Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor
Encyclopedia
The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor was an initiatic occult organisation that first became public in late 1884, although according to an official document of the order it began its work in 1870. According to this document, authored by Peter Davidson
, the order was established by Max Theon
, who when in England was initiated
as a Neophyte by "an adept of the serene, ever-existing and ancient Order of the original H. B. of L."
The Order's relation, if any, with the mysterious "Brotherhood of Luxor" that Blavatsky spoke of is not clear.
Theon thus became Grand Master of the Exterior Circle of the Order. However, apart from his initiatory role, he seems to have little to do with the day to day running of the order, or of its teachings. He seems to have left these things to Peter Davidson, who was the Provincial Grand Master of the North (Scotland), and later also the Eastern Section (America).
The order's teachings drew heavily from the magico-sexual theories of Paschal Beverly Randolph
, who influenced groups such as the Ordo Templi Orientis
(O.T.O.) (later headed by Aleister Crowley
) (Greenfield 1997) although it is not clear whether or not Randolph himself was actually a part of the Order.
Prior to the rise of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
in 1888 the HBoL was the only order that taught practical occultism in the Western Mystery Tradition
. Among its members were a number of occultists, spiritualists, and Theosophists
. Initial relations between the Order and the Theosophical Society
were cordial, with most members of the order also prominent members of the T.S.
Later there was a falling out, as the Order was opposed to the eastern-based teachings of the later Blavatsky (Davidson considered that Blavatsky had fallen under the influence of "a greatly inferior Order, belonging to the Budhist [sic] Cult"). Conversely, the conviction in 1886 of the Secretary of the Order, Thomas Henry Burgoyne for fraud, was claimed by the Theosophists to show the immorality of the Order.
Peter Davidson
Peter Davidson may refer to:* Peter Davidson , co-founder of Lab Architecture Studio* Peter Davidson , artist* Peter Davidson , Australian rules footballer...
, the order was established by Max Theon
Max Theon
Max Théon perhaps born Louis-Maximilian Bimstein, was a Polish Jewish Kabbalist and Occultist. In London while still a young man, he inspired The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor in 1884, but seemed to have little to do with the day to day running of the organisation, or indeed its actual teachings...
, who when in England was initiated
Initiation
Initiation is a rite of passage ceremony marking entrance or acceptance into a group or society. It could also be a formal admission to adulthood in a community or one of its formal components...
as a Neophyte by "an adept of the serene, ever-existing and ancient Order of the original H. B. of L."
The Order's relation, if any, with the mysterious "Brotherhood of Luxor" that Blavatsky spoke of is not clear.
Theon thus became Grand Master of the Exterior Circle of the Order. However, apart from his initiatory role, he seems to have little to do with the day to day running of the order, or of its teachings. He seems to have left these things to Peter Davidson, who was the Provincial Grand Master of the North (Scotland), and later also the Eastern Section (America).
The order's teachings drew heavily from the magico-sexual theories of Paschal Beverly Randolph
Paschal Beverly Randolph
Randolph also edited the Leader and the Messenger of Light between 1852 to 1861 and wrote for the Journal of Progress and Spiritual Telegraph .2 as anonymous.3 under the pseudonym "Count de St. Leon".- References :...
, who influenced groups such as the Ordo Templi Orientis
Ordo Templi Orientis
Ordo Templi Orientis is an international fraternal and religious organization founded at the beginning of the 20th century...
(O.T.O.) (later headed by Aleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley , born Edward Alexander Crowley, and also known as both Frater Perdurabo and The Great Beast, was an influential English occultist, astrologer, mystic and ceremonial magician, responsible for founding the religious philosophy of Thelema. He was also successful in various other...
) (Greenfield 1997) although it is not clear whether or not Randolph himself was actually a part of the Order.
Prior to the rise of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was a magical order active in Great Britain during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which practiced theurgy and spiritual development...
in 1888 the HBoL was the only order that taught practical occultism in the Western Mystery Tradition
Western mystery tradition
Western esotericism or Hermeticism is a broad spectrum of spiritual traditions found in Western society, or refers to the collection of the mystical, esoteric knowledge of the Western world...
. Among its members were a number of occultists, spiritualists, and Theosophists
Theosophy
Theosophy, in its modern presentation, is a spiritual philosophy developed since the late 19th century. Its major themes were originally described mainly by Helena Blavatsky , co-founder of the Theosophical Society...
. Initial relations between the Order and the Theosophical Society
Theosophical Society
The Theosophical Society is an organization formed in 1875 to advance the spiritual principles and search for Truth known as Theosophy. The original organization, after splits and realignments has several successors...
were cordial, with most members of the order also prominent members of the T.S.
Later there was a falling out, as the Order was opposed to the eastern-based teachings of the later Blavatsky (Davidson considered that Blavatsky had fallen under the influence of "a greatly inferior Order, belonging to the Budhist [sic] Cult"). Conversely, the conviction in 1886 of the Secretary of the Order, Thomas Henry Burgoyne for fraud, was claimed by the Theosophists to show the immorality of the Order.
Sources
- T. Allen GreenfieldAllen H. GreenfieldAllen H. Greenfield , also known by his ecclesiastical name Tau Sir Hasirim, is an American occultist, ceremonial magician, UFOlogist, writer, editor, and Gnostic Bishop of Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis who resides in Atlanta, Georgia. His book The Story of the Hermetic Brotherhood of Light is one...
. The Story of the Hermetic Brotherhood of Light. Looking Glass, 1997.
External links
- The Hermetic Brotherhood Of Luxor at kheper.net