Theory and Practice of the Golden Dawn

Please note that this is an academic course presenting the theory and belief system of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. It does not teach students how to practice rituals.

Course Code: WM 220 NE (online-English)

Course Dates: 4th April 2011

Instructor: Austin Case

Description:

Few esoteric currents have had as large an influence on recent trends in esotericism as the fin de siècle magical order known as the Hermetic Brotherhood of the Golden Dawn. The order’s syncretistic approach to theoretical and practical magic helped reestablish the paradigm of Western Esotericism in the past century. This course will critically investigate theories underlying the belief structure of members within the order as well as some of the primary magical workings used by members of the inner circle of the order.

Each week of this 5-week course will focus on a particular facet of belief or practice in the order. The first week will be dedicated to becoming familiar with the various beliefs held by members of the order that (for them) explained how and why the various techniques employed by members would be efficacious and/or prudent. Students will be familiarized  with certain key symbols employed by the order as well as the syncretistic approach used for combining various symbol systems. Subsequent weeks will focus on various magical practices used by members; various ceremonial rituals, clairvoyance and the use of talismans and sigils, and finally divination and Enochian magic.

Text: Israel Regardie: The Golden Dawn. Supplementary material will be provided for certain classes.

Prerequisites: WM 120

Languages: English only. Our English language requirements do apply to this course.

Delivery: Online only.

Each week will be supplemented with a class ‘discussion’ that will highlight key points of the weeks reading and also investigate certain influences drawn on by the order (e.g. Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, Solomonic grimoires, etc.).

The final week will require the submission of the student’s learning journal and a research paper based on a topic developed at the beginning of the course.

Students may also choose to audit this course.
Scholarships apply for this course.

Theory and Practice of the Golden Dawn

Week 1	Theory: The underlying notions and symbols of the G.D. -Imagination and willpower -Symbols: elemental, kabbalistic, and astrological
Week 2	Ceremonial Magic: Various ritual magic techniques of the order -Pentagram, hexagram, and rose cross rituals -Evocation -Consecration -Other rituals
Week 3	Clairvoyance, Talismans, and Sigils: Methods of ‘second sight’ and the use of magical images -Skrying -Astral travel -Talismans -Sigils -Tattwas
Week 4	Divination and Enochian Magic: Methods of determining future events and the angelic magic of John Dee as understood by the G.D. -Geomancy -Tarot -Enochian
Week 5	Research Paper Due Learning Journal Due