The Golden Dawn FAQ
Update: 9 June 1998, Version 4.5a
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Avete, Fratres et Sorores!
Here is the latest version of the Golden Dawn FAQ. As always, any and
all comments or corrections are welcome!
This is yet another a minor revision of the FAQ, but it's good to
keep everything up to date. Again, many thanks to Mitch Henson
for the generous loan of disk-space to make this page possible.
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THE GOLDEN DAWN: FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS AND RESOURCE LISTS
Version 4.5a, June 1998
Copyright Steven R. Cranmer, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
EMAIL: scranmer@cfa.harvard.edu
The author grants the right to copy and distribute this file, provided
it remains unmodified and original authorship and copyright is retained.
"Modification" here includes the reformatting of the file into other
types, such as HTML. The author retains both the right and intention
to modify and extend this document.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
I. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the Golden Dawn?
2. Is the Golden Dawn a religion?
3. Is the hierarchy of grades merely a ruse to empower the
"enlightened?"
4. Are Golden Dawn Temples still active? How can I become a member?
5. How is the Golden Dawn connected with the Rosicrucians?
6. How is the Golden Dawn connected with Freemasonry?
7. Who was Israel Regardie?
8. What connection did Aleister Crowley have with the Golden Dawn?
9. How do I get started?
II. A Brief History of the Golden Dawn
III. List of Active Golden Dawn Temples and Related Organizations
IV. Useful References
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I. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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1. What is the Golden Dawn?
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn is an initiatory society devoted to
spiritual, philosophical, and magical development. To quote its "history
lecture," (from I. Regardie's book, _The_Golden_Dawn_),
"The Order of the G.D. [Golden Dawn] is an Hermetic
Society whose members are taught the principles of
Occult Science and the Magic of Hermes."
Started in London in 1887 by three British Freemasons, Dr. William Robert
Woodman, Dr. William Wynn Westcott, and Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers,
the first Temple of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, with the title
"Isis-Urania," began to admit Fratres and Sorores in 1888. For the
next two decades, they generated a body of esoteric knowledge unparalleled
to this day. Traditions as seemingly different as Chaos Magick and Gard-
nerian Wicca have roots in the Golden Dawn, and it has influenced scholars
(e.g., A. E. Waite) and poets (e.g., W. B. Yeats) alike.
The Golden Dawn "system of magic" is a tool designed to educate the student
of the esoteric in both practical matters of ritual and divination, and in
abstract metaphysical ideas. The focus of the Golden Dawn material is
primarily Western -- i.e. Judeo-Christian, Greek, and Egyptian -- but some
Eastern ideas have crept in over the years. It is a "hierarchical" or
"matricular" system, in that certain information is reserved for students
who have passed beyond a certain point in their occult education. The
system of grades is as follows (along with their correspondences with the
classical elements, the seven ancient planets, and the ten sephiroth of
the Jewish Kabbalah), with the student beginning at the top:
NAME ELEMENT PLANET SEPHIRA
0=0 Neophyte --- --- ---
1=10 Zelator Earth --- Malkuth, Kingdom
2=9 Theoricus Air Moon Yesod, Foundation
3=8 Practicus Water Mercury Hod, Splendour
4=7 Philosophus Fire Venus Netzach, Victory
5=6 Adeptus Minor Spirit Sun Tiphareth, Beauty
6=5 Adeptus Major --- Mars Gevurah, Might
7=4 Adeptus Exemptus --- Jupiter Chesed, Mercy
8=3 Magister Templi --- Saturn Binah, Understanding
9=2 Magus --- --- Chokmah, Wisdom
10=1 Ipsissimus --- --- Kether, Crown
The grades of Neophyte through Philosophus comprise the First, or Outer
Order. A grade called the "Portal" comes between 4=7 and 5=6, and this
contains some very powerful symbolism on the transition between the
Outer and Inner "Mysteries." The three Adept grades comprise the Second,
or Inner Order (Rosae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis), and are normally only
open to those who pass rigorous examinations and are chosen on other
qualifications. The final three grades (which refer to the "Supernal"
sephiroth) comprise the Third, or Hidden Order of Masters. There is
considerable disagreement among Order sources as to whether living human
beings can attain these final mystical grades (not unlike the Bodhisattvas
of Buddhism, it seems).
Please note that the above is just a brief summary, and that many details
have been omitted for the sake of clarity. For more information, see
just about any of the books listed in the Reference section (IV), or
email me at the address listed at the beginning of this FAQ.
Some may wonder why people would want to pursue their spiritual goals via
the antiquated, or even superstitious, means of ceremonial magic. Mary
K. Greer, in _Women_of_the_Golden_Dawn_, notes that there are several
different definitions of magic that have different connotations:
"While some writers have regarded magic as psycho-
therapeutic work (Francis King and Israel Regardie,
for example), others have characterized it as the
discovery of the unity within all duality, the truth
behind all illusions. W. B. Yeats sought knowledge
of what he called 'the single energetic Mind,' and
its pole, 'the single Memory of nature,' both of
which he believed could be evoked by symbols. But
I like Florence Farr's definition of magic best:
'Magic is unlimiting experience.' That is, magic
consists of removing the limitations from what we
*think* are the earthly and spiritual laws that bind
or compel us. We can be anything because we are All."
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2. Is the Golden Dawn a religion?
Definitely not. Although religious and metaphysical concepts are the focus
of much Order work, "there is nothing contrary to your civil, moral, or
religious duties" (to quote the Neophyte initiation ceremony) in any oaths
or Order matters. This is a landmark that seems to have been passed down
from Freemasonry, one of the primary sources of Golden Dawn material.
However, an overall notion of religious tolerance pervades the Golden
Dawn, for one is also reminded (in the same ceremony), to "Remember that
you hold all Religions in reverence, for there is none but contains a Ray
from the Ineffable Light that you are seeking."
(Note: My source for the text of the above oaths/obligations comes from
Regardie's published account of Stella Matutina ceremonies, _The_Golden_
_Dawn_. Some modern groups most probably have changed some parts of these
obligations -- especially the parts that deal with keeping the rituals,
membership, and even the existence of the Order completely secret. It
is always a good idea, of course, to inquire about these things before
pursuing membership in any organization. See Question 3, below.)
For those who would decry all things "occult" as Satanic and/or pagan, know
that the higher degrees of the Golden Dawn seem to grow more and more
Christian in character as one climbs the hierarchy of grades. The influence
of the Rosicrucians, a mystical/mythical Christian organization dating from
the 17th Century, is strong indeed (see Question 5). For those who shy
away from the often-overbearing aegis of Christendom, don't despair, as there
is enough symbolism present in the Golden Dawn material to satisfy nearly
any taste. Jewish Kabbalah, Islam, the Egyptian and Greek Mysteries, and
even the Celtic mythos, have all been integrated into Golden Dawn work at
one time or another.
One final disclaimer: While this author heartily believes that religious
partisanship has no place in the Golden Dawn, this is by no means the
only opinion. Some Golden Dawn groups, for example, are said to explicitly
bar Thelemites from membership in the Second Order. If anyone can verify
this position, or give any other similar ones, I would like to know, and
would make such implicit requirements known in Part III, below.
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3. Is the hierarchy of grades merely a ruse to empower the "enlightened?"
Well, even Magical Orders are made up of human beings, and some inevitably
take advantage of the "faithful." This can come in many guises: expensive
dues for a trickle of information, out-and-out lies about magical powers or
ancient sources, forced therapy before advancement, uncomfortable initiations,
or expulsion if one holds a differing viewpoint. As always, place your
_caveat_ firmly in your _emptor_ before taking any action.
However, the concept of the hierarchy of grades has its definite merits.
First of all, consider the parallels with education in general. One must
first learn ones' alphabet before learning to read; and learn to read before
understanding _Tom_Sawyer_, let alone _Finnegans_Wake_. Also, training in
magic necessarily involves an exploration of different modes and areas of
ones' own consciousness, the experiencing of which can very well be
jolting, frightening, or life-threatening. Some aspects of the psyche
are best left unexplored until one develops the tools and stamina necessary
for the journey.
The issue of secrecy is an F.A.I. (Frequently Argued Issue) on the Usenet
news group alt.magick, and for the most part, most of the original Golden
Dawn "secrets" have already been (or are in the process of being) published.
However, it still comes up often enough to address a few points. Why keep
certain things secret, you may ask? Well...
(a) It is worth it *not* to have everything handed to you all at once.
Whether it is working out physics problems, or reading an Agatha
Christie mystery novel, skipping to the end for the "answers" can
take something away from the experience.
