Quote of the day

Robert Wang (An Introduction to the Golden Dawn Tarot):

One final point should be made here relative to the esoteric Tarot. Obvivously, the fact this was the Tarot of a secret group, and that its member swore death oaths to maintain secrecy places the deck in a special category. But there is more involved here than may be immediately obvious. The [original 1888-1900] Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, as do all legimate esoteric orders, functioned with a set of Inner Plane contacts unique to their system, although presumably pre-existent and strengthened by the Order's contacts; the Order paved some inner roads which can be followed even today. Thus, serious use of the Tarot deck designed for the exclusive use of the Golden Dawn initiates will bring about some subtle links with the spiritual currents used by the Order. The same may be said of strictly following any aspect of the Golden dawn system, particularly its exercises and rituals.