Lack of Demographic Limitations

One characteristic about the Temple of Set, in contrast to rumors otherwise, is that membership to the group is not limited to any Racial, Ethnic, Gender or Sexual Identity. In fact it has been found that these factors play no role in one's eligibility for membership in the Temple of Set nor does it effect one's rise within the group. A number of senior members have been of various ethnic backgrounds as well as sexual orientations.

The High Priesthood of Set

The High Priesthood of Set is both a magico-religious role and organizational function within the Temple of Set.  the high priest can be seen as the CEO of the Temple of Set.  To date the Temple of Set has had five individuals serve as High Priest at various times.  These five individuals have been

Dr. Michael A. Aquino
Ronald K. Barrett (deceased)
Don Webb
Zeena Schreck (nee LaVey, no longer affiliated with the Temple of Set)
Patty A. Hardy

Based upon this the High Priesthood has a 3:2 ratio of male to female acting in this capacity.

Primary Source on the Temple of Set

Black Magic, the introductory essays to the Temple of Set written by Dr. Michael A. Aquino can be considered a primary source for information on the Temple of Set and Setian practice. From Dr. Aquino's website:

The introductory section of the Crystal Tablet of Set (the volume of the Jeweled Tablets of Set provided to Setians I° of the Temple of Set). This is a summary of the history, principles, and philosophy of the Temple and its initiatory system. While Black Magic was originally intended for Setians only, so many incomplete, inaccurate, and obsolete versions of it have been pirated on the Internet that public disclosure of the complete, accurate, and current text is appropriate. Included with this file is the Temple of Set Reading List (several of whose publications are referenced in the Black Magic text).

Pylons: Local Setian Groups

Pylons are local Setian groups.  The minimum membership for a Pylon is three individuals. The title for the head of a Pylon is a Sentinel.  In order to act as a Sentinel the Setian must by at a minimum a II°Adept of the Temple of Set.  If the Sentinel is an Adept then a member of the Priesthood of Set (III°+) must act as the Pylon's Sponsor. The Sponsor need not be in the same geographic area as the Pylon. Pylons tend to focus upon discussion of Xeper and its practice, Practical Magic to aimed at Prosperity, Defense and Health, Initiatory Magic  and establishing connections within the Temple

In practice Pylons larger than nine individuals often find it beneficial to divide into smaller Pylons, allowing for multiple Pylons to operate in the same geographic area. In such circumstances the large community will often come together periodically for more elaborate presentations, workshops and Working while the smaller Pylons will be more focused as Magical practice groups.

Pylons are known to be in operation on all six inhabited continents of the globe. It is estimated that there are roughly 20 Pylons active at this time. Roughly 40% of these Pylons are outside of the U.S.A. The longest duration American communities are in San Francisco, CA, Austin, TX and New York City. Other areas with long term activity include Finland and Australia.

Useful Text: Conspiracy Theory

As the Temple of Set has been integrated into a number of conspiracy theories of various levels of plausibility it helps to have some sense of what conspiracy Theories are and the role they place in culture.  This so far is the best single resource for doing this that I have found

Barkun M (2003). A culture of conspiracy: apocalyptic visions in contemporary America. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 76. ISBN 0-520-23805-2. Retrieved 2008-10-20.

Qualities associated with the Temple of Set and Setian Individuals

Transparency, Open-ended Inquiry, Assimilation of the Foreign, Commitment to conscious living, Invites inquiry and change, Collaborative Reinvention, Iconoclasm, Community ethos, Media literacy, Tolerance, Pluralism, Perennial Truth


The Temple of Set