The  Flame of Set

Delve into the mysteries of the Black Flame as it relates to Set, exploring its symbolism and significance within the Covenant of the Sacred Flame's teachings. Discover the empowering potential of this unique fire.

Understanding the Setian Flame

The Black Flame of Set represents the spark of individual consciousness and the potential for self-deification. It is a fire of rebellion against the constraints of cosmic order, a force for personal evolution and empowerment. Within the Covenant of the Sacred Flame, we explore the Setian Flame as a catalyst for transcending limitations and embracing one's own divine nature.

The Path of Self-Empowerment

The journey with the Black Flame is not for the faint of heart. It requires courage, self-awareness, and a willingness to confront the shadow aspects of the self. Through dedicated practice and introspection, one can harness the transformative power of this flame to achieve profound personal growth and liberation. 

Working with the Fire of Set

The God Set himself evolved significantly over time. In the guise of chaos and disorder (Isfet): Set is the god of storms, the desert, violence, and disorder. He represents the barren "Red Land" surrounding the fertile Nile Valley, which is associated with Horus and Osiris. In the famous Osiris myth, Set murders his brother Osiris out of jealousy, establishing his role as a villain and the antithesis of Ma'at (divine order, harmony).

In his guise of strength and protection:Despite his association with chaos, Set was a respected and vital deity in the Egyptian pantheon for much of history. He was considered a powerful protector who rode on the sun god Ra's solar bark each night to defend it from the chaos serpent Apep, ensuring the sun could rise each morning. Pharaohs like Seti I even incorporated his name into their own, highlighting his association with strength and martial power.

In his guise as Duality and Balance: The ancient Egyptians valued balance, and Set represents the necessary counterpoint to order. He embodies the raw, untamed forces of nature, which could be destructive but also essential for the cosmic balance. 

To summarize, Set also known as Setuach is the ancient Egyptian God of war, deserts, and storms. He was given charge by RA to protect creation. He is seen as an evil due to his feud with Horis. Yet Set is far from it. He signifies the violent nature of creation and how when we allow our emotions to consume us like a storm, we lash out. Yet in this, learning of his fire and nature, we learn to work with that energy to neutralize its fury. Learning to overcome our need for violence and to act in strength. In this is the boon of tolerance. Set teaches to act when things become intolerable and the proper way to act upon it. These incudes the storm or wars within us. When we battle ourselves with fears, he challenges us to overcome. His black flame in some ways is the seed of creation. In every candle burning at the base is this flame. It burns cold and emits no light. It is chaotic yet when given intention and purpose radiates multiple colors. Sets fire connects us to his gnosis as well as to creation as he guards it with his essence. When invoked, it holds place in your temple as torches along the walls as black flames. Oil is given to keep it lit. As that is the source of its fuel. Through alchemy the black flames consume and transforms. With intention, it shifts into creation. That is why the black flame is also seen as the seed of creation.

 

 

Praxis Part 1: Inner Temple Ritual

(If already completed, you may skip this part)

The Inner Temple

The Chair, Mirror, and Table initiation is way to visualize, organize your energy, and construct an inner temple to house the sacred fired. Through a guided meditation and initiation, the practitioner awakens the inner temple and seat of power. It is from this room that the individual can consciously explore the rest of his or her spiritual body. The Chair symbolizes your seat of power, your throne. The Mirror’s shape, style, and quality are the inner un-conscious reflections of self-image. The Table is the foundation of present and future work. The layout of the table and quality signifies the spiritual personal foundation. If the table is solid, then a firm foundation is set in place. If the table is crumbling, then the individual has an unbalance in his or her life or elemental unbalance. The three objects are key elements inside the room, which symbolizes the inner temple. The windows, wall coverings and lighting all reflect the individual’s connection to the inner spiritual consciousness. The room will be an inner sanctuary as well as a place to connect to the Deities.

Guided Meditation and Initiation

Sit or lay down (recommended have someone read to you or pre-record). Have a journal to jot down your findings.

Meditation: Close your eyes. You see a door in front of you a black door with a silver handle. When you are ready open the door and step in. You are in a room lit up from windows and wall lighting. What does the room look like? What do the windows look like? What do the light fixtures on the wall look like? (Pause) Located on the wall to your left is a 7-foot-tall mirror. What does the mirror look like? (Pause) Turn to face the rest of the room. Towards the middle of the room, there is a large chair and a large table. What is the material of the chair and table? What do they look like? (Pause) Is the table solid or crumbling? If crumbling, see all the pieces slowly remolding before your eye. The table first turns silver, then gold and returns to the original form and color. (pause) Glance once more around this room. This is your inner temple or inner sanctuary connected to your spiritual nature. Turn towards the center of the room. A fire erupts in the center of your temple. This is your sacred fire, your spark of creation. The fire shimmers with a silvery glow guarding its light. It will not go out yet by maintaining it by offering wood you solidify your connection to the fire. It is this relationship that will aid in the practice.

Turn to your right, you see the door you entered through Open the door, a bright light shines through, and step through the door. You see yourself sitting, when ready sit back into your body and when ready, open your eyes. You have just established and awakened your inner temple

Praxis Part 2: Sigil of Set

There are multiple Sigils of Set you may use. Each have their own unique aspects. 

