Sunday, September 30, 2012

"FREE! World-Wide Webinars" (1,000 Points of Light, Phase 2)

by Golden Dawn Imperator
David Griffin

In in the Alpha Omega, our primary mission has always been to give Western individuals the tools they need for their energetic evolution and spiritual growth.

There are Self-Initiates. There are Solitary Practitioners of Ritual Magic There are Golden Dawn initiates in orders that will not help them with their Ritual Magic practice while they are in the outer order. There are Thelemites who would like to practice the Ritual Magic of "Liber O." There are Pagans who would like to deepen their magical practice learning other ways to invoke the forces of the Elements, Planets and Zodiac.

What do all of these Individual Practitioners of Ritual Magic have in common? Except for the Ritual Magic Manual I published in 1999, they have all have been pretty much left to their own resources when it comes to the Magic of Light.

This changed forever recently, when the Alpha Omega last week the A.O. unveiled Phase I of our "1,000 Points of Light" initiative, encouraging the creation of Personal Temples by magicians all around the world.

Today, the Alpha Omega takes the lead once again in assisting Independent and Solitary Magicians with their practice of the Magic of Light. Until now, only members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (Alpha Omega) have had much access to guidance in their magical practice from advanced Golden Dawn Adepts.

All of this changes - as of NOW!

Today the HOGD and the Alpha Omega unveil Phase II of our "1,000 Points of Light" initiative. Creating a personal temple is not enough. You also could use feedback, guidance, and corrections in your practice of the Magic of Light. The Alpha Omega is now stepping forward to better meet your needs in this arena as well.

At the suggestion of our College of the Adepti, I am making myself available to answer your questions and assist you to improve your Independent Practice of Ritual Magic in a series of FREE Webinars.

"As a practicing Pagan, I discovered the Ritual Magic of the Golden Dawn through David Griffin's Ritual Magic Manual. In my opinion, the RMM is nothing less than the Golden Dawn's Book of Shadows. 
I highly recommend this unique FREE Magic Webinar with Imperator David Griffin,  today's foremost expert in the Ritual Magic of the Golden Dawn." 
-V.H. Soror D.I.A. (5=6)

I am keenly aware that not all magicians speak fluent English. Luckily, I happen to speak eight languages. Therefore, over the course of 8 weeks this Autumn, the Alpha Omega will host a series of FREE! Webinars in English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Swedish, French, and Dutch.

1,000 Points of Light, Phase II:
FREE! World-Wide Webinars
in Ritual Magic

I would greatly appreciate it if you would help us spread the word, especially those of you who blog in Spanish, Portugues, German, Italian, Swedish, French, or Dutch.

Here is the initial Webinar schedule.

All Webinars will be in chat format here on the Blog Chat of The Golden Dawn Blog. Each Webinar is scheduled on a Saturday at 12:00 PM here in Nevada. All times are are given below in either Pacific Daylight Time or Pacific Standard time as indicated. All you need to do is check a time zone conversion site, then show up here at the times given below!
English, 10/27/12, 12:00 PM PDT 
Español, 11/3/12, 12:00 PM PDT 
Portugues, 11/10/12, 12:00 PM PST 
Deutsch, 11/24/12, 12:00 PM PST 
We would like to assist as many Self-Initates and solitary practitioners as possible with these Webinars, no matter what language you speak or where you are in the world!

It is my sincere hope that this small public service will help the Golden Dawn to unfold into its full potential as a spiritual force for good in the 21st Century!

Remember - Here in the Alpha Omega:

"We Make Magicians!"

This is just one more small way the Alpha Omega is fulfilling its Golden Dawn mission in trying to better serve the magical needs of the greater esoteric community.

You will not want to miss these unique Webinars!

And the World-Wide Webinars are just Phase II of our 1,000 Points of Light initiative.

Keep watching the Golden Dawn Blog, as we continue to unveil even more valuable resources for Individual Practitioners of Ritual Magic.

And don't forget to tell us where your Personal Temple is to add it to the map above. Or even better - send us a photo of your Personal Temple to share with our readers!

To be continued ...

Sincerely,

Imperator David Griffin
HOGD, AO,  33, 90, 96













Saturday, September 29, 2012

A NEW ZEALAND Personal Temple of the Magic of Light

by Golden Dawn Imperator
David Griffin

Most readers are already aware the Alpha Omega is again leading the way, by providing guidance for Individual Practitioners of the Magic of Light.

In the first phase of this initiative, the A.O. is fostering the creation of Personal Magical Temples across the world, with the goal of lighting "1,000 Points of the Magic of Light." This initiative has been met with kind words and warm appreciation from across the esoteric community.

Here is what two of our readers are saying:
"I am just loving this project. Thank you Mr. Griffin for the resources that you are unveiling to us all :). Maybe I can feel little bit more comfortable about what I'm doing knowing that there are many others out there doing the same thing. Many times I forget that and kind of give up." - Brian Jones II 
"Good news for solitary practitioners! We are just waiting for more. Thank you!" - Frater C.F.
Keep checking back, because in weeks to come, the A.O. will unveil one essential new resource after the other for Individual Practitioners of the Magic of Light.

So far, the"1,000 Points of Light" initiative has exceeded all expectations. We are presently being inundated with photographs of Personal Temples from around the world. Rest assured that over time, each and every one of them will be published.

