Preparations for MagickAll 2015: April 10-12, 2015 at Shadow Mountain

Maxine and Alex Sanders

Here at the Golden Dawn's Alpha Omega Temple, we are hard at work preparing for  MagickAll 2015, our yearly gathering of magickal tribes.

The event this year will be one weekend only, April 10-12. Although donations are gladly accepted, our yearly MagickAll gathering is our free-of-charge gift to the Magickal community.

In light of last year's problems, we will not release the final schedule until the last minute. Here is some of what you can expect though. 

Experts will lecture on the following Magickal traditions:

• Golden Dawn Magick Dojo
• Thelemic Magick
• British Traditional Witchcraft & Alexandrian Magick
• Shamanic Magick
• Astrology and Magick
• Hermetic Magick
• Shamanic Drumming

On Sunday, April 12 there is the possibility of Golden Dawn Neophyte initiation (prior application required). Another highlight will be an International Grand Sabbat of Alexandrian Witches.

Here is more exciting news. Saturday night's MagickAll highlight is the "Shadow Mountain Micro Burn." With the assistance of the Las Vegas' Burning Man community, we are presently lining up DJs, fire spinners, etc. It will be awesome.

Here at Shadow Mountain outside Las Vegas, we are fortunate to live on an ancient lake bottom similar to the playa at Burning Man's Black Rock City. To create enough room for the "Micro Burn, we are reconstructing and doubling the size of our dance circle.

We thought you might enjoy seeing some of the work preparing for this amazing event. Here is Golden Dawn Cancellaria, Leslie McQuade, happy as a clam at the helm of her "weapon of mass construction."

Secret Chiefs REVEAL: "Why Secrecy?"

by Golden Dawn Imperator

David Griffin

The principle of initiatic secrecy is a fundamental hallmark of the Hermetic, Rosicrucian, and Golden Dawn traditions. In fact, it is an absolute cornerstone of EVERY true initiatic and arcane school.

In the case of the Golden Dawn, each new initiate is admonished to remain silent, maintain secrecy, and receives a password, "Harparkrat," the name of the Egyptian God Harpocrates, also known as Horus the Younger.

One of the first things each new Golden Dawn initiate learns is how to perform the Golden Dawn's "Sign of Silence," depicted in statues of Harpocrates holding his index finger to his lip. I recently revealed the occult use of the Sign of Silence in the Magick 101 television series. You can learn how to correctly use this incredibly powerful magickal tool HERE.

The question of the true function of secrecy arises over and over, because a lot of people mistakenly believe that secrecy is just a tool to manipulate others. Few things confuse people today about the Golden Dawn as much as the reasons for secrecy in the Golden Dawn and the Hermetic tradition.

The question came up again this week HERE on the Golden Dawn Facebook group. Several years ago, I asked my alchemical Master, Frater Lux E Tenebris to comment on the true value and function of Hermetic secrecy. Here is what he had to say.

Why Secrecy?
by Hermetic Master

 Lux E Tenebris

Thank you for inviting me to comment on the role of secrecy in the Hermetic tradition. The primary function of secrecy in esotericism is not to manipulate others, which has unfortunately been done and continues to be done in bad faith by persons who are not Hermetic Masters. A true Hermetic Master never causes his students to suffer, but maintains secrecy of the more advanced practices rather to protect the body, soul, and mind of the Apprenctice not yet prepared to assimilate these techniques, which when practiced by individuals not yet evolved enough would certainly destroy them. 

Let us take a simple example. Let us say that one of my students tries to convince me to give him or her an advanced alchemical technique. I observe in the behavior of the student that they are not yet ready to have and practice this particular processing as they have not yet reached the necessary degree of spiritual maturity. Because the disciple is insistent, however, I allow myself to be convinced, give in, and give the technique to them anyway. The student diligently begins with the practice and as a consequence either goes mad or dies, which, by the way, are very real dangers with Hermetic alchemy. 

Now why did this tragedy occur? It occurred for the simple reason that the Apprentice used an instrument much larger than themselves that requires a profound level of spiritual maturity for its use, for which the student was unprepared. No true Master Alchemist would, of course, ever give such a dangerous technique to an unprepared Disciple of the Art. 

This same line of reasoning is followed today by more advanced nations in the sense of superior democracy in regard to, for example, smaller nations still ruled by dictators that, if were they to possess atomic weapons, would use them to destroy others and themselves. Can you imagine if Osama Bin Laden were in possession of the secrets of how to build atomic weapons? This is why nations like the USA protect the secret of the creation of atomic bombs...in order to protect an infantile humanity from self-destruction. 

No Hermetic Master who is a true Master would ever give everything all at once to an Apprentice. It is the proper development and spiritual maturation of the Disciple over time that determines their capacity to assimilate more advanced spiritual techniques with their attendant higher states of awareness and realization. 

If we plant an apple tree, we accept that five long years will pass before the tree will ever bear fruit. Why then should we expect it should be different with the Secret Hermetic Science? 

