Customer Reviews

Women of the Golden Dawn: Rebels and Priestesses: Maud Gonne, Moina Bergson Mathers, Annie Horniman, Florence Farr

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The Golden Dawn magical order was founded in 1888. Although it admitted women, they have been often overlooked in histories of the GD.Mary Greer redresses this oversight.The four women in question are Annie Horniman, actress and writer Florence Farr,freedom fighter for Ireland Maud Gonne and the mystical Moina Bergson Mathers.Greer claims that these women were the true heart and soul of the Golden Dawn, and it is hard not to agree with her.Each woman had exceptional talents, and each made her own unique contribution to this magical Order.Much research has gone into this book and it is packed with information not easily found on the subjects.Interesting details of some of the magical workings are given, including some by Maud Gonne and W.B.Yeats.The personal relationships, the bickering, the magic--it's all here.

This well written and extensively researched book gave me great insight into the Women of the Golden Dawn. One gets very accustomed to reading only about the male Golden Dawn figures such as Aleister Crowley and Samuel MacGregor Mathers. Finally, a book about the women and what interesting lives they led!
I liked the way Mary Greer divided the 4 featured women into different archetypes, thus explaining the different roles they had within the Golden Dawn. It also gives contemporary women role models and a deeper understanding of our own psyches.
The book was a fascinating read into these women's lives, what they accomplished and how powerful they truly were during the Victorian era!

Women of the Golden Dawn addresses a subject that is rarely touched on in other books on the Occult Revival: the role of the women in this movement. Mary K. Greer weaves a tapestry of astrology, tarot, metaphysics, biography, and history. The book elucidates many magickal principles as skillfully as it recounts the story of four uncommon women. The extensive endnotes are especially intriguing; tarot readers will be very interested at the in-depth records of Golden Dawn tarot readings and interpretations.

Women of the Golden Dawn: Rebels and Priestesses: Maud Gonne, Moina Bergson Mathers, Annie Horniman, Florence Farr

For anyone interested in Tarot cards as a reader this book gives invaluable information to the history of the beginnings of the AE Waite-Coleman Deck, which is the basis for 98% of the Tarot cards made. (The name has been changed this year to include Pamela Coleman Smith, the illustrator of the AE Waite Deck).

Mary K Greer has 40 year history with tarot cards, spending a great deal of time investiging their origins from France to Italy and possible trade routes interconnections. In this book, she gives the "insider" view of the Golden Dawn, the members who started it, their history and blunders!

This book contains valuable information to anyone in the New Age field to know its history and often why current authors write on specific topics. It really is eye opening, funny, and insightful.

Much of the book refers to politics, interest in Egyptology of the time, differing metapysical mystery schools, Astrology and its use, as well as Yeats and George Bernard Shaw's transaction with the group.

What makes this important for Tarot Readers, is that you begin to understand the artist, why symbols are what they are, and the basic reason behind the coloration and how that plays an affect when reading the cards for others.

Besides, you'll just enjoy this book for the "dishiness" of it and the inside comedy that abounds within the Early Golden Dawn members.

This was a well-written and entertaining book. I have read other books which gave information on each of these five women, but this was the first which gave such great information on their occult lives. I was impressed by the historical research done on these impressive women. O! To have lived in London,Dublin and Paris during those times.Florence Farr seemed to me to be especially appealing; intelligent,talented and brave at same time. Ms. Greer has written a work to be proud of. It actually caused me to learn the Tarot.

The role of the women who were involved in the Birth and Death of the Order has largely been overlooked.

It is highly recommendable if you would like a differing view of the rise and fall of the Order; it is an interesting combination of romance, drama, gossip, and historical information (Although I cannot attest to its accuracy). You are exposed to the flaws of the founders, and their weaknesses. While some of the interaction between members could come right out of Jerry Springer, it is still highly commendable.

I must admit I had a difficult time putting this book down.

I started reading this book after I had been in the Golden Dawn system for a very short time. I was extremely grateful to connect to the originators of those "energies" represented by actual stories, (which are still in full force today). It was helpful to see the psychology behind the main characters in history, (including their astrological charts), and how they interacted during such potent and challenging, constricting times. Not only did I come to gain a better clarity of the power of manifest, but also the power of union, whether it fails due to reasons including ego out of balance, or thrives on an open balanced heart. Having gone through the system I look back at this amazing work by Lady Greer, and sigh in happiness, at the beauty and art it showed me. Her skill in writing and intuitive piecing together of things was extremely impressive. I have already turned five different friends onto her book and they all loved it as well. A worthwhile purchase for certain, (especially if you are interested in the Golden Dawn system of Magick)!

Mary Greer (of Tarot for Yourself, et. al), has written a large tome on women magician/priestesses from the late 1800 to early 1900 period. This is the seminal period of the Golden Dawn, and brings out the major influence of the women involved, especially Florence Farr, Annie Horniman, Maud Gonne, and Mina Bergson, as well as references to later influences such a Pamela Colman-Smith. It is an amazing piece of the rich history of women in magic, and a must read. Greer is a very readable author, it is a lively and informative book.

I feel fortunate to have a copy of this book on my shelves, as it is a rich history (or herstory, if you will) of the women who helped birth the resurgence of a fascinating (and loving) religion dedicated to mysteries of the universe, equality, reality, and (of course) magic.