This time, a Ritual Magician from the "The Deep South of New Zealand" would like to share his Personal Temple with readers of The Golden Dawn Blog.



Keep up the good work!

We invite you to share your personal temple with our readers as well. You can send us a photo of your personal temple here.
(Please try to keep the file size somewhat small. Also, please let us know if you would like your name or motto to appear. Otherwise, we will include only the city. 
We further invite you to post your feedback and personal magical experiences in the comment's section below. Many of these will be featured prominently in future blog posts, as was the feedback from magicians above.)
The 1,000 Points of Light initiative is just one small way the Rosicrucian Order of Alpha Omega and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn are serving the needs of the greater esoteric community. If you can think of others, please do let us know! The idea for this marvelous 1,000 Points of Light initiative came from one of our readers from California!

We are here to help you meet the needs of your magical practice.

Remember, in the Alpha Omega ...

"We Make Magicians"

Thursday, September 27, 2012

1,000 Points of Light 1: "Personal Temples" (Great News for Independent Practitioners of the Magic of Light)

by Golden Dawn Imperator
David Griffin

In in the Alpha Omega, our primary mission is to provide Western individuals with the tools they need for their spiritual and energetic evolution. As a part of this continuing mission, we are  beginning to unveil several valuable new resources for Independent Practitioners of the Magic of Light.

There are Self-Initiates. There are Solitary Ritual Magic practitioners. There are Golden Dawn initiates in orders that will not teach them Ritual Magic in the outer order. There are Thelemites who would like to practice the Ritual Magic of "Liber O." There are Pagans who would like to properly invoke the forces of the Elements, Planets and Zodiac.

What do all of these people have in common? Except for my Ritual Magic Manual, all of these Independent Practitioners have been pretty much left to their own resources when it comes to their practice of the the Golden Dawn's system of spiritual evolution through the Magic of Light.

Well, that has changed, as of now. Over the next few weeks, the Alpha Omega is taking the lead once again, this time in providing you with one valuable resource after the other in regards to the Independent Practice of the Magic of Light.

Remember - Here in the Alpha Omega:

"We Make Magicians!"

This is the entire mission of our order, put into its simplest terms.

Independent practitioners have had my Ritual Magic Manual to assist them in their practice for over a decade already. Most independents, for whatever the reason, prefer not to work in a traditional order structure. Then there is the problem that most Golden Dawn orders other than the Alpha Omega do not provide any magical training at all to Outer Order initiates.

Thus there is a huge body of people out there who have been left until now with little guidance from Golden Dawn Adepts in their independent practice of Ritual Magic. The Alpha Omega is now stepping forward, as a community service, to better meet the needs of Independent Practitioners of the Magic of Light.

Today, it is my pleasure to unveil a bold new A.O. initiative. As the first step in our "1,000 Points of Light" initiative, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and our parent order, the Rosicrucian Order of Alpha et Omega would like to help ignite "1,000 Points of Light" around the world, with the goal of fostering the creation of 1,000 new Personal Temples.

Creating a Personal Temple will give your magic great power, because you build energy through constant magical practice in the same consecrated space. There are plenty of good resources available on how to create your own personal temple as well as how to craft magical tools. We encourage you to use these resources, together with your own personal creativity, to create your own, unique personal temple.

A personal temple does not need to be complicated. Your tools can be Golden Dawn style, Wiccan style, or whatever style suits you. What is important is that you dedicate a sacred space where you can practice Ritual Magic on a regular basis. It can be as simple or as elaborate as you like.

As I mention in the Ritual Magic Manual, if need be, you can practice Golden Dawn magic with nothing other than your index finger! On the other hand, you could craft all of the wands, swords, banners, robes, etc. that make up a full Golden Dawn temple. The choice is yours - and yours alone.

If you would like to do something in between, for Golden Dawn magic, what is most essential is to create an altar space and to place something to represent each of the four elements on it.

Some people use a fan for air, dirt for earth, a cup of water, and a candle for fire. Others like to craft and consecrate classic Golden Dawn magical implements; an air dagger, a fire wand, a water cup, and an earth pantacle, each with the correct sigils and names of power.

Certain Wiccan practitioners prefer to work with a wand for air, an athame for fire, a cup for water, and a pentacle for earth. Other Pagan practitioners reverse the wand and athame, more closely resembling the Golden Dawn arrangement.

Personally, I recommend to begin with the basic components used in the Golden Dawn's magical Eucharist; a red rose for air, a cup of wine, a candle for fire, and bread and salt for Earth.

See ...
"you can set up a Golden Dawn style altar with nothing more than a few things available in most kitchens." 
- David Griffin
What really matters is that you practice magic, then practice, practice, and practice even more. Try to set aside an hour a day for your magical practice if you can.

You will quickly see for yourself how much it helps to have a dedicated space for your magical practice. You do not need an entire room for this, although that would be ideal. When an entire room is not possible, you can always store your altar in a corner of a room, then bring it out when you are ready to practice. With time you will begin to feel a sense of awe, a sense of the sacred, merely by entering into your personal temple space.

Our first goal with this 1,000 Points of Light initiative, is to motivate you to create your own personal temple, and to help individual practitioners to create 1,000 new personal temples around the world. Can you imagine the power for spiritual growth that will be generated by 1,000 new personal temples all around the world?

