Here is the latest version of the Golden Dawn FAQ. As always, any and
all comments or corrections are welcome!
Changes since last month: Yup, still more minor changes. The email
keeps pouring in! :)
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THE GOLDEN DAWN: FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS AND RESOURCE LISTS
Version 2.2, June 1994
Copyright Steven R. Cranmer, 1994 (cranmer@bartol.udel.edu)
The author grants the right to copy and distribute this file, provided
it remains unmodified and original authorship and copyright is retained.
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. Who was Israel Regardie?
7. What connection did Aleister Crowley have with the Golden Dawn?
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 (whose motto was "Magna Est Veritas Et Praevalehit"), Dr. William
Wynn Westcott ("Sapere Aude"), and Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers ("'S
Rioghail Mo Dhream"), the first Temple of the Hermetic Order of the Golden
Dawn, 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 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" 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 elemental, planetary, and Kabbalistic correspondences),
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 Ipissimus --- --- 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 (Roseae Rubae 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?).
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.
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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."
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 Order rituals and teachings 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.
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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 _Finnegan's_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" takes
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 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.
(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 we would all 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.
(d) Finally, there is the simple fact that there are probably plenty of
narrow-minded people out there who would seek to persecute "those
strange Golden Dawners" if they happened upon, and misunderstood,
some tidbit of information taken out of context.
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. Don't confuse the map with the territory.
(c) Listen to your common sense! If something doesn't feel right to you,
by all means don't do it.
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5. How is the Golden Dawn connected with the Rosicrucians?
The Order itself claims 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. Of particular note is the San Jose, California
based group A.M.O.R.C. (Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis), which,
despite their claims of ancient lineage, were a relatively recent devel-
opment. Also, despite a very nice museum and bookstore, they seem to
have little else to offer that cannot be found elsewhere. This author
agrees with Paul Foster Case's assessment that the "True and Invisible"
Rosicrucian Order is a 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. Who was Israel Regardie?
Dr. Francis Israel Regardie (1907-1985, "Ad Maiorem Adonai Gloriam") 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 pub-
lishing _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, Regardie has lately been
seemingly vindicated. The publishing of the Order material in a relatively
complete form has certainly kept the Golden Dawn egregore from being lost
to the mists of time. Many of the modern G.D. Orders claim an "apostolic
succession" 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 (bheidrick@aol.com), 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."
Yorke's contribution to Regardie's later book _The_Complete_Golden_Dawn_
_System_of_Magic_ seems evident, but it is difficult to assess his impact
on the earlier published materials. Regardie certainly experienced the
initiation ceremonies up to 5=6 at the Hermes Temple, and went through a
certain amount of angst at breaking his oaths for the greater good.
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.
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7. 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" or "Argentum Astrum"
(Greek and Latin for "Silver Star," respectively), was Crowley's conception
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).
corporated from the start the teaching of tantric-based sexual magick,
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 2000 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..
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II. A Brief History of the Golden Dawn
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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 next key development was in 1887 with the "discovery" of the famous
Cypher Manuscripts. Whether found in a Masonic library, bought from a used
bookshop, or fabricated whole-cloth by Westcott, these documents contained
summaries of the first five G.D. 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 partial transcriptions have been published in Zal-
ewski's _Secret_Inner_Order_Rituals_of_the_G.D._. Mathers took to them with
a passion, and fleshed them out into full-blown rituals of ceremonial magic.
Written on the manuscripts was the address of a certain Fraulein Anna
Sprengel ("Sapiens Dominabitur Astris") 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 Cypher 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 comes from Ithell Colquhoun's
biography of Mathers, _Sword_of_Wisdom_, and seems to be relatively complete.
Any additional information, of course, would be greatly appreciated:
ORIGINAL GOLDEN DAWN TEMPLES
1. Licht, Liebe, und Leben, c1870 (Nuremburg: Fraulein Sprengel) [FICTIONAL?]
2. Hermanoubis, 1889 . . . . . . . . . . . (Liege: Dr. Thyssen?) [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. Ihme, c1895 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(Boston?)
9. Themis, c1895 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(Philadelphia?)
10. Thoth-Hermes, c1895 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Chicago: Mrs. Lockwood)
11. 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"), and continued
in an unbroken line until as late as the 1970's. Also noteworthy is the
contribution of Violet Firth (Dion Fortune), 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, mostly 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 G.D. 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)
School of Ageless Wisdom, c1920. . . . . . . . . . . .(Chicago: Paul F. Case)
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: ?)
