The Golden Dawn

by Israel Regardie

  2ND AD: The Rose and the Cross, which resume the life of nature, and the powers hidden in the word I.N.R.I.

  3RD AD: The emblem which we bear in our left hands is a form of the Rose and the Cross, the ancient crux ansata, or Egyptian symbol of life.

  2ND AD: It represents the force of the ten Sephiroth in nature, divided into a hexad and a tetrad. The oval embraces the first six Sephiroth, and the Tau cross of the lower four answering to the four elements.

  CH. AD: Associate Adeptus Minor, what is the emblem which I bear upon my breast?

  3RD AD: The complete symbol of the Rose and Cross.

  CH. AD: Mighty Adeptus Major, what is its meaning?

  2ND AD: It is the key of sigils and rituals and represents the force of the twenty-two letters in nature, as divided into a three, a seven, and a twelve. Many and great are its mysteries.

  3RD AD: I bear a simple wand, having the colours of the twelve signs of the zodiac between light and darkness, and surmounted by the lotus flower of Isis. It symbolizes the development of creation.

  2ND AD: Mine is a wand terminating in the symbol of the binary, and surmounted by the Tau cross of life, or the head of the phoenix, sacred to Osiris. The seven colours of the rainbow between light and darkness are attributed to the planets. It symbolizes rebirth and resurrection from death.

  CH. AD: My wand is surmounted by the winged globe, around which the twin serpents of Egypt twine. It symbolizes the equilibriated force of the spirit and the four elements beneath the everlasting wings of the Holy One.

  Associate Adeptus Minor, what are the words inscribed upon the door of the tomb? And how is it guarded?

  3RD AD: Post centum viginti annos patebo. After 120 years I shall open. The door is guarded by the elemental tablets and the Kerubic emblems.

  CH. AD: To the 120 years are referred symbolically the five grades of the First Order, and to the revolution of the powers of the pentagram. Also the five preparatory examinations for this grade. It is written “His days shall be 120 years,” and 120 divided by 5 equals 24, the number of hours in a day, and of the thrones of the elders in the Apocalypse. Further, 120 equals the number of the ten Sephiroth multiplied by that of the zodiac, whose key is the working of the spirit and the four elements, typified in the wand which I bear.

  All face west. Chief Adept opens the door wide, passes to east or head of Pastos of C.R.C., and faces west. Second Adept enters and passes to south facing north. Third Adept enters and passes to north facing south. Other members remain without, but Hodos may enter vault to form fourth side in making signs. The three officers raise their wands to form pyramid above altar, cruces touching below wands.

  CH. AD: Let us analyse the key word. I.

  2ND AD: N.

  3RD AD: R.

  ALL: I.

  CH. AD: Yod.

  2ND AD: Nun.

  3RD AD: Resh.

  ALL: Yod.

  CH. AD: Virgo, Isis, mighty mother.

  2ND AD: Scorpio, Apophis, destroyer.

  3RD AD: Sol, Osiris, slain and risen.

  ALL: Isis, Apophis, Osiris—I.A.O.

  All separate wands and cruces and give sign of cross.

  ALL: The Sign of Osiris Slain.

  CH. AD: L—The Sign of the Mourning of Isis. (With bowed head)

  2ND AD: V—The Sign of Typhon and Apophis. (With head erect)

  3RD AD: X—The Sign of Osiris Risen. (With head bowed)

  ALL: L.V.X., the light of the cross. (Saluting sign and head bowed)

  All quit tomb and return to previous places.

  CH. AD: In the grand word Yeheshua, by the keyword, I.N.R.I., and through the concealed word Lux, I have opened the tomb of the Adepti.

  All present give L.V.X. signs.

  First Point

  The tomb is prepared as before, but closed, and curtains drawn. Chief Adept is not seen as such; Second Adept is principal officer, Third is Associate Adept, introducing adept is Hodos Chamelionis.

  2ND AD: Very honoured fratres et sorores, our honoured Frater (name), lord of the twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, and twenty-sixth Paths of the Portal of the Vault of the Adepti, is a candidate for admission to the Second Order, and is waiting without.

  Very honoured Frater Hodos Chamelionis, prepare the aspirant and act as his introducer. Associate Adeptus Minor, guard the hither side of the Portal, and admit them in due form.

