The Golden Dawn

This is the story of the Esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn inaugurated in 1888 more or less dissolving 15 years later through internal politics. The author observes that the question asked of the initiate 'why do you seek?' has only one acceptable answer, 'I seek in order to serve', an adage as true today as ever when it comes to power. The 1890s were an exciting period in esoteric history, and the Golden Dawn proved an important meeting point for many prominent people including AE Waite, WB Yeats and Charles Williams. The central character was McGregor Mathers with his wife Moina, who was the sister of Henri Bergson. Women played an important role at a time of emerging sexual equality. The history of the Order and its many colourful characters are vividly evoked and it is easy to see why it could not last. Members chose their own motto, and Yeats selected 'Demon est Deus Inversus'. There is also a good discussion of the meaning of magic in the Western tradition with its associated history. Sadly, the aim of initiation in producing an incorruptible pure individual is hard to attain but still a worthy aspiration. This is a highly informative account.