Moreover, alchemical processes are not truly "secret." On the contrary, all of the secrets of true alchemical processing are described in alchemical works very clearly. It is the infantility of students or their laziness to study which prevents aspirants of alchemical wisdom from discovering for themselves the secrets of the Royal Art. 

Aspirants today are unwilling to sweat on the books and in the laboratory as have done all true Children of Hermes and thus have discovered the true significance of every term and all of the sequences to put into operation the secrets of the Great Work. 

But today, in the age of the Internet, aspirants want easy, immediate, and complete access to information. Above all, they do not want to sweat and work! 

Of course not. They want to be able to go to a bookstore and buy a book like they do with Regardie's Golden Dawn, or even better yet,Google a website and voila ... to become a Hermetic Alchemist reading in clear text all of the secrets of the Royal Art! 

Such is the mentality of the 21st Century. 

But with Hermetic Alchemy, alas, this is not possible. 

To explain why, let me give you an example from modern physics. There exist in libraries books with the knowledge to build nearly anything, either good or evil, explaining all of the accumulated science of man. 

But how many people dedicate themselves to a profound study of the matter? 

Likewise many aspire to the light but only the fewest obtain it because it is "difficult" to study and to practice. 

No...aspirants of today want to have everything clearly written and readily understandable. 

And even the Hermetic Masters are accused today that "we keep secrets only to manipulate others," merely because, as we have done for countless Centuries, we speak, write, and discourse with you using the very symbols of the Sacred Science itself. 

But were I to reveal to you the deepest and most profound secrets of alchemical processing, how many of you would understand? 

How many of you would have eyes to see? 

How many, ears to hear? 

How many would succeed to perceive the naked truth in itself? 

Few. 

In fact, only the fewest of the few. 

I repeat to you once again, as has been written and said over and over by the Hermetic sages of all ages, in words that are as true today as they were in ancient times: 

"Everything is clearly revealed, but not perceived.

Eyes behold but they do not see!

Ears listen but they do not hear!" 

Therefore I repeat: 

Just as there exist symbolical languages for physics, chemistry, and philosophy, without which you can not truly understand these sciences, so in alchemy there also exists a symbolical language that since millennia has been beneath the eyes of all in books, in cathedrals, and in every construction of the ancients. Even the fables of storybooks are full of these symbols! 

Thus you can not accuse the Hermetic alchemists of hiding things from you or speaking in riddles. It is only that we are speak in a different language, known in alchemy as "The Language of the Birds." 

How can you expect to understand this language any more than Sanskrit unless you likewise learn its rules and symbols with great effort, and to study, study, and study more? 

Thus it is not we, the Sons of Hermes that you should accuse of speaking in riddles and of keeping secrets from you! 

No. You should blame yourselves instead for not having studied enough and researched enough! 

In fact, the alchemical maxim is quite clear and enough to come to an understanding of the entire Opus: 

"Lege, lege, lege, et Inveniens." 

For those of you who have not applied yourself to understand Latin, this means in terms that even limited understanding might yet grasp: 

"Read, read, reread, and you will find." 

Thus you may understand the truth that I speak to you as all of the Sons of Hermes who have come before me have also said, that everything is already written and it is only the ignorance and the intellectual laziness of those who approach the Sacred Sciences that serve as "natural selection" to screen out the undeserving by their own work from the truly deserving that are committed to and conquer the mysteries. 

In the Sacred Science, not everything can be given to everyone even if it is revealed because: 

... the Science can not be given, but rather...

...it must be conquered. 

It is not enough to have faith to become a true Initiate, but one must above all study, work, and engage oneself to the very depths. 

How many are capable of this? 

Few. 

This is why true Initiates have "always" been few... 

...and today are even fewer. 

And everything not successfully conquered on one's own remains shrouded in mystery waiting to be discovered, and becomes "secret" only to the degree that it does not become conquered and discovered by hard work and research. 

It is like as if I should enrolls to study Physics at the University. During my first year everything that the researchers of Theoretical Physics are doing will certainly remain "secret" to me. But if I apply myself I can unlock their secrets, as they are already revealed but in a language that I must first learn. Unless I learn this language, however, theoretical physics will always remain a mystery for me. 

But to return once again to your original question: 

You ask me: 

"Why do you speak in riddles, and why have the alchemists always spoken like this as well?" 

I do not speak in riddles. I have always spoken forthright and clearly with you. 

The problem is rather with your understanding. 

I speak with symbols that you do not understand only because you have not studied them. Study the symbols of Hermetic Science and you will understand me completely. Then you asked me: 

"Is this not only a manipulation?"

I have already explained to you that unfortunately there are others who do use this science to manipulate others. I do not manipulate anyone, however. In fact, I am not even interested in having Disciples. 

...and like me, there "are" others, even if we are few.

Hate Bloggers Attack Nick Farrell: Golden Dawn Fundamentalism?

by Golden Dawn Imperator

David Griffin

Nick Farrell's Peace Initiative

You are likely by now aware of MOAA leader, Nick Farrell's, peace initiative to end defamation in the Golden Dawn community. I fully support this initiative, as I set forth in the below State of the Golden Dawn address, which I released last week at Candlemas.

