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.

Egyptian Isinian Mysteries: The Subtle Bodies and the Four Worlds

by Alpha Omega Imperator

David Griffin

On the Golden Dawn Forum (HERE), Jordan recently asked:

"Hello all, I am a novice and beginning student of comparative theology. I have been studying alchemy lately and read somewhere that all of the metals referenced in alchemical text are actually metaphors for different types of subtle bodies. Such as:

 (Lead represents the material body)

(Quicksilver represents the etheric body)

(Gold represents the solar body)

(Silver represents the ??????? body)

Can anyone enlighten me on this or is this a secret I have to be initiated into the group to find out?"

Thanks

Jordan

Dear Jordan,

I have both a short answer and a long one. The short answer is:

Lead (Saturn) is the metal corresponding to the physical body, ruled by Saturn/Chronos, Lord of Time 

Silver (Moon) is the metal corresponding to the lunar body, fully active in the world of dreams - ruled by the Moon. 

Quicksilver (Mercury) is the mental body and the realm of ideas. 

Gold (Sun) is the Solar Body, the body active in the stellar realm, the universe inside light.

Thus we can understand how the Rosicrucian Magic of the Golden Dawn works first with the energies of the Elements on our planet, then evolves out through the planets of our solar system to the stars.

As for the long answer, let us first recall that although the Alpha Omega remains a traditional Golden Dawn order. The AO also operates a separate, purely Egyptian section.

For those educated in Kemetic tradition who may assert the below is incomplete, note that what I give is extremely simplified. Human kind and the universe should always be considered as single being, containing within itself the four elements that compose everything. I give below the simplest terms without going into detail into the explanation of the elements of the composition of the soul/universe, known to the Egyptians as the Ba, Sheut, Khaibit, etc. Additional information and practices are available to A.Ω. members.

1. The Sekhu or Khat - "The Body that Devours." (Physical Body of Saturnian Body (ruled by time) The Sekhu or Khat is the physical Body that lives and dies, eats, devours, renews, reproduces, etc. It is a sensitive and dense body containing meat, bones, corneous tissue, etc. It is also matter that it is created, serves its function, then transforms. It is physical matter that we can touch and see and perceive with ours five senses. 

Color: Black

Element: Earth

Characteristics: Stimuli, such hunger, thirst, sleepiness, concupiscence. Physical sensations (warm; cold, pain, pleasure, fatigue, vigor, etc.) 

2. The Ka - "The Body that Feels" (Astral Body, Lunar Body) The Ka is a subtle body composed of magnetism and vital energy. The Ka derives from the Sekhu or Khat like the Moon reflects the light of the Sun. The Ka is a more subtle body emanating from first and constituting its denser sensibility – nerves, nerve centers, the brain, etc. In the created world, the Ka is also magnetic and electrical energy. Subtle matter, magnetism and electricity, odic force, also called Astral Light. 

Element: Water

Color: Green

Characteristics: Sensory impressions; instincts, conscience, moral pain, feelings and passions (fear, courage, euphoria, depression, insecurity, love, hatred; goodness; badness, etc.). Sense of order or tendency to disorder. Desires; aspirations; attachments, etc.

3. The Ba - "The Body that Thinks." (Mental Body, Mercurial Body) The Ba is a more complete individuality emanating from the preceding two bodies. The Ba is mentality or the Mental body, winged at both the head and feet. The Ba is the constituent part of the human being most in contact with the Divine. The Ba is the most subtle, or thinking aspect of the human being.

The Ba represents the directing principle of the Universe and of matter. Today we may better understand this considering Quantum physics and Quantum mind. The Ba represents the subtle forces underlying universal creation.

Element: Air

Color: Light Blue

Characteristics: Intelligence and will, intuition, thought, creation, spiritual love, neutrality, truth, directing and willed concrete ideas, sense of freedom, premonition and precognition, dominion over the Astral body and thus over the physical body as well. 

4. The Akh, Khu, or Sahu - "The Body of Light" or "Divine Spark" (Solar Body, also called Diving Genius in the Golden Dawn). The Akh, Khu, or Sahu represents Divine individuality, which manifest in the human being by virtue of the Ba, which in its turn manifests through the Ka, and this through the Sekhu or Khat. The Akh, Khu, or Sahu participates in universal life, unique and eternal. It is the source of vitality, both physical and spiritual. It is the light of eternal consciousness, beyond space and time. 

