from the aug 1990 vol 5, #4 of P.A.N. Pipes, the newsletter of the Pagan Arizona Network--page 7. The Coven of the Black Rose The Coven of the Black Rose is a training coven of the Order of Is, and was formed by Tzaddi-Cire-Lucifuge, its High Priest and holder of the Third Degree. First and foremost, we practice a philosophy and way of life that looks as the "flesh", carnality and rational self-interest as objects of celebration. Thus,the Order of Is advocates the "worship of life" and, as such, is concerned with the fullest gratification of the ego on this plane of existence. Our Coven follows an initiatory system, and works primarily skyclad. We believe in the "Life Force"--we call this the Macrocosm, the universal creative force. We also believe that (wo)men are the very epitome of the "Life Force", gods or goddesses in their own right. We do not accept the "Life Force," which we personify as Set, as an anthropomorphic being. To us, Set is a force of nature, embodying powers that some religions have considered "dark" because of their inability to use or assimilate those powers. Set manifests as an androgynous force containing the dichotomy of the tantric Lunar feminine and Solar masculine energies. Consequently, we place equal emphasis on both the God and Goddess. Leadership of the Coven is a shared equilibrium between the High Priest and High Priestess. We meet weekly for Esbat and Coven training, and celebrate nine sabbats: the eight sabbats of the Wiccan wheel, and the birthdays of each covener. As a training coven, we are always looking for like-minded people to join our ranks. Our primary premise is to seek evolution and equilibrium (growth and balance). Any correspondence or inquiries should be addressed to: Coven of the Black Rose P.O. Box 3492 Apache Junction, AZ 85278-3492 end (notes---) This is as I found it in the P.A.N Pipes, which I am co-editor of, tho' I have not been in AZ for the last 3 months and my co-editor has been talked into giving these people space. The High Priest is mundanely known as Rodney Burnap. Mr. Burnap's career is traceable through "The Omega" newsletter, published here in Phoenix, by the Order of Omega. Said career starts about 7-8 years ago, with Burnap proclaiming himself to be a satanist, but w/o the violence part. This continued through a series of articles and letters to the editor, whining about the pagan community not accepting him and his beliefs. About 18 months ago, he proclaimed to the electronic media (and yes it was on the 6 pm news) that he had 'found Christ' and was going to be a clown for jesus (wearing clown make-up and passing the message to kids being the supposed approach). Just prior to this born again phase, he founded the Order of Is. In the last 6-9 months it has re-appeared with this Coven of the Black Rose as it's outward body. At a meeting, to which I could not go as I was in San Diego, "Tom Bow" as he now calls himself, presented this washed and cleaned image as what they were doing. Evidently, the pagans and crafters present, either where not around during the previous stages, or they seemed to have forgotten the previous escapades. The meeting ended with the Network agreeing to publish this piece (see above). My concern is that when (and I mean when not IF) this mess comes crashing down, the pagan community in AZ is going to be left with no creditability, we will lose the contacts with the Phx PD that we have so arduously built up, and will have to start from scratch. Part 2 of the problem is that Ken and Gail of Danu Coven, present themselves as part of the Covenant of the Goddess. They have supported (seemingly) the effort by these Setians to legitimize their belief that they are NOT simply a christian sub-sect, but a pagan/wiccan belief mode. I'm sorry but changing the 'god' name from satan to set, because set is an egyptian pantheon, thus pre-christian, does NOT, in my mind, legitimize all this. Is there any way that we can get either myself and/or someone else in contact with COG in order to have other representation besides Ken and Gail??? This beautiful Desert deserves some attempt at reCOGnition. Enough said. I remain, in service to the Lady and Her Consort, Kay Clay