  Aspirant is prepared by making him wear Portal sash across that of the 4° = 7 . He carries lamen of Hiereus, recommendation from the chiefs of his temple, a certificate of having passed the requisite examinations, and a written out speech.

  3RD AD: (Opening door) Whom bringest thou here with thee?

  Aspirant: (Loudly and firmly) Hear ye all that I, the honoured Frater (motto) stand before you, being a member of the 4° = 7 grade of the First Order, the highest grade of the Stella Matutina in the Outer, a Philosophus; one qualified to fill the important post of Hiereus in a temple of the First Order, one who hath passed the five examinations prescribed between the First and Second Orders, and hath been declared lord of the twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, and twenty-sixth Paths in the Portal of the Adepti. I bear a written recommendation from the chiefs of my temple guaranteeing my qualifications, honour, and fidelity; as also an attestation of my having passed the pentagonal examination. By virtue of these honours and dignities, I now come to demand my reception and acknowledgement as an Adeptus Minor of the 5° = 6 grade of the Second Order.

  2ND AD: O Aspirant! It is written that he who exalteth himself shall be abased, but that he who humbleth himself shall be exalted, and that blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. It is not by proclamation of honours and dignities, great though they may be, that thou canst gain admission to the Tomb of the Adepti of the Rose of Ruby and the Cross of Gold, but only by that humility and purity of spirit that befitteth the aspirant unto higher things.

  Associate Adeptus Minor, bring unto me the recommendation and attestation which he beareth; and test thou his knowledge ere he be rejected for the sins of presumption and spiritual pride.

  3RD AD: Thou knowest the arrangement of the ten Sephiroth on the Tree of Life; now what symbolic weapon doth their natural succession form?

  Aspirant answers unprompted.

  3RD AD: And what symbolic creature is traced by the natural succession of the Paths?

  Aspirant answers unprompted.

  2ND AD: O Aspirant, let this be a sign unto thee. For the flaming sword and the serpent of wisdom shall be the symbol which shall procure thee admission. Return thou then, and divest thyself of these ornaments. They are not humble enough to entitle thee to be received. Very honoured Frater Hodos Chamelionis, clothe him in the black robe of mourning. Let his hands be bound behind his back, symbolic of the binding force of his obligations, and put a chain about his neck, the emblem of repentance and humility.

  HODOS: Mighty Adeptus Major, it shall be done.

  Hodos Chamelionis salutes and retires with aspirant, strips him of all ornaments, brings him back to door in plain black robe, roped and carrying diagram of sword and serpent. Gives one gentle knock. Third Adept opens door, saying:

  3RD AD: By the aid of what symbol do ye seek admission?

  HODOS: (Shows diagram.) By the aid of the flaming sword and the serpent of wisdom.

  Third Adept takes badge, admits them, and recloses door.

  2ND AD: Whom bringest thou there?

  HODOS: Mighty Adeptus Major, I bring with me one who has passed the trial of humiliation and who humbly desireth admission to the tomb of the mystical mountain.

  2ND AD: Let the aspirant be assisted to kneel.

  Aspirant is brought to curtained door of tomb between Third Adept and Hodos Chamelionis. All face east and kneel.

  2ND AD: From Thine hand, O Lord, cometh all good. The characters of nature with Thy fingers Thou hast traced; but none can read them unless he hath been taught in Thy school. Therefore, even as servants look unto the hands of their masters and
handmaidens unto their mistresses, even so our eyes look unto Thee, for Thou alone art our help. O Lord our God, who should not extol Thee? Who should not praise Thee?

  All is from Thee—all belongeth unto Thee. Either Thy love or Thy anger all must again re-enter. Nothing canst Thou lose, for all must tend unto Thy honour and majesty.

  Thou art Lord alone, and there is none beside Thee. Thou dost what Thou wilt with Thy mighty arm, and none can escape from Thee. Thou alone helpest in their necessity the humble, the meek-hearted, and the poor, who submit themselves unto Thee; and whosoever humbleth himself in dust and ashes before Thee, unto such a one Thou art propitious.

