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=Exploring Bases: A brief look at the Golden Dawn= Kabbalah
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This is a little idea which I have been considering for a while now. I wasn't sure exactly how useful and interesting people here would find it and how worthwhile an endeavour it would be, though it doesn't do any harm to try it out. I'm doing this first post to see how things go and depending on the outcome, others may follow (though if it does get off the ground, it probably won't be frequent, given workload).

The Toaru series includes a wide variety of subjects and concepts relating to the worlds of magic and science. Some of them are elaborated upon in the text, others not so much. Many among them are quite interesting. Out of curiosity, I've frequently looked for further information after seeing these topics come up in the series, lost track of time and often come across some interesting things in the process.

What I hope to do here with 'Exploring Bases' is take a little look at the real-life backgrounds for some of the subjects which formed the basis for certain things in the Toaru series, in a little more detail than normally covered in the books and the wiki's articles, and present what I've come across here, in the hopes that it will provide something interesting for the wiki's users to read and possibly encourage them to read further.

With the recent release of NT18, which described Aleister Crowley's past, now seems a good time to take a little look at the magical organization which he was a member of; the Golden Dawn. There is quite a lot which could be covered, but for this post, it will just be a quick overview of the organization, its history, its members and some of its internal workings and teachings.

NOTE: Bear in mind that a number of the subjects which might be involved have differing interpretations and disagreements concerning them. Also, I'm just a casual reader in these areas, so there may be a few mistakes at times, though I try to avoid this as much as possible. If there are any points for improvement, correction or discussion, please feel free to discuss them in a constructive manner in the comments section below.

Contents/Topics

 * Headings:
 * Introduction
 * History
 * Members
 * Principles

Topics/Links
 * The ,
 * Members
 * Founders
 * Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers
 * William Wynn Westcott
 * William Robert Woodman
 * Others
 * Aleister Crowley
 * Mina Mathers
 * Allan Bennett
 * Dion Fortune
 * Paul Foster Case
 * Arthur Edward Waite
 * Robert William Felkin
 * Related
 * Anna Sprengel
 * History
 * Formation
 * Battle of Blythe Road
 * Splintering
 * Terminology
 * Tattva vision
 * Golden-style
 * Hermeticism
 * Kabbalah
 * GD Tarot
 * Tarot
 * Four elements
 * Astrology (Angels, Colour, Mathers)
 * Isis-Urania Temple
 * Images
 * RL members
 * Symbols/Diagrams

Other:
 * Table at Base for Navigation
 * Find dagger, Osiris mask and kilt. A crude edit. A better version would be appreciated.

Introduction
The  (Latin: Ordo Hermeticus Aurorae Aureae), more commonly referred to as the Golden Dawn (Aurora Aurea), was a magical organization which was active in Great Britain during late 19th and early 20th centuries, devoted to the study and practice of the occult.(ExtRef)

The Golden Dawn was founded in 1887 by, and , three British occultists who were  and members of the  (S.R.I.A.). The foundation of the order was based upon a set of documents obtained by Westcott known as the which outlined the magical rituals and theories which would form the base of the Golden Dawn's teachings. Westcott allegedly made contact with, an adept whose name was listed in the documents and apparent contact point for a group of higher beings referred to as the , and received a letter granting permission to establish a temple for a new order.

The Isis-Urania Temple was subsequently established in London in 1888. In its early years, the Golden Dawn was a single cohesive group. In 1892, an inner, Second Order was founded, made up of adepts who had completed the training taught to initiates into the original, outer, First Order. The group's Third Order was allegedly the Secret Chiefs, with which contact was supposedly made through the leader of the Second Order as an intermediary, following the end of the alleged correspondence with Anna Sprengel in 1891.(ExtRef)

Over time, the group grew in notability and notoriety, though it maintained secrecy concerning its mysteries and teachings. At its height in the mid-1890s, the Golden Dawn had over a hundred members from every circle of society and from a variety of professions; many from the arts and sciences, but also trade and business, and apparently some from the clergy as well.(ExtRef - The Golden Dawn: The Original Account of the Teachings, Rites, and ..., Regardie)

Woodman died after a brief illness in 1891 and in 1896, Westcott was forced to cease public involvement with the Golden Dawn due to his position as a Crown Coroner and his association with the group (which was seen as disreputable for someone in that position) coming to the attention of his superiors, leaving Mathers as the overall leader of the Golden Dawn, though Westcott maintained influence in the cabal which Mathers sought to erode in time.(ExtRef)

Dissatisfaction with Mathers' leadership (as well as his association with ) and further schisms within the Golden Dawn eventually led to the organization's collapse in 1903, after which various successor groups formed, including Mathers' (A∴O∴),  (S∴M∴), the  (formerly the first temple of the original order), and Aleister Crowley's. Some of these have likewise collapsed over time while some successors continue in some form to this day. The Golden Dawn was a major influence on 20th century Western occultism, inspiring many magical concepts which form the cores of various contemporary traditions and systems.(ExtRef)

Founders
The Golden Dawn had three co-founders, two of which have been named in the Toaru series. In real life, these three occultists were and members of the  (S.R.I.A.), a Rosicrucian magical order.(ExtRef) Whether or not their Toaru counterparts were also part of this group isn't known, though the way in which Mathers and Westcott refer to  might suggest otherwise.

Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers



 * Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers
 * Following Woodman's death in 1891, Mathers became leader of the Golden Dawn but was expelled from the order in April 1900, due to dissatisfaction with his leadership and his developing association with Aleister Crowley, whom he promoted against the London officials' decision. A few years later, he founded the successor organization,, which he led until his death in 1918.
 * Authoritarian tendencies
 * MacGregor, Scottish aspect, Stuarts
 * Married Mina in 1890, emigrated to Paris in 1892
 * Born in London, 1854
 * Joined Freemasons in Bournemouth 1877.
 * 1882, joined Rosicrucian order.
 * 1885, Bournemouth to London
 * 1887, translation regarding Kabbalah
 * 1888, formation of Isis-Urania Temple, Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
 * 1889, grimoire translation/editing, Greater Key of Solomon.
 * 1904, grimoire translation, Lesser Key of Solomon/Goetia
 * Celtic/Egyptian

Mathers married Mina Bergson (who subsequently took the name Moina Mathers) in 1890 and emigrated to Paris in 1892, though he continued to lead the Golden Dawn.

Unlike his Toaru counterpart who was struck down by Aleister Crowley in 1900 following the Battle of Blythe Road, the real-life Mathers (who was still on friendly terms with Crowley at that point) was expelled from the Golden Dawn in April 1900 due to dissatisfaction with his leadership among the London adepts. Afterwards, Mathers took the people still loyal him and what assets he still had or could obtain, and founded a successor organization, (A∴O∴), a few years later. He would continue to lead this group as it's Imperator until his death in 1918, after which his wife Moina became the group's Imperatrix. The exact cause of his death isn't clear, though at least one account attributes it to the influenza epidemic at the time.(ExtRef)

Like in the Toaru series, Mathers' relationship with Crowley would turn to one of enemies however the breakdown occurred a few years after the collapse of the Golden Dawn. Mathers was among the enemies whom Crowley featured as antagonists in his works, portraying him as the main villain SRMD (an abbreviation of Mathers' magical name/motto, S' Rioghail Mo Dhrem, meaning "royal is my race") in his 1917 novel .(ExtRef)


 * was in Paris at the time of the events rather than London and was still affiliated with him, their fallout not occurring until several years after the breakup of the Golden Dawn. Mathers was the leader of the Golden Dawn, however there was growing dissatisfaction with Mathers' leadership among the London temple and his affiliation with Aleister played a part of this. Mathers' decision to promote Aleister against the decision of the London temple officials was the last straw and in a meeting on March 29th 1900, they voted to expel him from the order.

William Wynn Westcott



 * William Wynn Westcott
 * The real was a ceremonial magician and coroner who co-founded the  together with  and.
 * He was later forced to cease his public association with the group due to its growing notoriety and his position as a Crown Coroner, though he secretly continued his involvement and would later be involved in one of its successor organizations, . He was also a chief of the.

Unlike his Toaru counterpart who was killed by Aleister Crowley using Imagine Breaker in 1900 following the Battle of Blythe Road, the real-life Westcott would live past the collapse of the Golden Dawn and was involved in one of its successor organizations,. After retiring as a coroner in 1910, Westcott emigrated to South Africa in 1918, dying in Durban in 1925.(ExtRef)

William Robert Woodman
The third founder, who wasn't named but referenced in Toaru series, was. As well as being an occultist, Woodman was also a surgeon and a horticulturalist.(ExtRef)

Unlike his Toaru counterpart, Woodman didn't retire from the affairs of the Golden Dawn due to old age, remaining a leader in both the Golden Dawn and the S.R.I.A. until his death in 1891 following a sudden illness. However they are both the founder whom the least is known about, in part due to his death occurring before the creation of the Golden Dawn's Second Order.(ExtRef)

Aleister Crowley
There's quite a lot which could be said about Aleister Crowley and a fair bit was covered in NT18, but this time around it'll just be some stuff pertaining to his time in the Golden Dawn and his relationships with the other magicians in the order.

Unlike his Toaru counterpart, who destroyed the cabal and cursed its members in an attempt to change the foretold death of his daughter, the real life Aleister Crowley was still affiliated with Mathers at the time of the Golden Dawn's collapse. Mathers' association with him was one of the reasons why the other members became dissatisfied with Mathers and Aleister's promotion by Mathers, overriding the decision of the London officials, was the final straw that prompted them to expel Mathers from the order.

