The Golden Dawn

by Israel Regardie

  I am Amoun, the concealed one, the opener of the day. I am Osiris Onnophris, the justified one. I am the lord of life triumphant over death. There is no part of me which is not of the gods.

  I am the preparer of the pathway, the rescuer unto the light; out of the darkness, let that light arise.

  ASPIRANT: (Prompted) Before I was blind, but now I see.

  CH. AD: I am the reconciler with the ineffable. I am the dweller of the invisible. Let the white brilliance of the spirit divine descend.

  Chief Adept raises his hands, invoking the divine white brilliance. There is a pause.

  CH. AD: (To aspirant) Arise now as an Adeptus Minor of the Rose of Ruby and the Cross of Gold in the Sign of Osiris Slain.

  All rise. Second and Third Adepts raise aspirant, and extend his arms in a cross. They then recross his arms on his breast and turn him to face west. Chief Adept advances within reach of aspirant. Second Adept southwest; Third Adept northwest. They all join wands over his head and cruces a little lower.

  ALL: We receive thee as an Adeptus Minor in the sign of rectitude and self-sacrifice.

  Still keeping wands joined over the lower cruces, Chief Adept touching base of brain, Second Adept left temple, Third Adept right temple.

  CH. AD: Be thy mind opened unto the higher.

  Chief places crux against spine between shoulder blades. Second Adept against left breast, Third Adept against right breast.

  2ND AD: Be thy heart a centre of light.

  Chief Adept places crux at the base of the spine. Second Adept at left hip. Third Adept at right hip.

  3RD AD: Be thy body the temple of the Rosy Cross.

  Aspirant is faced to east, and Adepts return to former positions. Crook and scourge are laid on altar over dagger, crossing at yellow bands.

  CH. AD: Repeat with us the following words which are the signs of the hidden wisdom of our order.

  Aspirant is made to repeat each word after the officer.

  CH. AD: 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 give Sign of Osiris Slain.

  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)

  They give the saluting sign with heads bowed. A pause.

  CH. AD: The mystic number of this grade is twenty-one, the heptad multiplied by the triad; and from it is derived the password of this grade, which is Eheieh, which should be lettered separately when given thus, Aleph.

  ASPIRANT: (Prompted) Heh.

  CH. AD: Yod.

  ASPIRANT: Heh.

  CH. AD: The keyword is I.N.R.I., which is inscribed with its correspondences upon this complete symbol of the Rose and the Cross which I bear upon my breast. These letters have been occasionally used as the initials of the following sentences: Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judeorum, whence it symbolizes the grand word of this grade which is Yeheshua or the Hebrew name of Jesus, formed of the holy letter Shin, representing the Ruach Elohim, placed within the centre of the name Tetragrammaton. Also it has been interpreted as: Igne Natura Renovatur Integra; Igne Natura Renovando Integrat; Igne Nitrum Roris Invenitur; Intra Nobis Regnum deI.13

  CH. AD: (Indicating diagram of the Minutum Mundum) Behold the diagram Minutum Mundum sive Fundamentum Coloris 14—the small universe or foundation of colour. Treasure it in thy heart, and mark it well, seeing that herein is the key of nature. It is, as thou seest, the diagram of the Sephiroth and the Paths, with the colours appropriately attributed thereto. See that thou reveal it not to the profane, for many and great are its mysteries.

  Kether is the highest of all, and herein scintillates the divine white brilliance, concerning which it is not fitting that I should speak more fully. Chokmah is grey, the mixture of colours. Binah is darkness, the absorption of colours. And thus is the supernal triad completed. In Kether is the root of the golden glory, and thence is the yellow reflected into Tiphareth. In Chokmah is the root of blue, and this is reflected into Chesed; in Binah is the root of red, and this is reflected into Geburah. And thus is the first reflected triad completed. The beams of Chesed and Tiphareth meet in Netzach and yield green. The beams of Geburah and Tiphareth meet in Hod and yield a tawny orange. The beams of Chesed and Geburah fall in Yesod and yield purple. And thus is the third triad completed. And from the rays of the third triad are these three colours shown in Malkuth, together with a fourth which is the synthesis. For from the orange tawny of Hod and the greening nature of Netzach is reflected a certain greenish citrine—citron; from the orange tawny mixed with the puce of Yesod proceedeth a red russet brown—russet; and from the green and the puce cometh a certain other darkening green—olive. The synthesis of all these is blackness and bordereth on the Qlippoth.