... And there is no better way to motivate ourselves to create a beautiful personal temple than to share the fruit of our work with others. The Alpha Omega therefore invites you to send us a photograph of your personal temple once it is set up, and we will publish it for you here on the Golden Dawn Blog!

What better way to learn and to gain inspiration from one another?

We begin here with one photo we recently received from a solo practitioner in Australia, the beauty of which motivated the A.O. to create the 1,000 Points of Light initiative.

Personal Temple in Melborne, Australia

Again, we invite you to  share your personal temple here as well. Just tell us what city you are in, and we will put you on the map!

You can also send us a photo of your personal temple and we will publish it to share it with readers here on The Golden Dawn Blog. (Please try to keep the file size somewhat small. Please also let us know if you would also like your name or motto to appear. Otherwise, we will include only the city).

Watch this blog for other exciting news and valuable resources for Independent Practitioners of the Magic of Light!

Coming Soon ...

Sincerely,

Imperator David Griffin
HOGD, AO,  33, 90, 96












Sunday, September 23, 2012

Native American Wisdom for Golden Dawn Pow Wow

by anthropologist
Leslie McQuade Griffin

With the International Golden Dawn Pow Wow only an Equinox away, David and I, seeking inspiration from the ancestors of this land in America, last week attended the Utah Navaho Pow Wow in Bluff, Utah. As an anthropologist, I was certain that we would learn things from this Intertribal event that would help the Golden Dawn Community heal from the strife that has hobbled it for decades.

A Native American Pow Wow is like a family reunion. It is like a state fair. It is like a tent revival, beauty pageant, dance hall, Christmas and a carnival all going on at once. There are dancing competitions, beauty competitions, rodeo competitions, and although the competition is fierce, all understand that the real purpose of the Pow Wow is to celebrate being Indian (yes, they call themselves Indians, not Native Americans). Nations that just a few generations before would have killed each other on sight have now, due to the genocide conducted by settlers and pioneers, joined together to marvel at all the different ways the Nations have to express themselves in peace, love and harmony. Clearly, there was healing to be found here for the Golden Dawn.

Even from the road, the landscape is breathtaking.
We walked from the Kokopeli Inn the ½ mile or so to the Pow Wow grounds. There was no sidewalk, but instead, a well-worn path on the side of the road. We were careful to avoid wearing anything that had skulls, snakes or owls, as all these are taboo in most Indian nations for all but the Heyoka (Sacred Clowns). David wore Ed Hardy jeans with a black Jaguar embroidered on the back, a “blingy” tee shirt and the Jaguar baseball cap he got when he bought his faithful steed, Miracle. I had been to several Pow Wows and Sundances on the plains, so I opted for the more traditional long dress, shawl, and Ropers (a type of cowboy work boot).

We crossed the highway and walked in to the rodeo parking. There were dozens of heavy-duty “dualie” pickups with horse trailers. The horses tied to the trailers, some wearing blanktets decorated like old-fashioned warpaint, were whinnying at the distant sound of drums and singing.

Wild horses gathering to listen to
traditional Indian Drumming.
Some of the Indians were selling melons out of their trucks; wonderful watermelons, crenshaws, cantaloupes and other varieties unique to the family that raised them. Seeds are saved from the best tasting melons, and replanted in the same gardens year after year until micro varieties are formed.

As we walked up to the front entrance, we saw the rodeo arena to our right. The woman who took our entrance fee said the rodeo would start at 7pm, and the dancing had already begun. When we asked what time things would be over, she did a very typical Indian thing; she looked at us, took a deep breath, looked up, looked back at us and said, “Well now, that depends. It'll be over when it’s over, but I expect the dancers will be here 'til at least midnight”.

At a Pow Wow (or any Indian gathering for that matter), time is a slippery concept. Things are done as they unfold. There may be a start and finish time posted, but that doesn’t necessarily mean things will happen at the appointed times. In Indian Country, it is far more important to “go with the flow” than it is to be “on time”.  Clocks are an introduced idea, and “on time” is clock time and thus, not Indian Time, which is very much like Island Time, for those of you who may have experienced it. Things happen when they are meant to happen, and so, when you attend a Pow Wow, it is a good idea to just relax and “go with the flow”. It’s good for your blood pressure, and will make your time at the Pow Wow more enjoyable.

It's like an Indian Fashion show for all ages and styles.
We had arrived a little before sunset, so we were just in time for the community dance competition.  Participants wear dressy clothes and dance as a couple. It’s like a beauty pageant/fashion show/dance competition/popularity contest. There were no age brackets; if you could dance, you could participate. We saw a pair that couldn’t have been more than 12, and another that was at least in their 80’s. There was even a transgender/cross-dressed couple. This by the way, is not at all unusual in most of Indian Country, since not every boy who went out on a Vision Quest came back with a Puma or an Eagle. Some came back with a Bison Scapula Hoe or Berry Basket.

After watching the traditional dancers, we went to dinner with some friends, and then went back to see some more of the Pow Wow. By now the sun had set, so the population of the Pow Wow had changed significantly.

The first significant change we noticed was that the Navajo Police were now making a loud and plentiful presence at the front gate. As is always the case at a festival touched by western influences, someone got too drunk and made a scene. We took a wide berth of the unfolding situation, since police of every stripe seem to have become less predictable of late.

