Setianism
| Setianism | |
|---|---|
| Family | Western esoteric / Left-hand path |
| Origin region | United States, especially the Temple of Set |
| Founding period | 20th century CE onward |
| Estimated adherents | Unknown; generally a small initiatory esoteric movement. |
Setianism is setianism is a left-hand path religious and esoteric current centered on Set, self-transformation, individual consciousness, and the concept of becoming or Xeper.
Overview
Setianism is most closely associated with the Temple of Set, founded in 1975 after a split from the Church of Satan. Setian thought often distinguishes itself from atheistic Satanism by treating Set as a real or symbolically central principle of isolate consciousness, self-directed evolution, and initiatory becoming. The movement is esoteric, initiatory, and not identical to broader Satanism.
Key beliefs
- Set as deity, principle, or symbol of isolate consciousness and becoming
- Xeper, often interpreted as coming into being or self-transformation
- Individual sovereignty, self-knowledge, and initiation
- Left-hand path emphasis on self-directed spiritual development
- Distinction from both conventional theism and LaVeyan atheistic Satanism in many presentations
Practices
- Initiatory study and magical practice
- Rituals of self-transformation
- Meditation and philosophical inquiry
- Use of symbolic and Egyptian-inspired forms
- Order or temple-based training in organized contexts
Places of worship
- Private temple
- Home altar
- Initiatory order setting
- Occult study group
Sacred texts
- The Book of Coming Forth by Night in Temple of Set tradition
- Temple and order writings
- Left-hand path occult literature
- Personal magical records
Holidays and observances
- Initiation anniversaries
- Group-specific observances
- Symbolic rites of becoming
- Practitioner-defined holy days
Branches and related traditions
- Luciferianism - A related left-hand path current with different central symbolism.
- Theistic Satanism - Sometimes compared with Setianism, though Setianism is distinct.
- Western esotericism - A broad context for initiatory magical traditions.