Structure of the Golden Dawn

[Bráthair FnB]

While Frater Yechidah has already started into a thread on the Hierarchy of the Golden Dawn I wanted to cast an eye onto its structure. I'm aware of some "theories" within Wiccan circles that Wicca's 3 Degree Initiation system stems from the Golden Dawn system.

While I'm reluctant to make such connections with little background I would be very intrigued is anyone could help explore the structure of the GD system?

[Samuel]

Well the GD overall has a Three Degree system, more modeled on the Masonic, though in no way exactly the same or even corresponding to the Masonic.

The GD structure of Neophyte - Philosophus corresponds to the First Degree within the GD. This is the basic work that is needed for the system and to implant the foundational energies and symbol sets into the sphere of sensation of the Candidate. The Second Degree equates to the Portal grade. Here an additional set of energies and symbols are implanted. The Third Degree is the Inner Order comprising of Adeptus Minor - Adeptus Exemptus.

The Masonic three degrees are not the same, so a Masonic Entered Aprentice (First Degree) would not equal a GD Philosophus, or even a First Degree Wiccan. These are merely structures to hang a hat on and are unique only to the organizations that utilize them. Same can be said of being a Master Mason (Third Degree), this is only relevant within Masonic circles and does not make you equal to an Adeptus Minor or Adeptus Exemptus.

My understanding of the Three Degree System is that it is a group leveler and a means to grade a student within the particular system that uses it.

In LVX,
Samuel

[Sincerus Renatus]

Carete,

I followup on Fra. Samuels post. Actually it was the Stella Matutina who used the "Three Grades" model, not the original G.D., nor the A.O. The thought of the Elemental Grades constituting a "First Grade" and the Portal a "Second Grade" was an invention made in 1912 by Robert Felkin and Nevill Meakin, which was added to the S.M. version of the Portal Grade. I believe this change was made in able align the G.D. Grade structure with that of Rudolf Steiner's "Memphis Service".

According to the Felkin/Meakin model the "Third Grade" corresponds with that of 5=6, not all of the R.R. et A.C. Adepti Grades. On the contrary, following the rationale of Felkin and Meakin, a "Fourth Grade" would correspond with 6=5, and a "Fifth" with that of 7=4. I also believe that Felkin/Meakin didn't regard the 0=0 of being part of the "First Grade", the latter being reserved for Malkuth and the "Second Grade" to Yesod. These references were not part of the original Portal Grade pre 1900, nor in the later A.O. version (which was indentical to the one used in the G.D.).

Even if one would like to align the G.D. and Steiner models (which is beyond me in the first place), I belive that the Felkin/Meakin solution was in error. As Steiner uses the Ptolemic system to his degrees, i.e. the First Degree being that of Planet Earth, the Second of Luna, the Third of Mercury, etc., one should instead correspond the First Degree of Steiner with that of the G.D. 1=10, the Second with that of 2=9, etc. This is further substantiated by the fact that Steiner tried to align his Degree System with the Grade system of Gold und Rosenkreutz Orden, and we all know that the latter made a huge influcence on the modern version as used in the G.D.

I do however agree that being a Master Mason doesn't equate anyone being a 5=6. Regular Freemasonry must also be regarded as separate from Steiner's form of "Esoteric Masonry". I.e. being a Master Mason is probably not even equivalent of being a Third Degree of the Memphis Service. And even a Third Degree initiate of Steiner's system would be the equivalent of a Practicus (3=8).

But I believe that the alignment of Steiner's and Golden Dawn's structure are pointless and fruitless; it's a dead end. Steiner's wish for aligning the Gold- und Rosenkreutz seems forced and unnatural, even if it is interesting. In the old Gold- und Rosenkreutz the three "Craft Degrees" were placed below that of Juniorus (Zelator), which would make all three Craft Degrees the equivalent of Golden Dawns 0=0, which is a preparation for the Zelator. Thus the Gold- und Rosenkreutz Orden, and perhaps even the G.D., may be regarded as a masonic "high degree" system, such as Scottish Freemasonry, etc.

If you find all of this confusing, may I please refer you to my essay which deals with the G.D. and Rudolf Steiner in depth:

http://gyllenegryningen.blogspot.com/20 ... -dawn.html

In L.V.X., Life and Love

S.R.

[Bráthair FnB]

Avete Fr. Samuel et Sincerus Renatus,

I would like to thank you both for your responses and Sincerus Renatus I'll will make a point of reviewing both your post and the blog in question in the morning. I'm afraid my eyes are just too strained. x

[magus007]

Actually the three degrees was AO too (at least in the UK). Dion Fortune who was AO got it from Trenshall-Hayes and later made her Order three degrees. She later joined SM but by then her own order was running the three degree idea.