Golden Dawn, what is it is it usefull? Options

i was just curious to know if anyone here has uses for the book by regradie and what thier own experiences are from it because im kinda riding the fence , when it comes to actually going out and reading it.
i feel like alot of people are going to be like what the heck is this person for real , but i am . (IMG:style_emoticons/default/face08.gif) I really need to know so if anyone could tell me anything about the usefull ness of the rituals presented there and also
their own experience I could only say thanks. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif)

i was just curious to know if anyone here has uses for the book by regradie and what thier own experiences are from it because im kinda riding the fence , when it comes to actually going out and reading it.
i feel like alot of people are going to be like what the heck is this person for real , but i am . (IMG:style_emoticons/default/face08.gif) I really need to know so if anyone could tell me anything about the usefull ness of the rituals presented there and also
their own experience I could only say thanks. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/06.gif)

To be honest it sits on the shelf, primarily used for reference. Too dry to warrant a cover to cover read, been thumbed through on occasion. descriptions of group rituals of little use to a lone practicioner, Eventually I purchased "self initiation to the golden dawn tradition" by the Ciceros, seems to have more practical use for me, but neither would be a must have unless you are primarily interested in following the golden dawn tradition.

i was just curious to know if anyone here has uses for the book by regradie and what thier own experiences are from it because im kinda riding the fence , when it comes to actually going out and reading it.
i feel like alot of people are going to be like what the heck is this person for real , but i am . (IMG:style_emoticons/default/face08.gif) I really need to know so if anyone could tell me anything about the usefull ness of the rituals presented there and also
their own experience I could only say thanks. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif)

It is most useful as an encyclopaedia, for looking up information, it is meant to be read in order but you probably won't do that.

The book is split into nine sections, to give you an idea of what you'll find -

CODE

1 - basic knowledge and practice, this gives a good foundation in the golden dawn's system of symbology and general occult knowledge. You will want to supplement this by reading the Order's core books and those it's members wrote. This section has the LBRP and MP exercise.

2 - rituals of the outer order, this contains the Order's initiation rituals from neophyte to philosophus.

3 - rituals of the inner order, this contains the portal and adeptus minor initiation ceremonies, the equinox ceremonies, the consecration of the corpus christi ceremony, and some information on the seven sided vault of the golden dawn.

4 - primary techniques of magical practise and the magical weapons, this contains the ritual of the pentagram, SIRP/SBRP, ritual of the hexagram and LIRH/LBRH. Construction of the lotus wand, ritual of the rose cross, the construction of the rose lamen, the construction of the sword and four weapons.

5 - details of the principles and symbolism of ritaul magic, this explains some parts of the initiation rituals.

6 - ceremonial magic in practice, this has a few rituals - a evocation, talisman consecration, invisibility, self-transformation, spiritual development, invocation of the higher genius/bornless one, and the requiem.

7 -  clairvoyance - the use of skrying, tattwa visions, and astral travel. Sigils and talismans, polygons and polygrams, yet more tattwas.

8 - divination - instruction on geomancy, the tarot, and a strange chapter on the tree of life superimposed over the sphere of the zodiac.

9 - enochian magic, the golden dawn's version of dee's angelic magic that ties all their symbology together.

I think this is all a good introduction for folks to ritual magic, if you're a experienced magician then you'll likely find not much that's new to you, it'll still be useful to you for reference tho'.

This post has been edited by Zugzwang: Jul 28 2007, 01:12 PM

It is most useful as an encyclopaedia, for looking up information, it is meant to be read in order but you probably won't do that.

The book is split into nine sections, to give you an idea of what you'll find -

[code]1 - basic knowledge and practice, this gives a good foundation in the golden dawn's system of symbology and general occult knowledge. You will want to supplement this by reading the Order's core books and those it's members wrote. This section has the LBRP and MP exercise.

2 - rituals of the outer order, this contains the Order's initiation rituals from neophyte to philosophus.

3 - rituals of the inner order, this contains the portal and adeptus minor initiation ceremonies, the equinox ceremonies, the consecration of the corpus christi ceremony, and some information on the seven sided vault of the golden dawn.

.....

I think this is all a good introduction for folks to ritual magic, if you're a experienced magician then you'll likely find not much that's new to you, it'll still be useful to you for reference tho'.

do you know if these initiation rituals do they have any spiritual use or context? and also are these tools contructed-

"Construction of the lotus wand, ritual of the rose cross, the construction of the rose lamen, the construction of the sword and four weapons."

-only usefull for the golden dawn tradition or are they applicable elsewhere? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/search.gif)

do you know if these initiation rituals do they have any spiritual use or context?

The initiation rituals provide explanations of the golden dawn's system of symbology to the initiate, but they also contain the same Signs of the Grades/elements, godforms, keywords, etc, that are also used in a ritual setting. All the rituals created by the golden dawn like those in section 6 use these same signs/godforms/keywords as those in the initiation ceremonies. The initiation ceremonies then do contain and use practical exercises that you will use throughout the rest of the golden dawn's system, they can be used in any system if they fit.

The one big advantage of this system is this consistency.

and also are these tools contructed-

"Construction of the lotus wand, ritual of the rose cross, the construction of the rose lamen, the construction of the sword and four weapons."

-only usefull for the golden dawn tradition or are they applicable elsewhere? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/search.gif)

The sword and four elemental weapons are standard kit for western ceremonial magic, the golden dawn versions simply use their own system of colour, divine names, and number - the grail for example is painted with eight blue petals as it were a lotus, it is lined with the colour orange, the sigils for the divine names associated with water are also painted on - this followed by a consecration ceremony. They can be used in any standard system.

The lotus wand is a exception as far as I'm aware, it's essentially a 30 to 40 inch short staff that has 14 colour bands, 12 of which are attributed to the zodiac and the other 2 to "light and darkness" - it is mainly used in zodiacal workings but can be used as any of the elemental weapons too. It's an all-in-one tool that I haven't seen anywhere else.

Edit - and the Rose lamen is just a standardised lamen that incorporates golden dawn symbology, it's simply to be worn by the operator with their motto written on the back. The lamen in most systems is usually made by the magician her/himself as it's supposed to incorporate their knowledge, but the rose lamen fits in nicely with everything else you would be using - it's up to you if you want to use it or your own design, that's what I think anyway (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

This post has been edited by Zugzwang: Jul 28 2007, 07:41 PM

hey everyone thanks for all the responses and info but ive recently just bought the book and im going to continue this as a experiment. i can say one thing i dont think i like the rose cross ritual or at least am not used to it it makes me feel um .... very hot (IMG:style_emoticons/default/flame.gif)
but then again i did forget to close with the ritual words ..... so thanks eveyone