Neophyte and Elemental Grades
of the Order of the Golden Dawn
Because of the confidentiality of sacred materials, we do not here provide full transcriptions of the Golden Dawn grades. Instead, herein are selected segments that indicate the general attributions of each of the four “Elemental Grades,” the preliminary Grades of the Order, as well as the initial Neophyte grade.
Neophyte (0=0)
Address of the Hiereus
As
you have now passed through the ceremony of your admission, allow me
to congratulate you on being admitted a member of this ancient and
honorable Order, whose professed object and end is the practical
study of Occult Science. Let me therefore advise you to remember this
day as a marked one in your existence and to adopt and cultivate a
mental condition worthy of this Order. To this end let me first
earnestly recommend you never to forget due honor and reverence to
the Lord of the Universe, for as the whole is greater than its parts,
so is He far greater than we, who are but as sparks derived from that
unsupportable Light which is in Him. It is written that the borders
of his Garment of Flame sweep the ends of the Universe and unto Him
all return. Therefore do we adore Him, therefore do we invoke Him;
therefore in adoration to Him sinks even the Banner of the East.
(Done)Secondly, let me advise you never to ridicule or cast obloquy
upon the form of religion professed by another,for what right have
you to desecrate what is sacred in his eyes? Thirdly, never let the
seal of secrecy regarding the Order be absent from your recollection,
and beware that you betray it not by a casual or unthinking word.
Fourthly, study well that Great Arcanum, the proper equilibrium of
mercy and severity, for either unbalanced is not good; unbalanced
severity is cruelty and oppression; unbalanced mercy is but weakness
and would permit evil to exist unchecked, thus making itself as it
were the accomplice of that evil. Lastly, do not be daunted by the
difficulties of Occult Study and remember that every obstacle can at
length be conquered by perseverance.
Minimum Requisites for Advancement
Before you can pass on to the next Higher Grade of this Order you will have to make yourself perfect in the following:
The names and alchemical symbols of the four elements.
The names, astrological symbols and elemental attribution of the twelve signs of the Zodiac.
The names and astrological symbols of the seven planets, also their houses, exaltation and triplicity in the Zodiac.
The names, characters and numerical values of the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
The names and English meanings of the ten Qabalistic Sephiroth. A lecture on these subjects of study may be obtained on application. When you know these thoroughly you must signify the same by letter to the Cancellarius or Scribe. You will then be examined and if found perfect you will be eligible for admission to the next higher grade, should the higher powers approve your application.
Zelator (1 = 10)
Excerpts
Dedicated to Adonai Ha-Aretz (Lord of Earth)
First of the four Elemental Grades. The title comes from the Greek root for a zealous disciple, one who studies with great intent and enthusiasm. Its theme is the element of Earth, and establishes the Initiate in Earth-of-Malkuth. The central imagery involves the various items found in the Courtyard and inner area of the Tabernacle, the ancient Israelite sacred enclosure used prior to the building of a permanent Temple.
Hierophant's Explication (From Advancement, 1st Part)
The
Zelator Grade is a preparation for other Grades, a threshold before
our discipline, and it shows by its imagery, the Light of the Hidden
Knowledge dawning in the Darkness of Creation; and you are now to
begin to analyze and comprehend the Nature of that Light.
Minimum Requisites for Advancement
The names and alchemical symbols of the three principles of nature.
The metals attributed in alchemy to the seven planets.
The names of the alchemical particular principles, the Sun and Moon of the Philosophers, the Green Lion, the King and Queen.
The names and astrological value of the Twelve Houses of Heaven.
The names, astrological symbols and values of the aspects of the planets.
The meaning of the Querent and Quesited.
The four great classes of astrology.
The arrangement of the ten Sephiroth, Hebrew and English, in the Tree of Life. This is especially important.
The three pillars of the same.
The names of the four orders of Elemental Spirits.
The names and descriptions of the Kerubim.
The
meaning of the Laver and Great Altar of Burnt Offerings of the
Sacrifice and of the Qlippoth or Shells.
The names of the ten
Heavens of Assiah, in Hebrew and English.
The names of the
four Qabalistic Worlds, Hebrew and English
The names of the
twenty two Tarot Trumps and Four Suits.
Theoricus (2 = 9)
Excerpts
Dedicated to Shaddai El-Chai (Vast and Mighty One, Lord of Air)
Second of the four Elemental Grades; establishes the Initiate in the element of Air-of-Malkuth, and the corresponding Sephira of Yesod-of-Malkuth. The term Theoricus derives from an ancient Greek term related to student or disciple. The imagery of the ritual (not reproduced here) takes one further into the mysteries of the ancient Hebrew Temple.
Prayer of the Sylphs (from Closing)
Let
us rehearse the Prayer of the Sylphs or Air Spirits. Spirit of Light,
Spirit of wisdom whose breath giveth forth and withdraweth the form
of all living things. Thou, before whom the Life of Beings is but a
shadow which changeth, and a vapor which passeth, Thou who mountest
upon the clouds, and who walketh upon the wings of the wind, Thou who
breathest forth Thy Breath,and endless Space is peopled. Thou who
drawest in Thy breath and all that cometh from Thee returneth unto
Thee; ceaseless Movement in Eternal Stability. Be Thou eternally
blessed. We praise Thee and we bless Thee in the changing Empire of
created Light, of Shades, of reflections, and of Images and we aspire
without cessation unto Thy immutable and imperishable brilliance. Let
the Ray of Thine Intelligence and the warmth of Thy Love penetrate
even unto us, then that which is volatile shall be fixed, the shadow
shall be a body, the Spirit of Air shall be a soul, the dream shall
be a thought. And no longer shall we be swept away by the Tempest,
but we shall hold the bridles of the Winged Steeds of Dawn, and we
shall direct the course of the Evening Breeze to fly before Thee. O
Spirit of Spirits, O Eternal Soul of Souls, O imperishable breath of
Life, O Creative Sigh, O mouth which breathest forth and withdrawest
the Life of all Beings in the flux and Reflux of thine Eternal Word
which is the Divine Ocean of Movement and of Truth. Amen.
