When I was searching for an Order to join, I have read about that group that existed in 1888 in England and I barely remember the name.
One afternoon, I was at Barnes and Noble and I found the black Regardie's book: "The Golden Dawn". I took it, got a table and started to read, but one afternoon was not enough.
I got back home and started to search "The Golden Dawn" and it was dissapointing to me, that there were many groups called "The Golden Dawn" and I said to myself: "what is the real one?"; but I started to go one by one and I even was about to fall in the Credit Card fraud of the Zink's EOGD; then, I went to McZ and the website was so obscure that just by looking at it made me ran away.
I even bought the "Self Initiation" green book and to be honest, the theory is awesome, I must credit that; but then after reading a lot, I said: "where's the magic?" and also made think "how am I going to Initiate myself if I don't have any power vested on me?" and I kept searching.
One good day, I found the HOGD/AO and the very moment I found the website I knew it was the one I was searching and I didn't even hesitate in joining.
The rites of the neophyte came to me and they were natural; I learned right away and immediately started to see changes. By that time, I had no idea on what was going on on the blogosphere; I didn't know that Zink and some others were waging war against my new Order.
On my way, I found some known names on the web and occult circles...Leitch, Farrell, RO, etc etc and credit to whom credit deserves, RO helped me a lot and I became his student in one of his classes. I knew he disliked what the GD means but I didn't understand why; I just kept doing my class and kept going my way in the Order. At some point, I liked Leitch but somehow I knew I didn't need to spend my money on him; Farrell, I distrust him since the beginning.
As I was progressing in the HOGD/AO, I experienced many good changes in my life with the rituals, spiritually, psychicly and materially. Many rewards, and power...yes, I said power. The fraternal union of my fellow Fratres and Sorores made me feel at home.
I have met many good people in my Order, my tutor; my fellow members of the Temple; and all of those who i just know online by now, but I hope in the future, meet them. Also, I do my duty as officer in the Temple, and we do voluntary work with love to our fellow candidates who come to be Initiated by us; and they know it, they feel how we treat them, with respect and love.
I'm proud of my HOGD/AO, I see the honesty in our brothers and sisters and in the Institution itself. Our order is not a business, the Order doesn't even sell things and we receive our material for free; it's part of our regular study curriculum. Everybody knows that.
The ones who are milking the community are the same who oppose to us, they sell lies and cheap journalism.
We stand strong and independent and no one has the right to take that freedom out of us.
My dear Fratres and Sorores of the HOGD/AO, I love you all, with sincere love and much respect, to each one of you.
Peace profound, in LVX
H Frater VL.
