The document discusses the symbolism behind the black and white robes worn in the Golden Dawn tradition. The black robe of the outer order represents the initiate's journey through cycles of change and death and rebirth as they progress through the grades. It also symbolizes controlling the ego, represented as a serpent crucified on the Tau cross. The white robe of the second order represents purity and achieving balance between the ego and will. It incorporates symbolism from astrology, the Kabbalah, Greek mythology and alchemy to represent the initiate gaining control over the ego and achieving a state of healing.
The document discusses the symbolism behind the black and white robes worn in the Golden Dawn tradition. The black robe of the outer order represents the initiate's journey through cycles of change and death and rebirth as they progress through the grades. It also symbolizes controlling the ego, represented as a serpent crucified on the Tau cross. The white robe of the second order represents purity and achieving balance between the ego and will. It incorporates symbolism from astrology, the Kabbalah, Greek mythology and alchemy to represent the initiate gaining control over the ego and achieving a state of healing.
The document discusses the symbolism behind the black and white robes worn in the Golden Dawn tradition. The black robe of the outer order represents the initiate's journey through cycles of change and death and rebirth as they progress through the grades. It also symbolizes controlling the ego, represented as a serpent crucified on the Tau cross. The white robe of the second order represents purity and achieving balance between the ego and will. It incorporates symbolism from astrology, the Kabbalah, Greek mythology and alchemy to represent the initiate gaining control over the ego and achieving a state of healing.
The document discusses the symbolism behind the black and white robes worn in the Golden Dawn tradition. The black robe of the outer order represents the initiate's journey through cycles of change and death and rebirth as they progress through the grades. It also symbolizes controlling the ego, represented as a serpent crucified on the Tau cross. The white robe of the second order represents purity and achieving balance between the ego and will. It incorporates symbolism from astrology, the Kabbalah, Greek mythology and alchemy to represent the initiate gaining control over the ego and achieving a state of healing.
The design of the robe within the Golden Dawn is based on the design of the Tau Cross. The Tau cross relates to the idea and symbolism of the Greek letter of the same name. This is what is commonly thought of when thinking of the Tau Robe. However there is much more meaning hidden within the symbolism. Within the Golden Dawn there are two versions of the Tau Robe worn by the initiates. The first is the black robe worn in the Outer Order. There are two aspects to understanding the symbolism of the Black robe, the first is found in Roman mythology and the second in the ideas of Alchemy. In Roman mythology the Tau Cross was a symbol used by the Cult of Mithra. One of the focuses of the cult was the area of studying the stars, which is reflected in the teachings of the Golden Dawn. Another Roman god using this symbol is Attis. Attis was a god of life, death, and rebirth. Again these too relate to the ideas of the Golden Dawn. This is the path of the initiate within the order, the cycle of change that is undergone by the initiate as they pass through the grades of the order. In Alchemy is found the symbol of the Crucified Serpent. This is a diagram of a serpent crucified on the Tau Cross. In alchemy this is the "fixing of the volatile or, making the elixir of mercury, a legendary curative, by removing the 'volatile' or poisonous element. In the teachings of the Golden Dawn the serpent is the Ego or the poisonous element of the Self. The Ego of the initiate is what must be brought under control or crucified on the cross of the initiates will before they can advance to the higher worlds.
From this we can see that the black Tau robe is a reminder to the initiate of the goal of there training and the first order of the Golden Dawn. It is also a symbol of the cycles that they will travel through as they move through the grades. Within each new grade the initiate moves through the cycle of change.
The White Robe
The second robe is the white robe worn in the second order. This robe relates to the ideas of the Sumerian God Tammuz. This is the Sun god, the ruler of the second temple found in the Sephiroth of Tiphareth of the kabala. This is also thought of as the temple of the elemental kings. The God Tammuz is the consort of the moon god Ishtar. This demonstrates the idea of balance that is achieved through the workings of the first order. In Alchemy the white robe is the symbol of purity. By the control of the ego the initiate has become the elixir of mercury as reflected in the Greek symbol of the Asclepius wand. In Greek mythology this is a symbol of healing. Unlike the Crucified Serpent the Asclepius wand shows the serpent below the head of the wand. Here the Ego is in control of the will of the initiate. The control of the Ego is an aspect of self healing, which is reelected in this symbol and the white robe. This leads us to the symbolism hidden in the White Tau Robe. Within the teachings of the Kabala this is the higher cross bring together the twin pillars of fire and water, linking them to the Middle Pillar of Air. Here too the outer temple of Yesod, the moon temple forms the base of the Robe of the Adept. It is from the learning of the outer temple that forms the bases for the work of the second temple of the Adepts. This idea is reflected in the four sub-degrees of the Adept Minors training. But the White Robe, there also reflects the ideas found in astrology. To understand this; one must first see that the Tau cross is composed of 11 squares. Again this relates to the ideas of the Ego and Will being in balance, 11 becoming 2 in numerology and the idea of duality. This esoterically relates to the two arms of the cross and
the elemental Kings. This is also the reflection of the four elemental grades of the outer order in the Adept Minor grade.
The Center pillar of the Tau
cross or robe is composed of the seven ancient planets with the God Tammuz in the center and Ishtar at its base. Around the sun revolves the celestial sphere of the planets. This forms the pattern of plants found in the design of the Adepts Lamen and the Kabbalah.