(b) Many posit the existence of a "Group Mind" which can develop in some
seriously minded associations of individuals. "Secrecy" here (which
is sometimes termed "Silence" to differentiate it from a more widely
spread hoarding of knowledge) is just an outgrowth of simple privacy,
committment, and integrity among a closely knit group of people,
who don't want their business known by the entire world. Of course,
when their "business" begins to entail the propagation of a tradition
purported to be of benefit to all humankind, it becomes harder to
justify secrecy as a simple privacy issue.
(c) One must differentiate between information and knowledge. There is
a huge difference between the basic facts of a craft (which can be and
are set down in books) and the actual skills that people develop from
accumulated experience (which usually cannot even be expressed in
concise words, let alone written down). I think many would agree,
to use Colin Low's analogy, that a "Do It Yourself Brain Surgery" book
would be a bad idea. The knowledge isn't really a *secret*, but it's
certainly not available for everyone's immediate use, either.
All things considered, however, secrecy is something which should certainly
be left up to each individual. To quote alt.magick's resident terminator,
Tyagi Nagasiva (Tyagi@HouseOfKaos.Abyss.com), "There are very many good
reasons for secrecy, and very few for requiring it."
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4. Are Golden Dawn Temples still active? How can I become a member?
Yes, there are Temples still thriving, from the U.S.A. to New Zealand.
See Part III, List of Active Golden Dawn Temples and Related Organizations,
below.
Becoming a member of a magical order, however, is something that should not
be taken lightly. I wish I could reprint Donald Michael Kraig's article
"So you want to join a Magical Order..." from _The_Llewellyn_New_Times_
(May-June 1992, no. 923), which lays out many of the pros and cons. A few
things to note, however:
(a) Don't count on having "secrets" revealed to you. Ninety-nine percent
of them are already published, in some form, somewhere.
(b) The symbols and metaphors used by a particular group or tradition may
not "work" for you. Even different "Golden Dawn" groups vary in their
focus or underlying worldview, and many have altered or expanded upon
the original (19th century) G.D. material. Don't confuse the map --
the association of individuals -- with the territory -- the system of
symbol and ritual.
(c) Listen to your common sense! If something doesn't feel right to you,
by all means don't do it. Not everyone seems meant to work within
an Order -- possibly you can do better, and create something new!
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5. How is the Golden Dawn connected with the Rosicrucians?
The Golden Dawn's own ceremonies claim a descent (in spirit if not a
direct lineage) with the Rosicrucians, a mystic Christian organization
that may, or may not have "existed" in the strictest sense of the word.
A short history of Rosicrucianism in in order.
In about the year 1610, an anonymous document entitled "Fama Fraternitatis
of the Meritorious Order of the Rosy Cross" was distributed among German
occultists, and was printed at Cassel in 1614. It describes the founding
of a secret order of enlightened learning in the Hermetic and Christian
mysteries. The (mythical) life story of the founder, C.R.C. (Christian
Rosenkreutz) is related, as well as the discovery of his wondrous tomb
centuries later. A second manifesto, "Confessio Fraternitatis" (1615),
describes the Rosicrucian Order in more detail, and firmly takes sides
against the Papacy. A third document, "The Chymical Wedding of Christian
Rosenkreutz," is an interesting alchemical fantasy, probably written by
Lutheran pastor Johann Valentine Andreae in his impetuous youth, but
with little to do with the previous documents.
The publication of these documents met an eager public, and many pub-
lished their scholarly and religious "credentials" hoping to get noticed
and chosen for membership. After about twenty years, however, this
fervor seemingly died down. It wasn't until the late 1600's and early
1700's that hints of Rosicrucianism began to reappear, and the Rosicru-
cian egregore seemed to find a home in Freemasonry. From England to
Russia, Masonic/Rosicrucian groups flourished in the late 1700's, and
the most well-known were the Gold- und Rosen-kreutzers in Germany.
Again, however, this activity seemed to fade into the background until
the late 1800's, with the popular revival of esotericism and the occult
in England. The Masonic _Societas_Rosicruciana_ described below (Part
II) was the immediate precursor of the Golden Dawn, but no known direct
connection is known with the original 17th Century Rosicrucians.
In the 20th Century, there has been a virtual explosion of groups claiming
the Rosicrucian mantle, and it is quite wisely that the Adeptus Minor of
the G.D. is warned to be wary of "strangers" claiming to be members of
the Rosicrucian Order -- especially those that claim that their group
is the *only* Rosicrucian Order. This author agrees with Paul Foster
Case's assessment that the "True and Invisible" Rosicrucian Order is a
shared "state of mind," not an actual organized society. Thus, any
historical links between Rosicrucianism and the Golden Dawn seem to be
much less important than the fact that many members of the G.D. have been
and are in touch with the "soul" or egregore of the Rosy Cross.
Ex Deo nascimur, in Jesu morimur, per Spiritum Sanctum reviviscimus.
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6. How is the Golden Dawn connected with Freemasonry?
The Golden Dawn was founded by three Freemasons (Mathers, Woodman, and
Westcott) and contains a great deal of Masonically derived symbolism,
but has no formal connection with Freemasonry or any of its appendant
bodies.
Like in the case of many other "fringe" or "occult" societies founded in
the later years of the 19th century, the founders of the Golden Dawn
adapted the existing allegorical and dramatic framework of Masonic
ceremonies when constructing the G.D. In the Outer Order, both the
layout of the Temple and the functions of Officers seem to closely
mirror those of the Blue Lodge of Masonry. The names of the grades,
as well as the titles bestowed upon initiates, were taken from old
sources from the German Masonic Gold- und Rosen-kreutzers, such as
Pianco's 1781 book, _Der_Rosenkreutzer_in_seiner_Blosse_. In the
Inner Order, the Rosicrucian drama enacted in the initiation rituals
is reminiscent of that in the "Rose Croix" degree of the Ancient and
Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, and is certainly related to the
ceremonies of the _Societas_Rosicruciana_in_Anglia_, from which the
Golden Dawn was indirectly spawned.
Some scholars have suggested that there is a more direct connection
between the Golden Dawn and Masonry: a historical one, via a possible
source of the mysterious "Cipher Manuscripts" which Westcott and Mathers
used to construct the Outer Order rituals. Several sources have alluded
to the existence of little-known Masonic groups in the early 19th century
which have an eerie similarity to the Golden Dawn. Specifically, there
have been two (possibly related, possibly identical) possibilities:
(1) The "Loge zur aufgehenden Morgenrothe," a Masonic Lodge in Frankfort
with a primarily Jewish membership. Referred to in French as the
"Aurore naissante," (both titles meaning "Rising Dawn"), this group
was founded by three Masons connected with the Rite of Strict
Observance of von Hund. In 1817, a subsidiary Lodge was formed in
London by the Duke of Sussex, the Grand Master of the United Grand
Lodge of England. In 1822, it was closed by an Anton Wolf, who
might have been a representative from the Mother Lodge in Frankfort.
(2) A "Qabalistic College" in London, also known as the "Chabrath Zerek
Aour Bokher" ("Society of theh Shining Light of the Dawn"), formed
around 1810 by a Johannes Friedrich Falk, from Hamburg, Germany.
Mentioned mainly by Kenneth Mackenzie's _Royal_Masonic_Cyclopaeida_,
this organization might have been a long-propagating fraud.
Both of these supposed London-based Lodges have been argued to be the
infamous second "Hermanoubis" Temple of the Golden Dawn. The Cipher
Manuscripts, which were probably written circa 1860-1870, are similarly
argued to have come indirectly from one of these groups, via such
varied persons as Kenneth Mackenzie, Lord Bulwer-Lytton, or Frederick
Hockley. Further research is definitely required to prove any of these
hypotheses. For more information, see:
Gilbert, R. A., 1990, "Provenance Unknown: A Tentative Solution to the
Riddle of the Cipher Manuscript of the Golden Dawn," in _Wege_und_
_Abwege:_Beitraege_zur_europaeischen_Geistesgeschichte_der_Neuzeit_,
ed. A. Goetz von Olenhusen (Freiburg: Hochschul Verlag), p. 79.
Heisler, R. 1989, "Precursors of the Golden Dawn," in _Cauda_Pavonis:_
_Studies_in_Hermeticism_, v. 8, no. 1, 1-4.
Kuntz, Darcy. _The_Complete_Golden_Dawn_Cipher_Manuscipt_ (Edmonds,
Washington: Holmes Publishing Group), 1996. [Reprints Gilbert's
article listed above.]
Prinke, R. T. 1987, "The Deeper Roots of the Golden Dawn," in _The_
_Hermetic_Journal_, 36, 16.
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7. Who was Israel Regardie?
Dr. Francis Israel Regardie (17 Nov 1907 - 10 Mar 1985, motto "Ad Maiorem
Adonai Gloriam," or "To the greatness of the Lord") was a relative latecomer
in the Golden Dawn, joining Felkin's Hermes Temple of the Stella Matutina in
about 1934. He is most infamously known for publishing _The_Golden_Dawn_
a few years later, thereby breaking his oath of secrecy. Every Order ritual,
from 0=0 to 5=6, was included, along with many of the original "knowledge
lectures" and "flying rolls" (instructional manuscripts) written by Mathers
and Westcott.
Although initially spurned by his G.D. peers, lately Regardie has been
seemingly vindicated. The publishing of the Order material in a relatively
complete form has certainly kept the Golden Dawn from being lost to the
mists of time. Many of the modern G.D. Orders claim an "apostolic suc-
cession" through Regardie, so it seems he has been sufficiently forgiven.
During the last few years of his life, he "authorized" a few different
groups to carry on his work, but it seems that some of these groups have
taken to claiming "bigger pieces of the pie" when it comes to authority and
lineage.
Recently, Regardie's role in the propagation of Golden Dawn documents has
been called into question. Bill Heidrick (heidrick@well.sf.ca.us), the
Grand Treasurer General of the O.T.O., wrote on April 14, 1994:
"Regardie's _Golden_Dawn_ was a joint enterprise between Israel
Regardie and Gerald Yorke. Yorke supplied the materials, as
Francis (I.Regardie) told me himself. Yorke had warning from
his family as far back as the days of Equinox Vol.I never to
allow publicity of his connections with either Crowley or the
Golden Dawn. This is not surprising in that the family was and
is not very far removed from the succession to the British throne.
When _G.D._ was to be published this ban was serious enough for
Gerald to act as a silent partner and unannounced co-author with
Francis. Toward the end of his life Gerald did relax his privacy
a little, to the extent of taking an occasional "bow" in print
and supporting Ellic Howe with an intro to _The_Magicians_of_the_
_Golden_Dawn_. The largest public collection of Golden Dawn and
Crowley MSS is the Yorke collection in the Warburg Institute at
the University of London. That is Gerald's collection, fortified
with materials provided by Karl Germer."
Although Yorke probably helped Regardie track down papers for the later
book, _The_Complete_Golden_Dawn_System_of_Magic_, it is difficult to assess
his impact on the earlier published materials. Regardie's own initiatory
status in the 1930's has also been under dispute. He claimed that he was
an Adept (5=6) of the Hermes Temple, but some have claimed that he could not
have achieved this degree in the short time he was a member. However,
several recent letters and papers have been found, and posted to the
Usenet news group alt.magick, which indicate clearly that Regardie had
received the 5=6 grade from the Hermes Temple. Hopefully this material
will be published in a relatively complete form sometime soon.
Some claim that Regardie, later in life, attained the higher degrees of
6=5 and 7=4, and was glad to finally receive true initiation (contrasted
to the ceremonies of the "Inepti" at Hermes Temple). Harvey Newstrom
(hnewstrom@hnewstrom.ess.harris.com), a member of the Hermetic Order of
the Golden Dawn that Regardie sponsored in the 1980's, wrote on April 18,
1994:
"Regardie was given a certificate of 6=5 after visiting New
Zealand. This was an honorary degree that was intended to show
respect and affirmation of Regardie's work. Regardie was not
a member of the New Zealand branch of the G:.D:., he did not
study from them, he did not undergo examination from them nor
did he demonstrate the completion of the requisites for that
level. Most importantly, Regardie still maintained the title,
signatures, magical insignia, and other ensigns of office as
appropriate for his actual level. He never upgraded his own
assesment to claim any higher degrees. After Regardie's death,
the New Zealand group also sent a 7=4 certificate filled out for
Regardie. Dated after his death, this certificate certainly
was an honorary one."
Patrick Zalewski, in _Secret_Inner_Order_Rituals_of_the_G.D._, claims that
Regardie "...participated in a 6=5 ceremony as one of the Temple Officers"
during his visit to new Zealand in August 1983, but the issue of his
initiatory status is left unclear. The certificate in question was
reproduced in facsimile in early editions of _The_Complete_Golden_Dawn_
_System_of_Magic_, and was dated October 10, 1984, before his death.
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8. What connection did Aleister Crowley have with the Golden Dawn?
Edward Alexander (Aleister) Crowley (1875-1947) joined the Isis-Urania
Temple of the G.D. in November of 1898, and quickly advanced to the grade
of Adeptus Minor by January of 1900. Crowley grew distasteful of the
pretentious dealings between many of the members, and of the fact that
many were initiated for no other reason than their "worldly prosperity."
I quote from his "history lection" (with the line numbers removed for
readability) from Liber LXI vel Causae A.'.A.'. :
"In 1900 one P., a brother, [Crowley, "Perdurabo"] instituted a
rigorous test of S.R.M.D. [Mathers] on the one side and the Order
on the other. He discovered that S.R.M.D., though a scholar of
some ability and a magician of remarkable powers, had never attained
complete initiation: and further had fallen from his original place,
he having imprudently attracted to himself forces of evil too great
and terrible for him to withstand. The claim of the Order that the
true adepts were in charge of it was definitely disproved. In the
Order, with two certain exceptions and two doubtful ones, he found
no persons prepared for initiation of any sort. He thereupon by
his subtle wisdom destroyed both the Order and its chief."
While the last statements certainly aren't true (both the G.D. and Mathers
long surviving Crowley's defection), it certainly sheds light on the "birth"
of the Golden Dawn's first "pseudo-messiah," as Gerald Yorke termed Crowley.
Crowley's subsequent magical work, too lengthy to describe completely
here, was a unique and singular accomplishment. His reception of _Liber_
_AL_vel_Legis_ in Cairo in 1904 marked the beginning of a "new aeon" of
the world, and of the religion/philosophy of Thelema. The details of
ritual and magical doctrine that Crowley continued to propagate, however,
were intimately connected with his beginnings in the Golden Dawn.
The two primary esoteric Orders which Crowley either created or placed
his unique imprint upon are the A.A. and the O.T.O. (Ordo Templi Orientis).
The A.A., which some claim stands for "Astron Argon," "Aster Argos," or
"Argentum Astrum" (Greek and Latin for "Silver Star"), was Crowley's idea
of the ideal and individualized initiatory regimen. Most lineages (which
usually are passed down on a one-on-one basis) follow the Golden Dawn-like
grade system and magical/mystical "curriculum" set down in Crowley's "One
Star in Sight," which is in _Magick_in_Theory_and_Practice_. Also, the
recently published _Mystical_and_Magical_System_of_the_A.'.A.'._, by James
Eshelman, is a good source of information on this subject (see the Reference
List, Part IV, below).
The O.T.O. was founded in 1895 by Karl Kellner as a concretization of
various Masonic rites, and also as a vehicle for the teaching of tantric-
based sexual magic. In 1922, Crowley took over as Outer Head of the Order
(OHO), and modified its focus to conform to his "new aeon" Thelemic revel-
ations. Although still an initiatory organization, the O.T.O. is concerned
mainly with the social, economic, and interactive aspects of magic and Thelema,
rather than on presenting an individualized system of spirituality (as is
the regime of the A.A.). The O.T.O. today is at its largest size ever, with
over 3000 members, and many of the active North American G.D. groups listed
below have some kind of connection with the O.T.O.. Crowley's _Equinox_,
especially the recently written Volume III, Number 10, is a good reference
for the O.T.O., as is the Web site for the U.S. Grand Lodge:
"http://otohq.org/oto/".
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9. How do I get started?
First, there exist various other "getting started" documents on magic
and esoteric spirituality posted to the Usenet newsgroups alt.magick,
alt.pagan, alt.meditation (?), and others, as well as on many Internet
WWW and FTP sites. A good example is Christopher Ward's "Notes to a Neo-
phyte," at: "ftp://ftp.teleport.com/users/rain/pagan/neophyte.txt".
Since the suggestions below come from a Golden Dawn point of view, these
other more general documents may also be of interest.
Prior to the publication of most of the Golden Dawn material, the only
real way to "get started" was by petitioning an active Temple, being
accepted, and going through the Neophyte (0=0) initiation ceremony.
While this is still an option, easy access to the bulk of the Golden
Dawn material has opened up other, more solitary avenues of approach.
What follow are two basic techniques (one meditative, one ceremonial)
that have helped many to begin on the road to their "Great Work."
(A) The Neophyte Meditation
This exercise in concentration and stilling the mind contains two
general components -- breathing and visualization -- but some helpful
hints about relaxation and concentration might be in order first.