Roping a calf takes lots, and lots of practice.
The rodeo had started, so we walked to the edge of the arena for a closer look. While I admire the athleticism and skill required to rope a calf from a galloping horse, I much prefer to watch drummers, dancers and singers.

We quickly noticed that most all of the really old elders had gone home, along with the country western band that had been entertaining near the rodeo grounds while they were setting things up. The community dancers had gone too, and the carnival was lit up and in full swing. We walked past booths selling fry bread and roast mutton, beaded earrings and bags of feathers, and of course, the ubiquitous shiny Chinese krippity-crap that seems to be at every street fair.

Finally we arrived at the Main Dance Arena. This is where the heart of the Pow Wow was to be found. The dancers, drummers and singers that would perform here are at the top of their game. The dances and songs are for healing. Dancers dance not only because they enjoy it, but also because it serves an important function in the community. By making and wearing the different regalia associated with a particular dance, a person takes on the responsibility of carrying that tradition forward to future generations. You cannot be “just a dancer”. Dances are healing.  Dancers are teachers, and those people who agree to dance are also agreeing to be healers, teachers and role models for their communities.

Good seats are hard to find!

As we looked for some good seats, the Mixed Dance was in full swing.  I love the Mixed Dance best of all, because it is the only time you can see the different types of dancers dancing together.  There are Men's Fancy Dancers twirling beside the more reserved Buckskin Dancers, and Fancy Shawl Dancers high-stepping beside Grass Dancers and Cloth Dancers.  There is usually a Mixed Dance in between each of the judged dances, to both keep the dancers "warm" and to test them. What impressed David and I most was that each of these dancers, danced the Dance of his or her own choice. Each was unique, and yet together they didn't clash, but rather created an overall beauty and synergy like musicians playing different instruments in a symphony orchestra. David and I marveled, commenting on how wonderful it could be if the Golden Dawn could learn this lesson. 

Everyone is lining up to start the Mixed Dance.
We had just taken some seats in the bleacher section when a woman came over the PA system to make a special announcement. She announced that she was the Head Woman, and that she had been approached with a Special Healing Request. She was so moved by the request that she decided to grant it. She then told us about a baby and mother in intensive care after the baby was born prematurely and with complications. The Pow Wow was to stop, and a healing dance be done by a volunteer Jingle Dancer. It didn’t take long. The volunteer singers and drummers immediately started the special healing music, and one lone Jingle Dancer took the center of the arena.


Jingle dancers are women who wear silver cones on their dresses. The cones tinkle together as she dances. The young women who choose this dress do so because they are called to heal others. As the Jingle Dancer dances, her beauty and skill make those who watch happy. All this attention and happy energy is absorbed by the Jingle Dancer who then amplifies it, adds healing energy, and then sends it out to the person or persons to be healed, and all those who can see her.

It was so heartwarming to watch these people, some from as far away as Gallup NM, stop the Pow Wow to give love and support to a family most had never met. As she danced the first two rounds, other dancers of all kinds came out to the edge of the arena, and danced the Supporters Dance, lending their energy as well.  This is the spirit Pow Wow embodies. There is a need, and a volunteer is called upon to fulfill it. More volunteers then step up, more come in behind to support, and ALL are healed in the process, even those who only watch.

After the dance, the MC came back on the mic, her voice breaking, and invited all those who wanted healing to come forward and recieve the Jingle Dancer’s blessing. It is believed that after the dance, the Jingle Dancer is charged with healing energy, and can impart it to any and all who touch her. Interestingly, there was not a mad rush. Rather, it was more subdued and respectful. Those who were truly ill, people with oxygen tanks, walkers, in wheelchairs and with canes made their way slowly into the arena to take the Healer/Dancer’s hand, to hug her, to absorb some of the transformed energy in hopes of healing themselves in the process. More and more people trickled in, until the stands were half empty. Those who had been Supporting Dancers joined in behind the Jingle Dancer, offering the blessings of their dance as well.  There were at least 75 or 80 people in the arena, hugging, touching, smiling; reveling in the beauty and love that had been created there. This impromptu event lasted nearly an hour, and yet no one complained. EVERYONE THERE supported the dancer and the people she represented with love, compassion, and most of all, ACTIVE PARTICIPATION. David was moved to tears, and pointed out that this was a powerful manifestation of the Goddess.


After the special healing Request, the Head Woman came back on the mic to announce the resumption of the Pow Wow, and what was up next? The Jingle Dancer competition. The music started, and this time, a dozen Jingle Dancers, took the arena. The costumes are hot and heavy, covered in metal cones, glass beads and bits of mirror. Each tall moccasin is completely covered in beads and can weight up to six pounds apiece. The dance that is done has the footwork similar to the Riverdance that was so popular a few years ago. They also carry heavy beaded purses, and large fans which are held high over their heads. For all this, they are light on their feet, as if what they were doing took no more effort than simply walking.

