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Xem

Valor

Active Member
I'm creating this thread for everyone and anyone who can shed light on this journey. I have formally invited our friend Demogogos and Mr. Frost to help aid in this endeavour. Any ToS members who can put forth their own views would be much appreciated as well.

I'm starting this thread quoting Magus Demogorgos below:

Xem

Xem is by definition an advanced State of Being. Xem is a higher State of Being which only the serious Seeker can achieve. The initiate who achieves Xem will have the qualities of a Magus Vº. Although Xem is a recognizable state which may be achieved only after one becomes a member of the Priesthood of Anubis, Xem is not necessarily a degree.

The aspiring Magician has to have a good grasp of Xeper before he or she can undertake their Quest. It is through Xeper that an Initiate may recognize Xem.

Xem does away with the Æonic paradigm. Within the Æonic paradigm, a Magus Vº was an Initiate who Uttered a Word that either brought into Being a new Æon or Era (in the case of the Magus Anton Szander LaVey of the Church of Satan whose Word Indulgence was the Word of the Era of Satan) or enhanced the Æon wherein the Magus/Maga Uttered the Word (an example of this would be the Word “Remanifest” Uttered by Magus James Lewis within the Æon of Set). The Xem Magus is beyond, and not confined to, the Æonic paradigm.

With the Uttering of the Word Xem the “Majesty of Set” has literally faded. For this reason the Order of Anubis has Come into Being. True Understanding of Xem cannot be attained within the Æon of Set wherein the Word Xem was Uttered. Once the Magus Barrett understood this, he saw himself forced to leave the Temple of Set and abandon his Function as High Priest of Set, aware that the paradigm of Xem could not be grasped by those initiates “confined” within the Æon of Set, nor within any Æon for that matter. The Xem Magus/Maga Understands all Æonic Words from all the Æons and Era. This is not unlike the Perspective of the Ipsissimus VIº, the highest attainable degree within the Æonic paradigm. The Ipsissimus VIº cannot, however, gaze further than the confines of the Æon wherein he has attained his degree.

Xem must be recognized as a desirable State of Being, wilfully chosen as a step of one's Xeper, accurately perceived by the initiate, and earnestly worked towards because Xem does not occur by accident.

Xem is attained through an Initiatory Quest. Each initiate must define his own Question, and must Quest for the Answer. Just as in Alchemy the initiate himself is transformed upon creation of the Philosopher's Stone, so too is the initiate transformed to Xem upon resolution of or during his Quest by his Work with his Personal Word.

The Question and the Quest are individual. Initiates may occasionally share a Question, but more often their Quests will each be unique. This is because we are individuals, Wilfully individualistic, and Growing more so as we Xeper. The Question must be critically and vitally important to this unique individual, and the Quest will reflect his or her individuality.

The Question and the Quest will eventually result in the definition and Work with a Personal Word of the personal choice of the Initiate. This Word defines and reflects the unique Personal Understanding of the Process of Xeper of the Initiate. The Initiate achieves Xem by the Work with a Personal Word that will then converge with Xem. Thus the Uttering of such a Personal Word will result, if the Work is successful, in the Uttering of Xem.

So It Is Done...

Always and Ever Forward, Valor.
 
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Valor

Active Member
Now, is Xem something in which all Initiates can seek or is it unlikely for a majority, as with, lets say a Black Belt? I know there are many who seek it, but we all know theres a few who never pass... this is likely for many reasons.

What i'm asking is if it is intentionally saught out, what obstacles lay in my way?
 

aa_nerut

Member
Xem is something in which all Initiates can seek. It is like Dr. Aquino said about Xeper in the podcast on KHPR, it is inherent in ever human being. Though the reason as to why not everyone will "make it" if you will, are the same obstacles which lay in your own way. These obstacles are inherent in the self and/or created by the self.

If you think of Xem as a scalpel then you have to cut carefully. If you cut too much off or too little off the end result will be monstrous. If Xem is a higher state of being, it is important to start at the "bottom" and define what is truly a "lower state of being". Find what you deem as base and with that scalpel trim the fat. You in essence are going to whittle away the useless, which "should" end up as a "higher state of being".

Though just what this "higher state of being" is is subjective, so your pitfalls are your id monsters you carry with you. It would be fairly nice to have a codified and standard "higher state of being" but it is something that just doesn't exist, though is a treasure only to yourself. How you define these "states of being" again will be your own scale of Ma'at.

Let me clarify that I am not by any means an expert on Xem, this is just my own take on it.
 
