Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The Golden and Rosy Cross Worn by International Golden Dawn Imperator, David Griffin

David Griffin - G.H. Frater Lux Ex Septentrionis
Golden Dawn International Imperator

Since the recent YouTube release of 13 videos from the Golden Dawn's 100 year Alpha et Omega Jubileum in Paris, there has been a great deal of interest about the cross I wear in the photo above.

Certain misinformed (or perhaps even ill intentioned) individuals have repeatedly and erroneously suggested I am wearing a German Iron or perhaps even Nazi cross.

As is so often the case, the truth in this instance even is more fabulous than the rumors people spread based on malice or mere ignorance.
In reality, I wear a cross of pure 24k gold, enameled red, that derives directly from the 18th Century German Rosicrucian Order known as the Gold und Rosenkreutz. There have been many variants of this same cross down through history. Here are a just few of them:


The Gold und Rosenkreutz Order, the Rosicrucian predecessor of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn is, in fact, the source of origin of entire grade system of the Golden Dawn, as well as the mystic numbers of the grades, mystic titles, symbols, etc.




This same Golden and Rosy Cross has been worn by our elder Adepts of the Gold und Rosenkreutz Order, at least since the general reformation of 1777. Looking through the Tableau of the Gold und Rosenkreutz Order (from the reformation of 1763), as published by Magister Pianco in his Der Rosenkreuzer in seiner Bloesse, there is a column appended that describes the "signs" of the Grades. Looking at the Grades of Adeptus Major, Adeptus Exemptus and Magister Templi you will find the following signet of the Grade: "A Cross of Gold enameled Red." Here we have a clear reference of this symbol being in use by Rosicrucian initiates even as early as in 1763.

Considering that many of the names of Golden Dawn grades, mystic titles, etc., derive directly from the Gold und Rosenkreutz order, one can even argue that this cross is actually the prototype or "source of origin" of the Rose Cross lamen later adapted by the Golden Dawn's Second Order, the R.R. et A.C., and worn by its Adepts until today. This cross thus is an important symbol of the Rosicrucian lineage of the Golden Dawn that descends from the Gold und Rosenkreutz order, through the Asiatic Brethren, and the Frankfurt lodge "Zur Goldenen Morgonroethe" in Germany.

Although the historical origins of this Golden and Rosy Cross are to be found in the Rosicrucian Gold und Rosenkreutz order of 18th Century Germany, its mythical history extends much farther back in time. Here is the legend of this cross, as told in one of the unpublished initiation rituals of the Gold und Rosenkreutz Order:
At the beginning of our Christian era, there lived in Egypt a great initiate named Ormus; called Ormesius by the Greeks. Ormus was a priest of Serapis in the city of Alexandria and an initiate of the Hermetic mysteries. Ormesius forsaw the rise of Christianity, and thus was converted to the new religion by St. Mark in AD 44. To ensure the survival and transmission of the Royal Art, Ormus stripped the mysteries their Egyptian trappings, and re-veiled them in the symbols and rites of the new religion. To preserve the initiatic transmission as well, Ormesius founded a Hermetic mystery school called the ”Fraternity of the Sages of Light,” known to initiates through the centuries as the the Ordo Ormesius, or the Order of Ormus.

The Order has manifested to the outer world under many names and has undergone many transformations. In 1111, it was known as the Alliance of Magical Brothers. In 1222, following the defeat of the Crusaders in Jerusalem and the expulsion of Christians from the holy land, the surviving members of the order disbursed across the world. Thus the light of our fraternity was carried to France where the Knights Templar were formed by Hugues de Payns with the aid of the Alliance. Thus the red cross of our order became the primary emblem of the Knights Templar, who provided the spiritual implulse for a new Crusade to retake the holy land.