Element: Fire

Color: Brilliant Red

Characteristics: There is not point in listing characteristics of the Akh. This must be lived through experience as it is beyond mind and intellect. I add only the following quote from the Adept Fulcanelli: 

"As long as fire exists, matter will not cease in its arduous ascent towards the integral purity; passing solid form (earth) to liquid form (water), and then to the gaseous state (air) and then to a radiant state (fire). As long a fire shall exist, human beings will be able to exercise their industrious activity on the things that surround them and, thanks to this wonderful igneous instrument, will be able to submit them to their own will, to mold them, to subject them their own purposes. As long a fire shall endure, human beings shall be human beings in will be directed relationship with the Divine - and the creature shall better know its Creator."

Let us recall, in conclusion, that the above Egyptian model exists only to better and more concretely understand the human Soul. It does not mean that this division literally exists in human beings. Who asserts this acts like a child who believes in fairy tales, for these four bodies completely interpenetrate one another and every cell of the physical human body contains the other three bodies not only within each cell, but also within each molecule and every atom. 

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REVEALED: Secret Chiefs - Egyptian Roots of the Golden Dawn

by Golden Dawn Imperator


David Griffin

Various orders of today's Golden Dawn community share many aspects of ritual, teachings, and practice deriving from a common source. Nonetheless, there still do remain significant and important differences from one Golden Dawn order to the other.

In previous articles (here and here) we have examined how one important Golden Dawn offshoot, Arthur Edward Waite's "Fellowship of the Rosy Cross," abandoned Hermetic Magick in favor of Christian Mysticism. Waite's Mystical F.R.C. fraternity continues to exist even today, revived within the Secret College of the Societas Rosicruicana in Anglia (S.R.I.A.).

S.L. MacGregor Mathers "Rosicrucian Order of Alpha Omega" likewise continues to exist today, however, at the opposite end of the esoteric spectrum as the most Magical of Golden Dawn orders. Each of the other orders of the contemporary Golden Dawn community fall somewhere in between these two poles.

Between the poles of Mathers' Alpha Omega and Waite's Fraternity of the Rosy Cross, the distinction between Magick and Mysticism is by no means the only such polarity defining today's Golden Dawn community. 

The classical Golden Dawn is a late 19th Century manifestation of the Hermetic tradition, which, together with the Pythagorean tradition, preserved Egyptian initiatic mysteries down through many Centuries. The 1888 Golden Dawn is, in fact, best understood as a reformulation in Judeo-Christian symbols of ancient Egyptian mysteries to create an esoteric vehicle suitable for the 19th Century English speaking world.

Arthur Edward Waite took this reformulation even further in his Fraternity of the Rosy Cross, suppressing the Golden Dawn's Egyptian roots completely, in favor of esoteric Christianity. Contemporaneously, S.L. MacGregor Mathers' Rosicrucian Order of Alpha Omega further developed the Golden Dawn in a profoundly Egyptian direction, which became visible in March 1899, when Moina and S.L. MacGregor Mathers publicly performed the "Rites of Isis" on the stage of the Theatre Bodiniere in Paris.

The prominance given to Egyptian mysteries already in the earliest phases of the Alpha Omega is evident already at the opening of the earliest Mathers version of the Alpha Omega Neophyte ritual, which unlike all other Golden Dawn versions, opens:

"Fratres et Sorores of that section of the Mysteries of Egypt known as the Rosicrucian order of A.O..."

The Golden Dawn as it was in 1888, although it was extremely avant guard for its time in admitting both women and men on an equal basis, nonetheless remained somewhat patriarchal. This is evidenced by the prominence given to the to the male God forms of Osiris and Horus in its hall of the Neophytes.

The Alpha Omega was revolutionary since its inception in giving great prominence instead to the great Mother Goddess, Isis, and her dark sister, Nephthys, which one does not find in any Golden Dawn order other than the A.O. An examination of the earliest published version of our A.O. Neophyte ritual makes this elevation of the feminine aspect of Divinity quite clear, where we find the following uniquely A.O. call and response:

Hierophant: Alpha
Hiereus: Omega
Hierophant: First
Hiereus: Last
Hierophant: Beginning
Hiereus: Ending
Hegemon: And the path of the world between. 

Hierophant: Dawn
Hiereus: Twilight
Hierophant: ISIS
Hiereus: NEPHTHYS
Hierophant: Star of the Morning
Hiereus: Star of the Evening
Hegemon: And the Path of the Light between.