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Adramelek

Setian
Premium Member
I think one can benefit from studying Xem and the "Book of Opening the Way". However, for me, that is where it ends concerning Xem, even after all these years of exploring the teachings of Xem (ever since the early 1990's) I don't seek after it or quest for it, like Magister Adams I let it rest in peace and look upon it simply as a curiosity. My primary Initiatory focus is on Xeper, Remanifestation, Runa, as well as, Indulgence and Thelema, and even though it is not yet an official Aeon Enhancing Word, I find Entelecheia to be of great interest. As I see it, from what little I know about it Entelecheia transcends Xem. For me, Xem is no longer a Functioning Word.

And so I hereby lay Xem to rest.

Reyn til Runa!

Xeper,
/Adramelek\
Knight of the Black Order
 
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Valor

Active Member
I think one can benefit from studying Xem and the "Book of Opening the Way". However, for me, that is where it ends concerning Xem, even after all these years of exploring the teachings of Xem (ever since the early 1990's) I don't seek after it or quest for it, like Magister Adams I let it rest in peace and look upon it simply as a curiosity.And so I hereby lay Xem to rest.

But you just wrote this last week, what changed your mind? Is it because the ToS doesn't seek it anymore?

The Word Xem has always been a fascinating subject for me after studying the Keys of Xem and Magister Menschel's analysis of Xem in the Ruby Tablet.
 

Valor

Active Member
It is the right of a Setian to Change their Mind.

Of course it is...but what i was asking was "what was it that changed your mind"...

I'm sensing some resistance Adremelek, please understand i mean no malice. Just curious why such sudden of a change.
 

Adramelek

Setian
Premium Member
Of course it is...but what i was asking was "what was it that changed your mind"...

I'm sensing some resistance Adremelek, please understand i mean no malice. Just curious why such sudden of a change.

Trust me my friend there is no resistance. And I mean no malice here but I am going to say this only once, Xem, for personal reasons, no longer holds any valid meaning for me. Again, I have laid it to rest where it belongs. I will no longer discuss Xem publicaly on the RF. Not only is it the right of the Black Magician to Change his Mind, it is also his Task.

Xeper.
/Adramelek\
Knight of the Black Order
 
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Valor

Active Member
Trust me my friend there is no resistance. And I am going to say this only once, Xem no longer holds any valid meaning for me. Again, I have laid it to rest where it belongs. I will no longer discuss Xem publicaly on the RF.

Xeper.
/Adramelek\

I can respect that whole hartedly. :cool:
 

Valor

Active Member
Now, back to Xem. I found this on Balones site:

[FONT=Verdana,sans-serif]Xem[/FONT]

[SIZE=+2]The Briefest of Introductions[/SIZE]​
by Balanone
Updated October, 2000


Some months after my II° Recognition within the Temple of Set, Ronald K. Barrett Uttered the Word of Xem, and shortly after was Recognized as the second Magus IV° of the Aeon of Set by Magus Michael Aquino, High Priest of the Temple of Set, and then was confirmed as such by the Council of Nine. Dr. Aquino then stepped down from the office of High Priest, and the Chairman of the Council of Nine appointed Magus Barrett to that position.

Magus Barrett led and inspired the Temple of Set for several years, until May of 1982 CE, when Ronald K. Barrett resigned from the Temple of Set. Events that summer were traumatic for the Temple, and almost all of us put Xem aside, for varying periods of time. My own studies were reignited by nagging questions left over from my earlier studies, and they resulted in a 26-page analysis of Xem published in the Ruby Tablet of Set (35 pages, if you count the appendix and bibliography).​



Years passed, and challenged by one of our Priests, I recently (Autumn of 2000) offered this definition of Xem: The Definition of Xem
  • Xem is an achievable state of Being far in advance of that Recognized by the Temple's degree system, reflecting levels of knowledge, understanding, and power which can be called godlike.
  • Xem is a State (society) of Beings who have achieved Xem as described above.
The Methods of Achieving Xem
  • Identification of the Self, its essential qualities and attributes.
  • Identification of that Purpose or Function which Drives and Satisfies the Self.
  • Unification of Self and Function, such that performing the Function increases and advances the Self, and such that Being the Self advances and performs the Function.
The rest is commentary.
The process of achieving/becoming Xem is an arduous one, which needs to be taken seriously, by a devoted initiate, when the time is right. The process of achieving/becoming Xem is a difficult and treacherous one, for exposing all of those secrets about ourselves is painful and often dangerous. Of those Setians who have worked toward Xem, there are several who are making good progress, and there are many who have flamed out in frightening ways. Because of those latter, I have decided to no longer speak as freely of Xem as I have in the past. My discussions concerning Xem will be limited to active members of the Temple of Set, and to only a subset of those, who meet criteria which I hope will enable them to approach Xem in a balanced and successful manner.
 