Make yourself comfortable (sit or lay down) and try to relax the body.
Starting at the feet, clench and release various muscles, and work
up the body to the head and face. Think of your warm blood coursing
through your body, enriching each part as it relaxes. If you fall
asleep, that's fine, but you may want to find a better time of day
to do this. Breathe from the abdomen, not the chest.
(i) Rhythmic Breathing: The "fourfold breath" is suggested for
beginners:
* inhale fully, while counting 1-2-3-4
* hold the breath, while counting 1-2-3-4
* exhale fully, while counting 1-2-3-4
* hold the breath, while counting 1-2-3-4
(i) Visualization: From the First Knowledge Lecture (cf. Regardie's
_Golden_Dawn_),
"Let the Neophyte consider a point as defined in mathematics --
having position, but no magnitude -- and let him note the ideas
to which this gives rise. Concentrating his faculties on this,
as a focus, let him endeavor to realise the *Immanance* of the
*Divine* throughout *Nature*, in all her aspects."
This "primitive point" (in Hebrew, NQVDH RAShVNH) can be fruitfully
compared to the initial point of the creation of the universe, as
is described in the _Zohar:_The_Book_of_Enlightenment_ (translated
below by Daniel Chanan Matt, NY: Paulist Press, 1983):
"A blinding spark flashed
within the Concealed of the Concealed
from the mystery of the Infinite,
a cluster of vapor in formlessness,
...
Deep within the spark gushed a flow
imbuing colors below,
concealed within the concealed of the mystery of the Infinite.
The flow broke through and did not break through its aura.
It was not known at all
until, under the impact of breaking through,
one high and hidden point shone.
Beyond that point, nothing is known.
So it is called Beginning,
the first command of all."
A comparison can also be made to various modern scientific theories
of the "Big Bang," which is thought to have occurred within an
infinitesimally small point which encompassed all of the present-
day universe.
(B) The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP)
The ritual act of "banishing" stems from an old notion that magic
must be performed in a purified environment, and that "evil spirits"
(or undesired "unconscious thought forms") must first be told to
vacate the premises. A more recent interpretation is that of de-
lineating a "sacred space" at the beginning of a ritual, apart from
the mundane world. The focus is often on a military-like attention
to detail, which constructs this impregnable "circle" around the
magician.
The following banishing ritual was given to Neophytes of the Golden
Dawn, to get them prepared and accustomed to dealing with spiritual
entities. It is also an often-used component at the beginning and
end of many rituals.
First, perform the Qabalistic Cross:
Face East, and take a steel dagger in your right hand.
Touch your forehead , and say . . . ATEH (Thou art)
Touch your breast , and say . . . MALKUTH (the kingdom)
Touch your right shoulder, and say . . . Ve-GEBURAH (and the power)
Touch your left shoulder, and say . . . Ve-GEDULAH (and the glory)
Clasp your left hand over your right hand
hand before you, and say . . . . . . . . Le-OLAM (for ever)
Turn the dagger upwards, and say . . . . AMEN
Next, begin to slowly rotate clockwise ("deosil," with the sun), prepared
to trace a Circle around yourself with the dagger. First, while facing
the East, trace a "banishing pentagram of Earth," in the order 123451:
2
4 5
1 3
and "vibrate" the Hebrew God-name IHVH.
Rotate clockwise, and face South. Trace the pentagram, and vibrate ADNI.
Rotate clockwise, and face West. Trace the pentagram, and vibrate AHIH.
Rotate clockwise, and face North. Trace the pentagram, and vibrate AGLA.
Rotate clockwise, and come back around to the East. Upon completing the
Circle, form a Great Cross (feet together, arms extended horizontally with
with palms forward), close your eyes, and recite the archangelic powers
stationed about the Circle:
"Before me, Raphael
Behind me, Gabriel
At my right hand, Michael
At my left hand, Auriel.
Before me flames the Pentagram --
Behind me shines the Six-Rayed Star."
Follow with the Qabalistic Cross again, and you're finished.
An interesting analysis and interpretation of this ritual, along with
some personal commentary as to its potential, is given below:
---------------------------BEGIN-QUOTATION-------------------------------
From: markk@cypress.West.Sun.COM (Mark Kampe)
Subject: a lesser banishing
Newsgroups: alt.magick
Date: 31 Oct 1994 16:45:34 GMT
The words are widely known, but it occurred to me that I've never seen
a discussion of the melody and harmonies that give them meaning. Surely,
like the Tao, "the tune that can be told is not the true tune". None,
the less, I thought I would try to describe some of the experiences that
have accompanied some of my attempts at a LBRP.
P.S. ... For those who know the words,
please sing along, and tell me how the tune works for you.
For those who have your own tunes,
would you consider trying to share one?
For those who don't haven't tried the song,
this may not make much sense at all.
0. I begin with receptive silence, first bringing the room into
order, then bringing my body into repose, then my breathing
into measured rhythm, and finally my thoughts. I cannot begin
this work until I have ceased doing other things.
1. Using my father's dagger I trace the circle, and the cross,
addressing myself to the ritual. It seems a bit like an
introduction (to the One "who needs no introduction" :-).
The real purpose, however, is to remind me where I am, and
why I have come here ... and it does that pretty effectively.
Establishing my relationship to the power is indeed an important
preliminary to the remainder of the ritual.
2. Facing the rising sun, I inhale and look for the word that
brought about the creation. I gaze through the letters that
symbolize the ne-plus-ultra and try to find the sound that
they represent. This is the word I need to trigger my own
creation today. When the Yod becomes clear, I am the Heh
that receives it, and the Vau they become wells within me,
giving rise to the Heh that I return to the cosmos, and
in so doing, animate the first sigil.
I pause, as the light kindles, to experience the resonance
between the ultimate power of creation, and the power of
creation within myself.
3. Turning from sunrise to the sun at full Zenith, I reflect on
the awesome majesty of creation, and the power that permeates it.
As I contemplate the inconceivable wonder of the universe
(with all of its myriad worlds and souls), I search for the
name of its Lord ... so that I may trace my next sigil in
celebration of Hir glory.
Once again, I pause to wait for the channel to come to
life and savor my small glimpse of the almighty.
4. Turning towards the setting sun, I reflect on the glory
I have been privileged to behold. I note my breathing,
and the implicit continuous prayer it offers in praise to
the spirit of life. "Ruach" means both "breath" and "spirit",
and in our breathing we speak the holy name more perfectly
than words ever could.
I seek to make each breath a more ardent and perfect prayer,
and an act of communion. When my breath has become the
name of life, I carve a sigil into which that principle can
be enshrined, and welcome the spirit of life into my circle.
5. Turning to the north, I see nothing, and so confront myself -
body and spirit, ego and instrument of divine will, animal
and god. What am I and what am I to become? How am I to
resolve a myriad of aspirations and urges? The answer is not
in allowing myself to become a battleground for a thousand
balkanized aspects of my own nature. The answer lies in
finding purpose and becoming an instrument of that purpose.
And so I acknowledge my need, and my inescapable obligation
to understand and serve the divine will. As I speak the oath
that binds me to that will, I carve the sigil that must be
simultaneously the instrument of my destruction and the key to
my salvation.
6. Turning again to the rising sun, and standing in the
center of these channels, I look forward to find the
spirit of guidance. My needs and aspirations have
been anticipated, and provided for. I need not want
for guide or teacher. I have but to open my eyes and
see them.
7. The power of life swells behind me and within me,
compelling me to action and empowering me to achieve.
Life is that which does, and that which becomes.
I am life, and the power is within me ... or perhaps
more properly, I am a manifestation of that power.
8. On my right, I reach out to the light that vanquishes all
darkness. I find therein perfection, protection and a power
beyond that of life. I recognize it for what it is. I
recognize that it is always there, and that I can always draw
upon it (if I have but eyes to see it). I open myself to the light.
9. On my left, I reach out to a world bathed in divine
light and see its richness, beauty, and perfection.
It shames me to recognize how seldom I see the world
so illuminated, and I am grateful to be reminded again
of its true nature.
10. I stand surrounded by, and attuned to, four open
channels for divine energy. Standing naked in the
focal point, I reach out, simultaneously, to each.
As the four streams of light converge in me, each
carrying its own energy into me, I feel the parts
of myself that are being brought into resonance.
Finally, like a laser, pumped at the right frequency,
I burst forth with a nova-like brilliance, now a source
of light myself ... and unlike the sigils through which
this energy was channeled, I am wholely of this world.
I am the connection point between heaven and earth. I am
the vehicle through which the divine Will achieves worldly
manifestation.