Most Jingle Dancers do all their own beadwork.
There is always a 5-minute break between dances, so the dancers can catch their breath. The MC asked if they were ready to dance, give a jingle. Only one moved. It was a hot, dusy night, and the MC took the time to admonish the Jingle Dancers “You chose to put on the dress. An’ someone out there is gonna’ be healed from watching you dance tonight. Give it your all. We’re gonna’ have another song now. Last one. ” And then the drumming and singing started again. The young ladies’ regalia sparkled in the halogen lights. Their cones jingled even louder than the drums and singers amplified over the PA system. The drummers set a blistering pace, but the women never faltered. They were light on their feet like ballerinas, kicking up clouds of dust in the dry Utah night. Fans held high over heads decked with elaborately beaded crowns, these healing Princesses absorbed the energy of our attention, changed it into healing energy, and radiated it back to us.

It can take months to make a single dress.
All those present were moved. I saw the woman beside me, who had gone up to be healed by the Special Request Dancer, wiping away silent tears. It takes a stony heart to keep a dry eye during these dances.

Three judges were to pick the first, second and third place dancers. When the dance ended, the ladies stood in a circle, facing inward, waiting to be chosen by a judge. Three men walked up and circled behind the dancers like the old game “duck-duck-goose”. Each one chose a dancer. These were the finalists. Another dance started, and David and I tried to pick the winner. In the end, the Jingle Dancer in black won. I’m not sure why. Her’s was not the most elaborate or beautiful costume. She did not step the highest, or hold her fan up the longest, but all agreed that she was the best.

Genuine Pendleton blankets are expensive, and beautiful.
Every one who participates is given a case of soda or water, because in truth, all these healing Goddesses benefit their community. The three were given Pendleton blankets, and the winner was given some scholarship money in addition to the water and blanket.

We were both deeply impressed by all that we had seen. Could something like this be possible in the Golden Dawn community? We, who seek to be more than human, could we put aside the petty concerns of our human existence to collectively embrace a better way? Would it have to take a genocide level event for us to see the error or our warring ways?

To our left, the big event of the evening was lining up to enter the arena – Men’s Fancy Dance. The "Fancy Dance" originated as Fancy War Dance by the Hethuska Society in Oklahoma. The individual who invented the dance was Gus McDonald. He was also the first World Champion Fancy War Dancer. This dance has been taken up by the Intertribal community with relish. The Fancy Dance was the most expensive, most elaborate, most difficult and physically demanding of all dances. It was a chance for the men to really strut their stuff. The men were decked out in hundreds of feathers, thousands of beads and mirrors, and paint on their faces such that they looked more like exotic neon peacocks than men.
We watched them spin and prance in the dust. Pictures of fancy dancers just don’t do them justice. And when you get to see the thirty best Fancy Feather Dancers in the Four Corners area, it’s the kind of eye candy you will never forget. Watching them dance was like looking at Las Vegas through a kaleidoscope!



We left after just 5 or 6 rounds of Fancy Dance. It was getting late, and for us, the really important lesson had already been learned. The Jingle Dancer who had volunteered to dance for that family – she wasn’t even a finalist. She had danced her hardest before the competition even began. She gave her all for the role the dress demanded, not for the competition. Now the admonishment of the MC made sense. She was the one who had jingled; she was the one who healed us.

Perhaps there is wisdom here also for the Golden Dawn ...

Leslie and David Griffin

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Pow Wow & Alpha Omega's Formal Relationships With Other Groups

by Golden Dawn
Imperator David Griffin


A Native American Traditional Pow Wow














Greetings of the Equinox!

It has come to our attention that one or more people within the Golden Dawn community still misunderstand the reasons for the Alpha Omega launching our International Golden Dawn Pow Wow peace initiative. We actually have been quite transparent with our motivations since the beginning.

At the Pow Wow, let's just get together to break bread, share magic, good times and discuss how to best improve relationships and heal old wounds in our Golden Dawn community. We do not need to agree about everything, as there is plenty of room for diversity in our community.

Obtaining any sort of "peer recognition" at Pow Wow is not a priority of the Alpha Omega. We already have recognition as a Traditionalist Golden Dawn Order from the Secret Chiefs of the Third Order, who are the source of origin of the original Golden Dawn.

The Pow Wow is not about negotiating any sort of treaties or establishing any sort of formal relationships. Pow Wow is about breaking bread together, doing Magic together, and celebrating the wonderful things we all have in common in our diverse Golden Dawn community.

With this International Golden Dawn Pow Wow peace initiative, the Alpha Omega leads the attempt in to heal the polarization that has plagued our Golden Dawn community for two decades, and has severely harmed the reputation of the entire Golden Dawn tradition.

As we proved last year with the International Conclave of Golden Dawn Adepti, we are even willing to share supplemental Golden Dawn teachings from our Secret Chiefs with those who are interested in the community.

There have been questions raised about the formal fraternal relations of the Alpha Omega with other initiatic orders and groups. This is unsprprising, considering that the mission of the Alpha Omega is somewhat unique in our community.

What is this mission of the Alpha Omega? In simplest terms:

"We Make Magicians"

Regarding the relationship of the Alpha Omega with the greater esoteric community, clearly some clarification is in order. The Alpha Omega has long established relationships, as well as formal "Amities" with a broad spectrum of Traditionalist Initiatic Orders and Groups.

In the Golden Dawn and Rosicruican communities, we are in formal Amity, for example, with the August Order of the Mystic Rose, as well as with numerous occulted Goldlen Dawn and Rosicrucian orders.

