Israel Regardie The Complete Golden Dawn System Of Magic
Israel Regardie is one of the most influential occultists of the 20th century. His book, The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic, is a comprehensive guide to the teachings of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
Who was Israel Regardie?
Israel Regardie was born in London in 1907. He was a student of the famous occultist Aleister Crowley, and became a member of Crowley's magical order, the Argenteum Astrum, at the age of 21. Regardie later joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and became its secretary. He was responsible for preserving the teachings of the order, which had disbanded in the early 20th century.
Regardie moved to the United States in the 1930s, and continued to practice and teach occultism throughout his life. He died in 1985.
What is the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn?
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was a magical order that was active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was founded in England by three members: William Wynn Westcott, Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, and William Robert Woodman. The order's teachings were based on Hermeticism, a philosophical and religious tradition that originated in ancient Egypt and Greece.
The Golden Dawn's teachings were divided into three levels, or degrees. The first degree focused on meditation and visualization. The second degree included the study of Qabalah, astrology, and tarot. The third degree was the highest level, and involved the study of alchemy, Enochian magic, and other advanced practices.
What is The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic?
The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic is a book written by Israel Regardie in the 1930s. It is a comprehensive guide to the teachings of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The book includes detailed instructions for performing the order's rituals, as well as explanations of the symbolism and philosophy behind them.
The book is divided into four parts. The first part provides an overview of the Golden Dawn's history and teachings. The second part includes instructions for performing the order's rituals, such as the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram and the Middle Pillar Exercise. The third part covers the Golden Dawn's teachings on astrology, tarot, and Qabalah. The fourth part includes additional material, such as Regardie's commentary on the order's teachings and his personal reflections on magic.
Why is The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic important?
The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic is an important book for several reasons. Firstly, it is one of the few comprehensive guides to the teachings of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The order's teachings were highly influential in the development of modern Western occultism, and many of its practices are still used today.
Secondly, the book played a key role in the revival of interest in the Golden Dawn in the 20th century. After the order disbanded in the early 20th century, its teachings were largely forgotten. The publication of The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic helped to bring the order's teachings back into the public consciousness, and sparked a renewed interest in the order among occultists.
Conclusion
Israel Regardie's The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic is an essential book for anyone interested in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn or Western occultism in general. The book provides a comprehensive guide to the order's teachings, and is an important part of the history of modern Western magic.
