Michael Aquino

Michael Aquino (1946-2019) was an American religious leader, military intelligence officer, and author known for founding the Temple of Set after breaking away from Anton LaVey's Church of Satan in 1975. During his military career, Aquino served as a Psychological Operations officer and attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army. He authored several military manuals on psychological warfare and counterinsurgency, including "MindWar" which attracted both interest and controversy. As a religious figure, Aquino wrote extensively on occult philosophy and Left-Hand Path spirituality, including his seminal work "The Temple of Set" and "Black Magic." His writings explored Egyptian mythology, ceremonial magic, and what he termed "greater black magic." Beyond his religious and military work, Aquino was a prolific author on topics ranging from political philosophy to ancient religions. His academic background included a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, which informed his scholarly approach to esoteric subjects.

Readers approach Aquino's works with strong preconceptions due to his controversial background. His technical writing style draws both praise and criticism. Positives from readers: - Detailed historical research and documentation - Clear explanations of complex magical concepts - Academic rigor in addressing occult topics - Inclusion of primary source materials - Thorough citations and bibliographies Common criticisms: - Dense, academic prose that can be difficult to follow - Self-referential writing style - High price point of many titles - Limited availability of physical copies - Perceived bias in historical accounts Amazon ratings average 3.8/5 stars across his titles. "The Temple of Set" receives 4.2/5 on Goodreads. "MindWar" shows more polarized reviews at 3.5/5. One reader notes: "Exhaustively researched but reads like a dissertation." Another states: "Important historical documents but the writing is dry and academic." Reviews frequently mention the high cost ($100+ for some titles) and rarity of physical copies as barriers to access.

The Church of Satan (1983) A historical account of Anton LaVey's Church of Satan from 1966-1975, based on Aquino's first-hand experiences as a high-ranking member.

The Temple of Set (2013) A comprehensive examination of the Temple of Set's history, philosophy, and practices from its founding in 1975 to 2013.

MindWar (2013) An analysis of psychological warfare techniques and their applications in military operations, drawing from Aquino's experience in military intelligence.

MindStar (2015) A theoretical work exploring consciousness, human potential, and occult philosophy through the lens of quantum mechanics and neuroscience.

The Crystal Tablet of Set (1983, revised 1989) A collected series of essays on Setian philosophy and magical practice, originally written for members of the Temple of Set.

Black Magic (2019) An examination of left-hand path traditions and magical practices throughout history, incorporating elements of Setian philosophy.

Freedom's Prophet (2020) A biographical analysis of Revolutionary War figure Ethan Allen, focusing on his philosophical and religious views.

Anton LaVey wrote The Satanic Bible and established the Church of Satan where Aquino was a member. LaVey's writings explore similar themes of left-hand path occultism and individualist philosophy.

Kenneth Grant authored works on Thelema and dark occult traditions with connections to ancient Egypt. His writings delve into magical systems and entities that parallel some of Aquino's explorations in the Temple of Set.

Stephen Flowers writes extensively about Germanic occultism and left-hand path traditions from multiple cultures. His academic approach to esoteric topics mirrors Aquino's intellectual analysis of magical systems.

Don Webb focuses on Egyptian magic and Set-centered spirituality as a former high-ranking Temple of Set member. His work examines many of the same magical principles and Egyptian deities that appear in Aquino's writings.

Jake Stratton-Kent produces research on grimoire traditions and goetic practices with historical context. His exploration of ceremonial magic intersects with the ritual aspects found in Aquino's work.