The Golden Dawn

by Israel Regardie

  KERUX: With the password (gives it) I lay down my lamp and wand.

  Kerux returns to his place. Hegemon also returns, taking lamp of Kerux. Stolistes comes round by east and south to west of altar and puts down cup, saying:

  STOL: With the password (gives it) I lay down my cup.

  Stolistes takes the paten of bread and salt and returns to place. Dadouchos comes direct to the altar and lays down his censer, saying:

  DAD: With the password (gives it) I lay down my censer.

  Dadouchos takes the red lamp from the altar and returns with sun to his place. Sentinel comes by south to east of the altar and puts down his sword, saying:

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

  He returns by north and east to his place.

  Kerux passes to the northeast to begin his circumambulation. As he reaches each quarter, and the prayer is said, officers and members face that quarter, and, at the end of the prayer, all make signs towards the quarter. Kerux moves to the east and halts before Hierophant, who, holding up the rose, faces east. All face east.

  HIERO: Let us adore the Lord of the Universe.

  Holy art Thou, Lord of the air, who hast created the firmament.

  Hierophant makes a cross in the air with the rose and salutes. All salute.

  Kerux passes to the south and faces Dadouchos, who turns south holding up the lamp. All face south.

  DAD: Let us adore the Lord of the Universe.

  Holy art Thou, Lord of fire, wherein Thou hast shown forth the throne of Thy glory.

  Dadouchos makes a cross with the lamp and salutes. All salute. Kerux passes to west and faces Hiereus, who turns west holding cup on high. All face west.

  HIEREUS: Let us adore the Lord of the Universe.

  Holy art Thou, Lord of the waters, whereon Thy spirit moved at the beginning.

  Hiereus makes a cross with the cup, and salutes. All salute. Kerux passes to the north and faces Stolistes, who turns north, holding paten on high, and says:

  STOL: Let us adore the Lord of the Universe.

  Holy art Thou, Lord of the earth, which Thou hast made for Thy footstool!

  Stolistes makes a cross with the paten and salutes. All salute. Kerux passes round the temple to his place. All face towards the altar. Hegemon stands east of the altar, facing west, and holding Kerux’s lamp on high, says:

  HEG: Let us adore the Lord of the Universe.

  Holy art Thou, who art in all things—in whom are all things. If I climb up to heaven, Thou art there and if I go down to hell Thou art there also!

  If I take the wings of the morning and flee unto the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall Thy hand lead me and Thy right hand shall hold me.

  If I say, peradventure the darkness shall cover me, even the night shall be turned light unto Thee!

  Thine is the air with its movement!

  Thine is the fire with its flashing flame!

  Thine is the water with its ebb and flow!

  Thine is the earth with its enduring stability!

  Hegemon makes a cross over the altar with the lamp. All salute towards the altar. Hegemon keeps the lamp. All sit down.

  Imperator rises, knocks, and says:

  IMPERATOR: By the power and authority vested in me, I confer the new password. It is (gives it).

  Hierophant, taking the rose, quits his throne, which is taken by Imperator. Hierophant then goes east of the altar and lays down the rose. He returns to the east, lays his lamen and cloak at the foot of the throne, and takes his place in the east as a member of the temple. In the same manner, Hiereus puts down the cup, Hegemon the lamp of Kerux, Stolistes the paten, Dadouchos the red lamp in turn, and lay their lamens at the foot of the throne and all are seated with members of their own rank.

  Praemonstrator rises to read out the names of the new officers.

  PRAEM: The officers appointed to do the work of the temple for the ensuing six months are …

  At the end, he says:

  PRAEM: The brethren of the Outer Order will now retire for a season.

  Kerux gathers up and leads out all who have not attained the white sash. There is a pause while the new officers are provided with nemysses and lamen collars. Outer Order members, taking office, should take these things with them and clothe outside in readiness for their installation by the new Hierophant now to be appointed.

  All Inner Order members now present assume their rose crosses. Chief Adept takes his place on the throne of east. Second Adept on his left; Third Adept on his right. Lesser officers leave dais and take seats among other members.