Practicus (3 = 8)
Excerpts
Dedicated to Elohim Tzaboath (Lord of Hosts, Lord of the Waters)
The third of the four Elemental Grades, the Practicus (as in 'practitioner') ritual establishes the Initiate in the sphere of Water-of-Malkuth and the Sephira of Hod (Hod-in-Malkuth) i.e. Mercury. The path from 2=9 to 3=8 involves traversing the 31st Path, the Path of Shin (Fire) as well as the 30th Path, the Path of Resh (the Sun card). The central imagery of this Grade involves the Mysteries of Samothrace, an ancient Greek cultural myth, and explores the symbolism of the Garden of Eden.
Prayer of the Undines (from Closing)
Terrible
King of the Sea, Thou who holdest the Keys of the Cataracts of Heaven
and who enclosest the subterranean Waters in the cavernous hollows of
Earth; King of the Deluge and of the Rains of Spring; Thou who
openest the sources of the Rivers and of the Fountains, Thou who
commandest moisture which is as it were the blood of the earth, to
become the sap of the plants, we adore Thee and we invoke Thee. Speak
thou unto us Thy mobile and changeful creatures in the great Tempests
of the Sea, and we shall tremble before Thee. Speak to us also in the
murmur of the limpid waters and we shall desire thy love. O Vastness
wherein all the Rivers of Being seek to lose themselves, which renew
themselves ever in Thee, O Thou Ocean of infinite perfections, 0
Height which reflectest Thyself in the Depth, O Depth which exhalest
thyself into the Height, lead us into the true Life through
Intelligence, through Love. Lead us unto Immortality through
sacrifice, so that we may be found worthy to offer one day unto Thee,
the Water, the Blood and the Tears, for the remission of Sins. Amen.
Philosophus (4 = 7)
Excerpts
Dedicated to YHVH Tzabaoth, Lord God of Firey Hosts
The fourth of the four Elemental Grades, Philosophus establishes the Initiate in the sphere of Fire-of-Malkuth and the Sephira of Netzach. It involves traversing the 29th (Qoph), 28th (Tzaddi), and 27th (Peh) Paths of the Tree of Life: respectively the Moon, the Star, and the Tower in Tarot terminology. Central symbology involves the mysteries of the Fall and its effect upon the Tree of Life.
Prayer of the Salamanders (from Closing)
Let
us rehearse the prayer of the Salamanders or Fire Spirits. (Knocks)
Immortal, Eternal, Ineffable and uncreated Father of All, borne upon
the Chariot of Worlds, which ever roll in ceaseless motion. Ruler
over the Ethereal Vastness, where the Throne of Thy Power is raised
from the summit of which Thine eyes behold all, and Thy pure and Holy
ears hear all, help us thy children, whom thou hast loved since the
Birth of the Ages of Time. Thy Majesty Golden, Vast and Eternal,
shineth above the Heaven of Stars; above them art Thou exalted, O
Thou Flashing Fire. There Thou illuminateth all things with Thine
insupportable Glory, whence flow the ceaseless streams of splendor
which nourish Thine Infinite Spirit. This Infinite Spirit nourisheth
all, and maketh that inexhaustable treasure of generation which ever
encompasseth Thee, replete with the numberless forms wherewith Thou
hast filled it from the beginning. From this Spirit arise those most
Holy Kings, who are around Thy Throne and who compose Thy court. O
Universal Father! One and Alone! Father alike of Immortals and of
Mortals! Thou hast especially created Powers similar unto Thy thought
Eternal and unto Thy venerable Essence. Thou hast established them
above the Angels who announce Thy Will to the World. Lastly, thou
hast created us as a Third Order in our Elemental Empire. There our
continual exercise is to praise and to adore Thy desires. There we
ceaselessly burn with Eternal Aspiration unto Thee O Father, O Mother
of Mothers, O Archetype Eternal of Maternity and of Love, O Son, the
flower of all Sons, Form of all forms, Soul, Spirit, Harmony and
Numeral of all Things. Amen.
The Portal Grade
After completing the four Elemental Grades and spending a sufficient amount of time in learning the accompanying materials, studying the deeper aspects of Outer Order symbolism, and undergoing the necessary interior work, the Initiate now comes to the Portal Grade. Though it is not connected directly with any Sephiroth, it does help balance an Initiate by returning him/her to the Middle Pillar (after coming to Netzach in the 4=7 Grade.) It is connected to the Element of Spirit, and prepares the candidate to pass through the Veil of Paroketh to the Sphere of Tiphareth and the Grade of Adeptus Minor, though his actual advance to that degree is by no means assured.
Alchemical symbolism is emphasized in the Portal Grade, and the Initiate comes face to face with Inner Order officers for the first time. The Portal is a new beginning for the Initiate, preparing him for the Second Order. That which was Black becomes White. For Nine months the Initiate will gestate in the womb of mystery before his confrontation with Brother C.R.C.
The Paths involved at this Grade are fivefold: Kaph, Nun, Samekh, Ayin, Mem; but only one of these will serve the Initiate's proper and balanced advancement, as he will discover. To progress, the Initiate must learn the meaning of Temperance.