The Golden Dawn - NEW REVIEW! [Esoteric Book Review]

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I have just discovered this channel, yesterday in fact, and I'm head over heels. I absolutely love this channel. You present this work in a intelligent, clear, concise manner, while at the same time you always get across the fact that you love what you do, and that you actually care about this. There are some channels that have books about the occult featured, where the person presenting with their purple hair and tattoos from the lesser key, where it all feels like Hot Topic magick. Like they are more concerned with being edgy than finding knowledge and understanding of the world. I dunno.. Either way, I just wanted to say thank you for approaching this the way that you do, and keep it up!

So, after reading through all of these comments I wanted to point out a couple of things regarding this particular book. There are some really good comments, but there are also some of the most ridiculous comments that I have ever read. The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn taught a system of Spiritual Attainment that is just as extensive as any form of Yoga or Buddhism. The difference being that it's western and is not Buddhism, Yoga, or really anything quite like any other thing in the world. We in the west call our systems of spiritual attainment that follow along these lines Magic(k). Some magical systems do utilize eastern techniques, and the Golden Dawn was no exception, but the point here is that our Western Esoteric systems as taught in the Golden Dawn and other orders are western equivalents to the Eastern methods of doing the same thing. Some people practice various forms of yoga, others Buddhism, others might practice Sufism, etc. The western equivalents to these types of spiritual traditions are what we call our Magical Traditions. The system of the Golden Dawn (and actually it's an offshoot of the Golden Dawn called the Stella Matutina) is outlined and given in the book up to a certain point, and there are many out there that criticize the book and those using it because it only has the basic teachings up to a certain point and no further. The problem with this criticism is that if a person actually achieves that state of Spiritual Progress that corresponds with that grade, then he or she will be guided from within for any further steps and progress. Thus, no further teaching needs to be included in the book itself. There are those that want to proclaim from the mountaintops that there are elements of Satanism in the teachings. Those people have yet to truly understand what Christianity is, where it actually comes from, what it has been responsible for, and how it sought to change and influence the course of history for the betterment of all people, and not just for those calling themselves Christian. Indeed, the Golden Dawn is rooted in Christianity although it doesn't appear to be so at first sight. For those that want to claim that this is a bastardized form of some ancient Kemetic system, those folks need to sit down and study the system before making such claims. The system itself is syncretic in that they took from a great variety of other world traditions, not just Egyptian. In this, however, nothing was "stolen or bastardized" but was made a part of a new system that somehow, and in some manner, accomplishes what it sets out to accomplish, which is spiritual enlightenment. The system is about letting go of the ego and getting in touch with what is the real person, the real you. It is a vast system that can only truly be understood by learning it step by step, and practicing the techniques over time. In that manner a much broader view of the entire scheme of what is going on within the system can be had, and that's when a much better understanding of it all begins to take place. The first thing that one has to begin to learn, however, is that the little ego is not top dog, nor does it have to be. The system as given in the book is not for the lazy and undisciplined person. Indeed, the system is structured and needs to be followed according to the structure as given. There are some exceptions that can be made, but if a person is working from the book, then follow the book and the guidelines for approaching the work given in the introductions of whatever edition you happen to have. This, however, is a major stumbling block to a great many that take up this work. Persistence, perseverance, and discipline are your friends in this regard. The only real obstacle is that there isn't a great deal of teaching on the Kabbalah, but there are a number of good books on the market that can be obtained second hand rather cheaply. Lastly, there are a great many people out there, and here in the comment section, that seem to have google eyes and fairy dust all about them. The Golden Dawn is not about having your head in the clouds, nor is it about everything being unveiled in the faery light of fluff and spice. Quite the contrary! The system of the Golden Dawn is designed to create change within the individual when and if necessary, change in the individuals life, and change in how they perceive life and the living of life. This is no easy task and can oftentimes lead to painful situations that must be worked through, but we have to keep in mind that the goal of the Golden Dawn system is a state of Spiritual Enlightenment, and quite often this is not something that can come about by continuing to lead our lives in the manner that we always have. Adjustments often need to be made both inwardly as well as outwardly, and this can at times be uncomfortable. All is not faery light and fluff in the world of Magic(k), and the magical traditions are not traditions that make everything easy. It is work, and quite often it can be the hardest and most difficult work that a person will ever undertake. The vast majority of people will walk away and play at lesser things when it gets to that point. Many people will baulk and criticize the size of the book. They will exclaim that this or that teaching isn't necessary, or that it's 90 percent fluff and padding and only a small portion of the text is relevant. What they fail to realize and understand is that the Golden Dawn system, as a spiritual system of attainment, is just as vast and extensive as any other system in the world. It is a spiritual technology that is as extensive as any form of Buddhism or Yoga tradition, just as extensive as the Sufi tradition, or any other spiritual tradition in existence. Contrary to what many may think or believe, Crowley was not the Golden Dawn. He was a member, but he wasn't the end all be all of the Golden Dawn, nor was he the only reason that there was schism in the original order. There were a number of forces and circumstances that led to the schism, and Crowley was simply the most visible and vocal. He wasn't, however, the sole reason for the initial schism. There were a number of things going on behind the scenes. Lasly, if anyone truly thinks that Trump is a member of the Golden Dawn, that person is completely clueless about what the Golden Dawn is actually about, but might understand their error if they began to truly study and practice the system.