  CH. AD: Peace profound, my brethren. (He rises.)

  2ND AD: Emmanuel. (He rises.)

  3RD AD: God is with us. (He rises.)

  CH. AD: In Nomine Dei viventis.

  2ND AD: Et vivificantis.

  CH. AD: Qui vivit et regnet in saecula saeculorum.20

  3RD AD: Amen.

  CH. AD: Avete, Fratres et Sorores.

  2ND AD: Roseae Rubeae

  3RD AD: Et Aureae Crucis.

  CH. AD: Very honoured fratres et sorores, seeing that the things which are above do continually lift up unto their high estate the things which are below, and do thence return them after a certain great transfiguration, that the work of wisdom may continue and that the grace and sanctification of the holy and glorious Zion may be communicated to the Zion which is on earth, wherefore the worlds rejoice together and are fulfilled in all completion, I beseech you to join with me in my intention, and to ratify in your hearts, the solemn and sacramental words by which I assume this external and visible temple of the Stella Matutina into the house not made by hands, builded of lively stones—the company of the adepts. And it is so assumed accordingly.

  2ND AD: Cum potestate et gloria.21

  3RD AD: Amen!

  The chiefs are seated.

  CH. AD: Fratres et sorores of the Roseae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis. We know that the mystic temple, which was erected of old by wisdom, as a witness of the mysteries which are above the sphere of knowledge, doth abide in the supernal triad—in the understanding which transcends reason, in the wisdom which comes before understanding and in the crown which is the light of the supernals. We know that the Shekinah, the cohabiting glory, dwelt in the inner sanctuary, but the first creation was made void. The holy place was made waste and the sons of the house of wisdom were taken away into the captivity of the senses. We have worshipped since then in a house made with hands, receiving a sacramental ministration by a derived light in place of the cohabiting glory. And yet, amidst signs and symbols the tokens of the higher presence have never been wanting in our hearts. By the waters of Babylon we have sat down and wept, but we have ever remembered Zion, and that memorial is a witness testifying that we shall yet return with exultation into the house of our Father. As a witness in the temple of the heart, so in the outer house of our initiation, we have ever present certain watchers from within, deputed by the Second Order to guard and lead the lesser mysteries of the Stella Matutina and those who advance therein, that they may be fitted in due course to participate in the light which is beyond it. It is in virtue of this connecting link, this bond of consanguinity, that I have assumed the things which are without in this temple of the Stella Matutina into the things which are within the company of the Second Order at this secret meeting held at the (vernal or autumnal) equinox for the solemn purpose of proclaiming a new Hierophant charged with the rites of the temple during the ensuing six months, being a part of the temporary period which intervenes between us and our rest.

  2ND AD: Let us work, therefore, my brethren, and effect righteousness, because the night cometh.

  3RD AD: Wherein no man shall labour.

  CH. AD: (Rises) Fratres and sorores of the Roseae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis, by the power in me vested, I proceed to the installation and investiture of the Hierophant of the (name) 22 Temple in the Order of the R.R. et A.C. in the Portal of the Vault of the Adepti.

  2ND AD: (Rises)
Benedictus qui venit.

  3RD AD: (Rises) In nomine Domini.23

  The three adepti give L.V.X. signs and seat themselves.

  CH. AD: Very honoured frater, at the discretion of the chiefs of the Second Order you have been appointed to the office of Hierophant of this temple for the ensuing six months. Are you willing to assume its duties and responsibilities?

  HIERO: I am.

  CH. AD: Then I will thank you to advance to the east, giving the grand sign of the order of the R.R. et A.C. (Done.)

  2ND AD: Benedictus Dominus deus noster.

  3RD AD: Qui dedit nobis hoc signum.24 (Touches Rose Cross on breast.)

  CH. AD: Very honoured Frater (name), standing in the eastern place of the temple, I will thank you to give me the secret word of the order R.R. et A.C. (Done.)

  2ND AD: Habes verbum.

