The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
July 13, 2023 DOI: 10.4324/9781003405009-10 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Order exchange |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | Argues that the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn's grade structure was designed by Westcott to correlate with the Qabalistic Tree of Life, and that Mathers attempted to maintain dominance over English temples while translating occult manuscripts. |
Abstract
In 1887 Dr Wynn Westcott, a London coroner and Freemason, acquired a manuscript in cipher from a Dr Woodford. The grades of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, for Masonry loved grades, were designed by Westcott to correlate with the Sephiroth or stages of mystical consciousness upon the Qabalistic Tree of Life. Westcott established the Isis-Urania Temple of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in London in 1888, inviting Mathers and a masonic friend Dr Woodman to join with him as Chiefs of the new Temple. While translating a lengthy and important occult manuscript entitled ‘The Sacred Magic of Abremelin the Mage’, Mathers presided over the Ahathoor Temple and attempted to maintain dominance over the English temples simultaneously. The concept of physical personages whose inspirational levels lay above the Abyss was an impressive one, for it suggested that there were ‘living gods’ that could be contacted once one had reached the highest Sephirothic grades.