ktf

Member
Thanks for the post my friend. It is a very good one. I do not have much to add at this point other than to say that all of the dire warning I have read on these forums and elsewhere regarding Xem and all the dangers associated with it make me think that it is a worthy LHP Quest indeed! It seem to fit perfectly with the risk taking, antinomian, beautifully dangerous path of Black Magic. After all, what fun is it, and what is to be gained, unless I can risk it all?
 

Valor

Active Member
Thanks for the post my friend. It is a very good one. I do not have much to add at this point other than to say that all of the dire warning I have read on these forums and elsewhere regarding Xem and all the dangers associated with it make me think that it is a worthy LHP Quest indeed! It seem to fit perfectly with the risk taking, antinomian, beautifully dangerous path of Black Magic. After all, what fun is it, and what is to be gained, unless I can risk it all?

This is Exactly what i look for and why! It's a Quest within a Quest shrouded in Darkness..my gig entirely. I suppose this is why i've been a bit too passionate here on the subject. I couldn't ask for more...just not too long ago i was asking certian people too help aid me in finding an effective practice to work with in the real world outside our door, but i recieved no replies...however..."low and behold"
 
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blackout

Violet.
Admittedly I have no idea what Xem is supposed to be/mean,
but...

(The Methods of Achieving Xem )
  • Identification of the Self, its essential qualities and attributes.
  • Identification of that Purpose or Function which Drives and Satisfies the Self.
  • Unification of Self and Function, such that performing the Function increases and advances the Self, and such that Being the Self advances and performs the Function.

makes perfect sense to me.
(I must be achieving Xem)
 

Adramelek

Setian
Premium Member
The Methods of Achieving Xem
  • Identification of the Self, its essential qualities and attributes.
  • Identification of that Purpose or Function which Drives and Satisfies the Self.
  • Unification of Self and Function, such that performing the Function increases and advances the Self, and such that Being the Self advances and performs the Function.
OK, I am going to break my rule. I have studied Xem for many years and yes it is a fascinating subject and an extremely Desirable Quest. However, for me the methods of Achieving Xem are very similar to my personal Quest for the Infernal Graal= the Absolute Truth of ones own Being. Magus R.K. Barrett once said "The only Truth is that of Being." For me the great Work of Xeper is the Becoming into objective reality of that Hidden, Dark Truth that lay deep within the blackened depths of my Self.

Xeper em Ma'at.
/Adramelek\
Knight of the Black Order
 
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Valor

Active Member
From what i've learned thus far is that, and i could be wrong, we have to be working from a higher Center to even recognize Xem in place. From what i understand is that it's triggered, and occurs only on rare occasions, often in short bursts.

Also this Center must be a common Center...and definitely something which is functioning on a conscious level. Because i'm thinking it is directly related to Xeper, but when we Xeper while working with this higher Center we trigger rare moments of Xem. Which in'turn will trigger rare moments of "genuine Clarity", (this does not include remembering where you hid your spare key) I mean Genuine on a "cosmic level." On a level of Self awareness that accompanies sudden change. Sudden acts of refinement. Where the change is literally felt not only intellectually, but emotionally and mentally...which inturn releases endorphins to effect the Physical Self. But in Order to achieve any of this... We must be working on an entirely higher Center of Conscious. One of Seven Centers, to be exact.



:facepalm: I'm tryin here...i'm tryin.

This is what my studies have revailed over the last couple days. As far as i see it, i haven't even scratched the surface, but i'm sure i will. ;)

Bueller...Bueller....Bueller...
 
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aa_nerut

Member
Valor,
Would you mind telling a little more about these Seven Centers of Consciousness and where they are derived from?
 

Valor

Active Member
Valor,
Would you mind telling a little more about these Seven Centers of Consciousness and where they are derived from?

Center 1. A man in whom the moving or instictive centers predominate over the intellectual and emotional, that is, physical man.

Center 2. A man in whom the emotional center predominates over the intellectual, moving, and instictive. Emotional man.

Center 3. A man in whom the intellectual center predominates over the emotional, moving and instictive man.