The truce arising from the Farrell initiative has held for over a week now. There have been no attacks on any Golden Dawn leader posted on Mr. Farrell's group nor any other major Golden Dawn group on Facebook.

The only sad news this week came when Golden Dawn hate blogs attacked Nick Farrell for silencing them by no longer allowing them to promote posts on his Facebook group, thus depriving them of any meaningful traffic or readership. Nick Farrell deserves much credit for standing up to these hate blogs.

In other developments, Olen Rush commented on YouTube beneath my "State of the Golden Dawn" video, pointing out that he has completely taken down his blog where once numerous attacks on our order were housed. Mr. Rush pointed out that negative references to that blog still remain today on the Golden Dawn Blog. In respect of Mr. Rush's effective takedown request, I yesterday removed any and all reference to Olen Rush from the Golden Dawn Blog. I took this action unilaterally and unconditionally in yet a further effort to support Nick Farrell's peace initiative - as well to inspire others in the Golden Dawn community to also do the right thing.

Nick Farrell deserves much credit for persevering in his peace initiative, despite being attacked by the hate blogs this week. There have always been - and will always be - a handful of extremists in the Golden Dawn community - and hatred will never be completely banished. Extremists can not continue to tarnish the reputation of the Golden Dawn, however, unless we allow their hatred to continue to have a disproportionate voice.

But does this mean that there can be no legitimate debate in the Golden Dawn community? Especially when it comes to the legitimate differences between one Golden Dawn order and the other? Does the public not have a right to know these differences?

This idea is being put to the test today over on Nick Farrell's group, where my name is being invoked once again this morning, this time in connection with the position of various Golden Dawn orders on the practice of Magick in the Golden Dawn's outer order.

Today's discussion arose when Dean Wilson, leader of Ireland's "Ancient and Honorable Order of the Golden Dawn" set forth his position that:

"the Elemental Implements should not be made in the Elemental Grades" of the Golden Dawn's outer order.

Golden Dawn author, Pat Zalewksi, leader of the Canadian "Order of the Golden Dawn" replied:

"You have get me here Dean as I have never heard of a GD order making elemental weapons in the outer order. Its bloody ridiculous for many reasons."

Morgan Drake Eckstein, of the Colorado based BIOGD, replied:

 "(I have heard of these Orders doing this.... ) I personally think that they should be made as a set in the Inner."

Samuel Scarborough, representing an order I can't mention here by name due to a legal agreement you can view HERE wrote: 

"Unfortunately, Pat Zalewski, there are those that claim to do GD work, yet do drop Inner Order material into the Outer. Those organizations previously named certainly are the most well-known for this particular (and other) set of practices."

Another group member made clear who they were talking about, suggesting "Griff's order" "does quite a bit of this sort of thing".

A leader of Sam Scarborough's order wrote:

"Amen and Amen! Bravo Dean!"

Let me first make clear why I am summarizing and replying to this discussion here rather than directly on Nick Farrell's group where it occurred. I am banned from Nick Farrell's group. Even today, despite Nick's peace initiative, I continue to be mentioned in discussions on Mr. Farrell's group, yet denied any possibility of direct reply. This dynamic has contibuted heavily to decades of Golden Dawn community polarization.

Moving on to relevant points of discussion, we observe that there is a faction of orders in the Golden Dawn community that do not permit use of the Golden Dawn's elemental implements in their outer orders. 

In fact, these orders reserve all practice of Magick for their Inner Orders. Not one of these groups will give you any Magickal instruction or coaching until you reach their Inner Order, which typically takes at least five years.

The position of our order, the European headquartered, Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, in this matter is quite different that those of other orders stated above. We are, in fact the ONLY Golden Dawn order that will teach you Magick from the very first day your are accepted for membership in our order.

In 1888, in Victorian England, it made sense to make people wait until the Inner Order to learn the secrets of Magick. But today, when you can buy all that same "secret" magick for $37.95 from Llewellyn (discounted to $24.50 on Amazon), does this still make sense? Times change and no one can put the genie back in the bottle. The reality is that, due to the publication of basic Golden Dawn material by Crowley and Regardie, there is an entire army of self taught solitary Golden Dawn magicians out there picking up bad habits and in desperate need of proper training, guidance, and coaching. Our order's position is that it makes no sense at all to make people wait for years on end without proper Magickal training. We are a school of Magick, after all, and not of history.

For the sake of argument, let's say you join one of these orders that make you wait years before Magickal training? Just what Magick will you learn once training finally arrives?

This - And little more.

This is not at all the case with our order. We are Golden Dawn traditionalists. All of the Magick and Alchemy we teach in our First, Second, and Third orders comes straight from Hermetic, Rosicrucian, and Golden Dawn initiatic sources. 

We are very fortunate to have far more to offer our students than just what's in a Llewellyn book. In our order, we offer the complete three order training program originally envisioned for the Golden Dawn, but only partly realized by S.L. MagGregor Mathers.

Let us return to the discussion that prompted this article, the question of whether or not the Golden Dawn's elemental implements should be used by Magicians in the Elemental grades of the Outer Order. In our order, students do use these Magickal tools in our Outer Order. They use them to master the Forces of each Element using invocation of published Qabalistic and Enochian Magickal forces.