... Having obtained what I came for, I again affirm/acknowledge
my relationship to the source. (I occasionally feel like
offering thanks ... but that would be missing the point :-)
----------------------------END--QUOTATION-------------------------------
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II. A Brief History of the Golden Dawn
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
The history of the Golden Dawn seemingly begins in 1881, when S. L. M.
Mathers met Dr.'s W. Westcott and W. Woodman, and entered the _Societas_
_Rosicruciana_in_Anglia_, a scholarly group devoted to studying Rosicrucian
and Hermetic topics, open to Master Masons only. Westcott took young Mathers
under his wing, and Mathers quickly advanced to the top of that organization.
The "magical mottoes" of these three men may provide insight into their
characters. Mathers took the mottoes "'S Rioghail Mo Dhream," or "Royal
is my tribe" in Gaelic, and "Deo Duce Comite Ferro," or "With God as my
leader and the sword as my companion." Westcott was known as "Sapere
Aude," or "Dare to be wise," and Woodman was known as "Magna Est Veritas
Et Praevalehit," or "Great is the truth and it shall prevail."
The next key development was in 1887 with the "discovery" of the famous
Cipher Manuscripts. Modern scholarship seems to point to prolific
Masonic author Kenneth Mackenzie as their author, but whether the Cipher
Manuscripts were found in a Masonic library, bought from a used bookshop,
or fabricated whole-cloth, these documents contained summaries of the
first five Golden Dawn initiation rituals (0=0 to 4=7). They were
written in a simple, well-known alphabetic code based on the _Polygraphiae_
of Johann Trithemius, and complete facsimiles and transcriptions have been
published in Kuntz's _The_Complete_Golden_Dawn_Cipher_Manuscipt_ (see
Part IV, below). Mathers took to them with a passion, and fleshed them
out into full-blown rituals of ceremonial magic. Written on the manu-
scripts was the address of a certain Fraulein Sprengel ("Sapiens Domin-
abitur Astris," or "The wise one will be ruled by the stars") in Germany,
but many believe that Fraulein Sprengel was invented by Westcott to
provide a sense of continental authority and legitimacy to this material.
Even if not directly German in origin, many of the magical concepts inherent
in the Golden Dawn system were strongly influenced by continental European
sources. Without a doubt, the works of the esteemed French occultist Eliphas
Levi (1810-1875) were known to the originators of the Golden Dawn system.
Levi's students, such as Stanislas de Guaita, Josephin Peledan, and Gerard
Encausse ("Papus") gathered in societies such as the "Kabalistic Rose+Croix"
and the "Catholic Rose+Croix of the Temple and the Grail." From the 1880's
to the 1910's, these groups, or Salons, gathered to study ancient texts,
practice magic and meditative techniques, and spread their occult knowledge
to the public.
It was a year later, in 1888, that Mathers, Westcott, and Woodman inaugurated
the first British Temple, Isis-Urania, and began to admit men and women as
Neophytes. In 1890, Mathers married Mina ("Moina") Bergson, sister of philo-
sopher and writer Henri Bergson, and in 1892 they moved to Paris. The Ahathoor
Temple was established, and it was not too long after that they clairvoyantly
"brought forth" the Second Order (5=6 to 7=4) rituals and teachings. Some of
the 5=6 ritual material, however, came from the Cipher Manuscripts (not in-
cluded in Zalewski's transcription). The first Vault of the Adepti, a
required piece of "scenery" for Second Order rituals, was built in London,
in Thavies Inn off Holborn Circus.
The following list of original G.D. Temples came originally from Ithell
Colquhoun's biography of Mathers, _Sword_of_Wisdom_, but has been updated
with the help of several (independent) scholars who wish to remain anonymous.
Any additional information, of course, would be greatly appreciated:
ORIGINAL GOLDEN DAWN TEMPLES
1. Licht, Liebe, und Leben, 1808? (Nuremburg: Fraulein Sprengel) [FICTIONAL?]
2. Hermanoubis, 1883?. . .(London: Hockley, Mackenzie, Woodford) [FICTIONAL?]
3. Isis-Urania, Mar. 20, 1888 . . . . . (London: Westcott, Woodman, Mathers)
4. Osiris, Oct. 8, 1888. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(Weston-super-Mare: B. Cox)
5. Horus, Oct. 10, 1888. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Bradford: T.H. Pattinson)
6. Amen-Ra, Apr. 14, 1893. . . . . . . . . . . (Edinburgh: J.W. Brodie-Innes)
7. Ahathoor, Dec. 3, 1893. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(Paris: S.L.M. Mathers)
8. Thme (Ihme?), 1897. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(Chicago: G.W. Wiggs)
9. Thoth-Hermes, 1897. . . . . . . .(New York: Charles & E. Daniell Lockwood)
10. Isis [Alpha et Omega 1], 1900 . . . . . . . . . (W. London: E.W. Berridge)
In 1900, a schism rocked the Order. Ms. Annie Hornimann, a member of the
Isis-Urania Second Order, led a "revolt" against Mathers, and there was a
bit of litigation concerning the ownership of the temple furniture and other
magical trappings. Also, many remaining G.D. members were duped by a Mr.
and Mrs. "Theo Horos," American confidence tricksters, and lost a great
deal of money and property. The Horos couple were convicted of fraud and the
rape of minors in 1901, but the G.D. was dragged through the mud of ignorant
publicity, and was never again the same. Finally, in 1903, Aleister Crowley,
who previously seemed the "magical heir apparent" to Mathers, defected to
form his own organizations. In 1909, Crowley published G.D. rituals and
doctrine in his _Equinox_, but its limited readership precluded the kind
of impact that Regardie's subsequent publishing efforts produced.
With the "golden age" of the G.D. over, its members went their myriad ways.
The Golden Dawn work, however, has been continued by many groups. Most
noticeably, there was the _Stella_Matutina_, and its varied offshoots,
inaugurated by Dr. Robert William Felkin ("Finem Respisce," or "Have re-
gard to the end"), and continued in an unbroken line until as late as
the 1970's. Also noteworthy is the contribution of Violet Mary Firth
(Dion Fortune; from "Deo Non Fortuna," or "God, not chance"), who formed
the Fraternity (later, Society) of the Inner Light, which functioned for
many decades as an alternative, but closely related, group.
What follows is a far-from-complete listing of these succeeding organiz-
ations, originally culled from Colquhoun's _Sword_of_Wisdom_. Note that
the list ends near the beginning of the 1970's. Most likely, any more
recent groups are listed in Part III, the list of active Golden Dawn
groups, below.
SELECTED OFFSHOOTS, VARIANTS, AND CO-INFLUENCED GROUPS
The Sphere, c1897. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(London: Florence Farr)
Herm. Soc. of the Morgenrothe, 1902. .(London: Felkin, Brodie-Innes, Bullock)
Order of Light, 1902 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Bradford: T.H. Pattinson)
Stella Matutina (S.M.) [Amoun], 1903 . . . . . . . . . .(London: R.W. Felkin)
Holy Order of the G.D., 1903 . . . . . .(London: A.E. Waite, Blackden, Ayton)
A.'.A.'. (Astron Argon), c1907 . . . . . . . (London: A. Crowley, G.C. Jones)
Zos Kia Cultus, c1910. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (London: A.O. Spare)
Smaragdum Thalasses/Whare Ra (S.M.), 1912. . . . . (New Zealand: R.W. Felkin)
Ordo Templi Orientis [orig. c1895], 1912 . . . . . . . . (London: A. Crowley)
Alpha et Omega 2 (Northern), 1913. . .(Edinburgh & London: J.W. Brodie-Innes)
Cromlech [Solar Order], 1913 . . . . .(Edinburgh & London: J.W. Brodie-Innes)
Hermes (S.M.), 1916. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Bristol: R.W. Felkin)
Merlin (S.M.), 1916. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(London: R.W. Felkin)
Secret College in London (S.M.?), 1916 . . . . . . . . .(London: R.W. Felkin)
Guild of St. Raphael, 1916 . . . . . . . . . . . (London: Felkin & Roseveare)
Fellowship of the True Rosy Cross [Salvator Mundi], 1916 (London: A.E. Waite)
Shrine of Wisdom, c1916. . . . . . . . .(Hermon Hill, N. London: A.E. Waite?)
Nuada (Druid Order), c1916 . . . . . . . . . . (Clapham, London: G.W.M. Reid)
Alpha et Omega 3 (Southern), 1919. . . . . . . . . . . (London: M.M. Mathers)
Ptah (Alpha et Omega "No. 10"), 1919 . . . .(Philadelphia: L. Geise, E. Dame)
Atoum (Alpha et Omega "No. 20"), 1920. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(Los Angeles)
School of Ageless Wisdom, c1920. . . . . . . . . . . .(Chicago: Paul F. Case)
Themis (Alpha et Omega "No. 30"), 1921 . . . . . . . . . . . (San Francisco?)
