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The Mystical Order of the Golden Dawn was a British occult society that flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, influencing Western esotericism and shaping the modern occult revival. ## Overview The Mystical Order of the Golden Dawn was a mystical and occult society founded in London in 1888 by William Robert Woodman, William Wynn Westcott, Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, and William Butler Yeats. The Order's primary aim was to study and practice various forms of occultism, including **Thelema**, **Hermeticism**, **Alchemy**, and **Kabbalah**. Its members were drawn from various backgrounds, including theosophy, spiritualism, and **Rosicrucianism**. The Golden Dawn's teachings emphasized the attainment of spiritual enlightenment through the practice of **magick**, **meditation**, and **ritual**. The Order's structure was divided into three degrees, each representing a different level of spiritual development. The first degree, known as the **Zelator**, focused on the development of the individual's spiritual will. The second degree, the **Theoricus**, emphasized the study of **Kabbalah** and the **Tarot**. The third degree, the **Philosophus**, represented the highest level of spiritual attainment, where the individual was said to have achieved **gnosis**, or spiritual enlightenment. The Golden Dawn's teachings were influenced by various sources, including the works of **Eliphas Lévi**, **Aleister Crowley**, and **Arthur Edward Waite**. The Order's rituals and teachings were also heavily influenced by **Hermeticism**, **Alchemy**, and **Gnosticism**. The Golden Dawn's emphasis on the attainment of spiritual enlightenment through the practice of magick and meditation has had a lasting impact on Western esotericism. ## History/Background The Mystical Order of the Golden Dawn was founded in 1888 by William Robert Woodman, William Wynn Westcott, Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, and William Butler Yeats. The Order's early history is shrouded in mystery, with some accounts suggesting that it was founded by a group of Freemasons. However, it is widely acknowledged that the Golden Dawn's teachings were heavily influenced by the works of Eliphas Lévi and other occultists of the time. The Golden Dawn's early years were marked by controversy and power struggles, with various factions vying for control of the Order. In 1903, the Golden Dawn split into two factions, with one group led by Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers and the other led by William Butler Yeats. The Mathers faction eventually became known as the **Alpha et Omega**, while the Yeats faction became known as the **Equinox**. ## Key Information The Mystical Order of the Golden Dawn was known for its emphasis on the attainment of spiritual enlightenment through the practice of magick and meditation. The Order's teachings were heavily influenced by various sources, including **Hermeticism**, **Alchemy**, and **Gnosticism**. The Golden Dawn's rituals and teachings were also heavily influenced by the works of Eliphas Lévi and other occultists of the time. Some of the key figures associated with the Golden Dawn include: * **Aleister Crowley**: A prominent occultist and member of the Golden Dawn, Crowley went on to found his own occult society, the **A∴A∴**. * **William Butler Yeats**: A poet and playwright, Yeats was a founding member of the Golden Dawn and later became a prominent figure in the Irish literary revival. * **Arthur Edward Waite**: A occultist and cartomancer, Waite was a member of the Golden Dawn and later became famous for his **Tarot** deck, the **Rider-Waite Tarot**. ## Significance The Mystical Order of the Golden Dawn had a lasting impact on Western esotericism, influencing the development of various occult societies and spiritual movements. The Golden Dawn's emphasis on the attainment of spiritual enlightenment through the practice of magick and meditation has had a lasting impact on modern spirituality. INFOBOX: - Name: The Mystical Order of the Golden Dawn - Type: Occult society - Date: 1888-1903 - Location: London, England - Known For: Developing the modern occult revival and influencing Western esotericism TAGS: Occultism, Hermeticism, Alchemy, Kabbalah, Thelema, Magick, Meditation, Ritual, Gnosticism, Eliphas Lévi, Aleister Crowley, William Butler Yeats, Arthur Edward Waite, Tarot, Rider-Waite Tarot, A∴A∴, Alpha et Omega, Equinox.