controversies floating around, and many

  candidates seeking your support. Well, the Temple of Set is a recognized religious organization and thus tax-exempt

  under the laws of the United States and California. This is a valuable thing to have for all of us, and accurately

  reflects the nature of our organization.

  The Temple of Set does not involve itself in partisan political activities; it will not lobby, endorse candidates or

  issue political position papers. We do so for two reasons: (1) Our tax-exempt status forbids it; and (2) More

  importantly, it could possibly divide our membership over a relatively trivial matter and thus change the nature of

  the Temple from that of a religious and philosophical society to that of a political club.

  Partisan politics is concerned with immediate, hot issues. It is extremely rare for this issue to be of any long-

  range importance. Those in the public forum use these issues to manipulate the masses (i.e. abortion). At times such

  an issue may affect the life of individual members, in which case, that member should be intelligent enough to figure

  out a lawful course of action to take on his or
her own to get the point across and protect the interest threatened.

  Remember that this takes energy. Determine if the interest affected is worth all this energy to protect it. It is

  possible to win the battle (protect the interest) and lose the war (too much expended energy and time). You do not

  (or should not) need the Temple of Set to tell you what to do. We will not be like the Catholic bishop and stand up in

  a pulpit and tell you to write letters against abortion or anything else. Our members are people, not sheep.

  As it was stated in the Book of Coming Forth by Night, we are in a crisis situation. If we fail, the Majesty of Set

  will be no more. However, if we do succeed, then we shall come into a most glorious age with purpose and

  knowledge. That, indeed, is our challenge: to succeed.

  Success will come by looking into the future and anticipating the adversities, not by grappling blindly in the pit

  of despair with the present.

  The problems of the present seem so all-encompassing, yet they are only a warning of the future. For too long

  we have lived without considering the ramifications of our actions on future

  generations.

  So long as the human race lives on, we have the only form of immortality that is really possible; the memory of

  our deeds and existence in the minds of those who follow us. If we act without considering those who will follow us,

  then indeed Set will be no more, as he has tied his fate to that of mankind.

  We mustn’t wait for others to act and think for us; we must do it ourselves. The Setian should take it upon

  himself to do his part to solve the problems that threaten us, so that mankind can go on.

  You need not think in terms of universal salvation. If it is possible to save only a few by acting, better that than

  doom for everyone. It can be possible to try to save more of the world, but a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

  We are at a pivotal time in the history of mankind. It’s a bad cliche, but an appropriate one. We can either

  descend into chaos, destruction, and oblivion, or else find our way to an age of greatness where progress can

  continue to give all of us a better life. The Setian is well suited for this quest.

  When considering priorities set by the political system, as individuals ask these questions: “Will this help make

  the future better? Will it help reach a long-range solution to the problems that beset us?” If it does, it should be

  supported while we also work on our own solutions. If it does not, then you should either work to change it within

  the law, or redouble your efforts to reach another solution, to ensure our own survival.

  - 266 -

  A21: The Right to Die

  - by James Lewis I°

  Scroll of Set #II-1, September 1976

  Death. For many people this is the most frightening word in the world; yet it can be the most comforting boon

  available to mankind, our Fifth Race included.

  Bear in mind that I write this as a Setian and also as a member of a nursing team; you will see both elements

  emerge as I comment.

  Part of my graduation vow, our class promise, was to sustain life insofar as we were able to do so. Then I recited

  the words with everyone else and had no more idea of what “life” was and is than I could plot an accurate map of

  Pluto. All we knew was that we had drugs and machines for everything and every condition. Ha! Looking back, I

  realize that while now my knowledge is limited, then I had the “new graduate syndrome” and knew everything!

  The first few patients we lost made me chew my nails long into the night wondering what else could have been

  done. I looked with disgust at doctors who ordered, “NO C.P.R.” (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on certain

  patients. I thought patients and families who gracefully accepted a coming end to be slightly, if not totally mad. Now

  I look back and see that these were patients in their seventies, eighties, and nineties; patients with carcinomas, or

  chronic pulmonary or renal or what-not disorders, and wondered how I could’ve been cruel enough to want them to

  remain in such a living hell. Thus saith the nurse.

  Very few of us have not seen a family member or a close friend in a terminal stage. Some go with grace, dignity

  and acceptance. Others go with pain, fear, and raging against this end that must be. With acceptance or denial, the

  heart still ends with asystole after the fibrillation stage. Yes, we can do endotracheal intubation, gastric intubations,

  venous cutdowns, defibrillate in hopes of a normal sinus cardiac pattern, administer intravenous norepinephrine,

  use respirators, furosenimide - the works! But if the brain cells are damaged so that there appears to be no hope of

  recovery [and I realize I get into something touchy here], why not stop? Can we of the Fifth Race, or any other,

  believe the Intellect, the Will, is still there? Suppose it is? Suppose it’s chained to this multi-tubed, mechanically-

  assisted body. Would it not scream for release?