In ordinary life we meet and work with these 3 catagories of man, Each one of us and everyone we know is more than likely to be either man 1,2 or 3. There are higher catagories of man, but men are not born already belonging to these higher catagories. They are all born with centers 1,2 or 3. But can reach higher catagories through schooling.

Center 4. A man is not born as such. He is the product school culture. He differs from man 1,2 and 3 by his knowledge of himself, by his understanding of his position and as it is expressed technically, by having acuired a permanent center of gravity. This last means that the idea of acquiring unity, conaciousness, and Will- that is, the idea of his development- has already become for him more important than his other interest.

It must be added to the characteristics of man 4, that his functions and centers are more balanced without work on himself, according to school principles and methods.

Center 5. Is a man who has acquired unity and Self-consciousness. He is different from ordinary because in him, one of the higher centers already works, and he has many functions and powers that ordinary man- that is, man 1,2 and 3 does not possess.

Center 6. Is a man who has aquired objective consciousness. Another higher center works in him. He possesses many more new faculties and powers, beyond the understanding of an ordinary man.

Center 7. Is a man who has attained all that a man can attain. He has a permanent "I" and free will. He can control all the states of consciousness in himself already and can not lose anything he has acquired. According to another description, he is imortal within the limits of the cosmos.

Understanding the devision of man into seven catagories is very important, for the division has very many applications in all possible ways of studying human activity. It gives, in the hands of those who understand it, a very strong and very fine instrument or tool for the definition of manifestations which, without it, are impossible to define.

AA-Nerut, These Centers are referanced by the School of the Forth Way.
 
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MisterFrost

Guardian, Order of Anubis
Any Initiate may Seek Xem. The Truth is, any Initiate may Utter Xem. The problem with that, however, is that it is not always a good idea.

Xem *is* a dangerous pursuit. I have witnessed this time and again. From my own Perspective, Xem *may* render all "organizational boundaries" and "insitutional restraints" unecessary and even detrimental to the actual Quest. It takes a very specialized Initiate in a very specialized environment to successfully pursue Xem in addition to other Initiatory and Organizational topics. It seemed very much the case in the Temple of Set, which I was a member of for almost 20 years, spanning my entire adult life.

Xem is also VERY fluid and subjective. That is another pitfall of the Pursuit. Xem and its pursuit, has been accused many times over of being full of "faith" and blind religion, etc. *Some* of this is true. RKB himSelf demanded such attention to it and to his endeavours. I have never had an issue with this personally. If I find something reeking too much of being a cult, or it is demanding "blind faith" on my part, then I confront it and move on. I also don't expect any Initiate of the Order of Anubis to accept such ********, no matter how pretty the silver platter is that it is being served on. I didn't tolerate it in the Temple and I certainly won't tolerate it in my own Order.

As far as obstacles go Valor, there are many. Doubt. Self Delusion. Outward Aggression. Temper Tantrums. The list goes on. However, most, if not all of these are self generated.

Xem is not necessarily something that can be taught to another individual. It is also difficult to maintain an organization based on the study and Initiation into Xem. It is sort of like trying to bottle chaos. However, it is the Work of the Order of Anubis. That is what we are Doing.

My thanks to Valor for opening this forum. I am not sure how much our High Priest or myself will be participating here as we already have a forum open to the public on our site. It is the House of the Fallen Angel and anyone is welcome to participate. I will pop in from time to time here.

Xeper ir Xem,
Wepwawet
Jim Johnson
Order of Anubis

Now, is Xem something in which all Initiates can seek or is it unlikely for a majority, as with, lets say a Black Belt? I know there are many who seek it, but we all know theres a few who never pass... this is likely for many reasons.

What i'm asking is if it is intentionally saught out, what obstacles lay in my way?
 

Valor

Active Member
My thanks to Valor for opening this forum. I am not sure how much our High Priest or myself will be participating here as we already have a forum open to the public on our site. It is the House of the Fallen Angel and anyone is welcome to participate. I will pop in from time to time here.

Xeper ir Xem,
Wepwawet
Jim Johnson
Order of Anubis

My sincerest thanks to you Mr. Johnson. I'm very glad you decided to return. I've been active in the "House of the Fallen Angel" where i posed the same subject.

You have made very good points here concerning Xem. Some of the best i've heard. I'm curious to why there seems to be such follys on the Path to such an alluring system. Is it more akin to the stresses of seeking Xem or are we talking about certain side effects associated with reaching Xem?
 
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