Editing Temple of Set (section)

===Self-deification and Xeper===

The human individual is at the centre of Setian philosophy.{{sfn|Schipper|2010|p=109}} The Temple places great emphasis on the development of the individual,{{sfn|Schipper|2010|p=111}} postulating [[self-deification]] as the ultimate goal.{{sfn|Faxneld|Petersen|2013|p=7}}
The realization of the true nature of the Setian is termed "becoming" or "coming into being" and is represented by the [[Egyptian language|Egyptian]] [[Egyptian hieroglyphs|hieroglyphic]] term ''[[Khepri|kheper]]'', or "Xeper" (a phonetic of _Xpr_), as the Temple of Set prefers to write it.{{sfnm|1a1=La Fontaine|1y=1999|1p=102|2a1=Gardell|2y=2003|2p=291|3a1=Drury|3y=2003|3p=196|4a1=Petersen|4y=2004|4p=435|5a1=Schipper|5y=2010|5p=112|6a1=Petersen|6y=2012|6p=99}} This term is described in ''The Book of Coming Forth by Night'' as "the Word of the Aeon of Set".{{sfn|Petersen|2012|p=99}}
Members attempt "to preserve and strengthen" their "isolate, psyche-centric existence" through adherence to the left-hand path.{{sfn|Petersen|2005|p=435}} This idea is in opposition to the traditional goal of [[Hermeticism|Hermetic]] and Western mystical practices, which is the surrendering of the ego into a union with either God or the universe.{{sfn|Hume|Drury|2013|p=151}}

The Temple teaches that the true self, or ''essence'', is immortal, and ''Xeper'' is the ability to align consciousness with this essence.{{sfn|Petersen|2005|p=435}}{{sfn|Dyrendal|2012|p=383}} Aquino taught that there is an [[afterlife]] for those who have reached the necessary level of individual development.{{sfn|van Luijk|2016|p=353}} This afterlife could occur in the individual's subjective universe.{{sfn|van Luijk|2016|p=353}} Those unable to reach this level dissolve into non-existence when the physical body dies.{{sfn|van Luijk|2016|p=353}} Self-initiation is knowledge understood as a conjunction of intellect and intuition.{{sfn|Petersen|2005|p=435}} In keeping with its emphasis on the individual, the Temple encourages their members to celebrate their own birthday, and does not prescribe any other calendar of religious festivities.{{sfn|Harvey|2009|p=34}}

Barrett presented ''Xem'' as his Aeonic Word to the Setians,{{sfn|Granholm|2014 |p=89}} presenting it as a natural and necessary further development of Aquino's ''Xeper''.{{sfn|Gallagher|2014|p=80–88}} Aquino later acknowledged ''Xem'' as a worthwhile magical concept for Setians to explore, but found Barrett's insistence on its exclusivity as incompatible with the Temple's individualistic philosophy.{{sfn|Gallagher|2014|p=80–88}}