The Golden Dawn

by Israel Regardie

  Hegemon faces Practicus to the diagram at the altar. Hierophant comes west of altar and points to diagram. Hegemon resumes seat.

  HIERO: This is the symbolic representation of the Fall.31 For the great goddess who, in the 3° = 8 grade was supporting the columns of the Sephiroth, in the sign of the 2° = 9 grade, being tempted by the Tree of Knowledge (whose branches indeed tend upward into the seven lower Sephiroth, but also tend downward unto the kingdom of shells) reached down unto the Qlippoth, and immediately the columns were unsupported and the Sephirotic system was shattered, and with it fell Adam, the Microprosopus.

  HIERO: Then arose the great dragon with seven heads and ten horns, and the garden was made desolate, and Malkuth was cut off from the Sephiroth by his intersecting folds, and linked unto the kingdom of shells. And the seven lower Sephiroth were cut off from the three supernals in Daath, at the feet of Aima Elohim.

  And on the heads of the dragon are the names and crowns of the Edomite kings. And because in Daath was the greatest rise of the great serpent of evil, therefore is there, as it were, another Sephirah, making for the infernal or averse Sephiroth, eleven instead of ten.

  And hence were the rivers of Eden desecrated, and from the mouth of the dragon rushed the infernal waters in Daath. And this is Leviathan, the crooked serpent.

  But between the devastated garden and the supernal Eden, Yod He Vau He Elohim placed the letters of the name and the flashing sword, that the uppermost part of the Tree of Life might not be involved in the fall of Adam. And thence it was necessary that the second Adam should come to restore all things and that, as the first Adam had been extended on the cross of the celestial rivers, so the Son should be crucified on the cross of the infernal rivers of Daath. Yet, to do this, he must descend unto the lowest first, even unto Malkuth and be born of her.

  The 4° = 7 grade of Philosophus is referred unto the Sephirah Netzach and the twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth, and twenty-ninth Paths are bound thereto. The sign of this grade is given by raising the hands to the forehead, and with the thumbs and index fingers forming a triangle, apex up thus. (Makes sign.) This represents the element of fire to which this grade is allotted, and also the spirit which moved upon the waters of creation. The grip or token is the general grip of the First Order. The grand word is a name of nine letters—Yod He Vau He Tzabaoth, which means Lord of Armies.

  HIERO: The mystic number is twenty-eight and from it is formed the password Kaph Cheth, which should be lettered separately when given. It means power.

  Unto this grade, and unto the Sephirah Netzach, the seventh Path of the Sepher Yetzirah is referred. It is called the recondite intelligence, and it is so called because it is the refulgent splendour of all the intellectual virtues which are perceived by the eye of the mind and by the contemplation of faith.

  The distinguishing badge of this grade, which you will now be entitled to wear, is the sash of a Practicus, with the addition of a bright green cross above the violet cross and the number four in a circle and seven in a square on either side of its summit, and below the number thirty-one, the numbers twenty-seven, twenty-eight, and twenty-nine in bright green, between narrow bars of the same color.

  This grade especially refers to the element of fire, and therefore the great watchtower or tablet of the south forms one of its principal emblems. It is one of the four great tablets delivered unto Enoch by the great angel Ave. From it are drawn the three great secret names of God, OIP TEAA PEDOCE, which are borne upon the Banner of the South, and numberless divine and angelic names which appertain unto the element of fire. The meanings of the other tablets have already been explained to you.

  The triangle surmounting the cross upon the altar represents the fire of the spirit surmounting the cross of life and the waters of Edom. You will notice that it thus forms the alchemical emblem of sulphur. The red lamps at the angles of the triangle are the threefold form of fire.

  Hierophant resumes his seat. Hegemon conducts Practicus to him.

  HIERO: The portals in the east and northeast conduct to higher grades. The others are those of Paths you have already traversed.

  This grade is also related to the planet Venus, ruler in Netzach. Its symbol, when inscribed on the Tree of Life, is shown in the east. It embraces the whole of the Sephiroth, and is therefore a fitting emblem of the Isis of nature; hence, also, its circle is represented larger than that of Mercury.

  Hegemon leads Philosophus to a seat west of the altar, facing east, and removes the diagram of the Fall. He returns to his place.

