Product Description Regardie's personal account of his experience with those secret societies which have exerted such a great influence on the development of modern Occultism. Regardie lifts the cloak of mystery which has shrouded The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, The Rosicrucian Fraternity and The Masonic Lodge. From his close personal associations Regardie reveals the true nature and actions of such leading Occult authorities as Aleister Crowley, Dion Fortune, S.L. MacGregor Mathers, Dr. W.W. Wescott, and others.
This sixth revised edition includes new material by several modern adepts of the Golden Dawn, documents from the period of Regardie's association with Aleister Crowley which demonstrate Regardie's involvement in both the OTO and the A:.A:., and hitherto unpublished material from the Regardie archives.
Customer Reviews:
This will explain some things.November 7, 2007 6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is a great book, except for the nonsense and recruitment stuff found at the end. At a certain point, Regardie's writing ends and there are several essays written by people defending their organization (though it does not seem very easy to defend after reading what really happened to the Order of the Golden Dawn). If you are wondering why the same book written by Regardie from '82 or '72 is completely different from the edited and annotated version from '94 or 2004; then this book should explain what happened. After his death in '84 certain publishers began to butcher this great man's work. "The Tree of Life" from after the year 2000, for example is filled with illustrations not even found in the original, weird illustrations (earlier editions after '84 are liable to have similar corruptions, unless of course you try to get a solid Weiser edition).
This is a great book and should be read by anyone interested in the subject or the OGD and its history.
good insightsJune 20, 2006 4 out of 5 found this review helpful
a thoroughly fascinating and stimulating account of the mystical goings on of a very intriguing group of people. Regardie spoke with a refreshing frankness and openness to inquiry. Those who consider themselves adepts, or simply amateurs or voyeurs, will both benefit from this accessible and engaging classic.
History revealed by the man who kept the golden dawn alive!November 8, 1999 10 out of 13 found this review helpful
The sincerity of the author and insightful tone of the Authors writing make for fascinating reading for anyone intersted in the golden dawn. Written by the legend that kept the dawn from fading into history, Israel regardie vindicates himself justifiably without slandering his accusors. This book is essential reading to any GD historian or practitioner-absolutely brilliant! We owe Israel regardie so much for what he's done to help our quest.
