The Grade Signs

Grade signs and words given by an initiate in rituals like the SRP and Hexagram rituals can be used to flood the temple and psyche of the initiate with the encapsulated experience of the powers in each grade, and in the universe itself. "For by names and images are all powers awakened and re-awakened."

One proof of this is simple. When Adepts are invoking the elements, it is sufficient to use the solo 0=0 and the SRP, say opening before a ZAM working. If this were not true, and the signs did not do anything or move any energy, you would need to repeat the rituals of the entire Outer Order to properly invoke the elements. I don't think I am going out on a branch if I contend that in the SIRP the Pentagrams, names and signs suffice to invoke the same forces. (Sometimes I do longer personal openings, but that is optional and not required, IMO).

I think it is fair to say that we can all agree that the foundation of the Outer Order is needed to raise the solid super-structure or framing of the Second Order. The above is just another way of stating the more important details of how this same idea of building upon the earlier teachings works in Adept practice. If we follow the metaphor, then a very succinct picture develops.

When the workers go to build the foundation, they have labourers dig down to the clay, then they build a mould, pour the concrete and set thick bolts into the top of it for later. When it drys, they tear off the mould, and are done. This foundation could be likened to the Outer Order.

When the framers show up to work, they bang the frame together and bolt the bottom plate of each wall to the foundation. The security of the rest of the structure in the house is built off of this. For my purpose of an example, this framing is the Inner Order NAM or ZAM building his or her tools and consecrating them (exactly when this occurs depends on your own Order's structure).

When the framers show up (ZAM), they certainly don't have to tear out the foundations (Elemental Grades) and start again. They simply double-check that the foundation is level, make small measurement adjustments if it needs it, and build on it! The whole structure doesn't redo the past work, it uses it by distributing the weight of the house on the foundation, and anchoring on the strong but comparatively little bolts that secure the bottom of each wall frame to the foundation. These are the signs and symbols, the colours of the MM, the Tarot system, astrology, etc.

Our work with the signs, words and Grand Words is that very pinning that connects the Inner Order or true Temple structure of practical magic to the foundation poured in the Outer Order with its heavy reliance on sound theory. Without these little symbols and gestures are supposed to summarize the cosmic forces, and that this relationship is the anchor to all our learning in the Outer, the temple or home would be unsecured and you would have it just blow away in the first bad storm, or thieves could abscond with it whole. When the house is built upon a solid foundation, then those who dwell within are not only sheltered, but are happy and well kept, and the workmanship will last for hundreds of years.

More Information

Just a quick note, I have another blog geared to the R.R. et A.C.

http://therubyroseandgoldencross.blogspot.com

I have kept them separate to keep my thoughts one the two Orders distinct.

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Honourifics and Titles in the Modes of Address

The following is an excerpt from a Thuban document on titles in written communication between Order members.

HONOURIFICS AND TITLES IN THE MODES OF ADDRESS

Carete Fratres and Sorores of Thuban Temple,

Upon the continued growth of our Order and the flurry of correspondence such expansion regularly entails, it was thought that some definitive paper about the common modes of address used would be helpful for the newer members to be come accustomed to our curious honourifics and titles. There was a set of notes on this subject that was circulated in the late 1800's, but it was thought that something more definitive would be more useful.

In writing letters, emails and interacting in the temple, there are various special, traditional modes of address in the Outer Order, and they are as follows:

Female members are called Soror in the singular form, and sorores in the plural. Male members are called Frater in the singular, and though it is commonly fraters for plural, it is more correctly fratres. The abbreviations are Fra and Sor in the oldest of Golden Dawn documents, but Fr and Sr were also used. These may also read: Fra.'. or Fra. and Sor.'. or Sor. The significance of these abbreviations are of course to be sought in their Gematria.

The three dots are the mathematical symbol for the term 'therefore' which is used in masonry and the fringe masonry of the Golden Dawn to suggest an obvious abbreviation that the reader should already know the word being referred to, such as in a title of a ritual, a script or a secret word that is known to all initiates. For example, G.'.D.'. clearly means Golden Dawn.

