Golden Dawn Blog by Frater Yechidah

One of the most pivotal principles of Golden Dawn magic is the practice of invoking the highest divine name one knows before anything else. This is frequently reinforced throughout the Order material. For example, from Mathers' Geomancy lecture: "Do remember that in one of the Ritual obligations, the aspirant swears that in all his magical workings he will always invoke the highest divine names that he knows. Thus he will always be working under the aegis of the divine." What is referred to here is the Netzach part of the Obligation in the 5=6: "I furthermore solemnly pledge myself never to work at any important symbol without first invocating the highest Divine Names connected therewith." That this principle is actually sworn to as part of an oath might tell the student just how serious it really is. Regardie also highlighted this principle frequently: "You are committed by the very nature of this system to invoke the highest divine Names you know when wo...

Geomancy is unique in that there is no one definitive way of obtaining the geomantic figures that start the process of the divination. There are no runes to throw or Tarot cards to shuffle, and thus there are many potential ways we can approach the formation of the four Mother figures in our geomantic readings. In this post I will highlight a few possibilities: 1. Stick & Sand Poking holes in the sand or soil is probably the oldest and most traditional method, probably originally employed in Arabian deserts. A simple branch or stick and a patch of soil offers the easiest and most cost-effective approach for those who frequent the wilderness often. The connection with the earth that this affords makes this one of the more ideal options. For those who prefer something that can be employed at home then a Geomantic Box can be created to store some soil, and a Geomantic Wand (created from a thin wooden dowel) can be used to poke the holes. An example of this, with instructions to ...

Issue 9 of Hermetic Virtues has been released, containing the following excellent articles: + A Hermetic Ritual from the Picatrix by John Michael Greer + The Devil, another new Tarot trump by Harry Wendrich + Seven Stages of Spiritual Unfoldment by Nick Farrell + Initiation and the Four Worlds by Olen Rush + Review of John Michael Greer's The Art and Practice of Geomancy by Lauren Gardner + Theoi Megaloi: The Many Faces of the Kabiric Mysteries by Sandra Tabatha Cicero + Review of Robert Moore's Facing the Dragon by Lauren Gardner + In Search of the Lost Colour: Mystical Magenta and the Golden Dawn by Harry and Nicola Wendrich + An Invocation of Yesod by Samuel Scarborough To obtain a copy, click here .

Geomancy (from the Greek ge , meaning earth, and manteia , meaning divination or prophecy) is the practice of divination by reading the signs of the earth, or more properly by a method relating to sixteen figures made up of a number of points or dots, an example of which can be seen above (they number sixteen because that is the maximum possible permutations of the binary figures over four lines). These figures are given various meanings, good, bane, and neutral, and are associated with a number of other things, such as zodiacal signs, planets, elements, and so forth. It is through these meanings and associations that an interpretation of a reading can be garnered by the geomancer. A chart of these geomantic figures and some of their associations is given below. The method of practice for geomancy requires that the geomancer obtain fifteen geomantic figures for their reading, divided into four Mothers, four Daughters, four Resultants (or Nieces or Nephews), two Witnesses, and one Judge...

There is a common confusion in modern times over the Lesser Pentagram employed in the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram (in both its invoking and banishing forms) and the Earth Pentagram employed in the Supreme Ritual of the Pentagram. On the surface the drawing of these two pentagrams looks the same, and thus it's easy to see where the confusion and conflation comes from. But there are subtle and not so subtle differences: The first pentagram here is the Lesser Invoking Pentagram, to be imagined in white light, or, as seen by clairvoyants, bluish white light. The second is the Invoking Earth Pentagram, to be imagined in black, with a symbol of Taurus drawn in the center. Without the colour differences and the addition of this symbol they appear to be the same. They are not. Let's look at another example to bring this point home: The first pentagram here is the Banishing Air Pentagram, to be imagined in yellow with the symbol of Aquarius drawn in the centre. Th...

While some of my previous posts have gone over the official roles and duties of the Officers in an initation ceremony, what about the role of the Canidate? Some would argue there is no role, in that the Candidate has things "done" to them, as opposed to actively paritcipating. However, this is, in itself, a role. The passivity and receptivity required of the Candidate is their role. They are to become a Vessel for the energies and symbols implanted in them, and thus they must be made passive and receptive. Much of this is acheived through various dramatic elements of ritual, such as the quite potent one of shock . The not knowing what it happening or what is about to happen tends to heighten the senses to a degree that all things done are magnified in force. If, for example, the sight is removed from the Candidate (via a Hoodwink), then when it is restored there is a huge impact, including the fact that a coloured prop will now seem suddenly more vibrant and alive than it wou...

"The Hierophant's throne is like a switch to turn the current on, while the Altar is analogous to the light bulb situated in the center of the room to spread light to all areas equally." - Pat Zalewski, Z-5, Book I (0=0)

The Hierophant (Greek for "Initiating Priest") is the Initiator, Expounder of the Mysteries, and the Master of the Hall; and is also called Power and Mercy and Light and Abundance. He is represented by the god-form Oursiri (Osiris). His station is on the Throne of the East, the Place of the Guardian of the Dawning Sun. His duties are to initiate the Canidate, deliver the Mysteries, and to govern the Hall according to the laws of the Order, for he is the Master of all who work for the Hidden Knowledge. He wears a red mantle/tabard, symbolising Uncreated Fire and Created Fire, with a white cross on the left breast; and a white collar with a lamen depicting a red Circled Cross on a green background. He carries the Crown-headed Scepter and the Banner of the East. The feminine form of Hierophant is Hierophantissa , but Hierophant is often used in practice for both sexes.

