Customer Reviews

Golden Dawn Rituals and Commentaries

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Pat Zalewski has produced an awesome piece of work here. Clearly delineating the original oral and written teachings of the New Zealand based Whare Ra tradition. However, Pat also describes his own innovations, which are nearly always very practical and pertinent. He clearly distinguishes between them. This is quite apparent upon actually reading the material.

Not to mention that Pat is very open and available, more so than any other Chief in any Golden Dawn Order. He willingly answers questions (just not on the LBRP, I think he's already answered those questions a few thousand times, LOL!). Most others will rarely offer 'any' practical advice. While Pat understands nuances in Ritual, logistics, timing, delivery, proper handling of weaponry, as well as advanced techniques taught by living Adepts of the longest standing Golden Dawn Temple. Not to mention his helpful nature towards isolated individuals and small groups that are trying to continue this most beautiful and Illuminating tradition; and to do so in due form.

This is quite simply the most profound work on the Golden Dawn System in our Era.

Pat Zalewski's GD Rituals and Commentaries is by far the most important book on the Golden Dawn system since the two volumes of Israel Regardie (The Golden Dawn & The Complete GD system of magic). Here for the first time are found the Godforms of the elemental grades (only the 0=0 ones were published before Pat stepped in), detailed commentaries on all the ceremonies from 0=0 to 5=6, and tons of unpublished material from the original order, the SM and Whare Ra. This work will finally make the GD system available as it was meant to be, in its complete form. No serious GD practitioner can afford to go without this book.

A number of people have asked me was is contained in the book. Here is the table of Contents:

Preface by Tony DeLuce
Foreword by Martin Thibeault
Acknowledgements
Introduction to the Second Edition
Introduction to the First Edition
Chapter 1 -- A History of the Golden Dawn
Roots of the Golden Dawn
Foundation of the Golden Dawn
Growth of the Golden Dawn
Chapter 2 -- The Neophyte Ceremony and Commentaries
Introductory Note
The Neophyte Ceremony of the Whare Ra Temple
Preparation for the Neophyte Ceremony
Commentary on the Neophyte Ceremony
General Symbolism of the Temple
The Officers and Regalia of the Neophyte Ceremony
General Symbolism of the Ceremony
The Pillars by S.R.M.D.
Commentary on the Pillars
Chapter 3 -- The Zelator Ceremony and Commentaries
Introductory Note
The Zelator Ceremony of the Whare Ra Temple
Preparation for the Zelator Ceremony
Commentary on the Zelator Ceremony
General Symbolism of the Ceremony
Lecture on the 1°=10° Grade Ceremony
Chapter 4 -- The Theoricus Ceremony and Commentaries
Introductory Note
The Theoricus Ceremony of the Whare Ra Temple
Preparation for the Theoricus Ceremony
General Symbolism of the Temple
General Symbolism of the Theoricus Diagrams
Commentary on the Theoricus Ceremony
General Symbolism of the Ceremony
Polygons and Polygrams
Notes on Geomancy
Chapter 5 -- The Practicus Ceremony and Commentaries
Introductory Note
The Practicus Ceremony of the Whare Ra Temple
Preparation for the Practicus Ceremony
General Symbolism of the Temple
General Symbolism of the Practicus Diagrams
Commentary on the Practicus Ceremony
General Symbolism of the Ceremony
The Olympic Government of Spirits by Fra. D.D.C.F.
Notes on the Tarot by Fra. S.R.M.D.
Chapter 6 -- The Philosophus Ceremony and Commentaries
Introductory Note
The Philosophus Ceremony of the Whare Ra Temple
Preparation for the Philosophus Ceremony
General Symbolism of the Temple
General Symbolism of the Philosophus Diagrams
Commentary on the Philosophus Ceremony
General Symbolism of the Ceremony
Chapter 7 -- The God-forms of the Outer Order Grades
Ritual and God-forms
Creating the God-forms
The Egyptian God-forms
The God-forms of the Outer Order Grades
The God-forms and Illustrations
Chapter 8 -- The Portal Ceremony and Commentaries
Introductory Note
The Portal Ceremony of the Whare Ra Temple
Preparation for the Portal Ceremony
General Symbolism of the Portal Diagrams
The Officers and Regalia of the Portal Ceremony
Commentary on the Portal Ceremony
General Symbolism of the Ceremony
Chapter 9 -- The Adeptus Minor Ceremony and Commentaries
Introductory Note
The Adeptus Minor Ceremony of the Whare Ra Temple
The Officers and Regalia of the Adeptus Minor Ceremony
Symbolism of the Parchment Roll of Second Order Members
Commentary on the Adeptus Minor Ceremony
General Symbolism of the Ceremony and Vault
Chapter 10 -- R.R. et A.C. Additional Material
Vibratory Mode of Pronouncing the Divine Names
Flying Roll II -- A Subject for Contemplation--Purity and Will
Flying Roll VI -- Note of Flying Roll II
Flying Roll X -- Concerning the Symbolism of Self-Sacrifi ce and Crucifi xion
Flying Roll XXXVII -- The Kabbalistic Soul and Aura Activation During Ritual
Flying Roll XXXIX -- Transmission of the Etheric Link