You should do some manly p hall books, I would like to see your review of "the secret teachings of all ages".. A greatly thorough book

As a fellow bibliophile and occultist, I enjoy all your videos. Yours is probably my favorite channel. Thank you for taking the risk!

How on earth have I never heard of your channel!? Great review. Time to binge!

I am glad to see your respectful tone. So many self described experts love to demonstrate their superiority by distancing themselves, insulting and criticizing the Golden Dawn. It has become a fad.

I just ordered Golden Dawn from Amazon this morning. All the best Shaun of NYC

Such an incredible book- never ending lessons to be learned within. Interestingly, these are the Rituals of the Stella Matutina, which was a surviving offshoot of the Golden Dawn, and the Rituals of the earlier Golden Dawn are in the Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic published by New Falcon, and is equally massive. Two Rituals for Higher Grades used by Whare Ra, a long surviving offshoot of the Stella Matutina are in The Secret Inner Rituals Of the Golden Dawn, also published by New Falcon. They are all so fascinating. I record the Rituals and listen to them as well, which has really helped. Thanks for another great review!

Everyone seems to want to look at ancients as having answers but they are like prophets and pioneers of what was to come. It’s just how life works. Everything said in books like this gains it’s power to direct our attention because it says what nature says about god. Yet that remains subconscious for most people and they actually sell themselves out for some lesser power. It’s a zany attempt at laying a kind of yoke onto the boundary of knowledge where the ocean of chaos beats the drum of the sands of time. Monkey god vs the pillars of the hand of the Buddha. It’s good to read these things but keep in mind that knowledge moves forward and growth is where you find life. Where you find real creative power. It’s silent, not full of fireworks, and all-consuming. Unity. Thank you for this review and it is quite interesting. This is timely because the dawn is now.

As one who followed their teachings for a while, they really fail to explain the kabbalah, and I'm sorry to say, it felt like for a reason. As a turned esoteric to full on kabbalist, I would push anyone interested in this to look into the teachings of The Zohar and Sefer Yetzirah, I'd argue it is the fulfilling factor. That is not to say I didn't love the book! It started my path and taught me many a great thing.

You have done it again, I have finally purchased my copy of The Golden dawn today thanks to you :D. I don't know why I have been putting it off for so long. Maybe its because I have the kindle copy, but there is nothing quite like holding a physical book in your hands. 15 years ago, I held my first ever RWS tarot deck with its cryptic booklet by Arthur Waite telling me about secrets the deck contains; and now, to own the original documents of the Order that began it all is just something else. Thank you very much, Denis :)

Great video man! Thanks for making this. This book is phenomenal imo. There’s been SO many books I’ve got that claimed to be a solid foundation of the occult in general and only ever ended up being very basic stuff.(besides MPH’s work) THIS book on the other hand shocked me with it’s depth of knowledge. Truly outstanding book to own and I’m proud to have had a chance to buy it.

They still have the grades and there is an order above the orders.

Thank you. Dogma is sliced and ritual is diced when the God Self spareheads life. Love whispered, "To thine own self be true is the Omnipresent Self, no one knew." The trek home is sublime: belonging to eternity the soul aligns. God bless.🕯️🌅 🕊️

I just ordered like a dozen books. This is one of them. Cant wait to read this and others.

I got this book early into my occult journey but haven’t gotten to read it since your first review in fact made me not take it seriously. So Since then, I purchased other books on magick. Now I’ll give it a chance since I’m more knowledgeable of all of this. Ever since the pandemic I’ve been a bit disconnected with the occult world and magick all together. But I’m ready to get back on track.

I would LOVE to see a video on geomancy, it's something I've only recently started to seriously take up and am very interested in.

i own an old copy of this book its been in my library for over 20 yrs it is a very intresting read i recommend it to anyone who wishes to learn

I bought this edition when I first wanted to dive into the Golden Dawn Tradition. This book is beautiful, and the updated pictures are marvelous. However, something I want to point out to anyone wanting to do the same, I ended up having to purchase the 6th edition as well. The reasons being, there are papers missing in this newer edition! Specifically, the one regarding the elemental grades. Also, all the previous introductions from the previous editions have been removed. Quite honestly, the content that has been removed in the 7th edition is rather indispensable. If you must choose between one or the other, I would recommend the 6th edition.