  Who should not praise Thee, then, O Lord of the Universe, unto whom there is none like? Whose dwelling is in heaven, and in every virtuous and God-fearing heart. O God the vast one, Thou art in all things. O nature, Thou self from nothing, for what else can I call Thee? In myself I am nothing. In Thee I am self, and exist in Thy selfhood from nothing. Live Thou in me, and bring me unto that self which is in Thee. Amen.

  Let the hands of the aspirant be unbound.

  This is done. Aspirant remains kneeling. Officers rise.

  3RD AD: Think not, O Aspirant, that the trial of humility through which thou hast passed, was ordained but to jest with thy feelings. Far from us be any such design. But it was intended to point out to thee that the truly wise man is but little in his own eyes, however great his attainments may appear to the ignorant, and that even the highest intellectual achievements are but as nothing in the sight of the Lord of the Universe, for He looketh at the heart. It is written: “When I consider the heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and stars which Thou hast ordained, what is man that Thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that Thou visitest him?”10 And couldst thou even attain unto the height of a god upon this earth, how small and insignificant yet wouldst thou be in the presence of God the vast one.

  2ND AD: Rise, then, O Aspirant of the Rose of Ruby and the Cross of Gold. Rise, glorified by suffering. Rise, purified by humility.

  Aspirant rises.

  2ND AD: Despise not sadness, and hate not suffering, for they are the initiators of the heart; the black robe of mourning which thou wearest is at once the symbol of sorrow and of strength. Boast not thyself above thy brother if he hath fallen, for how knowest thou that thou couldst have withstood the same temptation? Slander not, and revile not. If thou canst not praise, do not condemn. When thou seest another in trouble and humiliation, even though he be thy enemy, remember the time of thy own humiliation when thou didst kneel before the door of the tomb, clothed in the robe of mourning, with the chain of affliction about thy neck, and thy hands bound behind thy back, and rejoice not at his fall.

  And in thine intercourse with the members of our Order, let thy hand given unto another be a sincere and genuine pledge of fraternity. Respect his or her secrets and feelings as thou wouldst respect thine own. Bear with one another and forgive one another, even as the Master hath said.

  Very honoured Frater Hodos Chamelionis, what is the symbolic age of the aspirant?

  HODOS: His days are 120 years.

  2ND AD: It is written: “My spirit shall not always strive with man, seeing that he also is flesh, yet his days shall be 120 years.”11

  Associate Adeptus Minor, unto what do those 120 years of the aspirant’s symbolic age correspond?

  3RD AD: To the five grades of the First Order through which it is necessary for the aspirant to have passed before he can enter the tomb of the sacred mountain. For the three months’ interval between the grades of Practicus and Philosophus are the regimen of the elements; and the seven months between the Philosophus and the Portal symbolize the regimen of the planets; while the elements and the planets both work in the zodiac; so that three plus seven multiplied by twelve yieldeth the number 120.

  2ND AD: O Aspirant, ere thou canst enter the tomb of the Adepti of the Rose of Ruby and the Cross of Gold, it is necessary to take a solemn obligation of secrecy, fidelity, fraternity, and justice. But as in all the previous obligations, there is nothing contained therein contrary to thy civil, moral, or religious duties. Art thou willing to take such a pledge?

  ASPIRANT: I am.

  2ND AD: Let the aspirant be bound to the Cross of Suffering.

  Cross of Suffering

  The aspirant is led to the cross, and his hands are put through the running nooses and cords are bound about his waist and feet. Two adepti stand on either side to support him, and Third Adept takes his place ready to hand cup and dagger to Second Adept, who stands in front of and facing aspirant.

  Second Adept holds out rose crucifix to aspirant, saying:

  2ND AD: The symbol of suffering is the symbol of strength. Wherefore bound as thou art, strive to raise this holy symbol in thy hands, for he that will not strive shall not attain.

  Aspirant takes crucifix in both hands, the cords being allowed to run out long enough to allow him to do so.

  2ND AD: I invoke thee, the great avenging angel Hua, in the divine name I.A.O., that thou mayest invisibly place thy hand upon the head of the aspirant in attestation of his obligation.

  Second Adept raises his hands on high to invoke the force; then lowers them and takes crucifix which is replaced by Third Adept on altar. Aspirant is now bound more firmly to the cross.