Unlike other Golden Dawn orders, however, our Second Order contains a great deal of unpublished Hermetic Magick. One part of this is Chaldaen Magick. Our Adepti Minori also make and consecrate new Elemental tools, but tools that use unpublished Chaldean Magickal entities, names, and sigils. These are used for secret Chaldean Hermetic Magick that is available in no other Golden Dawn order.

Is it any wonder that we are today the world's largest and fastest growing Golden Dawn order? In case you are interested, here is a direct link to our order's application process.

I respect that other Golden Dawn orders choose to make people wait for Magick like in 1888. It is our diversity that makes our Golden Dawn community so rich. I am not not implying that any of my colleagues from other orders are Golden Dawn Fundamentalists. Still, we as a community should be ever vigilant for the dangers of all forms of extremism including dogmatism and fundamentalism.

The Golden Dawn is not a religion, Israel Regardie is not Martin Luther, and the Llewellyn book is certainly not a "Golden Dawn Bible."

I am not claiming that our order is better than any other - only that we do things differently. There are important differences between Golden Dawn orders and the public deserves to know what these differences are.

One thing has became clear today. Despite ongoing success of Nick Farrell's peace initiative, meaningful debate about differences between Golden Dawn orders remains hobbled across different Facebook groups and blogs rather than in direct dialogue. I am optimistic that also this situation may yet improve. In any case, we as a community must not allow Nick Farrell's peace initiative to be scuttled by extremism in any form.

Personal Temples: A Powerful Message From An Anonymous Golden Dawn Brother

by Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn®
(EU OHIM reg 000063925)
Imperator David Griffin

When two years ago the European headquartered Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn® decided to encourage people to construct their own personal Temples to practice Golden Dawn Magick, our "Personal Temples" initiative was greeted by a mixed response. There were of course, nay sayers, who proclaimed that the whole thing was a waste of time and there would never be 1,000 new personal temples. The nay sayers had completely missed the point though. The whole reason for encouraging folks to create their own personal Temple was to foster the growth of the practice of Golden Dawn Magick.

Two years later, evern though we still have not reached our goal of putting 1,000 new personal temples on the map, we have nonetheless achieved this objective. The response by our readers has been overwhelming. All in all, many people around the world have lauded this initiative, and we have been swamped by people wanting to publish photos of their temple here on the Golden Dawn Blog.

May 1,000 Points of Light burn ever brighter, as the Magic of Light illuminates more and more people around the globe!

Help us light Temple Fires ...

... of the Magic of Light ...
... all across the globe!

When I received the below email and photo last night from Frater D.D.T.C., I was moved to tears by his message to the Magickal community. There is nothing really I can think of to add to such a simple yet powerful message. Here is what Frater D.D.T.C. has to say:

"I am a previous intiate of an anonymous G.D. temple, and now work solely as a solitary magician with a passion for the arcane philosophy as found in the Golden Dawn tradition of magic...

... I dedicate this altar to the 1,000 Points Initiative in the high, but still possible, hope that we may all see eye to eye as magicians and conquer the desire for disagreement between orders as well as rites. Let us rather take joy in our differences as we honor our matriarchs and patriarchs with the perpetuation of devotion to the ways of magic."

       - Frater D.D.T.C.

The Personal Altar of Frater D.D.T.C.

Personal Temple Fires Are Lighting ...

... All Across the World!

Thank you for sharing, Brother!

The Personal Temples initiative is just one small way the European headquartered Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn is striving to serve the needs of the greater Magickal community. If you can think of other ways for us to help, please do let us know! Even the idea for the marvelous Personal Temples initiative came from one of our readers.

We are here to aid in meeting the needs of your magical practice. If you would like to put your personal temple on the map or publish photos of your personal temple here on the Golden Dawn blog, please contact us HERE.

(EU OHIM reg 000063925)

Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn®

Making Magicians - Since 1888

Click HERE to explore our Outer Order, undergraduate level Magical training program.

NEW! "Magickal Geographic" Series on GoldenDawn.TV

Adam Kadmon Griffin (1992-2014) - In Loving Memory

from Golden Dawn Imperator

David Griffin

Adam Kadmon Griffin-Ljung (1992-2014)

.
For those who have not heard the tragic news, my only son, Adam Kadmon, lost his life in a automobile accident on Saturday, July 12. Our family remains devastated by his loss.

Adam's family in both Sweden and the USA celebrated Adam's life at funeral services in Pahrump, Nevada on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at the Golden Dawn's Isis Temple.

I send heartfelt thanks to the many hundreds of you around the world who have sent our family condolences on Facebook Adam would have been deeply touched by this outpouring of love.

Adam, a gourmet chef by trade, spent most of his life in Sweden, where a separate memorial service will be held for him in coming weeks. Adam touched and forever changed the lives of those he met, perhaps mainly because of the values he embodied. Adam loved the simple pleasures in life, and valued above all else personal honor, truthfulness, courage, and empathy. Adam could  smell a lie a mile away, and never hesitated to confront lies. His courage was exemplary.

