Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn?

[Serria]

So, I admit that videos about "mysterious" things spike my interest. I also really like Secret Societies. I don't believe the whole "Illuminati" and "New World Order" BS but I'm naturally curious.

Now, one of said videos didn't say much because it's one of those Top 10 videos. It said that the society listed in the title with a horribly long name, was involved in the -and I quote- "Occult", "Metaphysics", and "the Paranormal". That's fine or whatever, but it said that it led to the founding of Wicca.

Now, the Wiccan over here sitting on her bed wasn't sure whether or not to be annoyed. She wrote a comment saying how she'd never heard of this so-called "Founder".

Has anyone ever heard of this lovely load of BS?

[MaskedOne]

The Golden Dawn has been around in various guises for some time now. It's possible that they influenced Gerald Gardner. Wiccan ritual structure borrows elements from their's if memory serves and they predate Gardner by more than 50 years. With that said, I don't believe Gardner was a member and while he may have been influenced by the Golden Dawn, there is a difference between having a founder influenced by an organization and being founded by an organization.

I should note that while I'm moderately familiar with Wicca's history and various Ceremonial orders, I am far from a subject matter expert regardinv them. If someone with more detailed knowledge contradicts me then I'll probably bow to their expertise.

[cesara]

Ermm.....it's not BS. *ducks*

Gerald Gardner was friends with an aging Crowley, who was a Golden Dawn member and many believe there is obvious evidence that some of the Wiccan rituals have GD influence.

See #10: http://ac2012.com/2012/08/05/aleiste...actually-true/

Okay, so, technically, Crowley isn't the HOGD in and of himself, but he was a member during the time he knew Gardner, and he influenced much of the HOGD, as well.

Even the Wiccan Rede is said to be based on a snippet from Crowley's Book of the Law: "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law." then, "Love is the law. Love under will." (of course, if you look hard enough, you will see that Crowley actually got that from St. Augustine, who said: "Once for all, then, a short precept is given thee: Love, and do what thou wilt...")

Doreen Valiente is also said to have been heavily influenced by the GD: http://www.thewica.co.uk/DV%20and%20the%20GD.htm

- - - Updated - - -

...and, I'm sorry, yes. MaskedOne is right....this only shows that Wicca was influenced by the HOGD, not that it came from the HOGD!

[Jembru]

As a former wiccan myself, I remember it being pretty common knowledge that our practice was influenced by these secret societies. I was told that the original secret society that wicca branched from was formed in the West Country in rebellion of societies like free missionary because they denied access to females and other members of society for various reasons. Gardner simply expanded the idea and formalised the rituals. I'm not sure how true this is, but it's an idea that was continued in The Triumph of the Moon*. If your coven hasn't forced it on you already, then you might want to take a look at the book. I'll be honest though, I'm not interested in history so things like names and dates tend to evaporate out of my mind, so I don't remember much from the book. I remember coming away with a much better appreciation of where wicca most likely came from.

*Triumph.. I'd written 'rising'. That's a book btw. ^^

[Serria]

Jembru,

I'm solitary practitioner who never had the means to buy all of these books. I mostly had to learn online when I was starting out, so I've never heard of this "The Triumph of the Moon" and I've never, in all of my research, heard of this Secret Society.

[Medusa]

Jembru,

I'm solitary practitioner who never had the means to buy all of these books. I mostly had to learn online when I was starting out, so I've never heard of this "The Triumph of the Moon" and I've never, in all of my research, heard of this Secret Society.

You've never heard of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn?
Word.
It's like the McDonald's of the occult world.
I'm a LaVeyan Satanist. Crowely influenced our founder Anton LaVey.

[Jembru]

Jembru,

I'm solitary practitioner who never had the means to buy all of these books. I mostly had to learn online when I was starting out, so I've never heard of this "The Triumph of the Moon" and I've never, in all of my research, heard of this Secret Society.

Ah, that was left over biased from my wiccan days still holding onto the old 'wiccans belong to covens' idea. I have no excuse either, because I'm massively influenced by Anderson Feri and some of their practictioners (but by no means the majority), call their practice wicca. I also spent several years as a solitary wiccan. So I know they exist!

Are you familiar with the website 'wicca for the rest of us'? I'm on my phone so can't link, but you might find the site useful in filling in some of the blanks in your research. Assuming you care for such things that is.

[monsno_leedra]

The Golden Dawn also influenced Dion Fortune who has had a significant influence upon the occult / pagan world to include later aspect of Wicca. I suppose one could also add Madme Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (Theosophical Society) and her book Secret Doctine, among many she wrote, as that had a major influence upon many occultist / pagan practice that were influencing Gardner and others. Especially in the sense of Root Races and civilians before the dawn of time.

[lightdragon]

Are you familiar with the website 'wicca for the rest of us'? I'm on my phone so can't link, but you might find the site useful in filling in some of the blanks in your research. Assuming you care for such things that is.

I am. the author of the site rehashed some information particularly on $ilver Ravenwolf and Fiona Horne. while these are authors not exactly should be on the recommended book list. they are dated. Horne hasn't been relevant for about 5-10 years. other than that it is a good place to start.

http://wicca.cnbeyer.com/

[B. de Corbin]

William Butler Yates was a member of The Golden Dawn. Crowley screwed him out of the leadership position.

Too bad...

Yates would have been better...

So was Arthur Machen (The Great God Pan, The Shining Pyramid, etc.).