The prominence given in the A.O. to the great Mother Goddess, Isis, found its foremost expression in  the "Rites of Isis" publicly performed by A.O. Elders, Moina and S.L. MacGregor Mathers, in Paris in 1899.

The Rites of Isis - 1899

Moina and S.L. MacGregor Mathers

Thanks to the Secret Chiefs of our Third Order, the A.O. today once again presents the "Rites of Isis" in addition to the soon to be unveiled "Rites of Nephthys."

The Rites of Isis - 2013
Leslie and David McQuade Griffin

Today the Rites of Isis and the Rites of Nephthys serve respectively as publicly performed Full Moon and New Moon rituals, which serve as a bridges between the Alpha Omega and the greater contemporary Pagan community.

The Greek letters of our name, "Alpha" and "Omega," allude to the Pythagorean initiatic school of Pagan Greece, an essential line of teachings within the A.O. The prominence given to the Goddess, Isis, refers to the Isinian mysteries of ancient Egypt, crown jewels of the Alpha Omega through our roots in the Hermetic tradition.

Thus, with our unique teachings and magical systems deriving from ancient Egypt, Chaldea, and Sumeria through the Pythagorean and Hermetic traditions, the Rosicrucian Order of Alpha Omega today holds a place of profound Pagan influence among Golden Dawn orders.

Having shed important light on the differences between Golden Dawn orders, let us now move on to clarify, from an Egyptian initiatic perspective, a question of substantial interest for today's Golden Dawn community. Most students are already aware of the traditional division of the universe into four Qabalistic worlds (Atziluth, Briah, Yetzirah, and Assiah) as well as the Qabalistic divisions of the Soul used by the Golden Dawn (Yehidah, Neshamah, Ruach, and Nephesh).

A recent blog I read by Peregrin Wildoak (that you can read here) led me to understand a need to clarify from an Egyptian perspective the functions of the subtle bodies that constitute the human being, which may also be understood as various aspects of the human Soul. 

For this clarification, I approached Hermetic Master Lux e Tenebris, my primary contact with the Secret Chiefs of the Alpha Omega's Third Order, and asked him to clarify this point from an Egyptian initiatic perspective. 

Below follows the reply from Master L.e.T:

The Subtle Bodies and the Human Soul

by Frater Lux e Tenebris

special envoy of the

Secret Chiefs of the Third Order

I dedicate the following to the Sorores and Fratres who wish to better understand the light of the mysteries that shine forth from the Isinian temples of ancient Egypt. There is much talk of subtle bodies or various divisions of the human Soul, dividing it into 2, 3, 4, 7, 24, etc. parts. 

I have been asked by my disciple, Frater Lux ex Septentrionis, to shed light on this subject from the point of view of the Isinian initiatac school of ancient Egypt. 

Before I begin, let me make clear that the human being and the Universe should always best be considered as a single, living organism, which contains within itself the four Elements that constitute everything. 

To those well versed in Egyptian religion, who may object, saying that my words below are incomplete, let me assure you that they are not. I have, however, confined my words to the absolutely essential, in order to facilitate comprehension by those unfamiliar with these concepts. 

I. The Sekhu or Khat - "The Body that Devours." (Physical or "Saturnian" Body as in ruled by time) The Sekhu or Khat is the physical Body that lives and dies, eats, devours, renews, reproduces, etc. It is a sensitive and dense body containing meat, bones, corneous tissue, etc. It is also matter that it is created, serves its function, and then transforms. It is physical matter that we can touch and see and perceive with our five senses. 

Color: Black

Element: Earth

Characteristics: Stimuli, such as hunger, thirst, sleepiness, concupiscence. Physical sensations (warm; cold, pain, pleasure, fatigue, vigor, etc.).  

II. The Ka - "The Body that Feels" ("Astral" or "Lunar" Body) The Ka is a subtle body composed of magnetism and vital energy. The Ka derives from the Sekhu or Khat like the Moon reflects the light of the Sun. The Ka is a more subtle body emanating from first and constituting its denser sensibility - nerves, nerve centers, the brain, etc. In the created world, the Ka is also magnetic and electrical energy. Subtle matter, magnetism and electricity, odic force, also called Astral Light. 

