Fama Fraternitatis - 1614

Wiewohl wir nun wohl wissen, daß es umb ein ziemliches noch nicht an dem, da wieder unserm Verlangen oder auch anderer Hoffnung mit allgemeiner Reformation divini et humani, solle genug geschehen, ist es doch nicht unbillich, daß, ehe die Sonne auffgehet, sie zuvor ein HELL oder dunkel liecht in den Himmel bringt und unter dessen etliche wenige, die sich werden angeben, zusammen tretten, unsere Fraternitet mit der Zahl und Ansehen des gewünschten und von Fr.R.C. fürgeschriebenen Philosophischen Canons, einen glücklichen Anfang machen oder ja in unserer Schätz (die uns nimmermehr aufgehen können) mit uns in Demut und Liebe genießen die Mühsamkeit dieser Welt überzuckern und in den Wunderwerken Gottes nicht also blind umbgehen.

Vi vet dock att det enligt vår åstundan och andras förväntningar efter någon tid kommer en allmän reformation av både gudomliga och mänskliga ting. Ty innan solen går upp, upplyses himlen av
MORGONRODNADENS ljus. I väntan på denna reformation församlas några få som med sitt antal skall utöka vårt brödraskap, höja dess anseende och stärka dess förhoppningar och ge de av Fr.R.C. föreskrivna Filosofiska Canons en lycklig begynnelse. I all ödmjukhet och kärlek skall dessa nytillkomna tillsammans med oss dela våra skatter, som aldrig skall förgås, och så lindra denna världens möda och inte längre vandra ovetande om kunskapen om Guds underbara verk.

Howbeit we know after a time there will now be a general reformation, both of divine and humane things, according to our desire, and the expectation of others: for it is fitting, that before the rising of the Sun, there should appear and break forth AURORA, or some clearness, or divine light in the sky; and so in the mean time some few, which shall give their names, may joyn together, thereby to increase the number and respect of our Fraternity, and make a happy and wished for beginning of our Philosophical Canons, prescribed to us by our brother R.C. and be partakers with us of our treasures (which never can fail or be wasted) in all humility, and love to be eased of this worlds labor, and not walk so blindly in the knowledge of the wonderful works of God.

Definition

Det brittiska ordenssällskapet Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn och den tyska Frimurarlogen L'Aurore Naissante, vilket grundades i London 1888 respektive Frankfurt-am-Main 1807, delade på samma hebreiska namn Chevrah Zerach Bequr Aur, förevisat i gyllene gult vid bloggens huvud, vilket ordagrannt kan översättas till “Stigande Gryningsljusets Sällskap”. Denna tyska Rosenkorsiska Frimurarloge i Frankfurt, vilket måste anses vara det ursprungliga modertemplet till GOLDEN DAWN, kallade sig på tyska även Loge sur Aufgehenden Morgenröthe, vilket kan översättas till “Gryende Morgonrodnadens Loge”. Detta skiljer sig åt från den engelska seden att översätta orden Bequr Aur till “Golden Dawn” eller “Gyllene Gryningen”. Med anledning av Rosenkorstraditionens tyska ursprung är en mer korrekt översättning av Bequr Aur, genom franskans L'Aurore Naissante och tyskans Aufgehenden Morgenröthe, inget annat än GRYENDE MORGONRODNADEN. Denna hänvisning till ett stigande gryningsljus, morgonrodnad eller aurora är en klar hänvisning till den allmäna reformationen omnämnt i det ovan citerade stycket från Fama Fraternitatis. Denna blogg har dock valt att behålla den försvenskade anglo-saxiska termen GYLLENE GRYNINGEN för att denna, invand som den är, lättare associeras med den Rosenkorsiska tradition som här ämnas att framställas.

Licht, Leben, Liebe

tisdag 14 september 2010

Temple protocol

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In this little essay I will speak quite openly about matters that probably shouldn’t be mentioned in the first place. But I feel compelled to speak up as there is a quite interesting discussion going on right now, concerning the procedure of Golden Dawn Temple meetings. As usual a dichotomy is being made between magical workings and Masonic procedure, where the one is considered by some to be contrary to the other.

