An Open Letter from ...
G.H. Frater Sincerus Renatus (7=4)
Imperator
Hermetiska Orden av Den Gryende Morgonrodnaden
in Hyperboria
G.H. Frater S.R. today wrote:
Four days ago, on Winter Solstice, I declared that I have left the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, the Outer Order of the Rosicrucian Order of Alpha et Omega® (H.O.G.D./A+O). The fact is that I left the H.O.G.D./A+O already a fortnight ago but decided to wait with the official declaration until the December 21st as I wanted all of the interested parties and my own students a chance to know about and react to it beforehand. I wasn’t sure that I would make any declaration on the Gyllene Gryningen Blog until the next Vernal Equinox, but as the reaction on the blogosphere was swift following my Facebook declaration, I have finally decided to break my silence on the blogosphere as well, on this Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, Yule or Christmas Day. What better day to make such a declaration that on the birthday of the Sun? These are the times optimal in which seeds should be planted to bear fruit in the Spring.
As I said, the news has already spread over at the blogosphere in two instances, one positive and one not so positive, or at least sceptic or perhaps cautiously favorable. However, in that sceptical last instance (which I won’t link to as it is a source of worst kind of gossip and mischievious rumours) my resignation has been turned into a schism. I feel obliged to my gentle readers to correct this misrepresentation about my departure. It is not a schism. There is a mutual recognition between the H.O.G.D./A+O and myself, and whatever I plan to do or organize regarding the furtherment of the Tradition. To schism would be a violation to my own principles. On the contrary, I have my former Chief’s blessing in leaving the H.O.G.D./A+O and to continue the work independently on my own. In the comments section on one of my latest postings David Griffin wrote the following:
"It is a great pleasure to welcome yet another traditional order in the greater Golden Dawn community. This is actually quite important, considering how post-modernists repeatedly attempt to misportray their faction as the entire Golden Dawn community, as though no traditional GD orders exist at all!"
- David Griffin
Not that I consider myself necessarily to be part of the “greater Golden Dawn Community”, nor that Mr. Griffin’s recognition is vital or fundamentally essential for my continuing work, even though I do welcome it, but it is significant nonetheless in our present discussion; if I had actually schismed from the H.O.G.D./A+O as has been suggested, would he have given me such a blessing? Hardly. And now that Mr. Griffin has welcomed “yet another traditional order in the greater Golden Dawn community”, I also feel obliged to confirm that my old Temple, which was authorized by the H.O.G.D./A+O already in 1997, will continue with the work in administrating legitimate Hermetic initiation in a traditional manner, but totally independent and fully autonomous, and quite separate from the “Golden Dawn Community”. At this present state of things, seeds have been carefully selected and planted into the dark and fertile hyperborean soil which will blossom in full in Spring. A “new” Order is being created as I speak, with the old Swedish Mother Temple as its nucleus, which at the same time is a direct continuation of what was already created in Sweden two decades ago. You, my gentle reader, have to wait until Spring Equinox for more news regarding this coming deliverance. Right now it has to grow safely protected in silence and mystery in a state of pregnancy.
My reasons for leaving the H.O.G.D./A+O are several, but generally strictly personal and not of the general interest of the public. One of the reasons that I choose to share with you regarding why I left the H.O.G.D./A+O is that I have grown weary of the international focus of the Order, something that I have never been comfortable with; now I will be able to focus entirely on Scandinavia and my native Hyperboreans. But I must make this clear for all you gentle readers, regardless if you are a member of the H.O.G.D./A+O or not: I still love the H.O.G.D./A+O and feel sincere and deep gratitude for my 18 years in it. This Order has been my nursery, elemental school and university, and I wouldn’t be the man that I am today without it. But it’s time for me to part from it and finally move on. This is a natural thing and nothing to be worried or alarmed about. One thing is for sure, and that is that I will still remain within the Hermetic Tradition in general and in the Golden Dawn Tradition in particular, and I believe that my previous devotion to it will benefit from the parting and independence.
S∴R∴
An Open Reply From ...
G.H. Frater Lux ex Septentrionis (8=3)
Imperator, Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
Chief Adept, Rosicrucian Order of Alpha Omega
Care G.H. Frater S∴R∴,
You are quite correct in your assertion that you do not in any way need my recognition. According to long established rules of the Golden Dawn, each regularly initiated Adeptus Exemptus (7=4) is vested with all of the various lineal affiliations. That Adepti Exempti hold these lineages has on more than one occasion protected the fire of the Golden Dawn from extinction.
Each regularly initiated Exempt Adept, by virtue of these traditional authorities, is empowered to reconstitute the Order of the Golden Dawn, should it ever prove necessary.
According to traditional Golden Dawn rules, your choice is completely "regular" to exercise your 7=4 authorities to establish full independence and autonomy for the Hermetiska Orden av Den Gryende Morgonrodnaden in Scandinavia.
This is something completely different than the actions of (5=6) Minor Adepts like R.W. Felkin and A.E. Waite, who rebelled upon barely reaching the Inner Order to create their own schismatic orders, Stella Matutina and Fellowship of the Rosy Cross.
On a personal note, S∴R, it has been a privilege to oversee your spiritual development through the Golden Dawn's complete Outer and Inner Orders, from (0=0) Neophyte through (7=4) Exempt Adept, over the course of the nearly two decades we have known one another.
Upon completion of the cycle of initiations of the Alpha Omega's Rosicrucian Second Order, the R.R. et A.C., you have entered into a profound understanding of the value of initiatic death, sojourn in world beyond, and ensuing rebirth.
Your departure from the Alpha Omega evokes a host of feelings for me. There is the sadness a Father feels when his Son moves away from home, but there is also the fulfillment a Father feels for his Son's achieving a Master's degree.
Although you choose to exercise traditional 7=4 authorities to establish full independence and autonomy for the Hermetiska Orden av Den Gryende Morgonrodnaden in Scandinavia - you may still always count on my counsel whenever you may feel so inclined.
You may also count on my abiding friendship.
Meanwhile, even though you will clearly be missed, the Alpha Omega of course will continue its own initiatic work in Scandinavia without interruption.
G.H. Frater Lux ex Septentrionis (8=3)
Imperator, Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
Chief Adept, Rosicrucian Order of Alpha Omega