  2ND AD: Repeat after me your sacramental name, and say:

  (Kether) I, (motto), a member of the Body of Christ, do this day spiritually bind myself, even as I am now bound physically upon the Cross of Suffering.

  (Chokmah) That I will to the utmost lead a pure and unselfish life and will prove myself a faithful and devoted servant of this Order.

  (Binah) That I will keep secret all things connected with the Order, and its secret knowledge, from the whole world, equally from him who is a member of the First Order of the Stella Matutina, as from an uninitiated person, and that I will maintain the veil of strict secrecy between the First and Second Orders.

  (Chesed) That I will uphold to the utmost the authority of the chiefs of the Order, and that I will not initiate or advance any person in the First Order, either secretly or in open temple, without due authorization and permission; that I will neither recommend a candidate for admission to the First Order without due judgment and assurance that he or she is worthy of so great confidence and honour, nor unduly press any person to become a candidate; and that I will superintend any examination of members of lower grades without fear or favour in any way, so that our high standard of knowledge be not lowered by my instrumentality; and I further undertake to see that the necessary interval of time between the grades of Practicus and Philosophus and between the latter grade and the Portal, be, when possible, maintained.

  (Geburah) Furthermore, that I will perform all practical work connected with this Order in a place concealed and apart from the gaze of the outer and uninitiated world, and that I will not display our magical implements, nor reveal the use of the same, but will keep secret this inner Rosicrucian knowledge even as the same hath been kept secret through the ages; that I will not make any symbol or talisman in the flashing colours for any uninitiated person without a special permission from the chiefs of the Order. That I will only perform any practical magic before the uninitiated which is of a simple and already well-known nature; and that I will show them no secret mode of working whatsoever, keeping strictly concealed from them our modes of tarot and other divination, of clairvoyance, of astral projection, of the consecration of talismans and symbols, and the rituals of the pentagram and hexagram, and most especially of the use and attribution of the flashing colours, and the vibratory mode of pronouncing the divine names.

  2ND AD: (Tiphareth) I further promise and swear that with the divine permission I will, from this day forward, apply myself to the Great Work—which is, to purify and exalt my spiritual nature so that with the divine aid I may at length attain to be more than human, and thus gradually raise and unite myself to my higher and divine genius, and that in this event I
will not abuse the great power entrusted to me.

  (Netzach) I furthermore solemnly pledge myself never to work at any important symbol without first invocating the highest divine names connected therewith, and especially not to debase my knowledge of practical magic to purposes of evil and self-seeking, and low material gain or pleasure, and if I do this, notwithstanding this my oath, I invoke the avenging angel Hua, that the evil and material may react on me.

  (Hod) I further promise to support the admission of both sexes to our Order, on a perfect equality, and that I will always display brotherly love and forbearance towards the members of the whole Order, neither slandering nor evil-speaking, nor repeating nor tale-bearing, whereby strife and ill-feeling may be engendered.

  (Yesod) I also undertake to work unassisted at the subjects prescribed for study in the various practical grades from Zelator Adeptus Minor to Adept Adeptus Minor, on pain of being degraded to that of Lord of the Paths of the Portal only.

  (Malkuth) Finally, if in my travels I should meet a stranger who professes to be a member of the Rosicrucian Order, I will examine him with care before acknowledging him to be such.

  Such are the words of this my obligation as an Adeptus Minor, whereunto I pledge myself in the presence of the Divine One, and of the great avenging angel, Hua, and if I fail herein, may my rose be disintegrated and my power in magic cease.

  Third Adept hands dagger to Second Adept and holds cup conveniently for him. Second Adept dips point of dagger in wine and makes crosses on aspirant, on brow, feet, right hand, left hand, and heart, saying:

  (for brow) There are three that bear witness in heaven; the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one.

  (for feet) There are three that bear witness on earth; the spirit, the water, and the blood, and these three agree in one.

  (right hand) Except ye be born of water and the spirit, ye cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven.

  (left hand) If ye be crucified with Christ, ye shall also reign with Him.

  He marks heart in silence, then says:

  2ND AD: Let the aspirant be released from the Cross of Suffering. It is written, that he who humbleth himself shall be exalted.