Some others however propose that the Golden Dawn Temple should use the Neophyte Grade to envelope the Elemental Grade meetings, in a Masonic fashion. In Freemasonry to open up a Master Masons degree one first open the Lodge in the Apprentice degree, and then “lift the Lodge” into the Fellow Masons degree and finally into the Master Masons degree, and closes the Lodge in a similar fashion but in reverse order. Now Tony Fuller has suggested that the Rosicrucian Order of Alpha et Omega, under the leadership of S.L. MacGregor Mathers, used this procedure in all their Elemental workings, i.e. that they first opened the Temple in the Neophyte Grade and then opened the particular Elemental Grade considered for the meeting. I also remember reading somewhere regarding A.E. Waite’s Fellowship of the Rosy Cross that they used to open the Lodge in the Neophyte Grade before proceeding to open in any of the Elemental Grades.

Swedish Freemasonic Hall

But in my opinion there is a problem with this protocol, and it has to do with the fact of how one chooses to look upon the nature of the Outer Order Elemental Grades. Using the Stella Matutina outlook, which I have discussed before on this blog, one could easily use the Neophyte Grade preceding any Elemental Grade as the Elemental Grades newer “quitteth” Malkuth, according to Robert Felkin and Neville Meakin. In this model the Elemental Grades become limited to the Sephiroth Netzach to Malkuth inclusive, in Malkuth in Assiah. Now the Ritual Z-1 does state (in all its versions) that the Hall of Maat (Neophyte Hall) constitutes the very same Sephiroth Netzach to Malkuth in Malkuth in Assiah. So in this scheme one Elemental Grade simply becomes an emphasis of one of the Sephiroth present in the Neophyte Grade, the latter overlooking the Elemental workings so to speak.

For a long time this also was my own belief, resorting to Israel Regardies books, until I studied the Alpha et Omega (and original Golden Dawn) version of the Ritual of the Portals. It is in this “Grade” or intermediary state where these two different perspectives becomes the most obvious. Robert Felkin and Neville Meakin changed the Portal Ritual to refit the entire Golden Dawn system into that of the Misraim Service of Rudolf Steiner, wherein the teachings of “Elemental Grades not quitteth Malkuth” were dissiminated for the first time in history. This was properly speaking in 1910, two years before Steiner ended his Masonic activites and focused upon Anthroposophy. Before that (and also after in the Alpha et Omega) the Neophyte Grade were instead depending from the Zelator Grade. Thus in the classical Golden Dawn, and that of the later Alpha et Omega, the Neophyte and Zelator Grades where very intimately related, where the Neophyte were presented to the Tree of Life in Malkuth in Assiah up to the veil of Paroketh but not any further. Thus the Neophyte where only put to stand upon the threshold into the immeasurable region, whereas the Zelator crossed this threshold and entered into it. Thus, in the Zelator Grade the initiate where magically presented to the whole Tree of Life of Malkuth in Assiah in its full glory. In the Theoricus Grade he were then to be presented to the Tree of Life in Yesod in Assiah, and in the Practicus Grade to that of the Tree of Life in Hod in Assiah, etc.

Now, as I totally reject this idea of Felkin’s forcing the Golden Dawn system of initiation into the model of Rudolf Steiner’s 9 degrees system of the Misraim Service, I simply belive it is wrong to open the Neophyte Grade before any Elemental Grade other than that of the Zelator. But even in this last instance I feel it is redundant, as the Neophyte and Zelator Grades are still quite different in tone and nature. Even if the Godforms on the Dais are quite similar, but not identical (and thus magically could integrate), I would let the Zelator Grade be left alone. Just consider the fact that the Hieres first has to check the ante-chamber in the Neophyte Grade and then again in the Zelator, or the Stolistes and Dadouchos first purifying and consecrating during the Neophyte opening, and again during the Zelator opening; surely the Elemental Rituals were designed to stand on their own. There is a reason for the other Elemental Grades not being purified and consecrated, which I won’t discuss here.