  But the colours of the twenty-two Paths are derived from and find their roots in those of the first reflected triad of the Sephiroth, the three supernals not otherwise entering into their composition, and thus are their positive colours found. Unto the air is ascribed the yellow colour of Tiphareth. Unto the water is ascribed the blue colour of Chesed. Unto the fire is ascribed the red colour of Geburah. The colours of earth are to be found in Malkuth.

  Those of the planets are in the rainbow scale; thus: Saturn—indigo; Jupiter—violet; Mars—red; Sol—orange; Venus—green; Mercury—yellow; Luna—blue.

  Unto the signs of the zodiac are ascribed the following: Aries—scarlet; Taurus—red-orange; Gemini—orange; Cancer—amber; Leo—greenish-yellow; Virgo—yellowish-green; Libra—emerald; Scorpio—greenish-blue; Sagittarius—blue; Capricornus—indigo; Aquarius—purple; Pisces—crimson. Further, thou wilt observe that the colours of the Paths and the Sephiroth form a mutual balance and harmony on the Tree. Colours are forces, the signatures of the forces; and the child of the children of the forces art thou. And therefore about the throne of the Mighty One is a rainbow of glory, and at His feet is the crystal sea. But there are many other attributions of colour also, seeing that the respective rays meet and blend with each other. And therefore do I greet thee with the mystic title of “Hodos Chamelionis,” the Path of the Chameleon, the path of mixed colours, and I give thee the symbol of Hiddekel, the third river which floweth towards the east of Assiah.

  They return to altar, and Second Adept indicates crook and scourge thereon.

  2ND AD: The colours of the crook and scourge are taken from those of the Minutum Mundum diagram, and they thus represent the just equilibrium between mercy and severity on the Tree of Life. The crook therefore is divided into the colours symbolic of: Kether, Aleph, Chokmah, Taurus, Chesed, Leo, Aries, Tiphareth, Capricornus, Hod. And the scourge into those symbolizing: Netzach, Scorpio, Tiphareth, Gemini, Binah, Cancer, Geburah, Mem.

  3RD AD: (Indicates sword and serpent) The colours of the Minutum Mundum are also the key to those which compose the admission badge of the sword and serpent; and thus by their aid it may be the better examined and comprehended. The one is ascending, the other is descending; the one is fixed, the other is volatile; the one unites the Sephiroth, the other the Paths. Furthermore, in the serpent of wisdom is shown the ascending spiral, and in the sword the rush of the descending white brilliance from beyond Kether, differentiated into various shades and colours, darkening more and more as they near Malkuth.

  CH. AD: (Indicates diagram of mountain) This is the symbolic mountain of God in the centre of the universe, the sacred Rosicrucian mountain of initiation, the mystic mountain of Abiegnus
. Below and around it are darkness and silence, and it is crowned with the light ineffable. At its base is the wall of enclosure and secrecy, whose sole gateway, invisible to the profane, is formed of the two pillars of Hermes. The ascent of the mountain is by the spiral path of the serpent of wisdom. Stumbling on between the pillars is a blindfolded figure, representing the Neophyte, whose ignorance and worthlessness while only in that grade is shown by the 0° = 0 , and whose sole future claim to notice and recognition by the Order is the fact of his having entered the pathway to the other grades, until at length he attains to the summit.

  Mountain of God

  I now proceed to instruct you in the mystic symbolism of the tomb itself. Let the altar be moved aside. (Done.) It is divided into three parts—the ceiling which is white; the heptagonal walls of seven rainbow colours, and the floor whose prevailing hue is black; thus showing the powers of the heptad between the light and the darkness.

  On the ceiling 15 is a triangle enclosing a rose of twenty-two petals, within a heptangle formed of a heptagram reflected from the seven angles of the wall. The triangle represents the three supernal Sephiroth; the heptagram, the lower seven; the rose represents the twenty-two Paths of the serpent of wisdom.