Element: Water

Color: Green

Characteristics: Sensory impressions; instincts, conscience, moral pain, feelings and passions (fear, courage, euphoria, depression, insecurity, love, hatred; goodness; badness, etc.). Sense of order or tendency to disorder. Desires; aspirations; attachments, etc.

III. The Ba - "The Body that Thinks." (Mental or "Mercurial" Body) The Ba is a more complete individuality emanating from the preceding two bodies. The Ba is mentality or the Mental body, winged at both the head and feet. The Ba is the constituent part of the human being, most in contact with the Divine. The Ba is the most subtle, or thinking aspect of the human being.

The Ba represents the directing principle of the Universe and of matter. In the modern world, we many better understand this by considering Quantum physics and Quantum mind. The Ba represents the subtle forces underlying universal creation.

Element: Air

Color: Light Blue

Characteristics: Intelligence and will, intuition, thought, creation, spiritual love, neutrality, truth, directing and willed concrete ideas, sense of freedom, premonition and precognition, dominion over the Astral body and thus over the physical body as well. 

IV. The Akh, Khu, or Sahu - "The Body of Light" or "Divine Spark" ("Solar" Body also called "Divine Genius" in the Golden Dawn). The Akh, Khu, or Sahu represents Divine individuality, which manifests in the human being by virtue of the Ba, which in its turn manifests through the Ka, and this through the Sekhu or Khat. The Akh, Khu, or Sahu participates in universal life, unique and eternal. It is the source of vitality, both physical and spiritual. It is the light of eternal consciousness, beyond space and time. 

Element: Fire

Color: Brilliant Red

Characteristics: There is not any point in listing characteristics of the Akh. This must be lived through experience as it is beyond mind and intellect. I add only the following quote from the Adept Fulcanelli:  

"As long as fire exists, matter will not cease in its arduous ascent towards integral purity; passing solid form (earth) to liquid form (water), and then to the gaseous state (air) and then to a radiant state (fire). 

As long a fire shall exist, human beings will be able to exercise their industrious activity on the things that surround them and, thanks to this wonderful igneous instrument, will be able to submit them to their own will, to mold them, to subject them their own purposes. 

As long as fire shall endure, human beings shall be directed towards relationship with the Divine - and the creature shall better know its Creator." - Fucanelli

Let us recall, in conclusion, that the above Egyptian model exists only to better and more concretely understand the human Soul. It does not mean that this division literally exists in human beings. Who asserts this acts like a child who believes in fairy tales, for these four bodies completely interpenetrate one another, and the physical human body contains the other three bodies not only within every cell, but also within each molecule and every atom. 

- Lux E Tenebris

In addition to the above, I wish only to remind our readers yet again, of the stark contrast between the diametrically opposed Mystical and Magical approaches to spirituality. Whereas the Mystic seeks union with the Divine without, through subordination or "loosening" of the ego, Magicians instead are conquerors of the ramparts of heaven.

Magicians seek not union with any sort of Divinity outside ourselves. We seek rather to liberate the "Divine spark" that lies hidden within each human being from the chains of matter.

This now brings us full circle - back to the unique call and response that opens the A.O. Neophyte ritual, which we discussed at the beginning of this article. The final strophe, given below, alludes to this "Divine spark" - as well as to the Pythagorean tradition of Pagan Greece, which, together with the Isinian mysteries of ancient Egypt, figure prominently in the Magick of the Alpha Omega, as they do in no other Golden Dawn order.

Hierophant: Youth
Hiereus: Age
Hierophant: Increase
Hiereus: Decrease
Hierophant: PROMETHEUS
Hiereus: EPIMETHEUS
Hegemon: And the path of Man between.

Prometheus and the "Divine Spark"

We, Hermetic Magicians and Alchemists of the A.O., do not despise matter, nor even so-called "things of the flesh." Instead, we see therein a "Prima Materia" to be purified with fire - to be transmuted in its fourfold ascent through the elements, as so eloquently stated by Master Fulcanelli above...

... until one day this "Divine spark," this "Gold of the Philosophers" shall, liberated from the chains of matter, take its rightful place - immortal and eternal - among the Gods!

Alpha Omega

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Magical Astrology 101: Golden Dawn Dojo!

Astrology helps you understand how celestial forces affect your life at birth, now, and in the future. But why not take charge of your destiny instead of merely observe it?

Discovered in ancient Sumeria, Magical and Alchemical Astrology come down through Egypt, the Hermetic tradition, and the Golden Dawn.

