al-Ghazzi
2006-03-27 04:11:16 UTC
I want to say at the outset that this post is not aimed at any one
person or organization, but rather at all organizations and their
adherents perporting to practice the Golden Dawn system of magic, and
involving themselves in internet flame wars and legal threats.
The Golden Dawn's modern manifestations are many and varied, of course.
I don't see why it's so important for people to hold their loyalties
above their magical development.
Let me make my point perfectly clear: these idiotic political arguments
and legal threats being shot back and forth and bandied about like
little fuzzy toys in the paws of cats are exactly contrary to the
spirit of Golden Dawn magic and are, in fact, disgustingly similar to
what caused the original Golden Dawn schism.
I understand the importance, for many people, of keeping the Golden
Dawn current as traditional and 'pure' as possible. For them, that's a
very noble goal to pursue. They need to understand quite well,
however, that not everybody views it that way, and that those who
choose to make use of the Golden Dawn material at their disposal may do
so in any way that they wish.
On the flip side, those who have made their own modifications to the
Golden Dawn system, or who have made the published material part of
their Outer Order, or whatever other changes may have been made, need
to realize that they have, in fact, modified the system and that, while
this is ok, it isn't what some people think of as GD.
Neither side is right or wrong; they're merely approaching the issue
from different angles. My main issue is that rather than carrying on
with the Great Work, they're wasting time, energy and in some cases
money in the pursuit of their own concept of orthopraxy. What's more
important, ladies and gentlemen: the Great Work of Magic, or petty
legal battles?
As far as I can tell there will always be the perceived need toperson or organization, but rather at all organizations and their
adherents perporting to practice the Golden Dawn system of magic, and
involving themselves in internet flame wars and legal threats.
The Golden Dawn's modern manifestations are many and varied, of course.
I don't see why it's so important for people to hold their loyalties
above their magical development.
Let me make my point perfectly clear: these idiotic political arguments
and legal threats being shot back and forth and bandied about like
little fuzzy toys in the paws of cats are exactly contrary to the
spirit of Golden Dawn magic and are, in fact, disgustingly similar to
what caused the original Golden Dawn schism.
I understand the importance, for many people, of keeping the Golden
Dawn current as traditional and 'pure' as possible. For them, that's a
very noble goal to pursue. They need to understand quite well,
however, that not everybody views it that way, and that those who
choose to make use of the Golden Dawn material at their disposal may do
so in any way that they wish.
On the flip side, those who have made their own modifications to the
Golden Dawn system, or who have made the published material part of
their Outer Order, or whatever other changes may have been made, need
to realize that they have, in fact, modified the system and that, while
this is ok, it isn't what some people think of as GD.
Neither side is right or wrong; they're merely approaching the issue
from different angles. My main issue is that rather than carrying on
with the Great Work, they're wasting time, energy and in some cases
money in the pursuit of their own concept of orthopraxy. What's more
important, ladies and gentlemen: the Great Work of Magic, or petty
legal battles?
monopolize being in control of what precisely should and should not be
considered the Great Work. For as many advocates there are politicking
their causes, invariably detractors will arise campaigning against
ideologies and their ideologues.
The praxis of the Golden Dawn war of words in my estimation began when
its very name became copyrighted. That it all appears as if Golden
Dawn infighting now is a matter of political genius.
*The Order of the S.'.S.'.*
"Members of the Order are each entitled to found Orders dependent on
themselves on the lines of the R. C. and G. D. orders, to cover types
of emancipation and illumination not contemplated by the original (or
main) system. All such orders must, however, be constituted in harmony
with the A.'. A.'. as regards the essential principles."
-Aleister Crowley, _One Star In Sight_
It began as a desperate attempt to keep the Great Work from being
advocated in the G.'.D.'. by Chic. You'll remember, at one time,
Argenteum Astrum was the G.'.D.'.'s Third Order.
"The Third Order is a purely theoretical one. It consists of the
grades corresponding to the highest spheres of Binah, Chokmah, and
Kether on the Tree of Life: Magister Templi 8=3, Magus 9=2, and
Ipsissimus 10=1. The grades are not attained by living persons,
although in some groups individuals occasionally claim to hold these
high degrees honorarily. No one in the Golden Dawn system can hold
them in actuality."
-- Chic Cicero, "The Essential Golden Dawn"; [Llewellyn Publications;
circa: 2003; page 143].
My guess is sooner or later Magister Templis who spent their time
wisely acquiring knowledge in R.'.C.'. won't be harassed about
copyrights or Charters when establishing their Outer Orders.
You're nowhere near attempting to advocate what I've grown to know as
the Great Work, which is fine by me. You are however after collective
G.'.D.'. unification. I respect that; but is it a feasible endeavor? I
guess that just depends on how the G.'.D.'., collectively, chooses to
opt for the inclusion or the continual rejection of the Third Order in
its curriculums. It's really that simple.