|
|
|||
|
|
Between 1984 and 1994 of the Common Era, people in black (PIB) were great media targets. "Satan" was a word that scared people because it was connected with job loss, law suits, and media witch hunts. It became a test of character to sport certain clothes, certain jewelry, and to say nice things about a Hebrew bogeyman. The Temple of Set proudly took on the role of being the devil for the whole world during this time. Mainly the devil role was invested in our best and brightest - Dr. and Mrs. Aquino - but we had others as well that lost friends, family and jobs to rumor and allegation. Some of our members were stalked, some lost tens of thousands of dollars in court cases, and some lost the right to see their family. Others had trouble traveling abroad. It was a large, voluntary sacrifice of comfort and ease for the Honor of the Prince of Darkness. The Temple of Set was not absolutely alone. There were a few brave
souls who spoke up for the LHP. For example, if you recall the Gerardo
Show of 1988 - I think Zeena comes to mind easily. Of course now she
is with us. No one disparaged or threw away the "Satanic." You don't throw away a door, since other people are apt to be behind you wanting to come in. But we didn't loiter in the doorway either. For some people the imagery and clowning of the Satanic is an essential rite of passage into a new world. For other people it was something they outgrew with their faded Metallica T-shirts, and for others still there were new Doors - from Typhonic Hermeticism to historical studies of the Left Hand Path. Now, and listen closely, no Door is better than another Door. The external Door has to fit an internal one. Some may like a newer Door better, some an older one. The Temple does not maintain any energy on these Doors. Other circumstances keep them open. This is generally referred to in occult terms as "Aeonic" influences - but you can understand this as fad and chance and so forth. Setians, who choose to Open Doors, do so not for the greater glory of the Temple, (heck, we may tell them to shut a door), but because they wish to pit their magic against the masses and learn something about how the world works. If it's not done in a shabby way, the Temple is usually increased by their efforts. However, there is something we don't do. Remember those dates above, when the Temple was the only organization that fought for the banner "Satanic?" When we finished our defense, and won, we began to move on as had always been the plan since the Ninth Solstice Message. We stood up to the forces of the world, and now we are finding our own way in the world. But when the forces of Satanic-hysteria passed, many people (people who frankly couldn't make it in the Temple of Set) decided to form their own Satanic groups. It looked like a road to power, didn't it? After all, we had grown from a small group to an international society in a few short decades. Unless you figure in any such little things as the Prince of Darkness and the hard work of our members, it shouldn't be hard to do at all. These groups take names of the Prince of Darkness. They get a small local following, publish a newsletter or a web page, and then either attack or want to "dialogue" with us. In short they want to portray themselves as equals. It lets them get a piece of reputation without work. It seems a simple thing, they just want to be listed in a short list of LHP groups. Then we have all good, equal black brothers. What do we get from this brotherhood? Do they defend us in legal cases? Do they enrich the lore of the LHP? Do they provide an economic benefit for us? Do we want to buy their goods? No. We gain nothing, and we supply them prestige. Therefore Setians don't hang out with these people. We don't join pan-LHP organizations. We don't advertise in their newsletters. We don't invite them to our Conclaves as guests. We have already done the best thing we can for them - we have provided them an environment where they can pursue Initiation. This is our Gift offered to any sincere seeker.
|
||
