A COMPENDIUM BY FRATER D.M.T.

G∴D∴

"Be thy Mind opened to the Higher,
be thy Heart a Centre of Light,
Be thy Body a Temple of the Rose Cross."

The Golden Dawn system of magic is not a religion, although religious imagery and spiritual concepts play an important role in its work. The Golden Dawn was designed by its founders to be an Hermetic Society dedicated to the philosophical, spiritual, and psychic evolution of humanity. It was also designed to be a school and a repository of knowledge, where students learned the principles of occult science and the various elements of western philosophy and magic. Tolerance for all religious beliefs was stressed, and symbolism used within the G:.D:. came from a variety of religious sources. Today, people from many diverse religious paths consider themselves practicing Golden Dawn magicians - including Neopagans, Gnostics, Jews, and Christians.

The Golden Dawn system of magic is designed to teach its students both abstract esoteric concepts as well as the more practical applications of ceremonial magic. Egyptian, Judeo-Christian, Greek, Gnostic, Rosicrucian, and Masonic elements can all be found within the teachings of the G:.D:. The curriculum includes the study of Qabalah, astrology, divination, inner alchemy, Egyptian magic, skrying, and Enochian magic.

The modern-day Golden Dawn Order does not necessarily claim institutional lineage to the original Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (H.O.G.D.), but it does claim initiatory lineage to the original Order through it's mentor and guiding light of the Order: the late Dr. Israel Regardie. The modern Order follows the traditional hierarchical structure of the original Golden Dawn Order in England with a ruling triad of Officers known as the "G.H. Chiefs" who govern both the First or Outer Order as well as the Second or Inner Order (known as the "Ordo Rosae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis" or the "RR et AC"). The modern Order also follows the traditional teachings, grade structure, and ethos of the original Order. Temple officers are known as Temple Chiefs. Although it currently has a worldwide membership with temples in several countries, the Order is rather private and membership is by invitation only.

The primary goal of the organization is the continued preservation of that body of knowledge known as Hermeticism or the Western Esoteric Tradition. This organization promotes the teachings of the original Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a magical fraternity founded in London in 1888 by Dr. William Wynn Westcott and Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, which ceased to exist under that name in 1903 but which continued for a number of years under the names of two spin-off organizations, the Stella Matutina and the Alpha et Omega.

The Order and the corporation are related organizations, but they are not one and the same. However, both organizations are on friendly terms with several other Golden Dawn groups and other organizations in the wider esoteric community.

This compendium is not intended to be a vehicle for the recruitment of those individuals who are seeking initiation in a Golden Dawn Order or temple, but rather as a resource for all students and practitioners of the Western Esoteric Tradition.

Long hast thou dwelt in darkness. Quit the night and seek the day!

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Proof read and edited by Frater D.M.T. © Thelemagick.