In 1314, when when the Knights Templar were supressed in France, the last Grand Master, Jaques de Molay, sent his nephew, the Count of Beaujeu, into the Templar crypt in Paris, to recover a chest filled with the esoteric secrets of the order. These documents were dispatched with an envoy of knights to Scotland, where they arrived in 1333, and were later used to lay the spiritual foundations for Freemasonry. Time and again across the centuries, our order has manifested and been known by many names. In 1444. It was known as the Order of the Cross, in 1555 as the Order the Rosy Cross, and in 1666 as the Brothers of the Golden Cross, and 1777 as the Order of the Golden and Rosy Cross.

From the earliest times, initiates of our order have recognized one another by the primary ensignia of our order: an enameled red cross made of purest gold and worn over the heart of the Adept. This red cross of our order became the primary emblem of the both Knights Templar and the Golden Rosicrucians. Legend has it this cross was originally drawn with the blood of Christ upon a white shield by Joseph of Arimathea, and that this shield was carried by Galahad on the Grail quest.
This same cross has also been worn by numerous Templar Rites in Freemasonry, including the Strict Observance and the Scottish Templars. It is still worn today by high grade members of the Swedish Rite of Freemasonry, to which I additionally belong, and in which I hold the IX degree.
P.S. - I just noticed that Sincerus Renatus also just also wrote an excellent article about this same cross. As it contains valuable additional information, I suggest that you also read this article here.

Sub Umbra Alarum Tuarum, Yeheshua
David Griffin
G.H. Frater Lux Ex Septentrionis
Imperator Ordinis, Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
Rosicrucian Order of Alpha et Omega

"Ex Deo Nascimur.
In Yeheshua Morimur.
Per Sanctum Spiritum Reviviscimus"

7 comments:

  1. It is good that this was cleared out. I read this in the blogosphere and thought that it did not sound right.

    Little did I think of at the time that my hometowns masonic lodge has a huge cross quite akin to the pin that David Griffin wore.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Please see the essay on my blog which deals with the same subject.

    http://gyllenegryningen.blogspot.com/2009/04/red-and-golden-cross.html

    S.R.

    ReplyDelete
  3. In recent days, several leaders and members of Stella Matutina derivative Golden Dawn orders have accused our order, the Rosicrucian Order of Alpha et Omega, of having changed A.O. symbolism due to the Golden and Red Enameled crosses worn by high grade members of our order. Since they raised this issue, I have discussed the matter at length with our new Chief Adept, G.H. Frater Lux Aurora, Jean Pascal Ruggiu, and he has asked me to pass to you the message appended below.

    First, however, I invite you to have a look at a photograph of the two of us inside the Vault of the Adepti in Paris, as this is a rare glimpse inside the Vault:

    (Please note the cross he is also wearing!)

    http://www.golden-dawn.com/goldendawn/UserFiles/en/image/vaultparis.jpg

    --- begin forwarded message -----

    G.H. Frater Lux Aurora, Chief Adept of the Alpha et Omega wrote:

    Brothers and Sisters of all Golden Dawn temples everywhere,

    I greet you in the name of your brothers and sisters of the Alpha et Omega from around the world. I wish to assure you that the Rosicrucian Order of Alpha et Omega wishes to develop and maintain harmonious and fraternal relations with all Golden Dawn and Rosicrucian orders.

    I find it puzzling, however, that members of the Stella Matutina or derivative orders should presume to lecture the Alpha et Omega about what we do inside of our own order.

    In recent days, several people have alleged that the Rosicrucian Order of the Alpha et Omega has changed A. O. symbolism due to the Golden and Red Crosses that our Senior members wear. What these accusations actually prove is that our critics remain completely ignorant about the true Rosicrucian affiliation of the Golden Dawn.

    Moreover, these accusations also prove that neither Robert Felkin nor the Stella Matutina either ever received the true Rosicrucian affiliation of the Golden Dawn. Perhaps Felkin did receive something from Steiner, but this is an entirely different matter.