  The floor 16 has upon it also the symbol of a triangle enclosed within a heptagram, bearing the titles of the averse and evil Sephiroth of the Qlippoth, the great red dragon of seven heads, and the inverted and evil triangle. And thus in the Tomb of the Adepti do we tread down the evil powers of the red dragon (Chief Adept stamps thrice on diagram) and so tread thou upon the evil powers of thy nature. For there is traced within the evil triangle the rescuing symbol of the golden cross united to the red rose of seven times seven petals. As it is written: “He descendeth into hell.”17 But the whiteness above shines the brighter for the blackness which is beneath, and thus mayest thou comprehend that the evil helpeth forward the good.

  CH. AD: And between the light and that darkness vibrate the colours of the rainbow, whose crossed and reflected rays, under the planetary presidency, are shewn forth in these seven walls.18 Remember that thou hast entered by the door of the planet Venus, whose symbol includes the whole ten Sephiroth of the Tree of Life. Each wall of the tomb is said mystically to be in breadth five feet and in height eight feet, thus yielding forty squares, of which ten are marked and salient, representing the ten Sephiroth in the form of the Tree of Life, acting throughout the planet. The remaining squares represent the Kerubim and the eternal spirit, the three alchemic principles, the three elements, the seven planets, and the twelve signs, all operating in and differentiating the rays of each planet. Note that in all, the central upper square alone remains white and unchanged, representing the changeless essence of the Divine Spirit, thus developing all from the one, through the many under the government of one.

  The colours of the varying squares may be either represented by the colour of the planet and the colour of the force therein mixed together, or by these colours being placed in juxtaposition, or in any other convenient manner; but the foundation of them all is the Minutum Mundum diagram.

  The symbolism of the altar was briefly explained to you in the second point. Upon the altar stands a black Calvary Cross, charged with a rose of five times five petals, representing the interchanging energies of the spirit and the elements.

  Chief Adept leads aspirant out of tomb. Two adepti replace altar, and all resume their places as at beginning of third point.

  CH. AD: The head of the Pastos 19 is white, charged with a golden Greek cross and red rose of forty-nine petals. The foot is black with a white Calvary Cross and circle placed upon a pedestal of two steps. On the sides are depicted the twenty-two colours of the Paths, between light and darkness.

  Aspirant is placed between lid and Pastos. Chief Adept stands facing him on opposite side of the Pastos.

  CH. AD: Frater (or soror), I now greet you with the grip of this grade which is given thus. (Shows it.) The fingers of the right hand are held so as to form the letters L.V.X. The thumb and first fingers are stretched to form the letter L. The first and middle fingers are extended to suggest the V. The little finger is crossed over the third finger to make X. This may be done with both hands, and is always exchanged by placing the hands, with fingers thus arranged, over the wrist of the frater or soror being greeted.

  You will note that this grip must never be exchanged except across the Pastos. You will also remember that you must observe strict silence in regard to the place where you received this rite.

  It is well for you to understand that you are expected to promise that you will never tell anyone when, at what time, or where, or from whom you received this grip, or who was present at your initiation into this Order.

  The signs and passwords you have already received. Finally, you must understand that you are never permitted to say to anyone not a member of this Order that you are a Rosicrucian. Let the Pastos be replaced within the Vault.

  The adepti replace Pastos as before, and all resume places as at opening of ceremony.

  Closing of the 5° = 6 Grade

  Chief Adept knocks. All rise.

  CH. AD:

  2ND AD:

  3RD AD:

  CH. AD:

  3RD AD:

  2ND AD:

  CH. AD: Avete, Fratres et Sorores.

  2ND AD: Roseae Rubeae.

  3RD AD: Et Aureae Crucis.

  CH. AD: Very honoured fratres and sorores, assist me to close the Tomb of the Adepti. Associate Adeptus Minor, how many princes did Darius set over his kingdom?

  3RD AD: It is written in the Book of Daniel that there were 120.

  CH. AD: Mighty Adeptus Major, how is that number formed?

  2ND AD: By the continued multiplication of the first five numbers of the decimal scale.