Though the motivations and circumstances differ between the two, both were key factors in the conflict in the Golden Dawn and both instigated the 'Battle of Blythe Road', ostensibly on Mathers' behalf in real-life and pretending so in the Toaru series. The real life Aleister apparently wore a black Osiris mask and kilt during the incident (if I recall correctly, there were a few people hoping for this bit to crop up in some form).

Aleister's relationship with Mathers broke down a few years after the collapse of the Golden Dawn.
 * Post-Golden Dawn circumstances
 * Casting foes as villains in works

(crude edit of NT18 image with aforementioned attire?)
 * was in Paris at the time of the events rather than London and was still affiliated with him, their fallout not occurring until several years after the breakup of the Golden Dawn. Mathers was the leader of the Golden Dawn, however there was growing dissatisfaction with Mathers' leadership among the London temple and his affiliation with Aleister played a part of this. Mathers' decision to promote Aleister against the decision of the London temple officials was the last straw and in a meeting on March 29th 1900, they voted to expel him from the order.
 * Not long afterwards, on April 19th 1900, and several other magicians were present in 36 Blythe Road, Hammersmith when they apparently came under astral siege from Aleister Crowley, wielding a ceremonial dagger and wearing a black  mask and kilt. Aleister's goal was to claim the temple and the contents of its vault, ostensibly on Mathers' behalf. There are varying accounts of the events which followed and as Kamachi mentioned, things are a bit messy. Some accounts claim Aleister entered the premises and climbed some stairs to attack Yeats and others but was pushed back down by them. Others state that he was escorted out of the building by a bouncer or the police. Some have it that he was barred access to the premise and attempted unsuccessfully to get the help of a passing constable to get in.

Moina Mathers

 * In real life, (born Mina Bergson) was the wife of  and one of the first initiates into the  he co-founded.
 * Sister of French philosopher Henri Bergson, first man of Jewish descent to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1927.(W)

After Mathers' expulsion from the Golden Dawn and the organization's subsequent splintering, Moina helped with the foundation of his successor organization,. After her husband's death in 1918, Moina became the leader of Alpha et Omega and continued to lead it until her own death in 1928.(ExtRef)

During her time as Imperatrix of the Alpha et Omega, Moina Mathers was involved in a number of controversies and conflicts with several members of her order, including and, whom she expelled from the group. In the case of Dion Fortune, Moina was alleged to have spiritually attacked her, causing her to be assaulted by both real and etheric cats,(ExtRef) which is quite likely where her Toaru version's association with cats originates.


 * The recreated Mina Mathers refers at one point to her friend Annie (アニー) whom she begged for living expenses. This is likely, who was a sponsor to the Mathers as well as a fellow member of the Golden Dawn in real life.

Allan Bennett

 * The real was also a friend and teacher of Aleister Crowley, as well as a member of the . He played an important role in the introduction of  to England and the western world.

Aleister's accounts describe Allan Bennett constructing a wand out of glass, resembling a chandelier, and on being ridiculed by a group of theosophist for the use of wands while he and Aleister were walking one day, blasting a theosophist with it, knocking them out for about 14 hours.(ExtRef) This formed the basis for the Blasting Rod in the Toaru series.

Unlike his Toaru counterpart, he lived past the time of the Golden Dawn, dying in 1923 at the age of 51.(ExtRef)


 * Bhikkhu Ananda Metteyya

A. E. Waite

 * , commonly known as A. E. Waite, was a member of the Golden Dawn and co-creator of the deck.

Waite is the co-creator of the deck, one of most famous variants of the Tarot. The cards were illustrated by fellow Golden Dawn member under Waite's instructions and the deck was first published in 1909-1910 by the publisher, remaining in publication to this day.(ExtRef)

In the Toaru series, Waite was one of the reinforcements who arrived to support Mathers in his battle against Aleister Crowley. In real-life, during the schisms in the Golden Dawn, Waite remained with the Isis-Urania Temple. In both cases however, Waite was one of Aleister's foes. Aleister featured him as the villainous "Arthwate" in  and referred to him as "Dead Waite" in his magazine Equinox.(ExtRef)

W.B. Yeats
Another notable member of the Golden Dawn, who hasn't been featured in the Toaru series yet, is William Butler Yeats (or ). He was present at 36 Blythe Road during the 'Battle of Blythe Road'. During the collapse of the Golden Dawn, Yeats resigned due to further disputes which occurred after Mathers' explusion. Afterwards, he joined Stella Matutina and remained with them until 1921.(ExtRef)


 * Not long afterwards, on April 19th 1900, and several other magicians were present in 36 Blythe Road, Hammersmith when they apparently came under astral siege from Aleister Crowley, wielding a ceremonial dagger and wearing a black  mask and kilt. Aleister's goal was to claim the temple and the contents of its vault, ostensibly on Mathers' behalf. There are varying accounts of the events which followed and as Kamachi mentioned, things are a bit messy. Some accounts claim Aleister entered the premises and climbed some stairs to attack Yeats and others but was pushed back down by them. Others state that he was escorted out of the building by a bouncer or the police. Some have it that he was barred access to the premise and attempted unsuccessfully to get the help of a passing constable to get in.