  HIERO: I now congratulate you, honoured frater, on having passed through the ceremony of the 4° = 7 grade of Philosophus and in recognition thereof, I confer upon you the mystic title Pharos Illuminans, which means “illuminating tower of light,” and I give you the symbol of Asch which is the Hebrew name for fire.

  And, as having attained at length to the highest grade of the First Order, and being, as it were, the connecting link with the Second Order, I further confer upon you the title of respect “honoured frater” and I give you the further symbol of Phrath or Euphrates, the fourth river. (Knocks) In the name of Yod He Vau He Tzabaoth, I now proclaim that you have been duly advanced to the 4° = 7 grade of Philosophus and that you are lord of the twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth, and twenty-ninth Paths.

  HIEREUS: Honoured frater, as a member of this important grade, you are eligible for the post of Hiereus when a vacancy occurs. You are furthermore expected, as having risen so high in the Order, to aid to your utmost the members of the Second Order in the working of the temple to which you are attached; to study thoroughly the mysteries which have been unfolded to your view in your progress from the humble position of Neophyte, so that yours may not be the merely superficial knowledge which marks the conceited and ignorant man, but that you may really and thoroughly understand what you profess to know, and not by your ignorance and folly bring disgrace on that Order which has honoured you so far.

  Your duty is also to supervise the studies of weaker and less advanced brethren, and to make yourself as far as possible an ornament, alike to your temple and to your Order.

  Closing of the 4° = 7 Grade

  HIERO: (Knocks) Assist me to close the temple in the 4° = 7 grade of Philosophus. Honoured Hegemon, see that the temple is properly guarded.

  HEG: (On inner side of the door, knocks. Sentinel knocks.) Very honoured Hierophant, the temple is properly guarded.

  HIERO: Let us adore the Lord and King of Fire. (Knocks)

  All face east.

  HIERO: Yod He Vau He of hosts, mighty and terrible! Commander of the ethereal armies art Thou! Amen!

  All salute. Hierophant goes to fire tablet. Hiereus stands behind him in the southwest, Hegemon places Practicus in the north facing south, and goes to the southeast. Any members present should arrange themselves in balanced formation behind Hiereus and Hegemon.

  Let us rehearse the Prayer of the Salamanders or Fire Spirits. (Knocks)

  “Immortal, eternal, ineffable, and uncreated Father of all, borne upon the chariot of worlds which ever roll in ceaseless motion. Ruler over the ethereal vastness where the throne of Thy power is raised, from the summit of which Thine eyes behold all and Thy pure and holy ears hear all—help us, thy children, whom Thou hast loved since the birth of the ages of time! Thy majesty, golden, vast, and eternal, shineth above the heaven of stars. Above them art Thou exalted.

  “O Thou flashing fire, there Thou illuminatest all things with Thine insupportable glory, whence flow the ceaseless streams of splendour which nourish Thine infinite spirit. This infinite spirit nourisheth all and maketh that inexhaustible treasure of generation which ever encompasseth Thee, replete with the numberless forms wherewith Thou hast filled it from the beginning.

  “From this spirit arise those most holy kings who are around Thy throne and who compose Thy court. O universal Father, one and alone! Father alike of immortals and mortals. Thou hast specially created powers similar unto Thy thought eternal and unto Thy venerabl
e essence. Thou hast established them above the angels who announce Thy will to the world.

  “Lastly, Thou hast created us as a third order in our elemental empire. There our continual exercise is to praise and to adore Thy desires: there we ceaselessly burn with eternal aspirations unto Thee, O Father! O Mother of mothers! O archetype eternal of maternity and love! O Son, the flower of all sons! Form of all forms! Soul, spirit, harmony, and numeral of all things! Amen!”

  Hierophant makes banishing circle and pentagrams with sceptre before tablet.

  Depart ye in peace unto your habitations. May the blessing of Yod He Vau He Tzabaoth be upon ye! Be there peace between us and you, and be ye ready to come when ye are called.

  Hierophant returns to his place. The others follow. Hegemon leads Philosophus to his seat.

  In the name of YOD HE VAU HE TZABAOTH, I declare this temple closed in the 4° = 7 grade of Philosophus.

  HIERO:

  HIEREUS:

  HEG:

  Hegemon conducts the Philosophus out.