Magical and Alchemical Astrology empower you to:

 

• Become the Solar, purely energetic life form all humans are evolving towards.
• Survive death, consciously immortal inside the stars!
• Complete your Solar evolution in a single incarnation with Magical and Alchemical Astrology.
• Transmute lead (Saturn) into gold (Sun) - your physical body into a Solar Body of Light - with Alchemical Astrology.
• Master your horoscope - and your destiny! Awaken and Balance Astrological forces in your energetic body (aura, "Soul) with Magical Astrology. 

Announcing the world's first Magical and Alchemical Astrology dojo!

Join Golden Dawn Imperator, David Griffin, author of the coveted Ritual Magic Manual, for ongoing, face-to-face energy work and training in Magical and Alchemical Astrology.

David will coach and guide anyone interested in Magical Astrology methods for energetic Soul and cultivation and awakening in an ongoing, bi-weekly dojo style training format. These spiritual exercises involve a series of gentle movements, visualisations and vibrations, which do not require any previous training or experience.

This is a unique opportunity, as in-person training in the methods of Magical and Alchemical Astrology is presently offered no where else.

Space is limited. Enrollment is open. Drop-ins welcome. Please wear loose, comfortable clothes.

Golden Dawn Dojo begins Saturday Jan. 5 and every other Saturday thereafter, at 6:00 PM at Well of the Moon, 2650 S. Decatur Blvd. Suite A02, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Free-will donations gratefully accepted.

Unleash YOUR Soul!

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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

We make Magicians

"Secret Chiefs & Spiritual Growth," Golden Dawn FAQ: Imperator's Vlog 3

The Alchemy and the Golden Dawn Debate (featuring Frater Lux E Tenebris, representing the Secret Chiefs of the Third Order of the Golden Dawn)

by David Griffin

Alchemy and Golden Dawn Ritual

Pat Zalewksi's New Age alchemy book (Alchemy and Golden Dawn Ritual), based already in the opening chapters on material channeled from an alleged disincarnate entity called "Guru Das,"  has both sparked lively debate and drawn derision from numerous practicing alchemists. For example, Pat Zalewski's former friend in New Zealand, "Rubaphilos Salfluere" recently wrote on the HOGD/AO Yahoo Forum.

Rubaphilos Salfleure

"Thanks for the welcome. I have an extensive interest and experience in alchemy, and its expression in the GD system (having been a long time and keen student of the GD system), so I would be more than happy to answer questions on the subject, if any are forthcoming.

I know quite well about Pat Zalewksi's 's so-called alchemy. I met his wife at an alchemical seminar in the late 80's, and eventually became good friends with her and Pat. I visited them at their (then) home in Wellington a number of times, to discuss the GD and alchemy, and his (then) new books. So we talked a lot about alchemy and we discussed his plans for this alchemy book of his at length. And you are right, it is merely an exercise in hooking together correspondences between some alchemical ideas and concepts inside the GD system. The most superficial and highly inaccurate way of trying to decode alchemical literature. Pat Zalewksi knows next to nothing about actual alchemy. And I know for a fact that he has no understanding of the advanced lab tradition (the process of confecting the Philosopher's Stone), as his wife and he only discussed and worked on Plants, and had no access (back then, at least) with anyone involved in the advanced work.

But, anyway, once you realise that he only publishes for the money (as he once said to me), and doesn't really care about the content of the books, then you stop taking anything he says, seriously. And on that basis I don't think there is any value in talking about the guy."

To which I responded:

I also am a practitioner of Hermetic alchemy, and an initiate of the Internal Alchemy of the Third Order of the Golden Dawn.

This is something very different, however, than what Pat Zalewski is trying to promote as so-called, "Spiritual Alchemy," which is not alchemy at all, but merely an intellectual game searching for analogies to string together from Golden Dawn Ritual and classical alchemical texts and images. Pat's calling these intellectual gyrations "Spiritual Alchemy" in his new book, Alchemy and the Golden Dawn, will merely confuse people and lead them astray from discovering the true spiritual beauty and potential of alchemy.

In reality, the rites, knowledge lectures and even the magical system of the Golden Dawn do indeed contain analogies for the advanced processes of Hermetic Internal alchemy in the Golden Dawn's Third Order. This is something very different though than Pat Zalkewski's intellectual games.