Adam was a quintessential rebel - as typified by the tattoo he wore proudly across his chest: 

"They told me to sit down.

I stood up."
- Adam Griffin

Adam Kadmon was a deeply spiritual man. I will write more about Adam's spirituality once our family's mourning has passed. He will be longed for by all who knew him, especially by his family in Sweden and in the USA, and by his faithful companion, Redd Dogg.

Farewell, my Son!

You are sorely missed.

In passing beyond the veil

And leaving behind your Earthly shell,

Your body has again become the entire universe.

For you have risen as your authentic, immortal Self ...

For you truly ARE ...

Adam Kadmon!

 

Questions Aspirants Should Ask About the Golden Dawn

by Golden Dawn Imperator

David Griffin

If you have not yet joined the discussion on the Golden Dawn Facebook group, you certainly should. I am there trying to help Self-Initiates and solitary practitioners fill in some of the gaps in their magickal education. You can find the group HERE. One of the interesting discussions participants have started regards the sort of questions aspirants should ask before joining any Golden Dawn order or beginning a serious study of Golden Dawn Magick. I have been keeping a running tally of questions proposed by actual aspirants. Here are the results so far.

Desiree Finkbeiner wrote:

A. About Golden Dawn Magick:

1. Why do this ritual?

2. Will it improve me spiritually?

3. From what authority does this ritual stem?

4. Why is lineage important?

5. When I access energy stream of the ritual, what will happen?

6. If I don't like the results of the ritual, can it be 'undone'? 

7. How will magick affect my energy and actions?

8. How can ritual improve my life?

9. Can it improve the power of my prayers?

B. About which order to join:

10. What are the differences between the GD orders?

11. What if I choose the position of AO?

12. What if I don't?

13. What if I choose the position of X order?

14. What could happen if I become involved in this community?

15. How would it affect my reputation if my name was associated with HOGD?

16. What kind of accusations and judgment might I receive for having an interest in studying magick?

17. Would affiliation with this organization affect my good-standing in other organizations?

18. How genuine are the 'leaders' of this order?

19. What are their intentions? Is there a possibility of hidden agendas by any of these orders?

20. Can I trust my magickal education to this organization?

21. What are the fruits of each order publicly?

Scott Lowther asked:

22. How do I know that occultism (or magick ritual) would not invite something dark, evil or negative into my life?

23. Isn't the practice of magick sinful (in the Judeo Christian sense of sin)?

24. If Golden Dawn is not a religion why is there so much religious rhetoric within the writings and rituals?

Gregory Liatsos asked

25. "What are my obligations to the order, after the initiation?"

Shanti Vinkatesh asked:

C. PURPOSE

26. What is the purpose of this Order?

27. Has this Order clearly stated its purpose? Why not?

28. Has this Order changed its purpose frequently? Recently? Why?

29. Is the purpose of this Order realistic?

30. What is this Order trying to accomplish?

31. Does my purpose match that of this Order?

D. QUESTION or PROBLEM

32. What are the questions I have related to my own spiritual growth?

33. Will this Order answer these questions?

34. What spiritual problems do I experience?

35. Will this Order resolve them?

36. What would I need to know from this Order to ensure they address my spiritual questions and/or problems?

37. What questions or problems does this Order claim to answer or solve?

E. POINT OF VIEW

38. What is my perspective of this Order?

39. What is this Order's perspective of itself?

40. What are other people's perspective of this Order?

41. Are there any other points of view I should consider?

42. Can I trust the points of view I have read? Why?

43. Am I struggling to see this Order from a viewpoint with which I disagree?

F. ASSUMPTIONS

44. What assumptions am I making about this Order?

45. What assumptions does this Order make?

46. How do these assumptions shape my point of view?

47. How do other people's assumptions shape their point of view?

48. What is this Order taking for granted?

49. What am I taking for granted about this Order?

50. For any conclusions I reach, what assumptions lead me to reach those conclusions?

51. Are my assumptions valid?

G. DATA, INFORMATION, and EVIDENCE

52. Is the information provided clear, accurate, and relevant to the issue?

53. Have I gathered enough information?

54. When I reach a conclusion, what evidence is it based upon? 

55. Is it reliable?

56. When provided information, is it relevant to my question or problem?

57. Is the information accurate? How would I know?

H. CONCEPTS and IDEAS

58. What are the key concepts behind this Order? Have they been clearly explained?

59. Are there alternative concepts or definitions of concepts I should consider?

I. CONCLUSIONS and INTERPRETATIONS

60. Am I drawing any conclusions not supported by the evidence?

61. Are the conclusions consistent with each other?

62. Is there another way to interpret the information I have?

63. Are there other conclusions I should consider?

64. Do my conclusions make sense?

J. CONSEQUENCES

65. What are the positive and negative consequences for my conclusions?

66. Have I considered all the consequences?

67. What is the Order implying in its materials?

68. If I decide to join this Order, what might happen?

69. If I decide to NOT join this Order, what might happen?

70. How significant are the consequences of joining or not joining?

K. For Each Question Presented to an Order...

71. Are they being clear?

72. Do I understand their answers?

73. Are their answers accurate?

74. How could you check?

75. Are their answers relevant?

76. How is their answer connected to the question or problem?

77. Is the answer precise?

78. Is it detailed enough?

79. Have they answered in depth? 

80. Does it address the complexity of the question?

81. Is the answer significant?

82. Is the breath of the answer sufficient? 

83. Have they considered different points of view or only their own?

84. Is the answer logical? 

85. Does it make sense?

86. Is the answer fair? 

87. Are the distorting their view of the facts?

88. Finally, do they denigrate anyone else? No spiritual teacher will attack or denigrate another human being."

Jules Hunter asked:

L. Random

89. How do I login to the Virtual Classroom on the HOGD website?

90. Am I at the point where I can listen to these teachings? 

91. Does this GD order advocate the use of the Kybalion, or other literature like this?

92. Will the GD provide me with materials to learn the system of tarot, astrology, Qabalah, or other energetic (magick) systems?

93. Is the solar body the same as the aura?

94. Will I notice a notable change in my behavior or thoughts based on a solar body expansion?

95. Does the GD advocate spiritual doctrines such reincarnation as animals, or in other solar systems?

96. In reference to the Kabbalah (KH), does the Golden Dawn (GD) work with this magic system?

97. If so, what form of it does the GD use?

98. What position does the GD take on the logic of the KH? 99. There are main formats of the KH (Christian, Jewish, Luciferian, Wiccan, Hermetic, etc) of the tree of life.

100. Does the orientation of concepts of the sephiroth matter, or is it simple what you feel works for you, will be the element that will activate the magic in the system?

M. Universal Laws

101. What are the Universal laws that the GD advocates, or considers as true (i.e. law of attraction, law of vibration etc.)?

Is magick simply energy manipulation?

N. Rituals

102. Why do certain rituals?

103. When and where were the rituals in the HOGD fashioned (e.g. the heritage of the rituals)? 

104. What was their basis?

105. Why is this basis important to the HOGD (e.g. purer origins)?

106. Who was the instructor the provided them?

107. What is the validity and reliability of the HOGD rituals? 108. Meaning, can these rituals be applicable to anyone? Is there interreliability and intervalidity between individuals across cultures, societies, religions, and Orders?

109. Are they falsifiable?

110. Are the same Rituals done crosswise of Orders?

O. Different Orders

111. What are the differences between the GD orders; the perspectives, the rituals, the rules, the purposes, etc.?

112. Would affiliation with this organization affect my good-standing in other organizations?

113. What differences are in the other Orders’ intentions or agenda versus HOGD?

114. What are common assumptions made about GD order in general?

115. How have terms or conceptualizations about magick, within GD orders, changed or been refined in different Order over time?

P. HOGD/AO Order

116. What are common assumptions made about this Order?

117. What are this Order’s intentions and agenda? 

118. What is this Order trying to accomplish?

119. Has this Order’s purpose changed over the years, how and why?

120. What are the strengths of this Order?

121. What are its weaknesses?

123. Is the information about Magick provided clear, accurate, and relevant to the issue within this Order?

124. What information will this Order detour from teaching?

125. What are my obligations to the order after the initiation?

126. How much should I know in order to be initiated?

127. What if I don’t have the whole ritual memorized?

128. How do I know when I am ready to progress?

129. Will my progression make me a more viable member of this Order?

Q. Magick and Society

130. How would it affect my reputation if my name was associated with HOGD?

131. What kind of accusations and judgment might I receive for having an interest in studying magick? 

132. And, what ways have shown effective in diverting this judgement tor ridicule?

133. Is talking about HOGD material, or what we have learned allowed?

R. Magick

134. If Golden Dawn is not a religion, why is there so many Judeo-Christian symbols or terms?

These are great questions for ANY spiritual aspirant considering the Golden Dawn to ask. We are up to 134 questions now, one better than the other.

What other questions do YOU think aspirants considering the Golden Dawn should ask themselves? You are invited to join in the discussion on the Golden Dawn Facebook group.

This is just one more way that the Alpha Omega is striving to help Self-Initiates and solitary practitioners of Golden Dawn Magick.

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Click HERE to explore our Outer Order, undergraduate level Magical training program.

$ Money and the Golden Dawn

by Golden Dawn Imperator

David Griffin

Recently, a reader of the International Golden Dawn Yahoo forum wrote a post implying that it is somehow scandalous or "unspiritual" that the Alpha Omega charges $144 per year enrollment to study in our undergraduate level training program, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. 

This attitude of entitlement, thinly veiled behind the weird argument that "everything spiritual should be free" is even more prevalent in the Pagan community than it is in the Golden Dawn.

It is important once in a while for leaders in the Golden Dawn community to draw a line in the sand for such irrational thinking. Nick Farrell drew such a line last week, when discussing his considering a return to a teacher-apprentice format (which we have used in the Alpha Omega all along), Nick Farrell wrote here:

"The other side of this is that money will have to change hands. This sort of training would not be for occult tourists and one thing that discourages that sort of behaviour from the student is the fact that they have invested money in it."