If one could imagine traveling back into time and showing the modern technology of the rocket engine, or the realities of quantum flux behavior in zero-point gravity - to the inventor of the gasoline engine, you would have a good idea of how this latest book by Pat Zalewski relates to most existing Orders around the world whose rituals and practice thereof are based upon distant shadows of the original Golden Dawn teachings.

This book, in a single but soft blow, arrives like the quiet wind but changes the course of history and the future of all Golden Dawn-based Ritual Convocation and Ceremonial Magical Practice. Which effects just about every Mystery School/Order in the world.

There is no longer any excuse to not to realize the ultimate power, personal, and group fulfillment of the truth behind the original Golden Dawn system. The heretofore apparently hidden components of Ceremonial Rituals of the Rosicrucian Grades are now revealed in such a cogent and enlightening manner, the information contained can never be hidden or horded again and the occult world will just not be the same.

By publishing this book the Rosicrucian Order of the Golden Dawn helps usher forth a new millennia of magical practice, awareness, and Group Magical Operation. No other book published in the past 70 years on Golden Dawn Ritual ever comes close to this achievement.

The developmental teachings from this book are as remarkable as they are simple, yet invigorating. In Tibetan Buddhism, the Temple or Stupa is constructed according to intricate Mantra and is an evolving expression of the Soul reaching and attaining its Higher Self.

Likewise, Pat Zalewski guides the reader to the Whare Ra wisdom teachings and Ritual explanations of all the God Forms of each Officer and of each Grade; how each Ritual Advancement floor plan is likewise an expression or layout of the Admission Badge for each Rosicrucian Grade so represented. Right there, right in front of us.

Pat literally takes us on a vast inner excursion into a whole new conceptual occult wisdom universe where the true vitality of the Golden Dawn system is revealed as the center of Life, as never before. And never before has any other MS. revealed such intangible yet raw insightful understanding as Pat Zalewski has in these Commentaries. What an awesome joy to feel, as new perceptions surface like ripples on the pond of consciousness. This book clearly shows individuals and groups alike where to look and clothes us with the tools of perception to do the work.

This is not just another "manual" of "do this then do that, etc." That's the beauty of it. Whatever part of the book I have read I have walked away with a fulfilled sense of comprehension. I cannot express how excited I am to read more.

This book will probably be most helpful to those who are already advancing through the Rosicrucian Grades of the Golden Dawn or A.O. related Order work. It's a "doing" thing, not a "self-initiation" thing. Some or even all of this book may not be advisable to follow unless you are doing the Grades represented.

For those this book is right for it will be like comparing your existing practice to a 3 dimensional window then being booted from what you are already doing into the reality of 7 more dimensions - in awareness and magical consciousness.

The publishing of this book brings the kind of understanding that makes our magical practice and ceremonial work totally alive; without its application and understanding, we are, for the most part, "just going to Church." What we have here are the nuances behind the reality of a Living Tradition, and the seeds with which to make that grow.

Thanks, Pat.

More than 40 books have been written on the Golden Dawn since Ellic Howe's seminal 1972 work. Only a small number of these are the work of scholars, the majority being written by professed occultists. This work has the distinction of being the product of both. Whereas Pat Zalewski is squarely in the former category,Darcy Kuntz is in the latter. In my view Pat stands head and shoulders above all those occultists writing on this subject in terms of his innovatory expansion of the Golden Dawn corpus, whereas Darcy is one of the most thorough and informed of scholars. I must declare an interest here: both are longstanding friends of mine, notwithstanding the fact that Pat and I have not always seen eye to eye on some aspects of the Order. We both share a somewhat similar background with regard to the Whare Ra tradition which led to our mutual contact many years ago. This book holds many treasures for the GD enthusiast, particularly with regard to rituals and diagrams that are usually rendered inaccurately elsewhere, but also in terms of original Whare Ra and Stella Matutina papers which are otherwise unobtainable or difficult to access. While the extensive commentary draws on the views of some ex-Whare Ra members it is largely Pat's own creative work and thus is most interesting and impressive in its own right. There are very few examples of occultists who have developed the work of the old Orders in this way. The only small proviso of caution I would advance for future historians, and possibly novice occultists, is to make the attempt to distinguish between Pat's creative creative commentary and original source material, something that is not always apparent in the book. Although I possess manuscript copies of early parts of the book and a disc of the entire work, which Pat kindly provided to me some years ago, I still purchased this volume and urge anyone interested in the Golden Dawn to do the same. It is an impressive testament to Pat's long years of deliberating on this fascinating subject and it is very ably edited by Darcy Kuntz. Well done, Pat !