Despite misunderstandings, there exist a wealth of Traditionalist Golden Dawn and Rosicrucian orders, although most of these prefer both their existence and work shrouded in secrecy, as has historically been the case in the Golden Dawn and Rosicruican traditions. As we have clarified in the past, the Alpha Omega is by no means the only Traditionalist Golden Dawn order. Come to the Pow Wow, and you might even meet some of the others!

These formal Amities established by the Alpha Omega are not limited to the Golden Dawn community. They additionally include Traditional Initiatic Orders and Groups in both the Pagan and Rosicrucian communities. This is natural, as we see the initiatic mission of the Alpha Omega not only to serve the Golden Dawn community, but the Rosicruican and the Pagan communities as well.

In the Pagan community, we have established formal "amity" with the Order of the Gnostic Star, as well as numerous "British Traditional Witchcraft" covens and "Traditional Pagan" Clans in Italy.

I hope this helps clarify our reasons for inviting  not just our members, but the Golden Dawn community to the International Golden Dawn Pow Wow in March, 2013. 

It will be a historic event you won't want to miss. 

"See you at the Pow Wow!"



Monday, September 17, 2012

TRUTH: Golden Dawn Lineage and YOU!

by Golden Dawn
Imperator David Griffin
His Holiness Dalai Lama
"All major spiritual traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness. The important thing is they should be part of our daily lives."  
His Holiness Dalai Lama
One of the most contentious subjects of discussion in the Golden Dawn community is the question of Golden Dawn lineage. There are those in the Golden Dawn community who believe that:
"There is no way a piece of paper can give you a lineage. Charters and that sort of rubbish does not give you any special lineage any more than an IOU can buy you your weekend groceries."
Out of respect for diversity, I acknowledge the right to hold this position on lineage, even though it is factually inaccurate. Some in our community still believe lineage is worthless merely because they not not yet have access to oathbound Golden Dawn information beyond that published by Israel Regardie. If these individuals had access to better information, as in the spiritual techniques of the Golden Dawn, Hermetic, and Rosicrucian traditions that still today remain oathbound and secret, they would quickly abandon such a position.

What those who hold such a position fail to consider is that the Golden Dawn has always been, first and foremost, a spiritual tradition, similar in magnitude to the great Tantric, Tibetan, and Zen spiritual traditions in the East.

Thus, written charters and such, although they do serve a legitimate function similar to Dharma transmission in Zen, are only of secondary importance. Far more essential are the spiritual transmissions and accompanying realizations carried with lineage in all of the great spiritual traditions, both East and West, including in the Golden Dawn. To dismiss the importance of spiritual lineage leads to a fundamental misunderstanding of the Golden Dawn.



Zen Buddhism, for example, maintains records of their historical teachers who, according to the traditional history of the school, have passed the Dharma from generation to generation in an unbroken line since the time of the Buddha. Dharma transmission is the formal confirmation by a master of Zen or Chan Buddhism of a student's awakening. This one-to-one transmission is said to trace back over 2,500 years to Gautama Buddha when he gave dharma transmission to his disciple Mahakasyapa, who is regarded as the first patriarch of Zen in India.

Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
Shambhala Buddhist Lineage

What those who dismiss lineage lightly fail to properly consider is that, as one of the great spiritual traditions of the world, the ultimate aim of the Golden Dawn is to help individuals "to become more than human,” which means spiritual development through energetic evolution.
"If those who dismiss lineage lightly had access to the Golden Dawn's advanced spiritual techniques and realizations beyond the material published by Regardie, they would not so lightly dismiss a spiritual lineage as important as the Golden Dawn."
 - Imperator David Griffin

The Spiritual Mission of the 
Alpha Omega

The Rosicrucian Order of Alpha et Omega is not just another Golden Dawn order. Whereas most GD orders, including Mr. Farrell's, offer their students little more than the well known spiritual techniques published long ago by Israel Regardie, the Alpha Omega has a great deal of new, traditional, supplemental and corrective material to offer - including highly effective techniques for spiritual realization and energetic evolution - so far available nowhere else in the Golden Dawn.

To improve the spiritual effectiveness of the Golden Dawn, these lineages were recently transmitted to the Alpha Omega by the Secret Chief's, the Continental European source of origin of the original Golden Dawn tradition.

These lineages are certainly not just paper charters either. The mission of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and our parent order, the Rosicrucian Order of Alpha et Omega, is to facilitate the spiritual development and energetic evolution of human kind, by providing the advanced spiritual technology necessary "to become more than human."

In the Alpha Omega, we make advanced spiritual technology of the Golden Dawn, Hermetic, and Rosicrucian lineages available in a variety of contexts. As the HOGD, we provide traditional initiation and training in the Golden Dawn materials published by Israel Regardie, together with supplementeal and corrective spiritual exercises recently released by the Secret Chiefs. As the Alpha Omega, we teach Ritual Magic, alchemy, and a vast array of spiritual techniques that go far beyond the merely Golden Dawn.

The Alpha Omega holds that human life on Earth is but the caterpillar stage of a higher, energetic form of life that human beings are evolving towards. Similar to the "rainbow body" of the Tibetan Dzogchen lineage, the spiritual practices of the Golden Dawn, Hermetic, and Rosicrucian lineages involve the cultivation of a Solar Body of Light.