- Nick Farrell 

I also drew such a line recently on our Yahoo forum posted the following reply that I feel deserves to be cross-posted here as well:

"In reality, the Alpha Omega offers plenty of free or free-will donation based public services, including our International Golden Dawn Yahoo forum, articles on The Golden Dawn Blog, free Webinars on Ritual Magic, and even Ritual Magic personal training around the world with the Golden Dawn World Tour.

Does anyone honestly believe that providing all these services costs NOTHING?

How about operating three informational websites in 8 languages operated on virtual private server space that requires massive bandwidth. We also have a paid programmers, web designers, administrative assistants, etc., in addition to our volunteer staff.

Does anyone really believe that all of this costs NOTHING?

1. Golden-Dawn.Com houses more complete Golden Dawn free public information than anywhere else on the web, including our vast. 
2. Golden Dawn Reference Library, where you will find hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of books available for FREE download.
3. Our exclusive Golden Dawn Membership Website contains complete course curriculum materials, tutorials forum, virtual classroom with regular classes, on-line testing, etc.
4. The Golden Dawn Research Center at Golden-Dawn.Org provides extensive research on the Golden Dawn and related spiritual traditions from top scholars around the world.
5. Golden-Dawn.Info provides a FAQ and fascinating historical information about the Golden Dawn. 
6. The Golden Dawn Blog provides constant updates, research information, and other essential Golden Dawn topics available nowhere else. 
7. The Golden Dawn Facebook Group provides answers from Adepts about all aspects of the Golden Dawn.
8. GoldenDawn.TV brings you Golden Dawn Ritual Magic Training videos and live interactive Webinars. 
9. Ritual Magic Webinars in our new, live audio and video streaming Webinar Room.

And all of this is provided as a FREE public service!

Does anyone honestly believe that the above - in addition to operating the world's largest multi-national Golden Dawn order - costs NOTHING?

Our outer order, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, is the most thorough college of Ritual Magic anywhere in the world today. We provide course material that would cost hundreds of dollars in books alone to obtain elsewhere. We provide you a proven, thorough, supervised system to learn Ritual Magic with feedback, coaching, and guidance from one of our Adepts as your private tutor.

Begin Rant

ALL OF THE ABOVE is paid for out of extremely meager enrollment ($144 per year), which amount to $12 per month - about the price of a coffee and pastry at Starbucks.

Why is it that people wantonly spend hundreds of dollars on books and many more hundreds of dollars each year on junk food, computer games, and other superfluous things, yet are not willing to spend  EVEN THE PRICE OF CUP OF STARBUCKS COFFEE for their spiritual development and their energetic SOUL, complaining instead that everything should be free!?!?!

Why do some people feel their spiritual evolution and the energetic growth of their immortal Soul are so worthless they are not willing to spend one dime on them?

Let's get real here.

Please excuse me for being so blunt, but if anyone honestly believes that their spiritual growth is not worth even the price of a movie, then the HOGD (AO) is DEFINITELY not right for them.

Here in the Golden Dawn, our initiatic resources are far to precious to waste on people not willing to sacrifice anything at all for their spiritual growth.

Extended Rant

As long as I am ranting about money, there are a few things I have been meaning to clear up for a long time.

I am amazed there are still leaders in the Golden Dawn community that provide not a fraction of the free services the Alpha Omega does, yet turn around and accuse other people of trying to get rich by gaining membership!

And these are the same people that publish 10 books on the GD and market them all over the forums!

On the other hand, I publish endless free teachings on the Golden Dawn websites, forums, and blogs and ask nothing in return. I could republish the Ritual Magic Manual and reap a tidy profit. I could write a dozen new books and reap a really good profit (like they do).

Instead, I create materials for members that pay almost nothing per year. Yet, I am accused by others who are themselves profiteering on the Golden Dawn of trying to get rich.

At least I have a "real job."

End Rant

My above rant seems to have sparked a bit of controversy. One reader of the International Golden Dawn Forum over on Yahoo jumped into the discussion and replied:

"Mr. Griffin, 

[With total sarcasm in my voice] Why don’t you ask the computer network company why they charge you? Then tell the computer hardware people to ask why Dell wants to be paid for the servers. Dell can then ask why the engineers and assembly people want to be paid. Then the employees can ask why the grocery store wants to be paid. Then the grocery store can ask why the farmers and delivery people want money. The delivery people can ask why GM wants money for their trucks and mechanics want money for fixing them. 

It’s just a world of greed!  

Here is a solution to avoid the greedy world of money. How about I do something for someone and then they do something for me in return? I could grow corn and give it away to someone who, in return, builds me a house. Then, everybody is giving things away and no money exchanges hands! What? One ear of corn doesn’t equal one house? OK. I will give one ton of corn. What? Where are you to store a ton of corn that will take you 5 years to eat? Hmm. I know, I will give you some special rocks, each of which represents one bushel of corn. When you need more corn, you can exchange a rock for a fresh bushel. In fact, you could trade my special corn rocks to others who want corn for something they have. If we all accept the special rock as representing the value of another product, then we can trade for anything. No money, just people giving things away to each other and keeping track with a simple rock trading system. I AM A GENIUS! (Stop applauding and bowing, it makes me self-conscious.) 