  CH. AD: Post centum viginti annos patebo. Thus have I closed the Tomb of the Adepti in the mystic mountain of Abiegnus.

  Chief Adept closes door of Vault and draws curtains.

  3RD AD: Ex Deo nascimur.

  2ND AD: In Yeheshua morimur.

  CH. AD: Per Spiritum Sanctum reviviscimus.

  All present make L.V.X. signs in silence. Aspirant signs inner roll and is led out. All disrobe and disperse. Aspirant should be directed to make saluting sign of 5° = 6 on entering and leaving.

  [contents]

  9. Note by JMG: See the Consecration Ceremony of the Vault of the Adepti, pages 334–345, where an earlier form of the opening ritual has this and the following paragraphs in question and answer form.

  10. Note by JMG: Psalm 8:4–5.

  11. Note by JMG: Genesis 6:3.

  12. Note by JMG: See color insert page 4.

  13. Note by JMG: These are Latin sentences meaning “Through fire nature is renewed integrally,” “Through fire nature is integrated by renovation,” “Through fire the niter of dew is found,” and “Within us reigns God”—this last one only makes I.N.R.I. if the last letter of the final word, instead of the first, is used.

  14. Note by JMG: See color insert page 5. The words mean “Little World or Foundation of Colour.”

  15. Note by JMG: See color insert page 6.

  16. Note by JMG: See color insert page 7.

  17. Note by JMG: This sentence is from the Nicene Creed.

  18. Note by JMG: See color insert page 8.

  19. Note by JMG: See color insert page 9.

  CEREMONY OF THE EQUINOX

  This ceremony is held twice yearly on the vernal equinox about March 21 and the autumnal equinox about September 21.

  Officers assemble and robe. Chiefs seat themselves on the dais. Members gowned and wearing their sashes enter and sit as far as possible by members of the same grade—Inner members in the east, Philosophi in the south, Practici and Theorici in the west, Zelatores and Neophytes in the north. The temple is opened in the Neophyte grade. All are seated.

  HIERO: (Knocks) Fratres and sorores of all grades of the Stella Matutina in the (name) Temple, let us celebrate the festival of the
vernal (autumnal) equinox.

  All rise except Hierophant.

  (Knocks) Frater Kerux, proclaim the equinox and announce that the password is abrogated.

  Kerux passes to the northeast, raises his wand, and facing west, says:

  KERUX: In the name of the Lord of the Universe, who works in silence and whom naught but silence can express, and by command of the very honoured Hierophant, I proclaim that the vernal (autumnal) equinox is here and that the password (gives it) is abrogated.

  Kerux returns to his place.

  Members stand facing towards the altar and follow the officers in making the signs towards it.

  HIERO: Let us consecrate according to ancient custom the return of the equinox.

  HIERO: Light.

  HIEREUS: Darkness.

  HIERO: East.

  HIEREUS: West.

  HIERO: Air.

  HIEREUS: Water.

  HEG: (Knocks) I am the reconciler between them.

  All make Neophyte signs towards the altar.

  DAD: Heat.

  STOL: Cold.

  DAD: South.

  STOL: North.

  DAD: Fire.

  STOL: Earth.

  HEG: (Knocks) I am the reconciler between them.

  All make signs towards the altar.

  HIERO: One Creator.

  DAD: One Preserver.

  HIEREUS: One Destroyer.

  STOL: One Redeemer.

  HEG: (Knocks) One Reconciler between them.

  All make signs towards the altar.

  Hierophant goes to the west of the altar and lays down his sceptre, saying:

  HIERO: With the password (gives it) I lay down my sceptre.

  Hierophant takes the rose from the altar and returns to his place. Hiereus passes direct to the altar and lays down his sword, saying:

  HIEREUS: With the password (gives it) I lay down my sword.

  Hiereus takes the cup of wine and returns to his place. Hegemon comes direct to the east of the altar and lays down sceptre, saying:

  HEG: With the password (gives it) I lay down my sceptre.

  Hegemon remains standing east of the altar. Kerux comes direct to the altar, hands his lamp to Hegemon, and lays down his wand, saying: