Don't feed the blog trolls

o

Some of you will know that the Order which I represent in Scandinavia, The Rosicrucian Order of Alpha et Omega (HOGD/A+O), announced a peace initiative at the Vernal Equinox of 2009 - which has become known as the "olive branch" of David Griffin - and invited all parties to follow suit. The Ros. Cruc. Order of A.O. has come to realize that this kind of brutal competition, which all of the major Golden Dawn Orders has been involved in since the middle 1990's, destroys nothing but the overall reputation of the Golden Dawn, not only as a physical body but also as an idea.

I know for a fact, from personal experience, that serious students are frightened away from a golden opportunity of spiritual growth because of this constant mud slinging between factions.

I know for a fact that this peace offer is sincere. It's not just empty words; the Ros. Cruc. Order of A.O. has presented detailed plan of action of how to go about to manifest a multilateral disarmament. But not a single body of the big name Orders has even cared to comment upon it. Instead this olive branch has been met with nothing but contempt from the other factions.

On the other hand, the majority of the small and independent Temples and observers, who have no interest in proselytizing members, has either been silent or has been reserved and sceptic regarding this "olive branch", which is fully understandable considering how long this "War of Roses" has been continuing and to what extremes it has gone. But what we have witnessed on Robert Zink's Esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn yahoo-forum is a barrage of the usual nonsensical rumours and accusations which we have become used to during the past 10 years or so, and more so.

Following this peace offer the Ros. Cruc. Order of A.O. also published a series of videos on YouTube, showing parts of the Vernal Equinox ritual of the Ahatôôr Temple No. 7 in Paris, which opened the 100 Year Centennial Jubileum Celebration of the founding of the Rosicruian Order of Alpha et Omega in 1909 by S.L. MacGregor Mathers.

We actually hoped that everyone would enjoy in sharing this with us. But what happened instead? Another meaningless defamation campaign against the A.O. emerged, involving the usual "nazi" rumour which the competing fractions normally use when they have ran out of reasoned argumenting.

As I personally attended and took active part in these festivities, I took it quite personal and was hurt deeply in my heart. I thought that the spirit of the Golden Dawn deserved better than this, so as naive as I am I embarked in a futile attempt to create a creative discussion about Golden Dawn ritual and symbolism, which amongst other things incited me to write a couple of short essays about the Red Enamelled Golden Cross and the Five Petaled Rose. But nobody cared about having a serious debate, so I resignated.

But the most ugly part in all this is the latest initiative taken in this defamation campaign, the blogosphere. We have before come to be used to anonymous defamation cites, but now this saddest part of the "War of the Roses" has spilled over to the blogosphere, which I refer to as the "Blog Trolls". So, naive as I am and against better judgement, I thought that I could perhaps reason with one of these guys (why do we always presume that these persons are male?) and embarked on, what I initially though was, a serious debate. I tried to reason with the guy telling him that what he did on his blog was counterproductive towards the entire Golden Dawn community, but to no avail.

I have learnt a hard lesson: Don't deal with anonymous blog trolls, don't feed them with more fuel. I did and I deeply regret that I even gave him serious attention. So now I admonish you all, who are serious in creating peace in the Golden Dawn community:

Don’t feed the blog trolls! Don't pay them any attention!

I will show you why, as what follows is a complete transcription of the conversation. This is published here as a warning not to fall into the same trap as I did. There is no sense in reasoning with these disciples of negativity. Give them the only reaction that they deserve - ignore them completely.

The anonymous blog troll in question calls himself "Golden Dawn Insider" and goes under the name of "Tommy", claiming that he has had experience of the Golden Dawn community since the middle 1990's and had communication with most Temples involved in this conflict. He tries to pose as an serious and objective observer, not representing anyone else but himself. But reading what he writes on this blog makes it quite clear to me that he has a hidden agenda which is not just his personal, but involves one of the big name Orders, and that he does not at all use intelligent reasoning but simple propaganda tactics and recurring themes or talking points, which amounts to that the Ros. Cruc. Order of A.O.:

1. Is a front to a nazi organization.
2. Lacks any lineage.
3. Breaks the hallmarks of the Golden Dawn tradition.

Everything else he is saying is just a glamorous package to deliver this same and old recurring message, which he's trying to hammer into the consciousness of the unsuspecting and serious seeker. And to all of you serious spiritual seekers who are reading this:

What follows has nothing at all to do with spirituality.

It has nothing at all to do with the high ideals of the Golden Dawn.

This is not about L.V.X.

It's all about V.I.T.R.I.O.L.
(and I am not referring to alchemy here)

Read and judge for yourself (A note: I have felt compelled to edit certain parts of the following transcription out of legal considerations).

The point of contention of Golden Dawn Insider is:

That David Griffin and associates demonstrate very clearly how out of touch with the tradition of the Golden Dawn they really are, as it is clear he is ignorant of traditional Golden Dawn symbolism. This, Tommy claims, is proven in the aforementioned videos where the ritual is shown.

That the fact that David Griffin was wearing an "Iron Cross" is proof of his ties to Nazism, and that the historical Iron Crosses of the WWII were not only black, but also Gold, Blue, or Red. This is also proven because he has his Hegemon dress as a member of the Ku Klux Klan. [Sic!]

To this I responded:

You wrote: "In fact, I've found, with minimal effort, Iron Crosses that were Gold, Blue, or Red."

Could you please give any sources? And btw, how able are you to judge Mr. Griffin's knowledge of Golden Dawn symbolism, having not ever met him? Just curious.

S.R.

To witch Golden Dawn Insider answered:

Look, I'm not going to sit here and tell you I believe David Griffin to be a Nazi. I'm only posting here current events and putting pieces of the puzzle together. You can make up your own mind.

I'll concede that it's possible the cross he's wearing isn't an "Iron Cross." However, there is other visual evidence I've encountered that hints at the fact that either David Griffin is tied with Nazi-ism in some way or just has a fancy for such symbolism.

How can I judge Mr. Griffin's knowledge of GD symbolism? By their fruits shall ye know them. He has absolutely no regard for the traditional structure of the order, and only justifies it by stating that the Golden Dawn system was never meant to remain exactly the same over the years. I would agree to a degree with this perspective. His lack of understanding for the traditional structure of the order is not entirely his fault, as he was kicked out of the inner order within two weeks after [...] initiated him into 5=6.

Look how he tries to maintain a image of being "reasonable" and "intelligent", i.e. every intelligent person cannot believe in any of these rumours of Mr. Griffin having ties with nazism, at the same time ending the sentence insinuating that it "looks" like he could be a nazi. Very simple law of propaganda tactics which reads: Tell people something repeatedly, it becomes the truth. Look also that he partly agrees with the rationale behind the General Reformation of 1999, at the same time disqualifying it by reducing Mr. Griffin' lineage to an old American initiation by one of Israel Regardie's students, which has no bearing to the reformation at all. My response to this was:

Care "Tommy",

You wrote: "He [i.e. Griffin] has absolutely no regard for the traditional structure of the order".

In this I agree, that he has no regard of preserving an old and obsolete structure which was created 121 years ago. But to call this not having sufficient understanding of the structure, that's not more than conjecture on your part. Instead of your conclusion Mr. Griffin's and Mr. Ruggiu's decision to reform their order may be a proof that they know something about the structure that you yourself doesn't understand or have overlooked.

Notice that I included Jean-Pascal Ruggiu together with David Griffin as the source of the Reformation of 1999. I know for a fact that the reformation was a combined effort between Sweden and France.

I would be happy to inform you about the reasons behind the 1999 reformation, if you are willing to reason and discuss with me. But considering all the usual nonsense rumours you are spreading here on your blog (including the particulars of Mr. Griffins 5=6 initiation), I fear that you are not interested in a serious discussion. But I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt.

S.R.

To this Golden Dawn Insider responded:

It is obsolete, according to Griffin's extensive writing on the subject, in as much as a lot of the inner and outer order grade material was published, primarily by Regardie. The publication of certain lessons and methods, however, does not impose a necessary reform of the entire structure of approach to theory and practice of magic, specifically the Golden Dawn.

I would entertain a discussion with you on "1999 reformation," but I hardly think it would be anything more than a rationalization of a decision made by (in my humble opinion) those unqualified to make such a change.

Regarding Griffin's 5=6 initiation, it is a matter of his word against [...]. What you can't deny is that he is a former member of [...] order and that he founded his own order in the late 90s. Knowing his roots, it becomes clear that the nonsense is his claim to be the "one and only" only order with any lineage to Mathers.

Here Golden Dawn Insider tries to pose as someone that's interested in a serious discussion about Golden Dawn initiation and the training of the modern Golden Dawn initiate. There is some credence to his opinion that just because something is published doesn't necessarily mean it cannot have merit to present it traditionally to the student. Here I take the bait, which is further made more appeasing when he challenges me to present something solid. Again he repeats the old "Griffin has no lineage" mantra, knowing that most that read his messages remember the last sentence thrown out.

What follows is my effort to provide a serious explanation of the Reformation of 1999:

Care Frater Tommy,

Perhaps I'm naive, but I sense in you some kind of willingness for discussion. Your willingness to let my posts through is a token of this, and in this regard I salute you. Please bear in mind that I'm not interested in any infighting with you or anyone else. We should be beyond this, as we both belong to the Greater Fraternity of the Golden Dawn. We should strive to see what we have in common and what binds us together, rather than searching for the enemy. I don't like to fight with my own kind.

Regarding me indulging in rationalization...perhaps, perhaps not. I'm not one of the original reformers, but I'm one of those who has implemented them, namely in my Temple, as have all Temples in Sweden (even them not belonging anymore to the Ros. Cruc. Order of A.O.). I have advanced several initiates through the Grades and personally supervised their training and giving them regular counselling, as part of their initiatic process, since the middle 1990's. So I believe I'm quite qualified to have a educated opinion of its effectiveness and of its appropriateness. This doesn't mean that I won't acknowledge your right for a difference of opinion. To be honest, I fully respect your reservedness. I probably would have been one of its critics wouldn't I had experienced it myself.

First of all, the reformation of 1999 doesn't change the initiatic structure at all, but greatly enhances it. Our initiatic rituals are more or less the same as the ones you are accustomed to, even if we have made some amendments of a minor nature. The greatest change lies on the individual level and personal work. As the G.D. in the Outer was mainly a theoretical Order, now it is also operative magical and alchemical.

The initiates of the Ros. Cruc. Order of A.O. follows a very rigid regimen of gradual magical workings as related to the standard and correspondences as set forth by the original Golden Dawn of the 1888 year reformation, i.e. following the path and ascension of the Tree of Life. So a Practicus of our Order, as an example, invokes all forces relating to Water and the Sephirah Hod - nothing else or less. You will see the same with the other Elemental Grades, as invocation starts off with the Zelator Grade.

Our Neophytes prepare themselves for the initiatory work, with Lesser Banishing Rituals and Middle Pillar Ritual. As initiates of the Elemental Grades they learn to perform the Greater Pentagram and Hexagram Rituals. As portal members they learn the Supreme Pentagram Ritual. As Neophyte Adepti Minori they work with the Planetary Hexagram workings inside the Vault.

In the Elemental Sub-Grades of the Adeptus Minor Grade they work with each Enochian Tablet (Elemental, Planetary and Zodiacal), and in much more detail and depth compared to the Outer Order Workings, plus even more interesting operations that I cannot divulge here. So, as you see, there is a very conscious and deliberate structure in the Magical training of the initiate that, in my experience is superior to the old structure of training. On the level of Adeptus Major, which also breaks into Sub-Grades, we train our initiates in magical evocation, i.e. the much misunderstood but highly imperative workings with the averse forces. These averse forces are of course the repressed "demons" or complexes of the unconscious of the initiate. If successful, this naturally transforms the initiate into a Exempt Adept, free from his own irrational and infantile desires.

This clearly follows the Abramelin formula. The six months preparation as described in the second book corresponds to the Elemental Grades and Portal. The convocation of the good spirits corresponds with the Adeptus Minor Grade, which of course should result in the Knowledge and Conversation with the Holy Guardian Angel, while the conjuration of the Evil Spirits is corresponding with the Adeptus Major Grade.

Regarding Alchemy, we train our Outer Order members in some very basic spagyrical operations in the higher Elemental Grades. As Adepti Minory we work with the Lesser Work or the Circulatum Minor, production of the Plant Stone. In the Adeptus Major Grade we work with the Great Work, or Ciruculatum Major, according to the Dry Way. In the Adeptus Exemptus Grade we work with the Great Work according to the Wet Way.

Inner Alchemy, the true Jewel and capstone of the old Continental Rosicrucian tradition, is the subject of the three Magisteria of the Magister Templi, Magus and Ipsissimus Grades.

In my own personal experience and that of my students, I know the difference between how it was used to be and how it is now after 1999. As I said, the Outer Order process is now greatly enhanced, but at the same time "weeds out" the unprepared. Granted, the initiatic process is much more testing and tries the candidate to a greater extent, but that is for the good in my opinion.

Some leave because they cannot handle the forces, i.e. out of spiritual immaturity. Others leave because of the time consuming required work and study, i.e. out of laziness. The rest are much more tempered and prepared for the Greater Initiation of the Adeptus Minor.

Considering the advanced workings of the reformed R.R. et A.C. this magical and alchemical preparation in the Outer Order is both required and needed. So the reformed curriculum is certainly not for anyone interested in the G.D.; it is not for the armchair occultist. As a matter of fact, it requires perseverance, courage, determination, maturity, seriousity and sincerity. Following the required work, it is extremely difficult to advance just by chance or outer appearance, and intellectual capacity alone.

I wouldn't say that it is more dangerous to be an initiate today. But it is definitely more difficult, and stressful. The initiate is protected by the egregore and current of the Temple and Order. He or she is, as always has been the fact both before and after the 1999 reformation, introduced to the forces of the Grade (which is a blend or amalgamation of Elemental, Planetary, Zodiacal and Sephirotic currents) by the medium of the Hierophant and the Temple, through the initiatic rites. The Grade Rituals serves to be a species of catalyst which awakens the corresponding forces within the Sphere of the initiate. This fact makes him or her able to work with these forces and transform him- or herself through their agent, which is always linked to the currents invoked prior in the Grade Ritual.

Furthermore, the initiate is under strict supervision of his or her tutor or mentor, which is a must with this kind of advanced curriculum. Any signs of unwanted effects are easily spotted; the initiatic process is either adjusted, checked, suspended or discontinued. My experience is that the initiate him- or herself intuitively or by necessity knows when the obstacle is to great, be it the sheer workload or spiritual unpreparedness.

Knowing that the initiatic process of the Golden Dawn in itself is quite intense, if your are dedicated to the path, it is even more so and greatly enhanced now after 1999. The archetypal synchronistic events are even more emphasized. Each initiation (or advancement) is a species of a deliberate crisis for the initiate; it may bring forth spiritual development or regression. Even more so now. But as I said, the mere structure of the work, together with close tutorship, the Grade rites and the protective egregore, makes this a great opportunity for the sincere student.

Now it’s up to you and the readers of your blog to judge for yourselves if all this is mere rationalization concocted up in my own morbid mind, or if my words bear the mark of someone with experience. Please bear in mind that I don’t regard the pre-1999 reformation curriculum to be without merit. It still has an extremely great spiritual potential to bring the initiate to his or her own God. I even wouldn’t dare to call the structure of curriculum that I profess to be superior to the one you and most of my Golden Dawn brothers and sister are used to. Please continue to follow it. I encourage you to. This is not about an “old vs. new aeon” thing. Not an all. It is just the simple fact that we prefer to do it a bit differently as compared to how you do it, and that we regard ourselves to be in a legitimate position to make these changes. Still there is lots of points left which we share in common. We are basically working in the same tradition. Again, let’s look for the similarities instead of the differences between us.

Regarding the initiation of Mr. Griffin, I believe he is best qualified to defend himself. He doesn't need me for this. May I just bring your attention to the fact that Mr. Griffin was a member of Cris Monnastre's Temple in Los Angeles, and no one else’s. It's true that this Temple under Monnastre’s supervision was part of a greater confederation of Temples across the States during the late 1980's and early 1990's. It is also true that they had much cooperation on the level of the Inner Order and used a common Vault of the Adepti. But this doesn't mean that Mr. Griffin was anyone else’s student but that of Cris Monnastre. He was under her direct supervision and authority, and no one else’s, during these years.

But these things of the past or American “lineages” doesn't matter anymore, as the Ros. Cruc. Order of the A.O. have its base and pivot in Paris and the Ahatoor Grand Temple No. 7. So, my suggestion is to drop this particular aspect of our discussion entirely as it leads nowhere, is counter productive, and frankly is boring.

Fraternally in L.V.X., Life and Love,
S.R.

To this Golden Dawn Insider commented, still with some kind of spirit that seemingly entertains a creative discussion (he even calls me "Frater"):

Frater,
Assuming I have the time, I certainly have a willingness for discussion.

Far be it from me to tell you and yours what to do. If something is working for you, by all means do continue. I'm not convinced that the outer order initiates are ready for all inner order materials, published or otherwise. Some practices I would go as far as to say they are dangerous for the unprepared.

I have read this defense of Griffin's affiliation, history, and ties with [...]. However, it really just because a student is guided by their primary teacher doesn't mean they don't still fall under the jurisdiction of the reigning chief adept. Consider if the same thing happened within your order. I'm not making any of this up. I have had oral and written communication on the subject from members of a few orders.

I don't deny David or his (your) order's right to practice Golden Dawn magic or to run an order. However, to make such a claim to be the only legitimate Golden Dawn order in existence is absurd. He used to make statements more to the effect that he would essentially head the whole Golden Dawn, and it seems more that since he has been successful only in stirring up ill feeling he changed gears last year when he started claiming to possess the sole lineage. As I've stated before the videos he took of the supposed 100+ year old temple bears little resemblance of the simple construction of a proper Golden Dawn temple. 100 years is more than enough time to construct a proper "grand temple." This discussion is far from counterproductive, but if you don't wish to continue with it, that's fine by me.

But as can bee seen, Tommy is speaking with a forked tongue; "please go ahead and continue with your reformation, but remember that it is dangerous for your students". Here he also introduces the misguided concept of the Chief Adept, which I will soon deal with below. To underpin his statements, he again reaffirms his "insider position" and close ties with certain important parties. Again he ends his message with refuting the lineage of the Ros. Cruc. Order of A.O.

To this I answered, still believing some parts of his sentiments being sincere and personally motivated:

Care Frater Tommy,

I appreciate your candidness. Could you be more specific about which Inner Order practices you regard as dangerous for the unprepared initiate?

I understand your sentiments about Mr. Griffin's claims. Looking back it has been counterproductive, and I can understand that many has been upset by it. I am the first to applaud the new direction taken in my Order to acknowledge all Golden Dawn Orders. This new approach has been long overdue.

Let me just make it clear that our Order was not the first to make such bold claims (and I am not referring to any of the Orders you have mentioned in our discussion); you know who I mean. But let's not linger on the past. Let us look ahead.

I understand yours and others reservations about this new direction. But let me assure you that it is sincere. We have come to understand that all this crap - which basically is a classic strife within a family, albeit a dysfunctional one - has just made harm to the entire Golden Dawn community. I know for a fact that it has scared away lots of serious seekers. This is tragic.

Unfortunately, some contents on your blog isn't making things for the better. So I do believe it is counterproductive. Let's stop pointing fingers at each other; we all have a collective responsibility in preserving the reputation of our common venerable tradition.

Regarding the Paris Grand Temple of Ahatoor No. 7. Our Order has never claimed that it has had a continual operative existence since its original founding in 1892; it was revived by Jean-Pascal Ruggiu and Nicholas Tereschenko in 1992. The fact remains that it performs its meetings in a freemasonic lodge room, which it rents from a French Masonic Order. This accounts for some of the non-optimal solutions that you can spot in the video, as regards the props, etc. This is a common situation for most Golden Dawn and other occult Orders in Europe. This was also, as you know, the situation at the original Grand Temple of Isis-Urania No. 3 in London, which usually held meetings at the house of some member and occasionally held its meetings at Mark Masons Hall. This was also the case with the Mother Temple of Stella Matutina, the Amoun Temple, which held its meetings in the living room of some initiate.

This is nothing uncommon at all. Perhaps the situation is different in the States, I don't know, but this is the situation in Europe.

Regarding the situation in the States in the 1980's and early 90's, Cris Monnastre's Temple was authorized (or rather approved) by non other than Israel Regardie; no one else had jurisdiction over her. She was, in fact, the closest pupil of Regardie. Everyone knew this to be a fact during the time of Mr. Griffin's initiations. Temples at that time were in practice independent. The principle was co-operation, not autocracy. I know that people involved in these tragic events today have other views, but this is how Monnastre herself viewed this.

But all this is history now. Please let us look ahead towards the future instead.

Fraternally in L.V.X.,
S.R.

What was before a tentatively and almost fraternal discussion now suddenly turns foul, with this message from Golden Dawn Insider:

I have witnessed, the uninitiated specifically, experience psychological problems due to working with various forces and entities. The Enochian system is but an example of something that generally lies within the inner order that has the potential to really mess up someone's life. It is not a result that is absolutely destined to happen with every individual, but it does happen. I don't quite how in depth into Enochian magic you go into with your outer order, but I do know you provide the Enochian tablets to your Zelator, or rather what you have renamed to "Junioris."

Why do you hold the view that it is "more difficult for a student today."

How can you claim lineage through a building when your order's website clearly places an emphasis on "apostolic succession?"

I do certainly hope for a peaceful future within the Golden Dawn, but it isn't yet clear to me how that will happen. If you truly believe it to be a possibility, I would encourage your webmaster to set a good example by removing all the trash about other orders hosted there. I think this might send the message that you are all at least trying, as it currently seems that nobody trusts the "olive branch."

Here is becomes clear that Golden Dawn Insider just are reflecting the discussion which has been prevalent on the EOGD yahoo-forum. Again, that the reformation of 1999 is dangerous for our candidates, that our lineage is nothing that a myth of the recreated Ahathôôr Temple in Paris (i.e. "lineage through a building"), and lastly that the responsibility must belong to the Ros. Cruc. Order of A.O. to unilaterally dismantle the contents on its web page, before anyone else does anything.

For me it now becomes clear that I am talking to a member of one of the big name orders, probably the EOGD, because of the focus on the untraditional Christ like sanctity of the Chief Adept, and because of his use of libellous and simple defamation tactics, a behaviour which I have seen from this camp many times before. Would he been sincere when, and I quote, he stated that he "certainly hope for a peaceful future within the Golden Dawn" he wouldn't had use these kind of unproductive and highly political ways to express his point. It's people like Golden Dawn Insider, which hides behind a veil of anonymity on defamation blogs, which makes ME doubt that something substantial of this peace offer of the Ros. Cruc. Order of A.O. will ever come through.

Regarding the "Enochian Magic is dangerous" slogan, now this sounds like something coming from a hardliner B.O.T.A. member. I'm curious of how Elemental invocation, as an example, can be harmful just by using the same symbols and names that are already used in the Elemental Grade rituals? As I said in my post earlier, being introduced to these forces in a physical initiation ritual actually seals a covenant with these forces and the candidate. This is a very underestimated and highly important aspect of initiation. Tommy even partially confirms this when he write that he has noticed this specifically amongst the uninitiated. But considering that the EOGD practices "astral" initiation, I wouldn't recommend them following our suit when it comes to the magical training of their Outer Order member. Also considering the hard work that is to be expected with this kind of magical regimen and requires lots of time investment and discipline, which is counterproductive if you have the ambition to become the biggest Order in membership.

Guess what people? Serious students of magic are doing this kind of work anyway, whether any Chief of a Temple approves of it or not. The safest way to deal with this fact is to provide with a deliberate and conscious magical curriculum, which is stimulating for the modern student of the Golden Dawn, who is much more advanced compared to candidates back in 1888.

I did write a final post to Golden Dawn Insider, which hitherto hasn't been published. Therefore I will publish it here for everyone to read. As you will notice it is more harsh in tone, which expresses my deep disappointment about the real motives of Golden Dawn Insider, which is nothing more than defaming the reputation of the Ros. Cruc. Order of A.O., not taking to consideration that it actually defames the entire Golden Dawn community.

Care Frater Tommy,

There are always two sides to every debate. Please take my questions to you in the fraternal spirit in which they are intended.

In my opinion, your blog has but one purpose. To anonymously defame the Ros. Cruc. Oder of A.O. in order to frighten potential members away from our order to the EOGD. Otherwise, why do you hide behind anonymity, except so as not to face consequences of the libelous content of the statements that you make?

Moreover, I am deeply concerned that you do not appear willing to have an intelligent discussion with me at all. Instead, you merely keep repeating your talking points over and over like a broken record. This is a common rhetorical strategy used in propaganda, but not in academic discussion.

It is obvious, despite your attempt to protect both yourself and the EOGD from prosecution for libel in response to the rumors that you create and spread anonymously on this blog, that you in fact represent the EOGD. This is clear from the content of your blog posts. Does Robert Zink agree with what you are doing? Does he support this? I would appreciate some honest answers to these questioins rather than your merely repeating your talking points yet again.

I hope that you fully understand that the Golden Dawn community here in the Blogosphere is getting very tired of defamation spread by anonymously published websites and blogs. Numerous of the legitimate Golden Dawn blogs have been discussing this problem of the terrible public impression caused by the defamation being spread by anonymously published blogs like this one and others like it, no matter which order and leaders they are attacking.

Our Imperator recently spoke out against this in the Blogosphere and asked every one to stop this, including those misguided individuals misguided attacking the EOGD. I agree with his words that you should all "zip your lips." I note that the anonymous blogs that had been attacking the EOGD have fallen silent for some time now and that you are the only anonymous writer continuing to spread defamation in the blogosphere.

Why do you spread such defamation? All of this amounts to nothing but fear-mongering as a marketing tool - from your silly Nazi rumors to the ridiculous notion that practicing magic under supervision in our Order is more dangerous than doing it on one's own reading from the published litterature. The Golden Dawn community on the Blogosphere is getting fed up with this sort of thing.

I hate to bring this issue about lineage up into our discussion, which is not one of my favorite subjects. But it was you who brought it up in the first place, and who repeats it in every other paragraph. On the subject of lineage, it is historical fact that the lineal affiliations of the Golden Dawn have always been vested, not in the office of Chief Adept as you and EOGD mistakenly assert, but rather in the Adeptus Exemptus Grade of 7=4. The lineages of the Golden Dawn and its derivative orders have always transmitted with this grade.

In the case of the Ros. Cruc. Order of A.O., you are mistaken in your erroneous assertion that we claim lineage through Isreal Regardie or Cris Monnastre. We have never claimed this. In reality, the lineages of our order derive directly though our present Chief Adept, G.H. Frater Lux Aurorae, Jean-Pascal Ruggiu (Imperator of the Ahathôôr temple No. 7 in Paris) via Countess Tamara Bourkoun, Marquis Nicholas Tereschenko, the Serapis Temple of the Golden Dawn in London, and the Continental European source of the original Golden Dawn that Mathers referred to as the "Secret Chiefs." We hold valid charters from both of these sources and have for years consistently published detailed information about our lineages and lines of transmission. These have been exposed to a great deal of scrutiny and yet stand.

You may read about this in detail in the following article and in this second one.

In order to be fair, you must finally likewise allow a public examination of the lineage claims being made by Robert Zink and the EOGD. It is interesting to hear the story of the lineage claims in the EOGD. This story has changed somewhat over the years, but Robert Zink, now claims that he received a genuine lineage from the American branch of the Rosicrucian Order of the Alpha et Omega through some anonymous, now conveniently deceased, Adept.

Who was this and why does Robert Zink refuse to provide the name of this individual so that this claim may be independently examined?

In fact, Robert Zink's ex-wife, Sonya Neiman Zink, disputes this claim, stating that she and Robert were "self-initiated" into the current of the Golden Dawn, with no outside authorization whatsoever. Moreover, looking at the YouTube video of the EOGD, which I enjoy so much for its sheer beauty, I must conclude that the design of the Vault of the Adepti, as pictured in that video, isn't following the traditional design according to all the relevant Alpha et Omega papers on the Vault, such as The Book of the Tomb and the 5=6 ritual, etc.

EOGD Vault of Adepti

Here is what Vault walls are supposed to look like in the Alpha et Omega according to these specific source documents:

Ahathôôr Temple Vault

Note that the EOGD Vault walls look nothing like this, but have completely different colors and a white lattice work between them for which I can find no reference in any Golden Dawn, Stella Matutina, or Alpha et Omega document. If the EOGD Vault of the Adepti were painted according to the instructions contained in confidential Alpha et Omega documents, this would have gone far to substantiate Mr. Zink's claim of A.O. lineage. Unfortunately, however, they do not, so I am inclined to believe Sonya Neiman Zink instead.