  Christianity preaches a burning Hell for non-believers. I say that there is no greater Hell than listening to the

  sounds of respirators through a tracheostomy, or knowing the last fever I’m fighting with antipyretics and sponging

  is the body saying, “This is my way of fighting it; let me do it, and then let me go.”

  Listen now to a remark made by an elderly carcinoma patient who was resuscitated by some eager-beaver new

  graduates after a cardiac arrest: “Why did you bring me back? I was in a beautiful place. I was happy that I wasn’t

  hurting anymore, and those fields and hills went on for as far as I could see. I was there, but I knew what you were

  all doing to me. You made me come back to this! Why?”

  I confess it sounds sugary, but the lady has a point. That happened two weeks ago and the narcotics needed to

  decrease her pain grows daily. Senseless, purely and simply senseless.

  Of course, I’m not advocating never raising a finger, nor do I advocate euthanasia. I can look back on many who

  have been pulled through and lead full lives and on whom all these measures were fully justified.

  Now I say as a Setian: Let the body return to decay and dust. The Will still lives. Xeper.

  - 267 -

  A22: Why I Collect Science Fiction

  - by Forrest J Ackerman, Honorary Setian

  Scroll of Set #II-1, September 1976

  You ask me why I collect science fiction, what I get out of it.

  First of all, I got my whole life out of it. It brought me, after 47 years of collecting, to a $250,000 mortgage that

  will take me til 1998 when I am 84 years old to pay off, just to house the results of my collecting in a 4-story 17-room

  house in Hollywood that will be a proper repository for the collection.

  Al Jolson had to sing. Fred Astaire was born to dance. I discovered science fiction when it was still scientifiction,

  in the October 1926 Amazing Stories, and by 1929 my collection encompassed not only Amazing but Amazing

  Stories Annual, Amazing Stories Quarterly, Science Wonder Stories, Science Wonder Quarterly, Air Wonder

  Stories, Science & Invention, some Weird Tales, and any issues of Argosy, Bluebook, Liberty, Popular or any other mundane magazines that turned up with “stf” stories in them, plus books by Burroughs, Kline, Cummings et al. By

  then I was corresponding with about 117 fans & authors. Soon I was into collecting stills from “scientifilms” and

  trying my hand at writing sf of my own, and at the beginning of 1932 the first fanzine was started and I was

  associated with it as a contributor.

  In the beginn
ing I collected sf avidly because I was thirsty for more than existed and it was like a man collecting

  dew in a desert oasis when he didn’t know where his next drop of water was coming from.

  In 1975 I am still collecting science fiction because it has long been a way of life. Years ago I conceived of the

  creation of a Fantasy Foundation. I thought that many people would help me. Few have. To those who have, I am

  immensely grateful. But many moons ago it became evident that I was mainly going to have to do it myself.

  I wonder how much I’ve spent in collecting in nearly 50 years? Several hundred thousand dollars? I wouldn’t be

  surprised - it seems to me I’ve spent money on very little else. And it’s meaningless to tell me it s been a valuable

  investment; that those 100,000 stills and the other 100,000 books, magazines, paintings, posters, props,

  manuscripts, etc. are worth over $1 million in today’s inflated market for out-of-print rarities & collectors’ items. I

  may be a millionaire, but only theoretically, because I’m never going to cash in my chips, auction off my holdings, or

  sell them to libraries & institutions, tempting as it would be to retire. Don’t delude yourself that I wouldn’t love it,

  that I wouldn’t be happy to be free of the treadmill of 37 professional deadlines a year and all that agentorial work.

  But I have a voracious white dinosaur to feed: the Ackermansion, the Museum of Imaginative Literature. Have I

  collected it, or has it collected me?

  Well, when I go, it will be with the sense of satisfaction that I have left the world its greatest collection of science

  fiction & fantasy. And who knows? when the old curator kicks the bucket. it may only be for a temporarily-enforced

  “vacation”, because I intend to opt for a very scientifictional type of comeback: cryonic preservation and, potentially,

  resuscitation. If, after I die, I am later on revived, look at all the sci-fi I’ll have to collect! I can see it now: the New

  Rave science fiction of the 21st Century!

  (Not) The End

  - 268 -

  A23: Religious Racism

  - by L. Dale Seago IV°

  Scroll of Set #II-4, December 1976