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The Golden Dawn "system of magic"
has been one of the most influential systems in the
development of the majority of modern magical systems.
Many of the teachings found in many western occult books today
can be traced back to the original teachings of the historic
order. For example, most of the symbolism in modern
tarot decks today can be traced back to the Rider-Waite tarot
deck which was designed and created by Arthur Edward Waite who
was once part of the ranks of the historic Golden Dawn
Hermetic Society. Another example of the far-reaching
influence of the Golden Dawn can be seen in the teachings of
Gerald Gardner's Wicca who borrowed some of its teachings from
Aleister Crowley who was once an initiate of the Isis-Urania
Temple of the Historic Golden Dawn and has been the source of
many of the published works relating to the Order which
influenced Gerald Gardner when developing the Wiccan teachings
and rituals.
The Ordo Stella Matutina is a continuation
of the traditional teachings of the historic Golden Dawn
Hermetic Society through the process of initiation and
dissemination of the classical Golden Dawn Knowledge Lectures.
We are not a religion or "spiritual cult" but a
mystical and magical school that uses the hidden symbolism
found in the religions of the Western cultures which includes
but are not limited to Ancient Egyptian, Ancient Greek,
Gnosticism, and Judeo-Christianity. Some Eastern ideas have
been included such as the study of Tattwas and techniques of
Yoga meditation. Below is a list of some of the the
components of our esoteric teachings:
More advanced students will also be introduced to the
following teachings:
The Ordo Stella Matutina is a matricular system in that
information is organized in a way that certain teachings are
reserved for students who have passed a certain point in
their occult studies. Students are tested in each
grade and are initiated into the next grade before they are
able to proceed with the studies and practical work
associated with that specific grade.
The grade structure and their
correspondences to the Elements of the Ancients and Qabalistic
Tree of Life both of which are major components in the
majority of the curriculum are shown as follows:
| Grade |
Name |
Element |
Planet |
Sephira |
Meaning |
| 0=0 |
Neophyte |
|
|
|
|
| 1=10 |
Zelator |
Earth |
|
Malkuth |
Kingdom |
| 2=9 |
Theoricus |
Air |
Moon |
Yesod |
Foundation |
| 3=8 |
Practicus |
Water |
Mercury |
Hod |
Splendour |
| 4=7 |
Philosophus |
Fire |
Venus |
Netzach |
Victory |
|
Portal |
Spirit |
|
|
|
| 5=6 |
Adeptus Minor |
Spirit |
Sun |
Tiphareth |
Beauty |
| 6=5 |
Adeptus Major |
|
Mars |
Geburah |
Might |
| 7=4 |
Adeptus Exemptus |
|
Jupiter |
Chesed |
Mercy |
| 8=3 |
Magister Templi |
|
Saturn |
Binah |
Understanding |
| 9=2 |
Magus |
|
|
Chokmah |
Wisdom |
| 10=1 |
Ipissimus |
|
|
Kether |
Crown |
The grades of Neophyte through Philosophus
comprise the First, or Outer Order. A grade called the
"Portal" comes between 4=7 and 5=6, and this
contains some very powerful symbolism on the transition
between the Outer and Inner "Mysteries." The
three Adept grades comprise the Inner Order (Rosae Rubeae et
Aureae Crucis), and are normally only open to those who pass
rigorous examinations and are chosen on other qualifications.
From the members of the Inner Order are chosen the Chiefs of
the Ordo Stella Matutina who are responsible for the
governance and administrative work of the Order. The final
three grades (which refer to the "Supernal"
sephiroth) comprise the Third, or Hidden Order of Masters
which represent the hidden link to the egregore or "group
spirit" of the Ordo Stella Matutina.
The key to success in the study of the
Hermetic arts is obtained through dedicated study and practice
of the curriculum. No secret unpublished documents or
claims to lineage will ever be an acceptable substitute for
adopting an attitude of persistence and perseverance in The
Great Work. The Ordo Stella Matutina can only give you
the keys to the doorway of spiritual awakening. The rest
is up to you!
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