Robert William Felkin

 * was a member of the Golden Dawn.

In the Toaru series, Felkin was one of the reinforcements who arrived to support Mathers in his battle against Aleister Crowley. In real-life, during the schisms in the Golden Dawn, he was initially affiliated with Waite's faction but split away in a subsequent schism, co-founding and leading the successor organization .(ExtRef)

Others

 * The individuals described as members of the Golden Dawn in the Toaru series were all either affiliated with the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, or one of its successor organizations or members in real-life, though circumstances differ between the two:
 * The recreated Mina Mathers refers at one point to her friend Annie (アニー) whom she begged for living expenses. This is likely, who was a sponsor to the Mathers as well as a fellow member of the Golden Dawn in real life. Whether or not this version of Annie was also a member of the Golden Dawn isn't fully known.(ExtRef)
 * Annie herself was also a member of the Golden Dawn, however a dispute with another member caused her to expelled from the order in _, which was somewhat problematic for the Mathers given that she was a major source of income for them
 * Relationship with Mathers deteriorated as hoped for Moina to resume studies with funding but Mathers focused on militarism and Jacobite agenda, Mathers trying to exert authority, expelled and cut funding

Anna Sprengel

 * Anna Sprengel/
 * Westcott, letters, forgery.
 * Secret Chief
 * Motto: Sapiens Dominabitur Astris (S.D.A., "the wise person shall be ruled by the stars") - Fraulein Anna Sprengel, Nuremburg, Germany. Identifical to the motto of Anna Kingsford of the Hermetic Society. Which Westcott attended.

In both real-life and the Toaru series, Anna Sprengel's existence is a somewhat dubious one. Supposedly a countess of Landsfeldt and hailing from Nuremberg, Germany.(ExtRef-Regardie)

Dion Fortune
In the Toaru series, Dion Fortune was one of the reinforcements who came to Mathers' aid after he was attacked by Aleister Crowley immediately before the Battle of Blythe Road. Her real-life counterpart was not a member of the Golden Dawn itself, but was a member of one of its successor organizations, .(ExtRef)


 * was a British occultist and novelist who was involved in the Golden Dawn successor organization, . She later co-founded the Fraternity of the Inner Light, which eventually led to conflict with Alpha et Omega's leader, Moina Mathers, and her being removed from the group. She made allegations that she came under spiritual attack from Mathers around this time, being assaulted by real and etheric cats.

Paul Foster Case
Another one of the reinforcements who came to Mathers' aid after he was attacked by Aleister Crowley before the Toaru version of Battle of Blythe Road. Like Dion Fortune, he was a member of the successor organization rather than the Golden Dawn itself and was another who came into conflict with Moina Mathers.(ExtRef)


 * was an American occultist and an author on various books on occult Tarot and Qabalah. He joined one of the Golden Dawn's successor organizations, Alpha et Omega, but left due to a controversy with Moina Mathers.(ExtRef)

Regardie
Regardie was one of the names referenced by the recreated Mina Mathers when discussing the remarkable figures who gathered with the Golden Dawn. This likely refers to (full name Francis Israel Regardie, né Regudy)(his family changed their surname after his brother was enlisted into the army under Regardie due to a clerical error), an American occultist who was Aleister Crowley's biographer. The real Regardie wasn't a member of the Golden Dawn, though he wrote many books and commentaries on the group and was a member of Stella Matutina.(ExtRef)

Regardie joined Stella Matutina in 1934 and when the group disbanded, he acquired most of its documents. Using them, he compiled the information into a book, titled The Golden Dawn, which was published in 4 volumes between 1937 to 1940.(ExtRef)
 * Enmity of former members, oath-breaker for revealing secrets. Transforms work into new branch of occult. Believed essential to publicly exhibit system so it shouldn't be lost to mankind. Spiritual birthright.(ExtRef)

Trivia
Battle of Blythe Road: As noted by Kamachi in the afterword of Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Volume 18, the Toaru version of the Battle of Blythe Road differs from the real-life one in a number of ways, though both occurred in April 1900 and both were key incidents in the series of events leading the breakup of the. Nature of magic aside, these are some of the differences between the real Battle of Blythe Road and the Toaru version