Ironically enough, according to Tony Fuller, the Whare Ra didn’t open the Neophyte Hall before an Elemental Grade working (even if their Grade system made allowance for this), but instead the Alpha et Omega did this for some strange reason, against better judgment. I simply have no rational explanation for this and scratch my head.

The other question that has been brought up is that some people advice against the protocol of the Neophyte Grade, or any of the Elemental Grades, to be opened and closed only to hold an administrative meeting and discussion. This has been suggested most emphatically by one prominent authority to be a later deviation of S.L. MacGregor Mathers, who became a “spent force” and thus took refuge to Freemasonry. One other authority suggest that this is wasting important magical force upon such “mundane matters,” and that the forces invoked should only be used for real magical workings, such as pathworkings, etc.

However I must make the reader aware of the fact that the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn since its early inception used a similar protocol. Reading the by-laws of the Isis Urania Temple No. 3, as published by R.A. Gilbert in his The Golden Dawn Companion, one easily may read these stating that a lecture may be held if there are no planned initiations. This clearly leaves room for the Temple setting being used for other matters than that of initiation and other similar magical workings. So, there is a tendency in certain quarters (who sees the Stella Matutina, and in particular the Whare Ra, as the only true incarnation of the Golden Dawn spirit) to blame the old age and “spent force” of MacGregor Mathers for anything which doesn’t suit the taste of the detractor, be it ritual procedure or be it teachings in form of papers produced, where in fact most (if not all) of the “odd” proceedings and papers of the Alpha et Omega only duplicated that of the old Golden Dawn Order, at least up to the Adeptus Minor Grade.

MacGregor Mathers a spent force?

Personally I believe it to be a good idea to open the Hall of the Neophytes and, as an example, hold a lecture on the mysteries of the Neophyte Grade or any other subject which pertains to a Neophyte. In this way, the forces present will make the lecture into something more than mere words spoken by a Hierophant or Praemonstrator (the offices often associated with teaching). Instead they will be spoken by the gods themselves being assumed by these offices. Compare this with any of the other Elemental Grade Ceremonies, where a great bulk constitutes a series of lectures using pictorial representations. Also here instruction becomes magical and affects the Sphere of Sensation of the Candidate. In a similar fashion, a lecture held may have a profound effect upon the Energy Bodies of all present, not just a mere intellectual stimulation. In the Golden Dawn the goal is to make theory into practice and into living magic.

I furthermore hold that having a purely administrative and “mundane” meeting in open Temple isn’t that a bad idea actually. I imagine that the godforms present, and the forces themselves filling the Hall of the Grade, may inspire the members present, and especially the Chiefs and Officers. Why not bring in the divine forces into the discussions of the running of the Temple? What’s the harm done in that? On the contrary, this may actually bring in true guidance from the Inner Planes into the Temple. Some very bright and intuitive ideas may see the light in this way. At least I see a possibility and potential in this. Although I agree that opening of the Temple in any Grade presents a good opportunity for performing magic together other that that of initiation, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility to also using it for other purposes which may seem boring compared to a group skrying session, etc., but perhaps equally important for the Temple Egregore.

S∴R∴

9 kommentarer:

Peregrin sa...

Care GH Fr SR,

thank you once again for another interesting essay.

Without going into the whole "Neophyte opening before other openings" debate, I do want to empahsise what you say in the last two paragraphs.

As I briefly mentioned on Pat and Martin's forum, fraternal lodge procedures are desgined to be transformative in and by themselves. Opening the 0=0 for 'business' meetings works wonderfully for all the reasons you mention and others. It removes the barriers between the 'magical' and the 'mundane', which is surely the eventual aim of the great work.

I will try and write more on this from my understanding and experience on MOTO, but i am happy you have placed something about it here already. :) Thanks.

Frater YShY sa...

I think the key to why is in Z-2, Yod Evocations, particularly Enochian; as well as in Craft Lodge.

