Scent doesn’t get much attention in modern occult discourse. It’s either left to the realm of aesthetics or reduced to a token puff of incense at the start of ritual. But within the older initiatory systems—including the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn—scent was far from incidental. The Order certainly used incense to create atmosphere.Continue reading “Scent in Golden Dawn Work”
Category Archives: (j) Praxis
Why the Secrecy?
Frank Salt, or rather Fiat Lux, wrote many papers for his students as he carefully laid the foundation for the continuation of the Order, into which he was originally initiated in 1936. He had been Hierophant, Chief Adept and Demonstrator (Praemonstrator) in what is generally considered the longest and most successful of the old “GoldenContinue reading “Why the Secrecy?”
Addressing the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram
Members of the 5=6 Grade of Adeptus Minor receive a lengthy manuscript on the advanced use of the Pentagram called Ritual B. In this manuscript, the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram is described thus (abridged); “Invoking, for use in the morning, in general and un-important occasions, invocations and operations.” “Banishing, for use at night, toContinue reading “Addressing the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram”
The Immeasurable Region
Before too long a student of the Order will encounter the phrase “Prepare to Enter the Immeasurable Region” spoken by the Hierophant. This is one of only a few occasions where dramaticism is employed, but no further definition or description is given of it’s meaning. It is left to each student to ponder. Its meaningContinue reading “The Immeasurable Region”
The Magic of the Order
The need to join a healthy, functioning Temple, so that you are exposed to the transformative magic of the Order, is the most important thing to take away from this discourse. The Order has always used group ceremonial for a reason. It might take many years to find such a Temple, for all sorts ofContinue reading “The Magic of the Order”
The Candidate’s Regalia
Prior to their Initiation, each Candidate for the Grade of Neophyte 0=0 is required to procure a pair of red footwear and a black robe, to be worn over street clothes during their ceremony. Of these, the red footwear is usually the harder to obtain, for men particularly. At a pinch, a pair of redContinue reading “The Candidate’s Regalia”
Essential Advice for Students of the Golden Dawn
After more than 25 years training a good number of students, learning from their successes and failures in addition to mine, and in more recent years finally gaining a much clearer insight into how and why the O’s system of the use of symbolism and ceremonial actually works in practice, I cannot give clearer instructionContinue reading “Essential Advice for Students of the Golden Dawn”
The Humble Nail – Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram
Each Neophyte is tasked with performing a private ritual known as the “Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram”. In practice it is most often performed prior to and following undertaking the relevant Grade Meditation, but officially it is performed in the morning and again in the evening. The Neophyte is to “take any convenient steel pointedContinue reading “The Humble Nail – Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram”
What’s in a Name?
Traditionally, when a Candidate applies for membership of the O., they fill in a Pledge Form a few weeks before their Initiation, which includes their proposed Motto, or magical name as some like to call it. This Motto is then reviewed by one or all of the Chiefs, who give their consent for the CandidateContinue reading “What’s in a Name?”
Uninitiated Partner
“Why can’t you tell me?” It is not uncommon for one person in a relationship to be a member of the Order, and the other not. The relationship might be relatively new to an exisiting member, or it could have been decades long before the member joins. One of the questions which almost certainly needsContinue reading “Uninitiated Partner”