Fraternity/Society of Inner Light, 1922. . . . . . . . (London: Dion Fortune)
Guild of the Master Jesus, c1925 . . . . . . . . . . . (London: Dion Fortune)
Hermanoubis, c1930 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Bristol: ?)
Universal Order, c1935 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(London & Brook, Surrey: ?)
Builders of the Adytum, [orig. c1920], c1937 . . .(Los Angeles: Paul F. Case)
Order of the Morning Star, c1945 . . . . . . . . . . . (London: M. Montalban)
Gardnerian Wicca, c1952. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (London: G.B. Gardner)
Order of the Cubic Stone, 1965 . . . . . . . . . (Wolverhampton: H.T. Howard)
Order of the Sacred Word, c1967. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(London: R. Hunt)
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
III. List of Active Golden Dawn Temples and Related Organizations
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Notes:
(a) I am not in any way affiliated with any of these organizations. This
information comes from advertisements in various esoteric publications
and personal correspondence. Many of these organizations charge a
great deal of money for their teachings, and I am in no way condoning
that practice. I'm just providing the information.
(b) I am greatly indebted to the following individuals for providing a
great deal of useful information about many of the Orders listed
below. Much of the detail in the listings (and elsewhere in this FAQ)
is attributable to their diligent detective work.
Christopher Ward (chris.ward@usa.net), Al Billings (mimir@io.com),
Baird Stafford (bstafford@bstafford.ess.harris.com), Harvey
Newstrom (hnewstrom@hnewstrom.ess.harris.com), Richard Leo
Stokes (rs8256@ehsn10.cen.uiuc.edu), Luke Roberts (lr@coventry.
ac.uk), Naia Kirkpatrick (naia@lerc.nasa.gov), Vere C. Chappell
(lvx@netcom.com), Gregory Peters (suti@crl.com), Bill Heidrick
(heidrick@well.sf.ca.us), Alexander Walker (walkea@rpi.edu),
Christeos Pir (Christeos.Pir@f235.n109.z1.fidonet.org), Lainie
Petersen (epe084@lulu.acns.nwu.edu), Vivienne O'Regan (cor@cix.
compulink.co.uk), Dora Gyn/QBL (mitchell@seas.smu.edu), James A.
Eshelman, Darcy Kuntz (shlar@cadvision.com), Laura Jennings-Yorke
(aio@halcyon.com), Pat Zalewski (zirdo@ramhb.co.nz), "Wizard"
(wizard@primenet.com), Art de Hoyos (ArtdeHoyos@aol.com),
Mitch Henson.
(c) Almost by definition, a directory of "secret" societies and groups
is going to be woefully incomplete, and perpetually out of date.
If anyone has any additional information, or spots any errors in the
following, please let me know, so we can make this list as complete
as possible.
I will start this list with a classified advertisement from the Winter
1991 issue of _Gnosis_ magazine, which parallels my own opinions:
"The Golden Dawn is not a commercial enterprise. Initiation is not
for sale. There are Temples that hold valid initiatory succession
from the original Mother Temple in London which are quietly doing
the Great Work. The Order exists. When the student is ready, the
teacher will appear."
Anyway, the following list attempts to be in alphabetic order:
* August Order of Light
London, York, Bradford, England
[Descended from the original Horus Temple of the G.D. in Bradford,
England, this group was originally comprised only of members of the
Masonic _Societas_Rosicruciana_in_Anglia_, but as of 1994, there were
about 87 men and women. One of the Temples has a correspondence course,
but they seem very selective in who participates. Unlike some other
G.D. Orders, their "Inner Order" seems to encompass the grades of 8=3
and above.]
* August Order of the Mystic Rose
P.O. Box 71, Mt. View, CA 94042
[Described briefly by Mary K. Greer in _Women_of_the_Golden_Dawn_,
this group is affiliated with Robert Word, a scholar of Golden Dawn
history. When requesting information, Greer suggests a donation of $2
to help cover mailing costs.]
* Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.)
5101-05 North Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90042 TEL (800)-255-0041
[Established by Paul Foster Case and/or Ann Davies as an "outer vehicle
of the inner school," this group is descended from the original New
York Thoth-Hermes Temple (in that the founders were Chiefs of Thoth-
Hermes). Its Second Order was originally called "The School of
Ageless Wisdom." See Case's _True_and_Invisible_Rosicrucian_Order_,
and his other books, for more information. Free brochure available.
Correspondence course. For the first year or so, one pays $10/month,
and obtains a self-initiation ritual, seven weeks of instruction on
"Practical Occultism," then about a year of Tarot instruction. The
Tarot material is highly recommended. If one is near a BOTA Temple or
Proanos, members can participate in rituals, Temple services, and init-
iations. Local study groups are also in many cities. See their WWW
page at: "http://www.atanda.com/bota/". There is a listserv study-
group mailing list at: "bota-l-request@dragon.org".]
* Church/Brotherhood of Light
Dept. G - 2341 Coral St., Los Angeles, CA 90031-2916 TEL (213)-226-0453
[Correspondence study available since 1932. Not really part of the
G.D. tradition, but related in spirit. Originated as The Hermetic
Brotherhood of Light in Scotland in the late 1870's, members such as
Peter Davidson circulated lessons on magic (sexual magic in the higher
degrees, influenced by the Tantric approach of "Max Theon," or Louis
Maximillian Bimstein) mainly through the mail. In the 1890's, a
lodge formed in France which contained many prominent French occult-
ists. Also, Davidson moved to Georgia and founded a Christian myst-
ical community. In 1915, Elbert Benjamine ("C. C. Zain") came from
Georgia to California, and assimilated Davidson's material into 210
lessons in 22 books, and began the Church of Light in 1932. Its focus
is mainly on astrology (the "Religion of the Stars"), but there are
fifty initiatory degrees as well. For more details, see an article
by Joscelyn Godwin in the quarterly journal _Theosophical_History_,
and his new book _The_Hermetic_Brotherhood_of_Luxor_ (York Beach,
Maine: S. Weiser), 1995.]
* Companions of the Stone
P. O. Box 95536, Seattle, WA 98145, USA
[A "Golden Dawn-derived Hermetic magical order" which also partakes
of the Renaissance magical tradition of Fludd, Bruno, and earlier
Neo-Platonic sources. A simple three-degree system of initiation is
offered to local (Pacific Northwest) members, and an introductory nine
month correspondence course is required for membership.]
* Fraternity of the Hidden Light / Fraternitas LVX Occulta (F.L.O.)
P.O. Box 5094, Dept. S, Covina, CA 91723, USA
Also: P.O. Box 70524, 2938 Dundas St. West, Toronto, Ontario M6P 4E7
[Founded in the mid-1980's by Paul A. Clark and others, this "modern
day repository of the Hermetic Arts" offers a quality correspondence
course, as well as teaching and ceremonial work in Lodges and Temples
in the USA and Canada. A "direct lineal descendant" of the Golden
Dawn via a reconstituted "Rosicrucian Order of the Alpha et Omega
in America," F.L.O. also assimilates traditions from B.O.T.A., as well
as "new revelations from continual research." Color and sound based
healing techniques are an important part of the curriculum. Fees and
suggested donations are said said to be very reasonable. Lodges in Los
Angeles, Dallas, Boston, Colorado Springs, and Toronto. Christopher
Ward ("chris.ward@usa.net") lists himself as a contact for anyone
who wants more information, and maintains the home page for the F.L.O.
at the following URL: "http://www.lvx.org/".]
* Hermetic Fellowship
P.O. Box 20424, Portland, OR 97294-0424
[A non-profit religious organization, not formally connected to the
Golden Dawn, but was established in 1995 for seekers interested in
the Western Esoteric Tradition, Rosicrucianism, Qabalah, alchemy,
Gnosticism, Neo-Paganism, and the Grail Quest. Their Priestesses and
Priests can perform, e.g., legal marriages in the state of Oregon.
Much more information can be found on their WWW site at:
"http://www.teleport.com/~aforrest/HFWeb/HFindex.html", or one can
email Adam Forrest at: "apforrest@aol.com".]
* Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
P.O. Box 1757, Elfers, FL 34680-1757
[Re-inaugurated by Israel Regardie on June 26, 1982 in Columbus, GA.
Regardie had called together three unaquainted fraters and one soror
who were reviving the G.D. in the United States in the 1970's. The
Temple associated with Chic Cicero, "Isis-Urania, No. 18," originated
in Columbus, Georgia in the late 1970's, and is now in a nearby state.
