Golden Dawn

Site Admin Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 285

Golden Dawn

The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was founded in 1888 in London by William Wynne Westcott and Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, and was based on the Cipher Manuscripts, a mysterious document of unknown origins, but which appears to be based on Rosicrucian teachings. The Golden Dawn ceased to exist as an entity in 1903, but fractured into two spin-off groups, the Stella Matutina and Alpha et Omega. However, the works of individuals such as Aleister Crowley, Israel Regardie and more recently Chic and Tabatha Cicero have helped to keep the Golden Dawn alive and thriving one hundred years later. Ceremonial Magic (which is the nature of the Golden Dawn) is very different from Wicca. It is not a religion, per se, it is more an area of magical study.

The Golden Dawn is the Outer Order of the O.T.O (Ordo Templi Orientis). In this outer order, the student learns a great deal about the elements, the qabbalah, alchemy, astrology, geomancy and many aspects of high magic. Once the student has completed their outer order studies, they may join the inner order - The R.R. et A.C. wherein the Great Work is undertaken, and the student becomes the teacher. The third and final order is composed purely of ascended masters, and despite what any individual may claim, no living being can claim any grade above Adeptus Exemptus whilst still incarnate.

One of the best known individuals associated with the Golden Dawn was Aleister Crowley. Initiated into the order during its tumultuous last years, he wrote 'The Book of the Law' and several other works on Geomancy, Ceremonial magic and other subjects.

The teachings of the Golden Dawn were widely publicized at the time of the original orders collapse, and consequently, through the 20th century, various groups have been
established, some claiming direct lineage with the original order.

Although not a true Pagan religion or tradition in the strictest sense, the highly mysterious yet fully public documents of the Golden Dawn have had a significant impact on the formation of pagan traditions in the last few decades.