For the Golden Dawn Adept, the goal of the Opus Magnum is the projection of consciousness into a fully mature Solar Body at the moment of death. This culmination of the Opus Magnum bestows conscious immortality on the SOLAR PLANE - at the speed of light in the universe inside the stars.

Sincerely,
Imperator David Griffin
HOGD, AO,  33, 90, 96

Friday, September 14, 2012

What Promotes Peace or Hatred in the Golden Dawn?


by David Griffin

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness;
...only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate;
...only love can do that."

-Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King

The greatest strengths of the Golden Dawn community is our diversity and plurality of vision. Although our community has allowed itself to fall into polarization for two long decades, we are all Sisters and Brothers. There are no "enemies" in our community. We do not always agree on everything, but it is ideas that collide, not people.

In recent weeks, anonymous blogs dripping with hate filled lies and misrepresentations have again surfaced in our community, and once again, I have been attacked personally as has been the case over and over for two decades now. This comes on the heels of recent death threats leveled against me and my family.

I have been frequently asked if I take these attacks personally. I do not, because peace in the Golden Dawn is not merely a personal matter. Love is a prerequisite, and peace a moral imperative for the Golden Dawn to fully embody its potential as a  a spiritual force for good in the 21st Century. As Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, who was frequently attacked and misrepresented by hatred and prejudice, once said: "hate can not drive our hate, only love can do that." There  will always be those who hate and lie, but love and truth will always triumph in the end.

Sadly, there are those in our community who once agreed with me about peace and love in the Golden Dawn, that I can barely recognize by their actions any longer. In my last article, I quoted Peregrin Wildoak (from 2009) condemning the use of anonymous hate blogs to attack other Golden Dawn orders. In that article, I also pointed out how inconsistent it appears to observe Peregrin and Morgan Eckstein today promoting or endorsing the same sort of anonymous hate blogs attacking Golden Dawn orders, by linking to them from their personal blogs or publishing comments on them. 

In reply to, Morgan Eckstein today wrote:
"Why don't you make a list of what we are allowed to say, who we are allowed to read, what comments that we are allowed to make and who we are allowed to make comments to, who we are allowed to be friends with, and what our Orders are allowed to do. It will make everyone lives easier if you just spell out the acceptable behavior."
The short answer to Morgan, is:

"Just stop attacking
the members of the Alpha Omega."

Is this really so difficult to understand?

Morgan's statement does raise some other interesting and tough questions though. 

Is Morgan even interested in peace in the Golden Dawn community or only hatred and strife?

What sort of behavior actually does foster peace vs. hatred and strife in the Golden Dawn community?

Do anonymous hate blogs attacking other Golden Dawn orders foster peace or hatred and strife?

Does promoting anonymous hate blogs by linking to them or endorsing them by publishing comments on them further peace or hatred and strife?

If the latter, then why do Morgan Eckstein and Peregrin Wildoak keep promoting them?

Does Morgan really believe he is being told by our order which books he can read as he says above?

Or is Morgan just trying to avoid responsibility for behavior inconsistent with his words and ideals?

Does Morgan really not understand how promoting and endorsing anonymous hate blogs furthers hatred and strife in the Golden Dawn community?

Or is Morgan deliberately trying to scuttle any chance of peace in the Golden Dawn?

If so, why?

And finally...

Are Morgan Eckstein and Peregrin Wildoak acting on their own?

Or are they following someone's instructions to scuttle the peace process by promoting hatred and strife in the Golden Dawn community? 

If so, then who is pulling Morgan Eckstein's and Peregrin Wildoak's strings, and why are these persons in the shadows so terrified of peace in the Golden Dawn?

Even if not, then:

"Where did the old Morgan go?"

This is, after all, the same Morgan Eckstein that not so long ago used to write fine factual articles about Golden Dawn subjects and whose political commentary on the Golden Dawn used to be quite balanced.

I would really like to hear some simple, straight answers from Morgan to these direct questions.

More importantly, I, for one, would like to have the old Morgan back!

"Hatred paralyzes life;
love releases it...
Hatred confuses life;
love harmonizes it...
Hatred darkens life;
love illuminates it!"

- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King





Has the Golden Dawn Lost its Way?


by David Griffin

"If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace."
- John Lennon

On his Magic of the Ordinary blog, in May 2009, Peregrin Wildoak wrote:
"I would suggest what we need prior to any harmony in the Golden Dawn istolerance. This means different groups accepting the other groups right to exist. On a Malkuth action plane this requires doingnothing and saying nothing that counters or hinders any other group. Practically this means a very different ambiance in the Golden Dawn community than at present. All the crappy pages and blogs would go for a start."

In April 2009, Peregrin wrote:
"I think the most important point you raise is the recent trend for GD blogs that claim to be impartial observers. When read it is obvious to anyone with half brain that the aim of the blog is really an underhanded attack on one or another Order. It is very sad and I hope these things disappear very soon. Once more I publicly back your call to have a multilateral removal of all abusive and offending GD sites, blogs and posts. This will be a good start."
I fully agree with everything that Peregrin wrote above, which is why the HOGD/AO has invited the entire Golden Dawn community to Pow Wow 2013 and is doing everything possible to promote harmony in the Golden Dawn community.

