In this post I will give an overview of how I came across this book and some thoughts after reading it.
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When it comes to this subject I am an absolute beginner. I have no actual prior knowledge of any esoteric traditions other than what has been placed into my mind via popular culture. Like a vast majority of people, I do have, on the other hand, pre-conceived ideas when it comes to occultist practices such as witchcraft and also some ideas on religious beliefs from what was taught in school. To which I can say, when I was much younger, I did hold some credence to, but for the last decade I have been admittedly ignorant of. I have become out of touch with my spiritual self. Over the course of this newly felt longing for the tools I need to acquire, and this blog, I will go into detail about what it is that I do believe going into this. Over the years I have had to ponder about life, I have formed some opinions and theories as to the nature of this thing called life and how the existence of everything we have come to know came into being, but that is not for this blog post. As I embark on the mission I have the feeling of need for, I am doing so with A completely open mind.
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The Essential Golden Dawn: An Introduction to High Magic is the first stop for me. It is the point of which I am jumping off of this mundane existence to find a higher self. How did I reach the decision of buying this book first before all of the oceans of reading material available? I first began by looking on Amazon to purchase a Christian bible and A book on Buddhism in search of finding help to deal with grieving the loss of loved ones. I am caring for my Grandmother who has multiple cancers, neither her or myself are ready to say goodbye. We lost my Grandad to cancer in 2018 and tried to come to terms with his death by supporting one another. While I was in my search of the knowledge I seek I came across other alternatives that peeked my interest, prior to which I didn't even know what the word Esoteric meant. I saw books on the Occult, Wicca, Pagans, Satanists Witchcraft etc. What really caught my attention was that it may be possible to not just find A way to deal with my emotions but also ways to remain connected with my Grandmother beyond her time of passing.
It was then that my eye caught the book titled The Golden Dawn by Israel Regardi. Naturally I read the synopsis and reviews which were fascinating, but there was A number of people suggesting that it had them baffled and that it would be wise to begin an investigation with something more easily digestible. And time again this book The Essential Golden Dawn: An Introduction to High Magick by Chic Cicero and Tabatha Cicero was mentioned as A perfect point of entry. And also more affordable.
This book is, as stated by the authors themselves, designed for people very much like myself. It's goal is to inform the reader of what The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn is, which it does in my opinion very well indeed. It aims to bring A very basic overview of the majority of subjects that involves The Golden Dawn. It begins with, what Chic Cicero calls, A brief history lesson that in my point of view, actually goes into quite some detail about. From then on the reader will discover what the true term of Magick is in the eyes of The Order of the Golden Dawn. Which has to be noted, has its roots digested into almost all of modern esoteric magic. The Essential Golden Dawn guidebook then brings you to the topic of structure within the Order and what one can expect if continued on the Golden Dawn past and even throws a few of the most basic practical rituals into the mix. All the way through the book there is suggested reading material, A bibliography and codex of terms should anyone need to quickly be able to look up.
Overall, would I recommend this book? It depends on the person, after all, if you are A complete beginner as I myself am, and you are in search of something more in life but have no direction. And if your are entering into this being completely open minded, then yes I absolutely do recommend getting A copy. It will certainly answer any questions you may have as A laymen. If you already have a working knowledge of The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn then this probably isn't for you. Likewise if you are looking for meaning but are closed off to even semi-religious or mystical thinking it also probably isn't for you. Although The Golden Dawn claims to be A none religious organization it must be noted that overall the system borrows heavily from religious beliefs that are ancient and from multiple factions. Ancient Egypt and Ancients Greeks plays an extremely heavy role and I can see how some will be ill prepared to take on, what some would deem as archaic points of view. But what is useful to know is that the order themselves suggest you use the Golden Dawn as A stepping stone to branch out and follow your own path as everyone's is different and individualistic, which is actually quite progressive and is exactly what the Order of The Golden Dawn is built upon. If nothing else, The Essential Golden Dawn: An Introduction to High Magick is A hugely interesting read that has left me wanting to know more now than even before I read it.
What do you think of this book?