Order of the Morning Star, c1945 . . . . . . . . . . . (London: M. Montalban)
Builders of the Adytum, [orig. c1920], 1954. . . . .(Los Angeles: Ann Davies)
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)
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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 (cward@think.com)
* Richard Newsome (newsome@panix.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 (gpeters@netcom.com)
* Bill Heidrick (bheidrick@aol.com, 72105.1351@CompuServe.com)
* Alexander Walker (walkea@rpi.edu)
* Christeos Pir (Christeos.Pir@f235.n109.z1.fidonet.org)
* James A. Eshelman
(c) 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
Various Locations, 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 they currently number
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.]
* 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 most probably descended from the
original (Chicago) Thoth-Hermes Temple, and 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 "Hermetic Philosophy," 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. There is an
anonymous FTP site for some introductory BOTA materials: ftp.netcom.com,
in directory: /pub/bota.]
* 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 and "Max Theon" circulated lessons on magic (sexual
magic in higher degrees) 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_.]
* Fraternity of the Hidden Light / Fraternitas LVX Occultas (F.L.O.)
P.O. Box 5094, Dept. S, Covina, CA 91723, USA
[A quality correspondence course, supported by personal (postal and
email) communication. A "direct lineal descendant of the Golden Dawn,"
F.L.O. also assimilates traditions such as B.O.T.A., as well as "new
revelations from continual research." Fees and suggested donations are
said to be very reasonable. Several Lodges in the USA and Canada offer
teaching and ceremonial work. They seem more interested in members'
personal healing and growth than in more self-aggrandizing matters.
Lodges in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Toronto. Christopher Ward (cward@
think.com) lists himself as a contact for anyone who wants more infor-
mation.]
* Hermetic Order of the Eternal Golden Dawn
14050 Cherry Avenue, Suite R159 - Dept. G, Fontana, CA 92335, USA
[Complete correspondence course available. Individual guidance, full
membership if accepted. Send $3 (checks payable to E.G.D.) for a big
information packet with an entrance application. Contact: V.H. Soror
R.D. Initial dues are $150 (1 year's mailings: $30, dues $65, Neophyte
initiation fee $55), and an adept is available by phone five days a week
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 E.G.D. published a bi-monthly magazine,
_Tablets_of_Thoth_, free for members, but $29.95/year for non-members.]
* Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (and the R.R. et A.C.)
[Re-inaugurated by Israel Regardie on June 26, 1982 in Athens, 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. Laura Jennings' Orders may have a similar lin-
eage.]
* Hermetic Temple and Order of the Golden Dawn
655 East Thunderbird, Phoenix, AZ 85022, USA TEL (602)246-3546
Also: 7025 E. 1st Avenue, Suite 5, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, USA
[Affiliated with the Israel Regardie Foundation and New Falcon Public-
ations. Christopher Hyatt, President. Nicholas Tharcher, Vice-President.
David Cherubim, Chief Instructor. To join, a minimum annual donation of
$23 is requested. Correspondence course: 178 lessons in 40 groups,
$27.50 per group, $150 for six, $265 for twelve, and $695 for all. Add
$3/group for postal charges.]
* Hermetic Temple and Order of the Golden Dawn
P.O. Box 891, Baldwin Park, CA 91706-0891, USA
[Affiliated with the Israel Regardie Foundation. Send Self-Addressed
Stamped-Envelope (SASE) for information about membership, initiations,
networking, and a correspondence course. This infomation is from a
classified ad in the Summer 1993 _Gnosis_ magazine, but there are
suspicions that this group is actually the *Thelemic* Golden Dawn.
(see below)]
* Order of the Aurum Solis
P.O. Box 43383-OSV, St. Paul, MN 55164-0383 (old address?)
[Initiatory organization described in Denning and Phillips' _Magical_
_Philosophy_ series. No confirmed G.D. connection, but is definitely
related in spirit, and has many similar (derived?) ritual practices.]
* Osiris, Khenti-Amenti Temple (G.D.)
Hollywood, CA (?)
[Founded by Laura Jennings and Peter Yorke in 1980. Inactive?]
* Oxford Golden Dawn Occult Society
P.O. Box 250, Oxford, OX1 1AP, UK
[Associate membership is 5 UK pounds, and details can be found by
telephoning +44 (0)865 243671. Ask for "Mogg." I'm still trying to
find out more about this group. Any additional information would be
very helpful.]
