What do you know about Real Magick, The Golden Dawn, True Rosicrucian, or the Western Esoteric Tradition? Dr Regardie relates his own experience in those secret societies which have exerted such a great influence on the development of modern Occultism. He lifts the cloak of mystery which has shrouded these organisations since their heyday in the last half of the 19th century and tells what really went on behind the closed doors of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, the Theosophist Society, the Rosicrucian Fraternity, and the Masonic Lodge. From his close personal association Regardie reveals the true nature and actions of such leading Occult authorities as Aleister Crowley, S L MacGregor Mathers, Dr W W Westcott and Dion Fortune. This facinating book had been out of print and highly sought after for many years since its first publication in 1936. Reprinted in 1971 with a new introduction and postscript by Dr Regardie giving further details of the rites and rituals which he was under oath not to reveal at the time of the first printing of this work. The book discusses both the theories behind the ceremonial grades of the Golden Dawn and the initiation rites as they were really practiced by the Order. Fear of recrimination did not prevent Dr Regardie from carefully analyzing and criticising the methods and procedures of the Order and revealing the true character of its members. With a new preface by Lon Milo DuQuette, author of Ask Baba-Lon, Answers to Questions of Life & Magick.
Israel Regardie (1907-1985) was an Adept of the Golden Dawn and he was one of the greatest exponents of the Western Esoteric Tradition of the 20th century. He was also an initiate of Aleister Crowley's Order of the A.·. A.·., and he was a IXth degree initiate of Crowley's O.T.O. It was his aim to preserve the teachings and work of the Golden Dawn and Aleister Crowley. His success in this task has profoundly influenced occult thought. From the age of 21, Regardie worked as Crowley's personal secretary. During this period, until their bitter parting, Regardie was one of the few who knew Crowley well. He was one of the few who were qualified to provide first-hand, personal insight into the character and personality of one of the major figures in Western Magick. In addition to his extensive writings, Regardie practiced as a chiropractor and as a neo-Reichian therapist. He taught Psychiatry at the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic and contributed articles to many Psychology magazines. Regardie's most profound work, The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic, is a 1200 page book published by New Falcon Publications; a company he founded with his student Dr. Christopher Hyatt. The book is currently available in three different editions: a) 1200 page hard bound with index; b) eBook with the same material; and c) a new portable edition as a soft cover. Today Regardie's work is being preserved and perpetuated by New Falcon Publications and the Israel Regardie Foundation.
Lon Milo DuQuette lives in Costa Mesa, California. James Wasserman specialises in esoteric literature and currently works in book production and graphic design. He lives in New York City. Mark Stavish is the Director of Studies for the Institute for Hermetic Studies.