  [contents]

  28. Note by JMG: These are properly spelled OIP TEAA PDOCE and EDLPRNAA, respectively.

  29. Note by JMG: That is, of Pisces.

  30. Note by JMG: Karmaim is Hebrew for “horns” or “rays of light.”

  31. Note by JMG: See color insert page 2.

  CEREMONY OF THE PORTAL

  OF THE VAULT OF THE ADEPTI

  Portal Temple 1

  Chief Adept (white cassock, yellow shoes, red cloak of Hierophant, yellow and white nemyss, Rose Cross on yellow collar. Sceptre of five elemental colours surmounted by pentagram, white lamp and brazier, candle).

  Second Adept (white cassock and collar, blue shoes, blue and orange cloak and nemyss, lamen of red triangle in green pentagram, red wand headed by red sulphur symbol, red lamp and incense sticks).

  Third Adept (white cassock, blue collar, red shoes, red and green nemyss and cloak, blue wand headed by blue salt symbol, lamen of blue cup on orange octagram, cup of water).

  Hiereus (black cassock, black collar, black and white nemyss, red shoes and collar, sword, lamen of four colours of Malkuth with white hexagram, salt).

  Hegemon (black cassock, white cloak, red shoes, yellow and purple nemyss, mitre-headed sceptre, lamen of red and blue hexagram on white ground, yellow collar, rose leaves).

  Opening of the Portal Grade

  Chief Adept is behind the Veil in the east, symbolically in Tiphareth, other officers in their Sephirotic stations: Third Adept in the northeast, Second Adept in the southeast, Hiereus in west, Hegemon east of altar. The hall is in darkness, the elemental lamps unlit—no lights except those burning behind the Veil and shaded candles for officers.

  Any members attending must give the Portal signs on entering the temple. Portal members sit in the north—full 5° = 6 members in the south.

  2ND AD: (Knock. All rise.) Very honourable fratres and sorores, assist me to open the Portal of the Vault of the Adepti. Honourable Hiereus, see that the entrance is closed and guarded.

  HIEREUS: Very honourable Second Adept, the entrance is closed and guarded.

  2ND AD: Very honourable fratres and sorores, in token of our search for the light, give the sign of the 0° = 0 grade of Neophyte.

  All turn east and stand in the Sign of the Enterer. From behind the curtain, the Chief Adept’s hand is stretched out, holding a white lamp or candle. Chief Adept unseen, gives the Sign of Silence—all repeat sign as light is withdrawn.

  CH. AD: The light shineth in darkness, but the darkness comprehendeth it not.

  2ND AD: The dukes of Edom ruled in chaos, lords of unbalanced force. Honourable Hiereus, what is the symbol upon the altar?

  HIEREUS: The symbol of the equated forces of the four elements.

  2ND AD: Banished be the power of the dukes of Edom, and let the power of the cross be established.

  Chief Adept signs cross with lighted candle. Hiereus goes to east, begins Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram. When he returns east all officers and members make Qabalistic cross, facing east, and repeat words with him. Hiereus returns to place west and makes 1° = 10 sign.

  Hegemon in the east makes 2° = 9 sign and knocks.

  Third Adept in north makes 3° = 8 sign and knocks.

  Second Adept in the south makes 4° = 7 sign and knocks.

  CH. AD: The cross upon the altar is also a cross of corrosion, corruption, disintegration, and death. Therefore doth it fall in the Paths of Death and the Devil, unless in Hod, the glory triumpheth over matter and the corruptible putteth on incorruption, thus attaining unto the beauty of Tiphareth; unless in Netzach, death is swallowed up in victory and the transformer becometh the transmuter into pure alchemic gold. “Except ye be born of water and the spirit, ye cannot enter the kingdom of God.” 1

  What then, very honourable Third Adept, is the additional mystic title bestowed upon a Philosophus as a link with the Second Order?

  3RD AD: Phrath, the fourth river of Eden.

  HIEREUS: Tau.

  HEG: Resh.

  3RD AD: Peh.

  CH. AD: Very honourable Second Adept, what may be added to this word?

  2ND AD: Kaph (Knocks)

  HIEREUS: Tau (Knocks)

  HEG: Resh (Knocks)

  3RD AD: Peh (Knocks)

  CH. AD: The whole word is Paroketh, which is the Veil of the Tabernacle.

  All make Signs of Rending of the Veil.

  CH. AD: (Knocks) In and by that word, I permit the Portal of the Vault of the Adepti to be opened.