 

You sir are stealing from the community! You see, when you maintain an Order, you have to keep it running day and night, around the world, where at least one time zone is always awake and asking for advice. You have to spend your nights writing blog posts, refining your curriculum, working with your adepts to improve teaching methods, build and maintain your Temple, and go to your real job in between. Not only do you ask too much, I think you sleep too much.  

I saw on your blog you are offering to travel anywhere in the world to help establish a temple – for free! You’re a scoundrel!!!! Nothing more. 

[End sarcasm]  

We have a world of children that do not understand the money system. John Michael Greer has a wonderful book (which he actually charges money for) titled Mystery Teachings from the Living Earth. Within he provides a meditation to take any object and really think about where it came from, step-by-step. That cup of coffee you’re holding? 

 

Trace that back – all the way back. Think of all the lives that touched that cup of coffee. You will find your feeble mind cannot possibly keep track of the journey.

You will need to consider how you got to Starbucks, the car you drove, the clothes you wear, and the money you used to purchase it. And that’s just to get you to Starbucks. What about the car you drove, the roads you drove upon, the gas in your car, the tankers that brought the gas to the station, and so on. Where did the coffee cup come from? How many lives did it take to get it to your local Starbucks? What about the beans, the lid, the chair you sit on while drinking it? The lights that power the Starbucks? All of this should be FREE? WHY???? 

Yes, some people are writing occult books and making a pretty penny to do it. Bless them. Yes, you are charging to join your Order. Bless you. And, of course, bless Starbucks, the meeting place of choice for people who want to enjoy a $7 drink in comfort while reading your free blog on their $800 iPad using the Starbucks wifi and condemn you for charging to join. 

   

Why can’t you provide free products like Starbucks and Apple?

You’re a scoundrel!"

"Why does it some days feel like you just cant win?" 

Master Magicians and Golden Dawn Apprentices (Reply to Nick Farrell)

by Alpha Omega Imperator

David Griffin

Frater Nick Farrel recently wrote an article entitled "Apprenticed to Magic". You can read it here.

Nick Farrell

I am frankly surprised how much there is to agree with in this article.

Yes, we DO need to “put our foot down” and teach the right way to do things as I have written over and over, for example here.

Yes, there ARE crazy kids jumping into the deep end of the pool with the grown-ups, as I have written about previously here.

Nick’s experience suggests that “money will have to change hands.” The Alpha Omega agrees completely and looks forward to one less person attacking the A.O. for accepting dues.

Yes, there ARE too many “Orders” just doing the Regardie book. I have documented this for decades, for example here.

Yes, the competition between orders has repeatedly gone too far. I have written about this extensively, for example here.

Nick Farrell writes:

"I used to think that the relaxing of systems at the end of the 20th century and the access to more information thanks to the Internet was a good thing. I liked the ideas of the autocratic orders which were the bane of my existence had faded.  Now I am not so certain."

Nick Farrell has been involved in the Golden Dawn a long time and his experiences reflects a common theme. It’s wonderful reading about his evolution as a teacher of the occult because it is one that I have been spared. The Golden Dawn System of Magic was designed to avoid many of the problems Nick has encountered.

Nick writes: 

"There once was a time that you would be taught by one person who would show you their magical system, which was often worked out over years by experience."

Frater Farrell need not convince me of the importance of the Master-Apprentice relationship in the Golden Dawn. My own Appenticeship to Hermetic Master Alchemist, Frater Lux E Tenebris, has been worth its weight in gold - And in more than one sense!

The Master-Apprentice relationship lies at the very heart not only of the Golden Dawn, but of the entire Hermetic and Rosicruican traditions. It has always been this way. It is this way today. And it will always remain this way as well.
This is why, in the Alpha Omega, the magical development of each new student is taken on by an A.O. Adept from the outset. As one advances in the A.O., this Master-Apprentice relationship takes on more and more importance.

It is for this reason, due to the need for direct coaching, that the A.O. created our 1,000 Points of Light initiative. This is why the Alpha Omega presently provides Ritual Magic coaching to Self-Iniaties and Solitaries in 8 languages in the form of Webinars, Workshops, one-on-one Skype sessions, and ongoing Ritual Magic dojos.

Nick Farrell feels compelled to “go back to the old ways” after his vast experience working with initiates. Fortunately, the AO doesn’t have to “go back to the old ways” because we never left. In fact, they aren’t the “old ways” at the AO, they’re the “Only Ways.”

I am pleased to witness how Isis, at long last, is gathering together the divided pieces of Osiris, as Adepts from across the entire Golden Dawn community begin to stand together - not under the banners of the A.O. - but as a community sharing a common spiritual philosophy - united by our mutual obligation to properly train the Adepts of the future.

The need for enough Golden Dawn Adepts to properly train Apprentices is great - greater than even the Alpha Omega alone can bear.

Only as a community of Adepts drawn together by the strength of our common Rosicrucian bonds can the Golden Dawn claim its rightful place in the 21st Century.

Stand with us.

Alpha Omega

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