* Ra Horakhty Temple (G.D.)
31849 Pacific Highway South, Suite 107, Federal Way, Washington, 98003
[Founded by Laura Jennings and Peter Yorke in 1983 in Santa Monica, CA.
In the late 1980's, the Temple was moved to Washington, and most of
the active members moved as well. Yearly dues at this time were $250,
and many additional courses ($40/month) were required. The sequence of
classes at this time was: (1) Introduction, (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. Tarot and Pathworking
classes were also offered. Now, correspondence courses and seven-day
"magical retreats" are offered.]
* Servants of the Light
P.O. Box 215, St. Helier, Jersey (Channel Islands), U.K.
[Descendant of Dion Fortune's Society of the Inner Light. Dolores
Ashcroft-Nowicki, Director of Studies (she succeeded W.E. Butler).
The course is long (4 years or longer?), but seemingly of value. They
also have their own Tarot deck, a House magazine, and they hold many
expensive seminars/conferences/retreats (see large advertisements in
_Gnosis_ magazine).]
* Star & Cross
P.O. Box 25541, Dallas, TX 75225, USA
[Home study course: Dion Fortune's inner teachings, "Western Tradition
of the Mysteries."]
* Temple of Thelema
222 North Manhattan Place, Los Angeles, CA 90004 (Harpocrates Temple)
P.O. Box 415, Oroville, CA 95965 (Nuit Mother Temple)
945 Taraval Street, #216, San Francisco, CA 94116 (Babalon Proanos)
680 Queens Quay, #704, Toronto, ONT M5V 2Y9 (Star of the North Temple)
P.O. Box 441474, Indianapolis, IN 46244 (Ruby Star 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 (and claiming that the Book of
the Law is the "true Book T"), the Temple of Thelema is the ceremonial and
initiatory vehicle of the College of Thelema, which was founded in 1973
by Phyllis Seckler (Soror Meral). C.O.T. 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 Cypher Manuscripts.]
* Thelemic Order and Temple of the Golden Dawn (Novus Ordo Aureae Aurora)
1626 N. Wilcox Ave., no. 418, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA
[A quasi-G.D. organization based mainly on Crowley's religion of Thelema.
Surprisingly, associated with the Israel Regardie Foundation and New
Falcon Publications. Membership for $66/year, and initiations for $93
on up. David Cherubim, "Frater Superior Chief." Alters many "standard"
Golden Dawn doctrines, especially the sephiroth-related grade system.
Many of their manifestoes and rituals are online, and archived on var-
ious anonymous FTP sites.]
* Themis Aurea Temple (G.D.)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
[A descendant, in spirit if not directly, of the original Themis Temple
and of the Masonic _Societas_Rosicruciana_ in America. Possibly inaug-
urated by Charles E. Meyer, a Philadelphia piano maker. Rumored to
have modified and/or combined the rituals of Freemasonry and the G.D.,
as well as followed in some of the traditions of the various Rosicrucian
groups to have resided in the Philadelphia area. More information on
this manifestation of the Golden Dawn as it comes in.]
* Thoth-Hermes Temple (G.D.)
Wellington, New Zealand
[Founded by Patrick and Chris Zalewski around 1980 to succeed Whare-Ra.
One can contact Pat Zalewski c/o Llewellyn World Wide, P.O. Box
64383-873, St. Paul, MN 55164-0383, USA.]
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IV. Useful References
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Case, Paul Foster. _The_True_and_Invisible_Rosicrucian_Order_ (York Beach,
Maine: Samuel Weiser), 1985.
Cicero, Chic, and Cicero, Sandra Tabatha. _Secrets_of_a_Golden_Dawn_Temple_
(St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications), 1992.
Colquhoun, Ithell. _Sword_of_Wisdom:_MacGregor_Mathers_and_the_"Golden_Dawn"_
(New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons), 1975. [probably out of print]
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.
Howe, Ellic. _The_Magicians_of_the_Golden_Dawn_ (London: Routledge and
Kegan Paul), 1972.
King, Francis. _Magic:_The_Western_Tradition_ (London: Thames and Hudson),
1975.
Levi, Eliphas. _Transcendental_Magic_ (New York: Samuel Weiser), 1970.
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. 1937-1940; 2nd ed. 1969; 3rd ed. 1970; 4th ed. 1971; 5th ed. 1986;
6th ed. 1989.
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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