The Hiereus (Greek for "Priest") is the sacrificial priest, the Guardian of the Sacred Mysteries, and the Master of Darkness; he is also called Fortitude by "the Unhappy", and is represented by the god-form Hoor (Horus). His station is on the Throne of the West, symbolic of the increase of Darkness and the decrease of Light. His duties are to guard the Gateway of the West, which is the Place of the Guardian against the Multitudes (Qlippoth) that sleep through the Light and awaken in the Twilight, and also to watch over the reception of the Candidate and the lesser officers in the doing of their work. He wears a black mantle/tabard, symbolising the Darkness that was upon the Face of the Waters, with a white cross on the left breast; and a red collar with a lamen depicting a white Triangle on a black background. He carries the Sword of Judgement, and the Banner of the West, otherwise known as the Banner of the Evening Twilight. The feminine form of Hiereus is Hierei...

The Hegemon (Greek for "Guide" or "Leader") is the spiritual guide of the Candidate, representative of his or her Higher Self. He is represented by the god-form Thme (Themis/Maat). His station is between the Two Pillars of Hermes and Solomon, which is the Place of Balanced Power, and he is, therefore, the reconciler between Light and Darkness. His duties are to watch over the Gateway of the Hidden Knowledge and the preparation of the Candidate, and to assist in their reception into the Order. He wears a white mantle/tabard, symbolising purity, with a red cross on the left breast; and a black collar with a lamen depicting a black Cross on a white background. He carries a Miter-headed Scepter, symbolising religion which guides and regulates life, and his Office symbolises the higher aspirations of the soul which should guide its action. The feminine form of Hegemon is Hegemone , but Hegemon is often used in practice for both sexes.

The Keryx (Greek for "Herald") is the Watcher Within. He is represented by the god-form Anoup empeIebet (Anubis of the East), and is the counterpart of the Phylax, the Watcher Without. His station is within the portal of the Hall, and his duties are to see that the furniture of the Hall is properly arranged at the Opening, to guard the inner side of the portal, to admit the Fratres and Sorores, to watch over the reception of the Candidate, and to make all reports and announcements. He is also charged with leading all Mystic Circumambulations with the Ever-burning Lamp of the Guardian of the Mysteries. He wears a black collar with a lamen depicting a white Caduceus on a black background, and carries the Red Lamp, symbolic of the Hidden Knowledge, and the Caduceus Wand, symbolic of its directing power. The feminine form of Keryx is Kerykissa , but Keryx is often used in practice for both sexes.

The Stolistes (Greek for "Preparer") is the Purifier of the Temple, its members, and its candidates. He is represented by the god-form Auramoouth (Mut), and his station is in the North of the Temple, symbolising Cold and Moisture, which is the Place of the Guardian of the Cauldron and the Well of Water. He is charged with the task of preparing the Robes, Collars, and Insignia of the Officers for the Opening. He wears a black collar with a lamen depicting a white Cup on a black background, and carries the Cup of Lustral Waters. He bears a special relationship with the Dadouchos in the Temple. The feminine form of Stolistes is also Stolistes .

Traditionally the Officers in a GD ceremony were required to be of at least a certain grade, and thus these Officers would be dropped from subsequent initiations (such as the Sentinel, being a Neophyte, being dropped from Zelator onwards) to ensure that such an Officer would not be employed in an initiation above their own grade. The traditional grade requirements for holding office are: Sentinel - Neophyte Stolistes and Dadouchos - Zelator Keryx - Theoricus Hegemon - Practicus Hiereus - Philosophus Hierophant - Adeptus Minor (usually ZAM) For some interesting alternative perspectives on the suggested or required grade of the Officers in an initiation, check out this post by Morgan Drake Eckstein .

"Divine Light cannot be poured into broken vessels - and we are all broken vessels until we decide to take the steps necessary for our own restoration." - the Ciceros in the 120th Anniversary issue of Hermetic Virtues

This is a common query from those new to the Golden Dawn, and the answer is: no, the Golden Dawn is a system of ceremonial practice. It is a teaching and initiating order, designed to promulgate spiritual and occult knowledge in a steady, structured manner. You can be a member of any religion and still be a member of the Golden Dawn or utilise any of its teachings or practices. To best illustrate this, here is a quote from the Hierophant in the Neophyte initiation before the Oath is taken: "There is nothing contrary to your civil, moral or religious duties in this Obligation." The above clearly states that there is nothing in the obligation or teachings of the Order that will run contrary to your religious duties (i.e. you will not be asked to pray to or worship any God that is not your own). While the teachings may contradict the teachings of exoteric religion, your inner relationship with the Divine is seen as a personal thing and is never interfered with. Thus the generic ...