When abbreviating mottoes, periods may replace the symbol of therefore if it would be cumbersome, they may be left out entirely, or just the first initial may be used. For example, VH Frater Yechidah Shemesh Yetzirah could be a series of different abbreviations: VH Frater Yod Shin Yod; VH Frater Y.'.Sh.'.Y.'. is correct, but would often prove to be too long; VH Frater Y.Sh.Y.; VH Frater YShY; VH Frater Y; or in a less formal setting, Frater Y or even just 'Y'.

In another example, it is sometimes easier to just use the first name of a motto, so Frater Verbum Caro Factum Est could be Frater V or Frater Verbum, but more commonly in person he has just been referred to as Verbum.

The Order is commonly known as a co-ed fraternity. It would not be incorrect to call it co-ed sorority. Neither are strictly correct, and co-ed society is the term originally used by the Order.

In writing a letter or email, the header should be one of the following:

Care Frater, for singular or Care Fratres, for plural.
Cara Soror, for singular or Cara Sorores, for plural.
Cari Fratres and Sorores or Cari Sorores and Fratres, either order is correct, and both are plural. However, Carete is the most common plural form.

In personal letters between members, a quote in the footer before the signature is encouraged to be selected as something unique to the magical understanding and experiences of the individual. In letters of an official nature that are directed to Golden Dawn members of any of the other Orders at large, the Mystic Address in the footer may be something like “Khabs Am Pekht, Konx Om Pax, Light In Extension” simply “Khabs Am Pekht” or even “Light In Extension.”

This or something like it from the Neophyte ritual is a very suitable address. Another example would be “Peradventure thus, shall I obtain the light.” or “The sun hath arisen, and...the light shineth in the darkness.”

***

No Second Order symbolism should ever be used in any Outer Order letter or correspondence, no matter what the fancy, insight, or grade of the magicians in question. These unmentionable addresses are used only in the official correspondence with those those magicians whom one is intimately certain are initiates of the Inner Order. Usage of Second Order symbolism shall be completely shunned by our Regularly Received and Initiated membership, and politely ignored it ever be utilised by another magician of whom one is certain has not received such an Initiation. Order symbolism that is popularly used in such a fashion is often of such a nature that it is correctly a mode of recognition of the grades both physically and astrally. As such, it is not entered into here.

Neophytes, Zelatori, Theorici, and Practici are all simply frater or soror as above. Philosophi are styled Honoured Frater or Soror. This is more commonly H Frater, H Soror, H Fr, H Sr or in the oldest documents of our Order still extant H Fra. and H Sor.

Members who are of the grade of Adeptus Minor and above, and any member who is installed or are acting as Hierophant are styled Very Honored Frater of Soror. Meanwhile, the crossed sashes of Portal is the highest grade revealed in the Outer Order, regardless of the true grade of the member. This is for reasons of humility, in an attempt to create equality between the Inner and Outer Order members by treating the two societies as the separate bodies that they truly are. Furthermore, the true work in the so-called higher grades is to perpetuate harmony and balance in the world, and are in service to the functioning of the Outer Order, especially in its government.

The final honorific that is useful in the Outer Order that is revealed in this introductory paper on the subject is that of the Greatly Honoured Chiefs of the Second Order, who are all of the Grade of Adeptus Exemptus. This honorific is not used in an official capacity by Outer Order members writing or exchanging letters, for the Chief Adept of the Second or Inner Order is not available in any official position to the Outer Order, which is ruled entirely by the Imperator. However, the GH Chiefs or the Chief Adept may elect to sign documents in this capacity, such as: issuing Warrants to operate temples; make important declarations; or publish useful internal instructional papers for the Outer Order of Golden Dawn, such as this one.

Khabs Am Pekht
Konx Om Pax
Light In Extension