the cross and triangle: the symbol of the golden dawn, xiii

introduction, xv

1: Hermeticism and the Western Esoteric Tradition . . . 1

Hermetism: The Origin of Hermeticism, 1

Influences on Hermetism, 3

Hermetism, 19

A Summary of Important Influences on Early Hermetism, 21

The Hermetic Literature, 24

Christianity and Hermetism, 25

Hermes Trismegistus in the Renaissance, 27

Later Additions to Hermeticism, 28

Hermetic Principles of the Golden Dawn, 29

2: A Brief History of the Golden Dawn . . . 33

The Years Before the Golden Dawn, 35

The Founders of the Golden Dawn, 44

The Cipher Manuscript, 48

Some Prominent Early Members, 51

The R. R. et A. C., 56

Problems, 58

The Offshoot Orders, 62

3: Magic: What It Is and How It Works . . . 67

Defining Magic, 68

Magic and Religion, 71

The Ancient Origins of Western Magic, 72

Medieval Magic, 75

Renaissance Magic, 75

How Magic Works, 78

Magic: The Enigmatic Art, 86

High Magic: Theurgy, 87

Working with Spiritual Beings, 89

Golden Dawn Magic, 91

4: The Structure of the Golden Dawn System . . . 95

Grades and Officers, 96

The Greatly Honored Chiefs, 101

The Temple Chiefs, 101

The Outer Order Officers of a Golden Dawn Temple, 104

Initiation as Ritual Drama, 107

The Psychology of Initiation, 111

The Three Degrees, 114

The Outer Order Grades: The First Degree, 115

The Portal: The Second Degree, 134

The Inner Order: The Third Degree, 139

The Third Order, 143

5: Golden Dawn Rituals . . . 145

The Qabalistic Cross (QC), 146

The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP), 147

Magical Gestures, 149

The Lesser Invoking Ritual of the Pentagram (LIRP), 150

The Exercise of the Middle Pillar, 151

The Temple and Magical Implements, 153

Preparation for Ritual, 154

Basic Steps Involved in a Golden Dawn Ritual, 154

The Invoking Ritual of the Triangles, 157

A Mystic Repast of the Four Elements, 161

Prayers and Invocations, 162

6: Golden Dawn Teachings: What Is Included . . . 167

Qabalah, 167

Astrology, 179

Divination, 187

Alchemy, 199

Skrying and Astral Work, 209

Enochian Magic, 214

7: The Work of a Golden Dawn Magician . . . 227

The Purpose of Initiation, 227

The Question of Group Lineage, 229

Self-Initiation, 232

Mixed Tradition Groups, 234

The Safeguards of the Golden Dawn System, 235

The Problem of Ego, 239

Following a Magical Discipline, 241

A True Initiate, 248

appendix i: golden dawn timeline, 251

appendix ii: a brief list of golden dawn mottos, 257

glossary, 259

bibliography, 291