Israel Regardie visited, consecrated, and autographed this Temple's
Vault of the Adepti. On April 10, 1995, Chic Cicero filed for a U.S.
Federal Trademark for the name "Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn,"
with the expressed purpose of preserving the tradition for all members
of valid Golden Dawn groups. For more information, email them at:
"72263.321@compuserve.com" or see their WWW site at:
"http://www.hermeticgoldendawn.org/".]
* Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn International
(formerly: Hermetic Order of the Eternal Golden Dawn)
14050 Cherry Avenue, Suite R-159 - Dept. G, Fontana, CA 92337, USA
Imperator Temple of Isis, Mighty Mother, no. 12 . . . . (909)-341-5628
Tehuti Temple, no. 13, Vancouver, BC . . . . . . . . . (604)-687-6979
Sanctuary of Michael, San Diego, CA . . . . . . . . . . contact via Isis
Sanctuary of Amon-Ra, Houston, TX . . . . . . . . . . . (713)-267-4822
Sanctuary of Hermanubis, Los Angeles, CA. . . . . . . . (310)-289-7214
Sanctuary of Auriel, Athens, GA . . . . . . . . . . . . (706)-208-0105
Sanctuary of Asar, Harrisburg, PA . . . . . . . . . . . opening soon
[Complete correspondence course available. Individual guidance, full
membership if accepted. Send them email for a free information
packet with an entrance application. This Order claims an initiatory
lineage via the Mathers' Alpha et Omega Temples in America.
Initial dues for the Outer Order are $150 (1 year's mailings: $30, dues
$65, Neophyte initiation fee $55), and adepts are available by phone
to answer questions. Initiations can be done in person or astrally,
and the study material is said to be very comprehensive. There is no
Thelema or sex magic. The H.G.D.I. publishes the magazine "The Golden
Dawn Quarterly," $22/year, as well as the members-only newsletter
"Tablets of Thoth." More information can be obtained on their WWW page,
"http://www.golden-dawn.org" or via email at "hogd@golden-dawn.org".]
* Invisible Temple No. 0, Ordo Roseae Rubeae et Aurea Crucis
Various Locations, Europe and America
[An independent branch of Israel Regardie's Hermetic Temple and Order
of the Golden Dawn, via Christopher Hyatt (Alan Miller). The 6=5 and
7=4 grades are conferred on qualified adepts who have performed the
prerequisite work in the Outer Order, and are able to manage a Golden
Dawn Temple. Members known to be in California, Maryland, Minnesota,
Texas, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Most male members are also high-
grade Masons.]
* New Zealand Guild of Alchemists
P.O. Box 5115, Greenmeadows, Napier, New Zealand
[A quasi-G.D. organization, originally given a warrant in 1990 by an
ex-Whare-Ra Adept to found a Temple called 'Horus.' Currently they
are oriented mainly toward PRS alchemy (both psychological and
practical), but it is not known if this group continues to initiate
into the Golden Dawn proper.]
* O.H.A.D.
26 Rue Francois Bonvin, 75015, Paris, France
[Mentioned briefly by Mary K. Greer in _Women_of_the_Golden_Dawn_.
When requesting information, Greer suggests a donation of $2 to help
cover mailing costs.]
* Order of the Aurum Solis
BCM Tessera, London, WC1N 3XX, U.K.
[Initiatory organization described in Denning and Phillips' _Magical_
_Philosophy_ series. While seemingly related to the Golden Dawn, its
symbolism is more "Byzantine" than Rosicrucian, although many similar
traditions (Kabbalah, alchemy, neo-Platonism) are drawn from. Working
groups exist in England, continental Europe, and West Africa, and entry
is currently via invitation only.]
* Order of the Thelemic Golden Dawn (Novus Ordo Aurora Aurea)
1626 N. Wilcox Ave., no. 418, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA
[A quasi-G.D. organization based mainly on Crowley's religion of Thelema.
No longer affiliated with New Falcon Publications or the Israel Regardie
Foundation, there is no charge for courses or initiations, but a
modest yearly donation is requested. Services offered include group
and self initiations, classes, correspondence lessons, newsletters, and
various tools and products. Many of their online manifestos, rituals,
and philosophical papers are archived on the WWW, on their home page:
"http://tgd.org/". Send email to: "OrdoTGD@aol.com".]
* Ordo Rosae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis (and Hermetic Order of the G.D.)
270 North Canon Drive, Suite 1302, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
[Affiliated with Cris Monnastre, and related to Regardie's re-inaug-
uration of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in 1982, this group
published a full-page "Manifesto Fraternitatis" in the Fall 1995
issue of _Gnosis_ magazine, under the direction of the Secret Chiefs
of the Ordo Argenti Astri (the Third Order). They proclaimed the
abrogation of previously published passwords, and mentioned their
possession of initiation rituals for all grades of the Second and
Third Orders. More information is available about these Orders, as
well as the "United Confederation of Independent and Autonomous
Temples," at their WWW site: "http://www.magusbooks.com/gd/home.html",
or via email at "HermeticOrder@Golden-Dawn.Com".]
* Osiris, Khenti-Amenti Temple (G.D.)
Hollywood, CA
[Founded by a triad of Patricia Behman, Laura Jennings, and Peter Yorke
under Israel Regardie's guidance in 1980. Closed in 1983. It has also
been claimed that this Temple was founded solely by Monnastre (Behman),
that Jennings and Yorke only took the 1=10 degree then left, and that it
remains active today, under the aegis of Monnastre's Ordo Rosae Rubeae
et Aureae Crucis, and under a different name.]
* Oxford Golden Dawn Occult Society
P.O. Box 250, Oxford, OX1 1AP, UK
[A group which aims to "disseminate authentic information about the
occult," and which organizes speakers, workshops, and conferences.
They offer training in Oxford for students, have monthly meetings
and a public annual conference in October, and publish a journal "Nuit-
Isis." Associate membership is 5 UK pounds, and details can be found
by telephoning Mogg Morgan at +44 (0)1865 243671, by email at
"mandox@cix.compulink.co.uk", or on the WWW at the following URL:
"http://www.compulink.co.uk/~mandrake/ogdos.htm".]
* Phoenix Temple
P.O. Box 4523, St. Louis, MO 63108
[I know nothing about this Temple -- even if it is a Golden Dawn group
at all! It was, however, listed along with other Golden Dawn groups
in an online text file, circa 1995. Any information would be appreciated.]
* Ra Horakhty Temple (G.D.)
31849 Pacific Highway South, Suite 107, Federal Way, WA 98003
AIO International, 900 Meridian East 19-342, Puyallup, WA 98371-1242,
TEL (206)-840-2024
[Founded by Laura Jennings and Peter Yorke in 1983 in Santa Monica, CA.
Also said to have been chartered by Patrick and Chris Zalewski in 1985.
In 1990, the Temple was moved to Washington, and most of the active
members moved as well. The Outer Order curriculum is offered via
a correspondence course, with fees of $27 per month for instruction,
and a one-time fee per grade ($50, as of 1990) for materials. Inner
Order dues are $100 per year. Each student has a personal advisor,
and Inner Order instruction or grades are offered to qualified Outer
Order graduates. The sequence of classes circa 1990 was: (1) Intro-
duction, (2) Neophyte Class (basic knowledge lectures, pentagrams),
(3) Zelator Class (geomancy, alchemy, hexagrams). Higher grade work
was done individually, with $25 for information packets and $50/hour
consultations. Ongoing classes on Tarot, astrology, Kabbalah, ana-
tomy/physiology, and "quantum physics for laymen" are offered. Seven
day "magical retreats" are also occasionally offered.]
* Servants of the Light
P.O. Box 215, St. Helier, Jersey (Channel Islands), U.K. JE4 1AB
[Descendant of Dion Fortune's Society of the Inner Light. Dolores
Ashcroft-Nowicki, Director of Studies (she succeeded W.E. Butler).
The fifty-six lesson course (US $10/lesson) is based on Qabalah, the
Grail Legend, and the Arthurian mythos, and lasts several years.
Students and graduates of the course may join a Lodge in Atlanta,
Denver, or Vancouver BC (and soon one in the Northeast US). The
SOL is non-profit, and publishes its own Tarot deck and a House
magazine. They also hold several expensive seminars/retreats (see
large advertisements in _Gnosis_ magazine). Email contacts are
Peter Cawley (UF593@freenet.victoria.bc.ca) and Fran Keegan
(fkeegan@erc.cat.syr.edu), and there is a WWW page at the following
URL: "http://www.algonet.se/~sol_swe".]
