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”
Tag Archives: golden-dawn
The Name of the Order
When I first joined the Order, I assumed it was of a solar nature. “Golden Dawn” seemed a reference to the rising Sun, and Tiphareth was so prominent and central in the Tree of Life. Famously, the Sun is shown rising above the water in the Cross and Triangle in the Inner O. manuscript “BookContinue reading “The Name 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”
Fiat Lux on Symbolism, Silence and Intuition
Why this emphasis on looking, on noticing? In the 0=0, 1=10 and 2=9, the roles of Kerux and Hegemon vary, and are very significant in this point. The Lamp of the Kerux may be, to some extent, likened to the reasoning mind. Kerux himself, may perhaps be seen as “attention”, while Hegemon is the soul,Continue reading “Fiat Lux on Symbolism, Silence and Intuition”
The Path of Progress
There is a definite path of progress that occurs as one ages, even so that in the very old there is at least a certain degree of enlightenment that can be seen. This natural process has been gently propelling all of life forward, transforming from base matter into the spiritual gold, from “In the beginning”.Continue reading “The Path of Progress”
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”
How Golden Dawn was Whare Ra?
In short, very, but perhaps more so. It is true that under the early Stella Matutina a review of the Outer Order ceremonies did take place, resulting in some changes to the Golden Dawn originals. These revised rituals were used at Whare Ra. In hindsight I might consider them relatively new to the Order, butContinue reading “How Golden Dawn was Whare Ra?”
Post Advancement Ceremonial Bliss
I remember my first Initiation vividly. I had just travelled the length of the country to meet a man I had never meet before, but only written to. I was to come to his door and knock, to let him know I had arrived, and then to wait. I was on edge, and IContinue reading “Post Advancement Ceremonial Bliss”
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?”
Isis Unveiled – God forms
Back in the early days I was initially in the Office of Imperator, but when Fiat Lux died I succeeded him as Demonstrator, and so I am particularly familiar with the God Form of Isis. She is, of course the Isis of Nature. In Assiah, she is the Bride, the Animus Mundi of the World,Continue reading “Isis Unveiled – God forms”