  Second and Third Adepts draw aside curtains revealing Chief Adept who rises with pentacle and taper in left hand and sceptre in right.

  Let us establish the dominion of the mystic Eth over the four elements.

  Chief Adept faces east. All face east. Chief Adept having descended from the dais and taken his position in front of the air tablet, Hegemon stands behind Chief bearing rose leaves. All make Qabalistic cross. Hegemon places rose leaves before the air tablet and stands in the 2° = 9 sign. Chief lights the lamps as he goes round. Chief Adept invokes air and lights lamp. Hegemon takes rose leaves to altar and puts them on air arm of cross and remains east of altar facing west.

  Chief Adept goes to south. Second Adept comes behind, places sticks of incense before tablet and stands in 4° = 7 sign. Chief Adept invokes fire and lights lamp as before. Second Adept takes incense to altar and places it on fire arm of the cross and stands at the south of altar looking north.

  Chief Adept goes to west and lights lamp. Third Adept stands behind him, places cup before tablet and stands in sign of 3° = 8. Chief Adept invokes water. Third Adept takes cup to altar, places it on water arm of cross and stands at the west of altar facing east.

  Chief Adept goes to north and lights lamp. Hiereus stands behind him, places salt before tablet and stands in 1° = 10 sign. Chief Adept invokes earth. Hiereus takes salt to the altar, places it on earth arm of cross and stands at the north of altar facing south. Chief Adept completes circle in east, then circumambulates with Sol to west of altar, having now lit all the elemental lamps.

  CH. AD: In the great name Yod He Vau He.

  All give 0° = 0 signs towards altar, and then stand in elemental signs. Chief Adept makes invoking spirit pentagrams with deity names Eheieh and Agla closing with the Qabalistic cross. He moves round the altar to east, faces west, lays pentacle over cross and holds candle and wand on high.

  May the cross of the four elements become truly purified and planted in incorruption. Wherefore in the name of Yod He Vau He and in the concealed name Yeheshua, do I add the power of the pentagram constituting the glorified body of Osiris, the sign of the microcosmos.

  All lights are turned up. Chief Adept lays pentacle for a moment on cross then hangs it on hook in centre of hall, raises sceptre and candle on high, and invokes:

  CH. AD: Ol sonuf va-orsagi goho Iada balata. Elexarpeh Comananu Tabitom. Zodakara, eka zodakare od zodameranu. Odo kikle qaa piape piamoel od vaoan.2

&n
bsp; Chief Adept returns to dais. Second and Third Adepts follow and stand by pillars. Hiereus and Hegemon face east, standing north and south of altar respectively.

  Let us adore the Lord and King of hosts.

  Holy art Thou, Lord of the Universe.

  Holy art Thou, whom nature hath not formed.

  Holy art Thou, the vast and the mighty one,

  Lord of the light and of the darkness.

  By the word Paroketh and in the Sign of the Rending of the Veil, I declare that the Portal of the Vault of the Adepti has been opened.

  CH. AD:

  2ND AD:

  3RD AD:

  HIEREUS:

  HEG:

  Chief Adept circumambulates once then returns to seat. All take seats after the elements are replaced in the four quarters by the respective officers.

  The Ritual of the Cross and Four Elements

  CH. AD: (Concealed behind the Veil.) The Portal symbolically opened for the Order, is yet closed to the unprepared candidate.

  Elemental lamps are veiled. Temple in darkness save at east.

  2ND AD: Very honoured fratres and sorores, our honoured Frater (name) having been a member of the 4° = 7 grade of Philosophus for the space of seven months and having passed the fivefold examination prescribed for admission to the Second Order, has been duly approved. I hold a dispensation from the greatly honoured chiefs of the Second Order to permit him to approach the Portal of the Vault of the Adepti.

  Very honoured Third Adept, see that he is duly prepared by wearing the sash of the 4° = 7 grade; admit him, having placed around his neck the admission badge, and having examined him in his knowledge of the grip, sign, words, etc. of the 4° = 7 grade and of the word Phrath before you instruct him in the necessary knock.

  Lights are extinguished. Second Adept stands before the Veil. Hiereus and Hegemon bar the way near the door. Third Adept, having prepared Philosophus, opens door showing darkness but for faint light in the east and brings Philosophus just within the door.