This does not mean, however, that Ros. Cruc. Order of A.O. is the only "legitimate" order as you erroneously state we are claiming. Why should lineage be understood as legitimacy? This is a misunderstanding. In fact the Ros. Cruc. Order of A.O. sees lineage very differently. Our Imperator wrote about this just last week. I qoute:

There remains much confusion here in the West regarding the true nature of initiatic spiritual lineages. Most people either think that lineage means apostolic succession as in the case of certain Christian churches or that it is based on mutual recognition as in the case of Freemasonry. The spiritual transmissions that occur with initiation in the lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, however, like that described by Frater Peregrin in the above linked article, are one of the best examples to help Westerners understand the true nature and value of spiritual lineages. I am aware that this remains somewhat controversial, but if we in the Golden Dawn community could just get our egos and defensiveness out of the way, both the Hermetic and Rosicrucian traditions also have major spiritual lineages to transmit to intiates, that have been faithfully passed down in an unbroken chain, from Alchemical Master to Alchemical Disciple, for two entire decades of Centuries.

In other words, we see primarily lineage in a spiritual sense, like in Zen or Tibetan Buddhism, rather than in an apostolic sense as you erroneously state.

Finally, you state that our webmaster should "set a good example by removing all the trash about other orders hosted there". I note that our order has had an offer on the table for over a month now to take down such pages on a reciprocal basis with the EOGD. We even provided a list of the offensive pages that need to be removed. We requested that Robert Zink likewise provide us with a list of such pages an that we would take them down simultaneously. He has completely failed to do so until present.

Moreover, as a gesture of good faith and as a first step, our order over a month ago stopped all posts on our forum that contained personal attacks against members of any other orders. We requested that EOGD do the same, also as a gesture of good faith. Not only did they fail to do this, but they actually increased the personal attacks against Ros. Cruc. Order of A.O. members many fold!

Moreover, at this time you, Tommy, are the only anonymous writer continuing to publish defamatory material attacking another order here on the Blogosphere. Under these circumstances, your suggestion sounds extremely hypocritical.

Please do not misunderstand me. Our order has already set out on a new course and we will stay on it. We are committed to a healthy clean-up and the healing of old polarities. We have even changed our Chief Adept since the Equinox.

We have already taken many concrete steps to clean up the mess, but we can not do it alone. And it is looking more and more that EOGD is not even interested in cleaning up defamation and building better relations. The time has come for EOGD to stop attacking other orders with anonymous writers and to work with us to begin to clean up this mess instead.

But you are mistaken about one thing. The ball is not in our court. It is in EOGD's. The time has come for EOGD to take down this blog, stop all personal attacks on their forum, and to take down the specific pages from their website that we requested.

If EOGD is serious about beginning to clean up this mess, then they are welcome to attain open direct talks between initiates of both orders with Ros. Cruc. Order of A.O. We remain willing to talk with them as we have been for over a month though. We will, however, no long hold such talks with an anonymous writer both speaking and not speaking on their behalf, while simultaneously defaming our order with propaganda-like talking points in every paragraph as in the comments involved in this present discussion.

Fraternally,
Frater S.R.

Looking through all this, and the latest events on the EOGD yahoo-forum, I wonder how anyone can demanding unilateral concessions from the Ros. Cruc. Order of A.O. despite the fact that it has already made first attempts to it, i.e. not to post any libellous attacks on its yahoo-forum. The fact remains that the peace offer to all other big name Golden Dawn orders coming from Mr. Griffin has been met with nothing but renewed defamation campaigns on the EOGD yahoo-forum, which proves that there is no real interest in any peace from any other Golden Dawn Order today but the Ros. Cruc. Order of A.O. But my sincere hope is that I'm just being paranoid again. I hope that I can find my way back into my original naiveness, in my belief that everything, including the Golden Dawn, is progressing to integration or "Gold".

Or am I a fool to believe in a future and Invisible Golden Dawn Fraternity "made without hands”?

S∴R∴