  3RD AD: Et verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis.25

  CH. AD: (Rises) Wherefore, brethren, let us remember that when the body is assumed by the word, the man becomes a living soul. For which reason we persevere in the pathway of the Cross as we look for the assumption of the Rose. The very honoured Adeptus Secundus will now deliver the charge before installation. (He sits down.)

  2ND AD: (Rises) The high office to which you have been appointed by the decree of the chiefs of the Second Order involves duties of a solemn kind and their proper fulfillment is a sacred responsibility which rests for a period upon you. While the rule of the Outer Order is more particularly committed to the Imperator, while the instruction of its members is entrusted to the Praemonstrator above all, and the general business of the temple devolves especially upon the Cancellarius, amidst the distinction of these services there is still a common ground of interaction which must be maintained by a perfect adjustment to ensure the right conduct and harmony of the whole. In like manner, the chief officers of the temple are distinct and yet allied; the perfection and beauty of its ritual depends indeed upon the Hierophant as the expounder of the mysteries, but not on him alone. For all must work together to encompass the good of all. I invite you, therefore, not only to take counsel with the chiefs of the Second Order on all important occasions and to maintain a regular communication with the guardians of the outer temple, but to consult and assist the lesser officers so that these rites which, under the supreme authority, are about to be placed in your hands, may, after your term of office, be restored to the Chief Adept not merely intact in their working but showing an increased beauty and a greater light of symbolism. Thus and thus only will you give, when the time comes, a good account of your stewardship. Let me further remind you that the guardians of the outer temple should at all times, in all things, command your respect as the deputies of the absolute power which dwells behind the Veil, directing all things in the two orders for the attainment of its divine ends. Let the memory of these objects abide with you, even as it abides in them and do you assist them in their labour so to direct the temple that peace may be maintained with power.

  He sits down. Chief rises.

  CH. AD: In the presence of this solemn convocation of adepti of the Second Order, seated in this assumed temple, I again ask you whether you are prepared in your mind to accept the responsible office to which you have been appointed?

  HIERO: I am.

  CH. AD: Then you will kneel down, repeat the sacramental name by which you are known in the order, and say after me:

  I, Frater (motto), in the name of the Lord of the Universe, and of that eternal and unchangeable unity which I seek in common with my brethren, do solemnly promise that I will, to the utmost of my power, fulfill the high office which has been imposed upon me, and by me accepted freely, for the good of the whole Order; that I will maintain the rites of the Order and observe the duties of my position with conscientiousness and loving care, not alone towards the temple itself, but every individual member; that I will cooperate with the guardians of the temple; that I will execute the decree of the chiefs of the Second Order, acting with justice and without fear or favour in accordance with the dictates of my conscience. This I affirm by the symbol worn upon the breast of the officiating adept.

  Hierophant is directed to stretch out his hand in the direction of the Rose Cross on the Chief Adept’s breast.

  Arise, very honoured frater, and receive at my hand the highest office I can bestow upon you in this temple. By the power in me vested, I now appoint you Hierophant of the (name) Temple to work and confer the grades of the Outer Order, under the dispensation of the chiefs, during the ensuing six months. May the light which is behind the Veil shine through you from your throne in the east on the fratres and sorores of the Order, and lead them to the perfect day.

  2ND AD: When the glory of this world passes.

  3RD AD: And a great light shines over the splendid sea.

  Chief Adept invests Hierophant with robes assisted by a server.

  CH. AD: I clothe you with the robe of a Hierophant. Bear it unspotted, my brother, during the period of your office. Keep clean your heart beneath it, so shall it sanctify your flesh and prepare you for that great day when you, who are now clothed by the power of the Order, shall be unclothed from the body of your death. I invest you also with the lamen of your office; may the virtue which it typifies without, be present efficaciously within you, and after the term of your present dignity, may such virtue still maintain you in your search after the white stone on which a new name is written which no man knoweth save he who receiveth it. You will now pass to the symbolic Altar of the Universe and assume the sceptre of the Hierophant.

  Hierophant goes to west of altar, raises sceptre in both hands, and says:

  HIERO: By the password (gives it) I claim my sceptre.

  He returns to east. Chief Adept takes him by both hands and enthrones him with the grip of the Second Order.