For example, Pat says absolutely nothing about the actual alchemical practices and techniques encoded in the rituals. He merely paints a bizarre tapestry of barely related symbols. For example, he ties together New Age ideas allegedly channeled from "Guru Das,"  then links them to a couple of features of Golden Dawn ritual, as though the two were somehow related.

In the process, Pat uses a huge amount of smoke and mirrors, deliberately making himself  difficult to understand, as though being as abstruse as possible might fool people into thinking he actually knows something about alchemy. In reality, Pat seems only to know Jungian psychological theory derived from alchemy, as well as channeled material from New Age gurus, judging from the actual sources Pat quotes in the book.

I do not get the impression that your approach to alchemy, however, is merely an intellectual and speculative one like Pat. Thus I suspect you and I might be able to have a meaningful dialogue to shed new light on the true nature of alchemy for the Golden Dawn community. I must state from the outset, however, that I am somewhat impeded in what I may discuss openly, as I am an INITIATE of Hermetic Internal alchemy. As such, I take the sanctity of oath bound material very seriously.

I was initiated as an 8=3 of the Alpha et Omega over a decade ago. At that time, I was initiated into the beginning phases of Hermetic Internal alchemy as well.

I am an apprentice of a Hermetic Master Alchemist, Frater Lux E Tenebris. As you are likely aware, the relationship between Master Alchemist and Disciple is not to be underestimated. This relationship has at all times through history been the crux of traditional alchemical training. This is something that seems no longer to be understood in the alchemical community, however. Nonetheless, the Master-Apprentice relationship is the single most important factor in traditional Hermetic alchemy. Thus, should you pose questions I am not best qualified to answer, I will pass them onto my superiors in the Golden Dawn's Third Order, to provide you with a more proper response.

Alchemy teaches that Spirit and Flesh - Energy and Matter - are actually two sides of one and the same coin. It is life affirming - and seeks to uncover and use the secrets of nature for the spiritualization of matter.

Hermetic Internal Alchemy teaches that material life on planets is just a caterpillar stage to life as pure energy - inside the Sun and stars - at the fast vibrating end of the universe at the speed of light ...

And the Opus Magnum - the true goal of human life on earth is Energetic Evolution: To cultivate of a Solar Body of Light through physical transmutation - thus avoiding incarnating over and over in material bodies subject to death. In other words, to become Consciously Immortal!

The Secret of transmutation of all metals into gold lies inside each and every one of us - for the "Prima Materia" (First Matter) of Internal Alchemy is the living matter of our physical bodies. The "Opus Magnum" (Great Work) of Hermetic Internal Alchemy is the transmutation of Lead - the matter of your physical body - into Gold - pure Solar Energy, Divine consciousness, and immortality.

This Internal (PHYSICAL) Transmutation is fueled by the internal fires of your body - among which LOVE and SEXUALITY are primary motors for spiritual and energetic evolution.

Hermetic Internal alchemy is "internal" in the sense that we use an inner laboratory, an internal athanor, and an internal fire - all inside of the human body in a PHYSICAL sense, rather than merely psychological or intellectual, as in what has today misleadingly and confusingly come to be known as so-called, "spiritual" alchemy. We practice the art of PHYSICAL transmutation instead of mere speculative, intellectual gyrations based on New Age channelling.

Rubaphilos replied:

Regarding your statement that: "Hermetic Internal Alchemy is a completely different alchemical way to both of these. It is a classic lab tradition, but using the physical body as athanor, prima materia, fire, everything ... but in a physical sense," I would be curious to know if you have any quotes from classic alchemical literature to support that idea. (I am always interested in classic references to the internal work). 

Rather than give a less than perfect answer myself, I instead phoned the Secret Chiefs of the Golden Dawn, requesting a proper reply. I received via email the below response from Frater Lux E Tenebris, who wrote:

Lux E Tenebris

"Each true Alchemist indicates these things in every genuine alchemical work. Read for example the works of Fulcanelli and Canseliet his pupil. These are modern references to this Art of Alchemy.

Alchemy as a function of its first law states that Unity is All including the Unity of matter. Thus when the mystery is discussed it is discussed on many levels: The physical plane, the subtle plane, the mental plane, and the strictly divine.

You have to remember that energy is always ONE in various shades of it and therefore has no meaning to speak of physical energy and physical references. When it comes to these things you just have to speak of a unique energy and the indications are everywhere and in every tract, as the philosophers say time and again: "We do not contradict each other , but rather say the same thing in different symbols."