    The true Rosicrucian affiliation and esoteric transmission of Golden Dawn's 8=3 Grade of Magister Templi, derive directly from the Eighth Grade of Magister Templi of the Gold und Rosenkreutz Order of 1777.

    Members of the Magister Templi grade, in all truly Rosicrucian orders at all times in history, in fact, have "always" worn this same cross, even long before the creation of the Golden Dawn.

    The reason why G.H. Frater Lux Ex Septentrionis (David Griffin) and I, G.H. Frater Lux Aurora (Jean-Pascal Ruggiu) each wear this Golden and Rosy Cross cross is because we have each been regularly initiated in the 8=3, Magister Templi Grade of the Alpha et Omega. Moreover, we have additionally received the direct affiliation and esoteric transmission of the Magister Templi, 8=3, Grade as well.

    I can understand that our critics may be confused about this symbol, because In the Stella Matutina, the Magister Templi grade is something completely different, since Robert Felkin never received the true Magister Templi Rosicrucian affiliation or transmission.

    Nonetheless, I have no objection at all if a member of the Stella Matutina or of any other order wishes to call him or herself Magister Templi, even though in the Stella Matutuina this is a title only because it does not carry the Rosicrucian affiliation or esoteric transmission of this grade.

    Again, I do not care what others do inside of their own orders. That is none of my business. I do object, however, when members of the Stella Matutina or other orders attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Alpha et Omega, or cause me to waste my time explaining things because they prefer to behave like dogs barking on the internet - than to behave with the dignity befitting Adepti.

    The Rosicrucian Order of Alpha et Omega wishes to see all of the fighting end between different orders of the Golden Dawn.

    This does not mean that we will permit attacks on the Alpha et Omega, however.

    I promise you that we will strive, honestly and sincerely, to achieve peace between all Golden Dawn orders.

    But I must also warn you that any attacks on the Alpha et Omega, whether magical, legal, or merely gossiping on the Internet will be dealt with most severely.

    The Alpha et Omega is our order, not yours.

    I pledge that we will give all Golden Dawn and Rosicrucian orders the respect and courtesy that you rightfully deserve. We expect the same from you in return as well.

    Regarding the specific accusation that our order has changed the symbolism of the Alpha et Omega because of the cross of the Magister Templi, you have been mistaken. However, I would like to make clear that if, when, and where we do decide to change certain symbolism in our own order, that this is our right as Magistri Templi, and it is certainly none of the business of the Stella Matutina or of any other order.

    In closing, I would like to remind you that the cross of the Knight's Templar was not merely adopted in the highest grades of the Gold und Rosenkreutz Order and in the Alpha et Omega, but also in the Strict Observance and the Swedish Rites of Freemasonry, by the CBCS in the Rectified Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, and in the F.A.R.+C.

    What are critics seem to forget is that the Alpha et Omega is not merely a Golden Dawn order but that we are first and foremost also a Rosicrucian one.

    G.H. Frater Lux Aurora, 8=3
    Chief Adept, Rosicrucian Order of Alpha et Omega
    Imperator, Ahathoor Temple No. 7
    Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn

    --- end forwarded message -----

    ReplyDelete
  4. Is it not so that Stella Matutina, under Dion Fortune, made a lot of changes to the original rites and systems of which it derived from? If so, then why do they cry out on others who lawfully has the right to do so within their own order?

    ReplyDelete
  5. The current R+C Lamen can be seem as an old symbol of the Rosicrucians as per cite the "Secret Symbols of the Rosicrucians of the 16th and 17th Centuries", refer to the Scribd: http://www.scribd.com/doc/320342/Secret-Symbols-of-the-Rosicrucians-of-the-16th-and-17th-Centuries.
    Fr. T.A.S.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I LIVE IN ENGLAND HOW CAN I JOIN THE HODG I AM A MEMBER OF AMORC AND UGLE COULD YOU EMAIL ME
    AT duewright@btinternet.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. A fan and follower!
    http://conspiro.net/
    Will join your order as well.

    ReplyDelete

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