Zalewski's Rituals and Commentaries is a lifetime achievement -- a great work in its own right that will rank with the very small number of "must haves" about the Golden Dawn.

It covers vast territory, from the outer order of the Stella Matutina / Whare Ra temple of the Golden Dawn and its written, social and oral traditions, through the first grade stages of the inner order. It's at the same time a "how to do it" book and a "why it works" explanation of genuine magic.

The author's writing style is direct and clear which makes his analytical insights easy to comprehend and assess.

Zalewski, as both a scholar and practicing adept, has a finely developed point of view. Where he is biased, he admits as much, and also lays out the roots of his preferences with intellectual honesty (but without disrespect for differing views). This is refreshing.

Students will find this work to be practically useful and extremely thought-provoking. Newcomers will find it approachable and rewarding. Adepts, well, adepts already know of its publication and most likely it sits on their bookshelves, stuffed with bookmarks, in advance of these reviews.

I am especially impressed with Zalewski's synthesis of ancient underpinnings and modern scientific knowledge and theory which open up new fields for study and experience in this immensely powerful system.

Rituals and Commentaries is destined to become one of the heirloom texts of the Golden Dawn tradition.

Buy multiple copies, therefore; one for your own use and study, and others to pass on.

This is probably the single most informative book yet written on the Golden Dawn Rituals, truly a must have for anyone with an interest in the subject. Truly destined for the Book shelves of every serious Occultist. Needs a hard leather cover with gold Leaf. ASAP

The present work is greatly improved over Pat Zalewski's other books by the scholarly contributions of Darcy Kuntz. However, the work is nonetheless fatally flawed by Pat Zalewski, as usual, misattributing his own developments and inventions to the traditional Golden Dawn, Stella Matutina, and to Whare Ra temple former members.

Sadly, this otherwise magnificent work therefore can't be trusted, as it is impossible to tell where the Golden Dawn tradition leaves off and Pat Zalewski's personal inventions begin. I had great hopes for this book due to the participation of Darcy Kuntz in the project. If only Mr. Kuntz would have been able to reign Mr. Zalewksi in.

Pat Zalewksi is well known in the Golden Dawn community for his tall tales and whoppers. For example, for many years, Pat Zalewski represented himself as the living representative of the Stella Matutina Tradition in general and Whare Ra in particular. Mr. Zalewski claimed in his books that he was a 7=4 Adeptus Exemptus with Golden Dawn lineage through former Whare Ra member, Jack Taylor.

Unfortunately, this alleged Golden Dawn background was several years ago revealed as a hoax by whistle blower, Samuel Robinson (Mr. Zalewski's former student and house mate of many years). Pat Zalewski consequentially admitted on his forum that he was never initiated even as a Golden Dawn Neophyte, and certainly not as an Second Order Minor Adept. Pat Zalewski subsequently changed his story about his Golden Dawn background and instead now claims he is "Self Initiated." This is not at all what he claimed in his earlier books.

More important is Pat Zalewski's frank admission on his forum that many of the ideas that he formally misattributed to others, like to S.L. MacGregor Mathers or to a "Whare Ra Oral Tradition" - were actually Zalewski's own inventions all along. As a Pat Zalewski book, therefore, this book gets "5 Stars"! But since this book is represented as a "Golden Dawn" book, I have to give it "no stars," because it is completely impossible to tell where the Golden Dawn material ends and Pat Zalewksi's own inventions begin.

Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book as a fitting testament to Pat Zalewksi's creative genius. His take on the Golden Dawn is highly original. However, when it comes to the book being in any way representative of the classical Golden Dawn, the reader unfortunately needs to get his hip boots out to wade through knee-deep malarkey!

While this book is in a complete better fashion than the previous release of this, it still is and will be his own ideas presented here. Mr. Zalewski has demonstrated his path separation from the Whare Ra teachings and temple. This is of his own accord and does not continue to follow the real Whare Ra. Granted some of his ideas are rather great, while others are not anywhere close to the original teachings of the Whare Ra or the Stella.

The closest Mr. Zalewski got to publishing real materials is in his Inner Order Teachings of the Golden Dawn.