The response from Peregrin Wildoak and Morgan Eckstein? They have begun promoting anonymously publishe hate blogs attacking our order by linking to them from their personal blogs and commenting on them as well.

What has happened in the Golden Dawn community over the past 3 years that has caused leaders who once were a voice of reason and a force for peace, to so radically lose their way?

Personally, I like the old Peregrin better than the new one!

"All we are saying, is give peace a chance!" 
- John Lennon




Tuesday, September 11, 2012

The Future of the Golden Dawn

by David Griffin
Assuming the God Form of...
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King
"I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality..."  -Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King
I have a vision of a Golden Dawn unfettered by the animosities of the past - A future where the Golden Dawn is best known for the quality of its teachings, rather than disparagement of its orders, their members, and their leaders.

Sadly, some in our community only write on their websites and blogs "No flame wars or disparaging of others will ever be tolerated," yet nonetheless continue to behave as antagonists. Clearly, such leaders have lost their way.

Others have become entrenched in a quagmire of prejudice against the Fratres, Sorores, and leaders of the Alpha Omega, although they have never met any of us in person.

Others disparage our order and its leaders because, despite lofty words and empty rhetoric, they do not yet fully embrace diversity in the Golden Dawn community. Such leaders remain stuck in a Highlander mentality rooted in the mistaken belief that "There can be only one!" 

Let us endeavor to liberate the Golden Dawn from the conflicts and animosities of the past, and to create instead a future congruent with our highest, most spiritual aspirations.

I have a vision of a Golden Dawn where all Fratres and Sorores, solitaries or initiates, of any order or any temple can sit down together at the table of brother and sister hood - And share in the new magic and teachings coming from the Secret Chiefs.

Let us remain mindful that there are  no "enemies" in our community, only people with different visions of the future. Let us not descend into name calling and personal attacks on the Internet. It is, after all, our visions of the future that collide - and not our persons.

Let us not allow peace in the Golden Dawn community to be derailed by those who hate us, call us names and disparage our order, its members, and its leaders on the Internet.

May we instead find strength in our diversity - and true community in the plurality of our visions.

I see the Golden Dawn not as a competition between rivals, but as a place where sincere seekers can find enlightenment.

I see the Golden Dawn as a school of energetic evolution - bringing spiritual technology from the past into a new Millennium.

Today, many challenges still remain before us. There are old animosities and grudges yet to overcome - And fears to conquer.

But I believe in the Golden Dawn. I believe in the purity in the hearts of all Fratres and Sorores. 

I believe in the power of our love to banish negativity. I believe in the strength of our will to overcome all obstacles, as we meet one another as we truly are in sacred Pow Wow.

The time has come to put the animosities of the past behind us.

Let us stand together for peace in sisterhood and brotherhood, and plant the seeds of a bright and shining future for the Golden Dawn.

International Golden Dawn Pow Wow
March 29 - April 9, 2013
For as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King once said:
"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word."
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King 
 Golden Dawn Imperator David Griffin

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Peace, not An Eye for an Eye (Reply to Morgan Eckstein)

by David Griffin
assuming the God Form of...
Mahatma Gandhi

"An eye for an eye...
...makes the whole world blind."
- Mahatma Ghandi

Morgan Eckstein wrote:
"I apologize upfront for anything that you decide is offensive in my latest blog post." 
What can I say to this except:

"Apology accepted for all hurt and animosity...
... real or imagined...
...both past and present!"

Let us begin by understanding that we are not "enemies." Instead, you and I are merely people with a different vision of the future (different personal philosophies). If you were to accept our vision today, or if I would accept your vision, we would be friends tomorrow.

I deeply appreciate your words of apology written above. The cultivation of understanding and peace, however, requires not only words, but also actions. For years now, I have not only read your words, but I have also observed your actions.

In the process, even though we disagree about many things, I have nonetheless come to respect and admire you as a principled individual with a coherent personal philosophy. My only criticism is you allow yourself to be moved by passion at times to act in a way inconsistent with your own high standards - For example, your recent promotion of anonymous hate blogs by linking to them from your blog, and publishing comments on the hate blogs themselves.

But you do not need me to tell you this. You already know your philosophy and high standards far better than I do, as well as when you are not always able to fully live up to them. Let us therefore put negativity behind us and endeavor together to move forward to more fully embrace peace and love.

Morgan wrote:
 "I believe that it is better to admit that I am struggling with making peace with the HOGD/AO than to just disappear and never write about Golden Dawn again."
I appreciate your struggle with peace and commend you for your emotional honesty. Letting go of old hurt and animosity is always a challenge.

Let's face reality though.

Even though the internet is a wonderful tool, it is also very impersonal. How can one ever be sure about others, especially about an entire order full of others, that one has never yet even met in person?

If ever there is to be true and lasting peace in our community, it must be rooted in personal experience. I invite you therefore yet again to come and share food, magic, and good times with us at Golden Dawn Pow Wow. 

Why not wait to make up your mind about us until you have met us, looked us in the eye, sat down with us, and yes, even shared with us?

These are things that true and lasting peace is made of.

Golden Dawn Pow Wow 2013
Peace and Love NOW!

"Honest disagreement...
is often a good sign of progress"

-Mahatma Gandhi
Golden Dawn Imperator David Griffin


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