A Most Basic Explanation
August 5, 2006

The following is inspired by a project our local pagan group is planning for an upcoming 'Pagan Pride' event. The co-ordinator wants to assemble a booklet showing the diversity of our community, with everyone contributing a piece about their path, how they found it and how it affects their life day to day.

One Setian's Path...

I first discovered my path a little over three years ago, while exploring various mysteries of life. In this search, I came to a website which tantalized me with possibililities of how life could be lived, and how it could be lived better.

I am a Setian, one who harkens to the call of Set. Once honored in Ancient Egyptian times, the god Set speaks in modern times. Not as a Kemeticist, who seeks to do as the ancients would have done, but like them I invoke and evoke the gods and goddesses to my world, this present age. Some may say the reconstructionist path is merely the animation of old mummies, but I do not think that is so. I think for them, if it is to become vital, the gods are awakened to answer modern concerns and their religion becomes more than dusty dogma.

But as a Setian, there is something more. As I seek my own sovereignity and my own divinity through the magical/spiritual process of Xeper, there is more than a quiet life of humble service. (Not to say that 'kings do not serve', but there is not the emphasis on bowing of knee and following sacred texts 'to the letter'.)

In ancient myths Set is the one who tests the future King through challenges, and certainly that is one of Set's tasks today. The young Horus, before he became Ra-Harakhty the young King, is challenged by Set through various contendings. Thusly, he learns the necessary strength. And so today, those who would become sovereign must learn their own strength.

I quote from an author who explains the basic position of today's pagan outlook:

"When it comes to specifying the values particular to paganism, people have generally listed features such as these: an eminently aristocratic conception of the human individual; an ethics founded on honor (”shame” rather than ”sin”); an heroic attitude toward life’s challenges; the exaltation and sacralization of the world, beauty, the body, strength, health; the rejection of any ”worlds beyond”; the inseparability of morality and aesthetics; and so on. From this perspective, the highest value is undoubtedly not a form of ”justice” whose purpose is essentially interpreted as flattening the social order in the name of equality, but everything that can allow a man to surpass himself. (From On Being a Pagan, Chapter "False Contrasts", p. 21)" - Alain de Benoist

"Surpassing himself", this is indeed the process of Xeper:

XEPERA XEPER XEPERU:

''I Have Come Into Being, and by the Process of my Coming Into Being, the Process of Coming Into Being is Established.''

This becomes a self-sustaining system, for once the wheels start going in a certain direction, that mobilizes further process in that direction. One scientific principle is that an object in motion tends to remain in motion. Not only so in the physical world, it is also so with our mental and emotional evolution, as well.

All of my philosopical and spiritual concepts are constantly growing and changing as I study and learn. This is but part of the larger evolution I seek in my life at large, knowing that using my will, this can become a conscious process, and therefore more self-directed. So I 'Seek the Mysteries', ever trying to increase my understanding, seeing the interlocking influences between all aspects, and it is a continually enriching process.

Go to Ramses II Offering Ma'at
Go to Archive - May 2006 to April 2007
Go to INDEX of Markings Of My Path
© JAL: