One of the frequent questions I see from applicants or would-be applicants to Golden Dawn Orders is whether or not one can be Pagan and also be a member of the Order. Working within the G.'.D.'. system I find it hard to see why this is such a common question, as there seems to be a bit of a myth that G.'.D.'. material contradicts Pagan teachings or beliefs. However, in trying to put myself in other people's shoes in order to understand the question fully (and thereby hopefully provide a satisfactory answer), I decided to compile this post.
The first thing that must be addressed is the very real presence of Christian symbolism within the Order. There are numerous references to Christ, sometimes in veiled format as Osiris, and the Adeptus Minor grade (and the entire Inner Order of the R.R. et A.C.) are overtly Christian in symbolism. This has been classified by many, including myself, as Rosicrucian and Gnostic, but even the casual observor of either tradition will be aware of its emphasis on the Christ mythos, even if the elements of belief and dogma are very radically different to those of the orthodox Church. However, the symbolism is designed in such a way as to be, like many elements of Gnostic teaching, quite open to interpretation. Thus can a Pagan see a reference to Christ as being one of Osiris, and a Christian can see a reference to Osiris as being one of Christ.
The fact that the three founding members of the Order were avowedly Christian needs to be stressed, as context is a matter essential to all things. Thus, the preliminary form of the Pledge, detailed below, is, without question, quite Christian. Indeed, many of the members who joined the Order were Christian, including some clergy members, some of whom went on to form the Cromlech Temple of the Sun Order, a kind of "side-order", if you will, to the Golden Dawn, limited to only Christian members (given its more mystical focus). Not all members were Christian however. Moina Mathers was a Jew, for example, and a few others would have classified themselves as Pagan. Today there are hundreds of members of G.'.D.'. temples or groups, or just practising solo, who are also Pagan. Indeed, some of them run their own temples as Chiefs or Officers.
The Christian symbolism within the Order is tempered frequently by overtly Pagan symbolism, particularly that of the Egyptian pantheon used extensively throughout the first Order. Some people have classified the Outer Order as Egyptian and the Inner Order as Rosicrucian, which is apt in terms of symbolism used. Jewish symbolism is also utilised frequently, particularly from the Qabalah. But there are other Pagan traditions utilised too, including some elements of the Eleusinian and Samothracian mysteries. Thus, the Pagan will not necessarily feel out of place, for the Golden Dawn is always syncretic, and this includes the multitude of religions too.
The first "Pledge" written for the G.'.D.'., dated 12th February, 1888 and signed by the three founders and the enigmatic "Anna Sprengel" (who remains in my mind a construct of Westcott, even if it was a very necessary one for the time), contains a passage that is quite overt:
The first thing that must be addressed is the very real presence of Christian symbolism within the Order. There are numerous references to Christ, sometimes in veiled format as Osiris, and the Adeptus Minor grade (and the entire Inner Order of the R.R. et A.C.) are overtly Christian in symbolism. This has been classified by many, including myself, as Rosicrucian and Gnostic, but even the casual observor of either tradition will be aware of its emphasis on the Christ mythos, even if the elements of belief and dogma are very radically different to those of the orthodox Church. However, the symbolism is designed in such a way as to be, like many elements of Gnostic teaching, quite open to interpretation. Thus can a Pagan see a reference to Christ as being one of Osiris, and a Christian can see a reference to Osiris as being one of Christ.
The fact that the three founding members of the Order were avowedly Christian needs to be stressed, as context is a matter essential to all things. Thus, the preliminary form of the Pledge, detailed below, is, without question, quite Christian. Indeed, many of the members who joined the Order were Christian, including some clergy members, some of whom went on to form the Cromlech Temple of the Sun Order, a kind of "side-order", if you will, to the Golden Dawn, limited to only Christian members (given its more mystical focus). Not all members were Christian however. Moina Mathers was a Jew, for example, and a few others would have classified themselves as Pagan. Today there are hundreds of members of G.'.D.'. temples or groups, or just practising solo, who are also Pagan. Indeed, some of them run their own temples as Chiefs or Officers.
The Christian symbolism within the Order is tempered frequently by overtly Pagan symbolism, particularly that of the Egyptian pantheon used extensively throughout the first Order. Some people have classified the Outer Order as Egyptian and the Inner Order as Rosicrucian, which is apt in terms of symbolism used. Jewish symbolism is also utilised frequently, particularly from the Qabalah. But there are other Pagan traditions utilised too, including some elements of the Eleusinian and Samothracian mysteries. Thus, the Pagan will not necessarily feel out of place, for the Golden Dawn is always syncretic, and this includes the multitude of religions too.
The first "Pledge" written for the G.'.D.'., dated 12th February, 1888 and signed by the three founders and the enigmatic "Anna Sprengel" (who remains in my mind a construct of Westcott, even if it was a very necessary one for the time), contains a passage that is quite overt:
"Belief in One God necessary."
That seems to rule out the Pagans, and is in line with Masonic tradition, which has a similar requirement (not limited to Christianity alone, of course, but still limited in some forms).
However, as R.A. Gilbert points out in his Revelations of the Golden Dawn, this was soon changed to:
The above Pledge acted as a kind of prototype for the Obligation found in the Neophyte Ceremony, and this is rather explicit on a few matters, the one of interest here being religion, where it states that there is "nothing contrary to your civil, moral or religious duties". Thus, the Golden Dawn is very much not a religion, though it uses religious symbolism to great and varied effect. The oath that is taken stresses this fact, urging members to fulfil whatever religious duties are required of them. The Golden Dawn is, instead, a magical Order, a system of magic, that can, by its syncretic nature, be bent to the needs of many religions, dependant only on the flexibility of the member in question. If that member is flexible in their approach, valuing all religions (as also stressed in the Neophyte Obligation), then the Golden Dawn system is equally, if not more, flexible to meet their magical and spiritual needs.
However, as R.A. Gilbert points out in his Revelations of the Golden Dawn, this was soon changed to:
"Belief in a Supreme Being, or Beings, is indispensable. In addition, the Candidate, if not a Christian, should be at least prepared to take an interest in Christian symbolism."This is quite a big change, and must have been done on some request by Pagan applicants or members. There is definitely very real Christian symbolism in the Order, particularly in the Inner Order of the R.R. et A.C., as pointed out above, so this allowance for members who believe in "Supreme Beings" (plural) is made with the understanding that such members will not see Christian symbolism as anathema, as is so often the case, particularly in the modern world, whether in Pagan or other circles.
The above Pledge acted as a kind of prototype for the Obligation found in the Neophyte Ceremony, and this is rather explicit on a few matters, the one of interest here being religion, where it states that there is "nothing contrary to your civil, moral or religious duties". Thus, the Golden Dawn is very much not a religion, though it uses religious symbolism to great and varied effect. The oath that is taken stresses this fact, urging members to fulfil whatever religious duties are required of them. The Golden Dawn is, instead, a magical Order, a system of magic, that can, by its syncretic nature, be bent to the needs of many religions, dependant only on the flexibility of the member in question. If that member is flexible in their approach, valuing all religions (as also stressed in the Neophyte Obligation), then the Golden Dawn system is equally, if not more, flexible to meet their magical and spiritual needs.
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9 comments:
Ave Dean,
Thanks for a most interesting post. I've often wondered whether the Jewish members of the G.'.D.'. (like Moina Mathers) and its offshoots (like Regardie) ever wrestled with the pagan or Christian elements in the system. True, the Outer Order certainly has a strong Kabbalistic focus (albeit one filtered through Renaissance and modern Hermeticism), and save for the LRBP nothing in the way of practical magic (forbidden, more or less, by Jewish law). As well, the Inner Order ceremonies make reference to the Shekhinah. However, there's little question that for a strictly Orthodox Jew (and many non-Orthodox ones as well, depending on their theology) joining the G.'.D.'. would indeed entail much that is "contrary to your...religious duties."
As you know, for those uncomfortable with the Jewish and Christian mythos there's the OSOGD which uses only pagan (and heavily Thelema-influenced) deities and symbolism, while for those uncomfortable with either the Abrahamic religions, the Egyptian pantheon or the Hellenistic mystery religions there's the Magical Golden Dawn which allows you to substitute the god(s) or higher power(s) of one's choice. (As an aside, though, it's hard for me to see how such an approach can create an effective group egregore as opposed to a self-initiation path.) To the best of my knowledge, however, no one has attempted to create a "Judaic-only" variation on the G.'.D.'., at least for group practice.
One could theoretically do this with the Outer Order. For example, by using Skinner's tables one could substitute angels from the Hekhalot or Kabbalistic literature for the Egyptian deities in the initiation ceremonies. Or, you could substitute "YHVH" for "YEHESHUAH YEHOVASHAH" in Regardie's Opening by Watchtower (which I understand he considered suitable for pre-Adept aspirants). Judaizing the Inner Order would of course be far more problematic as the known initiation ceremonies (though not most of the practical magic rituals) are thoroughly Rosicrucian and entail more than lip service to the Christian doctrines of the crucifixion and resurrection.
(Imagine trying to come up with a "kosher" Jewish alternative to the symbolic crucifixion in the Adeptus Minor initiation! Technically you could substitute a symbolic martyrdom [kiddush ha-Shem] of the sort that Jews suffered at the hands of Rome or the medieval Church. But there's still the matter of the C.R. narrative that would have to be replaced with something completely different, in effect making it not an Adeptus Minor ceremony at all.)
I'd be interested to hear others' thoughts on this.
Ave Yehi,
Baruch ha-Shem :)
You make some very interesting points. For orthodox Judaism the G.'.D.'. is, for the most, out of the question, but then so is all magic in general. It would be contrary to one's orthodox religious duties, but then if one abided by this strictly the thought of entering a magical order or practising magic would not even cross the mind. It's the same with many orthodox Christians, Muslims, and similar. Magic would be anathema.
For the liberal Jews, however, this would be less of an issue, and scripture can be interpreted, and Halakhic law may not be as stressed, nor indeed many elements of kosher lifestyle. We know many Jews lived like this, for there are many magical Qabalistic texts, such as Sepher Raziel and even Sepher Yetzirah.
I think certain elements of Egyptian symbolism can be reconciled with Judaism, although it may be difficult as a racial identity, given the imprisonment under Pharoah, etc.
I don't know much about the Magical Golden Dawn, but it seemed very watered down to me. I think if you start stripping out the deities and so forth, it starts becoming less of the Golden Dawn and more of something else. Imagine if you took all the Qabalah out, for example, for those who dislike Judaism and Hebrew. It wouldn't be the same thing at all. So, yes, I agree with you that the technique taken by the M.'.G.'.D.'. would possibly operate more like self-initiation, since the lack of a unified deity structure, etc. would weaken the egregore somewhat).
I don't believe anyone has done a Judaic-only G.'.D.'., but that would depend on how orthodox you wanted it to be. Many aspects, such as Tefilim, could be incorporated, but magic would still have to be a certain aim and purpose or it destroys the entire point of the G.'.D.'.. Although possibly it could be made more mystical like that of Waite's group after 1900. This would allow for Qabalah in terms of prayer, exegesis, and so forth, without upsetting Jewish law on magic.
You're right about the Inner Order though... it's very difficult to rework that into a non-Christian format. It works for Pagans via Osiris or Christian Rosenkreutz for those who can accept the symbolism without overtly saying "Jesus" and the like. The YHShVH formula can also be employed merely as a formula, even by Jews, much like the addition of Daleth to the Tetragrammaton gives the formula of the Jew.
I think it's an interesting idea, but I think the G.'D.'. as it is now is capable of fulfilling the needs of Jewish members, providing they were reasonably liberal and not averse to Christian symbolism. Moina and Regardie seemed to have been able to settle in well, and there's plenty of references (Shekinah, as you mentioned, for example) to make them feel at home. I'd say Moina was dedicated to MacGregor, however, which overided her Jewish upbringing. She also partook in the Isis mysteries, etc., so obviously didn't have a problem with Pagan tradition. Regardie needs no explanation, but was obviously okay with the Christian symbolism, though he did have a bout or two with Waite over the over-emphasis on Christianity over Judaism.
Interesting discussion. Thanks for raising it :)
LVX,
Dean.
Hello Dean,
Thank you for this post and the ideas you present. I would like to make a few points.
From my experience and from their own histories we can see that Modern neo-Pagans have drawn from a number of sources to recreate their traditions, one of the main ones being the Golden Dawn. The Neo-pagan founders were (and are) attracted to the Golden Dawn simply because their own nascent traditions were paltry and lacking in real transformative substance. This is sad, but true and highly understandable. After all the Pagan religions have been dead for centuries, their mysteries destroyed or incorporated into the Christian Hermetic tradition. Sorry, but that’s the reality. There were no Pagan survivals of substance, and certainly no Pagan mystery traditions in pre-modern times.
The Golden Dawn was really the first practical realisation of the unity of religions philosophy, popularised by the Theosophical Society. This idea that different religious forms from different cultures refer to the same truth: Osiris being in some way equivalent to Christ (in some aspects). This philosophy, though held by a sub-stratum of the Hermetic tradition for a number of centuries, is really a modern idea. The TS espoused it, the Golden Dawn worked it. And this, as much as anything allowed a Pagan interest within the GD and its members.
Since many modern Pagan founders were (and are) effectively anti-Christian, they naturally want(ed) to rewrite the GD to suit them. However, this will not wash for a number of reasons.
Firstly, and this is a crucial point, the GD’s view of the unity of religions was within a Christian context. The reference to active interest in Christian symbolism is very important. The ceremonies that work with the forms of the Pagan deities are all interpreted from a Christian viewpoint. Remember that passage from Mathers that if one blasphemes Osiris one blasphemes Christ. Christ and Christianity are the centre around the other religions and deities are compared and equated.
Now this is perfectly normal and expected, as the Order was created by Christians within a Christian society. It must be remembered also that traditional western occultism until the Golden Dawn era was almost exclusively theistic and Christian. Monism within occultism is really traceable back to the TS.
Now, also the Inner Order, the RR et AC, is a Christian Order, pure and simple. Without a Christian framework, outlook and reference the Rosicrucian mythos and current holds no meaning. Again, this is perfectly normal, as the Rosicrucian authors were all Christian.
Another point to remember is that occultism and magic are parts of the broader esoteric tradition (though often stigmatized or rejected by many esotericists). The esoteric, inner side of religion, is always balanced by the exoteric, outer side of religion. The two, traditionally did not exist apart: the Kabbalist being a devout Jew who followed the Halakha, the mystic Christian attending Church and taking Mass. The outer functions of ritual, theology, doctrine, community, service all hold and are a vehicle for inner, esoteric experiences to be grounded in daily life and the earth. For most of the GD folk, their Christian religion and obligations served this outer, exoteric purpose.
Also, Moina Mathers, along with her husband, converted to Roman Catholicism. This was because they were both working deep Christian mysteries within the RR et AC and they saw, rightly or wrongly, that the fountainhead of those mysteries was the “oldest” Church, the Roman Catholic (personally I would have gone for the Orthodox).
Respectfully, then I must disagree with the idea of changing traditions to fit another mould. The GD and the RR et AC are what they are. Why, from our own personal needs and egos change them to make them more resonant with Paganism or Judaism? Those traditions should have their own mysteries, their own groups dedicated to transformation or service. The Jew or Pagan should have access to them, surely? If we try and tinker with things from our own needs, the results are sure to be less than salubrious. A case in point, of course is Aleister and his myriad of minions who follow him.
thanks
peregrin :)
Ave Peregrin,
Thanks for the comment and your views.
Yes, you are very right that much of modern "Pagan" practices are not Pagan at all, or, at least, not as old as some would claim. Many of them come from the G.'.D.'. and related systems. Much of the "old religion" claims are embelished to enhance the claim of pre-historic roots, when, in fact, the traditions are modern ones, utilising bits and pieces of ancient material that have survived (which are, sadly, relatively few).
I mentioned the Osiris/Christ relation, and I think this is one of the biggest areas where Christians and Pagans can work the tradition together, merely employing that little used art of interpretation to see a different culture's deity as another name for their own.
The Christian symbolism and context of the G.'.D.', especially its Inner Order, is essential, and I believe the passages from the initial pledge are very useful in highlighting this, especially for would-be applicants who identify themselves as Pagan. As far as I'm concerned, Christianity must be utilised and appreciated in the G.'.D.'. to get the most out of the system, whether the member is Christian or not (just as I, as a non-Pagan, can utilise the Pagan symbolism to great effect without feeling like I am blaspheming against God, Christ, or myself).
When did the Mathers convert to Catholicism, btw? I had thought it was a good few years into the working of the Order, but I'd like some clarification on that.
You say "Respectfully, then I must disagree with the idea of changing traditions to fit another mould", but I think you must have misunderstood me (or were perhaps addressing Yehi, but you titled your response to me). I never ever said that I believed that the G.'.D.'. tradition should be changed to fit another mould. I'm assuming you got this impression from my discussion with Yehi on his quizzing of why there is no distinctly Jewish formation of the G.'.D.'.. I think it's an interesting concept, but I believe I pointed out that the G.'.D.'. is effective mainly on the basis of its syncretism. If you axe the Christian stuff, you lose a lot. If you axe the Pagan stuff, you lose a lot.If you axe the Jewish stuff, you lose a lot. Ad infinitum. I'm a bit of a traditionalist, so, while I am interested in discussing varying forms of the G.'.D.'. (after all, the G.'.D.'. was "adapted" under Waite for a more mystical aim), I practice the one that utilises all elements of its system, from all the religions that contribute to it.
Since you seem to have misinterpreted me I would ask that you reread my post and comment in light of the above. As a final note, I am a Gnostic, and thus would never remove any of the Christian elements of the ceremonies.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts :)
LVX,
Dean.
Hi Dean,
thanks for this. In my hazy Monday morning cutting and pasting I somehow dropped a para where i addressed my points re changing the GD to "Yehi". My apologies for the confusion :)
And i was never directly addressing "Yehi" personally, really only the idea that one can sit down and look at a tradition and decide to change it from personal inclinations.
I agree with nearly all your ideas here. I would say however, that while the effectiveness of the GD is based on its syncretism, the effectiveness of the RR et AC is based on the Rosicrucian tradition. This is especially so in the 6=5 and 7=4, which i have seen. Some people may have different experiences.
:)Again, apologies for any offence.
Peregrin
Thanks for the clarification, Peregrin :)
I agree completely with you that the effectiveness of the Inner Order is based on its Rosicrucianism. There's just no way one can ignore that, with the blatant references, quotations, history of CRC, and the Vault itself. I have only seen the 6=5 and 7=4 that Zalewski shared, but I have no doubts about the Rosicrucian nature of those grades.
LVX,
Dean.
For the record, Dean (and Peregrin, if you were addressing my comments and not Dean's), I wasn't advocating a de-Christianized G.'.D.'. either, whether Judaic, pagan, or Flying Spaghetti Monster. :) The points I raised were merely theoretical in nature.
On a related note, wouldn't the primary reason Moina Mathers converted to Christianity have been her marriage to S.L. MacGregor, as opposed to her G.'.D.'. involvement? First, in the nineteenth century, unlike today, interfaith weddings were simply not done. (And S.L. MacGregor, as a devout Christian, would certainly not have considered becoming Jewish!) So unless secular civil marriages were legally recognized then (were they? I don't know), if she wanted to marry him, she really had no choice but to convert. Second, as you already noted, G.'.D.'. aspirants didn't actually have to belong to a church; they just had to be open to Christian symbolism. (I don't think Regardie, for his part, ever converted despite his embrace of such symbolism in the G.'.D.'. context.)
Ave Yehi,
I think Mathers would definitely have implemented the Flying Spaghetti Monster if he had known about it ;)
As for Moina and her Catholicism, I think I agree with you on this one. She seems to have been fervently dedicated to Mathers, so, in effect, where he went, so did she. She never seemed like a devout Jew, however, but then I haven't delved deeply into her history yet. Perhaps Peregrin can enlighten us on this issue :)
Thanks for the comments, Yehi, and I hope to see more of your input on the various posts here :)
LVX,
Dean.
Hi there Dean and Yehi,
without references by me i am going from memory, but it's pretty good :)
Moina married Samuel around 1890, having met in 1887 (just as the GD was starting). Samuel then was an Anglican, not a Catholic and they were married by William Ayton, an Anglican priest and early GD heavyweight. Having a friend and occultist for the officiating priest of course meant there were no requirements placed on Moina for conversion. Handy.
They converted to Roman Catholicism only later on, after working the RR et AC for many years in Paris, around 1910.
So, i don't think Moina's conversion had much to do with her husband's faith, both because of time and him not being a "left footer" himself :) Like most of the original GD women, Moina appears to have been a very strong and powerful woman. Thanks.
Peregrin :)
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