Tony DeLuce sa...

I have seen the agenda minutes to a 4=7 R.O.A.O. Ritual with Mather's presiding and he first open by scepter in the 0=0, then 1=10, then 2=9, then 3=8, and then did a full 4=7 opening.

They then did the first two points and then temporily closed by scepter. Then came back a week later! and reopened by scepter to finish the last two points.

Then closed fully in 4=7, before closing by scepter in 3=8, then 2=9, then 1=10, then finally in 0=0.

If this is not a complete return to Masonic style operation nothing is...

Sincerus Renatus... sa...

Carete Fratres Peregrin et YShY,

Thank you for your valuable input, here and elsewhare. You are both representing sanity on that forum.

In Licht, Leben und Liebe,
S:.R:.

Sincerus Renatus... sa...

Care Frater Tony,

Thank you for this interesing information. Although I still think that protocol to be redundant, I can follow in MacGregor Mathers' logic behind this.

As you state, this is very much Masonic thinking. I have experienced this myself many times in my own Swedish Lodge, and the feeling one gets is that the Lodge is "raised" or "lifted" to a higher arc, i.e. not that it actually becomes encompassed but elevated to the next level.

Following the Qabalistic scheme of the Tree of Life, it is only logical to "raise" the Temple from Malkuth, trough Yesod and Hod, to Netzach. At least there is a logic to it. This also reflects the journey of the Candiate through the Tree of Life.

Also, opening by Sceptre makes this practice less ardous. I thought that MacGregor Mathers opened the Neophyte Grade in full ceremony. Doing this in stages, remembering that the 0=0 doesn't encompass the lowest four Sephirot but comprises the "ante-level" of Malkuth, etc., I now believe it is actually magically workable.

Another interesting point, rereading Tony Fuller's original post, is that the Paris minute books state that this was done almost every time. This means not all times. Thus this suggests that it was according to the discretion of the officiating Hierophant. MacGregor Mathers obviously had this preferens of "raising" the Temple, but other Hierophants perhaps didn't bother with this. This also makes me thinking, when MacGregor Mathers actually started to do this? Perhaps he already were doing this prior to the 1900 schism? It would be interesting to check the Isis-Urania minute books.

In Licht, Leben und Liebe
S:.R:.

studio464 sa...

Lectio Magistralis.

Frater YShY sa...

It would be good to know of a modern group that did use these multiple ritual openings, at least to visit and hear their report on the results. That is not something we do, but it would be interesting to be a visitor at.

Thuban Temple has different rituals for admitting guests, its own versions of the ritual stage directions, and 3 new 0=0 charges (published on my blog) that are original pieces of work for the Outer Order. Our Inner Order is the same, and I assume that many other Orders have solid original work of their own.

I would like to see every group continue to do different work. For example, I would love to know if any group was working Waite's rituals, that would be special, but again, that is for someone else to do.

I think it is important to enjoy these differences between us, in 100 years our spiritual beneficiaries will see who has contributed to the system as it stands now, because they will be studying our ideas and interactions as their own history.

Fr. A. sa...

I actually think the sequential openings and closings by sceptre make some sense, and find them very interesting... not the closing for a week though! But I have definitely had some productive contemplation over this procedure. I think there is a little more behind this than meets the eye. However, without seeing further material I would be hesitant to advance a definite theory.

Nice post though, thank you!

Sincerus Renatus... sa...

Care Fra. A.M.,

Yes, I agree. Opening the Temple in the Elemental Grade sequence after the 0=0 in this way, as shown by MacGregor Mathers, is far more MAGICALLY significant compared to opening in 0=0 followed by opening of the single Elemental Grade (without acknowledge of the previous Elemental Grades, exception being made of course to the 1=10).

But then there is the question of how one as Hierophant actually should "Open by Sceptre"? I have my ideas but won't divulge them openly here. There are better forums for discussing this topic than in the public arena.

In Licht, Leben und Liebe
S:.R:.