In this episode of The 99th Meridian, we are investigating the legacy of the 1980s Satanic Panic through the case of U.S. Army psychological operations officer Michael Aquino, who founded the theistic Temple of Set in 1975 after claiming a revelation from Set and later co-authored the “From PSYOP to MindWar” concept advocating comprehensive psychological control of entire populations. The episode traces Aquino’s military career, occult activities, writings (including The Diabolicon and The Book of Coming Forth by Night), and the 1986–1988 Presidio Child Development Center investigation in which children alleged severe abuse and ritual elements, a fire destroyed potential evidence, and authorities ultimately discontinued the Aquino investigation without charges, citing insufficient evidence and alibis. It contrasts the official outcome with ongoin ...