  CH. AD: By the power in me vested, I install you Hierophant of the (name) Temple. May the steps of this throne lead you to your proper place among the seats of the mighty which are above. (He turns to members.) Behold, my brethren, him who now stands amongst us, clothed with the attribute of lawful revealer of the mysteries for those whom we are leading towards the light. You are the adepti of those mysteries and you can assist him to proclaim them, that those who are still without may be led by loving hands to that which is within. Fratres and sorores of the R.R. et A.C., I now invite you to join with me in a common act of prayer.

  All face east.

  We give Thee thanks, supreme and gracious God, for the manifestation of Thy light which is vouchsafed to us, for that measure of knowledge which Thou hast revealed to us concerning Thy mysteries, for those guiding hands which raise the corner of the Veil and for the firm hope of a further light beyond. Keep, we beseech Thee, this man our brother, in the justice of Thy ways, in the spirit of thy great council, that he may well and worthily direct those who have been called from the tribulation of the darkness into the light of this little kingdom of Thy love; and vouchsafe also, that going forward in love for Thee, through him and with him, they may pass from the desire of Thy house into the light of Thy presence.

  2ND AD: The desire of Thy house hath eaten me up.

  3RD AD: I desire to be dissolved and to be with Thee.

  CH. AD: God save you, fratres et sorores. The work of the light for which we have assumed this temple has been accomplished faithfully, and the temple has received its Hierophant. By the power in me vested, I now remit it into its due place in the outer world taking with it the graces and benedictions which at this time we have been permitted to bestow thereon. And it is so remitted accordingly. In nomine Dei viventis.

  2ND AD: Et vivificantis.

  CH. AD: Qui vivit et regnet in saecula saeculorum.26

  3RD AD: Amen.

  All adepti give L.V.X. signs, and resume their proper places in the temple. They remove rose crosses. Praemonstrator goes to the door, opens it, and says:

  PRAEM: The brethren of the Outer Order will resume their places in the temple.

&
nbsp; Done. Door closed. Chief Adept rises, and says:

  CH. AD: Fratres et sorores of the Order of the Stella Matutina, behold your Hierophant, our Frater (name), who has been regularly installed and enthroned, and by the power in me vested, I proclaim him the revealer of mysteries among you for the ensuing six months, being part of that temporal period through which we are conducted into light. Very honoured frater, in the presence of the children of your temple, I call upon you to make your confession.

  HIERO: (Rising) Fratres et sorores of the Order, seeing that the whole intention of the lower mysteries, or of external initiation, is by the intervention of the symbol, ceremonial, and sacrament, so to lead the soul that it may be withdrawn from the attraction of matter and delivered from the absorption therein, whereby it walks in somnambulism, knowing not whence it cometh nor whither it goeth; and seeing also, that thus withdrawn, the soul by true direction must be brought to study of divine things, that it may offer the only clean oblation and acceptable sacrifice, which is love expressed towards God, man, and the universe; now, therefore, I confess and testify thereto, from my throne in this temple, and I promise, so far as in me lies, to lead you by the rites of this Order, faithfully conserved, and exhibited with becoming reverence, that through such love and such sacrifice, you may be prepared in due time for the greater mysteries, the supreme and inward initiation.

  He sits down. The installation of the lesser officers is now proceeded with.

  Cloaks and lamens are arranged at the foot of the dais, ready for the server to hand them to Hierophant. The ceremony of installation follows immediately the confession of the Hierophant. The outer members are called in by Praemonstrator and Kerux sees that all have places. Hierophant reads his confession, then says:

  HIERO: In virtue of the power to me committed, I proceed to invest my officers. Let the Hiereus come to the east.

  Hiereus, standing in the east, is invested with the cloak by the server, who also clips the lamen in place. Hierophant holds the lamen while saying:

  By the power to me committed, I ordain you Hiereus of this temple for the ensuing six months, and I pray that from your throne in the west, symbolizing the failing light, you also may lead the fratres and sorores of the Order to the full light in the end, and that you and they, in the midst of material gloom, will ever remember that the divine darkness is the same as the divine glory.