| For details on the S.R.I.A. or Theosophical
Society, please refer to Bluesheet III, "Occult Influences on the Golden
Dawn - The History of Western Hermetic Thought"
Mottoes: where individuals had two mottoes, I have used the most common.
In most cases his is the "later" motto, or the Second Order motto (most
G.D. members did not take new mottoes on becoming members of the Second
Order). In the case of the Chiefs, I have used their "lower" motto
in preference to their "higher" i.e. for Mathers I have used "`S Rioghail
Mo Dhream - S.R.M.D." in preference to "Deo Duce Comite Ferro - D.D.C.F."
I - Before the G.D.
1801 – Francis Barrett advertises for students in London in
the pages of his textbook on Ceremonial Magic, The Magus, or Celestial
Intelligencer. Historically he operates a school which may have been
related to the one operated by Johannes Falk around the same time
1810 - Johann F. Falk is supposed to have succeeded to the directorate
of a secret Society of Students of the Kabbalah – this is loosely identified
with the School established by Francis Barrett around 1816. Frederick
Hockley, who was a member of the S.R.I.A., was taught by a pupil of Francis
Barrett
1824 – Frederick Hockley experiments with crystal gazing, begins
career in esotericism
1828 - Francis George Irwin born
1840 Chuch of the Carmel - an esoteric Rosicrucian Order, founded
in France
1842 - Lord Bulwer-Lytton publishes Zanoni
1850 - Lord Bulwer Lytton is supposed to have been admitted to
a Lodge at Frankfurt-an-Main
1854 - Eliphas Levi visits London (1854 and 1861)
1861 - Eliphas Levi visits London (1854 and 1861)
1861 - Kenneth MacKenzie visited Eliphas Levi in Paris
1864 - Frederick Hockley joins British Masonic Lodge No. 8
1865-66 - Robet Wentworth Little found some old Rosicrucian Papers
and founded the S.R.I.A. - Westcott implies he collaborated with
Kenneth R. H. MacKenzie. John Hervey, the Grand Secretary of the United
Grand Lodge of England (the standard "non-esoteric" or Orthodox Masonic
Temple in the U.K.) was Kenneth MacKenzie’s uncle
1867 - S.R.I.A. – Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia – founded by
Robert Wentworth Little (1840-78). Westcott later claimed that Kenneth
MacKenzie provided Little with a permission from Count Apponyi in Austria,
from whom MacKenzie is supposed to have received “Rosicrucian Initiation”
1870 - Kenneth MacKenzie joins a conventional English Masonic
Lodge, Oak Lodge, No. 190
1872 - Kenneth MacKenzie is made an Honorary member of S.R.I.A.
1872 - Royal Oriental Order of Sikha (Apex) and the Sat B’hai,
supposedly imported from India. The order admits women. It
is controlled by Jonathan Yarker, who was known for spawning “bogus” –
or at least very irregular - Masonic Orders.
1873, 24 April - Eliphas Levi is made an honorary member of S.R.I.A.
1874 - Kenneth MacKenzie is made Assistant Secretary of the S.R.I.A
1875 - Frederick Holland is elected to the Metropolitan College
of the S.R.I.A. and Kenneth MacKenzie resigns from the S.R.I.A.
1875 - Madame Helena P. Blatavsky and Colonel H. S. Olcott form
Theosophical Society in New York
1877 - Blatavsky publishes Isis Unveiled
1878 - Robert Wentworth Little dies. Dr. W. R. Woodman
succeeds him as Supreme Magus of the S.R.I.A.
1880 - Dr. William Wynn Westcott joins the S.R.I.A.
1881 - The Occult World published by A.P. Sinnett is popular
in England, and introduces the concept of Theosophy which is already
popular in America.
1883 - An elite esoteric masonic organization called The Society
of Eight, is founded by Kenneth MacKenzie. Notables such as Francis
George Irwin and Frederick Holland were members. It is unclear whether
Hockley was a member. In a note to F.G. Irwin, MacKenzie says that
Stainton Moses (a noted Spiritist) and William Wynn Westcott were not to
be admitted. It is unclear whether Westcott was eventually invited
to join, or even whether the organization ever really came into existence.
1883 - Anna Kingsford President of London Lodge of the Theosophical
Society - at this time a very small and insignificant organization.
1884 - the Theosophical Society is embarrassed by alleged trickery
uncovered at Adyar during investigation by Richard Hodgson of the Society
for Psychical Research
1884 - Anna Kingsford resigns, forms Hermetic Society.
Westcott and Mathers both lecture there.
1884 - A Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees is formed in
England, which to coordinate, to some extent, the various "side degrees"
of Masonry including the S.R.I.A. Submission was voluntary and virtually
none of these organizations actually applied to the Grand Council.
The Grand Council did not extend its authority to firmly embrace these
"side degrees" until 1902, by which time there was little interest in them.
1884 - The Rosicrucian/Christian Martinist Order in France,
which has existed irregularly since the turn of the century is given a
constitution and formally organized along modern lines.
1885 10 November - Frederick Hockley dies
1886, 3 July - Kenneth MacKenzie dies. Swedenborgian
Rite - Westcott active became Grand Secretary after Kenneth MacKenzie’s
death in 1886. Collected his loose papers, probably including the
cipher manuscripts.
1887, 23 December - A.F.A.Woodford dies
1888 - Stanislas de Guita forms Rose+Cross in France
1888 - February 2, Anna Kingsford dies from chronic lung disease
II - Foundation
1888
1 March - G.D. Isis-Urania Temple No. 3 (see "the cipher
manuscript" for discussion of Temples No. 1 and 2) issued a warrant.
First initiate was Mina Bergson (Vestigia nulla retrorsum - “Vestigia”)
. She was later Moina Mathers.
12 February - Dr. William Wynn Westcott (Sapere Aude - S.A. -
originally Non Omnis Moriar), Dr. William Robert Woodman (Magna es Veritas
- M.V.), and Samuel Liddell Mathers (‘S Rioghail Mo Dhream - S.R.M.D.)
signed the Order of G.D. pledge.
October - Helena P. Blavatsky launches the Esoteric Section of
the Theosophical Society. Membership in other Hermetic organizations
is forbidden. Rev. William Alexander Ayton (Virtue orta, occidunt rarius
- V.O.O.R.) initially writes to some of his Yorkshire colleagues, and they
launch a protest over Blavatsky’s refusal to allow membership in other
organizations. The requirement is dropped, though approval must be
had from Annie Besant.
October - Isabelle de Steiger (Alta Pero - A.P.) enters the G.D.
8 October - G.D. Temple No. 4 Osiris at Weston Super-Mare founded
by Benjamin Cox (Crux dat salutem - C.D.S.), a freemason, and associate
of Westcott’s from the days when he was a pharmacist. The Osiris
temple never had more than 12 members, went into decline within two years,
and ceased to exist in 1895 after Benjamin Cox died.
11 October - Westcott (S.A.) makes a reference to the G.D. at
a meeting of the Metropolitan College of the S.R.I.A. in which he refers
to Woodford as a member.
19 October - G.D. Temple No. 5, Horus, at Bradford, chartered
by T.H. Pattinson ( Vota vita mea - V.V.M.) a watchmaker at Baildon in
Yorkshire.
1889
February - 60 members joined Temple No. 3, Isis-Urania before
this date. Isis-Urania met at Mark Masons’ Hall
9 February - First public reference to the G.D. appeared in Notes
and Queries, in the Theosophical Society Periodical Lucifer. The
reference was in response to a letter asking about a "School of Kabbalah"
- It can be assumed that the letter was written by Westcott (S.A.), probably
in response to a query he placed himself.
May - Dr. Edward Berridge (Resurgam) joins the G.D.
10 September - Moina Mathers (Vestigia) listed as 5=6, a full
year before any regular Second Order initiations will be performed.
1890
In France, the Martinist Order organizes a Supreme Council of 12
members with Papus (Gerard Encausse) as President and Grand Master. Stanislas
de Guaïta and Joseph Peledan are also Council members.
January - Annie Horniman (Fortiter et Rectitude - F.E.R.) joins
the G.D.
7 March - William Butler Yeats (Daemon Est Deus Inversus - Demon)
joins G.D.
July - Florence Emery (later Florence Farr, after she divorced
Edward Emery) (Sapientia Sapienti Dono Data - S.S.D.D.) joins G.D.
August - J.W. Brodie-Innes (Sub Spe) joins the G.D. in London.
September - Percy Bullock (Levavi Oculos - L.O.) joins G.D.
III - The Second Order
1891
January - Arthur Edward Waite “Sacrementum Regis - S.R.” joins
the G.D.
20 February - Dr. Berridge (Resurgam) 5=6
March - Mrs. Helen Rand (Vigilate) joins the G.D.
30 July - Mathers (S.R.M.D.) visits Paris in the summer.
In a letter he states “I have been in much communication with Frater Lux
E Tenebris (L.E.T.).” At the time this was widely rumored to be a
Dr. Thiesen of Lieges Belgium. Mathers circulated other talk about
contact with higher adepts, and presented the G.D. with a new set of rituals
for a “Second Order,” specifically called the Order of the Rosae Rubiae
et Aurae Crucis (R.R. et A.C.).
2 August - Florence Farr (S.S.D.D.) 5=6
17 December - first Second Order Initiation for Annie Horniman
(Fortiter et Recte - F.E.R). Horniman was going abroad, so her initiation
was rushed. At this time, a distinction had to be made between those
of “Nominal 5=6” grade who had completed the examinations and those
who have formally entered the Second Order. The Second order
vault was built at Thavies Inn, off Holborn Circus in rooms owned by the
Sanitary Wood Wool Company, in which Westcott (S.A.) had an interest.
1892
In introducing the Second Order, which he controlled, Mathers (S.R.M.D)
effectively took over the organization from Westcott (S.A.) at this point.
Mathers was sole Chief within the Second Order. Westcott was simply
Chief Adept in Anglia. During 1892 there were seven Adept Assemblies and
one Adept Council
During 1892, Miss Theresa Jane O’Connell (Cial agus neart - C.A.N.)
was expelled. She had fallen out with Mina Mathers (Vestigia)
18 March - Westcott (S.A.) was unable to get a second room on
the premises at Thavies Inn - the vault was too small, and in August the
Second order moved to Clipstone Street.
22 March - Miss Pamela Carden (later Mrs. Pamela Bullock) (Shemebar)
joins the G.D.
June - First Corpus Christi Ceremony. The most important
Adept Assembly was the annual one held early in June, as near as possible
to Corpus Christi. Consecration Ceremony of the Vault of the Adepts
- Corpus Christi ceremony - was to be used for any new Vault and for each
day of Corpus Christi. “The Chief Adept, clothed in a black robe of mourning
and with the “chain of humility” hung round his neck, was bound to the
Cross of Suffering and pledged himself ‘for the due performance and fulfillment
of the respective clauses of the Oath taken by each member on the Cross
of Suffering at his admission to the Grade of Adeptus Minor.’” Howe
says that Mathers (S.R.M.D.) found he consequences of taking it so unpleasant
that he tried to foist it on to Westcott (S.A.), who did it for one year
and said he would never do it again. Peck did it at Edinburgh.
12 July - Helen Rand (Vigilate) 5=6
August - Factionalism at Horus in Bradford, between Rosicrucians
and Theosophists. Annie Horniman (F.E.R.) was sent as an “envoy” to check
out the situation. According to Horniman, Oliver Firth (Volo) and
F.D. Harrison (Quanti est Sapere - Q.E.S.), both Theosophists, were making
trouble, by acting disrespectfully about and during the rituals.
10 August - Decision made to move the Second Order Vault to Clipstone
Street. 24-25 Clipstone St. was a dingy little thoroughfare running east
from the middle of Great Portland St. “dirty, noisy, smelly and immoral,
and many objected to it.” 10s. weekly for two rooms. According
to historian Ellic Howe, the Second Order’s neighbors were “a hairdresser,
dairyman, confectioner, two sculptors, cabinet-makers, french polishers
a piano tuner, and the offices of the German Waiters’ Society.” The
vault was illuminated by a battery powered electric lamp. There
was a log in the Second Order Vault, in which anyone coming or going wrote
down the date, time, and their business
14 August (Sunday) - Percy Bullock (Levavi Oculos - L.O.) was busy organizing
the move from Thavies Inn during the week of the 14th-21st.
6 September - Mathers (S.R.M.D.) and Moina (Vestigia) were back
in London on 6 September, remained until 20 October. This was at
least partially for the Equinox Ceremony
20 September - W.A. Ayton (V.O.O.R.) was inducted into
the Second Order. His wife, a nominal 5=6 was allowed to observe.
This is the only known instance of a nominal 5=6 being allowed to observe.
October - Westcott (S.A.) visited two months later, and
temporarily took control as Imperator of the Horus Temple, after the Imperator
temporarily resigned, to allow him to fix the problems there.
November - Dr. Henry Pullen Burry (Anima Pura Sit - A.P.S.) joins
the G.D.
14 December - Apparently, the ladies of the Second Order were
using the Vault (or rather the Clipstone street rooms) as a social place
in the afternoon. Westcott (S.A.) promgulated a rule which apparently
limited “lady students” access, and Florence Farr (Sapentia Sapienti dono
data - S.S.D.D.) complained about it. Apparently the new rule was ignored.
1893
In this year, the Portal grade first used - this was a "transition"
ritual between nominal 5=6 and the Second Order Initiation. Everyone
who became a full 5=6 in 1893 went through the portal grade first, but
there was not yet a rule that 9 months must pass, and the portal grade
was usually followed by the 5=6 within a week or so.
During 1893 There were eight Adept Assemblies and four Adept Council
meetings
January - Yeats (Demon) takes 5=6
February - Mrs. J.W. Brodie-Innes (Sub Hoc Signo Vinces - S.H.S.V.)
joins the G.D.
March - Mathers (S.R.M.D.) makes a trip to try and fix problems
with Horus Temple in Bradford. The Bradfordians were still talking
to Oliver Firth (Volo), and F.D. Harrison (Q.E.S.) Harrison later
rose to a significant position within Annie Besant’s Universal Co-Masonry,
after the collapse of the Theosophy Society.
6 April - J.W. Brodie-Innes (Sub spe) 5=6
20 June - Pamela Carden (later Pamela Bullock) (Shemebar) 5=6
26 July - F. G. Irwin, of the S.R.I.A. dies.
26 September, (Tuesday) - This was the last 5=6 admission
until March 1894. At this point there were 36 full 5=6 members of
the Second Order.
19 October - the Ananda Lodge of the Esoteric Section of the
Theosophical Society was formed. Westcott (S.A.) was President,
Percy Bullock (L.O.) the honorary secretary and F.L. Gardner - not yet
a Golden Dawn member, was also an officer. Gardner may have met Westcott
at this time.
Autumn - By this time the 5=6 Adeptus Minor grade in the Second
Order was divided into two sub-grades Zelator Adeptus Minor (Z.A.M) and
Theoricus Adeptus Minor (Th.A.M.) There was discussion and some work
on a 5=6 Practicus Adeptus Minor, but this was probably never worked before
the Examination system beginning to founder in 1897. G.D. Second
Order members begin to take various parts of the series of eight examinations
for the senior 5=6 Grade of Th.A.M in autumn of 1893. There were
no regular grades beyond 5=6, though Mathers (S.R.M.D.) and Moina (Vestigia)
as well as Westcott were represented to be 7=4 at various times.
1894
Annie Horniman secretly provided money that enabled Florence Farr
to lease the Avenue Theatre, where she staged Yeats’ one act play The Land
of Heart’s Desire as a curtain raiser for Dr. John Todhunter’s The Comedy
of Sighs. The latter was soon withdrawn and was replaced by G.B.
Shaw’s Arms and the Man.
By 1894, a G.D. rule enforced a delay in allowing Theosophical Society
Esoteric Section members to join the G.D., because Annie Besant would approve
them, then the "Master" (a nonhuman entity) of the Esoteric Section would
tell them to resign. This appears to have been a politically correct
way for the Esoteric Section to interfere with the G.D., without forcing
Besant to take direct responsibility.
During 1894 the Amoun-Ra Temple No. 6 was chartered at Edinburgh,
under the leadership of J.W. Brodie-Innes (Sub spe). William Peck
later incinerated the papers of the Temple in a panic in 1901, and many
of the records are lost.
January 6 - Ahathoor Temple No. 7 at Paris was consecrated
by Annie Horniman (F.E.R.) at 1 Avenue Duquesne
February - Allan Benett - (Iehi Aour) joins the G.D.
May 5 - Charles Rosher (Aequo Animo - A.A.) enters the G.D.
12 March - February - Horus Temple Bradford petitioned
for direct control by Mathers to keep any “petticoat government” by Florence
Farr (S.S.D.D.) from affecting them. This was a direct result of
Gardner showing them the letter Florence Farr had sent him. “Common
Sense and good fellowship” was held to be more important at Horus than
G.D. Grades
Dr. Robert W. Felkin (Finem Respice - Respice) joins the G.D.
14 March - Henry Pullen Burry (A.P.S.) takes 5=6
20 March - Grederick Leigh Gardner (De Profundis Ad Lucem - D.P.A.L.)
joins the G.D.
September - A. E. Waite (who was not yet a G.D. member) publishes
an esoteric periodical called The Unknown World. In an article in
September Dr. Edmund William Berridge (Resurgam) makes his infamous
“Death of a Syncope” comment, in which he implies that betrayal of the
Second Order of the G.D. might result in death, with a coroner's verdict
of death of heart failure. Because Westcott is widely known to be
a coroner, this can be read to suggest masonic complicity in murder, as
well as the "irresistable current of hostile will" promised in the Neophyte
Initation.
December - Mrs. J.W. Brodie-Innes (S.H.S.V.) 5=6
1895
22 March - Allan Benett (Iehi Aour) 5=6
23 March - Gerard Encausse - the French mystic “Papus”
- is given an honorary initiation into Ahathoor Temple in Paris.
He later resigns to head the Martinist Order, a Rosicrucian Lodge in France.
12 July- George Cecil Jones (Volo Noscere - Volo) joins G.D.
October - Frederick Leigh Gardner (De Profundis ad Lucem - D.P.A.L.)
(not to be confused with Gerald Gardner, the 20th century esotericist who
founded Gardnerian Wicca) visited Mathers (S.R.M.D) in Paris Mrs. Helen
Mary Rand (Vigilate) was saying there at the time.
November - Ananda Lodge of the E.S. of the T.S. is closed down
December - Benjamin Cox (C.D.S.), Imperator of Osiris Temple
at Weston-Super-Mare dies. The Temple is defunct. Cox was working
on a 7=4 ritual when he died
IV. First Rebellion and Manifesto
1896
By 1896, the Golden Dawn has about 300 members. Of these about
100 are in the Second Circle, and about 60 are active. The only 7=4
degrees were conferred on the Mathers' (S.R.M.D. and Vestigia) by the Secret
Chiefs) - all Second Circle members are 5=6. A growing number are
Theoricus Adeptus Minor (Th.A.M.), and in 1896 "the Theorici" form the
basis for a near rebellion against Mathers' rule of the Second Order.
January - Mathers (S.R.M.D) writes a stern letter reproving
Annie Hornimanm (F.E.R.). It is unclear precisely what prompted this,
however it is clear that in late December Horniman wrote a critical letter
to Mathers. The issues are Dr. Berridge's (Resurgam) interest in the teachings
of Thomas Lake Harris, which include sexual techniques and polyfidelity,
and possibly statements about sexual activity on the elemental plane made
by or attributed to Mathers (S.R.M.D.).
January - Florence Farr (Sapienta Sapienti dono data -
S.S.D.D.) reports that she has been contacted by the "Egyptian Adept,"
an ancient Egyptian Priest or Priestess who has made contact through a
fragment of a mummy case. Through correspondence with Mathers' (S.R.M.D.)
Farr establishes to his and her satisfaction that this adept is in fact
a genuine 8=3. She is allowed to begin a small "work group" to contact
and work with the Adept. This is the core of what will later become
her "Sphere group."
2 January - Draft of a letter from Mrs. Helen Rand (Vigilate)
and Westcott (S.R.M.D.), to Mathers, defending the action of some Senior
Theorici who had opposed Dr. Berridge (Resurgam). The bone of contention
seems to have been his sexual theories, and improper conduct toward Mrs.
Rand.
8 January - Mathers (S.R.M.D.) writes to Annie Horniman
(F.E.R.), in a letter that can be described as "somewhat condescending."
Mathers mentions Mrs. A. J. Carden, (Amore), for whom for whatever reason
he "recommended to elemental marriage" because of the “extreme danger of
invoking an incubus instead of a fay, through want of self control.”
The details are unclear, however it makes it clear that despite his own
celibate relationship with Moina, Mathers has expounded some teachings
on elemental sexuality.
14 January - By this time the crisis is over temporarily, and
Horniman (F.E.R.) seems to have accepted a rebuke from Mathers and a hurt
chastening by Moina.
March - Annie Horniman (F.E.R) complained that Mathers
had no time for the arrears of work at 62 Oakley Square, which is described
as the "headquarters of the Second Order." Westcott was doing most
of the work on grading examinations at this point, as well as most of the
other paperwork in the organization. It is unclear what was located
at the Oakley Square site - possibly a business office used by Westcott.
10 March (Wednesday) - The Mathers (S.R.M.D. and Vestigia)
were back in London on a visit by this time, probably for the equinox ceremony.
They were staying with Ada Waters (Recta Pete), and returned to Paris on
the 13th.
May - Isabelle de Steiger (A.P) 5=6
13 May (Wednesday) - The group assembled by Florence Farr (S.S.D.D.)
to contact her "Egyptian Adept" makes its initial attempt. Farr,
Allan Benett (Iehi Aour), Charles Rosher (Aequo Animo - A.A.), and F.L.
Gardner (D.P.A.L.) invoke Mercury - Taphthartharath - the ritual is written
by Benett.
June 4 - Mathers (S.R.M.D.) missed Corpus Christi because of
politics, probably involvement with fringe Jacobite activities in Paris.
Annie Hornimann (F.E.R.) took this and Mathers' political involvement as
an insult to herself and the order, and shortly thereafter off the Mathers
allowance, which had been their principal income in the past three years.
July - A letter was sent to Mrs. Florence E. S. Kennedy
(Volo), containing 13 charges against the Theorici - 11 were particular
to Annie Horniman (F.E.R.)
22 August - M. Eugene Jacob (Ely Star) takes joins Ahathoor
September - Annie Horniman (F.E.R.) resigns as Sub-Praemonstrator
(instructor) of Isis-Urania, but plans to stay active within the Second
Order. There is a general perception that by this time the Theorici
are getting restless - threatening Mathers authority
29 October - "Manifesto" issued. In this document, Mathers
(S.R.M.D.) chastens the rebellious Theorici, and commands them to "submit"
to his rule, swearing an "oath of allegiance" to the Second Order and to
himself as Chief. Mathers repports that he is under terrible
strain from receiving rituals of the Second Order from Secret Chiefs Using
"table, ring and disc" (a Ouija like divining mechanism). He also
cites constant strife with opposing Demonic forces which has caused terrible
nervous prostration, and blood loss through his nose, mouth, ears, etc.
22 November - Annie Horniman (F.E.R.) submits to the Chief.
She is in Florence, Italy, until the beginning of 1897
28 November - Mme Jenny Jacob (Gnothi Seauton) joins the G.D.
December - In November or December, Mathers negotiates unsuccessfully
with George Redway's esoteric publishing house for advances and more money
on his publication of a translation of The Sacred Magic of Abra-Melin the
Mage, a manuscript from the French Libraire D'Arsenal. By December,
Mathers has returned his advances from Redway, and stricken a new
deal with G.D. member F. L. Gardner (D.P.A.L.) who offered financial backing
for publication of the Abra-Melin book. The enterprise is not philanthropic
- Gardner means to make a profit - but it alleviates Mathers' short term
financial problems in the wake of Horniman's withdrawal of his allowance.
1 December, 1896 - Dr. Felkin (Respice) takes 5=6
3 December - Mathers (S.R.M.D.) expells Horniman from the G.D.
Shortly after this, Dr. Pullen Burry (Anima pura sit - A.P.S.) went to
Paris to see Mathers. Mathers defends his expulsion of the contentious
Hornimann, and his support of Berridge (Resurgam). He also mentions
that he is annoyed at Westcott (S.A.) felt he was usurping his authority.
19 December - Mathers (S.R.M.D.) defends his expulsion of Horniman
(F.E.R.) to Gardner (D.P.A.L.). Over the next day or two, Gardner
organizes a fairly humble petition to ask Mathers to reinstate Horniman.
He received 39 replies - 29 affirmative, 9 negative (including Allan Benett
(Iehi Aour), Ada Waters (Recta Pete), and J.W. Brodie-Innes (Sub spe).
R. W. Felkin (Finem respice) declines to make a decision one way or the
other. The petition was never sent to Mathers, possibly because Gardner
learned he would not accept it.
25 December - Annie Horniman (F.E.R.) wrote William Peck (Veritas
et Lux), a prestigious member of the Amoun-Ra Temple in Edinburg, and disclosed
the information on her many loans to the Mathers, totaling more than ?1200,
over several years. This information is quickly made public within
the Second Order.
1897
1897 saw the fallout of the first Rebellion within the Golden Dawn.
Mathers (S.R.M.D.) retained his strong control of the organization, but
from this point became increasingly paranoid and jealous of his prerogatives
regarding his role within the order. By October of 1897, things looked
bleak for the order. One member commented that "my faith in the Chief
is completely shaken" and said that "it seems hardly likely that the Order
can go on much longer in the present unsatisfactory state of affairs."
Nevertheless, under the leadership of Florence Farr, the order would recover,
and remain fairly stable for two years.
11 January - G. C. Jones (Volo) 5=6
18 January - Elain Simpson (Donorum Dei Dispensatio Fidelis -
Fidelis) joins G.D.
January - The Mathers (S.R.M.D. and Vestigia) visited London
at the end of the month in order to calm the Theorici. Westcott, who had
up to this point only been Registrar, was made Vice-Imperator, giving
him for the first time direct authority in the Second Order. His
replacement of Percy Bullock (L.O.) seems to have been amicable.
17 March - Westcott (S.A.) has to resign as Vice-Imperator -
because some occult manuscripts carrying his address were left in a cab,
and he received some sort of official notice that a Coroner of the Crown
could not be involved in magical activities. Apparently, something
similar happened in 1889 which caused him to stop lecturing for the Esoteric
Section of the Theosophical Society. Aliester Crowley (Perdurabo)
later alleged that Mathers (S.R.M.D.) left the documents, and this was
rumored or suspected at the time. The truth of the matter is unknown.
It seems almost certain that the removal of Westcott (S.A.) caused
the collapse of the examination system. Florence Farr (S.S.D.D.) did not
care to enforce Second Order examinations, and Mathers (S.R.M.D.) was far
too busy with "political business." Annie Horniman (F.E.R.) was also
gone at this point. Westcott suggested in a letter to Gardner that Charles
Rosher (A.A.) and Miss Ada Waters (Recta Pete) pick up the work he had
been doing, but it is clear that no-one else had the time to devote to
the order's minutiae that Westcott had taken.
1 April - Florence Farr (S.S.D.D.) was appointed Vice-Imperator
of Isis-Urania, and made Chief Adept in Anglia. At the same
time, the formation of secret groups was advised and legalized by Mathers
(S.R.M.D.)
5 April - Mathers' (S.R.M.D.) lost the Abra Melin manuscripts
in a railway carriage in France. It was May before he informed Gardner.
6 April - Howe thinks that Westcott (S.A.) may have had
a mild nervous breakdown by this date, as a result of his involuntary retirement.
He wrote to Gardner (D.P.A.L.) complaining of being "ill." Sometime
after this Westcott formed his own small "Secret Group" for study and occult
work.
April - At this point, Florence Farr (S.S.D.D.) was collecting
money for the Mathers. Ada Waters (Recta Pete) came back from Paris
with the news that the Mathers needed ?75. Amoun-Ra gave Mathers
all its extra funds.
1 May - Mathers (S.R.M.D.) travelled to Scotland to take on problems
in Amoun-Ra. He apparently briefly made himself Imperator, in the
same way that Westcott (S.A.) had briefly been Imperator of Horus during
its problems. Mathers displaced Brodie Innes (Sub Spe) to Praemonstrator,
and Peck (V.E.L.) to Vice-Imperator. By late 1897, Peck was Imperator.
May 1897 - A Pamphlet on the teachings of Thomas Lake Harris
is issued by "Respiro" - generally understood to be Dr. Berridge (Resurgam).
At one point the author describes how he worked magic against an opponent.
There is every evidence to indicate that this was documentation of a magical
attempt by Berridge to injure Annie Horniman (F.E.R.) and a version of
the pamphlet with a derisive bit of doggerel which made the matter more
clear was sent to a member.
9 May - Gardner (D.P.A.L.) finds out about Mathers' (S.R.M.D.)
troubles, and makes an offer of money and lodging until Mathers completes
his work. The terms include a cessation of all political work, restoration
of Annie Horniman (F.E.R.), and the offer was genuinely somewhat rude in
nature. Mathers refused indignantly, but was fairly kind to Gardner.
May - Subsequently, Gardner (D.P.A.L.) complained to Mathers
(S.R.M.D.) about Berridge (Resurgam), and wrote to Berridge saying that
he would likely hear from Horniman’s solicitors. By this time the
fight between Berridge and Horniman was very bitter indeed. Based
on the poem, Mathers did suspend Berridge for six months.
2 July - Mathers (S.R.M.D.) dispatches the Abra-melin Manuscript
to Gardner (D.P.A.L.).
July - At some point during this period, Mathers (S.R.M.D.) was
talking of fear of assassination, which Florence Farr (S.S.D.D.) privately
derided.
August - Westcott (S.A.) had an "astral visitor" who was "known
to him" who advised him he should not work with Annie Horniman (F.E.R.)
or any other sorores. From this point on Westcott did not work with
the women of the order in private, and he was already out of all public
involvement.
15 August - With Berridge's (Resurgam) suspension almost up,
Gardner (D.P.A.L.) wrote him a strongly worded, possibly threatening letter.
17 August - Mathers (S.R.M.D.) criticized Gardner (D.P.A.L.)
for his rebuke of Berridge (Resurgam), and even Florence Farr (S.S.D.D.)
thought Gardner was out of line. Gardner's behavior seems to have
been becoming more erratic, which Mathers attributed to his possession
of the Abra-Melin manuscripts.
22 August - Florence Farr (S.S.D.D.) wrote a humiliating letter
to Gardner (D.P.A.L.), in which she said she could not recommend him for
further official position in Isis-Urania.
August - Early in August Gardner (D.P.A.L.) wrote an angry letter
to the member whose function was to circulate notices of meetings, because
she had failed to invite him to the August 7 ceremony. She
took exception to his tone and complained to Florence Farr (S.S.D.D).
8 September - Gardner (D.P.A.L.) resigned from Isis-Urania and
sent a notice for Dr. Pullen-Burry (A.P.S.) to read at the equinox ceremony.
Gardner complained bitterly and wrote a condemnatory letter to Pullen-Burry
when the latter failed to read his letter before the assembly.
9 September - around this time the Second order moved to new
premises at 36 Blythe Road, off Hammersmith Road. Gardner had presented
a book case, and agreed to leave it until after he ceremony, though he
refused to let the order buy it from him.
November - Despite factionalization, Amoun-Ra was still in business
at this point, and was building its own Second Order vault. Isabelle
De Steiger (Alta Peto) painted the Vault at Edinburgh
1898
We know comparatively little of 1898. A survey of available
information would seem to indicate that the year was "slow." On the
other hand, there is also a lack of documentation. The extensive
knowledge of the order in 1896-97 is partially because of correspondence
from Annie Horniman and F. L. Gardner, both of whom moved away from the
organization (Annie suspended, and Gardner a corresponding member of Horus
Temple feuding with Florence Farr). On the whole, 1898 seems to have
been a milder year for the order. Letters indicate that Florence
Farr was an effective "cushion" between the Theorici, and Mathers' high-handedness,
and the Chief himself was deeply enmeshed in Jacobite politics, and the
Isis Movement he hoped to inaugurate in Paris. Where his attention
was focused on the order, it was on the feuding Amoun-Ra Temple in Edinburgh,
which by late 1899 seems to have almost entirely collapsed. In general
the storm that would destroy the order in Jan-May of 1900 broke rather
suddenly, after a time of seeming peace. Without doubt, however,
there were deep tensions within the order.
February - Horus Temple Bradford petitioned for direct control
by Mathers to keep any “petticoat government” by Florence Farr (S.S.D.D.)
from affecting them. This was a direct result of Gardner showing
them the letter Florence Farr had sent him. “Common Sense and good
fellowship” was held to be more important at Horus than G.D. Grades
February - Eugene Jacob (Ely Star) takes 5=6 at Ahathoor
29 July - Westcott (S.A.) went to Edinburgh 29 July 1898.
By this point, Amoun-Ra Temple is apparently in complete collapse.
The Temple is divided between followers of Brodie-Innes (Sub Spe), and
followers of Peck (L.E.R.), who support Mathers (S.R.M.D.) - a total of
about fifteen on each side. In a private letter, Westcott suggested
that “All the scotch have reckoned him (Mathers) up correctly but a few
seniors are doing like one in London (probably meant to be Florence Farr)
tolerating a master in hope of further profit." Mathers was apparently
quite unpopular, and Brodie-Innes section of the Amoun-Ra Temple can be
viewed as being in more or less open rebellion at this point.
Westcott said that Peck's faction had already had some defections and resignations.
22 September - Camille Videgrain (Sursum Corda - S.C.) joins
Ahathoor in Paris
18 November - Aliester Crowley (Perdurabo) initiated
1899
March - The Mathers' "Rite of Isis" presented at Bodiniere
Theatre in the Rue Saint-Lazare in March 1899. This was part of an
ongoing esoteric project of the Mathers' which did not directly relate
to the Golden Dawn. Though couched as a historical project, the idea
was to expose the public to the old Graeco-Roman mystery cult of Isis,
and revive Isis worship in Paris. This would lead to Mathers' crowning
public achievement, the presentation of a reconstructed Isis Temple at
the 1900 Paris World's Fair.
3 March - A. E. Waite (S.R.) takes 5=6
18 March - Elaine Simpson (Fidelis) takes 5=6
May - Crowley (Perdurabo) becomes 4=7. He completes examination,
and is qualified as a nominal 5=6, but is refused initiation to the Second
Order.
August - Crowley goes into a "magical retreat" at Boleskine in
Scotland, to attempt to work Mathers' Abra-Melin process.
November - Dawning homosexual scandal. There appears to
have been police investigation of some homosexual conduct at Cambridge,
and Crowley's name was proposed in reference to it, along with some of
his G.D. associates, including Allan Bennett. No charges were filed,
and no G.D. members were actively questioned by the police, though some
of them may have been watched. This and rumors of a sexual affair
with Elaine Simpson (Fidelis), the daughter of Mrs. Alice Simpson
(Perseverantia et Cura Quies - Preserverantia)
V. What Has not Gone Before
I think it is worth a brief note to describe a few of the really
well known events that had not occurred by December 1899 - everyone
knows about them, and it may be easier this way to place them firmly out
of mind. Notably, the series of events (best left vague for those
who are not already familiar with them) that led to the offer to reinstate
Horniman, the Telegram, the January 12th Adept Council, the letter from
Mathers (S.A.) to Farr (S.S.D.D.) which suggested that Westcott forged
the Sprengel letters, etc. were all some weeks in the future. Needless
to say the "Battle of Blythe Road" in which Crowley briefly took possession
of the Second Order Vault and catalyzed the "Revolt of the Adepts" was
a future event as well.
A. The Cipher Manuscript and
the Fraulein Sprengel Letters
Some notes about the famous "Cipher Manuscript" of the Golden
Dawn
-
The code used in the cipher manuscript is from Trithemius’ Polygraphiae
(1561). Kenneth MacKenzie, as well as any other competent occultist,
would have had access to it.
-
There are several different stories of exactly how the Cipher manuscripts
came to be in the possession of Dr. William Wynn Westcott, however the
following is a summary that covers most of the more common particulars
- note that this is merely the "story" and that the cipher manuscripts
were later disputed as forgeries by Westcott:
-
The Cipher manuscripts were written by Johann Falk, around 1810-1815
-
The papers were once held by Eliphas Levi, but he lost them, possibly on
his visit in 1854
-
Some years later they came into the possession of Kenneth Mackenzie.
Along with Frederick Hockley he wrote to Fraulein Sprengel - Soror Sapiens
Dominatabur Astris (S.D.A) - and received permission to open an English
Lodge “Hermanubis Temple No. 2” The papers gave a contact address
for Fraulein Sprengel - Herr J. Enger, Hotel Marquardt, Stuttgart.
-
Later MacKenzie and Hockley recruited Rev. A.F.A. Woodford to join them.
Hockley died in 1885. MacKenzie died in 1886. A.F.A. Woodford
died in 1887, and William Wynn Westcott got his papers.
-
Note that Rev. A.F.A. Woodford should not be confused either with Dr. W.
R. Woodman - the third co-founder of the Golden Dawn, who died early on,
or with Rev W.A. Ayton, an elderly gentleman who was a member of the Golden
Dawn for years).
-
Westcott wrote to Fraulein Sprengel (S.D.A.), and got a letter back, though
her address had long since changed. (Note that she was not called “Anna”
Sprengel yet. After the turn of the Century Felkin was in contact
with an “Anna Sprengel” who he thought might be a cousin of the deceased
S.D.A. He mentioned this to several people, and the name “Anna” got
attached to S.D.A.)
-
Letters to and from Fraulein Sprengel (S.D.A) were Translated by Mr. Albert
Essinger, of the Sanitary Wood Wool Company
-
The first letter, 26 Nov 1887, mentions Hermanubis Temple which was chartered
to two Englishmen. Without much fanfare, Westcott is chartered to
open Temple No. 3, which is to have three chiefs
-
Four letters are subsequently written from Frater In Utroque Fidelis, Secretary
for Fraulein Sprengel (S.D.A.). The only other reference to continental
adepts is a statement that on 7 Feb 1888, Frater Igne died at Naples.
-
The final letter is 23 August 1890 from ex Uno Disces Omnes, who
said that Fraulein Sprengel (S.D.A.) had gone against the will of the other
continental adepts to charter Isis-Urania Temple No. 3, and that henceforth
there would be no contact.
B. Officers of Isis-Urania Temple
Notes: despite the heavy turnover of offices in Mid 1892, I cannot find
any specific information on a scandal or problem at that time. Miss Theresa
Jane O’Connell (Cial agus neart - C.A.N.) was expelled in 1892 after a
fight with Moina Mathers. In fact what seems to have happened is
that there was a general run of people being "kicked upstairs" with the
appointment of Berridge as Sub-Imperator. Florence Farr left as Cancellarius
probably to work more heavily with Westcott in training, eventually taking
over as Praemonstrator the next year. Bullock moved from Sub-Cancellarius
to Cancellarius, the logical replacement, and his future father in law
A.J. Carden (Fide) became the new Sub-Cancellarius.
Accurate records end with the end of Westcott's term as Vice-Imperator.
At the end of 1897 12 other officers were appointed, and most characters
can expect that if they are Isis-Urania members they are one of the "other
sorts of sub-chiefs." From the persons who served on the committees
after the Rebellion of 1900, we can deduce who were probably office-holders
in 1898-99.
Officers of Isis-Urania
| Sub Imperator |
Berridge (Resurgam) |
1892-March 1896 |
|
P.W. Bullock (L.O.) |
March - Jan or Feb 1897 |
| Vice-Imperator |
Westcott (S.A.) |
Feb -March 1897 |
|
Florence Farr (S.S.D.D.) |
March 1897 - present |
|
|
|
| Praemonstrator |
Westcott (S.A.) |
through March 1893 |
|
Florence Farr (S.S.D.D.) |
March 1893-1897 |
|
|
|
| Sub-Praemonstrator |
Berridge (Resurgam) |
during early 1892 |
|
Annie Hornimann (F.E.R.) |
mid 1892-1896 |
|
Helen Rand (Vigilate) |
1896 through 1897 |
|
|
|
| Cancellarius |
Florence Farr (S.S.D.D.) |
early 1892 |
|
Percy Bullock (L.O.) |
mid 1892 - March 1896 |
|
Dr. Pullen-Burry (A.P.S.) |
1896-97 |
|
|
|
| Sub-Cancellarius |
Percy Bullock (L.O.) |
early 1892 |
|
Alexander Carden (Fide) |
mid 1892 - march 1894 |
|
Pullen-Burry (A.P.S.) |
March 1894 - 1895 |
|
Pamela Bullock (Shemebar) |
1896-97 |
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