* Societas Hermetica LVX Aureae-Rubeae
Calgary, Canada (full address to come?)
[A Golden Dawn Temple which offers "safe and practical" teachings,
either via a correspondence course or in-person initiations. The
fees for the Neophyte grade include (in Canadian dollars) $40 for
initiation, $20 for dues, and/or $40 for the correspondence course.]
* Society of the Inner Light
38 Steele's Road, London NW3 4RG, U.K.
[Continuation of Dion Fortune's (and William Gray's) Society of the
Inner Light. Still active and continuing to provide a correspondence
course.]
* Star & Cross
P.O. Box 25541, Dallas, TX 75225, USA
[Home study course: Dion Fortune's inner teachings, "Western Tradition
of the Mysteries." Rumored to have a strong emphasis on Jungian psych-
ology.]
* Temple of Thelema
222 North Manhattan Place, Los Angeles, CA 90004 (Harpocrates Temple 1)
P.O. Box 415, Oroville, CA 95965 (Nuit Mother Temple)
P.O. Box 58, Carmichael, CA 95609 (Silver Star Proanos 2)
680 Queens Quay, #704, Toronto, ONT M5V 2Y9 (Star of the North Temple 3)
P.O. Box 27901-774, San Francisco, CA 94127 (Agape Temple 4)
P.O. Box 441474, Indianapolis, IN 46244 (Ruby Star Proanos 5)
222 N. Manhattan Place, Los Angeles, CA 90004 (Shemesh Israel Temple 6)
P.O. Box 237, Chimacum, WA 98325 (Seattle area Proanos)
500 N. Guadalupe St, Suite G418, Santa Fe, NM 87501 (New Mexico Proanos)
[This group, also an outer vehicle "in the service" of Crowley's A.A.,
was founded in 1989 by Jim Eshelman, Phyllis Seckler, and Anna-Kria King.
Updated to conform to the Law of Thelema, the Temple of Thelema is the
ceremonial and initiatory vehicle of the College of Thelema, founded in
1973 by Phyllis Seckler (Soror Meral). COT shares the contact addresses
given above, and also publishes a bi-annual magazine called _In_the_Con-
tinuum_. T.O.T.'s innovations to the G.D. system are substantial, as
they can be utilized as "lower octave" introductions to the A.A., but
they do conform to the original formulae of the Cipher Manuscripts. For
more info, see their WWW site: "http://www.thelema.org/".]
* Templo L.V.X. Thot
Buenos Aires, Argentina
[A Spanish-speaking Golden Dawn organization which offers physical
instruction, initiations, and correspondence courses in Qabalah,
astroogy, tarot, alchemy, Enochian magic, tattvas, geomancy, meditation,
path travels, gematria, Egyptian mysteries, and ritual magic.
For more inforation contact them via email "goldendawn@auroradorada.com",
or see their WWW site: "http://www.auroradorada.com".]
* Thoth-Hermes Temple (G.D.)
Wellington, New Zealand
[Founded by Patrick and Chris Zalewski around 1980 to succeed Whare-Ra,
but has been reported to have been defunct since at least 1989, due to
lack of Temple officers, apparently. One can contact Pat Zalewski c/o
Llewellyn World Wide, P.O. Box 64383-873, St. Paul, MN 55164-0383, USA,
or via email at: "zirdo@ramhb.co.nz" or "pat.zalewski@blackboard.com".]
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IV. Useful References
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This bibliography of books related to the Golden Dawn makes no attempt
at being complete or comprehensive. It is simply a beginning-point for
interested readers to learn more from independent sources other than this
FAQ. I have included or excluded books from this list based on my own
personal opinions, and make no apologies for attempting to exert some
degree of "quality control" in what is listed here.
Case, Paul Foster. _The_True_and_Invisible_Rosicrucian_Order_ (York Beach,
Maine: Samuel Weiser), 1985.
Cicero, Chic, and Cicero, Sandra Tabatha, eds. _The_Golden_Dawn_Journal_,
(St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications):
Book I: Divination, 1994.
Book II: Qabalah - Theory and Magic, 1994.
Book III: The Art of Hermes, 1995.
Cicero, Chic, and Cicero, Sandra Tabatha. _Self-Initiation_into_the_Golden_
_Dawn_Tradition:_a_Complete_Curriculum_of_Study_for_both_the_Solitary_
_Magician_and_the_Working_Magical_Group_ (St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn
Publications), 1995.
Colquhoun, Ithell. _Sword_of_Wisdom:_MacGregor_Mathers_and_the_"Golden_Dawn"_
(New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons), 1975.
Crowley, Aleister. _The_Holy_Books_of_Thelema_ (York Beach, Maine:
Samuel Weiser), 1983.
Crowley, Aleister. _Magick_in_Theory_and_Practice_ (Secaucus, NJ: Castle
Books), 1991.
Denning, Melita, and Phillips, Osborne. _The_Magical_Philosophy_ (in 3
volumes: I: The Foundations of High Magick, II: The Sword and the
Serpent, III: Mysteria Magica), (St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications),
1981.
DuQuette, Lon Milo. _The_Magick_of_Thelema_ (York Beach, Maine: Samuel
Weiser), 1993. ISBN 0-87728-778-3.
Eshelman, James A. _The_Mystical_and_Magical_System_of_the_A.'.A.'._
(Oroville, CA: College of Thelema), 1993.
Fortune, Dion. _The_Mystical_Qabalah_ (London: Ernest Benn), 1935.
Gilbert, R. A. _The_Golden_Dawn_Companion:_a_Guide_to_the_History,_
_Structure,_and_Workings_of_the_Hermetic_Order_of_the_Golden_Dawn_
(Wellingborough, Aquarian Press), 1986.
Gilbert, R. A. _The_Golden_Dawn:_Twilight_of_the_Magicians_ (Welling-
borough, Aquarian Press), 1983.
Greer, Mary K. _Women_of_the_Golden_Dawn:_Rebels_and_Priestesses_
(Rochester, Vermont: Park Street Press), 1995, ISBN 0892815167.
Harper, George Mills. _Yeats's_Golden_Dawn_ (London: Macmillan), 1974.
Howe, Ellic. _The_Magicians_of_the_Golden_Dawn:_a_Documentary_History_of_
_a_Magical_Order,_1887-1923_ (London: Routledge and Kegan Paul), 1972.
King, Francis. _Magic:_The_Western_Tradition_ (London: Thames and Hudson),
1975.
Kuntz, Darcy. _The_Complete_Golden_Dawn_Cipher_Manuscipt_ (Edmonds,
Washington: Holmes Publishing Group), 1996, ISBN 1558183256.
Number 1 in the "Golden Dawn Studies Series."
Levi, Eliphas. _Transcendental_Magic_ (New York: Samuel Weiser), 1970.
Mathers, S. L. MacGregor, _Astral_Projection_,_Ritual_Magic,_and_Alchemy_
edited and introduced by Francis King, additional material by R. A.
Gilbert. (Rochester, Vermont: Destiny Books), 1987.
McIntosh, Christopher. _The_Rose_Cross_and_the_Age_of_Reason:_Eighteenth_
_Century_Rosicrucianism_in_Central_Europe_and_its_Relationship_to_the_
_Enlightenment_ (Leiden: E. J. Brill), 1992.
Regardie, Israel. _The_Complete_Golden_Dawn_System_of_Magic_ (Phoenix,
AZ: Falcon Press), 1984.
Regardie, Israel. _The_Golden_Dawn_ (St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications),
1st ed. (Chicago: Aries Press) 1937-1940; 2nd ed. 1969; 3rd ed. 1970;
4th ed. 1971; 5th ed. 1986; 6th ed. 1989.
Regardie, Israel. _What_You_Should_Know_About_the_Golden_Dawn_ (Phoenix,
AZ: Falcon Press), 1985. Previously published as _My_Rosicrucian_
_Adventure_, 1936.
Torrens, R. G. _The_Secret_Rituals_of_the_Golden_Dawn_ (Northamptonshire:
Aquarian Press), 1973.
Waite, Arthur Edward. _The_Brotherhood_of_the_Rosy_Cross_ (London:
William Rider and Son), 1924.
Yates, Frances A. _The_Rosicrucian_Enlightenment_ (London: Routledge and
Kegan Paul), 1972.
Zalewski, Patrick J. _Golden_Dawn_Enochian_Magic_ (St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn
Publications), 1990.
Zalewski, Patrick J. _Kaballah_of_the_Golden_Dawn_ (St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn
Publications), 1993.
Zalewski, Patrick J. _The_Secret_Inner_Order_Rituals_of_the_Golden_Dawn_
(Phoenix, AZ: Falcon Press), 1988.
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