In any case, for the edification of the readers of your forum, I will indicate the first paragraphs of the The New Chemical Light where scholars of good faith can find what has been requested.

But then again, this is just one of hundreds of such tracts. But do I really need to give you a bibliography of hundreds of books that deal with alchemy ...

Practically every one covers this same topic, at least for those with eyes to see!

Below are some very clear directions written by a true alchemist of the past centuries. But then again, who poses such a question to begin with, however, merely demonstrates their lack of initiation in The Royal Art, and thus an inability to see what is right before their eyes, as, for example, in Sendivogius, "The New Chemical Light."

- Lux E Tenebris

Rubaphilos responded:

"I am very familiar with Sendivogious' New Chemical Light (since it is standard reading for any lab alchemist). I'm not quite sure, though, how his text shows proof of an internal alchemy tradition. Historically it is well known that Sendivogious was a lab alchemist (after the tradition of the likes of Albertus and Dubuis, for example), that he had a laboratory and performed many experiments there, and that he performed transmutations with a Philosophic Stone in front of reliable witnesses. So I'm not quite sure what I am supposed to be seeing in the quoted passages, outside of his obvious references to esoteric chemistry.

I think I would have to twist the facts a good deal in order to even begin to believe Sendivogious was expounding the secrets (even in allegorical form) of some system of alchemy that required an alchemist to work some physical process on himself.

Seeing no point in further pestering the Third Order, merely to reply to someone wanting to debate the meaning of classical alchemical texts like a Lutheran pastor and a Catholic priest debating theology, I instead merely replied myself:

Care Rubaphilos, You overlook that Sendivogious even mentions sperm directly, albeit the English translator chose the word "seed" instead, which illustrates yet one more problem facing those who choose to stumble around in the alchemical labyrinth without the torch of initiation by a Master to guide them.

You apparently remain blinded by an entrenched belief that alchemy in the INTERNAL laboratory (inside the physical body) and alchemy in the EXTERNAL laboratory (in the external world) are SEPARATE disciplines.

Have you never learned the most fundamental and basic law of alchemy, the "Unitary Theorem," namely that:

"All is ONE!"

Have you never yet felt the sacred flow of the Divine forces of nature INSIDE of you while in your EXTERNAL laboratory observing a distillation, a crystillisation, or perhaps a combustion?

Have you never experienced INSIDE of you an almost religious exaltation while observing EXTERNAL matter transmuting beneath your hands?

If not, then what you are practicing still remains mere chemistry and not yet alchemy.

A true alchemist is one who has learned and EXPERIENCED DIRECTLY that there is NO DIFFERENCE between INTERNAL and EXTERNAL operations...

The UNITY of all things is the most basic principle of true alchemy. Energy and matter are ONE.

Have you not yet understood that, because matter is ONE; the Vital Principal, the Vitale Energy is present in whatever manifestation of matter, and thus the Great Work can depart from whatever Prima Materia, whether outside or inside of you?

Anyone who has not yet directly experienced the SIMULTANEOUS INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL TRANSMUTATION of matter is still but playing at alchemy - and has not yet become a true Philosopher of the Art.

And whether alchemist or magician ...

The path to the summit remains the same.

In the Second Order of the Golden Dawn, for example, we teach EXTERNAL MAGIC using cups, wands, daggers, and pentacles made of dead wood and steel in the outer world.

But if one is to become a true Adept, one must first learn to use magical transmutations in the external world to produce inner transmutation in the INTERNAL world of the magician as well.

Otherwise one remains an Adept in but name only.

And moreover ...

Beyond the Abyss at the Third Order level ...

There comes a time when every magician and every alchemist alike must once and for all put away DEPENDENCE on all of the EXTERNAL props that we needed in our magical or alchemical infancy - and realize that we no longer need such training wheels any longer.

The true MAGISTER is no longer dependent on anything at all in the EXTERNAL world.

But instead - through the exclusive INTERNAL manipulation of INTERNAL forces and INNER processes, the true MAGISTER transforms and transmutes even in the EXTERNAL world, without reliance on any EXTERNAL props, implements, or laboratories whatsoever.

But then again, I am likely wasting my breath trying to explain these things to someone who believes that the only true alchemy is but mere chemistry in a laboratory.

For it is written that:

"Neither torches nor glasses...

Can help those who do not want to see!"