Detailed in the O.’s Constitution, Whare Ra had a well defined hierarchy of leadership. In 1960, newly installed Order Chief G.H. Frater Achernar (Archie Shaw) describes this chain of command succinctly in his Autumnal Equinox Address to members:- “At this time of transition, it may be of some benefit to us if I refer brieflyContinue reading “Whare Ra Leadership – Part One”
Tag Archives: Whare Ra
Both Art and Science
“I solemnly promise to persevere with courage and determination in the labours of the Divine Science” ‘Divine Science’, an interesting turn of phrase that could just be poetic licence, but if not, what could this mean in terms of our Work? We are taught time and time again that moderation, balance and harmony are toContinue reading “Both Art and Science”
Breath is the Evidence of Life
Inhale to the count of four, hold the breath to the count of four, exhale to the count of four and hold the vacuum to the count of four. Repeat for a total of four cycles. This summarises the O.’s use of the Four Fold Breath technique taught to members of the Outer. While given early inContinue reading “Breath is the Evidence of Life”
By Names and Images
This often quoted phrase has more to it than many people realise. Hebrew is used extensively throughout many of the various O. manuscripts from Ceremonies to KL’s to side papers and private notes and rituals. It’s use is almost always exclusively to do with the Sacred and associated with the Tree of Life and otherContinue reading “By Names and Images”
Tatwas
The use of Tatwas initially jarred with me when I was first introduced to them by Frank Salt. It did not seem “right” that an Eastern system be grafted onto the Western. It was not until I was actively using Tatwas that it finally made sense. In the Outer, the Theoricus is first introduced toContinue reading “Tatwas”
On Taking Office
Hopefully, at some stage, all members should take a role as an Officer in the Temple, and ideally all Office positions from Sentinel to Hierophant. This will give the member a unique perspective of their own interpretations of what the Office symbolises, as well as the symbolism of the Temple and the various stages ofContinue reading “On Taking Office”
Cubical Cross
I normally don’t comment on such things, preferring that people try and figure things out for themselves. I am also hesitant to create dogma, and Pat Zalewski is absolutely right in saying that there are multiple layers, and there is often more than one way to skin the cat. I wish to illustrate this byContinue reading “Cubical Cross”
Whare Ra Closure Letter to Members
I rembember Fiat Lux telling me how shocked he was to receive this letter, even though it had been a handful of years since he last attended any Ceremonies – he withdrew earlier when it became obvious (to him) that the the ship was adrift. There seemed to have been several reasons that finally ledContinue reading “Whare Ra Closure Letter to Members”
How Initiation Works – An Analogy
How is it that a farmer in a field with no occult training can be fully enlightened, yet a senior member of a Temple, even after many years and many Grades, may still have a long way to go? When building, it is always sage advice to get the best craftsmen available – the houseContinue reading “How Initiation Works – An Analogy”
The Sashes
Sashes have been used for a very long time in relation to the Mysteries – a purple sash or scarf was given to the Samothracian Initiates for example. In the G.D., two Sashes were used, one black, the other white. The association with the Pillars is an obvious one. The S.T. utilised different coloured Sashes,Continue reading “The Sashes”