 

 

1.  The top right sigil is the Draconian Sigil of Set and created by Asenath Mason, creator of the Temple of Ascending Flame. 

 

2.  The bottom right sigil is a Sigil of Set from Aleistor Crowly

 

Draw or paint a sigil for Set on paper or canvas, or if you have one made you can use it. A canvas one is preferred for future use. 

 

Praxis Part 3: Awakening the Fire of Set Ritual 

Tools:
A black pillar candle, glass black candle preferred. (often found at the doller store as prayer candles). You will leave it vigil and burn out. Tea lights work as well
The Sigil
Lancet, to annoint the sigil with a drop of your blood. (Your blood connects you to the divine current)
A dagger, sword, wand for circle casting
Sea Salt
Essential oil of choice
Lighter
Alchohol/Sanitation wipe
Journal and pen

 

Part 1: Take a ritual bath: Mix a small bowl of sea salt and the essential oil. While in the shower, after washing, scrub your body with the sea salt and essential oil. Its a spiritual cleanser, exfoliates the skin, and leaves a scent. (do not use rock salt sea salt, only use the finley ground powder sea salt.)

 

Part 2: Sacred space preperation: You can use a room with a table, or if you have an altar place the candle, lancet, sanitation wipe, and sigil on it. Have it to where you can see it. Prepare the room with additional candles and incense to set the mood. Dragons blood or Sandlewood recommended. (Incense not necessary if in a place you cannot.)

 

Part 3: Creating the Circle: There are many ways to cast a circle. For the Draconian current I use the one: "I cast a circle of serpents around, entwined and bound, above and below to protect the energies sow."  Another from Coven Crystal Dragon: "I cast this circle, a place that is not a place, a space between here and the land of the mighty ones to be a sacred space."  

 

Take your dagger/sword/want, and walking counter clockwise (as we are going within), draw pushing your energy through the ritual tool drawing the circle around the space while saying the words of choice. End with drawing a trident upright to seal the space. 

 

Part 4:  Fire Meditation: (Site in a comfortable position) Begin by visualizing a triangle of fire in front of you getting larger. As the triangle approaches you it gets much larger. The Triangle then becomes so large it surrounds you forming a pyramid of light and fire. A large serpent surrounds the pyramid that is like the serpent that rests at your root of your spine below your root chakra. With each deep breath visualize each serpent rising circling the pyramid and circling your spine. As the inner serpent rises through each chakra, the chakra ignites with a fiery glow. After the serpent makes it to the crown chakra, it rests its head on your crown and its tail becomes a part of your spine, awakening your inner site. The serpent outside of the temple as it rests upon the pyramids top, it unfolds its wings and ignites the fire causing the fire built up around the pyramid to shoot downward into your crown, increasing your energy for future work.

 

Part 5: Sigil Visualization: Use the alchohol wipe and wipe your finger. Using the lancet place a drop on the sigil.   

 

Mediation: Stare at the sigil for a time until you can memorize its shape. Stare at the candle flame, then close your eyes. You are in a field with trees in the distance. It is dusk and the sun is setting. The ground shakes and rising from the field in front of you is the sigil in gold and silver. You see it fully rise then morph and change shape and then return to its original shape and open. As it opens a gust of light and darkness flow into the field. Began chanting "Setuach", at least nine times. 

 

When you feel the energy shift proceed to the invocation.

 

Part 6: Set Fire Invocation 

 

To the Reddish Skies

To the Reddish Sands

To the throne of Set

I call to you Great Jackel

Great Lord of the Crimson Sands

He who Rides upon the Scorpions

Protector of the Sacred Fire

Ancient Serpent and Dragon

Great Warrior of the Steps

You who are the scorching heat of the desert

Burn away what does not serve

Carrier of the black flame, the seed of creation

I invoke you in your ancient names: Seth, Set, Typhon, Sutuach

Enter my temple of flesh, awaken your fire and gnosis within me

Embrace my temple and my spirit with your black flame

Ho Ophis Ho Archais

Ho Dracon, Ho Megas

 

Light the candle

Take a moment to stare at its light. Then close your eyes and visualize its flame. Using your

senses and visualization, breath in the fire from the candle. See its black flame flow through

your nostrils filling you with its light. Continue this for thirteen breaths. This will help revitalize and

be a beacon for his fire awakening within.

 

After the invocation, sit down or lay down. Allow the experience to unfold with messages or visuals that are given if any. See what comes up. Remember to have your journal close by to write anything down. When done proceed to the meditation.

 

Part 7: Inner Temple Meditation 

Meditation: See before you a black door with a silver handle. You have seen this door before, it is to your temple door. Open the door and step in. The torch light flickers on the wall as you see your table, chair and mirror. In the center of the room you see your source flame burning bright.. Walk toward it and take a log and place it on the flames. As you do this, the torches on the walls flare up and back down. You quickly notice some of the  torches on the walls are black flames. Turn to the the right corner of the room, you see another fire pit with black flames.  Next to it are logs. Place some logs on the fire. As you do, the torches on the wall falre up and back down. Look around your temple. If you see Set there, see if he has any messages for you. 

 

Part 8: Closing

  1. Give thanks to Set that resides without and within. 
  2. Say: " I leave this candle burning vigil, in honor of its sacred flame and the flame I carry."
  3. Say: "It is done"
  4. Draw the upside down trident to open the space